Disclaimer: The characters of Ranma ½ belong to Rumiko Takahashi. The
characters of Sailor Moon belong to Naoko Takeuchi. This is all for non-
profit reasons, so please don't sue us. The story can be found at the
following sites:
Nighthawk's Fanfiction: http://nighthawk.anifics.com/
Our homepage:
http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/shores/2307h
Uncles!
Story concept and idea by:
Tomas Megerson
Story written by:
Eric Thorsen & Stacko
*******************************************
Chapter Six: Confrontation Complications Part III
*******************************************
"What do you mean or else Ukyou?!" Akane demanded angrily.
"Just what I said Akane," Ukyou said in a much calmer tone. "Ranma
told me to warn you that if you told anyone about what happened the last time
you met, your engagement is over and he never wants to see you again."
"He… He can't do that!" Akane stuttered in shock. "Our fathers made
a pact to join the schools!"
"I doubt that would stop Ranma-honey from breaking your engagement
sugar," Ukyou sighed. "He loves that girl a lot, and he doesn't want any of
the craziness getting to her."
"He… He loves her?"
"That's what he said," Ukyou shrugged, accepting the situation as
something she couldn't change. "I can't really blame him for wanting to
protect her though, his life is pretty crazy, and besides that, she is kind
of cute… for a girl. Besides she doesn't cause him any trouble from what I
can tell, so maybe he'll be better off with her than us."
"How… you … oh!" Akane slammed out of the dojo in a blind rage,
leaving Ukyou alone.
"I hope you know what your doin' Ranma-honey," Ukyou muttered as she
left the Tendo's property on her way back to her restaurant. "It doesn't
look like Akane's going to accept this at all."
*******
"Thanks Michiko-san, I'll need you to schedule a meeting with that
lawyer we talked about to discuss some personal business," Ranma said as
Hotaru and Chibi-Usa waited impatiently.
"Of course sir," Ms. Yamagiri replied pulling out her palmtop computer.
"What time would be good for you?"
"After school on Wednesday I think," He decided. "And please, call me
Ranma."
"Yes Ranma-san."
Ranma turned away, and followed the two little girls, smiling at their
contagious excitement. They were almost to the main gate when members of the
crowd noticed him despite the fact that he wasn't wearing his Chinese shirt
and drawstring pants. Ranma growled angrily as the crowd surrounded him, and
was about to jump away with his guests, when he noticed several people in
uniform moving through the crowd. A short time later, ten security officers
broke out of the crowd and stopped them.
"Sorry about the inconvenience Mr. Saotome," one of them said as the
others worked to keep people back. "We were not informed of your visit.
Would you and your party please follow me? We'll get you through the gates
as quickly as possible." Ranma nodded and relaxed as he took the two girls
by the hand and followed the security officer through the crowd. As they
left, the other officers formed a shield around them, keeping the public away
from Ranma. After a very short walk to the monorail station, they found
themselves in front of a gate, and Ranma gave the park employee their
tickets. After scanning the tickets, the person smiled and returned them to
him waving them through.
"Welcome to Disneyland Mr. Saotome," A woman in a different uniform,
said as Chibi-Usa and Hotaru followed him through the gate. "I am Megumi
Hanabashi, and it is my privilege to make your time with us as enjoyable as
possible."
"Wow Uncle Ranma, she's here just for us?" Hotaru gasped in awe.
"Yes Miss, that's right, I'm here just for you," Megumi said, wide eyed
in surprise herself. Bringing herself back under control, she turned back to
Ranma with a gesture. "Where would you like to start?" Ranma looked
questioningly at Hotaru and Chibi-Usa, and smiled at their blank expressions.
"Why don't you give us the Grand Tour first Ms. Hanabashi," Ranma
laughed. "I don't know about them, but I've never been here before. In
addition, please call me Ranma. I keep having to look around to make sure my
father isn't here when I here someone call me Mr. Saotome."
"Of course Ranma-san," Megumi said, smiling in response. "Please
follow me." She led them to the back of the monorail train and nodded to the
other employee who had just finished checking that all of the doors were
closed.
*******
"I still can't believe that Hotaru just happens to be related to Ranma
Saotome," Makoto said for the tenth time as she and Rei walked toward the
movie theater. "Why is she so lucky?"
"I don't know," Rei sighed. "She does need his help though.
Personally, I'm more interested in how he can use his Chi like that."
"What do you mean?" Minako asked from behind them where she was
walking next to Ami. "Sure it was cool, but we've all done better."
"I don't think you realize what Ranma was actually doing Minako," Ami
said looking up from her computer. "Our attacks, while powerful, are driven
by Mana remember? That's an external energy source, which is why you can't
transform right now."
"So?"
"So, according to my readings, the energy for those 'Chi blasts,' came
from Ranma himself." Ami explained slowly. "It was all internal energy."
"How is that possible?" Makoto demanded. "Where would he get that
much power from?"
"Any one can develop their Chi reserves," Rei said softly. "It's like
building up your endurance. I use mine for charging wards and fire
readings."
"Could you do what Ranma did?" Minako asked, and then sighed when Rei
shook her head. "Why not?"
"I don't have that much control," Rei replied with a shrug. "I could
probably get there, but it would take a lot of work."
"Why is control so important?" Ami said a little confused. "Wouldn't
larger energy reserves be more useful?"
"Only if you can control the discharge," Rei explained. "Without that
level of control, at best a lot of the energy would be wasted."
"And at worst?" Makoto asked nervously.
"At worst, you would be killed by the overload as it burned your brain
out," Rei sighed as everyone else shivered.
"Do you think it would be possible to power our Senshi forms from Chi?"
Minako asked softly.
"I don't know Mina-chan," Rei replied shaking her head.
"You would probably have to ask Luna or Artemis, Mina-chan," Ami said
after consulting her computer. "I don't see why not, but if Rei is correct,
you would need a lot of control and enormous power reserves." Minako nodded
and the four inner Senshi went into the movie theatre.
*******
"Commander Geurig, what is the status of our harvesting operation?"
Captain Stommerik asked his second-in-command from the head of the conference
table in the wardroom.
"Our first raid produced 25,000 units of energy, in spite of the
interruption by two of this planet's defenders. We have also eliminated one
of those defenders with no losses of our own."
"And what are your current plans?"
"Another raid is planned for this evening at another entertainment
center," Lieutenant Wanstaltig replied after a nod from the commander.
"Based on our projections from the last raid, if we are not interrupted we
should harvest a minimum of 1.2 million units of energy."
"What of the high levels of Mana energy that this planet's defenders
seem to be able to control?"
"From the readings we took during the last raid, their attacks take a
large amount of time to charge during which they are vulnerable to our
weapons," Commander Geurig said, handing the captain a data pad with the
analysis on it. "If they do attack, we can neutralize them before they can
do us any serious damage."
"Very well, proceed with your operation, but do not seek out a
confrontation with these 'Sailor Senshi," Captain Stommerik agreed standing.
"We want to keep them ignorant of our purpose here until it is too late for
them to stop us, understood?"
"Yes sir, completely."
"Then proceed with your preparations... Dismissed."
*******
"Is there anything else that you want to see?" Megumi asked as Ranma,
Hotaru, and Chibi-Usa finished their dinner. Ranma looked at the girls
questioningly and smiled when they shook their heads tiredly.
"Not today I think Megumi-san," He replied. "We've seen enough for one
day. Besides, we have an appointment elsewhere. Would it be possible for
you to show us around when we come again?"
"I would be honored sir," She replied blushing at the implied
compliment. Drawing a business card from her purse, she checked the details
on it then gave it to him. "Simply call this number and we will make all of
the necessary arrangements."
Ranma took the card and smiled when Hotaru and Chibi-Usa stared at him
in hope. After paying their bill with his new credit card, he led them out
of the Queen of Hearts' banquet hall and they walked toward the main gate of
the park. On the way, Ranma speed dialed his accountant's number.
"Moshi Moshi," Michiko replied cheerfully. "Are you finished already
Ranma-san?"
"Yes Michiko-san, could you meet us at the resort main gate? We should
be there in about ten or fifteen minutes."
"I can be there with the car in ten Sir," She replied. After Megumi
gave her instructions on how to find the VIP entrance, Ranma hung up and they
passed through the gateway, walking up to the monorail station. Once again,
they were seated in the control cabin, and whisked back to Ikspiari. Ranma's
car was waiting, so after saying goodbye to Megumi, they piled into their
seats and Michiko pulled away.
"Where would you like to go next Sir? You have two more hours until
the appointment we discussed on the way here."
