Ranma ½ belongs To Rumiko Takahashi, Viz video and others. Any other works belong to their respective people as well. I don't own any of this so just sit back and enjoy the tale, oh and don't sue me please that would be bad.

Chapter 9 – Downtime in Juuban?

"….n't we?" Ranma said to Ryouga as they appeared in a flash of light. Then he looked around and said, "Damn! Maybe I shouldn't have said anything."

Ryouga looked around as well and then concentrated. Feeling nothing he said, "I still don't know where we are Ranma, but we were transported here. Do you think that somehow the direction knowledge that we got was only temporary?"

The pig tailed boy said, "I guess, but we're still being taken places so I don't get it. Then again I never did understand magic or anythin. Might be nice if we could talk to that witch lady again, I'd like to know a lot of things."

Ryouga looked at him and said, "Like what Ranma?"

Ranma thought for a moment and said, "Well here's a good start. I'd like to know why my curse was frozen, I'd like to know how my curse became unfroze, I'd like to know why I still have memories of a warrior girl named Taya who became the princess of the sun and protector of the galaxy, and last but not least I'd like to know why I still have this." He held up a small rod with a sunburst symbol on it and thrust it towards Ryouga. Then he dropped it on the ground and it disappeared from view.

Ryouga said, "Where did it go?"

Ranma pulled it out and said, "Right here. I purposefully dropped it when I showed up in an alternate version of Nerima. You would think that dropping it in another dimension would get rid of it, but it came back."

Ryouga looked worried and said, "Doe that mean that uhm I'm still cursed?"

"I don't know." Ranma growled, "I don't know the answers to any of my questions and it's pissing me off."

Ryouga said, "Be careful Ranma anger leads to the darkside."

Ranma goggled at Ryouga and said, "You mean that don't you Ryouga?"

Ryouga said, "Yes, I do. I think I understand now and I swear that I will live by the Jedi code that Master Windu taught me, even if I can't access the force."

Ranma said, "Whatever." Then he looked out towards the buildings nearby and said, "This looks like the Minato-Ku ward probably the Juuban district. Come on let's get some food and then figure out what we should do now. Maybe we're lucky and back on our own earth."

Ryouga said, "Alright Ranma lets get some food." Then he thought for a moment and said, "hey wait you knew where we were, how come it still works for you?"

Ranma groaned and said, "It doesn't Ryouga, I've just been dragged through most of Japan and China, plus we used to live not one ward over from here. I'd hope that I could recognize a place that I lived near. Jeez man."

Ryouga looked sheepish and said, "Oh, I guess that's how it is when you have a direction sense huh?"

Ranma sighed and said, "Yeeah I guess so, now come on let's get some grub."

The two walked off and found some food. After satisfying their hunger they started a casual walk towards the Nerima ward district thinking about whether or not they were indeed home. As they were walking Ranma saw a telephone booth pointed at it and said, "Why don't we make this easier on ourselves and look through a phone book?"

Ryouga said, "Great idea."

A quick look through the phone book later convinced Ranma that they were not home. He said, "No Tendo, No Saotome, No Hibiki, No Cat Café, Just the Tofu chiropractic clinic, and the Kunou residence. I doubt Tofu would know anything and I ain't talkin to Kunou no matter what reality we're in."

Ryouga said, "Okay so what do you think we should do?"

Ranma pulled out the last of his cash reserves, counted it and said, "Look for a way to get some cash, then maybe relax somewhere for awhile? I suppose while we're relaxing we could look through the paper or somethin to see what around here we might be needed for?"

Ryouga said, "Good idea, so uhm how do we make money? I usually do the street fight scene, what about you?"

Ranma said, "The same, but these days I just feel like I'm picking on the weak you know. How about you look for a construction job and I'll go look for a waitress job?" Then he winced and said, "A couple months back I'd have gone ballistic over that suggestion and now I suggest it? I can't believe how that…"

Ryouga said, "Yeah you've changed, but so have I Ranma. Maybe it's part of growing up." He looked satisfied with himself and then said, "Well I'm off." Then started to walk away.

Ranma called back, "Hey P-Chan before you go maybe we should make some plans on where to meet?"

Ryouga stopped and looked back at Ranma abashed and said, "Oh yeah." Then he added, "and don't call me P-Chan." With just a bit of heat behind it.

