FIST OF THE MOON
Chapter 3: Cured
Sailor Moon looked around the meeting room they habitually used. Thank the gods that Rei's grandfather had been out of town assisting at a larger shrine in Kyoto. His absence had allowed them to stay in their Senshi identities. Luna had been absolutely adamant about that, at least until they knew more. After a stern warning about keeping secrets for now, Luna had collected Artemis and left to investigate the appearance of the youma, leaving Usagi with the task of finding out more about Red-chan. The only real clue they had was a wallet with a student ID of Ranma Saotome., a handsome young man, probably Red-chan's brother or boyfriend. Probably her boyfriend, although Usagi was sure she had seen him somewhere before.
At the ungodly hour of four in the morning the Moon Princess surveyed her court, less Sailor Mars. Rei had de-transformed and taken to her bed. She had done three fire readings on Red-chan, each one indicating little save that the girl was benign, important to the future and subject to great chaos. The last reading had spiked the young priestess' fever which was now at 40 degrees, The Great Fire always exacted a price.
Jupiter had bustled in the kitchen, preparing a late supper and a large supply of snacks. Now she was napping, her head resting on the table next to a furiously typing Mercury. Venus sat slumped next to Red-chan, still holding the unconscious girl's hand.
"Ami-chan, you should get some rest," Moon suggested. Mercury glared at her leader with red-rimmed eyes.
"Forget that," She snapped. Moon's eyes widened. "She was there for me and now I'm going to be there for her. So forget that." The blue-haired girl rubbed her eyes. "I'm sorry Usagi, I didn't mean to be rude." She paused and then in a quiet tone continued. "I'm pretty sure Red-chan saved my life tonight. So I have to …"
"It's OK Ami-chan. I know what you mean."
As Moon settled down to watch her genius Senshi work, she idly brushed Red-chan's hair from her forehead. Her last sight before falling asleep was an exhausted Mercury slowly nodding towards the table's surface.
The bright sun shining directly in her eyes finally woke Moon. The girls were in the same positions she remembered, but all had reverted to their civilian identities. Looking down quickly at Red-chan, she was relieved to see the red-head looking much better, more asleep than in the coma of last night.
Moving as quietly as she could, she crawled over to Minako and gently shook her awake. The long-haired blonde roused and began to speak, only to be shushed by her leader. Indicating the other two girls in the room, the two blondes woke their friends and tip-toed out of the meeting room.
Once she was certain they would not disturb their new friend, Usagi began talking quietly. "Luna wants to keep our civilian identities secret until we can find out more about Red-chan. I figure if Rei is recovered, she can watch over Red-chan until she wakes up."
The three girls nodded. "So let's go check on Rei," Makato said briskly. "Hey, where are you going Usagi?" Their leader had taken out her brooch and was moving to the side of the building.
"I don't think we should leave Red-chan alone. I'll watch over her as Sailor Moon while Ami checks on Rei. Then Mercury can take over, so she can figure out what's going on. If we rotate around like that, it should be less obvious that we are really the Sailor Senshi, you know? Mako-chan, Mina-chan, you two should head home and see if you can find anything about those Youma from Luna and Artemis. I'm worried that they may not have just been leftovers."
The three girls stared blankly, then nodded again. Every time you thought you had Usagi pegged, she would surprise you. The group split up as Usagi moved into the shadows and transformed.
Re-entering the meeting room, Moon stopped and gazed at the petite red-head. Amazing that so much skill and strength could hide in that small of a package. She's half a head shorter then me or Ami. I wonder if I saw into her past and she really had been in the Pit? The Senshi shuddered. And what was the business about turning into a boy and then a girl? The blonde shrugged. Probably some psychological thing.
She was distracted from her uncharacteristic introspection as the object of her thoughts groaned. With a sense of almost overwhelming relief, Moon rushed to Red-chan's side, dropping to her knees as the redhead opened her eyes. Cobalt blue met crystal blue in a mutual recognition of a bond between them.
The tableaux was broken when Ranma groaned slightly looking way. I feel as weak as a kitten. She frowned internally at the comparison. With the ghost of her trademark smirk, the redhead rasped, "Did we win?"
Eyes bright with unshed tears, Moon nodded. "How do you feel?"
"Like we lost." Her faint smile took any sting out of the words. "Where am I?
"In the Hikawa shrine in the Juuban district," Moon began telling their cover story. "The shrine maiden here, Rei Hino, has very strong spiritual powers and has helped us out a few times. She lets us use the shrine buildings." Thank goodness for genius girls! I don't see the need to lie to her, but I so don't need a scolding from Luna. Or Rei!
