FanFiction.Net - unleash your imagination|
Author of 6 Stories |
Disclaimer: I still don’t own this.
Note: Where necessary, the two Ranmas will be denoted as Ranma-neko and Ranma-otoku. Ranma-neko will be the one that is female, Sailor Angerona, and has merged with the Neko-Ken. Ranma-otoku will be the one that is cured of all curses. Hopefully, I have written this well enough so that no one will be too confused…
Chapter 3 – Ranma’s Long Weekend: SundayRanma Saotome didn’t just take my man-hood he took my life. Everything I once had had become his even the Saotome name. I was left with nothing, except despair and a burning thirst for vengeance. Now I can see beyond that; I see myself as a new and better person. So, Saotome can have that old life, because I don’t want to give up the friends and acquaintances that I made in those first days. They are the ones who helped me through some of the hardest trials that I would endure. Especially Nabiki, her help, friendship, and partnership have led me to become the person that I am today.
Ranma looked down at her cat advisor and said, “What exactly am I forgetting.”
Neherenia rolled her eyes and said, “I let you get away with it yesterday, but you will need to wear appropriate undergarments. Even the most socially radical Japanese girl with your figure would wear them.”
Ranma groaned as then Neherenia added, “Besides, you don’t want to have back problems or sagging in your old age do you?”
Ranma decided to ignore the cat’s last statement and just put on a bra. Then she turned towards her cat advisor and said, “There. Are you happy now?”
Neherenia nodded and said, “Almost, but you forgot that you are currently wearing boxers. I’ll let it slide for today, but remember that tomorrow at school you will wear all the appropriate undergarments.”
The sarcasm in Ranma’s voice dripped. “Yes mother.”
The cat paused and looked into Ranma’s eyes and said, “Do try to remember that we are both working under enforced orders Ranma.” Then she added, “After all, tomorrow I will be in my human form for a short period of time in the morning. I will be at Juuban High with you as we register you for school, and if I wanted, I could actually claim to be your mother or worse. If you work with me things will be much more pleasant, okay?”
“Alright, but I don’t have to like it.”
“No one said you did. Just remember our conversation yesterday and things will get better soon after that.”
Ranma nodded at Neherenia’s last statement. She knew that Neherenia was basically saying that if Ranma could get them out of their contracts then neither one would have to go along with what the Black Moon Family wanted. She looked back at her cat advisor with more understanding and said, “I understand big sister Neherenia.”
Neherenia seemed mollified and so with that Ranma grabbed herself some breakfast and as she left Neherenia said, “Just remember that Sailor Angerona needs to be at the Crown Arcade!” Ranma yelled out an affirmative response and then went downstairs. She entered the gym and took over the aerobics area, using it to practice her martial arts and get a feel for working with her new self–without the Nemesis powers.
Soon after Ranma’s workout started a voice called out to her. “Hey you! We have this time slot booked. You’ll have to come back later.”
Ranma stopped her practice and looked towards the voice. She saw a small group of high school girls. They were all dressed in leotards and had ribbons, hoops, and other gymnastics equipment with them. The one who had spoken was tall, with short black hair and almost purple eyes. She was carrying a note board and pen while sporting a whistle. Ranma made a guess and approached her saying, “Hi, I’m Ranma Hitoshirenu I just moved into the building.”
The black haired girl said, “Well I’m Kaede Tanaka captain of the Juuban High Rhythmic Gymnastics team, and I’m sorry Ranma, but this really is our time slot.” She pointed to a younger and obviously bleached blonde haired girl and said, “Aiko here lives in the building as well, and the manager had given us permission to train here.”
Aiko stood stock still and stared at Ranma in shock while another girl pulled on Kaede’s shirt trying to get her attention. Kaede looked back at the girl and said, “Whatever it is can wait until later Dai. How many times do I have to tell you not to interrupt me?”
Ranma laughed and said, “Well Kaede what your friends are trying to tell you is that today must be your lucky day because I’m the girl who defeated Kodachi Kunou and I’ll be transferring to Juuban high tomorrow.”
Kaede froze and stared at Ranma in awe. “You’re that Ranma?”
“Yep, that’s me Ranma Sao–um Hitoshirenu. Martial Arts Gymnastics champion just transferring from Furinkan high.” Ranma preened as the entire group of girls just stared at her in awe.
Kaede regained her composure and said, “All right Ranma why don’t I introduce you to the rest of your new teammates?” Ranma was going to decline, but thought better of it. Kaede had a look in her eyes that said she wasn’t going to allow Ranma to back out easily at all.
Kaede knew that the forms would have to be filled out later, but she was just thrilled that the girl who defeated Kodachi Kunou was going to be on her team and she was going to do so without any complaint. She pointed to the bleached blonde girl saying, “You’ve met Aiko Suzuki. The small girl with black hair and blue eyes behind me is Dai Sato.” Kaede then pointed to three other girls who all looked very similar with long brown hair and green eyes saying, “We call those three the triplets. They are from the Watanabe family.” Kaede stared at the three girls and tried to discern something almost indiscernible gave up and said, “I think from left to right they are Mai, Mika, and Miya.”
