Ranma ½

A Scary Thought:

What happened last time: The senshi at least revealed their true selves to Kasumi and Co, while Herb, Mint, Lime, Ranma and Ukyo all came to live at the restaurant.

Author Note: I think for my sanity, I'm going to change my writing style a bit from here on to better match my other stories. In particular thoughts will be marked in single quote like 'this'. Constantly switching styles is rather annoying and I keep forgetting which style to use so this should make it easier.

Chapter 56

XXXXX

The school day had come to an end, and Ami, Usagi, Makoto and Shampoo were walking together, their destination the San Cheng Huang. Ami was coming along to meet with Frost and discuss their armor repair and was already jotting down notes in a book as they walked.

Usagi on the other hand was very quiet, as she had been all day. She was clearly nervous, if Makoto was to judge, but to her friend's mild surprise she had not tried to escape the talk with Kasumi. Makoto had fully prepared a long set of talking points to push Usagi back into the meeting over whatever excuses she could assemble, but all had proven unnecessary, at least so far, but Usagi's resolve appeared to be intact and unchanged the whole day so Makoto had little doubt at this point she was going to go through with it.

The other quiet member of their group, however, was a bit more surprising, that being Shampoo. The Amazon was lost in deep thought all day and with Usagi apparently bound for the meeting, Makoto finally decided it was time to figure out what exactly had Shampoo so preoccupied.

"What's on your mind?" Makoto asked, only getting a response after a moment as Shampoo looked at her.

The other girl considered for a moment longer before answering, "Herb."

"Oh yeah, should have guessed," Makoto responded. "That whole situation sounds like a total mess."

"Is!" Shampoo said with a sigh. "Was much easier with just Ranma and Ukyo. Ukyo like Ranma, so she can have. Leave Kasumi to Shampoo."

Makoto smiled and shook her head. Shampoo's blunt phrasing made it sound rather self-serving, but honestly she could not fault her for it. Who seriously wanted to share their true love with anyone else? As she thought on this, her attention briefly shifted to Usagi before moving back to Shampoo. "No way to do something similar?"

Shampoo closed her eyes in thought. "Maybe, but is many complication. Herb supposed to be wife, so will be put in harem chamber."

"What... harem chamber?" Usagi piped up to say in shock, a shock shared by Ami and Makoto.

Shampoo nodded. "Great grandmother talk about it to Shampoo, is where wives and concubines of Musk lord kept. Is not proper name, but purpose much the same."

"Wait, so you'll have to go there too?" Usagi asked.

Shampoo shook her head. "No. Great grandmother say since I amazon wife, no same rule, but no way around with Herb. And Herb no can leave freely from such place, and no one can enter freely either. Very suspicious to have repeat visitor come and go."

"Why would that matter?" Makoto asked, but received an answer from Ami.

"It is the nature of the situation with Kasumi, I would guess," Ami replied, looking to Shampoo for confirmation and received a nod of agreement. "With Kasumi's hold to power being Herb, and Herb being known to have a male side, if a female visitor comes and goes, others in the Musk will put two and two together and realize Herb and Kasumi's marriage is just for show."

"Oh right," Makoto said in realization. "That could cause problems."

"Woman could be in danger too," Shampoo pointed out. "Even if they no question Kasumi's position directly, could attack through her."

"Ugh, it really is a mess. Didn't even think about that sort of thing," Makoto said with a shake of her head.

"Could you not avoid such a thing simply by having Kasumi marry the woman and keep her in this... harem?" Ami asked.

Shampoo nodded. "Yes, but marriage already bound to be at least five people, that make it six. In whole village Shampoo only ever hear of one other three person marriage," she replied with a doubtful shake of her head. "No think that go over well with council. Is already probably causing problem, but they likely think like Shampoo, that Ranma and Ukyo part of marriage only in name. With whole reason that Kasumi involved to take position of Lord..."

"Ah, I see, " Ami said in understanding. "They are unlikely to approve of such a thing, feeling it would weaken their gains."

"Then is whole matter of children..." Shampoo added with a sigh.

"Oh right, guess they expect an heir to the throne, huh," Makoto said with a sigh of her own. "Doubt Herb is going to doing that duty... and as I recall Kasumi can't?"

"No, not with curse," Shampoo confirmed. "Which means will probably have to be Shampoo."

"Political marriages suck," Makoto said before shaking her head.

With the restaurant now in sight, the topic got put aside, although Makoto did notice Ami seeming more contemplative about it still. She did not question this, though as they came inside through the back entrance and immediately headed toward the pocket dimension doorway.

Within they found Frost and Herb already waiting. Lemon was also within, sulking on a bench by the castle. "What about her?" Makoto asked as she joined them.

Herb looked back at the kitsune and shrugged. "Best to have her wait outside in the restaurant, unless you wish to risk her hearing something that would compromise your identities."

"Probably not the best idea," Makoto said.

"Very well, I'll have her leave. Mint and Lime are also otherwise indisposed, and I already notified the other magus woman of our desire for privacy so she has departed on some business or another and will return later, so they all should not bother us," Herb said and turned to go to Lemon, but Makoto pulled him up short with a question.

"Us? You staying too?"