"So who are you guys? You're not martial artists."
"The five of us are the Sailor Senshi, defenders of love and justice!" Ranma grinned at that, soon echoed by Moon. "I'm Sailor Moon, kinda the leader."
"Is there anyone you need to contact?" the blonde girl continued. "Like your parents or maybe … your boyfriend, Ranma?" She finished brightly.
Only her extreme fatigue saved the smaller girl from an explosion of surprise at that last. Pausing for a long moment, Ranma actually began chuckle after thinking about it. "No, I can wait. I think I need to sleep a bit more, if that's okay?" Her eyelids began to droop. "By the way, Ranma, isn't my boyfriend, he's … more like … my brother." The redhead closed her eyes and drifted off.
Moon remained kneeling, stroking the older girl's hair as she slept. A minute later Mercury walked in the door. "I heard you talking, Moon. Did Red-chan wake up?"
The blonde girl nodded. "Just for a minute, really. She sounded tired but okay. Do you know what's wrong?"
The Senshi of Ice fiddled with her computer for a minute or so, confirming her findings. "I don't think I've ever seen the like. The Crystal seems to have left a tremendous residue of Silver Millennial energy, which is interacting with Red-chan's magic just like the nega-energy did, but in a much more benign manner." Mercury paused, looked at her Princess and murmured, "At least it isn't killing her, but the process seems to be taking up all of her energy."
The blonde Senshi blanched. "What did I do to her? It's all my fault, isn't it?"
"I don't think so," the Senshi of Ice calmly replied. "I think this is something unique to Red-chan. Think about it. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people have been affected by Nega-energy. You've healed scores. None reacted like Red-chan. Plus, given her bravery, it was only a matter of time before she was exposed. If you hadn't been there, well …"
Mercury was interrupted by a sudden hug from her leader. "Thanks, Ami, you're the best." Looking down at their charge she continued, "How long before she wakes, do you think?"
Frowning in concentration, the blue-haired girl consulted her computer. "From the way her energy is stabilizing , I would say she should be out another hour or two."
"Good, that's enough time for me to get pancake makings. I've been working on a banana recipe. I bet she'll be hungry when she gets up." Mercury licked her lips and nodded. Cooking was a disaster-in-waiting for Usagi, except for pancakes. Even Makoto couldn't compete with Usagi's pancakes.
Moon quickly left the meeting room, tripping on the door sill, sprawling in an ungainly heap. Measured clapping greeted her as she rose to her feet. Rei was sarcastically applauding her latest bit of clumsiness. Sticking her tongue out, Moon grinned and chirped a greeting. She still felt so good, even short on sleep and at an early hour.
Transforming, Usagi set out for supplies. Funds were tight, but pancakes were always a bargain. Especially once she found out banana pancakes worked best with overripe fruit, the kind you could get super-cheap.
On the return trip to the shrine, her communicator beeped. Making sure no one noticed how advanced her "cell phone" appeared, Usagi flipped it open and smiled at Minako. "What's up?"
"Usagi, Artemis and Luna checked out the battle site. Arti is pretty sure that those youma were some kind of revenge plan from Beryl. Luna says they were independent and not tied to a General. She thought we might see some more of them, but now that we know their weakness, they shouldn't be a problem. You know what they say, forewarned is two-armed."
From off screen came an exasperated, "That's forearmed, Mina-chan."
The blonde scrunched up her nose. "That's silly, Arti. Just because you know something's coming doesn't give you extra arms. You only have two." Minako paused in thought. "Unless you're a youma."
"No, Mina-chan, it's not about I mean of course you're right." The white moon cat sighed in defeat.
Usagi giggled at the byplay. "That's great news about the youma. Since Ali and En left, it's been quiet. I like quiet. Anyway, Ami said that Red-chan should wake up really soon. Why don't you guys head back to the shrine with Luna and Artemis? I want Luna to meet Red-chan." The bubbly teen paused. "Although she may have a little trouble with cats, if my vision or whatever was true. But she wanted to save the cats …" Minako looked blankly at her leader. "Oh, right, I thought Red-chan could use a treat so I'm making pancakes "
Two more face appeared in the communicator screen, crowding out the perky blonde. "What kind are you making U-chan? I'll wash up if Rei gives you any grief about that!" Makato was grinning like a maniac.
In a more dignified tone but with just as much underlying greed, Artemis pontificated, "Yes, I agree, dearest princess, it is crucial we meet this new ally as soon as possible." Usagi giggled again.
"I was going to make this new banana recipe. They must be okay since Mom made Shinjo clean the kitchen. Well, if breakfast is gonna be ready before Red-chan wakes up, I better get moving. Bye-bye, Mina-chan. Artemis, you're drooling." Closing the communicator, she hurried back to the shrine.
