Blinded Stars
Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma ½ or Sailor Moon. They belong to their respected creator/ owners and I not making a cent of this. So keep the layers in their cages. We all know the rest….
Chapter 2: What's happening to me! PART 3
The fun it getting started; Ranma going to find a new enemy and gain a reason to fight it. Will Ranma be able to regain his senses and who he is. Who is this dark enemy?
-Previous ending-
"Hey Kira, your friend Usagi called and said that you can meet her at the school instead because of the attack," Mustang said after a few light knocks on Kira's door.
"Alright, we'll be out in a little bit," Kira replied looking to the door. "Come on Ranma. I would like you to meet her. She's very ... well … fun."
"Okay," Ranma replied wiping her eyes.
"Don't worry about the dress, you look fine. All we need to get you is a pair of slippers that match."
-Previous ending, end-
"So how are you feeling, sis?" a voice asked, piercing a black void surrounding Ranma.
"I'm fine… but the guy wasn't interested," another voice replied from out of nowhere. A bit shaky, and yet controlled and help a bit of will. Ranma snapped to attention, looking back and forth across the pitch black area around him. The voices seemed like his own. One was male, the other female, and yet they sounded nothing like his. He couldn't see anyone nor could he see himself. He tried to touch his other arm but found that he didn't feel it. Opening his mouth to make a call but he couldn't feel any movement or hear a sound.
"That's alright; his interests were in another girl. But there is something to be said for catching his notice, I guess," the male voice continued.
"Brother … why is it that all the girls rush to you and every one is afraid to approach me, like I'm a plague?"
"If I know that, I would help you fix it so that …"
"But I think you do know! Come on tell me … please!"
"…It's not that their afraid of the power you hold, it's that they know that your power is unstable, and will probably destroy you."
"But how can that be; isn't yours the same as mine?"
"No … it's not. Your power is bound to your very soul and in time it will disintegrate it, and then your body will be consumed in blinding fury. Once your soul is gone, all your will power vanishes as well; letting your power reek havoc until there isn't even a piece of you left for it to expel form."
"But … what … how…?" the voice paused for a couple of seconds. "What about you? Sen?"
"I'll be with you the entire way… I promise."
"But what will happen to you?"
"Master Sen. I am glad I found you and your sister," said an unfamiliar voice. Ranma swirled his vision again in all directions; still in the blackness around him.
"Umm… Captain, what are you doing here?" the male voice asked.
"Ahh!" Ranma jumped from lying across part of the table outside of the school. Taking quick glances around, she found everyone seemed a bit startled. On the other side of the outdoor bench table, sat four girls that all seemed to show much interest in her. Next to her sat Kira, and Ryoga was nowhere in sight. Pausing a moment to recall what had happened.
-Flash back-
"Oh come on Ryoga. I will be fun!" Kira begged.
"I've got some things I need to take care of. I now have realized something that must be corrected. And so even with certain conditions being as they are, I have no choice but to respond to them," Ryoga replied.
"What do you mean?" Ranma asked a bit confused by what he meant.
"Ranma, because of the torment that I suffered at your hands and will continue to suffer from; I going too paid back with much interest as I can muster. Until that time I can't forgive you."
"If it's a fight you want I'll take you out right here and now!" Ranma replied readying herself for the fight.
"Ranma, later when I've taken care of some my other affairs."
"Wait you can't leave. You just took the placement test. You have to attained school!" Kira jumped as she replied.
"It's okay … he'll be fine, and I know that he will return in a about a month or two like always," Ranma said putting her arm in front of her cousin to cut her off. "Just let him go. You'll see."
A little while later, Ranma and Kira had both arrived at the school, and were greeted by an ecstatic blond and three others girls that held strange looks at Ranma. Shortly after that, she must have fallen asleep.
-End flash back-
"So Ranma, how are you feeling?" asked one of the other girls across the table. She had short blue hair and seemed to be studying her every move.
"My head hurts… and my body isn't doing much better," Ranma replied putting her left hand on her forehead and rubbing it a little.
"Well, we were just conversing about what you did earlier," said the girl with long black hair.
"Oh Ranma, this is Ami, Rei, Usagi, and Makoto," Kira said pointing to each one as she said their name.
"Nice to meet ya, I guess," Ranma said as she sat back down and let her senses expand throughout the area.
"So what did you do to that youma?" Usagi asked.
"Yeah, how did you manage to beat it?" Rei asked, hoping the girl would give them a good explanation at how she was able to generate so much power.
"Well, building up the power to destroy it was nothing. But it was damn annoying as it kept absorbing every thing I threw at it. Not even the Möko Takabisha or the Kachü Tenshin Amaguriken affected it."
