#include "stddisclaimer.h"

			       Final Attempt II
				  The Sequel

	      A story by Suika Roberts, Saint of Eris Discordia
  Based on the manga by Takahashi Rumiko, without the permission of anyone.
      And we start drawing in _Sailor Moon_, which is Takeuchi Naoko's.
	     And _Aa Megami-sama_, which is Fujishima Kousuke's.

     ``Utchan, 'Sumi-chan, my teaching class went to an orphanage today.  It
was like a prison, only they throw one into it for being underage and not
having parents.  If one is over about ten one is _extremely_ unlikely to get
out before the age of 18, unless one runs.  Over half the people incarcerated
there are over ten.  We can't get them all out, but even one . . .''  The other
two stare at their spouse, wondering how to take this.  Kasumi speaks up first.

     ``Ran-chan, I thought we had agreed not to have any children until we
were all out of college.''

     ``Yes, but that was, at least I though it was, because it would be too
dangerous for any of us to be pregnant for nine and a half months, and then be
guarding a small child, what with the mess that still follows us about.''  The
other two nod in agreement at that, pausing to consider the situation a little
more.

     ``So, you want to adopt someone over ten, then?''

     ``Yes, I thought we could all go down there and meet the kids, talk to
them, find one who we think would work well in our family group.  Even if we
don't adopt anyone we should go visit them, talk with them, play with them.
Those kids were so. . .''  She shudders as she trails off.

     ``OK, when do you want to go?''

     ``Soon, 'Sumi-chan.  I think I can manage the paperwork by Thursday
afternoon, and we would then just need to convince whomever we would like to
come with us that it is a good idea.''

     ``Ranma, are you sure this is a good idea?  This is our first year of
college, we're only 18 and Kasumi's barely old enough to drink in the US.''
Ukyou says, her chopsticks held in her left hand with her rice bowl as she
gestures.

     ``No, I'm not sure this is a good idea.  It could be a really bad one.
I just couldn't live with myself if I didn't try to get at least one of them
out.''

     ``That's become one of your really good points, recently.''  Kasumi
smiles at her spouse.  ``You care for people a lot, and you've recently started
actually expressing it.''

     ``That's such a pretty compliment, 'Sumi-chan,'' Ranma smiles back,
leans forward and kisses the taller woman.  Ukyou looks down at her hands, not
wanting to feel left out, but doing so none the less.  The sudden touch of her
spouse's hand on her face, and the touch of her lips against her own send the
feeling tinkling down to lay like broken glass at her feet.  Ranma smiles at
her as she goes back to her food, once again glad that the three of them were
living in NekomiKyouDai's married student housing instead of at Tendouke or
Utchan.  At the one they would have to deal with Tendou Soun, Saotome Genma
(when he showed up), Happosai, the Kunous, and sundry other distractions.
Utchan was better, but the others still showed up with distressing regularity.
They had managed somehow to keep the location of their apartment a secret, but
even using a payphone they worried that the others would find out and come to
harass them.  *It's really nice that the monk who did our wedding ceremony
managed to get us a license, even if it took him six months to find a clerk who
would write one out for a three-person wedding.  I need to send him another
card, I think*

     Dinner finishes, and Ranma remembers something else. ``Oh, 'Sumi-chan,
what was it you were wanting to talk about?  I sorta spaced it during my trip
to the orphanage.''  Ranma holds her tail with her right hand as she speaks,
her thumb wrapped around it at the base of her neck.

     ``Oh, I was wanting to know why you weren't letting me help with the
cleanup from dinner anymore.''

     ``You need to do your homework if you want to do well, and you'll need
to do well if you are going to be a doctor.  We thought that you'd prefer it
that way.  Sumimasen.''

     ``Your intention is good, but, please, remember rule one.''

     ```Never take the relationship for granted.  If a problem arises, talk
about it,''' *nine months and still only the one rule* ``We'll remember to talk
about things first next time, OK?  Now go do your homework, 'Sumi-chan.''
Ukyou looks up from the warm water in the sink, smiling at her spouse.  Kasumi
smiles back, nods, and hurries off, emptying her backpack onto the dinning room
table and starting on her calculus homework.  ``I'm amazed at how well she's
doing.  She was out of school for how long?  Three years?''

