Mid-July was a hot and humid affair in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Even in the encroaching darkness of twilight, just after the sun set out towards Allston and points west, the city stewed in damp, wet heat. Mamoru Chiba sat in his bare Somerville apartment bedroom, his back rested against the wall of his bedroom. Aside from two open suitcases and his futon, there were only a small bag for toiletries and a half-eaten small pizza from Bertucci's.
He looked down at his small black cell phone. He'd been a bit hesitant to get a phone in the first place, but he had been silly enough to leave his old phone back in Japan, thinking somehow that the US didn't have GSM phones. After kicking himself for his mistake, Mamoru was still unsure how useful it would actually be to have a cell phone. It turned out to be his lifeline, not only to the Japanese students he had met in his time at Harvard, but with the help of phone cards he bought from the market stalls inside the T stations he could call his best friend and the woman he loved back home.
Not that the Boston-based people weren't fun to hang out with, but they had never moved past "good acquaintances". Part of it was that most of the Americans, especially at Harvard, were a bit too egotistical and self-aggrandizing for his taste. But even the Japanese students he had come across had been distant from him, even if they relied on him for understanding the at times tortuous Boston accent.
Taking stock of his year abroad, Mamoru decided that it had been an eye-opening experience, living in a city like Boston as well as seeing the other cities on the east coast he got to visit. But he never clicked with the other people around him, Japanese or American, and while he'd miss his time abroad, he was happy to come home to his...
Girlfriend? Fiancée? He missed Usagi deeply, but the idea that they would be... He felt the weight of Endymion's armor on his shoulders and found himself lacking somehow. He would come home, they would marry, Chibi-Usa would come and after a time, they would be the rulers of a Utopian paradise? Not that Usagi didn't deserve some happiness after all they had gone through. He didn't even object to it in the abstract. He just...
Mamoru shook his head.
"What time is it?" He asked himself, wiping his brow. Glancing down at the phone, he saw it was about 8 PM.
"Nine in the morning… I should call her," he thought to himself. He reached for his wallet and pulled out a small paper card. Dialing the byzantine set of numbers he finally called Usagi's home number.
"Hello?" a familiar voice answered.
"Usako?" Mamoru asked.
"Mamo-chan!" Usagi replied, almost breathless.
"Is everything okay Usako?"
Usagi sighed. "I'm... I really miss you."
Mamoru nodded to the empty room. "I'll be home soon. I finally sold the last piece of furniture and I sent my stuff home. How are you?"
"I'm... I'm okay" Usagi lied.
"Just okay?" Mamoru prodded
There was a hesitation as the static on the less than stable line crackled. "Look, there's so much to- I can't really talk about it over the phone, but I can't wait to see you."
Mamoru nodded. "Same here, Usako. I've missed you so much. Just a little longer." Mamoru sighed, unable to hold his breath in. Their conversations were usually focused on what they had been doing, but trying to explain his studies, or the myriad oddities of Boston and Cambridge as well as the Americans who called the place home was too much to really get into over the phone. He was usually happy enough to hear her talk about herself and how she was doing.
"I can't wait to see you Mamo-chan." Usagi said, with a small laugh she said, "After you get back, I want to go spend some alone time with you!"
"Oh, did you want to go to Dinseyland again?"
"I was thinking someplace more romantic..." Usagi's voice got very soft and giggly as she finished, "where we don't need clothes."
Mamoru began to stammer a response "Y-yeah! I'd like th-that. I mean, uh, we can get some dinner and see a movie and-"
Suddenly a voice outside of Mamoru's door called out. "Hey! Sonny Chiba! Come on! Weah goin' ta Bukowski's!" A loud male voice said in accented English.
Mamoru looked up from the phone and replied In the same tongue. "Give me a second. I'm talking to my girlfriend."
"Yes 'Ma'am'!" The voice teased.
"And don't call me 'Ma'am', Donnie!" Mamoru muttered under his breath, "stupid Irish..."
"What did you just say?" Usagi asked.
Switching back to Japanese, Mamoru joked "Slacking off on your English, huh dumpling head?"
He could just imagine her face scrunched up in annoyance as she made an annoyed sound over the line. "Mou... don't be such a meanie, Mamo-chan!"
Mamoru chuckled and nodded even though he was alone in his room. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry, Usako. I gotta go. My roommates are giving me a 'farewell party'. It's just an excuse for them to get drunk, but I may as well join them."
"Okay." The voice became more cheerful. "Have fun, Mamo-chan! You better not miss your flight!"
"You stay out of trouble." he cautioned.
Usagi went quiet. She finally replied, "Yeah. I'll try."
"I love you. Good bye." Mamoru hung up the phone. He went quiet for a moment thinking about Usagi's mood over the phone.
"Come on, tough guy. Gonna be a wicked pissa time!" Donnie O'Malley called out.
"I'm coming Donnie!" Mamoru yelled through his door as he grabbed his wallet and turned out the lights as he headed out.
Pinch Hitter
Chapter 3: Interplay
Ranma woke up late that morning. She quietly thanked herself for getting time off to study for finals. However, given recent events, she wasn't in any condition to make use of her study time. She felt cagey and anxious. The fight from the previous night had rattled her. Not because of the nature of the enemies or the raw power dealt by the four women who called themselves the Senshi. It was the gnawing sensation she had that led her there. It was like a buzzing in her head, a guiding voice that needed no words to convey what it wanted. It was too metaphysical for Ranma to contemplate. At least the fantastical, magical, and demonic beings that had plagued her life in Nerima had concrete forms and shapes and names to go along with them. It broke the normal laws of physics and of common sense, but there was a logic to it. Even if it was a twisted logic, built specifically to make her life difficult.
This new force she found herself at the cusp of was different. It was hazy, as though it was purposely remaining intangible. It felt almost like breathing country air, but somehow more invigorating. Even compared to yesterday, she could feel the force well up inside, threatening to overpower her. It was like being given a seventh sense, like suddenly being able to sense the weight of people's words or finding out that people's emotions had a flavor.
Still tired, but too keyed up to sleep more than the few hours she got after getting back, Ranma left her apartment and walked over two rooms to Apartment Six and knocked on the door.
The door slowly opened and Mousse peeked his head out and looked down, squinting his bleary eyes.
"Ranma?" he asked, rubbing his face.
"Heya Mousse. How ya feelin'?"
"Could be better. I washed my hair three times last night and I still smell like yellow cheese." He raised a lock of his long black hair. "I got split ends like crazy."
"Ah, sorry 'bout draggin ya there," Ranma said, somewhat quietly. "Ya did good, though. You kicked some butt and I appreciate it."
Mousse nodded, "No problem, man." He blinked a few seconds and said, in a quiet whisper. "Look, I know you have some stuff going on, and those monsters last night have something to do with it, but... I can't do that anymore, Ranma. I mean, what would Makoto say?"
Ranma tilted her head in confusion. Mousse sighed and pointed at Ranma.
"Look, you're with a martial artist. A girl like Akane gets that you're gonna get into fights and deal with craziness." He began to show a dreamy look in his eyes.
"But my Mako-chan is such a sweet girl." Mousse tone changed became more matter of factly as he considered it, "I mean she can defend herself, of course. Like one time she beat the crap out of two yakuza that tried to rob her." Mousse looked up, thoughtful, "And another time she accidentally broke the strength tester at the arcade."
Ranma quirked her eyebrows as Mousse continued, "And there was that she showed me she knocked down a wall and redecorated her apartment all by herself so she'd have a more open kitchen."
Mousse turned back to Ranma and concluded in a sure voice, "but she isn't one of us."
"I... guess not," Ranma replied in a flat tone of voice.
Mousse nodded. "How do you think she's gonna react if I tell her 'Hi honey, I fought three inky black hellspawn who knocked me upside the head with a bacon cheeseburger. How was your day?' "
Ranma slowly nodded. "Yeah, fair enough. I guess?" Ranma said. "Not like I wanted ta get involved, either," she thought darkly. Ranma shuffled her feet. "Anyhow, uh, ya wanna go spar at Rinshinomori Park later?"
Mousse shook his head. "Sorry, can't. I have a date with Mako later. First time in weeks we've been able to meet outside of juku." He sighed, "I'm gonna go back to the public bath and take another shower before then. Later, Ranma."
Ranma froze momentarily, before nodding and giving Mousse a confident smirk. "Have fun, Peking Duck."
Mousse gave a wave and closed his apartment. Ranma's smile instantly fell and she trudged back to her apartment, Number Four. She picked up the phone and dialed.
"Hello? Yes?" the voice asked in a clipped tone of voice.
"Hey Nabs. You free ta talk later? Somethin' came up yesterday," Ranma asked.
"Sorry, I have a business lunch with a professor and some contacts of his at Bank of America. He thinks I can do my externship there when I move to Philadelphia next year."