"The Möko Takabisha? What's that?" Makoto asked raising an eyebrow.
"It's an attack that uses the projection of a person's ki," Ranma answered like it was common knowledge.
"What's this ki?" Ami asked already having her suspicions on the matter.
"Is this all we're going to do, is ask me questions?" Ranma asked back.
"Oh come on Ranma, it's not like were asking hard questions," Kira replied.
"It's just making my head hurt even more," Ranma said rubbing her head again. "Something doesn't feel right…"
"What do you mean?" Makoto said. "You need some aspirin?"
"No… there!" Ranma yelled jumping and spinning around to see a black portal open at the entrance gate to the school.
"No way! Not two in one day!" Makoto said jumping up from her seat like every one else as they watched the creature come through.
"After that last fight, I'm pissed. So you're going down with out any interference from those weird girls!" Ranma yelled as what appeared to be a creature of stone with glowing red eyes. The shape of its body was mostly like a giant serpent. Its top half broaden out into a female chest with two sets of muscular arms one below the other. The hands where fashioned like talons and the head resembled that of a bird with a long sharp beak. "Alright; something that I can pound on and not have it reform!"
"Umm … Kira, lets get out here!" Usagi said, grabbing hold of her arm, but the action was stunted as Kira chased after Ranma, who jumped towards a nearby tree, then rebounded across the school yard leaving everyone behind.
"What's she doing?" Makoto asked pulling out her transformation stick.
"What I would like to know is how that Ranma girl can generate huge amounts of energy in such a short period of time," Ami said pulling out her computer.
"What are we doing just talking? Let get that thing!" Rei replied running around the school building to get out of sight with the others in toe.
Back at where the creature was, Ranma just dodged several slashes and jabs from various body parts. Landing on the far side of the creature she took a new stand that she somehow she remembered from before. She saw that Kira was still only half way to them, but felt that the creature saw Ranma was the main threat, so it should focus on her only; and if it didn't, she would give it a good reminder that it should keep its attention on her.
"Grab your weapon!" a voice said from out of nowhere. Ranma swiveled her head around but didn't find the origin of the voice.
"I am my own Weapon!" Ranma yelled as charged at the creature and the Star symbol became visible again. She was met with a hard tail whip that sent her flying in to the wall.
"Ranma!" Kira cried as she saw the hit and Ranma being embedded into the wall. On her forehead appeared to glow the same symbol as Ranma's.
"Mars flaming sniper!" Mars yelled as she fired at the youma, who dodged it easily even though its back was turned and its focus else where.
"No way; it just dodged an attack that it couldn't see!" Jupiter said, a bit stunned by the sudden response.
"ARRR!" Ranma yelled as the area around her was engulfed in light blue flames and disintegrated. Leaving only Ranma in her slightly tarnished dress, that flowed around her as her aura grew a foot and the mark glowing brightly on her forehead.
"Ranma's readings just jumped again! They're reading at least twice as high as before!" Mercury stated quickly analyzing the information.
"Don't hit my Ranma!" Kira yelled at the thing as a deep dark red glow surrounded her. White flames erupted from her hand and then faded
"You must reach for your strength. Else you'll never find it!" a mysterious voice said as it echoed across Kira's ears.
"Möko Takabisha!" Ranma yelled, throwing her hands forward to release the blast at the monster. The projected attack slammed straight into it, but the blast was quickly absorbed in a mater of seconds. "What … this one too!"
"Ranma look out!" Kira yelled as the youma turned to the direction from which the shot came.
-On top of the school building-
"So the General has awakened," said a small looking kid with silver hair. His clothing was torn all over and he held two knives in his right hand.
"It's a good thing. This way, we don't need to worry about controlling 'it' and we wont have to listen to Sylow any more," said a much older female voice from behind the boy.
The boy's eyes glowed as he raised his left hand into the air and clenched it into a fist. "Yakote, tear that red headed girl apart and free Sen from his imprisonment within her."
-Back at the school's entrance-
"Yes master," the creature said as it charged Ranma at full speed. Ranma jumped to the side as the thing barreled through the wall and turned to charge again.
"That things fast!" Mars said jumping next to Kira, who was still glowing and about to go to Ranma.
"It's you again! Oh, sorry about Ranma from before. She can get a little jumpy at times, I guess." Kira said turning to Mars as the other's landed around her causing the glow to fade.
"That Ranma girl's energy readings are acting strange. They're jumping from positive to negative at an insane rate.
-Flash-
"Sen; why did you kill your sister and a royal guard!" a man in a long robe asked as he looked strait at him.
"Is that all… I tire of your silly questions. So die!" Sen said as darkness swallowed all the guards that were holding him and everyone else around. "That was too easy; and I thought that the power of a star could never even be matched or beaten. But this power is on an entire different level in comparison. I guess it was a good idea to give up my connection to a planetary body after all."
