All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz Communications.
A Different Viewpoint: Curses and Demons:
Chapter 33
Everyone (with the notable exception of Johnathon and Misty) had gathered downstairs in the living room. Despite the people missing, the room was extremely crowded. Soun and Genma sat on the porch playing shogi to pass the time, and Ryoga sat nearby, trying to stay in one place so he wouldn't get lost. Ranko and Ukyo sat together at the small living room table, talking quietly to Nodoka, who was sitting across from Ranma, who kept blushing redly at the direct suggestions that the child in front of him was making. Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus were standing in a corner, talking with Akane and Nabiki, while Kasumi kept wandering in and out of the kitchen, shuttling food and drinks to everyone as they talked.
Dr. Tofu sat nearby Soun and Genma, pretending to be interested in the game while trying to avoid looking directly at his fiancée. Shampoo herself had changed into one of the many Chinese dresses she had left at the Tendo home in case of emergency, and was lounging calmly just behind the doctor, eyeing him thoughtfully from time to time.
"Mom...." Ranma's voice was soft, but it was far closer to a whine then he liked. "I can't just... do that to Ukyo.... I mean... she's getting married to Ranko, not me."
* * * * *
Dr. Agasa pulled Conan over. "Listen to the bug you left at the Tendo dojo."
Conan thought back to the moment he was seated at the low table at the Tendo place, with it's traditional heater underneath. < I know this is it... if only what we hear will prove my theory!> "You might hear some very surprising things Doctor... things almost beyond belief."
Dr. Agasa looked at Conan. "What? You told us that you knew where the missing girl was... do the Tendo's have something to do with it?"
Conan shook his head. "If I'm right, they can explain not why she is in San Francisco, but how she is."
Dr. Agasa's eyebrow raised, but he just nodded.
Conan and the professor listened for a few minutes.
* * * * *
Nodoka stared her son down, her steely gaze completely out of place on the face of a 9 or 10 year old girl wearing a flower print blue and white summer dress. "Now son, it's your duty to your family to produce an heir... to both families in fact. As Ranko cannot carry on the family name in that regard, it is only right that you take that responsibility to provide the Kounji family with an heir as well."
* * * * *
Conan nodded in triumph to the Professor. "It's that girl's voice! I knew it."
Agasa nodded slowly in agreement. "It does sound like a young girl. Fascinating."
Conan grinned. "This is but the first, and smallest revelation, Doctor."
* * * * *
Ranko raised an eyebrow but said nothing, not wanting to draw any attention to herself. She had, in fact, considered this very problem and decided that Nodoka's solution was only logical, especially considering Akane and Ukyo's deal concerning her and Ranma. She didn't really like the idea of Ukyo having Ranma's children instead of hers... but she couldn't see any other way. At least not any other way that she'd go along with.
Ranma, however, continued to be stubborn. "Mom... isn't there some other way? I mean... me and Akane will have kids...." He shook his head, not really believing that he was already talking about having children. "But it's not right... me having kids with Ukyo too...."
Nodoka frowned slightly. "Well, there was another way... I'd consider it." She looked at Ranko and Ukyo thoughtfully. "Now Nabiki has been telling me quite a bit about Jusenkyo in the last few weeks." She hesitated, then pressed on. "Now I understand why the spring of drowned man wouldn't work for my daughter...." Nodoka indicated Ranko with a nod. "But perhaps Ukyo...?"
Ranko's eyes went wide and she shook her head quickly at the suggestion. "No way Mom! I'd never let Ucchan curse herself like that!" She blushed then shook her head. "Not a chance! A curse isn't the way to solve anything, Mom! You should know by now that Jusenkyo always makes things worse, not better."
Ukyo put her hand over Ranko's calmingly. "Your mom is just trying to help, Ranchan, and I can't say I haven't considered the spring of drowned man since... well in the last few weeks, anyway." Ranko looked at her in horror and Ukyo hurried on. "I'm not going to do it. Even if it would solve some problems with us being together... I realize that the curses never seem to work the way people might think. If Johnathon-sensei and Mercury-san are right, then I'd be just adding to the chaos around here, and we have plenty of that already."
Nodoka nodded in understanding. "I'm sure you're right dear. It wasn't the best suggestion, I know. I just want to see the Kounji line continue as well as the Saotome line. It is the least we owe you after everything Genma has put your family through."
Ukyo shook her head. "We'll figure something out eventually, Mrs. Saotome. I'm sure something will come up."
Nodoka nodded reassuringly. "I'm sure... still, Nabiki did mention another possibility... have you heard of something called Instant Nannichauan?"
Ukyo blinked. "Instant spring of drowned man? What on earth is that?"
Ranko blinked a moment later. "Hey! I forgot about that stuff!" She said brightly. "I could be a guy again... even if just for a little while."
Nodoka blinked. "Oh? I thought that the springs would mix with you?"
Ranko hesitated. "Actually, I'm not sure... it worked before though, turned me and pop both into guys in cold water... at least for a couple hours."
