I don't own- DBZ, Ranma ½, Sailor Moon, Tenchi Muyo, and Ah My Goddess!

Chapter 24

Understanding

Negaverse

Mú was analyzing the machine that had brought them back to life to ensure that the Yuuma were receiving their nutrition. As he did his job he heard someone enter the room.

Shuí walked over to Mú and asked, "Do you thinks he's dead by now?"

"No," he hit several keys on the keyboard. "Not yet. Within a couple of hours he should be." Wondering why she had asked he asked, "Why so curios?"
"Just wanting to know is all." Turning around she left the room.

'Hmmm. She's been acting strange since our birth. Better keep an eye on her.'

Earth

Shuí teleported to a empty ally in the city of Juuban. She looked down at a magazine that drifted in the wind as it had been stopped by her boots. Picking up the paper she noticed a female model wearing red jeans with some fashionable shoes and a white long sleeve shirt to match. Closing her eyes her clothes glew and now she was wearing the clothes on the magazine. Smirking at how ridiculous she must appear she made her way out off the ally.

As she walked through the city she noticed how all the humans were in hurry and faces full of different emotions. Some were happy, others frustrated, and angry. Yes it seemed humans were primarily ruled by negative energy. The energy that had created them.
Further on her walk she saw students of different schools walk while discussing issues of their age. She never did completely understood why females did gossip of the opposite gender. What was so fascinating?

Making a turn she scanned the area and saw no one. Unsure why, she changed clothes again and shifted her physical to reflect that of the girls she had just seen.
Resuming her walk she saw a yellow sports car pull over by the entrance of the school and a pale girl got off. Making a quicker pace she caught up to the girl. "Hey please wait?!"

Hotaru turned towards the voice. She moved her head to the right and then left. There was no one around. Could that nice girl refer to her?
"Thanks for waiting. I just transferred here and I'm afraid I need your help." The girl cutely said as she grabbed Hotaru's hands.
Hotaru was glad at first that the girl was talking to her, but as the girl explained it made sense. Apparently the transfer student didn't know her reputation because if she did she would avoid her. "I'm probably not the best person to be seen with." She sadly removed her hand from the stranger because of her reputation she was forced to pushed people away.

Shuí looked confused. Humans were apparently more complex than originally thought. Smiling she grasped the other girl's hands one more time. "Take me to the campus and I'll leave you alone if that what you want. Please?!"

Hotaru knew that if people saw the new girl with her they would automatically start to hate on the new girl because of her. "I...sure." Unsure why she accepted she concluded that maybe just taking her to the campus wasn't going to be damaging.

"Thanks a millennium!" The new girl gleamed with joy. 'Why did she hesitate? Am I missing something here? Better play along with this nonsense.'

The pair of girls walked towards the campus with the intention of arriving towards the office. In their journey Hotaru wondered why this girl seemed familiar, and why he felt an odd vibe when around the new girl. Now that she thought about it she didn't know her name.

"Sorry for asking." The new girl turned towards Hotaru puzzled. "What's your name if you didn't mind?" Hotaru was hoped the new girl wasn't offended.

"My name is...Susi. What's yours?" 'I couldn't have chosen a dumber name.'

"It's a pleasure Susi!" Smiling she offered a handshake. "My name is Hotaru Tome!"

"The feeling is mutual." With a fake smile she shook the Senshi of Saturns hand.

Arriving at the office Hotaru said her farewell and left to class leaving Susi in the room.
"May I help you?" asked the secretary unable to identify the student.

"Why I hope so." Susi's eyes began to glow and the secretaries eyes turned blue. "Now you will type that I'm a new student and give me a schedule with Hotaru Tome." The hypnotized woman did as told and gave the new student her schedule.
Susi smirked and left the room.

Juuban High

Ranma had no idea how he made it to school. Although right now he was silently resting on his desk face first and snores second. As he began to snore loudly attention was concentrated on him. Everyone in the class turned to the sleeping pigtail and the teacher made his way towards teacher was yelling at the pigtail to wake-up. Ranma heard nothing at first and soon began to hear a voice. Although this voice said his name it didn't belong to the angry teacher.