"I understand you are to have a match in your full armor with Shampoo. I am curious, myself, as to the outcome of such," Herb explained. "I also have another matter to discuss, but that can wait for now."

Makoto looked to her fellow senshi, but none seemed to argue the matter, so Makoto shrugged and conceded with an, "alright."

With that, Herb went to speak with Lemon, giving Makoto the opportunity to notice Shampoo was now getting excited, already stretching in anticipation. "Don't go too crazy, huh."

"Is scared?" Shampoo asked with a taunting smile.

Makoto gave the Amazon a level glare. "Okay, fine, we're doing this."

At that moment the door to the space once more opened and Kasumi entered, greeting everyone as she saw them. "I guess everyone is here?"

"Yes," Frost replied and looked over at Herb and Lemon. "Just as soon as she leaves, I can temporarily lock the door and we can get to work."

Kasumi turned and regarded Lemon who on noticing the look quickly looked away before apparently conceding to Herb and began to go to the doorway.

"Still think you should just kick her to the curb," Frost commented. "She's nothing but trouble."

Kasumi looked to Frost, but did not argue, instead hanging her head just slightly. Lemon left the space without a word, merely giving a parting glare to Kasumi. "Is she..."

"She'll be fine," Herb said dismissively. "Do not pay her any mind."

Kasumi reluctantly nodded. "So... um, I suppose we should find a room while the others do their thing out here."

Usagi nodded and she and Kasumi headed off together.

XXXXX

Outside the space, Lemon looked back at the door angrily. 'I don't understand this at all. This is so not fair. Why would father...' Lemon frowned and clenched her fists before walking to the main stairway. The 2nd floor landing gave a nice view of the reception area below letting Lemon pause, looking out the glass window into the open front walkway and garden. After a moment and another look back, she thought, 'to hell with this!'

A moment later the kitsune pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and walked straight out the front door. She had little idea of her destination, but so long as it was far from here, she really did not care.

Several blocks from the restaurant she passed a man in an alley smoking a cigarette. She paid him no mind, her mind too occupied with her own troubles. He, however, quickly tossed his smoke away as she passed and smiled, to his eyes her aura as clear as day.

"Well, well, well, lucky me..." he quietly said and started to follow his prey.

XXXXX

It was several hours later when Usagi finally took a mental break. When she and Kasumi had found a nice secluded room and Kasumi had prompted her to speak, things at first had started slow, but after just a few back and forth exchanges, Usagi found herself just talking almost nonstop.

She had gone through her whole history, in brief, the situation with the Ascend Senshi, being Cosmos, Seiya, Mamoru, Ixion, and even Eris. All the while Kasumi had quietly listened as Usagi jumped from topic to topic in a seemingly never ending stream of thought. Only now did she finally realize how long she'd been speaking.

"I... I... you probably didn't understand most of that," Usagi said, hanging her head in embarrassment.

Kasumi smiled. "I understood most of it, actually," she replied, causing Usagi to look up. "It definitely sounds like you have a whole lot on your plate all of a sudden."

"Uh... yeah," Usagi replied. "So... uh, what do you think I should do?"

Kasumi looked up in thought. "I can't really say on this whole Cosmos matter, but I think the matter that is most troubling you right now is your love life." Usagi looked to the side and nodded. "So, then, let me summarize how I think this is going for you.

"For years now you have been fully invested in building a relationship with Mamoru. You've had the comfort, so to speak, of having this seem destined to be, with both your past life as Serenity being with his past self, and a future where you are together, even with your own child. Even with all the troubles around that, it is a certainty in a relationship I think almost no one can say they have.

"Unfortunately, that's been stolen from you. You've found out now that in an even older life you were with Ixion. You also now know that future with Mamoru, this Crystal Tokyo, is effectively gone, and what the future holds is completely unknown now. Then comes Seiya, someone who also has confessed to loving you, and has even told you that it may be that those feelings will never go away due to your nature as Senshi. Now Ixion has also returned and if what Seiya said is true, then you may rediscover feelings for him. And, there is also Eris, who is Mamoru's similar previous love. That about sum it up?"

Usagi hung her head. "Pretty much. I suppose you could add on the bit about my Moon Kingdom mother having many... partners, and it being apparently highly unusual to have just one..."

"Oh yes, I suppose that factors in too."

"I hear, your love life is a bit of a mess too," Usagi said, continuing to look at the floor.

"Yes, sadly so, but if nothing else it does give me some perspective here," Kasumi replied with smile. A moment passed in silence before Kasumi spoke. "Honestly, I think you already know the first step. You just want... no need to hear it from someone else: you have to talk to Mamoru."

Usagi took a moment then replied. "Yeah... I just..."

"I can tell, from the way you speak of him, that you love him dearly. Do not doubt that in the least. Perhaps this Ixion does resemble him, but I think that does not change your feelings for him at all."

"Do you think he'll be mad?"

Kasumi shook her head. "Perhaps, but not so much so as to end things. Regardless, it is something that must be done. Besides, it sounds like he too knows something of this same problem so I think he will understand more than you expect."

Usagi looked up in mild surprise, considered, and then nodded. "It is just that he's... way over there, and I'm here..."