"Sen!" yelled and deep voice with much command.
"Oh, hi pops. I guess we need to settle some things 'my way'."
-End Flash-
"Ah…" Ranma yelled as she fell to the ground; pain shooting throughout her body. Letting the monster walk up to her and grab her by each limb with each of its arms.
"No; don't fire at it. It won't have any effect. It will just absorb it and increase it energy pool. Plus it's got her!" Mercury yelled, reading from her computer.
"So it's time to go physical!" Jupiter said dashing forward and giving a jump kick to the creature's side. She was promptly whacked away with a flick of the youma's tail. "Arr… take this!" she continued jumping up from the blow and launching for the youma's head, only to be thrown away again into the other scouts and Kira who were rushing in.
"AH, AYH!" Ranma screamed as the creature dislocated her joints in her arms and legs. When it hit Jupiter away for the second time; one of its arms glowed a black and plunged into Ramna's stomach area. Causing her to give off a blood curdling scream and then another one as the hole was made wider so it could put another of its arms into Ranma.
"Ranma! NO!" Kira screamed as she jumped to her feat and instantly noticed the pool of blood around Ranma and the youma's arms piercing Ranma's midsection. The monster gave two jerking motions and then a ripping sound was heard accompanied by yet another blood curdling scream. Within the youma's hands was a swirling multi-color orb with black fame and white flame covering its surface. The sight just made Kira freeze as she could only guess what the thing was actually holding. But deep down she felt that she knew all to well what it was. The symbol on Ranma's forehead faded away as well.
"Can you see her pain, make it your own. Use it to fuel and feed your own powers," said a woman jumping down to the top of the outer gate near the scene from the roof of the School building. Her clothing was made of a verity of feathers with the fluff pointed down at and angle so that it looked like three wings curled around her body and fanned out into a skirt. At her side was a metal staff that simmered red and crackled with a sudden pulse of energy every few seconds.
"Yes, great power from this one!" the creature replied as it crushed the orb in its hand.
"NO!" Kira screamed was a sudden bright flash came from the claws of the monster that held the orb.
All went dark as Ranma's eyes lost its spark. She found her self in a black void and could feel cold and clammy thin air all round her. Taking a few steps forward she felt a small current in the air that came to her right. It was then that she noticed that she was a he as the current flowed over his uncovered skin. Yet touching his chest he found that he felt his female boobs. But the current of the wind told that he was male by the way it traveled over him. Ranma's head shot to the side as a bright light appeared off in the distance and then to the other as another one appeared. The second one glows orange and resembled a flame. Next to it ignited a Solid black flame that emitted a dark and almost pale blue light as it quickly grew three times as big as its counterpart. The Black flame felt cold, even from the distance Ranma was from it. Ranma started to move towards it like he was being possessed. He, She tried to stop his movement but found that all the commands he was giving were just ignored.
"Why don't you be a good little girl and stop resisting? I might let you live that way. HAHAHA!" A voice vibrated out of his own throat that he identified as his own male voice. "I need a new strong body, similar to my own from before. And what's better then a look-a-like?"
"Wha!" Ranma said gaining a voice. But to his displeasure it was his girl form's voice.
"My imprisonment has only made me stronger and taking your body as mine will be the perfect way to top of my return!" Ranma'a male voice chimed as he neared the two different flames.
As he neared the light of the two flames, Ranma was able to see both his male and female forms, though they looked see-through and were inside each other as they mimicked the other's actions. He could see his female muscles struggle against the movements of his male half as he struggles against the movement, but his female half was being easily overpowered by the muscles of his male side. Ranma also found that even drawing upon his ki didn't help because he couldn't. He looked at the dark flame that stood in front of him and saw pain and possible death if he was dragged in to it. He glanced back at the light far off in the distance behind him and knew that it would mean his 'passing on' if he were to enter there. He then shot a glance at the flame that burned orange and felt a tug on his very soul. It was the very energy that helped out during the fight with Saffron and it beckoned him to immerse himself in it.
