Sins of the Father
Chapter Six
Back in Nerima
or
Time for Dinner


The three teenagers sat lost in their thoughts for the last part of the ride back to Nerima.  Suteko's revelations about her mother had touched a cord with her two companions.  Each now thought back on the times spent with their own mothers.  Akane's memories were a little fuzzy due to the time since her mother had died.  She remembered many good things and was secretly glad that she didn't have to deal with the type of personality change that Suteko was dealing with.  How a family could treat a young girl the way they had was beyond her.  In her entire life, she had always been a cherished child.  She may have been misunderstood because of her focus on the martial arts, but she was always loved.  To be ignored at a family gathering must have been very painful.  She could now understand some of the pain she had seen in Suteko's eyes when she had asked about their families.  Akane looked at Ranma from under lowered lashes.  She didn't want him to catch her studying him.  He always reacted badly.  Right now, his face looked thoughtful, something Akane didn't often see.  Hearing him reminisce about his mother showed Akane a side of him she rarely saw.  She knew that he missed his mother and she wondered just when was the last time he had seen her.

She understood that there was some reason that he and Mr. Saotome couldn't go back home, but she had yet to get that out of Ranma.  "Have to work on that," she thought.  Maybe having Suteko around would help.

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Ranma sat and thought about his family.  Having a sister was just too new a concept to truly seep into his thoughts.  After their talk about her mother, Ranma's thoughts turned to his own.  It had been too long since he had even talked to his mom on the phone.  He hadn't even written her a letter.  It was one of the things that he held his father responsible for.  "If Pop hadn't made that oath to Mom about raising me to be a Manly man, I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in."  Ranma longed to call her up and tell her about his curse, Akane, and his life in general.  Surely his mother could help him resolve his feelings about the girls surrounding his life.  He knew that he should make a choice but he didn't know who he wanted and he didn't wish to hurt anyone.  But thanks to Pop's little training mission in China, and a slip, made it impossible.  The more he thought about his mother, the more he hoped that Suteko would knock sense into his father in the morning.

"Just how good is this girl?"  Ranma took a quick look at his sister.  She didn't notice, staring out the window at the rain.  She was certainly quick.  He thought back to the morning and had to admit that Genma was a bit slow.  But then he remembered her reaction at the airport when he had come up on her unnoticed.  His reflexes were fast enough to dodge the staff but also she had seemed to control the strike at the last moment.  It would be interesting to spar with her.  Maybe.

He sat in thought, debating internally until they were almost to their destination.  "Well, why not?  The worst she can do is turn me down."  He turned to Suteko and opened his mouth to speak.  "Suteko?"

		***************************************

Deep in thoughts of the past, Suteko at first didn't hear her name.  She pulled herself back to the present.  With a weak smile she turned to face Ranma.  "Hmm, what?"

"Suteko, I was thinking.  Have you had time to practice, yet?"

For a few minutes Suteko was confused.  Practice what?  Then she shook her head.  Ranma must mean the art.  That was his focus in life, if what she had learned today was true.  "Been traveling all afternoon, remember?"

Ranma just smiled.  "Yep, I just thought that you might like to have someone to spar with.  You know --practice."

Suteko was confused.  Practice?  "Ranma, I don't think we should.  At least not until after tomorrow."

Akane joined the conversation.  "I agree with you, Suteko."  Ranma looked quickly from his sister to his fiancée.  Akane continued.  "It could be taken wrong.  If someone saw you two sparing they might think you were giving her training in your father's techniques.  In an honor battle, that could cause problems."

Ranma sighed.  "That's true."  He thought fiercely for a minute.   He really wanted to see his sister in action.  "What if I didn't spar with you but just watched you workout?"

She thought about that.  Would there be a problem with that?  Other than the fact that she didn't have a place to workout.  "Ranma, I'm sure there would be no problem but I'm not sure it will be possible.  I don't have a place to workout.  I doubt Ukyo would appreciate me using her spare room to practice staff work in and I don't know the area at all."

Akane thought of suggesting she use the dojo but that wouldn't be good either.  Then she thought of the field that was halfway between the dojo and Ukyo's place.  It was close to where the bus would be dropping them off.  She mentioned it and Ranma grabbed at the idea.  That was perfect.  Suteko looked a little doubtful but she did need a workout.  She was stiff from all the sitting and wanted to stretch out.  She made sure to get directions from Akane before the bus reached it's destination.

