Disclaimer: You know the drill it's all not mine and I'm not pretending it does.

Thanks too all you reviewers out there.

Chapter 14 – This is a day of rest?

Ranma woke up in her own room and sighed. It was not quite four in the morning and yet she was fully awake. She knew why that was and just got out of bed. She stretched and then stood in her underwear staring out a window and thinking to herself. Out loud she said, "Why even bother going to school. I could be, no, I should be training."

She started doing some light training in her room and then a knock sounded on the door and Ranma said, "Come on in."

Neherenia opened the door and walked in. In a slightly annoyed tone she said, "Up early hmm?"

"Yeah, can't sleep."

Neherenia still somewhat annoyed said, "Yes, I heard is there some problem?"

Ranma shrugged and said, "School, our so called 'family', and other things."

Neherenia saw something in Ranma's eyes and her tone softened. "You wonder why you would bother to go to school. You wonder if your time could perhaps be better spent in training yourself."

Ranma looked to her and nodded saying, "Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking and yet I also feel like I owe those girls and explanation."

"Ahh, and you also feel that if you do not see them at school they will be disappointed in you as their team leader?"

Ranma came close and said, "Yes, I've never felt a weight like this before. It's not the same as all those times I came and rescued Akane or the Dojo. I was honor bound to do those things as part of my engagement. This is different I should go out and train and yet I feel that I ought to stay here and go to school." Ranma paused for a moment and then said, "I just well, I just don't want to disappoint my team."

Neherenia said, "Leadership and responsibility, it's hard isn't it Ranma."

Ranma nodded and said, "What should I do?"

Neherenia had no answer. She had forsaken her own responsibility in an all out war with Queen Serenity a long time ago. More thoughts of the past and her own shunning of leadership and responsibility ran through Neherenia's mind until she shut them down forcefully and changed tracks by saying, "Ranma why didn't you tell your secret to anyone in Nerima other than Nabiki and Cologne?"

"I just figured that Sailor Angerona could drop by and ask Ranma, Shampoo, and Cologne to come help her fight. I figured that if I revealed everything I'd get stuck with Akane, Shinnosuke, and some of the others. They'd well they would just get in the way."

"Even Mr. Saotome? He did seem to be a rather good fighter."

Ranma thought about it and said, "Maybe Angerona will ask him to come then, but then again I've seen him run from fights on other occasions. How could I be sure that he wouldn't just turn Panda and," Ranma interrupted herself and said, "Oh damn!"

Ranma cursed some more and Neherenia waited for her to finish cursing and then said, "What?"

"Water, Sailor Mercury has a water based attack. If she uses it on Shampoo in the middle of a fight," Ranma's eyes clenched as if she were seeing that exact scene in her mind. She then mouthed a few options such as 'Waterproof soap' and 'Instant Naniichuan', but she seemed to reject each one and finally sighed as she said, "No, it's no good. She'll have to stay out of it."

Neherenia said, "That leaves you with me, Ranma, and Cologne. As much as I respect your battle prowess it seems that if our family brings in and extra fighters, then we will be seriously outnumbered by both sides."

Ranma heard that and said, "Who else can they bring?"

Neherenia shook her head and said, "Not exactly who, but what. They still have the ability to create droids. I suspect that they will use the next few days to create as many droids as they can using the corrupted power of Nemesis. Then when they are at their most powerful they will challenge us."

"You think so?"

Neherenia smiled sadly and said, "It's what I would do if I were in their place."

Ranma thought about it. Neherenia had once been on the side of evil. She probably had a decent idea about the tactics they would use. Ranma then considered the odds. Sailor Moon, Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter on one side of the equation; Black Lady, Wiseman, Ryouga, Ukyou, and the Kunou siblings on the other plus an unknown number of droids. Against both Ranma was bringing Neherenia, her male counterpart, and Cologne. She'd fought against difficult odds before, but that was sheer insanity. Still she was Ranma Hitoshirenu and she didn't lose. She would just have to think of something.