"Yes, that is a problem, but you'll have to arrange something." Usagi once more nodded and sighed before Kasumi continued. "As to Ixion, I'd leave that matter alone for now. He has said he will leave it be, so unless your feelings change, I think it best to, what is the saying, 'let sleeping dogs lie'?"

Usagi smiled and nodded. "And what about Seiya?"

Kasumi's smile slipped. "That's the most complicated. Obviously you'll need to know where Mamoru sits, but let's assume for the moment he is open to a... wider set of relationships, you'll have to gauge just what kind of relationship Seiya wants."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she is naturally a woman, as I understand it. She can take a male form, like I can, but isn't forced to do so, unlike me. She might not be interested in playing a... male role."

"Oh?" Usagi said in realization before dropping into thought.

At seeing this Kasumi puzzled for a second, asking, "Have you really thought about this at all?"

"I... well, I mean... sorta..." Usagi said with a slight frown. "Honestly, I never thought of Seiya much in... that way. Even in the dream we were more... close, but not that close... although I suppose Mamoru and I weren't either, but that felt more like circumstance."

"I see," Kasumi replied. "Anyway, you'll have to figure out with Seiya what she desires, and I suppose now what you desire too. Also, I don't know how this Senshi thing actually works. It may not be as inevitable as she thinks, nor... as mutual."

"Hmh?" Usagi said in surprise.

Kasumi pressed her lips together before explaining. "It is just that you do not seem to have a good grasp on how you feel for her. It could be that your feelings are more a desire to see her happy, than of... love." Usagi opened her mouth to question this, but seemed to catch on and aborted, going into thought. "Don't misunderstand, particularly from me, that shouldn't be deemed an automatic thing. I once thought my feelings for Shampoo were much the same, but I came to realize that was an excuse, and not the truth."

"Right," Usagi said with a nod. A moment passed in silence before Usagi asked, "do you really think being with... multiple people can work?"

Kasumi looked down in thought. "I don't know. In theory, I don't see any reason it shouldn't be possible, but somehow I have my doubts about the reality. Of course, the same could be said of staying together with one person. It seems a couple staying together is the exception rather than the rule nowadays. It is kinda pleasant knowing, even if that future is now not our own, that you and Mamoru could find such a relationship, one that lasted hundreds of years. I can only hope my own work out similarly."

Usagi smiled slightly. "Yeah, I hope you do too," she said before sighing and looking up at the ceiling. "All that certainty was nice... guess I'm just not used to having to take the risk." After a few more seconds, she looked back down and nodded to herself. "Thank you, Kasumi."

"No problem," she replied. "It is actually pleasant, in an odd way, to deal with other problems than my own. Gives me perspective."

Usagi smiled at this and stood up, followed quickly by Kasumi. The pair would lightly converse as they returned to the others, finding the rather unexpected sight of Herb firing a massive energy beam at Sailor Jupiter. The sight of this gave both a shocked pause, but seeing Jupiter unconcerned just further confused them.

The blast was quick and much to Kasumi's shock, utterly ineffective as Jupiter just stood within only shielding her eyes from the light, prompting Herb to cease the attack with a shake of his head. "Incredible," he muttered as they approached.

"What's going on?" Kasumi asked in concern, quickly approaching, but no one else, save Usagi behind her, seemed worried.

"Oh, it's nothing, Kasumi," Jupiter explained. "Herb was just testing out my armor's limits. Shampoo already tried and..." she said, looking to the side prompting their eyes to follow. There they found Shampoo laid out on the grass, exhausted. "Yeah... wasn't much effect, so Herb volunteered to go a bit higher."

"I see," Kasumi said, looking at the Musk prince.

"That armor is amazing. Any energy blast is almost completely defused. I sense a little give on that last attack, but I'd have to go right up to my limit to make a real dent I think," Herb analyzed. "Our own natural chi armors are trifling by comparison. We might be able to shrug off bullets, but you I dare say could shrug off artillery."

Kasumi smiled and chuckled. "If we could shrug off bullets," she said, gaining a puzzled look from Herb. This in turn puzzled Kasumi. "Did I say something wrong?"

"We can, quite easily," Herb said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, but seeing Kasumi's shock at this held his chin in consideration. "I suppose your training has never considered this, but think: You have fought Ukyo, and she has mastered the Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken, yes?"

"Yes, on several occasions," Kasumi answered.

"Yes, and how fast do you think one punch from such is?"

Kasumi pondered a moment. "I've never bothered to... it would be quite fast..."

"Easily over the speed of sound. From what I have witnessed of her, at her maximum, in concert with her burning soul, she has approached ten times such. Bullets are often subsonic, and of far lower mass."

Kasumi blinked in shock, and absently touched her chest. "I... I suppose that is the case. I never realized."

"Yes, in fact your chi armor is quite formidable. I don't think any normal firearm could harm you. That said it is a matter that should be largely ignored. Chi and magic enhancement both can completely counter chi armor's protective properties. So it is quite elementary for users of such weapons to be just as lethal to you despite such. Naturally, it is not something you want to test in the heat of battle, so it is always best to assume every bullet is potentially lethal," Herb explained before looking at Jupiter. "However, I dare say even enhanced weapons would have little effect on you."

