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 7: Trust
PsyckoSama (syp104@psu.edu)

"Err... hi!" exclaimed Ranma in surprise.

Hotaru could not help but shutter as a chill of apprehension and panic
slowly made its way up her spine. This was a very bad thing.

"Good morning, Setsuna-mama!" She added.

Mentally, Hotaru kicked herself. She should have anticipated this. Ranma was
what Setsuna-mama called a 'Butterfly'. Of course she would keep an eye on
him, while she couldn't see his future, she sure as heck would keep an eye
on his past, curse included.

She looked over to her lover, and found her own fears reflected in his girl
forms liquid-blue eyes. Slowly their hands met under the table. What ever
happened, they were in it together.

"Good morning, Hotaru-chan," muttered Setsuna as she sat at the table, her
eyes drilling into Ranma.

The awkward silence remained for a moment, until Michiru decided to speak
up. "So, Setsuna, you know Ranko-san?"

"Ranko-san?" The outer most Senshi turned her head toward the two teens. Her
features slowly softened as she saw the unease in the two youths eyes. With
a small smile on her face, which was now devoid of all obvious negative
emotion, she turned back to Michiru. "Yes, I know Ranko-san."

Both teens were visibly relieved. That had been a very close one. Hotaru
didn't know what she would have done if Setsuna had let their secret out.

She turned her head to Ranma, and smiled. Hopefully they could keep them in
the dark for a little while longer.

"You didn't seem to happy to see her," commented Haruka.

Setsuna shrugged. "Well, It was a surprise. Seeing a family member of the
boy who impregnated your 'daughter' first thing is not exactly a pleasant
thing to wake up to." She paused for a moment and turned her head to
Michiru. "Could you please get me something for my head? I have a horrible
hangover."

The Aquamarine-haired girl nodded, and left the room to get a bottle of
aspirin.

Hotaru pouted, and glared at Setsuna. "Serves you right. How could you just
get drunk like that!"

Setsuna blushed slightly. "I'm sorry about that, but I really didn't see
*this* coming."

"You didn't see it coming?" Hotaru's eyes narrowed slightly as she
continued, "How do you think I feel?" Hotaru's voice slowly calmed, taking
on an uneasy tone. "I... I'm still a girl myself. I'm not ready to be a
mother! What kind of parent can I be? I don't know nothing about how to take
care of a baby."

"Hotaru?"

Her head turned to the source of the voice. It was Ranma. When he had her
attention, he slowly placed his hand on her shoulder. "Hotaru, you're going
to be a wonderful mother."

Hotaru smiled, and tightened her grip on Ranma's hand. "You really think
 so?"

"Yeah, I do!" he exclaimed as he too tightened his grip.

Hotaru blushed lightly, and smiled. His confidence and support meant a lot
to her. He was her partner. "Thank you, Ran... Ranko."

Setsuna smiled as shook her head. She had absolutely no idea why the hell
Ranma was here, but if they kept this lovey-dovey crap up, their cover would
be blown like Mount St. Helens on a bad day. She really needed to talk to
them alone. She winced as another pan of page screamed its way through her
cranium. God, this thinking was aggravating her hangover.

"Here's you aspirin," said Michiru, as he reentered the room with a bottle
of painkillers and a cup of coffee.

The green-haired woman smiled widely as she snatched the precious
painkillers from her fellow Senshi's hand. In one quick motion she removed
the top, emptied some of the contents into her mouth, then chugged her
coffee.

She let out a satisfied sighed, and laid her empty coffee mug on the table.
"Thank you."

Michiru smiled, and returned to chatting with Haruka.

Setsuna closed her eyes and waited for the aspirin to kick in. While she
waited she sampled the morning meal. "Michiru, you out did yourself this
morning."

"Actually, I made it," interrupted Ranma.

Setsuna blinked, and looked down at the meal. "You made this?"

"Yep."

Setsuna laughed lightly, and said, "Let me guess... Saotome School Martial
Arts Catering?"

The young redhead blinked, "Yeah, how'd you know?"

Setsuna shrugged. "Lucky guess," she replied in a sarcastic tone. After a
moment's pause, she continued, "I need to talk to you two after breakfast."

"We're going out after I change," replied Hotaru.

Setsuna smiled. "That's great, because I'm going the same way."

