Well, here it is. Sorry if it took too long but the file is
over 92kb so I do hope you will forgive me.
---------------------------------------------------
Destiny of Sol: 01: Breaking Ties, Strengthening Bonds
or
A Night at the Tendo Dojo Part 1
>>>File name: DOS01.TXT<<<
<version 0.5 finished January 12, 2000>
<version 1.0 finished January 20, 2000>
email: verrier@avana.net
www: TBA (Will be announced in next chapter and in post to
FFML before then.)
Note: This fic is just something I came up with in one of my
many endless musings. I have lots of stories on tap but I'll stick to
this one for as long as I can so I don't get side tracked. This fic may
contain material of a mature or offensive nature. I currently have no
plans to make this a lemon or anything but I like to warn you ahead of
time. This will not be a dark fic, I don't like 'em much so I will not
write one. Anyway this is currently a melding of Ranma 1/2 and Sailor
Moon. This story picks up before Ranma visits the Tendo Dojo in
Ranmaverse and just after Sailor Moon S in... errr Sailorverse? There
are changes made to both timelines and they will be discussed later. I'm
going to use both manga and anime aspects as I see fit but I will not
use the English Sailor Moon names. Anyway tell me what you think. As
of now this fic does not have a web site but that will probably change
soon. Enjoy the fic (please).
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or backgrounds in this
story. This is a work of fan fiction and is done without the prior
expressed written consent of the creators, owners, or licensed
distributors of these stories I have taken this information from. This is
written literature and thus does not infringe upon the rights of the
persons mentioned above or expressly stated below. The only possible
crime is to knowingly steal these ideas without giving credit to those
who created it(plagiarism), otherwise I am simply promoting the creators
work. Anyway the original creators and rights holders are Takahashi
Rumiko, Takeuchi Naoko, Kitty, DiC, Mixx, and Viz. If I did not mention
someone I do not know of them or there involvement with the stories I
have borrowed from. For all readers of this story please go read,
watch, and buy these original works.
Also a note to anyone who wishes to use any of the original
characters, situations, backgrounds, etc. of my creation please feel
free to do so, and to use my name or internet handle if you remember it,
also please tell me if you do, I'd like to read it. ThanX!
"Destiny of Sol"
written by Tin Man
Chapter 1: Breaking Ties, Strengthening Bonds
"people speaking"
<people thinking>
["people speaking through electronic or other means"]
{"people speaking in language other than Japanese"}
[Panda Signs]
~ = Flashback Break
= = Begin and End of Fic
* = Major Scene Change
=================================================
// Time: Present
// Place: Tokyo Japan, Earth
Anyone who has ever visited Japan, or more specifically Tokyo,
knows that one must always be on guard to run for one's life or risk
being inadvertently crushed by a rampaging, forty meter tall, scaly
monster. One could also be caught in the crossfire between feuding
monsters and those known as 'the good guys.' While it may be true that
'the good guys' don't mean you any harm when they burn down your home or
blast your neighbors mistakes do happen, and they seem to happen very
often.
Fortunately, for the citizens of Tokyo the most recent band of
'good guys,' or 'good girls' as is the case are quite good at not
shooting people who they don't mean to shoot. This is not to say
it has never happened or that people have not been killed in these
conflicts. On the contrary the friendly fire fatality count now stands
at three over the past two and a half years of fighting. Two and a half
years is a long time and three is a relatively small number so these
'good girls' are very well liked. Those monsters that they fought on
the other hand have over the past two and a half years racked up quite a
lot of kills and were not very well liked. Thus these 'good girls' are
quite affectionately known as the Pretty Sailor Suited Soldiers, a name
later tradmarked by the heroines themselves.
Three years ago only one such sailor suited heroine was ever
heard of; Sailor V. Sailor V fought most of her battles in Britain and
later disappeared just before the advent of the more recent and much more
supernatural troubles here in Tokyo. In Tokyo, Sailor Moon was the
first on the scene. She fought a few battles by herself before she was
joined by two more. While little is known about the origin of Sailor
Moon's power, her fellow soldiers have been quite well documented. The
first to join Sailor Moon was Sailor Mercury; a slight girl that usually
hung back from the main battle to supply her comrades with much needed
tactical advice. Later on however, Mercury started to take a more up
front confrontational approach, revealing her as a controller of water
and iced based attacks. Sailor Mars, the next Sailor Soldier or Senshi
as they became known as was clearly a controller of fire and was found
to be quite powerful. During this time information was quite sketchy
about who these warriors were fighting or for that matter who they were.
A short time after Mars joined two new Senshi arrived; Sailor Jupiter,
a controller of lightning, and Sailor Venus, who appeared to control
laser and light based attacks. Not long after these new additions
rumors of a princess and an 'Imperium Crystal came up but no proof of
this was ever brought to light.
Quite some time later a new group of Sailor Senshi joined the
ranks just in time for some of the deadliest and most pitched battles
fought yet. Among these was Sailor Earth, a fan favorite, who wielded
rock and sand type attacks and utilized a wicked looking war hammer
known as the Gaia Driver. Earth had what most referred to as a fiery
temper and seamed to enjoy fighting a little too much, that and the fact
that her Gaia Driver made most men nervous for some reason were the only
detractors from her popularity. The Senshi of Neptune was a tall and
held a serene presence that commanded much respect. Should such respect
fail to cause reason to enter her adversary's demeanor,which seemed to
happen more often than not, her devastating control over water would
usually do the trick quite nicely. The Sailor Senshi of Uranus was
quite a bit different than most of the others in that she preferred to
let the others take care of the fighting if at all possible. This isn't
to say that she didn't contribute, she simply preferred to let the foe
come to her, by drawing an imaginary circle around her self and taking
sniping shots at her opponents from a distance. Those foolish enough to
approach her were quite easily dealt with by her impressive "World
Shaking" attack. It is this Sailor Senshi, interestingly enough, that
finally ended the mystery of the Senshi and those they fought.
Uranus as it turns out was able to solve the long asked question
of whether super heroes should be paid or somehow compensated for their
deeds and if so by who and how much. Sailor Uranus's solution was
simple; let the market decide. The Senshi of Uranus began selling the
information that the public desperately wanted to major publishers on a
set schedule making exclusive paper, book, and magazine contracts that
slowly and enticingly let the public in on just who and what was going
on. On top of that Uranus also copyrighted and trademarked the Senshi's
names and powers and sold contracts to major toy manufacturers and other
companies interested in selling collectibles based on real life super
heroines. Many fans of the Sailor Senshi bought these collectibles by
the cart full in the name of patriotism and the will to support the
super powered girls. While most critical information was still hard to
come by there weren't many households who did not own this year's
Sailor Senshi calendar, and most had at least one of the featured bios
from PSSS (Pretty Sailor Suited Soldier) Magazine on their coffee table.
So it was no surprise that when Doichi Ushio looked out
his window from his second story apartment bedroom and heard the shout
of "Burning Mandala!" he knew exactly who had said it and what she
looked like. Ushio quickly ran to his closet to grab his camera, but
when he returned to take a picture of his favorite Senshi he found that
she and the others were already long gone. Doichi Ushio simply sat
sulking for the rest of the night knowing that the next day he would
simply have to spend the rest of his hard earned yen on the exclusive
Sailor Mars photocalander.
Such trivial concerns were not on the minds of the six Sailor
Senshi currently fighting a running battle through the streets of Tokyo.
Andisite; the Senshi's latest pain in the neck Neo Dark Kingdom
general was trying to make his getaway after his latest scheme had once
again failed. Andisite had two of his youmas flanking him as he sped
away followed closely by Sailor Mars and Jupiter who lead the chase team
of Senshi. Slightly farther back Mercury and Moon were keeping the
others within eyesight while Venus and Pluto were attempting to
outflank Andisite and his flunkies.
As Sailor Venus took a side street to head off the chase
she yelled out to the others, "We've got him this time guys, just keep
up and make sure he doesn't make it to the jump point!"
"We're working on that!" Countered a nearly out of breath Mars,
"That bastard's not going to get away this time!"
Sailor Pluto, who normally doesn't take much of a direct role in
such battles, but had this time around due to reasons only she knew,
decided that this was as good a point as any to make her move and
quickly gave up the pursuit and instead went directly to Andisite's
planned destination. One might ask that if Pluto knew where all this
was headed, why she didn't simply tell the others and help to corner
Andisite in that way. One might ask that if one didn't know Sailor
Pluto. The Senshi of Pluto has a unique ability to not just see the
future but all possible futures branching from one point or many points
in time. Any time a decision can be made all possible outcomes are seen
through the eyes of the Senshi of Time. All these visions of what might
be can be confusing enough, however things get much more so when the
person viewing them takes an active role herself. Making things as
simple, logical, and strait forward as possible helped to keep down the
aspirin bill for Pluto, figuratively speaking of course. Thus not
telling anyone what is going to happen and just doing what must be done
is often the simplest, easiest, and most hassle free path to take. That
and she liked to be seen as mysterious and all knowing, a habit she has
picked up over the past couple thousand years or so.
The Senshi, minus Venus and Pluto soon found them selves in a
small neighborhood park. Just as Sailor Moon entered the park in the rear
of the chase group Andisite decided to play his last trump card.
"Got you now! Mars Fire Soul... eeek!" Thus quoth Sailor Mars
as she suddenly found her way blocked by five previously unseen youmas.