Ukyo beamed happily. "That sounds wonderful, Ranko! I know how much you miss being a guy." She looked at Nodoka questioningly. "Do you think we could get any?"
Nodoka shrugged. "I really don't know. I think Shampoo might know where to find some... I believe Nabiki said that she was the one who brought it the last time?" She patted Ranko's shoulder. "Even if it doesn't work properly on you, Ukyo can use it. Either way the Kounji line would be secure."
Ranko blinked several times working that out in her head before gaping at her mother incredulously. "You don't mean...?!?"
Nodoka patted her daughter on the back reassuringly. "I'm sure you'd make a wonderful mother, Ranko-chan. You certainly have the hips for it." Ranko decided that it would be a good time to faint, and slid quietly under the table. Ukyo looked a bit faint herself, and Ranma was turning slightly green. Nodoka blinked. "Did I say something wrong?"
Across the room, Nabiki nodded to herself, glancing knowingly from one Sailor Senshi to the next. "I thought I had all of you figured out... Rei, Makoto... Mina. I suppose you're going to tell everyone else as well?"
Sailor Mars sighed with a nod. "Everyone here has the right to know... and I suspect almost everyone has us pretty much figured out anyway. We've always tried to keep anyone from knowing our real identities, but the only way I can see of keeping our secret from getting out entirely seems to be trusting all of you.
"That way, it won't be a secret anymore." Venus supplied cheerfully. "It'll be a conspiracy!"
Nabiki blinked, then laughed. "I suppose it will at that." She bowed slightly to the three Senshi. "Then as the newest member of the conspiracy, I thank you for your trust." She looked them each in the eyes then, straightening up with a serious expression. "I won't betray it." She smiled wryly. "Besides, one of you is practically family now... and I protect my family... even if they happen to be magical duplicates... or twins, or whatever." She frowned slightly, quirking her head at Venus thoughtfully. "Can... can she hear me?"
Sailor Venus hesitated, then nodded. "She's not exactly here... right now that is... but my Akane will remember everything you say to me... so it's almost like she is here right now."
Nabiki nodded. "I think I understand." She stepped in close to Venus, then hugged her tightly, whispering quietly in the Senshi of Love's ear. "Don't be a stranger, Akane. You ARE my sister, don't ever forget it."
The original Akane looked at her older sister in astonishment. "That was for the other me? You never hug me or Kasumi anymore... why her?"
Nabiki hesitated, then shrugged. "Well... let's just say I know something about feeling alone, and leave it at that, OK?"
Akane's eyes fell, then she stepped forward to hug Nabiki as quickly as Nabiki had hugged Venus. "I love you Sis." She said quietly but firmly. "You don't ever have to be alone."
Nabiki pushed her way out of her younger sisters arms. "Stop it, Akane!" She tried not to blush. "You're embarrassing me." Akane released her with a bit of a smirk, and Nabiki turned back to the Senshi, forcing her face calm. "So, you want to keep the secret down to just the people in this room?"
Sailor Mars nodded. "That's right. We can't let it go any farther, not without endangering our normal lives."
Nabiki turned to take in everyone else in the room before turning back to the Senshi. "Just to be clear, who else knows? It's important to know who I'm not supposed to talk about this with."
Sailor Mars looked thoughtful. "Let me see... Ranma, Ranko, Akane, Kasumi, Johnathon-san... that's it, really, at least those are the only people we've told directly." She hesitated. "Michael-san might have guessed one or two of us. He knows who Makoto is for sure."
Nabiki blinked. "You have kept it quiet! Is that really everyone that knows?" She glanced around the room. "You're doubling that number today you know."
Mars sighed. "Don't I know it! If there was another way... but there isn't. Most of the people here have either started to guess, or will figure it out soon anyway... and if we don't let everyone here know about our secret, it's likely that others will start figuring out the truth as well."
Nabiki nodded slowly. "I understand. You need us to conceal what we know from anyone else who might stumble on to a clue, huh?"
Sailor Jupiter nodded, breaking in. "Jusenkyo... complicated matters. It's not hard to see the connection when two different people have the same Jusenkyo curse... that would give away Ami and Minako for sure... at the least."
"I understand." Nabiki said with another nod. "If anyone finds out that the Sailor Senshi were at Jusenkyo, and also finds out about the curses... all they have to do to find out your real identities are to know which of you has the same Jusenkyo curse."
Jupiter sighed. "Exactly. I don't know how Ami is going to keep her curse a secret after this... her mother is bound to find out about it eventually, and if she knew about the Senshi going to Jusenkyo, there'd be no way to cover this up."
Nabiki frowned. "I guess none of your parents know then?"
Jupiter shrugged. "Well... it doesn't matter for me... but none of the others' parents can know. It's too risky."
Nabiki sighed. "That's going to be tough to sell... I don't know how daddy will react if he finds out your folks don't know... and Nodoka's another problem. She's a bit touchy about these kind of secrets nowadays."
Sailor Venus looked worried. "Do you think they'll tell our parents?"
