"Cat Fight?! Sailor Moon's Worst Nightmare!"

Ranma trudged wearily down to breakfast the following morning after throwing his father into the pond at the crack of dawn. "Mornin'," he muttered, yawning hugely as he sat at the table.

"Oh, did you not get enough sleep, Ranma-kun?" Kasumi asked. "You got back so late..."

"I'm just a little worn out from yesterday still," Ranma said. "It ain't nothin', don't worry."

"Where were you all day, Ranma?" Akane asked. "Your phone wasn't on, and Ukyou called...she e-mailed me a picture of that street that was all torn up, said there'd been a murder..."

Ranma stiffened. "Ah...yeah. Some freak with a sword showed up an'...killed this girl," he said. "She was with a group'a friends, they were from Azabu-Juuban. I met 'em at Ucchan's. I hung out with 'em eatin' ice cream for a bit, then on the way to the train station, well...all hell broke loose."

"Some nut with a sword just randomly killed a girl from halfway across Tokyo?" Nabiki asked, shocked. "Did you get the guy?"

"Yeah, he's...he won't be hurtin' nobody else," Ranma said. He sighed. "Anyway, I went with those girls back t' their part o' town, made sure nothin' else bad happened, then I hadda wait for my clothes t' wash an' dry, cuz I was covered in that girl's blood..."

Akane pressed her hands to her face. "Ranma..."

"This is disturbing," Tendou Soun said from behind his newspaper at the head of the table. "I know our community has a bad reputation for violence and mayhem..."

"Most of it coming out of this very house..." Nabiki said dryly.

"But for there to be a murder in the middle of the street in broad daylight..."

Ranma sighed, eating breakfast with less than his usual gusto.

"Was it...was the killer...anybody we know?" Akane asked.

Ranma shook his head. "Nah. I dunno who he was, though. He had a weird costume, his face was painted purple...he was some kinda nut."

"Sou ka na..."

"Anyway, we're gonna get some new students pretty soon," Ranma said. "Those girls're comin' here t' learn self-defense."

"Oh, good, we haven't had any students in forever," Nabiki said.

"I ain't chargin' 'em," Ranma told her, eyes half-lidded.

Nabiki deflated. "You suck."

"Nabiki-chan!" Kasumi chided. "I think it's very noble of Ranma-kun to teach these girls to protect themselves after what happened to their friend."

"I'll help you train them, Ranma," Akane said.

"Thanks," Ranma replied.

As Ranma leaned across the table to refill his rice bowl, Nabiki noticed a glint of gold around his neck. "Oh?" Reaching over the table, she plunged her hand down the neck of Ranma's shirt and pulled out the locket he now wore.

"HEY!" Ranma yelped.

"What's with the bling, Saotome?" Nabiki asked.

"It's...just somethin' I picked up yesterday. Thought it looked cool, is all," Ranma said, snatching it away from her and stuffing it back down his shirt with a flush.

Saotome Genma had chosen that moment to enter the room, towelling his bald head. He raised an eyebrow behind his glasses. "Jewelry, boy? Isn't that a little...girly?"

Soun coughed. "Do you remember high school, Saotome-kun?"

Genma broke out in a nervous sweat. "H-high school? Why, I don't know what you're—"

"Your disco phase?"

Everyone at the table raised an eyebrow, staring at Genma. He laughed. "Ahahahah...Tendou-kun, you old joker..."

"I'm pretty sure I still have that old photo of you wearing an afro wig," Soun said, mustache twitching. "Perhaps I should—"

Genma ran from the room; the laughter of the others followed him.

"Oyaji...in an afro wig...oh man, I'm gonna be laughin' all day about that," Ranma said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

"In any case, I think your new locket is quite fashionable, Ranma-kun," Kasumi said. "Do you have any pictures to put inside it?"

"It, ah...doesn't open," Ranma said, scratching the back of his head.

"Oh, that's too bad," Kasumi said. "Would anyone like more fish?"

* * * * *

Ami was sitting on her bed, turning pages in a book without really taking in the contents, when her phone rang. "Moshi-moshi?"

//Yo, Ami. It's Ranma.//

"Aa! Ohayou gozaimasu, Ranma-kun."

