Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and it's characters are the product and property of rumiko takahashi and viz video.

 

 

The Juuban Incident

Chapter Three

By Michael Fetter

 

 

      "Excuse me?"

      Akane turned as someone tapped her shoulder. Around here she could expect it was some pervert boy. They really irritated her. Why couldn't they be more like Toufuu-sensei or her cousin Mam- no not her cousin; he was turning into a pervert now too.

      Ryouga blinked as a fist caught him straight in the face and sent him stumbling back a few feet. He touched his sore nose gingerly, wincing slightly. "Wub u du dat vor?"

      Akane had to blink as she saw the boy stumble but remain standing. No one ever stood one of her blows before. He might be very dangerous. "Because you're a pervert boy! Now leave me alone!"

      Blinking a few times, Ryouga tested his nose again and started to adjust his pack, a three hundred pound pack, on his shoulders.

      "Don't mind her too much. She's just a little violent." Nabiki smirked, sidling up beside the new boy, assessing his potential as a new client. If he was interested, she still had a few extra shots of Akane to unload.

      "Uh, ok." Ryouga felt a little nervous with the new girl so close. His face was feeling a little red as she looked him over, like someone looking over a slab of beef. "Can you tell me how to get to Furinkan High?"

      Nabiki arched her eyebrow. He looked genuinely lost and that confused her more. Without charging, she pointed to the sign outside the school courtyard they were in. Students passed, staring at them, on their way out. She saw Akane walking down the street with a couple of her friends.

      Ryouga colored more. "Do you know where I can find Ranma Saotome?"

      "Family?"

      He shook his head.

      "Friend?"

      Again no.

      "Boyfriend?"

      Ryouga's eye was beginning to twitch.

      "Rival?"

      "Yes." Ryouga finally answered, veins appearing on his arms as he strained large hands into fists. "I'm going to make Ranma pay for the hell I've seen."

      Nodding, Nabiki looked the boy over again. "What's your name?"

      "Uh, Ryouga Hibiki." They stood there in silence as Nabiki continued to stare. Ryouga finally couldn't take it anymore. "Are you going to tell me where Ranma is or not?!"

      "Do you glow?"

      That wasn't quite what he was expecting. Does he glow? "I caught fire once and I walked through a nuclear reactor on accident, but it shouldn't have been in the middle of Kyoto anyway. But what does that-"

      "Alright." Nabiki held out her hand.

      Ryouga stared at her stupidly then slowly put his hand on hers.

      Rolling her eyes, Nabiki pulled away and wiped her hand on a handkerchief. "You must be new to this. I can tell you where Ranma is, but it'll cost you."

      "Cost me?" His gaze narrowed. "How much?"

      "Just a thousand yen, and that's at discount."

      Frowning, Ryouga considered the girl before him. On the one hand he didn't have much money, but on the other he really wanted to get his revenge. Sighing, he went for his wallet and handed over the money. "Where is he?"

      "Juuban." Nabiki smirked, placing the money in her pocket.

      Nodding, Ryouga headed off again. Not knowing where he was going really didn't bother Ryouga much since he usually ended up where he was heading . . eventually.

      Smirking at another deal, Nabiki started home for school and those delicious chocolate chip cookies Kasumi would no doubt be pulling out of the oven about n-Did he say 'he'?

      Nabiki paused in midstride to search for the fanged boy. "That's the second person to call Ranma a boy." Another person might dismiss it as a nickname, coincidence, or the fact that Ranma was a tomboy, but Nabiki wasn't just another person and she didn't believe in coincidences unless she was a hundred percent sure. Smirking again, Nabiki continued for home, plans already in the works. She had some time since the boy had gone off in the wrong direction. "This might be profitable."

 

~

 

      The door to Mamoru's apartment opened and he walked in, backpack over one shoulder and a bag in his hand. Ranma followed with her own bag and a uniform hung on a hanger. It was the Juuban High uniform, an ugly blue and white sailor uniform parody. She hadn't stopped gagging at the sight since she had to pick it up in the mall. The only reason she'd taken it at all was the fact that Mamoru was buying and the school required it.

      "I'll clear out some space in my closet and dresser so you can put your things away. It'll be for a short while anyway until we get this engagement thing cleared up." Mamoru dropped his keys on a table beside his door and removed his shoes.

      Ranma continued to follow silently. She wasn't sure whether she should be depressed over the uniform or angry because all of her new clothing were just as feminine. At least she'd gotten new underwear and sports bras; her old ones were falling apart and that felt unpleasant and it was nice to be free of having to wear the chest binder. "Thanks." She finally muttered.

      It was hours until dinner. After shopping and putting away her new clothing, which she detested a little less now that she was in something fresh and whole, Ranma paced around the apartment looking at all the little things Mamoru had for decoration.

