It wasn't the only
shrine in Juuban, nor was it the largest, most visited, or even
terribly important. A grove of trees and a slight elevation
screened the compound from the street below. In the courtyard of
the shrine, a young priestess sat in meditation. Long reddish-black
hair flowed down from her head, perfectly framing her deceptively
calm face. Behind her closed eyes, the girl's mind was in turmoil
trying to make sense of the... insanity... in a young couple's
lives, and the crazy people who caused it.
Rei Hino had come home angry over what had just transpired; her
friend Ranma's attempt to reconcile his mother and his situation
met with failure. Not even the endorsement of the world's most
powerful super heroines had persuaded the Saotome matriarch to let
go of a Seppuku promise Ranma had made as a five-year-old. Now it
seemed that Ranma and his fiancée Akane would have to make their
way without a mother's love and guidance. A frown finally revealed
her roiling emotions as she considered whether the love of that
jerk of a mother was worth anything. Rei banished memories of Mrs.
Saotome's rejection of her only child, finding peace at last. Ranma
and Akane needed their friends now, not anger. A wave of calm
rolled back in, washing away her angry expression.
As her meditation continued, Rei wondered if there was a way to
strengthen the bond between Ranma and Akane. Suddenly, a flash of
inspiration pierced the veil that had hidden the answer. The shrine
maiden returned to the physical, having received the insight she
had sought from the spiritual.
After hurrying inside, the priestess punched Ami's number on the
phone.
She waited impatiently for the call to go through. "Hello?"
Ami's mom answered. Rei hoped her friend was home. "This is Rei, is
Ami-chan there?"
She was! "Thanks!"
"Hello, Ami-chan?" She waited for her friend's returned
greeting.
Excitement increased on her face. "I just got a great idea, could
you come up to the shrine?"
"Great! See you soon!" Rei hung up the phone, content to wait for
her friend.
Sailor
Ranko: Twice In A Millennium
A Ranma 1/2 / Sailor
Moon Novella, 3rd in the Sailor Ranko series
By Kevin D. Hammel
Ranma 1/2 is property of Rumiko Takahashi. Publication Rights are
held by Viz in The US and Shogakukan in Japan. Sailor Moon is
property of Naoko Takeuchi. Publication rights held by Kodansha
Ltd. in Japan and Mixx Entertainment in the US. My purpose is to
honor these creators and their works. No infringement
intended.
A young woman with
closely cropped black hair walked in an unfamiliar corner of
Nerima. The young warrior's face showed apprehension as she
approached the Saotome home. When Ranma had first told her about
his mother's rejection, Akane had almost stormed off in a rage. The
Akane of the past might well have, but not now. 'Auntie' Saotome
had become quite close to Akane Tendo and her 'cousin' Ranko, how
could she do this to both of them? Genma Saotome's contract was a
joke in itself, a pathetic attempt to pry a son from his mother.
More ludicrous was the contention that the pact was
unfulfilled.
Akane looked at the simple ring on her finger with a smile. The
months she and Ranma had spent in Jadeite's dimension proved Ranma
was the one for her, even though he'd been a girl the whole time.
There, at long last, Akane had become Ranma's peer in the Art. She
accepted the fact she would never be his equal, but could finally
spar with her fiancée knowing that both of them were going all out.
A smile grew on her face as she remembered the wonderful,
frightening, dirty, and exciting adventure they had shared; and the
heroism that she had found in herself at its end. Akane's smile
dimmed a little when she realized that Ranma's role as Sailor Sun
created a new gulf between them, but things were never easy for the
star crossed couple.
As she reached the Saotome house, the smile dimmed a little more.
Akane took a few calming breaths. Anger was still her enemy,
especially right now. Her smile restored, she walked to the door
full of hope for reconciliation. Somehow, Nodoka had forgotten how
to love her child. The fact Akane had lost her own mother a decade
ago only strengthened her resolve. She had to succeed for Ranma,
and herself.
Ami hopped out of a bus
and walked down the street to the entrance of the shrine where her
friend Rei lived. She wondered just what could have gotten her
friend so worked up. Could it have anything to do with what
happened with Ranma's mother?
It was only a few minutes later that both of them bounded down the
stairs, running to catch a bus. They needed a lot of help to make
Rei's vision a reality.
Akane hesitantly
regarded the button beside the door. A warrior who held off three
youma in their home dimension was not going to turn back because of
a one-centimeter square of plastic! She pushed the button,
summoning the sound of creaking floorboards, as hesitant footsteps
came to answer the bell.
Nodoka opened the door and suppressed a gasp. She had seen Akane
Tendo before, but never as she was now. A pretty schoolgirl, a bit
soft from the pleasures of urban life, had greeted 'Auntie' Saotome
when she last visited the Tendo home. Now a warrior came to the
Saotome house, presumably to have her revenge on a mother unworthy
of the title. Nodoka bowed. "Come in, Akane."
"Thank you... Mrs. Saotome." Akane walked a few meters into the
room with both strength and grace Nodoka had never seen in her
before. The young martial artist turned, her face bearing none of
the rage Nodoka had expected. "We must talk."
Akane finally had a good chance to look at her fiancée's mother.
The time since Ranma's departure had not been kind to the woman.
Her eyes were bloodshot, and red streaks covered her face.
"Have a seat, Akane. May I ask why you came to visit?" Nodoka asked
in a soulless voice, it seemed her very being had been washed away
by tears.
The two women sat down, and were silent for a few minutes, Akane
speaking at last. "Mrs. Saotome... how could you treat Ranma the
way you did?"
Nodoka closed her eyes, then rose and left the room. Akane could
hear metal scraping against metal, then the woman returned carrying
a small metal mixing bowl. She set it in Akane's lap, and then
returned to her seat without a word. Her downcast face made
emotions unreadable.
Akane looked into the bowl and saw the yellow-brown ashes of a
piece of paper. Warmth and the unmistakable smell of burning told
her fire had only recently consumed the document. Akane had a very
good idea what had been written on it. She looked up from the
container, a ray of hope escaping her control for a fleeting
moment. "What's this?"
Nodoka spoke... eyes on her own clasped hands, not her son's
fiancée. "Akane, my life has been controlled the last decade by the
contents of that bowl. Today, that paper blinded me to honor for
the last time." At last she looked up. "The agreement my husband
made is gone now, love won over honor in my heart." She closed her
eyes, lowering her head. "But, before it was gone... it cost me
Ranma today. I saw him... for the first time in ten years... and
drove him away. Without him, I am not a mother... I am
nothing."
"Mrs. Saotome!" Akane shouted, and then lowered her voice. She took
a few moments to compose herself before continuing, "You will
always be Ranma's mother. You gave him life." She rose, to stand
before the older woman. With a smile she raised Nodoka's chin,
pleased there was no resistance. "To me, you're still Auntie
Saotome. You made a terrible mistake today, and it's going to be
tough to patch things up. But you can, and I'll help you... as long
as it doesn't affect my relationship with Ranma." She glanced at
her ring finger.
Nodoka followed Akane's eyes and saw the final proof of her son's
manhood. "I'll try, Akane."
The twosome on the bus
became a foursome before the group reached its final destination,
as Minako and Makoto boarded en route. A phone call from Rei's had
brought a sixteen-year old girl with two blonde ponytails out to
the bus stop to greet her friends. Next to her was her pet black
cat, Luna. After Ranma's disastrous attempt at reconciliation with
his mother, the inner Senshi had gone to their respective homes,
only to be re-assembled a short time later at Rei's request. Now
all five girls gathered in Usagi's room.
As the leader of the group, Usagi spoke first. "So, Rei-chan, why
did you want to get us together so soon? We just got back, and I'm
still a little tired after all that dimension-hopping," she said,
as she stifled a yawn.
Rei looked serious. "Well, I got a wonderful idea, though it will
certainly need the approval from the Moon Princess to
work..."
Akane walked the few
blocks from the train station to her home with a concerned smile.
