Haruka slowly opened her eyes to find herself lying on the floor of her family room covered by an open sleeping bag and cuddled next to Ranma. With her head resting on her friend's chest, Haruka could see her lover on the other side of Ranma snuggled into him for warmth. Had it been anyone else, Haruka knew she'd be jealous of someone being so close to Michiru. However, Ranma was a special situation. He was just, well, the only way she could put it in her mind was that he was Ranma.

Propping herself up with her arm, Haruka turned and looked at Ranma's peaceful sleeping form. Her buddy really didn't deserve all the shit that seemed to plop into his life. Haruka still remembered how fearful she was when Ranma discovered that she was a girl on her first day at school. Instead of ratting her out like any other guy would, he had simply asked why she was at an all boys' school. Once Ranma learned of the bet she was in, he had volunteered to help her out. She never really had a friend that she could truly count on like Ranma before she met him. Their friendship only became dearer to her once she started dating Michiru and Ranma didn't object in the least. It was a sore spot to Haruka that many members of her family didn't like her being with a woman.

Looking at Ranma's face brought back old curiosities to Haruka. Before she and Michiru met, she had thought about kissing Ranma to see what kissing a boy was like. She had already known she was attracted to girls by that point, but it was a question that had been nagging her. Ranma wasn't a bad guy, she could admit that he was easy on the eyes, and he wouldn't brag about it like most guys would. Such thoughts had vanished when Michiru entered her life, but now seeing Ranma like this was bringing them back.

Part of Haruka wanted to lock those thoughts in a box and dropkick them into the ocean. Flirting was one thing, but doing something like kissing crossed the line of look, but don't touch the merchandise. It would be wrong because Ranma was determined to make his engagement work even though it was dead on arrival. Besides, wouldn't kissing Ranma mean cheating on Michiru?

However, Haruka was not known to always listen to the best of advice. She impulsively lowered her head and stole a kiss from Ranma. Even unconscious, Ranma's kiss sent shivers down Haruka's spine. It wasn't as mind blowing as one of Michiru's kisses, Haruka couldn't say anything bad about it. She continued the kiss enjoying the feel of Ranma's lips.

Suddenly a soft voice surprised Haruka. "How is the kiss dear?"

The blond haired woman was so startled that she broke contact that nearly fell backwards onto the floor. Haruka glanced over Ranma's body to see Michiru lying awake with a coy grin on her face. Haruka's face turned red with embarrassment and she nervously replied, "Ah Michiru, it's not what it looks like!"

Michiru sat up and said, "Oh? It looked like you were kissing Ranma." She then shrugged her shoulders and said, "But, if that isn't the case then I guess this is okay." To Haruka's shock, Michiru leaned over and kissed Ranma as well. After a few seconds, Michiru broke the kiss and looked contemplative. "I see why you lost sense of your surroundings dear."

Haruka blinked her eyes partly shocked at what her girlfriend did and partly surprised that Ranma was still asleep. Ranma must have truly felt safe with the duo if he was able to sleep through all the commotion. Finally able to speak again, Haruka hissed to Michiru. "Why did you do that?"

Michiru calmly replied, "I did it partly to teach you a lesson about your wandering tendencies. However," Michiru paused to turn her head so she could gaze down at Ranma's sleeping face. "I also did it because I feel a certain attraction to Ranma like you do dear. It's not as deep or as encompassing as what I feel for you my love, but I cannot deny that a part of my heart has been claimed by Ranma. Don't try to deny your own feelings dear; I've seen the occasional glances you've sent Ranma's way."

Feeling defensive, Haruka quickly whispered back, "I'm not about to leave you for him Michiru. Yes, I'll admit that Ranma is extremely important to me; but you're even more important to me than he is. If I lost Ranma I'd be devastated. However, if I lost you I'd die."

"I'm not criticizing you Haruka and I feel the same way. You give me everything I need and almost everything I will ever want. There is only one thing that you cannot give me that Ranma can." Michiru then reached out with her hand and lightly placed it on Ranma's morning wood. "You can't give me a child and I know that one day I'll want one in the future years from now. Knowing how we feel, I want Ranma to father them. Is that acceptable to you?"

