Ranma Half Moon chapter 56, Panic Kiss! Tuxedo Kamen's and Minako's worst day ever!, part 4

Author's note: This episode happens during the Sailor Moon episode 30, "Grandpa Goes Crazy, Rei's in Jeopardy" and during the flashback sequence of episode 42, "Sailor Venus' Past, Minako's Tragic Love".

Author's note: As a special gimmick, this arc takes only ten minutes of real time (but some scenes will happen concurrently).

Author's note: Tokyo is eight hours ahead of London.

21:51:30 (Tokyo)

"Jiji!"

Yoma Jiji chases Rei, Usagi's Sailor Moon, and Luna around the courtyard of the Shinto shrine.

Tuxedo Kamen materializes in a tree overlooking the action. Looks like I will have to get involved now that the Yoma Monster is bullying the other Sailor Moon. Tuxedo Kamen readies a magic red rose. Crap, I don't have a clear shot.

When the chase comes back in his direction, Tuxedo Kamen's eyes grow large behind his mask. The Yoma Monster is also bullying my (or rather Mamoru's) official girl friend Rei!

Tuxedo Kamen blushes. In all of the times I have had dated Rei, Rei had met me away from her home. This arrangement is fine with me, since I wouldn't have to try to explain to Rei's parents why a college student wanted to date their Junior High School aged daughter, but because of this arrangement I am seeing Rei's Shinto Shrine Maiden side for the first time.

Usagi's Sailor Moon cries out in frustration. "How am I supposed to fight this monster? Rei's grandfather is my favorite grandfather of all!"

Suddenly Luna gets an idea. "Rei, a talisman might slow your grandfather down."

"Right!" Rei, still running at full speed, pulls a talisman (paper charm) out of her top. Rei pulls off a twisting backflip, nailing Yoma Jiji in the head with the talisman as she sails past. "Demon, be gone!"

Tuxedo Kamen almost loses his balance. My girlfriend Rei was able to do a backflip, and immobilize a Yoma Monster? Wow! Too bad Rei wasn't a Sailor Warrior, they would have easily defeated the Dark Kingdom by now!

21:52:00 (Tokyo)

Ranma-ko and Artemis look carefully for Tuxedo Kamen. They move quietly, hoping to find Tuxedo Kamen before he sees them.

Suddenly, Ranma-ko hears a rustling in the branches overhead. I have found my prey!

Using her martial arts training, Ranma-ko tries her best to erase her presence and starts climbing the tree next to the tree that rustled. It takes all of her concentration. I truly envy Doctor Tofu, who can erase his presence so well that no one could detect his approach. I am not as good as Doctor Tofu, but I will do my best.

13:52:00 (London)

Minako slumps against the wall of the alley, drifting in and out of consciousness. Am I hallucinating? She closes her eyes and opens them again, but the same painful image still burns into her retinas. Allen and Katarina, professing their love for each other.

It is true, there was no place for me on this earth. I can't go back to being a Sailor Warrior without cursing their mission with my bad luck. And I can't live for Allen's sake because he only finds me troublesome.

From across the street, Mio gathers up the last of her energy. It was do or die time! I am going to give everything I have into this final attack! "Check mate."

Minako's eyes glaze over. She sees herself surrounded by taunting shadows. She feels herself falling down a spiral.

Mio curls up in a ball. Was it enough? Mio loses consciousness.

21:52:30 (Tokyo)

"Moon Healing Escalation!"

"Refresh!" Rei's grandfather turns back into normal.

Rei embraces her grandfather. "Usagi, please check on Yuichiro in the fire ceremony room."

Usagi's Sailor Moon nods. She walks into the shrine and untransforms. She finds Yuichiro in a woozy state.

"Is Miss Rei all right?"

"She's fine. Let me help you up."

Usagi helps Yuichiro up and helps him walk outside. Rei has helped her Grandfather make it to the porch of the shrine so Usagi helps Yuichiro join the group.

"Would anyone like some rice balls?"

Tuxedo Kamen watches this scene unfold, fascinated. He is too far away to hear what is being said, but he gets a warm feeling from the scene. Odango head must have also been inside and Sailor Moon must have gone to get her and the other guy. Maybe that guy is odango head's boyfriend?

21:53:00 (Tokyo)

Kino Makoto walks alone. I desperately want to be a closer friend to Usagi and I could use this circumstance of Usagi's fight with Rei to my advantage, but I will not.

Playing games with the Motoki situation was one thing, but this was entirely different. A friendship between girls was more valuable than a crush on a guy. I am determined to help Usagi make up with Rei, just because I knew from the very beginning that Rei was a very important person to Usagi.

Makoto approaches the entrance to Rei's shrine. Suddenly, a familiar face appears before her. "Ami?"

13:53:00 (London)

Mio lies slumped against a wall of a building. She starts hallucinating.

A younger looking Mio Kuroki walks out of a sweets store. Yes! Now fortified with my favorite snack, there was no way that I am going to fail my next audition! Who cares if I have been passed over my previous six auditions? I have learned from each setback, and nothing was going to stop her now.

Mio walks past some fortune teller booths. She stops. Well, what is the harm in asking?

Mio walks into one of the booths. Behind a crystal ball is a very old, somewhat scary looking lady.

"May I help you, young miss?"

"Yes, I want to be an idol singer and I would like to see if music is in my future."

The old lady smiles. "Do you love music?"

"Of course!"

"Then you don't need me to tell you that music will be in your future."

"Oh."

"Maybe you would like to know if being a famous idol is in your future?"

Mio turns red. "This is so embarrassing."

"Why so?"

"Because I would sell my soul to be a famous idol."

"Is that so? Well, sit down and gaze into this crystal ball."

21:53:20 (Tokyo)

Ami smiles. "I thought I would come and try to get Rei to make up with Usagi."

Makoto gets an unexpected warm feeling in her heart. Could Ami and I be two people who think alike?

13:53:25 (London)

Mio opens her eyes with a start. A horrible shooting pain goes from her chest out to her shoulder. Oh, no! This body is dying. I am having a heart attack.

Minako! Don't delay, end it now!

In the alley, Minako fights to stay conscious. I have an important job to do!

Mio's heart stops beating.

21:53:30 (Tokyo)

To Be Continued!