* * * * * * * * *

Hawk managed to sneak the GT onto a nearby freeway, with little to
no cars running at the time.
He breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank GOD that noise over
with.don't wanna think what a lot of people will try to do to me if the
found
out about this here car." He fought off a shiver from the thought that
produced.
He heard a giggle next to him, glancing over, "I don't believe it!"
Ranko cried, "The *MIGHTY* KnightHawk.afraid of something!!!" she
fought down more laughter.
Hawk looked disgusted for a moment, then turned to her, "It not that
I'm afraid of what people will do.it is just annoying to fend them off.
That's
all."
Ranko gave him the `Ya'Right' look, "Sure, Hawk-chan. Whatever
you say!!" she sarcasticly said to him.
He pulled the car to a stop, "I'll get you for that.but I won't for right
now. For one reason."
She looked to him, partially confused, he stuck his index finger into
the air, emphisising the one reason and looking to her with an incredibly
serious expression, "We're here." He finished flatly.
She started and looked around, indeed they are here at Kyoto's Sushi.
Ranko shook her head and half-heartedly laughed.
Hawk grinned, shut down the car, unbuckled himself and got out,
almost all in one fluid motion.
The door on her side quickly opened, she saw Hawk, holding the door
open, his hand outstretched, "We have arrived, Madam Saotome." He drawled
out, ellicting a chuckle from Ranko as she clasped his hand.
She could hear hearts stopping while she climbed out of the car.
Looking around, feeling many eyes are upon her, she managed to
keep her expression partially uninterested even although the undressing eyes
were sending chills down her spine.
Waiting for a moment when Hawk closed the car door, then pushing a
button on his keychain pad, which sent the car off on its merry way silently
and smoothly to find a parking spot.
A percentage of those undressing eyes, mostly flabbergasted ones that
watched the car drive off, on its own.
Their gazes shifted to Hawk. "Top of the line. Spared no expense."
He stated simply, with much pride to the valet people.
Before questions could be asked, both Ranko and Hawk, arm-in-arm
walked into the resturant.
They gave their shoes to the person in charge of the coat closet,
surprising the person in their when Hawk gave her a hefty tip.
Ranko looked to him dubiously, "You're really going all out for
tonight, aren't you?"
All Hawk did is nod and grin as they walked into the main area.