Reconciliation was out of her hands now; the next move was Mrs.
Saotome's. The Saotome matriarch had taken a big step when she
burned the agreement... would Ranma understand just how big it
was?
Luna looked as
concerned as a cat could. "But, Rei, it's been a millennium since
the last was called, and they were all royalty from one of the
Kingdom's planets!"
Rei scowled at the cat. "Doesn't bravery and skill account for
something? Look at Sailor Sun, SHE was a commoner."
Usagi responded with a distant expression. "She wasn't even made a
Senshi until after her sacrifice." She smiled slightly before
continuing. "But her rebirth shows that she became a true Sailor
Senshi."
Rei smiled. "It does, but... it's better to have a living Senshi
than a dead heroine."
Luna responded. "We have no idea of the dangers to us, let alone
the candidate you propose, Rei. Besides there are no planets left;
Earth is Endymion's power base, after all!"
Ami looked up from the computer she had been typing furiously on as
the conversation progressed. "But there are other worlds in our
Solar System besides planets..." Her expression became a little
downcast. "And a lot of them are bigger than Mercury. Look at some
of the ones I've found!"
Never had a piece of
paper looked so terrifying, or so empty. Taking pen in hand,
Saotome Nodoka began to put words to the paper. It was a struggle
to pour her heart onto the page, but it was the only way. She
honestly didn't think she could face her son again. Perhaps words
could bridge the chasm her thoughtlessness had created.
Hours passed, or were they minutes? A glance outside at gathering
darkness proved it to be the former. The matriarch looked once more
at the paper. It said all she felt, and all it must. It was ready.
A stamp of her hanko finalized the document. As she folded the
paper, a few droplets fell to betray the emotions that raged just
beneath her facade of control.
Nodoka went to the bureau and withdrew two envelopes. She addressed
both to 'Ranma'. In one, she placed the recently completed note.
The tears had dried, providing mute testimony on her emotional
state. In the other, she dumped the cold ashes of the document she
should have forgotten; hoping her son would understand the message
of the now illegible paper.
Ranma's mother closed the documents, and then sealed them. She
would not trust anyone save herself to deliver them safely. A
glance at her watch showed there was more than enough time to take
them to the Tendo home today.
The bus ride of a few kilometers seemed unending; events that so
recently took place replayed over and over in the mother's mind.
She had spat at her own son's feet, not waiting to hear what
happened. Her mind had been made up in an instant. Just as
suddenly, her heart had been broken as she heard the reality of
what happened, first from one of the Sailor Senshi, then the young
warrior Ranma would take as a wife.
So deep and painful were her recollections that she missed her
stop. Nodoka stopped the bus then walked back to her stop, a short
walk further taking her to the Tendo home.
The doorbell summoned a young woman Nodoka knew well, Kasumi. The
young matriarch blinked once, then smiled for her guest. "Good
evening, Auntie. What brings you here?" There was an edge to her
voice, a strain not normally present.
Nodoka closed her eyes for a moment, searching for composure as she
squeezed tears from her tightly shut eyelids. Opening her red
stained eyes, she thrust the two envelopes at her hostess. "Please
make sure Ranma gets these, Kasumi-chan."
Kasumi accepted the packages with a small bow. "Of course, Aunt...
Saotome-san. Ranma and Akane are visiting if you wish to see
them..." Her sentence died as she saw the horrible anxiety on
Nodoka's face.
"No... Thank you." Nodoka bowed one last time, then turned away.
She fought with all her willpower to keep from breaking down. Her
composure lasted until she was home. As she collapsed on her bed,
she wondered if her self-control would ever return. If HE would
ever return... home.
Kasumi walked into the
living room, then over to the couch her sister and her sister's
fiancé shared. "Ranma?"
"Yeah, Kasumi? What was that about?"
Kasumi looked thoughtful before proceeding. "These messages were
left for you. Would you like to look at them?"
"Sure... I guess." Ranma replied as he took the two envelopes. Both
were addressed to him using only his given name.
He opened the first, withdrawing a document pockmarked with dried
tears. Unfolding the paper, he began to read. As he studied the
letter anger grew on his face, vanishing quickly.
Akane looked at her fiancée with concern. "What's wrong, Ranma?
What does it say?" Finished with it, Ranma handed the document to
his soul mate, who began to read.
Ranma,
It is amazing how a moment or two of pride can cause years, or a
lifetime, of suffering. A life based on supposed honor can be
destroyed if one forgets for even a moment the true meaning of the
word.
I have made two terrible mistakes in my life, accepting the
document from your father was the first. A piece of paper is a poor
substitute for a child. The second I made today, letting his
written words, a newsreader's commentary, and my own stubborn pride
blind me to your honor.
Knowing the secrets you were kind enough to share with me this
morning, I will not repeat them here. I will tell you how I feel,
though. After you and nine of your friends left, one of them stayed
behind. She told me the true story of your love for Akane, and the
lengths you went to save her, and our world. My world and life
collapsed when her tale was finished.
I realized too late just how much a man you became, both brave and
loving. A child I would be proud of, but one my own foolish pride
lost to me. Imagine having your child taken away for ten years, and
then lost forever in a moment of arrogance and ignorance.
I had another visitor today, I won't mention her name but I will
mention that she provided perspective on events recently concluded.
She showed me what she herself learned; physical gender has nothing
to do with the heart or spirit of a "Man Amongst Men".
I will not stand as judge for your father or you, Ranma. You will
find the document that destroyed my life in the other envelope.
That was the first signpost on my personal road to ruin, but it
will misguide me no more. I stand ready to do as honor dictates, if
that is your request. I am a failure as a mother, that is certain.
I am fully prepared to rectify my mistakes with my lifeblood, if
required to finally know honor at last.
I now ask you in humility for forgiveness. I just want to have my
child back. I beg you give me the chance to be your mother, Ranma.
All I ask for is a chance to start anew. Know that if that is not
to be, I will die happy. My son has made me very proud.
Your Mother,
The impression of a
hanko at the bottom concluded the document.
Akane turned from the paper to look at Ranma, who opened the second
envelope to see the cooled ashes she had observed earlier. Ranma
closed the envelope, engrossed in thought. Akane kissed him gently
on the cheek. "Ranma... please tell me what you're thinking."
"I don't know what to think. Just a few minutes ago, I'd pushed her
out of my mind. Now... I dunno..." He closed his eyes for a moment,
and then came to a realization as he opened them. "It was you,
wasn't it Akane? You visited her didn't ya? Why?"
Akane looked into her fiancé's beautiful blue eyes, "Because,
Ranma. Because your mom deserves a second chance... I... I want her
to be there for us and our children. My... my mom can't be." Akane
closed her eyes for a moment before opening them to continue. "But
I also told her you come first in my heart. If you don't want
her..."
"I need to think about it, Akane. I'm not gonna be like her and
talk before I think. Though us Saotomes are experts at it." He
smiled at his love for a moment. "Thanks, Akane." He looked
thoughtful before continuing. "Maybe there's somebody else I need
to thank..." He kissed the top of her head. "Sorry, Akane. Gotta to
do this visit alone."
"I... understand, Ranma." Akane added to herself, wondering who the
other person mentioned in the letter was. "See you back in Juuban,
Ranma."
"Yeah, Akane." Ranma said as he returned the letter to its
envelope, then headed for the door.
Replaying the scene
with his mother in his head, Ranma had a good idea who the Senshi
that confronted her was. His two closest friends in the group were
Ami and Rei. He doubted Mercury would have gone on the offensive,
but Mars certainly would have. He'd seen the paper, ink streaked by
tears. What had the Senshi said to his mother? Familiar scenery
pulled him from his musings; his stop was coming up.
Rei was catching up on some chores as she saw Ranma walk up the
steps with a concerned expression. He greeted her with a serious
face as he drew a letter from an envelope. "Hey, Rei! I need to
talk to you about what happened earlier."