Ranma said, "Why not?" then he tossed some water at Ryouga and splashed him. He was about to add, "You look like P-chan." But didn't because after getting splashed nothing happened to Ryouga. Who then danced around and said, "I'm cured! I'm Cured!"

Ranma fumed for a bit while watching Ryouga and then clasped his shoulder and said, "Okay, okay I'm happy for you. Now how about coming back to reality or whatever passes for it with us okay? You go try and find a Job and so will I. We'll meet at the Ginza Subway line and then crash at the First Inn Kyobashi okay?"

Ryouga looked perplexed and said, "Where?"

Ranma growled and pointed behind them and said, "That right there behind us is the Ginza subway line. You meet me there and we'll go to the First Inn from there, hopefully I'll have more than 4,500 yen by then because I really don't want to share a capsule."

Ryouga said, "I guess so." Then started to walk off again as Ranma called out, "Hey! Don't get lost okay?"

Ryouga called back, "I'll try not to." Then he added, "Hey Ranma! May the force be with you!" And continued on.

Ranma grumbled about hokey religions, doused himself with some water and went looking for work.

Later in the evening the two met up again at the Ginza subway line and compared notes. Ryouga had been able to get a position at the Crown Arcade while Ranma had found a Chinese place that needed a waitress. They counted out their money and had 10,000 yen between them plus the 4,500 that Ranma still carried from earlier. It was not a large sum, but it would be enough for the night.

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Meanwhile in an ancient hut an old crone sat staring at her crystal ball watching events unfold.

A knock came to her door and she said, "Enter godling and speak."

A black mist entered the room and said, "You have given them much, but I have taken away. No longer shall they know where they are and no longer shall Jusenkyo be a boon. Do you think they will be able to do what is needed now old crone?"

Baba Yaga looked at the vile creature and said, "I believe so little godling."

The mist shifted and spoke again, "What confidence you have. What confidence indeed. Especially for a washed up spirit of the earth. What say you Old Crone do you really believe they have what it takes to defeat all of my minions of darkness?"

The ancient crone smiled a knowing smile and her blood red teeth glinted as she said, "The Japanese bones are from the land of the rising sun."

The mist said, "Be evasive and coy old crone, but your servants will not defeat me and mine." Then it left the room, left it to natural darkness instead of an unnatural black mist.

Ancient Baba Yaga sat looking at her crystal and said to herself, "Foolish godling I will have your power for my own for sure. Everyone knows that the sun triumphs over darkness."

Then she laughed and laughed…….

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They spent a week or so working and practicing in Ichinohasi park. Ranma read more Amazon lore and Ryouga caught up on the most recent news. It wasn't that hard to find out as it seemed that the Juuban area was awash with tales of demon invasions and a group of warrior girls who fought them. Most recently a local shrine maiden was attacked and two new girls had appeared to help out. It wasn't clear if the new girls were on the other side or not, but as far as Ranma and Ryouga could tell there were seven girls total with five on the original team and the two new ones having just shown up.

One night after practicing in the park Ryouga told Ranma that from what he had heard at the arcade the five original girls were: Moon, Mercury, Mars, Venus or V, and Jupiter. He mentioned that there was even an arcade game based on one of the girls and that the current thought among arcade patrons was that the two new girls were Uranus and Neptune.

Ranma took in all of this new information and said, "So do we stop them or the demons Ryouga?"

Ryouga said, "The demons right?"

Ranma looked down and said, "The demons…." then he changed forms as if a glass of water had struck him and in her hand was a rod. She stared down at it and said, "Demons, are they really demons or is it something else?" Then an anger appeared in her face as she looked at the rod some more and then said, "I can't do it Ryouga."

Ryouga who was still somewhat stunned by the whole change in forms said, "Uhm why not Ranma?"

She replied, "It's Taya. Her memories are my memories in a way I am her and if these girls are who they say they are, then they are with the moon Kingdom somehow. How can I fight with them or help them when part of my memories is betrayal and death at their hands? As it is just hearing the names makes part of my soul cry out for vengeance."

Ryouga looked at her and said, "That's a lot to be dealing with Ranma, but it can't be the same people as before those people are all dead. Maybe these girls are different?"

