AN: Warning short chapter alert. I continue to thank my Beta for going over this for me. (And my Beta asked me to leave in this note fore her.)
BN: And your Beta thanks YOU for writing this fanfic…
RANMA DARK MOON
CHAPTER SIX
THE EVILS OF SCHOOL
The Outers Mansion: a little after 7:00 AM
"Ranma! Come out of there!" Setsuna yelled. "You're going to be late for your first day!"
"I don't care! I'm not going in this thing!" Ranma yelled back. "I look ridiculous."
Setsuna opened the door. 'Ranma is slightly losing control over her aura again.' Setsuna noted, but it was not enough of a slip up as to make her vacate the room, just make her uncomfortable in Ranma's presence. Out loud she said "Ranma, you look like any other girl in a school uniform." She said to a Ranma who winced at that. "I know you don't want to hear that, but it's the truth. Now get yourself together, your aura is not under control at the moment, and then come down stairs to eat some breakfast before you we all leave for the school."
"But…" Ranma started.
"No buts. Now come down to breakfast." Setsuna said, then turning around she muttered under her breath, but Ranma still heard her, "God, I sound like a mother."
That made Ranma feel guilty. 'They're being nice to me, taking care of me, they got me into school, the least I can do is go, though I don't have to like it.' Ranma thought.
So Ranma took a deep breath and calmed herself. She never had been very good or interested in meditation before, but found it a great way to suppress her Fear Flare aura to the lowest levels possible, so she could interact with people. This was the thing about turning into a magical girl that actually annoyed her the most. Sure it could be useful at times, but most of the time it was a big pain in the ass. That was why she was brushing up on her meditation techniques, which she had ignored for so long.
After her aura was at its lowest possible level, a feeling of slight unease around her for about twelve feet, she stood up and grabbed her book bag and went downstairs.
"Hello." Ranma said to everyone.
"Morning." Haruka said without looking up from her food. Ranma's eye twitched a little at seeing Haruka in a boy's uniform, and Haruka noticed it. "Jealous, huh?" Ranma nodded. "Well you need special permission from the principal to wear one. We've talked it over and will try to get it for you if you want it, but until you get it you're stuck with that." She said pointing her fork at Ranma. "Just think of it as something to look forward to."
"Ranma sat down and was served by Kasumi. "Thanks." She said.
"You're welcome Ranma." Kasumi said cheerfully.
Ranma ate slowly for her, which was still faster then a normal person, and said "Yeah, I think I'd like a boy's uniform. Never had to wear any 'till now, but I'd prefer the boy's."
"Well, after school come to my office and sing the form asking to be able to wear one. Unfortunately it can take up to a month to be approved or disapproved." Setsuna said.
"Disapproved?" Ranma asked.
"It's not always approved. But I can push for you, so I think you'll get it." Setsuna said.
"Oh." Ranma replied.
After breakfast everyone got into the car. The first stop was Juban's local community collage, to drop off Kasumi, she'd only be going there for the rest of the year and then she'd apply to Tokyo University for the next year. Then the rest of them took off for Juban High.
Juban High: Ranma's classroom: start of school
"Well class, we have a new student." The teacher, Miss Noiria, began smiling. "Let's welcome her to the class. Please tell us a bit about yourself."
"Hello, my name is Ranma Saotome and I'm transferring here from Furinkan Koukou. I practice martial arts." Ranma stopped there, looked like she might say something else, and then did not.
"I see." Miss Noiria said, not smiling any more. "So you are one of the famed 'Martial artist students of Furinkan'?" she asked.
Ranma, not getting that the teacher was now unpleased said "Yeah, the best. Why did you ask? Are we famous or something?" Ranma asked the teacher.
"I hope you realize that what went on in Furinkan will not be tolerated here." Miss Noiria said harshly.
"Uh, what do you mean? " Ranma asked puzzled.
"Fighting like that on campus will get trouble makers like you expelled. Now sit down and pay attention." Miss Noiria said harshly.
"Yes Mam." Ranma said, wondering why she was angry at her.