The shrine maiden scowled as she thought of the last time that
she'd seen Ranma, at his lousy mother's house. "What, Ranma? Don't
tell me that you let that jerk get to you!"
Ranma was clearly taken aback. "I hope you aren't callin' my mom a
jerk, Rei. Just think of what she went through."
"What she went through! What about you? She spat at you! She
actually wanted you to KILL yourself! Why... if... she... were...
here... I'd..." Anger consumed the young priestess' ability to talk
as her face reddened.
Ranma thrust the paper at his friend. "Read this, Rei. My mom just
wrote it..."
Rei snatched the paper from Ranma's hand, nearly tearing it in her
haste to get it over with. As she read it, a lot of her anger left.
A quieter girl looked up from the paper. "I guess she took it
really hard, Ranma," The priestess said as she handed the paper
back to her teammate.
Ranma accepted it with a grin expression, "Yeah. Now I need to
decide if I want a mother or not."
Anger blossomed on Rei's face again, only to be washed away by a
more sober expression. "Ranma, I think your mom needs you and..."
She looked up straight into her taller friend's eyes. "You and
Akane need her."
"What did you say to her, Rei? What did you do?"
"I gave her a piece of my mind. I told her WHY you weren't on Earth
while the rest of us were." Rei looked down as she struggled to
continue. Glancing up into Ranma's eyes, she finished, "The last
thing I said was that I hoped our paths never cross again."
Guilt and sadness combined with understanding to mask Ranma's
reaction to Rei's actions. "I... guess I see what you were tryin'
to do, Rei..."
Rei glanced at the paper as Ranma carefully folded it up. "But it
sounds like your mom finally caught a clue. Maybe you'll be able to
patch things up." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "I hope I do
get to cross paths with her again."
Ranma gently took her hand and offered a tentative shake. "Thanks,
Rei. I gotta think about this s'more."
"Sure, anytime," the girl said to Ranma's back. She wondered if
Ranma could win his mother's heart back... or was it if his mom
could win Ranma back? From what little she'd seen of Nodoka, she
seemed every bit a stubborn as her son.
Ranma walked the short
distance to the Miyagi dojo from Rei's. He wasn't surprised to see
his fiancée waiting for him. "Hey, Akane!" he shouted as he
approached the entryway.
"Hi, Ranma. How was your meeting?" Akane asked with genuine concern
darkening her face.
"Good, Akane. Really Good. I figured out who talked to mom
today..."
"Who, Ranma?"
"One of my friends... Sailor Mars."
"So what are you going to do? Visit Auntie Saotome?"
"Not today, but SOON." Ranma said with a bit of hope on his
face.
"Good." Akane replied with a cute smile.
Ranma smiled back as he offered a hand to his fiancée. Hand in
hand, both reentered the house where they lived in
Juuban.
Makoto, Setsuna, and
Rei gathered for a meeting at Ami's. Her mother was working at the
hospital, providing an excellent opportunity for the girls to meet
without outside interference. All four had agreed Rei's plan was a
good one, and were prepared to see it through.
As host of the meeting, Ami spoke first. "I thought we should get
together to finalize our choice of a focus target." She turned to
Makoto. "Mako-chan, it's going to have to be one of your
satellites. I have a definite preference, do you have any?"
Makoto looked thoughtful. Living on Earth, she didn't often visit
the world that was her power's focus. The Senshi of Jupiter did
know the feel of the four major moons intimately, however... icy
Callisto, rocky Ganymede, tempestuous Europa, and fiery Io. Which
would she suggest? Makoto came to a conclusion, speaking at last.
"Well, if it were me..."
Ami shook her head in the affirmative. "It IS up to you, Mako-chan.
You're going to have to channel the power to help us create a new
transformation stick."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Anyway, I think I've picked a good one
out..."
Upon hearing the name, Ami smiled. It was her choice as
well.
Wedding
preparations, oh brother! Was all Ranma could think as he
followed Akane and Kasumi from shop to shop as they made sure
everything was perfect. It was amazing that so much work and worry
could be invested in a short ceremony. Flowers, clothing,
decorations for the dojo... So much to fret over. It was, it
seemed, easy to say 'I love you' and darn near impossible to say 'I
do'. But, considering all that happened for them to say 'I love
you', was it REALLY that easy, or just in the past?
At home, Nabiki set to work undoing all her little sister was
doing. She didn't want Akane to be stuck in a marriage neither
Ranma nor little sister wanted. They needed some breathing room to
decide if they really were in love, if marriage was really what
they wanted.
Just a few invitations to some people who had somehow been left off
the guest list, but knew Ranma and Akane well... It would be a pity
if THEY couldn't come, too. Nabiki gave a self-contented smile as
she mailed the envelopes; the wedding would be very interesting
indeed.
A tired Ranma and Akane returned to Juuban. All the preparations
had been made; all they had to do now was wait... and
train.
Princess Jupiter
surveyed a little-visited corner of her vast domain. The very world
itself was vital, exhaling mighty plumes of fire. However, its
surface was desolate; devoid of all life except the worldlet's
mighty show of a geologic approximation of organic ebb and
flow.
Death would come in mere moments were it not for the protection
their magic offered the Jovian Ruler and her guests. Each of the
other young women was princess of an inner planet or Terra's moon.
Sailor Jupiter searched the landscape looking for a suitable rock
to transform for a higher purpose, finding a solid dark brown stone
that would serve as the basis for a new transformation stick.
Nodding to her friends, she joined their hands and the group used a
Sailor Teleport to travel to nearby Castle Io.
The inner Senshi materialized across from the massive stone table
that dominated the Great Hall of Castle Io. Seated at the table
were the remaining Sailor Senshi, save Sol's new warrior who
remained behind on Earth unaware of events far away. Pluto sat
before the center of the table studying a dusty tome, flanked by
Uranus and Neptune on one side, and Saturn on the other.
Jupiter approached the Guardian of Time with the stone she had
found, traversing the mosaic of Jupiter, its rings, and its four
great moons that decorated the floor. All eyes focused on the stone
she carried, the only sound in the room the reverberating click of
the tall Senshi's boots against the polished stone. Her walk, and
her reflection's, provided the only motion in the tableaux.
Pluto looked up from her book to gaze at the rock Jupiter carried,
and then broke the silence. "That specimen will be fine, Princess
Jupiter. Are you ready to channel the power of the moon to create
the transformation stick?"
Jupiter stopped, thought clearly marked on her furrowed brow. Rei
or Ami would have been better choices; they were good friends of
Ranko. But Phobos and Deimos were much too small and Mercury had no
moons. So the duty and honor fell to her. Soon there would be a new
Sailor Senshi, powered by one of HER moons. A proud smile bloomed
on her face as she answered the question at last, "Yes, I
am."
"Excellent." Pluto intoned then gazed at the book, rereading the
words she had long before memorized yet again. "The instructions
are quite specific. Concentrate on your planet's power, then try to
separate out the moon's."
First the stone then the Senshi herself began to glow. The bright
light surrounding her became fire and arcs of lightning as she
found and began to channel the moon's energies. As the cold flames
leapt higher, Pluto added an incantation from her book; fixing the
image of the young woman who would use the stick as she chanted the
words...
Back on Earth the next day, Makoto looked at the small wand she had
made with Setsuna's help. It was transparent yellow, shot through
with red to give the appearance of flames frozen and sealed within.
The wand was perfect for both the world it represented and the
warrior who would wield it. Storing the rod away with a thought,
Makoto returned to her preparations. She and her friends were going
to throw a very special party for two very special people. If all
went well, the Senshi's number would swell to eleven. All would go
well.
Each day for Nodoka was
like the one before. Each was almost like an out-of-body experience
as she almost floated through her work, then her time at home.
Waiting for HER judgment by her child. The mat was laid out in the
living room, and she checked the tanto each day. She knew well the
cuts required for Seppuku by a woman, and was ready for her son to
provide her release whether by death or rebirth. It was obvious
Ranma was giving it much more thought than she had.
