The characters in this story belong to their respective creators and
copyrights. Ranma 1/2 is the creation and intellectual property of Rumiko
Takahashi. Sailor Moon is the creation and intellectual property of Naoko
Takeuchi. All original content is the creation and intellectual property of
Samuel Phoenix. Recognition is given to John Sanchez for a small kick of
inspiration that helped produce this story.

                   Awkward Consequences
              Chapter 2: What Price Honor? Part 2
                PsyckoSama (syp104@psu.edu)

Hotaru smiled in a sultrily manner and slowly moved toward Ranma, like how a
lion stalks a gazelle. She placed her hand on his chest, pressing down to
still him. "I said prove it."

Ranma jumped back, slipping out of her grasp. Oh god. This is not good. This
is so not good. I can't, I just can't.

Hotaru giggled, and walked toward him. She was slow and sensual, her
movements focused on bring attention to her waist and hips. As she moved,
she slowly unbuttoned her top, bringing attention to her breasts. Once again
she placed her hand on his chest.

She looked him deeply in the eyes and spoke. Her voice was rough and
uncertain and her eyes held both a hunger and a sadness. "Please Ranma.
Prove to me that I'm beautiful. Please."

Ranma did not like this. He was running out of roof, he was sure that at
least one his of his fianc�es would be showing up any moment now, and he
just knew that he did not have to prove anything. She was beautiful for who
she was. No amount of sex would ever prove that. Wait! That might work. Now,
just how would he tell it to her.

Ranma gulped. "Hotaru... I'm not going too."

Hotaru's head dropped, and she just let herself drop to the roof. Ranma's
heart went out to her as he heard her sob lightly.

"Hotaru, it is not your body that makes ya beautiful... well it's a  nice
one though. err. what I'm trying to say is..."

Hotaru looked up at him through her tears and smiled. It was a tired smile
of one who had been through too much. To Ranma, a girl like Hotaru should
never have a smile like that.

Hotaru sighed and spoke, "What are you trying to say Ranma?"

Ranma gulped. He hated being in the spotlight, but he had to finish.
"Hotaru, your really pretty but that doesn't make ya beautiful... ok, it
does but... err... what I mean is that you're a good person. That is what
makes you really beautiful. If we did it, it wouldn't prove nothin' cause
you're already you! Ya see?"

Once again Hotaru sighed. She motioned for him to sit near her. While
reluctant, Ranma eventually lowered himself to the roof across from her.
Once he sat down Hotaru spoke.

Her voice was honest, like she wanted him to know a truth that she had
hopped to keep hidden. She was bearing her soul to him. "Ranma, I'm sorry. I
should not have done that. I was not being honest with you. The reason what
I want you is not to prove that I'm beautiful. It's much more then that."

Ranma gulped, he did not like how things were going, but at least she was no
longer trying to jump his bones. Well, at least not as aggressively.

Hotaru continued to speak, her voice becoming more and more emotional as she
spoke. "Ranma, the real reason I asked you is because I want to know what
making love is like before I have a child. I can't remember our first time.
I want to know! Why should I be denied that experience? Why can't I know
love, to be close to another human being!?"

Hotaru began to choke up, and her eyes began to flood with heavy tears.
"Besides, I just want I want one happy memory. I want to keep the baby,
Ranma. And once he or she is born I want to be able to look at my child, no,
our child and say he is not a mistake! Despite whatever choice we make
between ourselves after this one, I want to be able to look at our baby and
say that he was a product of honest emotion, and not our little mistake!
Please Ranma. Grant me this one request! Please!"

Ranma just stood in place. How does one react to this. Deep down he felt she
was right. He had already taken so much from her. Her virginity, and soon
her reputation. Ranma wondered what to do. To cheat on his fianc�es would be
dishonorable, but he already had.

Ranma looked side to side for a moment. He was scanning the horizon. He
could let no one know. If they found out then, both he and Hotaru would be
in a world of shit. Sometimes you just have to do what you feel is right,
consequences be damned. He would do it.

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

Ranma stared into the water that he was submerged in. The heat of the bath
calmed him, helped him think, not that he had any trouble doing that. He had
much to think about.

