Ranma rolled out of his futon and quickly dressed before heading to the dojo for his morning practice. Now that Ranma had Kasumi and Nabiki training at the same time his morning was free for him to practice on his own kata. After the fight with Ryoga Ranma had to admit though he was better he needed more training if he was going to be able to beat Ryoga quickly to prevent innocent by standers from getting hurt in there fights.
While Ryoga was strong with amazing endurance Ranma knew he had greater. Ranma just never used full force against anyone as it always ended the fight to soon and Ranma never could learn new moves or techniques that way. Still Ranma considered what to do about Ryoga.
Maybe only fight when a challenge letter was given or received a few days before a fight? That would solve things, as Ranma would have the right to pick the location of the challenge. In this way the fight could be moved away from people so no one would be in danger.
Yes that would work nicely and would allow them to fight full out without worrying about by standards. With that decided Ranma focused on his kata and lost himself to the forms.
Ranma came to end of his kata when he sensed someone was watching him. Taking several deep breaths Ranma turned and gave a slight nod to Akane who was at the doors of the dojo. Breaking the silence Ranma asked "Can I help you with something Akane?"
Ranma could see the emotions flash across her face before settling on determination. Akane stepped forward and said, "Can you train me like you have been training my sister?"
Ranma blinked in surprise but remained silent as he considered the question before looking up and saying, "I can but you're not ready for what they are learning." He held his hand quickly as he could tell she was about to get mad and yell at him "What I mean is that you could learn what I am teaching your sisters but you're emotionally not ready. What I am teaching you must have a lot of patients and control of your emotions. If you wish I can train you but you will learn what I want you to learn first. I will be the teacher here so you will have to respect me and do what your told while your training under me. If you can accept that then I will train you."
Akane settled down as she listened to Ranma and had to consider his offer. Akane closed her eyes and thought over the fact she would be trained by Ranma and as he said she would have to do anything he asked of her in training. Akane then pulled up the memories of her sister and could tell that they were clearly getting better as old lessons resurfaced and Ranma built upon them. Would it be so bad to learn under Ranma if he could improve her art as much as he had improved his sisters? Akane had to admit that all the times she had watched Ranma never did anything inappropriate with her sisters.
Akane opened her eyes and bowed slightly to Ranma as she crushed her pride enough to do this, "I would like to learn under you Ranma and will do as you ask, long enough it's not perverted of course."
Ranma sighed and wonder what was with this girl's obsession of perverts. Ranma nodded and said, "Then we will begin now until breakfast is ready." With that Ranma sat down waving Akane to do the same thing across from him.
Once she was sitting Ranma started his instructions on meditations and brining balance to her emotion. For over an hour Ranma worked with Akane on her meditations before calling it a day as Kasumi announced breakfast.
Ranma rose to his feet and said, "Work on those meditation techniques I showed you for the next few days. Once I am sure that you have them down and your ready I will start your training in my family style as well as your family style."
Akane sat on the floor panting covered in sweet. Akane glanced up nodding and then looked at the floor and admitted she never knew doing meditations the right way was so hard. Akane had to admit she did feel better and more focused then ever. Maybe just maybe she did have an anger problem.
Ranma held out his hand to help Akane up and was unsure if she would accept or not. After a moment Akane grabbed the hand and pulled herself up to her feet and nodded at Ranma before bowing before heading in to clean up. Ranma returned the bow and then moved to the table to help Kasumi.
After breakfast and on the way to school Ranma turned to Nabiki and asked, "Hey Nabiki have you heard of anything strange concerning magic on TV or the paper before?"
Ranma kind of figured out that she would be the most likely person that would know this, as she seemed to keep track of things like this before Ranma came here.
Nabiki considered the question and answered after several moments of thought, "Well I have heard of rumors of magical girls in another district but no one had been able to get any proof they even exist or not. Why do you ask?"