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Rei Hino and Sailor Mercury were talking quietly as Red-chan slept, sometimes mumbling and twitching in her sleep. The Senshi was again working intensely on her computer, blue visor deployed while Rei sat leaning against the door post, watching their red-haired charge.
"So what do you think of her, Mercury," the raven-haired girl asked. "You know Usagi wants to tell her everything."
In a tight monotone, the Senshi of Ice replied, "I'm not really objective, and besides, how can we judge before she wakes up?"
"Exactly! Somehow, Usagi thinks she can, but you know how soft hearted she is. This girl could be anyone! And what do you mean, not objective?" The young shrine maiden looked confused.
"Red-chan saved my life last night."
"But –"
"No," the blue-haired Senshi held up a hand, "I'm not exaggerating. I was about done in after those early hits. I don't think I could have taken three more. So I'm not very objective, okay?"
Rei nodded.
"Glad I could help, Blue-chan."
Both girls stared at the petite redhead. One eye opened and a feeble grin spread across her face. She had a nice smile.
"How long were you listening," demanded Rei.
Ranma shrugged her shoulders. "Just a minute, I guess. Long enough to hear Blue-chan speak her piece."
"Blue-chan?"
The redhead chuckled. "Well, I was thinking of you guys by your attacks, and I never saw you attack. So if I'm Red-chan, you're Blue-chan." The blue-haired Senshi smiled.
"This is Sailor Mercury," Rei informed their guest in a huff, "of the Sailor Senshi. I am Rei Hino, a shrine maiden of Hikawa shrine." The raven-haired girl paused. "And you are?"
"Oh, right. I'm Ranma Saotome," she said rubbing the back of her head. "Um, sorry about this." The other two girls noticed a lost look in the redhead's eyes. "Uh, where's Sailor Moon?"
Mercury cut off Rei before she could build up a head of steam. "Sailor Moon had other duties to attend to. She will return, but other Senshi might stay with you, if that's okay. I want to thank you for what you did last night. It was one of the bravest things I have ever seen."
Ranma's embarrassment was interrupted by the most welcome of distractions – the smell of good food. A twin pony-tailed blonde swept in past Rei, bearing a tray loaded with delicious-looking pancakes and a large glass of milk. Although the other girl was daubed with flour and batter, the redhead grinned as she recognized the bearer of good things.
"Good, you're awake, Red-chan! I thought you might want some food." Kneeling next to the smaller girl, Usagi put down her tray and started helping Ranma into a sitting position. Looking over her shoulder at the two stricken girls behind her, Usagi continued, "Don't worry, there are plenty more, I made a triple batch." Placing the tray on a low table, the blonde put the meal in front of her charge.
Ranma picked up the fork and eagerly dug in. "Thanks Sailor Moon, these are great! What do you call them, Moon-cakes?" Mid-way through vacuuming her plate clean, redhead paused. The room had gone absolutely silent except for the clink of her fork and her rapid chewing. Sheepishly meeting the eyes the other girls, she grimaced at their stunned expressions. "Sorry about that. Force of habit. My Pops made eating into kind of a "
Rei pointed an accusing finger at the older girl. "How did you know er, what makes you think Usagi is Sailor Moon?
Puzzled, Ranma explained, "Oh, come on. All she did was change clothes and redo her makeup a little. She didn't even change hairstyles!" Looking at the bewildered girl in question, she continued, "If you don't want people to recognize you, at least change your hair or get fake glasses or something. I'm pretty good with disguises, I could help."
Mercury moved next to the smaller girl. "Can you see my face?"
Now bewildered, Ranma replied, "Sure. Actually, you look a lot like Akane … wait a minute, that's right! Last night I couldn't really see your guys' faces at all. How come I can now?"
The blue-haired Senshi shook her head. "I'm not sure, Red-chan, er, Ranma. When Sailor Moon healed you, your reaction was unlike anything I've seen before. You still have a tremendous level of Silver energy and I don't know why. It seems to be interacting with a powerful magic that was already affecting you. Are you aware of this magic, was it a spell you cast?"
"Yeah, I think I know what it is. I could show you "
""Wait a minute. Ranma? Isn't that your brother's name," Usagi snapped out of her daze.
"Er, sort of. It's part of the curse. It's better if I show you. Nobody ever believes me until I show them, not that I blame them. Heck, I wouldn't believe it if I didn't live it." Turning to Rei, "Could you get me some hot water and some cold water, please?"
