Disclaimer: Ranma ½ and it’s characters are the product and property of rumiko takahashi and viz video.

 

 

The Juuban Incident

Chapter Four

By Michael Fetter

 

 

      “Ranma.” Ukyou growled, her hands clenching the iron spatula. “When I find you I’m going to make you pay for what you did to me.”

      It was a dramatic scene she thought. Standing on the ridge of the mountains outlying the Nerima district, the wind blew her hair in the wind, bobbing with the slight weight of a blue ribbon. The sun caught her weapons to catch a good reflection from her bandoleer of spatulas. A perfect opening scene to a new chapter of her life.

      Now if she could only do something about the redhead nuzzling her legs like a cat.

      Ukyou looked down at the redhead incredulously. She came across the crazy girl a few hours ago wandering the woods, dirt smudging her face and arms. Ukyou had gone from amazed, how often do you see feral children, to frightened, and then so cutesy she was making herself ill. Eventually the novelty of a girl acting like a nice cat around you became annoying. What possible reason could this girl have to bother her like this. And of course, Ukyou couldn’t just abandon her in the forest so she was now taking her to Nerima and maybe handing her over to the police or something.

      “Well, sugar, lets get going.” Ukyou pointed to the city. “We should be there by dawn.”

      The redhead purred and followed closely beside her. Poor girl, what kind of monster does this to a cute little girl?

 

~

 

      “How are you feeling this morning, father?” Kasumi asked as though nothing had happened yesterday. She was good that way. People went to Kasumi to forget their troubles and feel better and her easy way of dealing with situations often helped.

      Soun had only gotten some bad bruises and a few painful twists, but otherwise he was fine. The crying was natural. “Their first night together! I’m sure the family has already been joined!”

      Blinking, Genma stopped inhaling his food to look at his friend. “What do you mean by that?”

      Smiling at Genma, Soun reached out a hand and patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t get me wrong, Saotome. But you aren’t the best father figure. I’m sure your Ranma would have seen the opportunity to be had.”

      Kasumi colored and went to start cleaning . . something.

      “Are you trying to say my Ranma would have bedded Mamoru already? I think you have that backwards, Tendou. My Ranma is not like-“

      “It’s okay, Saotome!” Soun waved off his friends protests. “I would not think any less of her, after all, she probably couldn’t help herself, hahaha!”

      “Is daddy all right, Nabiki?” Akane asked. She had been watching the scene with her sister and noted how out of balance her father seemed.

      Nabiki watched her father begin to bawl, crying happily about all the children to come, before answering. “Compared to what?”

      The phone rang in the kitchen. Soun jumped to his feet and ran for it. “That must be Mamoru wanting to talk about the wedding preparations!”

      “He’s nuts if he thinks Ranma-san would just give herself up like that.” Akane snorted and finished her breakfast. She was quite certain that Ranma was the kind of girl who wanted romance, just like she did.

      Genma nodded, but remained quiet.

      “Of course,” Nabiki nodded at the elder Saotome. “She might have gone insane after living on the road for ten years with her father who turns into a panda.”

      Frowning, Akane decidedly discounted the idea. Ranma-san was strong, skilled, and she didn’t put up with perverts just like Akane didn’t.

      Soun stared dumbly at the phone in his hand. “What do you mean ‘sort of ran away’?”

      Smiling broadly, Akane picked up her plate to be cleaned. “Told you so, Nabiki.” They had all seen the evidence that Mamoru was turning into a pervert. Akane thought it was just a natural phase of boys’ lives and to be beaten out of them until they became men.

 

~

 

      Nabiki had gone ahead of her again. Akane was not stupid; she knew her older sister had some sort of racketeering venture going on in the school. Sometimes Akane wondered if it had anything to do with Kuno, but that couldn’t be right.

      The walk was quiet and pleasant, leaving enough time for Akane to think. Her mind went back to the previous day when she met Ranma-san. The little redhead had everything. She was cute, not even the unflattering Chinese clothes could disguise that, and a true master of the Art. Akane did wonder if Ranma-san was better than her, but such a little girl couldn’t beat her, the best martial artist in Nerima. Maybe give her a good work out however.

      The blue flame thing was still a very neat trick.

      “Quit it, will ya? It’s embarrassing.”

      Drawn away from her musings, Akane looked up to see a handsome young man with a large spatula over his back. That was odd. The redhead rubbing his leg while standing on all fours was very odd.

      “Ranma!” Akane called out, jogging across the street to the redhead.

      Ranma’s companion, a cute boy with a large spatula strapped over his back turned to meet her. He seemed relieved and pat Ranma’s head unconsciously. “Do you kn-“

      “What the hell do you think you’re doing to her, pervert!?!” Akane screamed in rage, increasing her stride as she balled up her hands. “Ranma-san is engaged! Don’t touch her!”

      The boy stumbled backwards a few steps, only just dodging Akane’s punches. He was about to reach for the spatula on his shoulder when Ranma came in between them. “Purrrrrr.”

      “Get out of the way, Ranma-san! I’ll pound this guy in . . to . . . uh, did she just purr?”

      “Yes.” The boy sighed in relief and forgot about his spatula. “I found her in the woods like this last night. Does she, uh, belong to you?”

      Akane was still looking at the redhead, who arched her back and rubbed up against Akane’s leg, that she did not respond immediately. “No, Ranma-san is engaged to my cousin. What’s wrong with her?”

      “Got me.” The boy shrugged. “Well, if you two are family I’ll leave her with you. Better than the police.” He knelt down to brush his hands through Ranma’s hair. “I hope you get better, sugar.”

      “C’mon, Ranma.” Akane tugged at the redhead’s collar towards the house. “Maybe your father knows what to do.” Akane looked down when the presence was gone. “Ranma?”