Ranko, marveling in the awsome beauty of the place, the carpet felt
incredibly good on her bare feet.
She also marveled in the candle lighting at each of the tables and the
soft orchestral music in the background, creating a romantic mood.
While waiting to be seated, Ranko rubbed her feet onto the carpeting,
"Wow.this place is wonderful..even the carpet!" she exclaimed to Hawk in
hushed tones.
It was then the waiter made his appearance, "Of course, only the very
best for our customers." The waiter lightly bowed, "This way." gesturing for
them to go into a certain direction.
Hawk held out his arm, "Shall we dine?" he drawled.
Ranko shook her head, restraining herself from groaning, hooked his
arm and went into the dining room.
She gasped when she entered the dining area.
The place look much more different from the inside than from the
archway in the lobby, it was richly laid out with lush plantlife, intricate
ancient
japanese style art and real rice paper shoji that divided the boothes on the
side.
They were seated into a cozy, softly lit corner booth, away from the
amassed crowd.
She made note that the seats were authentic leather, namely the soft,
silky feeling variety, `Maybe it is Italian.' she pondered.
The table was laid out with a rich lacey tablecloth and the centerpiece
has a dozen pink long-stem roses in it.
Ranko looked to Hawk with amazement as she pulled one of the roses
out and then sniffed it, "Spared no expense." He stated with a loving smile.
She was left speechless at the exteme lengthes Hawk went to for this
date.
Now she is getting a hunch that something important is about to
comedown.
They watched the waiter bow, introduced himself, then handed them
their menus on the table and bowed away.
Hawk nodded his head to the waiter as he bowed away, turning his
head back to the still amazed Ranko, "I take it that you like this place?"
he said
sarcasticly to her.
She nodded, "Yeah! I always wondered what was inside of here
Ranma told me about this place." shaking her head, laughing a bit, "Never
mind the fact that there is no way he could have afforded to even get
through
the door here!" she chimed happily.
Hawk nodded, "Ahh.the perks of working for Miki-Moto!!" he
beamed as he opened his menu and started perusing it.
Ranko did the same, a happy smile on her face now.
Her eyes widened as she scanned over the menu, `Jeeez.the
prices.' she thought fearfully.
Hawk noted the expression on her face, "Don't worry about the cost,
I can handle it." clasping her hand across the table, "I want only the best
for
you.so don't worry about breaking me." He finished with a light laugh, then
letting go when he finished.
Ranko could only gape at him for a moment as he laughed, `How
much money did he.' her thoughts were cut off when the waiter came back.
"The lovely couple ready to order?" he asked them with a warm
smile, his pad in hand.
Hawk looked to Ranko, she shrugged and ordered what she wanted
off the menu, he did the same, "Excellent choices.shall I now show you the
wine list?"
Hawk looked thoughtful for a moment, took the list, scanning over it
quickly, then turned back to the waiter, "Give me the best wine the list for
this
meal. AND I do mean the best!" he gave the waiter a look of warning that
left
no room for argument as he handed the list back to him, "Certainly, sir."
Turning to Ranko, "Ma'am." He said simply as he bowed away
again.
Both Ranko and Hawk bowed in twain to the waiter as he did when
he left, mostly since the waiter is acting so nice. Ranko turned back to
Hawk,
eyes very wide.
She pointed a wavering finger between him and the last position
where the waiter last been, opening and closing her mouth but nothing is
coming out of it.
Hawk chuckled and clasped her hand again, "You need not worry...I
said that I can handle this and I MEANT it."
Letting go of her hand, he took in a deep breath and held up his hand
to cut off any retort from Ranko, "I might as well tell you." trailing off
reluctantly with a heavy sigh.
Eyebrows rising, "Tell me what?" she asked him softly.
He cracked a wicked smile, "I am fabulously wealthy." Her eyes
widened, "Yeah.In fact I am THE richest man in this particular world.I
have more than I could possibly know what to do with.even being retired for
a millenia and living lavishly won't break me." shrugging his shoulders,
hands
raised side-to-side in the `I don't know' fashion, "I didn't even know HOW
much `till I got back from my last mission before coming here."
All Ranko could do was stare for a long moment, then she burst into a
low volume giggles, "So that's why Nabiki was after you!!!"
Hawk looked disgusted and was about to say something of a retort
when the wine arrived, he was crestfallen, losing an opportunity to get her
back. He smiled inwardly while the wine was being poured, `But I don't think
I'll have to." he thought to himself watching Ranko's eyes light up when she
saw the waiter pour a glass before her, `The time is almost right."
Turning to the waiter, "Thank you, kind sir for your hospitalities."
Hawk handed the waiter a few bills and chuckled when the man's eyes bugged
out slightly and his jaw slackened a bit as well, `Trained him well.could
almost not tell.'
The waiter bowed graciously, "Thank you, sir!!" bowing several
more times until he shot off.
Ranko eyed him strangely while she drank at her wine, savoring the
delicate taste of it, "How much did you give him anyway to make him act like
that?" she asked him plainly, taking in another sip.
Hawk shrugged again, "I think about 70 to 100."
Her eybrows shot up, "So? That doesn't seem enough to make him go
silly on you."
Coming out of his shrug, "You didn't let me finish.I was about to
say 70 to 100 _THOUSAND_ yen."
Ranko almost spat out her current mouthful of wine, but managed to
keep it in her mouth with her hand and swallowed it heavily.
Coughing a bit, "70 to 100 thousand yen?!?! Geeez.when you said
that you are made of money, you weren't kidding were you??"
Hawk chuckled, "But you would love me anyway? Say if I'm not
rich?" he asked her, putting his elbows on the table, his hands folded in
front
of his face and his eyes deadly serious.
She inwardly gulped, `Where did this come from?' she asked herself
worriedly, "Of course I would!! I'd loved you for too many years to care
about
something trival like that!!!" she exclaimed hotly, not even thinking about
what she had said.
Nodding, Hawk slid his elbows off the table, "That's all that I needed
to know." trailing off purposely as he slid out of the booth.
Absolute fear welling up in her, she watched him slide out of the
booth, almost like that he is going to leave.
Ranko was just about to ask him where he is going but he stepped in
front of her side, motioning for her to come a little closer to the outside.
She curiously responded, she was about to ask what is going on when
he grasped her left hand firmly.
She can feel him shaking for some reason as he dug into his pocket
clumsily.
Looking back up to her, his face tinged red with nervousness but
etched in utter determination.
She held her breath when his hand came out of his pocket, cleverly
covering what he is holding.
"I have one VERY important question for you." trailing off as he
knelt onto his left knee, opening the case with his one hand and slowly
brought
it in front for her to see.
She gasped at the gorgeous ring held within, "Will you marry me,
Ranko-chan?" he managed to choke out, ".Will you be my wife?"
Even though she is stunned far beyond measure, her free hand slowly
rose up to her lips, her eyes welled up with tears.
She nodded, "Yes." Ranko first said weakly.
Standing up some, Hawk put the ring onto her finger.
Now overwlemed she snatched Hawk into a fierce hug around his
neck, tears now running down her cheek, "YES! I'll marry you!!!" she
exclaimed loudly, never letting go of her embrace with Hawk.
He risen completely with her around him, returning the hug and spun
her around joyously a few times.
The other patrons jumped when they heard Ranko but most started
clapping and some whistled.
Even some of the staff joined in the clapping.
Putting her back on her own two feet, she relinquished her hold onto
him, only enough to kiss him deeply onto the lips, her hand on the back of
his
head, proudly displaying the diamond ring.
A lot of the crowd roared and clapped even louder.
It was then the couple came out of  `Fantasy Land', Ranko sat down,
staring at the ring on her hand, with more happy tears coming out of her
eyes.
Hawk smiled at her glowing face.
Then he noticed that the crowd slowed on its clapping, he turned
around sharply and deeply bowed to the other patrons, "Sorry folks! That's
it
for the show tonight!!" he announced, a few loud laughs answered him as he
sat down in front on Ranko, still stunned by his propsal and staring at the
ring.
A few minutes of this, Hawk snapped his fingers in front of Ranko's
face.
She started, "Gomen.I guess that I am still in shock." trailing off
as she started blushing.
She looked up to Hawk, he looked like nothing could bother him
now, being so happy, he could cry, "You wouldn't believe what it means to me
when your face is _GLOWING_ like that." standing up as far as the table
will allow, putting his hand to her face, wiping off some of the estatic
tears
from her soft cheeks and kissed her on the forehead, "Now that the surprise
I
had planned went off without a hitch.how about we finish dinner?" he
quietly said straight to her face, then sitting back down.
Ranko laughed, "Heh.yeah." she said simply,wiping another tear
from her eyes, her voice cracking a bit from the shock she got earlier, she
dug
into the meal that has just been served in front of them without so much as
an
afterthought.
Hawk chuckled to himself as he started eating as well.