Neherenia stood by as a fire lit in Ranma's eyes and as the girl started to step out of the room she said, "Ranma, before you go out to practice don't you think you ought to put some clothes on?"

Ranma stopped herself just outside the doorway and looked down. She was wearing a sports bra and panties. She blushed a vivid red and then went back into her room and put on a pair of shorts, and a shirt. She walked out of her room again angling her traditional baseball cap over her cat ears and marched for the gym.

Neherenia waited some time and then she went back to bed. Some time later she woke up as Ranma came back, took a shower and changed into her school outfit. Neherenia actually made breakfast and served it. The two of them ate in silence for awhile and then Neherenia said, "Perhaps you could ask your gymnastics team mates for help?"

Around her food Ranma said, "I couldn't do that they're girls," she paled just after she said it and then she sighed, "I thought being a girl would get me to not say stupid things like that. Still I well it's like you said I'm responsible for them what happens if they get hurt or."

Ranma didn't finish the last part, but Neherenia did. "Or killed?"

Ranma nodded and Neherenia said, "It is a possibility that they could indeed get hurt or killed, but perhaps you should allow them to make that decision for themselves?"

"I'd probably have to do the same thing for Shampoo then." Ranma said with evident concern.

Neherenia nodded and said, "Yes, you would. You could probably avoid the same decision for your father and others due to their obvious inadequacies. A commander is allowed to choose his troops, but I think it should be based more on fighting ability than just pure concern for their well being, yes?"

Ranma finished her meal and cleared the table. "I'll have to think about it."

Neherenia suddenly had an idea. It was so amazing that she wondered why she hadn't thought about it before. "Ranma what if you could get some extra power for everyone involved. Would that make your decision easier?"

Ranma said cautiously, "Where would we get this power?"

"I hadn't thought about this before and in all actuality it could harm the timeline," Neherenia paused and then said, "Then again what's another paradox piled onto the mess that the Black Moon Family and the Senshi have made."

Neherenia started to muse some more about the timeline when Ranma cut her off saying, "So what is your idea?"

Neherenia said, "We retrieve the mirror that well...that I am trapped in and then we can get four powerful magic balls that were created in my kingdom a long time ago."

Ranma heard that and said incredulously, "Did you just say that you were trapped in a mirror?"

The black haired woman nodded and said, "Yes, as you may recall I am from the future. A future in which the Black Moon family lost this fight, indeed it is even after a group called the Death Busters loses to the senshi."

Ranma nodded and said, "I think you mentioned that before, I just guess I didn't realize that, well…" Ranma was left without a word to exactly describe what it was that she didn't realize.

Neherenia smiled and said, "Yes, I admit it is more complex than I would prefer to think about, but if we were to retrieve the mirror we would gain possession of four powerful artifacts that could tip the scales in our favor."

Ranma fished for something to say and then latched onto it, "Wouldn't we also get you, er well a version of you from the past or something?"

Neherenia said gravely, "Yes, that's right and we have no idea what will happen if the two of us should come into contact with each other, however I am willing to risk it in order to stop Wiseman, and the Senshi."

Ranma tried to fathom the entire idea. Neherenia from the future was about to free her past self before the Senshi did and then take some powerful artifacts from herself in order to use them before they were supposed to be used. The very idea twisted her brain into a knot, but she said, "Alright, fine. You get the mirror and bring it back here. I guess that I will go recruiting."

Ranma took her school bag and left the apartment with her mind still reeling. Neherenia watched her go and then said to herself, "I suppose it's a good thing that I didn't mention Pegasus and the Golden Crystal. Ah well it's not like we could find him anyway, after all the person who has his mirror is currently working for the Dark Moon family."

Neherenia picked up the phone and called an airline saying, "Yes, I'd like to book an immediate flight to Brazil."

Someone spoke on the other end and Neherenia said, "Yes, two hours from now will be just fine."

