"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Ranma asked Soap when the meeting
was over. They were alone on a corner of the yard as the others started to
leave.
Soap smiled faintly and nodded. "My place is in China, Ranma-sensei."
Ranma sighed. He really wanted for Soap to stay. His chi senses told him clearly of the younger woman's insecurities, of how she was afraid to lose him now that Setsuna was back. He wanted to assure her nothing like that would happen, ever. But he wanted to prove it to her with actions. Words just weren't strong enough.
He placed a hand on her shoulder affectionately. "When this is all over I think I'll move back to China. Would you like to return to the cabin?"
Soap's smile widened at the mention of the cabin. It was the place she grew up in, with Ranma always by her side instructing her in the Art. "I'd like that." She said reaching for Ranma's hand with her own. Mousse's previous words reassured her that even if Setsuna were there, and that was certain, Ranma would still be there for her
-----
Setsuna watched from the house at the scene. Her crimson eyes were intent on Ranma and Soap's joined hands. On the smiles on their faces.
"Jealous?" Asked Usagi as she stepped next to Setsuna.
The green-haired woman didn't part her gaze from Ranma and Soap as she answered. "Not as much as I expected." Even after Ranma explained all about the blonde Amazon Setsuna still felt a little jealous. But it wasn't of the fact that the pigtailed man loved her. *No. It's because she got to spend more time with him.* In truth Setsuna envied Soap. "I just wish it could have been me Ranma spent so much time with." She finally said.
"Out of all of us you two are probably the only couple with the chance to live for eternity, Setsuna." Usagi said seriously. When the other woman turned to her she continued. "Even if we Senshi will live for thousands of years we'll eventually die. You, on the other hand, will live for as long as nothing kills you. Aunty Nodoka told me Ranma won't age either."
"Princess..."
Usagi decided to change the subject. *Let Setsuna think about that for a while.* She thought. "What I want now is for us to talk, Pluto. We haven't had a chance to do so yet. And you'd better not hide anything this time."
Setsuna inwardly winced at the steel in Usagi's voice. Since the Novas returned many things had changed. "What do you want to know?" She asked turning to the blonde.
Usagi locked her eyes with Setsuna's own. "What do you know of our enemies?"
Setsuna shook her head. "As much as you do, I suppose. The Time Gates are unusable so my knowledge is limited to what we have seen."
Usagi nodded. "Is the effect on the Time Gates related to the Novas?"
Setsuna turned her gaze back to Ranma, who was still speaking with Soap. By the looks of it they were now talking about martial arts. If only for the seriousness in Ranma's expression, and the look of determination on Soap's face. "Not the Novas. Rather the distortion of the Time Gates is due to Ranma's presence. His being is surrounded by such chaos that it's impossible to see anything in the Time stream concerning him."
Usagi inwardly smiled at that. She didn't want anyone tampering with the Time Gates. Not even Setsuna, who had taken a wrong path in trying to manipulate the future. Now that Ranma was back in Setsuna's life it was almost certain that no one would be able to use them again. *It's so fitting. The best way to prevent someone from misusing the Gates is disabling them.* "Setsuna, do you really think my mother is back?"
The green-haired woman stared hard at Usagi's eyes. "She might be."
-----
"Lord Saffron..." Kima called to her lord as she approached him slowly. The Phoenix was currently perched on the roof of the house, his eyes set on the horizon.
Saffron didn't part his gaze from the greatness that was the Sun when he answered. "What is it, Kima?" He asked, wondering what could have his guard so nervous. She usually carried herself with confidence, yet he could tell she was uncertain about something. *But what could it be? She didn't behave like this even in Hinako's presence.*
The winged woman stopped a few feet from her king and looked at the tiles of the roof, as if hoping they would give her the courage to ask her question. "I spoke to Ranma today..." She said hesitantly before trailing off. How could she ask this of her lord? She felt like a traitor for even considering it.
Saffron raised an eyebrow and turned to regard his subject. She looked like a little kid that had done something wrong and was trying to hide it. "I take it you came to an understanding with him?"ยจ*Otherwise you wouldn't be standing with me right now.*
Kima shuffled her feet uncomfortably. "Your highness is, as usual, right." She still didn't gaze away from the interesting spot on the roof beneath her feet.
"What would you ask of me, Kima?" Saffron said in a soft voice, one that only a few people had ever heard.
That seemed to calm the woman somewhat, for at last she managed to meet her king's gaze. "Ranma offered to do something, anything I asked of him, as compensation for his actions towards our people." Seeing Saffron nod in understanding she continued with a little more confidence. "I asked him to train our people like Soap has trained the Amazons."
Saffron almost laughed at the revelation. *Is that it? Is Kima distressed because she asked a former enemy for help?* He knew the woman was proud and dedicated to her duty, but something like this seemed ridiculous. Upon noticing that Kima was holding something back he reconsidered, though. "What was his answer to your request?" To his surprise Kima averted her eyes again, ashamed to meet his own.
She was really uncomfortable when she finally answered. "Ranma offered to accept one person as his personal student, so that she might train our people."
"I see." Saffron said seriously as he turned back to gaze directly into the Sun. "Have you given him your answer?" Kima, not having realized Saffron was no longer looking at her, shook her head. Even so Saffron seemed to feel the gesture, for he continued. "I suppose you're here to ask my permission and become his student, then?"
"Yes."
Saffron nodded. "Why do you want to be trained by him?"
"Our people need to be better trained. Even if we are naturally strong we lack the skill to face our enemies." She answered. But her words were hollow even to herself.
The Phoenix nodded to himself. "Please don't lie, Kima. Accept the fact that you want this for yourself."
Kima's shoulders slumped visibly at the statement, which sounded like an accusation to her. *How could I be so selfish?* She asked herself in guilt. But she couldn't help it. Seeing the things Ranma was capable of, even in the little time they had interacted, made her realize just how much there was to learn. That a mere mortal could defeat her king was beyond comprehension, and now she knew that very same mortal was much more than he appeared to be. She prided herself on being a good fighter, a good protector for her lord. But Ranma's execution of the martial arts inspired in her a desire to become like him. She didn't want to just fight, she wanted to make art. She raised her head and stared at Saffron's back with determination. "Yes, my lord. Even if I do want to help our people I want this for myself."