They eventually came out of the resteraunt, emotionally spent from
the night's events but happy.
Ranko hung onto Hawk's arm, with her hand in his, reveling in the
warmth through his jacket, the feeling of the soft, exquisitly made cloth,
the
muscle tone contained within it.
Looking at the ring, `I can't believe it! He actually proposed to me!'
she thought gleefully to herself, clutching to him o-so much more.
She heard a low whine cut through her thoughts.
Ranko looked to see the car they came in, now in front of them.
Hawk reluctantly let go of her to open the door to the car and help her
climb in.
He literally skipped around the car, generally making an ass of
himself but he didn't care of what the snobs thought of him, he was on top
of
the world, he was going to get married to a beautiful woman he loves with
all
his heart and thensome.
Hawk hopped into the car, literally.
He has a smile on his face a mile wide.
Ranko giggled when he started DANCING in the driver's seat, "If
you start singing, I'll really let you have it!!" she shook her fist in
front of his
face for emphisis, his expression instantly drooped into mock horror.
She giggled again at the look on his face, she would have barreled
over in laughter if he didn't almost leap off the seat to kiss her lovingly.
She responded in kind, with a hum of pleasure through their lips,
wrapping her arms around his neck.
Ranko reluctantly disengaged from him, panting for air and other
reasons, "Later.we need to get home.its been an exhausting day."
He nodded, got back into his seat, kicked over the car and drove off,
normally this time around.
During the ride home, Hawk reached over and clasped her hand
firmly.
Their fingers intertwining each other.

* * * * * * * * *

Reading the evening news, Soun waited for the couple to come back
impatiently but something came to his ear over the peaceful night air.
Two people laughing, but sounds much older than the pair that have
left. `Curious.' he thought, getting up from the table after folding the
paper
and putting it down.
He walked over to the main entrance just in time to see Genma
and..NADOKA together.
Soun's jaw hit the ground with an audible thump with his finger
wavering between the two.
They calmed from their slightly druken stupor enough to notice Soun
standing their, with his jaw to the ground.
Greatly red-faced, "Hello, Tendo!!" Genma beamed, "I got back with
the wife!" he finished puting an arm firmly around Nadoka and pulled her in.
Putting his jaw back into place, he was about to say something an ear
peircing roar split the air around them.
All three looked around and found that nothing is amiss, until Genma
and Nadoka found Soun looking up with a partially amazed expression.
They also looked up and both got floored by the image of a car, flying
in the air above them.
The trio watched it land just outside the dojo walls and the roar
quickly died soon after.
They creaked the main gate open to take a peek of what is out there.
Genma's jaw hit the floor as soon as it clicked that Ranko is sucking
serious face with Hawk, just in front of the car, both incredibly well
dressed.
Nadoka just smiled, knowing full well of what may have happened
between the two.
She pulled the two fathers away from the door to give the two young
lovers some privacy.
The Saotome family patriarch was quickly surprised to find that Soun
is not, "You know as well as I of what has happened?" she asked him, all of
them taking a seat at the dinner table.
Soun nodded, "That I do.Nabiki-chan told us that Hawk-kun has
planned on proposing to Ranko-chan." pulling a serious expression, "Of
course I had a _GOOD_ hunch that they would eventually would marry.the
ritual they have done together proved the incredible love they have for each
other." trailing off as the memory hit home again, he shivered at the
thought
of the massive amount of power that had washed over him at that time.
Interest piqued, "Ritual? What ritual are you speaking of?"
Soun just shook his head, "Nothing that you are thinking of, Nadoka.
It was _NOTHING_ like I have ever seen." trailing off as he felt a hand
squeeze his shoulder, he looked to see Nabiki standing there.
Smiling, "I guess that you are in luck that I have taped it for
prosperity, Daddy, Auntie Saotome!" she beamed.
Nadoka nodded and gestured over to the television in the corner,
"Show us what you have." She stated simply.
Nabiki nodded, "I planned on it." She said as she pulled a video tape
from behind her back and put it into the VCR "Now.I will warn you now that
this is pretty amazing stuff here..a lot of it maybe considered
unbelieveable." stopping herself as she hit the play button.

