The characters in this story belong to their respective creators and rights holders. 
Ranma 1/2 is the creation of Rumiko Takahashi. Sailor Moon is the creation of Naoko 
Takeuchi. All original content is the creation of Samuel Phoenix. Recognition is given to 
John Sanchez for a small kick of inspiration that helped produce this story, and to 
Harold Ancell who has been a near constant source of input, information, and ideas.  
 
Awkward Consequences
Chapter 4: Family Problems
PsyckoSama (syp104@psu.edu)
http://www.fanfic.net/~psyckosama/

"It is your responsibility. Decide for yourself."

Ranma blinked. Did his mother just say what he thought she did? "Mom?"

Nodoka smiled and shook her head. "Ranma, a manly man is decisive. 
While I appreciate you coming for my advice, that is all it should be. 
A real man is a leader, a decision maker. Someone like that would not 
ask their mother to make all the important decisions."

Ranma blinked. His mother, Nodoka "Do what I say or I'll make you 
commit Seppuku" Saotome just told him to think for himself? "Mom, are 
you serious?"

Nodoka nodded. "Very serious. You are eighteen years old. You are 
legally a man, and soon you will be a father. It is time for you to 
start making your own decisions."

Ranma smirked. His mom must have hit her head or something. Oh well, he 
had no complaint. 

"Well then, I guess I'll have ta marry her."

Nodoka smiled and nodded. "Yes, you will. You have chosen wisely."

For some reason the emphasis Nodoka put on the last sentence sent 
chills of cold terror up Ranma's spine. "Err... thanks."

In seconds Nodoka's cheerful tone returned and she continued. "Now we 
just have to break it to your father."

Ranma chuckled; he had already dealt with that problem. "It'll have to 
wait, he's leaving on a training trip with Happousai tomorrow."

"Then I guess we will have to tell him before he leaves," replied 
Nodoka.

Ranma face twisted into a grimace, he had been hoping that he could be 
happily married and away from the Tendo dojo before he had to tell his 
Old Man. "Mom, you have got to be shitting me."

Nodoka scowled, "No, I am not. He is your father, and he should be 
informed of your decision."

"Mom," growled Ranma. "That dirty old Panda would stop at nothing to 
unite the schools, honor be damned. He would be totally against the 
idea, and would do everything he could to prevent it!"

Nodoka nodded. "That may be, but he is still your father."

"What about what you said? Make my own decisions? Besides, the last 
thing we should do is go over to the Tendos' and tell them! Nabiki 
would make sure this was public knowledge before the end of tomorrow!"

Nodoka smiled. "Who said anything about the Tendos? If it's true that 
he is going on a training trip, then he will visit tonight." Nodoka 
blushed, and continued. "He always visits the night before he leaves on 
a trip." With a girlish giggle, she said, "That's how you came about."

Ranma's faced twisted into an absolutely diseased expression. There are 
some things children wish there parents to leave them in the dark 
about. In a weary, sickened voice he replied, "Ok... I'll see you later 
mom."

Nodoka blinked. "Where do you think you going? You're the one who is 
going to tell him. Now let's go inside."

Ranma sighed and pulled out a cigarette, which was promptly smacked out 
of his hand. With a sigh of acceptance, he followed his mother into the 
house. Why couldn't anything ever be easy?

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

Haruka blinked, then blinked again. "Setsuna, if that is your idea of a 
joke, it was not fucking funny."

"Yes Setsuna, I almost had a heart attack," added Michiru as she 
attempted to catch her breath, and steady her footing. She has almost 
fallen over.

Setsuna shook her head. "Let me put this in another way. Hotaru has a 
bun in the oven. She is in a family way. What I'm trying to say is, 
Hotaru is going to have a baby!" 

Michiru wobbled on her feet for a moment. Her face displayed a look of 
absolute dread. "Setsuna, you're not kidding?"

Haruka's body stiffened, and she began twitch in much the manner 
Setsuna had only moments before. "This has to be a joke. Right?" 

Setsuna sighed and allowed herself to fall back into her chair. "I'm 
not kidding. Unless Usagi is trying to play some kind of sick joke on 
us, Hotaru is going to be a mother."

Michiru was the first to speak. Her voice was monotonous, like all the 
life had been sucked out of her. She slowly sat down on one of the 
living room chairs. She was struggling to keep from fainting. "Oh my 
god. It makes sense! It makes perfect sense! The reason why she's been 
sick in the morning, the reason why her appetite has been picking up." 
Her tone changed into a wail of distress as she continued. "Oh, Hotaru-
chan, why didn't you tell us?!"

