Disclaimer: you know the drill; I own nothing but the unrecognizable parts of this story. Why do we even bother with these disclaimers when we all know that the things on this site are FANFICTION! Anyway, welcome to another chapter of Prince of the Planets I hope you enjoy!
It was the day after Eudial's death and Ranma and Usagi were walking home from school. They were alone due to the fact that Ryoga and Ami had again headed off to the library. Ranma, unlike his usual way of doing things, was currently walking beside Usagi on the sidewalk. Ranma was shooting glances at Usagi and hoping that she didn't notice his glances. Although they had that one kiss yesterday, Ranma wasn't sure of were the two of them were in relation to each other. Being honest with himself Ranma knew exactly what he wanted: Usagi. Ranma knew that he wanted Usagi as his girlfriend and his heart would not accept any other girl but her. Still due to uncertainty and bad experiences, Ranma was unable to act on his feelings.
Usagi had caught Ranma looking at her and, not being nearly so romantically challenged as Ranma, knew that Ranma wanted her. Inside her mind Usagi thought about the situation, "Well it seems that Ranma wants more than just that teaser from last night. I guess Auntie Nodoka was right when she said that most boys can't tell when a girl is genuinely interested in them. That is, unless the girl gives the guy no other option but her or to retreat." Usagi had to apply a lot of willpower not to go hopping in the air like her namesake knowing that Ranma wanted her. After all, it's not every day of the year that a magical girl can get a handsome and useful young man interested in her that said girl can get along with and like. Ranma ever so nicely filled out all the requirements on the list with flying colors, and a few that Usagi had penciled in.
Inside of Usagi, a piece of her personality that had made the palace guards who knew Princess Serenity want to transfer over to the Pluto Prison yards started to rear its head. Back in the Silver Millennium, a bored Princess Serenity was a dangerous Princess Serenity. This was because Princess Serenity loved to alleviate boredom by pulling pranks and playing tricks; Nephelite just multiplied the trouble once he could walk. Usagi turned to face Ranma and gave him a kiss full on the mouth. Ranma was once again surprised by Usagi's actions, but unlike last time he immediately responded to Usagi's advances.
After a minute after kissing Ranma, Usagi started to get bolder and used her tongue as well. Only a few seconds after Usagi started, she pulled back and whispered into Ranma's ear. "That was only the first course love, the buffet is open 24/7" With that, Usagi winked at Ranma before starting to walk in front of him with a slight swing to her hips. Ranma just stood there on the sidewalk in shock, only his eyes moving that that was to watch Usagi's rear. After Usagi was about 15 feet away from Ranma, she turned around and said with a smile and her hands on her lap. "Come on Ranma, we are going over to your house to study for that test tomorrow, remember?" Ranma then shook his head, smiled, and jogged over to where Usagi was waiting for him. The two them took the other's hand into theirs as they walked the rest of the way to the Saotome household, sealing the pact of companionship that had grown between the two.
Ryoga Hibiki was one very happy little ham. Thanks to Ranma's little trick of heating up the immediate air around yourself, Ryoga had managed to avoid turning into a pig 15 times this week. Sure, both he and Ranma needed to see or be told in advance that cold water was heading their way in order to have the time to get the technique ready. But fortunately Ryoga (and Ranma) had managed to avoid transforming into their curse forms at school. This fact, plus the fact that the Hibiki family curse was now a blessing, had allowed Ryoga to reach what he considered to be a karmic reward: walking alone with Ami Mizuno.
Over the past few days of staying with the Saotomes Ryoga had been able to get to know the blue haired genius. The quiet Ami had unknowing been helping Ryoga to mend his shattered heart by just being a friend. Although Ryoga had been enraged at Akane's behavior, the fact that the girl that Ryoga thought he had loved didn't really exist had be a serious blow to Ryoga. While he wasn't in love with Ami, Ryoga had in inkling in the back of his mind that he was starting to develop a crush on the girl. Still, mostly when Ryoga thought about the situation he laughed at the fact that he only had met Ami do to being friendly with Ranma. At least one of the gods up in the sky must be laughing at him and the situation.
