The Jean Genie

Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ or any other manga, anime, or other pre-existing setting that may crop up..

Warning: There will be some OOC. It is an AU though, so that can almost be expected.

(Oh lookie here! An update! Probably not as good as previous chapters. This one covers a little over fifty years worth of time.)

Okay, I get it. Curses aren't amusing. I can honestly say I'd never considered just how much of a pain they can be. Sometimes quite literally. Who'd have thought a bra would ever be uncomfortable. Certainly I didn't think so before. And what's worse, the old bat keeps forcing me out in public in my cursed form. I can't even wear something I like. Any of my old cloths are uncomfortable if I get splashed. Their too tight. Or too loose.

Or my tail gets pinched. Worst of all, I don't dare wear a bra anymore. I use to mock Ranma for that habit. But if I change it makes breathing hard. Partly it's cause I gain a second pair of breasts. Partly it's because they are bigger. My fur keeps getting caught in the clasp too. Now that hurts. But what's worse is the ears. They are entirely too sensitive. If anyone rubs them I can't help but purr. I have to wonder though, why the hell was the old bat keeping water from the springs of drowned naiad and drowned cat? For that matter, how the hell does a naiad drown?

Wish I knew what this stupid bracelet is too. The bat wont tell me, and it wont come off no matter how hard I try. In fact, she seemed rather happy to see me wearing it. Not that I have much time to try finding out. She's got me cleaning this whole damn castle top to bottom. And I have to wear this humiliating maid uniform while doing so. The skirt's entirely too short for my taste. The bust is far too tight. Especially considering how often I get splashed. And who ever heard of a maid wearing heels?

If I didn't know better, I'd swear the uniform was designed by Happosai. Why else would the neckline plunge like that? I'm just glad the apron hides the diamond cut out I had to add due to my curse. There's a thought. Why am I listening to her? Maybe I should just... keep dusting these statues. Huh? That wasn't what I wanted to do. I wanted to go back... to dusting the statues. Aaarrrrgh! Why can't I disobey her?! It makes no sense!

Huh, why's that painting glowing?

Sailor Moon

Suddenly I'm standing in a stone building. The room's big, really big. There's a throne on one end. In it sits an old man. He looks nice at least. His skin is tanned and his long hair is white as snow. Before I know it I'm standing near him. Then a group of men and women appear. The man on the throne looks angry. Wonder why? Not that it matters, just curious. These men and women though, something about them seems familiar to me.

"Do you know what you have done?!" The enthroned man demands in a language I'm not sure how I understand.

The apparent leader of the newcomers simply says "Oops?"

"Oops?" The man on the throne asks in disbelief. "You destroy part of the heavens, plunge my kingdom into chaos, and all you can say is 'oops'?"

"It was an accident," one of the women claim. "How was I supposed to know this would happen? Even you have to admit the light show was impressive though, Sol."

"And Atlantis?" The kingly old man asks. "Was sinking the entire nation an accident too? Your people are out of control. The Djinn need rules or you risk everything. That is why I must insist you, the ruling nine, must sign a pact with me. One that will limit the damage your people can do."

A man wearing silver robes speaks "Solomon, long have I respected you. When slavers came for your parents I took you in. When you decided to form a kingdom I supported you. In all things I offered you aid. And yet I must wonder why it is you demand this of us. What will you do if we refuse?"

King Solomon sighs heavily. "Nothing, as you well know Silvanus. But know this, I have seen what will happen if this pact is unmade. The great game is out of control. In thirty moons time a play shall be made that will put out the sun. Within a moon after that all will be gone. You, your people, everything. Is the game worth such a price?"

Silvanus grows pale before my eyes. He and the others back off. I know they are talking about something. What it is, I don't know. But the old man, he looks right at me. His eyes are sad. Like he sees something bad, but can't stop it. I know that face. I had it when Mamo-chan got captured by Beryl. Every time my friends died I've seen it. When Pluto and the outer's betrayed me time and again, I've seen it.

"You walk a hard road, child." The king tells me. "But only you can decide if the price is too high."

The others soon return and quickly sign a scroll. On the scroll I see the same emblem as the painting. Huh? There's something written on it, but I can't read the scroll. Next thing I know I'm alone in the room. But there is a large tapestry hanging where the throne had been. At the top I see that symbol again. Don't know the language it's written in. But I can read it. Not sure why. Wonder what it says? Let's see...