     ``Four.  She managed to graduate early.''  Ukyou shakes her head in
admiration, then goes back to the dishes.

****

     ``So, you mean to tell me you are going to let those three freaks take
one of our children?  Why are you allowing this?''

     ``Those `three freaks' as you called them are straight `A' students in
college, and have a very stable relationship, which will be good for a child.
They are taking an older child as well, so any stable family would be
wonderful.  I really care for the children here, but there are just too many of
them for me to give them the love and attention that they need.''  *I may need
to watch that one.  Her homophobia could well cause problems if any of the
younglings she's responsible for have to come out.* The director sighed, and
stamped the application `provisionally approved.'

****

     ``So, do either of you have a preference as to who you want to bring
home with us?''  Ranma looks at her spice as she walks backwards in front of
them.

     ``I like the girl you have fallen for.'' Kasumi smiles back at her
spouse, who stumbles a little.

     ``I like her too, she's a nice kid.''  Ranma almost looses her balance.

     ``I didn't know I was that obvious.''

     ``You were.  So, what have you heard from them on the paperwork?''

     ``Provisionally approved.  If Mako-chan doesn't mind and the director
thinks we'll be good for her, we will have a daughter by the end of the week.''

     ``That's wonderful!  Tell me the day and I'll make a wonderful meal to
celebrate her joining the family.''  Kasumi smiles at her spice.

****

     ``Mako-chan, would you like to become part of my family?''

     ``Why me?  According to just about all the people here I'm
short-tempered, undisciplined and violent.''  Makoto's voice displays her
resentment of this all-too-common assessment.

     ``You're a lot of fun to be with; fairly well disciplined, especially
considering what you get run through here; you remind me a lot of myself at
your age; and I can't just leave you here if it is within my power to get you
out.''

     ``I'd love to, but I have a couple of conditions.''  Makoto ticks them
off on her fingers while she speaks, ``I get to keep my name, I owe that to my
parents, and you need to teach me martial arts.''  She looks up from her
fingers apprehensively.

     ``Agreed.''  Ranma smiles, ``I should have the paperwork done in time
to take you home tonight.''

****

     ``Saotome Ranma, you are now a parent, congratulations.''

     ``Thanks.''  Ranma smiles at the director, glad that she was in charge
and not that awful woman who ran the office.  _That_ one . . . misogynistic,
misanthropic, homophobic, and, worst of all in a place like this, she
posilutely _abhors_ children. The first three could be forgiven, almost, if it
were not for that last.  She shakes her head, realizing that she had just
missed something the other had said.  ``What was that?  I was woolgathering.''

     ``I was saying that all the paperwork is done and you can take her
home.''

     ``Really!  Thank you so much!'' Ranma beams over the desk as she
presses the older woman's hand, unusually demonstrative.

****

     ``'Sumi-chan?  I the paperwork done on schedule, and I should be home in
about an hour, OK?  Mmmhmm, thanks, bye!''  Ranma's excitement makes her voice
slightly higher-pitched than normal.

****

     ``Mako-chan?''  The eleven year old looks up from nursing her bruised
soul, *at least Ari's nursing a bruised face!* at the sound of Ranma's voice.

     ``Hai?''

     ``It's official, We've adopted you.''  Ranma stumbles back as 35 kilos
of excited young girl plows into her arms.  ``I'm glad to see you're happy
about this too,''  Ranma hugs her back, continues,  ``I don't have a car and
the trains are really slow, so unless you mind I thought I'd carry you home on
my back.''  She looks down at the girl pillowed against her chest.

     ``That's fine.''

     ``OK, They said that most of your stuff was boxed up in the storage
building, so do you have anything you need to pack?''

     ``I packed it all last night.  I was planning on making my biweekly
escape attempt tonight after you left.  I'd spent the last couple weeks finding
out where you lived and worrying that you'd bring me back if I showed up at
your door.  Finding out about the adoption really threw me for a loop.''
Makoto's face falls, ``I think I may have lost my only friend from here over
it, though.''  Ranma makes a concerned prompting noise.  ``She called me a
traitor and I blacked her eye for it.''  The pain in her voice strikes a chord
in Ranma's heart.

