Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma 1/2 or Tomb Raider. But in a perfect world I would.

"' speaking

>> thoughts

# sound effects

() Author sees a chance for a pun or joke and uses it

Italic Speaking over the phone

Chapter One: Meeting the Raider

It was a peaceful Saturday afternoon in Nerima, at the Tendo Dojo. At least, it was to them as Akane chased Ranma around the house for something he didn't do. The fathers also chased after him blaming him as well. The only ones who weren't doing anything were Nabiki, Nodoka and Kasumi  who were sitting in the living room having tea. They were talking about their days as the phone began to ring.

Kasumi got up to answer it.

"Hello? This is the Tendo residence," Kasumi said as she answered it.

"Hello, I'm looking for Nodoka Saotome," A ladies voice with a British accent said.

"I'll get her for you," Kasumi replied, "whom may I say is calling?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, my name is Lara" the other person responded.

"I'll get her for you," Kasumi politely said as she set the phone down and went back to the living room. "Auntie, there's a phone call for you."

"Thank you Kasumi," Nodoka replied, "Did they say who it was?"

"A young lady, she said her name was Lara," Kasumi answered.

"I see," Nokoda replied looking concerned. She got up and left the room. "Excuse me."

Nodoka quickly hurried to answer the phone. Once there she qiuckly picked it up and looked to make sure no one was listening in.

"Hello? Lara?" Nodoka said.

"Auntie? Is that you?" said the voice.

"Lara! How good to hear from you?" Nodoka said nicely. "How have you been?"

"Pretty good, I just got back from Africa," the woman said. "Anyways I wanted to to call to let you know I think I might have found somethingthat might help with that problem you asked me to look up."

"You've found an artifact?" asked Nodoka excited

"Well technically," the woman answered. "I've found an artifact that could help us in the search for one though."

"I see," Nodoka said, "where is it?"

"It'll be better to tell you in person," the woman replied. "I'm flying out to Tokyo for a lecture and I want to stop by."

"How wonderful!" Nodoka exclaimed. "It'll be so nice to see you again Lara!"

"Yeah, it'll be nice to see you too." Lara responded. "But, could I get your adddress?"

"Of course," Nodoka said as she gave it to her. "Have a nice flight."

'' I will, see you soon Auntie."  The woman said as she hung up her end.

Nodoka did the same and said a silent prayer.

>Please Kami! Let her be successful!> Nodoka prayed. >It's my son's last hope.>

The next day around three o'clock, the streets of Nerima were filled with the sound of a motorcycle. It raced in between the streets while stopping at intersections. Finally it syopped at it's destination the Tendo Dojo.

The rider hit the kick stand down and got off. She the removed her helmet to reveal she was a beautiful woman with long brown hair done up in a ponytail. She wore a black motorcycle jacket, a black tank top, brown cargo pants and black hiking boots. She also carried a back pack over her shoulders.

"This must be the place." The woman said with a British accent.

She walked up to the front door and rang the bell. Moments later a man in a brown cargo gi with long black hair and a mustache answered.

"Yes? May I help you?" asked the man.

"Hello!" the woman said bowing politely. "I'm looking for Nodoka Saotome. Is she in?"

"Ah, you must be her friend she said was coming over!" said the man as recognition dawned on his face. (To bad it doesn't do that more often, huh?) "Please, come in. I am Soun Tendo."

"Very pleased to meet you," the woman replied in kind, "I'm Lara Croft."

" A pleasure to meet you Ms. Croft," Soun replied as he led her into the house. "Nodoka and my eldest daughter are out shopping right now, but your welcome to wait inside."

"Thank you again," Lara said as she took her boots off in the mudroom and followed Soun into the household.

Once inside she sat at the table politely while Soun rejoined Genma at the shogi table to continue their game. (Not even noticing that the piecees were all moved around in Genma's favour.)

"So, Ms. Croft..." Soun began.

"Please call me Lara, " she said interupting.

"Very well, " Soun said amazed at this foreign girls politeness. "What brings you here to Nerima?"