The middle girl said, “Close Kaede, but not quite. I’m Miya, to my left is Mika and to my right is Mai.” Then in concert the entire group of gymnasts said, “We are pleased to meet you Ranma.”
Ranma smiled then said, “Alright, alright why don’t you all come onto the mats and show me your moves. I’ll examine your skill level and see what I can do to help you improve. Then I’ll show you some of my moves?”
The team shouted their agreement and headed onto the mat as Kaede just visualized the glories that they would reach. Then she looked sadly at her whistle and decided to do something. She walked over to Ranma with her head down and her whistle outstretched. “Here Ranma you should have this.”
Ranma looked at the whistle and said, “Keep it Kaede. I just want to help my new teammates and my new school to become the best.” Ranma thought to herself, Besides, this will help me blend into the Juuban High crowd like the Black Moon Family wants… With new friends, I will have more people in the know and more information about what is going on. That can only bring me closer to finding out who Sailor moon is.
Kaede smiled at Ranma and then went onto the mat to practice as well. Ranma’s cat self added itself to her thoughts. Instinctively it knew that by establishing who she was and by showing them her power, she would establish her position as Alpha female no matter who held the title of ‘Captain’ and by allowing Kaede to keep the whistle, she would do it without any hurt feelings.
The team of Juuban gymnasts practically collapsed on the mats and then they dragged themselves to the showers. Ranma smiled and said, “Great workout everyone! I can’t wait until we do it again.”
The team groaned, but they smiled and went to the showers. Kaede came to Ranma and looked at the red haired girl. Kaede puffed as she said, “You’re barely even sweating or breathing hard Ranma! How do you do it?”
Ranma looked back at her new friend and said, “I was taken on a ten year training trip by my father.”
Kaede smiled back at Ranma and said, “Well whatever he did made you the best female martial artist and gymnast I know. You might even have a future in the Olympics.”
“Thanks Kaede!”
“No problem. Oh, and Ranma why don’t you stick around when we’re done with practice and showering we usually go off to the Crown Arcade.”
Ranma laughed and realized that they were going exactly where she needed to be. “All right.”
When the gymnastics team was done showering, they came out in their street clothes and took Ranma with them towards the Crown Arcade. Each of them were asking this or that question about Ranma’s skills and techniques or gossiping about their school. They walked slowly while chattering, and then suddenly as they reached the arcade, a loud explosion made itself heard.
Ranma said, “Get back!” she ushered her new friends away from the arcade and said, “I’m going to go see what’s happening.” With that excuse, she jumped onto the roof of a building and transformed.
Sailor Angerona sizzled with the power of Nemesis and jumped off the roof right into the arcade. Once inside, she saw a daimon chasing a blue-haired Senshi wearing a blue outfit. Suddenly the blue haired girl shouted, “Shabon Spray!”
The entire Arcade was filled with a thick impenetrable fog. Angerona tried to get her bearings but was unable to recover them until the fog dissipated once again. She saw the daimon draining someone’s life force and fired a blast of confidence chi-laced Nemesis energy right at the creature. It spattered into greenish goo which covered Sailor Moon just as she entered the building to announce, “Attacking Innocent arcade goers is wrong!”
Angerona walked up to the goo-covered sailor and said, “Hi, uh sorry about that. You kinda missed the fight. Look I don’t have time right now, but why don’t we meet somewhere tonight to talk about the daimon threat okay?”
Sailor Moon looked at Angerona and dazedly said, “Right, um…where?”
“Why not at the Juuban High School field, say at around 9:00 or so? We’ll talk about these critters there.” Ranma felt something behind her back and pointed her thumb directly at the blue haired senshi and said, “You can bring your friends if you like.”
Another two Sailors in red and green arrived at the arcade just as Angerona left. Ranma gave them a cocky grin and said, “It’s taken care of. See you guys later.” She then jumped on top of a building and was gone.
Once she had left Ranma quickly transformed back into her civilian identity and found her way back to Juuban gymnasts. All of them were staring around the alley corner and at the group of sailor senshi. “Hey guys what’s going on?”
The entire group jumped, and then Kaede complained, “Ranma, don’t scare us like that.”
Ranma looked sheepish. “Sorry about that. I called the police did they arrive? What’s gong on?”
Kaede said, “No, the Sailor Senshi came and defeated a daimon. Dai says that the one who landed at the arcade and did most of the work was new. No one heard the name, but we’ll get it in school tomorrow. It’s so cool; now we know about at least six–maybe seven Sailor Senshi.”
Dai said, “Yeah. I wonder which planet she’s associated with.”
“Planet?”
Dai looked at Ranma as if she had two heads said, “You don’t know about the Sailor Senshi?”