The voice spoke again and Neherenia wrote some numbers down on a piece of paper, "Thank you that will be all. You have been most helpful." She hung up the phone and started to pack her few belongings. When she was done she went to her purse and looked into it. She sighed at the meager funds, knowing that nothing more would be coming from their former family and sighing in frustration at the fact that she was about to spend the last of their money. Once again she spoke out loud and said, "Sister of mine I hope you've been holding out on me."

She closed her purse and said, "Well I guess it won't matter until the end of the month and by then we could be dead." She laughed a bit at her own gallows humor and then she walked outside to get a breath of fresh air, hoping that her plan would work.

Ranma walked into school with a quiet air of confidence. She sat down in her desk and waited for class to begin. Other students filed into the room and then Ami Mizuno came in. The blue haired girl stared at Ranma as she entered the class and then ran into the hallway. Ranma rolled his eyes as moments later Sailor mercury entered the room and shouted, "Shine Aqua Illusion!"

Ranma dodged out of the way as the blast of water completely destroyed her seat. She dodged another blast that ended up destroying a wall and then launched herself at Sailor Mercury. Moments after that she had the young Sailor on the floor and was holding her head into a tight lock. She put her lips close to the girl's ear and said softly, "I could kill you now you know."

Tears came to Mercury's eyes and she pleaded, "Please No!"

Ranma let go and thumped the girl in the back of the head with a quick chop. Mercury slumped to the ground. As she did Ranma caught some motion out of the corner of her eye and then moments later she tumbled out of the way as a shining tiara impacted with the wall behind her. She sighed and then she attacked. Sailor Moon found herself in the same position that Mercury had just been in and with the same results. Ranma cautiously walked over to where her seat had been and then stood there with her hands behind her back.

Soon enough the teacher, the principal and other school officials entered the room. Behind them was a crowd of students who didn't quite dare to enter the room. The principal looked at the damage and then looked at Ranma and said, "What do you have to say for yourself young lady?"

Ranma looked back and said, "Hey! They attacked me. I just defended myself."

A boy who had arrived in class before the attack said, "It's true sir, Sailor Mercury came in and just tried to blast Ranma. I don't know why, because she doesn't look like a droid or a youma, but man it was amazing I don't think I've seen anyone move that fast before in my life."

The graying haired gentleman looked to the boy and said, "Hmm, is that so."

Suddenly one of the windows in the room shattered into thousands of pieces. Everyone stared in shock as Venus and Jupiter started to attack. Ranma quickly moved out of the way of the attacks and then propelled herself towards the two newly arrived senshi. She grabbed them both in her arms and then dived out the window that they had just entered.

The two senshi were able to free themselves from Ranma's grasp, but they were not trained in the arts. The two of them slammed into the ground with a whump, while Ranma had tucked into a ball and rolled upon impact. She was on her feet again and turned towards her attackers. The two girls were shakily getting to their feet and about to recover their wind. Ranma didn't let it happen. She attacked with powerful, quick, and efficient punches and kicks and the girls went down.

When it was over she stood panting and noted that a police car had just arrived. Two officers exited the vehicle and approached her. The first one looked at her and said, "Are you okay Miss..."

"Hitoshirenu," Ranma supplied and then she said, "Yeah I'm alright. Don't know why these girls are trying to kill me though."

Three more police cars arrived and the officers swarmed out of them. Some of them were running into the school while others were carefully taking the bodies of Venus and Jupiter from their spots. The officer in front of Ranma said, "I'm sorry Miss Hitoshirenu, but we're going to have to bring you in."

In surprise Ranma shouted, "For what! They started it. It's not my fault they were trying to kill me is it?"

The man said, "I know that Miss Hitoshirenu, but well there's at least one more of them out there wouldn't you feel safer downtown?"

Ranma calmed down a bit and said, "I'd rather finish out my day here if I could. My Gymnastics team needs to practice later. Besides which I've been out of school for family reasons for almost a week already."

Ranma could see that the officer was close to breaking down. She looked at the ID on his chest and then looked up into his brown eyes with her absolute sweetest face and said, "Please Lieutenant Hisato?"