Ranma nodded at that and said, "Well I was curious if there was any other magic users in the world or even locally. Most avoid the news but I am sure they have slipped up once or twice to be put in the paper. Well if the nearest possible magic activity is in another district then I wont have to worry about fighting them any time soon."
Nabiki looked at Ranma strangely before asking, "Do mages attack each other all the time?"
Ranma smiled and said, "Only mages with different goals or intentions. Good mage bad mage type deal. I can't stand evil mages my self and I normally hunt them done and deal with them so they wont be able to harm anyone anymore."
With that said both went silent as the school came into sight. Ranma groaned as Kuno appeared waving his bokken around as he called out, "Hold foul sorcerer! For today the gods have granted me the power to defeat your evil ways!"
Ranma sighed and looked at Kuno and then ducked under his attack and came up in an upper cut that launched Kuno into a tree hard were he slid down to the ground out cold.
Ranma muttered for a moment before continuing on to class while Nabiki hauled Kuno off to the nurse's office. Ranma sat in class head turned so he could stare out the window as he wondered who would be watching him. Could it be those magical girls from another district though that didn't seem likely?
Ranma stopped at that and muttered to himself. If the girls were mages of some sort then yes they would watch him in case he was a threat to them just like he would watch them for the same reasons. However if it wasn't them then who was it and how would he find the person that was watching him?
Ranma sighed as he couldn't come up with an answer that would work for the moment and turned back to the teacher just as the lunch bell ranged.
Blinking Ranma didn't even notice the time passing while he was thinking about his problems. As Ranma came to his feet a thought struck him suddenly. Ranma followed Nabiki out the door and to the tree were they normally ate as he considered his thought.
When he first came here he set up in a groove in a near by park a place he could go to if he was in trouble and a place to teach the girls. He could set up his scrying material in the groove and find the person who was watching him. Then if person or persons came to attack he could use the groove magical wards and traps to deal with them.
Ranma grinned as he considered that and decided to add more wards and protections spells before doing this. Maybe in a week or two Ranma would be ready. Ranma turned to Nabiki and smiled reassuringly as he said, "Sorry Nabiki been thinking on things all day. Now that I have decided on what to do I won't worry about it and I will fill you and Kasumi in later."
Nabiki nodded and then the two ate in silence before Nabiki started asking in a whisper about the latest potion he had them working on and asking for some help.
The rest of the lunch period was spent whispering to each other about the potion and magic in general until the bell rang for the end of lunch period.
The rest of the day passed as normal and the school day ended like any other day. One thing was different as Ranma and Nabiki left the school building both stopped as they saw Ryoga waiting for Ranma.
With a sigh Ranma walked towards Ryoga and called out, "Ryoga Hibiki if you wish to fight me you will issue a challenge letter like anyone else. If you do not I will not fight you no matter what you say or do and you will be held responsible for any damage done or people hurt will be your fault. I will pick the location for the fights to take place once I have received your official challenge."
Ryoga glared and snarled "So your to much of a coward to fight me unless I give you a challenge letter?"
Ranma shook his head as he said, "No Ryoga I believe in honoring the tradition of issuing a challenge letter before attacking while my opponents back is to me or from ambush. Only someone so unsure of their skill use that tactic and I would like to think your better then that."
Ryoga ground his teeth in anger at the insult that Ranma had thrown at him and said, "You will have your challenge letter you coward. Say you're pray Ranma as I will kill you in our next fight."
With that Ryoga turned and walked away disappearing from view. Once Ryoga was gone the students began muttering among themselves and Ranma rolled his eyes at Ryoga threat before turning to Nabiki and says, "Shall we go or do you have other plans?"
Nabiki blinked then nodded and said, "No I have nothing planned for this evening except to train with you."
Ranma smiled before heading to the Tendo Dojo with Nabiki by his side and Akane following behind the two of them. Soon enough the three of them walked into the house calling out there greetings.
Kasumi walked up and smile was slightly strained and said, "Welcome home you three. How was your day?"