"Nerima I think," Ranma decided after a moments thought. "We need to
visit a couple of people before Hotaru's appointment."
"Will you need the car anymore today?"
"I doubt it," Ranma said with a grin. "After you drop us off you're
off duty, unless I need to call you for something." She nodded and they
drove along listening to Hotaru and Chibi-Usa talking about everything they
had seen, until they got to Nerima. Ranma gave Michiko directions to Dr.
Tofu's clinic and they were soon there.
"Don't forget to pick me up outside Furinkan High School tomorrow at
1700," Ranma reminded as the girls got out of the car.
"Of course Sir, I'll be there as planned."
"See you then Michiko-san," She smiled and nodded then drove off as
they turned toward the clinic.
"Why hello Ranma," Dr. Tofu said as they came into the entry hall.
"Who are your young friends?"
"This is my niece Hotaru and her friend Chibi-Usa."
"Hello ladies," Dr. Tofu said bowing. The two girls giggled and he
smiled at them then turned back to Ranma. "So what can I do for you today?"
"Hotaru is having some health problems Doc," Ranma explained. "She
runs out of breath very quickly and suffers from low energy levels a lot of
the time. I was wondering if you could look and see if you can tell what's
wrong. The other doctors that her guardians have taken her to haven't been
able to find anything."
"I will do what I can Ranma," Dr. Tofu said looking at Hotaru closely
in concern. "Would you and your friend please come back to the examination
room Hotaru? Let's see what's making you sick." Hotaru nodded shyly, and
they all went back to the examination room while Ranma waited in the entry
hall.
"Okay old man, you can come out of the closet now, I'm not going
anywhere." Genma came out of the broom closet and glared at Ranma.
Have you finally come to your senses and abandoned that slut Nadoka yet
boy?" Ranma became very still and his battle aura began flickering into view
as he glared at Genma. "When are you moving back into the dojo, where you
belong?"
"When you apologize to mom for the way you treated her, old man," Ranma
growled bitterly.
"That whore?! Never, I'd rather die first."
"I would be careful what you said Pop, that can be arranged. I'm
warning you now; if you insult my mother again your next sight will be the
ceiling of a hospital room." His battle aura came fully into view, and Genma
noticed that it was purple rather than the usual blue.
"That bitch isn't worthy of your defense boy. She has probably been
spreading her legs for every male that even showed an interest and…" Genma
stuttered to a halt as Ranma's battle aura winked out and Ranma's eyes began
glowing with an even darker purple light. Without a word, Ranma cupped his
hands in front of his chest and grinned at his father wildly. Fifteen
seconds and 40 energy blasts later, Genma lay in a smoking heap, barely
breathing. Ranma's eyes shifted back to their normal color in time to greet
Dr. Tofu and the girls as they ran back into the room.
"What happened to him Uncle Ranma?" Hotaru gasped, pointing at the
smoldering form on the floor. "Was he a monster?"
"No, unfortunately that's my father Hotaru-chan," Ranma replied,
shaking his head when Dr. Tofu looked at him questioningly. "So what's wrong
with her doc?"
"I'll let you know after your father is on his way to the hospital
Ranma; these are some very serious injuries." He looked at Ranma grimly for
a few seconds then sighed when Ranma simply looked back at him. After
calling for an ambulance, Dr. Tofu did what he could for Genma until the
paramedics arrived, then turned him over to them. When they questioned him
as to how Genma had received his injuries, he simply said that he hadn't been
in the room and they took Genma away.
"I don't know what Genma did to deserve that Ranma, but be very
careful. You almost killed him, and I don't know how much of the damage is
permanent."
"The old fool was warned what would happen," Ranma replied grimly.
"Did you find out what's wrong with Hotaru though?" Dr. Tofu looked at Ranma
for a few more seconds then sighed again.
"Her chi levels are unusually low, even for a normal person. If I
didn't know better, I would say that it's being constantly drained somehow."
"You mean like what Miss Hinako does?"
"No, that leaves a different signature because the energy drain comes
from the outside. It's almost as if there were something inside her that's
trying to kill her and her body is just barely hanging on."
"Is there anything you can do about it doc?" Ranma asked worriedly,
becoming the Ranma that Tofu knew well.
"I don't know Ranma… Maybe Shampoo's grandmother would know something
about it. She has much more experience dealing with Chi-based diseases than
I do."
"Would Miss Hinako's energy siphoning attack help her or hurt her doc?"
"The Happo-5 yen-satsu should keep her chi reserves up, but she would
still be losing her chi at an alarming rate Ranma. You need to find what's
draining it to cure her condition Ranma… do you know anything that could
cause it Hotaru?"
"No Tofu-sensei, I don't," She replied softly. "This is just the way
it's been ever since I can remember."
"Hmm… Very troubling…" Dr. Tofu said mostly to himself.
"Thanks for trying Doc," Ranma said with a sigh. "We've got to go to
visit some of the others before we go to Miss Hinako's." Dr. Tofu nodded
absently, still working on possible causes for Hotaru's condition as they all
left. Ranma led the two girls down the street and turned at seemingly random
points until both girls were completely lost.
"Excuse me Ranma-san, but where are we going?" Chibi-Usa asked in
confusion as they walked down an alley that looked like several of the others
they had followed.
"Well, I thought you and Hotaru would like to meet some of my friends,"
He said blandly, looking at Hotaru for her reaction.
"Which ones?" Hotaru asked slowly, remembering that she had seen three
of them attack him yesterday.
"Two of the three girls that came to see me yesterday, Hotaru-chan,"
Ranma replied, surprised at her reaction. "I promised them explanations of
our relationship remember?"
"Do we have too?"
"Sorry short stuff, but this would probably be the best time to tell
them. I have enough problems with misunderstandings as it is."
"I… I guess so, but I don't want to be late for my appointment."
"We won't be, I promise."
*********
"I still can't believe that Ranma is Hotaru's uncle," Makoto muttered
to herself as she and her three friends watched the sneak preview of the
latest Ranma movie. They had bought tickets two weeks before and recent
events made the movie even more interesting than they had expected. Makoto's
attention was drawn back to the screen as the mass of people surged toward
the koi pond that featured so often in these stories… and crashed into Ryoga
who collapsed, scuffing part of the ritual circle and breaking the spell that
would have produced a new magic spring in Nerima. "You know, now that I know
Ranma, that isn't quite as funny as it used to be," She told Rei as the
credits started and everyone started leaving.
The crowd had started moving toward the exits when someone screamed,
and people tried to push their way back into the theater. Makoto glanced
back toward Ami and Minako in confusion then noticed that Ami's computer was
out. Glancing at Rei, Makoto grabbed Ami's arm while Rei took hold of
Minako's and they rushed toward the emergency exit at the other end of the
theater. Other people in the crowd had the same idea and there was soon a
stampede going toward the two exit doors. The first people reached the doors
shortly after the four girls made it through, and were greeted by a
shattering roar. A daemon appeared in the doorway and began herding the
people toward the lobby.
"We have to do something," Minako yelled as she watched the doors slam
shut behind the creature. "Those people need our help!"
"There are about seven of those things in there Minako," Ami told her
glancing up from her screen. "And there are five beings that barely register
on my sensors in the lobby."
"Why did the people start running though?" Rei asked in confusion.
"What's going on?"
"All I can detect are those five beings, who don't register as human,
and about thirty humans whose life signs are dangerously low. It looks like
that disease the news was talking about."
"But that means it's those dweeboids who shot me!" Minako gasped in
outrage.
"And without your powers, you can't do anything to stop them," Ami
reminded her.
"But that doesn't mean we can't," Makoto said, pulling out her henshin
rod. Rei nodded in agreement and the two girls transformed.
"Wait, they might deactivate you too," Ami yelled worriedly after them
as they jumped to the top of the roof. Transforming quickly, she activated
her visor and started more detailed scans of the building. As Mars and
Jupiter began their attack, she began praying for their safety.
*********
"Status report Lieutenant," Commander Geurig said impatiently as
another subject collapsed out of the capture field to be replaced by another,
this one female.
"We've harvested approximately 250,000 units so far sir," Lieutenant
Wanstaltig replied, glancing up from his instrumentation. "We could go
faster, but we would risk killing the subjects from excessive draining."
"How long will it take to finish the remaining subjects?"
"At this rate it should only take another of their hour's sir, and we
should have over 2 million units by then. The projections are still coming
in, but if my readings are correct…" The engineer broke off as an alarm he
had been hoping would remain silent went off. "Shit… we have two Mana surges
in close proximity to us… correction three. Two of the sources are
approaching, and the third is standing off."