Saffron smiled. "Very well." He turned to her once again. "Lady Kima, you are relieved from your duties in the Royal Guard." He said seriously.
"Lord Saffron!" Kima cried in disbelief, all her determination vanishing in an instant.
The Phoenix waved his hand in front of him to stop further protests. "You're also stripped of your rank within Mount Phoenix. You are no longer my subject." The finality in his tone of voice silenced Kima's unvoiced protests.
Kima fell to her knees weakly, hopelessly staring at her lap. *Exile.* She thought. The punishment for betraying Lord Saffron. Now all that was left to make it official was for Saffron to take away her wings. Even if she fought them, the tears escaped her eyes. Exile was the worse fate she could think of. She'd live the rest of her days in shame and never able to fly again. Truly a fate worse than death. A fate she brought upon herself for a moment of selfishness.
Saffron stepped forward, and Kima fully expected to have her wings cut off. That's why her surprise was great when instead of that she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. "Go train to fulfill your dreams, Kima. I know you've put them off too many times for my sake." With that said Saffron retrieved his hand and started walking away. *I had to set you free.* He thought, knowing Kima wouldn't be able to reach her full potential if she was still attached to the Phoenix people. Her sense of duty was too strong for that. Setting her free would allow her to channel all her energy into the path she desired.
"Lord Saffron!" Kima exclaimed as she jumped to her feet.
Saffron stopped on the edge of the roof and turned to look at her over his shoulder. A smile formed on his lips when he saw the soldier's face. The tears sparkled with the sunlight, enhancing her beauty thousands of times more than the makeup she refused to wear. "Just Saffron now, Kima. I want my friends to address me by my given name." She gasped in surprise at Saffron's words. When she dumbly nodded his smile widened. *Once this is over we might not see each other for a long time. I will certainly miss you.* He thought a little sadly, but knew she didn't deserve any less after all the sacrifices she'd done for her people. And for him. "Feel free to visit Mount Phoenix. You shall always be welcome there." With that he jumped off and started to look for Hinako. He was certain Kima would still return to the Mountain to train the phoenix warriors, but this way she'd do it out of love for the Art instead of duty.
Kima was left on the roof looking at the spot Saffron previously occupied. She didn't know how to feel, and it would probably be a while before she did. But deep inside she felt a fire burn with elation. Not only was she now free to pursue her own dreams.
She was also Saffron's friend.
-----
People started to go home not long after the meeting was over.
Saffron ignored the questioning looks he received when Kima didn't go with him. He looked around, wondering if his former subject would be there to see him off, but he couldn't see her. *I guess she didn't trust herself. She would probably return to Mount Phoenix if she was here.* With that thought he walked through the portal Hinako cast for him.
Herb was next. He only nodded to Ryoga before stepping through, Mint and Lime following a little reluctantly since Hinako wouldn't be going with them.
Usagi and Mamoru said their goodbyes and left as well, with the promise to keep in touch should anything happen. They exchanged a few words with Haruka and Michiru before walking out.
Michiru approached Setsuna. "Will you be coming with us?" Even though the younger woman knew the answer to that question she still wanted to talk to Setsuna without Ranma around. So far she didn't have much success.
The green-haired woman just stared at Michiru calmly. "I'll make my own way home."
Michiru nodded and turned to see Haruka waiting for her with Hotaru. "Look, we'll be having a Senshi meeting and want you to..." She trailed off when she turned back to where Setsuna stood before. She wasn't surprised to see her friend gone. "Thought so." She said as she walked to meet with Haruka and Hotaru. "I really hate it when she does that." She muttered.
"When she does what?" Hotaru asked as she waved goodbye to Ryoga and they walked outside the complex.
Michiru shook her head. "Just vanish like that."
Haruka looked at Michiru strangely. "She only walked inside the house."
The aquamarine-haired woman blinked. "She did?" Seeing both Hotaru and Haruka nod she decided to let the matter drop. The coming Senshi meeting would be hard enough without trying to figure out Setsuna.
"Isn't Mousse coming with us?" Hotaru asked.
Michiru shook her head. "He said he had something to take care of."
-----
Inside the dojo Ranma stood in front of Kima. The winged woman was staring hard at the man. "What do you mean you won't train me?!" She demanded.
Ranma calmly answered. "You're a very good fighter, but you still need to overcome certain obstacles before we can start making progress." Seeing Kima glare at him, but do nothing else, he continued. "You'll be living in this house from now on. You're welcome to participate in our training sessions, and some of the others might help you from time to time, but I won't teach you anything until you defeat the master I'm appointing to you."
Kima's glare intensified. "How am I supposed to live here, 'landling'? If you haven't noticed these are not common among your people." She finished gesturing to her wings.
Ranma chuckled. "Hinako created both Saffron and your people. I'm sure she'll figure something out."
The winged woman finally nodded, her frown softening slightly. "Who's this master I have to defeat?" She asked a little cockily. *I'll show you to underestimate me.*
Ranma smiled in such a way that a chill ran down Kima's spine. It wasn't a nice smile. "You'll meet him soon enough." With that he turned and walked out of the dojo, leaving Kima seething.
"I'll show you." She said in determination. As soon as she met this 'master' she was going to really hurt him.
-----
"I take it we now have a new member to our not so little family?" Taro asked with a little bit of resentment for the pigtailed martial artist. He didn't think it was fair that Kima be accepted so easily.
The others turned to Ranma as well. Mousse and Soap were curious about Ranma's motives, while Tofu and Cologne had similar feelings to Taro's own. They were all currently in the backyard.
Ranma smirked. "We do. Her training will start in only a few seconds."
Cologne glared at Ranma. Before she could give him a piece of her mind she was interrupted by a sound she hoped never to hear again in her life.
"HOTCHA!"
"AAHHHHHH! PERVERT!!!"
*CRASH*
"Missed me!"
"GET OFF ME!!!"
"Too slow, girl."
Everyone sweat dropped when they saw Kima, her face contorted in righteous anger, chasing after the Grandmaster of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. For all her efforts she didn't even come close to touching the little pervert. But at every missed strike Happosai did get to touch, or rather grope, the winged woman. This, of course, only served to make her angrier.