      There were two couches, one full and the other a corner, made of beige cloth and stuffed with foam. The coffee table between them and the TV was some kind of substandard oak that looked especially brittle to Ranma. And the whole apartment except the kitchen and bathroom was carpeted, which was rather pleasant on Ranma's callused feet. The little spring and the way it wiggled between her toes made her think it was more comfortable than that beat up couch. She still ached a bit from having a wood backer pressed into her side; it wasn't made for sleeping on.

      The kitchen was not loaded with things like it was in her dreams, but there were pots, pans, knives, and other such things set in their place on the counters or on hooks. A window over the sink had a variety of plants, some that grew herbs and others that did not. A glass ball, about an inch in diameter, was cut in such a way to fill the area with rainbows on sunny days. The refrigerator, this still depressed her since breakfast, was woefully under-stocked with only the bare essentials; bread, sodas, vegetables, fruits, meats, milk, butter, all types of condiments, a few cartons of ice cream, and a box of half eaten pizza. Simply not enough to make more than ten helpings for one sitting; Ranma could almost cry.

      Growing bored and running out of things to explore, Ranma walked into Mamoru's room where he was hunched over a desk taking notes out of some book. She went to his dresser and found a group of pictures. They were of the girls Mamoru had introduced her to this morning. They were always smiling, a thing that irked Ranma slightly. The blonde with odangos was in a frame of her own; significant enough to make Ranma look between Mamoru and the picture with suspicion.

      A box was also on the dresser. Ranma opened that next and found four crystals neatly tucked away. She felt something then like a pull at her chest. Concentrating for a moment she could hear piteous moans. The box snapped shut as Ranma felt a sadness grow within her upon hearing the crystals' cries.

      Across the room, Mamoru looked up at the closing of the box to watch her silently. Ranma saw it, but pretended not to care. If he wanted to make something out of it then let him.

      She padded softly to the nightstand beside his bed and found another picture of Usagi beside the alarm clock and lamp. Ranma picked this one up to study the girl's face. She had a nice, friendly smile. Her eyes were glittering in the picture and her hair was catching the sun just so that her body seemed shrouded in a light like an angel. The frame was surrounded in gold with a string of vines and roses. The picture was set back down carefully.

      Mamoru went back to his studies as she continued to roam around the room, ending up behind him at the desk. Over his shoulder she could see a biology book opened up with pictures of some frogs not native to Japan. "I've seen those." Ranma pointed to a pair of pictures.

      Mamoru jumped slightly in his seat, scratching a line over his notes with the pen. Ranma was still pointing so he looked. The frogs were something found solely in the Quinghai province of China. He recalled Uncle say Ranma and her father had recently returned from China after some training. "You didn't touch them did you?"

      "No."

      "That's good. They're toxic." So much for that explanation of Ranma's rather arrogant and stand-offish behavior.

      When no more was forth-coming, Ranma left the room. Another hour passed before she wound up in Mamoru's bedroom again, she skipped the box on his dresser this time. After a moment she sat down on the bed and waited.

      Mamoru had moved on to some of his math books by the time Ranma had returned. He didn't watch her this time. Avoiding conflicts with Ranma seemed to require avoiding Ranma all-together. The trip to the mall wouldn't be what he considered fun. Going to the mall wasn't fun usually, but at least on the other occasions he had been with Usagi and the others. Ranma had argued over everything but the underwear. He couldn't understand what was so wrong with getting a proper uniform. It wasn't that hard for other girls. Heck, Makato used to be a bruiser herself and even she didn't mind uniforms. It was like Ranma didn't accept the fact that she was a girl. Almost.

      Actually, now that he thought about it, it was like Ranma was very aware that she was a girl and it was pissing her off. Might be from spending ten years with just her father, Mamoru thought.

      The end of his pen was beginning to tap the desk nervously. Mamoru was staring down at the text of his calculus book, the words blurring together in his distracted state. Two dots on his back were burning in places where he imagined Ranma to be staring. She was staring, he just knew it, but didn't want to turn around and confront her. What would he say? Get out? Stop glaring at me?

      "Uh." He still stared at the desk though he was sure Ranma was listening. "So, uh, what's up?"

      There was a long pause where Mamoru started to get a little more nervous. Ranma might have left for as silently as she walked. But the uncomfortable feeling he had of something dangerous being close by wasn't disappearing any.

      "I'm bored." Ranma-chan stated. She was sitting on the bed with her legs crossed, hands on her knees.

      "There is a TV in the living room." He stated turning around to get a look at where Ranma was. "There's probably a cartoon on."

      Ranma's frown deepened. Her eyes narrowed as Mamoru spoke.

      "And other things." He swallowed and tried not to look at the balled up fists. She was not intimidating, per say, but if you'd seen her take on the Scouts and then his Uncle, Ranma became rather frightening in her own right.

      "Maybe you made some friends at school that you'd like to get together with?"

      "No friends."

      "How about your homework? Shouldn't you do that?"

      "No homework."

      This, of course, was a lie. There had to be homework since Ranma had missed so much school on her training trip. That didn't mean she would do it, however.