Haruka twitched. Her reaction was the opposite to her lover's, full of 
fire and emotion. "I'll kill him. I will hunt the little bastard down 
to the end of the earth and rip off his balls. I will make him regret 
the day he ever stole our little girl's innocence! Whoever you are, 
prepare to die!"

Setsuna sighed and shook her head. "Do you think brutalizing the father 
of Hotaru's child is going to make her happy? Haruka, I think the first 
thing you should do is beg Hotaru's forgiveness. You said some things 
that must have really hit home."

Michiru looked toward Haruka, the pain on her face amplified by a bleak 
realization. "What you said! No wonder she ran off! If she's really 
going to have a baby...."

Haruka's anger faded almost instantaneously when she heard this. "Oh 
shit. She must hate me. I... I have to apologize to her. If I had 
thought things through, I would have never have said them." Haruka sat 
down and rubbed her head. "She'll never trust us again, will she?"

Setsuna shook her head. "Not for a long time."

Michiru eyes narrowed, and she began to glare at Setsuna. "Did you know 
about this?"

"Setsuna...," growled Haruka, coming to a similar suspicion. Setsuna 
sighed as she shook her head. It looked like she would have to tell 
them the truth. "You want the complete, totally honest answer?"

"Yes!" screamed both Haruka and Michiru in one voice.

Setsuna sighed and shook her head "I had absolutely no idea."

Michiru glared at Setsuna. "Do you really expect us to believe that?"

Setsuna scoffed. "Do you think I'm omniscient? I am human just like 
you. Although this is strange." 

"I guess you're right, but how could you miss something like this?"

"The Time Gates are fickle," she said, before she took another sip of 
her drink. After a moment, she grumbled, "I hope the father is not who 
I think it is," thinking out loud.

Haruka smiled and cracked her knuckles. The smile on her face promised 
pain. "Who is it?" 

"Haruka! We've already done enough damage!" scolded Michiru.

Haruka laughed. "Don't worry, Michiru! I'm not going to kill him, I'm 
just going to convince him of the error of his ways!"

Setsuna sighed. This was turning out to be a very, very long night. 
"Let's just go to Usagi's and talk to Hotaru. We can worry about the 
rest later, but right now we have to see our daughter."

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

Saotome Genma smirked as he walked toward his home. A place he had not 
lived in for more then ten years. He wished that his foolish child 
would realize the error of his ways and hurry up and marry Akane. If 
there was one thing he missed after ten years, it was his wife. 

Damn the boy. How could that young fool trick the Master into dragging 
him on yet another foolish training trip. The boy just couldn't 
understand that everything done was for him, for the Art. The Art was 
life, it went beyond honor and morality. It was the Art. 

Why couldn't he realize that? The Tendo/Saotome union was for the good 
of the Art. If only Ranma could abandon his misplaced sense of honor, 
he would realize the truth. Moreover, the sooner he realized the truth, 
the sooner Genma could return home to his sexy wife.

Genma knocked on the door. He blinked when he heard what sounded like a 
commotion on the other side of the door. After a moment, it opened and 
Genma was welcomed by his wife's face.

With a big stupid grin he said, "Hello, Nodoka-chan!" He then peed in 
the door and stopped in surprise. He did not expect to the boy in girl 
form, and the boy's rival waiting for him. He had a bad feeling about 
this.

"Hello, husband," said Nodoka. Genma gulped, as he looked at the silk 
wrapped bundle she was holding. She had her katana. Every ounce of his 
being was fighting the urge to run. There was something very wrong 
here.

"Sit down, and shut up old man," said his insolent son. When he 
returned, he would remind the boy that he was the student. As much as 
he didn't want to go, he knew that he would get stronger during the 
coming trip. Despite this, he did as he was told. He did not like the 
glint in Nodoka's eyes, nor did he like the harsh glare coming from the 
bandana-clad juggernaught.

Ranma glared at his father. Genma did not like this look. He had seen 
it only a few times and very bad things were the only result. It was 
the look Ranma had whenever he was about to stand in the way of his 
father's plans.

"I'm getting married..."

Genma smiled. Yes! The boy realized! Tendo would be thrilled, the 
schools would be joined! 

"...but it ain't Akane."