As Rei looked at her, Usagi stood up. "I'll get it. Is it all right if I get the rest of the team? That way, there're no secrets. Would you like some more pancakes?" The redhead nodded enthusiastically. Rei and Mercury gave their leader a puppy dog look. Usagi giggled. "I'll bring your share, too."
The three remaining girls waited in silence, Mercury still tapping at her computer and shaking her head. Ranma took the opportunity to finish her pancakes. Even cool, they very good. Rei took the opportunity to fume.
Mercifully, the wait was not too long. Usagi returned with Minako and Makoto in tow, all of them carrying plates loaded with pancakes. The two cats peeked in, unnoticed by anyone. After introductions were exchanged, the group got down to business.
Ranma had already learned an important bit of information. Dark secrets and magical girls came a distant second to Usagi's pancakes. Even Rei treated them with reverence. The only sound in the room was the clinking of forks and faint sounds of approval. The only sounds, that is, until Usagi thoughtfully put down a plate for the two moon cats.
Ranma's reaction was predicable for those who knew her. Backing up, she screamed, "Cat!" Startled, Usagi grabbed her hand.
"Red-chan?"
The smaller girl froze. Not in fear, but quite the opposite. She wasn't afraid of the cats. Anxious maybe, but not afraid. Ranma gazed in wonder. "I'm not afraid. Ever since the Pit I've been terrified of cats, but now …" The redhead stared at something only she could see. "I used to love cats. They were my favorite animal."
Usagi squeezed the captured hand reassuringly. "So the Pit was real? You really did go through that?" Ranma nodded. Usagi drew the smaller girl into a fierce hug.
"How do you know about the Cat Fist training, Sailor Moon? Er, I mean Usagi-san?"
"I saw it when I healed you. Maybe I accidentally healed the damage from that torture?" Looking at the shocked stares from Minako, Makato and Artemis, and the disapproving one from Luna, Usagi scrambled to explain. "I didn't tell her anything! She can see through the disguise fields!
"Really?" chirped Minako. Ranma nodded.
"I guess so, although I couldn't last night." Pointing to Rei, Minako and Makoto, "but I'm betting you guys are the other three magic girls from last night, no?"
Luna leaped onto the low table beside Ranma. The neo-girl flinched as the black moon cat stared meaningfully into her eyes. "You can't tell anyone about this. It could mean the deaths of their families if you did." Ranma blinked.
The redhead held up one hand with a solemn expression. "I promise. On my honor as a martial artist." Five girls and two cats stared at her in disbelief. "What?"
Mercury was the first to unfreeze. "Um, aren't you at least a little surprised that Luna can talk?" The rest of the Senshi nodded emphatically.
The group watched as Ranma's left hand unconsciously snaked out and began scratching behind Luna's ears. The black cat collapsed into a furry puddle. "I've seen a lot weirder things then a talking cat, no offense. And well, I mean, you guys are magical girls, right? It would have been more surprising if your cats didn't talk." The redhead looked down at her offending hand and jerked it away.
"Anyway, the best way to trust someone is if they trust you. When I was on a training trip in China with my Pop, we went to a training ground filled with all these pools of water "
" with bamboo poles sticking out them!" Usagi broke in. "I saw it when I was healing you." Ranma nodded.
"It's called Jusenkyo. I was cursed there." The redhead picked up the kettle. "When I'm splashed with hot water, I turn into a boy." She began pouring the water over her head. And pouring. And pouring. Finally, when the kettle was almost empty he felt the tingle of his transformation.
The reaction was varied. The cats looked inscrutable. Usagi was nodding her head and smiling like she had expected it. Rei and Mercury were shocked, but also looked at him with some sympathy, and not a little fascination on the genius Senshi's part. Minako and Mikoto worried him. They each got a dreamy look in their eyes that Ranma had seen before. Best to continue the demonstration.
With a slightly shaky hand, the raven-haired boy picked up the pitcher of water, spilling a few drops on his outstretched hand. The tingle of transformation struck as the first droplet hit her skin.
In a small voice, the redhead continued, "When I'm splashed with cold water, I turn into a girl."
"So which are you," demanded Rei.
"I was born male, but I'm sorta both now," the smaller girl explained abstractedly, still staring at the bead of water on her hand.
"What's wrong Red-chan, er, Ranma-chan," inquired the observant Mercury.
"Well, it took a lot more hot water then usual to make the change. A lot less cold water, too."
"So the conditions of your curse are changing? It could be that the Silver energy is interacting with the magic of your curse. In fact, that is certainly the case, I just don't know how." Mercury tapped the case of her computer. "But I'll find out, Red-chan."