Reacting instantly, sailor Jupiter lunged for her friend and
comrade, and shoved her out of the way just as one youma nearly removed
Sailor Mars' head. Once she and a startled yet thankful Mars were
out of the way, Jupiter yelled back to Mercury and Moon; "Get down, it's
a trap!" Hearing the warning almost too late, Mercury dove behind a
convenient outcropping of rocks and snagged Sailor Moon's arm as she
passed by, saving a winded and oblivious Sailor Moon from oblivion.
While Startling Sailor Mercury is one thing, catching her
totally unprepared is quite another. Almost as soon as Mercury finished
her gentle yet abrupt snaring of Sailor Moon, she yelled out a trio of
magical commands almost in unison, "Shabon Spray! Shine Aqua Illusion!
Shabon Spray Freezing!" The first spell sent a heavy fog throughout the
entire park, the next created a temporary yet effective wall between the
new youma and her two friends who were pinned down ahead, the third
delivered a devastating blow to yet another youma hiding behind her own
position. Said youma had only one surprised second to realize he was
not so well hidden as he thought before being flash frozen in a tomb of
ice.
"Where did they come from?" Questioned a now thoroughly
confused Sailor Moon, "It's not fair! We were winning!"
Simultaneously scanning for new threats and responding to Sailor
Moon's question almost as if it were routine and expected, Sailor
Mercury responded with an educated and difenative answer.
"How should I know?"
"Supreme Thunder!" called out the Senshi of Jupiter as she
provided cover fire, allowing Mars to reach a better location. "How
many are there?"
"My scans show six plus Andisite and the original two," said
Mercury. Mercury continued with her tactical analysis, "I'm tracking
Andisite now, he's attempting to encircle us on the left. Mars, switch
to your sniper attack and keep those youma from moving, Jupiter make
your way around to their back side while the other youma abandon their
rear guard."
"Right!" replied Jupiter and Mars as they moved into position.
"Mercury, what do I do?" asked a now eager Sailor Moon.
"Stay down and don't get hurt!"
"What kind of plan is that?"
"Well... uh... that is..." Mercury tried not to hurt her
friend's feelings but the situation did not allow for any long winded
explanations, "One that will keep you down and not hurt." This was
said as Mercury began unleashing several Shabon Spray Freezing blasts
of her own. All Sailor Moon could do in response was pout.
Not far off and approaching fast was Sailor Venus. Her attempt
to head off the enemy had failed as they didn't take the expected route,
instead she was now joining the battle late and could barely see. The
only evidence of where everyone was at through the thick fog was the
almost constant barrage of fire and ice being rained down from two
positions onto a third. No evidence of lightning could be seen but that
was more likely caused by the tremendous amounts of water still puddled
on the ground from the recent mid day rain than from any harm having
befallen Sailor Jupiter. After all, two youmas and a klutz of a Dark
Kingdom general weren't anything to worry about. Checking her
communicator, Venus enquired as to what the current situation was. On
the other end Mercury responded, "We ran into seven more youma, I took one
out and we have five pinned down, Andisite and the other three are heading
your way."
This was not good. Andisite may have been stupid but he was no
push over when it came to strength, Sailor Venus needed reinforcements,
"Where are Jupiter and Moon?"
"Jupiter is circling the enemy, Moon is with me, Pluto broke off
when you did about a mile back."
A frown formed on Venus's otherwise happy face as she tried to
come up with a plan. Their best chance was to make quick work of the
five youma now in a standoff with the others then advance far enough so
that Adisite wouldn't be able to attack them from behind. From where
Venus now stood their was no way for her to join the battle unless...
unless, "That's it! Mercury keep up your attack and get through those
youma as soon as you can then advance to where you saw Adisite before he
began circling. I'll be waiting for you up ahead with a nice surprise
waiting."
As the other Senshi were battling for their lives on one end of
the city park Sailor Pluto found the spot she was looking for and
activated her communicator.
["Nabiki here."] came the response on the other end. Normally
one would think before using their real name in a situation like this,
however Nabiki knew that Sailor Pluto was the one calling and one need
never worry about Sailor Pluto making a communication that was not
secure.
"Nabiki this is Pluto, are you clear?"
["Sort of, now's not a good time, what do you need?"] on the
other end of Pluto could hear voices in the background and what sounded
like a young girl voicing her displeasure with her elder.
"What is the matter Tendo-san? It sounds like you have
guests." Pluto inquired almost as if she were reading from a script as
she already knew the answer although the person on the other end was
too distracted to notice.
["Yea, some friend of my father's and his... err son..."]
Said father's voice could now be heard on the other end, ["Now
your problem isn't so bad after all. Here are my daughters, Kasumi the
eldest; she's nineteen, my second daughter Nabiki; she's seventee...
Nabiki, come out here and join us."]
["Coming daddy,"] replied Nabiki.
["Next, Akane she's..."] as Tendo Soun continued to introduce
his family to his friend Nabiki began to become agitated.
["Look Pluto I gota go now, my dad is about to ruin the life of
me or one of my sisters and I need to get out there. I don't trust this
guy my father calls a friend... he seems too manipulative, and his...
child... well, I'm just getting a very strange feeling from him. Was
there anything important you needed?"]
At Nabiki's description of her father's friend a pained and
almost embarrassed look fell over Pluto's face, but the mention of this
same man's son seemed to cause even more of a reaction. Carefully
controlling her voice and demeanor Sailor Pluto continued from her
mentally rehearsed script, "No, I'm sorry for contacting you at such a
bad time, I'll speak to you later about what it is I needed." Pluto
turned her head slightly as she heard the shouts and blasts coming
nearer to her. "It would appear my time is short here as well, take
care Tendo Nabiki."
["Yea sure," said a now not quite so convinced Nabiki. "Are you
sure there's nothing... Coming father... like I said, it's not like you
to call at a bad time."]
Sailor Pluto winced, realizing whom she was talking with and
just how much she had let out in her voice, "Nothing, nothing I will
call again later, Pluto out." Pluto let out a breath of air and
recomposed herself just as she heard the shouts of her allies getting
closer. Sailor Jupiter could be heard over all saying, "We've got you
now Andisite, no where left to run!"
Sailor Pluto silently composed herself before stepping out from
behind the tree she had chosen to hide behind and as expected
finding herself in between a shrinking jump portal and one lone Dark
Kingdom general running for his life for said portal. A combination of
factors made the third general of the Neo Dark Kingdom Andisite's end
sudden and unexpected. First he was running forward while looking over
his shoulder at his pursuers that had somehow inexplicably defeated his
brilliantly laid out trap, and second the attack that would end his life
was said with no more than a whisper, "Dead scream." Barely above a
whisper but still providing plenty of punch, the Dead Scream blast sent
forth by Sailor Pluto a mere four meters from its target took less than two
tenths of a second to impact and vaporize Andisite. The other Senshi
simply slowed to a stop mouths agape and wondering if this was truly the
end.
General Andisite was by no means the worst enemy the Sailor
Senshi had faced and certainly not the brightest, but he did leave his
mark of twenty three dead and many more injured. He had avoided his
ultimate fate for over six weeks while blazing his trail of mayhem and
destruction through the city of Tokyo ruining many many lives in the
process. Now he was gone in the blink of an eye with no fanfare or final
last words, quite an anti-climatic end to one such as he. All Sailors
Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter could do was stand there and stutter at
this abrupt end.
"I'm here, I'm here," came a lagging Sailor Moon, "hey, where'd
he go? Don't tell me he got away again! Why can't he just go away for
good?" It was at this point that Sailor Moon finally noticed the state
of her friends. "Hey guys, what's up? Why is everyone just standing
around?"
"Sailor Moon," put in Pluto, "Andisite is dead. He has gone
away for good and he will never trouble anyone again."
"That's great! did you hear that guys, we won! The Dark
Kingdom is finally gone for good this time!" This exchange between Moon
and Pluto finally snapped the others out of their state of shock in time
to see their princess gleefully shouting and planning a victory party.
"Is that it, was that the last of them?" came Sailor Venus, eyes
full of hope and focused entirely on Sailor Pluto.
Pluto shook her head before continuing, "Not quite. There is
still at least one more Dark Kingdom general to be accounted for but
you Inner Senshi should be able to handle this one on your own."
This last statement got the attention of Sailor Mars, "What
exactly do you mean by 'on our own'?"
"Yea, you mean your not helping?" added Jupiter.
Sailor Pluto put on her best 'I know everything and you don't so
I know best' face before responding in her best grade school teacher
voice, "Since the fall of Beryl the remnants of the Dark Kingdom have
been left in chaos. This last attempt they have made is an act of
desperation, they have not been the same since you took out their four best
warriors. These latest generals are nothing more than over powered
youma with an above average I.Q. and each one you have faced has gotten
progressively weaker. You are fully capable of taking care of this on
your own. Earth, the Outer Senshi, and myself have other things we must
attend to and simply do not have time for this clean up work left over
from two years ago."
Sailor Mars was not pleased with what Pluto was
insinuating, "What do you mean by 'work left over from two years ago'?
Are you saying that we are somehow responsible for this?"
"All I am saying is that the Outers and myself have other more
pressing matters to attend to."