      Ranma nuzzled the boy again. He looked down to stare bewildered at her. “Something wrong?”

      “I guess she likes you.” Akane said though she could hardly believe it herself.

      “Well, uh,” the boy scratched the back of his head nervously. “That’s nice and all, but I need to get going. Oh!” He snapped his fingers and pulled something out of his pack.

      Akane looked at the scepter she was given. There was a red heart bound in gold that melded into an intricate wing design at the top. The handle was about a foot long, also laid in gold. “What’s this?”

      The boy shrugged. “Don’t know, but she had it in her mouth when I found her.” Shouldering his pack again, he started to walk off. “That’s probably what she wanted. I’d almost forgotten about it.”

      “Okay.” Akane nodded and tried to drag Ranma with her back to the house. “C’mon, Ranma. I’ve got the scepter now. Let’s not bother this boy anymore.” She was being nice considering the boy hadn’t really done anything perverted and he was rather cute.

      Ranma remained fixed to the spot beside the boy, even dragging Akane along as he started to leave.

      “Uh,” Akane blushed. “Maybe she really does like you. I don’t suppose you could help me take Ranma-san back to my house?”

      Sighing, the boy looked down the street to the school and then back to the redhead. “Sure. I guess I can put my fight off for a few more days.”

 

~

 

      Mamoru suggested they stay at home while he went out to search for Ranma. She knew of only two places in the area to go to so it was likely Ranma may end up at the dojo. Crying unabashedly, Soun wailed that he would and tried to understand why Ranma would dishonor the families so. Shouldn’t a young girl be happy to have a man look after her?

      Shaking his head, Genma tried not to think of how oddly his old friend was acting. Sure it was important that the schools be joined, but wasn’t Soun going a little overboard with this constant pestering and celebration over the littlest things? Of course, Genma would probably act the same way if Ranma really did start acting like a girl right off. Besides that matter of the new body, Ranma was still his son.

      With Soun gone to the market with Kasumi in the hopes of running into Ranma while purchasing a bottle of sake, Genma strolled out to the front yard to take a look around himself. He was startled to see three people enter the yard from the gate. Ranma down on all fours beside Akane and someone with a spatula over their back and a surprised look that turned to anger quickly.

      “GENMA!” Ukyou had her battle spatula out and she was charging the balding martial artist.

      Genma sweat as he watched Ukyou come in with the blade of her spatula. “Uh-oh.” He ducked the first blow and sidestepped Ukyou’s thrust. “Too slow, girl!” He taunted and jumped for the rooftops.

      “Girl?” Akane blinked and tried to examine Ukyou closer. Now that she looked for it, the face was a little too cute.

      “Get back here you bastard!” Ukyou screamed after the running martial artist. Growling she replaced the spatula on her back. “Coward.”

      Akane jogged a few steps up to Ukyou where she had stopped inside the yard. “You’re a girl?” Ukyou turned to look at her with a frown. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell.”

      Shrugging, Ukyou cast a final glance to the retreating martial artist then back to Akane. “Don’t worry about it. It’s why I dress like this.”

      “O-Oh?” Akane began to shift back and forth on her feet, suddenly wishing her school uniform fell a little further down her legs. “Well, y’know, uhm, whatever floats your boat, right? Hehe.” She scratched the back of her head and tried not to make a big production of placing Ranma between them.

      Crossing her eyes in disgust, Ukyou looked at the house/dojo they were standing next to. “Whatever.” She asked as Akane started to lead the way in. “So that lying jackass was staying with you?”

      “He was an old friend of my father’s. I guess they trained under the same master.” Akane replied.

      Something finally occurred to the androgynous martial artist. “What about the rest of his family? Ranma?! Is Ranma here?!”

      “Y-Yeah.” Akane couldn’t help but look at how close Ukyou had gotten during her hysterics, grabbing onto Akane’s school blouse by the shoulder.

      “Where? Where is he?” Ukyou continued with a maniacal look in her eyes. Too charged to wait for a response, Ukyou ran into the house and the sound of footsteps raced alongside of slamming doors. “Ranma!” Stomping to more bedrooms. “Ranma, get out here you lout!”

      A little annoyed, Akane frowned and called from outside of the house where Ranma-chan was also sitting, a bewildered look on her face. “Ukyou.” More stomping. “Ukyou!”

      “What?!” The brown-haired girl screamed from the doorway.

      “I already told you.” Akane huffed, pointing at the redhead beside her. “This is Ranma.”

      Ranma-chan stood on all fours before Ukyou with large, shining blue eyes. “Meow.”

      “. . .”

 

~

 

      The day had started out like usual. Nabiki set up bets for the morning fight between Akane and the hentai horde, holding separate pools for the one on one with Kuno. There were still suckers out there who believed Kuno could beat Akane though she’d knocked him out easily every other morning. Then there were the earlier morning photo sales and some loan interest payments. Then it all got snagged when Akane failed to show up.

Nabiki walked into the house without calling out. By the smell of chocolate in the air she could tell Kasumi was baking. She found her father out on the patio, out of earshot of Akane and her friend, a rather cute boy she’d not seen before. “You made me lose a lot of money today, little sister.”

      Akane blinked and swiveled her head a bit to see Nabiki walking in. “What? How did I do that? I’ve been home all day.”

      “Forget it.” Nabiki zeroed in on the boy and began to asses his potential to make her money. Spreading a rumor of his closeness to Akane may get a few thousand yen out of Kuno-baby. “So, who’s the hunk?”

      Nabiki sat down beside the brown-haired chef. “This is Ukyou Kounji and-“ Akane began.

      Wrapping an arm around one of the ‘boy’s’, Nabiki smirked and studied him closer. “Now you are much more what I expected when daddy said we’d be getting a fiancé, but oh well. So what’s your story, Ucchan?”

