Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor...Sister?! ❯ Chaptre the Second ( Chapter 2 )

Saotome Residence

Tuesday Morning

"Ranma."  No answer.  "Ranma!"  Still no answer.  "Ranma, wake up!"  Nodoka opened the door to her son's room and saw that he wasn't there.  Quickly searching the house, she found Ranma in the yard working through his katas. 

Ranma moved with such a fluid grace that made what he did that it could be called a dance…a ballet.  Nodoka watched the way her son moved from one form to another-forms she'd seen Genma do, as well as forms she hadn't.  Elements of various fighting styles were seen as Ranma danced his way, fighting an invisible opponent.  Using nothing recognizable or consistent while using your opponent's fighting style against them was the hallmark of the "Anything Goes" style.  He finished his kata by launching into the air with a kick that would have taken the head off his opponent followed by a tuck and a roll into a fighting stance.

Nodoka applauded as her son finished.  Ranma bowed to his mother, then spoiled the formality of the moment by assuming his usual embarrassed look.  "Ranma," she said, "there's nothing that you did would warrant embarrassment.  You should be proud of what you do.  You've made the Art into an artform.  Some of the moves I saw were your father's, but you moved with such a grace that your father would never be able to match you.

"Now go get ready.  Breakfast will be ready shortly, and you have an appointment with your guidance counselor before class.  And I want you to tell your counselor about all of your…problems."

"Gotcha, Mom." 

I'm glad I didn't tell him that his guidance counselor might be the woman he started pining over.  Nodoka thought, as she watched her son head to the bathroom.  Hopefully by him getting his problems out in the open early on, this Setsuna won't reject him like Akane did.

------
Juban High School

Setsuna walked into the guidance office of Juban High, ever-present cup of tea in hand.  She nodded to the secretary as head towards her office.  "Your seven thirty was just here, Meiou-sensei.  He said he had to visit the lavatory."

The green-haired guidance counselor nodded.  The file for the new transfer student was to arrive from Furinkan some time during the day, if Principal Kuno was going to release it.  "When he comes back, send him right in," she said as she went into her office and closed the door.  She had seen Ranma's life through the Time Gates after she'd talked with Haruka, and saw that her future fiancé's life wasn't a bowl of cherries.  At various points, she'd wanted to interfere, to prevent that pathetic excuse for a human called his father was going to do.  But her own code of noninterference prevented her from doing so.  Especially since the last time she interfered with the timestream, the result was the firebombing of Tokyo.  And what she had seen proved that he was a more than capable martial artist.  Fortunately, her migraine had dropped to a more manageable, Mercurian-level.  Turning her chair around, so she could look out on the athletic fields, she reflected that Ranma had also taken on a minor Kami when he fought, and defeated, Saffron.  He wasn't a reborn Senshi, he wasn't a demigod; for all intents and purposes, Ranma Saotome was an above average human male with an extraordinary skill at fighting, and just happened to be related to the Senshi of Uranus.

She heard the door to her office open, then close.  "Sensei," she heard him say.  It was time to pay the piper.  The transfer from Furinkan, the "Wild Stallion", was here.

Setsuna steeled her voice.  Going into full "Guidance Counselor from Hell" mode, more like it.  "Mr. Saotome.  You are five minutes late for this appointment.  I don't know what kind of hi-jinks you got away with at Furinkan, but the faculty at Juban expect our students to be on time for class or appointments."

"Hai, Sensei."

"Now that that is out of the way, please, have a seat.  So that we can move on with your entrance to Juban High School, and any problems you might have."  Setsuna swiveled around and looked at the flustered young martial artist.  In a softer voice, she said, with a smile "Hello Ranma.  I'd hoped to see you again."  If anything, the flustered martial artist became a little more flustered.

"Uh…Hi, Setsuna.  Why didn't you tell me you were a guidance counselor?"

Setsuna smiled.  It seemed she did more of that recently since meeting a particular harbinger of Chaos now sitting across from her.  And contrary to what Rei thought about her, Setsuna's face didn't crack when she smiled.  "Because you didn't ask, Ranma.