Genma's mind froze and his eyes burst open in shock, as his view slowly 
drifted to the Hibiki boy. No, surely not! 

Genma gulped and wearily pointed to Ryouga, "Please tell me this is not 
what I think it is...."

Ranma's eye started to twitch violently as he realized what his father 
was implying. "Are you out of your mind, Old Man!?"

Ryouga on the other hand stood in place with glazed over eyes and a big 
stupid grin. He chucked lightly as a thin trickle of blood made its way 
down from his nose. "Me and... Ranma... married?" 

The idea took a couple of seconds to fully process through Ryouga's 
mind. When he fully realized what Genma was saying, he back slapped a 
cup of hot tea onto Ranma, and jumped in front of Genma, lifting him by 
the collar and roaring, "No, it's not us!"

"Ryouga-kun! You will not damage my house!" yelled Nodoka with a stern 
voice.

Ryouga nodded and dropped Genma on his ass. He wiped his nose, and sat 
back down next to Ranma with a grumble of, "You have got to be 
kidding."

Ranma glanced over to Ryouga and shook his head. "Stupid panda."

Genma sighed, thank the kami. With that shock out of the way, Genma 
fully realized the events effect as over ten years of schemes, plans, 
and dreams come crashing down around him. It only took him a moment to 
think and clear his mind, and when he did, he was livid. "Foolish boy! 
You are honor-bound to marry a Tendo! The schools must be joined!"

"Husband," Nodoka interrupted, "a more pressing 'engagement' has come 
to life, and I am afraid that I agree with Ranma. It takes precedence 
over the Tendo betrothal."

Genma was pissed, how dare they! How dare they stand in the way of the 
Art, of his livelihood! He had raised the boy, put him through the most 
extreme training know to man for this! To produce an heir worthy of 
uniting the schools, to create a warrior capable of ending the Master's 
reign of terror, and to make sure he could live high on the hog with 
Ranma's tournament winnings. "What could be more important then the 
Art?!"

"A child," replied Nodoka, matter-of-factly.

Genma froze. "A what?"

"Ranma, explain it to your father."

Ranma sighed. "I went to a party with some friends, got drunk, and 
knocked a girl up. I'm going to do the honorable thing and marry her."

Genma snarled. In one lapse of discipline, the young fool had found a 
way to ruin everything. Akane would never take him back after something 
like this, Kasumi would refuse because of it, and he honestly did not 
want a pit viper like Nabiki as a daughter-in-law. "Is she a martial 
artist, son?"

Ranma shook his head. "Nope, she's not. Hell, even for a normal person 
she is kind of weak."

Damn. Maybe it would have been better if Ranma was marrying Ryouga. At 
least the pig could fight! Oh well, he could always support the chef. 
At least she would add something to the school, even if it was from 
that pathetic Okonomiyaki style of hers. This weak woman Ranma had 
impregnated would ruin all of his work! She would not understand the 
art; the little slut would probably turn Ranma into a salaryman! Oh 
well, best to keep up appearances, hopefully he could salvage it. "I 
can not allow this, for the sake of the schools..."
 
Ranma growled. "Dad, she's gonna have my kid. I'm not gonna just sit 
back and let her do the work raising it!"

"That doesn't matter..."

Nodoka glared at her husband, and he heard a scraping sound as her 
thumb readied her katana. Just a few centimeters, only enough so he 
could see the glint of light reflecting off of the razor sharp steel. 

"But husband, I must insist."

Genma's mind froze. If there was one think he cared about more then the 
Art, it was his skin. Screw the Art, he wanted to live! "Well, now that 
I think of it that way... It looks like our family will be having two 
new members, right, Nodoka-chan?"

"That's right," she replied as she reseated the blade.

Genma sighed. The boy in one fell swoop had ruined over ten years of 
hard work. The schools would never be united. He really should have had 
a Plan B.  What the hell was he going to tell Tendo? He just hoped he 
would not lose his best friend over his son's endless stupidity. Oh 
well, maybe they could delay the union by a generation.

Ranma smiled. "Thanks, Mom. It looks like I'll be moving back in here."

Genma looked at the boy. A small part excused him for what he did. He 
knew very well what it was to be a father. Everything he ever did was 
done for Ranma, well, most of it, well, some of it. He may have to live 
with this marriage, but he did not have to make it easy on the boy. 
"Not so fast boy..."

"What?" 

Genma smirked. "I feel that it is time for you to be out on your own. 
If you are going to raise a family you will do it on your own."