Ami herself was quite pleased to be able to spend time with Ryoga. The ruggedly handsome young man was trying so hard to catch up to the rest of the class. She didn't know the full story, but from what Ryoga had told her it seemed to Ami that Ryoga wasn't able to get to school as much as he desired. It had genuinely surprised Ami when she spotted Ryoga heading to the library the other day; especially when she saw him checking out books that contained what they had learned last year. When Ami had on a whim decided to check up on him an hour latter, she had been saddened to see Ryoga struggling to learn part of last year's work and not even touching that day's assignment.
The sight of Ryoga struggling to learn, plus the fact that she knew he was a rather kind boy, had led her to offer him some help in learning the material. Their tutoring session went very well for the both of them. Ryoga was able to learn much faster then he had been and Ami was able to teach a person who paid strict attention (unlike others) to what she was trying to teach. The next day when Ryoga had again gone to the library to learn, Ami just decided to help him from the get go and they had just continued studying together.
Their peaceful walk back to the Saotome household, where the Saotome & Tsukino families were going to be having dinner and thus by extension Ryoga and Ami, was suddenly interrupted. Ryoga heard the roar of a loud beast and looked up to see a car come flying at him and Ami. Ryoga positioned himself so that his body would shield Ami before stretching out his finger and yelling, "Bakusai Tenketsu!" Ami watched on in shock as shrapnel from the car flew past her and she heard chunks of metal hit Ryoga. Ami was starting to cry believing that Ryoga had died in order to protect her life when Ryoga turned around and smiled at her.
"H-how?" was all the Ami could dumbly stutter out looking at Ryoga. Except for his torn shirt, which a small part in the back of Ami's mind was glad to have removed, Ryoga was completely uninjured. Ryoga just smiled and said, "Heavy duty training; just stay here while I take care of the situation." Ami's mind was so shocked that she just registered 'Stay…here'. Ryoga looked around the area trying to find what had thrown the car. Suddenly Ryoga spotted the creature that threw the car in their direction and he let out a groan. "A transformer's reject attacking Tokyo; I thought we had filled up the weirdness quota until next Tuesday!"
The monster of the week really did look like a transformer; to be more specific, like a transformer from the live movie Transformers. Ryoga immediately switched his mind over to Battle Mode XP. While not as great as Ranma's Battle Mode Vista Ultimate, Ryoga was still a very good tactician when it came to fighting. Within his mind Ryoga looked over his analysis of the fight and didn't like what he saw. "That thing is strong no doubt about it and this battle does not look good. The Shishi Bakusai Tenketsu Ken should be able to destroy that thing as it's not alive, but I'll have to super-charge my attack in order to do that. I can't teleport with a super charged Shishi Bakusai Tenketsu Ken, and if I move more that three or four feet after I've charged I will lose most of the energy. Why the hell am I worrying about that now when Ami's in danger?"
Ryoga grabbed Ami and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, I'm get you to a safe place." With that, a soft faded purple glow covered Ryoga and Ami before they vanished from the street. The two teens reappeared on the roof of a medium sized building half a block away. Ryoga just looked into the shocked eyes of Ami and said, "Just stay here Ami while I go take care of that monster." Ryoga then straightened up and was covered in that same purple glow before leaving Ami alone on the roof. Ami sat on the roof for a few seconds trying to process what had just happened to her. Suddenly the fact that Ryoga was going off to fight that daemon hit her like a ton of bricks. "Oh my god, Ryoga's going to need help!" With that, Ami transformed into Sailor Mercury and headed off to save Ryoga. However, in the shock and excitement of it all, Ami forgot to notify the other Scouts via communicator.
