At 03:45 AM 7/7/97 -0500, you wrote:

I think we discussed this already, but how can they be brothers if 

they don't 

share the same surname?

This one is very simple to answer.

Remember that when a marriage takes place in Japanese society, and 
the daughter wed is the heir to the family estate and holdings, then 
in order for the husband to gain ownership of the land and holdings, 
he must assume her surname.

Therefore, Genma could very well have been born Masaki Genma, and 
changed his name to Saotome Genma after marrying Nodoka.

It's not entirely impossible. 

And let's not forget... Masaki is the family name on ACHIKA's side of the
family. Masaki Katsuhito, upon the marriage of Nobuyuki to Achika, took him
in the family, therefore giving Nobuyuki the family Masaki. Therefore,
Saotome Nobuyuki (in the fic) lost his Saotome name (a fairly common
practice of non-heir sons) and took on the Masaki name (which had no male
heirs).

I hope this clears this up.
TimeRunner

=====

"Put your money where your foot is!"

TimeRunner's Fics can be found at:

TimeRunner Central
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/7482