      The bell rang.

      "I'll get that!" Mamoru rushed out of the room in the direction of the door. He sighed once he made it there and tried to forget the tingling feeling he'd gotten from being next to Ranma. They weren't shivers of fright and that seemed to scare him more.

      The door opened and Ami stood there.

      "Ami?" Mamoru looked surprised. She'd never come to visit him before, at least not without someone else, and then she had called ahead.

      "Hi, Mamoru. It's not too late is it?" Ami asked politely as she was admitted into the apartment.

      "No, always glad to see one of you girls." He smiled charmingly and led Ami to the kitchen to fix her a drink. They passed Ranma on the way who continued to glare. Barely a whisper, but Mamoru was certain he heard her call him a pervert.

      Ami was startled by Ranma's presence and tried unsuccessfully to not watch her. Ranma did very much intimidate Ami. After fighting so many Negaverse creeps, who were mainly women, Ami knew very well how dangerous girls can be. That added with the fact Ranma had fairly wiped the floor with the other Scouts during school and had no problems doing it made her very nervous. That was partly why she was here now, being the only one not nursing an injury. Ami also wanted a chance to study Ranma close up.

      "So what brings you over here, Ami?"

      Ami jerked her head back around as Mamoru spoke. He handed her a cup of tea, which she accepted with a slightly shaking hand. "Thank you." Ami took a long sip, eventually draining the cup, before she looked up again. She was startled to see Ranma standing beside her without ever making a sound. "Eep."

      Ranma's hand blurred, or seemed to, and came back with the cup before it hit the floor. Looking at Ami a moment longer, Ranma turned away and placed the cup near the sink to be washed later.

      Mamoru had been silent the whole time, watching some silent conflict. Something had happened during school, but wasn't sure what. "Ami?" He shook the motionless girl.

      "Huh?!" Ami looked at him again, blushing as she realized she'd forgotten he was there. "Sorry. I, uh, actually came over to see Ranma."

      "Well, uh . . ." He watched the redhead leave the room. "Are you sure, Ami-chan?"

      Ami would've been touched by Mamoru's concern. They both knew how dangerous Ranma was since she did not have to transform to become powerful. She and Mamoru had been the first to suspect Ranma being Saturn, an idea that chilled them to the bone. Swallowing, Ami patted Mamoru's arm and set to follow Ranma. "I'll call if I need you." She really hoped there wouldn't be a need.

 

~

 

      Ranma didn't like this. None of these people felt right to her. Ever since she'd arrived at the Tendou's yesterday, Ranma had this strange feeling within her, like there was something she should know, but didn't.

      At first she'd been afraid that this body was reacting to a boy. It had never happened until meeting Mamoru and that had made her mad. She was not going to fall in love with a boy no matter what this body said. She was a guy, was a guy, and she would be again.

      Then there had been the girls at school. Usagi, Minako, Makato, Raye, and Ami, they had made her feel the same, which meant it was not love the body was trying to tell her. It was a warning. This was verified on the soccer field and throughout the day as she saw them watching her. Ranma had remained on alert since then, gauging their skill, strength, speed, and intentions. They turned out to be pushovers, but what if they were just faking it during school? Was that why Ami was here now?

      Someone followed her into the living room. By the sound, it was not Mamoru. Ranma tensed more, turning to watch Ami carefully. The girl had blue hair like Akane's, but it was short and styled to curl inwards. The dress she wore was blue and white like the school uniform, but more comfortable. She still had her book bag, Ranma noted.

      "H-Hi, I'm Ami." She put out her hand while kicking herself internally for showing fear. Ranma was a few inches shorter and had the same red hair Naru had. A little jealousy wormed into her as she realized Ranma had Makato's figure on a petite frame with Minako like face. No wonder those boys had been staring.

      Ranma stared at the hand then back up at Ami. Crossing her arms, Ranma let the girl know she wasn't trusted or liked.

      "Uh, right." Ami dropped her hand and fidgeted under Ranma's glare. "You're probably a little defensive with me here since my friends tried to, uh, well, you know . ."

      Ranma continued to glare.

      "I came over to apologize for them. They really shouldn't have . ." She wilted further under Ranma. "Well, maybe I should've tried to help you out too . . Sorry."

      The tingling remained, growing stronger as Ami stepped closer. She would've believed and even forgiven the girl if it wasn't for that sensation.

      "I thought maybe I could help you out now?" Ami tried. "I heard that you've missed a lot of school over the past ten years."

      As Ami continued to speak, Ranma tried to figure out the connection between all these people. Why would she feel the same around Mamoru as she did with the five girls at school? They were all friends apparently so maybe they were a part of some team. Ranma laughed at that. Mamoru and a couple of these girls were complete pushovers. There was no way they were powerful enemies. Ranma had gotten a worse sense of dread off of that middle Tendou, Nabiki.