This had been without the most chaotic, life altering day in his life sense
Jusenkyo. He was going to be a father. Him, a father. This was going to
throw his life into a whole now level of disorder. A level which he could
only imagine with dread.

He had sex with the girl. Not like before, an innocent mistake that had
dishonored them both, but real consensual sex. It had been good. Really,
really good, but was it worth all this?

His life was about to get worse. What kind of father could he be? The only
example he had was his Old Man, a stereotypical example of how not to treat
your child. Would he end up a cowardly shell of a man like Genma?

No, he would never be like his father! He would do the right thing. But what
was the right thing? He knew that it would never be right for him to leave
Hotaru to face the music alone. He should be there beside her to take
responsibility for his action. On the same note his was afraid.

At times he could barely keep himself safe. Fighting off Ryouga, the Kunos,
Mousse, Happousai, his Old Man,  and every other would be fianc�e,
challenger, and crazy on the planet was not easy. How the hell would he
defend Hotaru and their child?

At least Akane was a martial artist. While she was light years from his
level, she was still in the worlds top 99%. She could defend herself to a
point. Hotaru on the other hand was just a sickly but normal girl, and their
child would be completely helpless.

Was it right for him to drag Hotaru and their child into his world? Beyond
that was honor, Saotome family honor and the honor of the girls to whom he
was engaged. He also was concerned about them. What about their feelings,
their honor? He would have to choose. Something he had hoped to hold off as
long as possible. Unfortunately the kami had just removed that final option.

He was confused and needed an opinion. Someone to talk to. Almost everyone
he knew was biased, clueless, or just didn't care. Oh hell, he decided that
he would talk to his mom. She might be a crazy, but sadly enough she was
both the most level headed and honorable person he knew.

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

Hotaru beamed as she opened her front door. She had been reliving the
experience her entire trip home. That was making love. What it was like to
be with another person. To share the most intimate of bonds possible, to not
be alone and rejected.

Hotaru signed longingly. It was like nothing she had ever done before. He
did not reject her. He treated her gently and with respect. He was kind,
honest, and cute. Was this emotion she felt love? If it was love, then what
kind. Was this the kind of puppy love that Minako and Makoto felt for every
cute boy on the street, or was it something more?

Hotaru cleared her mind. It would not do to stand in the door all day. She
walked into the house, headed toward the bath. She was a mess, and needed to
clean up.

"Hello Hotaru-chan," said Michiru from the kitchen. Hotaru had been so lost
her own thoughts that she had not seen her.

Hotaru smiled brightly at her mother figure. "Hello Michiru-mama."

Michiru smiled at her daughter in return. It was obvious that she was happy
to see Hotaru in higher spirits. "So Hotaru, how was to trip?"

Hotaru blushed and smiled coyly, "It was fun. Very eventful. Haruka-papa
would have loved it. There were just so many martial artists."

Michiru nodded in agreement. "I'm sure Haruka would have loved it, but I
still don't understand why you were so insistent to go there in the first
place."

Hotaru felt a chill go up her spine. She could barely fight down her blush
as she thought of a logical explanation. After a moment, she came up with
one that would work. "Oh mama, I'm getting older now! I'm about to turn
sixteen! There are just some things you want to do on your own when you turn
my age."

Michiru nodded knowingly, after all, she was only twenty. She should
understand. "Hotaru, I understand. It's just that it is so hard letting go.
I remember you when you were still a baby. They say 'they grow up fast', but
I don't think anyone has ever seen their baby go from infant to teenager in
three years!"

Hotaru groaned internally. She loved her mama very much but sometimes she
could be too much. Oh well, she should have some sympathy. She would be
going through the same experience in about a decade and a half.

"Michiru-mama, I would like to take a bath now. I'll tell you all about my
trip", sans a few important details, "once I'm done my bath! Okay?"

Michiru nodded. "Ok, Hotaru. Take your bath and then you can tell me all
about Nerima."

Hotaru smiled. That would give her time to make something up. She turned
around to walk up the steps, and ran straight into Setsuna.

"Oh, excuse me Setsuna-mama!"

Setsuna looked down on Hotaru. The look in her eyes could only be described
as 'knowing'. It freaked Hotaru out. "Hello Hotaru. Sorry to be in you way."