The officer gave in and said, "Alright, I'll take your statement here. Go on tell me what happened."

Ranma proceeded to tell the man a very simplified version of the morning's events. It seemed to satisfy him and he walked away. She then looked around and noted that there was a distinct lack of a crowd. Then she heard a bell chime and sighed as she realized that she had completely missed first period. She walked into the school and started heading towards her classroom when she almost bumped into the principal.

The grey haired man looked down at her in and his voice was harsh as he said, "I'll let it slide today Miss Hitoshirenu, but I want to see you getting to classes on time from now on."

Ranma nodded and the man's voice warmed for just a moment as he said, "Good job with those Vigilantes." He walked away and Ranma stared after him wondering if he had actually said what she thought she had heard.

Sailor Mars did not make an appearance, but Ranma spent most of the morning in tense agitation waiting for it to happen. When the lunch bell rang she was rather surprised. She shrugged her shoulders and said, "Maybe she learned a lesson from the others," then walked outside with her bento and sat with her Gymnastics team.

She was greeted with many hugs and jubilance by her friends and she thought to herself, This must be what it is like to have real friends. The small uproar quieted down and everyone asked her why she had been attacked by the Senshi earlier. Ranma was able to avoid the question by asking them what they had been doing and why they were at the Tendo home. Her team mates filled her in on what they had been doing and learning. She was even truly impressed when they all showed her what was almost, but not quite the Amaguriken. Lunch was almost over when Kaede said, "So Ranma you seem to have allowed us to tell you what we have been doing, but you haven't told us what you have been doing lately or why the Senshi attacked you?"

Ranma tensed up a bit as Kaede said, "I'll start at the beginning. What was the problem with your family?"

Ranma thought, They are evil scum trying to take over and possibly destroy the world. She looked at them nervously and said, "It's kind of complicated, I'd rather not go into the details right now."

Kaede eyed her suspiciously and then the bell rang. Ranma escaped questioning and went to her classes again. When they were over she found herself standing outside the still the Gymnasium. A team of builders was inside fixing light fixtures, repairing bleachers, tacking down new wooden flooring and other such things. Ranma's team mates approached and Kaede said, "Still being fixed Ranma just like we said at lunch."

Ranma sighed and said, "The fields are being used by the other clubs too huh?"

Kaede nodded. "Yes, just like we said, that's why we went over to Nerima to practice at the Tendo's everything seems to be taken."

Ranma looked up into the sky as if for inspiration and then her eyes rested on the roof of the School. She smiled and said, "Well then we'll just have to improvise."

The rest of the gymnasts caught Ranma's gaze and directed their attention to the same place. One of the Watanabe triplets said, "The roof? That's insane! What if we fall off?"

Ranma gave her an evil grin and said, "Falling off will be the first lesson then."

The girls looked at her for a moment thinking that it was a joke, but after a few moments when Ranma headed towards the school they realized that she was serious. Ranma picked up the pace on the stairs and ran up them at full speed. The gymnasts followed suit and arrived with their captain on top of the roof. They formed two lines and Ranma examined them all carefully, none of them were even breathing hard yet. She also noted that each and every girl was still wearing the weights that she had suggested. She smiled at them and said, "I'm impressed even with the extra few kilos and that run and none of you are even breathing hard, that plus the new speed you showed me at lunch leads me to believe that you have not been idle during my absence."

The girls were looking at Ranma with joy and admiration on their faces. Ranma drank it in and then mentally shut herself down, Don't just drink it in think Ranma think. Should I really do this? Can I just allow the Senshi or Wiseman to win? When I meet them in a few days they won't be coming at me in ones and twos it will be all of them at once. She sighed and then prepared herself to do it, to purposefully tell these girls the truth and possibly lead them into danger. Ranma went on saying, "Indeed from what you have told me about your two real combat experiences I think you are ready to know the truth about where I was for the last week."