//Listen...y'know that asshole that killed Usagi? Well...I thought I got 'im, but on my way home last night, he jumped me outta nowhere.//

Ami's eyes widened. "Oh my god! Are you alright?"

//Yeah, I took a hell of a beatin' offa him, but nothin' I couldn't handle.// Ranma chuckled. //It coulda got ugly, but this friend'a mine showed up, saw what was goin' on, an' beat that bastard so hard I don't think he'll be gettin' up again for a long time.// He sighed. //Then again, that's what I thought when I ran him through. Listen, I know it's me an' th' crystal he's after, but...let the others know, and you girls watch yourselves, okay?//

"Of course. Thank you for the warning, Ranma-kun."

//Hey...I know th' timin' sucks, an' I understand if you all need a couple days after...after what happened...but th' sooner I get you girls in th' dojo an' start trainin' ya, th' better. If I wasn't as fast as I am, he mighta actually killed me. Th' rest'a you wouldn't stand a chance.//

"I agree...as you said, it may be a few days before any of us can...can really focus on anything, but I'll be sure to encourage the others to begin training with you as soon as possible." She paused. "I'd come today, but I don't really want to be the only one there, and I'm not sure about the others..."

//Hey, you need time t' grieve too,// Ranma said.

"Honestly, I could use a distraction," Ami replied miserably. "I've been sitting here reading ahead in my history text, like I usually do during summer break...I've read two whole chapters, but I can't for the life of me remember what they were about."

Ranma chuckled. //That happens t' me all th' time with school stuff.//

"Not to me, it doesn't," Ami replied. "In any case, I'll talk to the others, and then we'll set up a day for training."

//Cool. Later.//

Ami sat for a minute after Ranma's call, brow furrowed, deep in thought, before calling the other Senshi.

* * * * *

"More tea, Chiba-kun?"

"Please."

Hino Ichirou refilled Mamoru's cup, then his own. His lined face was solemn. "I still can't believe...when Rei-chan told me, it was..."

"Yeah," Mamoru said roughly.

He was a mess. Not long after Ranma had left, he'd broken down sobbing; he'd cried himself to sleep right where he was sitting now, and Rei had simply placed a blanket over him and sat with him during the night. He hadn't woken up until nearly ten in the morning. His eyes were bloodshot and puffy, his clothes were rumpled, his hair was a mess, and his face bore a rough patch of stubble.

The two men heard an earsplitting shriek of "WHAT?!" from outside. Suddenly, the door flew open with tremendous force; Rei pelted into the room. Her eyes were wide and her face was pale. "He...he's still alive," she said breathlessly. "He attacked Ranma last night."

The old priest's eyebrows rose. "What's this all about, Rei-chan?"

Rei winced, realizing too late her grandfather was in the room. "The murderer, the one...the one who..." She trailed off. "I just found out he attacked a friend of ours last night."

Mamoru looked up sharply. "Is...is he...?"

"Un," Rei nodded. "But..."

"What did you mean by 'still alive'?" Rei's grandfather asked.

Rei grimaced. "We...didn't tell the police this part, but our friend Ranma...he fought Usagi's killer, and ran him through with his own sword. He...disappeared while we were waiting for the police, but...there didn't seem to be any way he could have survived his wound..."

"Sou ka," the old priest said, brows contracting. "Most disturbing."

Mamoru stood suddenly. "Please excuse me," he said roughly. "I have something I must do."

* * * * *

The sky was cloudy over Fuurinkan; the clouds and a light breeze took the edge off the summer afternoon heat.

"Ni hao, Ranma!"

Ranma, who was doing kata on the roof of the Tendou house, sighed tiredly. "I really ain't in th' mood for you today, Shampoo."

The violet-haired Amazon frowned prettily. "Then get in mood, Ranma," she said curtly. "I make extra-special lunch, for just us! You come with Shampoo now, yes?"

"No," Ranma replied, not even looking at her.

"I see. So that how you wanting it, Ranma?"

The cursed martial artist heard a splash, followed by a sound that chilled him to the bone.

"Myaaa!"

"Oh g-g-god, Sh-shampoo, n-n-not th' c-c-cat..."