As they got off the bus Suteko was glad to see that the rain had stopped.  She didn't need to get wet and deal with the transformation being wet caused.  There were puddles of course but traffic seemed light at the time so she turned to bid her brother and Akane good-bye.  As the bus pulled away they said their good-byes and set up a time to meet later.  As luck would have it a car sped by, hitting the puddle square and sending a sheet of water arcing over the three teenagers.  As the water settled on the ground, Akane laughed.  Suteko and Ranma had the exact same expression on their now opposite faces.  Suteko was right, she did look like Ranma.  Just like Ranma with yellow hair, like an American version of her fiancé.

Ranma looked at his sister and she looked back at him.  The disgust that he knew was on his face, was mirrored on hers.  "I hate this!"  They mumbled in unison.  Akane smirked but she quickly went to a nearby tea shop and returned with enough hot water to transform the siblings back to their natural forms.

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Suteko reached Ucchan's without further mishap and went inside.  The dinner rush was just starting, so Ukyo just gestured behind her and Suteko eased behind the counter and up the stairs.  The rooms at the top of the stairs were small but neatly furnished.  One of the rooms was obviously Ukyo's bedroom.  She could see a photo of Ranma on the bedside table.  She shut the door and went on to the spare room.  It was half-filled with boxes.  Stores for the restaurant below.  There was a futon under the window with a small table next to it.  Suteko sat down on the futon and went through her pack.  She pulled out her bath kit and a clean set of jeans and a t-shirt.  She hoped Ukyo wouldn't mind her using the bath this early in the evening.  She really needed one.

She tried the door across from Ukyo's bedroom and found a typical Japanese bath.  Spending time in Asia had gotten her used to the difference in the bathing customs.  In America, you usually just took a hot shower and you were done.  Taking a cold shower was definitely not her favorite change, but soaking in a large hot bath was one of her true pleasures.  When she returned to America, she planned on taking some of her inheritance from Uncle Tanto and putting in a large tub for soaking in her private bathroom.  After  half an hour, she climbed back down the stairs dressed and sat at the counter.  When Ukyo had a minute, she came over to speak with Suteko.  "Got everything?"

"Yep."

"You hungry?"

Suteko smiled.  "Another one of your specials would hit the spot."  Ukyo nodded and poured out the batter.  Suteko decided to tell Ukyo about her afternoon.   "I ran into Ranma and Akane this afternoon."

Ukyo stopped what she was doing for a moment.  "And...?"

"We had a good talk on the bus ride.  He seems to be a good kid."

Ukyo let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding.  That could have been real awkward.  Ranma had been with his father a long time.  If he had decided that Suteko was a threat, he could have caused problems.  No matter how good this girl was, Ukyo doubted that she was as good as Ran-chan.  Though, she was an unknown.  No one truly knew her fighting style.  Ukyo liked her but, in a fight she, would still root for Ranma.  "So, whatch'a talk about?"  Ukyo asked as she turned back to the cooking batter in front of her.  She quickly flipped in pancake over and waited a amount before sliding it onto a plate and placing it in front of Suteko.

"Mostly about family.  Learning a little about each other."  She took a large bite and held up a thumb in the universal sign for approval.  After she swallowed she added, "Plus, I got his side on the fiancée thing."  She looked at Ukyo with a sly smile.

"Oh, really?"  Ukyo was curious.  Ukyo, like the other girls, never really stopped to ask  Ranma what he thought of the whole situation.  They each knew instinctively that they had the story right, even when they didn't.  Out of curiosity, Ukyo asked Suteko to tell her what she learned.

"Much of what you told me with extra information thrown in by Akane.  A very interesting story it was."  Ukyo thought of asking more but could tell by Suteko's face that she wasn't going to say anymore.

Ukyo decided to give up and asked something else.  "What's your plan for tonight?"  

"Ranma told me of a place nearby where I could practice.  Been too busy lately and I could really use the workout."

"When you going?"

"Thought I'd clean some of your dishes and then go out around eight.  Should still have about an hour of light."

"You don't have to..."

"That's okay, Ukyo.  I always pay my way and you look like you could use some help here."  As she said that, the rush started again.  Ukyo turned away to deal with the customers.  Suteko picked up her plate and went behind the counter and entered the kitchen.  She grabbed up an apron and started in on the dishes.


		************************************

An hour and a half later she put the final dish she had washed on the shelf and took off the apron.  She walked out of the kitchen and saw that Ukyo was cleaning off the grill.  She noticed that the place was empty and the sign had been changed to closed on the door.  "Closing for the evening?" she asked, a little surprised.