Nabiki hesitated. "I can't say for certain, but I think we can convince them to keep your secret." She frowned. "I really can't be one hundred percent sure though."
Sailor Mars sighed. "I'm afraid we don't have much choice in the matter. If the people in this room don't all agree to keep our secret, it's bound to come out, sooner or later. If they do tell our folks... at least it would be better then if they found out on their own."
Nabiki shrugged. "It's your call. I'll see what I can do to help." She raised an eyebrow. "So, would you like me to handle this, or would you prefer to tell them yourselves?"
Sailor Mars hesitated, then sighed. "I think we should speak for ourselves, although I'd appreciate any help you can offer with dealing with the consequences."
Nabiki nodded. "Of course."
Sailor Mars took a deep breath and turned to the other Senshi. Are you two ready?" Jupiter and Venus both nodded, only slightly hesitantly, and Mars turned again to face the room, stepping forward and clearing her voice loudly to get everyone's attention. The room slowly went silent as all eyes turned to face Sailor Mars, and she spoke up clearly so as not to be misheard. "I think it's time you all knew the truth. I hope you all understand how important it is to keep this secret, but I think it's time you all knew who we really were."
The room was quiet for a moment before Nodoka spoke up. "Mars-san... I... I will keep your secret. I have... done enough damage already, it seems, speaking where I should have not... but I swear on my honor that I will tell no one your true identities, or anything that may lead someone to discover them." She glanced around the room, resting her gaze on her husband for the longest time. "I think I can speak for everyone here in saying that we will all keep your secret."
Soun stood up. "As the head of the Tendo family, I also swear to keep your identities secret. Your honor is safe under my roof."
Sailor Mars nodded. "I am very glad to hear you say that Mr. Tendo, Mrs. Saotome. Thank you." She hesitated, then nodded. "Anyway, my real name is Rei. Rei Hino. I'm in Ranma and Ryoga's martial arts class."
Sailor Jupiter stepped forward a moment later. "I'm Makoto... Makoto Kino. I'm also in Ryoga-sensei's class."
Sailor Venus stepped forward with a wink. "I'm Minako Aino!" She abruptly detransformed, seeming pleased at all the attention that got. "I'm also Akane Tendo the second... some of the time." She added, waving to Soun. "Hi pop!" Nabiki sighed and looked at the ceiling in frustration while Akane and Kasumi gaped at her in shock.
Soun looked at Minako in confusion. "I'm not sure I understand. What do you mean, you're Akane?"
Minako held up a finger. "Wait here a second, I'll go get some water from the kitchen and you can see for yourself!" She slipped out to the kitchen without another word and Soun, Genma and Nodoka exchanged puzzled glances. There was a host of worried glances from everyone else, but no one dared to say anything. Minako came back into the living room with a glass of water in one hand, still grinning widely. "Watch carefully now!" She poured the water over her head and immediately changed, blond hair becoming black, becoming just a bit shorter and a bit more muscular.
Akane Tendo stood in Minako's place blinking, then waved nervously. "Er... hi dad." There was an audible thud as Soun keeled over and she winced. "Darn it Mina...." Akane huffed angrily to herself. "You could have handled that a lot better!"
Nodoka was looking a bit faint herself but managed to speak up. "Are you really Akane?"
Akane Tendo sighed and nodded. "I'm a copy of her... but as far as I can tell I'm Akane... just not the only one. While she was at Jusenkyo, Minako fell into the spring of drowned... er... drowned Akane... and I found myself in her body. At the time, I thought that Kiima had just thrown me in there and tried to drown me... it was like no time had passed, but it had actually been months...." She sighed. "So it seems like I'm a copy of Akane from the moment Kiima drowned her in the spring. I have all of Akane's memories up to that time, and I've been... sharing Minako's body ever since."
Nodoka looked astonished. "That's incredible! And you are both in there somehow?"
Akane hesitated, not knowing how much she should tell about her situation with Minako. "Only one of us... well, exists at a time... although we do share memories of what the other does. It's like having a dream that you can't do anything about, then waking up into the dream."
Nodoka frowned. "That doesn't sound very pleasant."
Akane shrugged. "It's better than the alternative...." She hesitated again, then decided to at least explain part of it. "At first whenever we changed it was like no time had passed... I'd suddenly find myself out in the rain... and with no idea how I'd got there... or I'd be in Minako's bathroom at home, or something. It was the same for Minako. Luckily some... friends... helped us out with a spell... one that lets us remember what the other one sees. It's much less inconvenient this way."
Nodoka stood up and went over to Akane's side, looking up at her intently. "Why haven't you come home sooner, Akane-chan? Your father would certainly have welcomed you home with open arms...." Ranma's now diminutive mother suddenly glanced toward her son and his wife, the original Akane, with a gasp. "Oh dear...." She frowned worriedly, chewing on her lip. "I'm sorry dear, I suppose things must seem awfully complicated to you right now."
Akane Tendo glanced at her twin, and the two of them exchanged sad smiles. "Complicated... you could say that, Auntie. Akane and I... we've talked a bit about things... I think things will work out alright."