      Still, they could be faking it. And if they were, how strong were they really? Ranma should've been able to get even a small sense of it through unconscious gestures like movement, walking, running, and falling. If they could hide behind a guise this well then they must be true masters of the Art. Her father had told her with enough skill someone could control every aspect of their body. What power that was.

 

~

 

      "She is our next target."

      "Yes, mistress." A large woman, eight feet tall with dark blue skin, bowed to her master.

      The woman smirked at her minion. It was a very nice creation; melding a woman with a shark. A row of razor sharp teeth would gleam in the sun as she smiled. The shark-woman smiled a lot.

      "Bring me the pure heart crystal."

      "At once, mistress."

 

~

 

      Back outside the apartment, Ami breathed a sigh of relief and looked back at Mamoru with a little pity.

      "Seeya later, Ami." Mamoru put on a smile, but she could tell he was pretty upset. A vein was beginning to show on his forehead.

      Ami bowed and started down the apartment complex stairs. The more distance she could place between herself and that . . girl the better. Coming over today, Ami had a little hope that Ranma wasn't really as bad as everyone thought. She would even be a rather cute girl if she dressed a little better and didn't glare at everyone.

      Ranma hadn't done much but glare at Ami while she was there. Ami tried to become friendly but the most she got was a rather nasty laugh after her offer of help. It was the eyes that really did it for Ami. There was pain, anger, determination, and just a little bit of loneliness. Ami wouldn't give up completely. The others had to know for certain who's side Ranma was on.

      She began to descend the stairs in contemplation over what she had learned in the past half hour. Her mercury computer had been left on and recording the whole time to get a glimpse of Ranma's power. There wasn't much data. Ranma must be able to hide her powers like she and the other Scouts could. Maybe the energy she displayed on their first encounter wasn't Ranma's limit. The idea disturbed Ami greatly. If Ranma was the enemy and her power was large enough, and combined with the martial arts skill displayed earlier, Ranma could very well be a deadly enemy.

      The front door of the building closed behind her as Ami left. The streets were busy with people returning home from work. She'd walked from home because it was not so far. Ami lived in a residential area only four or five blocks to the west, nearer the school.

      "Get out of the way, BAKA!"

      Ami turned sharply to stare back at Mamoru's apartment window. She'd heard Ranma's voice and it sounded very angry. "Please don't be Saturn. Please don't be Saturn." Ami prayed softly and started heading back for the building.

      "Ranma don't!" The window shattered and a body tumbled out of it, thrown over the fire escape and arcing into the sky. Ami caught her breath as she realized it was Mamoru and he didn't look conscious. He was going to fall onto the paved street and die and there was nothing she could do, but watch.

      "If I change he'll hit the ground before the transformation is finished. If I don't then there is no way for me to catch him, let alone run the distance." Logic didn't always work. Ami dropped her bags and began to run for Mamoru. At the same time she pressed an emergency beeper on her communicator and called out her henshin pen. Usagi always told her to never give up hope.

 

~

 

      Mamoru closed the door to his apartment and frowned. He could still see the fear and confusion in Ami's eyes. How could Ranma be so cold? She wasn't so bad with his cousins. Something bad must have happened at school to get such a reaction from a girl. Aren't they all supposed to be sweet like the Scouts?

      "Feh." Ranma snorted and stared out the window of the apartment. There was a park with a small lake across the street. The light as fading, dropping shadows over the area. "Don't look at me like that. She had it coming, along with the rest of them."

      "What ever they did, I'm sure Ami didn't deserve to be treated like that." Mamoru stated gruffly as he watched Ranma. Maybe she was Saturn and maybe she wasn't, but she should at least know manners. How could someone with such an attitude be considered worthy of the power of Saturn? "I think you should apologize to her. They're not bad people. Usagi usually makes friends with everybody."

      "Isn't that just cute." Ranma turned to glare at Mamoru, her eyes burning with a blue light. "You really are a pervert like the rest of them."

      Mamoru blinked and took a step back. "Uh, what do you mean?"

      "I can't believe you." Ranma began to rage. "Usagi's got to be at least a year younger than me."

      "But you're both in the same grade." Mamoru interjected. Uncle never did tell him how old Ranma was. If she was in the same grade as Usagi and the rest he'd assumed she was fifteen or so.

      "I was held back you moron! I've been on the road for ten years and ya think I got an education?!"

      "Oh, yeah." He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "I thought you looked a little more . . mature."

      Ranma's face turned an unhealthy red as she balled up her fists. "I can't believe I'm being forced to marry, let alone live with, such a pervert! Why don't you just hang out in a nursery ya damned cradle robber!"

      "I am not a pervert!" Mamoru screamed back. "Weren't you listening to me?! I'm not like that!"

      "You're all like that!" She began to advance, dark thoughts of pounding the boy into the ground with her fists making her smile. "Everyone keeps saying what a great guy ya are, but if that's true I'm glad I'm not one anymore!"

