First fic alert. This isn't the first thing I have written. But it is the first on I have even considered posting to the FFML. If you have read any kind of fan fiction before then you have seen the disclaimers that all (well almost all) fics have. I do not own any of the characters in this story. One or two might be my creation but I do not claim any real ownership of them. I will not be making any money out of this. Suing me will be useless because the legal fees will be more than you will ever get out of me. C&C is welcomed and encouraged. Flames aren't really, but I am starved for attention and will not mind them that much. As a final note I have had this idea for a little over a year. Apologies to Belphera who has posted on the FFML a story called Revival. This story is very similar to my idea. But I do not plan to involve any crossovers. If it seems that I have created a crossover I am sorry. I need some help on the names I have created. Are they close enough to Japanese to pass? Or do they need to change. As a final note Kasumi might be a little OOC, at least from the cannon. I prescribe (at least in this fic) to the idea that Kasumi isn't nearly as oblivious as she seems. Here it is. -------------------- Thoughts <> -------------------- It was a dark and rainy day in Nerima, turning into a dark and rainy weekend. At noon all the streetlights came on and by six you couldn't even seen them through the rain. Not even the local martial arts fanatics would be wandering about in this weather, well maybe with the exception of one old pervert. And the women chasing him of course, though their numbers are greatly reduced. Even though there was one person out in this weather, but he wasn't a martial arts fanatic, or even just plain crazy. His attire seemed to match the weather perfectly, a large brown trench coat (so soaked it looked black) and a large leather hat, pulled over his face. It is attire that any fictional detective would wear, but if that is what this person was going for he failed miserably. No this person had a look or maybe a feel about him that would make any police officer that him stop to ask him a few questions. Maybe about an unsolved murder, or maybe about some illegal drugs just taken from some street punks. And if they noticed his companion they would do more that question him. With him this man had a young girl, who seemed to be no older than five years of age. She was wearing a small parka that did nothing to keep her either warm or dry. She could be better shape. Her hair is the definition of unkempt, she hasn't had a chance to bath in sometime. If you paid really close attention you would notice that she has not been very well fed in a long time, and that her clothing really didn't fit her. She seemed almost invisible, the kind of person you could look straight at and not even notice. She seemed almost part of the background, only the most observant person would see her, and even then only if they where paying careful attention. The man leads the girl down the street, not showing any affection or concern for her. The feeling was mutual, the look on her face says "I wish I was anywhere else." The man was obviously searching for something, something he found just a few minutes latter. What he found was a large walled residence. The sign above the gate proclaimed it to be the "Tendo Dojo." Grimly the man knocked on the door and waited. -------------------- Ranma 1/2: Childhood Mysteries Part 1 -------------------- Ranma has had a bad day. It wouldn't take a genius to figure that out. The set of his shoulders where screaming to the world that he was not happy. Ranma thinks to himself, Thankfully, with the exception of Kasumi he had the house to himself. Akane and Nabiki where spending the weekend with friends, and Happosai is out stealing panties. Both sets of fathers where with Nodoka, most likely trying to come up for a plan for another wedding. The weather was keeping all the other usual problems away. Of course it was too good to last. It was at this point in his contemplation that Ranma heard Kasumi's voice downstairs. "Ranma is up in his room. Ranma you have a guest." Kasumi calls up to him. As the man walked in the room Ranma has to fight an instinct to go into a combat stance, "Are you Saotome Ranma?" The man's voice fit his description. The term ominous doesn't even come close to describing it. Even Darth Vader's voice had nothing on this one. "Yes, I am," Ranma answers, "What do you want?" "I am a courier, I was hired by one Misko Tako, to give you something." With this the man reached into his coat. Ranma fearing the worse goes into an instant combat stance. "Here," The courier pulls out a huge brown envelope and hands it to Ranma, "This is everything you need to know." "Me? You certain it's me you want?" "Yes I am. All the information you need is in the envelope." "Your not here to challenge, kill me, or drag me to an alter?" "No. Read the packet." Ranma looks down, almost unwillingly, at the envelope, and as soon as his eyes are away, the man quickly and quietly leaves. But he left the child behind. Ranma looks up quickly with hundreds of questions on his mind, but breaks off at the sight that the man was gone and the sight of what he left behind... Ranma openly stares at the child, who looks back at him through her hair, head down. An extremely shy look is on her face, "Hello," Ranma says, in a very quiet voice, "Who are you?" Not getting an answer Ranma begins to examine the packet. As he reads the information in the package he begins to look rapidly between the child and the packet. Finally he voices all his thoughts in one simple statement. "Oh, shit!" -------------------- Kasumi has had a good day. The house was clean and the usual problems had stayed off the Dojo's grounds. She was, however, worried about Ranma. The stress seemed to be getting to him. For the last couple of days he seemed rather depressed, a great deal like his friend Ryoga. As if her thoughts had summoned him Ranma came slowly down the stairs. Kasumi bit back a gasp, for Ranma was paler than she had ever seen him before, but in his eyes was a serious look. "Kasumi." "Yes Ranma?" "Do we have anything to eat?" Kasumi frowned knowing Ranma ate less than two hours ago, "Are you hungry Ranma?" "It's not for me." And with this Ranma reaches behind him and gently pulls the girl from behind him, where she had hidden. This time Kasumi was not able to hold in her gasp. The girl had obviously not eaten for several days, and the look she afforded Kasumi was one of the most fearful she had ever seen. The child had been hiding behind Ranma's leg and didn't seem too inclined to let go. Without a word Kasumi got up and headed into the kitchen. A little less than two minutes latter she comes out with a virtual feast. Everything that was ready-to-eat in the kitchen was placed in front of the girl. After looking at Ranma and Kasumi the girl attacks the food with a gusto that would put Genma to shame. "You need to slow down some," Ranma gently chides, "You'll get sick if you don't." "Ranma who is this?" Ranma looks carefully at Kasumi and then to the girl, he then motions Kasumi into the kitchen. Once in the kitchen Ranma hands Kasumi a series of official looking documents, "Well according to these, she is my daughter." "..." Kasumi would have fainted, but she was too stunned to faint. "Her name is registered as Saotome Miko, her mother is not listed but her father is listed as Saotome Ranma." "Ranma you do realize the trouble you will be in if you accept that girl as a daughter?" "I don't really care. This is something I just have to do. This is something they'll just have to get use to." "Are you sure you want to do this?" As an answer Ranma nods and smiles. Garbing something to drink Ranma returns to the main room and sits next to Miko. Kasumi waits just a little longer before returning to the main room, As Kasumi returns to the main room one more question occurs to Kasumi, "Ranma what are you going to do about everyone else?" End Part 1 Well here it is my first fic. I hope it wasn't too bad. If you need to get in touch with me write me at trscrogg@unity.ncsu.edu If I get enough encouragement I might actually continue this. I decided that Kasumi will be a major ally to Ranma in this. So she needs a day or two to adjust. Part Two Ranma introduces Miko to pleasure of a bath. Miko calls Ranma "dad." Kasumi tries to discover more of Miko's and Ranma's past. Ranma prepares for his families' return. Miko helps Kasumi with the house. Happosai appears.