"What so your saying your too good for this?" an indignant Sailor Venus
all but ground out. "What kind of bull is this, Andisite was bad
enough, how do you know they don't have anyone stronger?"
Pluto simply raised one delicate eyebrow to this and responded
with as much sarcasm as she could muster, "I know because it is my
business to know."
"Fine, if you don't feel up to it anymore we wont ask you to
help, after all one has to trust their allies and I have to wonder
about an 'ally' who wont even give her real name! And don't worry, we
wont drag you away from what ever it is you want to do. It's obviously
very important, so much so that can not even tell us about it." With
that Sailor Mars stormed off.
With one last pleading look to Pluto Sailor Moon tried to change
her mind, "Come on Pluto, you're our friend and, and... we need you."
"I am not abandoning you, Princess, I am simply attending to
other duties. Until we see each other again, be well." With no more to
say Sailor Pluto turned and left.
Moon turned a kicked puppy look to Sailor Venus, "Do you think
we're going to see her again?"
"Of coarse we will, after all we would be far too fortunate if
our enemies stopped getting stronger and sooner or later we will need her
again, remember the Witches Five?"
Sailor Moon didn't like the sound of that at all, "Why do we
only get to see her when we NEED her, what about the times we aren't
fighting. All of you are my friends right? I mean even though Earth
and the Outers live so far away we still see each other, why can't we
spend some free time with Pluto too? I mean she is our age right, she
must live around here somewhere? Or is Sailor Mars right, does she
not trust us enough to even say hi?"
Sailor Venus and Mercury shared a look before Jupiter beat them
to the punch, "Don't worry Us... Moon, she'll come around, I think she
has some other reason for not revealing herself to us. You never know,
we might see her at school everyday and not know it, just give her
time." Sailor Jupiter paused to look at her self and the others
noticing the battle wear and dirt on their uniforms, "Say, what do you
all think about changing back to our civilian forms so we can talk
without referring to each other as big rocks floating around in space?"
Sharing a good laugh the others agreed and head out following
the way Mars head taken.
*************************************************
Tendo Nabiki sat alone in her room looking over financial
figures from one of her many accounts. Once upon a time this activity
held a great interest for her, however over the past year or so that had
changed, not because more important things had come up though that did
have something to do with it. No, the true reason was that managing her
accounts no longer held the challenged it once did. There was a time
that her family was so broke that she would actually plan out budgets
three or four months in advance just so she could afford to keep the
Dojo out of bankruptcy. Now, however, so much money came in and so
little went out of her many accounts and investments that the challenge
was gone. She had planned so far ahead now that she had the Dojo paid
up for another forty years, her sisters, friends/partners, and herself
all had enough for college and each had growing retirement funds that
would make for a very comfortable life. Well maybe that wasn't true.
After all if what the others told her was true she and her sisters would
not be retiring for a very long time, and in the distant future her side
job would actually become legitament enough that the government would
pay her all she needed to live the good life, tax free no less. These
accounts now took care of all immediate needs quite easily and in the
future they wouldn't even be needed. The only reason she kept doing it
all herself and didn't just hire an accountant was because pushing the
profit margin higher and higher seemed to take some of the boredom out
of her day. Nowadays, though things didn't seem to move fast enough,
the numbers are so big now that the little increases which used to give
her such a thrill no longer have even the slightest effect on the bottom
line. Laundering funds through more and more complex and ultimately
untraseable routs now seemed to be all she could do to keep from going
mad from the monotony.
<When did all this get this way?> Nabiki taped her favorite
Mont Blonc pen on her chin and pursed her lips deep in thought. <I
could say it was the day Sailor Pluto paid our school a visit, but that
wasn't what changed my financial stakes. Perhaps when Oneechan and I
were told about who we were and what the future held for us? Some were
around then is when I saw the profit potential of marketing a bunch of
pretty school girls in short skirts, but even while making all that
money I still had the need to do more, now the numbers just don't seem
to have the same meaning anymore.>
Frustrated, Nabiki shut down her laptop, allowing time for all
her data to encrypt and the little screen with a big blue yen sign to
appear before hitting the power switch. With a sigh she then flopped
down on her be and grabbed one of her favorite manga... no, not even
these seemed to hold as much interest for her anymore. Even the
grandest of romantic crisis or intriguing plots supposably spanning
years of conflict paled to Tendo Nabiki's real life now.
*Feh!* <Maybe it's time to find something new to occupy my time
with. But what? Ever since that daimon attacked Furinkan other things
just don't seem so important anymore. Oneechan was a senior and I was
just starting my business operations in high school, back then
everything was so simple.>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey Kasumi, I'll meet you here after school and we'll both go
pick up Akane together and get an ice-cream at that new place near Tofu
Senshi's. I made a lot of money last week and feel like a treat."
Kasumi looked back at her younger sister of two years as she
walked through the gates of Furinkan high school and smiled, an act
which caused many a Furinkan student of the male persuasion to nearly
keel over and loose all cognitive abilities. This went completely
unnoticed by Kasumi herself, but made Nabiki's purse feel heavier with
just the slightest beginnings of a smile on her lips. Why anyone who
could talk that maniac of a principle into taking a vacation to relieve
stress instead of turning the school into a boot camp could cause anyone
to smile, especially if they were earning eighty percent in royalties.
Nabiki even took out an insurance policy on her sister's smile just to
be sure nothing bad would happen to her current cash flow.
"Why that sounds wonderful Nabiki, I'm sure Akane would love it
too, though I hope this new diet she's trying will allow for it."
"Ah, that's just a little phase she's going through, why as much
as she's working out everyday I doubt she could put on a kilogram if she
tried. She might even give you a run for your money when she transfers
here next year."
"Why what ever do you mean by that Nabiki?" Clearly not
understanding nor even being aware of her own popularity Kasumi couldn't
understand why Akane's physical conditioning could have any bearing on
whether or not Akane would be able to rival her own grade point average
or exam scores.
"Nothing Oneechan, just thinking out loud. Which reminds me..."
What else Nabiki was about to say would never be remembered as that was
the moment the east wall of Furinkan's wall exploded into tiny fragments
of mortar and brick only to reveal a huge monstrous figure somewhat
resembling a badly deformed motorcycle with the head of a rhino. Without
stopping to see who it was trampling the beast went strait for a girl in
Nabiki's class and held on to her while it chased down another girl from
Kasumi's grade level. Once it had its two victims the beast seemed to
reach INTO the chest of the first girl and remove some sort of glowing
crystal which it then handed to an oddly dressed women who had entered
the school grounds following the creature.
"That's not it, try the other one." the strange woman commanded.
However just as she was about to do just that Kasumi stepped forward and
politely cleared her throat.
Nabiki couldn't believe what she was seeing, one second her
elder sister was standing right beside her on the steps into the school
and the next she was halfway across the courtyard standing just meters
from a monster that had as far as Nabiki could tell had just killed one
of her class mates. "Oneechan! Get away from that thing!" Without
even thinking about it Nabiki stated a mad dash towards were her quiet,
gentle, and defenseless older sister was standing.
Kasumi cleared her throat one more time before she finally got
the oddly dressed woman and her... thing to respond, "Yes, what do you
want?"
Finally having the woman's attention Kasumi began without a
trace of fear on her face, "I really don't think it's a good idea for
you to do that. I think Aiko needs that thing your... pet just took
from her and I don't think Miaka would appreciate having the same done
to her. Oh my, I think your pet is stepping on a friend of mine.
Ken-san are all right?" Getting only a strangled yelp from her friend
and an utterly confused look from the woman before her Kasumi decided
to take a different tact, "I'm sorry miss, I don't believe I've
introduced myself properly, my name is Tendo Kasumi. What is your
name?"
"Err, ah, that is... my name my, my name is Kaolonite."
Continuing in her most polite and gentle manner as always
Kasumi continued, "Ah, and what is your cute little pet's name
Kaolonite-sama?"
Still frozen in place by this young girl's strangely disarming
demeanor Kaolonite did the only thing she could and responded, "It
doesn't have a name really, its just a daimon."
"Well them, daimon-san, could you pleas step off of Ken-san for
me, thank you. And Kaolonite-sama could you please give that back to
Ai-chan and let her and Miaka-san go? Thank you, I really must be
going now, however if you would like to have tea sometime I have been
told that I make excellent tea, if that's not too much for me to say.
Good day Kaolonite-sama." That being said Kasumi bowed low.
"Yea, ah good good day to you too Tendo-san" reciprocated
Kaolonite as she too bowed low enough to match Kasumi.
Kasumi stood back up with a smile on her face and walked slowly
away after giving a polite wave to Kaolonite who continued to just
stand there and wave back in reply as if she were in some sort of a
trance. Nabiki could not believe this, her sister Kasumi had just
talked a rampaging monster and its bloodthirsty master not only into
leaving as they came without any harm coming to anyone in the school by
she had also apparently invited said monster and master over for tea, an
offer that was actually graciously accepted. As Nabiki watched Kasumi
approach her were she had stopped in her run she also watched in
fascination as Furinkan's newest visitors turned and began to leave. Not
even paying attention to her sister any longer Nabiki was caught slightly
off balance as gentle Kasumi took hold of her right arm in what could
only be described as a vice grip and began to subtly lead her back
towards the main school building. They almost made it at that same pace
before Kasumi broke into a run half a second before the school's wall
again exploded and an enraged Kaolonite came bursting in.