"I'd prefer to not get shot, myself, but good to know, regardless," Jupiter said with a slight nervous smile, but then looked down at herself and tapped her chest experimentally. "Still, it is something else to really get a good feel for just how powerful this armor is."

"Yeah," Usagi said. "Did you feel anything?"

"A bit, not much. Shampoo's physical attacks, funny enough, were more effective, but even those felt super dull compared to normal," Jupiter replied. "Gives you an idea just how crazy powerful our enemies must be if they can so easily get through."

"Yeah," Usagi agreed, and looked at her hand. "I don't even have my armor anymore."

"Ami and Frost are working on that. Got something weird going on over there," Jupiter replied, gesturing to the pair. Indeed, Ami was now in her Mercury form, and around her was a large elaborate display of some kind which Frost was prompting Mercury to wave through.

"What is that?"

"Haven't asked," Jupiter replied.

"I don't think we can learn anything for now here, perhaps we should inquire," Herb suggested and Jupiter agreed with a nod. Together the group headed over, Kasumi helping the exhausted Shampoo to her feet.

"...And that's... this... go back one," Frost directed as they joined them.

"What is all this?" Jupiter asked, looking around.

"A deep diagnostic display," Mercury explained, but this only puzzled Jupiter further. "Uh... a status display of my armor."

"Oh, right," Jupiter responded. "So, anything interesting."

"Concerning is more like," Frost replied without looking, but gave no further details, prompting Mercury to pick up.

"We found a reading of my power output. It's at 78 percent of maximum."

"You got weaker?" Jupiter said in surprise.

"Oh, sorry, no, I mean 78 percent of the maximum allowance by the armor."

"It should be 20 percent," Frost added to the others' surprise.

"20... why is... oh right, we all were exposed just like Seiya," Jupiter realized.

Mercury nodded. "Exactly. Fortunately, it seems stable, but as Frost says, it is very concerning. We don't have a whole lot of room left. Seiya I'm guessing went over 100. Another exposure like she received and it is all but certain we will likewise go over our limits."

"Oh yeah," Frost replied. "This Sedna really did some elaborate work with these armors of yours. They have all kinds of bells and whistles. Totally customizable and modular. It's incredible. And it is all in circle form too."

"Circle form?" Kasumi asked.

"That's the magical... language used in their creation. Everybody uses it now. The absolutely bonkers thing, though, is Circle form shouldn't have existed when these were made. Circle form is only about 500 years old. These were made, by all accounts over 10,000 years ago. It is like finding a damned working 747 inside the pyramids. Only guess is Sedna was actually the one to make Circle form and only let it out into general circulation 500 years ago," Frost said, still continuing her analysis of the displays.

"Right," Jupiter said, looking at the others a bit confused.

Frost shook her head. "Right, um, Jupiter let's take a look at yours quickly, then Usagi's and I'll see what the damage is."

"Okay, what do I do?" Jupiter asked as Mercury made a gesture and dismissed the display.

"It would take too long to explain. Just give Mercury here access and she can bring it up herself," Frost said, but this only puzzled Jupiter further.

"Uh, how do I do that?" Jupiter asked.

"Just say 'I give Mercury access to my armor'."

"Okay, uh... I give Mercury access to my armor."

Mercury smiled and nodded and with a few moments the display once more appeared. A few gestures from Mercury later and they landed on the display Frost desired. "Yep, 74 percent of maximum," Frost said with a sigh.

"But also stable," Mercury added, prompting a nod from Frost.

"Yeah, so probably similar with the others. I can leave you to give them a once over?"

"Yes, now that I know how," Mercury replied, before looking at Usagi. "Now Usagi's turn," she said, dismissing Jupiter's.

"Is this even going to work?" Usagi asked.

"Possibly not, but there are multiple power systems in these things, so hopefully the diagnostics are still functional," Frost said.

Usagi nodded, and like Jupiter before her gave permission to Mercury. A moment later a new display appeared. Unlike Jupiter's, this one was clearly struggling. Various displays were distorted, or flickering. The sight was enough to make everyone frown.

"That's not good, but better than the worst case, I guess." Frost commented. "This is going to take a few to go through, you guys might as well wait over there."

"Right," Kasumi replied. "We should leave them to work." Jupiter, Shampoo and Herb all nodded and walked off to a small gazebo area nearby to sit down.

Jupiter returned to her civilian form before turning to Kasumi. "So... how'd things go."

"Well enough I suppose," Kasumi said. "She still has a lot of thinking to do, but if she has any further need of talk, I'm always here."

"Right, thanks," Makoto said with a smile before looking to Herb and frowning. "What is it you wanted to talk about?"

Herb looked off at Frost before refocusing on Makoto. "Am I right in suspecting that you believe Frost is Sedna?"

Makoto looked impulsively around in shock. "How.."

"Then I am?"

"Well... maybe. I mean, Sedna was reborn, apparently, and she looks an awful lot like the only picture we have of her. Plus, Quaoar seemed to hint it to Usagi... we think," Makoto explained.

"I see," Herb replied before shaking his head. "Then I will tell you this, I think you are incorrect."

"What? Why?" Makoto asked.

"Yes, is no because she Amazon, is it?" Shampoo asked with a frown.