Ten years of planning and hoping. Ten seconds of denial. Two
seconds of utter stupidity mistaken for honor. And now she waited
for it all to end.
A knock at the door jolted her back to her home. She hoped it would
be Ranma. Nodoka rose and walked to the door, dread vying with
faint hope for her heart. She opened the portal to see three...
girls? Akane she immediately recognized, she remembered the Sailor
Mars from her previous encounter, finally, the girl she had grown
to love as her own... Ranko... Ranma. Her wait was over. Nodoka
bowed to her child. "Thank you for returning, Ranma. I pray that
you will end my suffering. Sailor Mars and Akane, thank you both
for showing an old woman the error of her ways." She looked up to
see three illegible faces.
As one, the three girls offered a curt bow and a "Thank you."
Nodoka motioned for them to enter then directed her guests to take
a seat on a sofa. She knelt down on the mat she had prepared for
her moment of truth. Looking down, she picked up the katana and
handed it to Ranma, who would serve as her judge and second.
The girl accepted the weapon, her face remaining
noncommittal.
Nodoka picked up the tanto, then placed it in front of her,
focusing her eyes on the deadly weapon as she waited.
After several minutes of utter silence in the room, Ranma spoke.
"Mom, I have thought long and hard on what happened a few days ago.
Though I don't wanna judge my own parent, your letter kinda forces
me to. First, you spoke before you knew all the facts... BUT when
you knew what was goin' on, you tried as hard as you could to fix
things. Pop never woulda done that, ya know." Ranma struggled to
maintain her composure as she continued, a free flow of tears
showing her true emotions. "Please, mom, put that knife down, you
might hurt yourself... You might hurt Akane and me." She waited a
few moments before continuing. "I forgive you, I don't wanna see
you die over a dumb mistake, please? God knows me 'n pop 'ave made
plenty of 'em."
Nodoka hesitantly looked up into eyes filled with pain, tears, and
some love. Words came with difficulty as she adjusted to the
possibility of a future beyond this day, this moment. A life
with... "Ranma." She almost whispered, pausing a few heartbeats as
she looked for the courage to continue, "Thank you."
Ranma found a small smile to put on. "Aww, it wasn't much. You
deserved a second chance, mom."
Ranma and Akane emerged
from the station in Nerima holding hands. Ranma turned to the girl
who would, in just a few days become his wife. "Well Akane, I guess
we really are gonna do it... right? After that time in Jadeite's
dimension and with all the weight training you do now, you ain't
even uncute any more..."
A small, dark cloud appeared above Akane's head "RRRRanmaaaa! Why I
could..."
Ranma turned to her and finished his line. "You went from uncute to
beautiful, Akane!" After giving her quick peck on the cheek,
Akane's fiancé turned and ran... straight into a sprinkler watering
a flowerbed.
Akane blinked in shock at Ranma's admission, and then burst into
laughter. "You're still cute, Ranko... wanna be friends?"
A soaking Ranko, who forgot being drenched and female replied to
her fiancée. "Yeah, Akane I'd like that."
Akane put her arm around the smaller girl, finally noticing how
cold the water was. "Let's get you home, I think you could really
use some hot water."
"Thanks." She turned the Akane and whispered in her ear. "You've
gotta be the most macho, beautiful, over-muscled, wonderful, tomboy
on Earth, Akane."
"I never thought I'd fall for an insensitive, cute, macho, pervert
like you, Ranma." Akane whispered back.
Nabiki watched in shock as Ranko and Akane turned off the street
and headed to the house. Each had an arm over the other's shoulder,
right where each of them wanted those arms to be. Looking at the
two girls, she saw only smiles of friendship and love. There was no
anger on Akane's face or flustered confusion on Ranma's; only two
people who obviously cared deeply for each other. NOT the two
people she had sought to break up. Gears in the middle daughter's
head went into hyperdrive as she thought of a way to avert disaster
the day after tomorrow. Eyes narrowing, she came up with a plan as
she stepped out the front door.
"Hi, Akane and RANKO! I was wondering if I could interest the two
of you in a little wedding insurance?"
"Hey, Nabiki!" Ranma's eyes narrowed, "Why would we need insurance,
huh? This another scam of yours?"
"Believe me, Ranma, it's not like that at all. Tomorrow, let's go
downtown and I'll help you two get some wedding insurance,
okay?"
Akane glared at her sister. "Sure Nabiki! How much is it gonna
cost?"
"It's free, honest." Her forced smile slipped to a moment to show a
little guilt. "So, will you two go with me tomorrow? It'll only
take an hour or so..."
"Okay, Nabiki!" Both girls replied in perfect unison, and then
laughed as they looked at each other.
Nabiki looked very relieved. "Great! See you two tomorrow morning
early, okay?"
"Sure!" Akane pivoted to look to look at her fiancé again, "Let's
get you some hot water, Ranko!" She said with enthusiasm. Akane
then turned toward the house and hustled in, followed by
Ranma.
Waiting for the two was
a letter with beautiful calligraphy on the envelope. 'To Akane and
Ranma' the outside said. Akane carefully opened the letter,
resulting in a shredded envelope and a relatively legible, if
ripped, missive. The manuscript was beautiful, obviously
painstakingly written.
Ranma and
Akane,
You two make a wonderful couple, and we wish you all the best. To
help start your life together; we have a special gift for the two
of you. Please come to Rei's house tomorrow night to pick it
up.
Your friend,
Ami
Ranma and Akane kissed
each other after marking the insurance policy, then headed for the
door. The lines had been long, a few hours turned into the better
part of the day. Well, they didn't have any pressing engagements
today... save the one in Juuban that night.
Nabiki's actions when they finally got up to the window were really
bizarre. Distracting hand gestures, small talk from a girl who
HATED same... It was almost as if she was trying to pull something
over on them. Fortunately Ranma and Akane were too observant to let
THAT happen. They didn't get a chance to really study the
documents, but Akane's big sister assured them everything was in
order.
The paperwork marked at last, Ranma turned to Nabiki with a genuine
smile of gratitude. "Thanks, Nabiki. Akane and I really appreciate
your help."
"Not a problem, Ranma." Nabiki looked around to verify no one she
knew was in earshot. "I hate to say this, but... You two deserve
some happiness." With that and glance in both directions, she
hurried away.
Ranma started after only to be stopped by Akane's gentle tug.
"Don't go after her, Ranma. Nabiki's got a rep to protect, you
know."
Ranma stopped in his tracks then offered a smirk to Akane. "You're
right. It was awfully nice of her, though." He looked thoughtful.
"Let's hop a train to Juuban and see what Ami's gift is."
"Yeah, Ranma, let's go."
The young couple headed out the door, hurrying to the nearest
station.
Rei kept a lookout from
the hill overlooking the street. She was glad the temple's other
two residents were gone to the 'mountains' for a night of...
meditation, or so they said. A bus pulled up and two very familiar
people hopped out. Turning around, she gave a signal that brought
Ami from the temple door to her side. Both girls traded a broad
smile, and then tried to keep their enthusiasm under wraps.
Ami hurried to greet her two friends. "Hi, you two! I'm so glad you
could make it."
Ranma smiled at his friend. "It's no problem, Ami! Why do you have
to give us a present today instead of at the reception
tomorrow?"
Ami blinked for a moment. "Because it's a special present, Ranma.
That's all I'll say."
Rei met the three at the top of the hill. "Hi, I'm glad you two
could make it!"
Akane crossed her arms. "Okay, why did you drag us all the way
across the city?"
A voice rang out from behind a tree. "Because, this is a very
special gift. It's for both of you, but you're going to have to
accept it Akane."
Ranma and Akane turned to the voice, not noticing Ami and Rei's
noiseless departure.
Walking out from behind the tree was a warrior Akane knew well. Her
face showed surprise as she identified the girl. "Sailor Jupiter!
Why are you here?"