"Hold it right there!" Kaolonite shouted.
Kasumi let go of Nabiki and shoved her little sister towards the
school doors before turning back to face the furious Kaolonite, "Run
Nabiki and don't look back!" Kasumi then took a neutral stance and
awaited Kaolonite's daimon, "Is there anything I can do for you
Kaolonite-sama, daimon-san?"
Kaolonite was almost lured in by Kasumi's spell again before she
snapped back to reality, "Grab her!"
In a flash Kasumi took a combat stance and proceeded to dance
around the clumsy attempts by the daimon to take her hostage, she would
have succeeded if not for the Furinkan girls uniform she wore getting
snagged on a fallen branch slowing her down just enough for the daimon
to take hold of her and prevent her from slipping away again.
"Oneechan!" without even thinking of the consequences Nabiki ran
back down the steps and charged Kaolonite directly, she didn't stand
a chance against the hulking beast which had taken her sister so she
went for the brains and shoulder checked Kaolonite knocking her off her
feet and onto her back. "Let go of Oneechan you witch!" Nabiki began
pummelling blow after blow on the stunned Kaolonite totally ignoring
everything else around her, only when she heard a 'whoosh' and then an
earth shaking explosion behind her did she dare turn around. There
in place of the beast that had taken her sister now lay a pile of metal
and smoldering ruble. Nabiki's first instinct was to find her sister
and be sure she was all right. While scanning her surroundings she
spotted a tall green haired woman wearing a short skirted sailor outfit
with large bows and tall boots. Held before her in what appeared to be
a guard position with both hands was a long staff of almost two meters
that appeared to resemble a giant key. On the woman's forehead she wore
a golden tiara just above her cool and steady eyes which were now fixed
directly on Nabiki herself. The woman appeared no older than Kasumi but
carried herself in a much more experienced fashion and with a far, far,
deadlier glint in her eyes than Nabiki had ever seen in her gentle
sister's. <Oneechan!> Nabiki whirled around and found her sister
kneeling not far from where the daimon once stood, she too had her eyes
totally fixed on the now approaching figure before them that if Nabiki
had her current events right was one of those sailor suited fighting
heroines that the news broadcasts kept talking about.
Now no longer the figure of attention and knowing when a fight
was lost Kaolonite got up and began to look for a way to escape. This
did not go unnoticed by the new arrival who was casually, almost
sensuously, strolling towards them. The dark lady again raised her staff
and began to give a magical command of some sort, this startled Nabiki
enough that she took two steps back, coincidentally right in line with
the new comers aim and right in front of Kaolonite who used that
opportunity to make her get away.
Seeming to already know the futility of following Kaolonite and
seemingly with more important issues on her mind the tall, and now that
Nabiki could get a look at her stunningly beautiful, woman approached
them and helped Kasumi to her feet while staring intently at Kasumi's
brow. Once she finished with Kasumi she turned to Nabiki and again
looked strait at the smaller girl's forehead then smiled. That smile
helped to alleviate some of Nabiki's misgivings, but that smile was not
entirely a friendly smile, more one of a child who had just found an old
toy and was happy to see it still usable. However that smile looked it
was immensely more inviting than that of the creature that had just
rampaged Furinkan high school.
Being the ever pleasant host Kasumi was the first to respond,
"Thank you very much for saving us..."
"Pluto, my name is Sailor Pluto the Senshi who's guardian is the
ninth planet of this the Sol system. And you are?"
"Oh yes, please forgive me, my name is Tendo Kasumi and this is
my Imooto, Nabiki. I am ever so grateful for you assistance Pluto-sama,
please except our gratitude."
"Oh no, it is I who should be thanking you, if not for your
timely diversion and great skill at avoiding capture many people would
have died here today and the enemy would now be in possession of not one
but two talismans."
This broke Nabiki out of her revere, "Talismans? What are those
and how does one get them, are they those things that creature tried to
take from our friends?"
"My aren't we the inquisitive one." As Pluto said this Nabiki
was almost too busy kicking herself for seeming too obvious to hear
what was said next. "As a partial down payment to your question, no
those were not talismans you saw earlier but heart crystals. Some heart
crystals contain talismans which are magical objects needed by our enemy
to bring forth an entity of great and evil power. There are only a few
people in the world who have talismans within their heart crystals and
my goal is to find those people before my enemies."
"If only a few people have these talismans then how was it that
that Kaolonite person nearly had two of them?" This time it was Pluto
who was taken aback as it was Kasumi who voiced the question.
This time when Sailor Pluto responded she wore a smile on her
face, a much warmer and more pleasant smile than before. "Why
Tendo-san, that is not for you to know... at least not yet." The last
part was said in a whisper but Nabiki was still able to pick up on it and
she knew that they would be seeing more of this woman in the future.
Without further comment Sailor Pluto turned on her heal and
was over Furinkan's wall in less than a moment. At nearly the exact
same time as Pluto disappeared from sight the local police arrived on the
scene followed shortly by a small caravan of four vehicles, all of which
were large black vans with nearly opaque windows. These vehicles in
particular gave Nabiki a very bad feeling as she quickly took hold of
her sister and moved the both of them to mix in with the gathering crowd
of onlookers and proceeded to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.
*Knock knock knock* <Oneechan let's...> *knock knock knock*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Nabiki Oneechan are you in there?" came the voice on the other
side of Nabiki's door shaking Nabiki out of her trip down memory lane.
"Oneechan?"
"Come on in." Nabiki responded still groggily bringing herself
back to the present.
The door opened and closed allowing a slight young girl with
short black hair done up in nearly the same style as Nabiki's own hair;
a short bob cut ending at the shoulders framing a petite but pretty face
for a twelve year old girl. Smiling the girl began, "Oneechan..."
Nabiki interrupted the smiling girl with a raised left eyebrow,
"Tendo Hotaru I presume you've brought the information I requested."
The smile was instantly wiped from the girls face but Nabiki
could clearly see that Hotaru was enjoying herself and this little game
tremendously, <Oh well, she'll learn to be a proper business woman yet,
even if she still treats it like a game for now.>
"Yes Oneechan." Nabiki could clearly see the strain Hotaru was
putting herself through to keep from bursting into a fit of giggles.
"Mr. Panda, I mean Saotome-san..."
"Uh uh uh, Hotaru what have I told you about selling
information?" Nabiki found that she too like these games, err business
dealings a lot too, this is what made all the number crunching truly
worth it now days. Passing on what she knew to her youngest sister was
what made life truly worth living.
Hotaru quickly made up for her mistake, "That will be two hundred
fifty yen please Tendo-san."
"That's new, last time you only charged one hundred yen." It
wasn't like it was a lot of money by any stretch of the imagination,
however it was the principle of the thing, besides Nabiki was just a bit
curious to see why she was being charged more than usual.
"Well, there's this new ice-cream at Bob-san's that I wanted..."
Hotaru stopped short of her perverbial spilling of the beans, "oops."
"That's right, oops, never tell anyone what you need your money
for, I'll pay you two hundred twenty five yen and not one yen more, that
combined the the twenty eight yen you still have in your room will be
enough to get that ice-cream you want." Nabiki hated to deflate her little
sister like this, but she had to teach her right, "Now about that information?"
"Nope, money first." Hotaru was not about to make the same
mistake twice.
"Very good, I've taught you well." Nabiki stepped off her bed
and crossed the room to her desk were she removed two hundred twenty five
yen from her wallet and handed it to Hotaru. "Now, the information?"
"Saotome Genma is around thirty seven to thirty eight years old and has
been practicing martial arts since he was very young and did indeed learn
under the same sensei as Otousan. Saotome Ranma is sixteen years old
and has been traveling with his otousan for as long as he can remember.
He doesn't ever remember having an Okaasan. And he says that he really
is a boy, not a girl and his Otousan says so too." Hotaru could no
longer hold her smile at this point, "Oh, and panda's are very cuddly
and like to be scratched behind the ears. But I don't think panda's
like girls very much because he kept saying that girls are weak and
stupid and stuff, but he really really wants Ranma-niichan to marry one
of us." This last left a very confused look on Hotaru's face as she
just could not understand that there was all that much difference
between boys and girls that it would matter so much. And if it did why
hate girls so much and at the same time want your son to marry one?
Nabiki had been patiently taking all this in searching for the
relevant information but now felt the need to correct her little sister.
"Actually I don't think he wants Ranma to marry you, more like Kasumi,
Akane, or myself... but I wouldn't but it past Otousan to suggest it."
*Knock knock*
"Please excuse the intrusion, but it is past Hotaru's bed time
and tomorrow is a school day." The sweet voice of Tendo Kasumi waft
into Nabiki's room seemingly ignoring the fact that there was not only
a door, but Nabiki's special sound proofing insulation she had installed
nearly three weeks ago.
"Come on in Oneechan, Hotaru was just on her way."
"But I'm not tired." Nabiki wasn't fooled by Hotaru's lie for
minute and it wasn't just Nabiki's famous observations skills at work,
it had more to do with one of the biggest open mouthed yawns ever
recorded, in fact Nabiki was busy trying to figure out how a girl the
size of her little sister could open her mouth big enough to swallow a
cantaloupe whole.
"None of that Hotaru-chan, off to bed to you, and you better be
sleeping when I come in to check on you."
"But Oneechan..."