Herb shook his head. "No, in fact that would actually make me think the odds are better given your past relationship. No, the reason I have serious doubts is simple, she isn't strong enough."

"Strong enough?" Makoto repeated in confusion.

"Armor or no, she should have the same essential power you do, reborn or not. However, I have repeatedly seen her exhaust at times that are not out of the ordinary from a proficient, set fairly standard magus," Herb explained.

Makoto stole a look at Frost. "But... then why does she look so much like Sedna? And she also seems to know a lot about magic, which is supposed to be unusual."

"Both true, so perhaps she does have some relation to Sedna, but I do not believe she is actually Sedna," Herb replied, causing Makoto to frown in thought. "Regardless, right now it is her knowledge you seek, and I can already tell in that respect, at least, she likely meets your current needs. I merely wish to caution you against making any rash further assumptions."

"Right. Okay... I'll mention that to the others. Uh... we haven't mentioned this to her, so..."

"Shampoo no say anything," Shampoo said and Kasumi just smiled.

Several more minutes passed before Usagi's armor display finally was dismissed and Mercury returned to her civilian form before they joined the others. "Well?" Makoto asked.

"It's... not good, but not terrible either," Frost replied. "Sedna designed these things real well. The power module is utter garbage now, and the power storage module... well, anyway, point is the several modules are totally trashed, but they're modules. It is possible to swap them out. Not easy, but doable with my knowledge and resources we have. It is going to take time though, more than I have."

"Oh yes, you have to leave," Kasumi recalled.

"But I should be back... god knows when, but hopefully not too long from now. Hopefully by then, or when I get back, I can get the work done."

"I know what I'm looking for now," Ami started, "so I can access Seiya's armor and get a similar rundown."

"It is probably similar to Usagi's damage, but best to be sure. It is from a different star system, but supposedly they are all based on the same design," Frost said.

Ami nodded, "To our understanding, yes. I'll try to get back to you quickly. Oh yes, before I forget. I was looking through some newly repaired archive information..."

"Repaired?" Makoto echoed in question.

"I left the Moon Kingdom's system in an automatic mode, which included self-repair. That was apparently able to access a data archive that was previously inaccessible. Point being, I found some interesting information, in particular a reference to a workshop," Ami explained.

"Workshop?" Frost asked.

Ami nodded. "Yes, it was noted to be used heavily by Sedna, and if I'm understanding correctly may have been where the armors were originally made."

"That would be great! Where is it?" Frost said in excitement, but Ami hung her shoulders at this.

"That... I don't know. I did figure out it wasn't part of the Moon Kingdom itself, which is good since the Kingdom was largely destroyed. It sounded more like this place, actually."

"A pocket dimension, that would make sense, but you have no idea where the entrance is?" Frost asked.

"No. That part of the archive was still missing I'm afraid. It is possible with more time and repairs the information may be available, but I can't say for sure."

Frost frowned in thought. "There are ways to detect pocket spaces, but I'm not familiar with them. Maybe I can get Jasmine to teach me, or at least point me to the right resource," she said before sighing. "Right, speaking of which... I got to note down a bunch of stuff, and start packing I guess... Ugh..."

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Kasumi assured her, but Frost just glared at Kasumi.

"Yeah, whatever," she replied before gesturing over the door, unlocking it and heading out.

No sooner did they exit than they found Crystal waiting. "Crystal, is something wrong?" Kasumi asked.

"Possibly. I was told you would be having a private meeting for some time, but I was under the impression that Lemon was not a part of it."

"She was not," Herb replied. "I told her to wait outside in the restaurant."

"Yes... that's what I thought... she's not here," Crystal replied. "I was hoping I was mistaken..."

Kasumi blinked in shock looking around impulsively. "Where would she have gone?"

"Nothing was holding her here. I assume she just left," Crystal replied.

Kasumi rushed to the stairway and the 2nd floor landing, looking out. "We... we should go look for her."

"What for?" Herb asked as he and the others joined Kasumi. "If she wants to leave, let her."

"While normally I would agree," Crystal said, "conditions as they are, it is not safe for a kitsune of her current situation to be out alone."

Kasumi looked back at Crystal in concern. "You mean..."

"Given recent events, it is highly likely this area will have attracted the attention of... undesirables. Even I have to be cautious," Crystal explained.

"Then we really need to find her," Kasumi said quickly.

Shampoo frowned but nodded, and Herb sighed but likewise nodded. Makoto, Usagi and Ami all likewise nodded and together they started down to the door.

"Miss Grenda is due back shortly. I'll ask her to assist as well if she is willing," Crystal called out behind them.

"Thank you," Kasumi said before departing, the group quickly fanning out to search.

XXXXX

An hour later, Kasumi, Herb and Makoto gathered at the entrance to the restaurant, all confirming the others had no luck.

"It was her choice, Kasumi. She's probably long gone from here by now," Herb said, but this did nothing to alleviate the worry on Kasumi face.

"I was told about just this sort of thing. I should have taken precautions," Kasumi said.

"Lemon should have known the risks and chose to ignore them," Herb countered.

"Did anyone tell her those risks?" Kasumi asked with a frown, but Herb had no reply.

A moment a silence persisted before Ami returned, calling to them, "You guys better come, we found something."