To safeguard life from Djinn folly,

With the seal given unto me,

By agreement of the Ruling Nine,

I King Solomon hereby bind all Djinn in this decree:

1 No Djinn may use their power for themselves,

Except for personal care

2 Djinn shall serve the one who releases them,

From prison home and keep,

Till three wishes be granted

3 No wish may change what still must be,

Nor what already was,

Nor the living slay

4 Mortal child of Djinn birth shall magic be constrained,

To safeguard all that is around and free will retain,

But should the mortal child wish birthright restored to thee,

With price of service for all time like parent before receive

There's nine names signed on the bottom. Also a line for another to be added. In my hand I find a feather with a sharpened tip. The tip's dripping ink, least I think it's ink. Wonder what would happen if I signed it? Do I dare find out? I'm about to sign it when another thought occurs to me. It mentioned prison. Maybe this is a bad idea. Don't notice when the feather falls. Next thing I know I'm back in the art hall touching the painting.

Wonder what it means?

Jeanie

Yes! I've finally done it! Now I can try fixing the next planet. It's taken a while. Entirely too long if you ask me. But I finally figured out what happened to kill Mercury. Actually it's almost the same thing that happened to all the planets. I also learned what types of plants each one had. Thankfully there are seed samples from all the planets. Briefly I consider trying to handle the eight planets all at once. But no, that would make it too easy to screw things up.

So I get Master and her friends. The ritual can't be interrupted this time. And I want someone else to double check my research. It's not like I can just wiggle my nose and POOF, the planet Mars can support life instantly. Well, I could. But there's more margin for error doing that. Besides which, I never quite figured out how to wiggle my nose. It's not like this is something small like changing a family tree or turning a person's cursed form into a goddess.

Once they are all in the meeting hall I begin to explain my plan. I ask for confirmation of my findings. I explain that it'll probably be close to a thousand years before the planets are actually habitable. It's too bad Ranko isn't here. She's off on earth doing things. Not sure what, but it's probably important. Already the planet isn't a blue and green ball anymore. Ice covers most of the land these days. Ranko tells me that's my fault. Not sure how though.

Fifty years I've been working on this wish. Not that I mind. Master reminds me so much of my daughter. And I have gotten to meet some interesting people. And this time I wanted to get things right. One screwup was bad enough. Everything seems to be working out all right too. Well, almost everything. That berserker had to be locked up again. And the greedy one still hasn't learned humility. I'm actually surprised the Lon family still has that teaching charm.

It never had a name. Or at least not an official one. I made it long ago for one of my many masters. She wanted a way to teach her son his place as a servant to women. Instead I made a bracelet which would teach humility to the one who wore it. As I recall my master had been the one to actually wear it. To be forced to serve another faithfully until you understand the true worth of others, it's a harsh lesson. I should know, it's one I had to learn the hard way too.

One thing I hadn't known though, the bracelet prevents aging while worn. Huh, news to me. After the meeting I notice Master slipping away. Since I'm curious where she occasionally disappears to I follow her. Imagine my surprise when she vanishes into the Seal of Solomon. I'm still staring at the seal when the Tendo woman approaches. Still wearing the maid uniform I see. Still wearing the bracelet too.

"You really are conceited aren't you?" I ask the woman cleaning various statues. "Why are you so convinced you're better then everyone else? No, don't answer me. Just think it over. Huh, that's a good likeness of me."

Ranma

The old religions are dead. Well, not all of them. But most are. No real surprise when I think about it. When the riots started the christian god did nothing. When famine plagued the world 'god' sat back and watched. When medical supplies ran low most religions found their god unwilling or unable to help. Then the snow came. Gaia tells me things will get much worse. It'd be funny if things weren't so serious. The world didnt end with a bang. It ended with an 'oops'.

But even the end of the world can't stop life. There are survivors, probably always will be. So I go where I'm needed. Sometimes I just inspire someone to take a stand for their loved ones. Other times I visit and teach. I'm not as busy as I use to be. Thank who ever is in charge for that. Think I'm almost done for today though. As it gets colder the raiders have reduced their territories. These past few years I've mostly been able to passively guide those who worship me.

And isn't that strange, I think as I return to the palace. Me being worshiped, how odd. Not by name of course. No, my followers tend to refer to me as 'she who guards'. Ugh, came out in the bath again. Still learning to control where exactly I emerge. Water's warm. Er, oops? Now my thoughts are getting fuzzy again. Hope no one's in here. That'd be bad. Wait, someone is here. Who is it? Set-chan hopefully.