The team watched in awe as Ranma transformed into Sailor Angerona. When it was over Ranma extemporized by saying, "I am Sailor Angerona and last week I was fighting the forces of darkness."

One voice said, "I knew it! Well not the whole last week thing, but I knew it. You just had to be the new Sailor."

Angerona smiled and said, "I expected that you did Kaede. In fact I knew that many of you had some suspicions about me and so I felt I should tell you the truth."

The girls broke into a multitude of questions and Angerona said, "Whoa, let me tell you some more first and then you can ask some questions." Angerona proceeded to give them an edited version of her imprisonment by Wiseman and her adventures in the future.

Aiko twisted a lock of bleached hair out of her eyes and said, "I don't get it why are the Senshi after you again?"

Ranma related the story of the Senshi again finishing by saying, "I realized then that maybe a promise on my honor given under duress wasn't something I should obey and took him out. After that you know about Sailor Pluto and the rest. So you know that I clearly don't like the idea of turning the planet into a frozen wasteland or allowing humanity to become semi mindless automatons. The Sailors apparently disagree with me on that…"

The girls were impressed and Dai Sato even went so far as to blow her black hair out of her face and said, "Maybe they deserved to be kidnapped for awhile Ranma."

Some of the other girls chipped in with some of that same annoyance. Miya Watanabe said, "I may look like my sisters, we might even have a lot of the same interests, but I don't want to be an automaton."

Her sisters nodded in agreement as well as the rest of the team. Everyone's anger was getting palpable and then Kaede said, "Do you need help Ran...er Angerona-san?"

Angerona looked at her and winked at the slip of the tongue, and then she said, "I could use your assistance, but I have to warn you it will be dangerous. I can't guarantee your safety."

The girls seemed to disregard the danger and all volunteered in unison. Angerona transformed back to her civilian identity and then said, "Alright, now it's time to practice falling."

The girls groaned and Mika said, "Aw man I was sure she was joking about that after all the revelations." One of her sisters said, "Me too."

Ranma just smiled and ignored it. She then stood up on the side of the roof and said, "This is how you fall, examine me carefully. After I get down I will stay there to catch any of you who do it wrong." She stepped off the side and tucked herself into a ball. She landed in a roll and ended up on her feet. She looked up to the top of the roof and said, "So, who's first?"

As the team second Kaede stepped to the edge and stared at the ground. Her blue eyes went wide, but she controlled her fear. She took a step off the ledge and tried to tuck, but her nerves just wouldn't allow it. Her feet and hands went out and the ground was coming right at her. She closed her eyes and winced in anticipation when she felt a pair of arms grab her and then felt a rebound off the wall. She landed very lightly and stared up into Ranma's eyes. "Harder than it looks huh?"

Kaede nodded and Ranma said, "Remember to tuck and ignore your instincts. You can do it. Go on up and try again. I'll catch you I promise."

Kaede stepped out of the smaller girl's arms and walked back up the steps. She remembered the feeling of the arms as they encompassed her and the scent of the girl's hair. She had always been interested in guys before this, but something about Ranma had made her start to rethink herself.

By the time Kaede got back up to the roof Aiko and Dai had already tried and failed as well. She watched as each of the Watanabe triplets tried. The first two failed and then the third succeeded. She looked down at the happy girl below and took a stab at it. "Good job Mai!"

The girl smiled up at her and ran for the stairs. Kaede stepped towards the edge of the roof again. Behind her Dai and Aiko had already returned. She stepped off the edge and a momentary thought made her want to mess it up again just to be caught by Ranma, but she squashed it ruthlessly, made the appropriate tuck and rolled to a stop on the ground without damage. Unlike Ranma she had not ended up on her feet, but her captain came to her shrugged her shoulders and gave her a hand up saying, "That's real good for a second try. Do it a few more times and you'll have the hang of it."

Kaede took the hand and stood. She then marched back towards the stairs determined to get it perfectly. Ranma smiled at her determination and then motioned for Aiko to try again. The bleached blonde couldn't hold her tuck and Ranma rescued her for a second time.