Ranma clutched the rod tightly in her fist and said, "I hope so Ryouga but for now I can't trust myself, why don't you check this stuff out further and keep me updated, in the meantime I'll work."

Ryouga looked at his friend and saw the conflict and then said, "Albright Ranma, you try and stay low and I'll see what else I can dig up, okay?"

Ranma said, "Yeah, good idea, I'll see you tomorrow after work okay?"

Ryouga said, "Yeah that's fine." Then he said, "Before I leave Ranma I've got a question what if we don't leave this world? What if we're stuck here and this demon fighting sailor girls is just folk tales?"

Ranma said, "I guess we'll figure somethin out. Why do you ask?"

Ryouga said, "Well, we've got some cash now and it's not as much of a problem anymore, but what are we doing? We spend our time practicing and working, is that all we want to do?"

Ranma said, "Is there anything else anymore?"

Ryouga said, "School, we could go back to school Ranma, it's been a very long time for me and now that I don't get lost it might be nice."

Ranma looked at Ryouga and said, "School eh? I guess we could do that, plus it will help us gather information on these warrior girls right? Take a lesson from Nabiki and use school and it's rumor mill to our advantage. Great idea Ryouga."

Ryouga looked sheepish and said, "I just wanted to learn something."

Ranma said, "We can do that too. Starting tomorrow we work part time and go to school. Now all we need to do is find a more permanent lodging situation, luckily for us one of the other girls I work with mentioned a place called Guess T House that might have an opening. It's cheaper than the capsules we're in and less cramped too."

Ryouga said, "Alright, tomorrow we register at Juuban High and then we see if we can't stay at this new place."

Ranma said, "Right. Now let's go get some sleep."

The two then went back to their capsule hotel and slept for the night. The next day found them at Juuban High School taking entrance exams, the results of which put them in first year. Ranma groaned about taking the year all over again, but Ryouga appeased him by saying it would make life easier to be in the same classes especially considering the troubles Ranma might have with hot water. Ranma agreed and they went on to their respective jobs.

At the crown arcade Ryouga was filling machines and other odd jobs. He was listening to a conversation among some girls as they talked about an up and coming Violinist and her concert later that day. One of the girls noticed Ryouga and said, "Hi I'm Minako you work here now?"

Ryouga stammered and said, "Uhm yeah." Then he blushed at her attention.

Minako said, "Well I go to Juuban high Ryouga, what about you?"

Ryouga said, "I uhm I'm starting there tomorrow."

Another girl next to Minako said, "Really that's great. I'm Makoto, would you like to go to a violin recital with us?'

Ryouga looked at the Brown haired girl and the blonde haired one and said, "Uhm, uh, yeah." He blushed again and accepted the invitation as the girls walked away giggling and talking with each other. He could hear the blonde haired girl say, "He looks like my old sempai." While the brown haired girl said, "No fair I saw him first." That was the last he heard from them until later that night.

Ryouga met Ranma at the park and said, "Hey, I'm gonna have to cut out tonight okay?"

Ranma looked at him and said, "Why man?"

Ryouga showed Ranma the recital invitation and said, "Two of the girls from our new high school asked me to go to this."

Ranma said, "You were coherent enough to say yes?"

Ryouga replied, "I was and I'm going to go."

"Alright go, hurry up if you want to make it on time."

Ryouga left and Ranma practiced in the park by himself and then decided to follow after his friend. (Someone's gotta look out for the guy.) He thought.

Later that night Ryouga was watching the recital next to Makoto and Minako. He was having trouble doing anything other than stammer as the girls each grabbed one of his hands and then stared daggers at each other. Next to them was another blonde haired girl with odangos in her long blonde hair. She sat next to a boy in a tuxedo and was staring at him drooling. Another girl with black hair smacked her and said, "Usagi! Pay attention."

The Blonde haired girl said, "Rei! I am don't hit me. Tell her Mamoru, tell her I'm watching!" The two then got into an argument until everyone else around hushed them.

The entire group faced forward in shame. Then the Violin started to make bad sounds, and everyone covered their ears, until the violin proceeded to turn into a singing daimon shaped like a violin. It called itself Octave and then played its own strings with its bow. The sound waves from the bad music started causing everyone to pass out, including the violinist.