Ranma turned to Nodoka. "Mom?"

She was obviously unhappy with the decision, but shook her head. "While 
I do not agree with this choice, he is still head of this house hold. I 
am his wife and must support his decision. I'm sorry, Ranma." 

Genma smiled. He knew Nodoka's reaction would something like that. When 
it came to family honor she was a katana-welding psycho-bitch, but 
other wise she was the traditional Japanese wife, quiet, supportive, 
and out of the way. 

Ranma sighed. "Ok, I'll start looking for a place tomorrow."

"You're leaving tonight, and you will not spend the night at the 
Tendos'. You have dishonored their family enough," replied Genma.

"Are you kidding me, Old Man? Where the hell do you expect me to 
sleep?" 

Genma shook his head. "Has staying at the dojo really made you that 
soft? Camp, boy! Now out!"

Ranma began to twitch. "Fine. Ryouga, lets go."

The snarling bandanna-clad boy nodded, and stood up.

As they began to leave, Genma smirked. He had lost the war but at least 
he had one victory to his name. Ryouga, who had been clearly trying to 
hold his building anger, snapped when he saw Genma's stupid victorious 
grin. With a cry of, "Outta my way, panda!" he smacked the older man 
with his umbrella. The blow sent Genma flying out the still-open door 
and through several of the neighbors' privacy walls.

Nodoka stood up to protest, but was cut off by Ryouga. "I didn't damage 
your house!"

Nodoka closed her mouth and sat down, a small smile on her face. "Good 
bye, my son. Fare well, Ryouga-kun."

"See ya, Mom."

"Bye, Auntie Saotome."

Nodoka waved them off, saying, "Remember, you father just said you 
can't stay here. You're both welcome back any time. I love you, Ranma."

"Thank you, Auntie Saotome."

"I love you too, mom."

Watching the two youths leave, Genma cursed as he removed himself from 
the debris. That Hibiki boy really was a brute. After a moment, he 
smiled brightly and walked back into the house. "So, Nodoka..." he 
began, before being interrupted by a glass of water to the face.

"I'm not in the mood, Panda-san."

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

Hotaru was afraid about so many things; the moment she feared had come. 
What would she do? What would she say to her family? Was Haruka-papa 
right? Would they ever forgive her? Could she ever trust them again? 
Usagi had just left the room to make the call. She would know soon.

She looked to the side of Usagi's bed. Chibi-Usa was there watching 
her. She had never left her side. The thought that her friend would be 
with her no matter what lightened her heavy heart.

Hotaru closed her eyes and let he mind wander. Was Usagi right? Was 
this really a time for joy? Hotaru wanted to think so, but she could 
not shake her apprehension. 

She had to admit that Haruka was right on one account. With both the 
social implications of having a child at her age, and the trials of 
motherhood, her life was going to become much more complex.  

On the other hand, it was a joyous occasion. She was going to be a 
mama! In about half a year she would bring a new life into the world, a 
wonderful little person who was going to be her responsibility. It 
excited her and terrified her.

She was tired, and her day had been long and stressful. With a chance 
to relax, and lying in a comfortable bed, she could not help but enter 
sleep's comforting embrace.

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

Ryouga was furious. He had not expected this kind of day. What he had 
hoped for was maybe a solid brawl with Saotome followed by possibly a 
warm home cooked meal and maybe a night in a real bed.

"This is just wonderful," grumbled Ranma.  

Ryouga patted his rival on the back as they walked. "I'm sorry 'bout 
that, Ranma."

Ranma shook Ryouga's hand off. "Hey, keep your pity to yourself!"

Ryouga glared at Ranma. He thought that was pity. It was more than 
that, Ryouga was honestly sorry for him, understanding the position the 
pig-tailed boy was in through his own experiences. "I'm just trying to 
be nice, Saotome! I know what it's like to be without a home. I haven't 
been home in over a year."

Ranma sighed. "Sorry. I'm just really pissed... although that was a 
pretty good whack you did on my Old Man. Must have hurt like hell."

Ryouga laughed. "Ranma, as much as a cowardly, dishonorable, bastard 
you are, your father is a hundred times worse! I enjoyed it, especially 
after that crap he said!" It had taken all of his will to keep from 
ripping Genma's head off. Hell, Ranma's mom was weird too. The whole 
family was mental. Must be genetic.

Ranma glared at Ryouga. "I'm not in the mood, P-chan."