A few minutes later, all were gathered together as Grenda presented what looked like a fragment of a huge spider web to them. "Found this over in the alleyway. It is magical, and decaying quickly, so recent."

"A spiderweb?" Makoto asked.

"Artificial, but yes. Likely the remains of a trap. No signs of our kitsune, but I don't like the signs here."

"Is there no way to track her with magic?" Kasumi asked, looking to Grenda and Frost frantically.

Grenda shook her head. "Not likely if these guys are experienced at all. They'll certainly scry block her. We could try, I suppose, if you have something of hers, some hair or the like?"

Kasumi thought desperately but could only shake her head. "No, I have nothing like that," she said, looking to Herb, then Shampoo but both shook their heads. At seeing this, Kasumi clenched her fists in frustration.

Shampoo hung her head in thought while Herb likewise tried to think. Seeing this, Frost sighed and spoke up. "What if we tried something... broader. Can't be too many kitsunes in town."

Grenada raised an eyebrow at this. "You want to try scrying for all kitsunes?" she asked incredulously.

This gained Kasumi attention, now hopeful. "Would that work?"

"Possible, not something you normally block," Grenda replied. "But, the power requirements-"

"I got that covered," Frost replied quickly. "I got two whole magical artifacts just gathering dust."

"Two? Oh right, the matching one. You can tap its core too?" Grenda asked skeptically.

"Yeah, I have analyzed it enough to do so. It'll take probably a couple years to recharge, but not like I planned on using either again soon," Frost said, but sighed.

"Thank you, Frost," Kasumi said, gaining a glare from the magus.

"Whatever, and don't thank me yet, anyway. No guarantee this will work," the magus said and started walking off. "I'll meet you back at the restaurant in a few minutes.

"I'll setup the spell there then," Grenda replied and led the others back.

XXXXX

An hour later, Grenda, Kasumi, Shampoo, Frost, and Herb arrived together just outside an apartment complex. Grenda held a glowing translucent orb that had a central beam pointing up at one of the apartments.

"Whatever signal we got, it's coming from up there," Grenda said with a frown. "Not to be defeatist, but this is not the usual place this kind of group runs out of."

Kasumi looked disappointed at the words, but Grenda led on after only a moment until they came to the door of the apartment the orb was pointing toward. Dismissing the orb with a gesture, Grenda knocked and waited for a response.

"Hold on a moment!" a woman called out from within and after several seconds the door cracked open to reveal a young red headed woman. "What do you want?" she asked suspiciously, however, just as Grenda started to speaking, the woman's eyes caught onto Kasumi and in a flash the door was slammed shut. "Go away!"

Everyone looked about in confusion at this, Grenda turning to Kasumi. "Friend of yours?"

"Not that I know of," Kasumi replied.

Grenda turned to the others but all looked just as puzzled. Grenda frowned. "Shampoo, anyone else inside?"

"No. No sense Lemon here at all," Shampoo replied.

"Yeah... but this is the only signal... Hmm, okay... wait, I recall that there was some confusion in regards to Lemon, another shapeshifter?"

"Oh yes, Copycat Ken," Kasumi replied. "He appeared shortly after the incident so... there was some suspicion he was the one to be responsible."

"Right," Grenda replied, looking back at the door. "And this Ken, how did he transform exactly?"

"He made use of a piece of fabric, a kerchief I believe," Herb answered.

"Red?" Grenda asked.

"Yes, why?" Herb asked before apparently immediately realizing the meaning.

Grenda sighed and tapped the door saying simply, "open." With that, the door swung freely open. Within, the woman from before jumped back in shock and immediately fell back several paces.

"Hey! How did you-" she began to ask, but with another gesture Grenda dropped her illusion, appearing before the girl in her true gorgon form.

"Okay, young lady, ssseemsss you know Kasssumi here. I'm guessssing that is becaussse you go the name Ken, am I right?" Grenda asked as she steadily approached the girl.

"I... I don't..." she started to reply, but having Grenda right in her face quickly dissolved her resistance. "Okay... yeah, that's me. I didn't do anything! I have been recovering her for weeks, ever since she went nuts on me!" the girl quickly explained, pointing at Kasumi.

Grenda looked back at Kasumi questioningly. "I... I did go a bit... nuts at the time. It is a long story."

"Don't play innocent, Ken," Herb jumped in to say. "You were threatening Shampoo at the time. You hardly had the moral high ground in that situation."

Ken cringed and looked away. "I... was drugged at the time. It wasn't my fault."

"And so was Kasumi," Herb countered.

Ken cringed before shaking her head. "Whatever! Why are you here?"

Grenda sighed and gestured once more, restoring her illusionary appearance of human. "We were looking for another kitsune, but we picked you up instead. I should have known since the signal was rather weak. What are you, one eighth, sixteenth?"

Ken blinked in some confusion before once more shaking her head. "I... don't know."

"So you really are Copycat Ken?" Kasumi asked.

Ken hesitated, but after a moment transformed into her more well-known male appearance. "Yes," he confirmed.

"Why hide real self?" Shampoo asked.

"Because I don't need butt hurt martial artists chasing me down to my home to get payback, that's why!" He explained in irritation. "And since I'm not who you're looking for, why are you all still here?!"