"COME BACK HERE!!!"
"I don't want to know." Taro muttered as he decided maybe he had it easy.
Ranma turned back to Cologne. "Were you about to say something, Cologne?"
The former Amazon Matriarch shook her head quickly. She felt sorry for Kima. She really did. Cologne didn't have to deal with the pervert for very long, which was unlikely in the winged woman's case.
"Well, we should probably get going." Mousse said.
Tofu nodded. "Indeed. I do have to take care of my patients."
With that Tofu and Taro jumped out of the compound. Mousse, Cologne and Soap started looking for Hinako to get back to China.
Ranma went to talk to his mother. He needed to tell her about Kima staying over for the next couple of years.
-----
Haruka slammed the door shut after entering her house. "I'm going to beat some sense into those brats." She growled out.
Usagi frowned at Haruka's words. "You will do no such thing, Haruka."
To say the Senshi meeting went well was far from the truth. In fact there wasn't a meeting at all. When they arrived to the shrine Rei's grandfather told them to leave. He said something about Rei not wanting to see them and that he was very disappointed in Usagi.
After that they decided to go to the outers' house.
Haruka turned to Usagi incredulously. "But they..."
"No! We won't force them to see things our way." Usagi said firmly. "They should be free to chose. If they don't want to help us anymore we should respect their wishes."
Haruka was taken aback by the vehemence in Usagi's tone of voice. "Yes, princess."
Usagi's features softened. "I'm sorry, Haruka."
The shorthaired blonde shrugged it off. "I'll be right back. I need an aspirin."
"What's wrong, Haruka?" Michiru asked worriedly. Her lover never got sick.
Haruka shrugged again. "Being so pissed with the inners gave me one hell of a headache." With that said she walked to the bathroom.
Michiru turned to the others and smiled faintly. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll get us something to drink."
Mamoru and Usagi sat on a couch. Hotaru offered to help with the beverages and left with Michiru to the kitchen.
-----
As Haruka walked back to the living room she heard a loud thud from Setsuna's room, followed by a female cry. She approached the door to the room slowly, until another cry, even louder than the last, was heard. The blonde then rushed to the door and kicked it open. She fell into a stance as her eyes quickly scanned the inside, even though there was little to no light illuminating the place.
"OH MY GOD!!!"
-----
"OH MY GOD!!!" Haruka's cry resounded in the entire house. The others didn't waste any time wondering what she was screaming about. They all ran down the hall to help their friend.
All they saw as they arrived was Haruka leaning against the wall in front of Setsuna's room. Her eyes were glazed over and she had an expression of pure disbelief. "Haruka!" Michiru cried as she tried to call her lover's attention.
Mamoru didn't stop, since Haruka was already being attended, and burst into the room with the intent to take out whatever shocked Haruka so badly.
Hotaru and Usagi quickly joined Michiru in trying to drive Haruka out of her daze, leaving Mamoru to deal with whatever it was in Setsuna's room.
*THUD*
They were all shocked at seeing Mamoru slam against the wall next to them, upside down, only to slide down and land in a heap. "Mamo-chan!" Usagi cried as she knelt next to her boyfriend. He was completely unconscious.
Hotaru turned towards Setsuna's room, only to see an annoyed Ranma slamming the door shut. The others didn't notice since they were too preoccupied with their loves to care. Her cheeks colored brightly when she saw a lot more skin than ever before. That coupled with some green behind Ranma's shoulder was all Hotaru needed to know what happened.
Haruka was finally broken out of her daze when Michiru slapped her for the fourth time. Her eyes focused on her lover. "I... Setsuna... uh... door..."
Before the blonde could continue with her highly intelligent speech Michiru dragged her to the living room to calm her down.
Hotaru took a hold of Mamoru and easily carried him to the living room as well. *I'll better keep him away from Ranma for a while.* She thought. Usagi followed close behind, all the time she was trying to make her prince wake up.
Once Haruka was more comfortable on a couch she started to become coherent again. Next to her was Michiru, while Mamoru laid still unconscious on another couch with Usagi fussing over him. Hotaru stood to the side.
"Haruka, think carefully before you answer. What happened?" Michiru said softly to her lover. She had never seen Haruka so shocked before.
Haruka's eyes looked haunted when she answered. "I heard a noise coming from Setsuna's room." She said slowly, trying to reign over her own trepidation. "I thought Setsuna was in trouble, honest." She wasn't having much success.
Michiru nodded understandably. "I'm sure you did. Now what happened next?" Michiru asked calmly, hoping her soothing tone of voice would calm down the shaking Senshi of Uranus.
Off to the side, Usagi heard the conversation attentively. Now that she was certain that her prince wasn't badly hurt she wanted to know who would be strong enough to knock him out so fast. With his old self back he was nearly as strong a fighter as Saturn. Unlike Saturn, however, he didn't need to transform to use his powers.
"I..." Haruka trailed off, as if the memory of what she discovered was too much for her to take.
"Yes?" Michiru urged on.
"She walked in on Ranma and me having sex." A female voice was heard.
Everyone turned to see the green-haired woman dressed in a neat robe. That was the only neat thing about her appearance, though. Her hair was a mess, sweat covered the skin not hidden by the robe and said skin still revealed the afterglow of her activities before being interrupted. The picture of the always in control and serene Setsuna was thrown out the window when they all stared at this woman in front of them.
Haruka, upon seeing the green-haired woman, blushed furiously and turned away in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. *I didn't think Setsuna was that flexible.* She thought, which intensified her blush.
"And Mamoru?" Usagi asked of Setsuna.
Setsuna just raised an eyebrow. "Ranma didn't like the intrusion. Haruka was actually quite lucky to stumble back and out of the room before he pulled out." Her mysterious and calm exterior vanished instantly when she realized what she said last. She tried, and failed miserably, to hide her blush.
Hotaru giggled at Setsuna's slip, which only served to further embarrass Setsuna and Haruka. When Usagi understood the situation she joined the other two Senshi in lightening the room with a soft red.
Michiru, for her part, just stared at Setsuna as if she had grown a second head. With horns and seven eyes. *Setsuna... blushing?*
As the aquamarine-haired woman stared at Setsuna Hotaru controlled herself and decided to give her friend a break. "Where's Ranma?" She asked, trying to divert everyone's attention from what Setsuna just said. She could ask the green-haired Senshi for details later.