* * * * * * * * *

Just entering the house, Ranko and Hawk a series of loud gasps from
somewhere else.
Looking to each other, shugging they headed to the dinner table to see
if anyone is home.
They found some people definitely at home and all their attention
focused on the television.
Upon closer inspection, it was the ritual that they performed not too
long ago.
Ranko stepped in front of Hawk, trying to get a better view of the
screen, definitely interested in the events that went on that fateful day.
He went up behind her and curled his arms around her waist,
watching the screen also but with a bit less enthusiasm.
The video ended abruptly shortly after the pair turned toward the
group.
Nadoka leaned back with a wide-eyed expression, "I don't believe
it.they are that." trailing off as she spotted a large shadow hovering over
them.
She turned her head and gaped at the immaculately dressed couple,
now that they are in a better light than out in the street.
She marveled at Ranko's sudden change from a lovely teenager to an
incredibly beautiful adult, `I think I know where she got her looks from."
she
thought proudly, she then nudged the stupified Genma, his eyes still glued
to
the now blank TV screen, still amazed by what he saw even though he was
there.
Genma turned to his wife some, "What.?" he then his eyes caught a
glimpse of his daughter standing there.
He turned his head even more, his eyes bugging out, not able to say
anything from the sight of sheer beauty before him.
Nadoka stood up, turning completely to the two, "My
GOD.Ranko.you look absolutely incredible!!" she exclaimed, grasping
Ranko's hands, who flushed almost as red as her dress.
She then felt a ring on her left hand.
Turning the hand over, her eyes widened to the ring on it, looking
back up and leaned in closer to her, "He asked you?" Ranko nodded.
Tears welled up in Nadoka's eyes as she drew Ranko in a hug, "I'm
so happy for you."
Many minutes have passed as the two women hugged each other.
Nadoka reluctantly let her `little girl' go, even if she is standing over
her by almost a foot, "Come.I want you to tell me all that happened
tonight!"
she said, dragging Ranko upstairs for some `girl-talk.'
Hawk stepped back some to let the two pass by to have their moment
togther.
He took his jacket off and carelessly let it flop to the tabletop of the
dinner table.
Completely numb from the night's events, he also flopped into a
nearby chair.
He let out a relieved groan as he slumped into the seat.
Hawk would have fell asleep if not for a pair of gruff hands clapping
his shoulders.
Rolling his head as his lifted it, he looked apon both Genma and
Soun, both with wide grins on their faces. `Wha-oh.I don't wanna know
where this is going.' he thought fearfully.
"This calls for a celebration! Don't you think so, Tendo!!" Genma
annouced to his life long friend, "My daughter is getting married to this
fine,
young man here!" Genma slapped Hawk's shoulder for emphisis, hard.
Hawk looked like he didn't want any part of this.
Genma pulled a tall sake bottle from behind him, along with three
sake dishes for each of them.
He handed both Soun and Hawk a dish and poured them a healthy
share of the sake.
Taking a _VERY LONG_ pull from his dish and looking crestfallen,
"At least your daughter is getting married.I still have three to wed." Soun
slumped his shoulders, then took another pull of the sake.
"Don't look so sad, Tendo! Today is a happy day! One of these
days.you'll also be giving away the bride!" Genma said to him, trying to
cheer him up.
"As long as you don't force them to BE a bride." Hawk chimed
into their Male Bonding Ritual, sipping at his own sake, shattering their
moment completely, "BUT I'd make that five daughters, right? And at least
three of them already have romantic interests if memory serves."
Soun nodded, "You're right.I could never live with myself if I
married them to men they dispise." he slumped even more into dispair,
another pull of the drink, ".and I already have an overflowing house."
Hawk leaned back into his chair, apparently more energetic than he
was before, "Thankfully when my house is finished, myself, Ranko and
Ranma are going to move into there."  Gesturing to Genma, "You and your
wife are definitely welcome to stay over.it's going to be a PLENTY big
house when it is done," grinning, "Besides, it would put you that much
closer
to your friend."
Putting the dish onto the floor next to him, Genma crossed his arms
and closed his eyes, "That is an interesting proposition, Hawk." Sighing,
"But
I'll have to talk to Nadoka-chan about it first." looking up to Hawk's
smirking face.
"I take it that your `forced' date went off pretty well?" Genma only
nodded and grunted affirmitive, his face then started glowing red.
Hawk chuckled, then sighed and looked to his watch, "I really need to
get my carcass into bed.I'm exhausted." scrubbing his face, "But I'm
gonna go now since I have to take my car back."
Looking to them, "OH, and tell Ranko `Good-Night' for me and that I
wish I could have stayed but I know that we are both tired." shaking his
head, "I'm babbling here.Genma, I highly suggest that you get to know your
daughter LONG before you are to give her away." flipping his jacket over
his shoulder, looking over the other shoulder, "I'll be back soon.
Goodnight,
gentlemen." He finished and walked out the door.