Ranma nodded blankly. "Oh. Yeah." She moved her phone away from her head and huffed a bit. "See ya later, then. Good luck, Nabs."
"Give me a call later, little brother."
Ranma let out a snort. "Feelin' pretty little, but definitely not a brother."
"I bet," Nabiki remarked with a small laugh. "Look, I know you like to play the macho idiot. Frankly, it might be one of your better points. But seriously, how are you holding up?"
Ranma laid back on the floor. "Dunno. I stopped some kinda demon attack last night. It was weird cause I just knew it was happenin'. Aside from that, if I don't get any real lead on this, I'm gonna go stir-crazy."
"Well, you know we have your back. Just don't get hurt. My baby sister's fond of you for some reason" She chuckled a bit, then paused. "Shit, I gotta get going. I have to review my dossier on the guy so I can field questions."
"All right. Later 'Biki."
Ranma hung up the phone. She looked at the time. Late morning. Still, she risked it and picked up the phone once again, dialing a well-worn number.
"Ranma?"
"Hey Akane. I know it's kinda late in the day for ya, but..."
"No-no, I'm just about ready to head out to teach at Mr. Yamada's dojo."
"How are the kids?" Ranma asked.
Akane let out a laugh. "Nuts. It's glorified babysitting, but the pay is pretty good and the children are so cute."
"Yeah... wish I could find a dojo ta teach 'round here, but..." Ranma clicked her teeth. "damn Pops." Ranma recalled the rude awakening she got when she learned that a child of Genma Saotome and the heir to Grandmaster Happousai was persona non grata in the normal martial arts world.
"It's okay. I know you'll be a good sensei when we get the dojo going," Akane said.
Ranma grimaced. "Ya really think so?"
"Of course I do, Ranma!" Akane replied. "You taught me a lot. After you got your head out of your butt, " she giggled.
"Yeah, well I was just worried n' all. I'd have started teachin' ya even before that crap with Saffron if it wasn't for all of that engagement stuff. 'sides. You could've been a little nicer ta me, ya know," Ranma said, feigning hurt.
"I know, just like you could have been more of a gentleman." She laughed a bit. "It's history, Ranma." Akane's voice became hurried. "Look, I have to run or I'm going to be late."
"Oh, okay. Later 'kane."
"Call me later tonight, okay dummy?" Akane teased.
"Yeah. 'Course I will." Ranma replied. "Have fun teachin'."
"You have some fun too for once, okay?" Akane almost hung up, but she spoke again, in a soft whisper, "Ranma…"
"Yeah?"
"…I love you."
Ranma felt her knees go slack as she replied, "I l-love you too, 'kane." There was a small smile on her face as she hung up.
She thought of Akane in her Yamada Dojo dougi and the way it flattered her figure more than the old yellow one ever did, especially from the back. Akane had grown into her figure the last year of high school. Akane, unlike her sisters, was now more pear-shaped than anything, but it seemed to suit her strength-heavy form of combat. Ranma had to admit, Akane's butt looked incredible in a pair of tight jeans. "Second only ta me," she reminded herself, though the thought gave her little joy at the moment, her ego trumped for once by circumstance.
Ranma left her apartment and headed over to Rinshinomori Park. It was a fairly large expanse of greenery for Tokyo, containing both open fields and barbecue pits for families, but also full of pastoral nature, with dozens of trees and two ssmall lakes connected by a stream. Ranma began some stretches and, after a while, began working through the series of Anything Goes kata. After about twenty minutes she took up to the trees and began practicing her aerial techniques while bounding through the small urban forest. She found herself yearning to go on a training trip out in the wildnerness.
Ranma had mostly kept up her fighting shape sparring with Mousse, though sometimes she had to drag him out to do so. Furthermore, having to limit her fighting to specific arts for University tournaments had given her a major hankering to go all out. It was an itch that wasn't getting scracthed.
In that light, getting locked, then getting involved in the fight at NOS Burger had been a wake-up call that her life hadn't settled down as much as she thought. The grating thing for Ranma was that fighting in itself was fun, even given her current state. Ranma had long ago admitted to herself that she lived to overcome challenges to be the best. That thing that always ate at her though was the chaos and unpredictability of it all. Three years of it had driven Ranma to exhaustion and brought out the worst aspects of his personality. That sort of chaos was the one thing she hoped to never have to be caught up in again after the shenanigans of high school in Furinkan. Ranma felt the signs, however, as sure as a cat being shipped to the Tendo Dojo or a small piglet wandering in from parts unknown.
"I'd bet my last yen that last night wasn't the last of it." She thought.
Ranma clicked her teeth and she landed on the ground after a series of airborne kicks and punches, "Man. I really wish there was somebody around I can go all out with. Akane's okay, but she's too far away. Mousse is sharp as ever, but he lost his fightin' edge. Ukyou and Konatsu are too far away. If we ever spar again, I might just kill Pops. And Ryouga..." she shook her head as her kata led her through a series of blocks and dodges. "Yeah, that ain't a good idea. Better he stay on the farm."
Ranma performed some cooldown stretches and spent a few minutes admiring the view and the way the sky was reflected on the surface of the water. She also spied a figure in the middle of the small lake. It looked like a middle aged man in old-fashioned clothing who was presently readying to cast a line from a fishing pole.
Ranma tilted her head, "Never seen anybody fishin' on that lake before," She thought to herself before heading back to her apartment. As soon she left his sight, the middle-aged man vanished.
Usagi sat quietly on her bed after the call with Mamoru.
"Sounds like he's having fun," Usagi muttered to herself as she laid back down on her bed and stared at the ceiling.
Usagi was about to get up to use the bathroom when there was a sudden scratching on her window. Sitting up, she saw her old friend pawing at the window. She let Luna in and sat back on her bed.
"Oh good, you're awake," Luna said as she jumped onto Usagi's lap.
Usagi nodded and smiled. "Yep. Mamo-chan called."
"When will the Prince be back?"
"Tomorrow night, Luna. I'm going to meet him at the airport." When she saw Luna clear her throat, she asked, "What's up?"
Luna, far from her usual stiff demeanor, seemed almost nervous. "There was an incident last night. We just had an emergency meeting to discuss our options."
Usagi's eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"The incident last night was something of a freak occurrence. We decided it was better if we confirmed we weren't being followed before notifying you."
"Being followed?" Usagi asked, her tone becoming more serious.
"Let's start from what happened last night, Usagi..." Luna gave Usagi a brief version of the events of last night, in particular the interruption by a young woman and a man.
Finishing up, Luna said, "We're keeping up an alert if they show up again. We can't be sure if they're really on our side or not."
"But, they helped us, right?" Usagi asked.
"Ami said they were able to utilize offensively a large amount of life energy without a medium." Luna offered. "The woman, especially, seemed to just teem with it. Also she didn't seem to be nearly as affected by the youma's chaos energy as her partner."
Usagi looked puzzled, both by the information she was given and Luna's concern.
"Okay, let's keep our eyes open for anything else suspicious. Do we have any leads on the youma?"
"Well..." Luna trailed off.
"What?" Usagi asked, her voice becoming more pointed.
"It seems your senshi got a bit... overzealous. The youma were attacking from a fast food place and... they burned it down completely."
"What!?" Usagi yelled, then quickly covered her mouth when she realized she was quite loud.
Luna raised a paw. "I know, I know! I already yelled at them for that." The black mau sighed, "They and the two interlopers rescued the civilians so no one was hurt and the building itself is structurally sound, even if the storefront is ruined."
Usagi nodded, relieved. "Thank you, Luna. I'm sorry I can't be more help at a time like this."
Luna reached up and patted Usagi's lap. "Ami is working some more on what happened that night. She said she'll have more time after next week."
Usagi smiled.
"Anyway..." Luna looked around. "The thing is Usagi... I was thinking of-"
Usagi smiled and stroked Luna's head softly. "Go ahead, Luna. If I need anything, I'll call you on the communicator, okay?"
Luna nodded, "Thank you. Artemis says hello, by the way."
The blonde girl let out a giggle. "Tell him I say hi, too."
Luna bounded back outside. Usagi shut the windows and let out a sigh. There was a feeling of happiness for her companion and advisor, but also a sense of loneliness. She tried to keep herself occupied by calling her other friends. However, it seemed life was leading everyone away towards other exploits.
"Sorry Usagi-chan," the high, sweet voice of Naru said over the line, somewhat exasperated, "Umino n' I are watching his Mobile Suit Gundam DVDs on his new player."
"Usagi?" an uncharacteristically tired voice of Ami Mizuno said over the speakerphone. "What time is… Oh goodness! I have to go meet my study partner so we can go over an assignment before our final exam! You understand, right?"
"Aww, sorry Usagi!" Makoto said, the sound of running water in the background "I' getting ready to go to the park with Mousse for a picnic. We can hang out next weekend for sure!"