Hotaru gulped and ran up stairs to take her bath.

Michiru blinked. For a moment Hotaru has seemed so content, so happy, but
Setsuna did something to put her on edge.

Setsuna sighed and looked up the stairs. "They grow up so fast..."

Michiru was confused. She knew that Setsuna was not talking about Hotaru's
accelerated growth, so what could it be. "What do you mean by that?" she
inquired.

Setsuna laughed deeply. "You couldn't see it on her face? Oh well, I guess
its one of those things that comes with age."

Michiru scowled, what did Setsuna mean? "What are you talking about?"

Setsuna shook her head. "It looks to me like our little Hotaru just got
laid."

Michiru froze. Her little Hotaru-chan, the little baby she held in her arms
just three years ago sexually active? She couldn't believe it, she wouldn't.
But now she looked back on it, she did recognize that smile...

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

Ranma looked out the bathroom door to see if the coast was clear. He had
cheated and used umisenken the sneak into the house undetected. While he
could understand, and agree, with his father sealing the uncompromisingly
deadly yamasenken, he saw no point in keeping a useful and comparatively
harmless set of techniques sealed. Besides the, the umisenken invisibility
techniques must have saved his ass at least a dozen times.

Seeing the coast clear Ranma snuck out of the bathroom. He slowly walked
toward his room. I need to study, don't need to deal with Akane...

"Ranma!"

Shit.

Akane slowly stomped toward Ranma, she did not sound happy "Who was that
girl, and what were you doing. Well Ranma?"

Oh, no one in particular Akane, just the mother of my child. Oh, and we were
having sex. Yeah, as if. He was not stupid, or suicidal enough to tell her
the truth. Time to bullshit. "Oh, she was just a friend."

Akane twitched. "just a friend? Like Ukyo is 'just a friend'?" Ranma winced
as she saw Akane's fist clench. Think fast Saotome!

Ranma groaned. "Come on Akane! It's not like that!" well, it is, his mind
added. "She is just the little sister of a friend from school!"

Friend from school, great save. Now that they were going to different
Colleges that might just work. Or not.

Akane blue rage filled Battle aura sprung to full glow. In a voice quivering
with 'righteous anger' she hissed, "Great Ranma, now you hitting on young
girls?" and with a cry of "Ranma you pervert!" she smacked him in the face,
sending him into a wall. Satisfied with the effect, Akane turned around and
stomped down the steps

With an aggravated growl Ranma lifted him self from the cracked plaster and
dented drywall that was once part of the hallway. He lightly chucked to
himself. This was the first time he ever really deserved it for 'being a
pervert'.

Ranma walked down stairs. He was immediately confronted by his old man and
Mr. Tendo. Time for the moronic duo double team.

"Ranma! How dare you cheat on my little girl!" screamed Soun.

"Ranma you ungrateful boy! Prove you honor and marry Akane!"

Ranma was not in the mood for this. His life was going to hell, he had no
idea of how to properly handle this, and the absolute last thing he needed
was his idiot old man and a fool like Mr. Tendo.

With a cry of, "Swetto!" and a bucket full of water, Happousai was attached
to Onna-Ranma's torso. He gave a firm squeeze and commented, "Well now
Ranma! I think your still developing! They just keep getting bigger!"

Ranma twitched. She hated her life. She hated this body. She hated the
situations in which she had been placed thanks to her idiot old man. And She
really hated this perverted old master and his wandering hands.

Ranma pulled back her hand to punch of old pervert, but came up with an
idea. It was cruel, it was sadistic, and it was divine retribution.

Through grinding teeth she called up her most saccharine voice. "Oh,
Happy..."

Happousai looked up, "Yes Ranma?"

Ranma detached the old pervert from her chest and held him at arms length.
"Lets you and I make a deal."

Happousai smiled brightly, his gears obviously turning, "What kind of
deal..."

Ranma smirked at look at her Old Man and Mr. Tendo. Both of whom were being
overcome with visible amounts of dread. "I'll pose in a bra for you, but
under one condition..."

Happousai jumped down from her arms as stood up as tall as he could.
"Anything! I'll do anything you ask!"

In a calm, horrified voice Genma whispered, "Son, what are you doing?"