Ranma blinked, "We never told you where we're going."

Setsuna smiled mysteriously. "I know exactly where you're going. Would you
like me to tell these two where and why?" She said, motioning to Haruka and
Michiru.

"That's-absoulty-positively-fine-you-can-come-with-us-if-you-want!"
sputtered Ranma.

"I knew you would see it my way, Saotome-kun," replied Setsuna with a smirk.

"Where are you to going anyway?" questioned Michiru.

Both Hotaru and Ranma opened their mouths to give an excuse, but Setsuna cut
them off. "Oh, give the kids some privacy."

"Setsuna..." grumbled Haruka, before Michiru cut her off.

"Haruka," Michiru interrupted, "Setsuna is right."

The blonde Senshi rolled her eyes, "I know that, I just hate being in the
dark about things. They're making it sound like some strange conspiracy."

"Actually, that's exactly what it is," replied Setsuna, "Now that you know
of our secret plan, we're going to have to have you deprogrammed..."

"Setsuna-mama has been watching the X-Files again," said Hotaru, as she
shook her head.

"What? So I think David Duchovny's hot."

"And you always go off on that conspiracy theory stuff when you watch it,"
added Haruka.

"It's a joke," replied Setsuna.

"Not a funny one," replied Michiru.

Setsuna growled, and turned to Ranma, "Well what do you think?"

Ranma stared blankly for a moment, then smirked, "I could tell you but then
I'd have to kill you."

Setsuna face fell, hitting her head against the table, while Hotaru and the
others started laughing hysterically.

"I hate you," grumbled Setsuna as she sat up and picked a clump of rice out
of her hair.

"You had that one coming," said Haruka, as the laughter died down.

"Oh, someone has something coming alright," grumbled Setsuna as she glared
at Ranma.

"Well, I'm done," interrupted Hotaru as she pushed her emptied plate away.

Michiru voiced up, in concern. "Hotaru-chan, are you sure you ate enough?
You are eating for two now..."

Hotaru blushed and said, "Michiru-mama, there's really no need to get
worried."

Setsuna slowly shook her head, "Don't worry about Hotaru's eating habits. In
a couple of months, you're going to be putting more effort into keeping the
pantry stocked then making sure she eats enough."

Hotaru moved over to Ranma and whispered "Keep them busy while I get
 dressed" into his ear.

As Hotaru walked off Hotaru walked off, Setsuna spoke up. "Hotaru-chan, when
you come down, can I see those sandles you bought?"

Hotaru froze in place and began to mutter numerous curses, then growled and
twisted around glairing Setsuna in the eyes with a venomous look. "No, I can
't! There are no damn sandals! I was buying pregnancy tests! Now are you
happy?"

Setsuna winced, as Hotaru's angry tone heighten the already blazing agony of
her hangover. "Um, sorry, Hotaru-chan. I... I, didn't know."

Hotaru sighed and irritably shook her head. As she exited to room, she was
heard grumbling. "Sandals my ass..."

The room remained completely quite and devoid of action, for a long moment.
Slowly, Ranma turned to Setsuna. "You sure know a lot about this stuff, you
a mom?"

Setsuna shook her head. "No, I'm not, but with age comes experience."

Ranma blinked. Who was she kidding? She didn't move like a martial artist,
and she couldn't be a day over 30, if that. "Age? Come on... you don't look
much older then I am!"

Setsuna laughed dryly. "Another thing you learn with age, 'Not everything is
as it appears to be'... and flattery will get you nowhere, mister."

Ranma rolled his eyes, she was sounding like Cologne. "Oh great, not another
Old Ghoul..." as soon as the word left his mouth, his face bent into a
twisted smiled. Did he just say that out loud.

"What did you call me?" hissed Setsuna.

Ranma gulped and quickly garbled out, "I-said-nothing-absolutely nothing!
I-thing-your-oh-so-beautiful-young-lady!"

Setsuna shook her head a chuckled, "Much better."

"You know, Setsuna, it sounded like 'old ghoul' to me," said Haruka.

"Me too," added Michiru.

Ranma looked up at them, in a whimpery voice said, "Hey, who's side are you
on?"

"Our own!" they replied in unison.

Setsuna faces twisted with barely contained laughter. "Saotome, you really
need to learn to keep your loud mouth shut."