Ryoga reappeared on the street only a few feet from where he and Ami had previously been. Right at the moment, Ryoga realized that he had no real plan of action on how to deal with the monster in front of him. He then bared his fangs and growled out, "Stupid Ryoga, Ranma's the one who goes into things without a plan not you!" When Ryoga considered his options he had to admit that this battle was stacked against him. Ryoga was a power fighter and normally that worked well for him. However in this instance he was going up against a far stronger power fighter and Ryoga didn't have enough speed or techniques to negate that advantage.
Suddenly Ryoga heard a voice to his left call out, "Hey Ryoga, why isn't Ranma here at the center of the chaos like he usually is?" Ryoga turned his head to see Mousse standing a few feet to his left. Both martial artists locked eyes for a second. Then, as if they had planed for such a situation beforehand, they grinned. Mousse ran out in front of the monster and, as he did that, he created three shadow clones of himself. The four Mousses then ran around daemon until they formed an X. In perfect symmetry Mousse and his clones pulled out a thick steel chain and lassoed it onto the daemon's arms and neck.
The Mousse that was holding the daemon's right arm in place turned his head to Ryoga and yelled, "Well what are you waiting for! I can't hold this thing's still forever so stop showboating and get the job done!" Ryoga ignored Mousse's little pot shot and ran till he was a foot in front of the monster. Only a few seconds later, Ryoga's right fist was crackling with pure Chi showing that the technique was super charged. Ryoga the pulled back his fist before sending it flying at the daemon with a cry of, "Shishi Bakusai Tenketsu Ken!" Everyone in the area was blinded by the explosion that accompanied Ryoga's new signature attack.
Ami had managed to arrive on the battlefield just as Ryoga unleashed his attack and was deathly afraid that Ryoga had died in the explosion. Her fears grew even worse when the smoke cleared to show Ryoga and Mousse lying on the ground. The medic in Ami pushed away the thought that Ryoga and someone else might be dead. Instead, Ami ran as fast as her magically enhanced legs would allow her towards Ryoga. As soon as Ami got to Ryoga's side, she whipped out the Mercury Computer in order to check on the two boy's life-signs. Immediately upon the Mercury Computer telling her that the two boys were alive, Ami let out a sigh of relief.
Just as Ami was about to turn to leave so that she could de-transform, she heard Ryoga walking up. Ryoga, using both his arms to lift himself up, tiredly turned his head to look at Ami. In a questioning voice Ryoga said, "Who are you?" Ami then calmly said, "My name is Sailor Mercury, one of the Sailor Scouts. I was coming to take care of the daemon problem as soon as I heard about it; imagine my surprise that an ordinary citizen had done my job for me." At this Ryoga just blushed and said, "Mousse and I are not your run of the mill citizens." At this Ami just nodded her head and said, "That is quite obvious, still it is good to know that there are others out their capable of fighting these creatures. If you don't mind, I must be leaving now." With that, Ami took off only to meet with Ryoga a few minutes later in her civilian form pretending that she didn't know a thing.
Setsuna was walking over to the Outers' household with a slight smile on her face. Thanks to the fact that Michiru was playing at a concert and Haruka was in a race; neither of Setsuna's 'teammates' had shown up. This was a good thing in Setsuna's opinion because she felt that, until the talismans had been found, the less contact her two compatriots hand with heart crystals the better. It wasn't that Michiru and Haruka didn't mean well, they were honestly trying to help defend the people of Earth. They just had a six pack without the plastic to hold the cans together whenever they were in their Sailor forms.
Setsuna shook her head trying to get off of such depressing thoughts. Since the time stream had finally calmed down, Setsuna had spent a good deal of last night reviewing the life of Ranma Saotome. On seeing the boy's harsh life Setsuna viewed Genma in the same category that she held the other currently awakened Outer Sailor Scouts; well meaning without a doubt, but completely lacking in common sense. However little she liked the man, Setsuna had early on decided not to hold a grudge for anything that Genma did to Ranma against the man because of the fact that Ranma still cared for his father.