"Go on now, I'll just be a moment after I talk to Nabiki here."
As reluctantly as a condemned man being marched to the
executioner's chamber the youngest Tendo sister trudged down the hall to
her own room where she promptly fell into a deep sleep the moment her
head hit the pillow.
"So Oneechan, what's up?" The other question was left unasked
'What's wrong?' would have been more appropriate but Nabiki didn't like
to give away just how much she knew about her older sister's demeanor
right away.
"Whatever would make you think anything is wrong Nabiki?"
<Ah ha! gotcha!> "Did I ask if anything was the matter, I just
asked what was up, but now that you mention it, you do seem a bit
distracted. Is it this thing with the Saotomes?"
"No, I'm sure everything will work out all right, in fact I think
Ranma-san will have a good effect on Akane-chan. Maybe we should
consider persuading Akane to give him a chance, after all I'm sure I am
much too old for Ranma and you seem to have other prospects at this
time."
"Yea well I was going suggest that earlier today until I was
distracted by that call from Pluto, but now I'm not so sure... there is
just something about that Ranma that is setting off every nerve in my
body. It's like when we came into contact with Mistress nine for the first
time, only less focus and very shifty. I'm going to have to look into
this some more." Already the gears were moving in Nabiki's head, who to
contact, what to research, what to ask...
"Yes, about that call from Pluto, did she say anything, like why
she called?" Kasumi had an almost urgent look in her eyes like she was
expecting something important to have been said. This if nothing else
caused Nabiki to take a seat at her desk and motion for Kasumi to do the
same. As Kasumi made her angelic glide to sit on the foot of Nabiki's
bed the younger Tendo sister studied her elder sister to see if she
could ascertain why her sister seemed so distressed. Alas though by the
time Kasumi was seated her features were once again schooled concealing
all the emotion they displayed just seconds ago.
"To tell the truth she didn't say anything important at all. It
was like she was just calling to say 'hi', she even apologized for
calling at such a bad time."
"That is unusual, the Senshi of Time NEVER calls at a bad time
and she rarely calls for purely social reasons." This strange behavior
of Pluto's was beginning to take Kasumi down a very disturbing path.
<No, I have to have proof.> Kasumi leaned forward and put on her best
conspiratorial face she could, she ended up looking more like a concerned
mother in Nabiki's eyes though. "So tell me Nabiki, what didn't she
say?"
"Well, her comm link had noise dampers on full but I could still
make out the sounds of battle in the back ground and her eyes had that
unfocused look in them. You know the one, the one where she just looks
off into space right before she tells you at exactly 3:44 pm three days
from now your going to stub your toe walking in the door while carrying
three bags full of groceries."
Kasumi did indeed know what that look meant, "She didn't call
you at a bad time at all, she did so EXACTLY when she meant to."
"Yea, took time out in the middle of a battle to do it too. And
that's the part I can't figure out, why did she do it? What butterfly
is going to flap its wings on the other side of the world and cause an
earthquake one hundred years from now because she took time out from
fighting evil to pay us a social call?"
"I think the better question to ask is what caused her to do it
so poorly that you could clearly see through her plan?"
"Hmmm, that's another thing, she did seem very distracted and it
wasn't the battle, it's like there was something else, something she
didn't know how to deal with."
That was all Kasumi needed to hear, for now. The oldest Tendo
sister had a lot to think about now. "Well, we shall simply ask her
next time she contacts us, I'm sure it was nothing, though, probably
just a passing anomaly." Kasumi made a show of looking at Nabiki's
night stand clock before continuing, "Oh my, it is getting rather late,
good night Nabiki-chan." And with that Kasumi rose and drifted out of
the room, silently closing the door behind her.
<What, no good night kiss Oneechan?> Strange behavior seemed to
be rather abundant tonight, first the Saotomes, then Pluto's strange
call, and now her older sister going from extreme concern to
nonscholonce in the flash of an eye. <Very strange indeed.>
*************************************************
Once on the other side of Nabiki's door Kasumi let out a
rather haggard breath, to anyone else it would be a gentle sigh causing
anyone that heard it to remember a cool spring wind, Kasumi however did
not pounder on that for very long at all. <I need to know for sure,
Pluto what are you hiding?> Seeing the light under Akane's door Kasumi
decided to make one more stop before checking up on her families new
guests.
*knock knock* "Akane-chan are you awake?"
After a short pause and a few fumbling noises Akane opened her
door. "Oneesan come in."
Kasumi took a moment to observe her little sister's room. Akane
had never been the tidiest of the four Tendo sisters, however Hotaru was
usually the one that caused Kasumi the most work in her daily cleaning,
tonight however seemed to be a different story. Akane's school uniform
was callously tossed into a corner and there were a few papers lying
around the floor. "Care to discuss what's troubling you little sister?"
"Do you have to ask Kasumi? That jerk comes in here pretending
to be a girl, heck he's probably so perverted he wishes he was one, then
he goes and tries to get himself married to one of us so he can take our
Dojo, and he has the nerve to treat me like a first year beginner during
our sparing match. Of coarse we just can't forget how he kept trying to
get a cheap look at me in the bath, why are we letting those two stay
here!?"
Through the whole tirade Kasumi simply sat patiently and waited.
While her eyes did wandered a few times around her sister's room she
thought it would be too impolite to go around and pick up her sister's
mess while being spoken to. <If she keeps this up I'll be spending far
too much time picking up after her messes. Add to that two new male
(mostly) guests. Maybe we should hire a maid?>
"Well, what do you think Kasumi, is Otousan really serious about
this agreement thing he has with Saotome-san?"
"I think he is Akane, but I would not worry too much about it.
Even if one of us does have to go through with this it will be quite
some time before a choice must be made. Think of poor Ranma-san, he has
to marry one of us no matter what, we on the other hand at least have a
one in four chance of being chosen. And it is not like it is
Ranma-san's fault, he seemed rather upset at the whole idea himself."
The fact that Ranma himself probably wasn't at fault hadn't even
occurred to Akane, but now that she thought about it she could almost see
Kasumi's point. Almost. She still wasn't about to forgive Ranma yet,
the second she did that she would be engaged to the boy and scheduled to
get married as soon as the priest was available. "I know that Kasumi,
it's just that he makes me so mad, if not for him none of us would
have to worry about being married off and I just can't get over how he
treated me, it's degrading!"
"Don't worry yourself over it Akane-chan, tomorrow is a new day
and you have school to deal with, it isn't healthy to fret over
something like this too much. Get some sleep and I'm sure things wont
seem so daunting in the mourning. Good night."
"Yea, I guess your right Oneechan, good night." For a while
after her older sister had left her room Akane simply sat there.
Learning to let things go and avoid the familiar and comforting feeling
of anger hasn't been easy for Akane. Long after she discovered her very
own sisters were members of the Pretty Sailor Suited Sailor Senshi,
Akane had felt nothing but anger. She felt betrayed, left out, not even
her own inclusion into the elite force of resurrected warriors was
enough to assuage the hurt.
Kasumi had always been the best house wife, after the
death of their mother Akane's eldest sister had instantly switched roles
with effortless grace. Kasumi could do things in the kitchen Akane felt
she had no hope of ever doing. Nabiki had taken over the house hold
expenses after her mother's death and grown into the intellectual of
the family, she could easily run circles around Akane when it came to
anything in school or the business world. Akane on the other hand came
away from the death of her mother with only one thing, hate. She hated
the world for not caring enough, she hated fate for taking her mother
away, she hated her father for being so weak, but most of all she hated
her self for not being able to do anything about her mother's illness.
Her sisters had each turned to something to excel in, something to
occupy themselves with, something to be identified by.
Akane chose martial arts, partially because she didn't want to
feel weak anymore, but mostly because she couldn't do the other things
her sisters could do, she just wasn't good enough. So she became the
fighter, protector of her family and home. She was the warrior, she was
the defender of all that she loved.
But then one day even that was taken away from her. Her gentle,
sweet Kasumi and the intelligent, all business Nabiki had both taken her
place as the premier defenders of her family and they had done it
without even telling her. That hurt most of all, they shared
everything, but they didn't share that.
It wasn't until Akane became the Sailor of the Earth that she
was able to reclaim her place in the family. Becoming a Senshi had
finally brought her sisters back to her as well, now they shared even
more with each other than before and all was as it should be. But that
hurt was still there, the thought that someone out there could be better
than her, the very idea that someone could take her place in her family
hurt too much to consider.
Now that hurt was back, and now it had a name. Saotome Ranma.
'Wild Horse Rice Picking Girl' This person not only threatened to take
her sisters away from her again but also the one thing that made Tendo
Akane who she was. Martial Arts and fighting are Akane's life, no one
is better and she had proven it. Akane had a key role in the fall of
the Death Busters and had shown everyone that no one was better
than Tendo Akane, or at least no one was better than Sailor Earth. Now
some boy just comes along and threats her like a child. She... no HE
refused to even TRY to hit her like she was some porcelain doll. He
laughed at her the entire time, mocking her, demeaning her, humiliating
her! <Saotome Ranma, don't think you've beaten me yet. Not by a long
shot.>
*************************************************
As Kasumi left Akane's room she could almost feel the
temperature go down to more exceptable levels. She was well aware of
her sister's hair trigger temper and was deeply troubled by it but she
did have to admit that it had been getting better as time went on.