Nodoka smiled in relief, then glanced back at Soun. "Then certainly you should come to live with your family. It isn't right, you having to be apart from the people who love you like this."
Akane shook her head, smiling sadly. "Minako has her own family, Auntie, a mother and father who love her. She has friends, school... a life. I can't take that away from her. We can't both have all those things."
Nodoka shook her head, scowling strongly now. "I can't accept that. There has to be a way for you two to work something out...."
Just then Soun started to stir, sitting back up slowly and shaking his head as if he wasn't exactly sure of what had happened. "Akane?" He looked over at his original daughter first, as if reassuring himself that she was still there. "I had the strangest dream... I thought there were two of you... and...." His gaze wondered over to the long haired Akane currently standing next to Nodoka, and he nearly fainted again. "Ach! There are two of you!" Soun looked from one to the other in confusion. "How... I don't understand...."
Akane Tendo sighed and went over her father's side. "Let me explain again from the beginning...."
****************
Dr. Agasa spoke up. "What is this, a joke? They must have found the bug."
Conan shrugged. "Very interesting fiction... if it is fiction. What would Holmes say in this situation?"
Dr. Agasa blinked. "You knew about this?"
Conan nodded. "Well, I guessed the Sailor Senshi might be involved after I connected the reports of the cat monster working with them to the facts I discovered today."
"What do you mean?" Dr. Agasa replied, confused.
Conan held up a small plastic bag. "I found these hairs on The Tendo's oldest sisters bed... Too many for an ordinary house cat... and there were scratches on the window sill, obviously made by clawed hands... not paws."
Dr. Agasa looked startled. "Clawed... hands? Cat hair?"
Conan shushed the Doctor. "Just listen."
*****************
Before long Soun had the full story, minus the presence of the goddesses.
Like Nodoka, he pleaded for Akane to stay at the Tendo home, and again she refused, despite the fountain of tears that brought from the Tendo patriarch. When they finally managed to calm Soun down and everyone was fully introduced, everyone gathered around the table so they could discuss the current crisis.
"As far as I'm concerned," Nabiki was saying. "We're under full scale attack. This demoness Mara, or whatever she's supposed to be called, will keep coming after us till we're all dead or under her control, and I think she's attacking us even now, although she's trying to be subtle about it."
Ranma glanced at Nabiki curiously. "Even now? What do you mean, Nabiki?"
"Though Misty and Shampoo." Nabiki said, nodding at the Amazon. "I truly doubt that both of them would go into heat at the same time like this, and Shampoo says it came on suddenly, and more powerfully then ever before, isn't that right?"
Half the women in the room blushed and all of the men, but Shampoo nodded her agreement calmly. "I think Nabiki might be right. Timing is very strange for something like this to happen, and it does hurt our fighting strength considerably."
Ranko shrugged. "It doesn't seem too bad... I mean, Misty isn't a fighter anyway... and Johnathon...." She shrugged. "So we're down one... it hardly seems like a deliberate attack. I mean, why would she bother with something like this... she could just... rain fire and brimstone down on us or something."
Shampoo shook her head. "It is worse than that, Ranm... Ranko. If I get splashed with cold water I don't believe I could fight very effectively... and I'm afraid my presence would inhibit any of the men."
Dr. Tofu nodded at that. "Misty is putting out an incredible pheromone cloud... which is why I insisted that everyone stay downstairs for now... and Shampoo was doing the same, although her being outside at the time did help quite a bit. I'm afraid their pheromones seem to have nearly as much effect on humans as they did on Johnathon-san. It would be difficult for anyone to think straight under such conditions."
Ranko blinked twice. "Oh."
*******************
In another house, Conan and Dr. Agasa were still listening hard.
Ai spoke up from behind them. "Ocam's razor would make me believe that they are telling the truth. Such a coherent mass hallucination is unlikely.... As much as the scientist in me wants there to be a more rational explanation for these phenomena, I must believe that the Sailor Senshi do exist. The hypothesis that you have discovered the identity of several of these people must be taken into consideration.
Conan glanced at her. "I think it deserves investigation. If what we've heard is correct, it should be simple enough to verify... I think a visit to the Tendo dojo with water guns tomorrow is in order."
Ai grinned slightly. "Sounds very... juvenile." * * * * * * * * * * *
Akane Saotome spoke up next, pounding her fist into the table angrily. "What I want to know is what we're going to do about it? This demon keeps attacking us and we just sit here and take it! Isn't there some way we can strike back?"
Makoto sighed. "If Ami was here we could try and track her down using her computer... but without her or Skuld-chan, I don't have a clue how we could try and find her."
Shampoo spoke up. "If we cannot find our enemy, then we must shore up our defenses and wait until there is a chance to strike. Great Grandmother should get the message I sent in less than a day, and this she will see if Sailor Mercury can be found in Beijing."
Ranma nodded. "Master Caine will rescue Ami if she's in San Francisco...." He frowned. "But if she's really in Copenhagen I don't know what we're going to do...."
