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He stood there a few more minutes, just looking at the house, trying to figure out what he was to do. He had spent most of the trip here with those thoughts on his mind but was unable to come up with a solution. �May as well get this over with,� Ranma thought as he approached the front gate. He paused at the gate, thinking about just turning and leaving this problem behind. He had never been taught to deal with this kind of thing. Yet he didn�t want to be like his father and run away from every problem. �This is something I have to do� he thought as he opened and entered the gate.

Upon entering he stopped and slowly looked around the yard. There was a koi pond that was partially blocked from view by the house, a nicely arranged rock garden was displayed for all to see upon entering the gate. The grass and shrubs were all cut and trimmed with meticulous care. It all radiated a sense of peace and calm that he had not experienced for quite some time. He was so absorbed in his viewing of the yard that he missed the person that exited the house.

�Can I help you?� asked a female�s voice

�Yes, I�m looking for Nodoka Saotome, does she live here?� asked Ranma hopefully

�Yes, I am Nodoka Saotome. How may I help you?� asked Nodoka

�Mom,� was all that Ranma said before running up and hugging his mother trying to hold in his sobs.

�Ranma?� Nodoka asked hesitantly.

Ranma fought back the tears before stepping back and answering with a simple �yes.�

Several questions went though her head. Like where had he been, why did you stop writing and where is your father. She suddenly realized she had asked them out loud when Ranma stepped back and took off his backpack.

�Here this should explain some things,� Ranma said while taking a note out of his backpack and handing it to her.

Nodoka looked at the paper in her hand with dread. Her hands shook as she slowly opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Nodoka,

I am sorry that I can�t make it back to you. Ever sense Jusenkyo we have had constant problems. It seems the problems caught up with me. Hopefully Ranma can do better. There are a few things that I should tell you. First when we went to Jusenkyo we had no idea of the curses the place held or else we would have never went. It seems that whoever falls into a spring takes the body of whatever drowned there. I fell into spring of Shonmaoniichuan, spring of drowned panda, and Ranma fell into the Nyananichuan, spring of drowned girl, so now Ranma turns into a girl when he is splashed with cold water. Hot water will reverse it but only until the next time. I am sorry about this I wish I could have been a better father to him. Second, I never told Ranma about the oath of seppuku. I ask that you don�t punish him for my short comings. He is very much a man even with his curse. Third is the engagement to one of the Tendo�s. I ask you to allow this to stand. Especially now that I am not there for you. Finally I want you to know that I will always love you.

Genma Saotome.

Ranma noticed that his mother was on the verge of tears and stepped closer to ask what he could do to help. As he stepped forward Nodoka noticed him and straitened her features.

�There is someone you should see, after all it has been ten years� Nodoka told Ranma � if you will follow me� she continued and started back into the house followed by Ranma. They entered a room that had a TV and a table in it.

�Please have a seat. I will be right back� said Nodoka as she turned around and walked stiffly out of the room.

Ranma sat down on one of the mats on the floor and waited for his mother to return. A few moments later Nodoka entered followed by a young girl about his age with black hair and hazel eyes.

�Ranma this is your sister Ranko, Ranko this is Ranma your brother,� Nodoka told them.

Ranko runs up and hugs Ranma fiercely �Ranma, is that really you?!� Ranko said �God it�s great to have you back. I want you to tell me what happened after Jusenkyo, and why did you stop writing. Where is father? If you are going back out can I go too?� Ranko said all at once. Ranko finally stopped talking when she seen Ranma just looking at the floor.

Ranma briefly raised his head then lowered it again mumbling something that they didn�t hear.

�He�s dead Ranko� Nodoka told her quietly turning away from them to hide her tears.

�I�m so sorry.� Ranko said quietly. Saddened at the fact she would never really get to know her own father, �How,� was all she could think to ask.

Ranma sadly told them the story: �It was a few weeks after we had visited Jusenkyo. We had traveled the area training in the woods and fields. During that time Pop grew sick. He said it was nothing but it didn�t go away. Finally I convinced him he needed to go see a doctor. The guide took us to the village of Joketsuzoku and we asked for help there. I was still in my cursed form at the time so they decided to help us. I stayed with Pop almost constantly but he didn�t get better. He wrote several letters and asked me to deliver them. One was to Mom a couple are for a Soun Tendo and a few people I don�t know. I don�t know what he wrote, but said some day I would find out and to do my best. Shortly after that he died. They tried very hard to save him. Before leaving their village I was made a honorary amazon because of the way I could fight and how I acted during my stay there.�

�What�s this about a curse?� asked Ranko.