“Not really.” Ranma dissembled nervously.
Dai said, “Well there is Sailor Moon she wears white and most people think she’s the leader, but Kaede thinks it might be Sailor Mars.”
“Come on Dai! Moon is obviously just the distraction. Mars has to be the leader.”
Kaede seemed ready to argue it, but the rest of the gymnasts groaned and she said, “Maybe we should just continue to tell Ranma what she needs to catch up on the gossip if she’s going to live in Juuban.”
“Right, anyway Sailor Mars wears red and uses fire based attacks. Mercury wears blue–I think she was in the arcade today before the new sailor showed up. Most people think she’s the brains of the team.”
Aiko added, “It’s so obvious. She’s always seen with a computer and has those weird water attacks that just distract things. If she’s not the brains then she’s useless.”
Dai continued after the interruption saying, “There’s also Sailor V or Sailor Venus. She wears orange. Rumor says that she was originally from London and just recently came here to fight using the power of love.”
Ranma interrupted saying, “Love? How does that work?”
“I have no clue, but it seems to work on the daimon. Those’re the evil demon creatures who steal people’s life force.”
“Where do they come from?”
“No one knows Ranma, but they are dangerous. People say they can drain your life force just by touching you.”
“Well if I ever fight one I’ll just stay at a distance then.”
The group stared at Ranma and all at once they begged her never to try fighting a daimon even if she was really good. Dai said, “Ranma, the Sailor Senshi do that okay? Please don’t try we want our new team captain alive!”
Ranma caved in to the pressure and said, “Alright, I won’t try to fight one. Okay?”
The group calmed down and Dai said, “Now where was I? Oh yeah Sailor Jupiter she wears green and fights using lightning bolts. Other than her there’s also this guy called Tuxedo something or other. He usually shows up to help.”
Aiko butted in, “Don’t forget Chibi Sailor Moon. I tell you I saw her just the other day.”
The group started to argue about Sailor Chibi Moon’s possible existence when Ranma said, “So there are what, six and now maybe seven of these Sailor girls running around Juuban and fighting these daimon? They are all so far named after planets and they have some tuxedo wearing guy who helps them out?”
Dai smiled, “That’s right Ranma.”
“Okay, does anyone know who these people are and why they are here?”
The group of girls collapsed into chaotic discussion and argument about Moon Kingdoms, Alien Princesses, Alien Invasions, and more. It went of for awhile and Ranma just took it all in for a few moments then she said, “Look, I gotta get back home soon. Sorry about the arcade and all. Maybe next time?”
Kaede looked back at Ranma and said, “It’s not your fault the arcade was damaged in the fight. It’s not like you knew that something was going to happen or are a Sailor Senshi right?
Ranma nervously said, “Uhm yeah right I couldn’t be. Look I really gotta go okay?”
The group nodded and waved goodbye and then Ranma ran off. Kaede wondered aloud about the whole thing, but the rest of the girls said that Ranma was just nervous about being the ‘new’ girl and would get over it. Kaede stared off in the distance still wondering as she saw Sailor Angerona appear in the distance leaping across rooftops at high speed.
“I wonder.” Kaede mused as Angerona disappeared from her view. “I wonder.”
Nabiki jumped and then calmed down and said, “You’re late so it’s starting about…Now.”
Just then Ukyou walked up and said, “Ran-chan I thought you lost the curse what happened? Do still have the curse or what?”
“Uh, kinda.”
Shampoo came and said, “Oh no is true Pig-Tailed girl lives. You must die!” With that Shampoo pulled out a sword and started to attack. Ranma-neko defended herself from the sword strike with her chi claws easily cutting the blade into slivers. Shampoo tried to continue on and offensive, but Ranma-neko threw her over the front school gates. Before the Amazon girl could get up and attack again Kunou came running up.
“Pig-tailed girl. You live; I knew the wretched Ranma Saotome was lying. Come with me and we can be happy together away from his sorceries.” Ranma-neko decked him as well sending him crashing into a tree. Ranma-otoku and Akane came into view and they both gasped. Then Akane came closer and said, “Ranma is that you?”
Ranma-neko said, “Kinda, but it’s a long story.”
Ranma-otoku said, “Don’t listen Akane it’s a trick. I’m cured and I’m staying that way. This has to be some sort of trick.”
“You only wish!” Ranma-neko stood close to the Saotome boy and glared at him. “I should kill you!”
“I’ve heard that before.”
Ranma-neko was about to attack when Akane said, “That can’t be you Ranma. You never say you’ll kill anyone. It’s got to be another evil doppelganger or something made by Happosai.”
Kunou managed to extricate himself from the tree and ran towards Ranma-otoku saying, “Saotome you fiend. Even now you try to ensorcell the pig-tailed girl again. You wish to take her away and work your vile magics upon her person!”
