AN: I'd like to thank my Beta for all her hard work, help, and patience with me, and at times necessary ego stroking. Well I hope you enjoy the chapter.
RANMA DARK MOON
CHAPTER FIVE
ALL WORRIES CAN BE CURED BY SHOPPING, CAN'T THEY?
The Outers mansion: a little past 3:00 AM
A secret meeting was happening inside the Outers mansion. After Ranma and Kasumi had gone to bed, the Outers met downstairs.
"I'm worried about Ranma." Haruka said, starting off the meeting. "She's acting nothing like how Cologne described Ranma used to act."
"True, but she doesn't seem to act like how you would expect the Dark Moon Kingdom's Princess to act either." Michiru replied.
"I think," Hotaru started "That most of the time Ranma is in tight control of the remains of this Dark Moon persona, but in a battle, like this afternoon, and times of high stress and anxiety, like this evening, that her control over the Dark Moon personal, lessens, if you will."
The rest of the room blinked at the words of true wisdom coming from little Hotaru's mouth. They tend to forget that she has the mind of someone much older. Hotaru finished with "I think we should wake Kasumi, and ask her her opinion on the matter."
"I think you're right, stay here, I'll get her." Setsuna said, and then she was gone. She came back a few minutes later with a Kasumi dressed in one of Michiru's nightgowns.
As she sat, they told Kasumi about their concerns of Ranma. Kasumi sat and thought on it, and finally replied with "Yes, Ranma is acting rather strangely, and has been ever since her male side died. I think that Hotatu is right, and if that's the case, then what we should do is provide positive feed back for whenever Ranma acts normally and treat her as much as we can, for now, as she would want to be treated, like a boy. That means no forcing her into dresses tomorrow because she looks so cute in them. It will hurt her enough to finally be forced into female undergarments and a female school uniform. But as time goes on, we should remind her of her new femininity, by slowly getting her into feminine clothes for every day wear. But that should take place latter, when Ranma can handle it. I guess what I'm saying is, we should treat Ranma gently, remind her she still is Ranma, before we remind her that she is a full-time female now."
"Ok, we can do that." Setsuna said. "I'll tell the others too, seeing as they'll be in the same school, if in different grades."
"Well let's get to bed then." Michiru said yawning. The others nodded and they went upstairs and went to their rooms and beds.
In another reality: in Pluto's lab
It was just delicious to Pluto, how scared these soft and wimpy versions of themselves got whenever Ranma show even a glimpse of her true self. When that realities version of herself got hit with a table, she got a thrill to see Ranma so protective of her. It made her wish she was the Pluto that had been hit by the table, so her Mistress would defend her.
But she was not happy how they wanted to try to keep Ranma soft. She had to get there soon to stop it and see Ranma, but it would be three more days. Four really, if you counted today. And as the Senshi of time, she did.
And there was the trouble that Saturn would represent. She was being sent as an enforcer of the Queens will. If Ranma didn't want to return, then Saturn would make her. She was the only Senshi with enough power to do it on her own, that was why she was being sent with her.
Now Pluto was many things, but stupid was not one of them. She knew that as long as Ranma stayed in control, she would never return to this reality as the Queens loyal Daughter. And Pluto thought it was best if she didn't, for if she was dragged back here, then Ranma's secret, that she wasn't the original Princess would come out, and who knew what the Queen would do if that happened.
So Pluto was seriously considering defecting to her Mistresses, Ranma's side. Ranma showed every indication of not only being great Mistress Material, but she would actually begin to remember being it, if reminded enough in the right ways. And if that was the case, she would have no choice but to defect.
The problem was Saturn. She couldn't stop her from taking the Princess if she decided to. 'If only she would defect with me!' Pluto thought.
Then it hit her! 'Why not? But how? How do I get her to defect with me?' Pluto thought. It was a dangerous gamble she was taking, but the odds were even longer fighting Saturn then turning her. As she watched her screen to the other reality, she had it! The way the others treat this child version of Saturn! They don't fear and ostracize her! If she could show Saturn that she might have a chance of being near people at all, then she'd turn easily!
'It was the greatest flaw in her Majesty's plan to control Saturn.' Pluto thought 'Her ordering her not to interact with any one other then the other Senshi, except on her orders. And since we all fear her, she spends so much time on moons and uninhabited planets, blowing them up in anger, causing us to fear her more. She is emotionally unstable, and if I show her this reality, and that this version of the Princess will actually talk to her, and might even become, urg, friends with her, which I could sadly see happening, then she'd switch sides in a second. It would be a great sacrifice on my part to put up with that violent and destructive nut job Saturn, but it would be worth it, to be with my Mistress.' Pluto continued to think.
So she decided on a all or nothing gamble, she'd show Saturn this reality, and suggest that they defect to the new Princesses side, ad hope she was right about Saturn. Otherwise she was dead, and who knew what would happen to Ranma.
So she called Saturn, who was in her quarters, like she always is when she is stuck in the palace, and called her to her lab, telling her she had something to show her.
'I hope I'm doing the right thing.' Pluto thought in fear.