"I'll tear apart all other powers from those that oppose me until those powers come to serve me!" Ranma's male voice said as Ranma stopped inches away from the dark flames. "But first I'll expel this weakness from my body!" His right arm shot forward into the dark flame and Ranma instantly felt as if his arm had been frozen and then shattered over and over again. He tried to pull his arm away but his male arm held fast. Ranma realized that the pain wasn't coming from his male side at all. The pain quickly shot across his female body as the dark flame began to spread all over both of his forms. Ranma tried to scream and retreat from the pain but all his actions were nullified. The pain persisted for what seemed like and eternity before he felt num and then collapsed to the invisible floor. Ranma slowly lifted her head to look up to see his male form smile and then kick him into the dark fire. This time Ranma was able to let out a scream and promptly did so as she was yet again surrounded by the Blaze. His scream was cut short as this Male form grabbed him, now rather her by the throat and punched her in the stomach before tossing her out of the flames. Ranma landed, bounced and rolled about two meters from the orange glowing flame that jetted up from the invisible floor. Ramna breathing became hard and she could feel the massive burns across her body. She quickly turned to ascertain the damage to her midsection only to find that blood was pouring out of her like a river. Glancing back she could make out a trail of blood leading to her. She also noticed that the dark flame had grown in size and was about double to what it was before she was thrown into it. In the center Ranma could see the flames swirled within, on, and around His male form. Ranma unleashed her aura of light blue ki around her and slowly stood up. But as Ranma stood straight her ki levels just evaporated and her aura vanished. This caused her to stumble backwards into the orange flame.
-Flash-
"Her burns are very bad… not to mention that her entire insides have been scrambled up," a young male voice said that Ranma didn't know. "Are you sure that you want to save her? Cuz it'll take a lot of energy to repair her soul you know…"
"Don't disturb her as the Waters of Reclamation heals her. At the very moment it is all that is keeping her from dissipating into nothing," a woman's voice replied much closer then the other.
"What gives? Sure the girl resembles the 'Little you' but she's not your daughter," the male voice asked.
"Zeb… before I answer that, can I get a answer for why your son seeks to kill you and then gather as much power to himself, when he knows full well that he can't fight you on fair grounds?" the woman asked.
"The same as yours I'm sure. Except that mine is serving out his punishment while yours is…" the man trailed off.
"Don't finish that sentence Zeb!" said a new female voice coming closer. "You shouldn't do that to your older sister, brother of mine. Plus you're not very perceptive."
"What do you mean by that!" the voice that belonged to Zeb asked.
"It means that you just assumed that this girl wasn't my daughter because she was not emitting high levels of energy. You didn't even feel her soul before you jumped to the conclusion that she was just a girl that some how got here," the first female voice replied.
"So what about this girl that I don't know?" Zeb asked. Ranma's eyebrows began to twitch.
"Enough talk; you'll wake her up even more if we continue," the second female voice said.
"Shhh. Rest my little darling." The first woman said touching Ranma's forehead.
-Flash-
Ranma opens her eye and finds that she is in a white dress and is attending a dance. With in her arms is a bundle white Rose. Upon her head rests a small crown with diamonds covering its surface and in her left hand was a champagne glass that was slightly filled with some clear liquid. She glanced around at the people around her who were also in attendance at this function. Then every thing froze still, like time had stopped. An older woman that looked similar to her approach wearing the same style of dress and everything. In her right hand was what looked to be a large cut crystal that glowed slightly and was surrounded by gold and other metals. In her left hand was a similar object, but the crystal looked dead and lifeless.
"Hello, my re-reincarnated avatar," the woman said with a simile across her face. "Though I see he has split his soul and his body to weed out all that he sees as weak," she continued with a slightly grim tone.
"What is going on? First this Monster attacks, then I lose who I am, which I still can't find or figure out. Get attacked by another monster, plus end up having half of me being stolen by my alter ego!" Ranma blurted out in a storm of fury. "And how did I get to this place."
"… You are in my presence and will not be harmed. As for why I look like you, or rather why I look like your cousin Kira. It is because I'm the one that created her very being in the first place," the woman said as the objects in her hands floated above her head and she stretched out her hand to beckon Ranma to follow her. The action seemed to calm her in the most unusual way. Ranma followed her to what appeared to be garden with pond. The Woman sat next to the water's edge and slipped off her heels and dipped her feet into the water while waving for Ranma to sit next to her. As Ranma did so she heard the music begin back at the party.
"I'm sure that you have many questions about every thing. So let me start with saying that you were an accident that happened, and now you are one of the only few that can repair the damage it has caused," the woman said looking into Ranma's eyes and placing her hand softly across her cheek.
"What do you mean? 'I was an accident.' Are you saying that I wasn't meant to be born?" Ranma inquired. She felt completely safe around this woman and calm seemed to emanate from within her.
"I realize that that is how it sounds, but that is not the case. Have you had feelings that this wasn't the life you should have? That this life belongs to another?" the woman asked as she adjusted the fixture upon Ranma's head with her free hand.
"Well, I… uh… yes… I kind of had a small feeling after I got cursed and then I got stronger after I beat Saffron," Ranma replied as the memories flooded back from the battle. "I didn't want to kill him; he left me no choice."