The girl walked with graceful deliberation worthy of her station as
the Princess of Jupiter and the gravity of the situation. Stopping
just short of Akane, she looked down at the shorter girl with eyes
that spoke of anticipation. "I came to give you this." One of her
white-gloved hands reached up and seemed to pluck something out of
the air.
Akane looked wide-eyed, first at the Sailor Senshi, then at the
beautiful gem-quality yellow rod with a fierce red flame frozen
within. Amazement became puzzlement as she accepted it. "It's
beautiful, but what is it?"
Ranma looked in awe from the rod to Jupiter, who gave him a wink.
He knew what it was, and couldn't believe there was another one.
"B... b... but," he stammered as his old eloquence returned for a
moment.
"Akane Tendo." A voice came from the Temple entrance. It was the
greatest and most famous of the Sailor Senshi who spoke, Sailor
Moon. "A thousand years ago, a commoner gave her life in defense of
her kingdom, and by the grace of the Kami was reborn to serve
her... his... whatever! Queen's daughter in her time of need. One
thousand years later, the reborn Sailor Senshi owe their lives to
another commoner, who risked HER life to protect themselves and
their Princess as they prepared an attack. So..."
There was a loud hiss, as four people breathed in after noticing a
rock Sailor Moon didn't.
"I..." The leader of the Sailor Senshi came crashing to Earth, then
executed a rather sloppy roll and came up with a slightly bleeding
knee. "Ouch! Now where was I? Oh, yes..." Pain and a few tears
showed through her disguise field as she continued to speak and
walk, with a noticeable limp. "So we have decided to offer another
commoner a position as a Sailor Senshi." Dismissing pain, and
summoning up all the regal bearing she still possessed, Sailor Moon
continued. "Akane Tendo, will you join us in the fight for Love and
Justice?"
Ranma reached for his transformation stick then held it so Akane
could see it.
Akane gazed open-mouthed from her fiancé's stick to hers. She
looked faint, but Ranma grabbed her and held his fiancée up for the
few moments it took the shocked girl to recover. What should she do
now? She knelt before the Princess and future Queen, replying, "I,
Akane of Clan Tendo, would be honored to serve you as a Sailor
Senshi."
A bright gem flared on Sailor Moon's chest, generating a beam of
blinding light which engulfed Akane and the stick she held of a few
moments, then seemed to flow into Akane and the stick, eventually
vanishing. Sailor Moon turned behind to the remaining Sailor Senshi
and Tuxedo Kamen, all of whom were approaching from the temple.
"Did I do it right?"
A nod from Sailor Pluto put a smile on her face as Sailor Moon
turned back to face her newest warrior. "Rise, Akane Tendo."
Akane stood. "Uh... what do I do now?" She asked in complete
befuddlement.
A woman in a black-skirted Sailor Senshi uniform replied. "Raise
the stick, and shout your transformation phrase, 'Io Lumina Power,
Make Up!'"
Akane swallowed and raised the rod high, shouting "Io Lumina Power,
Make Up!" Flames seemed to flow from the stick and engulfed her. As
her body became a glowing light, she rose slowly and turned as her
new uniform formed around her. Each part was etched on her body by
a bolt of lightning: skirt, boots, bodysuit, and collar. The
lightning coalesced to form two bows, a large one in front, and a
smaller one in back. Finally, the energy flowed into a gem at the
bigger bow's center. As the light show died down, Sailor Io was
lowered to the ground to end with a pose of hands on her hips with
clenched fists.
Ranma looked at his fiancée in awe. Sailor Io wore a white body
suit with a yellow skirt and collar. A light blue bow decorated her
chest, with a similar ribbon tied behind her skirt. Yellow piping
decorated her long white gloves. Finally, a pair of calf-high laced
flat-soled yellow boots completed her outfit.
The Sailor uniform did nothing to hide the incredible musculature
her stay in Jadeite's dimension and continued weight training since
had developed. First it had been Jupiter, then Uranus, followed by
Sun. Now, a new girl took the title of 'Strongest Sailor
Senshi'.
Ranma struggled to pick his jaw up off the floor, as he tried to
speak... "Aka... Sailor Io!"
Io turned to Ranma, offering a playful pose with one hand behind
her head and the other outstretched toward him. "Hey,
Sailor!"
Ranma looked sheepish, "Uh, yeah..." Raising his stick, after a few
moments of her own blinding light, Sailor Sun stood by Sailor Io.
Sun threw her arms around the larger girl, then planted a deep kiss
on her love's lips to the applause of the assembled multitude of
girls in short skirts. The one guy still present clapped too.
Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus gave each other's hand a squeeze;
this love wasn't QUITE the same as theirs, but... It was obvious
which two Sailor Senshi would be married first, darn.
Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen gave each other's hand a squeeze; this
love wasn't QUITE the same as theirs, but... It was obvious which
Sailor Senshi would be married first, darn.
Breaking their kiss, the two Senshi looked with love at each other
for a few moments more, then turned to their friends. One by one,
each of the other warriors de-transformed to reveal his or her
mundane identity to newest Sailor Senshi.
Sailor Pluto, Setsuna Meioh was a woman Akane had never met. She
seemed a bit aloof, as did Sailor Uranus, Haruka Ten'oh, who Io did
recognize as a member of the upper class at Juuban. The tall blonde
was obviously enamored of Neptune's Senshi, Michiru Kaioh, another
older student Akane recalled from school. The new Senshi smiled at
how similar the two beautiful women's relationship was to her own
with Ranma... at least part of the time.
Next was Saturn who, despite her youth and diminutive stature,
wielded a NASTY looking pole arm, the Silence Glaive. With a purple
glow, she became a young girl, perhaps twelve or so. She introduced
herself as Hotaru Tomoe.
Akane noted that Hotaru went to stand with Haruka and Michiru,
looking up to each with a smile; then refocusing her glance back on
the littlest Sailor Senshi herself. The three young women seemed to
be almost a family... 'Father' with an arm wrapped protectively
around Michiru's waist, Mother with two hands gently resting on
Hotaru's shoulders, and Child. Akane sighed, anticipating the day
she and Ranma would have their own children.
On hearing Io's sigh, Michiru smiled at her. The young woman knew
Akane and Ranma's day would come. No need to check with Pluto on
that account.
Now the other couple de-transformed. Akane sucked in a gasp, as
Sailor Moon became Usagi Tsukino, the bottomless pit of the ice
cream shop, crybaby, scholastic slacker, and general klutz... With
a smile, Io recalled Sailor Moon's antics just a few minutes
previous. Behind her, Tuxedo Kamen became a handsome college-age
man... Mamoru Chiba. Akane noted that Mamoru and Usagi were an item
much the same way she and Ranma were.... at least part of the
time.
Next, Sailor Venus became the athletic Minako Aino and Sailor
Jupiter became Makoto Kino. Both girls were well known to Akane.
Minako was an excellent volleyball player, and Makoto was quite
good with - and quick to use - her fists. Akane had to admit a
special feeling of kinship with the Kino girl. Not only did they
both like to brawl, but also Makoto had lost BOTH her parents. If
only Akane could cook like Makoto did... Thank the Kami for
takeout.
Io now had a very good idea who the last two Senshi were. Sailor
Mars became Rei Hino; they were at her temple after all! Finally,
Sailor Mercury became their good friend and Ranma's tutor Ami
Mizuno. Akane wondered what Ami thought about her Sailor Senshi
outfit, though she did look great in it. The new Senshi hoped her
own didn't make her look too fat.
Finally, only Io and Sun remained in Senshi guise. Sun spoke first;
tears she didn't even notice falling. "Gosh, I don't know what to
say, but I don't think we'll ever get any present tomorrow as nice
as this..." She looked at Io; "Maybe we WILL need to look into
transferring to Juuban High for good."
Io just shook her head back and forth, still in disbelief. "I don't
know how to... this is like a dream, every girl's dream... Thank
you, all of you."
