Hitoki Battousai signs as he and the rest of the representatives leave the hall.  The peace negotiations have become stalled.  The Chinese still refuse to recognize the Amazons, Musk, or the Phoenix tribes as independent, self-governing nations.  He looks at his watch and frowns.  “Elder, I must leave.”

            Cologne nods.  “Of course.  We must keep up appearances.”

            The news people gathered at the government building are in awe as the Battousai jumps to the top of a four story building and bounds away.  One person in the crowd, however, smiles as he watches the Battousai leave.  (“Soon Battousai.  Soon I will see if you are worthy of the name you bear.”)

 

            Ranma lets out a sign of relief as he enters the classroom just before the bell rings.  (“Next time I’m not cutting this close.  It wouldn’t do to be late on my second day.”)  The frown he wears become more defined as the class continues on.  There are eyes upon him, far too many eyes for his liking.  He tries to tune out the voices he is picking up.  But one voice comes in above all the others.

            “He’d never like a freak like me,” It says.

            Ranma looks out of the corner of his eyes.  The voice is that of the young girl next to him.  (“Freak?  Hardly.”)  Ranma thinks, as he looks the girl over.  (“Poor girl has no self-confidence.  Maybe I should help her out.”)

 

            Hotaru tries her best to hurry out of school.  She makes it out of the courtyard without anyone stopping her.  She tries to draw the least amount of attention to herself as she can.  But she is doomed to failure.  “Look it’s the freak,” A voice in front of her says.  Some laughter joined the first voice after a second.  Hotaru looks up.  It is a group of five boys from her junior high school.  They always liked to pick on her.  Mako had convinced them to stop.  But she isn’t around now.

            “Looks like your friend isn’t here to save you this time,” One of the boys says as he cracks his knuckles.

            “Now we’ll pay ya back,” Another one says.  The other two nod and advance on her.

            (“There’s no one around,”) She thinks.  These boys are going to beat her up, and there’s nothing she can do about it.  That’s not entirely true.  She could do something about it but transforming into Sailor Saturn is out of the question.  With a whimper of fear Hotaru falls to the ground and prepares herself for a beating.

            A beating that never came.  “Hey!”  A voice yelled out.  Everyone’s head turns to the voice.

            (“Hiko Seijo?”) Hotaru thinks.

            “What da ya think you’re doin?”  He asks.  There is only a hint of anger in his voice.

            “What’s it look like we’re doin?  We’re goin show this freak who’s the boss!”  One of the boys points to Hotaru.

            Ranma looks to Hotaru.  (“She scared.  Guess she would be.”)  He turns back to the boys and smirks.  “Funny, I thought you guys were the freaks.”

            “Nani?”

            “You heard me.  You’re the freaks.  Actually I can’t call you freaks.  That would be insulting ta freaks.”

            The boys become even more irritated and the smirk on Ranma’s face becomes more defined.  “You little…”

            Ranma waves a finger at the boys and says, “Sticks and stones…sticks and stones.”

            “That’s it!  Lets get this asshole!”

            (“I’d better take it easy on them.”)

 

            Seconds later

            “Here ya go.”  Ranma says as he offers Hotaru a hand.

            Hotaru nods and takes his hand.  Her body moves on its own.  Her mind is lost somewhere in the sea of blue that is her savior’s eyes.  “Ari…Arigatou,” She mumbles.

            “Hmm?”  It takes a second for her words to register in her mind.  “No problem.  I couldn’t let ‘em hurt a cute girl like you.”

            Hotaru immediately blushes.  (“Cute?”)

            Ranma takes a step back.  (“Oh no.”)

            Hotaru regains enough composure to bow and introduce herself.  “I’m Tomoe Hotaru.”

            “I’m Sao…Hiko Seijo.”

            If Hotaru caught the slip she does not show it.  “I’d better get going,” She says.

            “I’ll walk ya home.  Don’t want anybody messin with ya.”  He points to the five guys laying on the ground.

            “Arigatou.”

 

            “So why were those jerks messing with ya?”  Ranma asks.

            “Ummm…” Hotaru thinks for a second.  (“Should I tell him?”) Finally she decides to be truthful.  “I…I have an ability.”

            “An ability?”  Ranma asks.  “Could ya be a bit more specific?”

            “I can heal people.”  She looks at Ranma.  (“This is it.  This is when he calls me a freak and tells me to never speak to him again.”)

            Ranma raises an eyebrow.  “That’s it?”  He asks.  Hotaru nods.  “What a bunch a idiots.”

            “Huh?”

            “I wish I could do that.”

            “You don’t think I’m a freak?”

            “Should I?”  He asks.  Ranma smiles down at Hotaru.  “You’ve got a gift.  You can help people with it.  You ain’t no freak.”

            Hotaru is shocked.  “Arigatou.”

            Ranma stops.  “Ya don’t have ta thank me.  I’m just tellin’ ya the truth.  ‘Sides, we’re friends, right?”

            (“Friends.”)  Hotaru nods happily.  “Hai!”

 

            Setsuna frowns as she looks down out of her home.  She eyes Hotaru and Ranma.  (“Who is this boy?  Hotaru wasn’t not supposed to be involved with anyone until much later in life.”)