Hello! Frequent Reader here. Sorry about the lack of updates, but I have recently gone through some life changes. Currently moved to a new location, and regrettably, internet connection was hard to come by. I don't have as much time as I wanted to write, but I will try to get out a chapter monthly at the least. I thank all my readers for sticking with me this whole time, waiting for the next installment. You guys keep me writing on as long as I've got inspiration.

BTW, here's a teaser for the next chapter to tide you guys over...

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School was uneventful, at least for one such as Furinkan High. Kuno had arrived late to school due to lack of sleep since he depended on Sasuke's shadow puppet shows. That still didn't stop him from trying to get fresh with the Winx girls and Akane. Him winding up in the nurse's office seemed to be a common thing now.

Bloom was currently sitting at a booth in a coffee shop, sipping a frappuccino. She went out to buy herself some pencils for sketching, and never thought the shopping district would be so busy. Afterwards, she took a rest stop at the coffee shop before heading home.

"This is exactly what I need right now." Said Bloom. The establishment was quite full at this time. She then heard the front door open. Looking up, Bloom sees Kasumi walk in. She looked pretty depressed as she ordered a cup of tea from the counter. Taking her order, she turned around to find a seat, but all were taken.

"Kasumi?"

Hearing her name, she turned to see Bloom. "Oh! You're Bloom Domino, aren't you?"

"That's right. Since there's nowhere for you to sit, care to join me?"

"I thank you for your generosity, Bloom." Said Kasumi as she took a seat opposite of Bloom. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Likewise. So how are you?"

"I've been better."

"Ranma's told me and my friends a lot about you." Said Bloom before taking a sip of her frappuccino.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. He said you were like the older sister he never had. He highly respects you, you know. You're one of the few people in his life who has ever treated him like a human being…"

Kasumi nods. "I understand that Ranma has had a very rough life, especially after he and his father moved in with us. How is he?"

"Ranma's doing great, now that he's living with his mother and us." Replied Bloom. "It's the best thing that's ever happened to him, and he gets to learn more of his heritage."

"I still find it hard to believe that Ranma's a faerie." Said Kasumi.

"Half-faerie, actually." Bloom corrected.

"Half, but even so. Then again, I've always thought there was more to him than anyone would've guessed."

"Believe me, the girls and I were quite shocked as well. We also couldn't believe how much he had suffered. Anyone else would've probably given up on life! It's amazing he lasted this long!"

"Ranma's pretty resilient, I'll give him that." Said Kasumi. "So you and your friends care about Ranma?"

"With all our beings." Replied Bloom. "He's very dear to us."

"It's nice to see some people care about him so fondly." Said Kasumi. She recalled hearing one night of Nabiki ranting about how the six gaijins were actually sharing Ranma amongst them. Kasumi also found it odd that Ranma would willing give his love to a girl, let alone six of them. "At least you're not fighting amongst yourselves."

"We've no reason to. It's kind of complicated, really."

"I've got time. I'd also like to know what Ranma had been doing this whole time. I actually worry about him, too."

Bloom looked at Kasumi. Although the sister of Akane and Nabiki, the eldest Tendo sister was very different from them. Bloom's power allowed her to read into Kasumi's emotions. While she detected deviousness from Nabiki, and nothing but anger and jealousy from Akane, Kasumi reflected calm and serenity. Bloom thought she had sensed something else, but was quickly squelched, as if trying to suppress something. Still, it was enough for Bloom to trust in her.

"All right, then. As you know, my friends and I come from Magix, and we studied at Alfea, college of Faeries. Before Ranma came along, there was this dangerous wizard wanted throughout the realm named Valtor…"

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End teaser. Will continue in the main story. Promise!