Ukyo nodded.  "I thought I'd join you.  I haven't had a chance to practice in a while, either.  Thought you might like some company."

Suteko smiled.  "Sure, the more the merrier."

"What?"

"Ranma and Akane are supposed to meet me at this open field by the bus stop."

"I know the place."

"Good."  Suteko eased around the counter.  "Why don't you finish up here and meet me later?"  Ukyo nodded and kept up her work.

		**************************************

Suteko walked briskly, glad to be moving and a little glad to be alone.  It was nice to have company, but she was used to being alone.  When Ukyo volunteered to come along Suteko wasn't sure how to respond.  First Ranma and Akane and then Ukyo.  In one day, she went from being totally alone to an abundance of attention.  It wouldn't do in her warm up.  She always spent a few minutes mediating before beginning her exercises and new people would just throw off her attention.

She quickly reached the field and was pleased to see it was empty.  At home, a field this size would have had a ton of kids with bats and balls out playing a pick up game.  She walked across to a lone tree near the back fence and sat down in a lotus.  Easing into a light trance, she let the images of the day slide across her mind and out.  Within moments, she was grounded and centered.  She stood up slowly and flowed into the first kata of her warm up.  Though not traditionally taught at her home dojo, her Uncle Tanto had decided that Suteko should learn Tai Chi Chuang from an old friend of his, Master Wing.  The gentle flowing motions of the art had at first seemed strange to her, but after years of study, she found that they were the best warm up she could have.  The art was a defensive one, different from the attack staff work she had trained in.  Uncle Tanto had realized that she had been training exclusively in a weapon system and had no skills for unarmed combat.  Now, she could defend herself but she was a far cry from being able to master unarmed combat.  If he had lived, this past year would have been used to train her in the unarmed style he had developed.  She was lucky that she had learned the defensive work she had.  Mother had been furious when she learned that Suteko was splitting her attention between the family's art and that of a man from China.  Her mother had become very predijuced after her father had died.  That meeting Suteko told Ranma of had changed her mother in many ways.  All bad.  The thoughts of her mother was pulling her out of her focus, so she forced herself to let them drop.

With a clear mind, she finished her warm up and then started over again, this time bringing the speed up a notch.  Her speed was a bit slow, in her way of thinking.  She should have reacted faster when Ranma had walked up at the airport.  She didn't realize that her speed was the same as she had always had.  Her brother was just that much faster than she was.

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Ranma and Akane reached home just as Kasumi was laying the food on the table.  They moved quickly to their places, making sure to get some food before Genma ate it all.  There was just the sound of voracious eating for a few minutes as the family devoured the delicious food.  Nabiki was the first to speak up and ask Ranma about their afternoon.

"So Ranma, what's this about you spending the afternoon with that girl?"

Ranma swallowed quickly and responded.  "She found us and wanted to talk."  He wasn't sure what Nabiki was up to but he didn't think there was any way she could make money off this.

"Well boy, what you learn?  What are her plans?"

Ranma reached over and bopped his father on the head.  "I ain't going to tell you that, old man.  Wouldn't be fair!"

"He's right there, Tendo.  The girl challenged you."  Akane's father started to pontificate.  The others just ignored him.

"But Ranma, my boy.  The most important concept a martial artist should learn is to be prepared.  How can I be prepared if I don't know anything about my opponent."

Ranma ignored him to steal the last pickle off his plate.  Genma didn't notice at first but when he did he roared and leapt up to attack Ranma.  Ranma bounced back and they were off.  Genma chased him around the back yard until one of them ended up in the pond.  It was Genma, this time.  Ranma laughed and bounced up to the wall.  "Well, good-bye, old man.  I got to meet Suteko now!"

Genma held up a sign that said, "Come back here, Ranma!"

Ranma just bounced off.  Akane jumped up to follow but she felt Nabiki's hand on her arm.  "Time to spill, little sister."

Akane looked at her older sister.  "What do you mean, Nabiki?"

Nabiki pulled Akane away from the table and into the livingroom.  "What'd you and Ranma learn about this sister of his?  Is she going to be a problem?  We don't need another character coming in here at all hours, tearing down our walls."

Akane sighed.  She had planned on following Ranma but it looked like she wouldn't get to.  "We mostly talked about family, Nabiki.  She wanted to know about our mothers and stuff like that.  I don't think she'll be much of a problem.  She really just wants to finish up her business with Genma and go home."

Nabiki lifted a brow, "Really, little sister.  Do you believe that?"

"She seemed to be very nice.  Just tired of traveling."