"Now then, Ranma," Setsuna leaned over the desk, "from what I understand, you had some problems at your old high school.  I have some very good information about them, and I need to know about anything that might make your classes here…awkward.  And I know you told me some of them the other night on the stoop of my house.  I'd like to know all about you.  All about you."

Ranma sighed.  His mom told him to tell the guidance counselor everything.  And it helped that.  "Where to begin?  Well, I told you about the training trip that Oyaji took me on, right?"  Setsuna nodded, and Ranma continued.  "Well, there were a few things I left out…" For the next hour or so, Ranma filled his crush-cum-guidance counselor in on the aspects of his life that he'd left out the other night, which included a demonstration of the curse.  "…Which led me to leaving the Dojo the other night and moving back in with my mother."  Wow!  She didn't call me a pervert or freak once.  Maybe I can find happiness away from the Tendos.  She doesn't look like a martial artist though, but Mom wouldn't mind if I fell in love with her.

Setsuna sat there, listening to his story.  Even though she didn't doubt the Time Gates, everything he said confirmed exactly what the Gates had shown her.  In a case of déjà vu that seemed frighteningly familiar, the Senshi of Time said: "That's not a problem.  There have been other students with similar problems as you, although the curse does make it a little more interesting.  We will have to exempt you from certain athletic activities.  And your fiancées won't be allowed on to the campus without a pass."  I wonder how Haruka will take finding out her brother turns into her sister with cold water?  Four fiancées?  I want him all to myself.  I know it's greedy, but, damnit I'm as human as the next woman.  "There's someone I want you to meet, Ranma."  Setsuna stood, and opened the door to her office.  "Mrs. Takashi, could you have Haruka Ten'ou report to my office, please."  She turned back to Ranma.  "Since we don't have any scores from your old school yet, I'm assigning you to a junior class, with a guide to show you around the school."  There was a knock at the door.  "Come in."

Haruka entered Setsuna's office.  "You wanted to see me?"

"Haruka, I'd like you to meet the person you'll be shadowing for awhile, until they become familiar with Juban High."  She motioned to the person standing next to here.  "Ms. Ten'ou, I'd like you to meet the Ranma Saotome."

Uranus' jaw hit the ground.  "I cannot believe it!  Ranma Saotome is a student here?!"  She began bouncing up and down.

"Um, Ms. Ten'ou," Ranma said, trying to avert his eyes, "could you please stop?"  Man, I'm glad Ryouga isn't here to see this.  He'd pass out from the nosebleed seeing her doing that.

Haruka calmed down as Setsuna glared at her.  "Haruka," Setsuna said, "you will be Saotome-san's guide as he learns his way around Juban High."

The Senshi of Uranus couldn't contain her enthusiasm.  "Hai, Meiou-sensei."

Setsuna looked at the two students.  "Haruka, I believe you two have gym class.  Have a good day, Ranma.  And welcome to Juban."

"Hai, Sensei," the two students said at the same time. 

As they left her office, Setsuna gave a secret smile as the door closed.  "Juban High is in for a new level of insanity," she said to herself, "and I can't believe I've fallen in love with him."

-----

Setsuna looked up form her cup of tea as Haruka and Michiru walked into the house.  "So Haruka, how was your first day shepherding Ranma Saotome around?"

"Gym class was impressive.  Lei-sensei was showing us an advanced series of kempo forms, just as a demonstration.  Ranma just yawned and said he learned those forms when he was six.

"Lei-sensei was incensed and demanded to know just who he was.  Ranma replied: 'I'm Ranma Saotome, of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts,' and Lei-sensei actually looked impressed enough to exempt Ranma from the martial arts and gymnastics classes.  A few of the other martial arts students, Makoto especially, looked impressed also.

"What's so special about Anything Goes Martial Arts anyway, Setsuna?"