Setsuna answered in a very calm tone of voice, though she was still blushing faintly. "I asked him to let me handle this. He went to visit a friend in Kyoto." She then turned to Haruka. "What I want to know is why you broke my door."
"I heard you screaming." The blonde answered lamely, still averting her gaze from the other woman.
Setsuna rolled her eyes. "The door was unlocked, Haruka."
A groan, followed by laughter, was heard in the living room of the outers' house.
-----
The instant he saw the Uchan's he knew something was wrong. Besides the fact that a closed sign was on the door, the remaining chi in the atmosphere spoke of a battle in which the okonomiyaki chef took a part.
He entered the restaurant and scanned the inside. Sure enough it was a mess. "Uchan." He muttered as he expanded his chi, taking in what he could. Through the years of hard training and meditation Ranma's chi senses were refined to a point he no longer needed to be in a place to know exactly what happened. He could just feel it.
*There.* Ranma's eyes turned to the kitchen. Someone took a hold of Ukyo's collar and pulled her over the counter. She rolled on the floor and kicked the aggressor in the midsection.
His eyes then turned to a broken table. *She threw someone over the table and took her battle spatula in her hands.*
Feeling the chi in the quiet atmosphere of the restaurant Ranma followed the fight that took place only a couple of hours ago. Six men attacked his friend, yet she did a very good job of defending herself. Two were disabled with a single attack, while the others were hard pressed in a fight that was going in favor of Ukyo.
He frowned when he saw Ukyo's spatula on the ground. *How did she get here?* Ranma asked himself, wondering who the woman that attacked Ukyo from the back was. It was obvious to his senses that she took the chef and left just as she arrived. *Some kind of teleportation.* The guys dragged their fallen companions out of the place, but he wouldn't go after them. They were only cannon fodder.
The pigtailed man spent the next twenty minutes going over the place. He could tell whoever planned this knew exactly how the fight would develop up to the point where Ukyo had her back to the wall. It was definitely someone familiar with Ukyo's fighting style.
Ranma left the restaurant silently. There was no use in staying. His chi senses told him where the six guys went, but he ignored them. They were probably paid to beat up the chef and knew nothing else.
As he turned around a corner he came face to face with a smirking man. This wouldn't normally be of much consequence, but the guy was wearing an armor Ranma recognized instantly.
He didn't even give the guy time to take a hold of his sword. He dashed forward and past the man with his right hand extended forward. A second later the armored man landed hard on the ground, dead. There was a bloody hole in the chest area of the armor, yet his expression revealed no pain. He died without even knowing what happened.
He wasn't the only man attacking him, though. Ranma had to jump out of the way of a sword strike that would've beheaded him before turning his attention to three other guys who charged him. All of them wearing the same accursed armor.
They were dealt with pretty much in the same fashion as the first one. Being too slow a single blow was all it took to kill each of them. The first two received strikes to the neck, their nervous system simply stopped functioning, while the third one had a hole in the middle of the eyes, result of Ranma's finger strike. They were all, again, dead before they realized it.
Ranma turned his head sharply to the side when he heard someone clapping. His eyes narrowed when he caught sight of her.
"Bravo, Ranma." She said as she stopped clapping and smirked at him. "I can see my employer was right about you. You are truly much more than you let on." She was wearing an expensive setup of a silk shirt over black pants.
The pigtailed martial artist's voice was very cold when he spoke. "Where's Uchan, Nabiki?"
Tendo Nabiki snorted. "You're not the one with the bargaining power here, Saotome."
"I'm not a Saotome. And I do have something to bargain with." He said before vanishing and appearing in front of the middle Tendo sister. He took a hold of her shirt and effortlessly lifted her off her feet. "Your life."
Nabiki's smirk didn't waver in the slightest. "I would suggest you take your hands off me, Ranma. Otherwise you won't see your precious 'Uchan' again." Her smirk then turned evil. "And of course you won't see your little Kasumi either."
Ranma's eyes widened at that. "What?!" So shocked was he that he didn't react to Nabiki placing a hand on his chest. He was then flung into a wall, result of a strong magical blast. The pigtailed martial artist could feel the power behind the blast as he coughed to get some air into his abused lungs.
Nabiki just adjusted her shirt and continued in the same calm tone of voice. As she spoke she approached Ranma with sure steps. "Didn't think I'd figure it out? Give me some credit, Ranma. After hearing your story it was too easy to put two and two together."
"What do you want?" Ranma asked neutrally as he got up.
The girl raised an eyebrow. "Direct and to the point? I could get to like the real you." She sobered before continuing. "What do I want? What I've always wanted, Ranma. Power."
Ranma snorted. "You can hardly have that 'power' working for someone else."
Nabiki just smirked again. "It's only a temporary thing. I'll eventually get rid of my employer and take over."
Ranma decided not to argue the point. He really doubted Nabiki had the power to follow her plans. "Why are you doing this to Kasumi? Even if you 'could' be right about her she's still your sister?"
Nabiki nodded seriously. "Nobody but me has made the connection, Ranma. Especially not that arrogant bitch I'm working for. She's too full of herself to see beyond her own eyes. Don't worry about Kasumi, she'll be safe for as long as you cooperate."
"Playing double agent is dangerous, Nabiki." The pigtailed martial artist said. *You don't have as much bargaining power as you think. I know you, and you won't hurt Kasumi even as the last resort.*
"So is knowing you." The girl said in amusement before turning on her heels and walking off. "I'll keep in touch. And I wouldn't talk to anyone about my involvement in this." She turned around a corner and Ranma suddenly stopped feeling her chi.
The pigtailed martial artist started the long way home. He had a lot to think about. *Uchan was probably the target. Nabiki must've told her about me and Uchan was kidnapped to keep me in check. Of course Nabiki talking to me was obviously not in the plan.* Things were definitely becoming complicated, but Ranma decided that maybe he could work this turn of events out to his advantage.
END PART 13
Author's Notes: Things are starting to become more complicated, and we have yet to see who Nabiki's employer is. It might not be who you think it is. How did Nabiki become an agent for the enemy? What will she do to reach her goals? Will the Novas allow it? Wait and you might find out.