Watching the `Ford-From-Hell' take off as fly away, Ranko sighed as
she looked to the ring again.
She would have stayed there watching the night sky if not for a gentle
hand clasping her shoulder, "Ranko-chan." Nadoka whispered to her.
Turning around, "Hai, Ookasan?", sounding a bit sad and looking to
the floor, trying to hold back the tears in her eyes.
Lifting her daughter's chin, "Why are you crying?"  Nadoka asked
her softly.
Shifting her eyes away, "I don't know." holding her left hand in
front of herself, tears having free reign down her delicate face, "I guess
that I
am so happy to be engaged to the one man that I loved for so long." she
sniffed and wiped her eyes, "And here I don't have a wedding dress." she
chuckled, looking back out the window, "Plus, the way that Hawk-chan
proposed to me I'll remember for as long as I'm alive." thought coming to
her, "KaaChan? [Momma] How did dad propose to you?" She asked in a soft
voice, turning back to face her mother.
Taken aback, Nadoka sighed and sat down on the bed, "Well,
dear.He didn't propose to me.much like your brother and Akane, we were
arranged to marry, but we didn't oppose it like them." Ranko's jaw
slackened and her eyes widened but speechless not-the-less, "Yes we
were.but I think that we are lucky to have loved each other at the time,"
giggling like a teenager, "But I think the feeling is still there.since your
father professed his love again on the date that we went out on." she
trailed
off when Ranko's face turned from shock to an awful smirk, "Is it something
you know, Ranko-chan?"
Nodding sharply, "Indeed I do, Ookasan." walking over to the
dresser to pullout a pair of PJs, "Myself and Hawk put him up to
it.Well.mostly Hawk anyway. We did it to get you two back together to
patch things up over the past ten plus years." slipping out of the slinky
dress.
Taking in a deep breath, "AH! It is good to get that tight thing
off.though it does look great on me doesn't it?" Ranko beamed as she put it
onto a hanger behind the bedroom door.
Nadoka nodded, "Indeed it does." looking Ranko down from head
to toe, making her flush feircely, "MOM! What are you doing that for!!"
Nodding as she gazed apon her daughters incredible figure,
"Definitely got the looks from my side of the family."
Her serious expression was broken when she burst into giggles then
into almost howling laughter, the both of them of them did.
Settling down a bit and slipping on her PJs, "Thank GOD for that.I
wouldn't be able to stand it if I were to look like Oyaji!!"
Nadoka was about to berate her about bad mouthing her own father
when as hesitant knock resounded behind the door.
Getting up, Nadoka opened the door to see Genma, with a bit of a
blush on his face.
Gesturing for one moment, looking back to Ranko, "And speaking of
the devil himself!" she called out to Ranko, who dissolved into a fit of
laughter.
Perplexed as to why Ranko would start laughing, he pushed his
glasses back up to the bridge of his nose, "I need to speak with you,
Nadoka-
chan." leaning to the side as well, ".and you too, Ranko-chan.if you are
not to tired." trailing off into nervous fidgeting.
Nodding and stepping to the side of the door, "Come in, Genma.
What is it that you need to speak to me about?" she asked him as his sat on
the
bed, next to Ranko.
"Well.I have been asked for you and I to move into Hawk's new
house when it gets built." shrugging his shoulders, "I wish I knew why, but
he did say that it is going to be a big house." he looked up to Nadoka with
pleading puppy-dog eyes, ".and we wouldn't be too far away from here as
well.".
Nadoka crossed her arms, silent and in deep thought, her head leaning
down as she did so.
For a few tense moments, Nadoka stood there, deep into thought.
Lifting her head, "I think it would be rude to refuse such gracious an
offer." she said to Genma, turning to Ranko, beaming, "Besides, I would like
to have a hand in watching my grandchildren growing up, since that you're
not
going to be so far away!" she finished, with a smile on her face.
Ranko blushed a beet-red, "MOM! I'm not even married yet and
you're already asking for grandkids!?!?" now `cutely' pouting with her arms
crossed.
Genma chuckled at Ranko's predicament, then coughed to get the two
women's attention, "OK! That's one reason why I came up here that is now
done." putting his hand on Ranko's shoulder, "It was suggested to me that I
should get to know you better before I do give you away, Ranko-chan."
Turning back to Nadoka, who nodded knowingly and graciously left
the room for them to talk.