The Outers mansion: a little after 6:00 AM
Kasumi was up, as everyone else but Ranma was, and dresses in a dress borrowed from Michiru. 'I'm actually looking forward to the shopping, just so I won't have to borrow Michiru's clothes.' She thought as she went to wake Ranma up.
Ranma was sleeping soundly, as usual. Kasumi went to wake Ranma, gently shaking her, then roughly shaking her, then finally violently shaking her. Finally she thought of something. "Breakfast time Ranma." She whispered in her ear.
Ranma was awake in seconds. "Huh, what, is it morning already?" Ranma asked yawning and stretching.
"Yes Ranma, and I helped Michiru fix breakfast. It's being served now." Kasumi said.
Seeing as she was still wearing yesterday's clothes, as she didn't want to borrow any of Outers clothes, not like they would fit anyway, the only one close to her height was Hotaru, but she was… bigger… in places then Hotaru. No she couldn't borrow any clothes from the Outers, not that she wanted to anyway. Ranma got up and went down stairs to breakfast.
As Ranma got downstairs, she greeted everyone with "Hello, thanks for letting us stay here."
"You're welcome Ranma." Setsuna called back. "Now eat your breakfast, because I'm registering you in Juban High today."
Ranma sat down and asked, "Do I have to?"
"Yes Ranma, you have to." Setsuna said.
Sighing, and digging into the food Ranma said "Fine."
"Ranma." Kasumi started.
"Yeah, Kasumi?' Ranma asked.
"You're going to have to wear the girl's uniform at school now, as well as a bra and panties." Kasumi told Ranma bluntly.
"But…" Ranma started, when Kasumi interrupted with
"No buts Ranma. You are a girl now, and as such there are times when you must dress the part. Now we're not going to go and get you nothing but dresses when we go out shopping this afternoon. In fact I'm only going to insist that you have three dresses, and you'll only have to wear them when your preferred clothes are not acceptable and only dresses are. All the other clothes we'll get today will be your choice, and what you wear will be your choice too. But you are getting bras and panties today. Now that you are a girl, you have to wear them, and I think you'll find them, if not comfortable, helpful." Kasumi told Ranma in a way that she could do nothing but nod her head in agreement.
Sullenly turning back to her food, she ate.
Juban High: 7:32 AM
"Well, let's get you into my office to start the transfer Ranma." Setsuna said.
"Your office? Wait, you work here?" Ranma asked shocked.
"Yes, I'm the Vice Principal." Setsuna said, continuing with "I just started this year actually. Before that I was the guidance consoler at Juban Jr. High till last year."
"How'd you go from being a guidance consoler to a Vice Principal?" Ranma asked curious.
"It was the only job open at the time I wanted to work here. Ranma, I've been around for awhile, I have many different degrees. I am much more qualified then to work here, and rich enough so I don't have to work. So why do you think I spend my time working here?" Setsuna asked after making sure no one was around.
"Uh, because most of the other girls go here?" Ranma asked.
"Yes. Other then Rei, all of them go here." Setsuna admitted. "So that's why I work here, to keep an eye on them. I wish Rei would go here too, but her Grandfather wants her to have a private education. What I never got is why, if she has to act as a shine maiden for him, does he want her to have a Catholic school education?" She asked shaking her head.
"Good morning Miss Meiou." An older woman that Ranma took to be Setsuna's secretary said.
"Good morning Aria. This is Ranma Saotome. She's transferring here from Furinkan High." Setsuna told her secretary.
"Good God! You're transferring in from that nut house? Good for you girl. At least you're getting away from all those dangerous martial artists that tear up the place all the time and the insane Principal. I don't know how he ever kept his job." She said in shock and sympathy.
"Hey! It wasn't my fault that I was being attacked all the time! Though we did destroy a lot of the school a lot I'll admit, and Principal Coconut Head has the whole district in his pocket." Ranma said, keeping tight control on her aura.
"What?' Aria asked shocked and getting slightly scared for some reason.
"Aria, perhaps you missed the name." Setsuna said sighing. "This is Ranma Saotome, she was one of the martial artists you just knocked. The main one in fact." Setsuna explained.
Aria was shocked. "But I thought Ranma Saotome was male?" She asked confused.
"Obviously not. Now I've got to get her registered here, so she can start tomorrow." Setsuna said going into her office, followed by Ranma.
"Sorry about her Ranma. She's very, 'proper', I guess is the politest way of saying it." Setsuna apologized to Ranma.
Looking over the mail on her desk, she found the necessary documents to get Ranma into Juban High, as well as out from under her parent's control. "Well, looks like it's all here. Ha, what use is it being the mistress of time, if you can't use it to make life easier for your friends?" Setsuna said out loud.
"Huh? What did you do?" Ranma asked.
"Nothing much really. I sent back in time some requests to transfer you here, plus make you an emancipated minor." Seeing the blank look on her face she said. "These documents will get you into this school, and your parents won't run your life any more." Setsuna explained.
"Oh." Ranma said. "Uh, thanks."
"Ok then," Setsuna said digging into the papers. "Lets get stated. The first thing we need to do is update all your school records to having you as a female." She said to Ranma's groan.