She glanced toward Soun and Genma, smiling like a shark. "I think that my
Old Man and Mr. Tendo have been growing lax in their skills."

Happousai nodded, "Your right, they're nothing compared to what they were
like in their prime." he suddenly burst into tears and continued, "Oh, what
did I do to deserve weak, useless disciples like them!"

Ranma smiled even brighter at this reaction. "They don't have to be. They
have been getting lax on their training. They have become fat and happy."

Happousai smacked his fist into his hand, "Of course! It just can't do for
two master of the Anything Goes style to become weak and fat! For the good
of the school this must be corrected! What these two idiots need is a good
training trip!"

Both Genma and Soun started to back up, their faces masks of horror and
silent dread.

"Not only that," continued Ranma, "but you have ten years of lost time to
make up for! They also need discipline! They can't even stand up to you when
your drunk, and they show you no respect! Can a self respecting master ever
allow behavior like that?"

The aged pervert nodded, "Your right! I'll make this trip the best ever!"
turning toward his students, he continued, "If you thought your trips before
were bad, they were just warm-ups for this one!"

Hs voice shaking, Genma turned to his son turned daughter, "Why Ranma, why
are you doing this to me? What horrible thing have I done to deserve this
horrible fate?" While Genma spoke Soun sat on his knees crying full blow
about how he was never going to see his little girls again.

"Oh, quit bitching Genma!" cried Happousai. "Were leaving tomorrow!"

Ranma quickly slipped out of the house. That had to have been the most
blatantly cruel thing he had done in all of his 18 years of life. He knew it
was wrong on so many levels, but then why did it feel so right? Paybacks a
bitch, ain't it? At least is would keep them out of his hair long enough to
sort this out.

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

Hotaru sighed in pleasure as she slipped into the tub. The hot water washed
away all of aches and pains just leaving her in a blissful state of
contentment.

She felt more in control, more adult. While she was still afraid, she was no
longer as confused. At least she could tell herself that she was responsible
for the consequences for her actions, and was not just an innocent victim of
a stupid mistake. She was no longer just a spectator in her fate. She was a
participant.

She knew that this would not remove the problems she would face. She was
going to be a teen mother. Not exactly something accepted by society, and
she could kiss her honor good bye, but if that is what it takes.

She had come to at least one important decision. She was keeping the baby,
consequences be damned. She would not live up to her reputation. She was not
just a soulless killer, like the other senshi sometimes feared she could
become. She was a human being! She could love, she could hate, and her only
choice didn't have to be death. She was not going to kill her child just
because it happened to be convenient.

As she soaked, he mind drifted to Ranma. He was so amazing to her. So unlike
the ignorant, close minded boys at her school. He was willing to ignore her
reputation and see the real her. He envied her powers too. While he did not
know the price, she was flattered. He had called them a gift. He had also
called her beautiful, not cute, but beautiful! Did he really think she was
that kind of girl, beautiful and gifted?

She giggled to herself. Chibi-Usa, and the other inners, especially Makoto
and Minako would be so jealous! Here they are fawning over every cute guy
they see with no luck, but she got such a sweetie by act of fate! He was so
handsome, so kind, and so skilled. Yeas, he was very skilled...

His skill level was disturbing to her. He could jump tall building with ease
and she still shuddered when she remembered that mailbox. How what it
possible for a human being to do that? Was he really just a powerful martial
artist, or something more? It scared her, while at the same time excited
her. The danger of the unknown.

His curse also interested her. Being raised by Haruka and Michiru must have
had some effect on her, made her more open minded. While she knew damn well
that she liked boys, she had to admit, having a lover that was both could
lead to some interesting experiments.

She sighed and looked down. What about him? How would this affect his life,
their child's life. Would he really be willing to settle down with a girl
like her? And what if the things he said were true? Was he willing to commit
himself to more chaos?

It was killing him. She could tell that it was killing him. The way he
spoke, acted when he talked. His life was slowly tearing his apart. Was she
willing to further entrap him, to throw yet another bucket of dirt on his
grave? No! She hoped that he would choose her, but she would not force him.
She did not want to force him. She wanted him to choose on his own.

They had agreed to meet tomorrow night, to see if either had come up with
something. She hoped he did.

