Ranma 1/2 Moon Chapter Two - A Tall Dark-Haired Stranger
Author's note: It has been two months since Ranma had a run in with the mysterious talking cat Luna. Since then, so much had gone on in Ranma's life that he no longer thinks of the incident. However, in Ranma's life, his past always seems to catch up to him ...
Ranma-ko sings softly to herself while walking down the street. I guess I am getting more comfortable with my girl form. After all, all I have to do is giggle and act cutesy and all the merchants give me extra stuff. I should call this my giggly girl discount.
Ranma-ko finds the herb store. Bah, if I hadn't had to stop by Doctor Tofu's office to check up on pops, Doctor Tufu wouldn't have roped me into running this errand.
Time to turn on the girly charm! "Good afternoon!"
The man behind the counter smiles. "Yes, it's a good afternoon!"
Ranma-ko giggles Bingo! I am going to get at least twenty percent off.
Ranma-ko looks around the store. Oh, no! The medicinal herbs I need are on a high shelf. If I use my martial arts skills to scale the shelves and get the herbs, I will lose my giggly girl discount.
"Excuse me, miss. Do you need that basket from the top shelf?"
Ranma-ko turns around. A very tall, thin guy with dark hair stands before him. Ranma-ko involuntarily blushes. "If it's not too much trouble. I can't reach that high."
The man brings down the basket. "Here you go." The guy looks at the herbs. "Are you a doctor?"
Ranma-ko's eyes grow wide. "I'm on an errand for Doctor Tofu. How did you know a doctor wanted these herbs?"
"I'm studying to be a doctor myself. I should introduce myself. Chiba Mamoru."
Ranma-ko smiles. "Saotome Ranma. Well, thank you for the help, but I have to get back to Doctor Tofu's office."
Mamoru smiles and Ranma nearly trips over his feet.
...
Ranma-ko cuts through an open field, trying to save time on the way back to Doctor Tofu's office. Why did I become clumsy around Mamoru? He's just a guy.
"Help!"
Ranma-ko hears a call for help, coming from some trees. He races over to find a young girl being attacked by a huge guy in some weird costume. Ranma-ko enters the scene with a flying kick. The guy grabs Ranma-ko and throws him some twenty feet.
Ranma-ko's distraction of the man allows the other girl to flee in terror.
"You're pretty strong, but can you fight?"
Ranma-ko again attacks, but his blows have no effect. The man grabs Ranma-ko by the throat and holds him over head.
This guy can take me out so easily? This can't be!
However, before Ranma-ko can pass out, a red rose flies past and sticks into the man's hand. The man drops Ranma and rolls around in pain.
"A gentle spring day should be enjoyed by all, not ruined by some Yoma Monster trying to prey on young girls. Sailor Moon, you have it in you to beat this Yoma Monster!" A masked man wearing a tuxedo stands on a tree limb, giving this speech. A tap on the back of the shoulder surprises him. "What?" He turns around to see Ranma-ko on the tree limb with him.
"Who are you?"
"Tuxedo Kamen, the protector of Sailor Moon." His mouth opens wide in amazement. "Where's Sailor Moon?"
Ranma-ko thinks for a second. "Sailor Moon? Sailor Moon? I've heard that name before. Where was it? Oh, yeah. Some talking cat thought I was Sailor Moon about a month ago. I was even able to transform, but I don't enjoy fighting in skirts. People could see my butt."
"Arrrrgh!" The Yoma Monster gets the rose out of his hand.
"Look, miss, can you transform now? I can't beat that Yoma Monster by myself."
"That's a monster? Well, I don't have the locket. Is there anything else I could use?"
"Try my top hat."
The monster brings down the tree with one punch. Ranma-ko and Tuxedo Kamen fall on opposite sides of the branches.
"No peeping! Moon prism power, make up!" Ranma-ko holds the hat above his head. He successfully transforms. "For love and justice, I am the pretty sailor-suited soldier, Sailor Moon! In the name of the moon, I will punish you!" Ranma-ko makes the hand gesture, but then makes a face. Why did I say that?
"Sailor Moon, I will distract the that Yoma Monster, then you throw your tiara like a frisbee at it."
"Really? But, okay. Got it!"
Tuxedo Kamen swings his cane at the Yoma Monster. The Yoma Monster turns its back to Ranma-ko.
"Moon Tiara magic!" Why did I say that? This form of fighting is strange. Ranma throws the tiara. The tiara bounces off the Yoma Monster. The Yoma Monster at first is unaffected, but then glows and disintegrates.
"Untransform." Ranma changes back.
Tuxedo Kamen walks over and grabs his hat back. "I don't know why you were able to transform, but you shouldn't ever try to fight a Yoma Monster like that again. Leave it to the Sailor Scouts. You'll just get hurt."
Tuxedo Kamen walks away.
Ranma turns up his nose. What a jerk! Good thing I'm not Sailor Moon. I won't have to deal with that pompous bore as a protector.
On the other hand, it wouldn't be that bad if Mamoru was my protector ...
Ranma-ko sticks out his tongue. What am I thinking? He's a guy!