A ball of fur and claws latched itself onto Ranma's back. He screamed in terror, leaping off the roof and running in circles around the yard. "GETITOFFGETITOFFGETITOFF!" he shrieked.

The Tendou sisters emerged from the house to investigate the noise, and Akane sighed in annoyance when she saw what was happening. "Shampoo," she muttered. She reached out as Ranma ran past and violently plucked the lavender cat off his back, then unceremoniously punted her over the property wall.

"Th-thanks, Akane," Ranma said shakily.

Akane rolled her eyes and went back into the house. Ranma, still rattled, resumed his practice.

Nobody noticed a pink oval mirror embedded in the outside wall of the house which most definitely did not belong there. Nobody noticed the serene white masked face floating in the mirror.

"Interesting..." Isis chuckled to herself.

The mirror vanished.

* * * * *

Fifteen minutes later, a wet, naked Shampoo retrieved her clothes and belongings. As she did so, she noticed she had a new text message. "Text from Akane?" she wondered. She frowned as she read it.

ranma saw some1 murdered yesterday.
lay off ok?

Shampoo's eyes widened. "Aiyah..."

She was about to text Ranma an apology when she felt a presence behind her. She spun around, tensing for a fight.

The masked woman standing behind her laughed softly. "That was quite a show back there...quite a show indeed."

"Who you? What you want?"

The strange woman produced a card from thin air; the side of it facing Shampoo depicted an expressionless mask, half black and half white. "Yes...you'll do, for a start," she said. She flipped the card around; the other side depicted a sultry, masked catgirl, poised in a stalking crouch.

"Arise...NEKOMATA!"

The image on the card suddenly sprang to life, leaping from the card and pouncing at Shampoo, expanding as she did so and becoming insubstantial, smoke-like. The shadowy catgirl passed through Shampoo, who stiffened, back arched. The startled Amazon felt her mind being overtaken by some strange force. She tried to resist, but found herself falling...falling...

Shampoo's body slumped to the ground. Her deep red eyes turned golden, and her pupils became slitted. Large, furry cat ears burst from the top of her head. Her teeth became elongated, pointed, and her fingernails grew into long, sharp claws.

She sprang to all fours, crouching low, as a long, furry violet tail poked its way out from the hem of her short dress, lashing violently.

"Your friend has something I desire. Kill him, and bring it to me."

The newly-transformed Shampoo let out a yowl and sprang away. Isis laughed as she faded from view.

* * * * *

Ranma was toweling off after his workout when a curvy silhouette crested over the boundary wall. He sighed. "Hoo boy. Hey, Shampoo, didn't I already tell ya I ain't gonna go nowhere with you today?"

"What? She's back AGAIN?!" Akane cried from the veranda. "Why that..."

Shampoo landed silently in front of Ranma, crouched on all fours. A furry tail, the same color as her hair, was lashing angrily behind her. Her eyes narrowed, and she hissed at Ranma.

Ranma flinched away from her. "Uhh...Shampoo? Wh-what th' heck're you..."

Akane frowned at the Amazon. "I thought you had at least some decency, Shampoo, but..."

With an earsplitting yowl, Shampoo pounced on Akane, knocked her flat on her back, then sprang high into the air. She hung suspended in midair for a moment, then plunged toward Ranma, razor-sharp claws bared.

"AKANE!" Ranma cried as he leapt out of the way of Shampoo's strike. "Okay, Shampoo, I dunno what th' HELL's gotten inta you, but..."

"Ranma...I kill!" Shampoo growled. Her voice was strangely distorted; it was as though a dark, ominous echo was intertwined with her normal voice.

"Hey, I know you're ticked at me for not goin' on a date with you, but this is ridiculous!" Ranma retorted.

"Ranma...I think something's wrong with her," Akane said, standing. "Look...look at her eyes."

Ranma followed Akane's gaze and saw that Shampoo's eyes, normally a deep, dark red, were now a faintly glowing gold, with slitted pupils. "Wh-what..."

Shampoo leapt at him, teeth bared; he leapt to the side, spinning around with his hands behind his back. "Shampoo, what..." He dodged another vicious tackle. "Has gotten..." He leapt straight up, planting her face on the ground with a foot. "INTA YOU?!"