Nabiki looked thoughtful for a moment.  It seemed strange to have someone come here who wasn't after Ranma or Akane.  "Well,...." she continue to ponder and talk to Akane for the rest of the evening.  There had to be some way of making a little money out of the situation.

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Ranma ran lightly along the fence toward the field he had told Suteko about.  His father's need to have inside information really ticked him off.  Even if Ranma knew what Suteko had planned for Pop, he wouldn't tell him.  Suteko had impressed him with her honorable outlook on life, her sense of humor and, as he thought about it, her ability to stop an argument.  She had stopped the usual bickering between himself and Akane at least three times he could think of.  "Could use her around more often.  Save wear and tear on my skull."

He slowed down as he neared the field.  He could just see Suteko's head and shoulders as she moved slowly through some exercises.  He quietly hopped off the fence and leaned against it.  She was doing Katas at slow speed and as he watched she sped them up.  Her speed was good but nothing like his.  Her form was stiff at first but quickly relaxed and flowed.  He hadn't trained in Tai Chi but he recognized it when he saw it.  He wondered just how far she had trained in it.

After a few minutes, she brought her hands together and took a deep breath.  Ranma drew in his to greet her but before he could she smiled and said, "Evening, brother."  She opened her eyes.  "I heard you arrive."  She looked around.  "Akane decide to stay home?"

"Yeah, looks like Nabiki wanted to talk to her."

"Nabiki?"

"Her next oldest sister."

"Oh."  She reached and pulled out her staff.  Twirling it she moved a few steps away from Ranma before starting her katas.  "How many sisters does she have?"

Ranma watched as Suteko spun the large staff around like it was a small baton.  "She has two.  Nabiki, the middle sister and Kasumi."

Suteko closed her eyes for a minute.  "Kasumi would be the girl I talked to this morning.  Pretty, with long brown hair tied with a bow?"

"That's her.  She's really nice and a great cook."  Suteko stepped to the side and brought the staff sweeping down toward Ranma's feet.  He prepared to jump but didn't when he saw that it would miss him by a couple of inches.  Suteko spun about, working the staff up and over her shoulders, then down to the ground.  It was like watching a dance.  She would spin and tumble, leap and vault.  It looked easy, but Ranma realized that the movements were a series of parries and attacks.  She was one with her weapon.  Too bad they couldn't spar.  It looked like it would be invigorating to try and dodge the thrusts and sweeps.  After a few minutes she brought the staff to a halt and smiled.  She had loosened up finally and felt really good.

It was time to talk seriously to her brother.  "Ranma?"

"Hmmm?"

"Do you have any problem with me fighting your father?"

"Nope."  He smiled.  "It'll be good to have someone else beat on him a little."

"And if I win?"  She was uncertain here.  Ranma seemed really relaxed but he had lived with Genma his whole life.  She didn't want to be challenged by her new found brother when she beat him.

Ranma looked serious for a moment and then smiled.  "No problem there.  You aren't goin to kill him, right?"

"I would never do that!"

"No problem then."  Ranma smiled.  "But that isn't all, is it?"

"No," she looked close at his face.  "I have to give out his punishment when I finish.  It won't hurt him physically but..."

"But?"

"He's going to have to admit his crime in front of those he cares about and take responsibility."

"How?  Admit that he's your father, something like that?"

Suteko looked down.  "I'm not sure.  Mother wouldn't tell me."

"Your mother plans on being there, tomorrow?"

Suteko walked over to the tree she had started at and sat down.  She patted the ground next to her.  Ranma came over and sat down.  "Mother is here in Japan, right now.  She told me she would be at the Tendo Dojo tomorrow at dawn."

Ranma just nodded.  When Suteko didn't add anything else he looked closely at her.  "What's the matter?"

"I think she's going to bring great-grandfather with her and that could mean trouble."

"How?"

"I'm not sure and that's what got me worried.  Grandfather has plans that don't take into account what others want or need.  Uncle Tanto always told me to stay out of his plans, they weren't always honorable.  I'm afraid he'll want to do something more to your father."

"Why should he care about Pop, more than to get him to admit he's your father?"

Suteko played with her staff nervously.  It was obvious that Ranma didn't know. "Ranma, you're related to great-grandfather Ito, too.  Through your mother."

"Oh."  Ranma looked a bit stunned.  Through his mother.  "That's right, Pop said something about your mom being related to mine, cousins or something."

"That's right and Grandfather will want you for the clan, being as you are one of the best martial artist of our generation."