"I know. I lent you the power you needed to survive. But in doing so, I started the chain reaction that awoke Sen. His awakening went undetected by you. This allowed him to tie down your conscious mind to your girl form, and start breaking the ties to your male form." She said wiping a few tears that escaped Ranma's iron grip over her body. "Don't try to hide your feeling from me; I see them 'as white as rain'. If you need to let it out, then do so I'll be with you," the woman continued in a motherly voice that seemed perfect.
"Who are you?" Ranma asked fighting hard against the urge to let loose all her troubles on the woman next to her at her beckoning.
"I'm the spirit Tatsuki, and I know all about your life by the connection that we share," the woman replied as she wrapped her arm around Ranma, sensing the impending flood of tears.
"… What connection?" Ranma asked as she continued to resist the flow.
"Maybe I should start from the beginning…"
"Mmm…" was Ranma's response as she tried to wipe her eyes. Tatsuki in turn softly cradled her within her arms, and at the woman's delicate touch, she was instantly overwhelmed by her emotions and the flood gates opened fully.
"It's okay, my child," Tatsuki coaxed very and over again in a mother tone as Ranma whimpered on her. Time seemed not to matter as they sat there. Ranma even cried herself to sleep in Tatsuki's lap as the older woman cooed her to sleep while rubbing Ranma's back.
A while later Ranma slowly opened her eyes feeling that something was amiss inside of her. She bolted up to find that she laid upon a bed with soft silk like cloth pillows and bedding around her. She was now dressed in pajamas made from the same material as the bedding with the soft blanket draped around her. Sitting next to her on the bed was Tatsuki, who held the crown Ranma was wearing earlier in her hands.
"Ranma, I would like to ask you a favor. But I feel that I owe you much for what happened to you. But you must understand that if I did interfere with your life before now, I would have been giving an excuse for other spirits to do things," Tatsuki said turning her gaze from the piece of jewelry to Ranma. "But first I better explain what's going on in side you."
"…"
"My child, you are a reincarnated person," she paused to see Ranma's reaction but only got a thoughtful look. "...of two people. One is Sen and the other is that of my avatar. I'll explain further.
"You were born as Sen's reincarnation and that was perfectly normal, and was going to happen as planed. But then you went on your training trip with your father and got cursed. Again that normally wouldn't have done anything out of sync, but the spring of the drown girl held a mirror image of my avatar. So when you fell in and changed; it found a matching body. Thus it clung to you and no one else. That is also when my connection to you was forged," Tatsuki said placing the crown upon Ranma's head.
"So… how is it that part of your avatar was in the spring?" Ranma asked shifting her position so that she leaded against Tatsuki.
"Well, my avatar originally lived during a time when the planets were at peace with one another and she didn't need to use her powers. So they lay asleep and unnoticed. One day out of the blue her brother Sen attacks and kills her as well as many others. She was then reincarnated later on but drowned at the magical springs. This happening left a part of her there and that part clung to you when you fell in."
"So… I'm connected to you how?" Ranma asked as Tatsuki rapped her arm around her.
"Well you see. I first created my avatar's soul from part of my own being instead of appointing a being as my own. This gave me far greater link to my avatar than if I would've done it the other way. So when you absorbed that part of my avatar into your being you became connected to me on a very personal level."
"So in other words, I have part of you inside of me…" Ranma stated picking out the information.
"Yes, my child. You're a portion of me and because of that I consider you as one of my children," Tatsuki replied seeing Ranma start to put things together.
"But I'm really a guy and what about your actual avatar?" Ranma asked. She now felt secure as she was indirect contact with Tatsuki.
"I'm sure that when you get back that you'll know who it is. Right now her powers are on the verge of awakening and I would like you to help her, your sister." Tatsuki said holding the girl in her arms tight and lovingly.
"You mean you avatar, she's my sister because of my link to you and thus her, right."
"Yes, but you are completely linked to her as well. You are part of her. Will you help her?"
"I help anyone who is in need of it. After all I guess she's my 'sister' and all that," Ranma answered finding it easy to except what Tatsuki told her for some season. Ranma just knew that this woman wouldn't lie to her and she found it easy for her to trust her as well.
"Thanks Ranma! Just play nice with your sister and I'll be happy," Tatsuki said, before kissing Ranma's forehead and pulled her into a tighter embrace.
"So how do I get back and I'm really a guy you know?" Ranma asked enjoying the attention.
"Off so soon?" Tatsuki asked continuing the embrace.
"Well I need to get back and help the others if I still can…" Ranma replied dreading the idea that by the time she got back they might be dead.
"Oh there's plenty of time. The time you spend here is nothing back there. Probably no more then a few minutes will have passed at the worst."