Shampoo stood, swaying, golden eyes burning. It was then that Ranma finally noticed the ears peeking out of her violet mane.

His mind racing, Ranma assembled the visual evidence into a picture that caused him to seize up in fright. "C-c-c-cat...girl..."

"Cut it OUT, Shampoo! This isn't funny! It's bad enough when you do this with your curse, but putting on fake ears and a tail..." Akane waved a fist threateningly at Shampoo. "This is in poor taste even for you! Didn't you get my text? KNOCK IT OFF ALREADY!"

Shampoo ignored her, leaping for Ranma's throat, claws extended.

Reacting quickly, Akane grabbed her father's shogi board from the veranda and hurled it at the catgirl, knocking her off course and sending her careening into the koi pond. She erupted from the water, hissing and yowling...

...and unchanged.

"Wh-what?!" Akane cried, startled. "Shampoo...are you cured?"

This seemed to snap Ranma out of his daze. "Wh-what? Cured?!" He turned to stare at Shampoo. "She...she didn't...change..." He paused, shuddering. "N-no, she's...she's WORSE than a c-c-cat now..."

"How come she didn't change?" Akane wondered, even as she she attempted to keep Shampoo away from Ranma, who was still rooted in place. "And why is she trying to kill you?"

"I don't know, I don't know!" Ranma yelped in panic. He leapt frantically out of the path of a particularly vicious pounce from Shampoo which would have torn a hole in his neck. "Shampoo, ya gotta cut it out!"

Shampoo landed on all fours, and reached up to lick the back of her hand. Her eyes fixed predatorially on Ranma, she hissed, in that strangely melded voice, "Give crystal."

Ranma froze. "...WHAT did you say?" he asked quietly.

"Give crystal," Shampoo repeated.

"What crystal? What's she talking about?" Akane asked.

"How should I know?" Ranma cried. "She's obviously insane! She's not even human anymore!" He glared at the catgirl, fighting down a shudder. "Look, Shampoo, l-let's go back to your place...m-maybe your grandmother c-can..." With that, he took off running, leaping over the property wall. "Akane, call th' ol' ghoul!" he cried as he vanished. "An' don't follow us, okay? I...I got this...under control..."

"Ranma..."

Ten seconds later, Akane was out the gate and running after them.

* * * * *

On a rooftop three blocks away, Ranma stopped short, turning to face the agile catgirl, who was crouched low, snarling. "Okay, what th' hell's goin' on here? What happened t'you, an' how th' HELL d'you know about th' crystal?"

"Oh, that would be my doing," a cold, clear female voice said in an amused tone. An oval-shaped, pearly pink mirror appeared in midair above Shampoo, and a white-masked woman descended nimbly out of it. She reached down and stroked Shampoo's ears. "You see, your friend here is now my pet. I've been watching you, Saotome Ranma, and your fear of cats is quite...amusing. And beneficial."

"Who th' hell are YOU? What did you do t' Shampoo?"

The masked woman laughed coldly. "My name is Isis. You and your other little friend did quite a thorough number on Orpheus; Lord Thanatos was MOST displeased. I'm afraid I had to eliminate him..."

"Orpheus...? That purple freak with the sword?"

"Mmm, yes." Isis shrugged. "He was weak and pathetic, in any case. Now, are you going to be a good little boy and give me the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou?"

"Not on your life, lady," Ranma snarled. "Now, put Shampoo back like you found her, or there's gonna be trouble."

Isis laughed again. "Oh, there most certainly is," she said. She pulled a golden theater mask from beneath her poncho; it was featureless except for the eyeholes and the Roman numeral "I" engraved on the forehead. "Now, I'll show you what happens to those who stand in our way." She placed the mask on Shampoo's face; it began to glow, then sank into her skin. She stiffened and began to change; her clothes burst into shreds, and bristling purple fur covered her nude body. Her hands and feet transformed into huge, lion-like paws, ending in massive, razor-sharp black claws. Her back arched and she let out a terrifying roar as her violet hair grew longer and wilder; the ears on top of her head now matched the fur on her body. Her eyes narrowed in rage as her entire face changed, becoming more feline, with twitching whiskers and enormous, saber-like fangs.