"The proper name is Musabetsu Kakutou, indiscriminate grappling, and there are only two schools-The Tendo-ryu and the Saotome-ryu.  Both schools do not have set patterns or forms, but incorporate multiple traditional martial arts, and are relatively recent schools, because they were developed from the original Musabetsu Kakutou Happosai-Ryuu."

"So that's why I saw so many different forms when Lei-sensei sparred with Ranma.  Of course, Ranma pointed out Sensei's weaknesses during the match.  Which incensed him, and after a couple of taps, admitted that Ranma was better than he was."

Setsuna chuckled, which sort of surprised Uranus.  But given what happened to the Senshi of Time the other day, Setsuna showing emotion seemed to becoming a more usual occurrence.  "Lei does have an over-inflated idea about his martial arts skills."

Haruka smiled.  "If you thought Ranma taking Lei down was interesting , Setsuna you should have seen him at lunch."

She raised a delicate, green eyebrow.  "Oh?"

"You've seen Usagi eat, right?" Setsuna nodded.  "She has nothing on Ranma, except maybe better manners, and those are just barely.  We had just opened our bento boxes before his he was finished with his.

"When we looked at him, do you know what he said?"  The green-haired Senshi shook her head.  "'Do I have rice on my face?'"

Setsuna shook her head while the butch Outer laughed.  "Looks like I'm going to have to housebreak your bro…" She clammed up faster than any other time before.

Haruka fixed the usually enigmatic Senshi a glare.  "What did you say?"

"That I'll have to housebreak him."

"But what did you call him right after that?"

Setsuna sighed.  "Haruka, there are some things you should now about our new student."  And my soulmate, she thought.  "Ranma Saotome is your brother, Haruka.  Your twin brother."

Haruka shook her head.  "No way.  My parents weren't able to have children.  That's why they adopted me."

Setsuna looked at her housemate.  "Haruka, sit down."  She did as ordered.  "Tea?"  Haruka declined.  "Let me tell you a little story.

"20 years ago, there was a young woman who married a wandering martial artist.  Her family, which extends back to the founding days of the Tokugawa era, grudgingly allowed them to marry, providing that her husband take her clan name; which he did.  After trying for two years, the couple finally conceived a child, more specifically, two children.  The young woman was ecstatic that she was going to have two healthy children, but was concerned because she was going to have a daughter.  That she kept from her husband until nine months later.

"Her husband was furious when their children were born, because his daughter had a shock of blonde hair.  He demanded a paternity test that day.  Accused his wife of infidelity; and quieted his complaints when the test proved that she was his daughter.  But at his insistence, his wife placed their daughter up for adoption.  A grateful family, friends of her clan and who had been unable to have children, adopted her, not knowing that their daughter was to be the Senshi of Uranus.  Nor did they let their daughter know that 'Auntie Nodoka' was really her mother."

"So what happened to my brother?  And did Serenity send him forward from the Silver Millennium?"

"Surprisingly enough, Haruka, you were an only child in the Silver Millennium."  Setsuna took a sip of tea to wet her throat while the Uranus contemplated that.  "Where do I begin with Ranma?  I might as well begin at the beginning, even though he'll think I told you what he told me."  Consequences be damned, his sister needs to know.

"As soon as your brother could walk, your father, Genma, began training Ranma in the family school, Musabetsu Kakutou Saotome-ryu.  When Ranma was six, he and his father left for a ten-year training trip…"

Setsuna described the various training methods, engagements, and tortures that Genma inflicted on Uranus' brother, including the Neko-ken, leading up to "…Genma took Ranma to the Cursed Training Grounds of Jusenkyo, just prior to their return to Japan."

"Cursed training grounds," Haruka asked.  Setsuna nodded.  "What kind of idiot would go there?"

-----

In Nerima, somewhere deep in the Amazon River basin, China, and at Yokota Air Base, there were several distinct sneezes.
-----

"Your father," she simply replied.  Haruka felt a large drop of sweat form on the back of her head.  "Genma can't read a lick of Mandarin, but when he saw 'Training Ground', he thought it was a good idea to use."