"Really? How can that be? I have been asleep for who know how long!" Ranma spat out with wide eyes and a shocked look upon her face.
"Calm down, time is relatively fast here and thus the great difference. Besides, I can't have one of my daughters leaving me without parting gifts."
"Uh… Gifts?"
"Well yes, how about some proper dresses and jewelry to match?"
"I'm a guy in a female body. I've told you several times already!" Ranma said more off of instinct than anything else.
"…The chances of you gaining back your male body from Sen are very slim. He has taken back his form from before and will not likely make any mistake twice." Tatsuki replied a little down cast and Ranma could have sworn that she saw a tear. Ranma could also sense that it wasn't because of her, but a memory that she caused Tatsuki to recall.
"So are you saying that I'm stuck as a girl now...?" Ranma asked finding that she felt a little bad about her burst of agitation at Tatsuki.
"My dear Ranma, it was because I didn't want to interfere. So much has happened to you…"
"I know what you said before, but was there another reason for not doing something?" Ranma asked turning to face Tatsuki.
"Let's not worry about that my child," Tatsuki replied instantly turning her face from a frown to a smile. "I'm sure that you need a bath and some refreshments."
"Umm…. I guess," Ranma replied scratching the back of her head. "Woo ho!" she shouted out as Tatsuki picked her up in bridle style; having Ranma's head resting on her shoulder. "I can walk…" Ranma said a tad later after she realized what was going on.
"I know. I don't get to hold my children often," Tatsuki replied as they exited the room. The style of the hall that they entered reminded Ranma of some very old culture from his glimpses at her history book back at Furinkan High. She couldn't quite remember what the name of them was but she knew it started with the letter G. After a few more turns Ranma noticed the garden that they sat in earlier to there right and the entrance to the hall that everyone was at having a party. She could hear that it was still in full swing.
"So how many children do you have?" Ranma asked since Tatsuki never told her.
"Well, it would be more but you two girls are all that is left." Tatsuki replied closing here yes for a few seconds. They then turned down another hallway and then into the first door on the right. Ranma could feel the steamed air wafer around her as they entered the room. There was a soft fruity smell in the air. Tatsuki slowly let Ranma down and directed her over to the right corned of the room closest to the doorway. There where thin pink sheets of fabric all-around the corned with a slit next to the wall so a person could get round them. Pulling the sheets aside and stepping beyond she found a table and storage rack full of different types of bottles of herbs and spices. Next to the table was a basket with some other clothing in it that Ranma judged was a laundry basket. So she stripped of her own garment that she was currently wearing and tossed them in to it as well; while placing the crown off to the side of the basket. She then glanced at the bottles and took note that she couldn't read any of the labels. Ranma shrugged and turned around and pulled the slit next to the wall aside and found Tatsuki holding a towel in front of her in one hand and a green bottle in the other.
"Here, use these dear," Tatsuki said handing the supplies to Ranma and directing her to the large bath that was in the center of the room. It had similar sheets of fabric around it and more slits around it for entry. Ranma could see the steam rising of the water as she moved through and beyond the veil. Ranma put the towel down at the edge of the pool and set the bottle next to it before she climbed in. The water was indeed warm and leaning to hot side. She let her body wade deeper into the water as it soothed her muscles and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her body felt light. A tingling sensation spread throughout her body as she submerged her head.
Within seconds the sensation grew and turned into pure ecstasy. Her entire body trembled as the feeling continued to grow forcing Ranma to return her head above the water because she couldn't hold her breath. Ranma didn't know what to do. It felt so good and her entire body continued to shutter as it persisted in its magnitude of growth. She couldn't concentrate on what was actually happening as her thoughts where washed and consumed by the overwhelming sensation throughout her body. The pool of water was glowing all around her; but Ranma didn't notice because she closed her eyes as the sensation jumped exponentially. Ranma's world went white several seconds later as it came to its peak.
Ranma slowly opened her eyes to find that she was once again in the bedroom with Tatsuki sitting at her side. Ranma smelled some kind of fruity smell from her undone hair which fell around her gently as well as feel that she was still completely nude under the soft sheets. In her hands was her crown as they lay atop of her chest. Tatsuki noticed that Ranma had awakened again; put her hand upon Ranma's cheek, and bent down to kiss her on the forehead. Ranma in turn just stared back in thought over how this woman, Tatsuki, reminded her of her mother.
"So you're awake. Got a bit too relaxed in the bath?" Tatsuki asked with the hint that she knew what had happened.
"Umm…" was Ranma's response as a bright red blush spread across her face.
"Let's get you dressed and fed. I'm certain that you'll love the food here," Tatsuki said, rising and before heading over to a closet and dresser to retrieve clothing.