Aiko wiggled as she left Ranma's grasp smiled at Ranma and said, "Sorry Captain it won't happen again." Ranma tried to ignore the sensations that made. I hope not. Too many more rescues like yours and Kaede's and I'll need a cold shower. Ranma said, "No problem Aiko, just try it again you'll get the hang of it."

By the time the training session was over all of the team was able to make the fall without help. Ranma told them to gather on the roof one last time and then she jumped onto a nearby tree and then up to the roof. The group gasped at that and Ranma just said, "That is why you are learning to fall. Someday you will be able to jump up to heights like this and I don't want you to be afraid of it."

Everyone was still somewhat in awe as Ranma said, "Alright I guess training is over for today. I'll see you tomorrow and we're going to have to make some plans about other things after practice, so expect to stay late. Now let's go home."

Ranma arrived at her apartment and saw a mass of reporters and TV crews outside the building. She avoided them by backtracking and then roof hopping. She stepped off of her balcony and through her sliding glass door to find Nabiki sitting in one of the chairs.

The girl looked up at Ranma and said, "Ah Neko-chan I thought you might come in this way."

Ranma stared at her somewhat incredulously and Nabiki just smiled and said, "You shouldn't just leave your door open anyone could have come in."

Ranma racked her brain and said, "I didn't," she stopped herself and said, "You picked the lock."

Nabiki gave a gasp of fake shock then said sarcastically, "Me, never. After all I'm your partner I have a key right?"

Ranma smiled at her audacity and then rummaged around in a drawer she found what she was looking for and handed it to Nabiki saying, "Here take it, now what is this all about?"

Nabiki motioned to the phone and answering machine with its blinking red. Next to it was a note in Neherenia's hand that said simply, "Sister"

Nabiki said, "I didn't read the note, but I've answered a few calls since I came here. I'll bet the rest are just messages from press agents looking for an interview with the girl who defeated the Sailor Senshi or as some people call them 'those vigilantes'."

Ranma mumbled, "Oh yeah," then she sat down next to Nabiki and said, "Now what? I didn't plan on this. I was just defending myself."

Nabiki said, "Well, you can allow me to work on it, I'll take a cut and everything will be okay. I assume that you can handle any over enthusiastic Senshi fans out there?"

"Yeah, I can do that part."

"Well then we have a very impressive offer for an exclusive interview with the Tokyo Daily. We'll call them up and that will be that for now."

Nabiki picked up the phone and dialed a number while Ranma turned on the television. Sure enough the news camera was focused on the police station and courthouse. The reporter was saying, "The Sailor Senshi have apparently been remanded into their parents custody, but no information has been forthcoming on the identity of the girls."

The man turned towards a red faced man who came storming out of the building. The reporter approached and said, "Mr. Tanahashi what is your opinion about the situation?"

The man said, "In all my years I never would have considered it! They were allowed to go free and given a few hours a week of community service! Can you believe that? A little slap on the wrist and then allowed to go back home. Vigilantes given a free reign by our justice department! This has been allowed to go on in my district long enough I will not! Stand for it. I'll take this up with the rest of the city council immediately."

The reporter watched the red faced man storm off shaking with anger and said, "There you have it, the Sailor Senshi have been freed to go to their respective houses and been given community service, but what I wonder will happen with the victim of today's mistaken identity?"

The scene stayed the same as a voice recording played. Ranma recognized the voice as belonging to Sailor Moon, "Yes, sir it was just a bad mistake. We thought she was one of the droids that have been attacking the town recently."

Another voice was heard to say, "Hey! He has a tape recorder!"

Sounds of a scuffle ensued and the recording went dead. The scene still showed the reporter standing outside and he said, "That's the situation in Juuban ward today, back to you Hikaru."

Ranma turned the TV off and sighed. Nabiki then handed her the phone saying, "Here Ranma this is Kamihako Renesa she's the reporter from the Tokyo Daily."