There was once a day that Akane seemed to stay angry every minute of
every day. Kasumi certainly hoped that her little sister would get over
her problem one day, perhaps if she settled down and found a husband?
Kasumi silently opened the door to Hotaru's room just a crack
and looked inside to see a soundly sleeping twelve year old, in appearance
anyway. Actually if the date that Pluto gave as Hotaru's true birth
date was accurate her littlest sister would be fourteen or fifteen years old.
However as things stood Hotaru had the mind of a twelve year old to match
her body and that suited Kasumi just fine.
Assured that Hotaru was indeed sleeping and dreaming pleasant
dreams Kasumi decided to move on. The very next door was the upstairs
guest room, now in use by the Saotomes. In total the Tendo house had
seven bedrooms; the master bedroom and a small guest room downstairs,
The rooms used by Nabiki, Akane, and Kasumi herself, and what used to be
the large upstairs guest room now partitioned off into Hotaru's room and a
smaller guest room. Really for the exception of the master and the three
eldest Tendo sisters' room's all the others were little more than
oversized closets, already Hotaru was quickly running out of free space
in her room and the guest room had two occupants. Perhaps Kasumi could
have Nabiki look into financing an addition to the house, though it
would be hard to explain where all the money for such a project came
from. Then again Nabiki did have a knack for such things.
Kasumi's musings were interrupted just as she was about to knock
on the door to the guest room by Saotome Genma's sudden bellowing from
beyond the door. Hearing the tone used by the elder Saotome Kasumi
found herself frozen in place as she stayed silent waiting for what
would come next. Almost unconsciencly Kasumi began to lean forward and
strain to listen to the conversation within.
"Forget it Oyaji I ain't gonna marry anybody, at least not until
I find a cure."
"It may be YEARS if EVER that you find a cure boy, how long do
you intend to wait? Until your twenty, thirty, fifty! How long son?!"
"As long as it takes, I ain't in no hurry."
"What if you never find a cure Ranma, then what? Die without
ever having an heir?"
"If that's what it come to... yea!"
"UNEXCEPTABLE!!! You will marry a Tendo daughter, your honor,
my honor, your family honor depends on it! Do you have any idea what
kind of a stain this would put on the Saotome name!? Does your own
honor mean NOTHING to you?!!!!"
There was a short pause and Kasumi waited with nervous
anticipation as to how Ranma would respond, when he did he sounded a lot
less certain.
"That doesn't have anything to do with it Oyaji... you saw the
way they were, none of them want anything to do with me."
"You sell your self short son, your a Saotome, they will come
around, besides I was there too and not all of them seemed to
disapprove."
"Sure they did, that Akane looked about ready to bite my head
off and..."
"You no nothing of women boy, what they say and do and what they
really want are two entirely different things, take it from me I know all
there is to know about women. I almost blame myself for your ignorance
boy, I should have allowed you more time to be around girls... I just
didn't want to let them make you soft."
"Yea yea, you've told me this all before, I just don't see how
they could, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm not going to force
anyone to marry me."
"But that is exactly what they want you to do son! You must
take charge and make the decisions, girls don't want to be bothered by
such things, they would rather leave it up to us men. Just think of
those poor dears waiting for you, they'll not tell you how they feel, it
just isn't done. NO! You must be the strong one, you must be the one
to command respect, you must be the one willing to take responsibility
for the relationship! Just think if you fail them and don't deliver on
the promise you've made to them how disappointed and heart broken they
will be, and being girls they will not, no can not tell you how they
feel, you must be the one willing to take the risk!"
"I don't want to force them if there not willing..."
"You wont be Ranma, just think their family and personal honor
is riding on this too, would you be so callous as to allow those poor
dears to loose all that they hold dear just because you were too
cowardly to take responsibility? Would you allow them to go through
life ridiculed because their own intended refused them?"
"Yea but what if I pick the wrong one?"
"Don't worry about that, let your father help you. Like I said
I know all about women. Why take Kasumi for example she might be older
than you..."
"No she's not, older I mean, it's uh..."
At this Kasumi's heart almost skipped a beat, it was an
irrational response as she did not wish to be tied down right now but
her age was one of her most sensitive vulnerabilities. She was nearing
twenty years of age and while she knew that that was not old by any measure
and she knew that she would age very little more before she would cease
to do so, but she did feel a little too mature in eye's of her peers and
that bothered her. What she heard in Saotome Genma's voice next sent a
chill down her spine. She could hear the smile in his voice, the elder
Saotome was a predator and he was moving in for the kill against an
unsuspecting Ranma, he smelled blood and Kasumi knew he wouldn't stop
until he got more. Fear gripped Kasumi's heart, not just for herself,
though she did feel that, but also for Ranma himself, this was bad and
Kasumi had to put a stop to it.
"Of coarse not, she's perfect in fact, where else will you find
a young girl these days as devoted to her station as little
Kasumi-chan? A good wife will of coarse know how to cook and take care
of her beloved husband. Yes, Kasumi would be perfect, Yin and Yang, you
have your duties and she has hers, and lets not forget the gentle, shy
ones are always the most passionate too. All the Tendo girls have their
special points: Nabiki has a good head on her shoulders, Akane would
make a perfect partner for you when you inherit and run the Dojo, little
Hotaru is a bit young but has great promise. If you picked her in a few
years she will bloom into a beautiful flower though you may not want to
wait that long. Then there is sweet little Kasumi-chan, she is graceful
and demure, a shining example of Japanese womanhood. Any one is a gem
and you can't go wrong, in fact with Kasumi you could get married right
awa..."
*knock knock knock*
Genma knew he had his son right were he wanted him, just a few
more minutes and he could announce the wedding date in the morning now
with this new distraction he would have to work fast to recover lost
ground. He had to deal with this quick, "Yes who is it?"
"It is me, Kasumi, I was wondering if there was anything you
needed before I departed for my room for the night."
<Perfect! This is great! A golden opportunity, with Kasumi
actually here my chances just went up, the Kami must love me!> "Oh yes,
do come in Kasumi-chan, I was just having a small chat with my son
before bed."
Kasumi schooled her features and quickly went over her plan one
more time before opening the door and entering. "I hope I'm not
disturbing you Saotome-san, Ranma-san."
"No, no of coarse not Kasumi come in come in."
Ranma said nothing and just look away for moment before
returning a shy gaze back to Kasumi, this was bad really bad.
"You weren't by any chance waiting outside the door for very
long were you Kasumi-san?"
"Oh, that just wouldn't be proper to eavesdrop on guests."
Kasumi's scandalized voice hid the fact that she did not really deny the
accusation.
"Oh no, er that is I didn't mean to accuse you of..."
"Now now Kasumi-chan I'm sure what my son means to say is that
he was merely concerned that it is indeed late and you must be getting
tired, but even in your own weariness you still found it in you generous
heart to come and check on us, how very considerate of you dear."
No one was really fooled by Genma's blatant attempt to butter up Ranma
to the virtues of Kasumi's nature but it was still having its desired
effect and Ranma found him self being quite thankful for Kasumi's
generosity.
"Oh why thank you very much Saotome-san, but really I was just
on my way to my own room, in fact I just tucked Hotaru-chan in a moment
ago. Are you finding the room to your liking, I'm sorry if it's a bit
dusty, it has not been used in quite some time. Ever since Okaasan's
passing we have had few guests."
"Oh really, why Kasumi dear it seems quite clean, you must work
very hard to keep such a tidy house Soun must be quite proud."
<Okay, enough of the preamble it's time to take control.>
"Yes it is a lot work at times, cooking and cleaning for a house as big
as this can be quite a task at times. I'm considering attending college
next term and I might not be able to continue as I am now, I suppose a
little delegation will have to be considered. How long are you going to
be staying Saotome-san, that is if it isn't too much to ask?" <bite!
bite!>
"Oh, it's no problem, I'm not offended. We are going to be
staying for quite some time it appears, after all my Ranma here is going
to be married to you or one of your sisters one day soon..."
Anything else Genma had to say was cut off simply by the forlorn
look Kasumi directed to her own folded hands now resting on her lap.
"Oh yes... the engagement, so you and Otousan do intend to go through with
that after all? I guess I shouldn't be surprised, after all Otousan
does tend to act before he thinks things through quite often. Not that
I intend to act disrespectful to your family or the engagement but ever
since Okaasan's death father hasn't been quite the same. He sometimes
does not consider what might be best for the rest of us. My sister's
and I have had to fend for ourselves for quite a lot of things in the
past nine years. It's hard sometimes, I have a duty to my family but I
do wish to lead my own life. I know this must sound terribly selfish of
me, but I've lost so many years already, I only wish I could have a few
more for myself before I marry." <A little more blunt than I had
intended but I think it may have done the trick... for now.>
Throughout Kasumi's speech Ranma had been hanging on her every
word but he still needed more, "So Kasumi-san, you believe Oyaji's
agreement with your Otousan is a bad idea?"
"Of coarse she doesn't think that Ranma, Kasumi just meant
that..."
"Oh no Ranma-san, an agreement between families is very
important but no agreement is permanent or unchangeable, this one was
made a long time ago when situations were quite different. I just think
that it has been a long ten years sense our fathers have had a chance to
discuss things and perhaps a few alterations need to be made. I know
for a fact that none of my sisters are anywhere old enough to get
married and like me they too need some time for themselves."