Soap smiled faintly and nodded. "My place is in China, Ranma-sensei."
Ranma sighed. He really wanted for Soap to stay. His chi senses told him clearly of the younger woman's insecurities, of how she was afraid to lose him now that Setsuna was back. He wanted to assure her nothing like that would happen, ever. But he wanted to prove it to her with actions. Words just weren't strong enough.
He placed a hand on her shoulder affectionately. "When this is all over I think I'll move back to China. Would you like to return to the cabin?"
Soap's smile widened at the mention of the cabin. It was the place she grew up in, with Ranma always by her side instructing her in the Art. "I'd like that." She said reaching for Ranma's hand with her own. Mousse's previous words reassured her that even if Setsuna were there, and that was certain, Ranma would still be there for her
-----
Setsuna watched from the house at the scene. Her crimson eyes were intent on Ranma and Soap's joined hands. On the smiles on their faces.
"Jealous?" Asked Usagi as she stepped next to Setsuna.
The green-haired woman didn't part her gaze from Ranma and Soap as she answered. "Not as much as I expected." Even after Ranma explained all about the blonde Amazon Setsuna still felt a little jealous. But it wasn't of the fact that the pigtailed man loved her. *No. It's because she got to spend more time with him.* In truth Setsuna envied Soap. "I just wish it could have been me Ranma spent so much time with." She finally said.
"Out of all of us you two are probably the only couple with the chance to live for eternity, Setsuna." Usagi said seriously. When the other woman turned to her she continued. "Even if we Senshi will live for thousands of years we'll eventually die. You, on the other hand, will live for as long as nothing kills you. Aunty Nodoka told me Ranma won't age either."
"Princess..."
Usagi decided to change the subject. *Let Setsuna think about that for a while.* She thought. "What I want now is for us to talk, Pluto. We haven't had a chance to do so yet. And you'd better not hide anything this time."
Setsuna inwardly winced at the steel in Usagi's voice. Since the Novas returned many things had changed. "What do you want to know?" She asked turning to the blonde.
Usagi locked her eyes with Setsuna's own. "What do you know of our enemies?"
Setsuna shook her head. "As much as you do, I suppose. The Time Gates are unusable so my knowledge is limited to what we have seen."
Usagi nodded. "Is the effect on the Time Gates related to the Novas?"
Setsuna turned her gaze back to Ranma, who was still speaking with Soap. By the looks of it they were now talking about martial arts. If only for the seriousness in Ranma's expression, and the look of determination on Soap's face. "Not the Novas. Rather the distortion of the Time Gates is due to Ranma's presence. His being is surrounded by such chaos that it's impossible to see anything in the Time stream concerning him."
Usagi inwardly smiled at that. She didn't want anyone tampering with the Time Gates. Not even Setsuna, who had taken a wrong path in trying to manipulate the future. Now that Ranma was back in Setsuna's life it was almost certain that no one would be able to use them again. *It's so fitting. The best way to prevent someone from misusing the Gates is disabling them.* "Setsuna, do you really think my mother is back?"
The green-haired woman stared hard at Usagi's eyes. "She might be."
-----
"Lord Saffron..." Kima called to her lord as she approached him slowly. The Phoenix was currently perched on the roof of the house, his eyes set on the horizon.
Saffron didn't part his gaze from the greatness that was the Sun when he answered. "What is it, Kima?" He asked, wondering what could have his guard so nervous. She usually carried herself with confidence, yet he could tell she was uncertain about something. *But what could it be? She didn't behave like this even in Hinako's presence.*
The winged woman stopped a few feet from her king and looked at the tiles of the roof, as if hoping they would give her the courage to ask her question. "I spoke to Ranma today..." She said hesitantly before trailing off. How could she ask this of her lord? She felt like a traitor for even considering it.
Saffron raised an eyebrow and turned to regard his subject. She looked like a little kid that had done something wrong and was trying to hide it. "I take it you came to an understanding with him?"ยจ*Otherwise you wouldn't be standing with me right now.*
Kima shuffled her feet uncomfortably. "Your highness is, as usual, right." She still didn't gaze away from the interesting spot on the roof beneath her feet.
"What would you ask of me, Kima?" Saffron said in a soft voice, one that only a few people had ever heard.
That seemed to calm the woman somewhat, for at last she managed to meet her king's gaze. "Ranma offered to do something, anything I asked of him, as compensation for his actions towards our people." Seeing Saffron nod in understanding she continued with a little more confidence. "I asked him to train our people like Soap has trained the Amazons."
Saffron almost laughed at the revelation. *Is that it? Is Kima distressed because she asked a former enemy for help?* He knew the woman was proud and dedicated to her duty, but something like this seemed ridiculous. Upon noticing that Kima was holding something back he reconsidered, though. "What was his answer to your request?" To his surprise Kima averted her eyes again, ashamed to meet his own.
She was really uncomfortable when she finally answered. "Ranma offered to accept one person as his personal student, so that she might train our people."
"I see." Saffron said seriously as he turned back to gaze directly into the Sun. "Have you given him your answer?" Kima, not having realized Saffron was no longer looking at her, shook her head. Even so Saffron seemed to feel the gesture, for he continued. "I suppose you're here to ask my permission and become his student, then?"
"Yes."
Saffron nodded. "Why do you want to be trained by him?"
"Our people need to be better trained. Even if we are naturally strong we lack the skill to face our enemies." She answered. But her words were hollow even to herself.
The Phoenix nodded to himself. "Please don't lie, Kima. Accept the fact that you want this for yourself."
Kima's shoulders slumped visibly at the statement, which sounded like an accusation to her. *How could I be so selfish?* She asked herself in guilt. But she couldn't help it. Seeing the things Ranma was capable of, even in the little time they had interacted, made her realize just how much there was to learn. That a mere mortal could defeat her king was beyond comprehension, and now she knew that very same mortal was much more than he appeared to be. She prided herself on being a good fighter, a good protector for her lord. But Ranma's execution of the martial arts inspired in her a desire to become like him. She didn't want to just fight, she wanted to make art. She raised her head and stared at Saffron's back with determination. "Yes, my lord. Even if I do want to help our people I want this for myself."