      "Huh?" Was Mamoru's only word before Ranma charged with her fists ready to do some damage.

      The door exploded behind them sending pieces of wood flying into the apartment and knocking Mamoru over, pinning Ranma to the ground. "Did I come at a bad time?"

      Mamoru glanced over his shoulder and cursed. It was a daemon. This one, a woman with dark skin, had a body that resembled a shark. Slanted eyes, sharp rows of teeth, and fins along her back and arms made her look dangerous. He'd have to change and fight her, but why was a daemon here anyway? It should up just as Ranma was getting angry. That made two times now that a creature like this appeared along with an angry redhead. If the reports he heard were true, than another incident with a redhead occurred last night and resulted in the death of a pianist after her heart crystal was taken.

      "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Ranma shouted in his ear.

      Mamoru reeled, sitting up on her stomach. He realized after a moment that he was bracing a hand against something rather big and soft. Swallowing, he looked back down to see his hand on Ranma's breast. She looked awful mad, he thought with a look of depression.

      "Hentai!" Ranma brought both of her fists against Mamoru's stomach, knocking him off of her and into the weird creature that had knocked down the door. The perfect victim to let her anger out on.

      "You just made a big mistake little girl." The shark-woman declared, knocking the dazed boy out of her way. "Because of your focus on the Art you are a perfect candidate for a pure heart crystal and I, Tigress Shark, shall take it from you!"

      "Nice speech." Ranma smirked and jumped to the woman's head level before leveling her punches. "Can it block my fists?"

      Tigress Shark slammed against the wall across the hall. Ranma's hits had broken a few teeth along with bruising the blue face. She growled and pulled herself out of the rubble.

      On her way to the door, Ranma noticed Mamoru dazedly trying to stand and pitched him further into the apartment so he wouldn't be hurt on accident.

 

~

 

      "Oof!" TVs were not soft, Mamoru discovered. He was getting very tired of being tossed about like a rag doll. He needed to change into Tuxedo Mask before Ranma got hurt.

      He was a little late.

      As the daemon came rushing back into the room, Ranma was knocked back into the wall, shattering a few picture frames and crumbling the wall plaster. She rolled away quickly as Tigress Shark came rushing in with claws extended, ready to steal Ranma's heart crystal.

      Mamoru found his feet if for nothing else than to stop the destruction of his apartment. Ranma was avoiding the daemon for now, leaping about the creature's swipes. Unfortunately they were also blocking his path to the hallway or somewhere to change unnoticed. Blows continued to be exchanged, Ranma was tossed about the apartment, breaking most of the things around the room. It was surprising still to see such a little girl take such punishment and come back for more. Things like this were expected from Makato or the Outers, but Ranma, she looked like a cute little girl even with her face all screwed up in a scowl.

      His chance finally came in a way he hadn't expected. Tigress Shark finally cornered Ranma well enough to land a few blows before pounding her against the wall. Ranma hung there, dazed, for a second as she shook away the head blow. As she came too, she found the daemon smiling at her and a glow warming her torso. It was the strangest thing she'd ever felt. Not a ripping of her chest, but like a gentle pull that was slowly losing the bonds holding it back.

      Confused, she looked down to see a place just over her heart with a door of white appearing above it. That was all the time she noticed something else. If not for the involuntary reaction, she might not have saved her heart crystal from the daemon.

      "PERVERT!" She screamed and her blue, angry aura swarmed about her body, pulling the crystal back into place. Tigress Shark was so startled she didn't see the two small fists descending quickly upon her head.

      "AARRGGGHHH!" Tigress Shark howled in pain, dropping her grip and falling back a few steps. Her hands were placed over the empty socket her eye had been. She continued to thrash about, spilling her ichor onto the ground and running into the last of intact furniture.

      "Go on, you idiot!" Ranma bellowed, standing sentinel over the creature. "Get out of here before you get hurt."

      Mamoru nodded and started to stagger off when he noticed Ranma watching him. She seemed wary even of him. Whatever it was, she was not watching the daemon who had gone silent.

      He moved as quickly as he could. Mamoru wasn't sure what the daemon could do, but it looked positive the next attack would take care of Ranma. There wasn't enough time to call out a warning; the creature was already jumping to her feet, gaping its mouth wide to display a somewhat incomplete set of sharp teeth. Ranma swiveled back around as she sensed the danger, but it would be too late to bring up any kind of defense.

      The two tumbled onto the ground, Mamoru catching a bit of the water blast on his back, cutting a small gash across the shoulder blades. He winced in pain, but tried to keep Ranma's little body beneath his and handle whatever else would be sent their way. Mamoru knew that he would have to change in front of Ranma if they were going to survive now. Here's to hoping Ranma is on our side, Mamoru thought.

      "Get out of the way, BAKA!"

      He was startled to see himself once again being tossed about the apartment.

      Ranma snorted in disgust as she tossed the boy out of the way again. He was really beginning to get annoying. What the hell was that about anyway? Mamoru was to weak to pretend he could even protect her!

