Kon'nichi wa minna! Domo arigato gozaimasu for all the wonderful reviews. For those reviewers that I couldn't email directly, thank you. I wasn't really sure about writing this, but your encouragement has inspired me to continue Yes, I realize that it was a rather sad start to the story, but I promise, it will be a lot more cheerful from now on. I mean, think about it, Usagi's going to Nerima, the capital of insanity and humor in the anime world. (At least in my not so widely read anime experience). As for who Usagi's going to be staying with, I decided that a cousin idea was a bit overused, so it'll be a friend of the family instead. I offer fair warning that I have always been a firm advocate of the Akane/Ranma relationship, and believe that they really do have romantic feelings for each other. All you have to do is see how they look at each other in the manga. I've decided this is going to take place about a year into the manga timeline of the Ranma universe, or before Nodoka's introduction (whichever came first) and I'll be drawing on the manga from volumes 1-17, since that's as far as I've read. Anyway, I'm sure you're all tired of my ramblings, so, on with the story. Tanoshimu (Enjoy) (Side note: I'm going to be printing all of my author's notes in this color so that those of you who like to just get to the story can do so. Ja.)
~~~~~ indicates a flashback
^^^^^ indicates passage of time, but same scene
***** indicates a scene change
----- indicates same scene, different point of view
Chapter One: New Friends
Rubbing the knot on her head and muttering about kawaiikune tomboys, a young and rather buxom redhead nearly limped her way into Dr. Tofu's clinic. Her fiancee was getting better with that mallet every time she used it. Too bad she was always the target. Letting out a sigh, she hopped up onto the empty examination table and waited, knowing the doctor was aware of her and on his way already.
"So, Ranma, I see you and Akane had another disagreement this afternoon," Tofu said as he came through the door. Ranma grumbled as the doctor began hitting a few pressure points and applying ointment to his injuries.
"Gee, doc, whatever gave you that idea?"
"Really Ranma, you should try and get along better with her, after all she is your fiancee, and..."
"It was our parents idea!" Ranma quickly replied. The doctor couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, I see your vocal reflexes are just fine"
"Huh?"
"Never mind, you're ready to go."
"Thanks doc, see ya 'round."
"Ranma, aren't you forgetting something?" Tofu asked, holding up a kettle of barely hot water. Ranma nodded and took it, pouring it over her head. He smiled as his curse was once again reversed.
"Thanks doc. Ja."
Ono Tofu simply shook his head as his patient left. One of these days, he hoped that Ranma and Akane managed to work things out. It was obvious they cared a great deal about each other. A feeling that could easily develop into love if they were ever left to themselves.
Letting out a sigh, he put away the ointment and went to prepare for the arrival of his new student. She would be arriving next week, and from what his friend told him about her, she would probably want to be left alone for the most part, and it was up to him to see that she emerged from the shell she had apparently been hiding in. Something told him that life in Nerima wouldn't let her stay in seclusion for long, though.
* * * * *
Kenji watched his daughter anxiously. It had been three months since Sailor Moon stumbled into her bedroom, battered after her battle with Chaos and looking ready to join her friends in death. He knew that she blamed herself for not healing Galaxia sooner, despite her protests that she knew it wasn't her fault. The hard part, though, was getting her to act like it.
Hoping that a change in scenery would do her some good, he had called a friend of his in Nerima and arranged for stay with him while she attended the local high school. Having met Ono while covering a medical convention for the paper a few years ago, he had been amazed at the things the young doctor had accomplished at his age. They had become fast friends and over the years had visited each other and kept in touch. Kenji only hoped that he could help his little girl.
----- ----- -----
Usagi resisted the urge to sigh as she gazed out the window of the train that she and her father were currently traveling on. She knew her parents didn't believe her when she said that she didn't blame herself. Truth be told, she didn't really believe it either. No matter how many times she told herself that there was nothing she could have done, her heart refused to believe her.
Maybe her parents were right about getting out of town. Her father had arranged for her to stay with an old doctor friend of his, and she was going to be allowed to assist him in his clinic after school. Perhaps being able to heal people and ease their suffering, would help her to really begin to heal herself. Besides, with Ami-chan's medical knowledge and Hotaru-chan's healing powers now a part of her, it would be a shame not to use them to help others. Focusing on the good she could do, Usagi felt her heart lighten a bit for the first time in months, overshadowing the twinge of sorrow that the memories of her friends brought.
^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^
Usagi and her father walked in silence through Nerima's maze of streets. They were nearly to Dr. Tofu's clinic when a screaming black and blue blur flew by, creating a gust that nearly blew Usagi's skirt to an indecent height. They barely had time to register these facts before another blur, this time black and red, followed. They stood where they were, blinked, and looked at each other before shaking their heads and moving on.