Kunou attacked and Ranma defended himself. The kendoist was thrown to the ground, but Shampoo had woken up and was now grabbing onto Ranma-otoku saying, “Ranma cured. Ready to take Shampoo on date? We deal with evil girl Ranma later.”
Akane yelled, “Ranma you pervert!” Then she swung a mallet at him sending him far away. In that moment Ryouga appeared from around the corner and upon seeing Ranma-otoku flying away he chased after saying, “Ranma Prepare to die!”
Kunou followed after him spouting on about Ranma had defiling women. A laughing voice could be heard as Kodachi caught Ranma-otoku in her ribbon and said, “You are safe now my love!”
Ranma was barely able to escape the ribbon as a yellow bandana almost slammed into him. He dodged around Kunou’s blade as well and then high tailed it. Shampoo and Ukyou chased after Ranma while Kodachi with Akane just behind her followed close on their heels. Soon after that more and more people seemed to join in each one chasing after the rest.
Ranma-neko sat down in front of Furinkan’s steps and looked at the retreating ‘parade’ with sadness. Nabiki come up behind her and handed her the yen she had promised. Ranma looked at the more than 2,000 yen in her hands and stared at it for a moment saying, “So, does this ever make it feel better?”
“What do you mean?”
Ranma looked into Nabiki’s eyes and said, “Oh come on Nabiki. How many times have you been here watching from the sidelines as that chaos ensues? How many times have you been forgotten or ignored while everyone chased off after Ranma Saotome?”
Nabiki stares back at Ranma and says, “So what? It has nothing to do with me. Besides, I thought you were Ranma right?”
“I was Nabiki, I was, but I think after watching that today has changed me. Maybe I’m not Ranma Saotome anymore I don’t know.” The red haired girl started to cry and Nabiki’s Ice Queen Persona melted a bit. She came close the red haired girl and hugged her.
Somehow that action released a flood gate within Nabiki as well. She looked at Ranma and said, “You know Kasumi is supposed to be the one who does this mushy stuff Ranma, so don’t tell anyone I did this, but let me tell you something. You are right about what you said. I do sit here and watch Ranma complain about the girls chasing him or Akane complain about the guys chasing her. Heck even Kasumi can render Dr. Tofu completely bozo just by showing up in a room.
“It gets me mad and it makes me jealous okay. Sometimes I still have this dream that someday someone will come to me and say the things they say to them, but it’s just a dream. The fantasy of a school girl, but there is one thing that is real. It is the one thing that can get me into college and towards my more realistic dreams. That thing is money and although money can’t comfort me when I’m down or make me feel better the dream of college and the life I will have can. I dream about the day that I will become one of Japan’s most powerful women and money can and will bring me that dream.”
“So I play tricks on Ranma and Akane. I make their lives just a bit harder by selling Kodachi information on a new Ranma, and Kunou information that his pig-tailed girl lives. Telling Ukyou that her Ran-chan is still cursed and selling Shampoo information on the girl who won the tournament in China. I use loopholes and I play them all to get money and maybe it does hurt Ranma somewhat. Maybe hurting them doesn’t quite assuage my jealousy or make me feel much better, but getting that money does bring me my dream and that helps if only just a little bit.”
“Maybe it does help a little for you Nabiki, but I don’t have your dream. I don’t even know who I am or who I want to be and for some reason getting that money from you and seeing Ranma being chased didn’t really make my anger, jealousy or despair go away.”
Nabiki held Ranma and said what she was feeling something she hoped would be true, “I know Ranma. I know, but maybe this will. You aren’t alone here okay. You aren’t alone in this, not anymore.”
Ranma came out of the hug and said, “Thanks Nabiki. I guess I needed to hear that. I mean I just made some new friends in my apartment building and I have you so maybe it isn’t as bad as I think. I’m not alone.” The red haired girl stood up and said with confidence. “That’s right and Ranma Hitoshirenu doesn’t lose so I’m going to go see if any of my fiancées have given up on that stupid chase. I’m going to go talk to them and tell them that I am a girl and that I will be for a long time and if they can’t accept that then we are done and that they can continue to chase after a selfish boy who can’t make up his own mind.”
Nabiki said, “Are you sure? What if more than one wants to be with you?”
Ranma snorted and said, “I realize that what I said is just bravado Nabiki. I don’t think any of them are really interested in a relationship with another girl do you? No, they will leave me and I’m going to try to accept that. I mean really what person other than me is going to be a girl and still be interested in other girls?”
Nabiki gaped at the pretty girl in front of her who was standing with her breasts thrust out still holding a confident pose and with fire in the expression on her face. Nabiki’s own libido started to race, but she quieted it down and just rolled her eyes at Ranma and said, “I’ll explain it to you some other time Neko-chan. Now go on out there and get 'em tiger.”
Ranma stalked off a bit and then said, “Neko-chan?”
“Believe me Neko-chan fits. It definitely fits.”