      "C'mon, ya freak!" Ranma flipped back to her feet, the blue aura surrounding her protectively. "Show me whatcha got fishlips!"

      "It will be your funeral!" Tigress Shark called back and launched another of her attacks.

      Mamoru realized too late what was happening as he pulled himself back up with the window sill. Ranma stood between him and the daemon, the heat of her power washing over his face like an oven. He turned to the conflict and held up his hands. "Ranma, don't!"

      The water pressure took a few seconds to finally knock Ranma off her feet. She sailed swiftly in Mamoru's direction; he felt the window shatter as he was knocked through it, hitting his head against the top.

 

~

 

      Ranma realized her mistake too late as she felt Mamoru fall through the window after being hit. Unfortunately, the water attack was not over and she too was being knocked out.

      It was her smaller size that kept her from being knocked out by the low metal rung of the fire escape. Gasping and reacting quickly, she reached out for the railing and forced herself to hold on. Her chest smacked into the metal bars, it was painful but she held on. But where was Mamoru? Doesn't he have any martial arts skills?

      A quick glance over her shoulder showed her the boy falling to the ground, unconscious.

      "Oh, shit." Moving quickly, Ranma swung her legs upward to press against the railing she was holding onto to get a good push.

      The wind wrapped around her like the arms of an unseen mother. Ranma streamlined herself to build more speed and could see herself gaining on Mamoru already. It wasn't fast enough though. The ground would reach him before she could and in his condition that would be it. He was a pain, but she didn't want to see him dead.

      "Get back here you stupid baka!" she screamed, the blue aura returning to her and offering a bit more push. Unexpected, but Ranma wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. Her speed increased and she was grappling Mamoru about the waist ten feet from touch down. The only problem now was losing some of this momentum.

      "Hang on!" Mamoru was still unconscious, but she felt better saying it, preparing herself mentally for the tuck. She'd never done anything like this with a body in her arms, or in a girl's body for that matter.

      The moment her feet touched she was already tucking herself into a roll. The road tore at the back of her shirt and pressed jagged rocks into the skin, but it was a whole lot better than what she'd imagined. The momentum wasn't cut off completely and Ranma ended up doing a flip when she returned to her feet.

      Out of the road and staring back up at the sixth floor apartment she'd just fallen from, Ranma took a moment to praise her father's training and call it one less that he owed her.

      "Ranma!" Mercury came rushing up to meet her, dressed in the fuku and blue visor. "Are you alright?"

      Ranma blinked in surprise. Where had she come from?

      The last of the window shattered as the daemon jumped out. It cleared the street and would land within the park.

      Ranma growled and tossed Mamoru over to the blue-haired girl. "Take care of him. The daemon is mine."

 

~

 

      "Mercury, what happened?"

      The rest arrived a minute later. Bruises from school healed as they transformed and adrenaline kicked in. Moon was the first at Mamoru's side. He was not hurt badly, not even bleeding, but it would take a few minutes for him to recover enough to call on his own transformation.

      The rest were looking about the area for signs of danger while they stood guard over their friends.

      "Don't worry. Mamoru is okay. He and Ranma were attacked by a daemon." Mercury answered quickly.

      "Did they kill it?" Jupiter asked hopefully.

      Mercury shook her head and pointed off into the park. "No, Ranma went to fight it herself."

      "We should go make sure she is alright. Ranma wasn't strong enough to deal with the rouge youma before and a daemon is a whole other thing." Moon stated firmly. She hated going to battle, but after going through a long battle with Beryl and the generals, she had gotten used to her new role as savior. Having a reason to need to fight just helped cement her intentions.

      "She wasn't strong enough before." Mercury agreed cryptically.

      Venus asked with some hesitation. "What does that mean?"

      "My visor picked up a stronger signal this time."

      Moon sighed and looked to the park. If Ranma wasn't Saturn they might have a new enemy to worry about and having her gaining strength like this was not easing her mind any. She made a last glance to Mamoru; he would be okay for now, she told herself. "Thanks for the warning. Now lets go."

      "Right." The rest shouted and charged into the park after their leader.

      They came to a stop on the outside of a battlefield. There were craters and deep rivets in the ground. Somehow Ranma and the daemon had made it to the water where the fight was continuing. Ranma's speed and agility were awe-inspiring even in the lake. The redhead would plant her feet or hands on the shark-daemon and take to the air, throwing a volley of attacks as she dodged spouts of water from the daemon's mouth. "Wow, she's not bad." Moon commented.

      Venus agreed. "Ranma must be a true master of the Art."

      "It doesn't matter what she is. She is still going to lose." Mercury watched the fight carefully and then the data scrolling across the blue visor.

      "Are you sure, Mercury?" Venus asked skeptically. "Ranma looks okay to me."

