The characters in this story belong to their respective creators and copyrights. Ranma 
1/2 is the creation and intellectual property of Rumiko Takahashi. Sailor Moon is the 
creation and intellectual property of Naoko Takeuchi. All original content is the 
creation and intellectual property of Samuel Phoenix. Recognition is given to John 
Sanchez for a small kick of inspiration that helped produce this story. 
 
                   Awkward Consequences   
              Chapter 2: What Price Honor? Part 2 
                PsyckoSama (syp104@psu.edu) 
               http://www.fanfic.net/~psyckosama/
 
Hotaru smiled in a sultrily manner and slowly moved toward Ranma, like 
how a lion stalks a gazelle. She placed her hand on his chest, pressing 
down to still him. "I said prove it."

Ranma jumped back, slipping out of her grasp. Oh god. This is not good. 
This is so not good. I can't, I just can't. 

Hotaru giggled, and walked toward him. She was slow and sensual, her 
movements focused on bring attention to her waist and hips. As she 
moved, she slowly unbuttoned her top, bringing attention to her 
breasts. Once again she placed her hand on his chest. 

She looked him deeply in the eyes and spoke. Her voice was rough and 
uncertain and her eyes held both a hunger and a sadness. "Please Ranma. 
Prove to me that I'm beautiful. Please."

Ranma did not like this. He was running out of roof, he was sure that 
at least one his of his fiancées would be showing up any moment now, 
and he just knew that he did not have to prove anything. She was 
beautiful for who she was. No amount of sex would ever prove that. 
Wait! That might work. Now, just how would he tell it to her.

Ranma gulped. "Hotaru... I'm not going to."

Hotaru's head dropped, and she just let herself drop to the roof. 
Ranma's  heart went out to her as he heard her sob lightly.

"Hotaru, it's not your body that makes ya beautiful... well it's a  
nice one though… err… what I'm trying to say is..." 

Hotaru looked up at him through her tears and smiled. It was a tired 
smile of one who had been through too much. To Ranma, a girl like 
Hotaru should never have a smile like that.

Hotaru sighed and spoke, "What are you trying to say Ranma?"

Ranma gulped. He hated being in the spotlight, but he had to finish. 
"Hotaru, yer really pretty but that doesn't make ya beautiful... ok, it 
does but... err... what I mean is that you're a good person. That's 
what makes you really beautiful. If we did it, it wouldn't prove 
nothin' cause you're already you! Ya see?"

Once again Hotaru sighed. She motioned for him to sit near her. While 
reluctant, Ranma eventually lowered himself to the roof across from 
her. Once he sat down Hotaru spoke.

Her voice was honest, like she wanted him to know a truth that she had 
hoped to keep hidden. She was bearing her soul to him. "Ranma, I'm 
sorry. I should not have done that. I was not being honest with you. 
The reason that I want you is not to prove that I'm beautiful. It's 
much more than that."

Ranma gulped, he did not like how things were going, but at least she 
was no longer trying to jump his bones. Well, at least not as 
aggressively.

Hotaru continued to speak, her voice becoming more and more emotional 
as she spoke. "Ranma, the real reason I asked you is because I want to 
know what making love is like before I have a child. I can't remember 
our first time. I want to know! Why should I be denied that experience? 
Why can't I know love, to be close to another human being!?" 

Hotaru began to choke up, and her eyes began to flood with heavy tears. 
"Besides, I just want I want one happy memory. I want to keep the baby, 
Ranma. And once he or she is born I want to be able to look at my 
child, no, our child and say he is not a mistake! Despite whatever 
choice we make between ourselves after this one, I want to be able to 
look at our baby and say that he was a product of honest emotion, and 
not our little mistake! Please Ranma. Grant me this one request! 
Please!" 

Ranma just stood in place. How does one react to this. Deep down he 
felt she was right. He had already taken so much from her. Her 
virginity, and soon her reputation. Ranma wondered what to do. To cheat 
on his fiancées would be dishonorable, but he already had. 

Ranma looked side to side for a moment. He was scanning the horizon. He 
could let no one know. If they found out, then both he and Hotaru would 
be in a world of shit. Sometimes you just have to do what you feel is 
right, consequences be damned. He would do it. 

------------------------

Ranma stared into the water that he was submerged in. The heat of the 
bath calmed him, helped him think, not that he had any trouble doing 
that. He had much to think about.