"Ranko, I'm ready to go," said Hotaru as she reentered the room.

Ranma blushed as he looked over his future wife. She was dressed in a purple
sweeter, black miniskirt, healed boots, and long black stockings that left
just a small ring of skin visible between them and the bottom of her skirt.
It was times like this that he was glad to be a man.

"Kawaii..." he mumbled to no one in particular as he gazed upon the angle
before him.

Hotaru flushed red in looked down demurely. In Ranma's eyes, it only made
her cuter.

"Ok, we're going now..." grumbled Setsuna as she got up from her seat, and
all but dragged the teens out of the house.

Haruka and Michiru looked at each other as the room cleared.

Haruka sighed and asked herself, "Are they lovers?"

"Most defiantly," replied Michiru.

"You do realize that she's also sleeping with her *brother*..." added
Haruka.

Michiru sighed, "Who knew Hotaru-chan, would grow up to be a hentai..."

Haruka nodded. "The girlfriend I can handle, but a boyfriend too?"

Both lesbians looked at each other, and in one voice said, "Yuck..."

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


When the three were clear from the house, and away from the house Setsuna
twisted around and glared both teens in the eyes. "Hotaru, Ranma, there
better be a damn good explanation to this. If there is not I'm going to
march back in that house and tell those two everything I know..."

Ranma sighed, "Ok, what ya wanna know?"

"Well, for starters why the hell we're you in my house, and why are you
hiding behind your 'Ranko' persona?"

Ranma shrugged. "I don't got no where else ta go. I was kicked out of my
house and forbidden from staying at the Tendo's after I told my Old Man that
I'm gonna do the right thing and marry Hotaru."

"And you're using you Ranko persona because they are more likely to let
Hotaru's female friend stay over then the boy who got her pregnant," stated
Setsuna.

Ranma nodded in acknowledgement.

"You know you've really dug yourself into a hole, Saotome."

"How?" he inquired.

"Michiru and Haruka are going to feel betrayed and manipulated, and for good
reason. I recommend that you tell them truth as soon as possible. The sooner
you tell, the less backlash you'll get," replied Setsuna.

"I understand," said they young martial artist.

Setsuna nodded, and started walking again, letting the teens lead. While
they walked, she turned her head to Hotaru, "I don't want to impose on your
feelings, but do you really want to marry him?"

"Yes."

Setsuna smiled slightly. "While I'm slightly annoyed for reason that I can't
mention in present company, he's not a bad choice. He's honorable and
caring." Setsuna sighed, shook her head, then continued. "Tell him the
truth, Hotaru. He'll find out eventually, and it would be better if it was
on our terms. Don't worry, he's trustworthy."

Hotaru gawked. Setsuna had told her to tell Ranma that she was Sailor
Saturn? "Are you sure?"

Setsuna nodded to her adopted daughter. "Yes, while he's a crudely behaving
chaos magnet who leaves nothing but madness and wreckage in his wake..."

"Hey!" interjected Ranma

"...he is also one of those precious few individuals who possesses a pure
and honest heart. If he gives you his word, he'll never..." Setsuna's face
twisted into a small smirk, "...'squeal'."

"What are you two talking about?" inquired Ranma.

Hotaru gulped. She would have to tell him, but this was not the time or
place. She was happy that she was given permission, but at the same time,
she was hesitant. If he didn't think she was a freak before, would this
change his mind? "I'll tell you later. This is not the place."

"Err... okay..." he responded, not sure of what to make of this.

"So, where are you two headed?" asked Setsuna.

Ranma blinked, and gave her a inquisitive look, "you said you already knew!"

Setsuna laughed. "No, I didn't, but making you think I did had the desired
effect."

"That was low, Setsuna-mama," grumbled Hotaru.

"Maybe, but it worked," she replied.

Hotaru shook her head, and said, "We're shopping for an engagement ring."

"Getting things done with, aren't we Saotome," commented Setsuna, as she dug
through her purse. Moments later she pulled out a credit card and handed it
to Ranma. "Get her a rock that'll make the other girls drools with envy."

Ranma pushed it back towards her. "I want to buy her own with my own money.
I don't want to have to depend of everybody for everything."

Setsuna shook her head, "Exactly how much do you have?"

Ranma blinked. "About 100,000 yen..."

