Mirrors Multiplied

Part Three

When Things Get Interesting

by Jared Ornstead

=====

Todays Disclaimer was stolen from a little old lady who only drove it to 
church on Sundays.
(Ranma 1/2 and its associated characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.
Sailor Moon and its associated characters created by Naoko Takeuchi.  No
infringement intended.)

=====

     Nodoka caught her son in his room, changing to go out. Pausing 
halfway into a shirt Ranma watched his mother put aside her hat and 
gardening gloves, then sit on his bed in thought.
     "Son," she said delicately. "On another matter. Would it be rude of 
me to ask just how you got your powers? You did promise me an 
explanation."
     Ranma shrugged the rest of the way into his fresh chinese shirt and 
perched effortlessly on the end of the bedpost. "Well, like what?"
     "Things like that." She nodded to him taking his ease on a one-inch 
diameter perch. He looked down at himself.
     "Oh, yeah." He thought for a moment. "Okay, mom. Do you want the 
long or the short version?"
     "Short." She answered without hesitation. "I have a garden party in 
less than an hour, and while I could cancel it, I would prefer not to do 
so unless you were in real danger. Which you aren't, are you?"
     He tossed her a winning smile. "I seem to be uniquely low on threats 
to my life at the moment."
     Nodoka nodded, satisfied. Then waited attentively with her hands 
folded primly in her lap. The matter would not be evaded further.
     Ranma composed himself. "Okay, short version. You are familiar with 
stories of genies and rings and stuff that grant wishes?" Watching his 
mother confirm this, he continued. "Well, something like that fell into 
my hands. It's not *really* like that, it has some real drawbacks. I've 
used up its power, and in learning how to use it I had some incredible 
experiences in which I picked up alot of knowledge. In fact, *alot* more 
time has passed for me in different places than probably has passed for 
you waiting here." He sighed. "Will that do for short form?"
     His mother's good humor had returned. "Yes, my son. That *does* 
explain things rather well, if a little lacking in detail. You are not 
quite the same person who left here two months ago." She patted his leg 
while rising herself. "The change is for the better. You will bring the 
girls by?"
     His expression said of course.
     "I love you, mom."
     "And I love you, my son. But I have a garden party to prepare for. 
Spend your morning as you like. I'll have Priory arrange a fast attack 
squad should you need an escort outside today."
     "I don't think I'll need it." Ranma smiled cockily.
     "Overconfidence, my son. You mustn't forget the basic precautions. 
We are a clan at war. Don't forget it." She instructed kindly.
     Then his mother left the room.

     Sailor Pluto met the young martial artist just outside the walls as 
he slipped away from the Saotome estate, carrying a transmitter (after 
all, why not?)
     "Transform, Ranma. We've got to talk."
     He looked around. "A world of over two-thirds water, and I can never 
find any when I need it. C'mon, lets find a fountain and a less public 
place."
     It began to rain. Visibility dropped sharply.
     "You timed this pretty well." Ranko observed.
     "That's my job. Change."
     Ranko called out her transformation phrase, and was swiftly replaced 
by Sailor Earth. Pluto waved her staff and suddenly the two of them were 
in a non-place. No features, no landmarks, no floor, just the pair of 
them floating in place.
     Earth pivoted to face Pluto, totally comfortable in zero-gee. "So 
what's up?"
     A weary Pluto shook her head in resignation. "You *do* realize that 
you are the single largest disruption the time stream has ever had?" She 
asked, not at all happy. "Everything has been affected. The fabric of 
time has been worn very thin, Earth."
     Earth shrugged. "I'm sorry. I had no idea what I was doing."
     Pluto got mad. "And you think that's *good* enough? Are you saying 
your selfish search for happiness was *worth* all this? I'm not awake 
yet!" She screamed, bringing a hand to her chest. "None of the Outer 
Scouts are! But I've been called to come back through time to deal with 
your meddling. I *hate* meddling, and I hate to do it in response to 
meddling."
     Pluto simmered at a lower heat. "Enough. You aren't of the Silver 
Millennium, yet you are now a Sailor Scout." Her eyes blazed. "If you 
*weren't* a Scout I'd destroy you now."
     Earth was weighing the other Sailor's abilities. "Yes, Pluto. You 
could do it. But you'd have to freeze time, which would be breaking your 
own rules. And that wouldn't help this situation any."
     Pluto calmed slightly. "You're right, Earth. You are very powerful. 
Extremely so. Which is why I'm going to do what I'm planning to do."
     Earth cocked an eyebrow. Holding herself close enough to action to 
be able to counter any non-temporal move on the other Scout's part.
     "You can relax." Pluto sighed. "I'm *not* going to hurt you. I need 
you to help fix the trouble you've caused." She sagged as if under a 
heavy weight. "First you have to be of the Silver Millennium. Not easy to 
do, I assure you, but because the distortion is centered around you I can 
make use of some of it to alter your past. One more set of memories isn't 
likely to disturb you greatly."
     "Fair enough." Earth admitted.
     "Second, because of ripples from this distortion the Inner Scouts 
may be called to counter threats that they cannot handle. In fact your 
frequent rewriting of history has played merry havoc with all their 
schedules. Nothing is as it should be. The Outer Scouts will be *years* 
in discovering their identities!" Pluto glared. "There is one exception 
to that. Saturn is already stirring."
     "And how can I help with all this?"
     Pluto fumed. "Saturn *needs* guidance and direction, Earth, or she 
could destroy your world just fighting minions! Of all the Scouts, Saturn 
is by far the most dangerous to her friends. And so *you* will be her 
guardian and protector. Uranus and Neptune would have done this if time 
were different. Now they can't, so *you* will."
     "Okay, I promise that I will take care of her."
     Pluto eyed Earth dangerously. "Teach her, Earth. She's got to learn 
to control herself or there won't be a planet for you to live on. Her 
powers are that dangerous. She can heal, but she can also harm."
     "Pluto, I don't lie." Earth warned, beginning to grow weary herself. 
"I don't give my word easily, and you already have it."
     "That's a good thing, Earth." Pluto returned. "Because Saturn is 
waking up in response to a need for her powers."
     Pluto waved her staff and Sailor Earth was returned to Nerima, 
alone. 
     Earth tapped her communicator. "Serena?" She asked, somewhat 
surprised at who'd answered. "We've got to get the Scouts together. 
Something big has come up."