"Interesting, they are keeping someone in reserve instead of all
attacking at once like the last time," Geurig chuckled. "It seems we have
taught them caution. Send four of the drones to delay them while the ready
unit prepares a reception for them."
"What about the harvesting operation sir?"
"Prepare the energy for transmission, but continue harvesting. We need
another 5 billion units before we can get back to the fleet with our
results." Wanstaltig nodded and followed his orders while Commander Geurig
called in the squad of shock troopers that had come along for just this
reason.
*********
"Foul demons, how dare you attack a place of fun and enjoyment," Sailor
Mars growled as she and Sailor Jupiter crashed through the lobby windows.
"In the name of Mars I will punish you!"
Sailor Jupiter simply nodded and let loose with a Thunder dragon,
vaporizing her target. With a smirk she turned to her next opponent and
gasped in shock at who it looked like. After overcoming her surprise, she
growled in anger. "You dare to take the shape of a defender of justice! Die
demon scum!" Under an assault of thunder clap zaps, the drone that had taken
on the appearance of Sailor V collapsed into dust. Rei had dealt with the
two coming toward her with similar speed and both girls resumed their advance
on the not of people in armor surrounding a machine that matched Usagi and
Minako's descriptions. As before the people ignored them until they were 20
feet away. Then things changed.
Instead of sending the machine away and running, six of the soldiers
turned toward them with weapons at their shoulders. Mars and Jupiter only
had time to register the grins on their faces before they were engulfed in
blue light they distantly recognized from Minako's description as they felt
their transformations collapse. Seconds later, both girls collapsed to the
floor unconscious.
*********
"Continue operations, and inform me if their companion moves,"
Commander Geurig said as he went toward the still forms of the erstwhile
defenders of this world. The engineer nodded and two of the troopers
followed the executive officer. As the harvesting crew continued their work,
Commander Geurig made his way over to the two still forms and smiled at their
benign appearance. "Who would think that the defenders of a world would be
young females who have never born children themselves?" Shaking his head he
was about to turn away when he noticed that they were still breathing. "What
setting did you use?" he demanded of the two troopers that had followed him.
"Eight, as you ordered sir," The corporal responded in surprise.
"Why?"
"They're still alive you fool, don't you know what that means?!"
"Sir?"
"The one we shot earlier is still alive as well… get one of the techs
over here… Now!" The junior trooper ran back to the harvesting team and
returned with a technician who was carrying a portable scanner. "Tell me
Sergeant, why these two people are still alive."
"Excuse me sir, but is there a reason they shouldn't be?"
"These two individuals were shot with Mark IX blasters at setting 8."
"But… but sir no known form of life can survive a level 6 blast, let
alone level 8."
"And yet they did Sergeant… would you mind explaining that to me?"
"I… I don't understand sir… are you saying that these two girls were
struck by a level 8 blaster bolt? The singeing and other marks of the blast
would seem to correspond with a level 3 blast at the most."
"What are you saying sergeant?"
"If, as you say, they were both shot at power level 8, then they must
have been shielded somehow… if not entirely, at least enough to let them
survive."
"But they utilize Mana to power their abilities," Commander Geurig
reminded him. "There is no evidence that they even know that soul energy
technology is even possible let alone knowing how to shield from it."
"Another possibility would be a protective system to prevent rogue
defenders from accessing their powers." Sergeant Verstas replied after
considering the problem as he continued to scan Makoto and Rei's unconscious
forms and noted the high levels of soul energy in their auras. He recognized
the pattern of the energy as the output of one of their weapons. After
filtering that energy pattern out, he identified each girl's pattern and
swore. "Sir, it's not surprising these two didn't die, their souls are
anchored to their bodies by a system of controls and bindings that we can't
even duplicate with our level of technology. If I'm reading this right, they
would never die unless they chose to or were subjected to severe physical
trauma beyond the capacity of even our power armor."
"Very well then," Geurig sighed, even more confused than when he
started. "Get back to the harvesting. I want to be out of here by the time
they return to consciousness. Also set up a blanketing field. I don't want
their associate to get a signal off." Sergeant Verstas nodded and went back
to the collecting operation.
*********
"They cut me off," Ami gasped staring at her communicator in betrayal.
"Did you tell Usagi and the others where we are?" Minako asked
worriedly looking around to see if anyone like those people in the armor was
coming.
"Usagi must have been on the train, because she kept asking me to
repeat things. I got cut off before I could tell them anything."
"And Haruka took Michiru to Osaka for her concert… damn, where is
Setsuna when we need her?"
"I don't know, but we need to contact someone."
"Who? None of the others are at home either, remember?"
"Then we can't do anything to stop them," Ami sighed in defeat.
Turning back to her computer she forced to watch as everyone in the theater,
except for Rei and Makoto, was drained of their soul energy. Forty-five
minutes later, their new enemy opened a hyperspace gate and vanished. Ami
and Minako cautiously made their way back into the theater and, after moving
their friends out of the lobby, called the police and left an anonymous tip
that the disease being reported on the news had struck again. Carrying Rei
and Makoto two blocks from the theater, Ami and Minako waited for their
friends to regain consciousness, and then helped them back to Makoto's
apartment nearby.
*********
Ukyou sighed and brushed her sweat soaked hair off her forehead as she
finished another okonomiyaki and handed it off to Konatsu. Business was good
today and she was enjoying the challenge of the dinner rush. It took her
mind off the questions she'd had since her meeting with Ranma the day before.
"I wonder what Ranma's doing today," she muttered to herself as she
started another order. She had just finished adding all of the toppings when
the door to the café opened and two girls came in. It was only when Ranma
came in behind them that Ukyou recognized Hotaru as the girl she had seen
with Ranma yesterday in Juuban.
"Hi Uk-chan, how are you?" Ranma said as he motioned for the two girls
to sit at the counter on either side of him. "Were there any problems with
Akane yesterday?"
"Of course, but she finally accepted that you sent the message," Ukyou
replied looking around cautiously. "Do you think it's safe to bring her here
though? I thought you wanted her kept out of the insanity that's been
surrounding you?"
"I know, but I needed to bring her to see Miss Hinako today," Ranma
sighed, shaking his head. "So I decided to give you and Shampoo the
explanation I promised you yesterday while I was here."
"Really? Thank you Ranma, that's very thoughtful of you."
"Not really," Ranma said shaking his head deprecatingly. "Could you do
me a favor and call Shampoo though? I'd really rather not repeat this
story." Ukyou nodded and motioned for Konatsu to take care of the okonomiyaki
that was on the grill before she went into the back made the phone call.
"Ranma-san, is Ukyou your fiancée?" Chibi-Usa asked her confusion
obvious on her face. When he nodded, her expression became even more
confused. "But I thought Akane was your fiancée. My mom told me that boys
are only supposed to have one fiancée."
"I guess you don't watch my movies as much as Hotaru does, huh? You're
right; normally you can only have one fiancée. Unfortunately my old man
didn't seem to care about that. Even after he decided to engage me to one of
the Tendo sister's sight unseen, he accepted an engagement for me with my
best friend Uk-chan, and sold me as a bridegroom several other times, once he
sold me for a bowl of rice, fish, and two pickles. I've gotten out of every
one of those engagements except for the ones with Ukyou, Akane, and Shampoo."
"But don't you still have to choose which one you're going to marry?"
"Yeah, but…" He broke off when he noticed that Ukyou had come back and
was listening to his explanation avidly.
"But what, Ranma-honey?"
"When will Shampoo get here?"
"She said about five minutes," Ukyou replied, and then prompted. "You
still have to decide which of us you're going to marry, but…?"
"I don't want to hurt any of you Uk-chan, and I haven't found a way to
choose without doing that."
"I know that Ran-chan, but you need to know that the longer this
situation goes on, the worse everyone is hurt by it. It's not a matter of if
someone gets hurt; it's more like whom, when, and how badly."
"I guess so," Ranma sighed dejectedly. Ukyou went back to cooking for
a few minutes as Ranma sat quietly, trying to figure a way out of his
problems. Right on time Shampoo arrived and bounced into the room.
"Nihao Ranma, why you come see spatula girl instead of Shampoo?"
"Now listen sugar, don't start," Ukyou growled handing the cooking
duties back over to Konatsu. "Ranma agreed to give us an explanation about
yesterday, and that's what he's here to do."
"Why Ranma date with young sick girl? He pervert now?"
"Be very careful Shampoo," Ranma said quietly, glaring at the amazon.