      “Ucchan.”

      Nabiki jumped a bit at the unexpected voice. She’d completely missed the redhead lying in Akane’s lap. “What is Ranma doing here?”

      Akane stroked the red hair unconsciously. Ranma was so light she didn’t mind when the ‘cat’ decided to lie down in her lap. “Ukyou found her in the mountains. She was acting like a cat before so don’t be sur-“

      “HOLY SHIT!” Everyone jumped as Ranma shot awake, gripping the cushions in a vice grip.

      “. . .” They continued to stare as Ranma slowly settled down and tried to recognize her surroundings.

      Ranma’s eyes fell upon Nabiki and a boy, then Akane beneath her. Blushing and scrambling away, Ranma gave them a small smile. “. . uh, hello.”

      Nabiki smiled like a shark. She couldn’t wait to hear the explanation to this one. “Back at ya, Ranma. So, how are you feeling?”

      “Uh, fine.” Ranma sat down on the couch and tucked her hands between her knees. “Did I act really funny when you found me?”

      “You could say that, sugar.” Ukyou chuckled.

      Ranma began to swear a line of curses.

      Looking at Ranma concerned, Akane continued. “Just like a cat. Why were you doing that?”

      Ranma let off another volley of curses before answering. “My stupid father thought it would be really neat ta teach me some sorta invincible technique called the Neko-ken. Unfortunately he didn’t read the last page sayin only complete morons would try to teach it. Oyagi fit that description pretty well, though.”

      “Why were you acting like a cat?” Akane pressed further.

      “To learn the Neko-ken, you cover the student in c-c-c-c-c, uh, fish an sausage and lower’em in a pit of starving c-c-c-c-c . . those things.”

      Akane started to look sick. “Ugh, how old were you?”

      “Six.”

      Nabiki frowned. “So, you go insane when someone mentions c-“ Ranma flinched. “those things?”

      Ranma nodded. “That’s about it. Insane, but really strong.”

      “Not much of a trade off.”

      “So, are you really Ranma Saotome?” Ukyou asked.

      Blinking, Ranma leaned closer to the spatula bearing boy. “. . Ucchan? Ucchan!” She brightened and leapt into his arms, crushing her smaller body against his.

      “I guess that’s a yes.” Sighing, Ukyou put her arms around the little redhead and leaned her cheek to Ranma’s brow. “All those wasted years.”

      Ranma squeezed again, stepped back and looked closely at his chest. “Ucchan.” She pressed a finger against ‘his’ breast. “You ain’t a boy.”

      Ukyou laughed. “Ha! Only took you ten years to figure it out!” They would have continued, but something made Ukyou pause. “Wait.” She looked down into Ranma’s deep blue eyes. “You thought I was a boy?”

      “Well, yeah. Sorry, but the clothes.” Ranma colored.

      “But your father knew I was a girl.” Ukyou continued.

      Blinking, Ranma stared at Ukyou then looked about the room for her father. “He did? He never told me.”

      “You mean to say.” Nabiki picked up the line of thought Ukyou had been running on. “Ranma’s father was trying to marry two girls together? Is that legal in Japan?”

      “Well,” Ukyou shook her head and let the redhead go. “,it’s good to see you again, Ranchan, but I guess your idiot father has a little more to answer for now.”

      Smiling brilliantly, Ranma led Ukyou to the table by the hand. “Tell me about it.”

      They spent the next half-hour or so catching up. Ukyou told Ranma about some of her travels and training until she noticed the kitchen and decided to make use of it. Kasumi had smiled, but watched to be sure nothing happened to her kitchen. Ranma took the time to chat up on her edited life. Ukyou listened and came out with enough of her famous okonomiyaki to feed everyone there.

      “These taste great, Ukyou.” Akane praised the chef.

      Smirking, Ukyou patted herself on the chest. “Heh, I am the best okonomiyaki chef in all of Japan!”

      “I always thought so.” Ranma smiled and started licking her fingers.

      “Found you, Ranma!” Raye descended into the Tendou yard lightly, her long raven hair waving in the wind, fire already pooling into her hands.

      “Whoh!” Danger sense kicking into overdrive, Ranma barely reacted in time to roll out of her seat and skip the third degree burns. “Hey, watch where yer throwin those things!” She screamed, casting a quick look back to be certain no one had been hurt.

      Mars took a stance in the back yard while she watched Ranma set herself up opposite. “You won’t escape this time you floozy!”

      Ranma snorted and jumped over a run of punches and kicks by the Sailor Scout. “I ain’t the one wearin the stupid tights to show off to yer hentai boy, bimbo!” Her leg struck out and caught Mars by the ankle and sent the magical girl to the ground.

      “Tuxedo Mask is not a hentai, tramp!” Mars screamed as she stood up again.

      “Hussy!” Ranma shot out.

      “Vixen!”

      “Witch!”

      Crossing her arms and cocking her head, Nabiki wanted to laugh at what she was seeing. “Cover your ears, Akane. They’ll be leaving pg-13 and going to r any second now.” Her sister decided to ignore her, however.

      “Bitch!”

      “Whore!”

      “Cunt!”

      “Snatch!”

      Ukyou shook her head as she watched the two insult each other and then share a few punches and kicks. “I certainly never thought I would hear Ranma say those things.”

      “I’m surprised they aren’t pulling each others hair and using their nails.” Nabiki chuckled.

      Frowning, Akane pulled at Ukyou’s elbow and nodded her head to the fight. “Ranma-san? What’s going on here?” She took a step in front of the redhead and held out her arms to stop her. “Who is this girl?”

      Irate and focused on the Scout, Ranma spat, “She and her friends are just a bunch of dumpy-legged kicking targets!”

      “What did you say psychotic demon succubus!” Mars threw back.