Sun stood on tiptoes and whispered something to Io, getting a broad
smile and an affirmative nod from the latter. The redheaded Senshi
turned to her friends. "Sailor Io and I are going to go for a
moonlight tour of rooftop Tokyo, see all of you tomorrow!"
A chorus of good-byes responded, then two streaks of flames flew
down the street.
Rei turned to Makoto. "Thanks, Mako-chan."
Makoto sighed, and then flushed a little. "It's so romantic.
Someday I'll find someone who..."
"Looks like your old boyfriend," the remaining people helpfully
finished Makoto's sentence before going their separate
ways.
Two Sailor Senshi stood
overlooking Tokyo, each with an arm around the waist of her
partner. Unsure what building they ended up atop after an exciting
night of roof hopping, they just soaked up the astonishing view.
Lights and signs blinked as they do only in the part of Tokyo known
as Ginza. A glow on the eastern horizon attracted their attention.
The grays of pre-dawn had diminished the neon a bit, but finally
thin daggers of light heralded a new day, THEIR day.
Sailor Io looked a little bleary eyed, but her eyes sparkled with
the excitement she still felt. "We stayed up ALL NIGHT? What about
the wedding?"
"Don't sweat it, Io-chan. That ain't till... TOMORROW... uh...
today? Lets get going!"
Two fiery streaks flew across the rooftops of Tokyo, coming to
light in Nerima district near the Tendo dojo. After
de-transforming, Ranma and Akane crept into the
house.
Ranma idly wondered if
Sailor Saturn could 'cure' tiredness. There were still a few hours
left. He'd sleep for just a few...
"BOY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" His father's shaking and
shouting jerked Ranma awake. "You're supposed to be getting
married, not sleeping!"
"Okay... Okay. I'll get ready." The catnap allowed Ranma to
actually feel somewhat refreshed. After washing quickly, he was
ready to get ready. He figured it wouldn't take long.
It didn't take long as both Soun and Genma almost ripped off his
clothes to replace them with a white tuxedo.
"Who is it?" Came the muffled response from inside.
Ranma turned the knob and slowly opened it. "Hey, Akane, you better
get..." The sight in front of him took his words away. "Akane, you
look beautiful." Ranma said, flushing bright red. She did look
beautiful in a long, fancy western-style wedding dress. Lace,
satin, and flowers combined to enhanced Akane's beauty past any
threshold Ranma was capable of withstanding unaffected.
"Thanks, Ranma." Akane replied. Somehow, she was unable to look at
her husband to-be in the eyes despite all they went through. Today
she was a bride and she was going to do her best to act like
one.
"See ya, Akane." Ranma turned and left.
Akane shared a smile with her mirror. Since moving to Juuban,
trading the Nerima madness for that of another district, both their
lives had changed. She wondered how different today had been if
their fathers hadn't conspired to force them together away from the
distractions of Nerima. What if Ranma hadn't trained her in the Art
to be a peer? What if Ranma hadn't become Sailor Sun and run off to
save her? What if they hadn't spent the most intense couple of
months imaginable alone together on a planet infested with demons?
What if she hadn't beaten the heck out of that bird woman who tried
to break into her bedroom after they came back? What if...
There was a knock on her door. "Akane, please come downstairs,"
Filtered through the door.
"Thanks Kasumi!" Akane followed her sister. Today they would cement
what had started not long ago in that very dojo. She would move
beyond friendship with the only person she wanted to spend her life
with... She was getting married... THEY were getting
married.
Soun hid what seemed to
be a cask of sake away from prying eyes. He didn't escape the most
prying eyes in the Tendo family, however.
"So, Daddy, are you saving that for the big blowout you and 'Uncle'
Saotome are going to have after the wedding?" His middle daughter
asked.
"Well, that guide from Jusenkyo sent only enough for one person, so
I wanted to save it for Ranma... But only after the wedding."
"So, you're engaging in a bit of blackmail, huh?" Nabiki asked with
a smirk.
Soun looked both ways, to assure the conversation didn't fall on...
unwelcome ears. "No, Nabiki, nothing of the sort. I haven't even
told him of my purchase. I just want to make sure he gets it...
after the wedding."
"Whatever, call it what you want." Nabiki said with a tiny
smile.
A new voice entered the room "Tendo, why?"
"What, Saotome?"
"How could you hide it from me? I understand about the boy, but
ME?" His face hardened with a little resolve. "I'll look after it,
in fact, I'll take it!" Grabbing the cask, he ran off... or at
least started to. An exploding wall stopped him short, and flung
the precious cask from his hands.
"Is this the Tendo dojo?" a bewildered Ryoga asked. As his eyes
widened in surprise, he saw a cask flying through the air then
realized it was, aided by a large banner attached to the container.
"Nannichuan!" Ryoga shouted in joy. Perhaps he could become a real
man for Akari...
Ranma entered the dojo to hear words that would have elated him a
few months ago. Nannichuan, the promise of a cure... But what of
the Sailor Senshi? What of Sailors Sun and Io? Would the
transformation stick still work if his curse were removed? Did he
want... need a cure anymore?
Ranma looked at the cask with grim anticipation, and a healthy
amount of dread. He turned to Akane, who had entered the room; "Do
I want a cure? Akane, do you want me cured?"
Akane stopped short... she had to think about it; this was no time
for hasty answers. A small smile grew on her face as her heart told
her what to reply. The bride to-be shook her head no. "I said I'm
marrying you, Ranma... as you are... I'm sure it wouldn't go to
waste on someone else."
Out of the corner of his eye, Ranma saw a series of projectiles
coming his way. With a quick leap, he dodged them, landing on the
floor.
"Shampoo exploding food miss Akane!"
Ukyou looked disappointed, her gift for Ranma missed its mark.
"I've got lots more of this SPECIAL okonomiyaki for you... Ranma
honey!"
A tall, blonde-haired young man wearing a suit and an elegantly
dressed young woman with emerald hair grabbed Shampoo and pinned
her to the wall. The man spoke with a touch of uncharacteristic
anger. "I heard Akane beat you in a challenge for Ranma's hand.
Your lack of honor gives Amazons a bad name!"
"Husband no tell Shampoo no love Shampoo. Violent girl may beat
Shampoo, but husband still love." Her expression darkened. "Violent
girl get kiss of death from Shampoo. Shampoo kill!"
Increasing the pressure a bit, Haruka continued. "Well, let's talk
this over while those two get married, okay?"
Michiru nodded in agreement.
Two girls in formal dresses double-teamed Ukyou. The taller one had
brown hair in a ponytail, the shorter one had long, unencumbered
reddish-black hair. The shorter girl spoke first. "I thought Ranma
had an agreement with you... I thought you were his friend!"
The taller one added her thoughts as the two pinned Ukyou against
the wall. "Ranma and Akane love each other. Doesn't love mean
anything to you?"
A shout of "Ukyou-sama!" Pierced the air to the rear of the
girls.
In counterpoint, a young woman in an elaborate black wedding dress
knelt to speak to Ranma "Ranma-sama! Are you all right?"
Ranma sprang to his feet just as a katana struck were he had lain
moments before. Dodging both katana and Kodachi, he turned to see
who had struck at him. His assailant shouted out his judgment. "By
all the gods, this wedding is an abomination. I shall not permit
it!"
"Get off it, Kuno!" Ranma took a swipe at the kendoist, and then
tripped over a bucket of water. Water always had a tendency to show
up at the least convenient times in Ranma's life... Times like
right now.
Kuno's face transformed as quickly as Ranma's. "My beloved
pigtailed girl, you are a vision dressed in white! Let the wedding
today be ours!"
"Oh, yeah, Kuno? How do ya like this, huh?" Ranma said as she
expressed her love for Kuno the way that she always did, with a few
punches. Kuno was soon down, right in the puddle of water. The cold
liquid would hasten his return to consciousness, but he wasn't up
yet.
