The
Saotome Senshi Series
Disclaimer- If you don't know it by now, this is that small section of text you
skip. I don't own anything, especially the characters within. Blah Blah Blah
Criticism and Comments should be sent to tharpi@lycos.com
The story so can be read at
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What has happened before...
Ranma, after a fight with Akane, is persuaded by Nodoka to live with Mamoru
Chiba who Nodoka believes will help Ranma mature more. So Ranma has moved in
with Chiba Mamoru and has met most of the Sailor Scouts in the normal forms,
and momentarily them in Senshi form. Despite suspicions still lurking, Rei has
decided to try and become Ranma's friend and is walking him home.
There's more, but this is just a quick synopsis, read the earlier chapter if
you want to know more. _________________________________________________
Darkness Within Shadows
The walk home was pleasant enough, although mostly silent. Rei, despite the
show of friendship, was remaining quiet so that Ranma could open up himself.
Ranma was hoping to find out more about Rei, but didn't quite know how to
approach the subject. The walk ended as Ranma stopped in front of his and
Mamoru's apartment complex.
"We're here," he said calmly.
Rei was somewhat surprised, knowing full well one occupant who already resided
here.
"You live here? I know someone who lives here as well. In fact I should
probably stop by anyway, since he and I have things to talk about." She
responded, while thinking "This will make it easier to talk to Mamoru and
get his advice in this matter"
"Well, come in then we can stop at my place first to see if my roommate's
there."
"Lead the way."
The both went inside and boarded the elevator. Rei had a momentary thought at
the coincidence of Mamoru and Ranma both living on the fifth floor, but thought
it was just too unlikely. However, she couldn't believe it as Ranma walked up
to the very apartment she was planning on visiting anyway and unlocked the door
with his key."
"Mamoru, I'm home"
"Hey Ranma," came a shout from the bedroom. "I'm just doing some
studying."
"Alright, I have a guest over, if you like to meet her."
"Be right in." Mamoru closed his laptop and came out to meet Ranma's
guest. "So who is this-" he stopped short, recognizing the girl
before her as a good friend.
"Chiba Mamoru, meet Hino Rei."
After a couple moments, Mamoru broke the silence.
"We've met Ranma. Nice to see you again Rei. Everything go alright today?"
asked Mamoru, knowing that she was involved with defending against the youma
attack.
"Yup, although I'll need to talk to you later about some things, ok?"
She said aloud while wondering If Mamoru knew he was living with a human who
could slay demons that sailor senshi had trouble fighting. "Well, its
getting late, and I should get going. Can I see you tomorrow?"
"Mom said I should try to make some friends tomorrow, as well as look
around. So alright, how about we meet at your temple?"
"Sounds like a plan. How about round two?"
"Sure."
"See you then. Take care." Rei excused herself. Meeting Ranma would
be easier at two. After all, the Inners were going to meet there anyway to
discuss him anyways. They could implement anything afterwards with him arriving
later. "With Mamoru as his roommate, it would also make watching him
easier should he turn out to be a threat" she thought only to chide
herself for her thoughts.
Back in the apartment.
"Well, Ranma, anything happen today."
"Yeah, some demon attacked me and three girls. Rei was one the girls that
was around."
Faking surprise, he listened as Ranma gave his account of the fight. When he
concluded his tale, Mamoru finally interjected.
"So no one was hurt?"
"Only the youma. I don't know though, it still felt so right to destroy it
at the time, but I don't know. Now that I think of it, I've never completely
killed anything before. But it would have attacked those girls and-"
"Ranma," Mamoru interjected. "You did the right thing. It might
have been sentient, but it had no value of other living beings. It was out to
kill, not feed like an animal, but kill. What you did was justifiable"
"No, it was duty. I don't know why, but something seemed to scream at me
that it had to be destroyed. Now though, I don't know why. I understand why it
had to be, but, there was something else. Excuse me." Ranma got up and
went to his room.