Ranma trembled violently. "Buh-buh-buh-BIG c-c-c-c-"

Isis laughed. "Have fun, you two." She disappeared into her mirror, which faded from existence.

The transformed Shampoo lunged, and Ranma ran for his life.

* * * * *

For the second time in as many days, Mizuno Ami found herself leaving the train station in Nerima-ku, headed for the Fuurinkan district. Earlier that morning, she had relayed Ranma's message to the other Senshi; she had spent most of the day trying to get something, anything, productive done, but between the grief over Usagi's death and the gnawing worry about the new enemy, by lunchtime she had given up studying or even casual reading as a bad job.

She had decided to go for a walk after lunch; she felt the fresh air might help clear her mind. Somewhere along the way, she'd found herself on a train; now, she was checking the address Ranma had given them and consulting the Mercury Computer's map.

Suddenly, an ear-splitting scream rent the air. Looking wildly around for the source, she saw Ranma dashing across the rooftops in a mad panic. Hot on his heels was a savage-looking purple catgirl monster.

Recalling Ranma's reaction to Luna and Artemis the day before, Ami paled. "This is bad." She ducked into a narrow alley and pulled out her henshin wand.

"MERCURY STAR POWER, MAKE-UP!"

* * * * *

All reason had fled Saotome Ranma. His mind was completely seized with panic. Although the Neko-ken hadn't awakened yet, it was only a matter of time...

Only a matter of time until that horrifying beast right behind him caught up to him and ripped his throat out and took the crystal and he failed Usagi for a second time...

He skidded to a halt, his eyes narrowed. "No."

He turned to face Shampoo. He was still trembling, but he glared at her and held his ground. "I'm sorry you got dragged inta all this, Shampoo, but this has gotta stop. I ain't handin' over th' crystal. If...If I gotta beatcha up...maybe th' ol' ghoul can fix whatever that bitch did t'ya, I dunno, but..."

"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!"

A wave of freezing cold water broke over Ranma and Shampoo; the latter yowled and hissed angrily as she skittered off the roof, landing on all fours on the street below and bristling with rage, while the former spluttered as she turned to face the source of the unexpected deluge. "Geez, Ami! Watch where th' heck you're aimin'!"

"Gomen ne, Ranma-kun," Sailor Mercury said apologetically as she landed beside the dripping redhead. "I don't know what threw my aim off like that. But you're okay, right? Then you'd better—"

"Yeah yeah, I know. MOON SPIRIT POWER, MAKE-UP!"

Two Senshi leapt down into the street, ready for battle. The wet, angry catgirl faced them, fangs bared. Sailor Moon shuddered.

"Are you sure you can fight this thing, Ranma-kun?" Mercury asked quietly.

Sailor Moon nodded shakily. "Y-yeah. I gotta. She's after th' crystal. I ain't gonna fail Usagi." She paused. "Listen...that thing...useta be human. Useta be...well, kinda-sorta a friend'a mine."

Mercury groaned. "Oh god, not this again."

"Huh?"

"In the past, we've dealt with enemies who turned ordinary humans into monsters," Mercury explained.

"Oh." Sailor Moon paused. "Can we fix this? I mean, can we change her back? Cuz I kinda don't wanna kill 'er..."

"Most of the time, this is reversible," Mercury replied. "You'll need to use the Ginzuishou to do it, and I recommend wearing her down first. It should be easier to heal her if she's too weak to resist."

"So beat th' crap outta her, then do a thing with th' crystal t' put 'er back t' normal?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Basically, yes," Mercury nodded.

"Can do!" Sailor Moon said with a confident nod. At that precise moment, Shampoo leapt at the two of them, growling.

* * * * *

Akane had quickly lost track of Ranma and Shampoo. Her mind whirled as she dashed through the streets.

Regardless of what Ranma might constantly say about her, she wasn't stupid. And Ranma was an exceptionally bad liar. When Shampoo had demanded a crystal, Ranma had known exactly what she was talking about. And the look in his eyes at that moment...was deadly serious.

Had Ranma somehow stolen some Amazon artifact? Did Shampoo find some kind of new cure for Jusenkyo, but it went horribly wrong? The more she tried to piece it together, the less it made sense, but it was obvious Ranma was hiding something.