"So what happened?"

"Your father, suffice to say, fell into Shonmaoniichuan-Spring of Drowned Giant Panda.  Your brother was knocked into Nyanniichuan-Spring of Drowned Young Girl.  When they get wet, Ranma and your father turn into a buxom teenage girl and a giant panda."

Haruka shook her head in disbelief.  "Setsuna, you have got to be shitting me.  Curses? Magical transformation?  Quit pulling my leg."

"And magical girls who fight youma on a regular basis aren't?"  The Senshi of Time smirked.

"Ok, ok.  You got me there.  So, when do I get to meet my brother?"

Setsuna smiled.  "I'll call him later and invite him out for a date."

Haruka tsked.  "Did you take advantage of your duties as Ranma's counselor today?"

"That…is a secret."  Haruka groaned.  "And don't you have homework to do?"  Setsuna grinned into her teacup.  It's nice being the only Senshi not in high school.

-----
Saotome Residence
Same time

"Taidama," Ranma shouted as he walked into his home.

"Hello Ranma, I'm in the kitchen.  How was school?"  Nodoka asked as her son entered their kitchen.

"Not bad.  Didn't even get into a fight today.  Which surprised even me."

"Yes, Juban High School tends to have a lower…delinquency rate than Furinkan."  His mother said, as she smiled into her teacup.  She dropped her smile.  "Ranma, Shampoo and Ukyo were here, looking for you.  I told them that you were on a training trip in Korea."

Ranma slumped in his seat.  "Kuso.  That means that Pop and Mr. Tendo'll be coming soon, looking to drag me back to the Dojo and," he shuddered, "Akane.

"I like it here, for Pete's sake.  I haven't had to put up with the usual crap that I had to in Nerima.  I'd rather stay here.  Looks like my only option is to marry Setsuna."

"And I doubt that would work, my son.  Your father is hell-bent on having you marry a Tendo.  Since Kasumi is engaged to an American and you aren't Nabiki's type, that then leaves Akane.  And if the reactions from your enemies when you and Akane attempted to get married last time are the same, our house and grounds are in danger.

"There are only three viable options.  Either I disown you, effectively making you a ronin, step down as clan head and make you the head of the Saotome clan, or someone adopts you out of the clan.  I'd rather not declare you ronin; that would make marrying this girl you love more difficult, as well as bring shame and dishonor to our family.  And unfortunately, the law won't truly recognize you as clan head until you've at least graduated high school.   All things considered, I'd rather have someone adopt you into their family."  Nodoka thought for a few moments.  "What about this American that Kasumi is engaged to?  Might he be interested in adopting you?"

"But Mom, wouldn't that mean leaving the clan?  The Lieutenant's a nice guy and all, really honorable, but…"

"But whether or not he would like you to take his name or keep yours is entirely up to him.  The other side of the sen, Ranma, is that you wouldn't have to worry about being used in one of your father's schemes or as Master Happosai's creditor."

"I guess so, Mom, but…" Nodoka was saved by the proverbial bell, as the phone started ringing.  As Ranma quieted his argument, his mother got up.

"Moshi, moshi, Saotome residence…So nice to hear from you again, Meiou-Sensei…So you know about his situation…No fights today is what Ranma told me…He didn't mention the sparring match…You'd like to speak to the two of us?…Of course, I'll bring Ranma over.  See you in a little while."  Nodoka looked at her son.  "You didn't mention you had a sparring match with your gym teacher."

Ranma looked at his mother.  "I didn't mention it because it was a simple sparring match in gym class.  Sparring doesn't count as fighting.  Doesn't it?"

Nodoka sighed.  "Of course not.  As long as it was a friendly sparring match.  I do recall, however, some of the fights you got into, and you'd just call them sparring."  Ranma grinned sheepishly.  "Anyway, my son, your guidance counselor would like an informal chat with the two of us.  Maybe I'll get to meet this girl that has so captured your heart."