Ryouga glared back at Ranma. He was trying to be nice and Ranma 
insulted him. "Don't call me P-chan!"

"Don't piss me off!" replied Ranma, moving in Ryouga's path, staring 
him directly in the eyes.

Ryouga growled and tensed up for a fight. Oh, Ranma was begging for an 
ass-kicking. "Fine! So what now?!"

Ranma relaxed and stepped back. "I'm gonna go to the dojo, and get my 
stuff."

Ryouga shrugged, that made sense, but one question still bothered him. 
"Ranma, you have a place to stay?"

Ranma shook his head. "Nope, I was hoping to crash at your place."

Ryouga sighed. "Fine, but under one condition."

Ranma smiled. "Sure, what is it."

Ryouga rubbed the back of his head and blushed. "Do you remember where 
my house is?"

Ranma paused for a bit. "Crap, I can't remember right now! Oh well, 
onto 'Plan B'. Hey, could we go separate ways for a while?"

Ryouga growled; Ranma was trying to ditch him, probably to do something 
dishonorable. "Not a chance. Not even the kami could keep me from 
hounding you."

Apparently, the kami did not like Ryouga's comment, and it began to 
rain. Ryouga mentally screamed as he once again lost his humanity to 
his thrice-damned curse. He really needed to learn to curb his hubris.

Ranma sighed and put a hand on her hip. Ryouga barely fought off the 
nosebleed as he saw Ranma's giant, firm, luscious breasts peeking 
through her wet shirt. Ryouga smacked his piggy head against the 
pavement, causing it to spider. He really needed a cold shower, in say, 
liquid nitrogen. 

Ranma lifted Ryouga by the scruff of his neck and looked him in the 
eyes. "Ryouga, I'm going to leave you and your things at the Tendos'. 
I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Ryouga nodded. It was not as if he had much of a choice. Best to live 
with it, and kick the crap out of Ranma later.

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

"Hotaru?" Hotaru cracked her eyes open as the gentle voice and a shake 
on her shoulder brought her into the waking world. Barely aware of her 
surroundings she turned over, facing away from the voice.

"Hotaru-chan, please wake up."

Without realizing who it was Hotaru mumbled, "Just a little longer 
Michiru-mama." Her eyes burst open and she flipped around. It *was* 
Michiru-mama. She was struck by an emotional shock of fear and 
apprehension. Instinctively she jumped back away from Michiru, falling 
off of the other side of the bed.

For a second she felt a jolt of pain. In a flash, Michiru was next to 
her, helping her up. "Hotaru-chan, are you alright?" asked her mother 
figure. 

"Ouch," groaned Hotaru as she grabbed her mama's hand, and stood up. 
Not knowing what to expect, she shuddered as she looked into Michiru's 
eyes. Her eyes are red and puffy like she had been crying, and in them 
Hotaru found a mirror of her own anxiety.

She sat back onto the bed, and stiffly glanced around the room. 
Setsuna-mama, Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama, they were all present. She 
looked over the other two members of her family for a moment. Haruka-
papa looked very uneasy, while Setsuna-mama looked, well, drunk out of 
her mind.

Hotaru sighed and laid back. How would she explain this one to them?

Michiru was the first to speak. "Is it true, Hotaru-chan?" 

She wondered what to say, how to put this so it would not hurt them. 
Why bother, it was not like Haruka cared when she said those horrible 
things! In a cold, forward voice she said, "Yes, I'm pregnant." Without 
skipping a beat, she glared into her. "Well, Haruka-san does that make 
me a 'little slut' or a 'whore'?!"

Haruka looked down, her voice missing its usual confident, manner. 
"Hotaru-chan, I'm sorry. I never meant any of those things. I was 
angry, and would never said them if I had a clear head. I only wanted 
to scare you into taking precautions."
 
Hotaru nodded, she had thought as much but it still hurt, a lot. 
"Haruka, I will not have an abortion. I'm not going to kill my baby! Do 
I make myself perfectly clear?"

Haruka nodded. "I... I understand. I just want to ask you if you have 
considered the consequences."

Hotaru nodded. "That's all I've been doing for the last two days, ever 
since I found out."

Haruka nodded, the look on her face was uneasy, almost fearful. She 
paused for a long moment, then said, "Hotaru, I know that what I said 
was unforgivable... and I know we betrayed your trust, but... can I be 
your Papa again?"