She rounded a corner, onto a road that led to the high school, and paused as she heard voices.

"On your left! Look out!"

"GAH! That was close!"

"Would it help if you can't see what you're fighting?"

"It...it might...yeah..."

"SHABON SPRAY!"

And before Akane could get close enough to see what was going on, a thick, chilly fog blanketed the entire area.

* * * * *

"Thanks," Sailor Moon said as she stood in the heart of the fog, listening intently for any indication of her opponent.

"She's three meters to your left. Looks like she's confused."

"You can see through fog?" Sailor Moon asked.

"My visor lets me track heat signatures even in conditions such as this," Sailor Mercury replied.

"Oh. Cool."

"...she's coming right at us! She must have heard our voices! Brace yourself!"

This time, Sailor Moon was ready. She smirked. "Sorry about this, Shampoo...KACHUU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!"

She felt her fists strike furry flesh, and heard a yowl of pain as Shampoo was knocked flying into the fog. She barely had time to recover from her attack, however, before she was tackled. Claws dug into her shoulder; she fought down a shudder and tried to focus on what she was doing. She brought her knee up viciously; it didn't strike anything vital, but it gave her the leverage to push out from underneath Shampoo. Springing up with the palms of her hands, she executed a graceful double kick to the transformed Amazon's spine. Shampoo screeched; her head snapped around sharply, and she tried to bite Sailor Moon's leg off. Her attempt was thwarted by Mercury, who ran up and kicked her in the side of the head with enough force to send her flying.

"Nice kick," Sailor Moon said as she recovered, clutching at her bleeding shoulder and grimacing.

"Thanks," Mercury said. "The fog's starting to thin..."

"I think we can finish this before that's a problem," Sailor Moon replied.

Suddenly, a searing hot firebolt passed between them. Mercury let out an alarmed yelp as she jumped clear into the fog.

"...okay, maaaaaaybe not," Sailor Moon amended, sweatdropping as Shampoo stalked toward them, golden eyes blazing with fury.

* * * * *

The fog was beginning to clear; Akane could make out three silhouettes engaged in combat. Two of them were girls and appeared to be wearing scandalously short skirts; one of them sported a familiar pigtail. The third silhouette looked like some kind of enormous, deadly cat.

*Is...is that Shampoo?* Akane wondered. *And...that...* She frowned. *No, there's no way that's Ranma. He wouldn't be caught dead wearing a skirt...well, most of the time...and anyway, there's no possible way he could be fighting a giant cat!*

She held her ground as the fog thinned, tense, praying that she would have answers soon.

* * * * *

Shampoo reared her head back and made a sick, hacking noise. "Ugh, is she gonna cough up a hairball?" Sailor Moon wondered.

The catgirl's head snapped forward, and she unleashed a second fireball, which Mercury intercepted with a swift attack.

"Hoookay, she can cough up FLAMING hairballs," Sailor Moon said, turning green.

"So it would seem," Mercury said, sweatdropping.

"That's...one'a th' nastiest things I ever seen," Sailor Moon replied as the two Senshi dodged a third flaming hairball.

"I've seen worse," Mercury replied. "But I'd rather not talk about it."

"Good. INCOMING!"

Shampoo leapt at the two Senshi, claws outstretched...

A large chunk of concrete sailed like a missile, hitting the catgirl in the side of the head and knocking her to the ground, stunned. Sailor Moon blinked, and was about to turn to see who had thrown it...

"IMA DA, SAILOR MOON!" Mercury cried.

"Aa...right!" Sailor Moon frowned in thought. "Now, how'm I s'pos'ta..."

Her brooch split open, shedding the brilliant light of the Ginzuishou. "I got it!" she cried. She brought her hands together in front of the crystal, forming a circle with her fingertips in the same manner her bizarre English teacher was known to do.

"MOON SHADOW ILLUMINATION!"

A brilliant beam of silver light exploded from the Ginzuishou, focused by Sailor Moon's hands; it struck Shampoo, whose back arched as she hissed and screeched. A smoky silhouette rose out of her body, screaming as it dissipated. When the light faded, Shampoo was left lying in the street, human again and completely naked save for the golden theater mask on her face. It fell unceremoniously to the ground and shattered, the pieces fading into nothingness.