"Wa?" Ranma wasn't sure what happened. He slowly stood up and left the class room leaving everyone, including the teacher confused.

Minako and Makoto looked at each other and nodded. "A Yuma is attacking someone outside!" They both yelled horrified. Seeing the opportunity both disappeared from sight.

Ranma stood on the highest point of the school, being the tall pole. He said nothing and the breeze ran through his hair. 'What is going on?' He turned up to the sky for answers.
Minako and Makoto arrived on top of the school, but couldn't see Ranma. They soon noticed a shadow with a familiar shape hitting the fence. Turning around they were glad to find him, but soon began to express worry. He seemed lost and unsure. Something they thought was alien to him.

Unknown to anyone six odd looking birds where flying a giant rectangular wooden container. The old woman who stood on her staff viewed the city of Juuban. She and her granddaughter had finally arrived from their long journey.

"So much as Japan changed in so little. Wouldn't you say Shampoo?"
Shampoo stood up from the corner of the box with a deep breath. Walking over next to Cologne she too viewed the city, but didn't it didn't really matter to her. "All these buildings are the same."

"Child, have you forgotten your training already?!" Slapping Shampoo behind the head she turned once again towards the city. "Can't you feel the energies?"

Shampoo closed her eyes while rubbing the pain off her head. Concentrating she felt the ki energy from all over the city. Feeling a warm light yet flicking, she focused on that light alone. "Aiya!" Her body began to tremble with fear, excitement, uncertainty, and her heart raced. Opening her eyes instantly they radiated shock. The energy she sensed was weak, but it was way too familiar. "It can't be...we saw him die," she murmured faintly.

"Granddaughter, please stay calm. The energy is strange, but it defiantly does contain some of Ranma's ki signature. We must be certain before taking action." 'Can't raise her spirit after the pain she overcame, yet still wells inside.'

Ranma walked on top of the fence as usual. He knew Minako and Makoto wanted to keep him company and he appreciated it, but right he wanted to be left alone.

Not knowing where he was going or caring he saw a set of buildings and jump from one to another until he was out of the city. That action alone tired him causing him to be angry at himself for becoming so weak! Taking a moment to rest by the near woods he set his back-pack on the ground and began to train until he passed-out from exhaustion.

As he slept he felt someone call his name. The voice sounded like the one from earlier. Falling deeper into sleep he awaken in a room full of light and the ground he laid on felt strange, he could swear it almost felt like water. Standing he stared down at the ground and saw it was water. The water was crystal clear and his reflection was almost like looking at a mirror. Taking his attention from the water he began to look around.

"Hello?! Is anybody here?!" Not a single response was said. "Where am I?!"

"Why haven't you sought the Senshi?! Time is precious."

Ranma was startled for a second. The voice was coming from everywhere! "Who are you? And why do I need those clumsy cheerleaders?!" He yelled back unsure to whom or where to aim.

"As I feared, the dark energy interferes with long term memory of our interactions."

The light beamed a ray from above at a ferocious speed towards the water and it almost seemed as it would've split the poor idiot standing below it into two. Ranma began to glow from pure white light and the light even escaped from his eyes and mouth.

In a sudden burst Ranma found himself sitting in a 90° angle with his right hand on his rapid pounding heart and sweat running down his face. Taking deep breaths he began to calm down. Once settled he stood up only to notice it was dark. "Just how long did I sleep?" Walking over to his bag he felt a small headache. "Must be because I haven't eaten all day." once prepared he raced back to the city with no recollection of what had actually occurred.

Michiru was out in the balcony of her room and leaned against the fence. She admired the beauty of the stars she gazed, and smiled at the cool breeze. She had been outside since sundown, realizing this she decided to call it a night. Just before entering the room she heard a crash in the backyard. Rushing over she saw Ranma breathing heavily while resting on the grass. "What happened?! Are you alright?!" she was worried and honestly cared for him.