Setsuna lifted her arms, refusing the card. "Keep it. 100,000 yen is not
enough for a ring worth of a girl like Hotaru. That card has a one million
yen limit. Just buy what you want and pay me back later. Consider it a
 lone."

Ranma looked at the card, and then to Setsuna. "Thank you."

"No problem." She replied, waving it off. "I have more money in my mattress
then I know what to do with..."

Ranma looked at Setsuna slack jawed for a moment. "Wow... you're so not like
Nabiki..."

Setsuna blinked. "What the hell does that mean."

Ranma shrugged. "For a moment, I thought you were like one of my 'fianc�e's'
sisters... You know, manipulative, cold hearted, cheap..." A Shojo wooden
mallet, courtesy of Setsuna, interrupted Ranma's speech.

With an uncharacteristic angry twitch, she said, "First lesson you should
have learned in life kiddo: learn to shut the hell up!"

"Dried up old ghoul..." grumbled Ranma from underneath the wooden implement
of feminine retribution.

Setsuna sighed, and turned to Hotaru. "As I was saying, he's a good kid but
need to be house broken. I think you could pull it off... oh, and you kids
should cut down on the lovey-dovey crap in front of the others. It might
expose you."

Hotaru blinked, and nodded. "Ok, Setsuna-mama..."

Setsuna smiled. "I take it Usagi and Chibi-Usa know about the curse?"

Hotaru nodded in conformation.

"I recommend you tell them about 'Ranko-chan', and I think we should talk so
we can get your story together."

"Man, you hit like Akane," commented Ranma, as he lifted himself of the
sidewalk.

Setsuna's eyes slightly narrowed, but she said nothing. The painkillers she
had taken were slowly starting to take effect, dulling the agonizing pain in
her skull, and slowly ebbing her vicious irritability level.

She sighed, and rubbed her temples. "Look... you two just get the ring and
have fun with the rest of that card's account." She turned to Ranma and
continued, "I want you to swear to me that you'll protect and fight at
Hotaru's side no matter what the cost."

Ranma blinked, obviously confused by the idea of Hotaru in battle. "What do
you mean?"

Her eyes narrowed, "Swear to me, Saotome Ranma!"

Ranma, while still confused, consented, "Okay. I swear"

"Setsuna-mama!" objected Hotaru, fearful for Ranma's health. He was a human,
a normal human. How could he ever hope to survive a battle with even a weak
Youma. Setsuna could have just signed his death warrant.

"Hotaru, trust me," snapped Setsuna. "Ask him about his battles. They're all
true."

A chill worked its way up Hotaru's spine. Ranma had mentioned a place called
Jusendo, and that he had killed a god. Now Setsuna was all but affirming his
claim. Could he really be that powerful? "Ok, Mama..." she whispered.

"Good," said Setsuna with a long sigh. Talking to herself, as much as
anyone, she said, "Well, I'm going to get out of here. I have a splitting
hangover to nurse, and if I don't get an Espresso in the next forty-five
seconds, I'm going to scream..." With a shrug and a wave, she started away
from the youths. "Arrivederci..."

Ranma blinked at the shrinking image of the green-haired woman, and turned
to Hotaru. "Man, she's weird."

Hotaru paused for. "She usually is not like this. Must be stress... or her
hangover."

"Okay," said Ranma, shrugging it off. "So, lets find you a ring."

Hotaru blushed, and latched onto Ranma's arm. "Ranma, could you tell me
about Jusendo?"

Ranma sighed, and began to related the story to his woman. "It all began
when we got a call from the Jusenkyo guide..."

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


"And then Akane opened her eyes. I thought that things might from that point
on, and it did, for about a week," completed Ranma.

Hotaru smiled dumbly at him. Setsuna told her to believe this, yet it
sounded like something clear out of a martial arts manga! Of course, it was
not as if her life was much different.

She smiled and gazed at her lovers face. They still had so much to learn
about each other, but the more she learned, the more similar their lives
appeared to be.

"Hotaru, think this would be a good place to look," said Ranma interrupting
her train of though.

Her head tuned, following his outstretched hand she saw the welcoming sign
of a jewelry store. She looked at the sign for a moment, and smiled is
recognition. "I know this store! Usagi's friend Naru's mom owns it!"

Ranma blinked. "Who's Usagi?"