     ``Why was she upset with you?''

     ``I'd promised to take her with me this time.  She's been in here ever
since her parents got hit by a bus, and she helped me a lot with learning how
to cope with this place.''

     ``What's her name?''

     ``Ariana.''

     ``OK, lead me to her, perhaps she would follow us out.''

     ``Ryoukai!''  Makoto snaps her heels together, picks up her backpack,
and leads the way from the room.

****

     ``Hello, Ari-chan, would you like to get out of here?''  Ranma smiles
at the blonde-haired girl, who tentatively smiles back.  *Careful, Ranma,
conspiracy is a felony, talk around it*

     ``Mochiron.''

     ``Would you need to pack anything?''

     ``I'm still packed, so let me just stuff this away.''  She shoves the
novel she was reading into her pack, giving Makoto a look that makes her wilt.

     ``Then let's get out of here, Mako-chan.''  She waits for Ariana to get
her bag on, then leads the way from the room.  ``Shizuka ni,'' The two girls
look at Ranma, ``Walk quickly, if an alarm is raised, Mako-chan and I will
stop, and if you ran, Ari-chan, you would probably escape.  Understood?''

     ``Wakatta!'' The two girls chorus.  Ranma leads the way to the door,
the girls on either side of her.

     The three walk unhurriedly out of the building, stopping to smile at
the guard on the way out.

     ``This is my new daughter Makoto.''

     ``She's very cute, ma'am,'' The guard's eyes glaze as he waves them
through, ``You two have a good time.''

****

     ``What happened back there?  The guard should have seen me for sure.''

     ``He did, Ari-chan, but he forgot.  'Tis an old Zanji mind-trick.''

     ``Zanji?''  Makoto asks as they reach the train station.

     ``An ancient martial art that I recently started to learn.  My sensei
is really cool, you'd like her, I think, Mako-chan.''

****

     ``Ne, Morisato-sempai, could you come rescue us?  Another kid followed
me out of the orphanage, and I was hoping you could give her a ride to my
apartment.  I'm sure 'Sumi-chan has made enough for you and Belldandy-sensei,
if she hasn't started dinner yet.''

     ``Bell-chan. . .''  Ranma hears Keiichi put his hand over the receiver,
then he comes back, ``Sure, Belldandy and I would be glad to help.  Where are
you at?''

****

     ``Hora, Belldandy-sensei, Morisato-sempai!''  Ranma hops onto the
barricade and waves at the couple with the sidecarred BMW motorcycle.

     ``Ranma-chan!''  Belldandy calls from the sidecar as they stop.  ``Is
this your daughter?''  She looks at Makoto.

     ``Un.  Kino Makoto, meet Morisato Keiichi-san and his friend-owner
Belldandy-san.''  Both Keiichi and Belldandy color prettily at the description.
``Belldandy-sensei is teaching me Zanji.''  Makoto takes another look at the
woman in the sidecar, wondering if the marks on her face indicate her rank in
the art.  ``This is Ari-chan, she sorta followed me from the orphanage at the
last minute.''

     ``Hello, Ari-chan, I guess you'd better ride in the sidecar.''
Belldandy says, climbing out.  She helps Ariana put on the extra helmet, and
the girl climbs into the sidecar.  Ranma notices that she's dressed differently
than normal as Belldandy finishes knotting her skirt and climbs on behind
Keiichi.  ``Are you sure you two will be OK?''

     ``Hai, Belldandy-sensei.  You know where my apartment is, right?''

     ``Un.  I'll see you there.''

     ``Un.  Ki o tsukette!''  All three of them wave before pulling away
from the curb.  Ranma and Makoto wave back, then Ranma drops to one knee.
``Climb on, Mako-chan, and hold on pretty tightly, 'cause it is going to be a
one to four meter drop to the ground most of the way home.'' Ranma feels
Makoto's nod, stands up and runs the first block along the ground, getting used
to the weight of the child, adjusting the girl's grip and position before
taking to the rooftops.