"Ranma-"
Mamoru was worked up. His roommate had helped destroy a youma. Something that
usually required Sailor Moon's assistance, and he and three scouts had wiped it
to oblivion and beyond. They still had no idea who this red-head that Rei had
seen in her reading. But the fact that Ranma had done such a thing, and still
felt guilty over its destruction sealed Mamoru's opinion of him. Anyone who
valued life, and question his actions as he seemed to, must be steered toward
the path of the sailor scouts.
(That Night)
Once again Ranma-chan was in the vacuum of space. Looking towards where she
knew Earth was, she was cursing herself. She lay floating, dying ever so slowly
as her powers tried to sustain her, but were failing.
"What happened here?" she thought to herself in her dream.
Saturn, who Ranma had only vaguely remembered from the last dream, answered
from behind him.
"We failed."
Ranma turned to see the battered fighter crying only a few meters from her. Her
eyes had tears frozen to her cheeks as her own body apparently had begun
failing her as well.
Ranma forced himself, through powers he didn't understand over to her and cradled
her as she continued to speak.
"Everyone has always feared us. You and I have always been alone. I
couldn't let you die here. . ." she was cut off as her body began to
spasm. Ranma held her tightly, knowing the body heat they shared would somehow
manage to help both of them, if only for a couple minutes. However, death
looked inevitable.
"I couldn't let you die, but in that I've failed my duty. We both shall
die here now."
As both girls turned to look to the
They also sensed one beam approaching them from the very same destination.
"What is that?" Ranma asked, her voice barely able above a whisper,
as her final breaths were being taken.
"It's-" Saturn began as the light engulfed her. Recognizing it for
its purpose, she embraced her comrade in arms into a final embrace.
"It's our redemption."
____________________________________________
Ranma woke with a start, the last words ringing in his mind. As he pondered
what this could possibly pertain to he put a face to the girl her dream.
"Its one of them crazy senshi girls. I called her Saturn in the dream.
Maybe she can explain it." he said to himself. Getting ready, he
discovered Mamoru had already left. So he leapt out of the window and decided
another stretch in the park might be useful, if only he might find those scouts
again.
After practicing his forms, he left to meet Rei while rain clouds gathered over
head.
The Senshi were all gathered together discussing Ranma. However the arguments
were escalating between Rei and Haruka on to the danger of the new resident
martial artist. No one had yet to notice Mamoru who had just arrived.
"So that is all you can say Rei, that you want to trust him?" Haruka
asked incredulously.
"Think about Hotaru! The last time we fought against someone one of us
trusted, you and Michiru nearly killed the girl you now raise! We can't solve
our problems that way anymore."
"That was our duty. We didn't like it but it was what we thought was
necessary." Michiru added.
"Well," Mamoru butted in, "Ranma said the same thing about
killing that youma yesterday."
"WHAT?!?" was said in unison from the Nine Senshi as they turned to
the only male allowed at these meetings.
"He felt guilty about killing the youma. He said it was duty. He didn't
like it though."
"How do you know Ranma, Mamoru?" Ami asked, since the subject had yet
to come up.
"Oh, didn't Rei tell you? He moved in with me."
....
"So we have a possibly dangerous person living with the future King of
Crystal Tokyo?" Setsuna asked after a very long pause.
"Umm yeah, it looks that way" Mamoru answered sheepishly. When
Setsuna spoke, it wasn't usually good if she used words like "future"
or "dangerous." Fortunately, she wasn't yet passing judgment. If she
knew anything, it was when the right before the issue would come up. She
instead turned her attention to Ami.
"So Ami, what do we know about Ranma, and the youma that attacked
yesterday?" Everyone turned to Ami to gather the new information that was
about to be told.
"Well, Ranma's attacks still puzzle me. Whenever he used his abilities
last night, the computer registered energy, but it definitely wasn't anything
like any of the enemies we've fought so far. It wasn't even similar to our
attacks either. It could have definitely have been ki based, but I've never
really met anyone who can do that."
The group quietly nodded their heads as they digested this information. They
still didn't have any answers. Ami then continued.
