SMST: The Village Hidden in the Moon – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: None of the aforementioned characters belong to me.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special Note: This story takes place during the events depicted in "SMST: Hero Initiative"
Author's Note: Originally, I was going to tie-in the "Naruto" stuff in "The Ranma Trek" series, but certain story mechanics are hindering that process. So, anything related to "Naruto", with one or two exception, will be in THIS story.
Part One
Years ago…
The Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, perhaps the most powerful of the "shinobi kage" within the federation of hidden shinobi villages (known as the "Go Kamisori Gama"), was scared. And considering the fact that his foe happened to be a powerful demon fox, it is reasonable for the Fourth to be scared. However, it was not because of the demon fox's presence that frightened him. No, it was what he was about to do to his son that the Fourth was frightened for.
"Minato," says a familiar voice. "We have to be ready to attack."
The Fourth looked down at the King of Toads.
"Gamabunta, I KNOW that," the Fourth says. "If I had my old body, I could have used a 'Moon Healing' attack or something on this…thing."
"Heh, you and your silly attacks," Gamabunta says with a smirk. "Still, it would have been interesting to have been there when you fought this…Queen Beryl."
"Yes, it would have been," the Fourth chuckled. "Though, I doubt you would have gotten along with my moon cat guardian Luna."
"Perhaps-"
"RRROOOWRRL!"
Gamabunta and the Fourth Hokage look on to see the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox growling. From what the Fourth knew, the demon fox started out as a "changing breed" member of the Kitsune. In fact, this particular creature was a mystic that was in the service of the spider demon Naraku Onigumo, who, unfortunately, had a long history of harassing the Fourth and his family…when the Fourth was a female named Usashinko, the Lady of the Land of Fire. And that lady was really Usagi Tsukino, otherwise known as "Sailor Moon". Not surprisingly, regardless of what form the Fourth took, no matter the incarnation and life, the past has a tendency to bite him on the behind. After all, it was the Fourth, as Usashinko, that had originally sealed away the demon fox. But now, thanks to recent archeological excavation in the area, the demon fox was released from its captivity.
Too bad "Usashinko" was in a new form. Being reborn as "Minato Namikaze" left the Fourth only the memories of his past incarnation, and he only recovered that recently. Otherwise, the Fourth would've had the means to seal the demon fox properly. And because of that lack of ability, the Fourth was going to do the unthinkable: sealing the demon fox in his own son Naruto.
"Forgive me, my son," the Fourth says, as he begins the process of dealing with the thing that has destroyed so many lives…
Now…
Usagi Tsukino woke up in her bedroom while feeling the soothing rays of the Sun.
"Morning, sleepy-head," says a familiar voice.
Usagi rolls over to see Luna, her Moon Guardian Cat, hopping on her bed.
Usagi smiled.
"Hey, Luna," Usagi says, as she sits up in her bed. "Boy, was yesterday…interesting."
"I'll say," Luna replies. Somehow, she, in spite of being a black cat at the moment, blushed, as she recalls the bachelorette that went last night. "I do hope that Minako is going to be okay, though."
"Ah, she will be," Usagi says, as she looks over her shoulders, where the senshi of Venus was sleeping peacefully. "With her drinking so much, and wailing about not getting a chance to be with Ranma for a while, I rather have her here with me. That way, I can keep an eye on her."
"So…nothing happened last night?"
"No…of course not," Usagi fumed. "Why would you assume that every time I sleep in the same bed with someone, SOMETHING has to happen?"
"Well…you do have a reputation of not being 'gender-specific' when it comes to matters of the heart."
"Look, first, I haven't been 'that way' in a while."
"What about Osiris?"
"Just because Osiris happens to be in the body of a woman, that doesn't mean I see 'him' as a woman," Usagi says, referring to the Gao'uld System Lord of the same name. "And besides, it's the 'Isis' in me that acts on those desires, not me."
"Riiiight…"
"And secondly, I promised myself that I will remain celibate until my wedding day…which is TODAY."
"Speaking of which, I thought that you were going for a full wedding?"
"Originally, I did, but after what has happened with me being kidnapped and all, Ranma and I decided to have a civil ceremony, and just get it over with. We are going to have a small wedding reception at the Tendo Residence, and then have our honey moon back at Hinokune Prefecture."
"Why there?"
"In order to get my son's wedding ready, of course."
"Isn't Naruto too young to get married?"
"No, I'm referring to his older brother Kenshin."
"Oh. He's the flirt."
"Yep. And since he is taking his father's place as 'daimyo', he has to be…respectable. Getting married is a part of it, not to mention that the girl he marrying is from an allied clan."
"But…do you not have a problem with your son marrying a WEREWOLF?"
Usagi gives Luna a bewildered look.
"That's prejudicial of you to say that."
"I'm sorry, but I was entrusted to see to your best interests."
"I appreciate that, but your obligation to my mother is done. I WILL create Crystal Tokyo, and I have gave birth to the heir of the Earth and the Moon…even though it was during a time when I was split into two parts: one good, one evil, and the evil me seduced Mamoru in order to have that heir."
"And that is probably while Setsuna no longer has any objections to your marriage to Ranma," Luna says. "In fact, your marriage brings about a political alliance between the Lunarians and the Juraians, which will be good for the future."
"Actually, my marriage allows me to be more open about my relationship with my HUSBAND," Usagi says, as she gets up from her bed to stretch. She then turns to face her long-time friend and animal companion.
"Let's do this thing…"
A short time later…
"And I now pronounce you 'husband'…and 'wife'," says the local magistrate, as he closes his book. "You may kiss."