When they reached their destination, they were greeted by a rather unusual sight, even by Nerima's standards. A young man who looked to be Usagi's age, was kneeling in front of a girl wearing the blue jumper dress that was the uniform for Usagi's new school. With her back to them, it was difficult to make out anything except that she had short black, nearly blue, hair, and, if her stiff posture was any indication, she was terrified.
The young man in front of her had a look of pure adoration and love on his face. It was difficult to make out what he was saying, but from his expression, not to mention the fact that he was kneeling, it was clear that he was probably telling the girl that he loved her, maybe even asking her to marry him. Wearing a red chinese tang and a pair of slightly baggy, black kung fu style pants, it was impossible not to notice the well maintained body that accompanied his handsome face.
Thinking of Mako-chan's usual response to a cute boy, Usagi couldn't help but let out a giggle, quickly drawing everyone's attention, though for different reasons. Kenji, shocked and delighted that his daughter was smiling again, smiled down at his daughter. Ranma turned toward the newcomer, vaguely miffed at being interrupted and wondering what was so funny. Akane turned, ready to pound the person who dared to laugh at her plight, while at the same time hoping it would get Ranma to leave her alone until that stupid spell wore off.
Usagi's smile died on her lips, tears filling her eyes as she got her first good look at the girl. Hesitantly, she closed the distance between them. Her mouth opened and closed in silence for a moment before she found her voice, though it never rose above a whisper.
"Ami-chan? Is it really you?"
Akane's anger left her the moment she heard the mixture of pain and hope in the girl's voce. Her heart nearly broke as she shook her head. She knew instinctively that her answer would devastate the poor girl.
"Iie, I think you have me mistaken for someone else. Watashi wa Tendo Akane," she said, bowing. "Oh, and this baka is Saotome Ranma."
There was silence for a moment. Akane thought she heard a small sob escape the girl before she bowed and introduced herself as well, her voice never once rising above it's quiet, sorrowful tone.
"Gomen nasai. Watashi wa Tsukino Usagi. And this is my father Tsukino Kenji."
----- ----- -----
Kenji nearly cried himself. At least she had smiled for a moment. That was something. Mentally shaking himself, he turned his attention back to the young couple and bowed.
"Kon'nichi wa. We're sorry to have intruded, we -" He was suddenly interrupted by a voice coming from within the clinic in front of them.
"Kenji-kun, is that you?" A young man, looking to be in his early twenties, with his dark hair held back in a small queue, stepped out into the street with them, the sun reflecting briefly off his glasses, hiding his eyes.
"Ono-kun, it's good to see you again, my friend. How are you?" Kenji stepped forward, smiling, and embraced his friend.
----- ----- -----
Ranma and Akane watched, their disagreement temporarily forgotten, as the two men greeted each other like old friends, each somewhat surprised that the doctor had friends. Sure he was amiable, and seemed like a sociable person, but it had never really entered their minds that he might have friends. That is, aside from his odd relationship with Kasumi. Their thoughts were interrupted when Tsukino-san turned and drew Tofu's attention to the young blonde at his side.
"Ono, this is my daughter Usagi. Usagi, this is Dr. Tofu Ono. He's one of the best doctors in all of Japan. You'll be able to learn a lot from him."
This caught the young couples attention. Tofu was getting a new student. A young and beautiful one, too. Physically she didn't look any older than they were, but looking in her eyes one could see a maturity and wisdom far beyond her youthful appearance, making it difficult to pinpoint her age. She could easily be the same age as Tofu.
Naturally, they each came to the same conclusion. Poor Kasumi. Akane contemplated using her mallet on the doctor for daring to hurt her sister. Just as she went to retrieve her favored weapon, however, the doctor turned to them with a smile.
"Ranma, Akane, I'd like you to meet Tsukino Usagi. She'll be staying with me for a little while as my assistant after school. Since she's going to be in your class, I wonder if you might show her around and help her to get to know the layout of Nerima a little better?"
Akane's rage nearly doubled when she found out the doctor was cheating on Kasumi with someone that much younger than himself. Then she looked in the girl's eyes again and saw what she had missed before. Pain. For all the maturity and wisdom that her gaze held, the pain and suffering that under lied it suggested that she had gone through more than any person should have to in order to gain it. For the second time since meeting her, Akane felt her anger leave her when she looked at Usagi. Smiling she nodded.
"Of course, isha. We'd love to help out."
Everyone smiled, though Usagi's didn't quite reach her eyes, and the doctor lead them all into the clinic, where he showed Usagi to the small guest room, and made tea for the others.