"So what did happen to me back at the bath?" Ranma asked as she sat up while pulling the covers with her.
"Your soul was first purged of all of its negative energy; then it was repaired and reconstructed to mend the damage that it sustained," Tatsuki replied as she selected several garments from various areas. "These should be more to your liking I think," she continued a few seconds later, bringing then to the bed. Tatsuki left afterwards so Ranma could get dressed in private.
Ranma set the crown of to the side and swung her legs over the bedside letting her feet hit the cold floor causing her to shiver. Looking at the clothing next to her, she shrugged off the fact that it was a dress and figured that Tatsuki was being a little sarcastic in her last statement. She still would've rather worn some kind of pants and shirt, but she put on the dress anyway. Ranma was slightly amused that it fit perfectly around her body and allowed free movement. The dress was mostly white with golden and silver lace with a bow on her back and across her chest. Tatsuki entered a minute later holding a small box in her hands and set it next to Ranma on the bed.
"You look great in that dress, dear," Tatsuki commented, before opening the box and revealing a pair of diamond set rings, earrings, bracelet, and a large diamond set in a brooch.
"I'm a…"
"Shh…" Tatsuki cooed as she placed her finger over Ranma's lips. "I know that is what your past is telling you. But you have to at times let go of the past, and live in the now."
"…." Ranma sat there and took in those words as Tatsuki took hold of the earrings and applied them on Ranma's ears.
"I'm sure that you'll see that when everything is said and done, that you'll find who you actually are. Until then, let others help guide you," Tatsuki then placed the brooch in the middle of the bow that hung from her chest and slipped on the bracelet around Ranma's right wrist. She adorned each ring to the index finger on both of Ranma's right and left hand. Then with much grace and gesture she bestowed the crown back upon her head.
"So… why do I have a crown and all of this other stuff?" Ranma asked glancing over herself.
"Because as shareholder of my powers and my daughter, you are granted the title of a princess and should be treated as such," Tatsuki replied in her motherly and yet very regal tone. "Come know we have a party to attained to and dinner is about to be served."
-Back at the school-
Across the field sparkling dust shot from the youma's hands as the orb as destroyed. Second later particles began to pull back as a black orb formed and was surrounded by a pitch black flames that erupted from it. Within a matter of seconds a blast of energy radiated the area knocking everyone to the ground. The Woman wasn't phased by the pressure wave and stood atop of the now crumbling gate wall. Where the youma stood was a young looking man with black hair and blue eyes. Across his body dark veins of electricity shot back and forth. He was wearing a dark purple shirt that went into black pants and had a left shoulder plate attached to a red cape. A metal belt ran from his right shoulder across his chest and down and around his back. Connected to the belt was a sheath that lay under the cape and held what appeared to be a great sword. His feet where covered by leather boots and where belt buckled closed. Kira noted the similarities of this guy to Ranma's male form and they were almost exact. One of the major differences being that this guy and her Ranma was this guy's hair was cut short and went all over the place. The scouts having got to their feet to take a look at what just happened were all a little stunned to see that the youma was missing and in its place was his guy floating several feet above the ground. His attention was first directed at the prone and lifeless redhead body that lay on the ground in front of him. He then turned his attention over to the other red headed girl in the area who stared back at him before rushing to the lifeless body of the other. His attention then shifted to the scouts and then to the more important Moon Princess.
"Master Sen. You have finally returned from your captivity," the woman said bowing her head.
"Ry don't hide; I can sense you up there on that building," Sen said loudly and was instantly greeted with a flash to his side as a young boy appeared kneeling. "Good, Marlyn immobilize those girls over there before they do anything," he continued pointing to the scouts. With a twirl of her staff the woman on the wall vanished and reappeared directly behind the scouts.
"Gotcha!" Marlyn yelled as she slammed her staff into the ground causing a discharged of several blue orbs the size of marbles. The scouts unprepared for this were struck in the back. The marble sized balls on contact enlarged and surrounded each scout and then merged into one big sphere. The scouts were rendered dazed and laid on the bottom of the sphere. Sen smiled and turned his attention back to the redhead that was starting to cry over the other dead girl. His eyes grew dark as the girl in front of him began to manifest a fiery yellow aura.
Kira knew that what that creature did to Ranma was because of this man in front of her. Her hands held tight the dress that Ranma was wearing as her head was leading over the lifeless body. Tears streaming down her face; dripping onto Ranma's lifeless body as it lay prone.
"You will join her shortly, little girl." Sen said unsheathing his blade.
"No!" Kira screamed burying her face into Ranma's chest. Suddenly with a great flash a white orb appeared above the two. Ranma's body and Kira was then lifted up towards the orb and passed through it let off another flash and both were consumed by white flames.