"I lost my footing. Hehehe." Ranma had been roof jumping and when he arrived on his mother's roof he lost his balance due to his exhaustion. Passing out on the yard he made a small smile. Probably smiling at the mess he had turned into.

Rei was twisting and turning on the bed. She was dreaming and it felt all too real. In her dream there was a giant mountain with tree life and right below it a beautiful river. The complexion of the land was extraordinary. It was so magical that she herself wanted the dream to last till morning. However, the cloudy blue sky turned dark and red as something seemed to be approaching. Worried she elevated herself high enough to avoid any damage and have a great view of the event.

The meteor fell rapidly! As it closed distance with the ground the tall and green bamboo caught on fire, and the river seemed to boil. Hitting the river steam rose and rocks from beneath shifted. Rei had full attention to what was happening and felt an odd chill about that meteor. Suddenly she noticed that time was speeding and the once whole river had become several springs with bamboo planted at random. People, mainly women where settling near the springs only to be turned into animals that had drowned. After many incidents they moved away, but not before they had uncovered the meteor and extracted it. Yet misfortune continued. The rival village had been aware of the meteor since they were the first to settle, but didn't attempt to retrieve it since they used it to turn animals into wifes and fearing that if they removed the meteor, the magical springs would lose their power. Once word got out that the meteor had been removed they declared war on the tribe of women and vise versa for turning animals into women.

Morning arose and Rei woke up with a puzzled look. "That was the weirdest dream I have ever had." Getting out of bed she slipped into her slippers and began to get ready.

Once fully dressed she went to the kitchen and began to prepare breakfast. When done she placed the food on the table and called out for her grandpa.

"Is there something on your mind?" asked the elder Hino as he ate.

"No. And please don't talk with a mouth full."

"Rei, you know you can trust me."

"I know grandpa and there really isn't anything wrong." Setting her chopsticks down she noticed that it was about time to leave for school. "I better go, see you in while!"

Cologne and shampoo were carrying a few boxes inside an abandoned building that from the looks needed major fixing. Finishing the load they began to unpack. "Why settle great grandmother? Why don't we go find the energy signal now?"

"Child, we need a place to sleep and this area of the city is perfect. We amazons though are far from most civilizations have a few settlements across the world. But unfortunately have not been maintaining them too well. As for why we don't go straight to our objective, let me ask you. What if we are mistaken and this energy belongs to an entity that is out of reach? We must be careful in all situations no matter how significant." Seeing her granddaughter nod she hopped over to the stairs. Not looking back she said, "Rest child because tomorrow is the grand opening of the Cat Cafe."

Ranma had just returned home from school with a few bandages wrapped around his mid-section and arms. Yesterday's training in the woods had taken a major toll on his body and his fall also added, but right now all he wanted was to train. Stepping to the backyard he took off his upper clothes allowing the bandages to be viewed and threw his bag against the door. Beginning with warm-up martial arts exercises he slowly shifted to different styles and his speed too increased. Yet he couldn't maintain the pace for long. Falling to the ground from over-working he looked at the cloudy sky.

Then the light was covered by a familiar face. "Why hello Ranma?!" greeted Rei with a smile and cheery attitude.

"Rei?" he was a little shocked to say the least.

Standing up straight from her bending position behind the laying form she walked around and offered her hand. Accepting her hand she helped pull Ranma on his feet. "You're heavier than what you seem."

"And your hands are as tough as gorilla's."

"What did you say?!" she yelled at him and pushed him down.

"Whooa!" He fell on his butt with a thud sound. "What was that for?!"

"You can get up by yourself! Hmp!" She crossed her arms and walked away half angry and joyful. There was just something about their interactions that made her smile inside. "Hurry up! We need to go somewhere!" She walked inside the house.

Sighing slowly and painfully he stood up. 'Wonder what she wants?'