“Right, whatever you say Biki.” Then the cat girl jumped onto a nearby rooftop and sped away leaving Nabiki sitting there sputtering. “Biki! You can’t just call…Ah well I guess I can accept it.”
“Really, that’s not the reception I had a few hours ago.” The red haired girl had fire in her voice as she stared at Ukyou.
Ukyou looked back and remembered the events from earlier in the day. “I’m sorry I kinda left without the explanation didn’t I?”
“I thought Nabiki sold you the information?”
“She did, but I don’t quite understand. You are Ranma, but you aren’t. You’re the culmination of all his curses, but you have his memories as well? It was really confusing even with Nabiki’s information.” The Chef looked into Ranma’s eyes and said, “Really I just don’t know what to say or do or how to go about understanding it. I’m sorry Ranchan.”
“It’s okay I guess. You should try it from my end.”
The chef prepared an okonomiyaki and placed it in front of Ranma saying, “One Ranchan special just for you.”
Ranma started to eat and then looked at the Okonomiyaki and noticed that it had the same writing that Ukyou usually put on an okonomiyaki. It was written, “To Ranchan with love, Ukyou.” She glanced back at the chef who was preparing other orders and smiled.
Ranma watched her fiancée and for the first time she realized that she had always loved Ukyou and probably still did. Just not the way she would want. Ranma sighed thinking that she should just get it over with and maybe after the sadness and anger she would get her friend back. “So Ucchan what are we going to do about us?”
Ukyou looked back and said, “What do you mean Ranchan?”
“Being free of my engagements has just helped me figure them out and I know now that I only love you as a friend Ukyou. I’m so sorry, but to me you are my best friend and confidant. You are the young guy that I played with as a child. You’re my best friend, my sister, and so much more, but you aren’t the one I can spend my life with.”
Ukyou looked at Ranma and cried out saying, “I can’t! I won’t accept that Ranchan. It’s just the curse a part of the curse makes you think like a girl now. That’s what it is.”
Ranma stared at Ukyou and said, “No, I am attracted to you Ukyou, even in this form I think you are devastatingly beautiful.” Ranma looked embarrassed as she said, “I feel the need to take you upstairs and do something with you. I always have even if I’m not sure what that something would be. No. As much as I am attracted to you I just don’t feel about you in that way. I’m sorry.”
Ukyou came towards Ranma with passion in her eyes and kissed the red haired girl full on the mouth. Ranma started to respond, but Ukyou pulled away with a bit of disgust. “I’m sorry Ranma. I thought I could change your mind, but when I kissed you it didn’t feel right. Not at all like kissing a boy or kissing Ranchan would feel like. Maybe we can be friends and you can help me win Ranchan okay?”
Ranma looked at her friend and said, “You can’t continue to chase him Ukyou. It will just lead to heartache for you. I remember being him, heck in a way I still am him and no matter how sexy you are you’ll always be that great friend he had when he was little.”
Ukyou looked angry and said, “Get out now! It’s not true none of it. You’re not Ranchan you’re just some curse and he loves me I know he does. He has to love me because no one else loves him the way I do!”
Instead of leaving Ranma came towards Ukyou. She blocked all of the Chef’s attacks and enfolded her in a giant hug. “I’m sorry Ukyou. I’m sorry that he…I…we couldn’t love you the way you love us. I’m so sorry.”
Ukyou just sobbed in Ranma’s arms for awhile part of her realizing the truth and part of her determined not to believe. She finished crying, but it was her determination that won out. She looked at Ranma and said, “Look Ranma we can still be friends. I want to continue that, but I’ll prove that Ranchan does love me so don’t you ever say he doesn’t again!”
Ranma sighed and looked at her friend wondering how long it would be until she finally gave up. How much heartache she was going to set herself up for and made a decision, “Alright Ukyou. I think I understand and I won’t mention it again, but I will be here for you if you need me. I’ll be here and I’m glad that we can be friends. Ranma and Ukyou instead of Ranchan and Ucchan, that’s fine and I promise to be there because you might just need a shoulder to cry on.” Ranma gave Ukyou her new phone number and then walked away. Ukyou watched the red haired girl go and somehow gained even more determination to prove her wrong about Ranma Saotome.
The cat girl landed next to Akane and said, “I guess that sometimes I really am a jerk huh?”
Akane stepped back and with some anger still in her voice she said, “You! What do you want?”
“To be friends, or maybe to say goodbye. It all depends on you I guess.”
“What do you mean by that.”
The cat girl rolled her eyes and said, “Oh come on Akane. You know just as well as I do that our relationship isn’t - wasn’t that great. It was forced upon us by our parents and sometimes I hated you for that.”
More anger came into Akane’s voice as she said, “Good, because I hate you too Ranma.”
Ranma’s laughter shattered Akane’s anger. “That’s how we always are isn’t it? You’re always so stubborn and difficult. While I’m usually a jerk and sometimes even an idiot. I really don’t know the first thing about relationships and I bet you don’t either.”