-----
Meiou Residence
30 minutes later

Ranma stood on the stoop he had chatted with Setsuna a few days ago, his mother standing just behind him, carrying her ever-present katana in its silk wrappings.  "God, doesn't she go anywhere without that damn sword?"

He didn't realize he'd vocalized his thoughts until his mother answered.  "I only carry it when there is the possibility of reminding someone about their obligations."  He looked sheepishly at his mother.

He was saved by the door opening.  An aqua-haired woman answered the door.  "May I help you?"

"Y-yes.  I'm here to see Setsuna.  I'm Ranma Saotome."

"Oh, Ranma.  I didn't recognize you.  I'm Michiru Kaiou.  I'm in your class.  Please come in."  Michiru could swear she was looking at a raven-haired Haruka-just a bit more muscular, though.

"I thought you looked familiar.  Mom, Michiru.  Michiru, my mom."  Nodoka and the Senshi of Neptune bowed to each other.  "Is Setsuna around?"

"Yes, I'll go get her."  Michiru headed towards Setsuna's office in the back of the house.

Two of the other residents walked out of the kitchen-Hotaru and Haruka.  Nodoka had settled down on one of the chairs, with her back to the kitchen; Ranma was pacing, even though he'd never admit that he was nervous.  "Hi Ranma," Haruka said.  "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, hi Haruka.  Just waiting for Setsuna.  Michiru went to go get her."

Hotaru looked up at her father figure.  "Haruka-papa, who's that?"  She asked, referring to Ranma.

Haruka looked at her daughter.  "Only the best martial artist in Japan; Ranma Saotome."

"Cool."  Hotaru smiled at the slightly nervous martial artist.

"Um, Haruka, you never told me you had a daughter."

"It's a long story, Ranma."  When Nodoka turned her head was when Haruka noticed her.  "Oh, hi Auntie Saotome."

Nodoka stood, walked over to her daughter and knelt.  Ranma looked confused, wondering what was going to happen.  "Haruka, I'm afraid I've been living a lie for these past eighteen years, and it has been a stain on my soul and my honor for allowing what happened to happen.

"Haruka," Nodoka unwrapped the Saotome family katana, and laid it before her.  "Would you forgive a foolish woman with an even bigger fool for a husband?"

Haruka narrowed her eyes.  Setsuna and Michiru, coming down the stairs, both gasped.  Hotaru had a concerned look in her eyes, as did Ranma.  "Forgive you for what?"

"For giving into my husband and putting you up for adoption.  Haruka, I am you mother."

"I don't believe you, Auntie.  My parents would have told me that you were my mother."

"Except that the Ten'ou clan has always been aligned to the Saotomes, and my father had asked your grandfather to keep your true family from you.  He didn't want my foolish husband from taking you from your parents and on to a training trip in case anything happened to Ranma."

Even though Setsuna had told Uranus everything prior to the Saotomes arrival, Haruka still didn't believe what she was hearing.  Nodoka looked at Haruka.  "Search your feelings, Haruka, you know this to be true."  To add further proof to this story, Nodoka grabbed the honor blade, and knocked the glass of water out of Hotaru's hands.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion.  The glass flew out of Hotaru's hands, and lazily spun in an arc towards the only Jusenkyo-cursed individual in the room.  Amazingly enough, not a drop of water was spilled during its flight.  Ranma's eyes flew wide open, as the glass tumbled in his direction.  As it closed within a meter of the aquatransexual, the glass finally disgorged its contents, and soaked the pig-tailed martial artist.  With his curse activated, Ranma-otoko became Ranma-onna.  All eyes were on Ranma, as he became a redheaded version of his sister, albeit a tad…healthier in the bosom.  "Aw geez.  I would have liked to have stayed dry at least until I had gotten to know my sister better," Ranma muttered, her voice a firm mezzo-soprano.  Michiru tried not to lick her lips…too much.  Setsuna was a little more discrete, while Hotaru was standing there, her eyes like saucers.