"Hmm..." Rei sounded contemplative. "Unfortunately, Grandpa is being even more annoying than usual about making sure that the O-bon festival planning is going well. I'm probably stuck at the temple all day."
Usagi had lost all hope when the cheery voice of Minako Aino picked up the phone. "Sure, I'd love to-ow! Jeez Artemis!" Minako's voice was distant and Usagi couldn't hear everything said as Minako began talking to someone else. "No, I was just gonna… yeah, I know i got a 37 on the last exam, but… No, I don't want to take the makeup test, but… fine!"
Usagi heard a sigh as Minako returned to the call. "Sorry Usagi. I should probably study for exams today."
"Oh." Usagi paused. "Yeah, did that last night while you guys were…" she stopped speaking.
"I see. Did you get the full debrief from Luna?"Minako asked. "I'm sorry we didn't call you last night. It just sort of happened and by the time we got back we figured you were asleep."
"She mentioned that part. Is Artemis working on who our new friends are?"
"Lemme ask." There was a silence. "Yeah. He said they'll be at the command center later if we need to talk to them."
Usagi nodded. "Okay. Good luck on your studying."
Minako sighed, "Thanks Usagi-chan. I'll call you later, okay?"
Usagi said her goodbyes and hung up the phone, sighed, and flopped back on her bed. "I miss Mamo-chan."
This left Usagi with one real option besides staying in at home and sulking: food. She decided instead of the Crown, she'd try the new restaurant nearby. She laughed to herself at how new restaurateurs always panicked at how much a "growing girl" like herself could put away when motivated. Given the events of the past two weeks, she was quite motivated indeed.
Ranma should have been at home studying for finals. She had gotten the time off at work a month ago just to have the opportunity to review her class notes. Unfortunately, recent events, particularly the fight last night, had made it impossible to concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time before she'd start brooding again. She spent the morning lost in thought at her present situation. Over the past week or so, she had been able to put it out of her mind with work, classes, and the new weirdness that had entered her life. After two hours of blankly staring at lecture notes, Ranma decided a walk would suit her.
Ranma shuffled her feet as she walked down past the neighborhoods near her apartment. She came upon a pebble on the sidewalk and for about a kilometer, she made a game of kicking the pebble down the street, seeing how far and fast she could get it to go without deviating from its path or getting airborne. Ranma's little game ended she she kicked the pebble against someone's expensive looking Italian loafers.
"Oh sorry, I-" she froze as she saw who the man in front of her was.
"Ranma?" he asked.
"Ryouga..." she muttered darkly.
After the Amazons and the Kunou clan, Ryouga had been the biggest question mark in Ranma's life. Last she knew, the pig boy had ended up tied at the hip to Akari Unryuu and was living in some farm far away from Tokyo and Ranma's life. It was just as well, for more than a few reasons, as far Ranma was concerned. There wasn't bad blood per se, but Ryouga simply left after the failed wedding and never came back. Thankfully, Mousse had filled the void in Ranma's friendship that Ryouga's departure had created: a close friend who could fight near his level. There was an additional bonus in that, once Shampoo left the picture, Mousse was an overall nice guy to pal around with in a way that always stressed her out when around Ryouga. She had snapped at Nabiki for it, but Ryouga brought up things she did not need to think about, at least not until the moment it proved inescapable
Ranma looked once again at her once-rival. Ryouga looked pretty similar in terms of build, hair, and complexion. It was clear he still kept in fighting shape. His clothes, however, seemed radically different. Gone were his patchy and rough traveling clothes. He wore a cotton button-up shirt and slacks that were tailored to fit his broad physique rather well. His shoes were a dark leather and expensive-looking. Instead of his large backpack, he carried a messenger bag over his shoulder. Overall, he looked like he had been cleaned up by someone with Kuno's money, but with actual taste and the end result was mild irritation on Ranma's part.
Before she could turn around to leave, she felt his presence.
"Hello Ranma," he said cooly.
Ranma cursed the timing of it all. Why did she have to go out for a walk? She could have had a pity party at home, but no, she had to let her feet wander while she gathered her thoughts.
"P-chan," she said brusquely.
"Heh. Predictable as always."
Ranma felt a growing discomfort. "What's with the preppy getup?" she asked.
The condescension was palpable in Ryouga's voice. "Um... they're my clothes."
Ranma found the idea of Ryouga shopping for casual clothes at the mall difficult to take. Particularly since they seemed to suit him well.
"Well they look... stupid," Ranma spat out, "What are you even doing here? This ain't Nerima."
Ryouga shook his head and pretended to pat Ranma's head. "I know that. I'm meeting a study partner from my Discrete Math class nearby," he said. Ryouga began to smile his trademark fang-toothed grin, though, to Ranma, it was approaching Mikado Sanzenin-levels of smarm. She shuffled her feet, somewhere between taking a battle stance and edging away.
"Study? What, you in juku now?" Ranma asked. "Mousse is trying for schools next year, too."
Ryouga looked down at Ranma, giving the currently female martial artist a half-lidded stare. "I go to Todai, Ranma. Mechanical Engineering," he added off the cuff.
Ranma froze in place, stunned. "Huh? You!?" She excitedly pointed at the bandanna-clad rival. "But you're not smart!"
Ryouga shrugged. "I just test well."
"So you're meetin' a study partner. For a math class. Who also goes to Todai," Ranma confirmed, letting the idea settle.
Ryouga nodded. "We're gonna go over the last problem set and the final." He smiled.
"How, but, I mean..."
Ryougs sighed. "Look, I was off at... doing my thing for a while. One day I end up back in Nerima for a bit ran into Kasumi. The next day, this black sedan came to where I was camped and it took me to my parents house. My mom gave me this," Ryouga said as he held up a small device that looked like a large, squat cell phone. "It's a Global Positioning System. I can never get lost as long as I have it with me. My folks got one a while back when they started being available. With this, Mom was able to get her job back at Chuo University and Dad's made a killing on tech stocks. My life's turned around."
Ryouga's expression, to Ranma's surprise, changed from that disarming smile to a bit of a frown. "I've worked my ass off to catch up for all that time I lost and to make them proud. That means trying to be the best student as I can be."
Ryouga snorted, puffing up his chest. "Don't get me wrong, Saotome. I'm in school, but I'm a martial artist first. I can still go toe to toe with you any day of the week, ya know?" He rolled his eyes and shook his head, laughing casually. "I heard from Nabiki you're not engaged ta Akane anymore."
"It ain't how it sounds! I'm still her boyfriend!" Ranma snapped back.
"Ain't much of a boyfriend at the moment from what I heard... or can see, little girl," he added with a boisterous laugh. Suddenly, Ryouga's eyes quirked as he looked Ranma over, smiling to her dismay. "Why are you a girl anyway? Hasn't rained in a while. Someone around here go crazy with the uchimizu, like in Furinkan?" Ryouga joked.
Ranma's head slumped. With a grimace, she admitted, "What's it to ya? You tryin' ta laugh at me some more!? Like I the shit ain't startin ta pile up higher n' me? I know I ain't that tall as a girl, but shit man-"
Ryouga's demeanor changed from this projected antagonism to a more earnest smile as he raised his hands in defeat. "Woah, woah woah! Look, I... Ranma, I was just messin around and showin' off a bit. I thought you wouldn't mind a little ribbing. Like the old times."
"Yeah, well I ain't in the mood for it, P-chan."
Ryouga voice took a quiet, concerned tone. "Dude, you okay?"
At that moment Ranma had the urge to spit in Ryouga's face and walk away. She also had the urge to kick his ass and send him home to mommy with his clothes messed up. She looked him in the eyes and her mouth twitched.
"It happened again. I'm stuck."
Ryouga took a step back and folded his arms, taking a moment to gather his composure. "Wow. That sucks. I still remember I got hit with the Locking Ladle and I thought I'd be the pig forever. Was it him?"
"Herb?" Ranma shook her head. "Nah. I dunno what happened. It's uh, too confusin'." Ranma waved a hand, "Look, I don't need your pity or nothin'. I'm fine otherwise. And you seem ta be doin' well for yourself."
"There ya go again, Ranma. I'm your friend, right?" Ryouga moved to put a reassuring hand on Ranma's shoulder, but as soon as he touched Ranma, she turned around and slapped his arm away, yelling "Don't touch me!" in a voice that spoke of as much fear as annoyance.
Ryouga held his hand up. "Sorry, sorry. I was just trying to-"
"Well I don't need it! I was doin' just fine before-" Ranma stopped herself from speaking but was shaking in anger.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Ever since I ran into you and Akane in Okinawa you've-" Ryoga shook his head. "Whatever. I'm sorry." Ryouga cleatred his throat. "Anyway, uh, what's the old gang been up to?"