Ranma examined the phone as if it was a slug and then hesitantly put it to her ear with a glint in her eyes she said softly to Nabiki, "This had best be a lot of Yen!"

The voice on the other end said, "Hello, Miss Hitoshirenu, may I call you Ranma?"

"Sure why not."

"Well, what can you tell me about today's events at your school?"

Ranma described what happened as she got to the part where she jumped out the window with Venus and Jupiter the reporter interrupted with, "Weren't you afraid you would get hurt?"

"Nah, I've been training in martial arts all my life. The fall was nothing for me. Besides, I couldn't let them just shoot up my classroom like that could I?"

"No, of course not, please continue."

Ranma finished telling her story and then the reporter asked some more questions. The one that disconcerted Ranma the most was, "Do you worry about all those girls who are fans of Sailor Moon and her allies? Are you afraid they might try and hurt you?"

Ranma said sweetly, "Gee, after defeating the Sailor Scouts I wouldn't want to hurt anyone else defending myself. I'm hoping that everyone can just realize that it was all a big misunderstanding." To herself Ranma added, Yeah I don't understand why the heck they want to make everyone else into mindless slaves or to help bring about a world wide cataclysm for their dreams and they don't understand…

She stopped herself and then listened as the reporter said goodbye. Ranma hung up the phone and Nabiki smiled and said, "Well that takes care of that then. Are you free for the rest of the night?"

Ranma looked at the note from Neherenia pocketed it and then she said, "Sure, I guess so. You up to being carried? I don't want to go through that mob down there."

Nabiki stood up and stretched when she did that, for the first time that day Ranma really noticed her. The brown haired girl was wearing a rather short cut and tight Chinese dress and when she stretched like that it made Ranma's pulse race. Nabiki saw that she had riveted Ranma's attention and opened the balcony door saying, "Come on Neko-chan let's go somewhere out of the way to celebrate."

"Celebrate?"

Nabiki nodded and said, "One hundred thousand yen, courtesy of the Tokyo Daily and to be given to you for that exclusive interview. After they print it tomorrow we can see who else is interested and for what amounts. We will be raking in the yen for awhile at least."

Ranma picked Nabiki up in her arms and jumped off the balcony and up towards the roof. From there she hopped to another building and another until she was well away from the reporters. She set Nabiki down and then looked at a nearby sign and said, "Capricciosa hmm is that good for you Nabiki?"

"Sure Ranma, I love Italian food."

The two walked in and were seated soon afterwards. As they were looking at the menu Ranma fingered her own small wallet and cringed, then stopped as she realized it would be enough and that a large influx of cash would be coming very soon.

Nabiki saw the reactions and smiled when Ranma relaxed and then she picked up a wine glass and said, "To Neko-chan, for saving my family."

Ranma picked up her own glass and clinked it with Nabiki's she took a sip and it was warm and smooth. Nothing like any Saki she had ever tasted especially nothing like the rotgut her old man used to drink. She tasted it again and felt more warmth flow through her.

She ordered the same thing that Nabiki did and when the noodles covered with shrimp and white sauce arrived she attacked them with gusto. A glance from her dinner partner caused her to tone down her eating speed. As they ate Nabiki said, "So what are your plans now Neko-chan?"

Ranma stopped eating for a moment and said, "I guess Angerona will pay a visit to my male counterpart, and Shampoo. I'll ask my er 'mother' Cologne to help as well and then I think I should try and find Wiseman's hideout before he challenges me and tries to take over the world.

Ranma paused and then smiled in a chagrined manner as she said, "It seems almost corny doesn't it? Taking over the world," Ranma faked a dark voice and said, "I will take over the world."

Nabiki almost laughed and said, "It does sound like the antics of some bad villain in a TV drama doesn't it." She thought for a moment and said, "Ranma what about the Japanese Self Defense Forces. If this guy has so much power why not just call in the big guns." Nabiki stopped herself and said, "No wait there's no way to do that is there."