Ranma and Nabiki noticed the slight strain and after Akane walks away saying it was fine both ask, "What's the matter Kasumi?"
Kasumi mutters in a low voice, "Some lady told me to get clear of Ranma as he is a threat and would he would be dealt with." At that Kasumi let's some tears fall and mutters, "Also said if we didn't stop what we was doing we would be a threat and dealt with as well. I was in the market and was so scared"
Ranma gathers Kasumi up in his arms as she breaks down crying in his arms while Nabiki eyes was wide before narrowing to dangerous looking slits before saying, "I will call some friends in the market and see what I can find out."
Ranma nods slowly at that while comforting Kasumi as he tries to bring his anger under control at the thought someone might harm both Kasumi and Nabiki. Murmuring soothing words to Kasumi, Ranma leads Kasumi to her room where he puts Kasumi to bed once she falls asleep.
Once that is done Ranma goes to Nabiki room to see that she was putting the phone down before saying to Ranma, "One of my contacts saw the whole thing and heard what was said. Kasumi left out the part about you being a threat to some Crystal Tokyo. He couldn't get a look at the ladies face as her face was blurred out. She was wearing a leotard that was white with a black mini skirt and collar. Kind of fits the description of the Sailor Scouts from the Azabu Juuban Ward."
Ranma nodded as he listens and then frowns as he says, "When your sister is awake come to the park as quickly as you can. I will meet you two there."
Before Nabiki can say anything Ranma leaves the room and hurries to the door and out the door moving as fast as he can to the park. Once their Ranma moves to the groove of trees he visited when he arrived. Once in the middle of the groove Ranma starts adding both Nabiki and Kasumi to the spells so they will not trigger when they showed up.
Once that was done Ranma started adding more spells to the area in case they are attacked while he was gone. The finally spell that was to be triggered if all over spells had gone off was an anti-magic spell that would prevent any spells from harming them.
Just as Ranma was finished he heard Nabiki calling out for him. Moving out of the tree's Ranma spotted both girls and waved them over to him. Once they was close Ranma said, "This place is a magically protected from attacks. I have set up wards that have enough power to level this city and other magic's that will prevent any type of magic from harming you for a while. I hope this will not be necessary but I won't chance either of your lives."
Nabiki gave a grim nod and said, "How long will you be gone Ranma?"
At that Kasumi latched onto Ranma letting a few tears leak from her eyes. Ranma held Kasumi gently and his anger increased even more then before as he considered how scared Kasumi was of the situation.
Taking a deep breath Ranma said, "I will be back in 5 hours one way or the other. Whatever you two do, do not leave this groove of trees. When I come back I will come in and get you to prove it's me and not some type of trick."
Ranma gently broke Kasumi hold and handed her to Nabiki as he says, "I will be back and this will never be a problem again I promise."
With that Ranma turned and left the groove moving quickly as he summoned his battle gear moving towards Juuban to deal with a threat to his new happiness.
Moving across rooftops Ranma considered how best to approach the situation. Ranma glanced at the items he had with him in his bag of holding. Ranma had his magical weapons, 8 wands of various uses and charges, and various potions. Ranma smiled as he had enough items to take a fortress if need be but he prayed this will be resolved without any type of fighting.
Ranma focused on how to find the Scouts and what to say to them when he did find them. Finding them shouldn't be too hard. If they protected people causing an explosion of some sort would do the trick. Ranma decided on that course of action and planned to do it where no one would get hurt.
Arriving at the edge of the ward to Azabu Juuban an hour later Ranma scanned the area and spotting a park started making his way to it. Pulling a wands out and putting them in different spots of his armor and belts for easy access Ranma came to a stop on the middle of the park near a small lake with paths going all over the area.
Scanning the area and seeing one tree that was by itself and no one near it Ranma whispered an incantation before making a throwing motion as he says, "Flame Arrow". A flaming bolt races to the tree before smacking it and making it explode.
The people stop for a moment before running away screaming in terror.