In the rear of the dojo, Akane turned to confront a smug Nabiki.
"You sent out those... extra... invitations, didn't you?" Akane
inhaled. She had to keep the rage inside, and then release it
slowly. No need to hurt her Big Sister.
Nabiki returned a feline smile. "Maybe I did." She almost purred.
"Look at all the yen it brought in!"
"It was kind of you to remember all the friends Ranma and Akane
forgot to invite!" Kasumi beamed.
"Kind is NOT the word!" Akane replied as she stormed off.
The battle of the Nannichuan continued, with neither Mousse, Ryoga,
nor Genma giving any quarter. As if it had a life of its own, the
cask flew from them and cracked open, threatening to spill the
precious liquid on the floor, or on Ranma, who had the misfortune
to stumble away from her 'love' into its path.
Ranma looked on, frozen in fascinated horror. The cure, her dream
of a few months ago had become a nightmare. Swallowing, the girl
prepared to dodge the rapidly advancing cask. All she had done as
Sailor Sun passed before her eyes and all that she and Akane could
have done as Sailor Senshi might soon be washed away.
Nodoka looked on in horror of her own. Her son had finally come to
terms with his dual nature and become more that she had ever
dreamed of. Perhaps there was one thing she could still do for
Ranma. Decorum and manners were cast aside as she launched herself
on a course to intercept the 'cure'. Ranma and Akane's future was
different than what Nodoka had dreamed, but she would not let it be
denied. She was Ranma's mother, no matter his gender.
From behind the mother and son arose a cry of "Sake!" A small form
leapt past Ranma and the hurtling Nodoka to down the cask's
contents in one gulp. "What? SOUN! What is the meaning of this?
This is just water!" Happosai said as he smashed the empty cask at
the floor.
The young martial artist was still in shock. After the wedding she,
and Akane, would tell Soun how they really felt about her...
condition. For once in her life, she almost wanted to thank the old
lecher. She saw her mother fly in front of her to hit the ground,
hard. Realization of just how much her mother loved her fought with
concern for her mom's well being. Ranma knelt down to attend her.
"Mom, why didja have to do it?" But Ranma knew the answer... her
mother loved her.
Meanwhile, the three combatants had grabbed Happosai. No matter how
hard they tried, Mouse, Genma, and Ryoga couldn't get a drop of
precious fluid out of the old lecher. Even prying his mouth open
over a funnel proved fruitless.
Akane was almost beside herself in the shadows at the edge of the
dojo. This was their special day. HOW could Nabiki do this to Ranma
and her own sister?
Happosai leapt free and with a shout of "Happo Daikarin!" escaped,
leaving a bomb in his wake. Of course, it landed right where Ranma
was kneeling, trying to revive her mother. The bomb exploded,
leaving an unconscious girl in a tuxedo collapsed on top of an
unconscious woman. Ami and Hotaru rushed to their aid.
His pigtailed girl now down for the count, Kuno turned his
attention to his other love. The beautiful Akane stood apart from
the tumult, contemplating her love for him at the edge of the dojo
floor. It seemed that she was using the pigtailed girl as a focus
in her meditations, which had already brought love's tears to her
eyes. He walked over to her, finishing with his most courtly bow.
"Perhaps it is our day, Akane Tendo. Today, we shall marry."
Akane, roused from her sad contemplation of a mother's love and her
fallen fiancé, replied with a "Thunder Hammer Strike!" Kuno was
blasted to the ground, unconscious.
"Well, done, Akane! You are truly a fitting bride for the master...
Marry me!" Happosai shouted as he grabbed the hem of her wedding
dress.
Akane looked down at him with a glare of pure hatred. "You Jerk!
You HURT my fiancé and his mother! How on EARTH do you think I
could have any love for you?" Akane said as she dragged Happosai
along in her rush to be at Ranma's side, not even bothering to push
him off as he inched his way up, ever closer to her chest. Pushing
Kodachi out of the way, Akane knelt beside her fallen love. Ami and
Hotaru concentrated on Nodoka as a weeping Akane cradled Ranma's
head in her arms.
The minister entered the dojo and took a glance around at the
mayhem within. He sighed and turned to the sobbing man at the
doorway. "I take it that my services are not required today?"
Soun bawled, "WAAAHHH!!"
The minister put his hat back on and walked away calmly. "See you
next week."
Kasumi commented on the wild chaos in front of her. "What an
exciting wedding!"
Ranma awoke to two
small hands on his head, still generating warmth that filled his
body. "H... Hotaru?" he asked.
"Yes, Ranma. I'm glad you're better." The girl replied with a
smile, withdrawing her hands.
Ranma sat up to see a beaming Akane next to a smug Nabiki. "Akane,
what are you happy about? Our wedding just... uh... kinda blew
up."
"Ranma, Nabiki just explained what our wedding insurance was...
That paper we marked yesterday... was our marriage document." She
plopped down and hugged Ranma. "We've been married since
yesterday."
Ranma blinked a couple of times, then pulled Akane's face around to
kiss his wife.
Ami had amused herself with her portable computer as she waited for
Ranma to recover. She had found some information that would
certainly be of interest to the young couple. It seemed a certain
orbital station from the Silver Millennium was still in orbit.
Perhaps it might provide a place for them to get away from all this
chaos, at least for a while.
Even a million
kilometers from its surface, the sun is hot, VERY hot. Almost
infinitesimal against the face of the star at the center of the
Solar System, a tiny bubble of metal and crystal orbited the
flaming nuclear furnace. It was only because of powerful magic that
the bubble even existed, as it had for a millennium. For the first
time in nearly a thousand years, footfalls of Sailor Senshi echoed
through its confined metal corridors. For the second time in a
millennium, the station was inhabited.
Ranma looked up from the book she was studying to see her wife
looking up from the volume SHE was studying. The young women
exchanged smiles. The books they were poring over consisted mostly
of technical data collected by the woman who became Sailor Sun over
the years she lived here. But their research had yet to turn up any
details of the woman who built the station, just her legacy. They
knew what she did, but not HER.
Both women were dressed in their Senshi garb, because this wasn't a
place a normal human could live for more than a few minutes. The
temperature was pleasant and air both plentiful and breathable, but
while the radiation this distance from Sol would quickly kill a
human, it could not kill a Sailor Senshi. Pseudonyms were not
needed here, however. Sailor Sun was Ranma and Io was Akane.
The honeymoon hadn't been anything like what they had expected, but
what was in their lives? Before they teleported back to Mercury on
the way back to Earth, Pluto and the inner Senshi had said they
would return in 4 days. Ranma looked over her shoulder at their
'romantic' honeymoon suite... two cots, a small ice chest, and a
box of canned food.
Breaking the silence, Akane spoke. "Ranma, do you remember ANYTHING
about this place?"
Ranma's face showed some thoughtful concern. "It's hard to say. I
don't have any real memories about it, but it just feels right.
Kinda like a kata of the school, it's comfortable."
Akane had a contemplative look as she digested what her spouse just
said. "Well, why don't you try to let go a bit, let you instincts
guide you... like in a familiar kata. Maybe you'll remember
something."
Ranma concentrated for quite a few minutes, but couldn't come up
with more that the comfortable feeling she'd had since coming here.
"Why can't I do it?" She asked not one in particular,
frustrated.
"Ranma, you idiot! I said let go; let your instincts guide you.
Thinking just makes it tougher."
The redheaded Senshi gave her wife a smile. "Oh, I get it. Good
idea, Akane!" Ranma tried to relax and clear her head so she could
focus on the shreds of memories she possessed. It was kind of like
trying to reconstruct a building from a handful of sawdust. Her
vision kept being drawn to an ornate metallic figure on the
bookcase. The figure was of a bird in flight, on a metallic base.
It was intricately detailed, looking almost like a real bird,
though it was of the same burnished coppery metal as the rest of
the station. She realized it was very important. Getting up, Ranma
walked over to the figure and caressed it with her delicate
fingers, trying to see if she could feel anything.