Haruka frowned as images of Michiru and Ranma making love entered her head. The thought of anyone knowing Michiru like that burned Haruka. She was hers and hers alone! However, another image entered Haruka's head. This image was of Michiru smiling as she took care of a beautiful child. Then another image came with herself holding a little boy with Ranma's face and her blond locks. These new images tugged at Haruka's heart and finally she said, "If it was anyone else, I couldn't stand the thought. But, I'll accept it if it's Ranma. Still, I don't know how willing he'd be to go through with it given how determined he is to make that doomed engagement of his work."

Michiru stood up and shrugged her shoulders. "That's an issue to deal with on another day. Besides, I don't want any children now; I'm too young to be a mother. Let's leave sleeping prince here while you and I go have a shower." The two lovers left Ranma sleeping to go take a shower together. In his sleep, Ranma shivered slightly feeling like he had somehow entered a lioness's den.


Over at the Tendo Dojo, Genma was sitting at the shogi table with a serious face as he waited for his old partner. Soon enough, Soun came over to join Genma for a game before breakfast. The duo played for a bit until Genma started to speak. "Soun old buddy, I'm really starting to get worried about the pledge."

Soun dropped the piece in his hand from shock. "What! Don't tell me you're having second thoughts about it after all we've suffered together."

"Don't be silly Soun. I want our families and schools joined as much as you do. It's the only outcome after our shared hardships. However, I'm worried that our dream will be left in pieces if things continue on there present course. Ranma and Akane aren't bonding as they should be by this time! Ranma's done everything a fine young man does to get Akane to like him and it's not working. He got that Kuno kid to stop harassing her and he has followed her wishes to the letter."

Soun's eyes narrowed and he replied, "Are you saying that this is all my Akane's fault?"

"What I'm saying is that Ranma cannot carry on the relationship by himself. Think back to when you were courting your wife Soun. You did everything that she asked you to do just like Ranma is doing now. Only, she was doing little things for you and happily told her friends that she was with you. Akane isn't doing those things. Remember last night? She was calling the boy a killer over the phone. If something doesn't change soon, we might see our dream turn into dust before our eyes!"

To Genma's surprise, Soun's face turned deathly pale and his eyes bulged out in fear. Ranma's accusations came to the forefront of Mr. Tendo's mind as he fear grew even bigger. "We simply cannot allow that to happen with our dream Genma! The schools must be united."

"I whole heartily agree Soun; we must do everything possible to make sure the schools are united. Therefore, I think we should come up with ways to get Akane to freely admit about Ranma and her being engaged so she becomes a bit more supportive. If that doesn't work, we may have to take drastic measures and change the engagement so that the boy marries one of your other daughters."

The Tendo patriarch brought a hand up to stroke his mustache as he thought about the situation. After a few moments he spoke again. "Nabiki told me that Akane wasn't willing to admit about the engagement before that dreadful incident with the Ryoga kid even though she was honor bound to do so. It's puzzling that she wouldn't freely admit the engagement since Akane is an honorable and well behaved young woman. I'm quite frankly baffled by her stubbornness Genma."

Genma's eyes lit up as an idea came to him. "I know, Akane is a fighter right?" Soun nodded his head before Genma continued. "That means she's used to dealing with competition. Ranma doesn't offer her any competition when it comes to the engagement. He's not fighting her on it because that wouldn't be honorable. Since there's no competition, Akane must obviously not know how to properly respond. If she had the idea that a threat to her position as Ranma's fiancée existed, then obviously her competitive nature would have her working overtime to win Ranma."

Soun then picked up Genma's train of thought. "If Akane goes after Ranma, then he'll respond with equal intensity. Before you know it, the two of them will be madly in love like they should be and the union will be secured! Oh happy day, we've got the solution to our problem." Both martial artists jumped out of their seats and started dancing for joy.

Before reality could find them and point out that Akane's competition currently didn't exist, Kasumi entered the room. "Good morning father and Uncle Genma. There is a young man at the door hoping to speak with you Uncle Genma."

Genma blinked his eyes in confusion. "Uh Kasumi, did this young man tell you why he wanted to see me?" A few half remembered incidences came to his mind. Surely, this couldn't be about one of those misunderstandings. Still, it never hurt to be careful.