"Auntie asked me to help in some research for her son," Lara replied "I assume you know of his curse?"

"Indeed." Genma said looking at her for the first time. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, when the springs were destroyed, she asked me to look into a possible cure, " Lara continued. "I am an archeologist who specializes in findin rare items. Sometimes magical in nature."

"I see," Genma responded. (You can just hear his greedy thoughts in action can't you?) "Have you found something?"

"That information is only for Auntie," replied Lara as Genma was suddenly in her face.

"But, I'm her husband! Ranma is my son! I demand you tell me what you know!" insisted Genma.

"I see," Lara said as she pulled one of her Wilkes and Hawkins, Black Demon .32 custom designed pistols out of her back pack and aimed it at him. "Where would you like it?"

"Excuse me?" questioned Genma nervously with the gun still pointed at his face.

"Auntie's exact words, " Lara replied, "If my husband Genma tries to take the information you gather, you may feel free to shoot him, but don't kill him. I figured you'd like to choose the point of entry."

"Back to the gane Soun?" said Genma quickly changing the subject.

"Of course old friend," Soun said, having already switched the board around in his favour.

The two of them went back to the game, as the front door was heard to open and close.

"We're home," called out the voice of Nodoka

Nodoka and Kasumi passed by the living room on their way to the kitchen and quickly saw Lara.

"Lara! You're early!" said Nodoka pleased.

"Good to see you again Auntie," Lara replied as the two of them shared a love filled hug.

Kasumi stood there in silence before she finally spoke. Very loudly!

"OH MY GOD!!" Kasumi exclaimed, "You....your...you can't be!"

"Kasumi, I'd like you to meet the daughter of a good friend of mine," Nodoka said beginning the introductions.

Kasumi, once again, uncharacteristically rean past Nodoka and grabbed Lara's hands.

"It's so wonderful to meet you Ms. Croft!" Kasumi exclaimed. "I'm a huge admirer!!"

"It's nnnniiiiceeee ttttttttoooo mmmmmeeeeetttt yyyyyooooouuuu!" Lara stuttered as she was shaken violently by Kasumi's enthusiasm.

"You know Ms. Croft?" Soun asked surprised his daughter knew this woman.

"Ms. Croft is a famous archeologist!" Kasumi replied, "I've read everyone of her articles and any magazine article I can find. I am a huge fan."

"Good to know Ms. Tendo," Lara said politely to Kasumi.

"Please call me Kasumi!" insisted the oldest Tendo sister.

"So Lara," Nodoka interrupted, "I believe you told me you found some information."

"Yes Auntie," Lara answered as she reached into her backpack and pulled out a file.

Nodoka quietly looked it over as the front door opened again and seconds later Nabiki, Akane and Ranma entered the living room. Akane took one look at the beautiful woman sitting in her living room and assumed the usual.

"Who is this?" yelled Akane. "Your another fiancee aren't you! Ranma you pervert!"

"I've never met her before!!" insisted Ranma.

"That's right Akane," Nodoka said looking up from the file. "Lara here is a dear friend of mine and I expect you to treat her with respect."

"Wait! You're Lara Croft aren't you?" asked Nabiki recognizing her.

"Yes" Lara answered.

"A pleasure to meet you." nabiki said as she shook the British woman's hand. "It's an honor to have a celebrity in our home."

"The pleasure is all mine," Lara replied as Kasumi appeared, even though no one had noticed she had left the room, and placed a tray of tea and cookies on the table.

"Celebrity?" Ranma asked confused.

"Yes Ranma," Nodoka responded, "Lara is the daughter of a friend of mine. We bunked together at an English boarding school my parents sent me to. She is also a famous archeologist. Although some people prefer to call her a Tomb Raider instead."

"I see," Nabiki said, "so what brings her by?"

"When the Jusenkyo springs were destroyed, I asked Lara to see if she could find some artifact or something to cure your curse."

"Did you find something?" asked Ranma excited.

"I might have." Lara said as she prepared to explain her findings.

 

To Be Continued....