Ranma puffed up a little at the praise but the words she said sunk in.  The man would want him for the clan but he was already heir to the Anything Goes School.  "He wouldn't want me for an heir, would he?"  The look on his face was a bit sick.  He was tired of being pulled to be the heir for different schools.

"I don't know.  You were born into a legal marriage, so it could be but I don't trust Grandfather.  He doesn't  ever do what you expect.  Besides, if I remember correctly, your mother's father was disowned by great-grandfather over something, like Uncle Tanto.  Grandfather was very picky about his heirs back then and disinherited half the family for one reason or another.  I just don't know."

"Well, don't worry about it.  We'll take care of it tomorrow."  Ranma sounded very confident to Suteko and she sighed.  It was good to see someone who was that confident.

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Ukyo finished up her cleaning and left the restaurant, locking the door behind her.  She didn't want to be too far behind Suteko.  It would be interesting to see the girl in action.  She knew little of the way the girl fought and Ukyo wanted to make sure she had a chance of defeating Genma.  That old fool needed to be taken down a peg or two.

She sprinted lightly down the still damp streets to the field where Suteko said she was to meet Ranma.  Seeing Ran-chan was always a treat for the chef.  Even if Akane was nearby she always felt good near him.  She slowed as she rounded the corner near the field.  She didn't see Suteko at first but spotted Ranma and Suteko sitting under a tree in the back of the field.  They seemed to be talking quietly so she slowed and walked over to them.

The two looked up when they heard her light step.  "Hey, Ucchan.  How's it going?"  Ranma smiled up at his friend.

Ukyo's heart skipped a beat at the smile and she smiled back.  "Great.  What you two talking about?"

Suteko looked up quickly and put a hand on Ranma's arm.  He looked down at her and she shook her head.  He nodded.  "Just stuff, Ucchan."  The two stood up.

"Well, have you already finished Suteko?"  Ukyo was amazed.  The resemblance was more pronounced when the two were together.  No one could think them other than siblings when they stood together.

"I've done my warm up and some of the exercises, why?"

"Oh, I missed it!  I wanted to see what you could do."

Suteko smiled.  "Really.  Well, if you're up to it, we could spar."

Ukyo looked over at Ranma.  He just shrugged.  It would be interesting to see a staff up against the battle spatula.  "Why not.  She's pretty good."

"Okay, why not?"

The two separated and  got ready.  Suteko stood easily with her feet apart, twirling her staff.  Ukyo pulled her spatula from her back and got into her ready stance.  She waited a moment for Suteko to attack but when she didn't, she charged.  Suteko sidestepped and brought the staff down in a cutting motion.  Ukyo avoided the first swing easily but didn't see the return swing from behind.  She felt the staff tap her behind the knees and flipped backward.  This was going to be interesting.

Ranma stood off to the side and watched the two girls spar.  He knew just what Ukyo could do but not what Suteko could.  They seemed pretty well matched at first, but Suteko didn't seem to be serious in the attacks she made.  More like she was testing Ucchan's reflexes.  After a few minutes, she changed from the relaxed, easy thrusts and parries to the fancier stuff he had seen her do during her warm up.  Ukyo was pressed to stay ahead of the staff and not let it touch her.

Suteko smiled.  This was fun.  She wasn't sure how to respond when she saw Ukyo's odd choice of weapon.  A giant kitchen utensil was a new one for her.  The chef certainly knew how to use it though.  She had to stretch to stay ahead of the swings of the bladed weapon.  She hopped up and over Ukyo's latest swing and shortening her grip on the staff she swung from her waist.   The blow was parried with just a little more force than truly necessary.  Suteko took a quick look at Ukyo's face.  Was that look of determination turning into something else?  She hoped not.  Sparring was one thing, a true fight was another.  She continued the thrusts and parries for a few minutes more and then stepped back, bringing her staff to the ground with a thud.  "Well, that was fun.  Thank you for the exercise, Ukyo."

Ukyo stepped back and blinked.   Though this was just a sparring match, she had been pushed to her limits.  The girl before her was good.  She wasn't even breathing hard.  She was almost as good as her Ran-chan!  "You're welcome, sugar."  Ukyo took a swipe at the sweat following down her face.  "I've never fought someone using your style of staff work before.  Where'd you learn it?"

"Great Uncle Tanto was a master in the Fukushuu family specialty and he trained me from the time I was very little."  Suteko's eyes got sad for a moment as she spoke her mentor's name but it quickly passed.  She covered her mouth as a yawn caught up with her.  "Sorry, guess I'm more tired than I thought."  She looked down at the watch on her wrist.  It was just after nine PM.  "We should probably head over to your place now, Ukyo.  Got to get some rest before tomorrow."