"She's..." Hotaru paused for a moment. "... a very close friend of the
family!"

Ranma smiled. "Cool! Maybe we can get a discount!"

"Maybe," replied Hotaru.

The two youths entered the store. Hotaru smiled as she recognized the
redheaded teller. "Hello, Naru-san!"

"Hello, Hotaru-chan!" replied Naru. She gazed at Ranma for a moments, then
continued. "Is he your boyfriend?"

Hotaru nodded vigorously with bright smile on her face.

"He's cute..." replied Naru. Her eye narrowed slightly, and she smiled.
"Does he have a brother that's available?"

Ranma blushed and shook his head. "No."

"A shame..." commented Naru, looking down. After a moment her smile returned
and she asked, "So what are you looking for?"

"A ring," replied Ranma.

"A ring?" Her eyes narrowed, and she looked Hotaru dead in the eyes, and
asked, "What's he like in bed?"

Both Hotaru and Ranma blushed beat red. After a moment, much to Ranma
unvoiced objection, Hotaru said, "It's the name."

Naru blushed beat red and smiled. "Wild Horse... Oh my!"

Hotaru giggled, and proudly hugged Ranma, who's brain had already shut down
as all his blood made its way to his face. Ranma smiled at his soon to be
fianc�e and her friend, and said, "Can we look at rings please?"

Naru waved, and said, "Just look around and tell me what you like!"

Hotaru nodded and began to examine the jewelry. The look on her face was
much like that of a small child in a candy store.

Ranma rolled his eyes. What was it with girls and jewelry? He had a much,
much greater understand of woman then almost any man, but this was one that
always stumped him.

He looked at the display case before him, and started looking at the rings
inside. Ouch, these we're expensive. Setsuna was right to give him that
credit card, otherwise he would not have been able to afford anything but
the most cheap and basic ring.

"Ranma!"

Ranma turned his head to look at Hotaru. He could tell by her smile that she
had found the one she wanted. "So what is it?" he inquired. He could already
hear that credit card starting to cry.

Hotaru smiled widely and dragged Ranma over to a display case. Ranma
immediately knew which one she wanted.

The ring was a large violet sapphire in platinum setting surrounded by a
halo of small diamonds. It was very beautiful, and just screamed expensive.

He looked over to Naru and said, "How much?"

Naru pulled the ring out of the case, and smiled at Hotaru. "Girl, you have
good taste!" he eyes then narrowed slightly and she gave Ranma a once over.
"You sure lover-boy can afford it."

With a sigh, Ranma pulled out the credit card. "Charge it."

"Okay. It's normally 45,000 yen but I can drop it down to 40,000 just this
once."

"Thanks," replied Ranma.

"No problem," said Naru as she ran through the ring out process. When she
was done she looked to Ranma, and handed him a slip and the receipt. "Well,
Saotome-san, sign this and the ring is yours."

Ranma blinked and looked at the credit card. It had his name on it. How did
she... Ranma shook his head. No, he would find that out later.

With a shrug he signed the slip, retuned it to Naru, then pocketed the ring.

"Thank you, sir. Please come again," droned Naru. It was obvious that this
was an almost preprogrammed response.

"Have a good one," replied Ranma with a shrug.

"You too." Naru turned her head to Hotaru and continued, "Good bye,
Hotaru-chan. Invite me to the wedding!"

Hotaru giggled and grabbed Ranma's hand. "I will Naru-san."

With that said, the two were off.

"So, where to now?" asked Ranma.

Hotaru gulped, and looked Ranma in the eyes. "Ranma... I have to show you
something..."

"What?" he asked.

Hotaru shuttered slightly, and said, "You'll see."

Ranma did not really like the sound of that, but kept silent. The two walked
for a little while until Hotaru stopped in front of a large building with a
semi-secluded entrance. "This will do." She mumbled.

"What..." inquired Ranma, and he looked at the sign above the door. "You
have got to be kidding me!" he exclaimed. This was a cheap hotel.

Hotaru sighed. "Ranma, we need privacy for this."

Ranma gulped, and said, "Okay."

With little else said, the two entered the hotel. Unfortunately the did not
enter unobserved. Across the street a blond with a red bow in her hair had
seen the whole exchange.

Minako's hand quickly darted to her wrist communicator.

"Matoko, you will not believe what I just saw!"


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