This had been without the most chaotic, life altering day in his life 
since Jusenkyo. He was going to be a father. Him, a father. This was 
going to throw his life into a whole now level of disorder. A level 
which he could only imagine with dread.

He had sex with the girl. Not like before, an innocent mistake that had 
dishonored them both, but real consensual sex. It had been good. 
Really, really good, but was it worth all this?

His life was about to get worse. What kind of father could he be? The 
only example he had was his Old Man, a stereotypical example of how not 
to treat your child. Would he end up a cowardly shell of a man like 
Genma?

No, he would never be like his father! He would do the right thing. But 
what was the right thing? He knew that it would never be right for him 
to leave Hotaru to face the music alone. He should be there beside her 
to take responsibility for his action. On the same note his was afraid.

At times he could barely keep himself safe. Fighting off Ryouga, the 
Kunos, Mousse, Happousai, his Old Man,  and every other would be 
fiancée, challenger, and crazy on the planet was not easy. How the hell 
would he defend Hotaru and their child? 

At least Akane was a martial artist. While she was light years from his 
level, she was still in the worlds top 99%. She could defend herself to 
a point. Hotaru on the other hand was just a sickly but normal girl, 
and their child would be completely helpless. 

Was it right for him to drag Hotaru and their child into his world? 
Beyond that was honor, Saotome family honor and the honor of the girls 
to whom he was engaged. He also was concerned about them. What about 
their feelings, their honor? He would have to choose. Something he had 
hoped to hold off as long as possible. Unfortunately the kami had just 
removed that final option.

He was confused and needed an opinion. Someone to talk to. Almost 
everyone he knew was biased, clueless, or just didn't care. Oh hell, he 
decided that he would talk to his mom. She might be a crazy, but sadly 
enough she was both the most level headed and honorable person he knew.

------------------------

Hotaru beamed as she opened her front door. She had been reliving the 
experience her entire trip home. That was making love. What it was like 
to be with another person. To share the most intimate of bonds 
possible, to not be alone and rejected.

Hotaru signed longingly. It was like nothing she had ever done before. 
He did not reject her. He treated her gently and with respect. He was 
kind, honest, and cute. Was this emotion she felt love? If it was love, 
then what kind. Was this the kind of puppy love that Minako and Makoto 
felt for every cute boy on the street, or was it something more?

Hotaru cleared her mind. It would not do to stand in the door all day. 
She walked into the house, headed toward the bath. She was a mess, and 
needed to clean up.

"Hello Hotaru-chan," said Michiru from the kitchen. Hotaru had been so 
lost her own thoughts that she had not seen her.

Hotaru smiled brightly at her mother figure. "Hello Michiru-mama."

Michiru smiled at her daughter in return. It was obvious that she was 
happy to see Hotaru in higher spirits. "So Hotaru, how was to trip?"

Hotaru blushed and smiled coyly, "It was fun. Very eventful. Haruka-
papa would have loved it. There were just so many martial artists."

Michiru nodded in agreement. "I'm sure Haruka would have loved it, but 
I still don't understand why you were so insistent to go there in the 
first place."

Hotaru felt a chill go up her spine. She could barely fight down her 
blush as she thought of a logical explanation. After a moment, she came 
up with one that would work. "Oh mama, I'm getting older now! I'm about 
to turn sixteen! There are just some things you want to do on your own 
when you turn my age."

Michiru nodded knowingly, after all, she was only twenty. She should 
understand. "Hotaru, I understand. It's just that it is so hard letting 
go. I remember you when you were still a baby. They say 'they grow up 
fast', but I don't think anyone has ever seen their baby go from infant 
to teenager in three years!" 

Hotaru groaned internally. She loved her mama very much but sometimes 
she could be too much. Oh well, she should have some sympathy. She 
would be going through the same experience in about a decade and a 
half.

"Michiru-mama, I would like to take a bath now. I'll tell you all about 
my trip", sans a few important details, "once I'm done my bath! Okay?"

Michiru nodded. "Ok, Hotaru. Take your bath and then you can tell me 
all about Nerima."

Hotaru smiled. That would give her time to make something up. She 
turned around to walk up the steps, and ran straight into Setsuna.

"Oh, excuse me Setsuna-mama!" 

Setsuna looked down on Hotaru. The look in her eyes could only be 
described as 'knowing'. It freaked Hotaru out. "Hello Hotaru. Sorry to 
be in you way." 

Hotaru gulped and ran up stairs to take her bath.