"Thanks, Blue-chan," replied a still shaky Ranma. "I better phone the Tendo dojo and let them know what happened, they're probably worried." Turning to Rei, the petite martial artist continued, "If it's okay, could I stay here for a while? Just to regain my strength and let Blue, er, Mercury find out what's happening with the curse?" The shrine maiden nodded.
"I'll show you where the phone is, Saotome-san."
As the phone rang on the other end, Ranma wrote down the number for the Tendo Dojo. "Just in case something happens, or you guys need to get a hold of me after I go home." Rei nodded.
"Hello, Tendo residence."
"Hey, K-chan, it's Red."
"Red! We've been really worried. Are you okay?"
Ranma quickly explained the circumstances and that he was laying low until she felt in top shape, Nerima being what it was. After giving Kasumi the shrine's particulars, the redhead opined that she would be back in a day or two. Kasumi pledged to hold down the home front and take care of the fathers, although the older girl speculated that Akane might want to pay the shrine a visit to "make sure her best friend hadn't been attacked by a bunch of perverts."
Covering the mouthpiece, while giggling quietly, Ranma turned to Rei. "Would it be okay if a friend visited? She may want to make sure I'm all right."
The raven-haired girl smiled. "Sure, just make sure she calls first, for obvious reasons." Rei assumed the position she used when casting her Mars' Fire. Ranma nodded and passed on the request to Kasumi.
After good byes were exchanged, the two girls returned to the meeting room. In the interim, Mercury had reverted to her everyday identity and was re-introduced to Ranma as Ami Mizuno. Wasting no time, the blue-haired girl got down to it.
"Red-chan, I have been looking at the data over time, and it indicates to me that the Silver energy residue in you is altering or removing your curse. Could you change for me a couple of times, so that I can get readings?" Nodding nervously, the pig-tailed girl looked around.
"Oh, we have several kettles and pots out on the porch. No need to make a mess in here." Ami began shooing people out.
Once outside, Ranma lost no time in attempting to change. To her consternation, it took almost two full kettles to return his manhood. At Ami's nod, the redhead picked up the glass of cold water and promptly changed, startling her. "What just happened?"
Eyes filled with sympathy, the genius girl explained, "I think the condensation on the glass was enough to trigger the change. The Silver energy is definitely affecting your condition. It's been changing the trigger parameters and maybe even the substance of the spell in question. I think in another hour or so the water trigger will be gone. Effectively, you will be 'cured' but will be a girl."
"I gotta, I gotta change," the frantic girl cried, upending pot after pot over her head. Aside from a slight darkening of her hair, which quickly faded, she remained female. Grabbing Rei, she gasped, "You have a furo? Please, may I use it?"
"Ranma-san … of course, let me get the boilers going."
"She's been in there for two hours." Minako stared at the furo building. "What could she be doing in there?"
"Thinking, probably. I can't imagine what it'd be like to suddenly be stuck in a boy's body. Even with switching back and forth, it has to be a real shock to her, I mean his self-image," Rei offered.
"Let's eat lunch. I'll make a box for Red-chan. She just needs some time." Makoto offered. The other girls nodded and began moving back to meeting room, while Makoto bustled over to the kitchen.
The girls sat in a brown study, neither talking nor looking at each other, until Luna sat up suddenly. "Where's Usagi?"
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The dry-eyed martial artist looked up as the bathing room door slid opened. The twin pony-tailed blonde quietly sat down in the washing area, watching steam rise from the near boiling water. The silence lasted for some minutes until broken by a humorless laugh.
"You know, I always thought this would happen. I mean, I've had the curse lock me into my girl form four or five times, but not once have I been locked as a guy. Heh, we all still call it a curse, but I think it helped me a lot. It balanced my personality a bit. Gods, I was such a macho jerk."
"This time it's different, you know? Before I could kinda feel my male half when I was locked. I never really realized it but now that it's gone, it's obvious, Don't you think that's funny? I think it's funny." Something that might pass as a chuckle escaped her lips.
"I'm sorry, Red-chan."
"You're sorry." The parboiled girl rose slowly out of the furo. "You're sorry? YOU"RE SORRY! You did this to me! How could you do this to me?! I thought you were my friend, how could you betray me like this?!"
Ranma leaped from the water, a red haze forming around her, fist cocked back to smash the life from the blonde. Cobalt blue met crystal blue, The enraged martial artist saw neither fear nor anger in those crystal eyes, only understanding. They seemed to say, If this is what you need, then I offer it to you.
Usagi watched as the smaller girl's face crumpled in sorrow and loss. The redhead dropped to the floor as the blonde girl enfolded her in a hug. Her small body was wracked by dry sobs, but no tears came.