"Sorry," Kasumi said with a bowed head and turned to the door. Herb and Shampoo both glared at the boy but likewise started to depart with Grenda and Frost taking up the rear.

"So now what?" Herb asked at the doorway.

"I don't know. Honestly surprised they went through the effort to conceal her from general scrying. That takes some serious effort," Grenda explained as she exited.

"Conceal who?" Ken asked from behind. "Who exactly you looking for?"

Grenda turned back. "As I said, another kitsune. Pureblood named Lemon. We believe she has been kidnapped, probably by hunters." Ken's expression went from annoyed to troubled, giving Grenda pause. "Take it you have some history with those?"

Ken hesitated but finally nodded before tilting her head side to side in consideration and finally sighing. "I... may know a place they might have taken her."

"Oh?" Grenda said in interest.

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A short time later, Ken led the group onto a rooftop, signaling for them to remain low and came to the edge to overlook an area. Once all were in place, he looked over and pointed at a distant office building.

"That's it there. I don't get any closer than this," Ken explained as the others looked out.

"The office building?" Grenda asked and Ken nodded in confirmation. "A bit big for their usual needs. Reveal!" she said and with the last word, her eyes glowed. Almost instantly she drew back in surprise. "Okay... that's... that's a thing."

"What do you see?" Frost asked.

"Magic trip wires and detection all over the place, and a definite general scry block field. This is a serious operation here, not some satellite."

"What's that all mean?" Kasumi asked.

"Means they have the whole place littered with ways to detect potential attack. Thing is, there is no barrier. That means they also want to go relatively unnoticed as barriers like the ones at your place are kinda like beacons. No good for something you want to go under the radar," Grenda explained. "What the hell do they got in there? Never seen an operation this big. How many people come and go?"

Ken shook his head. "I don't know for sure. Wasn't always this big. When my... mother went in, it was actually pretty small, but a couple years ago it exploded."

"Your mother went in?" Kasumi echoed questioningly.

Ken looked away. "Yeah, she... was trying to get someone out. She never came back."

"I see," Grenda said, looking to Ken then back at the warehouse. "Take it she told you to keep clear?"

"Yeah. I come by every now and then to check on it. I was planning on going in one day until it got nuts."

Grenda eyed Ken a moment before looking back and shaking her head. "Probably best you didn't. No way to scout from... wait..." she said and looked back at Shampoo. "You can spirit walk, right?"

"Yes, but only when sleep," Shampoo explained.

"No problem. Sleep!" Grenda ordered and obediently Shampoo fell asleep, Kasumi quickly grabbing her.

An instant later, Shampoo's annoyed spirit form appeared. "What you do that for?!"

"You said you needed to sleep," Grenda replied, gaining a frown from the Amazon. "Look, just do a quick once over that place, invisible. If you think anyone is suspicious of you, though, get out pronto. Got it?"

Shampoo nodded and vanished.

"Is there some danger?" Kasumi asked.

"Directly, not really, but if someone does sense her, they could raise the alarm," Grenda replied. "Got to be honest though, kinda hope she isn't in there. This is a damned big operation, much bigger than I've ever seen."

"If she isn't though, we have no further leads," Herb pointed out.

"True," Grenda replied. After a minute of silent watching, Shampoo reappeared next to them. "That was quick."

"Did as said and left if someone suspicious. Is very powerful one in there. Did not want take risk," Shampoo explained.

"Did they detect you?" Grenda asked, but Shampoo shook her head.

"Shampoo no think so. Left as soon as sense," Shampoo explained. "Lemon is inside. They have pocket dimension too. That where find her, and other one."

"The powerful one, right," Grenda said in understanding. "Pocket dimension, huh. Great. How many people?"

"About fifty," Shampoo answered, causing Grenda to audibly cringe.

"Fifty... gods be damned! That's a huge operation," she said, looking back at the warehouse. "That's got to be a bloody distribution hub or something."

"That sounds bad," Kasumi said.

"For our needs, yeah, although it is awesome in another way. If we had time we could set up a major raid here and do huge damage to the organization. Trouble is, they have Lemon, which puts us on the clock. You happen to notice any other kidnap victims inside?"

"No, but no have much time. If more, probably with Lemon, but no sense many inside dimension. Most outside," Shampoo replied.

"Right. Okay, let's just assume Lemon. She's a pureblood kitsune, a hot commodity on the market. They'll have a buyer for sure within a day or two tops. No way I can organize an op large enough to take them down in that time frame. They'll likely use a teleportation spell to move her, so no real chance for intercept. Could lay some teleport traps, but with all this detection they'll notice that quick enough... Damn, I'm not seeing any good options here," Grenda thought aloud.

"Could we not simply attack ourselves?" Herb asked.

Grenda looked at Herb with a frown. "Are you nuts? Sorry, I guess you aren't familiar with this bunch. These are hunters. They're well equipped and pretty experienced, and most important, deadly serious. Individually they're probably as tough as one of those hybrid kitsunes you fought the other day, but without the limitation on killing you. Okay, I suppose most of the people in there are probably norms, but using other operations I've seen, I'd still expect around 10 hunters, and you can't ignore the norms. Operation this big probably has weapons they can use to be damned dangerous too. It would be a massacre of us!"