     They sat together in a quiet spot in the park, Ranma with his arm 
around Rea's waist. She was leaning into him, for once not even noticing 
Serena babbling away.
     The last Scout joined them.
     "Sorry, gang." Amy apologized. "I'm not used to having to meet twice 
in one day. I was with my mother at the hospital and it took me some time 
to get away."
     "That's ok," Serena groaned. "It gave our two love birds time to 
make us sick with their snuggling."
     Rae was too happy to notice, or care.
     Ranma apologized. "Sorry about that, Amy. But two important things 
happened since our talk this morning, and it seemed wise that you should 
know about them. One is that I met Sailor Pluto."
     There were blank looks.
     "Now before you ask, I'd heard about Pluto before, but I'd never met 
her. She is the guardian of time, and she'd traveled back *through* time 
in order to give me a warning. That warning was... Well, let me put it 
another way. Have you noticed that all our planets are in close to the 
sun? Pluto called us the 'Inner Scouts.' She explained that there were 
Outer Scouts, but that most of them wouldn't be joining us for awhile. 
Except one."
     Ranma looked down at the girl in his arms, then back up at the 
others. "She told me that Saturn will be joining us soon, and that she 
has some rather special problems. I got nominated to take care of her, 
but I'll need your help in locating her."
     "I don't see any problem with that." Lita leaned comfortably against 
a tree.
     "Yeah, we'll all pitch in." Mina stretched her torso, enjoying the 
sunlight.
     "I can set my computer to scan automatically for energy of the 
Silver Millennium. I'll just have to figure out a way to edit out Ranma's 
on-again-off-again trace of it so it doesn't give out any false readings."
     Ranma smiled into Rae's hair. "I don't think that will be a problem, 
Amy. I think my signal will have strengthened by now. Pluto said 
something about that."
     "Oh. Well then was there something else? You mentioned that two 
things had happened to you." Amy had opened her computer on the leafy 
ground before her, yet remained attentive nonetheless.
     "Yeah, what other *great* news do you have for us?" Serena 
questioned dubiously.
     "Oh. The other was that I got my mother's permission to marry Rae. 
Rae darling, will you marry me?"
     Rae lit up like a star.
     "Ranma Saotome! Prepare to die!" 

     Kuno charged from between the trees, his eyes glowing red and a 
sword held above his head. Ranma shot to his feet and continued the 
motion into a convenient tree. His eyes caught the roughly-chiseled 
wooden sword Kuno was using, and shrank to mere pinpricks.
     "Uh, oh!"
     Kuno effortlessly chopped down the great tree in which Ranma was 
hiding. "Come and face the might of the Great Tatewaki Kuno, oh Fiend 
from Hell! And taste the bitter cup of utter humiliation!"
     Ranma sailed over to a stone monument, and left it barely before it 
shattered under a blow from Kuno's blade. He dove under a tree, over a 
rock ledge, and around a concrete utility pole, all destroyed moments 
behind him by the wrath of the super-powered kendoist.
     Kuno stood at the edge of a body of water, the treacherous Saotome 
having just leapt across to escape from danger. "Fool of an imbecile!" 
Tatewaki cried, raising his wooden sword and striking down at the water. 
The pond exploded in a line between them and when the mists had fallen a 
gap, a trench, was revealed in the water. Walls of quivering wetness hung 
suspended on either side of a dry path.
     Kuno started down the path. "Know fear, Saotome. As all your days 
have come to an end."
     "Jupiter Thunder, Crash!"
     "Venus Crescent Beam, Smash!"
     Swifter than lightning, Kuno had turned to block the deadly beams. 
His sword crackled with energy, beating back the twin assault.
     The walls of water surrounding him were not so lucky, they crashed 
inward.
     Tatewaki arose from the depths, as motionless as a chess piece on an 
elevator. He was completely dry, and cackled insanely in triumph. "Oh! 
Even the Sailor Scouts do tremble and quake before me!" He screamed, 
laughing at the glory of it all.
     "Actually, negacreep, we handle trash like you all the time." Sailor 
Moon retorted dryly.
     "His source of power is the sword!" Ranma called, before diving into 
the bushes near a stream.
     "That's confirmed." Mercury reported. "That sword more than triples 
his speed and is a source of great power. It makes him practically 
invulnerable."
     Sailor Earth appeared beside them. "That sword packs a whollap. To 
be honest I've never fought it before and won. A couple of times its made 
hamburger out of me, but accepted my surrender. And twice I've seen it 
destroy itself."
     "Under what conditions did it destroy itself?" Mercury queried, 
busily typing at her computer.
     Earth's brow furrowed in thought. "I can't remember, but both times 
it had something to do with a girl."
     Mars was powering up. "His source of power is the sword, huh? Mars 
Fire, Ignite!" Her spinning jet of fire laced out to snare the sword in 
Tatewaki's grasp. Kuno held it forth, expecting the blade to stop the 
blast, then held onto it screaming as the wood grew to unbearable heat.
     "Apparently the sword's defensive functions are only engaged when 
protecting its wielder." Mercury informed them. "I suggest that we direct 
our attacks toward it."
     "Got *that* right! Moon Tiara, Magic!"
     But Kuno had learned wisdom from his error, leaping over the blazing 
disk of energy to land on the shore beside them.
     "Scatter!" Earth called, then launched an attack on Kuno's gullet, 
one which was effortlessly deflected, and returned in a dozen strikes 
more powerful. Earth went down.
     Tears streamed from an angry Mars as she shouted. "No one attacks us 
on the day I get engaged!" A cloud of sizzling energy surrounded her. 
"Mars Fire Bird, Strike!"
     Kuno was just about to strike Earth a lethal blow, and heard over 
his shoulder a cry of passion. Turning to face it, he caught sight of a 
vision of loveliness, surrounded by wreaths of fire. Said wreaths of fire 
coalesced into a shinning, fiery bird which struck down on him.
     Not about to waste a moment. "Venus Crescent Beam, Smash!"
     "Mercury Bubbles, Blast!"
     Earth got out of there just as the combined attacks hit.
     Kuno staggered out of the explosion, clothes afire and his hair 
turned into a charcoal bird's nest, shivering with cold and frost even 
while burning.
     "Did you even hit him?" Sailor Moon asked as an aside to Venus.
     Venus nodded, pointing at Kuno's hands, shot through both wrists.
     "Eww." Moon bigsweated, holding her nose. "Guess he really didn't 
want to let go of the sword, did he?"
     Earth rebounded and rolled to her feet, but Mars wasn't finished 
yet. "For what you have done on my engagement day, you can never be 
forgiven!" She yelled at the top of her lungs toward the hapless Kuno, 
who was struggling to regain his defensive posture. "I call upon the 
power of Mars!" A huge fiery aura coalesced around her blazing with heat 
and energy. "Mars *Twin* Fire Birds, Strike!!"
     Kuno parried one of the destructive, blazing forms, which 
incinerated his sword down to the hilt. The other caught him on his 
undefended backside, torching the noble Kuno's shorts in a towering 
inferno of flame, and sending him screaming into the lake in high pitched 
agony.
     The other Sailors bigsweated. "Uh, remind me not to get Mars mad at 
me, Kay?" Moon requested. 
     The others nodded wordlessly.