Ranma fell to the ground as her body became limp for a few second before returning to normal. She blinked a few times as her vision cleared and became focused. She could feel cool soft clothing wrapped around her body. Standing up she took note that she was back at the school and all seemed stunned by her presence. She could feel every breath and minute movement around her as well as seeing the currents of energy wayfaring in the area. Ranma could feel the shock that his cousin felt at seeing her as well as the relief at her appearance. Every one just starred at Ranma for a few more seconds before someone broke the silence.
"Impossible for a mere girl…" Sen said floating down to the ground.
"Ranma!" Kira cried grabbing her from behind. "Ranma!" she cried again as she almost knocked her to the ground.
"She couldn't have come back. I left her for dead!" Sen stated as he narrowed his eyes at the girl. "The damn look-a-likes must be connected spiritually. Ry! Kill them both. Now!"
"Fine, it will be my pleasure to take care of them. Would you like there heads as well?" the young boy replied and began to hovering several meters off to the right. Mercury had her computer still out and had already started scanning Ranma.
"Is she the real Ranma?" Jupiter asked Mercury who was standing next to her.
"The readings are that there is an 83 match. Her energy readings are down by more then 75 though." Mercury replied.
"So what, if it's her they'll shoot up?" Mars replied. "What we need to worry about is getting out of this energy bubble so we can kick their butts."
"Kira, stay behind me." Ranma said as she turned her focus upon Sen, and his friends.
"So the little Princesses have come back to die?" Ry said mockingly bringing his hands to his side summoning three knives to appear in his right hand with the blades sticking out between his fingers. He then did the same with his other. A second later his image blurred and he was then standing at Ranma's side with one of the sets of knife touching her throat and the other at Kira's. Ranma turned her head slowly to him with slightly shaken look on her face. Kira was too stunned to react. 'How did he move so fast? I didn't feel any increase in his ki levels and they're not high enough for him to have that kind of enhancement.' Ranma thought feeling the blades roughly against her neck. 'And I have to get my male form back from Sen after I'm finished with this kid.' Ranma continued to think as she began to focus her ki within herself.
"I guess I left you speechless… all well guess not every victim is fun to kill. How lame…" Ry said before he thrust the blades into their necks; to his disappointment he only hit air and a lot of it. Off and a bit up his eyes found the pair.
"You will pay for that, and afterwards I'm getting my male form back SEN!" Ranma shouted as both stood on a low tree branch to the left. 'How did Kira know to move at that precise time? I didn't think that she was quick enough… Okay, besides that how come I used such a large amount of ki? I only moved fifteen feet.' Ranma thought giving a glance to her cousin.
Kira's facial expression was similar to Ranma's in that it read the universal slightly stunned, slightly confused, and mostly worry. 'How did I do that, it felt so natural… everything just seemed to happen so fast. I just acted and followed Ranma's lead.' Kira thought to her self as she stood behind Ranma. Some how balancing on the branch. "Ranma…" Kira whispered loud enough for Ranma to hear as she grabbing hold of Ranma's left hand. She was slightly comforted by the return squeeze she received.
"This might actually be fun!" Ry said dropping the blades in his hands to pull out a white mask from out of no where.
(note: I've still haven't decided if I'm going to fuku them…)
(note: The story is really just getting started. We are only going up the first hill)
(note: what are the matters Ryoga is taking care of? Hmm…)
(note: still need to go back to the other Nerima-ians. Plus go back and explain the papers from the signing that tweedle-dee and tweedle-dumb did.)
(should I be nice… Or evil… Or VERY EVIL. Oh but the engagements to the Tendo's isn't going to last every much longer in story time. Sorry all those Ran/Tendo daughter hook up fans…if any are reading.)
Tatsuki (spirit)
Sylow
Sen
Ry
Marlyn
youma
Happosai (grand master)
Nodoka Saotome
Setsuna Meioh (Pluto)
Mizuno Ami (mercury)
Tsukino Usagi (moon)
Hino Rei (mars)
Kino Makoto (Jupiter)
Aino Minako (Venus)
Chibi-Usa (chibi moon)
Tenoh Haruka (Uranus)
Kaioh Michiru (Neptune)
Tomoe Hotaru (Saturn)
Luna, Artemis, and Diana (cats)
Mamoru (tuxedo Kamen)
Osaka Naru (Usagi's friend)
Tsukino Kenji (Usagi's father)
Tsukino Ikuko (Usagi's mother)
Tsukino Shingo (Usagi's little brother)
Nerima
Nabiki
Kasumi
Akane
Mr. Tendo
Genma saotome
Ryoga hibiki
Tatewaki Kuno
Furinkan High
Juuban
Saffron
Akari