Ranma took a few breaths and said, "Well.. I live not too far from here. Mousse n' I are neighbors and you know Nabiki lives around here, too if you been talkin' ta her. Ucchan and Konatsu are back in Furinkan and Akane lives out in Hachioji."
"That's not too far. You get a chance to see her a lot?" Ryouga asked in a hopeful voice.
Ranma eased up, letting her arms relax as she shook her head. "When we get a chance yeah, but with school and our jobs... it's rough, ya know?"
Ryouga nodded, "Yeah..." he sighed plaintively. "Distance is a killer. Does she know about..." he pointed at Ranma.
Ranma nodded. "Yeah."
There was dead silence as the topic seemed to fizzle. Ryouga checked his device and looked around. Seeing no one, he spoke haltingly, saying," Well... Maybe I can stop by some time and you and Mousse and I can do a guys' night out?" Ryouga asked hopefully.
"Well, I, uh..."
"Oh, damn, I'm sorry," Ryouga said, hitting his forehead, "Look, I know you're going through some stuff and we had our share of back and forth, but... we're pals, right?"
Ranma merely nodded and said, "Yeah. 'Course. Pig boy."
"Asshole," Ryouga replied with a smirk. "Okay, lemme get your info. We can head to the bar, have a coupla drinks and have some fun with the gang."
Ranma nodded blankly. As she gave Ryouga the details, a woman's voice could be heard in the distance.
"Hibiki-san!"
Ryouga looked up and smiled politely as the girl jogged up to him.
"Oh, Mizuno-san. Good to see you. I was about to call to see if you were okay."
Ami walked over and bowed to Ryouga. "I'm sorry for running late. I overslept and something came up so..." she trailed off when she saw Ranma. Ranma noticed the look she was getting from the blue-haired stranger. In response, she began making tactical calculations in case something went down. At the same time, however, Ranma felt what could only be described as alarm bells going off in her head. There was something about this normal blue-haired girl that struck Ranma, but she couldn't put it into words.
"Oh, who is this Hibiki-san? Your girlfriend?" Ami asked tentatively, looking between the two of them.
Ranma's internal machinations froze as her entire body choked in utter horror at the idea suggested by Ami. Let out a strained cough and found it hard to breathe. Ryouga for his part looked put off, though with fewer theatrics.
Shaking his head, Ryoga explained, "He-uh she's an old friend of mine. Ranma and I go way back." He walked towards Ami and turned back to Ranma. "Ain't that right, girl."
"Yep," Ranma said noncommittally, stealing a glance at Ami. "Too far back, ya pig bastard."
Ryouga merely laughed at the insult, replying with "That's the old Ranma!" and slapping her heartly on the back with perhaps a bit more force than necessary. He turned to Ami, "Anyway, we just happened to run into each other by chance." He turned to Ranma and said, "This is my study partner, Ami Mizuno. We're taking the same math class this semester. She's a real whiz."
Ami shook her head, pointedly forcing herself not to scrutinize Ranma as she spoke, "Oh, don't say that Hibiki-san. You're rather clever at applying the concepts once you get a handle on them. "
Ryouga visibly blushed, then nodded shakily. "T-thank you, Mizuno-san." He then stopped and glanced at his device. "Oh, it's close to twelve-thirty. A-are you ready to begin, Mizuno-san? I can get you some barely tea if you'd like."
Ami shook her head quickly and blinked. "Oh. Oh, yes! Yes of course. Thank you, I appreciate the gesture, Hibiki-san."
As Ryouga turned to leave, Ami following behind, he casually raised a hand in farewell.
"Later Ranma! Say hi to Akane for me."
Once they left, Ranma let out an annoyed sigh as she kept walking aimlessly down the neighborhood.
She was troubled by what she saw between Ryouga and the strange questioning girl. She noted Ryouga's slipping composure, his hands shaking some, and the redness on his face. Behind the fancy clothes and the seemingly matured demeanor was the infatuated Ryouga she remembered. "Oh." Ranma mouthed, feeling even more confused than before.
Makoto Kino was changing into her outfit for her date. It was the third time this morning she had done so. She chided herself for being so flustered about a date, even after being together for six months.
She met Mousse last summer, a few months after she and the rest of the Senshi had returned from the Cauldron. She wasn't what to make of him at first, since he didn't act like the other boys in juku. Mousse was the first boy who eyed her for a martial artist, asking her out of the blue after juku what style she practiced. She was flustered as he said that she carried herself like a fighter and that he thought it was "pretty cool". He was still a bit flustered the first few times he had talked to her afterwards, but he stuck to safe topics like help with Classical Japanese and practice exams. By the time autumn rolled around, they had taken to meeting after juku, first at a nearby family restaurant, then at her apartment. It was near Christmas when Mousse had formally asked her out on a date. That night they kissed and became a couple.
Even so, things had gone slowly, both very busy with classes and work. She found out he worked a lot to support himself, not having a source of funds like she had. Their dates ended up either being dinner dates at her apartment where they would cook together or out in the park where he would practice and teach her martial arts. Their most extravagant date was not too long ago to see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which, to her surprise, they both teared up over.
Given the events of last night, however, Makoto grew uneasy. It took her everything she had not to say anything at the debriefing. That man with the red-haired girl could have been him, but she didn't get a good look. The whole thing made her realize that, as much as they've talked about school, exams, and martial arts, she knew very little about Mousse's past beyond the fact he once lived in Furinkan in Nerima Ward and had worked in a restaurant until a year ago which is why he never went to high school. He knew martial arts, but he never threw large numbers of knives, bombs, or chains like that when they practiced together. He was always so gentle and sweet and not like the deadly fighter she saw at the NOS Burger.
Makoto put that aside and tried to focus on the present. She had spent a few hours after the fight cooking two bento boxes for the picnic before going to bed. After the early morning debrief at the Hikawa Shrine, she rushed back to shower and dress for their date, hence the current dilemma.
Makoto felt the shorts, tights, and midriff t-shirt was too casual, the black sleeveless dress was far too dressy. She finally decided on a light peach sundress, matching rose earrings, and straw-colored wedge sandals. She was still unused to heeled shoes, always self-conscious about the extra height they gave her, especially around men. Mousse, however, never seemed to mind. The fact was, as long as she didn't wear obscenely high stilettos, she was still roughly at eye level with him. It was almost strange that something like that meant a lot to Makoto, but she loved that someone could make her feel... like a girl. It had been what ultimately sunk last relationship. Not with her senpai of old but...
"Well, we're still good friends despite it all," Makoto muttered to herself.
The doorbell rang and Makoto was knocked out of her reverie.
Opening the door, she saw Mousse standing there. Makoto couldn't hold back a goofy smile upon seeing her boyfriend. He wore a new black t-shirt and jeans. His long black hair was tied up and his green eyes were deep and inviting as always, though he seemed to be fidgeting. In his left hand was a bouquet of roses, yellow with red at the tips of the petals. In his right was a plastic bag that held a small tupperware container.
"Muu-Muu!" She exclaimed.
"H-hey, Mako-chan." He smiled and raised his hands one at a time.
She brought her arms around Mousse and hugged him deeply. Makoto rested her head on his shoulder and breathed in deeply.
Makoto blinked as she pulled back. "Is that... cheese?" she said, not realizing she had said it aloud.
Mousse gulped. "Uh... I had a pizza fall on me at work," he quickly supplied. "I can't get the smell off."
Makoto led Mousse inside as he continued. "I brought some stuff you might like," he said. "I don't have an oven in my place, but I thought it was hot anyway, so I made Dòuhuā."
Makoto smiled as she took the flowers and the container from him. "Oh, how thoughtful Muu-Muu! I haven't had cold tofu in a long time. Come in and we can have it with tea."
Makoto set the bag down on her counter and went to the sink with the roses. She cut the rose stems shorter and placed them in a small glass vase. She smiled at the color. She looked up and saw Mousse sitting at her living room table. She saw his fingers quickly rapping on the table's surface as he struggled not to look uncomfortable.
"Are you okay, Mousse?" she asked.
"Uh, I'm fine Mako-chan. Just a bit tired." Mousse went quiet for a moment, looking at Makoto with a gentle smile and bright, green eyes. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you, sweetie. You look very handsome yourself," Makoto replied as she re-entered her living room. She set the flowers down at her small table, where Mousse sat. He had opened the container, revealing the sweet cold tofu in a ginger and jasmine scented syrup. He brought two spoons as well. Makoto left and came back with two mugs of tea. She sat down next to Mousse, leaning against him slightly.
"I missed you, Muu-Muu," she said softly.
Mouse felt his cheeks redden."Same here, Mako-chan. Work's been a little crazy."
"I thought you had last night off, sweetie?"
"I was." Mousse paused. "I ,uh, was playing Go with a friend," he said. "Then we went out for dinner." He looked up and laughed sheepishly. "I guess I was more tired than I thought cause I pretty much passed out afterwards. Sorry for not calling you. What were you up to?" He asked her as he grabbed his tea.