"Yes but we made this agreement a long time ago and for our
families honor it must be upheld, we all make sacrifices for honor
and..."
"Oh I totally agree Saotome-san, but..."
Genma was getting nervous now, this whole thing had backfired on
him badly, he could see it in his son's eyes, he had to put this back on
track, "I don't think you understand Kasumi-chan, perhaps your not old
enough to know what sacrifices have been made to get us where we are
today."
"Perhaps your right Saotome-san, but..."
"No, I am right. And further more..."
"Shut up Oyaji and let her talk!" Both verbal combatant were
slightly shaken by the interruption, both seemed to have forgotten about
the third party in the room with them.
Ranma could take been torn down by his father, but he could not
stand to see his father do such a thing to Kasumi, his natural
protectionist instincts would not allow such a thing.
"Mind your elders boy! You'll do as your told!" Genma had lost
this round and he knew it, but he couldn't let Ranma think this was
done with. "I did not raise you to have such disregard for honor, I
taught you better than this..."
"Don't make me laugh Oyaji, the only thing you ever taught me
about honor was how to use it to make others do what you wanted them to!
I know honor and I know what my responsibilities are, but I'm not going
to sit here and watch you berate Kasumi-san like a child, she deserves
better than that."
Watching this all Kasumi bore a frown on her face but only a
smile was in her eyes, her plan had worked despite her own mistakes,
Ranma was standing up to his father. Kasumi knew that this was only
temporary as Genma would not have been able to raise his son over so
many years without knowing how to maneuver him where he wanted but the
immediate crisis was over. Though seeing Ranma defend her like this did
shake Kasumi a bit, perhaps he wasn't such a bad person to be stuck
with...
"I'm sorry Kasumi-san, it's getting late and my baka Oyaji has
been rude to you, please forgive us as we are guests in your home."
Kasumi cut short her musings and quickly responded but out of
the corner of her eye she could see Genma head over to his futon
seemingly without any worries as to his son's defiance. <This is not
good, if he is so confident even still I have a lot of work to do to
keep him in check.> "No no, it's quite all right Ranma-san. It is
late and I'm sure you both are very tired, I think I'll be on my way to
my own room now. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask for it,
good night."
"Good night Kasumi-san."
"Yes, good night Kasumi-chan, like you say I'll have to have a
talk with Soun-san in the morning concerning our agreement, perhaps some
changes are in order." Even though Kasumi could not see his face she
could clearly hear the calculating tone in Saotome Genma's voice.
"Good night Saotome-san, I will see you in the morning."
*************************************************
After Kasumi left the guest room she felt a twisting in her gut
that told her that she had merely survived the first of many battles to
be fought with the elder Saotome. However as she opened her own
bedroom door and prepared for her well earned rest that twisting also
told her something else, she had also only just survived the first of
many battles to be fought with herself as well. Even now Kasumi could
not empty her head of the face of Saotome Ranma. Could she beat Genma,
did she want to beat him, did she really want to live her own life and
be free or did she want to settle down and be loved? For as long as she
could remember Tendo Kasumi was the graceful hard worker. She always
cheerfully completed her tasks and never expected anyone to thank her.
She cooked and cleaned for her family, she earned perfect scores
throughout school, she even took care of her own father from the age of
ten. Things had gotten a bit easier over the years, her sisters did help
out every now and then and her father had recovered much of his old
vitality. Fate however wasn't so kind to Tendo Kasumi as to allow her
time to rest...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The battle between Kaolonite and the mysterious Sailor Pluto was
the talk all over the campus. Not that school was being held any longer
but no one was allowed to leave until they were all accounted for. The
police were doing their usual filling out of eyewitness reports, however
from what Kasumi could hear no one had seen much. Thankfully that
meant that nobody mentioned Nabiki or herself directly confronting the
monster that had made a ruin out of the school day. The two students
that had been attacked by the monster as well as several others that had
been injured as a result of flying debris were already being treated and
sent on their way, or in the more serious cases taken to the hospital.
The black vans which caused Nabiki so much concern were long gone and
seemed to only be there long enough to take a few pictures before
speeding off.
"Kasumi Oneechan, I checked us in with Toyori sensei and he said
we can go." Nabiki still seemed a bit nervous but she hid it well
enough that only Kasumi was privy.
"Yes, and on our way perhaps we should pick up Imooto-chan, I'm
sure word will reach her school soon enough to worry her... and I really
would much rather have her where I can see her... just to put my own
mind at rest."
"Okay with me, let's go." On their way to Akane's school Nabiki
told Kasumi what she knew of the sailor suited fighting heroines she had
read about in the news. Apparently they had been fighting a dark army
of some sort for a little over a year now and still little was known
about them. Their were apparently six of them but none of them were
named Pluto so that probably made their number seven. All except the
British Sailor V were named after a celestial body in the solar system,
though some said that they were the incarnations of the ancient Greek
and Roman gods. If planets were their calling cards then it would be
safe to assume that their were at least nine of these girls in short
skirts, one for each planet of the solar system or in the case of Earth
their was reported to be one named Sailor Moon. In most of the reports
these girls were said to be only junior or senior high school aged,
however from first person observations today Nabiki thought them to be
more in their early twenties or late teens.
Normally none of this would be any of Kasumi's concern, however
today she found a particular interest in her sister's fact finding
escapades. While Kasumi worked very hard and earned the best grades of
any of her sisters it was Nabiki who truly had the most intelligence of
the Tendo sisters and Kasumi found herself constantly amazed by the
things her little sister could find out in such a short period of time.
*************************************************
After picking up Akane from her school the three Tendo sisters
made their way home where they were quickly overwhelmed by a tearful
father. Tendo Soun refused to let any of the Tendo sisters out of his
sight for the rest of the day, Kasumi even found herself having to stop
him from barging in on Akane's bath because he thought she was being too
quiet. Fortunately Kasumi was finally able to calm her father to the
point that he would not keep them under lock and key if they stayed home
for the rest of the night and checked in with him every half hour.
These terms did not go over well, especially with Nabiki, however it was
better than his previous demands that they not leave the house for the
next three weeks and check in with him every five minutes.
With Akane practicing in the Dojo and their father watching over
her like a hawk to be sure she would not get hurt Nabiki and Kasumi
finally had the opportunity to continue their previous discussion.
"Oneechan, do you remember what that Pluto lady said before she
left?" Both elder Tendo sisters were sitting on the edge of the veranda
surrounding the Tendo home, Nabiki was leaning back braced with her
palms on the polished wood deck and dangling her legs lazily over the
edge, she was staring out at the moon's reflection in the koi pound.
Kasumi was sitting in a kneeling position sipping a cup of warm tea from
the tea service resting between her self and her sister, she too was
gazing out at the koi pond as she considered Nabiki's question.
"I'm afraid not Nabiki, what did she say?"
"Well, it's just that when I asked her about those talisman
things she didn't just say 'no', she said that it's not for us to know
YET. It's like she was saying that she would tell us or that we would
find out, but the time just wasn't right."
Setting down her tea Kasumi thought about this. <What could she
have meant by that? Who has these talismans in them, are we going to see
another attack at our school?>
"That's a good question Nabiki, I'd like to know what you think
the answer is." This last was not uttered by Kasumi, instead the voice
came from somewhere behind her. Both Kasumi and Nabiki froze in shock
before almost in total synchronization they both whiled around to face
the unexpected visitor. Nabiki leapt off the porch and set her feet
ready to flee if necessary, Kasumi on the other hand rose to her feet as
she turned with all the grace and poise of... well of Kasumi. Both
pairs of eyes met the the benevolent gaze of Sailor Pluto who stood just
inside the shogi with her staff in her left hand held out to the side
and behind her and her right hand held behind her back in a slight 'at
ease' stance. Not one of the trio spoke for what seemed to Kasumi to be
an eternity before Pluto abruptly turned and walked into the Tendo home.
Nabiki simply stared at the retreating form of the Senshi of Pluto with
her mouth agape before Kasumi broke her out of her daze.
"It appears we have a guest Nabiki, would you please call
Otousan and Imooto." Kasumi had a bad feeling about all this but she
would not allow it to show if she could help it.
"Uh, sur... sure Oneechan, I'll go..."
"That wont be necessary, I don't have much time and I only came
to speak to the two of you," said Pluto as she took a long lezurly look
around the Tendo livingroom, "You have a very nice home here, I can see
a lot of important things have happened in this very room over the
years."
Kasumi had a nagging suspicion that Pluto was not speaking
figuratively but that she could literally SEE these things happening as
her gaze was not quite taking in the room as it stood now, but more as
it stood in the past... perhaps even the future.
"Yes, many things have taken place here, would you like some tea
Pluto-sama?"
Kasumi could see her younger sister's shocked look at the way
she was calmly dealing with the unexpected visitor, however she could
also see that Pluto herself wasn't the least bit surprised.
Finally Pluto ended her self guided tour of the Tendo livingroom
and took a seat on the couch. Smiling Pluto answered, "That would be
nice, thank you... however you might want to get some green tea for
yourself and your sister, that is when she decides to move again."
Pluto let her gaze drift to where Nabiki was still standing and smiled
at the look the younger of the two Tendo sisters was giving her. "You
might need it after you've heard what I have to tell you."