"Daaaaaad!"

Crap, it's Reni. Times like this I really feel my age. Okay Ranma, don't turn around. Stand up slowly and leave without looking. That's it, nice and easy. Why do I feel a breeze? I look down and wince. I'd forgotten my 'work' cloths tend to vanish when I change back. This is bad. Reni's apartment is on the other side of the palace as me and Set-chan. At least only family is here. Small fortune, but still fortune.

"Hey Reni, you done in there yet?" Comes a female voice from the changing area.

Then the door slides open. Double crap. Usa would have to be visiting today wouldn't she? Next thing I know I'm being hit with a pink heart. Soo not a good day.

Nabiki

Of course I'm better then everyone around me. It's obvious if you look. I'm clearly smarter then anyone else. Or am I? Doubt has been plaguing me for a week now. Princess Mercury knows how to do things I never even considered possible. The queen convinces people to do things because they want to do them, not because they have to. Even that braindead jock Ranma occasionally casts doubt on his inferiority. Just the other day I caught him playing chess with Mercury, and winning. He must have cheated somehow, right?

But what if I'm not better then everyone? What if they're my equal? Or worse, what if they're better then me? But that's impossible. No one can outsmart me. No one! So why am I the castle's maid? If I'm superior to everyone, shouldn't I be in charge instead of the lowest person in the staff? Even Akane's got a better position. Sure she's been locked up for a week now. But when she can reign in her temper sis is one of the castle's cooks.

Now that's something I never would have expected. To think, she really was cursed to be a bad cook. Once that had been discovered, workarounds had been found. How's that fair? I still have trouble making noodles, let alone anything you actually have to cook. Oh sure I've gotten really good at cleaning. Not that I ever wanted to. Since I was given today off I'm just laying in bed thinking. Again. Yet again I have to wonder, am I really as superior as I've always believed?

I've watched as the most egotistical of the jocks became a father. And surprisingly he was good with kids. I never would have expected that. Not with who his parents are. I've seen him teach too. Oh sure his methods are harsh. But even I have to admit Ranma never goes beyond what his students can realistically handle. I've seen my airhead older sister become a skilled doctor. Again, something I never would have believed.

And what do I do that's so important? I clean a palace and deliver meals. After seeing everyone I know striving to improve themselves, maybe it's time to admit I'm not that special. And since I"m being honest with myself, I'm actually not sure how I'd have done in class. I'd handled the family's finances for years, but never actually did my own school work after elementary school. I'd always been too busy trying to make a few yen. Thus I'd just bribed one of the geeks to do it for me.

Saotome on the other hand had been just barely passing his classes. Back then I looked down on him as a brainless jock because of that. Now that I think about it, how was he passing? During that 'training' trip of his I know Saotome was only in school for a total of six months, combined. He never studied, when would he have had time? He slept through most classes too. So how was he doing it? It makes me wonder just how smart Saotome really is.

I'm so lost in thoughts I don't notice when the bracelet falls off. Over the years it's become a habit to casually obey orders. It wasn't like I could disobey them anyway. It just was easier to do it on my own. It's not until my lunch break the next day I notice the difference. I'm cleaning the royal apartments which are a huge mess currently. So when my superior tells me to get some food, I tell him not till I'm done. An hour later I marvel at the fact while eating a small lunch.

When He comes I'm still eating. He glances at my wrist, and smiles at me. The man is getting up there in years. Still in good shape, I'll admit. Yet I can see time starting to win the fight. His hair is thinner, his frame not as muscular as it use to be. And the gray, but it looks distinguished on him. He joins me at the table with a tray of twelve sandwiches. Still eats like a horse, I muse to myself. There's no venom in the thought though. Not anymore.

"Hello Saotome, why are you here?"

The older man laughs at me. "Can't I visit the sister I never wanted? Jeanie says she's ready to start trying to 'heal' the other planets. Thought ya might want to know."

"Do," I start to ask hesitantly, "do you know what happened to Kuno?"

I never do make it back to my shift. Instead we spend the rest of the day talking about the 'good old days'. It hurts to hear how he felt at the time. Everything he'd done, all the cockiness, and now I finally learn it had all been a mask. It's amazing how little one notices when your convinced your better then everyone else. And to think, all it took to open my eyes was fifty years as little more then a slave. I really am a horrible person aren't I?