"I will take as many insults from you as you can dish out without getting
mad, but if you even try to get Hotaru mixed up in this insanity, I won't be
so nice about it." Shampoo blinked at him in shock, never having heard him
talk to anyone like that. Sitting down quickly in the booth that Ukyou
motioned for everyone to move to, she waited for the others to find seats,
and then looked at Ranma expectantly.
"Okay, Shampoo listening."
"Go ahead Ran-chan."
"Okay… A few days ago I got a call from a private investigator who told
me that she was looking for the family of a young girl who had been orphaned
recently and that her information said that I was one of the girl's
relatives. I was still trying to decide whether to go to the meeting they
were holding at her home in Juuban when I realized that it was time for
dinner."
"That was three nights ago right?" Ukyou asked suddenly, looking
concerned when he nodded. "You were supposed to come here for dinner that
night because Akane was cooking. What happened?"
"I forgot until I was already inside… At that point I couldn't escape,
so I tried to eat what she'd cooked… it was the most disgusting stuff I have
ever tasted." Ranma shuddered at the memory. "As usual, she wouldn't let me
explain, and started beating me with that mallet of hers. The pain knocked
me out pretty quick, but from my bruises when I woke up, she kept at me after
I was out. I woke up about five or six hours later and left for Juuban to
check this relative out."
"Akane didn't say anything about beating you senseless when she came
here yesterday," Ukyou said in outrage.
"Violent girl is getting too, too violent," Shampoo growled, nodding in
agreement.
"Anyway, when I got to Juuban, I camped out in a park until after
school let out and then started looking for the address," Ranma continued.
"I had been there for about five minutes when I noticed that everyone was
staring at me like I was some kind freak or something. I was going to ask
someone what was up when this crowd rushed over to me and started asking for
my autograph and stuff."
"Why people do that?" Shampoo asked in confusion.
"Yeah, it's not like you're an idol singer or a movie star or
something," Ukyou said, equally confused.
"It seems that you're right in the first case but not the second,"
Ranma replied, squirming uncomfortably.
"Come on Ran-chan, who are you trying to kid," Ukyou demanded. "I
haven't seen a single movie with you in it ever. Besides, you'd be a
terrible actor."
"No he's not," Hotaru interrupted. "He's great. Besides you're both
in the movies too." The two older girls stared at her in surprise, as if
they had forgotten that she was there. Chibi-Usa rose to her defense when
she saw the girls' disbelief.
"Well, you are…"
"Thank you, both of you," Ranma smiling at the two little girls, who
blushed hotly. Shampoo and Ukyou saw both reactions and stared at Ranma in
disbelief. "From what I've been able to find out so far, Nabiki started
selling videos of my life shortly after I got to Nerima. She started small
at first, which is why you probably haven't seen anything Uk-chan. You see,
she's been very careful not to let any of the movies or toys and stuff come
into Nerima. Since we never leave, except to go to China or something, none
of us ever found out."
"But where does she fit in all this?" Ukyou asked, pointing at Hotaru.
"Umm…she's the orphaned relative," Ranma explained. "It seems that
before she married Pop, my mom gave birth to a daughter, my sister, who she
gave up for adoption. My sister was Hotaru's mother."
"So Hotaru is…is your niece?"
"Not new fiancée?"
"Hotaru is my niece, but I'd rather you didn't tell anyone else for a
while. I don't want here getting caught up in the crazy stuff that always
seems to find me."
"But Akane was saying something about an illegitimate child Ran-chan,"
Ukyou said softly, trying to bring the conversation back under control. "She
said her father overheard your mom and dad arguing about it. What was that
all about?"
"What he probably overheard was my mom confessing to Pop that my older
sister existed," Ranma growled, his battle aura flaring. "The illegitimate
child was my sister, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Tendo thought that I
had had an illegitimate child and Akane got that from him."
"Shampoo so happy Ranma explain everything," Shampoo said softly,
smiling at Hotaru and her friend. "What Ranma doing today? Can take Shampoo
on date?"
"Now hold on a minute sugar, if Ran-chan is taking anyone on a date
it's going to be me!"
"Actually, I don't think I'll take either one of you on a date until
you apologize to Hotaru," Ranma growled, angry that they had started the
insanity again and completely forgotten that he wanted his niece kept out of
it. As both girls stopped and stared at him in surprise, he sighed. "I'd
like to talk to you both alone for a minute. You decide who goes first, but
make it quick." With that he walked over to the door to Ukyou's office and
walked in.
*********
"We made it," Ami gasped as the door to Makoto's apartment opened and
she stumbled into the entry hall. Makoto and Rei ran in, closely followed by
Minako, who slammed the door shut behind her.
"Did those perverts follow us?" Rei asked nervously as Ami looked down
at the street through the window. Ami shook her head negatively after a few
moments and the other girls sighed in relief.
"Now I'm glad this happened to me in the mall," Minako said as they all
slumped onto chairs and couches. "At least I was able to change clothes
before I had to go out on the streets."
"Tell me about it," Makoto growled. "I swear if one more pervert had
whistled at us, I would have put him in the hospital then and there."
"But now what do we do?" Rei said, still recovering from the shock of
being beaten so easily. "I don't have any clothes to change into right now,
no one's at home to get me any."
"Don't worry about it Rei, I'm sure I have something around here
that'll fit you," Makoto said getting back to her feet. "I don't know about
you though, but I need a shower first, and then I'll look through my clothes
for something you can wear."
"Thanks Makoto," Rei sighed, relieved. Makoto nodded and went into her
bathroom.
"I guess we should call the others and let them know what happened,"
Ami said softly, keying on her communicator.
"Hey Ami, what's going on?" Usagi said, sounding surprised to hear
from her. "Those scary guys in armor aren't attacking again are they? Why
did you hang up on me before? Are you guys okay?"
Ami sighed and shivered a little. "The answer is yes, no, and it
depends Usagi. They did attack earlier, but they're gone now.
Unfortunately, we didn't get away as easily as I would have liked"
"What do you mean? What happened?"
"They attacked the theatre where the four of us went to see the latest
Ranma movie," Ami explained. "We got out, but Rei and Makoto went back to
try and save the people still trapped inside."
"Why didn't you call for help?" Haruka demanded, interrupting Usagi's
next question. "These guys had already taken Minako out. Attacking them
without backup was just plain dumb."
"We tried to call you," Minako replied defensively. "They were somehow
able to block our communicators, and since none of you were home, there was
just no way could we do it."
"Are Rei and Makoto okay?" Michiru asked her concern obvious in her
voice.
"Other than needing a shower and some new clothes," Rei replied,
shivering a little in reaction to earlier events. "We both got blasted with
the same kind of weapon that hit Minako though, so now we can't transform
either." Gasps could be heard from the other Senshi as they realized what
this meant.
"The reason we called was to ask you to come over to Makoto's apartment
for a meeting," Ami finally said. "We need to figure out what we're going to
do about this new enemy."
"We'll be right there."
"If you could bring Luna and Artemis too, that would be great. We have
some questions for them as well."
"Michiru and I will stop by and pick them up on the way over," Haruka
agreed. "Don't start until we get there though." After agreeing, everyone
switched their communicators off.
"Showers all yours Rei," Makoto said, crossing to her bedroom in a
towel. Rei sighed and walked to the bathroom, stripping off the rags that
used to be one of her favorite outfits. Minako and Ami settled further into
their chairs, waiting for the others.
*********
"What Ranma want to say to Shampoo?" Shampoo asked as she came into
Ukyou's office to find Ranma sitting behind the desk that was in the center
of the room.
"Will you have a seat?" Ranma said, indicating the chair directly
across from his. After Shampoo was seated Ranma cleared his throat. "The
reason I wanted to talk to you, Shampoo, was because we need to clear up a
misunderstanding."
"What misunderstanding?"
"The misunderstanding you have about our relationship. You see, while
I consider you one of my friends, I don't think of you as my fiancée, and no
matter how many times you drug me or beat up one of the other girls, I doubt
that I ever will."
"But…"
"I'm sorry Shampoo, but I feel like you're wasting your time here in
Japan and would be better off in China."
"Shampoo no can go back to village unless kill pig-tailed girl or marry
Ranma," She replied with a pleading look in her eye.
"I'm sorry," Ranma sighed, shaking his head. "If you need a place to
stay, you will always be welcome wherever I am, but I don't love you in the
way a man should love his wife, and I won't live a lie."
"Shampoo understand," She said, tears trailing down her cheeks. "Must
ask question though… would have married if no try to force?"