"Yes of coarse, I am sure you have many very interesting stories
to tell, but are you not worried that my Otousan or Imooto will disturb
our impromptu meeting?"
"There is nothing impromptu about what I have to tell you, and
do not worry Kasumi-san, neither your father nor your little sister will
be leaving your family's Dojo for quite some time."
At this proclamation Nabiki gave a start that was not missed
by Pluto. "No Nabiki-san I have done nothing to impede either of them,
I simply state the fact that they will not be joining us any time soon."
"Oh, I'm just giving your inquiry some thought."
"And what conclusion did you come to?"
"My sister and I obviously have something to do with all this,
either we are the ones that have these talismans in us or you are
counting on us to find them for you." As Nabiki gave her answer she
used the slight distraction to cover the fact that she was only just now
getting over her shock and took a seat across from Pluto.
Kasumi felt her mouth turn up into a smile as she realized that
her little sister was getting into her 'business' mode. Assured that
Nabiki could handle things for now Kasumi went into the kitchen and
prepared a new pot of tea. As she waited for the water to heat Kasumi
tried to figure out what the mysterious Senshi Sailor Pluto was up to
that involved both Nabiki and herself. There was something very
familiar about Sailor Pluto, something that ran deep and strong within
her heart. <What is it about her? Did I meet her before today? What
is it about her that is so familiar? Is it... moon... queen...> Kasumi
never finished her thought as the tea pot took that moment to signal its
readiness. "Oh my, I mustn't wonder off so, I have a guest waiting."
As Kasumi reentered the livingroom she could clearly seen the
annoyance on Nabiki's face and the poorly concealed amusement on Pluto's.
"Okay, my sister is here now, care to start talking?"
Pluto merely chuckled before accepting a cup of tea from Kasumi
and returning a smile to the elder Tendo daughter. "Nabiki-san it is so
good to hear your ever impatient voice again, it has been far too long
since we last played this little game."
"Excuse me Pluto-sama, have we met before?" Kasumi took her
seat next to Nabiki she pored tea for herself and her sister.
"Yes, a very very long time ago."
Nabiki was clearly becoming very annoyed by the invasive nature
of Sailor Pluto, "Exactly how long is that Pluto-san?"
"Oh a few days."
"How many days, give me a number!"
Pluto finally decided to have some mercy on Nabiki, sort of,
"Three million one hundred seventeen thousand one hundred five."
"Okay, about eight thousand five hundred forty years. Aside
from the fact that none of us were alive that long ago I'd have a hard time
imagining that you could really remember that much about us."
Kasumi could actually see Pluto's eyebrow go up at Nabiki's
split second calculation, a sign of mild surprise. <I didn't think
anyone could actually surprise Pluto... wait, were did that come from?>
"Excuse me Pluto-sama, but eight and a half millennia ago does
seem to be a long time, did you by any chance come with any proof of
this, not that I'm accusing you of being dishonest of coarse."
"No, of coarse not, and as to your question, yes."
Nabiki had had enough of this and was going to be heard, "Yes,
if you do then why don't you..."
"Hear take these." Pluto pulled two sphere tipped rods out of
nowhere and presented one each to Nabiki and Kasumi. On each sphere was
an odd symbol that appeared to be VERY familiar especially the one that
Pluto handed to her. Kasumi began inspecting her... <henshin stick>
when she noticed Nabiki drop hers like it had teeth.
"Nabiki are you all right?" Kasumi had a nagging feeling that
she knew exactly why her sister was acting so paranoid, she was beginning
to feel it too."
"Tendo Nabiki, are you all right?"
"Yes I'm all right! I'm perfectly fine Pluto! I couldn't be
better, I mean it's not every day that you wake from being dead for
eight thousand years! How do you think I feel?"
Unfased by this Sailor Pluto simply leaned further back in her
chair and smiled, "Welcome back Sailor Uranus, it's good to see your
still your old cheerful self."
That nagging feeling in the pit of Kasumi's stomach was telling
her she didn't want to ask her next question, but at the same time she
knew that that same feeling would not go away until she had the answer,
"Excuse me Pluto-sama, but did you just refer to my sister as 'Uranus'?"
"Yes I did Neptune, why do you ask?"
Okay, she could have lived without hearing that. Images,
memories, visions of the past flooded Kasumi's mind as it was fused with
that of a warrior long dead. A deluge of unstoppable thoughts and
emotions experienced over an immense lifetime vied for passage into Tendo
Kasumi's mind leaving her confused and uncertain as to who she was.
The human mind is an amazing thing, it can compute complex and
seemingly illogical problems faster than any computer ever known or ever
to be known. The brain can analyze vast amounts of data and have enough
idle time left over to make up its own self created quandaries just so
as to not get bored. There is only one thing that can overwhelm the
human mind: another mind. Thus it is that Tendo Kasumi's brain in its
attempt to deal with a Lunar lifetime (longer than an Earthen lifetime)
of memories, emotions, and idly created imaginary musings was forced to
sum everything up in just two words. "OH MY..."
Pluto's smile was now much more friendly like that of a lonely
wanderer stumbling upon a long lost friend. It was this smile carried
by her voice that seemed to make the awe inspiring Senshi seem less
aloof. "Why Neptune I believe that is the best description I have heard
anyone use to explain the remembering."
"Pluto-san, why have we been brought back?"
"What no more sama?" The disappointment in Pluto's voice never
reached her eye's, "I'll explain why you are needed now later, for now I
think remembering who you are is enough to keep you occupied."
Nabiki who had been silently watching the conversation had one
more question before Pluto's inevitable departure, "Pluto, who is Sailor
Moon? I recall her being mentioned quite a bit in the news."
"Tendo Nabiki, I shall leave that to be answered by the person
herself. Suffice it to say that the newest Senshi's true identity will
come as quite a surprise to the both of you. I must leave now, I'll
contact you tomorrow morning and arrange a meeting, your school will be
closed for the next two days so we have plenty of time to discuss things
later. For now though I must leave, the remainder of your family will
be coming soon." At this last statement Sailor Pluto stood and began to
exit the Tendo home. At the door she turned back, "Kasumi-san, you
should probably dispose of that third tea setting before your father
returns, he appears to be very excitable and will most certainly demand
to know of your visitor. Ja ne."
With Pluto finally out of ear shot Nabiki turned to her older
sister and asked one other question that had been nagging her since she
remembered her former self, "Oneechan, did you notice that Pluto came
here in uniform and never told us her current civilian identity? Odd
don't you think for a Senshi who we used to fight shoulder to shoulder
with for a millennia?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laying in her bed back in the present Tendo Kasumi ended her
voyage to the past with one last question still not answered from that
day so long ago. <Sailor Pluto, why are you hiding?>
*************************************************
Hino Rei the sixteen year old raven haired miko of fire
was pondering the very same mystery. Rei, at other times known as Sailor
Mars, was very protective at heart, particularly when it came to her
princess. Being protective often lends its self also to being very
suspicious, especially when it comes to people who refuse to tell you
little things, like say for instance their name. Rei knew the value of
privacy, she herself held many secrets from her fellow Senshi, however
this was different. Something kept her on edge when the reclusive
Senshi of time was around. Perhaps it was just her own personality
clashing with that of the slightly older Pluto but Rei didn't think so.
There was a reason for everything Sailor Pluto did, nothing was done
without some far reaching plot behind it. There was a reason Sailor
Pluto denied her 'allies' the knowledge of her true identity and Rei was
determined to find out what that purpose was even if the answer of who
Pluto is was not answered. Some how she knew that in the discovery of
that one thing so much else would be revealed, so much that must be
revealed lest the dark consequences of that secret fall upon Rei's
princess...
Rei took a long cleansing breath before calling upon the spirits
of fire to ignite the flame before her. Staring into the fire Rei
attempted to see what the spirits wished to reveal to her tonight. The
fire did indeed reveal much to the Senshi of the flame but all Rei could
remember when she awoke from her inforced slumber nearly nine hours later
was a single thought... no a single motivation, a mission really. This
one emotion was not Rei's but someone else's, someone out there, someone
who was coming. That one thought could be summed up in just one word;
REVENGE.
=================================================
Well, that's chapter 1. What do you think? I think I'm pretty happy
with the way this chapter turned out. I didn't go too heavy on the
foreshadowing like I will later on or like I did in the prologue. I am
however keeping quite a few secrets from the reader. I plan on
introducing a few original character that I am quite proud of. One of
which is what may be considered a "bad guy" and will become a major
player in the story but you wont see this character for a while yet.
This chapter serves more as a set up; I tried to explain a little of
what makes this universe different from the cannon and drop a few hints
as to what it to come. Next chapter is where the action really starts
to build. Hopefully I haven't kept too much from you the reader and
totally lost you before getting started, don't worry though, while I
intend to send you through a few loops and keep you guessing I'm not
going to leave you hanging forever.
I would like to thank my prereaders.
Pat Wilson: My sounding board for ideas and a big help on some
background.
Chris Moran: The human "Franklin Speller." This buy is the king of
grammar checking. He made me feel like I was back in High
School with that electronic "red marker" of his. Out of all my
prereaders Chis here has helped the most and I have a better Fic
because of if. ThanX!
Joanne Wojtysiak: Get well soon!
James Merritt Jr
Jerry
James Barnhill
Demon-God Entity
To anyone else that I missed ThanX!