"The youma on the other hand, was definitely evil. However, here's the bad
part. On analysis of the creatures ashes, or at least the little I could
collect, it seemed to be a remnant of Beryl's forces. As to what that means
though, once again, I don't know." The remaining three Inner Senshi, as
well as Mamoru, visibly cringed at this thought, while Haruka and Michiru
looked on puzzled. Even Luna and Artemis seemed disturbed.
"Why do you all seem so shaken?" Michiru asked. However, rather than
the Inners, Setsuna answered.
"It was Queen Beryl they first had to fight when they awoke here as
Senshi. While we were not yet involved in the conflicts, they were battling the
forces that destroyed the
"I see," Michiru said, and then looked up at the gathering clouds and
then her watch. "Well, we should attend to this later, as it is about to
rain, and Ranma will be here shortly."
"Wait!" said one voice. Everyone turned to look at Haruka. "What
are we going to do about this boy?"
The Inner Senshi were all in agreement, that Ranma should be trusted. Mamoru
backing him only further pushed their resolve with his belief in him. Usagi
trusted Mamoru, as well as she just "had this feeling." Ami refused
to jump to any conclusions, but believed that he meant no harm, especially
after helping three Senshi kill a demon. Minako and Makoto really trusted him.
After all, not only did he help them, but he was so cute to boot.
The Outers on the other hand were quite divided. Haruka was no where near being
ready to trust a boy with his powers. Michiru, didn't wish to trust him either,
but remembered their mistake with Hotaru. Setsuna was oddly, or possibly not
oddly, very quiet.
After a couple more minutes of arguing, they knew Ranma would be showing up. So
Haruka spoke up. "So I guess we'll be divided on this boy then? Please
watch him Mamoru, and remember your duty to protect this world as well."
With that, the Outers began to leave as the rain came with a crack of thunder.
Before they reached the gate however, two screams were heard.
(Flashback to thirty seconds ago, outside the Hikawa Shrine)
Gurio Umino and Naru Osaka had been returning form a date near the Hikawa
Shrine when they were suddenly frozen with terror. Out of their shadows came a
demon. It seemed to be made out of shadows itself until it finally took solid
form. With hair black as pitch, the demon's shape resembled that of a werecat,
only rather than using its claws as weapons, it held two swords. Turning on the
screaming young couple, it approached as thunder cracked and rain began to
fall.
Still frozen with terror, a third landed person just in front of them, and
instantly achieved a ghostly white face.
"Ca.. Ca.. Caa. CAT!" Ranma-chan screamed.
(End flashback)
All Nine Scouts, as well as Tuxedo Mask, appeared at the entrance of the
shrine, where the saw the werecat demon as well as Gurio, Naru, and some
red-head they didn't know.
"That's her!" shouted Rei. "She's the one I saw in the fire
reading."
With that the scouts all prepared to leap and attack, when Mamoru spoke up.
"Wait! We don't know whether she summoned the Creature, or if she is just
standing in its way.
"One way to find out" Rei stated and prepared to at least attack the
demon. "BURNING MANDALA!"
Releasing her attack, the werecat turned and once again attempted to resume the
shadowy form with which it first appeared but couldn't achieve it before the
fire hit her. Consumed by the fire, the light that came off it cast multiple
shadows of the demon. As the fire disappeared however, each one of these took the
form of a werecat as well. It was at this point everyone heard the strange
purring coming from the red-headed girl.
"She must be possessed by one of them!" shouted Minako.
Before anyone could react to this statement, they quickly found themselves
slack-jawed it as Ranma-chan, who was in Neko-Ken, proceeded to shred apart the
multiple visages of the demon. Finally, the demons came back together, only to
hear from behind.
"MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK!"
The werecat was finished, as Sailor Moon's attacked obliterated it, and even
the shadows that were forming from the attack's light. Gurio and Naru both
collapsed from shear terror, while the Senshi, and Tuxedo Mask, all stared down
at the red-head who seemed possessed.
"Mercury! And ideas?" Sailor Moon asked.
"No. how about you Venus?"
"Nope. Jupiter?"
"Don't' ask me. Mars?"
"Maybe. Here let me try something." Rei focused for a little bit and
then kneels down and proceeded to try and coo the young girl. "Here kitty
kitty kitty."