"I don't know, maybe…" Ranma sighed as Shampoo ran from the room crying
bitterly. A short time later, Ukyou came into the office looking very
nervous.
"Sorry about earlier Ran-chan," She apologized. "You told us you
didn't want Hotaru involved in the craziness, and we got her into it anyway."
"It's okay Uk-chan, I understand how hard it has to be, not knowing
where you stand in something as important as an engagement," Ranma said,
indicating the chair across from him. After she had been seated they sat
silently for several minutes before he spoke again. "The reason that I
wanted to talk to you was to clear up some things about our relationship.
From what you've told me, my Pop engaged me to you in exchange for your
Father's yatai."
"Yeah…?"
"From what I can remember, the yatai was destroyed in an accident a
week later, so I can't return it. Besides, you have your own shop now and it
would be kind of redundant. What I can do is give you the money that it
would cost to get you a new one."
"I don't want the money Ran-chan, or the yatai." Ukyou said, not
liking where the conversation was going. "All I ever really wanted was you."
"I… I know Uk-chan… but I don't think of you like that."
"What do you mean?"
"When we were kids, I thought of you as my best friend, someone I could
talk to. Now that we're older, my feelings have changed, but not in that
way. You became the sister that I never knew, someone I could talk to, who
wouldn't expect anything out of me that I couldn't give."
"So I don't stand a chance do I?"
"Of becoming my wife? I'm sorry, no, you don't, not right now anyway.
I need you as my sister, more than a fiancée or a wife. I mean we're only
seventeen Uk-chan, we should be more worried about how we are getting into
college than who will marry whom."
"So later there might be a chance?"
"I honestly don't know," Ranma sighed, unwilling to destroy her last
hope. "Maybe, but I'm not making any promises to anybody. Nor am I willing
to standby and let my father control my decisions either. The next time some
girl he engaged me to for a meal shows up, I'm sending her straight to Pop.
Let him deal with it, he made the agreement, not me."
"Wow, I've never seen you like this Ran-chan…" Ukyou giggled, amazed at
how handsome he looked to her when he said that. "Whatever you decide is
fine by me." Ranma nodded gratefully and left her in the office. Hotaru
looked up when he came in, then followed him outside when he left the café."
"Are you ready for your first treatment Hotaru-chan?" He asked,
smiling when she nodded eagerly. "Okay, let's get this over with and go back
to Juuban." He and the two girls headed for a different part of Nerima as
Ukyou watched them from her doorway, a sad smile on her face.
********
"Where did you get this skirt from Makoto?" Rei demanded, coming into
the room in a short leather skirt and a lacy bra that no longer fit Makoto.
"You didn't wear it did you?" Ami and Minako gasped then giggled at how
short and tight the skirt would have been on Makoto, especially since it
hugged Rei's body like a second skin.
"My old boyfriend liked to see me in stuff like that," Makoto replied
blushing hotly. "I didn't do it very often though."
"Umm… just how tall were you when you wore this last?"
"Heh… Not much shorter than I am now," Makoto giggled, her blush
growing.
"No wonder he liked to see you dressed like that," Minako giggled,
while Rei blushed sympathetically, then went back into Makoto's bedroom to
finish changing. Shortly after she had returned to the living room with a
red silk shirt on, the door bell rang and Makoto let the other Senshi in.
"Okay what happened this time?" Luna demanded, jumping down from
Usagi's arms.
"Makoto and I got blasted, and those creeps got away with everything
they were after," Rei said grumpily.
"Can you still transform?" Artemis asked, and then groaned when the
girls shook their heads. "Now we really have a problem."
"No kidding," Haruka grumbled. "How are we supposed to beat these
creeps if every time we meet them, one of us is eliminated. We'll run out of
effective fighters long before we defeat them at this rate."
"As long as they use these weapons, they will continue to activate the
safeguards and render you powerless," Luna sighed, slumping in defeat. "The
Senshi are doomed." Everyone in the room, including Artemis, stared at Luna
in shock as she said this, and the Senshi protested.
"What!"
"We can't just give up!"
"There must be something we can do!"
Ami thought furiously for several seconds and then remembered the
discussion they had on their way to the theater. "Could we possibly use chi
to power our transformations?"
"No, that's impossible," Luna replied quickly.
"Not so fast Luna, you can't just dismiss that out of hand," Artemis
disagreed.
"There is no way that chi can be developed to a high enough level to
power Senshi," Luna said authoritatively. "It is only useful for minor
things like wards and fire readings, ask Rei."
"I don't know about that Luna," Rei replied, surprising the moon cat.
"Hotaru's uncle, Ranma Saotome, seems to be able to use it for some pretty
powerful things."
"Ranma Saotome?" Artemis said, surprised. "You mean that guy that
Minako drools over every night on T. V?" Minako blushed hotly, but didn't
deny the statement. "What does he have to do with Hotaru?"
"It turns out that her mother was adopted, and that Hotaru's natural
grandparents are still alive," Usagi explained quickly. "Hotaru's
grandmother is Ranma's mother, which makes him her uncle."
"Okay, but what is Rei talking about?" Luna demanded. "That's just a
show, not reality."
"From what we saw today, I would hesitate before telling Ranma that,"
Haruka said simply. "At the shrine, we saw one of those 'chi attacks' that
he uses on the show in real life."
"And?"
"He blew up four straw dummies without even breaking a sweat," Makoto
said with stars in her eyes. "He's a real martial artist."
"It must have been some kind of trick," Luna denied, still not
believing that chi could be that powerful.
"I'm not so sure Luna," Artemis disagreed. "Even back during the
Silver Millennium the Office of Supernatural Phenomenon was getting reports
of unexplained soul energy discharges. We were concerned that people dying
but we couldn't find any signs of bodies. The main hotbed was in China, but
there were outbursts almost everywhere on the planet."
"But can we use chi to power our Senshi forms?" Minako demanded,
annoyed that they hadn't answered the question yet.
"The simple answer is that we don't know," Artemis replied, glaring at
Luna. "It takes a large amount of energy to maintain your Senshi forms, to
say nothing of the energy required for your attacks. To power a Senshi from
purely internal energy would require huge chi reserves and several years
worth of training to develop the necessary control."
"Oh… well we don't have that long," Luna said smugly, assuming that the
subject was closed.
"We'll have to ask Ranma about it," Artemis decided, ignoring Luna's
glare. "If he is using that form of attack at his age, maybe he discovered a
faster method of developing the control he needed. Like the girls said, they
can't just give up."
*********
"Hello Ranma, is this your niece?" Hotaru stared at the girl who had
opened the door. She looked like she was younger than Hotaru but, for some
reason, Hotaru didn't think she actually was. There was something about the
way she acted that told Hotaru and Chibi-Usa that this was an adult no matter
how she looked or behaved.
"Yes, Hinako-sensei, this is Hotaru Tomoe and her friend Chibi-Usa,"
Ranma replied with a grin at the sheer exuberance that his teacher was
displaying. "We're here for the treatment like we agreed."
"Come in, come in," Miss Hinako said, her eyes dancing as she noticed
the strange looks she was getting from the young girls. "I'm glad you could
come today, I was starting to wonder if Ranma had been trying to fool me
after all yesterday. I'm glad that he wasn't. Please sit down. What have
you been up to today?" She motioned to the chairs scattered around her
living room, and waited while her guests took their seats.
"We went to Disneyland today," Hotaru replied after Ranma indicated she
should. "Uncle Ranma took me and Chibi-Usa on a tour and we got to go on
lots of rides and stuff."
"Ooh, sounds fun," Miss Hinako said excitedly, then giggled. "I went
there a couple of days ago. Aren't the parades cool?"
"Yeah," Chibi-Usa laughed, then got a sad expression on her face. "We
didn't get to see the fireworks or Fantasmic today 'cuz we had to leave early
to come to see you."
"Oh I'm sorry…"
"It's okay, Hotaru needs to get better and if this is how she does, I
don't care about some silly fireworks.
*********
Nabiki walked into the conference room and went to the head of the
table where the rest of her board of directors was waiting. "This meeting is
called to order now, note it in the minute Sayuri." After the secretary
nodded and typed the date and time into her laptop, Nabiki nodded to the lone
male member of the board.
"Ma'am, the latest reports indicate that Ranma has stayed in Juuban for
the last two days. From all appearances he is currently living in a four
bedroom townhouse with three women and a young, teenaged, girl."
"Have your people been able to discover which of the rooms he's
sleeping in?" Nabiki asked calmly. "Does he seem to be physically involved
with any of these four females?"