      "No, Mercury is right." Jupiter insisted. "Ranma is good, but she's not doing enough damage. She'll run out of energy then the daemon will make a meal out of her."

      "That could be fun to watch." Mars smirked and almost set herself down on the grassy hill to get comfortable.

      Moon scowled. "Quit it Mars. This isn't high school. Someone's life is at stake."

      Waving away the glare, Mars tightened her fists. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go get the little tramp."

      As they made there way down, something caused Ranma to look in their direction and miss dodging Tigress Sharks tail fin swipe. Ranma took the hit full on her stomach and was launched across the lake and into the surrounding trees.

      Moon was already attempting an attack; it only succeeded in driving the daemon back into the water to dodge. "Venus, did you see what happened to Ranma?!"

      "No! I lost her in the trees!" Venus yelled back, jerking to the side as a shot of water barely missed cutting through her arm.

      On the outskirts of the battle, Moon could see two familiar feline figures arriving to observe the fight. "Artemis! Luna! Check on Ranma, will you?" Moon pointed in the direction she thought the redhead had been hit.

      The two moon cats nodded and rushed off.

 

~

 

      The two cats ran into the trees surrounding the lake and found the redhead some ten meters in. The tree she had hit was split, leaving only enough to support her unconscious body.

      Luna look at Artemis with a worried glance before nodding to the branches. Artemis nodded and climbed. If there was trouble, he would jump in and attack, to distract the redhead from Luna's escape.

      In front of the girl now, Luna considered how she should be woken up. Affecting a good cat sigh, she climbed up the girl's torso to lick her face. If she were in Usagi's bedroom she might hit the alarm or yell, but they still weren't certain about this girl.

      Ranma dazedly woke against the tree. Something was licking her face with a raspy little tongue. She tried to fight back the fear considering her position in this fight already. The fuku girls were out there fighting the daemon and she was in no condition to deal with them again.

      Inspiration struck in a most terrifying way as the cat continued to lick her face. Eyes closed, and teeth set, Ranma reached out and grabbed the little, furry, purring, sharp-clawed, big teeth, with beady little eyes . . "CAT!"

      "meow?"

      "CAT! CAT! CAT! CAT!" she continued to scream shrilly while somehow holding on to the little black cat with a moon shaped mark on her forehead.

      "Meow?" Another, a white one with the same mark on its forehead, came hopping out of the trees to land at Ranma-chan's feet. She went from screaming cat to simply screaming.

 

~

 

      After the cats had gone in search of Ranma, Tuxedo Mask arrived to aid in there fight.

      The daemon didn't look particularly tough, but it was fast. Being in its element, Tigress Shark could speedily avoid everything by diving back down into the water and coming up with another of her high water pressure attack.

      They could see that this was going to take a while.

      Another spray of water came there way and the group dodged, Moon with her own sense of flair knocked over Mars, but remained unharmed.

      Twisting from her parry, Venus brought her hands together.

      The Venus Crescent V Smash missed as Venus herself was startled into dropping her hands and dropping for cover as an ungodly scream of pain tore across the park.

      "What is that?" Venus asked as she set up another of her attacks.

      "Oh no." Moon put a hand over her mouth. "What if there was another daemon?! Ranma might be in real trouble!"

      Mars bit back the snide remarks and tried to show some concern for the redhead. It wasn't easy. "I'll go check on her if you thi-"

      "Uh, Mars." Mercury cut in as another list of data scrolled across her visor.

      "Huh?"

      Mercury and the rest turned at the sound of a guttural growling that sounded slightly off for a real cat. The group blinked as one.

      Ranma stood beside the trees, standing on all fours, her back arched, and she hissed. A soft blue over her 'paws' and feet indicated where a real cat might have claws. The anger in her eyes was enough to give even the daemon pause.

      The pause was all Ranma needed.

      One moment Ranma was at the trees and the next she was attacking Tigress Shark from above. Both combatants growled and began to exchange blows at a furious pace, all the while falling back into the lake.

      As they hit, the water rippled for a minute until it finally returned to its usual placid state.

      Moon tiptoed to the lake and tried to peer within its depths. "It's quiet. Too quiet."

      Others groaned.

      The water suddenly burst open before a redhead with a mouth full of daemon. Ranma landed on the ground beside the Sailor Scouts with the head of Tigress Shark in her mouth. A green-black ichor ran down Ranma's face and arms, pouring down the severed neck of the daemon. It had the look of surprise on its face.

      Venus was looking a bit green herself. "I think I'm going to be sick."

      The head disappeared behind a cloud of smoke then. Pooling into dust at the redhead's feet. Ranma coughed and hacked as she caught some of the foulness in her mouth.

      The group watched Ranma shake away the effects and begin to clean herself. A disgusting job if Ranma's face was anyway to judge it. When she was done, Ranma sat and stared at the group, cocking her head one way and then the other.

      Moon swallowed and took a step forward, crouching to the ground, looking all the world like a frightened mouse. "Uh, here kitty-kitty." She keened, putting a hand out in a friendly gesture.