Kasumi reflected for a moment and replied, "Oh yes, the man said he wanted to talk to you about martial arts lessons. Someone named Stangmar recommended you as a teacher to him."

Genma relaxed a bit and smiled. "Let me go see this fellow then. If Stangmar recommended that he train under me, then he has to have some real potential in him."

Soun blinked his eyes in confusion. "Who is Stangmar old buddy of mine?"

Already heading for the door, Genma gave Soun a casual reply. "Just an old martial artist I met in China. Ranma grew real close to him after the boy met him." Genma quickly left the Tendo family room and he headed to the opened front door where Mamoru was waiting for him in a white traditional Chinese shirt. A quick check with his modest ki senses alerted Genma to the unique vibration in Mamoru's aura he had picked up from Ranma ever since the boy became Green Ranger. Without a doubt, this was his son's new teammate. "Good morning sir, I am Genma Saotome the master of the Saotome School of Anything Goes. I understand that you're looking to become my student."

Mamoru nodded his head and replied, "Yes sir, my name is Mamoru Chiba. With everything that is happening in Tokyo these days I feel that not having some self-defense training is too dangerous. An acquaintance of mine recommended you as a teacher saying that you would be the best sensei for me that he could think of. Will you do me the honor of letting me become your student?"

Genma folded his arms and replied, "I think I can take on another student now that my heir no longer needs constant attention from me. However, why should I make you that student? My school demands constant work and total commitment. A student of Anything Goes must find ways to make everything they can into training. You're also rather old to start training meaning you'd have to work extra hard compared to a young child to learn critical aspects of the school. Furthermore, Anything Goes is not a simple school of martial arts for self defense. If you're just looking to be able to deal with street thugs, go to another dojo."

Mamoru firmly looked up into Genma's eyes. "Sir, I know that I don't know exactly what I'm getting into. However, Stangmar said that you'd be the best teacher for me and I trust his judgment on this matter. I suspect that the training would cause me to complain from time to time, but I will do it and I won't give up. If I wasn't willing to see this through I would never have come here in the first place."

Genma allowed a small smile to form on his face upon seeing Mamoru's resolve. "Good, than consider yourself my student from this day forward. Come to my friend's dojo and we'll start your training with a practice brawl to see how good your current reflexes and instincts are."

Newly declared teacher and student walked through the Tendo house towards the dojo with Genma rapidly giving Mamoru some quick fighting tips before their fight. Nabiki spotted the duo and then walked over to Kasumi. She quietly whispered to her sister, "Who's the new guy?"

Kasumi replied with a faint blush on her cheeks, "His name's Mamoru and he came here to study under Uncle Genma. Apparently, someone recommended Uncle to him as a teacher."

Nabiki blinked her eyes and then muttered, "Damn, the Saotomes are bringing us hotties to look at. Who knew that Uncle Genma was so thoughtful?"


Furinkan had been closed for the rest of the week while the school board thoroughly investigated the Ryoga Incident. Ranma had met with the school board during the investigation and had been declared not guilty of murder. He was allowed back into school, but was permanently banned from all academic clubs, associations, and sports teams. The school board and the local judge felt that Ranma and his training was simply too dangerous to be around other students in these settings. It also served as Ranma's punishment for his crime of manslaughter.

On Monday, Ranma walked to school like he always did waiting a minute for the Tendos to enter before he went in the school. As Ranma walked through the hallways, he quickly noticed the wary glances he was getting from the other students. It was clear to Ranma that they didn't blame him for Ryoga's death. However, they were scared that he had the power he had shown. It was bitterly ironic considering that Ranma could hear some students talking about how cool and powerful Green Ranger was.

Not letting it show that it bugged him, Ranma walked through the parting crowds towards his classroom. His annoyance at the continually parting students continued to grow with every step. By the time he reached the stairs, Ranma was praying for someone to have the guts to at least not step back in fear.

Upon reaching the second floor, the kami decided to grant Ranma his wish. "Halt Saotome, I the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High wish to speak to you about the attack on this fair school last week."

Ranma turned his head and saw Kuno walking towards him with his usual superior swagger. Normally, Ranma would have found some way to distract the slightly insane kendoist. However, the fact that Kuno was approaching him now made Ranma willing to talk. "What is it you wish to talk about?"