     ``Blessed!  How fast are we going?''

     ``I don't really know, since I've never really checked.  The speed
limit on that street is about 50 KPH, though.''  Makoto realizes that they had
passed several of the few cars on the road.

****

     ``Tadaima''

     ``Itterashai''  Kasumi's voice answers.  Ranma drops to one knee and
lets Makoto down before both of them shed their shoes.  Ranma gestures for
Makoto to precede her into the apartment.

     ``Belldandy-sensei, how long have you been here?''  Ranma asks, noting
that her skirt is still knotted.

     ``About a minute.''  Belldandy follows Ranma's gaze and unknots her
skirt as she speaks.  ``It's strange to actually beat you anywhere.''

     ``Un. Oh, are you lot still interested in learning to ride
motorcycles?''  Keiichi asks, looking up at Ranma.

     ``Un, like about three days ago when we last discussed it.''

     ``Let's make arrangements at the next meeting of the Auto club, then?''

     ``Fine, we'll be there.''

     ``Ran-chan, you should come help serve.''

     ``Hai, 'Sumi-chan.  Mako-chan, you can sit down.''  Makoto takes a seat
at the table as Ranma walks to the kitchen.  A few moments later Ranma returns
stacked with dishes that she places on the table, her hands moving faster than
Makoto can see, somehow not spilling anything.  Kasumi follows her from the
kitchen with the rice-cooker.  ``Did Utchan say she'd be late?''

     ``No.''  Kasumi sounds calm, but Ranma can tell she's hiding a growing
concern.

     Ranma takes a deep breath, her eyes closing as she lets it out and
takes in another.  ``Found her.  She's about a block and a half away.  Want me
to walk her the rest of the way home?''  She looks at Kasumi.

     ``Please.''  At the single word Ranma walks out of the room, putting on
her shoes at the door.

     Ukyou, as expected, arrives just as Ranma opens the door.

     ``Tadaima!  Osokunachatta, gomen!''  Ranma walks back into the room
with Ukyou, both of them having shed their shoes.  ``Class ran over about ten
minutes and I had to talk with the teacher.''  Ukyou's breath slows a bit more,
``It's a pain, I must say.''

     ``Thanks for managing to get home so quick.''  Ukyou smiles at Kasumi,
thankful for her candor.  ``Belldandy-sensei and Morisato-sempai gave Ari-chan
here a ride after Ranma sprang her from the orphanage, so they'll be here for
dinner.''

     ``She followed me out.  'Tis a different thing entirely.''

****

     ``That was delicious as always, Kasumi-san.''

     ``Thank you, Belldandy-sempai.''

     ``Whatever shall we do about you, Ari-chan?  Do they know that you are
Mako-chan's friend?'' the blonde girl nods, ``Drat.  That means they are likely
to come looking for you here.  If it hadn't taken most of our discretionary
funds for the next year and a half as well as most of my savings I'd see if we
couldn't adopt you too.  Dou Shiou?''  Ranma's voice turns contemplative as she
asks the final `what to do'.

     ``We could take her in, I'm sure we could keep the authorities off for
seven years or so.  What do you think, Ari-chan?'' Belldandy interrupts Ranma's
musings.  Ariana looks undecided.

     ``We couldn't impose like that.  I guess we'll just have to get a loan
from Nabiki-neechan,'' Ukyou counters.

     ``If it won't cause them trouble, I'd like to go with Belldandy-san and
Morisato-san, if that's OK.''

     ``It shouldn't, and I may be able to talk the money to adopt you out of
my folks,''  Keiichi replies.

****

     ``So, Mako-chan, you need to be in school when?''

     ``8:30, same as everyone else.''

     ``Not quite.  Utchan has to be in class at 7:30 this morning, and
'Sumi-chan has a 7:30 class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.''  Ranma looks away,
then asks,

     ``How much martial arts do you know?''

     ``Not much.  I can beat people up, though.''

     ``Well, that may be a start . . . ''

****

     ``OK, 8 o'clock, time to stop and get you to school.''  Ranma checks
that the door is locked with a quick touch to the Force, then picks up their
bentou.