* * * * *
Dr. Agasa spoke up. "Listen... Isn't the missing girl's name Ami?"
Conan grinned. "They don't know which zoo she was shipped to... At least we have some information they will want."
Dr. Agasa looked startled. "Zoo?"
Ai shook her head. "Incredible... the girl wasn't eaten or hurt by the panther...."
Conan nodded, a glint in his eye. "She WAS the panther."
All three listened intently to the conversation at the Tendo residence.
* * * * *
"We'll know by tomorrow evening at the latest." Dr. Tofu said softly. "Once we know where Mercury isn't, we'll know where she is. We can plan how to get to Copenhagen if it comes to that."
"Until then...." Nodoka said softly. "We must wait and keep our guard up." The serious look she wore seemed out of place on her child's face, but no one mentioned it. "Obviously this demon wishes to weaken us bit by bit until she can defeat us... we simply must stay together and protect each other until we find means to locate her."
Ranma exchanged a glance with his female side and nodded. "If she tries anything more here she's in for a world of hurt, that's for certain. We just need to be ready for her."
Akane Tendo sighed. "I guess that means that we all stay here for now. I hope Mina's parents don't get too worried."
Makoto shrugged. "We'll just tell them we're sleeping over here tonight. We've done it before, and they've always been cool with it. Even better, it's the truth this time."
Rei sighed. "I guess I had better call my grandfather as well. He's already suspicious, but I don't think disappearing again out of the blue will help any." She got up to go to the phone. "Maybe I'll be lucky and he won't be home...."
Nodoka shook her head with a sigh. "I don't like the idea of you deceiving your families like this. Certainly they'd support you if they knew?"
Rei stopped halfway to the hall and looked back at the child addressing her so disapprovingly. "I don't like lying to my grandfather either... but what choice do I have? If he knew what I was doing... he may not try and stop me, but he'd certainly try to help, and he'd get hurt, or even killed! He's an old man, and no where near as indestructible as he'd like to think."
She glanced at Akane Tendo with a frown. "Minako's parents are just normal people as well. Knowing that she's is a Senshi would just make them worry, and put them in danger." She sighed. "We wouldn't have told anyone, but sometimes... sometimes there isn't any choice."
Nodoka sighed and shook her head. "I don't like it, but I understand your reasons. I just think that you may be making a mistake."
* * * * *
Dr. Agasa looked at the other two, his eyes wide. "If what we have heard is true...."
Conan scratched his head. "Oh, I no longer doubt the truth... but we have another problem."
Ai shrugged. "This sort of moral dilemma does not interest me. You've solved the case... or at least, you know what happened to the girl, if not precisely where she is."
Conan snapped. "Who could I tell? If I tell the girls mother, would she even believe me?"
Ai shrugged. "You usually find a way." She glanced at the detective then started walking back downstairs to her lab. "If that's what you want to do...."
*************
Back at the Tendo Dojo, the council of war continued.
Mars spoke up on behalf of the Senshi. "Venus, Jupiter and I can take shifts keeping watch. That way one of us will be ready at all times in case Mara shows up."
"We'll watch with you." Ranma insisted a moment later, glancing pointedly to Ryoga and Ranko. "Ryoga, Ranko and me can each share a watch with one of you three."
Akane Tendo glared at her husband. "Ukyo, Shampoo and I can keep watch too you know, Ranma. You three aren't the only ones that have fought demons before."
Soun spoke up. "Genma, Tofu-san and I will also take watches. That way there will be four pairs of eyes watching at all times. We can't afford to let this demoness catch us off guard again." Genma swallowed nervously, but a glance from Nodoka kept him glued to his seat, and Dr. Tofu simply nodded in agreement.
Nabiki spoke up at that point. "I suppose that leaves Auntie, Kasumi and me to take care of all of you while you're busy keeping us safe." She chuckled. "Not that I'm complaining." Nabiki wrinkled her nose. "The way I see it, you should split up into equal groups, with one of the Senshi in each group. How about Sailor Mars, Ranko, Shampoo and Akane take the first watch, Sailor Venus, Ranma, Ukyo and Genma take the second watch, and Jupiter, Ryoga, Tofu-sensei, and Daddy take the last watch?"
Shampoo protested a moment later. "Why can't I be in the same group as Tofu-san?"
Nabiki rolled her eyes. "So that you aren't making out when you're supposed to be watching, of course." She shrugged. "Besides, even if you do manage to stay focused, what if that demoness splashes you? Any of the guys would be distracted then. That's why I put you with all girls."
Shampoo sighed and nodded. "Is so. You are right, merc... Nabiki Tendo. Best not to take the chance."
Kasumi stood up. "Why don't I start dinner? It's already starting to get late, and we can talk more while we eat."
Nodoka got up as well. "I'll help, Kasumi-chan. You have to be careful in the kitchen, you know."
Kasumi blinked down at the small girl beside her, as if not quite understanding, then smiled brightly. "Oh yes! That would be wonderful, Nodoka-chan!"