     As the various and assorted superheroines departed Kodachi emerged 
from the bushes, adjusting the visor of a chameleon stealth suit which 
had, previous to her moving, blended in seamlessly with the environment.
     The gymnast slung the flechette launcher that she'd carried, instead 
using her ribbon to haul her brother's scorched remains out of the pond. 
She spoke to his unconscious form.
     "Well, brother dear. It appears like our roles are different this 
time. Instead of you injuring my beloved and my employing the resources I 
can to save him, I find I am saving *you!*" She adjusted the strap on the 
bazooka-like launcher as she dragged her limp brother away.
     "Quite a pity. Musashi's wooden sword was reputed to be able to stop 
hundreds of strikes in a second. I was naturally curious how well it 
would deal with a million wire antipersonnel flechette charge and an 
electrical explosion." She grinned at her brother, already signalling via 
radio for an ambulance, one of their own of course.
     "Not that I didn't think you could defeat it, brother. But I 
imagined that the challenge would give dear Ranma a open strike or two on 
you. Strange that he did not need it. I wonder who those new bodyguards 
are?"
     Every once in a great while the universe had been merciful on Ranma. 
Kodachi hadn't seen him cuddling with the dark-haired Rae.

     Ranma ran into Kasumi on his way home through the market.
     "Hello, Ranma-chan!" She called merrily.
     He gazed down in terror at his chest, then practically died of 
relief when he failed to see what he'd feared. "Man, just an expression. 
Whew!"
     She started over to him. Ranma really didn't have time to talk, but 
supposed that he could make an exception for Kasumi. Then something 
warned him and he pulled her body against his, carrying her along with 
him as he dodged under an energy blast aimed in their direction.
     He leapt away with her in his arms as the resulting explosion turned 
a shop counter into ash.
     "Oh, Ranma-chan. Are we going on our date now? Could we stop by the 
market for just a moment? I have to pick up some green vegetables for 
dinner tonight."
     Ranma's eyes were hurriedly sweeping for foes. "It's kinda hard to 
say, Kasumi. But there might not *be* a market in the next thirty seconds 
or so."
     He spotted his antagonist, creeping up on him from around a corner. 
His eyebrows furrowed, 'too easy', and made the leap to his side as the 
rooftop he'd been standing on was destroyed from behind.
     Ranma scowled mightily, then raced along the rooftops. This was not 
good. He was being efficiently and effectively tracked and hunted, and 
after that first blast he'd had no choice but to carry Kasumi along with 
him. She was *shockingly* sexy under her house dress, but carrying her 
was also weighing him down and slowing his reactions.
     That 'guess when the unseen attack comes' trick was unreliable and, 
at best, worked only a couple of times. He sought out an empty field to 
stand in. He had to identify what was hunting him, because some people 
would allow Kasumi to go free, while others?
     "Kasumi?" He asked. "Be an angel and use your position to look 
behind me? Please tell me if anyone approaches, okay? We could be in 
danger."
     Kasumi nodded and began her vigil, looking over his shoulder behind 
them. Then, led by some mysterious female sense, decided that now would 
be a good time to resolve something.
     "Ranma? Do you..." She blushed and struggled. "What I am trying to 
say is that, I know you know Nabiki very well, and Akane is alot younger 
than I am. Do I... Am I too old to be attractive to you?" She blurted out 
suddenly.
     Ranma fought to hide his initial panic. He could practically hear 
her self esteem hanging on that question. Kasumi was an invulnerable 
person in many regards, and one whom he deeply respected. But her 
confidence wasn't all that high, and she could be very easily hurt 
whenever that wavered.
     To build up, or destroy, Kasumi right where it hurt. Hmm, tough 
question...
     He shifted to get her more comfortable in his arms. "Kasumi, I think 
that you are very attractive."
     She plucked self-consciously at the collar of her house dress. "You 
don't think that... that I'm too housewife-ish?"
     Double Jeopardy. Nobody asks the same question twice unless they are 
really in need of ego return. Then again, who did she have to tell her 
these things? She'd probably had these doubts about herself for a long 
time, and along comes someone who can answer them...
     He forced a chuckle. "The dress doesn't matter *that* much, Kasumi. 
A man would have to be blind not to see the woman wearing it."
     Wrong comment. Compliments and witticisms just aren't enough to 
reach the deep wounds. Ranma changed tack. "Look, I like Nabiki. She's 
weird but cute, and a good friend who can help you out of a jam. If you 
can afford it, that is." He amended, smirking just a little. "Akane can 
be neat sometimes, but she's a little temperamental and can get pretty 
wild. But while they have their own gifts, and I'm not belittling them, 
you have the ability to make everyone feel happy, cared for, and, well... 
loved. That's a rare gift Kasumi, and I think everybody appreciates it."
     She changed demeanor in his arms, no longer tense. A handyman knows 
when something is no longer leaking, but a craftsman doesn't put his hand 
to something if he's going to stop when it's 'good enough.' He wants it 
*done*. It becomes a matter of pride.
     He sighed. "Kasumi. There's alot in this world that I *don't* know. 
And I always seem to be getting into trouble, or saying the wrong things. 
But you make me feel very good. And I like to be around you. I think the 
world would be an awfully unhappy place without you in it." He confessed 
honestly.
     Ranma kinda forgot that she sort of considered herself engaged to 
him at the time.