That fact made Setsuna smile; Prince Nephelite always cried for his would be assassins and Setsuna loved the fact that both incarnations shared that general good will towards their attackers. Except for when someone attacked the Princess, then both Prince Nephelite and Ranma Saotome seemed accept no surrender from the offender. However, Ranma tended to be far more violent and aggressive in punishing the offenders of the princess then Nephelite ever was. His honorary big sister thought that the extra aggressiveness must have been absorbed by Ranma from the Neko-ken when he merged from the phantom personality of Prince Nephelite.
Quietly Setsuna mentally mulled over the romantic scene she had personally witnessed last night. "So it seems like Ranma and Usagi are falling in love with each other. I wonder if this means that technically Queen Serenity won the bet I had with her. After all, she did privately say to me that those two would get together by Nephelite's 17th birthday. I still remember back then that as soon as Serenity and Endymion's love affair became public knowledge I asked for my 30 denarii winnings. How childish I was to be upset when Serenity just smiled at me and said, 'Nephelite hasn't turned 17 yet; who said anything about my daughter having a love or two beforehand?' Still, how could the Queen know about this possibly happening?"
"Well that doesn't matter now, what matters is that Ranma and Usagi are together now. Looking back on how things have happened in this live, this pairing is far better then Usagi and Mamoru. Endymion may have been a good match for the princess but his reincarnation, while still a good person, just isn't suited for her. Without meaning to or wanting to, Mamoru would most likely stunt Usagi's growth as a leader. Ranma seems to be unconsciously helping her to grow to her full potential. As long as their happy together, I have no complaints. Besides with that curse of his, should the two of them get married, Usagi won't ever get bored!" That last thought almost caused Setsuna to burst out laughing.
Setsuna opened the front door and let herself into the Outers' home. Hearing Michiru and Haruka chatting away in the family room, Setsuna decided to join them. Michiru and Haruka stopped talking for a second in order to turn their heads to see Setsuna walk into the room. The two lovers commenced talking again about their days while Setsuna sat down in a seat, put her feet on the ottoman next to the seat, and started to read The Pillow Book.
Setsuna had reached a very interesting, in her opinion, musing of Sei Shonagon when Michiru politely got her attention. Setsuna put her book down and turned to face the senshi of the sea. Michiru, who had a cup of tea in her hand, put the cup onto a small plate on the table in front of her and then spoke. "Setsuna, you seem to be in a very good mood this afternoon. Would you mind sharing what it is that has you so happy?" Haruka turned her head to look at Setsuna, eager to find out what could make Setsuna happy.
Setsuna gave off her infamous smile and said, "Sure you can ask but that doesn't mean I'll tell you." Haruka got annoyed and then almost yelled out, "Drop the Xellos act and just answer the stupid question Setsuna!" Michiru put her hand to her mouth to cover up the slight shock she had. Michiru knew that Haruka tended to be direct and to the point; with her of course silently supporting her lover and following Haruka's lead. However, Michiru thought that Setsuna shouldn't be talked to like that; their teammate did deserve a good deal of respect.
Setsuna shot Haruka a quick glare before she said, "Fine. Since you can't keep from butting into other people's affairs Haruka, I'll tell you. The fact of the matter is that the time stream has finally calmed down allowing me to use the Time Gates again. Also, the princess has chosen a new boyfriend. One who, in my opinion, is a far better one that her previous boyfriend." Michiru was intrigued; the princess would be their new queen so who her husband would be was important. Michiru then said, "Who is her new boyfriend Setsuna?"
At this Setsuna gave a small smile before answering. "The princess's new boyfriend is none other then the Jovian Paladin." At this news, Michiru's eyes narrowed and Haruka screamed out, "The Princess is dating that jackass!!!!" POW! Michiru looked to see Haruka suddenly with her head lodged into the wall and Setsuna pulling back a fist.
Michiru ran over to where Haruka was and pulled Haruka's head onto her lap. Haruka had swirls in her eyes and was muttering about the license plate of that semi. Michiru rapidly got up, forgetting that Haruka's head was in her lap, saying. "Don't worry love; I'll get you some ice!" Setsuna thought she heard Haruka say after Haruka's head hit the floor, "and don't forget the rubber ducky." However the Senshi of time just shook her head and convinced herself that she had misheard.