Nodoka nearly choked at the diminutive use of her name but covered it almost immediately with a smile. "I suppose that does fit me now, doesn't it?"
Kasumi looked concerned. "Oh my. I'm sorry, Auntie. I wasn't thinking clearly."
Nodoka sighed. "It's alright dear. I am a little girl now... at least in appearance."
"You are still my Auntie Nodoka." Kasumi told her.
Nodoka smiled softly, looking adorably cute. "Come, we have quite a bit of preparations left to do with so many guests." She started toward the kitchen, looking at Kasumi expectantly.
Kasumi followed instantly with a nod. "Of course, Auntie."
******************
Luna crouched, mewling softly in an alley, an increasingly concerned Artemis glancing around worriedly at the growing horde of male cats gathering about them. "Luna... transform already! I know you can do it... you were the one that showed me how!"
"C-can't... concentrate...." Luna managed to say. "A-Artemis... you've got to... I can't fight it any longer..."
Artemis took one last look at the closing circle of male cats around them and shook his head. "No... not here, not now." With a flash of light he transformed into his human male form, wearing a black on black outfit he had borrowed from Mamoru Chiba. He scooped up Luna deftly before the nearest cat could reach her and sprinted away, holding her close to his chest. "Hold on, love. It won't be much longer."
*****************
Keichi was busy at work in his school lab, making moon rock bracelets with Belldandy, or that is, Belldandy Three when he noticed that something was wrong. Belldandy had been helping him with his work, as she usually did, but suddenly she seemed distracted. She gave off a low moan and went to sit down shakily on a lab stool.
"What's wrong, Belldandy?" Keichi asked worriedly. "Has something happened to one of the others?"
Belldandy hesitated, flushing slightly. "It's Bell-cat. She's..." Belldandy blushed a bit brighter. "Well, she's in her cat form, exploring.... and..."
Keichi shot up. "Is she OK? Did she find something?"
Belldandy shook her head. "She's not in any danger.. but... er... she's rather excited."
"Excited?" Keichi looked confused. "Did she find something?"
"Not exactly..." Belldandy explained. "She's just entered her cycle rather abruptly."
"Her cycle?" Keichi blinked, then blushed. "You mean she's...?"
Belldandy took a quick breath, then another, as a wave of sensation ran into her from her feline twin. "Yes... she's going into heat." She wiped sweat from her brow and looked surprised. "Oh dear... it seems that I'm being affected by her mood as well..."
Keichi swallowed. "You mean... you're feeling what she does?"
Belldandy nodded, unconsciously opening her collar slightly. "Yes, to a lesser degree." She fanned herself slightly, opening her collar a bit more, allowing Keichi a glimpse of her damp cleavage. "Oh my..."
Keichi swallowed nervously. "Er... will she be alright?"
"I believe so." Belldandy told him reassuringly. "Bell-four has gone to bring her some hot water... once she's in human form again, we'll all be fine." She fanned herself again, her breathing starting to speed up slightly.
Keichi wasn't sure if he was pleased or disappointed. "Oh. Well that's good."
Belldandy looked at her beloved fondly as he went back to work mixing the ingredients for the moon rock bracelets. "Keichi...."
"Hmm?" Keichi looked over at her questioningly, doing his best to ignore her flushed skin, the cleavage she was presenting him with, or the rather lustful look she was giving him as he sat at his workstation. "What is it, Belldandy?"
She shook her head, moving over to sit next to him, and put on hand over his, smiling. Keichi smiled back and gripped the hand in his tightly, and for a long time they simply sat there, looking at each other. Belldandy's eyes seemed more expectant than usual, and Keichi slowly leaned closer to her. She met him halfway, and they melded into a kiss without saying another word.
***************************
Back in the woods near the old shrine they lived at, Bell-four rushed panting up to the place Bell-cat had collapsed, carrying a steaming kettle and a robe. Bell-cat was panting on the ground, curled up in a ball, and she looked up gratefully as Bell-four poured a stream of hot water onto her head. Moments later Bell-cat was a naked human female, and sat up, uncurling her body with a shudder, reaching for the robe her twin had brought her.
"Thank you." Bell-cat said simply, standing and pulling the robe closed. "I hope I didn't bother the rest of you too much?"
Bell-four shook her head. "Oh no... we were all just worried about you... it must have been very intense, if we all felt it so strongly."
Bell-cat nodded, looking concerned. "I don't believe normal cats are that strongly effected when they go into their cycle. There is something unnatural in this."
Bell-four looked concerned. "Do you think it is a spell?"
Bell-cat nodded. "I think so...."
Bell-four frowned. "Do you think it is Mara?"
"I don't see what purpose it would serve her..." Bell-cat said with a frown. "Save as a distraction. Why would she send me into heat?"
Bell-four's face mirrored her twin's concern. "Could it have something to do with Jusenkyo?"
Bell-cat shrugged helplessly. "Without our powers... there is no real way for us to know. I only hope that the moon rock bracelets Keichi is preparing will work on these mortal bodies."