Akane looked at Ranma and said pensively. “You really are Ranma aren’t you? You’re not just his curse like he says, but something is different. Something has changed you.”
“Yeah you could say that Akane, a lot of things have changed me in a short time, but I still have my memories and I know that you were something to me.”
Akane smiled and said, “Ranma…”
“There it is the smile. The one you show that makes me feel like exploding inside. That smile is the one that makes me think that once we could’ve had something. Something special if only we had the time or inclination to figure it out, but now…” Ranma-neko paused and looked at Akane sadly trying to find the words.
“Now what Ranma?”
“Now, we will never know. Well at least you and me.” The cat girl pointed to the unconscious boy nearby and continued, “You and he are the ones who will discover what it is. Me, I’m just the curse the leftovers that he didn’t want.”
Akane looked at the cat eared girl with compassion. “Don’t say that! You’re not just left overs. You’re Ranma Saotome!”
The red haired girl just shook her head and said, “No, he’s Ranma Saotome. I’m a girl named Ranma Hitoshirenu now and you will never be comfortable with that. I know it.”
Akane looked as if to shake her head and say it wasn’t true, but Ranma stepped towards her. “You can’t honestly tell me that you want to be with me as a girl can you?” Then the cat girl grabbed Akane and kissed her passionately despite major protest. When she finished she let go and looked at the shocked Tendo girl saying, “Goodbye Akane.”
Ranma started to walk off when Akane broke her shock and yelled out, “You..You PERVERT!”
Akane chased after the retreating red-haired girl who just turned around, ran backwards and stuck her tongue out. “See you around Tomboy!” Then Ranma turned around again and sped up leaving Akane behind fuming and angry.
Shampoo looked at Ranma with anger in her eyes. “Female Ranma! You I kill!”
Ranma blocked the attack and continued to speak as she blocked and dodged Shampoo’s attacks. “You uh kinda mentioned that earlier. Want to explain why?”
Shampoo tried to press her attack, but failed to connect with the slippery cat girl. “Must kill outsider girl who defeat me. Is honor of Amazon tribe at stake?”
Ranma continued to dodge Shampoos attacks and realized that her access to the power of the Neko-Ken alone made doing so practically child’s play. “Look Shampoo. I have heard it all and in a way I respect you and your Amazon ways. But, I won’t just let you kill me and right now you’re not even close to being good enough to beat me.”
Shampoo stopped attacking momentarily and said, “Must do. Must kill after give kiss of death. Is no other way if Shampoo fail she be outcast forever.”
Ranma sighed. She felt sorry for Shampoo and so she said, “Look, what about marriage. I don’t have Akane or Ukyou right and even though I don’t love you I’d rather not have to kill you. Maybe someday I’d learn to love you. We could work something out. I guess.”
Shampoo looked at Ranma and said, “That no work you female all time and from what Nabiki say is forever now. Two female warriors can not marry in Amazon law. Marriage only apply to Male Ranma.”
Ranma looked at the purple haired girl in front of her. Shampoo had sadness in her eyes and Ranma said, “Besides you want him anyway right? Not me.”
“Yes is true Shampoo sorry, but no want to live life with other womans.”
Ranma said sadly, “Yeah I guess not seems to be that way with all the others too.” Then she took her hat off her head showing her feline ears to Shampoo and said, “Look at me Shampoo. I’m everything that I never wanted to be. Don’t make me become a killer too. I’m not ready for that, not yet, but my cat side is adamant in this situation. I can’t allow threats to my life to stay there. I can’t allow you to be such a threat and live, but my memories and my human emotions and feelings don’t want me to hurt you.”
Shampoo started to say something brave about how she would die as an Amazon when Ranma stopped her. “Look, I know you will. I know you will die with honor and all that, but I don’t want it to happen and I especially don’t want to be the one who does it. So you go in there and talk to the old ghoul. The two of you have to find some solution to this…”
Ranma’s statement was interrupted at that point with a yell from Mousse who was returning from the earlier chase. “Ranma Saotome prepare to Die!”
Ranma pivoted and used her chi claws to shred the twin swords Mousse had been using. Then the cat girl sheathed her claws and accessed the Amaguriken. After being hit by more than two hundred punches Mousse went down.
Ranma picked up the unconscious boy and woke him. There was anger on her face and her aura entered into her voice as she said, “Listen here Mousse and you too Shampoo and you as well Cologne. I am tired of this!”
The Neko-ken came out more and Ranma’s claws showed a dark and vibrant red in the day light as she continued, “I want to be your friend or ally, but I will be your enemy if I need to be. I can’t help it the cat in me wants to, needs to make sure that threats are eliminated. Do you understand?”
Shampoo and Mousse felt the powerful Neko-ken aura and nodded not daring to attack as Ranma continued, “I hope so because it’s up to you now.” Ranma stared at an area where nothing could be seen and added, “All of you.”