Kuno stopped a few feet away from Ranma and gave a slight nod of the head. "I merely wished to offer my condolences to you. It saddened my heart to hear that an honorable man like yourself was so dastardly attacked in this fine institution. May your soul find peace over this matter and I apologize that my family's influence was not able to mitigate the law's punishment on you. The heavens weep that you are punished at all for defending yourself."

The reborn ranger blinked in surprise. Kuno was offering his support and tried to help him? That was the last thing Ranma had ever suspected! Ranma stood there in silence for a few seconds until he was able to find the words to say. "I'm touched that you were so concerned about Kuno. I wasn't expecting it, but I'm grateful for it just the same."

Kuno waved away Ranma's comment. "There's no need to be grateful Saotome. I am merely giving my concern where it is justly due. After all, a man who would try to help protect the honor of the Kuno house when he has no allegiance to it deserves my house's protection."

The upperclassman took as steep closer to Ranma. "By the way, I have found myself in a bit of a bind over a matter which I hope you might provide an illuminating view on. Despite my best efforts, I still have not been able to find the identity of the man who is unjustly engaged to my beloved Akane. Nor have I found the means by which to make her father see the foolishness of her current match. For some strange reason Akane's mercenary sister has been unwilling to trade this information to me. Do you have any advice?"

Ranma closed his eyes as he thought about the live grenade Kuno unintentionally dropped in his hands. If he revealed that he was engaged to Akane, Kuno would become another problem to complicate his already hectic life. If he helped Kuno transfer the engagement then he'd be acting dishonorably against the pledge. Having his engagement shift to either Kasumi or Nabiki in that way was still a breach of honor. At the same time, Ranma honestly really didn't want anything to do with Akane. Just holding a civil conversation with her was getting to be difficult given the crap that kept on forming between them. Besides, having her connected to him was dangerous for her health with the Dark Kingdom on the loose.

Finally, Ranma remembered something he overheard and came up with a solution that would let him solve his current problem without creating more. "I know who Akane is engaged to because my family was there when the choice was made. But, I can't reveal who it is because Akane doesn't want it known she's engaged to the person. Even though you know that she's engaged, you don't know who she's engaged to and my revealing that would be in direct violation of her wishes. I trust you understand why I must remain silent on this matter?"

Kuno frowned a bit before he nodded his head. "It saddens me that you cannot give me this information as well. However, I am please that you do so only because you wish to fulfill my Akane's wishes. She is blessed to have you in the shadows supporting her desires. Still, is there no way in which you can help me support heaven's will by being with my fair tiger?"

Grateful that Stangmar had been given acting classes, Ranma replied. "At the moment I think the best course of action for you is to bide your time and wait. Akane doesn't care much for the man she's engaged to, but her father dearly wishes the engagement to go through. I overheard him talking with my father last night. I couldn't hear much, but it sounded like they were refining a plan to get Akane to like her fiancé. If the will of heaven is as you say, and I have no ability to honestly claim otherwise, then this plan of Mr. Tendo's will fail. At that point, he might be more receptive to your offer. However, I think it will take several of his plans failing because he is as determined as his daughter; it's where she gets it from I think."

The slightly crazy upperclassman bowed his head in thanks and then left Ranma. By this point, every other student had vacated the hallways in fear. First Ranma kills someone with a knife and now he's able to talk sense to Kuno? Was he the herald of the Apocalypse or something?


Sailor Moon was really wishing that she had never found Luna at the moment. If she had just left Luna alone then she wouldn't have to deal with magical fights, bad guy civil wars, or being a reincarnated princess that was supposed to save the day. The encyclopedia in the Mercury Computer confirmed that the Sailor Moon mantle was excusive to the royal line. She, Mercury, and Mars were currently trying to deal with Queen Beryl's latest head bad guy General Nephlite who was currently operating out of an arcade. Unlike Jadeite, Nephlite had brought one youma per senshi and these youma were really good at working together. None of the senshi was able to get enough time to attack before they were forced to doge. Sailor Moon quickly jumped out of the way of a lighting strike and then rolled on the ground as the youma that had just attacked her threw plates. "Why can't Tuxedo Mask appear and save us?"