      Pushing against Akane’s hold, Ranma began to growl louder. “I said you and your friends are just like barbie dolls with worse personalities!”

      Mars blew up and tossed Ukyou aside. “AARRGGHH!!”

      Ranma knocked Akane out of her way also. She and Mars were back to fighting hand to hand immediately, slowly building up the stakes on their brawl.

      Ukyou hit the dojo wall and fell to her butt. “Oof!”

      Akane was not far behind and landed beside Ukyou. “Ungh!”

      Shaking away the bit of dizziness, Ukyou blinked and pulled herself back up. “Or maybe we’ll just stay out of their way.”

 

~

 

      “C’mon everybody! We’ve got to hurry!” Sailor Moon yelled as the team regrouped. They’d gotten a quick call from Mars, but the Scout had decided to charge into battle rather than wait for the rest of them as Moon had ordered.

      She would have done the same, but it was the principle of the thing, Moon told herself.

      Sailor Mercury trailed behind the group of girls. She noted they had not called Tuxedo Mask and that they were allowing their emotions to control the situation, which was not smart. “I’d like to say I still don’t think this is . .” The group gave Mercury a withering stare. “Over in that house, Sailor Moon.” Cowed, she pointed with the help of her visor.

      “Mars!” Usagi cried as she and the other scouts arrived at the dojo. The Fire Scout had just been tossed into the wall and looked to be a bit worse for the wear. She fell from the wall and flat onto her face.

      Mars snarled and began to stand back up, slowly and with pain, all the while spitting a number of dirty words.

      “Wow, I’ve never heard Mars swear like that. Not even against the Negaverse or Usagi for stealing her mangas!” Jupiter whistled.

      Then they saw their target jump into view.

      Ranma landed a vicious knee onto Mars’ back and shoved the Scouts head into the dirt. “I said stay down, you cum-sucking ass-fuck!”

      The group blushed. “By the sound of it, I’d say Raye was losing.” Mercury coughed and looked back to see Mars lying still on the ground.

      Ranma smacked her hands free of the dirt and smiled, walking out of view.

 

~

 

      The knee was placed just so to hit a certain organ that would have the Scout pissing blood for a few days. She had added the head smash for fun, wondering how much pressure it took to bust a magical girl’s nose.

      When Mars didn’t move, Ranma stood up and smirked. The others were waiting on the patio, mouths open after watching the fight. It had been a lot of fun, Ranma thought. She hadn’t gotten away unscathed, some of Mars’ fire attacks had gotten pretty close actually, but she’d definitely felt worse.

      “Are you all right, Ranma-san?” Akane asked, staring at a bruise on the redhead’s cheek and a few scratches along her arms.

      “Huh? Oh, yeah, Akane.” Ranma smacked her hands of the dirt and headed for the patio. She’d been a little worried for Ucchan after seeing her friend knocked across the yard so carelessly. There weren’t any apparent cuts or bruises. Good thing Ucchan had training, Ranma smiled. “Cursin’ like that sure does take a lot outta ya though.”

      Again a number of magical girls landed in the yard. The leader, a blonde with odangos, pointed and inflected her voice to sound older, though it hardly worked. “Hold it you . . really mean girl!” Others moaned, but took up their own opening stances, ready to introduce themselves. “Your mother must not have taught you to watch your mouth so we’re here to shut you up! I’m Sailor Moon and on behaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

      Ranma pulled her hand back from the quick uppercut she’d traveled across the yard to deliver. Knuckles cracked as she flexed her hand. “God I hate those speeches.”

      Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury stared up into the sky where Moon was becoming a speck in the sun. United, they turned their attention to Ranma and growled, forget posing! “Let’s get her!”

      Laughing, Ranma jumped through attacks and around the occasional magical blast. She noted that seeing them coming now was much easier than the first fight. The Scouts were not so impossible to take on with their enhanced speed and strength. Ranma shrugged and let herself go.

      Ukyou was in shock over the fight. These girls were fast! She could see them, but there was no way she would be able to react fast enough to really take them on. Ranma, however, seemed to be toying with them. Still, the magical girls were not suffering much under Ranma’s blows.

“. . aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAA-CRUNCH!” Ukyou winced as she followed Moon’s descent back into the yard and then a few inches into it. “Owie.”

      She and Akane boggled at the sight of the blonde standing back up so quickly. That fall had to hurt her at least a little. Freaked, Ukyou whipped out her battle spatula.

      CLANG!

      Moon wavered beneath the metal cooking implement. “Oh, I would love some double chocolate fudge ice cream.”

      The girl fell onto her face much to Ukyou’s relief. “C’mon, honey.” She got a few throwing spatulas ready while pulling Akane up to her feet. “Ranchan might really need our help this time.”

 

~

 

      It had taken Mamoru an hour to make his way to Nerima in the guise of Tuxedo Mask. He was slowed by the need to examine every redhead that walked by. So far they had all been dye jobs. While on the outskirts of Juuban, his senses had gone off, meaning only one thing; Sailor Moon was in trouble. “Where are they?” He closed his eyes to get a sense for the direction on Moon’s powers.

      Shaking his head, he thought of who the Scout must be fighting to not get an immediate need of help signal from Moon. “This has all got to be one big misunderstanding.”

      “There.” A sharp spike came along with the image of Moon falling to the ground unconscious. Tuxedo Mask pushed off of the rooftop in the direction of the Tendou dojo. “I’m coming Ranma.” Then he hit upon something.

      “Hey! Watch it!”

      “Oh.” Tuxedo Mask wavered a bit on the ground before shaking away the dizzy effects colliding with this guy had made. “Sorry about that. Didn’t see you there.”