Ryouga watched in horror as the creature took something out of the violinist's heart that looked like a crystal and ran out. He stood up and ran after the creature.

Mamoru and the girls seated next to Ryouga followed him out, transforming in a nearby alleyway.

Meanwhile Ranma was sitting outside the Concert hall wondering whether or not he should go in. Determined that he wouldn't be jealous of Ryouga or the girls he was with and that he'd let Ryouga have a decent date this time, he sat outside staring at the stars wondering if there was a girl out there who would be there for him. In that moment the chaos from inside the concert hall came to him.

Octave flew out of the hall, destroying the windows of the building. Followed by Ryouga hot on its heels. The creature used its music to smash Ryouga into a nearby wall and then Sailor Moon appeared and said, "Stop in the Name of the Moon! I am pretty Sailor Moon." The rest of the Sailor Team introduced themselves as well and then they posed and said, "We'll punish you".

Ranma had already run to where Ryouga was by the time the girls were done introducing themselves. He saw that Ryouga was okay and then wondered what the girls were doing posing to the creature instead of attacking it. Saw the same women who were responsible for the Lunar Imperium strutting and preening instead of fighting evil and suddenly he was female. He tried to calm down with the rod in his hands as he watched what happened next. He watched in his minds eye as..

The daimon sings some more and plays its strings; the sound waves freeze the senshi who then fall to the ground. The daimon concentrates the sound waves coming from its mouth into a deadly beam which starts towards Sailor Moon. Before it can reach her, a rose flung by Tuxedo Kamen hits the daimon's hand holding the bow, stopping the beam. Octave picks the bow up again, then shoots more waves at Tuxedo Kamen. Sailor Jupiter tries using "Sparkling Wide Pressure" but Octave jumps and the attack hits the building instead.

That is when Ranma's control snaps. He becomes Taya and hears herself scream out, "Solar Strength Makeup" she is garbed in elbow length white gloves and a bright yellow leotard with a red skirt, a spectacular yellow diamond tiara rested on her head and she was suddenly wearing a pair of red high heels. Suddenly in her hands is a red and yellow sword instead of quarter staff. Then without hesitation she attacks.

She leaps outwards onto the Daimon and says, "Amaguriken revised flaming sword." The sword in her hands bursts into flames and pierces the Daimon again and again turning it into a heap of flaming flesh.

She pulls the gem out of the fire and holds it in her hands and says, "Solis Costodes Omnis." Then she jumps off the roof and marches towards the concert hall.

The inner Senshi are awed by the display and are about allow her to walk on unhindered. That is until Jupiter steps in front of her and demands to know who she is. Ranma stares at her and sees only the past. In her mind she is at the asteroid belt with this girl and she is being attacked and killed by her and her friends. Betrayed and killed by them. The grip on her sword tightens and she says, "I am Sol. Princess of the Sun and guardian of balance. Do not stand in my way minion of serenity."

She pushes Jupiter aside and walks towards the hall once again, this time it is sailor Uranus and Neptune who stop her. They stand in front of her and say, "Stop! We must know if that heart crystal has a talisman."

She looks up at them and says, "Neptune, Uranus you live and yet I wonder are you now servants of serenity? Have you been cleansed?"

Neptune replies, "We just need to know if that crystal has a talisman or not."

Sol replies, "Very well look and then allow me to complete this task."

Uranus says it's not the Talisman and Sol returns it to the Violinist and then leaps away. Saying, "Remember servants of Serenity, Solis Custodes Omnis. I will be watching you."

Moments later Ranma returns as himself and gives first aid to Ryouga as he regains consciousness and listens in to the last of the conversation between the scouts.

Jupiter then demands to know who the others are, and Mercury asks what the Talismans are. Uranus laughs and says if they want to know, then they should find out themselves.

They then leave before the others can stop them. Mars grumbles about them, but Sailor Moon says that Uranus and Neptune seem to be good.

Finally Ranma and Ryouga leave and go to their new residence to prepare for their next day of school.

Authors Notes:

I'd like to thank all of my reviewers so far. You've been an excellent source of comments and criticism. Both of which have helped me grow as a writer and to continue writing this story. Hopefully as I write more and receive more comments this story will get better and better.

Anyway, Thanks again.