Walking inside Ranma noticed his mom had a sweat drop while Rei was blushing. "What?"

"Son I'm sure you aren't planning on leaving the house half naked. It just won't do showing your body while with your fiancé. "

Rei turned around wondering why she didn't notice when outside. Maybe her dream was getting to her. "Hurry up and change!"

Ranma's eyes moved from his mom to Rei and back to his mom. "Alright alright I'm going! But mom, where is Michiru?"

Rei's eyes were a bit stunned and baffled. Thankfully no one saw since she had her back against them. The way he asked for Michiru sounded worried and a faint of affection? No that can't be, or can it. Not like she cared anyways...so she told herself.

"She went to visit her parents."

"Oh." Ranma's mood seemed down for some reason, but eventually rose again. "I'll go change".

Walking down the street Ranma had changed into a sleeveless light blue martial artist shirt and black pants with a golden string holding it. They hadn't spoken since they left and both were waiting on the other to start a conversation.

"Sooo where are we going?" asked Ranma, trying to break the awkwardness.

"Actually, R-Ranma I was hoping that? Umm." 'Come on girl! This is hard! Just tell him!' "I once had a boyfriend." She was blushing with pink tone over her cheeks as she played with her fingers.

"Uh?-" that was something he was least expecting.

"Don't interrupt!" Seeing that he shut up she continued. "I genuinely liked him and felt as if I could love him, but he left and I've never felt something like I did towards him with anyone else." She took a deep breath. "See, this engagement has given me an opportunity and I want to get to know-YOU!" She blasted the last part a little too loud and stopped all motion to focus on him.

Ranma could only stay silent as he too stopped and faced her.

"Well?!" She demanded and her eyes asked, no, begged to not be rejected.

"I-I...would like that." He moved the hair that was in front of her face out of the way and behind the ear. "You're the first person to ask." His words and motions caused her to blush like a mad tomato. 'Cute.' Smiling he tapped her forehand lightly. "Come on Tomboy! You aren't going to explode now are ya?!" He began his teasing.

Rei growled and formed fists. "Why you!" She threw a punch at his face and missed. "Get back here!" Soon she began to chase after him. While she displayed anger, internally she filled with happiness.

A luxurious black four door car stopped in front of Nodoka's home and the driver exited to open Miss Michiru's door. "Here we are and if anything should come up, I'm a phone call away miss."

"Thanks Carl." Smiling she exited the vehicle as she made her journey towards the house.

Once inside she was greeted by Nodoka, and was asked to sit. "How did it go dear?"

"Better than expected actually."

"Well I'm glad for you."

"I also learned that my father had been tracking your ex-husband a couple years ago when he and Ranma were on a journey."

"Really?" Nodoka became very interested to know about Michiru's findings. Although she too could've had her husband followed, but didn't want to interrupt her son's journey to manliness. Also she feared that her husband's abilities would've eventually caught on to the detective.

"Yes. He said that it was necessary in case of new developments. However, every detective quit after three days. They all said something about not worth the money. So he stopped following them."

"I see."

"Yes. Oh and here before I forget." She walked over to Nodoka in order to give her an invitation card. "My father will be hosting his marriage anniversary with mother and asked me to hand this to you."

"Why thank you!" Opening the card she saw how decorative it was. "Excuse me dear, but you sounded as if you aren't planning to go."

"I love my parents, but they have been so...unfair with me, their only child."

"Sometimes a parent takes unpleasant actions for the benefit of their child."

"I understand, but forcing your child to marry someone is out of the question or negating them because they oppose your morals." She quickly put a hand over her mouth! She had said too much! What would Nodoka think? Did she even know about her preference?

Standing Nodoka smiled and walked over to the Michiru only to give her a hug. Oh how she perfectly understood what the girl was going through. "I understand." Retreating from the hug she placed a hand on Michiru's shoulder. "If you'll like I can talk with your parents about a settlement and the engagement between my son and you would be over."