The chi claws disappeared and Ranma calmed down a bit as she finished, “I’m going let you decide. Am I an Enemy or an Ally? Because the next time one of you attacks me with intent to kill I will respond with lethal force?”
Mousse started to protest, but Ranma just knocked him out again and said, “My number is 555-333-5555. Give me a call if you want to talk.” Ranma left and Shampoo watched her go with a fire in her eyes.
A voice next to Shampoo spoke in Chinese saying, “Calm yourself Granddaughter and listen to her advice. She knew where I was the entire time that she spoke. She has gained full conscious access to the Neko-ken.”
Shampoo stared at the old Amazon who had suddenly appeared, “But, surely you could have defeated her? Surely she can be defeated right? Just as surely, we must uphold our laws right?”
The old woman sighed and thought to herself, Still she does not understand. Still she is not ready. Dear ancestors will she ever be ready or will someone else need to lead the tribe someday? Cologne looked at Shampoo and said, “Child sometimes the good of the tribe is more important than the rules. Sometimes a fighter is so powerful that it makes no sense to waste lives going after her. Being a leader means knowing when and where exceptions should be made.”
“I don’t understand.”
Cologne sighed again and said sadly, “No I guess you do not, but understand this. Female Ranma’s potential is too great to be wasted in a worthless feud. It is more worthwhile to make her an ally to have her become an Amazon. Even if I must take this to the council and even if they request that she goes through the ancient right of Artemis.”
Shampoo stood stunned, “Grandmother few outsider has ever survived! From what I have heard it would be much more humane to just kill female Ranma instead.”
Cologne stared at Shampoo and thought to herself, How can she be so foolish? Have I really gone so wrong in my teaching? Where is her questioning mind? Where is the need to find answers? Did I really fail so badly at my task and have they been beaten out of her entirely?
Cologne sighed again and berated Shampoo switching to Japanese and saying, “Surely you must have realized when studying our own Amazon history that some women have come to us from other lands? Surely you must have wondered how they had been accepted when ‘no-one’ has survived the right of Artemis.”
“But, grandmother everyone teaches that...”
Cologne stopped her with a swat. “Everyone teaches. Grandmother you always say. Child, these are things that you are always saying to me and yet I try to show you other ways. Why do you think we came here? Why do you think we have not just stolen young Ranma and brought him to our lands?”
Shampoo looked confused and said, “I no know grandmother. You is always best at making plan.”
Anger came into the elderly Amazon’s voice “I won’t be here forever child and it is much past the time that you should be thinking for yourself. You should be questioning the things I say and trying to determine if they fit the truth. You should question what I do and wonder how it fits with Amazon society and rules. You should even question Amazon rules and society and see how they fit in with the wider world around us. You are supposed to become a leader someday Shampoo, not a follower who meekly accepts pat answers as the truth.”
When Cologne finished her rebuke Shampoo nodded her head as if in understanding, but the ancient Amazon was not sure if that was true. She sent the girl to go do deliveries and contemplated her own future in Nerima wondering if it was helping to make a future for the Amazon tribe or even if there was a future for the tribe at all. Then she thought about female Ranma and said, “Hmm, maybe just maybe we do have a future.”
Cologne turned towards the wall and grabbed a phone dialing Female Ranma’s number. The phone rung on the other end and was picked up the voice on the other end said, “Hello?”
Cologne replied “Hello, I’m looking for Ranma.”
“Oh, well this is her sister Neherenia and she’s not back yet. Can I take a message?”
“Yes, I know. Tell her that the Amazons want to be friends.”
“Who should I say is calling?”
“Just relay the message she will understand.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah what are they?”
“Someone called to say the Amazons want to be friends and a Nabiki called to say that project Hinako would probably be a go for Tuesday unless you called and wanted to cancel it.”
Ranma approached the phone and considered calling Nabiki back. She would deal with Cologne in person tomorrow, but Nabiki’s message could be responded to via phone. She thought to herself, Watching my old self be chased and assaulted didn't seem to help. I still want vengeance I want more, but will doing this be enough or will I have to bring it to the next level?
Ranma sighed and thought, No, I won’t just kill him so I guess I’ll try it again, besides which it did get me some money. She grabbed her wallet and remembered that the Black Moon Family wasn’t exactly being free with yen they were only going to be paying for groceries.
Ranma walked away from the phone and glanced in the refrigerator. Inside was a tuna salad and little else. Ranma grabbed the Tuna salad and made herself a sandwich. Then she glanced at her wallet and thought I have a feeling that they really don’t know how much I need to eat this is not going to be enough and there isn’t anymore food right now.
Ranma looked at her outfit as well Plus, I’ll want to buy more clothes one good outfit just isn’t going to work especially if I want to change immediately after school and I’ll need to buy a leotard for the Gymnastics team. Ranma continued to add up expenses in her mind and noted the amount of yen in her wallet again. For the first time in her life she really started to understand what things in life actually cost and that made her start to understand Nabiki and her need for money. That made her decision for her. I’ll let Nabiki go ahead and contact principal Kunou about brining in Hinako. That should get me some more money and a few photo shoots won’t hurt either. After that I’m sure we can come up with some other schemes.
