I. nobody's home...

Ran pulled his red Porsche in front of the stated address.  It was a pert little house in a row of traditional Japanese houses in Nerima.  Why do I get myself into these messes?  He didn't want to go and visit their cousins from Nerima but the Little Fox insisted on going since their okaasan had suggested it.  Ran was still uneasy about having a mother, having cousins was another major adjustment but if Kurama-chan wanted to go he would go with the Little Fox to keep him safe.

One good thing was that Aya-chan couldn't come since she was still trying to catch with her studies.  It was hard enough to take care of the Little Fox.  Now that Kurama-chan was out of their mother's sight he seemed determined to pop out the foxy ears and tail and turn his formidable intellect to mischief.  Nothing so great that it caused harm, Kurama had more consideration than that but mischief nonetheless.  The motel guests found something to talk about sudden increase of blooms in the cut flowers or fruit and vines where there shouldn't be.  All of these were shouting: "There was a kitsune here!"  Ran had gritted his teeth through it all.  It was just probably a phase the Little Fox was going through.  After eighteen years of restraint and being a good human, the fox was being given some free rein to run.  He'll grow out of it soon.  Or so Ran hoped.

Ran and Kurama got out of the car to walk up the door, Kurama in the lead.  Ran wondered what was up when Kurama stopped short at the door. He was about to speak out irritably when he too saw the note.
 

Dear Cousins,

Our family had to take an unexpected trip out of the country.  We won't be back till next week.  Gomen, make yourselves at home in the guestroom and the rest of the house.  The keys are behind the second pot.

Regards,
Haiichi Kaji

"Okay that's it, Let's go home."  Ran said.

"Aniki, don't be a spoiled sport.  We're suppose to stay with them for two weeks after all."  Kurama said and that was that. Ran pulled up the car into the empty garage and they begun to get their gear from the car.

They were settling in the guestroom as per instructed when a knock came from the front door…

***

"Ranma would you escort kindly Akane to the neighbors house?  I promised to welcome the their cousins for Kaji but I have to make dinner."  Kasumi said.

"Awww, why should I do that… That tomboy can very well take care of herself."  Groused Ranma to be abruptly bopped on the head with the mallet by his reluctant fiancée.

"Ranma, it is the duty of the fiancé to safeguard his woman from harm."  Said his father Genma Saotome or rather said the placard of the panda that was Genma Saotome.

"Yes, yes, I'm going old man.  Wait up Akane."  Ranma said trying to catch up to the angry girl who was carrying a small snack made by her sister Kasumi.  Not by Akane herself, thank the gods, they wanted their neighbors' cousins to feel welcomed not poisoned.

"Can I come too.  I saw them pull up into the garage in a foreign car. A red-hot Porsche can you believe it!"  Nabiki exclaimed.  The mercenary Tendo sister was very much interested in wealth, especially in wealthy individuals that can be induced to part with it.  She was now measuring up the current sheep for shearing so to speak.   Maybe they'd want to be introduced around, or I can charge for introducing girls or boys to them.  The girl looked especially eligible, I bet Kuno would like an introduction...

***

"I'll get it, aniki."  Kurama said, rushing out into the living room then opening the door with Ran calmly following him.

"Konnichiwa, may I help you?" The Little Fox smiled as he saw the group of teenagers who were standing nonchalantly at the doorstep.

"Konnichiwa, my name is Tendo Akane. We came from the Tendo dojo next door.  We were told to welcome you by Haiichi-san since he couldn't at this time."  Said the shorthaired brunette.

"This is my fiancé Saotome Ranma and my sister Nabiki."   Both the boy with the braid and the brownhaired girl made polite noises.

"I'm Fujimiya Shuuichi and this is my aniki, Ran, come in."  Kurama said, mischief almost making fox-ears pop out of his head.  He had been introducing himself in such a manner since this trip.  If their cousins had been around maybe he would have introduced himself in the proper way but then it was his real name in a matter of speaking anyway.  Besides it made for uncomplicated introductions, people are perpetually asking about the difference in his and his brother's names.

"Hn."

So these were the wacky neighbors Kaji was writing about in his letters. They didn't seem at all crazy to Ran.  He looked upon them as they settled down on the couches with interest.  Ranma and Akane looked the part of martial artists though Nabiki didn't look the part.  That one looked the part of merchant sizing up a customer, Kurama was amused to see.  Hmmm, interesting…
 

"He's glad to meet you too."  The Little Fox said as he opened the snack for everyone to share.  They fell into conversation.

***

The meandering talk had somehow gone to martial arts.  Ran noted sourly that somehow, the rest of the Tendo dojo had come in at one point in time or so and now everyone was sitting in the Haiichi living room while they dined on Kasumi's cooking.

"So you've trained in martial arts."

"Hai, Saotome-san."

"A slender girl like you?  You probably cannot match Akane."  Ranma said in disbelief to be bopped on the head for his impoliteness by the said girl.

"Ah, Ranma-kun, I am not a girl."

"You're a guy!"  Nabiki exclaimed.

"Hn."  Ran said.  Everyone was always mistaking the Little Fox for a girl.  He wondered some times if Kurama had carefully cultivated the image out of mischief but then the femininity of his face and form were something he couldn't help.  It came with the body.

"Aniki says everyone makes that mistake…"

"What discipline?"

"None in particular, Tendo-san."

"Why not come to the dojo sometime to practice sometime, Ranma could use the practice."

"I thank you for the generous offer, Saotome-san, but I couldn't impose…"

"Impose nothing, my future son-in-law needs all the practice he can get!" Tendo-san said.

Hn, he'll get practice all right.  He'll probably be lucky if the Little Fox doesn't toss him into the next month.

"I will consider it then. Arigatou, Tendo-san."

In hindsight, much later after the incident Ran felt that he should have known better at that time, he should have taken the Little Fox into his car and drive away.  He too had heard that these particular neighbors of their cousins were crazy, he should have known better.  That's when it all began…

Review this Fic...