Bell-four nodded with a sigh. "They might be our only hope."
*****************
Far off, in foggy San Francisco, Kermit picked up the phone. "Yes?"
The voice on the other side was one he was familiar with, a young Japanese detective who had asked him for a favor once already. "I am sorry to bother you, Kermit-san, but..."
Kermit interrupted. "I'm sorry kid, I still haven't turned up anything unusual about this vanished actress you wanted dope on."
Shinichi Kudo sighed. "I did not think that you had. I am calling about another matter."
Kermit shrugged to himself. "What is it? Lost another lady?"
Shinichi sighed. "In a manner of speaking, yes. Get comfortable there, because this is a long and confusing and unbelievable story."
Kermit chuckled. "If it's new to me kid, I'll pick up the tab on this call."
Shinichi grinned. "Done. Now listen..."
Minutes later, "Kermit was shaking his head and grumbling. "Stupid... I knew it was an overseas call. Look, since it's now my nickel, why don't we cut this short. Are you sure you can get your end arranged?"
Shinichi chuckled. "I already have. The girl's passport will be ready for you to pick up at the embassy before you can drive there, knowing San Francisco traffic." He paused for a moment. "I'm not complaining, but why did you believe me so easily?"
Kermit sighed. "Because I've run into Jusenkyo curses before... Long story, look, I'll email you the details, but I should go before this girl starts to shed."
*****************
"Hello Inspector Megure."
"Shinichi Kudo! What a surprise! Now then, why have you called me today?"
"I have solved your missing girl case Inspector."
"Missing girl? Do you mean?"
"Yes, I have discovered Miss Ami Mizuno for you. Friends of mine in America rescued her from her kidnappers."
"Kidnappers? America?! What happened?"
"I'm afraid the location and identity of her kidnappers is yet unknown to me, though I have several promising leads."
"Well, this is wonderful! But what can I do?"
"Just this. Can you see to it that the girl's passport and travel documents are made up at the Japanese embassy in San Francisco, as soon as possible? I will have one of my friends, a detective on the San Fran police force, pick them up."
"Certainly my boy! Nothing easier! I'll phone a friend of mine in the ministry, we'll have the girl home tomorrow!"
"Thank you inspector. I'll keep you apprised of my progress in the case."
*****************
At the Tendo home, most everyone had gone to bed, sleeping on blankets in the living room down stairs, while Sailor Mars, Ranko, Shampoo and Akane Saotome patrolled the grounds and rooftops of the dojo outside, keeping a quiet watch out for danger.
Ranma, however, was finding it difficult to sleep, and kept starting awake only to notice Minako looking quietly in his direction. Akane had changed herself back into Minako before they had all gone to bed, but ever since then he kept catching the blond haired Senshi looking at him whenever she thought he wasn't looking, and it was starting to get unnerving. Finally he slipped out of the blankets and over next to her.
"Minako...." He whispered. "What is it? You've been staring at me...?"
Minako chewed on her bottom lip, hesitating before she spoke in a soft whisper. "I need to talk to you... upstairs... follow me in five minutes, alright?" She slipped off into the hall, and Ranma blinked, raising a hand to stop her too late.
"What does she think she's doing?" The pigtailed youth muttered to himself, and started trying to think of a good reason why he shouldn't follow the blond girl upstairs. There were several, not the least of which was the fact that Johnathon and Misty could still be heard, faintly above, and no doubt the fur cloud, or whatever it was that Dr. Tofu had mentioned, would still be there as well. Minako was certainly up to something, and there was no way he was stupid enough to fall for it....
After four and a half minutes, Ranma's will broke, and he slipped out to the hall to the stairs to the second floor, looking for Minako. What he found instead was a single sock on the bottom step, then a second sock half way up the stairs.
"What in the...?" Ranma followed a trail of clothing up the stairs and down the hall, blushing brighter and brighter red as he did so. The sounds from Kasumi and Johnathon's room had finally died down, but the panties laying on the floor in front of Akane and his room were, by his estimation, the last piece of clothing Minako had been wearing... leaving the blond girl certainly naked in his room.
Ranma hesitated for a long moment outside his and Akane's door, his heart pounding. Akane would certainly pound him into the floor if she had any idea he was up here, but she would do the same to Minako if she found the girl laying in wait in their room, and while he could take the abuse, Minako certainly could not, despite her Senshi abilities. Telling himself that he was just performing an act of mercy, Ranma opened his bedroom door and slipped inside, closing it behind him as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.
*****************
Around four minutes earlier, Minako had slipped into Ranma and Akane's room, blushing brightly as she dropped her panties on the floor outside it, holding a sturdy length of rope, a pair of handcuffs and a glass of water. Setting the glass of water on the headboard, she quickly pulled the covers off the bed and dropped in the far corner of the room, then set about tying both of her feet to the bottom corner bedposts, spreading them invitingly wide for anyone who might venture in. With slightly more difficulty she managed to tie off her left wrist to the upper left bedpost, careful not to jar the glass of water, then slipped one end of the handcuffs over her right wrist.