Ranma sweat dropped at that and mutters "It almost looked like that was rehearsed or happened so often it's not even a surprise anymore."
Ranma relaxes against a tree though regrets destroying the tree and considers how to replace or it corrects his mistake later. Surprisingly Ranma only waits a few minutes before he can feel magical auro's coming closer. Straighten up Ranma murmurs another incantation and says "Blur"
Looking up Ranma spots five young girls dressed like the one Nabiki told him about. However there colors don't match the one that threatened Kasumi. They quickly surround Ranma as the leader he assumes strikes a pose and looks about to say a speech or something.
Ranma interrupts quickly, before the girl can start talking, "Your not the one I am looking for so scram. I want the one that has a white leotard and black skirt and trim. She is the one that threatened my fiancées and me. She is the only one I have an issue with."
That stopped all five girls and they simply starred at him before the leader he assumes said hesitantly, "Your saying one of my scouts threatened you and your fiancées?"
Ranma eyes narrow at that. "One your Scouts? So they all answer to you? Then you must have ordered that scout to threaten us I assume."
Sailor moon quickly shook her head; "No no no I didn't send any of my scouts after you or your fiancée's. I don't even know who you are. My name is Sailor Moon and these are the Inner Scouts Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter."
Ranma looked at each one as they were named before nodding saying, "My name is Ranma Saotome of the Anything Goes School of martial arts."
Sailor Moon nodded and lowered her scepter and moving out of an attack stance as she said, "Greetings Ranma. I am sorry if one of my scouts threatens you. I was unaware of the Scout's action."
Ranma nodded but stayed ready as he felt four more auro's coming towards them and another one moving closer threw the trees off to this right behind the one named Mars. Ranma glanced behind Moon and said, "More of you coming I assume? I can feel four more coming and will be here in a minute."
The others looked startled at that and glanced to where he was looking and sure enough they could just make out four more Scouts coming towards the fight. A minute later the 4 arrive and without waiting one moves to Moon as the other three attack calling out "World Shaking" "Deep Submerge" and "Dead Scream".
Ranma eyes narrow quickly as he glances about and notice none of the others attack so Ranma rolls out of the way and without thinking snaps a wand out and says, "Fireball" and aims for the middle one and the ground.
The fireball flies at them and the three scatter but thinking it was like there attacks doesn't clear the area and scream out in surprise and pain as the fireball explodes and engulfs them briefly before fading to reveal all three scouts slightly burnt but not truly hurt.
Ranma notices the other Scouts look at Moon but back off as Moon withdraws showing she was unwilling to attack and wanted the rest to follow suit. With a slight nod to Moon Ranma turned back to the three attacking Scouts as they called out there attacks once more.
Ranma mutters an incantation and brings up a shield as he takes the World Shaking will avoiding both Dead Scream and Deep Submerge.
Ranma jumped back as the one that called World Shaking jumped at him swinging her sword at him. Snapping his doubled bladed long sword from his stuff space both blades burst into flames as Ranma counter attacks swinging one blade in a horizontal attack.
Uranus blocks the attack and curses as she is pushed back but lashes out at Ranma only to see him block with the other blade before spinning away as a Dead Scream and Deep Submerge pass threw the spot he was at moments ago.
Ranma turned back and glancing at the two cast a quick incantation. When done Ranma jumps over Uranus and calls out "Chain Lighting!" as a bolt of lighting leaps towards Neptune. Half way there the bolt splits into two and one goes for Pluto.
Neptune jumps away at the last moment but still takes damage and sadly Pluto caught unprepared takes the full attack and screams out before falling to the ground twitching. Neptune follow suits as she screams and staggers away trying to steady her self.
Uranus screams in rage and shouts "World Shaking!" Once the blast is moving leaps at Ranma doing an overhead swing at Ranma. Ranma stands his ground letting the blast hit him making him stagger though not hurt to much. Bring his blade up Ranma blocks the attack and spinning to the side forcing Uranus blade out and away bring the second blade around and slashes her in the side deeply.