"Ra…Ranma?"  Haruka asked.  Her brother turned sister nodded, and in a scene that was identical to his first meeting with the Tendos, Haruka reached over and grabbed one of her breasts.  "These feel real."

"Could you please stop that, Haruka."  Onna-Ranma looked at her sister.  "They are real."  Haruka removed her hand, but Michiru still had a lecherous look on her face. 

Setsuna noted this.  "Michiru," she whispered, "Ranma is mine."

Michiru looked at her fellow Outer.  "I can still wish, Setsuna.  I can still wish."

Setsuna frowned for a moment, the realized that she had her ever-present cup of tea in her hand.  Walking over, she upended it on her soulmate, reversing the curse.  Buxom girl turned back into beefcake material, before giving him a gentle, almost friendly hug.  "Hello Ranma.  Nice to see you again."

Ranma, going into sensory overload by Setsuna's hug, merely replied "Hi 'Suna-chan.  Nice to see you again, what the second time today?"  Setsuna chuckled, but blushed at what he called her.

There was a clearing of a throat.  Everyone looked at Nodoka, then at Haruka.  Nodoka was still expecting an answer to her question.  "Auntie Nodoka…no, that's not right," the blonde tomboy said.  Haruka looked at Nodoka.  "I would like you to understand one thing.  I'm not going to change who I am, understood?"  Nodoka nodded.  Haruka smiled at her mother.  "I've missed you, Mom.  Even when you were 'Auntie Nodoka.'"

Nodoka stood and swept her daughter up into a bear hug.  "Oh happy day!  I have my daughter back."  Haruka returned her hug just as fiercely.  Nodoka let her daughter down.  "Now what did you mean by you are not changing who you are?"

Haruka blushed, and looked at Michiru.  Michiru nodded, walked over and put her hand in her lover's.  "Mom, I'd like you to meet my lover, Michiru Kaiou."

"I…see."  Nodoka's disappointment was subtle, but obvious.  No grandchildren to spoil from this relationship, unless they adopt.

Hotaru joined her guardians.  "Mom," Haruka said, "I'd also like you to meet our daughter, Hotaru Tomoe."

Nodoka brightened immediately.  "Michiru-chan, Hotaru-chan, welcome to the family."  She hugged all three girls.  "Haruka, I take it you and Michiru adopted Hotaru?"

"It's a long story, Mom.  Maybe someday I'll tell it to you."

"Wow," Ranma said, "I'm an uncle.  Cool."  The pig-tailed martial artist looked at his niece. "Hey Hotaru, would you like to learn martial arts?"

Hotaru looked at her parent-figures.  "Can I, Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama?"

The two Outers looked at each other, then at Ranma, blanching at the way Setsuna was snuggled against him.  Haruka spoke up, asking the silent question between the two lovers.  "You're not going to do anything like our father the panda, right?"

"Nah.  Pop's training was cruel and unusual, but I'm not going to do anything like that.  I figure I'd start her off with some flexibility and light endurance, like Tai Chi. Then once I know what her threshold is, we'll start with the more advanced stuff.

"By the way, you want to learn the family style, Haruka?"

"I'm a Saotome, right?"  Both Ranma and their mother nodded.  "Makes sense that I learn the family school."

"We'll start with your first lesson tomorrow morning," Ranma said.  Haruka groaned, as Setsuna and Ranma both chuckled.  "Same with you, Hotaru."

Setsuna looked at the man in her arms.  "Ranma," she purred, "why don't we go out and let your mother and sister get to know each other better.  They have some time to make up."

The hesitancy that was present in Nerima with the Fiancée Brigade wasn't there with Ranma's answer.  "Sure, why not.  Mom, Setsuna and I are going out.  I'll be home later."

Nodoka smiled at her son.  "You two enjoy yourselves.  Haruka and I do need the time to get to know each other again."  My son is so manly.  He's finally gotten over that hesitancy that he had in Nerima.  And I think Setsuna is going to be a good influence on him.