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)

"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 make your own
decisions."

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

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

"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 you 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 stop 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 Tendo's 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 to be left 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 lets 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," replied 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
pregnant!"

Michiru wobbled on her feet for a moment with 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. She was struggling to keep
from fainting. "Oh my god. It makes sense! It makes perfect sense! The
reason why she 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 lovers, full of fire
and emotion. "I'll kill him. I will hunt the little bastard down to the end
of the Earth and rip of 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 ever thought things
through, I would have never said those things" Haruka sat down and rubbed
her head. "She'll never trust us again, will she."

Setsuna shook her head. "After what you did, how can she any time soon."

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

"Setsuna...," growled Haruka, coming to a similar realization.

Setsuna sighed as 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 scowled. "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, as 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. "Lets
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 sighed as he walked toward his home. A place he had not lived
in 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 never understood 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 smirked as he opened the door, and was surprised. He did not expect to
see his wife, the boy, and the boy's rival waiting for him. He had a bad
feeling about this.

"Hello, husband," said Nodoka. Genma gulped, 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 Juggernaut.

Ranma glared into his father. Genma did not like this look. He had seen it
only a few times and very bad things were the only result. Ranma always had
it when he stood in the way of his 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, as he saw over ten years worth of schemes, plans, and
dreams come crashing down around him. It only took him a moment to get out
of his mental freeze and he did he was livid. "What?! Foolish boy! You are
honor bound to marry a Tendo! The schools must be joined!"

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

Genma was livid, 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 worth of uniting the
schools, to create a warrior capable of ending the Masters 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 you 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 is a normal girl. Hell, even for a normal
person she is kind of weak."

Damn. He could always support the chef. At least she would add something to
the school, even if it was from that pathetic Okonomiyaki School of hers.
This weak woman he impregnated would ruin all of his work! She would not
understand the art; the little slut would probably turn his boy 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 almost 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, I am his wife and must support his decision. I'm
sorry, Ranma."

Genma smiled. He knew Nodoka would react something like that. When it came
to family honor she was a Katana welding 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."

"Your 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. Fair 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 bright
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
less then 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 warm 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 though that was pity. It was more then that,
Ryouga has honestly sorry for him, but through understanding. "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 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 much like Ryouga 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 her 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 ageist 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 Tendo's. 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?" She cracked her eyes, as the gentle voice and a shake on her
shoulder brought her into wakening 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 grunted, "Just a little longer
Michiru-mama." Her eye 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. 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 here. 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.

Haruka 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 Haruka. "Well, Haruka 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."

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 is all I have been doing for the last two days, ever
sense 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, like a great weight
had been taken off of her. 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, 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 did not say cruel things like
Haruka, but she should have enough consideration not to 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 punched her palm. "Bingo! And you're boyfriend is a person who is
the physical incarnation of Chaos Theory! No wonder I didn't see this
coming! Her boyfriend was fucking up the Time Gates!"

Haruka scowled 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!"

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.
While his old man was right, he could not impose on the Tendo's any more,
she was pissed. How dare the old bastard do this to him? After everything he
had been put through; he was just thrown out after she 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 him
collected possessions and his collage classes. While he had an idea, 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. This room contained memories
for him. While few of them were especially good all of them were his. 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 she came across a simple ring box. It was the
engagement ring that his farther and Soun had planed on using to trick him
into formalizing his engagement to Akane.

At the he thought of Akane he sighed. What was he going to do? Part of him
still loved the tomboy. If you 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 herself fall back onto his rear. What would he leave,
what would he take. Sighing, he made another quick scan of the room. 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 Genma 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 was done 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, than 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 mind, 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 comforted her, it was nature's lullaby helping to
sooth her to sleep. She smiled happily as she closed her eyes and allowed
herself to slip into a deep, dreamless rest.

Rap. Rap. Rap.

She turned over. What was that? Oh, forget about it, she just wanted to
sleep. No need to worry about stupid noises. Once again, she allowed herself
to fall into a deep....

Rap. Rap. Rap.

Hotaru's eye opened. The 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 god damn noise 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 pissed, she
wanted sleep and was grouchy as hell that she didn't get it. Oh, well, best
not to alienate him.

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

Hotaru decided to get to the point. She wanted that sleep. "Your 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 I could 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. :)



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