Michiru blinked. For a moment Hotaru has seemed so content, so happy, 
but Setsuna did something to put her on edge.

Setsuna sighed and looked up the stairs. "They grow up so fast..."

Michiru was confused. She knew that Setsuna was not talking about 
Hotaru's accelerated growth, so what could it be. "What do you mean by 
that?" she inquired.

Setsuna laughed deeply. "You couldn't see it on her face? Oh well, I 
guess its one of those things that comes with age."

Michiru scowled, what did Setsuna mean? "What are you talking about?"

Setsuna shook her head. "It looks to me like our little Hotaru just got 
laid." 

Michiru froze. Her little Hotaru-chan, the little baby she held in her 
arms just three years ago sexually active? She couldn't believe it, she 
wouldn't. But now she looked back on it, she did recognize that 
smile...

------------------------

Ranma looked out the bathroom door to see if the coast was clear. He 
had cheated and used the umisenken the sneak into the house undetected. 
While he could understand, and agree, with his father sealing the 
uncompromisingly deadly yamasenken, he saw no point in keeping a useful 
and comparatively harmless set of techniques sealed. Besides, the 
umisenken invisibility techniques must have saved his ass at least a 
dozen times.

Seeing the coast clear Ranma snuck out of the bathroom. He slowly 
walked toward his room. I need to study, don't need to deal with 
Akane...

"Ranma!"

Shit.

Akane slowly stomped toward Ranma, she did not sound happy "Who was 
that girl, and what were you doing. Well Ranma?"

Oh, no one in particular Akane, just the mother of my child. Oh, and we 
were having sex. Yeah, as if. He was not stupid, or suicidal enough to 
tell her the truth. Time to bullshit. "Oh, she was just a friend."

Akane twitched. "just a friend? Like Ukyo is 'just a friend'?" Ranma 
winced as she saw Akane's fist clench. Think fast Saotome!

Ranma groaned. "Come on Akane! It's not like that!" well, it is, his 
mind added. "She is just the little sister of a friend from school!"

Friend from school, great save. Now that they were going to different 
Colleges that might just work. Or not.

Akane blue rage filled Battle aura sprung to full glow. In a voice 
quivering with 'righteous anger' she hissed, "Great Ranma, now you 
hitting on young girls?" and with a cry of "Ranma you pervert!" she 
smacked him in the face, sending him into a wall. Satisfied with the 
effect, Akane turned around and stomped down the steps

With an aggravated growl Ranma lifted him self from the cracked plaster 
and dented drywall that was once part of the hallway. He lightly 
chucked to himself. This was the first time he ever really deserved it 
for 'being a pervert'.

Ranma walked down stairs. He was immediately confronted by his old man 
and Mr. Tendo. Time for the moronic duo double team.

"Ranma! How dare you cheat on my little girl!" screamed Soun.

"Ranma you ungrateful boy! Prove you honor and marry Akane!"

Ranma was not in the mood for this. His life was going to hell, he had 
no idea of how to properly handle this, and the absolute last thing he 
needed was his idiot old man and a fool like Mr. Tendo.

With a cry of, "Swetto!" and a bucket full of water, Happousai was 
attached to Onna-Ranma's torso. He gave a firm squeeze and commented, 
"Well now Ranma! I think your still developing! They just keep getting 
bigger!" 

Ranma twitched. She hated her life. She hated this body. She hated the 
situations in which she had been placed thanks to her idiot old man. 
And She really hated this perverted old master and his wandering hands.

Ranma pulled back her hand to punch of old pervert, but came up with an 
idea. It was cruel, it was sadistic, and it was divine retribution. 

Through grinding teeth she called up her most saccharine voice. "Oh, 
Happy..."

Happousai looked up, "Yes Ranma?"

Ranma detached the old pervert from her chest and held him at arms 
length. "Lets you and I make a deal."

Happousai smiled brightly, his gears obviously turning, "What kind of 
deal..."

Ranma smirked at look at her Old Man and Mr. Tendo. Both of whom were 
being overcome with visible amounts of dread. "I'll pose in a bra for 
you, but under one condition..."

Happousai jumped down from her arms as stood up as tall as he could. 
"Anything! I'll do anything you ask!"

In a calm, horrified voice Genma whispered, "Son, what are you doing?" 

She glanced toward Soun and Genma, smiling like a shark. "I think that 
my Old Man and Mr. Tendo have been growing lax in their skills."