Closing the door, "Yes.Definitely found herself a GOOD man."
Nadoka hummed to herself, walking down the stairs.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she frowned inwardly,
`But what of his past? His own parents? His family?" she thought to herself.
Genma and Ranko talked for many an hour afterwards.

Or would have. If Hawk wasn't hanging upsidedown outside the
window.
Both Ranko and Genma started when he tapped on the window.
Ranko stared at him, he just waved sheepishly and pointed to the lock
on the window.
She looked to him curiously as she unlocked the window and opened
it for him.
Swinging in, "OH Good! Thought my head was going to explode
from hangin' there!" Hawk said as he climbed to his feet.
Looking of to Ranko, who tapping her foot annoyed, "Sorry about
breaking up the talk, Angel." He apologised, digging into his pocket, "But I
came back to give you this." handing her a golden card of sorts.
Looking it over curiously, "It's a debit card." her head shot up, eyes
wide, "Yeah.it is.to cover any and ALL expenses for _ANYTHING_, "
leaning forward so that only she could hear, "Mostly for the wedding and
whatnot.I would like you to get the first dress that you fall head over
heels
for." leaning back, with a wide grin crossing his face, it quickly
disappeared
when he looked over to Genma's glittering eyes, "Down, boy!! Not for
you.that card," pointing to it, "Will only work for her.it is geneticly
coded
so that absolutely no-one BUT her will be able to use it."

In another room, Nabiki snapped her fingers disapointingly, "Damn!"

Shifting his eyes back over to Ranko, who's still a bit stunned and
staring at the card in her hand, "Plus I just got an idea for the date of
the
wedding!" he beamed.
She looked up, not able to say anything but Hawk got the look he was
receiving, "What I was think of.is sometime before Christmas, about the
Sunday before it?"
Ranko's eyes light up, "That would be great!!!"
Turning to Genma, "Don't you think so, Pop?" she asked him.
All he did is close his eyes, crossed his arms and grunted affirmative,
"Seems like a good day as any." He said impassively.
Ranko groaned softly and slapped him upside his bald head, "You're
a lot of help!!" Turning to Hawk, "You're back already?"
Nodding, "Yeppers.I just had to find a suitable parking spot for the
GT." yawning, "but I REALLY need some sleep soon." looking to Ranko
inquisitively, "I take it the date is fine then?" she only nodded, "Good
that
takes care of that! So, I'll leave you two alone to reaquaint yourselves."
He
finished, giving Ranko a quick kiss to the lips before darting out of the
room.
Ranko and Genma looked to each other, shrugging their shoulders
and continued from where they left off.

