Serenity winced as he brought a hand to his head "That, oh dear…"
"What is it Serenity?" Cologne asked as the young man was obviously still Serenity. For a brief moment, she worried that she may have erased Ranma before mentally shaking her head. Even if Son-In-Law is gone, it is a worthy sacrifice. She adored the boy but he was after all still male.
"A very angry voice in my head. I believe that it must be my incarnation." She frowned "I do not suppose that you could return me to my prior body. I must admit that I am not at ease in this body."
Tough! I got used ta being in your body be a man…er woman!
"Er, a moment if you wouldn't mind Elder?" Serenity asked gently crossing his ankles hands folded politely on his lap though away from the pelvis area.
"Y-yes, of course, Serenity." Without knowing why she bowed her head deeply to the reborn Queen and hopped from the room.
Serenity sighed once he was sure that he or rather they were alone. "Hello, you must be Ranma Saotome? My incarnation?"
Your what now? Look, lady! I'm sorry I fell inta the spring ya drowned in but I ain't no incarnation!
Serenity blew out a bit of air "This is pointless, talking like this. Would you mind if I tried something Ranma?"
Ain't like I can stop you… whatever, go for it.
Serenity licked his lips ignoring the sharp stubble he felt on his upper lip and closed his eyes. His breath slowed as he searched. There you are He reached for the power he knew so well and drew out just the smallest touch. When she opened her eyes she was in her favorite tea room. She smiled at the confused and on-edge boy sitting across from her.
"Hello, Ranma, would you like some tea while we talk?" Serenity swallowed a giggle as the black-haired boy swung his head around to stare at her.
"You… you ain't the Chinese girl who drowned in the Nyannichuan are yah?" Ranma finally stated after taking a long look at the woman across from him. Greyish blue eyes and long silver-white hair tied back in a weird style. A golden crescent moon was on her forehead as if it had been tattooed there.
Serenity actually giggled as she shook her head. "No, I am not as I said you are my incarnation. That is that my soul was born within you. My name is Serenity, it's lovely to meet you Ranma." She poured them both a cup of tea. "Cream or sugar?"
"Uh… n-nah I'm good but yeh ain't got coffee do yah?" Ranma asked as he looked around the room it was beautiful soft whites and golds decorated everything Serenity shook her head puzzled.
"I'm afraid I've never heard of cof-ee." She sighed placing the cup before him "I'm honestly truly sorry about all of this Ranma."
Ranma took a sip of the tea and set it back down before turning his attention back to Serenity. "Aint that the name of the blonde my er…"
"Our daughter yes, Serenity is a family name." She smiled remembering the good times. "Serenity was such a silly bunny I actually called her that. My Usagi."
"So, it ain't a dream, nightmare whatever I'm really you? I'm a girl with a kid?" Ranma fought against everything he was to get that sentence out and winced at the simple nod Serenity gave him.
The two of them sat silently for a while as Ranma continued to look around. The longer they were here the more he was starting to remember it. The many cups of tea and pastry with the happy blonde and sometimes a woman with dark green hair. He swallowed and shook his head. He needed to know "What now Serenity? You gonna take completely over and jus… ignore me? Kill Ranma?" He winced at how insensitive it had come out and immediately regretted it at the horrified look on Serenity's face You idiot Ranma!
"No! Of course not Ranma! I-I would never." She shook her head "You must understand that had I simply just been reborn I would have nothing to hold me back from finding Serenity. But I was not simply reborn." She smiled at the black-haired boy "Somehow I got the gift of a brother, a twin who will be there with me always."
Ranma stared in shock before a smile pulled at his lips "Always wondered what'd it be like to be a brother. So uh… I guess you'd be the older huh?"
Serenity laughed joyfully "Yes, I believe so. Now, I think the best way for us to handle this is to willingly merge our memories." She held a hand to stop his protest. "I do not mean for us to merge our personalities. It is obvious that you are Ranma and I am Serenity. And there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I suggest this. We shall share our body. The curse seems to be a hidden blessing. While we are a girl I will be in charge and the same for you to be in charge once we are a boy." She frowned "There will be extenuating circumstances of course. But day to day I feel this is the best for both of us."
Ranma found himself nodding in agreement curious about these circumstances but he shoved it back. "Okay, Se-Chan how do we do this?"
Serenity beamed at the nickname her brother had gifted her and held her hand out to him "Take my hand Ran-Chan. Open yourself to me. Like you could to no one but yourself and I will do the same." She reached across the table with a hopeful smile.
Ranma found himself reaching back with the same exact smile on his own lips. As they gripped hands both closed their eyes as a matching crescent moon appeared on Ranma's forehead.
Akane glanced over at the closed door. Cologne and Ranma had been in there for hours. What on earth could be going on!? She frowned as Cologne finally came out but without Ranma. "Where's Ranma!?" She hurried over to Cologne who looked older than her three hundred years. Who was shaking her head.
"We need to wait until we are asked back in. What a mess, what an unexpected mess." She turned to Akane. "This was not the desired outcome. But, I hope you like them."
"Them? What do you mean them? What did you do to Ranma!?" Akane was aware she had no chance against the old woman but at that moment she didn't care.
"Please, I am certain they will explain." She turned to Shampoo and switched to Mandarin "Close the restaurant Xanpu we will be serving no other customers today." She sighed as her Great Granddaughter's eyes widened and she began shooing out the remaining customers. Offering a half-off coupon for next time for their troubles.
Akane felt as if the earth had dropped out from under her. This was serious. Ranma… She didn't fight Shampoo as the girl helped her into a chair so the three of them could watch the closed door.
Setsuna Meioh stood outside the closed Nekohanten. Not that the closed sign would deter her. She shook her head still doubting what she had felt at the gates. No one else than her would have such a deft and gentle touch. But, how… She stared at the restaurant she knew her answer was in there. No, I will wait here until she summons me. She smirked "Or comes outside. Whichever."