�Well Jusenkyo was cursed. Whoever falls into a spring there takes the body of whatever drowned there. I fell into Nanichuan. When splashed with cold water I turn into a girl, when splashed with hot water I turn back into a boy.� Said Ranma.

Nodoka had read it in the letter and was still skeptical. That was until Ranma grabbed a glass of water and dumped it on himself.

�Y-yo-you turned into a girl?!� Ranko exclaimed. Not trusting her own eyes she went up and squeezed her brother. �They are real.� Ranko said while holding onto her brother turned sister.

�Would you stop that.� Ranma asked

Nodoka�s features hardened �Damn you Genma. If you hadn�t taken Ranma from home this would never have happened. You and your stupid oath of seppuku. I never would have held either of you to it. No matter how bad you messed up. You both mean so much to me. (sigh) B-b-but this?! Just what am I to do now. Why wouldn�t you take us with you? You may have been stupid but I will NOT hold Ranma responsible for your stupidity. Do you hear me I WILL NOT.� She once again schooled her features �Just a little longer and I will have someone to talk to.�

�Ranma, I should tell you about a oath you and your father took before I allowed him to take you from home. He promised to raise you to be a man among men or else commit seppuku. I will not hold you to this. You and your father have already paid a price. Now let�s get you some hot water.� Said Nodoka. �We were going over to a friend�s house later today but you have a letter for Mr. Tendo as well so we can go over there as soon as you are ready. Ranko would you show Ranma to a room that he can use while we are still here.� She continued

Ranko was still staring at Ranma. Nodoka repeated herself three times before Ranko finally nodded at her mother�s request, and then looked at Ranma blankly for a few more moments.

�Weird isn�t it� said Ranma.

�Weird isn�t the word for it,� replied Ranko, � OK this way to your new room.�

Ranko stood up and led Ranma to a room in the back of the house.

�You can use this room until we move,� Ranko told him

�What do you mean until we move?� asked Ranma

�Well we are moving closer to the Tendo�s. Mother thought it would be a good idea sense you and Father were supposed to go there when you got done with your training trip. We plan on finishing the move some time this week. You�re lucky you got here when you did a few days later and we could have been gone. You know I have always wanted a sister.� Ranko said and started to giggle

�Hey I�m a guy� countered Ranma

�Not at the moment.� Ranko said in between laughs

�Sure laugh it up.� Ranma replied curtly

After Ranko had calmed herself she continued � Still it will be nice to have you back. Would you like to spar a little before we go?�

�Sure why not. What have you been studying?�

�Well I have been studying Kempo at the Tendo�s.� Ranko told him

�OK just let me get out of these wet clothes and I�ll be out back in a minute.�

�OK,� Ranko said as she turned and left Ranma�s room.

Ranma walked out into the back yard in a red Chinese shirt and black pants just like the ones he had worn when he got there just a little earlier. Ranko stood waiting for Ranma in a white gi in front of the koi pond.

�Ready� Ranma asked �I�m not going to go easy on you just because you�re my sister.�

�When ever you�re ready bro.� Replied Ranko

Ranma launched into a series of punches and kicks that Ranko dodged or blocked. �she has a pretty good defense� Ranma thought. Ranko seen her opening and began her attack. None of her blows even came close to him. When she punched or kicked at him he just wasn�t there anymore. This was beginning to frustrate her. She and Akane could level almost the entire male population of Furinkan High at once and yet she couldn�t even touch her own brother. Ranma was enjoying the workout. He hadn�t had anyone to spar with for quite some time. Ranma noticed almost too late that his sister had worked him to the edge of the pond and was about to put him into it. Deciding he didn�t want to be wet again so soon, he flipped over his sisters head and swept her feet out from under her.

�You�re pretty good.� Ranma told Ranko

�Thanks, do you think you could teach me?� Ranko asked. Sure Mr. Tendo was good but there was no way he could stand up to Ranma.

�I don�t know why not,� Ranma said to her

�Thanks, we should probably get ready to go Mom looked like she could use to visit with Kasumi. Especially after...� Ranko trails off thinking about what was lost and gained in just a few short minutes earlier.

�OK,� was all that Ranma said as they both headed back into the house.

Half an hour later they were all on their way over to the Tendo dojo.