      The young man, maybe sixteen, was about as tall as Mamoru, but much more solidly built. He wore brown and yellow clothing, including a bandanna beneath his bangs and an insanely large pack on his back. The boy gripped a red bamboo umbrella and jabbed it into Mamoru’s stomach. “And what the hell is that supposed to mean?!”

      Tuxedo Mask almost stumbled with the force behind the umbrella. “What?”

      “Am I so insignificant to you rich snobs?!” The young man raged, bearing his fangs and dropping his pack.

      Tuxedo Mask stumbled back and waved his arms about defensively. He could tell this was not a daemon despite the monstrous strength he could see. “W-Wait a minute. That’s not what I meant.”

      The young man’s knuckles went white. “So now I’m stupid too!”

      “No! You’ve got it all wrong!” Tuxedo Mask tried desperately. Why were these things happening to him all of a sudden?

      “DIE!”

 

~

 

      The fight, which Ranma had been enjoying, was beginning to take a bad turn. She could feel herself growing stronger as more of the Scouts arrived, and she was able to weave in and out of the attacks. So far it was all really simple with the magical girls having no real martial arts training except one of the blondes and the tall brown-haired girl. Mars had some training, but it wasn’t focused to the attack as much as defense.

      Ukyou and Akane jumped into the fray, trying their best to watch her back, but they had neither the speed nor the strength to withstand most of the attacks. Ranma was grateful to see the Scouts simply avoid her friends; one, the blue-haired girl, actually picked them up and set them down out of the way. Maybe they weren’t so bad, Ranma thought. She still hated them for being such . . girls. Grow a brain for god’s sake!

      Someone screamed.

      Ranma turned about, ducking a hit, to see a blonde pointing at Mars and then diving for the scepter on the couch. Swearing, Ranma stomped her feet against someone’s face and tried to tackle the blonde with the odangos. Her speed was increasing, but it still wasn’t good enough.

      Moon somehow flipped over herself and landed on the couch, her hands clutching the gold wand. It was strange since Ranma could have sworn she’d seen the girl trip on the door frame and thought she would have caught up. Moon took a second to realize what she had done and jumped back into the yard, yelling victoriously.

      Then Genma came. He and Soun attacked, showing off a speed and skill that only came with years of experience. Ranma caught herself smiling as she watched her father negotiate through a short fight and end up with a grip on the scepter. Soun had played interference and wound up knocked onto the ground by the tall Scout.

      Genma had only a moment to celebrate until he realized pulling the scepter from the girl was more difficult than he’d thought possible.

      Moon stared at the man for a moment then lashed out with a kick. He sailed through the air and landed in a pile beside the other. What was with these people? Don’t they realize who they are? Couldn’t they tell the Sailor Scouts were here to punish an enemy of love and justice?

      A silent signal passed between the magical girls and Moon held the scepter high. Ranma stood up to face the attack head on.

      “MOON THERAPY KISS!”

      Ranma braced herself for the cheesy heart shaped energy attack. In the corner of her eye she could see Nabiki and Kasumi running to their father’s who still lie on the ground.

      “Nabiki! Kasumi! Look out!” Ranma screamed and stood before the attack, crossing her arms in front of her and pushing with all of her will for the strength to withstand the blast. The heart smacked her like an big rig, energy shattering around her with no effect but the concussive blast.

      The two girls looked up to see Ranma take the blast and then become airborne, thrown in their path without even a scream. Nabiki gasped and tried to duck out of the way, but Ranma hit her on the shoulder and knocked her to the ground. The momentum continued to carry the redhead to the back wall and through it. The whole building shuttered for a moment.

      “Ranma!” Kasumi gasped, crouched over her father.

      Staring venomously at the Scouts, Ukyou raised her spatula and jumped for the first fuku wearing hussy in her way. “How dare you hurt my Ranchan!”

      Akane only looked at the crumbling wall Ranma had gone through before getting very angry. That stupid blonde had almost killed her sisters and if it hadn’t been for Ranma-san . . Her eyes turned fierce with anger. “Eat this, blondie!” Akane ran with a hellmaker in tow, running straight for the leader with the scepter.

      The group saw the chef and the girl coming. To them it was piteously slow. Moon didn’t even look since Jupiter was beside her. The girl was kicked in the gut gently and knocked against the side of the dojo. 

      Venus grabbed the battle spatula and used it to toss the chef into another wall. The plaster cracked and crumbled about her attacker as they landed.

      “Mercury.” Moon commanded. “Go see if Mars is all right.”

      Mercury nodded and moved off.

      The wall behind them began to shift.

      “She couldn’t have.” Usagi muttered while watching the rubble.

      “There’s no way.” Ami repeated the sentiment, having stopped a few meters before Mars.

      The noise continued for a moment, bits of wood, concrete, and plaster tumbling away, then all went silent again.

The Scouts took a collective sigh.

“KYAH!” The rubble burst upwards, pieces shattering to dust as Ranma, surrounded by blue flames, stood up and growled. Her hands shook with anger, balled up at her sides.

      “Yeah! Go gettem Ranma-san!” Akane cheered from where she was laid up against the dojo wall.

      Moon took a step back and swallowed nervously. “Does she look pissed to any of you?”

      The other three Scouts dropped into lower fighting stances. They didn’t wait long.

      Ranma was a wrecking ball that Akane only hoped to aspire to. She swung her arms and legs in wide arcs that caught a lot of momentum and swept through the group of four, hammering each with a hit strong enough to level a concrete wall.

      The Scouts screamed as each received a hit and were bowled over. This was like school all over again!

      Moon groaned and rolled onto her stomach. She was face to face with Mars who still lay on the ground. “Mars?” There was no response. Moon had never seen any of the Scouts bleed before. The bit dribbling down the Fire Scouts nose and mouth scared her. Rather than cry, Moon hid the fear with something more useful at the moment, anger.

Between crying and screaming, Moon stood up to stare at the redhead standing upon the perimeter wall, smacking her ass and sticking out her tongue. Without looking at the other Scouts, Moon roared. “After her!”

The other Scouts pulled themselves to their feet and started after Moon and the redhead. They were all startled upon discovering real bruises and cuts on their bodies caused by Ranma. Adrenaline was pumping like it had replaced their blood and they pushed their legs harder.

Blinking and taking a deep breath, Nabiki sat up on her legs. Her shoulder really hurt. It felt useless, hanging at her side because she was afraid it might be broken. Ukyou was only a few feet off and that was all Nabiki could see in her momentary confusion. Painfully slow, she pulled herself along the floor until she had the chef’s head in her lap.

      Across from her, Kasumi was still checking on their fathers while Akane cleaned her mouth after retching up the contents of her stomach, which had been forced out of her by one of the fuku bimbo’s attacks.

      “Oh, my whole body hurts.” Ukyou moaned as she slowly sat up.

      Nabiki looked down at her surprised to see Ukyou awake and moving. “Be happy you can feel it at all.” The Sailor’s throw had been strong enough to shake the ground when Ukyou hit the wall. She had thought Ukyou lost, broken on the inside. Nabiki was glad that was not true.

      Leaning onto one elbow, Ukyou tried to examine the area. Kasumi was beside her father and Genma looking over their wounds. The yard was a mess. Parts burnt, blown apart, and frozen depending on where you looked.

      “Where is Ranma?” Ukyou looked up to Nabiki from where she lie. “Is she okay?”

      Nabiki’s eyes were troubled as she looked over the wall surrounding her home. “I don’t know.”

 

~

 

      It had taken Tuxedo Mask five minutes to rid himself of the insanely strong boy. There were plenty stronger, Mamoru had seen, but not human.

      The fight was quite destructive. He was thrown through walls and into the ground and then returned the favor. His cape was slightly torn and he was a dozen roses short now. Good thing it was all magic. His cane held up against the umbrella, but did not carry the same momentum. The bamboo umbrella, he discovered, had to weigh nearly half a ton.

      Tuxedo Mask tried again to get out of the fight, but the young man only became further enraged. Sent through another store front, Tuxedo Mask waited for the boy to step through.

      A minute of silence passed.

      Carefully, Tuxedo Mask crept through the store and look around. All he saw were a bunch of people staring off to the west. A witness claimed the boy was screaming for blood and then ran off in the wrong direction.

      Shaking his head and tucking away his cane, Tuxedo Mask continued his journey to his cousins’ home. A home that had certainly seen better days.

      “What happened here?” Tuxedo Mask asked his cousin, Akane, as he landed in the yard. Akane looked a little battered, but nothing permanent.

      Akane scowled at what she perceived to be another Kuno holding a rose. “Who the hell are you?! Get lost! I’m not in the mood to deal with any of you perverts!”

      “Uh.” Tuxedo Mask sweat and took a step back. “I’m Tuxedo Mask and I was looking for the Sailor Scouts. I know they came through here.”

      Akane eyed the boy up and down. He didn’t look to impressive, just a cane carrying, rose tossing pervert. At least he wasn’t speaking in rhyme. “They were here and they attacked poor Ranma-san. She tried to protect us from their attacks too, and led them from our home.”

      “They did this?!” Tuxedo Mask asked incredulously. “Why would they do that?”

      Akane answered by pointing to the girl still lying on the ground in their yard. Sailor Mars was bleeding from multiple wounds, an eye closed up with large purple bruises. She wasn’t going to be pretty again for a long while. “She attacked Ranma while her back was turned and got what she deserved.”

      Frowning, Tuxedo Mask studied Mars’ wounds. “There must have been some sort of misunderstanding. Can you tell me where they went? I need to stop them before something serious happens.”

      “Why should I tell you anything!” Akane shouted angrily. “You’re probably going to go for some perverted reason! All boys are alike! You’re all pigs!”

      “That way.”

      They both turned to see Nabiki jabbing her thumb towards the west. Tuxedo Mask nodded and rushed off, leaping high into the air and traveling by way of rooftops.

      “Why did you tell him?!” Akane demanded of her sister.

      Nabiki looked at Akane disapprovingly. “Which would you rather, Ranma killed by those bimbos or maybe having the guy stop them?”

      Akane growled, but relaxed after thinking about it a little more. She sighed and nodded her head. “You’re right. I just wasn’t thinking.”

      “Just hope he can stop them.”

      “Ranma can take of herself.” Akane crossed her arms over her chest. “She took down one of them. She’ll take care of the rest.”

      Nabiki’s eyebrow lifted upon Akane’s declaration. The redhead must have really made an impression with her sister. This was like idolization or something. It figures, Nabiki thought, Akane would look up to a superior female martial artist with the same hatred of boys that she had. But there was still that bit of reality Akane had to accept. “Ranma looked pretty beat up after taking those hits for us. But I hope you’re right.” Nabiki turned back into the house to help Kasumi move the really injured fighters lying in their yard.

 

~

 

      The fight turned from a simple grudge match to a fight to the death. The four Scouts who followed her were scowling and moving even faster than they had been before.

      Ranma was also pissed. She hated them. They hurt her friends, almost killing Nabiki and Kasumi. Her idiot father and Tendou-san had been knocked unconscious. They continued to pester her for no reason. She really hated these girls.

      Growling, and rolling out of the way of some stronger energy attacks, Ranma fists blazed with the blue light as she tried to break through the magical girls’ defenses. One blonde went down clutching her stomach. The tall one screamed and grabbed her knee as Ranma passed by.

      “Stay out of her range! She doesn’t seem to be able to throw energy attacks!” Mercury called from the sidelines of the fight.

      The others nodded and jumped to the air, each landing on the wall surrounding Furinkan Ranma had led them too. School seemed to be out, so hopefully that meant no one else was here. Ranma really hated these girls and wanted to show it.

      Her breathing was becoming shallower. Ranma couldn’t follow the magical girls if she wanted to just then. Her legs felt like jelly and the strikes that had landed on her body were leaving painful bruises behind. Ranma’s left leg was beginning to drag and her side was on fire.

      From the wall, Mercury raised her hands and performed a quick sequence of precise movements. “Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!”

      Ranma gasped as she felt the chill and then slipped on the ice beneath her. Where had that come from?

      “Jupiter Thunder Crash!”

      She had barely enough time to roll herself out of the way and attempt to stand.

      “Venus Crescent V Smash!”

      There was no time.

      Ranma took the blast full on and was flung into the school. She as certain this was not what the students meant by ‘school of hard knocks’. The wall cracked into a spider web and sent her tumbling to the ground. “Fucking stupid macho chicks.” Ranma coughed and pushed herself onto her hands and knees.

      Moon, sniffling and staring angrily at the redhead, stood a few feet off with her scepter poised over the troublesome girl. Worthless scrap of flesh, Moon thought bitterly with a vision of Mars blinding her eyes. “You’re going to pay for what you di-“

      Tuxedo Mask landed a kick to the gold scepter and stood with his arms open, shielding Ranma from any other attack. “Sailor Moon! What are you doing?!”

      Moon had tears in her eyes as she brought the scepter back up, aiming at her love. “Get out of the way, Tuxedo Mask! She killed Mars!”

      He shook his head and stepped closer to Sailor Moon. “No she didn’t. Mars is fine, just unconscious.”

      Her anger as fading and a relieved smile helped light it up. More memories flashed through her mind. “Well . . Well what about stealing the Moon Scepter!”

      “You got it back, and I don’t think she was in her right mind at the time.” Tuxedo Mask took Moon’s hand in his own.

      Moon cried, pulling her love in closer. “She called us names and tried to beat us up.”

      “You did the same to Ranma.” He watched Moon sob into his shoulder, her arms shaking.

      Brushing the tears away and looking up to Tuxedo Mask, Moon nodded her head. “Y-Yeah, I guess so.” The rest remained silent as they watched and felt their own guilt for what they’d been ready to do. Pained and embarrassed, Moon stared at the dirt as she spoke to Ranma, unable to meet the redhead’s eyes. “Sorry.”

      A minute passed away in silence as all the Scouts waited for Ranma to forgive them. Tuxedo Mask frowned as nothing came of it. They all looked up to see Ranma-chan smoldering in anger, staring at her fists.

      “Fuck you!” Ranma screamed, wishing for the energy to shove her fist down their stickin’ girlie throats. “Fuck you and your fucking pervert boyfriend! I don’t need no fucking apology or some fucking knight in fucking shining armor neither!” She spat, directing the last part right at Tuxedo Mask.

      “Ranma, please-“ he tried to calm the redhead’s anger with a soft voice.

      Shaking her head, Ranma pulled herself to her feet. “No! I don’t need any of this! I just want to end this fucking fucked up life! So all of you FUCK OFF!” They all winced as she screeched like fingernails running over a blackboard.

      “Oh the gods surely favor my noble person to have delivered true goddesses to my loving embrace!”

      The Scouts blinked as they saw a kendoist step around the corner and suddenly rush the defenseless redhead.

Ranma squawked as she was plucked off the ground and held in a tight embrace. She kicked her legs, but the grip was like iron, strong yet gentle. “Let go of me, you fucking pervert!”

      Tuxedo Mask was ready to intervene but a yellow energy blast beat him to it. “VENUS CRESCENT V SMASH!”

      The kendoist wavered on his feet for a moment, dropping his ‘goddess’ as he stumbled backwards and then onto his back with the blackness. “I think . . I shall rest . . now. .”

      “Oh . . momma . .” Ranma agreed and slumped onto the dirt face first.

Tuxedo Mask sweat and looked back at Venus. “Uh . .”

      “Oops.” Smiling innocently, Venus shrugged. “Looks like I fucked down.”

      “Up.” Mercury corrected.

      “What?”

      “Nevermind.”

 

~

 

      After dropping Ranma off at the Tendou dojo, the Scouts picked up their unconscious comrade and took off for home. Tuxedo Mask followed for a minute before dropping down and changing to his normal self and walking back to the dojo. He said he needed to make sure Ranma was all right. Moon argued, but Mercury reminded her that they were still uncertain of Ranma’s affiliation, plus the redhead seemed a bit volatile. It would be best they left someone to watch over her.

      Moon continued to pout, but conceded the point.

      Jupiter adjusted the position of Mars’ on her back and they continued on to Juuban. They had to listen to Moon grumble and moan about the injustice.

      “I can’t believe she got to ride in Mamoru’s arms. She’s going to pay for that.” Moon growled as they left Nerima.

      Mercury shook her head and followed. The rest of them were already back to blaming Ranma for their problems. Why did all of this sound like a bad manga?

 

~

 

      The quiet returned as Soun and Genma put up the last board over the whole in the wall of the Tendou home.

      Soun was upset over the damage, but rather pleased with what he’d seen and learned of Ranma. “You certainly trained an excellent martial artist, Saotome.” He slapped the balding martial artist on the back.

      Smiling proudly, Genma puffed up his chest. “Of course. Ranma is going to be the heir to the Anything Goes School.”

      “Indeed!” Soun laughed. He hadn’t been sure on the day he met the redhead, but those doubts had certainly cleared up. The two men walked for the dinning room table intent on sharing a few cups of sake when they found Mamoru sitting down with Nabiki. “Ah, Mamoru, just who we were looking for!”

      “Oh, hi, Uncle.” Mamoru smiled nervously and tried to return his attention to the conversation he’d been having with Nabiki. He’d been getting a rather uncomfortable picture of the fight. It seemed the fathers, his cousins, and a complete stranger were hurt by the Scouts along with Ranma.

      “You should have seen your fiancee! She was fierce and strong.” Soun cried happily and took his nephew by the shoulder.

      “Yes, those were no ordinary girls that attacked us.” Genma added, a bruise on his face attesting to their speed and strength.

      Soun nodded, suddenly looking thoughtful. “Indeed, Saotome. They might have been demons the way-“

      “Demons?!” Genma went on his tiptoes and started looking about the room frantically.

      “Oh! I tried to forget!” Soun lamented, wailing into the air.

      “What if they truly are!” Genma grabbed his friend by the lapels and shook.

      Soun began to sob. “Then only one person would have sent them!”

      “What are you two talking about?” Nabiki asked, annoyed at being interrupted. She’d only been getting started on the ways she would pay the bimbos back.

      Soun grabbed his daughter and slung her through the air as he cried. “The Master, Nabiki! He is a terrible, evil, perver-“

      Genma saved the girl by clapping a hand over Soun’s mouth. “Quiet Tendou! To speak so of him is to call the Master out!”

      “Whatever.” Nabiki rubbed her sore shoulder. “Anyway, I found out who those girls were.”

      Mamoru looked up nervously. “O-Oh?”

      Nabiki nodded and picked up some compiled newspaper clippings a flunky of hers dropped off earlier. “This is free since Ranma did save us from being killed.” She handed the clippings over to her father. “They were the famous Sailor Scouts. I think Ranma picked up their leaders scepter while she was stuck in that Neko-ken thing.”

      “Neko-ken?” Soun asked, looking up from the clippings.

      Genma laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. “Hehe, I’ll explain later.”

      “Yes, I’m sure we’d all love to hear that one.” Nabiki deadpanned.

      “So it was a misunderstanding?” Akane asked from her seat on the couch. She’d been silent since the Scouts returned with an unconscious Ranma. The chef had taken her immediately and asked for the guest room to put Ranma down in.

      “Maybe, but I doubt it.” Nabiki lifted a finger. “The first one, Mars, she attacked Ranma when her back was turned and didn’t seem particularly interested in any scepter. I think they want Ranma for something else entirely.”

      “You think they’ll be back?” Kasumi gasped from the kitchen.

      Nabiki nodded and sipped her tea. “I think it’s a safe bet they’ll come after Ranma again.”

      “W-Well, we’ve got to help her!” Akane declared, pulling her sore body from the couch.

      Arching an eyebrow, Nabiki looked over her sister dubiously. “Do what exactly? Ranma was the only one capable of standing up against those girls for long.”

      “I’m sure it won’t be that bad. They left peacefully enough.” Mamoru commented, hoping the others would see it his way.

      “And I suppose Ranma can handle that Mars on her own.” Kasumi added, much to Mamoru’s relief though it wasn’t quite what he was hoping for.

      Akane began to look off at nothing as she sat back down. “Yeah. That was really cool.”

      “Now then Mamoru. It is time for you to be a good fiancé to Ranma.” Soun started after a moment of silence.

      “Huh?” Mamoru found himself being dragged up the stairs by his arm.

      Soun laughed. “Yes! Now is the time to woe her, Mamoru!”

      “No, Uncle, I really don’t think that’s such a good idea!” Mamoru protested as he was hurried down the hallway by the two fathers.

      “Nonsense, Mamoru.” Soun tried to calm his nephew. “After such a terrible fight it’s obvious that Ranma will need someone to console her.”

      Genma looked at his old friends oddly, but decided not to say anything. If this wedding happened then Ranma would be honor bound to stay with Mamoru and he would never have to worry about his wife finding out.

      The door closed, cutting off anymore of Mamoru’s protests. The guest room was dark and his eyes had yet to adjust. “ . . ahem . . ah, R-Ranma?” Mamoru walked in further, waving his hands about in case he ran into something. “A-Are you all right?” The edge of the bed caught his foot and sent Mamoru falling over. His hands fell onto two soft, warm pieces of the female anatomy he knew he shouldn’t be touching. “Oh boy.”

      Ukyou was woken rather rudely and looked down to see a boy with his hand on her breast and that of the redhead in her arms. “HENTAI!” She screamed and knocked the boy out of the room, the door falling off of its hinges.

      Still angry, Ukyou stared out the broken door and thinking of continuing to pummel the jerk.

Ranma shifted and gripped her about the waist.

      Ukyou blinked in surprise and looked down, noticing Ranma for the first time. She had no idea how they got into this position. Ranma had been unconscious and she had been feeling tired and rested her head on the futon for only a moment.

      Shaking her head, Ukyou decided to leave it for another time. Putting an arm over her friend, she laid her head back down on the pillow in their futon.

      Soun stared at Mamoru who was lying against the door opposite of the guest room. He looked back in then over to his friend. “Saotome, why is Ranma sleeping with another girl?”

      “. . .”

 

 

End Chapter Four

*     *      *

 

      I don’t know, but there is something satisfying about having Mamoru tossed, knocked, and kicked about the place at least once in every chapter.

      Yes, Ranma is stronger. Yes, it will be explained later, when the Scouts forget about their petty need for revenge against Ranma. Until then, just enjoy a little more mayhem.

      Thanks to everyone who emailed me about Juuban Incident and XinXin Cheng who still enjoys bugging me about getting more chapters posted.

      In case you are wondering, I’m trying to stick away from real specifics about the fights since they aren’t as important as the relationship between Ranma, friends, and the Scouts right now. Also, I’d like it to be known this is an alternate Sailor Moon universe so it will not follow the TV format very well at all.

 

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

 

Ja ne.