Ranma Half Moon chapter 36, Jupiter Rising, Makoto's Warrior Destiny part five.

Author's note: This episode fits in with Sailor Moon episode 25, Jupiter, the Brawny Girl in Love.

Usagi races like the wind. I might not be the most coordinated girl in my Junior High School, but when it becomes time to move, I move!

Usagi catches up to Makoto who is still following Crane Raider Joe. "Mako-chan!"

Makoto turns around and drags Usagi down an alley and puts her hand over Usagi's mouth. "Usagi, I'm trailing Joe. Do you want to give away my position?"

Usagi gets a sweat drop by her head. "Mako-chan, there no way in the world that Joe hasn't noticed you walking four feet behind him."

Makoto is embarrassed and gulps. "Well, I'm trained to fight, not to trail people."

"Oh, you dropped this." Usagi gives Makoto her earring back.

This gesture almost moves Makoto to tears. Usagi would notice my earring and run here just to return it to me? She does have some depth after all. Makoto composes herself. "Usagi, this is a dangerous situation. There something weird about the guy who attacked Joe. He's dangerous. You shouldn't get involved."

"If you're involved, then I'm involved."

Makoto sighs. "I might not be able to protect you."

Makoto runs off to pick up Crane Raider Joe's trail.

Makoto catches up to Joe, who was waiting patiently for his shadow to return.

"You're not very good."

"Now, now. There are people after you. Don't you think it's dangerous?"

"I can protect myself."

"Maybe the arcades got tired of you winning and hired a hit-man? Bamm!" Makoto mimes shooting a gun.

"That's stupid."

Joe clutches his chest in pain.

"Are you okay?"

Joe walks into the coffee shop. "I want to drink some coffee by myself."

"Can't you at least tell me the secret of your ability to beat the Crane Raider game?"

"You wouldn't be able to do it." Joe shuts the door to the coffee shop.

Makoto sighs. If I could beat the game like that I could get a big collection of Sailor Warrior dolls.

"What a jackass!"

"Oh, Usagi. Not scared off?"

"Nope."

Wait, Usagi thinks I am in love with Joe. Makoto puts on her love-love face. "He might be a jackass, but so was the senpai who broke my heart."

A close look at Makoto's love-love face convinces Usagi.

Joe has another attack in the coffee shop. Giving up, he motions for Makoto to come inside.

Makoto chuckles to herself. Here's a chance to see if Usagi believes my charade. "Oh, dear. What should I do?"

Usagi grabs Makoto and throws her in the coffee shop. "Go for it!"

I guess she bought it. Makoto composes herself and enters the shop.

Makoto sits down with Joe. "So, how do you beat the game?"

Joe levitates an ashtray. "I've had a special power since I was young. See, I told you that you can't do the trick."

"But, isn't that cheating?"

"What ev'. I'm just putting this talent to good use."

A server appears. "May I help you?"

Makoto orders everything on the menu before she realizes the server is Zoisite. "Shoot!"

"Zoi!" Zoisite uses his telekinetic powers to keep his pimp hand strong on Makoto.

Joe tries crawling out of the shop, but Usagi stands in his way. "You're going to leave a girl in there to face that guy?"

"I don't like tall girls!" Joe shoves Usagi out of the way and runs off.

The 'tall girls' comment sticks a knife into Makoto's heart. Why does it always come down to that?

Zoisite breaks the window of the coffee shop and uses his magic jumping ability to track Joe.

Usagi runs over to comfort Makoto.

Makoto pushes Usagi away. Remembering the charade she is playing on Usagi, Makoto gets an idea. "My old senpai said the same thing!"

Makoto chases after Zoisite and Joe.

...

Ranma-ko continues to watch the drama unfold at the Chinese restaurant.

Suddenly, Ranma-ko gets a chill. She turns to see a strange guy running down the street, being chased by some long-haired guy who is taking ridiculously long jumps.

The second guy approaches. He is from the Dark Kingdom. I can sense it.

I had better find a phone and call Minako to make this a team effort. No, wait, Minako has practice for the musical tonight. I'll follow this guy myself.

...

"So what's this deal all about, Mio?"

Mio Kuroki smiles, embarrassedly. Mio drops her little girl voice mannerisms and starts talking in a businesslike fashion. "Well, my agent wants me to do Idol Singer Monthly."

"That's great!"

"But, the only way they will use me is if they tie it into the Goldfish Warning! musical."

"That doesn't sound hard."

"But, the tie in is that they want it to be you and me, the two stars."

"What?"

"You haven't even heard the biggest part. They won't use you unless they can plug some song that you've done, so they want you to record a song tomorrow at their studios."

Minako goes into shock. "But, that means ..."

"... That when the song comes out, they will plug you into the same idol making machine that created me."

This news shocks Minako into silence.

Mio takes Minako's hands. "Minako, your life will never be the same." Mio smiles. And that's the understatement of the century! Bwaah ha ha ha ha ha!

To Be Continued