Tromping down the stairs as quietly as he can. He reached the bottom
with a wide yawn, but is wide awake for obvious reasons.
His mind churned about what the future could bring for himself and
Ranko.
Until he bumped into Mrs. Saotome, literally.
They both started, chorusing, "I'm sorry." both trailing off as they
realised who they bumped into.
Words shriveled and died in Hawk's throat when he looked into
Nadoka's questioning eyes, "I have need to speak with you." Not saying much
more as she turned toward the living room.
He started, `Wha-oh.what did I do now?" he asked himself as he
obediently followed.
He found her seated at the table, quietly sipping at a cup of tea.
Placing the cup on the table, "Please." gesturing to the seat in front
of her, "Sit down." He did. Noticing his nervous motions, "No need to worry,
young man." trailing off as she chuckled, "Now.I don't think that is an
accurate observation, since your old enough to be my
great-great-grandfather."
Lightly laughing, relieving some of the tension within Hawk, who's
chuckling along with her.
Trailing off the laughter, putting his hand behind his head  "OK!
What is it that you need to speak to me about anyway, Mrs Saotome?" Still
looking to her nervously.
Putting her hand up, "Nothing serious.I would just like to know
more about you and your past." trailing off as she watched a _DARK_ look
cross his features.
"What is it that you would like to know?" he croaked, crossing his
arms.
Perplexed, but continuing anyway, "There's a few things, but most, I
would find out in time.but right now, I would like to know what are your
parents like and when I can I meet them?" she finished with a smile.
Hawk unconsiously clentched his fist white-knuckled under the table,
his head down, "I was afraid that you would ask something like that."
trailing off as he lifted his head, "My parents were terrible.I'd like to
tell you
some interesting details but I don't think you would appreciate the
`colorful'
language I would use to describe them.and when you are going to meet
them." shrugging his shoulders, "Most likely never.for one I don't want to
expose you to such atrocity and that they are in another dimension.from
where I came from."
Now practically shaking in barely controlled anger, he snorted,
"Hell.I suppose that I should be glad that I didn't turn out to be a
homocidal
psycopath." he trailed off into a deep-throated half-hearted laugh that can
only be described as chilling.
Letting some of the information sink in a little, Nadoka looked to
him, now even more curious than before, "How could your own parents be that
bad? They couldn't be if you came out this well." she stopped at Hawk's
raised hand.
"Please.my mother is an absolute _BITCH_ and control monger.
She even went to the lengthes of almost getting me, I was about 16 or 17 at
the
time I think, onto some prescription drugs to make me more subseptible to
HER suggestion, basicly making me a much more controllable mindless drone.
PLUS, she was the one who taught me and my brothers to _THINK_ for
ourselves, which in turn, we did. Drove her up the wall when we disagreed
with her. The Hypocrytical bitch." spitting much rancor, "Hell.SHE was
the one that ordered me to be beaten BLACK and BLUE just for my damn
homework in the 6th grade!"
Nadoka stared at him, completely silent and was about to say
something when he continued, "But my dad.totally opposite, in fact I almost
loved the man. Would have, if he'd stick up for himself more than once and
cared a bit less about money all the time." Hawk took a deep breath and
stayed
silent.
Also taking in a deep breath and gulped when some of what Hawk
said hit home, "Can you honestly say that you hate your own parents THAT
much?" she asked him softly, for she knows that she is treading on shakey
ground.
Hawk chuckled half-heartedly, dropping his head, "Yeah.I guess
that I do." lifting his head, "But I will give them one thing though.they
brought me into the world, they said that I was so planned." He finished
with
an exacerated rolling of the eyes.
Nadoka almost jumped to the look of sheer hatred crossing his
features, "But as soon as I was old enough, they tried their damnedest to
get
rid of me. Never did until *I* decided to leave.That's the only two things
they ever did right.and now they won't even see their own son and what he
has done for himself." He finished with a smirk, then quickly turned dark,
_VERY_ dark, "I won't let them. They wanted to get rid me of so damned bad
they could taste it and now look at where its got them.OH WELL!" flinging
his hands into the air as he finished, "Ta hell with them!"
Shaking her head disgustedly, "But I don't think you should deprive
them of seeing their own son.you ARE of their flesh and blood," Nadoka's
own expression turned stern, "I won't let you even marry my daughter if you
don't bury the hachet soon."
Hawk's head snapped up, "You wouldn't.!?" he then met her gaze,
shrinking under it, ".you would." regaining some confidence, "But you
haven't LIVED with them, under the same roof, for a little over twenty
years.
Ever since I have left, I have been trying to forget about them."
Nadoka nodded, "True, I haven't, I'll probably never experience what
you have." a thought came to her, "But that is one of the reasons you would
like myself and Genma to live under the same roof as with you and Ranko?"
Shaking his head, "No.that is PART of the reason.the other is that
you," gesturing to her, ".and Genma at least try to reason, willing to hear
us
out and try to compromise, my parents won't and never will. Usually with
them, their word is absolute.like a damn monarchy. Sure, it would work for
young kids with little to no intiative of their own.but to add insult to
injury,
they can be wrong, VERY wrong, to the point where my mother's memory
turns `convinent'." he scrubbed his face, getting a headache just thinking
about it and groaned as it made itself known, "But I would visit them when I
can.they ARE in another dimension, you know? But they are pretty much
DEAD.Never seen nor heard from them when I moved out. Nor did I hear
anything on them." he smiled as he tweaked the truth around a bit, not
wanting to see his parents anytime soon, alive OR dead.
Nodding, trying to keep herself from think of what he just said about
crossing dimensions, "True.It would indeed take an enormous amount of
what you just described to do something like that." thinking for a moment,
"But what of your brothers that you mentioned? What are they like?" deciding
to now change the subject.
Hawk looked extremely grateful, taking a quick glance at his watch,
"Ok.still got some time before I drop like a rock.my younger brothers are
what you could say the only people that I could get along with civally in
that
house."
Nadoka nodded and motioned for him to continue, "My brother,
Kevin.he is the intellect of the family, there were times when we'd sit
there
for hours brainstorming on virtually any subject, we did fight on occasion,
but
I think that is a given for siblings anyway. The other.well.Nick is the
silent
and strong type._BIG_ boy, at 15 he was 6 foot 3 inches and 230 plus
pounds, all natural mind you." Hawk looked back to Nadoka, who is a bit
stunned at thinking the size of his youngest brother.
Going into his worst Southern Drawl, "We's grow'em big down on
da farm der!" thumbing to nothing in particular behind him, getting an
amused
giggle out of her, "Anyway.like I said, he never did speak all that much,
but
he can be a monster at video games." he faked a shiver, then looked to his
watch again.
Staying silent for a moment, Hawk snapped his fingers, "OH
YEAH!" he exclaimed, "Me and Ranko have already decided on a date for the
wedding!" trying valiantly to change the subject to less sentive matters to
him.
Interested piqued, "Oh yes? What is it?"
Leaning back into the seat, looking up the stairs, "We have decided
on the Sunday before Christmas this year." trailing off into thought, "The
21st I believe." shifting his eyes back to Nadoka.
Slightly shocked, "That soon? Why.it is already late August! How
could we get all the preparations done on time?"
Hawk just put his hands behind his head, "The details can all be
worked out in time, far in advance even.just now got to decide on where, but
I think I'll leave that up to you since I do think that you have good taste
in a
chapel." stopping for some reason or other, snapping his fingers again, "Or
we could have it here?" he asked inquisitively.
She put her finger to her chin for a moment, "Yes.that could work,
but there is one slight problem.the dojo's currently a wreck." she stopped
when she heard him start laughing.
"That can EASILY be fixed! By tomorrow night even!" punching a
button on his watch and spoke a few phrases that cannot be made out, "The
calvery will be here in the morning to start on the rebuilding of the
dojo.and
don't be to shocked at their appearance," jutting his finger into the air.
Putting her tea cup down, "Why would I be?" she asked simply.
He sighed, "Because they are not of this world, or this plane of
exsistance when you think about it. HELL.they aren't even alive! They are
part of the onboard Marine unit on my ship, very BIG they are and very
expediant too. Plus they are going to be supervised by my personal assistant
Artifical Intelligence." Leaning back a bit, hands behind his head, beaming
of
personal pride.
All the sudden, Nadoka started laughing for many a moment.
Settling down a bit, wiping a tear out her eye, "My dear Hawk.is
there anything that you can't do?"
He leaned back onto the table, hand to his chin and drummed his
fingers along his face for a minute.
Crossing his arms and put on a serious expression, "NOPE!" he
exclaimed and the both of them started laughing quietly, since there are
people
trying to sleep in the house.
Forcibly calming herself and then yawned, "Ahhh! I do think we need
some sleep.we have so many things to do and less time to do it in."
Hawk nodded and stood up, "Yes.definitely." he tried to say,
yawning, "Goodnight, Mrs. Saotome" he waved a little and headed for the
stairs.
He was stopped when someone grabbed his hand firmly, looking
back, "You can call me.Ookasan." Nadoka finished with a smile.
Hawk nodded and smiled himself, "Hai.Ookasan." He then pecked
her on the cheek and cletched his hand around hers, "You still have yourself
a
good night." trailing off as he let her go and walked up the stair.
Leaving a stunned Nadoka behind to mull what just happened over.