     About a dozen knives came flying at them from the edge of the field. 
Ranma ignored them, they were just distraction for what was to come...
     He vaulted out of the way as an energy blast obliterated the center 
of the field, then took off running. He'd caught a glimpse of his 
pursuers. And he was scared.
     Ranma came down as Ukyo was just opening the doors to her 
restaurant. "HiUcchanIloveyoubutIcan'tstoptotalkrightnowseeyoulaterBye!" 
He then leapt away with a beautiful, long-haired woman in his arms.
     Ukyo blinked, then stood looking down his fading trail.
     "Wow, I wonder what all that was about. Poor Ran-chan really looked 
scared. Should I...?" But no, her question was already answered. Now was 
not the time.

     Ranma was of a wonderful philosophy that no one should die for 
having trusted him, and his enemies were vengeful. So he dropped Kasumi 
off at his mother's estate, thankful for once for all the perimeter 
guards and defenses. But as the protection there was not perfect, or even 
nearly so, he sped off, knowing that his enemies would be following him.
     Nodoka approached the eldest Tendo daughter. "Why Kasumi dear!" She 
embraced her warmly. "I'm so glad my son has chosen you. So you've 
accepted his proposal?"
     Kasumi bobbed her head eagerly, gleaming with a brilliant light that 
spoke of wonderful feelings.
     "And he spoke to you about there being more than just you, that 
there may be other wives?"
     Nothing could impact on Kasumi's happiness. Recalling what he'd said 
about liking Nabiki she nodded again, intent on the world of joy that she 
had found.
     Nodoka embraced the radiant girl. "I'm *so* glad. Please, I want you 
to know that you can call me 'Mother' from now on." She called to her 
butler. "Priory, this young lady is going to be living with us. See that 
a suite of rooms are prepared for her."
     Priory bowed and began to put household preparations into motion.