Happousai nodded, "Your right, they're nothing compared to what they 
were like in their prime." he suddenly burst into tears and continued, 
"Oh, what did I do to deserve weak, useless disciples like them!"

Ranma smiled even brighter at this reaction. "They don't have to be. 
They have been getting lax on their training. They have become fat and 
happy."

Happousai smacked his fist into his hand, "Of course! It just can't do 
for two masters of the Anything Goes style to become weak and fat! For 
the good of the school this must be corrected! What these two idiots 
need is a good training trip!"

Both Genma and Soun started to back up, their faces masks of horror and 
silent dread. 

"Not only that," continued Ranma, "but you have ten years of lost time 
to make up for! They also need discipline! They can't even stand up to 
you when your drunk, and they show you no respect! Can a self 
respecting master ever allow behavior like that?"

The aged pervert nodded, "Your right! I'll make this trip the best 
ever!" turning toward his students, he continued, "If you thought your 
trips before were bad, they were just warm-ups for this one!"

Hs voice shaking, Genma turned to his son turned daughter, "Why Ranma, 
why are you doing this to me? What horrible thing have I done to 
deserve this horrible fate?" While Genma spoke Soun sat on his knees 
crying full blow about how he was never going to see his little girls 
again.

"Oh, quit bitching Genma!" cried Happousai. "We're leaving tomorrow!"

Ranma quickly slipped out of the house. That had to have been the most 
blatantly cruel thing he had done in all of his 18 years of life. He 
knew it was wrong on so many levels, but then why did it feel so right? 
Paybacks a bitch, ain't it? At least is would keep them out of his hair 
long enough to sort this out.

------------------------
 
Hotaru sighed in pleasure as she slipped into the tub. The hot water 
washed away all of aches and pains just leaving her in a blissful state 
of contentment.

She felt more in control, more adult. While she was still afraid, she 
was no longer as confused. At least she could tell herself that she was 
responsible for the consequences of her actions, and was not just an 
innocent victim of a stupid mistake. She was no longer just a spectator 
in her fate. She was a participant.

She knew that this would not remove the problems she would face. She 
was going to be a teen mother. Not exactly something accepted by 
society, and she could kiss her honor good bye, but if that is what it 
takes.

She had come to at least one important decision. She was keeping the 
baby, consequences be damned. She would not live up to her reputation. 
She was not just a soulless killer, like the other senshi sometimes 
feared she could become. She was a human being! She could love, she 
could hate, and her only choice didn't have to be death. She was not 
going to kill her child just because it happened to be convenient.

As she soaked, he mind drifted to Ranma. He was so amazing to her. So 
unlike the ignorant, close minded boys at her school. He was willing to 
ignore her reputation and see the real her. He envied her powers too. 
While he did not know the price, she was flattered. He had called them 
a gift. He had also called her beautiful, not cute, but beautiful! Did 
he really think she was that kind of girl, beautiful and gifted? 

She giggled to herself. Chibi-Usa, and the other inners, especially 
Makoto and Minako would be so jealous! Here they are fawning over every 
cute guy they see with no luck, but she got such a sweetie by act of 
fate! He was so handsome, so kind, and so skilled. Yeas, he was very 
skilled...

His skill level was disturbing to her. He could jump tall building with 
ease and she still shuddered when she remembered that mailbox. How what 
it possible for a human being to do that? Was he really just a powerful 
martial artist, or something more? It scared her, while at the same 
time excited her. The danger of the unknown.

His curse also interested her. Being raised by Haruka and Michiru must 
have had some effect on her, made her more open minded. While she knew 
damn well that she liked boys, she had to admit, having a lover that 
was both could lead to some interesting experiments.

She sighed and looked down. What about him? How would this affect his 
life, their child's life. Would he really be willing to settle down 
with a girl like her? And what if the things he said were true? Was he 
willing to commit himself to more chaos? 

It was killing him. She could tell that it was killing him. The way he 
spoke, acted when he talked. His life was slowly tearing his apart. Was 
she willing to further entrap him, to throw yet another bucket of dirt 
on his grave? No! She hoped that he would choose her, but she would not 
force him. She did not want to force him. She wanted him to choose on 
his own.

They had agreed to meet tomorrow night, to see if either had come up 
with something. She hoped he did. 

As Hotaru thought about the future of her life, Michiru snuck into the 
room. Was their any proof, and evidence? She would never confront 
Hotaru on just speculation. She had to know.