The morning classes went predictably, Ranma struggled to stay awake, and didn't quite understand what was being taught. When the teacher called Ranma on this she replied that Miss Meiou had gotten an Ami Mizuno to agree to tutor her. That satisfied the teacher for the moment.
Juban High: lunch time: the cafeteria
It was lunch time. Ranma sat down at an empty table and was slowly joined by the Senshi.
"So, how's your first day going?" Usagi asked cheerfully.
"Miss Noiria hates me for some reason. Ever since I introduced my self, she's been on my case." Ranma told them.
"What did you say?' Usagi asked.
"That I was transferring her from Furinkan, and that I'm a martial artist." Ranma said.
"Well there's your problem." Ami said. "She thinks you'll be a trouble maker. Furinkan's martial artist's have a bad reputation in the rest of the school system." Ami told Ranma.
"Why?" Ranma asked puzzled.
"All that fighting on school property, plus the destruction of it." Ami said.
"That's bad?" Ranma asked.
"To other schools, yes." Ami said sighing. "Now Setsuna said you needed my help with tutoring? How much help do you need?" Ami asked changing the subject.
"Um, a lot? I didn't understand anything so far. And this time I even stayed awake for it!" Ranma told Ami.
"You didn't understand a thing?" Ami asked surprised. "What did they teach at Furinkan?" Ami asked shocked.
"Obviously, not a lot." Haruka spoke from behind her food. "Really I'm not surprised, what with missing so much school and going to Furinkan, that Ranma's having trouble following the curriculum. Ami you've got your work cut out for you this time." Haruka told Ami.
"Gee, thanks." Both Ami and Ranma said at once. They looked at each other and giggled. Moments later the bell rung, signaling that it was time for more classes.
In another reality: on the Moon: in the castle on the Moon: in Pluto's laboratory
Pluto and Saturn had discussed it thoroughly. It was too much of a risk to wait the three days and defect when sent. Too much could go wrong. So they were going at the first opportunity. The others, including the Queen would realize what they had done, but that was of minimal consequence to them. What was of consequence to them was delaying the reaction time to their betrayal. So first Pluto dismantled the viewer to the other reality she had built, and then waited for Mercury to be taking a break.
Mercury had quickly decided that she couldn't modify the original transporter in time, so she was building a new one that she could operate. Pluto and Saturn snuck in, as Saturn destroyed it as quietly as possible, Pluto started up the one only she could operate. Then they were gone, with no one the wiser, or so they thought.
In another reality: on the Moon: in the castle on the Moon: in the throne room
"Are they gone?" Queen Serenity the First asked Rei, the Senshi of Mars, the captain of her private guard, the Senshi.
"Yes my Queen, Mercury's reports were correct, Pluto decided to defect to the Princess. What surprises me though is she got Saturn to go along with her. And why did they not wait for us to send them to defect if they both were going to? And why bring Saturn in on the planed defection if she wasn't going to wait?" Mars asked aloud.
"Obviously they decided too much could go wrong with waiting." The Queen said. "Now Mercury, is the real transporter ready yet?" The Queen asked, turning her head to face Mercury.
"No my Queen. I'm sorry to report that the construction of the fake one has put the real one to being ready in a day or two. Most probably tomorrow your Majesty, but no latter then the day after." Mercury told the Queen.
"Well finish it fast. I want my Daughter back here, and I want to show those traitors what happens when they defy me." The Queen said.
"Yes my Queen." Mercury said bowing. "If I may be dismissed, I'll get back to work."
"You are dismissed." The Queen said.
After she left and it was just Mars the Queen and her guards, Mars dared to ask "My Queen? If I may ask, why did you even let them escape? Why not just arrest them and be done with it?" She asked confused.
"Two reasons Mars. One I was curious if Mercury was telling the truth. She does hate Pluto, as you know." Rei nodded to that. "But my main reason was, I'm curious how my daughter will react to this. They may spark her memory, and thus be doing me a favor." She then laughed. "Of course it won't lessen their punishment, but I have my hopes. This all works well into my plans." Serenity then laughed some more.
"Yes my Queen. I do hope that they spark your Daughters memory." Rei said.
"As do I, as do I." The Queen said softly.