     A wet but no longer pursued Ranko found her way to the Tendo dojo. 
Sneaking inside she pulled out a tiny mirror useful for seeing around 
corners. Seeing no one in the Tendo bath she slipped in to get some hot 
water.
     She would have preferred the kitchen, but when Kasumi was at market 
she left her home in ship shape, battened down and tidy. It would take 
twice as long to get hot water there. If only from cleaning up after 
herself.
     There is a miracle surrounding the Tendo bath, not unlike the 
mystery spot in California where gravity inexplicably works backwards. No 
sooner had Ranko gotten inside and was reaching for the tap when the 
outer door opened.
     Someone came inside.
     Akane came in to the bath area nude and slid the screen closed 
behind her. Oddly, one of the hot water taps was running. She turned it 
off, then sat down to get a good scrub.
     Ranma recalled ruefully that the *one* time their parents had ever 
gotten them together it had been by laying down a strict cleanliness 
rule. With all the baths they'd had to take after fights, squabbles, 
practice and mishaps, and the inevitable run ins those baths involved, 
they had finally grown comfortable with each other and, well...
     Akane washed off all the dirt from a hard practice session, then 
slipped into the tub for a long soak.
     Ranma was having a *very* hard time holding his breath. He'd learned 
pearl diver techniques that allowed one to stay under for ridiculously 
long. But he'd hoped that it wouldn't come to this.
     Using the last of his breath he shouted underwater. "Now you see me, 
now you DON'T!"
     Akane practically leapt out of her skin as the bath bubbled and 
frothed around her. It looked for an instant like a large shape had left 
the water. 
     In fact...
     Akane grabbed the screen just as it was about to open of its own 
accord. "Oh, no you don't!" She grabbed a towel and began swinging it 
around her, hoping to detect an invisible shape by slapping it.
     Ranma was clinging to the ceiling. Exactly how long could he hold 
like this he didn't know, and just where did she get experience fighting 
invisible opponents?
     Akane quieted down. Latching the screen shut behind her she put a 
plug over the floor drain, then turned on a tap, staying on guard for the 
minutes it took to cover the floor in about a half-inch of water.
     Clever. He appraised. She would see any footsteps, and probably hear 
them as well. Which cut down the places an invisible person could be. He 
could stand on the sink, or the tub, maybe cling to a few other places. 
     Or he could be on the ceiling.
     Akane began whipping her towel over the places in question.
     Wet hands under great strain do not grip near-impossible handholds 
well, especially when tired. Ranma was struggling between stress and 
fatigue. Happosai would be fully charged right now, but Ranma didn't get 
his energy by spying on girl's baths.
     He prayed she wouldn't think of the last place.
     Akane finished checking all the tile and fixtures, then gave him a 
good look, seeing right through him. Akane shrugged and replaced the 
towel on its bar. "Oh, well. I guess he got away."
     Relief washed through him.
     His hands slipped.
     Ranma flailed wildly, trying to catch himself on his way down. He 
succeeded only in gashing his chest on a corner as his wet fingers 
slipped off the fixture they'd been grabbing for. He fell on Akane with 
enough force to drive them both to the floor.
     He was lying on her, no longer invisible. She was naked, and the 
water on the floor was cold. To get off her would reveal that he was 
cursed.
     Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
     Ranma got off, seating himself on the edge of the tub against the 
surprising pain in his side. He drove an arm into the warm water of the 
bath. There was a complicated equasion of water temperature and surface 
area, but one foot on the floor and an arm in the bath left him male.
     "I apologize for my intrusion, Akane. I did not mean to spy." He 
winced against the pain in his chest. "I await your will." About the 
worst she could do was hit him, and that wouldn't hurt. Still, he wasn't 
looking forward to the beginning of yet another in a *long* series of 
serial beatings.
     Akane was still on the floor, blinking several times at him. Here it 
was, the critical moment when she decided that forever after he was the 
lowest form of scum on earth. He winced against the anticipated pain.
     Then she saw the blood on his chest. Looking down at herself she saw 
the huge red splot he'd left on her and the spatter of blood on the side 
of the sink. Akane swarmed up in concern, ignoring her own condition.
     "Ranma, what happened? Was Kuno trying to kill you?"
     Ranma blinked. The underdog reflex? For him? Ryoga had had it from 
her more often than he could say. This was his first.
     Ranma met her eyes in wonder, nodding. "There *were* people trying 
to kill me. I was attacked in the market. I got Kasumi to safety, but it 
was a long running battle. Um." He averted his eyes. "You might want to 
cover yourself."
     Akane grabbed for her towel, but was soon back at his side, prying 
his fingers from above the wound. "Take off your shirt." She commanded.
     He obeyed, laying the torn and bloody garment aside. With one foot 
be brushed the plug from the floor drain, the cool water slowly began to 
drain away.
     Holding her towel on with one hand, Akane's eyes widened at his 
impressively muscled chest. He was not overly bulky, but what he had had 
the consistency of iron. She felt his ribs in wonder, looking at the ugly 
wound.
     When she touched him Ranma gasped and flinched violently. Akane 
typically had all the medical talent of a busload of living chainsaws and 
wire mesh exploding devices. Surprisingly, her touch didn't hurt, but the 
reflex toward panic was hard to kill.
     Ranma's reaction startled her and Akane lost hold of her towel in 
surprise. Then, as if his sharp intake of breath had opened a whole crate 
of questions about this she demanded of him, puzzled.
     "Ranma? What are you doing here? Why didn't I see you when I came 
in?" Suddenly realizing that she was alone in the bathroom with him she 
snatched back up her towel and wrapped its wet length once more around 
her.
     Ranma did not raise his eyes from the floor. He explained. "While 
passing your home I encountered a pressing need for hot water. Not 
finding any to be had in the kitchen I came here. You entered and, not 
knowing how to explain myself, I hid."
     Tying a knot in the towel to keep it on Akane asked. "Why didn't you 
just ask? If you'd come to the front door I would have given you some." 
Her eyes grew wide and fearful. "Are... are you a pervert?"
     His head shook negatively, still not raising it. "No, Akane, I would 
prefer to be married before looking on a maiden this way."
     Her hands lost their hold on the knot she was tying, the towel fell 
to the floor again with a wet splot.
     Perhaps that was not the best thing to say.
     Ranma rose, averting his gaze. "I'll go now."
     Her hands were on his chest, pushing him back down. "Oh, no you 
don't." She said sternly. "How did you get wounded? Where's Kasumi?"
     The sound of the door track startled them. They looked to see Nabiki 
in the door wearing a smile and a washcloth.
     She dropped one and the other became wider. She cocked a naked hip 
at the pair. "Is this a private party or can anyone join in?"
     Akane blushed so deeply that the drops of blood could hardly be seen 
upon her chest. She muttered something and hurried out past her sister.
     Ranma turned his body so that the wound was obvious. "Uh, Akane. 
Could you *please* hurry with that medical kit?"
     Nabiki cocked an eyebrow at Ranma.
     He smiled weakly, then gave it up as a lost cause. Rolling his eyes, 
he lay back against the cold tile. "I got attacked at the market. Kasumi 
happened to be with me. I dropped her off with my mother where'd she be 
safe. Got chased most of the way here. I picked up this gash and Akane 
couldn't seem to hold her towel on. Your basic explanation, details are 
extra. Your standard rate."
     Nabiki was amused. Her rates were extortionist and he knew it. She 
picked up his fallen shirt and fingered the gash. She dropped it and 
looked down at him, a hand on one hip. "You know, Saotome. I may have to 
be convinced to believe that story."
     His smile wavering, Ranma rolled to his feet, modestly averting his 
eyes. "Just to state it clearly, certain things are not available for 
negotiation. I think you know what I mean. Now, from there, what kind of 
convincing were you considering?"
     Nabiki smiled at him, cocking her head. "You know, you're cute. I 
don't think I've ever met anyone who could deal so well in so 
comprimising a situation. Frankly, I may admire you for it." She returned 
him his shirt. "I believe you, Ranma. No charge."
     Perhaps not a monetary reward, but both sides were considering the 
goodwill she'd just earned.
     "Thank you, Nabiki." He said with honest feeling.
     He left.