----- ----- -----
Usagi set her trunk down and looked around what was to be her room for the next few months or so. Letting out a sigh, she opened the trunk and took out a fresh blouse, and set to freshening up before joining the others downstairs. As she walked out of the bathroom and back into her room, Akane was sitting on the bed, smiling at her.
"Hi. The guys are all downstairs talking sumo. Well, Tofu-isha and your dad are talking sumo, Ranma's just criticizing the sport. Baka doesn't think it's a legitimate form of martial arts. Anyway, I thought you'd like some company while you unpacked. We could get to know each other a little better."
"I'd like that," Usagi said with a small smile, as she went to her trunk again.
So, how long have you and Ranma-san been going out with each other. He seems to like you a lot."
Usagi's smile grew as Akane blushed, though it dimmed in confusion when Akane turned on her with an annoyed, almost exasperated expression, rather than the happy school girl in love sort of look she was expecting.
"That hentai baka and I aren't going out. He's my fiancee, but it's not my choice. Our baka father's arranged it before we were even born, and neither of us wants to get married." She nearly growled in frustration when Usagi giggled, rather than offer any form of sympathy.
"Didn't look that way to me. From where I stood, it almost looked like he was proposing to you. It looked so romantic." Usagi clutched the blouse she was holding to her chest and, for the first time in months, sighed dreamily. She almost kicked herself for letting Minako's hopelessly romantic personality reinforce her own.
"The baka was just under a spell. Don't worry, it seemed to wear off for the most part when you guys startled us."
Usagi shook her head and turned away to hang the blouse in the room's small closet.
"I don't think so. The kind of love that I saw in his face can't be faked by a spell. If love is there, the spell might allow it to surface or be enhanced, but no spell can create love where none exists. Anything else is only an illusion that traps it's victim in a sort of... prison. They can't say or do anything unless it conforms to their 'newfound love'."
Akane watched her in shock. Not only had she believed her when she mentioned the spell, she was actually lecturing her on the likely effects it could have, as opposed to what everyone had assumed when Ku Lohn explained it earlier.
"You sound as though you know what you're talking about, Usagi-chan. I thought this sort of thing only happened in Nerima."
Usagi turned to her new friend, a look of bittersweet loss and longing in her sapphire eyes, and forced a smile.
"Let's just say that I met a guy a couple of years ago who couldn't accept the fact that I already had a boyfriend."
Akane gave her a knowing look, thinking of all the fiancees and suitors that had passed through hers and Ranma's lives since his arrival, each one more persistent than the last. Sometimes she wondered just how she had managed to stay sane all this time.
"I know how that is. Just wait until you meet Ranma's other fiancees." She rolled her eyes, as Usagi's eyes widened predictably at her statement.
"Fiancees? Uhm, isn't that, well, illegal?" She asked, curiosity (both hers and that of six particular senshi overcoming her desire to avoid alienating a new friend. Akane simply gave a rather unladylike snort, disgust evident on her face.
"Try telling his baka father that. He engaged Ranma to anyone with a daughter if it would help feed his fat stomach or get him out of trouble."
Usagi was silent with shock. Either Akane was mistaken, a mean liar - which she felt was highly doubtful - or Ranma's father was a rather poor role model.
"Poor Ranma-kun. Didn't his mother do anything to stop it?"
It was Akane's turn to be struck dumb. 'Poor Ranma?' It was as much his fault as his father's that Nerima was hosting such a mess. She shook her head and answered the girl's question.
"Ranma's father took him on a training trip when he was about five. He hasn't seen his mother since he left."
"Oh, poor, poor Ranma-kun." Usagi's eyes welled with tears, her own problems temporarily forgotten in light of someone else's problems. Problems that she could actually do something about. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears and mischief as she thought about what she could do to help her new friend's reluctant fiancee.
::Evil villain's laugh # 812:: I just love cliff hangers.
Watashi wa - I am
isha - medical doctor
Thanks again to everyone for reading and if anyone has any ideas for where they'd like the story to go, feel free to let me know. I don't guarantee that I'll get them all in since I already have a bit of an idea, and I'm trying to let the story just go where it wants. I promise to try and fit everything together as best I can, though. Who knows, you guys could end up having me put Usagi with Kunou. (snickers, maybe not) Still, you gotta admit, he's handsome, rich, has a thing for roses (just like Tuxedo Kamen). Sure he's a little nuts, but, hey, nobody's perfect. Not to mention it'll get him out of Ranma and Akane's hair (maybe). Anyway, I'm going to try and do at least one new chapter a week for you guys, so I'll see you all soon. Oh, and if anyone can tell me when Nodoka was introduced into the manga, I would really appreciate it. I only own volumes 1-10 and 17, so I can't remember if she was introduced yet or not. I don't want to mix things from before and after she was introduced if she's in the picture yet in my story. Arigato to ja ne.