It was Makoto's turn to flinch. "Okay. I was out late with the girls, you know how that is..." she tried to steer the conversation back. "So this friend of yours... is she a girl?" She said with a nervous chuckle.
Mousse practically doubled over in a mixture of laughter and disgust at the thought of of him and Ranma. "No way!" he said aloud before catching himself. "I mean. Sorry, just imagining him..." He shook his head quickly. "Ranma's as manly as they come, Mako-chan." Mousse added silently, "He'd probably kill you for suggesting otherwise."
Mako nodded blankly. She looked at Mousse again, imagining him in different clothes, his hair down, and wearing glasses. Mousse, noticing the staredown, turned to face Makoto. He began to turn beet red as she edged closer to him until their noses touched. She stared into his eyes intently.
"Tell me something." She held her breath, trying hard not to just give in to his large green eyes. "Are you wearing contacts?"
Mousse jerked his head back and began making a stuttering sound, "K-k-kinda. Y-yeah."
"Do you wear glasses as well?" she asked.
"S-s-sometimes. The doctor said I can't wear 'em more than twelve hours at a time or my eyes'll hurt more. I don't like it cause..." he recovered a bit and shook his head, "they never worked for me."
Makoto nodded. "Do you ever wear your hair down?"
"Uh, sometimes," he replied, "but usually I just keep it up, especially in this weather."
"Not many men have hair as long as yours, Muu-Muu," she observed.
"I've always had hair this long, Mako," he said.
"I didn't know Chinese men had long hair."
"Um... where I'm from in China, they usually do," he winced, adding "If they aren't b-bald or something."
Makoto nodded. She took a sip of her tea. Mousse took it as a cue to do the same. She sampled the dòuhuā and smiled.
"It's really good. Not too sweet and the ginger is refreshing."
"Really? I'm glad. I used to make it a lot when I worked at the restaurant, but it's been a while."
Makoto nodded. "I noticed you never talk about the restaurant. That was back when you lived in... Nerima Ward right?"
Mousse nodded. "I wasn't at my best then."
They both finished their small bowl of cold sweet tofu and Makoto sat up.
"Mousse. I have a small favor to ask of you."
Mousse looked At Makoto. She brown hair flowed down to her collarbone and she looked stunning, if cute in her dress. His heart beat just a step faster.
"S-sure, Mako."
"I still want to go to the park, but can I get a rain check on the picnic?"
Mousse tilted his head. "I don't understand, but okay."
"Thank you Muu-Muu for indulging a lady," she teased. Mousse nodded blankly.
Makoto grabbed Mousse's hand, leading him to the door. She looked at the wedge sandals she had longed to wear on this date and shook her head slightly, She instead slipped on a pair of jade green ballet flats. Before Makoto opened the door, she turned back to her boyfriend and pulled him closer to her by the collar of his shirt until their noses touched.
"Fight me, Mousse. And don't you dare hold back."
"W-what?" Mousse jerked his head back, looking straight at Makoto, suddenly seeing the very Amazon-like fire in her eyes.
"I need to know who you really are, Mousse," she uttered darkly. "And I need to show you who I am." she refrained internally.
Ranma, in an even fouler mood than before, made a plan. It wasn't a grand, purposeful plan like a direct way to cure this current locked state. It wasn't even a moderately ambitious plan like figuring out why that Mizuno-san had given her such a pointed look and why she looked so damn familiar. It was a simple plan, easily executable and one that promised an immediate result.
She completed phase one when she entered Hiro's All-you-can-eat Buffet restaurant.
Phase Two involved being seated at a small table and ordering a green tea.
Phase Three, the most crucial phase, involved stalking the rows of steam tables, piling food on her plates. She started nibbling on a skewer of yakitori to tide her over a she calculated the physics of food stacking. In her focus and determination to finish, she bumped into someone.
"Oh, jeez. I'm sorry," Ranma said, taking a glance at the person in front of her. She was a girl about her age, maybe a little younger, but the same small height. What Ranma found particularly compelling about the blonde odango-atama in front of her was her penetrating cerulean eyes. Like Ranma, she had two plates, laden with food, in her hands. Also like Ranma, she had a bamboo skewer of meat dangling from her mouth.
"Oh, no," Usagi shook her head, "I wasn't looking where I was going either. I got distracted by the shrimp tempura. They just refilled the tray with fresh stack." She looked away in awe for a moment, before returning back to earth. "It's rare to see a girl by herself in a place like this," she said to Ranma
Keeping her internal groan in check, Ranma just chuckled. "Yeah well, when bad things happen ta me, I wanna eat."
"Really?" Usagi's eyes lit up as she replied, "Me too!" Ranma couldn't help but smile.
"I'm Ranma Saotome, by the way," she said, bowing somewhat awkwardly, given the plates of food.
The blonde haired girl followed suit, almost dropping her plate of fried food. "Usagi Tsukino."
"Say Usagi, ya find the real good stuff yet?" Ranma asked in a conspiratorial voice, putting a hand over her mouth in an aside.
Usagi adopted a similar demeanor and body language. "The tempura is fresh out of the fryer. The ikayaki looks good and they're serving Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki today."
"Thanks," Ranma said. "Mind if I sit with you and compare notes?"
Usagi couldn't help but think the red-haired girl in front of her had an expression similar to the first time she met Ami, Rei, and Makoto. There was an openness to her eyes and, even though she seemed to hold herself confidently, even arrogantly, Usagi wondered if she wanted for someone to talk to.
"Of course," she said, her mouth half-full of yakisoba.
At the Fruits Parlor Crown, Ryouga and Ami sat at a booth, a small sheaf of scrap paper and a textbook to their side.
"So the main difference between Utility Theory and Game Theory is that..." he trailed off when he realized Ami was looking past him rather than at him. Ironically enough, while they were going over notes on Decision Theory, Utility Theory, Social Choice Theory, and Game Theory, they were individually wondering how to bring up the topic in their mind to the other. Ryouga, for his part, found his palms growing sweaty and having trouble focusing.
Internally, Ryouga chastised himself, "you're a new man now, Hibiki. This isn't going to be like what happened with Akane. Mizuno-san is smart, cute, and really really nice. Just be a man and ask her out!"
For her part Ami was having trouble looking at Ryouga, "How does he know that girl? Is he with her? It doesn't seem like it, but was he the man in disguise with her? He's been nothing but courteous, but I can't let that blind me. I don't see any micro-gestures that would suggest any kind of deceit though..."
"Mizu-" he began.
"Hibi-" she said at the same time. They both paused.
"Uh, go ahead," Ryouga said.
Ami nodded. "Thanks. I hope this isn't too awkward of me to inquire about, but can you tell me more about your friend? The girl we saw earlier."
Ryouga blinked. "Girl? Who, Ranma?" Inwardly, he sighed. "Does she still think Ranma is my ex?" he thought to himself, instinctively frowning.
"Yes. She seemed... familiar, somehow. Is she a student?"
If Ryouga had been drinking, he would have done a spit take. "At Todai?" He shook his head. "Ranma goes to... some jock school, I think. He's martial artist through and through."
'Who is?"
"Ranma," Ryouga replied matter of factly.
"Why did you say 'he'?"
"Huh?" Ryouga nodded suddenly. "Oh, oh!" Ryouga had to refrain from laughing. "I, uh, meant 'she'. It's just that... Ranma's like one of the guys, ya know?" Ryouga smiled internally at his inner joke.
"So she's a martial artist, like you are? Can martial artists..." Ami stopped to consider her words. "Are martial artists known for harnessing large amounts of life energy to shoot at opponents?"
Ryouga stopped his train of thought. "Wait, Ranma was in a fight? Was it the Amazons again?"
Ami nodded. "Excuse me?"
Ryouga waved a hand. "Uh, nevermind."
Ami blinked before recovering her composure. "I was witness to such an event recently. Frankly, it rather frightened me."
Ryouga nodded. He even found it a touch cute. "Well, yeah Mizuno-san. Only a few people can actually throw ki like that. Maybe..." he thought about it for a moment, counting in his hand, "half a dozen folks in Tokyo can do that. More folks can infuse weapons and stuff with ki. That's not too hard."
Ami tried hard not to appear completely floored by the revelation, or the casual way in which her study partner had revealed such information. Did he even realize that what he said goes against most of understood science? Or had he somehow found a way to reconcile the contradiction through cognitive dissonance? Ami responded the only way she felt she could.
"I see."
Ryouga, continued. "I mean, you have to study and practice fighting for a really really really long time and have teachers who know what they're doing before you can even start thinking about playing with ki." Ryouga remembered the specifically painful way in which he learned the Bakusai Tenketsu.
Ami nodded slowly before continued her inquiry. "Hibiki-san, can you perform such a maneuver?"