The next bit would have been easier with an assistant, but Minako hadn't dared ask anyone for help. She took the water glass in her right hand, and laid it very carefully in the middle of her chest, then slowly reached her right hand over to the far bedpost. Careful not to spill the water on her, she snapped the other end of the handcuff around her right wrist to the far bedpost, securing her in a spread eagled position across the bed, the glass of water precariously perched just underneath her naked breasts. She waited then, listening carefully and trying to keep her breathing low, although she was almost painfully aroused by the thoughts of what would happen next. Her breathing started to quicken involuntarily, and she nearly missed hearing the door opening. Glancing down her body, she saw Ranma, his eyes going wide as he drank in the sight of her. Before he could turn around, however, she jerked her upper torso slightly, letting the glass fall over and water spill all across her belly in a wave.
An instant later, Akane froze, not truly believing what Minako's memories were telling her, even as her own senses confirmed that she was indeed tied spread eagled in her own bed, with Ranma staring at her as if he was about to catch fire. "Oh Kami..." She whispered. "R-Ranma...."
"A-Akane?" He whispered back, not really believing what he was seeing. "What... why...?"
Akane flushed bright red clear down to her upper chest, suddenly struggling futilely to cover herself up. "Ranma... stop.. stop looking at me like that." She was incredibly, preternaturally aware of every inch of her bared skin, of her nipples engorging even as Ranma involuntarily glanced down to between her legs, where her most private self was bared for his inspection. Akane felt a warm wetness down there as well, and tried desperately to close her legs, making the bedposts grown, but not able to apply her full strength.
Ranma looked away finally with a gasp that sounded painful, dropping his eyes to the side of the bed where the covers were piled. Quickly he scooped up the piled bedclothes and tossed them over Akane, covering her nakedness with one smooth motion, and for several moment afterwards, it was quiet.
"Akane?" Ranma's voice was quiet. "How in the... who tied you up like that?"
Akane laughed quietly, sounding a bit hysterical. "Mina... she tied herself down... and spilled a glass on herself when you came in...."
"Oh yeah...." Ranma said, his voice sounding distinctly embarrassed. "I saw that part...." He hesitated. "I guess... I don't need to ask why?"
Akane swallowed. "Ranma... don't... Minako... I didn't ask her to do this to me." She rolled her eyes. "I'd never ask ANYONE to do this to me... I don't know what she was thinking."
Ranma hesitated. "Don't you know what she was thinking? I thought that's how the spell was supposed to work."
"Er..." Akane swallowed. "OK, I do know what she was thinking... but I don't know why she... went so far like this... it's got to be the pheromones that Misty is putting out."
Ranma nodded, swallowing, keeping his eyes firmly on the floor though an act of will. "I guess... but... she knows what you're thinking too, right?"
Akane hesitated, gulping as what Ranma was getting at started to become clear. "But... I don't.... I don't...."
Ranma slowly turned to her, and just as slowly started to pull the covers off of her body. "Akane... Mina wouldn't... do this... not if you didn't want it too... right?" Akane shook her head, trying to deny it, but she knew she was lying to herself even as she did so. Ranma knew it as well, and also knew, from everything he had learned about his wife, that Akane would fight her feelings forever if that was what she thought was right. He pulled the covers the rest of the way off of her, and sat down on the side of the bed, putting one hand on her belly. "Akane... if you really don't want this... tell me to go.. and I will." He ran one hand up her flank and Akane shivered, but couldn't find the power to speak. Ranma gently cupped her right breast in his hand and she closed her eyes.
"I can't." She finally said. "I want to tell you to go... but I just can't"
"I know." Ranma replied, and after that there were no more words.
Minutes later, alerted by the noises coming from within her room, Akane Saotome hung from the rooftop and peeked inside. The sight she witnessed there caused her fists to tighten in rage, driving her fingers deep into the rooftop. The rage was gone in an instant as she recognized the short girl on the bed beneath her husband, and she pulled herself back up on the roof in an instant so as not to let Ranma notice her. Shampoo bounded over a moment later, eyes questioning as Akane stood and started to walk slowly away from her room.
"What's going on?" Shampoo asked quietly. "Isn't that your room, Akane?"
Akane glared at her with a frown. "So?"
Shampoo shrugged. "I was just curious who might be making your bed squeak, pervert girl." She said lightly, noting the tension around the shorter girl's eyes and trying to break the mood.
Akane sighed. "Someone who belongs there." She finally said, continuing to walk away.
Shampoo hesitated, then followed curiously. "Your twin?" She asked, having noticed the growing tension between Ranma and Sailor Venus's cursed form.
Akane sighed again and nodded, not surprised that the Chinese girl had guessed. "I knew that this would happen." She admitted. "I told Ranma that it would be OK... I even insisted that he do this...."
Shampoo put a hand on Akane's shoulder comisseratingly. "It is still hard, yes?"
Akane looked up at the stars and sighed again. "It's still hard."
End Chapter 33
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