Michiru"s eyes were shocked. Would Nodoka do such a thing? "As much as I would appreciate it, I decline because once the year is over I will have full access to my Kaioh rights."

"If you feel that is what you want then I won't intervene. Just remember happiness has no price, even if it will benefit others."

Michiru stayed silent. There was truth to those words and felt as if the older woman had some untold experience. Just the manner she spoke lead her to suspect this. "Know I appreciate your concern." She smiled only to politically excuse herself from the room.

Sitting at a bench in the park Ranma and Rei were eating an ice cream cone. Probably vanilla and strawberry flavored.

"So Ranma." she rested her arms on her legs.

"Yeah?" he asked a bit confused.

"Can you tell me more about yourself? Like where have you lived before?"

He hesitated, what was he suppose to tell her? If he said the truth would she believe him? Sure he knew about her cheer leading secret, but his life was a bit too crazy even for her. "Well, umm you see," he held the cone with one hand as he lightly scratched his cheek. "I traveled most of life learning the art of Anything Goes and I just recently arrived from my journey."

Licking her ice cream once again she said, "So that's why you are so strong. But how come you can throw ki blasts?! I've been training since I can remember and I can't even form an aura properly."

"Natural talent?"

Remembering what her grandfather had said he thought maybe Ranma was right. "Natural talent, huh?"

"Yea...I am the best after all!" He stood up and puffed out his chest.

Rei rolled her eyes at his pose. Male pride is strong on this one.

Sitting down he realized that they've only spoken about him. This wasn't fair, but was about to. "Where are your parents? I haven't seen them in the temple."

Rei tiled her head down only viewing her ice cream cone on her lap. "Mom died when I was young."

Ranma mentally threw a fist at his face. 'Why did I have to ask?! Stupid me!' "I'm sorry I-"

"It's okay Ranma. It was a long time ago." She smiled at Ranma ensuring him that everything was fine. "My father is a politician." She resented that man, but told herself he was her father and it was wrong to do so.

"Oh." Finishing the ice cream he stood up and stretched. "I'm done are you ready?"

"Yeah. My appetite went away." Waking over to a trash can she dumped the cone and headed over to where Ranma was. "It's getting late. Mind if you walk me home?" Her eyes began to sparkle cutely.

"No not at all," he took a step back because this was too surprising to take at once.

Making their way to the temple they were greeted by the elder Hino who was carrying a basket full of herbs. "Why hello Ranma! I thought you forgot about me?"

"Hehehe. I've been busy is all."

"Well I'm glad you came," Looking to the young man's side he saw his granddaughter. "and with Rei none the less." Smiling he could almost picture them together. "Come inside please."

Ranma shrugged his shoulder and followed Grandpa Hino with Rei next to him.

"Please have a seat Ranma." Gestured Grandpa Hino with his hand at the empty space by the table.

Once everyone sat Grandpa Hino reentered the living room with a long rectangular glass that seemed to have a document inside. Sitting down he carefully removed the document and smiled. "This is the engagement agreement." Ranma was not ready for this nor was Rei.

"Here take a look." He handed the paper to the couple who began to reading it immediately. "If you notice mid way it states that if for some reason you two don't get along we can also pass it down to the next generation." The couple looked at each other unsure what to say and then to the elder. "I wanted to show you two this so you wouldn't feel obligated to one another."

Handing the document back to the elder both felt relief. So they could back out of this engagement if they didn't cooperate.

"There is nothing to thank me. Just doing my obligation," he teased. When receiving the document from Ranma he felt a chill! Something was wrong. First placing the document back in its glass frame he stood up and walked over to Ranma. "Please don't worry." He placed his right hand on Ranma's head.

Jumping back he fell to the floor. "Grandpa!" Yelled Rei then quickly made her way to him. "Are you okay?! Are you hurt."

"I am, but Ranma is in danger." He stood up and walked out of the room.

Ranma was very confused. However he slowly began to see clearly. 'Did he scan me? How did he know?'