Ryouga eyed Ami warily. Why was this cute, but brainy girl interested in martial arts? No, not 'martial arts'. It wasn't like she was thinking about signing up for a self-defense class. She was asking about a very elite level of martial arts Ryouga figured was on the order of a thousand beings on the planet, give or take, could even do. Even given that she saw Ranma show off, her curiousity was enough for Ryouga to slowly revise his assessment of Ami Mizuno. Ryouga thought maybe he should be worried for her safety, but he saw a confidence in her that was deeper than the pride in her impressive intelligence and high marks. Ryouga began to wonder about Ami beyond the initial infatuation and respect. He came to a decision.
"Do you trust me, Mizuno-san?"
Ami slowly nodded. Ryouga let out a breath. He put his papers away.
"Okay, let's take a break from this. Can I buy you a coffee?" he asked, hoping to salvage the moment.
Ten minutes later, Ryouga and Ami walked outside of the Fruits Parlor Crown. Ryouga turned to Ami when they reached the sidewalk.
Despite himself, Ryouga's face reddened a shade. "M-Mizuno-san, I h-hope this isn't too forward, but we should probably not be on the street. May I escort you to the roof?" He pointed upwards.
"The roof?" Ami asked looking at the building in question and its six stories of height.
Ryouga nodded. "If you want to know what you seem to want to know, that's the first step.
Ami flinched slightly. She felt a sense of dread, as though she was being led into a trap. Yet she saw an earnest, vulnerable look on Ryouga's face which eased her fear. She almost regretted bringing the question up, but this was her best chance to get somewhere where computer modeling of energy levels had failed her. She thought she would have a high probability of making it up there in her senshi form, but as it was, it seemed impossible for any human to do the same. Or rather it had until yesterday.
Ami nodded, "All right, Hibiki-san. You may... escort me."
Ryouga walked up to Ami and, in a sweep of his arms, scooped up Ami.
Before Ami could squeak in surprise, Ryouga coiled his legs and leapt high in the air, easily clearing the first two stories of the building the Crown was located in. He stepped lightly on the restaurant's red awning and shot up the next three stories to the top of the building in question. He gently set Ami down and took a few steps back.
"There's a lot I should explain about people like Ranma and I..."
He began thinking about the time he wandered alone. The emptiness he felt about his life before college. It was harder to pull himself in the right mindset these days, but Ryouga still had an edge, rich boy aspirations aside. He thought of Akane and Ranma together. He thought of what had happened in Okinawa and back at the Unryuu farm. It wasn't the biggest blast of energy he ever pulled off, but it was suitable for his purposes.
"Shi Shi Hokodan!" He cried out, releasing a large ball of sickly green-colored ki into the air.
Ami fell back and looked up in wonder as the energy arced over the sky.
Two hours later, Hiro, the proprietor of the eponymous restaurant was near tears. Given its place in central Tokyo and its unique take on the dining experience, Hiro's All-You-Can-Eat seemed to be a success. Now it looked more like how would be swimming in red after the two young women had finished off their plates, with satisfied burps.
They had seem so innocuous, the redhead and the blonde. Both petite and thin (the redhead more so than the blonde), he had assumed they'd eat maybe a tenth of the 2000 yen buffet price. The redhead alone devastated the pasta bar and the only deserts not eaten by the blonde were the one's snatched by the redhead before she could sink her teeth into them (well there was the gelatin desserts to consider, but lets face facts, nobody eats the gelatin desserts). To Hiro's relief, their feeding frenzy had subsided, and now the two were talking over tea.
Now that she was sated, Usagi eyed her new companion. Ranma did the same, though she hid it behind quick glances behind her teacup.
"So you're in college" Usagi asked. When Ranma nodded she continued. "What's it like?"
Ranma scratched her head. "I dunno. It just is. I like what I'm learnin', but sometimes it just feels like I'm goin' just ta go. It's a lot of work sometimes and I don't have as much time to do the things I want to do. But I like the freedom, I like feeling like I have control over my life" Ranma said. Struggling somewhat near the end as the knowledge of his current predicament came to mind.
Usagi herself seemed to consider Ranma's words. "I've been thinking a lot about college. Everyone expects me to go and I've trying really really hard to study for entrance exams, but..."
Ranma attempted to finish her sentence. "You got no idea why you should go, especially if ya never been the best student in class?
Usagi didn't say no. Instead she laughed a bit."When I was in middle school, I once said that I couldn't decide if eating or sleeping was my best subject. The funny thing is sometimes, I still feel that way."
Ranma chuckled, "I always preferred eatin' myself, but I learned sleepin' was better for my health."
"Well, my friend Ami says it's not good to overeat all the time," Usagi said.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, that's important too, I guess," Ranma replied, thinking more about the direct threats to her health that came from eating free food back then, which ranged from strange potions in the ramen, disgusting okonomiyaki sauce, to the skin-crawlingly unappetizing fare from Akane back then.
Usagi smiled. "So, do you have a boyfriend?"
Ranma choked on her tea. "No, but it's, uh... complicated."
"Do you have a girlfriend, then?" Usagi smiled when Ranma, after a moment's consideration, nodded.
"Hope that ain't uh, too weird or nothin'," Ranma added.
Usagi shook her head and smiled. "Nope! I have two friends that are together." Usagi put a hand to her chin, "And another friend has a crush on a girl, now that I think about it." She turned back to Ranma. "Is your girlfriend nice?"
"Nice?" Ranma echoed. "Akane's herself. I mean yeah, when she wants to, she's real nice, but I think I like her best when she's a little bit mad at me, if that makes sense," she chuckled. "She goes ta school out in Hachioji, so I don't get ta see her a lot right now. Between classes and work, neither of us got much time to just be together, ya know? I mean, we got holidays, but usually we're working then or we gotta spend time with our parents, ya know?"
Usagi nodded. "Mamo-chan's been in America the past year."
"He your boyfriend?" Ranma asked.
"Yep." She reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet. She showed Ranma a photo of them from a while back. "He's coming back soon, but I've really missed him."
Ranma examined the man who stood next to Usagi in the photo. Aside from the fact he looked a little older than her he seemed normal enough, even though he could probably stand to dress less dorky. Looking more closely at the face, slowly became disarming for Ranma, so she looked at something else.
"Who's the kid?" Ranma said, pointing at the pink-haired girl in the photo in front of Usagi and Mamoru.
"Oh, that's... a cousin of mine. She stayed with me for a while. She's..." Usagi thought for a bit. "She's a good kid. When she isn't being a brat."
Ranma nodded. "Wouldn't know. I'm an only child. I never really spent much time with little kids."
Ranma returned the photo to Usagi and the two sat in silence for a while. She looked at Usagi again. There was something to her Ranma couldn't point her finger on. It felt a little too similar to the buzzing sensation she had been feeling, but somehow this time, if was more comforting than disconcerting. Looking at her eyes, at least indirectly, Ranma had a good idea what it could be.
"Um... Ranma? Is everything okay?" Usagi asked, a little weirded out by Ranma's expression.
"Yeah, uh... Ya wanna go do somethin'?" Ranma then suddenlt raised her arms, "I-I don't mean nothin' by it. I got a girlfriend and all that, but... I don't got any plans and ya looked a bit lonely, if ya ask me."
Usagi tilted her head. "Well... I guess I didn't have much planned, too. Do you have anything in mind?"
Ranma shook her head. "Unless ya like ta do martial arts, not really. You can take the lead."
Usagi thought for the moment. She noted the way Ranma held herself, her hands covering her chest or wait if she wasn't drinking from a cup. It was subtle, hidden among the grand gestures and casual speech, but Usagi seemed to think she found what she was looking for. She also noted Ranma's clothes were clean, but very worn.
Usagi stood up suddenly and grabbed Ranma's arm. "Hey, I haven't been shopping in ages. Let's go!"
Ranma swallowed. "Shopping? Uh, yeah. Okay."
Usagi laughed softly at Ranma's hesitant response. She pulled a surprised Ranma up from her chair. "H-hey! Watch it, Blondie!" Ranma called out as she was led out of the restaurant by Usagi.
"She's worse than Haruka," Usagi thought to herself. "How boyish could a girl be?"
Neither of them noticed the Maneki-Neko's eyes glow as they departed.
Mousse felt like he had fallen into a fast moving river, unable to steady himself as Makoto practically dragged him to the nearby park.
When they arrived, they found a mostly empty patch of grass and she let him go before, with a steady sway in her hips, walked a few meters away.
"Are you ready?"
"I guess?" Mousse squeaked. "Mako, we don't have to-"
Mako bowed towards him. Mousse instinctively did so in response, but otherwise made no move to prepare himself. This proved to be a mistake when, before realizing it, Makoto was moving her arm in an attempt at an open palm strike. Mousse quickly raised his arm and blocked Makoto. She lunged forward again and Mousse, more from instinct than preparedness dodged her kick.