Sailor Moon sighed. "Yokatta." She then turned to look at the source of the intervention, and her eyes widened. "Oh crap."

Tendou Akane walked up to the three of them. "...Ranma?" she asked, staring at the red-haired Senshi.

"Huh? Ranma? Who's that?" Sailor Moon asked. "I'm the pretty sailor-suited soldier, Sailor Moon."

"Uh-huh," Akane said, eyes narrowed.

"And I'm Sailor Mercury," Mercury added, stepping up beside her. "We appreciate your assistance. This one was a dangerous opponent."

Akane bowed. "It was no problem." She frowned as she studied Sailor Moon intently. The redhead turned away, looking nervous.

"So, um, this girl...do you know her?" Sailor Mercury asked.

Akane nodded. "Hai."

"Then would you please take her home? She has been through quite an ordeal."

"Sure, okay," Akane said. She heaved the unconscious Amazon over her shoulder in a fireman's carry, cast one dubious glance back at the two Senshi, and ran off in the direction of the Nekohanten.

Sailor Moon collapsed bonelessly to the ground. "She knows," she moaned. "Oh man, she knows. She knows and I am so DEAD..."

"I don't think it will be a problem," Mercury said. "She will dismiss your similarity to the Ranma she knows as a coincidence, and forget all about it."

Sailor Moon shook her head. "I hope you're ri..." She laughed. "Th' heck'm I worried about? This is Akane I'm talkin' about. She's the dumbest girl in th' whole world. She can't even figure out P-chan an' she's practically seen 'im change right in front of 'er, there's no way she'll figure this one out..." At Mercury's confused and reproachful expression, she added, "Sorry...long story." She sighed. "Thanks, by the way. You showed up just in time."

Mercury nodded. "I'm just glad I was in the area," she said. She jerked her head toward an alley, and the two Senshi fled to change back to normal.

* * * * *

An hour later, Akane returned home. She'd been trying to figure out why the hell Ranma had been parading around in a sailor costume, even as she tried to figure out what had gotten into Shampoo. *Something's not right about all this...it doesn't seem like the usual craziness Ranma gets mixed up in. And that Sailor Mercury...who was that?*

"Tadaima," she called as she stepped out of her shoes.

"Okaeri nasai," Kasumi greeted. "Ranma-kun is out in the dojo with a new student."

"A student?" Akane asked, perking up. She headed out to the dojo, and found Ranma demonstrating a kata to a girl with short, wavy blue-tinted hair. The girl had shaky form, but she was doing her best to mirror Ranma's movements.

"I...took Shampoo home..." Akane watched the blue-haired girl carefully as she spoke.

"Really? How is she? She's not still all psycho, is she? Well, more psycho than usual."

"She's...she's fine," Akane said. "She's fine. Her great-granny is taking care of her now."

"That's good." Ranma straightened. "Anyway, meet our first new student," he said.

The blue-haired girl bowed. "Mizuno Ami. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."

Akane returned her bow. "Welcome to the Tendou Dojo, Mizuno-san. I'm Akane." She smiled. "Would you like to be friends?" *...Sailor Mercury?*

* * * * *

Kunou Tatewaki was immersed in his daily contemplation of his two great loves when he was rudely interrupted by his minuscule, cowardly shinobi servant. "Tatewaki-dono," Sasuke said nervously, "A visitor for you."

"Could it be? Has the beautious Tendou Akane chosen to illuminate the halls of this ancestral manse with her radiance? Or perhaps the spirited pigtailed girl, her hair as red as passion itself..."

"You still rant about girls all the time?" a male voice asked incredulously.

Tatewaki looked sharply up at the familiar voice, and his eyes widened. He stood and bowed. "Senpai. It has been too long."

Chiba Mamoru leaned against the door frame, arms folded. "I need a favor," he said. "My skills are pretty rusty, and there's...a matter I need to settle with a certain individual."

Tatewaki stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So, you have an honor debt to settle, and you have come to the Blue Thunder of Fuurinkan High for training?"

"More or less."

Tatewaki nodded, swinging his bokken in a wide arc. "Then train you I shall."

POWERED BY DREAMHOST

Since 11/21/12