"Here." The elder Hino handed Ranma a necklace with a silver curled fish. "This will protect your ki from whatever is keeping it at bay and eating it." Waiting for Ranma to put the necklace he continued, but not before Rei intervened when seeing Ranma struggling with the necklace. "Give it here."

"What happened Ranma? This thing that is affecting you isn't natural."

"Well you see-"

"He got attacked by a youma. Thankfully the Sailor Senshi came to his rescue." Ranma looked at her as if annoyed.

"I wish I could help, but unfortunately my knowledge is limited. However, that necklace has the power to aid you in your recovery by cleansing corrupt ki." He sighed, this was very troublesome. Hopefully the necklace would do its job since he knew no other method would work.

"Grandpa can't we use-"

"No Rei. I have no other means to help Ranma. Let's just pray that the necklace grants us a miracle."

Ranma placed the curled fish in his palm to analyze it. "Seems like a something you get out of a vending machine. Hey!" He received a smack on the head.

"That which you hold has been in my family for generations' young man! Its power to heal is incredible!"

"Well I don't feel anything!" Ranma stood up to face the elder man.

"It's because it's been out of use for a couple years. Just give it time."

Rei was surprised the two got along well, maybe too well. But hopefully the artifact did help Ranma. After all he has done for them and more just showed that he wasn't a threat like previous thought. All they've done was cause him suffering and almost killed him. She felt guilty for his situation and knew that they had to help anyway possible.

As Ranma walked down the street he kept staring at the necklace on his palm. 'So you're going to heal me, huh?' Letting it hang from his neck he continued to walk. Making a turn on the corner he stopped when he saw three thugs with gang related bandannas and threatening an older with a brown brief case in front of him.

"Hand over the wallet."

"I've told you. This isn't the correct way to live. You are all young and this is path leads nowhere. Please just leave me alone." said the man while his knees lightly trembled.

"No can do." One thug pulled out a knife while the other two took out their pistols. "Also that brief case. It will make a great gift for the boss."

"...No!" said the man refusing to turn over his possessions.

"You doomed yourself old man!" The thug forcefully swung his knife.

The older tried to dodge, but instead caused his eye glasses to fall.

Ranma ran as fast as he could and blocked the thug's arm by kicking his hand and thus causing the thug to release the knife towards the sky. Then he quickly disarmed the other two by punching them in the gut and stomping the weapons making them shattered. Breathing hard he stood in front of the older man giving his back to view. "Get out of here! If I ever see or hear about you I will end you!" His voice was cold and serious.

The leader of the thugs held his broken hand while lightly kicking the other two to get up and ran away as fast as they could while holding their region of pain and grunting loudly.

Ranma turned around to meet the older man. "Are you alright?" He asked in concern, although he himself felt somewhat tired.

"Yes, I am fine." He bent his knees in order to pick up his glasses. Once adjusting them he stretched his hand. "I'm Tsukino Kenji. It's pleasure meeting you."

Ranma seems a bit confused and too stretched his hand. "I'm Masaki Ranma." Shaking Kenji's hand Ranma felt proud of himself. He had saved a life.

"I don't how to pay you." He looked surprised as if remembering something. Digging through his pocket he pulled out his wallet, and took out several one hundreds of yen. "Here, its the least I can give you."

Ranma signaled him to stop. "Please I don't need any payment. I did what anybody would do."

"Hmm." He placed the money back in his wallet and smiled at the young man. "I can tell you hold honor very seriously. Not many people care for it as must as the old days." Scratching his head he thought of something. "Tell you what, why don't you come to my house for dinner."

"I wish that I could, but I really need to go home right now." Turning around he was ready to leave when the older man placed his hand over his shoulder and a shadow covered the older man's face.

"If not today then tomorrow. Kenji Tsukino always pays did debts."

Turning around again to face the man he just realized something. Tsukino was the last name of meatball head. Just coincidence right?

The older man took out a piece of paper and wrote on it. "Here, this is my address. I expect you to be there at the indicated time."