     In a hospital with far better facilities than the medical community 
usually knew existed, several doctors were gathered around a table. On 
boards all around them were displayed several photos of grievous 
injuries. All, interestingly enough, done to the same body.
     Kuno's family physician put his hands firmly on the table. 
"Gentlemen, we have the technology. We can rebuild him, better, stronger, 
faster..."

     Soaking wet and female (it was just one of those days) Ranko stopped 
by a telephone to call Rae and ask if she could stop by for hot water. 
She fumbled in a coin and dialed in the number as she remembered it.
     "Hello," a female voice answered. Ranko didn't recognize it. Did Rae 
have an aunt, a sister? The voice went on with only a brief pause. "You 
have reached the Goddess Helpline..."
     Ranko hung up. She didn't need some silly psychic. Apparently she'd 
not remembered the number correctly.
     She almost didn't notice when the shop window behind her flared and 
started to glow. Almost, that is. Some things are hard for a 
near-paranoid martial artist to ignore. Ranko spun to face it in a ready 
stance.
     A gentle woman in outlandish garb pulled herself out of the window. 
She caught Ranko with a smile that would have melted ice on a bad day. 
"Why hello. I'm the goddess Belldandy."
     Ranko dropped her stance, bowing low. "Hello, Belldandy. Is your 
father well?"
     Belldandy bobbed, still smiling. "Why yes, he is! Do you know him?"
     "Only by reputation. May I interest you in a cup of tea?"
     Belldandy beamed. "How sweet! But I'm not here for refreshment. I 
have come to grant you you're heart's desire."
     The goddess floated up close to Ranko, conspiratorially. "But the 
rules say, I'm only allowed to grant you one wish."
     Another one? What was she going to do with *another* one?
     Belldandy laughed. "Oh my, you really have had a little trouble, 
haven't you? But there's no need to worry. I personally guarantee that 
this will turn out all right."
     Ranko relaxed considerably, warming to this person. She laughed, 
thinking back on how frustrating her life had been. "Oh, Belldandy. I 
only wish you could say that would be true forever. Things have a habit 
of going horribly wrong for me. Huh?"
     Belldandy wasn't listening, her head was thrown fully back and her 
face was wrapped in concentration. Their clothing, hair and loose objects 
swirled around them in an unseen wind. A beam of light escaped from 
Belldandy's forehead, rocketing skyward, where it split the crowds.
     The goddess fell back into a more normal state and beamed at Ranko. 
"I am very happy to inform you that your wish has been approved!"
     And Ranko thought she'd learned to be less careless. Then she 
remembered what that wish had been and she almost hugged the goddess. 
"You mean *this* will turn out alright? The wish, the engagements, 
everything?"
     Belldandy did look concerned. "Well, I did contact my sister Urd. 
She said that your file is extremely thick, more than any one goddess 
could handle. But while I cannot guarantee everything, there is much that 
I can do to help out." She held out her hand to be taken. Ranko took it.
     "For instance, your curse has helped you, but also put you in 
danger. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen. Will you let me help?"
     Ranko nodded her acceptance, feeling immediate trust of her. 
Belldandy closed her eyes and for a moment the two of them glowed 
brightly.
     Belldandy wavered, and Ranko caught her. "That was harder than I 
thought. But you should... have..."
     The goddess passed out. Ranko caught hold of her and swung her up 
into her arms. Should have... Control? She tried willing a change. 
     Nothing.
     "Oh, well. I guess I'll learn about it later." Ranko remembered that 
the Ucchan was near. It had been so many lives since she'd seen it that 
she'd briefly forgotten.
     "Well, gotta get hot water if I'm going to go home."

     A soaking wet Ranko entered the Ucchan, Belldandy in arms.
     Ukyo looked up from the customers she was serving. "Hey, Ran-chan. 
Isn't that a different girl than you were carrying around earlier today?"
     Ranko giggled. "Yeah, it is. I can't wait to tell you the story. 
Hey, do you mind if I drop her off in your room?"
     "Oh, I don't know. I'm not used to strange men in my room." Ucchan 
played with her.
     "So who's a man?" Ranko responded with a tease and a wink.
     Ukyo laughed. "But you *are* strange."
     "Got that right. Do you mind?"
     "Love nothing better. I hope to be *married* to a strange man soon. 
Come down soon, okay?" She waved a spatula at Ranko. "No ravishing women 
on my bed."
     "Well, I dunno, *I* can think of a woman I'd love to ravish on your 
bed. See ya in a bit!" Ranko dashed upstairs.
     The customers were staring at her.
     Ukyo thought about how to explain it, then gave it up, pouring 
another okanomiyaki happily.