Saffron smiled. "Very well." He turned to her once again. "Lady Kima, you are relieved from your duties in the Royal Guard." He said seriously.
"Lord Saffron!" Kima cried in disbelief, all her determination vanishing in an instant.
The Phoenix waved his hand in front of him to stop further protests. "You're also stripped of your rank within Mount Phoenix. You are no longer my subject." The finality in his tone of voice silenced Kima's unvoiced protests.
Kima fell to her knees weakly, hopelessly staring at her lap. *Exile.* She thought. The punishment for betraying Lord Saffron. Now all that was left to make it official was for Saffron to take away her wings. Even if she fought them, the tears escaped her eyes. Exile was the worse fate she could think of. She'd live the rest of her days in shame and never able to fly again. Truly a fate worse than death. A fate she brought upon herself for a moment of selfishness.
Saffron stepped forward, and Kima fully expected to have her wings cut off. That's why her surprise was great when instead of that she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. "Go train to fulfill your dreams, Kima. I know you've put them off too many times for my sake." With that said Saffron retrieved his hand and started walking away. *I had to set you free.* He thought, knowing Kima wouldn't be able to reach her full potential if she was still attached to the Phoenix people. Her sense of duty was too strong for that. Setting her free would allow her to channel all her energy into the path she desired.
"Lord Saffron!" Kima exclaimed as she jumped to her feet.
Saffron stopped on the edge of the roof and turned to look at her over his shoulder. A smile formed on his lips when he saw the soldier's face. The tears sparkled with the sunlight, enhancing her beauty thousands of times more than the makeup she refused to wear. "Just Saffron now, Kima. I want my friends to address me by my given name." She gasped in surprise at Saffron's words. When she dumbly nodded his smile widened. *Once this is over we might not see each other for a long time. I will certainly miss you.* He thought a little sadly, but knew she didn't deserve any less after all the sacrifices she'd done for her people. And for him. "Feel free to visit Mount Phoenix. You shall always be welcome there." With that he jumped off and started to look for Hinako. He was certain Kima would still return to the Mountain to train the phoenix warriors, but this way she'd do it out of love for the Art instead of duty.
Kima was left on the roof looking at the spot Saffron previously occupied. She didn't know how to feel, and it would probably be a while before she did. But deep inside she felt a fire burn with elation. Not only was she now free to pursue her own dreams.
She was also Saffron's friend.
-----
People started to go home not long after the meeting was over.
Saffron ignored the questioning looks he received when Kima didn't go with him. He looked around, wondering if his former subject would be there to see him off, but he couldn't see her. *I guess she didn't trust herself. She would probably return to Mount Phoenix if she was here.* With that thought he walked through the portal Hinako cast for him.
Herb was next. He only nodded to Ryoga before stepping through, Mint and Lime following a little reluctantly since Hinako wouldn't be going with them.
Usagi and Mamoru said their goodbyes and left as well, with the promise to keep in touch should anything happen. They exchanged a few words with Haruka and Michiru before walking out.
Michiru approached Setsuna. "Will you be coming with us?" Even though the younger woman knew the answer to that question she still wanted to talk to Setsuna without Ranma around. So far she didn't have much success.
The green-haired woman just stared at Michiru calmly. "I'll make my own way home."
Michiru nodded and turned to see Haruka waiting for her with Hotaru. "Look, we'll be having a Senshi meeting and want you to..." She trailed off when she turned back to where Setsuna stood before. She wasn't surprised to see her friend gone. "Thought so." She said as she walked to meet with Haruka and Hotaru. "I really hate it when she does that." She muttered.
"When she does what?" Hotaru asked as she waved goodbye to Ryoga and they walked outside the complex.
Michiru shook her head. "Just vanish like that."
Haruka looked at Michiru strangely. "She only walked inside the house."
The aquamarine-haired woman blinked. "She did?" Seeing both Hotaru and Haruka nod she decided to let the matter drop. The coming Senshi meeting would be hard enough without trying to figure out Setsuna.
"Isn't Mousse coming with us?" Hotaru asked.
Michiru shook her head. "He said he had something to take care of."
-----
Inside the dojo Ranma stood in front of Kima. The winged woman was staring hard at the man. "What do you mean you won't train me?!" She demanded.
Ranma calmly answered. "You're a very good fighter, but you still need to overcome certain obstacles before we can start making progress." Seeing Kima glare at him, but do nothing else, he continued. "You'll be living in this house from now on. You're welcome to participate in our training sessions, and some of the others might help you from time to time, but I won't teach you anything until you defeat the master I'm appointing to you."
Kima's glare intensified. "How am I supposed to live here, 'landling'? If you haven't noticed these are not common among your people." She finished gesturing to her wings.
Ranma chuckled. "Hinako created both Saffron and your people. I'm sure she'll figure something out."
The winged woman finally nodded, her frown softening slightly. "Who's this master I have to defeat?" She asked a little cockily. *I'll show you to underestimate me.*
Ranma smiled in such a way that a chill ran down Kima's spine. It wasn't a nice smile. "You'll meet him soon enough." With that he turned and walked out of the dojo, leaving Kima seething.
"I'll show you." She said in determination. As soon as she met this 'master' she was going to really hurt him.
-----
"I take it we now have a new member to our not so little family?" Taro asked with a little bit of resentment for the pigtailed martial artist. He didn't think it was fair that Kima be accepted so easily.
The others turned to Ranma as well. Mousse and Soap were curious about Ranma's motives, while Tofu and Cologne had similar feelings to Taro's own. They were all currently in the backyard.
Ranma smirked. "We do. Her training will start in only a few seconds."
Cologne glared at Ranma. Before she could give him a piece of her mind she was interrupted by a sound she hoped never to hear again in her life.
"HOTCHA!"
"AAHHHHHH! PERVERT!!!"
*CRASH*
"Missed me!"
"GET OFF ME!!!"
"Too slow, girl."
Everyone sweat dropped when they saw Kima, her face contorted in righteous anger, chasing after the Grandmaster of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. For all her efforts she didn't even come close to touching the little pervert. But at every missed strike Happosai did get to touch, or rather grope, the winged woman. This, of course, only served to make her angrier.
"COME BACK HERE!!!"