Herb looked down and nodded. "Right, that is significantly more dangerous than I anticipated."

"There must be some way," Kasumi said aloud. After a few seconds of collective silence Herb looked back up suddenly.

"Perhaps there is, if we get the aid of some new acquaintances," he said, looking at Kasumi knowingly. Initially Kasumi looked back in confusion before cluing in.

"Oh... would they do?" Kasumi wondered aloud.

"Who we talking about?" Grenda asked.

Shampoo, Kasumi and Herb exchanged looks before Kasumi answered. "We might just know how to contact... the Sailor Senshi."

Grenda blinked in surprise. "You're acquainted with them? Right, okay, don't spread that around any further, for one, and two, yeah, that would be a huge asset from what I know of them."

"Would it be enough?" Herb asked.

Grenda went into thought. "Hard to say without personal experience with them. They are known within the greater magic community and word is they are damned tough."

"They are," Herb replied. "I doubt even my maximum output could cause any serious damage to one."

Grenda regarded Herb in some surprise. "You seem damned confident in that... okay, then, yeah, they should be able to handle most anything a hunter can toss at them. Bigger issue is getting to Lemon. Once they fall under attack, they probably will seal the pocket space. I can make something to jam it open, but that still requires getting to the doorway before they close it."

"Just get me a distraction and I can do it," Ken said suddenly to everyone's surprise. "What? I've wanted to take these bastards down for years. If you're going in, I am definitely going in too."

"Can you copy-"

"Already have pictures of dozens of their regulars," Ken answered quickly.

"Right, okay, let's reconvene at the restaurant. I'll see what assets I can call in on short notice, and you go get your acquaintances. Shampoo, do you have a good idea of the interior layout?" Grenda asked and Shampoo nodded. "Good, then you draw up a rough map for us to plan. I'll need a bit to make the door jam. Frost, I will probably want your help for that, being a rush job and all."

"No problem," Frost replied.

"Can you wake Shampoo up now?" Shampoo asked with a frown.

"Oh, right, sorry," Grenda said and snapped her fingers in Shampoo's sleeping face causing her spirit form to vanish and her physical one to awaken. With a nod she led them away, Ken sparing the warehouse one last glare before following after.

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End Chapter 56

Next time in A Scary Thought: Kasumi and copy go to Lemon's rescue, but at what cost?

For those a bit confused on the crossovers: Usagi, Rei, Minako, Makoto, Ami, Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru, Setsuna, Luna, and Artemis are all from Sailor Moon. Kitsune has her ties to the X-files, but only in that she's a fanatic of similar interests rather than appearing in said show. Saki and Sampei are from Sukeban Deka. You may also notice Frost borrowing a spell from here or there; in particular Gargoyles and Illusionaries are two prime targets. Speaking of Gargoyles, if you're a fan of the series you may have already figured this out, but La Bac is Cabal spelt backwards. Also Gen-U-Tech is also a business from Gargoyles. Does that mean this is a Gargoyles crossover? At this point, probably not. I have tried to square the circle of Gargoyles time travel mechanics with my story and it just isn't working and unfortunately they are too key to Gargoyles continuity to just ignore so most likely Gargoyles will remain just a shout out kinda crossover but not official. Anyway, besides that we have Chun Li, Rose, Shadow Lady, Shadow, Gill and the previously shown Karin and Sakura which come from Street Fighter series (Rose, Karin and Sakura from Street Fighter Alpha 3, Shadow and Shadow Lady from Marvel vs Capcom, Chun Li from much of the Street Fighter series, and now Gill from Street Fighter III). As for Ranko, well she's from my other major fanfic, Most Unlikely of Friends, although you can largely consider her standard Ranma trapped in female form for most purposes. And lastly comes dear old Siren who is from Dreiser's story 'Black Rose Blue Thunder'. I won't be using her much but she fits a temporary need. Be Dea comes from D B. Sommers fic Shampoo ½, and if you haven't read it, do so, now! I've also previously mentioned Perfume from same fic (although this story has two Perfumes being mentioned, the other being from my own Most Unlikely of Friends). Garnet was first mentioned by Jim Bader in A Very Scary thought I believe, but whatever the case I don't believe he ever actually appeared in any of Jim's stories, although I could be wrong. As already mentioned, Miku, Neru and Haku are vocaloid character, but just cameo's for them.

On a side note for those crossovers, it recently came to my attention that some believe I am crossed with Negima. I'm actually not, but out of curiosity I checked out Negima and could certainly see the similarities (a lot of them in fact, and was quite surprised seeing as I had never even heard of Negima until it was mentioned). That got the proverbial wheels in my head turning about potential crossovers so... maybe, but don't count on it. As Uq Holder, Negima's continuation, is still in progress and throwing in all kinds of new curve balls, I'll probably be forced to steer clear.

Speaking of things I'm not crossed with, two notable ones are Ah My Goddess and Tenchi! Jim liked to use the latter a great deal, and I believe he might have used the former too, although less sure on that, but either way I have decided both are ultimately incompatible with my vision of my story world.

Website... does my website even exist anymore? Well, I have it on my hard drive still, but that hardly counts. Needless to say, if you do stumble on it, it's hopelessly out of date.

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