Hotaru smiled. She had said her part and was not being rejected. They 
still loved her! She still had a family. Haruka was right, it would be 
a long time before all amends were made, but you have to start 
somewhere. She jumped off the bed and embraced Haruka. "Of course, 
Haruka-papa!"

When she was called 'Papa' Haruka was visibly relieved, as if a great 
weight had been taken off of her back. Once Hotaru separated, she 
stepped back.  

"Hotaru, you should tell them how it happened," said Usagi. She had 
apparently been standing in the doorway the entire time.

Michiru blinked. "How did it happen?"

Hotaru sighed. "It's a long story. I went on a date, and he took me to 
one of 'those' college parties. He dumped me off near the punch bowl. I 
ended up meeting a nice boy and we talked. We also had snacks... and 
punch."

Haruka scowled. "That little bastard got you drunk..."

"He is not a bastard! His is very nice, and very kind. We didn't know 
that it was spiked," she replied.

"You really believe that?"

She nodded, "I know it."

"Hotaru-chan?" interrupted Michiru. "How does that explain... your 
underpants?"

Hotaru scowled at the mention of them, the little piece of evidence 
that started this whole argument. "I told the father today."

Haruka rolled her eyes. "Hotaru, exactly how do you go from telling to 
having sex?"

Hotaru blushed. "I... I couldn't remember our night together. I wanted 
to know what it was like to make love."

Haruka began to open her mouth but was shushed by Michiru. Michiru 
smiled at Hotaru and said, "I understand, and I want you to know that 
we'll love you no matter what."

Hotaru smiled, "Thank you, Michiru-mama."

Haruka glanced over a Setsuna. "Hey, don't you have anything to say?"

Setsuna shrugged, and leaned back against the wall, "I don't got much 
ta say. I only got one question!"

Hotaru rolled her eyes, she knew Setsuna-mama didn't say cruel things 
like Haruka, or dig through the hamper looking for evidence like 
Michiru-mama, but she should have shown enough consideration to not get 
drunk! "What is it, Setsuna-mama?"

Setsuna leered forward, and smiled stupidly at Hotaru. "What's the name 
of the daddy?"

Hotaru narrowed her eyes, "Why do you want to know?" She knew damn well 
that once Haruka heard his name she would be out for blood, and she 
knew how easy he was to find.

Setsuna shrugged. "Pet theory!"

Hotaru wilted, both Michiru and Haruka were looking at her 
persistently. She might as well tell them. "His name is Ranma."

Setsuna laughed. "I knew it, I just knew it! You slept with a 
'Butterfly'!"

Hotaru blinked. "What is a Butterfly?"

"You ever hear about Chaos Theory?" 

Michiru blinked. "Doesn't that say that a butterfly flapping its wing 
in one part of the world can change weather patterns in another?"

Setsuna waved her hand. "Well, that is the standard example. It's 
really, all about probability and the like, but close enough. Her 
boyfriend is a person who is the physical incarnation of Chaos Theory! 
No wonder I didn't see this coming! Hotaru's boyfriend was fucking up 
the Time Gates!" 

Haruka put on her 'threat to Crystal Tokyo' scowl. "How does he 'fuck 
up the Time Gates'?" 

Setsuna laughed. "By being alive! Ya see, when I try to predict the 
future of a normal person I can skip the minor day ta day choices! You 
know, like what shirt they wore or what they had for lunch, but with a 
Butterfly every little thing they do has an effect, and those effects 
have effects and so on. After just a little while it can screw up the 
odds so badly ya can't see jack shit!" 

"Is he a threat to Crystal Tokyo?" asked Haruka.

"I don't know! You can't predict these people! They call it 'Chaos' for 
a reason! Ya just gotta wait and see! He could be the best thing that 
ever happened, or he could doom us all. Who knows?"

Hotaru sighed. Thank the kami for small miracles, they were not going 
to cast her away. But this had been a long night, and she could hear 
her bed's beckoning call. 

"Everyone, can we please go home?"

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

Ranma slowly crept up the wall of the Tendo Dojo. Silent and invisible 
he snuck into his room, stopping only to drop 'P-chan' off in the 
living room. His old man was right, he could not impose on the Tendos' 
any more. But he was pissed, how dare the old bastard do this to him? 
After everything he had been put through, he was just thrown out after 
he stopped being useful.