Ranma felt nervous, as he turns to face his wife of so many years. She appeared to be in her late teens, but carried herself in a manner that made her seemed older. Both he and Usagi were dressed in Western, conservative clothes; Ranma was in a gray Armani suit that was tailored, and had a white rose on his lapel, while Usagi dressed in a white pants suit (ruffled and flared) with white, wooly shawl and semi-fitted bodice. She wore a silver choker (with white ribbon), and had her hair done in a chignon bun; she carried white roses as her bouquet.
'So beautiful…' Ranma thought.
"Go ahead and kiss her, Dad," Naruto says, as he waits impatiently, along with his sisters Renata and Genko.
Ryouga, Ranma's best man, merely chuckled.
"Yeah, Ranma," Ryouga says. "What are you: afraid of kissing your own WIFE?"
"Ha, fat chance," Ranma says, as he took Usagi face…and kissed her deeply.
"Aw," Renata says, as tears began to flow. "I hope MY wedding will be just as romantic as Mom and Dad's."
"Humph," Genko harrumphed. The pre-teen was never beholden by anything "beautiful".
"Congratulations," Akane Tendo says, as she sees Usagi and Ranma's kiss end.
Usagi turns around. Akane was Usagi's "maid of honor". There were concerns about Akane freaking out about the fact that Usagi was renewing her wedding vows, but Akane, having recovered her full memories, promised to support Ranma and Usagi in this regard.
"Thank you, Akane," Usagi says, as she hugged her co-wife. Although Ranma and Usagi have been together for eons, it seems, Akane will always have the honored distinction of being Ranma's FIRST wife.
Ken and Ikuko held hands. Although they knew that their daughter's life was strange, seeing Usagi get married provided a bit of solace to them.
And for Lady Arwen, who was there for her son Ranma, she wondered if the shade of her husband was smiling at their son's fortunes…even if from the afterlife.
After thanking the magistrate for officiating the wedding, Ranma and Usagi turn to face their guests. Although Ken and Ikuko wanted a more traditional wedding, it was decided that it was best to move things along.
"Congratulations, son," Ken says, as he shook Ranma's hand.
"You, too, my precious daughter," Ikuko says, as she hugged Usagi. "I can now accept you as an adult woman."
"Thanks, Mom," Usagi replies.
"My son, I am proud of you," Arwen says, as she hugged Ranma. "I wish your father could have been alive to see this."
Ranma said nothing, having thought of the day when he found out that he was the reincarnation of Prince Eldarion, the son of Aragon and Arwen…of Middle Earth.
"Thanks, Mother," Ranma says, as he hugs.
"And I am sorry that Nodoka was not here to witness this occasion."
"She's just mad that I've accepted you as my mother, not to mention the fact that I've decided to take on the 'Tsukino' name as my own," Ranma says. "And the thing is, I'm still using the 'Saotome' name whenever I do work outside of Japan."
"Perhaps it is because Nodoka is lonely?" Arwen offers.
"Perhaps. I'll definitely will talk to her about this later, though."
"Of course."
Ranma notices Akane speaking to Ryouga.
"Um, if you can excuse me for a moment..."
"Of course, my son..."
Ranma goes over to Akane.
"Hey, I need to speak to Akane for a moment," Ranma said to Ryouga.
Ryouga looks at Ranma. Actually, it was Ryouga-sama, the future Ryouga Hibiki, that was looking at Ranma. He had to come to the realization that his wife Naru was really...Ranma. Still, in spite of this, the life of Naru Osaka existed long enough to allow a distinctive personality to form, and it is this personality that remains intact even after Naru realized who she really was. In fact, anytime Ranma becomes Naru, his personality shifts accordingly. It was still...weird for Ryouga to take, but he didn't want to lose his wife. And he definitely did not want their daughter Ryoukiko to lose her mother.
"Um, sure," Ryouga says, before leaving Ranma alone with Akane.
"Hey," Ranma says.
"Hey," Akane replies.
Silence.
"How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay, I guess."
More silence.
"Look, Akane, I want to thank you for coming," Ranma says. "It means a lot to Usagi and I that you did this."
"Ranma, you don't have to worry about my feelings," Akane says, as she touches Ranma's face. "As long as we are together in some how...I'll deal with having to share you with other women. Besides...at least I'm the first one. I just wish that the girls could be here."
"Akane, it would have been hard on them to see their dad marry someone else, which is why I told Natsume and Karumi to hang out with their aunts today. Besides, when WE renew our vows in six months, we'll be able to have everyone together."
Akane smiles.
"I would like that-"
"Hey, guys, we're about to take a group picture!" Ryouga yells.
"We're coming," Akane replies.
"Hang on, 'P-chan'," Ranma says, as he and Akane get into their place. As Ranma stands next to Usagi, Usagi leans over slightly.
"Is there anything I need to know?" Usagi whispered.
"Naw," Ranma replied. "Just wanted to reassure Akane's...position in the family."
"Well, there ARE certain 'positions' that I am looking forward to tonight."
"Huh, you WOULD."
"Okay, people!" says the photographer. "SMILE!"
CLICK!
And thus a new chapter in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Tsukino begins…
Tbc.
Next time: Usagi and Ranma return to the Land of Fire, to spend time with old friends and family. Meanwhile, it's the return of "Team Jiriya"—Ranko Tendo, Ukyo Kuonji and Haku Mizuno—who team-up with Naruto's "Team Seven" squad to protect a runner during a contest in the Land of Tea. But wait…where are all these enemy shinobi coming from, and why is that masked "meatball headed" blond girl skulking in bushes during all this? See you next time!