      "Sailor Moon, what are you doing?" Venus asked, slightly horrified by the position her princess was placing herself in.

      Answering softly, in a sing-song voice, Moon did not look away from Ranma who bobbed her head and sniffed the air. "Making friends with the dangerous, insane martial artist."

      Venus considered the response, then the brutal way Ranma had destroyed the daemon and felt sick all over again. "Oh, good idea."

 

~

 

      She hissed again. There were strange feelings coming from the group of girls and the boy. Neko-Ranma didn't know what it meant. A tug towards the one with two long, blonde odangos was becoming more insistent the closer she came to Ranma.

      They were not dangerous, at least not at the moment, but they had been fighting before. Why did they want to play nice now? Were they trying to trick her maybe?

      Neko-Ranma sniffed the air for foul intent, but the soft, pleasant voice and concerned eyes were all she found. The blonde's hand was much closer now. She could feel the pull. It was not painful or a sign of danger, but it was still insistent, like they were meant to be together. Neko-Ranma considered the group before her. Could they be her pack? Was that what the feeling she had?

      The hand brushed her cheek and Ranma rubbed her head into the palm, memorizing the scent. It was just a touch, but she felt warm, in the right place. Happy, Neko-Ranma smoothed her side out against the serene girl's thigh, purring contentedly as she felt a hand continue to rub her hair.

      The group made sounds. Neko-Ranma watched three fall into a heated argument. The blonde argued with a the angry one in red. The male tried to calm them, but they did not stop. The blue one squeaked out a small statement that had the others nod.

      Neko-Ranma looked up to the blonde with a question in her eyes. Why did the blonde look even more concerned and reluctant? Was she being turned away?

      The blonde stepped away and began to focus. Neko-Ranma almost felt the need to run as energy began to build within the girl, but it was still calm, peaceful. She moved fast, removing an object from nowhere and holding it like a baton.

      "Moon Healing-"

      Muscles bunched along her flanks and Ranma let them react. These people were still unfamiliar, but she could sense an energy attack. They were betraying her and she had only just met them. They were bad people.

      "Acti-Oof!"

      Neko-Ranma had the girl pressed to the ground. Her mouth held the wand firmly. Whatever it was, the wand was obviously important and dangerous to her. She had to keep it from the bad people.

      The others screamed in distress and anger. The one in red was nearly surrounded in flames, her eyes twin balls of hot magma. A tall green one roared and the clouds above rumbled with lightning flashing around the area. Another blonde was ready to fight with her fists and she was obviously capable as her stance suggested. Only the blue-haired one and the male seemed to concerned and shocked to move.

      Neko-Ranma considered the girl who had almost attacked her with the wand. She was scared, tears were filling her eyes, and she trembled visibly. This was the leader then. Neko-Ranma had proven herself the better so the rest should stay away.

      With a sniff, Neko-Ranma vaulted over the group and ran off for the buildings, heading south. The wand in her mouth bobbed as she ran. It was a pretty thing, shiny and colorful. A nice toy, she thought.

 

~

 

      Moon stumbled to her feet and looked around for Ranma and her wand. Finding neither she screamed in frustration. "She can't do that!"

      The rest looked surprised at how angry Sailor Moon had suddenly become. It was not like her usual hissy-fits. Moon seemed determined to punish the redhead. Venus and Mars smiled as their point of view was taken on by another. That made a majority.

      "That little . . meanie is going to pay!"

      "Right!" Venus and Mars chorused. They each had their own choice words for the obnoxious redhead, but the goal was the same.

      Jupiter seemed a little uncertain, but certainly the wand was important and should be retrieved.

      Mercury and Tuxedo Mask sweat-dropped.

 

      The sun had set hours ago and a stiff breeze in the moonlight was all there was to greet the group upon their return. The search hadn't gone well. Moon was still frustrated, but her desire to sleep had finally won out(a short battle really).

      "We'll get her tomorrow!" Moon declared.

      "Yeah." "You bet." "First thing." And the rest shambled off for sleep.

 

 

End Chapter Three

*     *      *

 

Okay, it's here. For a story that didn't place too extremely well in the last voting period, I sure got a lot of emails for more chapters.

I want to thank XinXinXeng and others for bugging me about getting this chapter out. So motivated was I (gun to head) that I even have the next chapter almost ready to go. Not bad for someone working on Hip-Hop Streets, Schools United, and a few others. Still, I promised and I will finish each and every one of my stories. I'm just that sort of person (anal-retentive).

 

This also marks the seventh month I have been out of tae kwon do class because my new instructor has a groin attack fetish. I feel so weak. I think I wrote more while in class, so I'll go back to test this theory. If it pans out, I'm sure you would appreciate it.

 

Merry Christmas everyone, and a Happy New Years!

 

Send C&C to [email protected]

Or visit my website at www.geocities.com/jehtek

 

Ja ne.