"Not as far as we can tell Ma'am." He replied nervously.
"Observations have shown that these two," Pictures of Michiru and Haruka come
up on everyone's displays. "Are lesbians with a long standing relationship.
The older female comes and goes randomly, at times eluding our observers."
"And the teenaged girl?"
"She is the one that Ranma appears to spend the most time with, though
their relationship is closer to siblings or some other kind of relative
rather than romantic."
"Is it possible that she is a relative of Ranma's that we've just never
heard of before ma'am?" Sayuri asked hesitantly, blushing when Nabiki looked
at her questioningly. "I mean, not to say that there was anything wrong with
our initial searches, but if you remember, the investigators that you hired
did say that they didn't have access to court sealed adoption records and
things like that. Maybe this girl is connected to Ranma through something
like that."
"Good thinking Sayuri," Nabiki said with a grin for the blushing
secretary. "We may make a board-member of you yet. All right people, I want
all of the information you can get me on this girl emailed to my personal
address by eleven tonight. Now, how did the Juuban preview of our latest
release turn out?" She looked at Yuki with a raised eyebrow.
"Ummm... the first showing had good reviews, but there was a problem at
the first matinee showing today."
"Problem? What kind of problem?"
"We can't really tell ma'am," Yuki said apologetically. "All that we
can tell is that, after the showing, all of the people in that theatre
collapsed from some kind of disease that put them in a coma."
"How many people are we talking about here?” Nabiki demanded.
"Almost five hundred, ma'am," Yuki replied, her shock evident.
"Is there any possible link to the new movie, some kind of chi bleed-
over?"
"Not that we can tell ma'am," Naoko replied from her seat at the other
end of the table. "The first reports of this illness that we got were from
an incident two days ago in a mall, also in Juuban."
"Anything unusual?"
"Well, Juuban has always been one of our stranger markets ma'am," Naoko
said, going through the notes on her terminal. "There are reports of monster
activity in the area well beyond those in Nerima, even when the old pervert
is summoning demons. From what we can tell there is even a group of people
who fight them regularly, called..."
"The Sailor Senshi," Nabiki finished for her. "I see... and did this
look like a normal monster attack, or different?"
"Very different ma'am," Naoko replied, smirking at the disbelieving
expressions on some of the board members faces. "From what we have been able
to get from the police reports and interviews, two monsters attacked a
sporting goods store, and drove the shoppers toward the mall's hub. The
people who didn't get affected by this disease that Yuki was talking about,
report that people were dropping where they stood in the hub area without any
apparent symptoms."
"What about the Senshi?"
"These reports are pretty strange too ma'am. From what we can tell,
Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus destroyed the two monsters and went to check out
the hub area, but only Sailor Moon returned."
"What happened to Sailor Venus?" Nabiki asked in surprise. "The
Senshi never leave one of their own behind, no matter how injured."
"We don't know Nabiki-san," Naoko sighed in frustration. "All we have
are the statements of the people who didn't go into the hub area. Anyone who
did is in a coma."
"I see.” Nabiki looked at the ceiling, thinking furiously. "I want
all the information that you can get on this 'disease,' and I don't want any
holes, do you understand?" After everyone in the room nodded, she came to
her feet.
"I'll be at school tomorrow as usual. If anything comes up, notify me
through the normal channels. Meeting adjourned.”
*********
"Do you understand how to do all of the manipulations?" Miss Hinako
asked as she finished pressing the required pressure points on Hotaru's chest
and back.
"I think so," Ranma replied, still concentrating on her motions as she
pressed two more points then walked over to her couch as she changed back to
her younger form. "What else do I need to know?"
"If you miss any treatments in the first two weeks, you'll have to
start over again. After that though, you only have to start over if you miss
two treatments."
"Okay, when does the treatment take effect?"
"It should start working immediately," Miss Hinako giggled. "Why don't
you try it out Hotaru-chan?"
"O-okay," Hotaru replied nervously, trying to remember how Miss Hinako
had told her to drain energy from someone who was trying to attack her. "I'm
ready."
Ranma nodded and quickly built up his battle aura until it was visible
to the naked eye. "Okay, try it now."
"Happo-5yen-Satsu!" Hotaru yelled, holding the 5 yen coin out toward
her uncle. Ranma felt his ki draining away and smiled in Hotaru's direction
as he worked to keep his battle aura energized.
After he felt the drain stop, he concentrated and allowed the Ki to go
back to its normal levels glad that the test hadn't taken much of his
strength. The sight that greeted him when he opened his eyes though knocked
the breath out of him. Miss Hinako and Chibi-Usa were standing where they
were before the test, but they were staring at Hotaru, who was still
obviously herself, but looked very different. After a few seconds the young
girl screeched and ran for the bathroom that Miss Hinako had pointed out
earlier.
"How old is your niece Ranma?" Miss Hinako asked, confused by the
changes in the girl.
"As far as I know, she's only thirteen,” Ranma replied, confused.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"You might want to check on that... The technique that we both use
only produces that kind of change if the person using it would be more
developed if their energy levels were naturally higher. That's why I get so
much taller and umm... bigger when I drain someone's energy."
"So what do you think happened to Hotaru?"
"Nothing really, it's just that with the extra energy the 5-yen satsu
gives her, she looks more like a sixteen year-old than a girl of thirteen."
Chibi-Usa stared at the two older people in the room, and then ran into
the bathroom to check on her friend.
"Hotaru, are you okay?" She asked when she saw her best friend staring
at her own reflection in the mirror. As she waited for her friend to
respond, she looked at her friend and was amazed at the changes in her.
Hotaru was at least nine inches taller than before, with a much more
feminine figure. Her hair was the same length but, where before it had given
her a somber, kind of scary look, now it gave her a cute, pixie look that
would have shocked the other Senshi.
"What... what happened to me?"
"Umm... I don't really know Hotaru-chan, but Miss Hinako was saying
something about this kind of thing happening if the person's development or
something hadn't kept up with their age."
"So..."
"So when you were born again and then aged rapidly, you might not have
stopped at twelve like everyone thought. You could actually be almost sixteen
now."
"But that means that I'm supposed to be in high school! I don't know
enough to be in high school yet!"
"Calm down Hotaru, you don't have to go to high school until you're
ready to." Ranma said from the doorway, relieved that she didn’t really seem
very worried about the changes. "But you might want to think of this as more
of an opportunity, rather than a problem.”
“An opportunity? For what?”
“To start over,” Miss Hinako said, motioning everyone out of the
bathroom and leading them back to the living room. Once her guests were back
in their seats, she continued. “I understand that you don’t want to start at
a new school Hotaru, but you don’t look like a junior high school student
anymore.”
“I would miss you at school Hotaru,” Chibi-Usa said with a frown. “But
I think it would be a good idea to go to another school anyway… you could get
away from all the dummies that call you a freak.”
“I… I guess so, but I would be almost two years behind in my classes,”
Hotaru complained, agreeing with her friend a little.
“I can understand why that would scare you, maybe more than anyone
else, especially since I had so much to make up when I got out of the
hospital,” Miss Hinako sighed sympathetically. “All that I can say is that
it’s possible to make up for being behind in your class, even two years, if
you are willing to work hard at it.”
“I’m sure that Ami would help too,” Chibi-Usa added, grinning as her
friend thought about the teacher’s suggestion.
“As to her records though,” Miss Hinako said, frowning in
concentration, “you will probably need some help to get her documents
corrected to match her apparent age. I know that she makes you uncomfortable
Ranma, but Nabiki is the only person in the area that has the necessary
connections to do something like that.”
“I think one of my guardians could fix it Ma’am,” Hotaru disagreed,
thinking of the advantages of having the guardian of the gates of time as one
of her guardians too. “She has a lot of unusual connections.”
“That’s everything then,” Ranma decided, motioning for the girls to
gather their belongings. “Thanks again for your help, Miss Hinako. If you
need any help from me, call that number I gave you and I’ll do everything
that I can.”
“Before you leave Ranma, there is something that I’d like to talk to
you about if you have the time,” Miss Hinako said as she escorted them to the
door.
“What’s up? Is Kuno causing trouble again?”
“No, nothing I can’t handle. Could I talk to you privately?” Ranma
nodded and told Hotaru and Chibi-Usa to wait for him at the gate.
“So what did you want to talk about?”
“When will you be coming back to school?” She asked pointedly.
“Umm… I was planning on coming back tomorrow, why?”
“I was getting a little worried about the classes that you’ve missed in
the last few days. I understand that you have recently come into a large
amount of money, but you still need an education.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Ranma muttered, not liking this conversation.