So, she stepped into the living room eating her tuna salad sandwich. As she ate she walked towards her red haired cat advisor. The cat at Ranma and said, “I see that you found the food I made earlier. I’m also sure that you noticed that we will need more food soon. I hope you didn’t spend all our grocery money on your outfit?”
Ranma responded with her mouth full she mumbled, “No, we should have enough for the next week or so. We’ll get more after that right?”
Neherenia nodded and Ranma took another gigantic bite of her sandwich and then around her food she wondered aloud, “Hey Neherenia, how did you make this without any hands?”
The red-haired cat just smiled and said, “You’d be amazed at what you can accomplish with a bit of Nemesis power and a lot of hunger Ranma. Now, why don’t you tell me all about your day?”
“No time. I have to go meet the Senshi in about half an hour. Gonna see if I can’t join their group just like Wiseman and the Black Moon Family want.”
Neherenia was somewhat amazed, but she said, “Very well, but you will need some background information or at least you’ll need to create some have you thought about that?”
Ranma looked a bit sheepish and said, “I dunno I was gonna wing it.”
“That will decidedly not do. You will tell them that you remember Silver Moon Kingdom, but that you do not remember anything else. You will tell them that when you woke up you were given orders to fight the daimon and protect the princess. That’s all and nothing else.”
“I get it keep it simple and don’t tell anything more than I have to. What should I tell them about the daimon?”
“Nothing, just tell them that you can sometimes sense where and when they will attack.”
“Alright. Will do.”
“Try to remember that you have school tomorrow so you’ll need to get up early. Plus, I will also need to brief you on The Black Moon family and what will be happening in the coming weeks okay?”
Ranma nodded and then started to leave as she closed the door Neherenia called out, “Ranma do be careful. Spies and traitors have never been received well by anyone.”
Everyone nodded. “I suppose you have questions for me huh?”
The questions began and Ranma answered them all according to Neherenia’s script. She didn’t waver or budge until Sailor Mercury said, “Do you have a henshin rod and a communicator?
“I have a rod that I can use to transform if that’s what you mean?”
Mercury smiled and said, “Can I see it?”
Ranma called up the Nemesis rod and handed it to mercury saying, “Sure I guess.” Mercury touched the rod and dropped it as a small shock went through her. She touched it again and felt the shock again. “Hmm that’s odd none of the other transformation rods do that.”
Ranma picked up the rod again and said, “Maybe mine is special somehow. After all I don’t have a planet name either. Maybe there is something a bit different about me?”
A black cat stepped forward and said, “Maybe you are an enemy?”
Ranma laughed a bit and flicked her feline ears. “A talking cat? Are we related?”
Luna realized then that Ranma did indeed have cat ears and a memory comes to her. “It’s not possible or is it?” The black cat calls out, “Artemis come look.”
Another white cat comes forward and says, “I don’t know, but it could be. Perhaps the Queen’s spell was more powerful than we thought.”
Everyone stared blankly at the cats and Mars said, “Alright already tell us what it is!”
Luna and Artemis looked at each other then Luna continued saying, “We are from a planet called Mau. It is possible that Angerona is the senshi of Mau. It would explain her ears.”
Sailor Moon came forward and said, “Welcome to our group.”
“Wait! Shouldn’t she show us her normal form or something?” Jupiter piped in and the other girls agreed. Ranma just laughed confident in her own abilities she de-transformed. Instead of the black fuku clad senshi she became a red headed pigtailed girl wearing a black ball cap, black pants and a black T-shirt. Then she said, “I’m Ranma Hitoshirenu. Sorry about this…”
The rest of the group was wary, and so they decided not to change into their civilian forms as well. Ranma told them that she was transferring to Juuban high tomorrow and would be in the Rhythmic gymnastics team. The rest of the girls asked her about how that had happened and Ranma told them the story from earlier in the day. Time passed when Luna said, “Moon, there is school tomorrow and you need to get home or you’ll never get up in time.”
Moon whined, but said goodbye and the rest of the group said their goodbyes as well. Just before she left Mercury came up to Ranma and said, “I didn’t see if you had a communicator or not, so I checked with the computer.” Then she handed her a small communicator watch and said, “Mau’s wasn’t in there, but I did find this extra one and thought you should have it.”
Ranma smiled at Mercury and said, “Thanks!” Then she said, “Maybe I’ll see you in school tomorrow.”
Mercury watched her go and said, “Sometime after we trust you more perhaps?” She walked home wondering to herself, wondering why there was no information about Mau or Angerona in the Mercury computer. She decided to look into it another day.
Authors Notes: Final version of this chapter and only minor changes.
:
:
:
:
