A Chaos Moon. Disclaimer: General plea for innocence, I had one to many blows to the head by Akane and I had no idea the characters weren't mine? Not buying it...hrm, how about I was temporarily insane? No? Hrm....*Points in a random direction.* Look, something......distracting! *Runs off* Story so far: Ranma got fed up with everything falling in on him in Nermina, hence he moved to Juuban. There he attended school for two days, knocked around a demon before a demon attacking the school and Usagi drove a change within him and Sailor Terra was reborn, the bad side? Ranma has no recollection of the events. Oh and Ryouga has made amends with Ranma and the two are friends, awww…but alas, Athena aware of Sailor Terra’s partial awakening has sought out the princess of earth and the Senshi of Terra and energy. Obviously, Ranma isn’t too thrilled with a cat after him. Voices in his head (Yes, a mental voice) informs him of a bit of information and things look to be going well until a monster arrives along with a woman reeking of dark energy. The question on everyone’s mind is, what the hells going on? Darkness shall come, An ancient evil reborn Princess returned to the Earth so fair, But fragile as silk and as fleeting as air. A group of warriors are needed to fight But darkness shall win, the world set alight. Hope still shines in the darkest hour, A beacon of light who holds the power. Chapter 3 - Time for answers. Lightning accompanied the renewed rain as the atmosphere of the situation changed to accommodate the tension. The beast threw back its head and roared, unable to be clearly seen through the thick curtains of water from the sky. A pile of rubble where a wall had once stood marked the abrupt burial of Ranma and Ryouga under bricks and piles of debris. Athena was currently thinking of over a dozen possible ways to escape but silently chastised herself, she couldn’t leave Akiro…no not Akiro, Ranma and the boy here alone. Catching a glimpse to her left she saw the woman strangely hover above the ground not at all worried as the demon scuffed its hooves to charge at them. “It’s a demon!” Athena cried out in alarm, not quite sure whom this information was going to help. She was surprised when the woman grinned smugly. “That’s no demon.” With those words the demon charged. Athena braced for her end, the woman just yawned but the monster never got even half way to the two females. As it’s hooves crushed into the rubble a light burned out of the cracks of debris. The beast unsure as to what was happening stopped its charge and that caused to be a very major error. For as the light built in intensity, with a mixture of golden and sickly green the rubble vibrated. As the beast looked down the makeshift burial of the two martial artists exploded revealing a very alive and very annoyed boy and girl. Both of their feet caught the beast in it’s chin causing the large monstrosity to wave it’s arms around comically before falling on it’s back, a shocked expression on it’s face. Ranma silently landed with years of skill on the beast’s stomach, Ryouga landing nearby with his umbrella already over his head to stop his transformation to a Sunday breakfast with eggs. Ranma took one look at the beast’s head, turned and snorted to Ryouga. “What the hell is he doing here?” Ryouga just shrugged in reply to the red haired girl's question. “You know who he is?” Athena’s question had the predictable effect of making Ranma turn and see the wet silver cat at her feet. The reaction was also predictable in the way that Ranma leapt into the air and clung to a windowsill at least ten feet above. When the red haired girls breath had returned she dropped to the ground breathing heavily still nervous around the talking cat. “Don’t do that!” Ranma exclaimed before noticing the woman slowly, what would be the proper word? Her movements were too sleek and graceful like a cat stalking it’s prey. Ranma’s eyes narrowed at the dark energies gathered around her. “Who are you?” The woman held a leather-clad hand to her chest as her face took on a look of false despair. “Don’t tell me the legendary Princess Akiro doesn’t remember me?” All that answer gave was a look of confusion, Athena to slap her head with a paw and Ryouga to raise an eyebrow. “Princess Akiro?” Ranma pointed to herself. “Sorry lady, ya got the wrong person, I'm Ranma Saotome.” The woman’s smirk refused to disappear however. In fact at those words the woman bowed before the red head much to the bafflement of bandanna clad Ryouga and pigtailed Ranma-chan. “I cannot argue….” The woman stood up straight and smiled in a way Nabiki would be jealous. “You are -not- Princess Akiro.” With a flourish of her hand the woman continued, “You are the memory of Akiro, trapped in a body of lies.” Ranma blinked before taking on a look of confusion. Ryouga wasn’t much better except unlike Ranma his vocal cords still worked. “Ranma’s not Akiro or no-one, she’s Ranma Saotome!” Ryouga almost shouted in defiance to the woman. Only after the words came out did he catch himself…why was he thinking of Ranma as a girl so easily, even in his mind? The lady however just smirked and glanced down to Athena who cast a glance back up as if hesitant of the question unasked. “So this ‘Ranma’ is my ultimate rival from back in the moon kingdom?” Turning aside she released a snort before looking over Ranma-chan. “Red hair same colour, eyes the same…build roughly the same and the magic surrounding her although a little distorted is the same.” A sudden clap of hands shook everyone from the questions building in their minds. “So she must be Akiro.” “I aint this Akiro everyone keeps calling me!” Ranma blinked after her outburst, looking about curiously as those about regarded her with various gazes. The woman with a smirk, Ryouga with a confused expression, Athena with a tilted look and finally the unconscious and demon like Taro with, well he wasn’t really looking much. “That’s where you’re wrong…” Athena slowly padded forward and predictably Ranma started edging back, a look of horror passing over her features. “You’re the princess of Earth, and…” “Sailor Terra…” Ryouga finished for the moon cat, placing his umbrella over his red haired friend to keep both from getting further wet. Suddenly the lost boy felt all eyes upon him and almost flinched under the gazes. Regarding Ranma he sighed, slumping his broad shoulders slightly. “You changed at school earlier today and … killed some guy who...” Ryouga sighed unable to continue upon seeing the look of disbelief passing over Ranma’s face before she slowly backed away. “N-No…I aint no girl…” Shaking her head frantically as if to somehow shake the settling fact off like the droplets of water. “I’m a guy! I’m the best martial artist there is not a princess!” Turning to Athena the woman sighed loudly before giving a fanged smirk. “Time to use the lunar mind meld?” Adding in a nonchalant manner as she waved a hand towards Ranma, “She is after all your charge.” Ranma’s eyes widened in not understanding what was said to how it concerned her, there was no possible way they could know of her dreams and nightmares. Ones so real she fell into the character as if it were really… NO! She, He was Ranma Saotome, man amongst man and in no way a princess of Earth! The very idea was ridiculous, and being so lost in the thought pattern Ranma was distracted long enough for Athena to pad before her and look up. Strangely enough as two felines looked on from the roof tops as well as Ryouga and the strange woman a beam of light emitted, then crossed the rain filled distance to meet Ranma’s forehead. Emitting a small gasp Ranma’s eyes rolled back into her head as a symbol of terra glowed where the beam hit her forehead, then she collapsed shortly after only in time to hear Ryouga cry out her name. The last thought travelling through her wandering mind was of one thing, “Stupid P-chan.” Opening her eyes Ranma found that she was in a wonderfully decorated room, lying on the most comfortable bed she could of imagined. Locks of red hair impaired her vision but were easily tended to with a flick of her wrist. Her confused mind failed to register the fact she wore silk like gloves upon her hands, nor the fact the auras about her were all confusing apart from two. One was new to her senses but still felt connected to and the other slightly different in fact, but reminded her of…no, that’s impossible it couldn’t be Usagi. “Ugh…” Ranma rubbed her forehead as she sat up, then caught sight of herself in the mirror across the room. A white see through gown hugged her body with blue over the white to hide areas that shouldn’t be seen. A long flowing skirt hid her legs with blue fabric woven in. Of course it now registered upon her the fact there was another her in the room dressed exactly the same, right down to the long red braided hair. Ranma blinked before gazing as the girl copied her actions and sat up, but something about her was different. Her actions almost stank of elegance if not for the fact as she stood up she stretched, then began to perform a kata directly reflecting those of Ranma’s school, ‘The anything goes school of martial arts.’ “Princess Akiro…you had better not be wasting time in there.” The voice originated from the door causing Akiro and Ranma’s heads to turn and glance at the door. Akiro’s face was a look of sheepish embarrassment as the door opened to reveal…Herb? Wait, no…she looked like Herb but she was dressed as only a girl would. Full Kimono, even a little makeup and Ranma knew Herb would never do that. “Oh Kali, you know I would never do that.” Of course Akiro wasn’t too full of confidence in her own words as she gave her best sheepish smile. Kali however didn’t buy it as she moved up to the princess and shooed her out the door. Ranma however almost died upon seeing who was there, the hairstyle, open expression and innocent eyes gave away Usagi to Ranma, although the gown was similar to Akiro’s! But then again she saw subtle differences in ‘Usagi’, the posture and she seemed to lack the clumsiness and uncertainty Usagi seemed to be enveloped in. Of course that’s a little of why Ranma found her so cute and - Ugh, how could she be thinking such things at a time like this? Herb, no Kali gently ushered Akiro out the door towards the waiting Princess Serenity upon which gave a playful mock frown, hand on hip to add emphasis to her apparent annoyance. “Princess Akiro…late again.” Sighing she smiled, “I don’t know what I’ll do with you.” Akiro in turn just winked, Ranma following well aware by this time she couldn’t be seen. Kali bowed, shutting the door to apparently clean Akiro’s bedchambers leaving Ranma to turn and watch Akiro and Us-, no Princess Serenity head outside. Sighing to herself Ranma placed the palm of her left hand to her forehead, parting bangs and trying to get her bearings. Turning she decided the best course of action was to follow her…well, it wasn’t herself now was it? No, it was Ayako….the real princess of Earth, not her! Of course it wasn’t- “Ranma, why do you fight destiny?” The voice made Ranma jump, turning to face an elegant woman, long flowing silver hair and so recognisable that the word passed her lips before she could even process it within her confused mind. “Queen Serenity.” The woman smiled, a soft caring smile as she nodded shortly after. Behind the voices of princess Serenity and Ayako vanished along with Herb, no Kali cleaning. The world went white, painfully so before all that existed was Ranma, and the Queen. “That’s right Ranma, or shall I call you Ayako?” Offering another knowing smile the queen raised a hand, palm upwards in a so-so expression. “You’re both, yet neither…” Ranma growled softly under her breath, barely even noticing she wasn’t dressed as a princess anymore, but not in her normal clothing either! “And what makes you think I want to be called either of those names, what makes you think I even desire to play into your petty games?” Ranma’s voice was defiant, words spat out like a hissing snake before she instantly regretted them…it was fear making her say the words she did, not anger. “I don’t even known what to name myself…anymore. Ranma Saotome…Man amongst men is scared.” Chuckling lightly the red haired short girl felt her shoulders sagged, dressed in a simple blouse and jeans. “It’s alright…I can’t understand your fear, your anger and worry…” Queen Serenity bent over, tracing her hand over Ranma’s cheek softy…the touch warm, comforting like a mothers touch. “But, in time you will understand, now dear…wake up, we’ll meet again.” And then the world went white… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Somewhere, in another part of the city two figures were conversing quietly, sure of the fact they were not being watched. Feline, the forms of Luna and Artemis as they both sat in Usagi’s room gazing out into the thick curtain of rain. “It’s started..” Artemis nodded sagely to Luna’s words, sighing he looked back at Usagi’s form; she was asleep however restlessly in her bed. Slowly she would squirm in her bad dreams, some form of nightmare invading the moon princess reborn’s mind. “I know Luna, how will they take it though…how will they take it that we lied to them?” Artemis sighed afterwards, his white furred body slumping slightly. Luna gave the male feline’s tail a gentle stroke with her own black furred appendage. “We can only wait and see, and hope they accept the truth. It’s how Reenie and Usagi take it which shall be the hardest….” The comforting sound upon the roof, rain drops ending their journey muffled Usagi’s quietly spoken words; “Princess Akiro…” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Oink?” Eyebrow’s knitted; red hair resting about her head as Ranma slowly came too. She felt a warm snout once more nuzzle her cheek causing her head to gently tilt to the side. Releasing a small sound of mumbled awakening the petite red head slowly raised a hand to her forehead. Eyes opened, grey blue orbs staring at the cieling as Ranma slowly awoke. Ryoga however noticed her awake, and seeing she had worried him it was only fair for the black piglet to begin biting her ear. "ITE!" Ranma sat up as if she had been stung, yanking Ryoga from her ear and tossing him across the room to rebound off the wall. "What'd ya do that for ya stupid pig?!" Ryoga, after getting up from his impromtu flight rolled onto his legs, squealing back to the angry red head. Ranma just shot a dirty glance back, totally ignoring the impending doom approaching from her left flank. While the battle of annoyance was in full force between the two cursed males, Athena made her move. A streak of black fur raced across the floor, lept onto the bed and placed herself upon Ranma's lap. The red head blinked a few times before slowly her eyes drifted down to lock with the moon cat's own. Cold sweat beaded under red bangs, left eyelid twitching a little...hands shaking, lower lip trembling. "Akir-" Athena was cut off by an ear piercing scream subsequently followed by Ranma trying to make a break for it, only to run head first into the door. It's needless to say when Nodoka came in to see how her son, currently daughter was doing she was greeted with the sigh of an unconcious red head on the floor with a silver cat and black piglet both gnawing and pawing to get her awake. This only left one statement to be said by the matriach of the Saotome clan; "Oh dear..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunday been and gone Ranma was left to wander to school thinking about the previous events. Memories had been awakened in his head which caused confusion whenever he tried to understand their meaning. The dreams, the talking cat, the demons and not to mention that strange woman he met when Tarou attacked. Frowning at this Ranma wondered when he would get an explaination for that, when he awoke later at home after his reintroduction to the door frame Ryouga explained that Tarou had escaped when they were occupied. Sighing the man amongst men, only child to Nodoka and Genma Saotome ran his fingers through ruffled bangs. "I don't know what to think anymore." "Don't know what to think anymore?" Ranma was so pre-occupied he never noticed Usagi catch up to him from behind until her words were asked. Erking softly Ranma forced a grin while arms folded behind his head. "Nu'thin...just, getting confused over...math problems!" The last bit was said rather quickly but Usagi didn't seem to notice at all. "Math?" Usagi absently made her pace to the same as Ranma's so they could converse. It was strange for her to be up early but the dreams she had been having made it almost impossible to sleep. So much was evident by the small dark circles under her otherwise bright and cheerful eyes. "That sounds hard." Ranma gave a small grin to Usagi, he -knew- Usagi was Sailor Moon....but also Princess Serenity. Of course while grinning his mind was mulling slowly over the treasure trove of hidden knowledge. Whatever Athena had done to his head, it seemed to release a vault of information that he could almost grasp but whenever his mental fingers brushed the edges it would close up barring entry. So deep in thought wasthe pig tailed martial artist he didn't notice the pole until his nose was formally greeted to it. Usagi rushed to his side and before she knew what she was doing she was helping him up. "Are you ok?" Usagi's worried tone helped shake the ringing from Ranma's ears. "Ite, i'm fine...really, this is nu'thin." Ranma got to his feet rubbing his nose a little with a finger. It was about then his mind slowly clicked into a proper working mode. Usagi currently was flushing bright red, slowly moving her hands from Ranma's arms from when she was helping him up and had just inadvertantly gotten a good feel of his build. Ranma noticing her flustered look gave a grin in an attempt to get her mind off whatever made her blush. "Thanks for helping." "Y-You're welcome." Usagi's cheeks still burning red she couldn't quite understand her own actions. Smiling brightly with her blush gone she slowly started to walk to school. "Come on, this is the second time i'm going to be on time!" Ranma could only chuckle and follow along beside the smaller blonde, completely oblivious to the fact the blush was all about him. What either failed to notice was a man dressed in a tuxedo get up spying upon them from a tall building. Twirling a rose between his thumb and forefinger Tuxedo Kamen watched Crystal Tokyo's future queen walk beside a man who spew forth chao's energy almost on par with the negaverse. "It seems Usagi's feelings for me are weakening as Akiro awakens...I can feel her will growing stronger but still too faint to find out where." Sighing slightly he grasped the rose firmly, careful not to destroy the petals. "I will find you Akiro...and soon Usagi must know the truth. I just hope she forgives me, and the others." leaping from the building Tuxedo Kamen made his way to where Luna and Artemis waited, hoping they could shed some light on this chao's leaking young man. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The teacher continued her lessons not that Usagi heard them. Arms folded as a makeshift cushion she was asleep, deep asleep one might say. And as people normally do when they sleep, Usagi was dreaming. It was a street, an empty street and Usagi saw herself, in school uniform and before her stood Princess Serenity. Confused she listened as they argued. "You are destined for Mamoru, nothing can change this fact." Serenity stood with proper posture, hands held before her lap. "I know this, but he breaks up with me...and I feel...I don't know." Usagi sighed and looked down, clearly losing the arguement. "Crystal Tokyo must become reality, you know this...everyone is counting on you to do the right thing." Serenity gave a small smile with her words. "B-But....." Usagi looked up only to be cut off by Serenity. "You like Ranma, don't you. He shows you kindness and concern you've been missing since Mamoru broke up with you again." Usagi nodded to Serenity's words, truer words she had never heard. "Yes.....a-and there's something else..." Usagi and Serenity were cut off by further conversation by a girl appearing, shrouded in blackness it was only her figure that was clear. A long pigtail ran down her back and dressed as the Sailor Senshi. Both looked and both knew, this is the true reason...for everything. Akiro. "She is the one you seek Usagi, the one we both seek.." Serenity looked at the image along with Usagi who silently nodded. Waking up with a jolt, mainly because Miss Sakurada was standing before her Usagi blinked up tiredly before eeping. "Usagi, go stand out in the halls." Sakurada sighed as Usagi obediently trudged off into the hallway, only to turn and see Ranma grinning over sheepishly from just a little down the hallway carrying a bucket of water in each hand. Usagi gave a small smile back before both waited out their classes to end. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Ranma Saotome may be trusted." Sailor Pluto stood in Mamoru's apartment along with Luna and Artemis, all discussing the new comer. Mamoru, back into his usual attaire busied himself with tidying up his apartment while replying simply. "He leaks chao's energy." "I agree with him on this Pluto, the boy does leak chao's energy...and Athena isn't around so we don't know anyone to guide Akiro should she awaken." Artemis looked at Pluto who had a small smile on her face. Blinking he knew all to well what that smile meant. "Athena is around?" Luna questioned, even Mamoru had stopped to turn and listen. "Athena is around yes, and having some troubles with her young charge. Akiro has begun to awaken but there is some, problems with such a thing occuring. The chao's energy from the boy is nothing to be worried about, it is not negaverse energy and that's all you need to know." Pluto absently looked at the collection of blank stares, most importantly Mamoru's. "Where is Akiro, where is my little sister?" Mamoru almost demanded of the senshi of time who gave another smile. "You will find out soon enough, and remember in this time she isn't your sister...you should be more concerned trying to figure out how to explain to Usagi the lies that have been made." Pluto inwardly gave a little credit to her future self, making that ploy that Prince Endymon and Princess Serenity were together in the future was genius, and well acted. But now as all lies do, the threads were pulling apart. "Where is Athena?" Luna questioned, eager to meet with her old friend. Pluto however gave one last smile. "That, is a secret you'll have to find out yourselves." With that the Senshi disappeared back to the Time gate leaving Artemis to grumble. "Don't tell me, back to watching the boy twenty four seven." Mamoru however had different plans, turning to look at the cats he asked a question they knew the answer too. "Is this Ranma boy....is he the one who is destined to be Princess Terra?" Luna and Artemis exchanged looks to this before sighing. "Ranma, may not be...but we saw a girl who shares his clothes...she looks almost exactly like Akiro, does the same martial arts and ki manipulation we're just unable to find her." Luna's explanation caused all three to think, wondering where to find the girl. Meanwhile in another part of town as Ranma walked home he began to sneeze. Rubbing under his nose he looked into the sky with a little hmmm of thought. "Someone must be talking about me..." "Don't dwadle Ranma, we have to go home and get ready for the meeting." Athena's voice made the hair on the back of Ranma's head stand on end. "I'm never going to get used to you..." Ranma's mumbled words caused Athena to laugh, "I'm never going to get used to having a male charge, well at least you look like Akiro when female." Ranma blanched at that, pulling his back pack closer to his back with a quick tug. It wasn't the words, just a small part of him was...almost proud of that fact, and that made him worried. "Yes well, we better go meet Rei and the others at the arcade." Athena just gave a sage nod and followed behind, still figuring out the small changes within the boy. His manner was improving even over night, and he had quickly overcome his fear of cats and allowed her to be near him. It seemed Akiro's personality and his own were coming together and the moon cat couldn't be happier, soon she would have her best friend back. Ranma for his part was unaware of the changes, but they were slight. Something within him was stopping Akiro from fully melding with himself, many conflicting things were happening within his head. On one half was Ranma, everything about him that made him; him. Then on the other side, with a barrier put up by Ranma himself was Akiro's life, everything that made her, her. Ranma didn't know why he was blocking her off, scared, worried. Sighing he shook his head, he hadn't heard that voice in his head since that night. The thought of a girl...him once being a girl made him put up his defenses the moment he woke. He thought this over so completely as he entered his mothers house he almost walked straight into Nabiki. "Hello again Ranma." Turning to peer behind the startled pig tailed boy she spied the silvercat with the strange forehead marking. Mewling innocently the cat stood beside Ranma's left foot. "That's a cat, right?" Ranma snapped out of his daze to look down, twitching a little before regaining his composure. "Well, yes." Grinning sheepishly up he tried to change the subject to avert the older girls inquisition. "So, where's Kasumi?" Nabiki sighed and tsk'd a little. "Ranma, Ranma, Ranma....do you really think you can divert me so easily?" Bending over she stroked Athena's ear gently earning a pleased purr. "I'll ask you about this later, as well as the strange mark I saw on your head that day you left." Athena gave a surprised look to this but hid hers well, Ranma didn't. "Ah, I see that shall be interesting to hear." With a small smirk she folded her arms under her bosom to gesture to the kitchen. "Kasumi's in there, along with your mother and apparently your cousin." Ranma gulped audibly as Nabiki smiled over her shoulder, already heading off to the guest room. "I'll be waiting to hear your story later." With that the middle Tendo sister went into the guest room, obviously where she was spending the night. Ranma looked down at Athena who gave a feline equivilant of a shrug. "Don't look at me.." Ranma grumbled under his breath just as Kasumi and Rei came out, Rei obviously filling in Kasumi on what she did, and how Ranma was doing since he had come here. Turning she gave a smile to Ranma, hands held before her lap with a kind smile. "It's nice to see you again Ranma, your cousin is such a nice girl." Kasumi said with a soft voice as Rei smiled back. "Thanks, your friends are nice Ranma." Rei gave a small smile to Kasumi before her eyes strayed to Athena and widened slightly upon spying the crescent...not to mention it was the same cat when 'Sailor Terra' showed. "Oh what a cute kitty." Kasumi quickly bent over as Athena padded over accepting the pets and scritches with a hearty purr. Rei turned to Ranma and gently grabbed his upper arm. "Still going to the arcade with us Ranma?" Rei asked with a smile, ignoring what she had just seen for now. "Usagi and the others really want to see you again." Rei gave a teasing wink, "Meat ball head especially." Ranma chuckled, rubbing the back of his head before looking at Kasumi. "You don't mind do you?" Kasumi gave a quick shake of her head before smiling, Athena now held in her arms and purring with delight to the strokes she was receiving. "Of course not Ranma, we'll see you when you return." She looked back as Nodoka emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands upon the apron she wore. "Have fun with your cousin Ranma, but be back in time for dinner." "Alright mom." Quickly dashing to his room to drop off his bag he barely got time to shout out a goodbye before Rei dragged him out of the house. Athena however despite her purrs was watching Rei carefully, wondering where she had seen her before. The moon feline continued to watch her right until the door shut behind the two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the realm of flames, the female which made greater demons cringe sat on her throne. Still looking like a cute young girl despite her hellish eyes, it didn't help the general before her as he bent down low. Short black hair, crisp uniform much alike Rudia's except upon his back he seemed to have an oversized shuriken. "As you know Rudia failed to destroy Akiro, and she is still not fully awake." The girl pouted for a second, "I wish to play with her, but you need to lure her to full awakening by stealing blood for chao's and energy for the negaverse." Smiling the ten year old abomination rested her young hands on the throne arms. "If you fail, i'll play with you instead..." Parasite held a hand to his chest bowing down low in respect for his queen. "Yes my Queen, Crystal Tokyo shall never come to be...I shall see to that." With those words the man vanished in a flume of black flame leaving the Queen to smile, drumming her fingers on the throne while humming a hauntingly errie song. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back to Juuban it was becoming obvious something was amiss. Ryouga looked back and forth, trying to figure out just where he was but finally he became resigned to realise he was lost. Horribly lost, never to find where Ranma is lost. The 'Where the hell am I' lost, well you get the idea. "Where the hell am I now?!" Ryouga roared into the heavens only to have Kasumi stick her head out of the kitchen window and look at Ryouga who was currently in the backyard. "Oh hello Ryouga, are you coming for dinner?" Kasumi's cheery smile did little to elevate Ryouga's confusion. "Am I back in Nermina, at the Tendo Dojo?" Looking about he frowned thoughtfully. "Doesn't look like it." Kasumi giggled before Nabiki slowly walked around the corner of the house with her customary smirk. "You're hopeless Ryouga, you're in Juuban, and this is Ranma's mothers house." Folding her arms she tapped a foot. "Well, are you going to follow me in or not? I could just leave you to get lost again." Swallowing his pride Ryouga followed Nabiki keeping care to keep his eyes on her at all times. That is of course until three figures lept into the backyard, a very exotic beauty and two males. Herb, Mint and Lime to be exact. "We meet again..." Herb's voice was smooth and sensual reflecting the body she currently wore. Nabiki for her part just sighed and looked at the gathering. "You would finally decide to show up now just as Ranma goes out with his cousin." Sighing she looked at the all, not even batting an eyelid as Herb blasted her two 'henchmen' into the ground with well aimed ki blasts. Two hand prints on her bosom were enough to say why. "I guess we shall wait for him to return then, I have things to discuss that cannot wait." "Oh my, more guests for dinner?" Kasumi turned to Nodoka who stood behind the eldest Tendo daughter eyeing the group with a smile and won the years 'most obvious statement award'. "My! Well my son certainly does have a lot of odd friends." Nabiki just tapped her chin thoughtfully, tonight should prove very interesting for all involved, Athena however was eyeing Herb carefully, she looked like...no, it couldn't be her. Sighing the guardian of Akiro, and thusly Ranma began to get a head ache, her charge sure had an interesting life. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ranma and Rei slowly made their way down the street, Ranma with his arms folded behind his head and Rei constantly looking like she had a question to ask but not sure how to. Finally Rei summed up the courage to ask the question haunting her. "Ranma, where did you find that cat? Weren't you made phobic of cats from your uncle Genma's training?" Ranma blinked at that before chuckling weakly. "Well you see, mom had her in the house for a pet, but kept her hidden from me...apparently she found her on the sidewalk one day and nursed ehr back to health." Looking skyward he continued. "She just kind of grew on me I suppose." Rei disgested this information then blinked. Sailor Terra had red hair, aunty Nodoka had reddish brown hair not to mention having a moon cat as her pet. Mentally grinning Rei was going to have to do a fire reading to make sure, but wouldn't the others be surprised if she single handedly found out who Sailor Terra was? And if it was her own Aunty? "Um Rei-chan, you're beginning to look a little...crazy." Rei blinked as Ranma was looking at her with a grin. True, she had been looking a little, over zealous with her big grin and clenching and unclenching of hands. Whacking him gently she humphed. "That's not nice to say." Rei stuck out her tongue before smiling a little, it was nice to be back with her cousin but wait, what was Setsuna doing in front of them. Narrowing her eyes she made sure the green haired woman was the senshi of time. There was no mistaking it, especially when she greeted Ranma first. "Hello Ranma, I see you're taking good care of Sailor Mars here." Setsuna smiled warmly much to the surprise of Rei, also the fact her left eye was twitching. Forcing a laugh she waved her hand in an attempt to prove otherwise. "Oh no, i'm not Sailor Mars...we just look slightly similar with our hair styles!" Rei was beginning to sweat as Ranma blinked a little. Looking at Rei then Setsuna he blinked again. "How did you know my name?" Ranma thought a little, a fiancee that his stupid father hadn't told him about? Possibly. But before he could open his mouth to ask such Setsuna was smiling at Rei, who was casting a glare back that could possibly turn the older woman into ash. "Oh don't be silly Rei, you're the Senshi of Mars." Turning to Ranma she smiled again, showing more emotion than she usually does in a month. "But Ranma here already knew that, didn't you?" Rei turned to cast a glance at Ranma demanding an answer, amongst great shock. Ranma just chuckled weakly and rubbed the back of his head in reply before speaking. "Sorry Rei-chan, I guessed it from your auras. You can change your appearance but not your ki." Rei shot him a smouldering glare before forcefully prodding him in the chest. "If you tell -anyone- about this I'll-" She was cut off however by Setsuna's intervention. "There's no need, Ranma knew and didn't tell already we can trust him. Now come on there's urgent matters to discuss about this new enemy. I'm sorry Ranma but this is only for the Sailor Senshi to hear, but if you go home you'll have a surprise of your own I promise you that." With those words Setsuna turned to walk down a nearby alley but when both Rei and Ranma turned to look she was nowhere to be found. Rei sighed heavily and gave her cousin a wave. "I'll be around later to discuss this, don't tell-" "Anyone. Don't worry, I wont Rei-chan." Grinning Ranma finished Rei's sentence before watching her run off. Finally Setsuna's words caught up to him, "Wait, how did she know so much about me, and...." Massaging his forehead Ranma sighed, it was time to go home, that woman reminded him so much of Nabiki it scared him. Giving just enough information to confuse but not enough to inform. "Surprise at home?" Ranma pondered over this as he was heading back, this porved to be a mistake considering as he was so deep in thought he failed to notice the old woman sprinkling water over her garden. As Ranma walked by enough water was accidentally splashed upon his body to make him shorter, female and drop dead gorgeous. "Oh great..." Ranma tugged at her clothes before a wave of mental anguish caused the petite pigtailed girl to fall to her knees. Gripping her head she winced in pain, having gone a couple more steps into an alley prior she was out of immediate sight. Men don't scream she kept telling herself, feeling the wall she had built up begin to splinter and crack. Obviously being in female form made her defenses weak as her hair begin to lengthen despite the dragon whisker within her hair. Concentrating with all she could muster Ranma tried to keep the wall up but couldn't do so, defenses crumbling she succumbed to unconciousness in the alley, sprawled out on the concrete. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "No, Ranma knows we're all scouts. Not just you Rei." Setsuna sipped her tea while the arguing continued. Haruka saying that such a threat should be silenced, Mamoru sitting opposite Usagi about the table pointing out it is a risk. Usagi and Rei arguing he could be trusted while Chibi-Usa and Hotaru saying he sounded nice so nothing should be done to him. Minako and Makoto both agreed he was too cute to injure while Setsuna, Ami and Michiru walking on neutral ground for now, although the later tilted more towards Haruka's solution. "Ranma wouldn't betray us!" Usagi exclaimed in such a forceful tone everyone stopped to blink in surprise. Before anyone could open their mouths to reply Usagi cemented her statement, "Setsuna said he knew prior and didn't say anything, so I believe he wont and that is my decision." Frowning slightly she looked at everyone around the table. "And anyone thinking of injuring my cousin will have to deal with me." Rei added while Setsuna smiled quietly, the Princess was growing up which was a good thing, everyone, even Haruka keeping quiet so as not to upset Usagi. Ami however quickly changed the subject so as not to cause further tension. "Well, we've settled this so let's get back to the real issue....what about the new enemies showing up?" Taking a little breath she continued. "They're far more vicious than previous youma's and seem to wish to kill as well as steal energy. Furthermore there seems to be a new Senshi, Sailor Terra is you said she called herself Rei." Rei nodded at this before Setsuna once more spoke up, setting down her empty cup. Rei's place, being a shrine was a perfect place for gatherings seemed to suit the Senshi of Time well, being secluded. "Sailor Terra is our ally, she's also the last Sailor Senshi to awaken and has...great destiny to uphold." Turning to Usagi she smiled again causing everyone to blink, Setsuna's smiling mood began to un-nerve everyone, she hardly -ever- smiled. "As do you Princess, which you shall learn when the time is right." With that Setsuna transformed to Sailor Pluto, "I leave you with that information, she will come when the time is bleakest." With that she vanished leaving Rei to slam her fist onto the table startling poor Minako who was sitting beside. "Why does she always do that?" Rei demanded, not that anyone had the answer. Of course things must revert back to normal eventually and as such Usagi seemed to be rather engrossed in something under the table, within her lap. "What are you doing Usagi?" Rei asked of the pig tailed girl who looked rather guilty. Quickly snatching the manga from the blonde Rei growled under her breath. "Who said you could read these in our meetings, this is serious! You can be such an air head at times Usagi!" Usagi sniffled before bursting into tears loudly proclaiming the often heard phrase, "You're so mean Rei!" Needless to say the Outer and Inner scouts were working damage control from there on, all except Sailor Pluto who watched Ranma lie on the ground. "Soon Ranma, soon you must learn to accept it and not fight it. We'll need you soon, and we'll need you as Akiro and Ranma combined." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Long braided red hair, sailor senshi outfit, cute, even so far as to say drop dead beautiful. It was Sailor Terra or Akiro standing before Ranma within his dream, she looked sad and he knew why. "Why don't you accept me?" Akiro asked, her voice soft while Ranma gritted his teeth, hands balling into fists. "Because i'm a guy, i'm not a girl. I'm Ranma Saotome, man amongst men." Ranma averted his eyes, unable to look at the sad girl before him. "But i'm part of you, you would still be you just stronger, and have complete memories...." Akiro held her hands before her, she was everything Ranma was afraid of. Feminine, Female version of himself...she was like him in so many ways. Martial arts, personality, but also female in what she did. Polite, showing emotions freely. Everything Genma had beaten out of Ranma at a young age not to be. "I'm strong enough, I know if I were to accept you into me...I know enough that I wouldn't be myself anymore...I wouldn't be Ranma Saotome....I would be a girl." Ranma looked at Akiro who in turn had her gaze fall to the floor, looking at her boot clad feet. So it was true. "Yes, you would be female physically...and a little mentally....but you would also be a Sailor Senshi and have the power to help others more so than now. My memories are locked away too, until we become one..." Akiro looked at Ranma, begging him now. "Please, you know mother would love us no matter how we looked, and father's opinion isn't worth noting..." Ranma shook his head, shaking the reasoning from his mind. It scared him, scared him that who was in front of him wasn't Akiro, wasn't the sealed memories...they were still tucked away in the recesses of his mind. No, this girl was him, but more the female side of him. And were he to accept this female version into himself he might get the memories, he might understand what everything meant...might understand why he felt even slightly attracted to Usagi so easily. He might even gain vast amounts of power, but in doing so...he would lose who he was. "I...don't wanna be selfish, I don't wanna be hurtful...I just can't do it." Ranma looked up as Akiro, or more a female shell of herself with Ranma's memories and not her own sighed and had warm tears roll down her cheeks. He felt broken inside, hurt for making her cry. "I-I understand, t-that's your decision, I can't force you." Rubbing her eyes she slowly stepped back, "Then take care Ranma, I wont bother you again." With that she changed to mist, floating about the errie emptyness of the dream scape before vanishing altogether. Ranma gritted his teeth, resolving himself. He had made his decision now he must live with it. But he knew deep down the curse was slowly becoming more potent, stronger somehow and it made him wonder as conciousness gripped him, yanking Ranma from his dream. Was his female body really the curse, or was he truely afraid that it was in fact his male body which was the curse. Shaking such thoughts from her head, back into her real body...female ironically she got to her feet and at the same time quickly scanning for a hot water source. Spying a local cafe she slipped inside, returning outside with a plastic cup of hot water. A quick dousing later and Ranma returned to his male form to wander along towards home. Still confused over the vivid dream he walked along the path leading to the entrance. His hand gripped the doorknob and turned, pushing forward. The door to the house opened as normal. He stepped inside as normal. What wasn't normal was the fact he was confronted with an all to familiar face upon getting into the house. Herb smiled as she looked Ranma over before stepping forward making the stunned martial artist take a step back. "Herb?" Ranma questioned. Herb in turn slowly gripped an all too familar item, laddle and bucket held in her left hand. "We meet again Ranma." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Slipping through the shadows a woman travelled with ease. Long purple ponytail trailed behind, a familiar leather outfit cladding her body in places like a second skin. One would think her running, or walking but she was 'phasing' in and out of reality between her points. A smirk played upon her lips while she came to a stop near a park. Running fingers through her locks of hair the woman mused quietly the progressionof Ranma and the reawakening of Akiro. "He didn't accept the fusion to allow Sailor Terra to be reborn." A silver fingernail found it's way to her chin, tapping in thought. "I thought as such, but I did have higher hopes." Suddenly her look of quiet comtemplation became one of alertness. Turning she came to face Parasite, his expression one of amusement. "It's not often you let your guard down, Azure." Smirking he folded his arms upon his chest, leaning back against the large oak tree behind. Azure gave an indiginant snort before placing hands upon hips, not giving Parasite the slightest look of interest or respect. "What brings one of her lap dogs out this far into the Earth Realm?" Azure questioned, tactfully avoiding commenting or biting back at Parasites observation. However Parasite bit down on her insult, his mirthful look fading into one of restrained anger. "I'm here to do my job, unlike yourself. You're an insult, Rudia was destroyed and even though he deserved it for being a fool here I find you unconcerned with our Queen's orders and freely wandering the Earth Realm." Azure just smirked at this before shrugging nonchantley, her smirk catching Parasite off guard. "Freely wandering? I know where and who Akiro is, does that sound like doing nothing?" Parasite's eyes widened to Azure's words, she had thrown out the lure and he had all but swallowed it down. "And where does the bitch reside?" It was clear he shared as much love for the Senshi of Earth as Rudia had, Azure however wasn't going to give up such information easily. "I have no reason to tell you." With that Azure slowly walked by Parasite, hands fixing her hair as she did so. "You do your job, and i'll do mine." Parasite couldn't help but have a smirk grow on his face as Azure gained a few feet of distance behind him. "I see there's a reason why even the Queen allows your life to continue Azure. When it comes to your job, you do it without peer, it's no wonder your a greater demoness." With that the general vanished in a quick explosion of charcoal black flames. Azure stood still for a few moments before the park became alive with the night sounds once more. "You had better awaken soon my rival, or I will be forced to strike pre-maturely, and that wouldn't be a fitting way to end our rivalry would it?" Then she too vanished from the park, and even the Earth Realm all together. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Author Notes: Aiiie, i'm sorry for the very, very long time between parts. Also apologize for the quality lacking. There's many reasons which can be summed up in a few words. University, Writers Block, Drawing, and Video games. But now i'm back to writing and so should be pumping out parts at regular intervals once more. As for my proof readers, i'm sorry to say but my computer crashed and in doing so I lost everything which includes my files on who were said readers. Just give me a yell if you're still around, I'd be happy to have you proof read. (That is if you still wish too) As for the story? Another cliff hanger? Well...I couldn't help myself. I wanted to start a new chapter/part for the reunion with Herb and also qualms over why Ranma refused to fuse with Akiro and become whole once more and regain the mantle of Sailor Senshi. I did get an email a long time ago begging me not to have Ranma become a typical princess/girl. I still intend for this not to happen. Sailor Terra showed up as a once off, now Ranma's sealed her off in his head perhaps forever? Oh who am I kidding, you'll find out later. Also characters acting out of well, character? It's been over a year, i'm rusty! Not to mention the mishapen story in this part? Again sorry, expect from now on them to slow down and be more detailed and longer. Mainly because things are going to slow down now, become a little more serious but still comedic where it counts. Well that's my apologies done, hope you enjoy reading my attempts at fanfiction. And as always, rants shall be cried upon by Usagi, so don't bother sending them. Intelligent feedback is welcome however. Send emails to wild__fox@hotmail.com (That's two _ in between Wild and Fox...ok, i'll shut up now) ^.^;