Oh well, retribution would come later. Right now, Ranma had to worry 
about where he was going to sleep. He had settled in too much. With all 
of his collected possessions and his college classes, camping was no 
longer an option. He just could not study, train, camp, and keep his 
possessions safe all at the same time. He needed a place to stay. While 
he had an idea of how to deal with it, he could not help but worry 
about where he was going to sleep at night if it didn't pan out.

Ranma looked around the room that had been his. There were a lot of 
memories here.  While few of them were especially good, they were 
enough to make this place feel like home After a moment of reminiscing, 
he grabbed his pack.

He started to go through his things, beginning with clothing, 
schoolbooks, and mementos. He paused as he came across a simple ring 
box. It was the engagement ring that his farther and Soun had planned 
on using to trick him into formalizing his engagement to Akane. 

At the thought of Akane he sighed. What was he going to do? Part of him 
still loved the tomboy. If somebody had asked him six months ago he 
never would have admitted it, but he really was set on Akane. Boy can 
things change in half a year.

He crammed the ring into his pocket and went back to packing. He 
managed to fit most of his things into the pack, but it was far too 
small to fit everything. 

With a sigh, he let himself fall back onto his rear. What would he 
leave, what would he take? He made another quick scan of the room, then 
his lip rose into a smirk, he knew what he was going to do.

He jumped onto his feet and walked over to his father's pack, which was 
resting against the wall. He knew very well the Old Man would need it 
tomorrow, but he certainly brought this onto himself.

Ranma opened the pack and sorted through Genma's personal belongings. 
He figured that his father had done this to him countless times, so why 
couldn't he return the favor?

After about five or ten minutes, Ranma finished sorting through his 
father's things. While most of it had been trash, he had found some 
valuables, personal items, and technique scrolls worth taking.

It only took Ranma a few moments to finish packing the two bags, and 
then he was back out the window. He just hoped this idea would not blow 
up in his face.

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

Hotaru sighed in contentment as she fell back onto her own bed. While 
she had managed to slip in a half-hour nap at Usagi's, it was far from 
enough. Her mind and body demanded sleep.

There was a thousand things running through her head, all possibilities 
related to her 'condition', but she didn't care. Sleep first, think 
later. 

She snuggled into her blanket. It was so warm, so comfortable. The 
heavy rain on the windowsill was monotonous, steady; it was nature's 
lullaby helping to soothe her to sleep. She smiled happily as she 
closed her eyes and allowed herself to slip into a deep, dreamless 
rest.

Rap. Rap. Rap.

Hotaru frowned, eyes still closed, and tried to cover her ears with her 
comforter and pillow. There, that would fix the problem.  She let her 
mind slip back to her tummy and smiled softly.  Would it be a boy, or a 
girl?

Rap. Rap. Rap.

Hotaru's eye opened. What *is* that? Whatever it was, it was annoying. 
Where was it coming from? 

Rap. Rap. Rap.

"Argh!" growled Hotaru as she jumped from her bed. What the hell was 
making that noise? She was tired, she was stressed out, she wanted to 
sleep, and that goddamn rapping sound was keeping her awake!

Hotaru gazed around the room. What ever was making that noise was 
close.

Rap. Rap. Rap.

Rap. Rap. Rap.

Hotaru blinked. That noise, it sounded like it was coming from the 
window. She walked over and threw open the blinds. She did not expect 
to see what was in front of her.

It was Ranma, in girl form, soaking wet and hanging upside down from 
the roof. She quickly opened the window and allowed him to enter.

Ranma quickly scrambled in, and closed the window behind him. Hotaru 
was emotionally in conflict. Part of her was ecstatic. He had visited 
her! He actually had come to see her! On the other hand, Hotaru was 
starting to get pissed, she wanted sleep and was grouchy as hell that 
she didn't get it.

Ranma smiled, "Thanks for letting me in, Hotaru-chan."

Hotaru decided to get to the point. She wanted that sleep. "You're 
welcome, Ranma. So, why are you here?"

Ranma smiled and rubbed the back of her head. "Hotaru, I've kinda got a 
problem..."

Hotaru smiled and blushed. Ranma had come to her! Out of all the people 
he knew he has come to her! "What do you need?"

Ranma looked down. "Hotaru I'm kinda in trouble." 

Hotaru blinked. Whatever it was she would help. "What kind of trouble?"

Ranma sighed, "I told my parents about what happened, you know, between 
us, and my idiot old man kicked me out of the house. I really don't 
want to impose or nothin', but anyway, could I crash here for a while?"

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. :)