"I don't want to know." Taro muttered as he decided maybe he had it easy.
Ranma turned back to Cologne. "Were you about to say something, Cologne?"
The former Amazon Matriarch shook her head quickly. She felt sorry for Kima. She really did. Cologne didn't have to deal with the pervert for very long, which was unlikely in the winged woman's case.
"Well, we should probably get going." Mousse said.
Tofu nodded. "Indeed. I do have to take care of my patients."
With that Tofu and Taro jumped out of the compound. Mousse, Cologne and Soap started looking for Hinako to get back to China.
Ranma went to talk to his mother. He needed to tell her about Kima staying over for the next couple of years.
-----
Haruka slammed the door shut after entering her house. "I'm going to beat some sense into those brats." She growled out.
Usagi frowned at Haruka's words. "You will do no such thing, Haruka."
To say the Senshi meeting went well was far from the truth. In fact there wasn't a meeting at all. When they arrived to the shrine Rei's grandfather told them to leave. He said something about Rei not wanting to see them and that he was very disappointed in Usagi.
After that they decided to go to the outers' house.
Haruka turned to Usagi incredulously. "But they..."
"No! We won't force them to see things our way." Usagi said firmly. "They should be free to chose. If they don't want to help us anymore we should respect their wishes."
Haruka was taken aback by the vehemence in Usagi's tone of voice. "Yes, princess."
Usagi's features softened. "I'm sorry, Haruka."
The shorthaired blonde shrugged it off. "I'll be right back. I need an aspirin."
"What's wrong, Haruka?" Michiru asked worriedly. Her lover never got sick.
Haruka shrugged again. "Being so pissed with the inners gave me one hell of a headache." With that said she walked to the bathroom.
Michiru turned to the others and smiled faintly. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll get us something to drink."
Mamoru and Usagi sat on a couch. Hotaru offered to help with the beverages and left with Michiru to the kitchen.
-----
As Haruka walked back to the living room she heard a loud thud from Setsuna's room, followed by a female cry. She approached the door to the room slowly, until another cry, even louder than the last, was heard. The blonde then rushed to the door and kicked it open. She fell into a stance as her eyes quickly scanned the inside, even though there was little to no light illuminating the place.
"OH MY GOD!!!"
-----
"OH MY GOD!!!" Haruka's cry resounded in the entire house. The others didn't waste any time wondering what she was screaming about. They all ran down the hall to help their friend.
All they saw as they arrived was Haruka leaning against the wall in front of Setsuna's room. Her eyes were glazed over and she had an expression of pure disbelief. "Haruka!" Michiru cried as she tried to call her lover's attention.
Mamoru didn't stop, since Haruka was already being attended, and burst into the room with the intent to take out whatever shocked Haruka so badly.
Hotaru and Usagi quickly joined Michiru in trying to drive Haruka out of her daze, leaving Mamoru to deal with whatever it was in Setsuna's room.
*THUD*
They were all shocked at seeing Mamoru slam against the wall next to them, upside down, only to slide down and land in a heap. "Mamo-chan!" Usagi cried as she knelt next to her boyfriend. He was completely unconscious.
Hotaru turned towards Setsuna's room, only to see an annoyed Ranma slamming the door shut. The others didn't notice since they were too preoccupied with their loves to care. Her cheeks colored brightly when she saw a lot more skin than ever before. That coupled with some green behind Ranma's shoulder was all Hotaru needed to know what happened.
Haruka was finally broken out of her daze when Michiru slapped her for the fourth time. Her eyes focused on her lover. "I... Setsuna... uh... door..."
Before the blonde could continue with her highly intelligent speech Michiru dragged her to the living room to calm her down.
Hotaru took a hold of Mamoru and easily carried him to the living room as well. *I'll better keep him away from Ranma for a while.* She thought. Usagi followed close behind, all the time she was trying to make her prince wake up.
Once Haruka was more comfortable on a couch she started to become coherent again. Next to her was Michiru, while Mamoru laid still unconscious on another couch with Usagi fussing over him. Hotaru stood to the side.
"Haruka, think carefully before you answer. What happened?" Michiru said softly to her lover. She had never seen Haruka so shocked before.
Haruka's eyes looked haunted when she answered. "I heard a noise coming from Setsuna's room." She said slowly, trying to reign over her own trepidation. "I thought Setsuna was in trouble, honest." She wasn't having much success.
Michiru nodded understandably. "I'm sure you did. Now what happened next?" Michiru asked calmly, hoping her soothing tone of voice would calm down the shaking Senshi of Uranus.
Off to the side, Usagi heard the conversation attentively. Now that she was certain that her prince wasn't badly hurt she wanted to know who would be strong enough to knock him out so fast. With his old self back he was nearly as strong a fighter as Saturn. Unlike Saturn, however, he didn't need to transform to use his powers.
"I..." Haruka trailed off, as if the memory of what she discovered was too much for her to take.
"Yes?" Michiru urged on.
"She walked in on Ranma and me having sex." A female voice was heard.
Everyone turned to see the green-haired woman dressed in a neat robe. That was the only neat thing about her appearance, though. Her hair was a mess, sweat covered the skin not hidden by the robe and said skin still revealed the afterglow of her activities before being interrupted. The picture of the always in control and serene Setsuna was thrown out the window when they all stared at this woman in front of them.
Haruka, upon seeing the green-haired woman, blushed furiously and turned away in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. *I didn't think Setsuna was that flexible.* She thought, which intensified her blush.
"And Mamoru?" Usagi asked of Setsuna.
Setsuna just raised an eyebrow. "Ranma didn't like the intrusion. Haruka was actually quite lucky to stumble back and out of the room before he pulled out." Her mysterious and calm exterior vanished instantly when she realized what she said last. She tried, and failed miserably, to hide her blush.
Hotaru giggled at Setsuna's slip, which only served to further embarrass Setsuna and Haruka. When Usagi understood the situation she joined the other two Senshi in lightening the room with a soft red.
Michiru, for her part, just stared at Setsuna as if she had grown a second head. With horns and seven eyes. *Setsuna... blushing?*
As the aquamarine-haired woman stared at Setsuna Hotaru controlled herself and decided to give her friend a break. "Where's Ranma?" She asked, trying to divert everyone's attention from what Setsuna just said. She could ask the green-haired Senshi for details later.