Setsuna noticed something come rolling out of Haruka's pocket. She then walked over to her unconscious roommate to pick up what looked like a dark green uncut diamond. Setsuna's eyes widen as she said out loud, "This is the gem I gave Michiru to help locate the talismans! I said that it would form a little red arrow within itself when a talisman is near." She suddenly noticed that a red arrow was within the diamond and it was pointing towards Haruka. A tick suddenly formed on Setsuna's forehead as she thought about what that meant. "Don't tell me that Haruka and Michiru have been the people we're looking for all along and they didn't even bother to look at this thing in the first place! What did I do to deserve this? Was I some sort of evil grand manipulator of time in another lifetime or something?"
Usagi was really happy with her study session with Ranma, and she had learned a good deal too. She and Ranma had, through unconscious mutual agreement, created a system where they would give the other a kiss as a reward for figuring out something that was causing one of them trouble. Both of them were responsible and the congratulation kiss didn't devolve into a make-out session. Besides, despite Usagi's earlier bravo, neither of them was really comfortable with anything more than a simple chaste kiss on the lips. Thanks to the very enticing incentives along with the friendly help, both of them were able to get through their homework faster and more complete then either could remember doing before.
As the two of them were putting their books away in their book bags; Usagi turned to face Ranma and said. "How about we go down to the couch to talk about our nightly activities Ranma?" Suddenly Usagi realized the implications of her statement and got a titanic full body blush. Ranma blushed as well, but then decided to help Usagi out by saying. "Sure I wouldn't mind talking more about the Sailor Scouts with you." The two of them then headed downstairs to talk on the couch.
Once they got there, Ranma sat down at one of the ends while Usagi took the seat next to him. Usagi put her head on Ranma's shoulder before she began to speak. "You know Ranma, Sailor Jupiter really wants to meet with you. She wants to see how her 'son' has turned out to be." At this Ranma then said, "Is she Ami, Minako, Makoto, or Rei?" At this Usagi's eyes widened up. Usagi then said, "W-what makes you think that the other Sailor Scouts are one of those four?" Ranma just smiled and said, "I may not be the smartest person in the class dear; but once I knew that you were Sailor Moon, it was easy for me to figure out who the other inner Scouts were."
At this Usagi let out a faint chuckle. Looking at the situation from Ranma's perspective, Usagi could see how he was able to figure out the other scouts. While their senshi magic might offer them protection from those who don't know who they are, people that knew them were not protected. With Ranma knowing who she was, it would be easy for him to figure out who the other scouts were by who she hung out with and comparing their profiles to those of the other Scouts. Usagi decided to snuggle a little deeper into Ranma's shoulder before she spoke again. "Sailor Jupiter is Makoto, Ami is Mercury, Minako is Venus and also your godmother, finally Rei is Mars. I know that each of the scouts wants to meet you, so when should you mister 'Jovan Paladin' reveal yourself to them?"
At this Usagi and Ranma were startled, Usagi far more then Ranma, to hear Nodoka's voice say, "How about tomorrow Ranma? After all, we don't have any family occasions then and it is soon." Usagi got up and with a shocked voice said, "A-aunty N-nodaka, how much do you know?" At this question Nodoka just smiled and said, "Why hello Usagi. I didn't know that you were involved in the Sailor Scouts. As for how much I know, well my son here told me everything he knew about the Scouts a few days ago. Although, he didn't mention who the other Scouts were."
Ranma, sensing Usagi's discomfort, quickly got up and said, "Don't worry about it Usagi. I told my mother and only my mother about the fact that I was the Jovan Paladin. I did this because I didn't want her to worry about me leaving at odd times of the day in order to help protect this city. Besides, my mother's missed out too much of my life already. I hadn't told her about you Usagi simply because it wasn't my place to reveal that information."