Groans emanated from all onlookers present.
Everyone watched as slowly the red-headed girl came over and began to react to
the petting that Rei gave her. However, when ever anyone else tried to
approach, she quickly tensed up, especially when Haruka approached her. Only
Usagi seems to be accepted as well.
"This is quite strange," Mercury chimed in as she looked to her
computer in hopes of finding an answer.
"You're telling me" continues Mars. "Why don't some of you get
out of here? After all, you're only making her nervous. Sailor Moon, could you
stay though? We might need your healing, and she doesn't seem too scared of
you."
"Can you two handle her by yourselves? She was slaughtering a demon before
we showed up?" Haruka stated. With her duty to guarding Usagi, she wasn't
about to neglect her duty. However, it was Pluto that eased her fears.
"They will be fine." Pluto stated flatly, leaving no room for
argument. "Come on, Hotaru needs to be fed." Thus the crowd dispersed
to allow Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars to take care of everything.
Bringing in Neko-Ranma was by no means an easy task. Constantly playing, both
Mars and Moon took many rolls in the dirt trying to coerce the human feline
into the shrine. The other scouts disappeared so that they could change back to
normal and run interference with Rei's grandfather.
Once inside the shrine, Mars and Moon both tried to bring the possessed girl
back to normal. Usagi using her Moon Healing magic, while Mars used her wards.
While neither worked, the cat-girl seemed to expect both and didn't even tense
up when either approached her. It seemed like she had complete trust in them.
Finally however, Neko-Ranma felt like sleeping and curled up in a ball while
Sailor Mars petted her hair and massaged her neck.
"Usagi?" Rei inquired.
"Yes Rei?"
"Why do you think this girl trusts you and I?"
"I don't know."
As they contemplate the situation Ranma comes out of Neko-Ken and starts
mumbling in her sleep. Both Rei and Usagi decide to listen in.
"Who... are you Saturn? How do I know you? Why do you stay in my dreams?
Death.... Reborn... Revolution... What does it all mean?"
Both girls looked at each other in surprise.
"How does she?" they both began to ask.
Somewhere else in the Darkness, a force was gathered. Shadows, demons, and a
wide variety of forces gathered. And before them stood a one already known to
the world, and thought to be deceased.
"Report Jedite!"
"Of course, as expected, both the Youma that once served Queen Beryl, as
well as the Daimon created from Professor Tomoe's materials have failed."
Jedite began. "While they are only two of the large force we now command,
they have allowed us to see how many scouts are presently living on Earth.
Though at this time we only know the powers of a few of them. Namely, those I,
myself, faced."
Whoever was in the shadows paused before replying to the report. "And you
know who Sailor Moon is? You told me that while we were in Eternal Slumber,
both of us forgotten from this world."
"Yes you're Majesty. Should I dispense with her?"
"No. I wish for her to live. I wish her to lose everything. Let her be
tortured here, and forsaken by this world, as it becomes consumed with
darkness. She will be punished far beyond all the others, for she must suffer
the same fate I incurred."
"Of course, your Majesty. Then what are your orders now?"
"Jedite, use the remaining forces that were left over from Beryl's forces,
and the remaining supplies of Professor Tomoe's to further test and examine
these scouts. Also, continue to examine the two fighters who have fought
alongside these Senshi. Both the boy and girl show a potential that might be
exploited. Though neither seems to pose too much of a threat."
"Of course, your Majesty."
Ranma awoke with a start. Gathering his bearings, he looked about trying to
remember what had occurred while he had been in Neko-ken. He quickly tensed up
and the relaxed as Rei and Usagi entered, bringing in the snacks.
"Oh, she's finally awake. Maybe she's feeling better? Why don't you check
Rei?" Usagi chimed in.
"Ok Usagi. Here kitty" Rei began, preparing to play with the cat girl
again. Ranma grimaced before responding, "Um, please don't do that
Rei."
Both of the girls dropped their jaw in reaction to this.
"Is something wrong Rei?" Ranma continued, noticing there apparent
shock. "I didn't kiss you or anything, did I? What are you two so shocked
for?"