     Ranko happily trotted upstairs with her burden. The goddess was 
surprisingly light, enough so that the martial artist hardly noticed her 
weight. Still, she took extra care as she nudged the door to Ukyo's room 
open with her foot, then dashed inside to lay the goddess on the bed.
     Dripping on Ukyo's carpet was not a polite and neighborly thing to 
do if it could be helped, and getting the bed wet was less so. Ranko 
looked both ways, then called out a quiet chi technique. In moments both 
girls were dry.
     "Hmm, Desert Wind." Ranko nodded to herself. "Tortures a guy when 
the nomad warriors do it. But here there's water and to spare!"
     Out of kindness she took a glass of water from the bathroom and set 
it next to the goddess where she would see it if she got up, then went 
and drank from the tap herself. The attack was *meant* to dry the victim 
out. Two or three in short succession could kill a guy even if hitting 
him with a tree trunk wouldn't. But that was where water wasn't to be had 
easily and people were dehydrated to start with. Being sopping wet made 
the move an inconvenience at most, and drinking water would set the 
person right in no time, even in worst case.
     Which is why she'd thought it safe to use.
     Going to the bathroom again Ranko took a glass of hot water and 
splashed herself in the face. There came the expected change, along with 
a completely unfamiliar shiver of magic. Ranma went into a battle stance, 
then noticed that he was wearing nothing beyond his own skin.
     Swiftly he slammed shut the bathroom door, quietly in spite of his 
haste. After about a minute of leaning against the sink in furious 
thought he turned on the cold water and splashed himself from the tap.
     Ranko returned, wearing clothes. There had been that same brief 
shimmer of magic. Blinking, she set her shirt aside and used the hot 
water. Her male form was naked, but the shirt was still there. Ranma put 
it on and hit the cold.
     In a few minutes there was adequete experimental proof to show that 
whatever he/she wore in one form would vanish and return with that form, 
while the other could wear something entirely different without the 
outfits interacting in any way.
     Ranko's eyes widened as the concept sunk in and she snuck a glance 
out at the sleeping goddess. Belldandy really *had* helped out the curse! 
The terror had always been getting caught in awkward situations, and 
inappropriate clothes had been a big nightmare, giving proof of changes 
she'd otherwise prefer to hide.
     If she could wear a dress with impunity, or go to a ball and not 
worry about becoming the only babe in a tux. Man! That would change 
everything! Without the inappropriate attire hanging off her to prove it 
a lie she could pass off changing in public as all sorts of 
far-more-plausible things. Half the drawback of the curse had just 
disappeared!
     Silently pleading Ukyo's forgiveness, Ranko dug through the back of 
her drawers for an old outfit for her girl form.

     Ranma trotted downstairs, still soaking wet but male. He grabbed a 
tray and began moving among tables.
     "Say Ran-chan, how long have you been in the restaurant business?" 
Ucchan deftly tossed him a finished okanomiyaki, which he smoothly caught 
on a fresh plate and slid before a customer.
     "Ah, never. My family's rich."
     She paused in the act of throwing him another, then tossed it to 
him. He caught it just as easily and placed it before another paying 
customer. "Hey, now I can't believe that. You handle yourself too easily."
     Ranma whisked up a tray full of dirty dishes and sailed behind the 
counter. He hadn't dumped the dishes in the sink before they were already 
out and drying. Had she blinked? Ucchan had been sure those were dirty. 
Then they were dry and stacked, with Ranma putting away the drying cloth.
     Ukyo shook herself. She was sure she hadn't blinked.
     "Say, do you cook?"
     Ranma pecked her on the cheek and sailed back over the counter. 
"Wouldn't presume. You happen to cook okanomiyaki to perfection. I'm too 
afraid that if I try I'll ruin your restaurant's reputation."
     She tossed him another pancake, he caught it. She smiled wickedly, 
and threw three more. Was that a tear in his eye? He seemed to be 
enjoying himself.
     He scooted back over to her. "Ahh, reminds me of the good old days 
when Great Grandmother tried to bean me in the head with a bowl of ramen. 
Well, six bowls of ramen, actually."
     Ukyo tossed another okanomiyaki halfway across the room, Ranma was 
under it. She didn't hesitate, tossing six more in rapid succession, all 
in different corners of the dining area. Ranma not only caught them all, 
he served them with aplomb.
     Ukyo settled into this game in earnest.

     Half an hour later the Ucchan was filled to capacity with a line 
waiting outside. But Ranma and Ucchan were laughing too hard to continue 
their game.
     "Sorry Ucchan," he kissed her. "But I have to go. No doubt all the 
people waiting to kill me are getting impatient, and I have to go hide my 
latest fiance in the closet so you don't see her and find out."
     "Well, of course. You wouldn't want me to know. But I thought the 
closet was full. Don't you have three in there already?" Ukyo teased.
     "Oh, no. You're thinking of the dresser. That's just where I keep my 
backup fiances, the one's I'm just stringing along. You know, free food, 
a little snuggling, but nothing serious? No, I only have two that I'm 
keeping in the closet."
     Ukyo glittered at him cutely. "Do I get my own shelf?"
     "Well of course you do. Why, you're in the top three *easily!*"
     Ucchan glowed at her future husband. She feigned concern. "But, my 
dearest Ran-chan, wouldn't you get lonely? I mean, with *only* three 
fiances won't you grow bored?"
     He posed, as if accepting a hardship. "I know, but it is a burden I 
am prepared to accept. Luckily, I can always fall back on one of the 
spares I've stuffed in the ceiling tiles."
     The two of them collapsed together in mirth.
     The customers thought it was funny up to the point when Ranma dashed 
upstairs to fetch down Belldandy. She was still sleeping, so he merely 
carried her out of the restaurant in his arms.
     Then the customers, thinking this was all staged, thought it was 
hilarious.

     Ranma arrived home, evading no fewer than three attempts by old 
women to fling water on him while 'cleaning the sidewalk.' He'd gotten 
wise when he realized that they never seemed to toss the water all that 
high or far until he came by. Getting soaked while passing overhead had 
sort of clued him in that something was going on.
     But he evaded them, and, still male, jumped over the gate to home. 
The guards weren't used to his display of acrobatics yet, but he figured 
he didn't care. Ranma went inside and handed off Belldandy into the 
faithful care of some of the maids under Priory.
     "Hi, this is Belldandy. Would you please prepare some rooms for her 
and put her to bed?"
     "Of course, young master. Shall she be staying long?" This was the 
butler's oblique way of asking if she was going to be another bride.
     Ranma thought about the wish. Make things work right forever? "Very 
long, Priory. Or at least I hope so. Anyway, goodnight!"
     He ran off to bed, while behind him whispering and speculation began 
among the maids.
     Priory smiled as he gave the order to open up another suite.