Uranus screams and flies back and lands near Neptune. Ranma spun around but didn't press his attack as the two came to there feet. Uranus turns and yells at Moon "Why aren't you helping us!"
Ranma holds his attack for a moment to see what Moon will say or do.
Moon looks between Ranma and Uranus and finally says, "You attacked him first so he is only defending himself. From what he told us before you came one of us Scouts went and threatened his fiancée's and him. I did not know of this and never authorized it." Moon turned to Ranma and said, "Was it one of these four Scouts that made the threat Ranma?"
Ranma nodded relaxing though ready to throw several spells in a moment notice and pointed to the one that was done and twitching on the ground. "She matches the description from Kasumi and one other person that saw the incident."
Moon nodded and sighed before turning to Neptune and Uranus saying, "Stand down you two. We will talk this over first to see who is in the wrong."
Uranus yells at Moon, "He is a threat to Crystal Tokyo and will kill us all! Pluto said so."
Ranma notices the other Scouts tense at that and turn to look at Ranma. Before anything else can happen Ranma grunts as something hits him in the back and explodes.
The Scouts gasp in surprise as Neptune and Uranus use the distraction to launch their attacks into the cloud of dust that formed from the explosion.
Ranma flies out of the cloud after taking both attacks head on and smash into a tree. Ranma curses to himself for letting his guard down and climb to his feet slowly.
From a tree a males voice yells out, "Now Moon destroys the evil thing that threatens Crystal Tokyo and our happiness!"
Moon blinked as she looked at Tuxedo Mask before her face-hardens and in a flash goes straight into her Neo-Queen Serenity form. Ranma blinked as he saw Moon change into a more mature looking version of herself wearing a dress that was just breathe taking. With large white wings folded behind her and a long scepter easily held in her hands made a very beautiful yet imposing figure.
Neo-Queen Serenity looked at her Scouts and in a commanding voice, "Sailor Scouts you will stand and you will no longer attack unless I say so. If you refuse and attack I will stripe your powers from you for all times."
Ranma watched as both Neptune and Uranus blanch at that and quickly power down there attacks. The one named as Pluto groaned and stayed on the ground twitching every few seconds. Turning to Mask Ranma watched as he jumped down just a few feet away from Ranma.
Ranma blinked and sniffed the air and glanced at Mask and said without really thinking, "Sorry your evening was interrupted with your girl mask boy. I am sure you will find another. By the attack me from behind again and I will put you six feet under."
The Scouts eyes were wide as they starred at Mask as his face paled before turning red and turned to the Queen "Don't listen to him my love. He is evil and here to destroy our future."
Ranma blinked and muttered "Oh boy this could get ugly in a hurry." Ranma backed away from Mask
Neo-Queen Serenity simply starred at Mask for several long moments as he keeps on saying that Ranma was evil and was lying. Turning her back to Mask Serenity said, "Two days from now will you come to the Cherry Hill Temple for a meeting to discuss this matter Ranma?"
Ranma looked around and noticed the looks of hatred of Pluto and Uranus. The rest looked shocked and worried but none seem threatening. Ranma nodded and said, "Long enough your Scouts don't attack me or any associated with me I will meet you in two days."
Neo Queen Serenity gave a nod and said, "On my word as Neo Queen Serenity none of the Scouts will attack you. If they do I will stripe them of there rank and powers and allow the law handle them as they see fit." At that announcement both Pluto and Uranus suddenly went pale before nodding like the rest of the Scouts showing they understood and would do as they were told.
Ranma nodded at that and then bowed deeply before Neo-Queen Serenity. "I eagerly await the chance to speak with you again." After straighten up Ranma spoke an incantation and disappeared.
Neo-Queen Serenity turned to Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus and saying a dangerous voice "We need to talk you three about your actions and taking actions against standing orders I gave months ago." The three blanched and trembled before all the Scouts disappeared.