"You're still holding back." Makoto said.
Mousse began to counter attack, using unarmed strikes and kicks. He sped up to just a hair faster than Makoto. He tapped her lightly enough to not hurt her, but enough to make a point about his skill. Only the flinch in Makoto's face showed her acknowledgement of his attacks.
"Why are you doing this?" Mousse asked, blocking a follow-up attack from Makoto.
"Why didn't you tell me you wore contacts?" she asked.
"I didn't think it was important?" he said loudly, blocking a haymaker.
"What if you got hurt?" Makoto asked, turning around and followingup with a kick to Mousse's torso "If I didn't look at you so closely, I don't think I would have ever suspected." She threw herself at Mousse, her attacks beginning to sharpen, much to Mousse's surprise. He actual began to struggle to keep up his defenses while not hurting her.
"What else haven't you told me about?" Makoto asked pointedly.
"A lot. It's a past I'm not proud of." Mousse shook his head, "If you knew you'd-"
"I'd what?" Mako said accusingly.
Mousse lashed out with his arms, "You'd pity me as much as she did! I'm not a blind freak!" Without meaning to, a small knife flew from Mousse's short sleeves, winging Makoto near her right shoulder.
"Makoto!" Mousse cried out as he ran forward towards her. "I'm so so sorry! I didn't mean to, I just lost control and I-"
Mako didn't even acknowledge the bleeding. With her right arm she grabbed Mousse's collar and dragged him to a secluded part of the park, on the side of a hill where few people walked by.
"What were you doing at NOS Burger yesterday?" she said cooly.
Mousse felt the air leave his lungs as he saw Makoto's eyes narrow. "Mako-chan?"
"Tell me." Makoto chest heaved as she stared down her boyfriend. "Why were you fighting those things? You could've been killed!"
Mousse shook his head and explained, "I wasn't looking for trouble. I got dragged there! And, I mean, those Sailor Senshi caused more damage than we did!" He added, as an aside, "Even if they did help us."
Makoto's expression began to shift from a deep frown to a pout. "I should hit you for that, Muu-Muu."
"Huh? What…" Mousse stopped as his eyes widened, "Wait, how did you know I was fighting demons? Are you hurt? I don't remember you with the civilians!"
"That's…" Makoto softened her grip. "I, I saw you as you were running away. The news said there were monsters there." She looked away from Mousse, embarrassed.
Mousse shook his head. "Look, Ranma dragged me there because he sensed something bad was happening there! I didn't want to go, but he needed my help. I already told him I can't be involved." Mako let go of mousse and he kneeled down, curling inwards on himself. "I don't want to worry you. You're a special person, Mako-chan. I don't want you to think I was some crazypants guy who gets into fights like that for no good reason."
"So there was a reason to fight monsters? Because of that girl you were with?"
Mousse nodded. "Yeah, Ranma said it was something evil and he could sense it, even though we were like a few kilometers away."
"Why didn't you explain yourselves to the Sailor Senshi, then? You could have told them-"
Mousse stood and said. "Wait a minute. They were yelling at us! After we helped clean their mess! Then the cops came and we bolted. I mean, it isn't like Ranma and I have their phone number or anything so call them and say "hey sorry about that, Ranma felt a premonition ever since the accident and he's a stubborn bastard."
Makoto blinked.
"Besides," he added, scratching his head. "Why do you care about the Senshi?"
Mako gulped. "They…" She decided to tell him the truth. "They saved me. I owe Sailor Moon and the others so much for what they did for me. It's all I can do to fight with them."
Mousse's eyes widened as he slowly began to understand the meaning of her words.
"M-Makoto?"
Mako reached into her pocket and felt for the small pink wand with a green jeweled star on its end. Makoto Kino said quietly, "I'm sorry, Mousse. I didn't want you to think I was some kind of weirdo. I have a past, too."
Before Mousse could respond, Makoto raised the wand skywards and called out:
"Jupiter Crystal Power, Make Up!"
Mousse was dumbstruck as the light enveloped her. In a flash she had changed before him. Her brown hair was in a loose, high ponytail which flowed down to her collarbone. Mousse was struck by how beautiful she looked in that shade of green and how it made her legs look like they would go on forever. Mousse felt a cold sweat on his forehead and his heart beat faster, though he couldn't suss out if that was from shock, desire, or sheer terror.
Makoto showed Mousse her right arm. Mousse noted that there was only a small line that showed where he had just cut her. Even that was quickly disappearing until it looked completely healed.
She moved to a kempo stance. "Now, let's try that again, Mousse. And don't hold back this time!" Makoto yelled as she charged him.
"So that how it is..." Ami said, taking a sip of water and trying to stop the shaking of her hands as she sat in the booth in the Fruits Parlor Crown were they had left their books.. For the first time ever, she wished she had something stronger on hand. For his part, Ryouga was quiet, his hands folded on the table and looking Ami over for signs of shock. He had explained a fair bit about Nerima and the three years spent as part of the 'Furinkan Nine', as he later found out they had been dubbed by the local media. He had tactfully omitted the part about Jusenkyo, figuring the martial arts and romantic entanglements were enough.
Finally Ami asked, "But what are people of your 'talents' doing..." she trailed off.
"In college?" Ryouga supplied. He started smiling again and let out a sigh of relief. "We're regular people, too. We want careers, families, normal lives. Yeah, we've torn down mountains, beaten weird supernatural creatures, and raised more hell than most people in Tokyo, but we're only human. Even that idio-" He paused. "Even Ranma is all right these days."
"Even though she's with that girl you liked?" Ami asked.
Ryouga shrugged. "Yeah, well even a jerk like him has to have somethin' to look forward to in life. It's ancient history," Ryouga remarked.
Ami moved her eyes in a way that was just barely perceptible to Ryouga."Hibiki-san," she said.
"Mizuno-san, it's okay if you call me Ryouga. I think I'd actually prefer that, if that's okay."
"Ryouga-kun, then. You said 'him' again when you were talking about Ranma."
Ryouga blinked, "Yeah?"
"Isn't Ranma a woman?" Ami asked.
Ryouga clicked his teeth and put a hand to his forehead. "Damn," he said with a snort. He tilted his head and gave Ami a grimaced smile. "It a long story and not exactly mine to tell. But trust me, he's not as much of a woman as you'd think."
"Why'd I have to be so damn cute lookin'?" Ranma thought with a mixture of consternation and pride. Inside the clothing boutique, Ranma was currently trying on a figure flattering, if expensive, red cocktail dress. While the dress went down past her knees, it was very tight fitting, emphasizing Ranma's exaggeratedly feminine figure.
This was the third outfit she had been egged into trying by her newfound blonde companion. While the first dress was tried on with much grumbling, little by little Ranma found herself unable to resist Usagi's enthusiasm. There was also a genuine sense of fun spending the day not working or studying. It was utter escapism in one of its simplest guises and Ranma began to wonder if this is why girls liked shopping so much.
"If this wasn't so goddamn wrong, I could actually get ta like this stuff," Ranma muttered to herself.
"Let me see, Ranma!" Usagi said from the other side of the privacy curtain.
"One sec," Ranma replied as she looked herself in the mirror. "Not one week locked and look at yourself, Saotome," she thought. "I'm just doin' it ta be friendly. This is the kinda thing girls like ta do, right?"
Ranma took a breath as she stepped out of the changing room. Despite herself, she smiled at Usagi's enthusiastic response.
"Wow! That looks really cute, Ranma-chan. Don't you think so?"
Ranma looked at herself in the full-length mirror behind Usagi. She caught a glimpse of herself smiling and grew self-conscious. "Eh, I ain't exactly a great judge at this kinda stuff. Kinda pricey, too." She held up the tag for emphasis.
"That's a shame. You have such a nice figure. I'm a little jealous." Usagi poked at Ranma's bustline for effect.
Ranma twitched slightly. "It's more trouble than it's worth."
The saleswoman, a tall brunette in her mid-20s, came up to both Ranma and Usagi. She put her hands on Ranma's shoulders, adjusting the dress slightly.
"Oh, that does look gorgeous on you, dear," she cooed.
"So, I've been told..." Ranma replied.
"Is your sister going to try something on herself?"
Ranma and Usagi looked at each other.
"Listen, lady. I-" Ranma began.
Usagi spoke over her. "No, we're not sisters. We're just friends."
The clerk tilted her head in confusion. "Oh, is that so? You look so alike, it's uncanny."
As she walked away, Ranma and Usagi looked at each other before they both turned towards the mirror.
Ranma scratched her head. "Huh, I don't see anythin' that-"
"It's the eyes," Usagi said. "And the nose shape."
Ranma squinted at both reflections. "Oh yeah... jawline's kinda similar too."