Setsuna answered in a very calm tone of voice, though she was still blushing faintly. "I asked him to let me handle this. He went to visit a friend in Kyoto." She then turned to Haruka. "What I want to know is why you broke my door."
"I heard you screaming." The blonde answered lamely, still averting her gaze from the other woman.
Setsuna rolled her eyes. "The door was unlocked, Haruka."
A groan, followed by laughter, was heard in the living room of the outers' house.
-----
The instant he saw the Uchan's he knew something was wrong. Besides the fact that a closed sign was on the door, the remaining chi in the atmosphere spoke of a battle in which the okonomiyaki chef took a part.
He entered the restaurant and scanned the inside. Sure enough it was a mess. "Uchan." He muttered as he expanded his chi, taking in what he could. Through the years of hard training and meditation Ranma's chi senses were refined to a point he no longer needed to be in a place to know exactly what happened. He could just feel it.
*There.* Ranma's eyes turned to the kitchen. Someone took a hold of Ukyo's collar and pulled her over the counter. She rolled on the floor and kicked the aggressor in the midsection.
His eyes then turned to a broken table. *She threw someone over the table and took her battle spatula in her hands.*
Feeling the chi in the quiet atmosphere of the restaurant Ranma followed the fight that took place only a couple of hours ago. Six men attacked his friend, yet she did a very good job of defending herself. Two were disabled with a single attack, while the others were hard pressed in a fight that was going in favor of Ukyo.
He frowned when he saw Ukyo's spatula on the ground. *How did she get here?* Ranma asked himself, wondering who the woman that attacked Ukyo from the back was. It was obvious to his senses that she took the chef and left just as she arrived. *Some kind of teleportation.* The guys dragged their fallen companions out of the place, but he wouldn't go after them. They were only cannon fodder.
The pigtailed man spent the next twenty minutes going over the place. He could tell whoever planned this knew exactly how the fight would develop up to the point where Ukyo had her back to the wall. It was definitely someone familiar with Ukyo's fighting style.
Ranma left the restaurant silently. There was no use in staying. His chi senses told him where the six guys went, but he ignored them. They were probably paid to beat up the chef and knew nothing else.
As he turned around a corner he came face to face with a smirking man. This wouldn't normally be of much consequence, but the guy was wearing an armor Ranma recognized instantly.
He didn't even give the guy time to take a hold of his sword. He dashed forward and past the man with his right hand extended forward. A second later the armored man landed hard on the ground, dead. There was a bloody hole in the chest area of the armor, yet his expression revealed no pain. He died without even knowing what happened.
He wasn't the only man attacking him, though. Ranma had to jump out of the way of a sword strike that would've beheaded him before turning his attention to three other guys who charged him. All of them wearing the same accursed armor.
They were dealt with pretty much in the same fashion as the first one. Being too slow a single blow was all it took to kill each of them. The first two received strikes to the neck, their nervous system simply stopped functioning, while the third one had a hole in the middle of the eyes, result of Ranma's finger strike. They were all, again, dead before they realized it.
Ranma turned his head sharply to the side when he heard someone clapping. His eyes narrowed when he caught sight of her.
"Bravo, Ranma." She said as she stopped clapping and smirked at him. "I can see my employer was right about you. You are truly much more than you let on." She was wearing an expensive setup of a silk shirt over black pants.
The pigtailed martial artist's voice was very cold when he spoke. "Where's Uchan, Nabiki?"
Tendo Nabiki snorted. "You're not the one with the bargaining power here, Saotome."
"I'm not a Saotome. And I do have something to bargain with." He said before vanishing and appearing in front of the middle Tendo sister. He took a hold of her shirt and effortlessly lifted her off her feet. "Your life."
Nabiki's smirk didn't waver in the slightest. "I would suggest you take your hands off me, Ranma. Otherwise you won't see your precious 'Uchan' again." Her smirk then turned evil. "And of course you won't see your little Kasumi either."
Ranma's eyes widened at that. "What?!" So shocked was he that he didn't react to Nabiki placing a hand on his chest. He was then flung into a wall, result of a strong magical blast. The pigtailed martial artist could feel the power behind the blast as he coughed to get some air into his abused lungs.
Nabiki just adjusted her shirt and continued in the same calm tone of voice. As she spoke she approached Ranma with sure steps. "Didn't think I'd figure it out? Give me some credit, Ranma. After hearing your story it was too easy to put two and two together."
"What do you want?" Ranma asked neutrally as he got up.
The girl raised an eyebrow. "Direct and to the point? I could get to like the real you." She sobered before continuing. "What do I want? What I've always wanted, Ranma. Power."
Ranma snorted. "You can hardly have that 'power' working for someone else."
Nabiki just smirked again. "It's only a temporary thing. I'll eventually get rid of my employer and take over."
Ranma decided not to argue the point. He really doubted Nabiki had the power to follow her plans. "Why are you doing this to Kasumi? Even if you 'could' be right about her she's still your sister?"
Nabiki nodded seriously. "Nobody but me has made the connection, Ranma. Especially not that arrogant bitch I'm working for. She's too full of herself to see beyond her own eyes. Don't worry about Kasumi, she'll be safe for as long as you cooperate."
"Playing double agent is dangerous, Nabiki." The pigtailed martial artist said. *You don't have as much bargaining power as you think. I know you, and you won't hurt Kasumi even as the last resort.*
"So is knowing you." The girl said in amusement before turning on her heels and walking off. "I'll keep in touch. And I wouldn't talk to anyone about my involvement in this." She turned around a corner and Ranma suddenly stopped feeling her chi.
The pigtailed martial artist started the long way home. He had a lot to think about. *Uchan was probably the target. Nabiki must've told her about me and Uchan was kidnapped to keep me in check. Of course Nabiki talking to me was obviously not in the plan.* Things were definitely becoming complicated, but Ranma decided that maybe he could work this turn of events out to his advantage.
END PART 13
Author's Notes: Things are starting to become more complicated, and we have yet to see who Nabiki's employer is. It might not be who you think it is. How did Nabiki become an agent for the enemy? What will she do to reach her goals? Will the Novas allow it? Wait and you might find out.