A youma with crystal spikes covering its body let out a chuckle as it expanded the spikes on its hands. It then called out, "It's death for you Sailor scum!" Just as the youma was about to throw the spikes at Sailor Moon, a white beam of energy came flying out of nowhere towards the monster and room was filled with the sound of shattering glass. The youma barely had time to dodge as the rest of the fighters abruptly stopped to try and find out who had joined the fight.

White Ranger jumped in through the shattered window, promptly went into a roll as he reached the ground, jumped up from the roll without breaking rhythm, and sliced one of the youma in half with Saba. He then whirled around to face the youma that had been ready to attack Sailor Moon. Raising Saba to that the saber's blade was pointed at the youma, White Ranger firmly spoke. "Princess Serenity's life is not yours to end. As of this moment, she and her court are under my protection."

Nephlite discreetly signaled for the farther youma to discreetly make its way back to him and the other remaining youma. The general was rather nervous to find out that another Ranger had appeared. He quickly spoke hoping to gain more information about this new problem. "Might I ask who you are to place these brats under your protection?" In Nephlite's mind, the general was chanting, 'please be a rookie, please be a rookie.'

White Ranger moved his arm so that Saba was pointing at Nephlite. He then spotted the moving youma and quickly killed it with his blaster without moving Saba from the general. "I am the reincarnated Prince-Elector Endymion of Elysion and the current White Ranger. We've met before, back when I was cursed by Queen Serenity to take on the role of Tuxedo Mask. Thanks to Stangmar, Serenity's curse was broken and my true powers have returned. I am going to make you pay for all the lives you took Nephlite."

This was not good in Nephlite's mind. Endymion had only been a mediocre Ranger, but even an average Ranger was a dangerous opponent. He had to get rid of this threat now before Stangmar could train the boy. Nephlite put one hand behind his back to discreetly summon more help. Hoping to delay White Ranger until his trap was ready Nephlite shot back. "All the lives I took Ranger? What about all the lives you took? After all, none of this wouldn't have started if you hadn't been caught bedding the Lunar Witch's brat of a daughter! Metallia would never have found Queen Beryl if her heart hadn't been crushed into dust by the news that her 'beloved' fiancé was whoring himself out to the daughter of the person who had her father poisoned. Is that why you placed the senshi under your protection? Were you hoping that the brats would 'reward' you if you somehow managed to save them?"

There was an edge to White Ranger's voice as he replied, "Endymion's sins may cast a shadow on my soul. But, never, ever assume that I am like him in that respect!"

Nephlite shrugged and then replied, "It doesn't really matter. After all, you're about to need to be reincarnated again." He then snapped his fingers and two squads of youmas stormed into the room.

White Ranger immediately shifted to a defensive stance and moved closer to the Sailor Senshi. The Senshi also shifted to a defensive stance, but it wasn't as good due to their lack of training. All four fighters silently agreed to put any arguments they had on hold as they tried to fend off the youma assault. As the senshi sent their spells flying, it quickly became obvious that they didn't know how to handle fighting superior numbers of enemies. White Ranger swerved out of a youma's attack and tapped his helmet for private speaking. Unheard by anyone else, he said, "Hack into phone system and dial nearest phone to Green Ranger."

While jumping over a street fighter game console, White Ranger heard someone pick up the phone. "Hello, this is the Tendo Residence with Kasumi Tendo speaking. Who is calling?"

As he fired his baster, White Ranger said, "Hi Kasumi. It's Mamoru. Can you please put Ranma on the phone? I've got a," White Ranger paused to roll under a pool table, "really pressing matter to talk with him about!"

There was a pause on the other end for a few moments which White Ranger used to slash a youma in half. He then jumped onto the pool table as Ranma picked up the other end. "Hey Mamoru, what's the urgent situation?"

"Youma are in an arcade, I'm trying to fight them and help the Senshi. You need to get here now."

"Be there in a flash. I'm sending you my power crystal so you can summon me into the fight."

White Ranger tapped his helmet to public speaking after Ranma hung up the phone. He then looked over to the Senshi who were scattering after finishing off one of the youma. "Reinforcements are coming quickly!" Just after White Ranger said this, a green crystal appeared in his hand. The Ranger threw the crystal calling out, "Let the Power summon you!"