“I’m not saying you have to stay at Furinkan, in fact you could really
help Hotaru get adjusted to whichever high school she ends up at if you were
going there, but you need to finish school regardless.”
“Umm…”
“Just think about it okay? Now I have a date with a quart of double
chocolate fudge ice cream, so I will see you at school tomorrow.” She
accepted Ranma’s nod of acknowledgement and shut the door, turning around and
shaking her head as she went to get her ice cream out of the freezer.
“I hope you think about what I’ve said Ranma,” Miss Hinako muttered to
herself as she turned on her favorite anime and sat on the couch. “Just give
it a try, you might actually learn something.
***********
After walking a few blocks in silence, Hotaru’s curiosity finally
overcame her shyness, and she looked at Ranma questioningly. “What did your
teacher want to talk to you about Uncle Ranma?”
Ranma looked at his niece for a few seconds and then laughed the barely
contained interest obvious in her expression, “Umm… well nothing all that
important, she just wanted me to make sure that I go to school for the rest
the week. She also had an idea that I’m thinking about.”
“Really, what was it?”
“She wanted me to think about going to the same high school you
transfer to,” Ranma replied watching her carefully to gauge her reaction.
She stared at him for several seconds, then squealed in excitement and gave
him a good imitation of one of Shampoo’s better glomps.
“Could you?!” She asked breathlessly. “That would be so great!”
“It’s possible, but I’d have to talk to my mom,” Ranma told her,
smiling at her enthusiasm. “I’m still engaged to Akane and the others, and
if I went to a different school they might cause problems there. Besides, it
would feel like I was running away like Pop always does, and I ain’t anything
like that.”
“I’d feel a lot better about going to a new school if you were there
Uncle Ranma, but I’ll understand if you don’t want to.” Ranma sighed when he
saw the depression on Hotaru’s face and gave her a hug.
“Hey, I didn’t say that I didn’t want to, just that it would be
complicated.” Hotaru gave him a shaky smile and they continued to the next
bus stop. “So which way do you want to go home, by train or by roof?”
“Roof!” Both girls said excitedly, forcing Ranma to smile ruefully.
“Okay, up you go then.” Hotaru climbed onto her uncle’s back, grinning
at Chibi-Usa’s questioning look, then giggling at her friend’s startled yelp
when Ranma picked her up without any strain. With a grin Ranma turned in the
general direction of Juuban and gathered his ki. “Next stop, Tsukino’s
residence. Just give me some directions once we’re in Juuban.” Chibi-Usa
nodded, still a little stunned and with a quick jump they were off, a multi-
colored blur flying across the Tokyo skyline.
***********
“How is the energy processing going?” Captain Stommerik asked as he
entered the auxiliary power room. “When will it be fully assimilated?”
“Two days sir,” Lieutenant Wanstaltig replied, not even bothering to
look up from his instruments. “The equipment simply wasn’t designed for the
energy levels that we’re finding here. I think the problem is in the
filtration system, but I’ll have to wait until this batch is loaded to see
what I can do about it.”
“And how long will it take once you know?”
“Depends,” The engineer shrugged. “If it’s just one of the grid
parameters ten of this planet’s minutes. Thing is, if it’s the entire grid
assembly, we’ll have to start over from scratch. That’ll take at least four
days.”
“Start based on the assumption that it’s the whole grid,” Captain
Stommerik said, nodding. “Even if it isn’t the new grid assembly will be
more efficient.”
“Yes sir,” Lieutenant Wanstaltig saluted and keyed his com unit as the
captain left.
***********
Ranma’s expression the next day as he approached Furinkan High, showed
that he was deep in thought, so it was understandable that he didn’t notice
Shampoo and Ukyou standing in the way until he had almost run into them.
“What’s up you two?”
“Stupid Stick Boy decide to visit Violent Girl yesterday,” Shampoo said
grimly, motioning for Ranma to keep going toward the school. “Don’t know
what she say to him, but he come to Nekohaten last night looking for you
saying you threaten Violent Girl. Stick Boy say he have you arrested if you
come to school.”
“Stupid Tomboy,” Ranma growled, annoyed. “If she thinks she can get
away with something like this, she’d better think again.”
“What are you going to do Ran-chan?” Ukyou asked, a little worried.
“The police are waiting for you, I saw them there when I got to school this
morning.”
“I’m going to school,” Ranma said simply, smiling when both girls gaped
at him. “If Kuno thinks that he can beat me by getting the authorities
involved he’s got a surprise coming, though I do need to make a call before I
get there.” That said, he took his cell phone out of the pouch at his waist
and dialed a number. After a short conversation too quiet for either girl to
hear, he turned the phone off and nodded to the girls. “Shall we go?”
Shampoo and Ukyou nodded reluctantly and they continued towards the school.
“Are you Ranma Saotome?” A Police officer asked as the three teenagers
came up to the gates.
“Yes, Officer Toyama, and I’m glad to see that you and your associates
are here already,” Ranma replied, hiding a laugh as the cop gave him a
surprised look.
“Umm… could you tell me why that is? We’re here to take you into
custody on charges of assault and suspicion of unlawful imprisonment.”
“Don’t forget the charges of indecent exposure and blackmail,” Akane
said, giving Ranma a superior look.
“What Violent Girl talking?” Shampoo gasped in shock
“There’s got to be some mistake,” Ukyou said, horrified.
“May I ask who made these admittedly serious charges?” Ranma asked
calmly, surprising everyone within earshot. “I mean who did I attack and
hold against their will?”
“As to that, cur, thou hast assaulted my noble personage and art
holding the fair pig-tailed goddess prisoner,” Tatewaki Kuno said in disdain
as he smirked at Ranma. “Not even your fell sorcery can save you from your
richly deserved punishment this time Saotome.”
“Mr. Kuno, we told you to leave this to our officers,” a senior officer
said stepping between the two teenagers. “I suggest you go back to your
class while we deal with the accused.”
“Very well, I but wished to behold the miscreants face when brought to
bay. Know this Saotome, you will never defeat the Blue Thunder of Furinkan
High School.”
“Whatever Kuno,” Ranma laughed then turned to the police officers.
“Shall we be going gentlemen?” He didn’t even bat an eyelash when one of the
officers told him to place his hands behind his back, then handcuffed him.
“What are you doing Ran-chan? You can’t just let Kuno get away with
these lies.”
“Don’t worry Uk-chan, I have everything under control. You go to
class, and I’ll see you in half an hour. Oh, and if Nabiki’s taking bets on
when I’ll get back, put 50,000 yen on less than an hour, I’m good for it.”
Ranma climbed into the police car and waved at the bewildered girls outside
the school gates as the police drove off, heading for their Nerima Ward
headquarters.
***********
It didn’t take very long for the caravan of police cars to arrive at
the station and Ranma smirked when he saw his new car parked outside. He
went along peacefully as the officers lead him into the front office, only to
be stopped by the station chief.
“What the hell are you idiots doing?!”
“Sir?”
“Release him instantly.”
“But… but he’s the guy you told us to go pick up at Furinkan High
School.”
“And now I’m telling you to let him go,” The station chief growled,
grunting when the officer unlocked the handcuffs. “New information has come
to light that indicates we picked up the wrong person. It seems that Mr.
Saotome is a famous actor, and the Tatewaki Kuno person has been harassing
him for the last year. Sorry for the inconvenience Mr. Saotome.”
“No problem,” Ranma replied, smiling when he saw Michiko coming out of
the chief’s office. When she saw him she smiled back, then cleared her
throat and handed the chief a folded piece of paper.
“Oh, right,” The chief said remembering the last detail. Handing the
folded paper to the officer who had handcuffed Ranma he smirked. “That’s a
restraining order requiring this Kuno character to cease and desist all
actions against Mr. Saotome immediately. You can serve it when you take the
kid back to school.”
“I’ll be taking my employer back sir,” Michiko interrupted. “We have
some business to discuss.”
“Suit yourselves,” The chief said with a shrug then went back to his
office. Ranma and Michiko left the station and got into the Freelander.
“Good work Michiko-san that was perfect.”
“Thank you sir, I’ll pass your praise on to your new lawyer, Mr.
Tankato,” She replied with a smile.
“What was the business you needed to discuss with me?”
“I just needed to tell you about Mr. Tankato’s review of your contract
with the film company. It seems that we only got half of the funds that were
being held for you.”
“Where’s the rest of it,” Ranma asked, amazed that he was even richer
than he’d thought.