Shocked, Rei still managed to react first.
"How... how... how do you know us?"
"Yeah, how do you know us? We've never met you." Usagi continued.
It was then that Ranma remembered his current body chemistry.
"Oh, um I thought that was what your names were, didn't you say them when
you came in?" Ranma quickly blurted out, as he feigned surprise, and hoped
to quickly cover-up any chance of her curse coming out
"Well, ok then," Rei responded suspiciously, but now much calmer.
"Um, you were acting like a cat when we found you. Mind telling us who you
are and what happened?"
"I would, but I don't remember anything after I saw that c.. ca.. cat
thingy. I have a big problem with cats. As to who I am, I am Tendo Ranko, but
feel free to just call me Ranko"
"Ok, pleased to meet you Ranko. Why do you have such a problem with
cats?" Usagi asked, as she made a mental note to never allow Luna near
this troubled girl.
"Its called Neko-Ken. It was a stupid technique Pops taught me. It
involved wrapping me up in fish, sausage, or some other food and tossing me
into a pit of starving cats. The idea is that eventually you will learn to
fight with the ferocity of a cat. The problem is you don't just fight with the
ferocity of a cat, but actually fight as a cat. It makes you go a little crazy
until you come out of it."
"Ranko, may I ask you one question?" Rei asked. "Why did you
ever let your father do this to you? You appear to be about our age, so why
would you ever let someone teach you such a horrible technique?"
"It might be the fact I was only about 6 at the time. It wasn't really a
choice."
"YOU WERE ONLY 6 YEARS OLD?" the two listening girls screamed.
"Where is this father of yours, I'll teach him to do such horrible things
to a little girl. We should be worried about candy and sweets, and dolls when
we are 6, not worried about fighting." Usagi proclaimed.
"Oh Ranko, I'm so sorry," Rei added. "If there is anything I can
ever do to help, just ask. My grandfather might have some techniques that could
help you. For now though, please eat and be welcome."
"Thank you Rei. Perhaps I might try speaking with your grandfather
later."
While the young girl ate, Rei tried to examine her, using every discreet
technique she knew, but all she sensed was chaos emanating out from her.
Nothing evil, but nothing divine. In essence, she seemed to be just another
girl.
"Ranko?" Usagi asked. "So you learned this Neko-ken? Did you
learn any other fighting techniques?" In her simplicity, Usagi asked the
question that might give greater depth to Ranko, if only she would answer it
for her.
Swallowing first, Ranko answered "Yes, though none of the other ones make
me go crazy."
She didn't say anything else. Usagi wished to pry further, but Rei held her
back. Rei knew that if she wanted to talk about it she would, but now there
other things that need to be found out. Specifically where this girl lived, and
how they could continue to watch her to see if she was a threat. However she
wouldn't get the chance to pry as well as Ranko spoke up"
"Um, what time is it?"
"Oh," Rei responded first. "It's about 3'oclo-"
"Oh shoot I'm late, sorry. Thank you but I was supposed to meet someone.
I'll talk to you again I'm sure. Bye. Oh I'm late. I'm late. I'm late!"
Ranko disappeared as she ran out of the room, leaving only a dust in her wake.
As both watched in surprise, Rei finally regained her composure.
Both girls were dumbfounded for a couple minutes, until they heard the phone
ring. Rei answered the phone and mumbled a few hellos before hanging up and
returning to Usagi.
"That was Ranma. He just called to say he was sorry about being late, and
that he should be over after he changes his clothes." They both sat for a few
moments until Usagi brought up the question they had first wondered about
Ranko.
"Rei? How did Ranko know about Saturn's powers? Saturn herself doesn't
even know about them."
"I don't know. And judging from how she was mumbling in her sleep, she
doesn't know either. And that can't be good. But her knowing something about
Saturn makes her relation to the fire reading I did even more substantial. So
this makes two people we will have to keep our eyes on. I just hope she is on
our side. And hopefully, Ranma is too."
End Part 2
Chapter 3 being written finally after a couple years (thank god I finally came
across my timeline and school is over