As Hotaru thought about the future of her life, Michiru snuck into the room.
Was their any proof, and evidence? She would never confront Hotaru on just
speculation. She had to know.

She shifted through Hotaru's clothing for only a moment before she felt
something. Slimy and sticky. He lifted the article of clothing. It was
Hotaru's panties.

She stiffened up as she looked at the soiled silk underclothing. The violet
cloth was moist and stained white. The most simple and damning piece of
evidence one could find.

She slowly creepy out the door holding the piece of clothing. Her lip lifted
into a dull twitch when she heard the closing of the door downstairs. Haruka
was home. Oh, when her little girl got out of the bath they were going to
have a very, very long talk about this.

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

The lost boy smiled. He saw him, the cause of his suffering, the creator of
his torment, and the only person who could give him a run for his money. It
was time for retribution, time to cause him pain, time to enjoy the Art in
its rawest form. With a joyful rage, Ryouga bound into the air, intent of
getting a good fight out of his rival. "Saotome Ranma, prepare to die."

Ranma sighed and jumped to the side. The fence that he was running across
was totaled by a descending umbrella. Hibiki Ryouga snarled and turned to he
rival, he eyes promising death.

"Hey Ryouga, could we please do this later? I really got a lot on my mind."

Ryouga roared and anger and swung at him, "Ranma! Because of you I've seen
hell!"

Ranma "Ryouga! Give me a break! This is important! I'll fight you, but not
now. Make an honorable challenge, or attack me in a few days, but not right
now!"

Ryouga blinked and lowered his umbrella. Ranma never turned down their
fight! This was not part of the game! Usually he would attack, Ranma would
bitch that he didn't want a fight, call him P-chan, and then they would
rumble. With just a touch of concern in his voice for his rival and
sometimes friend, Ryouga said, "Hey, Ranma? You okay?"

Ranma shook his head, "No. I'm not ok. I'm very, very far from ok."

Ryouga gawked for a moment. This was not the same aggravating egotist he
usually fought, this Ranma was depressed and confused. Ranma was acting more
like him then he did! "What is it?"

Ranma just looked at him. It was as if he was thinking, trying to come to a
choice. "Ryouga. I want you to give me you word as a martial artist and a
man that you will not attack me or repeat anything I'm about to say."

Ryouga nodded.

"Also, If you go back on your word, I will no longer be honor bound to keep
your secret safe. I will tell Akane about P-chan. Do you understand me?"

Ryouga stared at Ranma. Was the secret that big? What could it be? Ryouga
wanted to know, and he was damn well going to follow his word. He did not
want a case of death by tomboy. "Ok, I give you my word."

Ranma nodded and motioned for Ryouga to follow him. He bound up onto the
roof of a nearby office building and leaned back ageist a wall. He looked up
to his rival with tired eyes. "Ryouga, I cheated on Akane. I had sex with
another girl."

Ryouga clenched his fist. Mustn't kill! Mustn't kill! Mustn't kill! Ryouga
twitched, trying to keep his rage in check, "Go on, Saotome..."

Ranma sighed, "That ain't the half of it... she's pregnant man, she's gonna
have my kid!"

Ryouga twitched again. This self control thing was not all it was cracked up
to be, but at least he knew why Ranma would tell his secret. If Ryouga
talked, then Ranma would talk, then he would be in the grave right next to
Ranma's. "What do you plan on doing about this, you pervert?"

Ranma looked up toward Ryouga, "Hey man, it's not what you think. It was not
my fault, at least it wasn't when the mess got started."

Ryouga was unconvinced, "You better explain this one good Saotome, or I'll
kill you myself."

Ranma shook his head. "Always the same Ryouga." He leaned back then began,
"It started about two months ago..."

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

Hotaru smiled as she walked down the steps. Her smiled faded as she saw her
parent-figures standing at the bottom of the steps. It was obvious that they
were angry about something.

"Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama, what's wrong?" she inquired.

Without missing a beat Haruka spoke. "Hotaru, who is the boy?" she demanded.

Hotaru gulped. "Papa, there is not a boy!"

Haruka growled, and produced a pair of soiled panties. "Who is the boy?"

Hotaru eyes almost bugged out of her head. The jig was up. "Oh, shit."

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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