As she continued to try to understand, she began an almost
instinctive series of hand movements, guiding the bird in an
elaborate flight over the shelf. With a crack, a whine began as
machinery dormant for hundreds of years struggled to life.
With an almost inaudible click, a door opened just to the left of
the bookcase, but only a few millimeters. The machinery continued
to whine for scant additional moments then stopped. Ranma, followed
by an excited Akane, walked over to the frozen panel. "Let's see
what a little muscle will do!" Ranma said as she threw herself into
an attempt to lift the door. Straining, sweating, and huffing
proved to no avail. The door remained locked.
Akane rubbed her hands in anticipation. "Okay, that's what a little
muscle will do, let's try a lot... On a count of 3. 1... 2... 3!"
Akane and Ranma threw themselves into it. With a report like a
rifle shot, the door flew open revealing a spiral staircase leading
down. Akane turned to her husband, "Well, it's your place... You
first."
"Thanks, Akane!" Ranma responded as she excitedly clambered down
the stairs, spouse in only slightly more cautious
pursuit.
The stairway led to a
study with an ornate door in one wall. A beautiful stone desk had a
series of crystal globes arranged in a hexagon. Each of the globes
had a delicate mechanism inside it. As Ranma stared at the globes,
small gears whirred inside each. In a moment, a cylinder of light
formed which the six spheres marking points on its base. A three
dimensional image of a woman appeared, and she began to speak in
halting Japanese.
"Greetings, Sailor Sun." The woman said as she bowed deeply. The
apparition bore a distinct resemblance to Ranma's mother Nodoka,
except with longer hair. Years of hard life showed clearly on her
face. A few small wrinkles and some grey hair marked her as thirty-
something. Despite advancing years however, her beauty was
undiminished. The ancient Sailor's garb was identical to that neo-
Sailor Sun wore, from red metal headband to the red boots on her
feet. Long Auburn hair ran free beneath the headband down to her
waist. "I know not when I greet you, only that it is in the future.
Today I go with the vanguard of our fleet to face the Dark Kingdom.
I will not survive." She clenched her fists for a few moments,
gathering composure to continue.
"When am I speaking to you? Is it a week, a generation, or a
hundred generations hence? That I am speaking to you at all means
that there is at last a Sailor Senshi for the Sun." She couldn't
keep a proud smile off her face before continuing. "I invite you to
visit the adjacent room, my... daughter. In there you will find my
personal journals, and autobiography. Though I will never see you,
know this: You have made me very proud." The image flickered and
faded out as the tiny gears stopped.
Ranma was stunned, roiling emotions taking even her speech away.
Noticing her love's concern, Akane wrapped both arms around Ranma's
waist, letting her husband know that she was there, that she cared.
At last Akane spoke. "Ranma, are you all right?"
Ranma sniffled a bit... "Yeah, Akane. I'm fine. Let's go in her
room and look at those books. I really want to know who she... I...
was back then."
Akane kissed the smaller girl on top of her head. "So do I love, so
do I."
Opening the door revealed a bedroom containing a beautiful bed, a
desk, and a bookcase. On the desk was a box filled with sand.
Roughly a half-meter square, in its center was a frozen bird of
prey surrounded by swirling yellow waves of magic. Ranma found
herself drawn to it. Walking up to the box, she hesitantly brought
a hand to the magical barrier. First she touched it, feeling
nothing. Gathering courage, she pushed her hand through the barrier
that then soundlessly dissolved. As a sunburst pattern flared on
its head, the bird came to life.
Chizuko hoped Angwyn... Sailor Sun would get done with her spell.
She told her to close her eyes, but the bird was getting impatient.
Blinking her eyes open, she was unknowingly propelled a thousand
years into the future. The girl looked enough like Angwyn to be her
daughter... Could she be? Perhaps the spell did work, time
to find out. "Hello? Sailor Sun?" She asked with the bow she
usually reserved for her mistress.
Ranma had seen many things in her short life, but a talking hawk
was certainly on the short list of most amazing. "Yeah, I'm Sailor
Sun. Who are you?"
"I am your advisor, Chizuko, of course!" Tilting her head to the
side a bit, the hawk turned to see Akane. "And who are you, young
Senshi?"
Akane took a few hesitant steps forward before responding. "I'm
Sailor Io."
"Sailor Io? What planet is that?"
Akane smiled with pride. "Io is one of the great moons of Jupiter,
and I am its Senshi."
"So are you a friend of Sailor Sun's?"
Akane turned a bit red. "Actually, I'm her... his wife."
The hawk just blinked then asked again. "I'm sorry, did you just
say... wife?"
"Yeah, she said wife... but we can't walk around here without the
protection the Senshi magic gives us."
The bird spread her wings and flew over to a desk next to the bed.
"Hmm... It looks like the radiation shields have gone out, so I
guess you're right. Let me check out the station a bit. I'll leave
you two girls alone." The bird flew to the door, a mumbled "husband
and wife?" and a shaken head not going unnoticed by the two Sailor
Senshi.
Sailors Sun and Io smiled at each other, and then sat down to try
to finally get to know the first Sailor Sun.
That night, they shared Angwyn's bed. They had to be fully dressed
because they were STILL in a hostile environment, but it was
wonderful anyway.
A week later, Ranma and
Akane squared off in the Miyagi dojo. The young couple had
persuaded the master to allow them to stay on through High School
as instructors and students. Miyagi was only too happy to
oblige.
Ranma ducked under Akane's kick, "Come on Akane, you can do
better..." A solid blow to the midsection abruptly ended his
taunt.
"Yeah, I can! See?" Akane replied with a smile.
"Yeah, but do you see?" Ranma asked as a quick move swept Akane to
the floor then offered her a hand up. "That's enough for today,
don't you think Akane-chan?" Ranma always liked to stop when he
landed the last blow...
"Okay, Ranma." She shook her head slowly. "I, uh WE... could use a
nice... hot..." Her sentence was interrupted by the buzz of a small
wristband each of them wore.
Hearing the noise, Chizuko glided into the room, lighting on
Ranma's shoulder. " I wonder what it is this time?"
"So do I," Akane added.
"Let's get ready, Akane-chan!" Ranma concluded with a smile for his
wife.
Soon, two Sailor Senshi raced across Tokyo's rooftops, with their
advisor soaring above. The three were ready, ready to fight for
their Queen, love, justice, and their worlds; be it Earth, Io or
the Sun.
The End?
First of all, I must
thank Fire for his wonderful story, "Sailor Ranko".
I read "Sailor Ranko" on his webpage, which has a special "Sailor
Ranko" section...
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~dzillman/fire/sailor_ranko/sr_index.htm
The story itself is at:
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~dzillman/fire/sailor_ranko/s_ranko.txt
I was struck by his characterization of both Ranma AND Akane, but I
felt that a little could be added to his story, so I typed this up.
The first 10K was written in a week or two, then I had no
inspiration for about 3 months or so. Finally I figured out how to
finish the story and did, in only about a week for the first draft.
Of course fine-tuning took a few more weeks.
Thanks to my pre-readers: Fire (of course), William Dix, Louis-
Philippe Giroux, Mike Koos, Nicholas Leifker, Isaac Marchionna,
Bryan Neef, Andrew Norris, and Chad Walker. Any errors which remain
are my responsibility, not theirs! If I forgot anyone, please let
me know...
Special thanks go to Lord Archive. The first chapter of his story
"The Insanity Continues"
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Fuji/9061/TIC/ , provides a frame-by
frame transcription of the original 'wedding' scene from Ranma
volume 38. I found it very helpful in writing my own bizarre
version of the classic end of the Ranma Manga.
Additional public and private C&C welcomed!
Thanks for your time, and I hope you enjoyed the story!
Kevin D. Hammel
September 19, 1999
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khammel@mail.anime.sobhrach.com
kevinsff@pacbell.net
http://www.anime.sobhrach.com/~khammel/
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