Ranma turned to face his smiling mother and said, "Usagi's just shocked mom. It seems that the Scouts haven't told their parents what they are. Can you please not reveal that Usagi is a Scout to Mr. and Mrs. Tsukino? Usagi will reveal that part of her life when she's ready. She's also startled by your comments, since she assumed that I was doing the same with that part of my life as the Scouts." Nodoka nodded her head and said with a smile. "Don't worry Usagi, your parents won't find out about this from me. Just so you know; if you ever need an adult's opinion on something with this Sailor Scout business I am always available."
Usagi just stood there slightly shocked as she listened to Ranma and Nodoka talk about the Sailor Scouts. Once the shock wore off, Usagi felt herself get a tad jealous towards the two. Usagi really wanted to be able to talk to her parents like Ranma and Nodoka currently were, but she doubted that her parents could take it well. However, Usagi quickly crushed those feelings of jealousy. Ranma had been separated from his mother for 10 years. Those were 10 years that she had been happily enjoying with her parents that Ranma had missed out on with his. This was fate repaying a large debt it owed to her pigtailed boyfriend.
Besides, Aunty Nodoka had always been a person she could go to whenever she couldn't talk to her parents about something. This was just one more thing that would be between 'Aunt' and 'niece'. Seeing that Nodoka was waiting for her to say something Usagi just smiled and said, "Thank you Aunty Nodoka." Nodoka just nodded her head and said, "Just out of curiosity, which Scout are you?" At this Usagi's smile beamed with pride as she proudly proclaimed, "I'm Sailor Moon!"
Nodoka then said, "Well why don't I leave you to reborn royals alone for now." Nodoka then turned around and walked out the door. Usagi then turned around and with her best motherly voice, along with waving a finger at him, spoke to Ranma. "Mister, do you realize how big of a scare you caused me by not telling me that you mother knew?" Ranma started to chuckle nervously and scratched the back of his head with is hand. Usagi then smiled, wrapped her arms around Ranma, and then said. "I'm just teasing you dear."
A minute latter after Usagi let Ranma out of her hug, Ranma turned to face her and said. "How about I get us some snacks Usagi?" Upon seeing Usagi smile, Ranma headed into the kitchen to fix them up a quick snack. A few minutes latter, Usagi was startled to hear a crash and a "stupid rag" coming from the kitchen. Usagi ran into the kitchen to see Ranma pouting in his cursed form sitting on the floor. By his side was a now empty pitcher of water, a tray, and several different snacks all across the floor. Ranma looked up to see Usagi looking at him and quickly diverted his eyes.
Usagi realized that Ranma was afraid that she wouldn't like him in his curse form. She immediately decided to rectify that problem. Usagi leaned down next to Ranma and gave him a full kiss on the mouth. After a few seconds Usagi pulled back to hear Ranma stuttering. She then smiled and said, "It doesn't matter to me Ranma whether you're in your boy form or you're girl form. I love you for who you are and you are a very wonderful and special person. Even if you were locked into that cursed form of yours, I would still love you just the same. True I would miss your guy form a great deal, but I would still stick with you."
Usagi then helped Ranma get up from the floor. Ranma and Usagi, now eyelevel, stared into each other's eyes. Ranma could see the steady love that Usagi held for him emanating from her eyes. Usagi watched as Ranma's doubt disappeared from his eyes and was replaced by his usual confidence. Then as one the two of them wrapped each other in their arms and shared a kiss.
From the hallway Nodoka had silently watched the whole proceedings. On seeing Ranma and Usagi, who she had considered to be a daughter to her, kiss Nodoka had to wipe a tear from her eye. Nodoka had been hoping ever since she found out about Akane's betrayal that Ranma would find a good young woman to mend his heart. It was a great bonus to Nodoka that Usagi just happened to be that girl. Nodoka had suspected when Usagi had first seen the curse that I would not bother the young girl. Seeing Usagi proving that she loved Ranma, whether he was a boy or a girl at the time, showed Nodoka that she had called her hunch regarding Usagi correctly.