Ranma had perked up at the suggestion and then cast her eyes back to her food, eating a bite and chewing it thoughtfully. When she finished that she said, "Yeah thinking about it the Sailor Senshi have somewhat destroyed their own image with the government. I can't imagine what effect Angerona could have on the politicians, but I doubt a reaction time measured in anything less than months could be expected."

"Leaving you to deal with that Wiseman and his forces anyway," Nabiki thought about that and then said in concern, "Neko-chan will you be able to win?"

Ranma was about to make a bold proclamation, but seeing real concern in Nabiki's eyes she said, "I don't know Nabiki. My sister thinks she can bring in some extra firepower," Ranma stopped herself and pulled out the note in her pocket. "She left me this." Ranma scanned the note and then passed it to Nabiki.

Nabiki looked at it and read it carefully, "Ranma, by the time you get home I will be gone on the mission. Please do not try and follow me as the paradoxes involved in this venture are already high enough without adding you in to it. If I do not return by this time on Wednesday please assume that I have been destroyed."

"Sister, please do not grieve for me long if I do not return. Know instead that you have made me understand what love, honor, and responsibility truly are. With that knowledge and understanding I would die happy."

The note ended with a simple signature. Nabiki looked up from the note and saw that Ranma was not eating her food. Instead the red head was pushing it around her plate and staring into space. A single tear was tracing down her face. For the first time in her life Nabiki found that she was completely speechless.

Ranma rubbed her eye and muttered, "Damn it! We went over this before she left why am I crying now?" Then a cold hardness came over the girl and she asked for the check. The waiter came and Ranma dug into her wallet to pay for the meal. She took Nabiki's hand and said, "Come on Nabiki let's get you home."

Nabiki looked back at Ranma the fragile crying girl was gone and in its place was a cold and unyielding exterior. She said, "Ranma are you going to be all right?"

A cocky smile plastered across the girls face and Ranma said, "Yeah I'll be okay," She grabbed Nabiki and then found a quiet place to transform. Sailor Angerona rocketed into the sky and arrived near the Tendo Dojo moments later. Nabiki forgot all about the note for a moment instead her mind focused on the sheer power involved in the three jumps that Angerona had made. She hardly even noticed that it was Ranma who set her to the ground. She looked at the girl and said, "All that power and you're going to use it against Wiseman?"

Ranma was confused for a moment and then she smiled and said, "That's right, but he and the Sailor Senshi have somewhat similar power levels. Skill is the only thing that really sets us apart."

Nabiki still held the note in her hand. She felt it and then looked at its text again and understanding filled her. "She's going to get something to give your allies a power up isn't she?"

Ranma nodded the cold exterior was still there, but Nabiki could see a crack in it. The entire posture and everything about it was so recognizable. Nabiki wondered, Is that why people are afraid of me? Is that what it is like to be around the Ice Queen? In some ways we're so alike, but, the Male Ranma never seemed to be attractive like this. Maybe I just missed it? Maybe it's not the same when a dumb jock is doing it as when a smart and pretty girl is? Nabiki gave up on the analysis and just let herself go. Following the dictates of her heart she grabbed onto Ranma and planted a kiss on the other girl's lips. It was just like the last time a sheer instant of bliss and radiance it shattered her own shell completely and when she finished the kiss she said, "I think I like you a lot Neko-chan. It would be a shame if you let yourself seal everything in."

Ranma stood and stuttered a bit as Nabiki said, "She'll be alright Ranma you have to trust in your allies. Don't make the mistake of thinking they are all like Akane."

Ranma stood there in stunned silence her worries and control of her emotions eroded by the kiss. She watched Nabiki walk into the house and smiled to herself thinking that perhaps the Tendo girl was right and suddenly confidence surged back into Ranma. She suddenly knew for sure that Neherenia would return and they were not going to lose this fight, no matter what.

Author's Notes: I was going to go on a bit longer, but I think the Senshi dealing with their jail time should be resolved in a different chapter. By the way anyone who wants to can feel free to use the forums.

Thanks,

Q