She shifted through Hotaru's clothing for only a moment before she felt 
something. Slimy and sticky. He lifted the article of clothing. It was 
Hotaru's panties. 

She stiffened up as she looked at the soiled silk underclothing. The 
violet cloth was moist and stained white. The most simple and damning 
piece of evidence one could find. 

She slowly creepy out the door holding the piece of clothing. Her lip 
lifted into a dull twitch when she heard the closing of the door 
downstairs. Haruka was home. Oh, when her little girl got out of the 
bath they were going to have a very, very long talk about this.

------------------------
 
The lost boy smiled. He saw him, the cause of his suffering, the 
creator of his torment, and the only person who could give him a run 
for his money. It was time for retribution, time to cause him pain, 
time to enjoy the Art in its rawest form. With a joyful rage, Ryouga 
bound into the air, intent of getting a good fight out of his rival. 
"Saotome Ranma, prepare to die."

Ranma sighed and jumped to the side. The fence that he was running 
across was totaled by a descending umbrella. Hibiki Ryouga snarled and 
turned to he rival, he eyes promising death.

"Hey Ryouga, could we please do this later? I really got a lot on my 
mind."

Ryouga roared and anger and swung at him, "Ranma! Because of you I've 
seen hell!"

Ranma "Ryouga! Give me a break! This is important! I'll fight you, but 
not now. Make an honorable challenge, or attack me in a few days, but 
not right now!"

Ryouga blinked and lowered his umbrella. Ranma never turned down their 
fight! This was not part of the game! Usually he would attack, Ranma 
would bitch that he didn't want a fight, call him P-chan, and then they 
would rumble. With just a touch of concern in his voice for his rival 
and sometimes friend, Ryouga said, "Hey, Ranma? You okay?"

Ranma shook his head, "No. I'm not ok. I'm very, very far from ok."

Ryouga gawked for a moment. This was not the same aggravating egotist 
he usually fought, this Ranma was depressed and confused. Ranma was 
acting more like him then he did! "What is it?"

Ranma just looked at him. It was as if he was thinking, trying to come 
to a choice. "Ryouga. I want you to give me you word as a martial 
artist and a man that you will not attack me or repeat anything I'm 
about to say."

Ryouga nodded.

"Also, If you go back on your word, I will no longer be honor bound to 
keep your secret safe. I will tell Akane about P-chan. Do you 
understand me?"

Ryouga stared at Ranma. Was the secret that big? What could it be? 
Ryouga wanted to know, and he was damn well going to follow his word. 
He did not want a case of death by tomboy. "Ok, I give you my word."

Ranma nodded and motioned for Ryouga to follow him. He bound up onto 
the roof of a nearby office building and leaned back ageist a wall. He 
looked up to his rival with tired eyes. "Ryouga, I cheated on Akane. I 
had sex with another girl."

Ryouga clenched his fist. Mustn't kill! Mustn't kill! Mustn't kill! 
Ryouga twitched, trying to keep his rage in check, "Go on, Saotome..."

Ranma sighed, "That ain't the half of it... she's pregnant man, she's 
gonna have my kid!"

Ryouga twitched again. This self control thing was not all it was 
cracked up to be, but at least he knew why Ranma would tell his secret. 
If Ryouga talked, then Ranma would talk, then he would be in the grave 
right next to Ranma's. "What do you plan on doing about this, you 
pervert?"

Ranma looked up toward Ryouga, "Hey man, it's not what you think. It 
was not my fault, at least it wasn't when the mess got started."

Ryouga was unconvinced, "You better explain this one good Saotome, or 
I'll kill you myself."

Ranma shook his head. "Always the same Ryouga." He leaned back then 
began, "It started about two months ago..."

------------------------

Hotaru smiled as she walked down the steps. Her smiled faded as she saw 
her parent-figures standing at the bottom of the steps. It was obvious 
that they were angry about something.

"Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama, what's wrong?" she inquired.

Without missing a beat Haruka spoke. "Hotaru, who is the boy?" she 
demanded.

Hotaru gulped. "Papa, there is not a boy!"

Haruka growled, and produced a pair of soiled panties. "Who is the 
boy?"

Hotaru eyes almost bugged out of her head. The jig was up. "Oh, shit."

Notes: Please comment. All C&C will be appreciated, applause will be 
happily accepted, criticism will be considered, ideas would be useful, 
and flames will be quickly discarded. Thank ye! ^_^

Thanks to everybody for their comments and help. :)