A mall in Juban: later in the day
Ranma was shopping. A thing she hated almost as much as school. She had elected to get her new undergarments first, seeing that as the evilest and most vile thing she'd have to do, and wanted it out of the way first. Next she decided to get the three dresses that Kasumi instead on. So that's what she doing at the moment, trying on dresses. And the others were having too much fun with this in her opinion.
The, twelfth, was it? Dress was the first to meet the girl's approval. A deep burgundy red ball gown with long sleeves, a low neck line and tight bodice and a full loose floor length skirt. 'Perfect for formal occasions.' Michiru had said.
Then they got her a more regular, every day dress. It was a deep dark purple dress, with a loose full body top, and a loose skirt to mid shin. 'Nice and demure. Perfect." Was Kasumi's response.
Then Setsuna suggested a fun dress. One to out partying in. The other three looked at her strangely for a moment, then saw the wisdom in such a thing, and agreed.
And so they had spent over an hour arguing over the choices, and didn't notice Ranma walk off, till she returned saying in an exasperated voice "Will this do?"
Ranma had wondered off trying to find a dress on her own that would appeal to all the girls, not that she had to like it, but it would get her out of here and on to getting the clothes she'd actually be wearing.
What Ranma had on her was a dress cut in a modified Chinese style. With a tight bodice that stopped mid breast, no sleeves or anything else past that going upwards. And the lower part was tight, going down to the ankle on the right, but left the left half of the left leg totally exposed. It was primarily in a pitch jet black, with shiny bright red geometric patterns decorating it.
A low whistle came from all of them. Haruka, wiping the drool from her lips, said "Get that." It was the first thing she'd spoken since the shopping had begun.
Michiru was to busy wiping drool from her mouth, to notice Haruka did the same. "Yes, get that. You have excellent taste Ranma."
"Yes Ranma," Kasumi began "That looks simply wonderful on you. Where and how did you find it?"
"Ah, it was just back there," She said pointing into the really, really pricey part of an already expensive dress shop. Their jaw slightly dropped, but they were going to get it for Ranma, it looked too good on her not to. "And I just thought to my self, what would they think I should wear? And I thought that this would meet with you girls approval"
"It would meet with anyone's approval." Haruka said in awe.
Michiru glanced at Haruka, who just shrugged a shrug that she read as 'I'm yours, but I'm not blind.' Michiru nodded back, which Haruka interpreted correctly as, 'Ok, you're off the hook, for now'.
The rest of the shopping went pretty quick, once Ranma found her traditional clothes, plus she got some jeans polo shirts and tennies. Everything was going so well until…
"My beautiful pig-tailed girl" Ranma herd a familiar voice cry.
"Kuno." She whispered darkly. Turning around she saw him not three feet from her. "What the hell are you doing here in Juban?" she all but yelled in her fury.
Kuno didn't notice this, as always, and just answered her question like it had been asked in a normal tone of voice.
"This mall has the best store in all of Japan for getting my noble self my robes. Now what is this I heard of the foul sorcerer running away from home and abandoning Akane after beating her and abducting you, my fiery beauty?"
"Get this through your thick skull Kuno! I AM THE FOUL SORCERER! Möko Takabisha!" She called out, knocking him off his feet and propelling him back thirty feet, to crash into and through a statue in a fountain.
"She can access her Senshi powers untransformed?" Setsuna asked in some fear.
"No, that was one of Ranma's weaker Ki attacks." Kasumi told the group who all just nodded.
From the second level came an insane laugh. "Oh, so the harlot's here? Where are you hiding my darling Ranma?" Kodachi asked.
Ranma at this point lost all her hard earned control over her aura, and a lot of control over herself. As she lost the control, most of the mall shoppers ran in sudden fear, The four woman with Ranma shank back a few steps, and before Kodachi could react, Ranma jumped up into the air, did a round house kick to Kodachi, causing her to fly back through a store window, the window's displays and most of the store it's self.
As Ranma perched on the guard rail, Haruka called out "Ranma! Come on, let's get going before the cops get here!"
Calming down, and pulling her aura back in to her, not as well as before, but a lot of it none the less, Ranma nodded, hopped back down, and they left an empty mall, except for the two Kuno siblings.
Later after they got home, while Ranma was putting her clothes away, the others talked on how to keep Ranma calm in times of stress, For they would need her in the battles to come.
In another reality: in Pluto's laboratory
When Pluto first explained her plan to Saturn, Saturn was ready to turn her into the Queen. But as she listed to her, hoping to get more damming evidence on Pluto, she found herself intrigued. A place where she wouldn't be forced to not interact with everyone? A place where the Princess would like her? It sounded like a dream to the isolated Saturn, she aloud Pluto to show her this dream world.
They spent the day Switching back and forth between her younger counter part, who need so much training, and their new Princess. What finally decided her on joining in with Pluto's mad scheme though was, the fight, if you can call it that, in the mall that their new Princess was in.
Saturn saw a bit of her self in this Princess. The wild, uncontrollable need to hurt and destroy, barely kept in check. She knew that working together they could either suppress or release that urge in them both better.
After the watching the fight Saturn turned to Pluto and said "I'm in."