Heading up the stepps, Hawk walked by Genma.
Slapping him on the shoulder, "Goodnight, Otousan." he said
simply to him and continued up the steps.
Genma halted in his decent, almost all the way down, "Nani.?"
utterly confused now.
Hawk didn't answer just continued on his trek to bed.
Genma would have went after him and demanded an answer if not for
a musical giggle at the bottom of the steps.
He turned to look, "Genma.come down a let's go to bed." Nadoka
said simply, looking up to the man.
He flushed at the possible meaning, nodded and staying silent until he
met with his wife, "Have you had a nice talk with Ranko-chan?" she asked
him, shaking him out of his stunned state.
Genma's face took on a pained look for a moment, "Yes! Yes I
did." he stammered out quickly, "In fact she told me some
rather.disturbing things during her training and many others things as
well.but I'm too tired to think right now." going silent as he latched his
arm around her, "But one thing that I just cannot get out of my mind is that
I
haven't lost a son, I.we have gained a daughter and soon going to have
another son to the family."
He smiled as he rubbed at his face, stifling a yawn, "Let's go bed."
leaving the conversation there, she nodded, snuggled up to him and followed
him to bed.

Creaking the door open as quietly as he can, Hawk stuck his head in
the door to find the lights turned off.
Looking around a bit, he also found Ranko snoozing in the bed,
almost curled up into a ball under the sheets.
Smiling inwardly, he tip-toed into the room, shucking his shirt and
pants to the side of the bed.
Still being as quiet as he can, he mozied on over to the head of the
bed, grabbing hold of the blanket, "What? The strip show is over with
already?" Ranko asked him, making him almost jump out of his skin and take
in a large, sharp intake of air while grabbing his chest.
Hawk made an exaturated gesture of getting his heart of his throat,
making Ranko laugh softly as she sat up, "GOOD GOD you scared me!!!"
Hawk hissed, making her laugh even more, still trying to be quiet.
She flipped one side of the sheets up, "Since the show really is
over.get your ass in here, I'm freezing!" she chimed, still talking softly.
Hawk bowed deeply, "But no hanky-panky ok? I'm tired!" she
hissed.
When he came back up, he almost looked disappointed but shrugged
and got under the covers.
Lying down flat on his back while pulling the blankets over himself,
Ranko curled up next to him, draping an arm and a leg over him,
"Hmmm..nice and warm." she drawled sleepily and quickly dozed off.
Hawk looked at her sleeping face, curled the arm that is under her,
around her.
Softly squeezing her to him, she hummed in response and snuggled
some.
Reveling in the fact the she is wearing very soft, almost silken
pajamas. The cloth felt very smooth when she draped some of her limbs over
him
He soon quickly dozed off into sleep himself.


End of Chapter One: End of The Beginning
* * * * * * * * *




Gods...I hope you like this so far....
I would say something here...but I dunno what to say now! ^_^

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Knight_Hawke
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