Ranma began to wonder. Usagi was two years younger than she was. Maybe... Ranma rapidly shook her head at the thought."No way the old man would ever do something like that," Ranma thought.
"Ma woulda gutted him like a trout."
Makoto, back in her dress, and Mousse sat quietly next to each other against a large cherry tree in the park. Mousse rubbed his cheek, which was quickly turning purple. Makoto sat next to Mousse, resting her head on his shoulder. She ran a hand through the length of his long hair.
"I hope I didn't hurt you too bad, Muu-Muu..." she cooed softly stroking his hair and noting it's newfound frizziness.
"It's okay, really. It doesn't hurt too bad." He leaned against her shoulder. "Believe me, Mako-chan, I've had worse. Not much worse than that electricity, but worse."
"Okay, no more secrets between us. You know about me now. My parents and my duty. What else should I know? Who is Mùsī?"
Mousse smiled at hearing her use the tones right. "Well, I guess I can start with more of my past. I grew up in a village of Chinese Amazons. I got bullied by everyone because of my eyesight. My mom took pity on me and taught me the Hidden Weapons style to defend myself. I came to Tokyo to chase my first love, Shanpu. I was hopelessly persistent, but in the end she ended up going back to China with someone else."
He looked wistful as he stared at the gathering, darkening clouds. "I decided to stay here in Japan and apply myself. That basically means I'm an exile from my own people."
Mousse heard Mako gasp. He held a hand. "It's okay. I don't really mind too much. I've gained a lot for it. I got an education and a couple of friends."
"Like that girl from last night?"
Mousse blinked. "You mean Ranma? That's funny you say that because actually, there's something I need to-"
A flash of lightning and the clap of thunder interrupted his words as rain suddenly poured down on the city and the couple.
Makoto soon found herself drenched and, in place of her boyfriend, a white duck sitting on her lap. It poked its head from Mousse's shirt sleeve before wriggling out of his clothes. She blinked as it seemed to pull out a small sign and marker.
"Tell you. I need hot water, Mako-chan," The sign said.
Ranma huddled under Usagi's large pink umbrella. "Aww man, I hate when the rain just comes up all of a sudden," she moaned.
"Oh it's no surprise this time of year." Usagi said. "Hopefully it'll cool off afterwards."
"Or it'll just get more humid," Ranma said. "I hate feelin' like my clothes are pasted onta me."
Ranma and Usagi walked down the mostly empty street. Despite herself, Ranma had to smile a little. She was a really nice girl. "Kinda like an energetic Kasumi," she mused to herself.
"Hey Usagi?" Ranma said out loud. "Thanks for hangin' out. I ain't the kinda gu-person ta ask for people's time, but I, uh, actually had a lotta fun."
Usagi looked at the somewhat bashful redhead."Oh, really? It's no problem. I should thank you, Ranma. We just met, and you were willing to hang out like we were friends. You're a lot of fun to be around, too. If you were a boy, you'd remind me a little of my Mamo-chan."
Before she could respond to Usagi's declaration, Ranma twitched. She felt the hairs in the back of her neck stand up and goosebumps on her flesh. The world seemed to become a shade darker and the air just a bit more stale-smelling.
"So what do you normally do when you're free?" Usagi asked, looking at the window displays.
Ranma rubbed the back of her head, feeling her attention begin to split. "Uh, I ain't got a lot of friends. Usually I just train. I'm a martial artist."
"Oh, so like kung fu?"
Ranma shrugged, narrowing her eyes. "Sort of. It's more of a personal style. Gong fu's part of it for sure, though." Ranma's voice grew just a shade quiet as Ranma began thinking about exit strategies, and possible points of ambush.
"So you fight in tournaments and stuff?" Usagi asked, recalling Makoto talking about a tournament she had participated in.
"A little in college, but..." Ranma stopped and closed her eyes. "I've been training since I was six. I spent ten years wandering the wilderness with him. I've done a lot of fighting. I've fought my best friends, Amazons, ghosts, powerful fighters... gods." Ranma frowned. "You know, until yesterday, I thought that part of my life was over..." her voice grew quiet and distracted.
"Yesterday?" Usagi finally saw the change in Ranma's mood. Her eyes were piercing and she looked almost predatory as she gaze around them.
"Last night," Ranma began, "I felt... it felt so bad. This feeling in the pit of my stomach, this tightness in my chest and buzzing in my brain. I was hangin' out with one of my only friends and I just..."
Ranma began looking at the rooftops, seeing shadows out of the corner of her eyes, though the rain and grey clouds made it difficult to tell for sure.
"I fought these demons. I just... I just knew they were hurting people. Mousse n' I went in and fought 'em."
Usagi blinked as she realized she had been given a puzzle piece that fit.
"Then those... Senshi, I guess? They showed up. Damn near blew up the place, but they saved my ass," Ranma suppressed a laugh. "Hate ta say it, but I could use one of 'em about now."
"Ranma, what are-" Usagi stopped as Ranma grabbed her wrist and jerked it tightly away from the street. Usagi dropped her umbrella as their feet splashed down a side alley.
"We gotta go, now!" Ranma yelled as she began to pull Usagi literally off her feet.
"Ah!" Usagi cried out. "Ranma, I can't run that fast!"
Ranma looked back, "sorry," she said quickly, before, without another word, she scooped up the soaking wet blonde and began running at a rapid pace.
Usagi was awed by Ranma's strength and speed. She was surprised that a girl who wasn't any bigger than she was could hold her so protectively.
Ranma jumped off a wall and onto the roof of a nearby building, Usagi yelling in fright as thunder rang out during their flight. Ranma kept going at a clip, jumping from roof to roof, almost slipping once as water dripped off their clothes.
Suddenly, Ranma stopped. She set Usagi down and clicked her teeth as she looked up towards the clouds.
"Stop right there..." a raspy voice uttered as a figured descended.
"Yeah?" Ranma asked.
Usagi and Ranma heard an echoing sound somewhere between a sniff and a slurp. Ranma set Usagi down.
"I can smell it on you!" the voice declared.
"What the hell are you talkin' about, ugly!?" Ranma called out.
"Who are you calling, ugly? I am Daikokuten, The Sixth God of Misfortune!" He swung his staff threateningly, a sheet of water flying off the tip.
Usagi turned and saw Daikokuten. The figure before her didn't seem to be a youma, but it was no less fearsome It looked like something more sinister and old. The mask it wore was made of lacquered wood and painted crimson red, gold, and black, depicting an angered oni. The rain, still pouring, ran down the mask and Usagi couldn't help but imagine it as blood. A shiver ran up her spine.
"Our lord demands we take you to him, girl." Daikokuten declared, pointing his staff at Ranma. "You will give up the Serenity to him."
Usagi paled as Ranma stood protectively in front of Usagi and cracked her knuckles.
"Ranma, don't!" Usagi cried out "You could get-" Usagi's jaw dropped when Ranma turned back to face her.
Bright as day, brighter than all save her future daughter's sigil the day she manifested her power, a sigil burned a with a bright platinum silver halo on Ranma's forehead. It was formed of a silver crescent moon which was vertical and touching a circle with a dot in the middle that glowed gold. The light was reflected on the water that dripped down from the bangs of her red hair.
"Don't worry about me, Usagi." Ranma said in a strong and confident voice. "I'm a martial artist. It's what I do." She gave Usagi a wink and a sly smile. Usagi was left speechless as Ranma turned to face Daikokuten.
Ranma moved her arms rapidly, sloughing off the excess water as she bent her knees slightly and brought her left leg back, resting her weight on it before raising her arms. "I don't know what the hell a Serenity is, but I know for a fact you can't take me."
Suddenly a dozen more shadowy figures emerged from the rooftops and surrounded her. Ranma didn't move, instead her smile became a toothy grin. If she were honest, though, Ranma felt the odds of her getting out of this unscathed diminishing quickly.
After some unseen signal, the shadowy figures began to move and Ranma threw herself into the fray.
Usagi watched for a second before falling back to a small overhang nearby and pressing the panic button on her communicator.
AN:
I was tempted to end the chapter with a rousing "Senshi, Assemble!" but I thought better of it.
This chapter has gone through several revisions and lives. The original version had a different sort of Ryouga and I structured the Mousse/Makoto scenes very differently. It's still imperfect, but tweaking the characters and trying to balance out a lot of these setup elements was something I needed to get straight before we hit the stride of action and plot. Next Chapter should be the last of the major setup chapters as Ranma and the Senshi clash, the villains issue an ultimatum, and someone gets a kiss from a rose on the gray (the more you get of it the stranger it feels. Yeah).
I have a lot of writing to do for work in the next month or so, so I would expect the next chapter to drop a bit before Christmas time.
Once again, thanks very much to Kevin Hammel, Frank Rice, tuatara, and my bff Unsurpassed Travesty for looking over various versions of this character and offering great feedback.
Until next time,
-裏には裏がある