"That's true.  You must have been traveling all day."

Ranma nodded.  "You did show up at the Dojo before dawn this morning."

Suteko shrugged.  "I'm used to getting up early  but I had pushed through last night so I could make it to challenge Genma at dawn today.  Didn't sleep last night."

"That explains it."  Ukyo put her battle spatula back into it's sheath.

Suteko smiled and nodded.  After a moments thought she stepped up to Ranma and gave him a quick hug.  "See you tomorrow, little brother."

Ranma started when Suteko wrapped her arms around him but he relaxed and hugged her back.  "See you tomorrow, Suteko."  He replied.  "Oh, one more thing, Sis," he added, holding her at arms length.

She looked up with a twinkle in her eyes.  "What?"

"Stop calling me 'little brother', OK?"

Suteko chuckled and nodded.  "Sure thing, Ranma."  She stepped back and turned away.  Ukyo said a quick good-bye and they both waved as they walked away from Ranma.  It was a pleasant walk, taken in silence.  Both girls were thinking of Ranma and the following morning.

As they stopped at Ukyo's door, Ukyo turned to Suteko and asked her a question.  "Suteko, would you mind if I came with you in the morning?"

Suteko paused before answering.  "Ukyo, I wouldn't mind but my mother probably would.  It might be better if you went to the Dojo alone and met me there."  Ukyo nodded.  "I'll hold up the fight until you get there, if you're there later than me that is."  the two girls entered the restuarant and then the apartment upstairs.

Later in the bath Ukyo and Suteko soaked in quiet.  Suteko nearly slipped under when Ukyo woke her and sent the girl off to bed.  "Thanks, Ukyo.  See you in the morning."  She mumbled and went off to the spare room.

Ukyo stayed in the tub thinking.  Just how did she want the fight to go tomorrow.  Genma did deserve to be beaten.  After all he lied and cheated whenever possible.  But he was Ran-chan's father, so he deserved a little respect.  Ukyo thought back to all the times she had seen Genma and Ranma sparring.  It seemed that the old man had some ability.  He would toss Ranma into the carp pond behind the Tendo house each morning, almost with no trouble.  Could the girl resting in the room across the hall take the larger and older man?  That was a real question.  Ukyo could feel the bruises that Suteko had left on her skin with the big staff she used.  The girl was quick, not as quick as Ranma and very agile.  Who knew?  Ukyo got out of the bath and dried off.  If Genma beat Suteko, Ukyo would be surprised but it could happen.  Both of them had a good reason to win.  Genma, so he wouldn't have to admit his failings and Suteko, so she could finally finish her quest.  It was late and Ukyo didn't feel like putting any serious thought into the coming morning's battle.

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Suteko settled down on the futon and pulled her sleeping bag over her shoulder.  It had been a full day and she was glad that she had spent much of it in the company of her brother.  What a thing!  After being alone for seventeen years, she now had a little brother.  Admittedly one who was only six months younger, but still someone else in her generation.  She hoped to be able to spend time with him but knew that her mother wouldn't approve.  She just hoped that her mother and Great-grandfather Ito had no plans for Ranma.  He was a good kid and deserved to live his life away from the politics a great family held.  As she drifted off, she started to dream about running the family dojo with Ranma and his wife.  She couldn't quite see the face of the wife but she had short dark hair.

			******************

The same boardroom as earlier in the day.  The dying rays of the sun streaking through the windows and throwing the man sitting in the great chair at the head of the table into shadow.  "So Genma has a son.  How very interesting."

The man facing the shadow continued his report.  "Yes, it seems this young man, Ranma, is the best of the new generation of fighters.  He would be an asset to the clan."

"I agree, Grandfather."  Atsuko looked over, with a arched brow.  "He should be brought into the family proper.  I'm sure Nokoda would love having her son added to the family's ranks."

"Atsuko, are you sure of that?"  Ito asked, dryly.  She just looked down at her manicured nails.  A deep, evil laugh echoed through the room.  "You are a treasure, my daughter.  In the morning we will 'collect' the debt owed to you and the family."

"Thank you, grandfather."

Ito motioned to the retainer and Atsuko to leave.  They left, bowing their way out of the room.  As the door closed Ito spoke once more.  "Yes, the debt will be paid and the family will become great once again."


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to be continued
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As always C&C appriecated

Lisa Prior
writer of stories and teller of tales