     Ranma dreamed.
     There had been a swirling rainbow, colors fading into deep gray 
mists. Ranma had come to awareness as a girl. She'd spent an hour moping, 
turning the covers around her, too upset to sleep.
     That had really been the crux of it. She was tired, but her anger at 
Happosai wasn't letting her sleep. The mirror hadn't been *that* bad, if 
only the old freak hadn't made it into the madhouse it had been.
     Deciding to go for some hot water, female Ranma slipped out of bed. 
A pair of slippers automatically met her feet as she slid from beneath 
the covers. They had a somewhat jarring effect on her that got her to 
look at things, to see her room for the first time. Her gaze traveled 
over the white down comforter and pink sheets on a deep, soft bed, the 
stuffed animals on chairs, the long tee shirt she was wearing over yellow 
panties, the little panda slippers that had found her feet.
     True to form, Ranma had started screaming. 
     The woman who had answered those cries turned out to be his mother. 
But it had taken her close to eleven hours of care and concern to get 
certain things across to her child.
     Like the fact that Ranma had been *born* female.

     Ranma woke in a cold sweat, shudders quaking his frame. He sat up 
and grabbed his head. No, that hadn't been fun. Perhaps a necessary step 
in becoming who he was now. Still, it hadn't been fun, though being with 
his mother had been nice.
     Delivering Akane and Kuno's baby had not been.
     Ranma stretched his limbs, looked at his clock. Close to midnight, 
not time for even the earliest riser. He went back to bed.
     And dreamed.

     Dreamed of soft, white flesh under his hand, of ruby lips, and 
dancing eyes. Of pounding a stake through Lita's heart, and sleeping in a 
room hung with garlic.
     In all not nearly as bad as that time he'd been married to Akane. 
With the vampire Rae he'd enjoyed glorious, sun-filled days of love and 
laughter. She'd only become a vampire scout at night, letting them enjoy 
the sun together while it lasted.
     He'd never found out where Akane hid that mallet.

     Ranma woke refreshed and well-rested. By now it was automatic to 
reach over and pluck a snack from the tray, today it was blueberry 
muffins filled with jam, and grab the morning's paper.
     He supposed his 'former self' had read the financial pages or the 
comics, he had use for neither. The front page read "Mars to Marry!" with 
a subsidiary article that detailed Japan's reaction.
     The first story retold events at the Cherry Hill Park, somehow 
skipping the helicopters and going on to tell about how the Scouts had 
defeated a raving maniac (officially unidentified) who had begun to 
attack helpless park visitors. The paper told that during the fight, in a 
moment of great emotion, an upset Mars had blamed the villain for 
spoiling a very special day, revealing that she had that day accepted a 
proposal of marriage.
     Very little was known of the Sailor's social lives, but that one 
statement had sparked enormous public interest. A popular clothing 
manufacturer would be coming out with bridal attire based on styles 
unique to Mars' costume, and a 'Wedding Dress Mars' was being rushed to 
stores by a major toy company. Orders were already stacking up on these 
items.
     The subsidiary article announced that the Japanese government had 
met and were expected to deal with the possibility of making the day of 
the announcement a national holiday.
     Ranma dropped his paper in surprise, thereby missing the article on 
page three about the recent string of panty thefts.

     In the kitchen of the Saotome mansion three women were to meet. 
Belldandy had risen early, recharged and refreshed, and found herself in 
a wonderful room with blue carpet and draperies.
     A maid had shown her the garden, and now she wandered into the 
kitchen holding a basket full of strawberries.
     Nodoka looked up from where she was kneading dough, her arms covered 
in flour to the elbows. "Good morning!" she beamed, earning a responding 
glow from the girl. "You must be Belldandy. Priory left a note for me on 
how Ranma brought you home with him last evening. I'm sorry I wasn't 
awake to greet you."
     Belldandy assumed a cute expression. "Oh no, really. You don't have 
to be sorry just because of me. I was given a *wonderful* room and feel 
very happy. I was just in your garden."
     Nodoka blinked. Those were strawberries. Somehow it seemed so like 
her son  to find someone who would be able to gather strawberries out of 
season.
     Belldandy giggled. "Yes, your son is an amazing person. May I help?" 
She asked, indicating the dough Nodoka had been kneading.
     Nodoka smiled. "Of course, dear. Have you done much baking before?"
     "No, but I would *love* to learn."
     Kasumi floated in on a cloud of happiness.

--Sorry folks, I would love to write more, but the image of those three 
together in a kitchen boggles the mind. *I* can't even see what's going 
on in there, they're sending off such powerful Domestic Tranquility rays. 
Though I should imagine plants get healthier and small woodland animals 
start appearing where they have no right to be. In fact, if a unicorn or 
a rainbow shows up unexplained now you know why.--


To be continued...

************************************************
************************************************

Author's Notes:
     You know, I tried to play it your way. I lived by the rules. I paid 
attention to the criticism and advice that I was receiving. I even wrote 
out a plot in advance.
     Then I discovered that I wasn't having any fun.
     So shove it, it's not my muse. I will continue mucking with reality 
as I see fit. I will fold, spindle and mutilate it. Because that's what I 
do best, and if you're reading this, then you liked the first two enough 
not to be complaining about it.
     And in case it's escaped everyone's notice. This is *not* a serious 
work.

     So far each part of this has announced its own end. I just can't 
write more in that part, so I post it and go on. It has nothing to do 
with length, I don't think, merely activity. I've been fitting more in 
less space.
     The bathroom scene was so I could see how this new Ranma would 
react. Didn't comport himself too badly, considering.
     Now this is just a thought. But how does everyone feel about a 
Nabiki - Urd alliance?

     FYI: I decided to make the Scouts of an age with the Nerima gang. 
Why? For the romance, of course.

And now a line from that popular song:
     "It's my story and I'll write what I want to, write what I want 
to..."


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