There was a flash of light and Green Ranger's form solidified in the arcade. Green Ranger took one look at the trashed arcade and muttered, "I hate indoor battles." He then pulled out his blaster and started shooting the youma. Using his dragon dagger's attack indoors had too much risk of collateral damage.

Sailor Mars spotted a green baster beam sail by her head and shoot the head off a youma that nearly fried her back. She whipped her head around to see Green Ranger moving closer to White Ranger and muttered, "I can't believe that asshole saved me."

Nephlite quickly wrote his squads off as lost once Stangmar showed his face. The only thing he could do was hope to take out one or two of the Senshi before all his youma were dead. There was a way that could work at the cost of most of the energy he had collected. However, Zoicite's new love hotel operation was a huge success and would replace the loss energy in a few hours. Nephlite summoned a portal to the Dark Kingdom behind him and created a glowing purple and black ball. While throwing the ball the general shouted, "Mix and grow!" He then leapt into the portal which instantly closed.

Whips of energy shot out from the orb and latched on to the surviving youma coating them in a protective shield. Green Ranger recognized the spell and yelled out, "We need to get out of here!" He rushed towards Sailors Mercury and Mars since they were in his way towards the windows and grabbed them. Mercury was grabbed in a fireman's carry while Green Ranger simply grabbed Mars by her hair to drag her out. White Ranger followed his mentor's lead by picking up Sailor Moon bridal style and rushing out the front door.

The five mystical warriors got out into the crowded streets and turned around to watch a kitbashed giant youma break through the roof of the arcade as it grew. Sailor Moon let out a shriek and cried, "What are we going to do? How can they just make the youma grow like that?"

Green Ranger quickly glanced at the now frightened mob and said, "White and all Senshi, you all try and protect this mob from debris. I'll take care of the youma since I'm the only one with the tools for it." Before anyone could challenge him, Green Ranger stretched out his arm towards Tokyo Bay shouting, "I call upon the power of the Dragonzord!" He then put the flute cross guard to his lips. "Dee De De, De De Dee"

A few kilometers away on the shores of Tokyo Bay, thousands of people watched in shock as the bay started bubbling. They then heard a titanic roar as the Dragonzord's head emerged from the water. Everyone ran away in blind panic as the Dragonzord continued to rise up. One little kid pointed at the Dragonzord as his panicked mother grabbed him and said, "Look mommy, it's Gojira!"

Green Ranger jumped into the air and turned into a green pillar of energy that shot off towards the Dragonzord. He then reappeared in his cockpit and started directing his zord towards the giant youma. As the zord walked, Green Ranger was thankful that people were clearing the streets away from him in panic. He flipped on the outside speakers and had the Dragonzord hack into every communication system in Tokyo. "Attention everyone, this is the Green Ranger speaking. A giant monster has appeared in central Juuban and I am about to engage it in a giant war machine that bares a faint resemblance to Gojira. Will everyone in the immediate please move out of the way of the impending kaju match? I repeat, a monster brawl is about to start in central Juuban which will likely kill you if you get too close. Sorry about the impending damage and have a nice day."

The youma saw the Dragonzord's approach and launched an attack at the zord that looked like a storm of playing cards. Dragonzord's armor took several blows, but the zord emerged from the attack with only scratches. That was more than could be said for the surrounding skyscrapers which started to collapse from the damage.

Green Ranger growled and said, "No time to mess around. It's time for attack pattern 21 salute." Dragonzord raised its hands towards the youma and launched a barrage of missiles. The zord then moved to cut the distanced between it and the youma in half. It launched another barrage of missiles and charged towards the youma. Just as the missiles hit, Dragonzord turned around and used its tail to stab the youma.

Unable to take all the damage, the youma exploded into dust. As the dust spread across the city, Green Ranger shook his head. "We need a way to attack the Dark Kingdom. Too many people are dying because we're on the defensive."


Author's note: I've gotten some personal messages from some readers asking about the pairings. I've not answered those messages because I'm not revealing the final pairings. All I'll say for certain is that you can slap FUBAR on Mamoru and especially Ranma's dealings with girls.