“That’s just it… according to the information in the contract it was
turned over to Ms. Tendo to be invested.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to Nabiki about it at lunch. Anything else?”
“No sir. Your meeting with Mr. Tankato is scheduled for tomorrow
evening as you requested.” A short time later they pulled up in front of the
school and Ranma got out.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow evening then unless something else comes
up. And remember, I told you to call me Ranma, so cut it out with the
‘sirs.’” Ranma grinned as Michiko blushed, nodding in acknowledgement.
Still grinning Ranma jumped over the closed gate and then up to the open
window of his classroom.
“I see that Mr. Saotome has returned to grace us with his presence, so
let us continue.” Miss Hinako said, smiling at Ranma as he took his seat
quietly, then going back to the lesson.
***********
“How did you get away from the cops Ranma-honey? Are you a fugitive
now?”
“Nah… They released me as soon as they knew who had charged me with
that junk. So did you collect on that bet I told you about?”
“Not yet, Nabiki asked me to give some time to get my winnings
together.”
“Look like Mercenary Girl get money ready,” Shampoo said as Nabiki
walked toward them with a metal briefcase attached to her wrist.”
“Before I give you your money, I just have one question,” Nabiki
grumbled as she came up to them. “How did you know to bet that Ranma would
be back that soon?”
“I told her to,” Ranma laughed, smirking at her annoyed expression.
“Now I think you and I need to somewhere private to discuss some business,
right Nabiki?” She nodded looking at him suspiciously, then following him as
he walked to the library.
“So you know about the movies huh?” She said, more as a statement
rather than a question. When he nodded, she shrugged. “I guess you want to
know about the investments and stuff like that.”
“Nah, I just need you to get me a list of them by tomorrow for my
meeting with my business manager and lawyer.” Nabiki’s expression changed to
one of grudging respect as he mentioned the lawyer and she nodded.
“That shouldn’t be a problem. I must say that I’m surprised at how
well you’re adjusting to this.”
“What can I say, you taught me well.”
“So why aren’t you angry? I would have thought you’d be furious about
this sideline of mine.”
“Nabiki, we both know that the reason you were always looking for money
was to keep the dojo running, especially with how much me and Pop eat.”
“Okay, so I did teach you well. Mind telling me who the kid you’ve
been hanging around with lately? My sources can’t seem to find anything on
her.”
“Only if you agree to keep her out of the insanity, free of charge,”
Ranma said, smiling when she nodded in agreement. “That kid as you call her
is my niece, Hotaru. We don’t have time to go into it, but to put it simply,
I had a sister who had a daughter before she died ten years ago.” Nabiki
stared at him in shock for several minutes before he went back to his class
to finish the day off.
***********
The rest of the school day went by without anymore excitement, and
after school let out Ranma took the roofs to Juuban, making sure no one
followed him to Hotaru’s school. He got there and saw the same group of boys
standing around her. He was about to start pounding them when he noticed
that they were acting differently from the last time he’d seen them.
“Hey Hotaru, what’s going on?” He asked after landing in front of the
group of boys.
“We… We thought we would keep her until you picked her up, Saotome-
San,” The apparent leader stuttered.
“That what happened?” He asked Hotaru who nodded shyly. “Okay,
thanks, lets go home Hotaru.” He took her hand, then picked her up and
jumped to a nearby roof making his way toward the house where she lived.
“Uncle Ranma, when do I get my next treatment? I don’t like being this
weak anymore.”
“I’ll give it to you when we get inside. Are Haruka and Michiru home
yet?”
“Umm… I think so,” Hotaru replied looking around the house to look for
Haruka’s car. When she saw it she smiled. “Yes, they’re home, I can’t wait
until they see what I look like right after I get enough energy.” Ranma
smiled in sympathy, remembering that Hotaru had shrunk back to normal while
they were shopping after they had dropped Chibi-Usa off at her aunt and
uncle’s house.
“We’re home,” Hotaru called as she opened the door with her key.
“Welcome home, Hotaru-chan, hurry upstairs and change out of your
uniform. Your grandmother is here to visit.”
“Mom?” Ranma was surprised that his mother had come to visit so soon
after the last time.
“Hello Ranma, how have you been keeping?” Nodoka said as her son came
into the room and sat down. “You’ve been well I hope.”
“Nothing to complain about,” Ranma said with a shrug. “Had some
problems with Kuno at school this morning, but nothing I couldn’t handle.
Hopefully, after summer break that situation will be over with.”
“Oh? Do you have something in mind?”
“I was thinking about transferring to one of the schools down here.”
“Oh… But what about your engagement to Akane-chan?”
“She and I are having some pretty bad problems right now Mom,” Ranma
replied somberly. “It looks like she’s decided to break the engagement and
take Kuno instead.”
“What makes you say that?”
“She and Kuno tried to have me arrested this morning on false charges.”
“She did what?! This is completely unacceptable. I originally
supported this engagement to maintain the honor of both families, but if this
is the way she behaves, I’ll have to reconsider.” Haruka and Michiru came
in, a little shocked by Mrs. Saotome’s tone.
“I guess… oh, by the way, I think Hotaru-chan may be older than we
thought.”
“What makes you say that?” Haruka asked in disbelief. “She looks like
a thirteen year-old, and acts like one, so what makes you think she’s older?”
“Excuse me, but don’t you even know your ward’s actual age?” Nodoka
demanded, confused.
“Umm… actually, when she was placed with us the authorities didn’t know
it either, so they had to go off of the physical evidence.” Mi
“So what makes you think she’s older than thirteen?”
“Umm… It was what happened after my first treatment,” Hotaru said,
coming into the living room in baggy jean shorts and a purple blouse that
looked several sizes too big for her.
“I thought you said it wouldn’t do anything to her except help her with
her energy problem!” Haruka yelled at Ranma, who made a warding gesture.
“It does have one side effect, but I didn’t think it would apply in
Hotaru’s case.”
“What is this side effect dear and how does it bring Hotaru-Chan’s age
into question?”
“According to Miss Hinako, in cases where the lack of energy has
arrested a patient’s development the boost the 5-yen-satsu gives them brings
them to their full development.”
“What does that mean?” Michiru asked in confusion.
“In Miss Hinako’s case it means that she changes from an apparent
twelve year old to a fully developed woman in her mid-twenties.” Hotaru
said, grinning at their expressions of disbelief.
“So, Hotaru-Chan gets older when she uses this technique you are
preparing her for?” Nodoka looked at her son, who nodded shortly. “How much
older?”
“Umm… Sixteen,” Ranma replied relieved that his mother was accepting
this so well.
“This I’ve got to see,” Haruka said in disbelief. When Ranma looked at
Hotaru questioningly, she nodded and Ranma shrugged. After giving her the
second treatment Ranma summoned his ki until he glowed brilliantly. When he
nodded Hotaru took her five yen coin out of her pocket.
“Happo 5-yen-satsu!” She yelled drawing Ranma’s energy out of him.
Everyone except Ranma stared in shock as Hotaru grew and her body developed
feminine curves. When she was done she filled her clothes to perfection.
“I’m glad we got these clothes yesterday Uncle Ranma… none of mine fit when
I’m like this.”
“I would have to agree with your assessment Ranma, it seems that she is
older than we thought,” Nodoka said smiling at her grand-daughter. “You look
very nice Hotaru-chan.”
“Th… Thank you Grandmother,” Hotaru replied, blushing.
“This could cause some problems,” Michiru said realizing what the
change in Hotaru’s age could mean.
“No kidding, our daughter just changed from a complete non-entity,
sorry Hotaru, to a certified hottie!” Haruka gasped, still recovering from
the shock. Hotaru’s blush got hotter from the compliment.
“Miss Hinako suggested sending her to one of the high schools in the
area. It will take some work, but she seemed to think that Hotaru could get
caught up by the time the end of year exams come around.”
“Definitely something to consider,” Nodoka said giving Hotaru a
considering look, then smiling at her. “Would you like to go shopping dear?
You will definitely need more than one outfit if you’re going to spend much
time like that.”
“Good idea mom, in fact I think I’ll come along… Would you two like to
come too?” Ranma looked inquiringly at the two older girls and smiled when
they nodded eagerly. “Then let’s go.” What followed was an agreeable three
hours of shopping with only a few stops to recharge Hotaru’s energy reserves.
**********
Ryoga growled as he walked along the streets of Tokyo, searching for
Ranma.
“Just you wait Ranma, I’ll make you pay for threatening Akane. I’ll
make you wish that you were never born!”
***********
To be continued…