     ``Un,''  Makoto starts walking, Ranma at her side.

     ``Why is your school all the way out here when you were living on the
other side of town?''

     ``I was living a couple blocks on the other side of the school with my
parents, and when they disappeared one of the local police officers helped me
keep out of trouble.  Things broke down after they'd been gone for about three
months, and the orphanage got me.''

     ``What happened to your parents?''

     ``They went to Vietnam to look for my maternal great-grandfather's
bones.  He died there towards the end of the Pacific War.  From what my
relatives have said he didn't want to go, thought the whole war was a ruse by
the militarists to secure their power.  In 1944 he'd been living on a farm
someplace out-of-the-way, and the government shipped him off to Vietnam as part
of either another invasion or some sort of half-hearted rescue attempt.  At the
end of the war my relatives were told that he was missing and presumed dead.

     ``My parents left to go looking last June, and when my school noticed I
was living alone they reported it, and I got taken into state custody.  That
was about six months ago.''

     ``How long did your parents think this search would take?''

     ``They said it would probably take several years.  One of my aunts was
nominally living with me, but I haven't seen her since before my parents
left.''

     ``Your parents are probably alive, and they let me adopt you?''

     ``They decided that anyone who would `go off and play Indiana Jones'
for even a couple years, leaving a small child behind, isn't a fit parent.''

     ``I can see their point, but that is quite harsh.''

     ``Vietnam isn't a safe place, even now.  The US dropped enough
ordinance on the country to outmass the population of China, and far too much
of it is still waiting to go off.''

****

     Makoto, Ranma, Kasumi and Ukyou clump together to the side of the
clubhouse away from Tamiya-sempai as the meeting comes to disorder.

     ``Ja, first on the agenda we have some new members, the Saotomes and
their daughter Makoto.  They want to learn both driving and mechanics, so
Megumi, Hasegawa-san, could you make the arrangements after the meeting?''  The
two named nod, while Ootaki and Tamiya look a little bit upset.
``Ootaki-sempai, Tamiya-sempai, you remember what happened the last time we let
you try to teach female recruits.''  The two of them look at their feet.

     ``Next, we have that race next month.  Saotome-san,''  Kasumi, Ukyou,
and Ranma look up, ``Ranma-san, how much do you weigh?''

     ``43 kilos, whyd'ya wanna know?''

     ``As of now you are the lightest member of the club.  We'll have to see
how well you are riding by the time the race rolls around, but I think we may
have enough funds for two entries.''

     ``Yeah, we have the funds, but Ranma-san has never ridden a
motorcycle.  Ya think she'll be ready by then, Morisato?''

     ``Ranma-san is the most impressive martial artist I have ever seen.
She'll almost certainly be ready.''

****

     ``That looks like fun.  Could you teach me, 'Gumi-neechan?''  Megumi
looks up at Makoto from her place on the floor next to the vat of solvent she
is dumping pieces from her bike's right carb into.

     ``Sure.  It's really rather boring.''  Megumi starts naming parts and
explaining what they are for as she drops each one into the solvent bath.

     ``And one doesn't pull both carbs apart at once because the parts are
mirror images, so while they aren't different enough to not fit, they are
different enough not to work properly.''  Makoto interrupts as Megumi pulls the
last bolt and drops it into the solvent.

     ``Right.''  Megumi slips the body of the carb into the solvent before
she stands up.  She holds both hands in front of her in the classic `monster'
or `Goddess, but my hands are grealy' pose as the two of them walk out the
door, talking excitedly.

     The camera pulls away from the closing door, focusing in on the body of
the carb, soaking in solvent.

-*-
Gloss:

     Sumimasen: normal/polite mild apology
     Wakatta: rough/masculine `understood'
     Tadaima: lit. just now, used for `I'm home'
     Itterashai: The appropriate response
     Osokunachatta: (I) have regretfully become late
     Gomen: milder apologetic, informal 

Log:
1999 May 23: added log and gloss ^_^
1999 Sept 6: tiny fixes
2004 Jan 4:  Title block ^_^
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