"All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications. and are used here without permission or license. No
claims to the above copyright are made by the author of this work. This
work is for non-commercial use ONLY, and is produced for the enjoyment
of fans only. This work is the expression of the author and the
depiction of the Ranma 1/2 characters herein are in no way represented
to be a part of Ranma 1/2 as depicted by the original author and
copyright holder(s)."
Sailor Moon was created by Naoko Taeuchi.
Warning. This Chapter has violence, strong language and a lemon
scene. So be warned.
A Different Viewpoint pt 27
Akane watched Johnathon get onto the train for Juuban with the two
cats. <I know I shouldn't follow him, but...> Akane fought with
herself. <I trust him, I do, but if Johnathon is going to see the
Sailor Senshi, and fight monsters...> Akane sighed. <If anything
happens to him, Sis will be heart broken. I shouldn't follow him, but
if it's for Kasumi's sake then it's OK.> Akane started for the last car
on the train. She was confident that she had stayed far enough back
that Johnathon hadn't noticed her. <If I can just stay out of sight for
a little longer...>
Akane felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped. "Who is... Ranma!"
Ranma shook his head at Akane. "Akane, you told Johnathon you
trusted him right?"
Akane nodded. "Yes, but..."
Ranma nodded back. "I know how you feel, normally I'd be the first
one to follow him and find out what's going on. I bet anything he's
going to see the Sailor Senshi tonight."
Akane nodded. "And he might be fighting monsters too! If anything
happens to him, Kasumi will..."
Ranma nodded somberly. "Yeah, I thought of that too. Like I said,
I want to follow him too. I would have too, but everything that's been
happening recently has got me thinking." Ranma frowned. "I'm always
jumping in head first you know? I think that's part of why things have
gotten so crazy. So I tried to think of what might happen if we follow
Johnathon. He might just spot us and get mad. He's always been honest
with us before. Sure he's kept some stuff back, but everybody does
that. He asked for our trust and we told him we would trust him. If he
finds out we followed him, it's like we lied. I don't want him to think
that of either of us, Akane."
Akane nodded. "I don't either, Ranma, but what if he gets hurt?
What about the Senshi? If there's monsters, then he might need us."
Ranma shook his head. "We can't follow him, Akane. What if the
Senshi find out we've followed him? Would they trust us after that? Or
him, for leading us to them? They've got secret identities right? He
has to keep their secret, it's a matter of honor." Ranma shrugged
helplessly. "As for him needing our help, well, Johnathon isn't someone
who will take stupid risks. If he really needs help, he'll ask for it.
He's done so before right?"
Akane nodded finally. "You're right, Ranma. As much as I hate to
admit it, you're right. Still, if, Johnathon gets into trouble, I can't
just let him go and fight alone."
Ranma nodded back. "I'm with you there. We'll see what happens.
Come on, Kasumi's all alone at home, we should go back."
Akane shook her head. "I can hardly believe how much you've
changed, Ranma."
Ranma shrugged. "I guess I'm just finally starting to act my age."
They headed back for the Dojo together, both wondering if they had
made the right choice.
**************************************************
Johnathon, Luna and Artemis walked into Rei's shrine just as it was
beginning to get dark. The girls were there having a meeting.
When they walked into sight, Usagi and Minako jumped up. "Luna!"
"Artemis!" The two girls and their guardian cats ran to each other.
Usagi scooped Luna up for a hug, while Minako went to her knees to get
to Artemis's level.
Usagi spun around. "Luna! Luna, I missed you!"
Luna gasped for breath. "Not... so... tight!"
Minako lovingly petted Artemis. "I missed you too, tuna breath."
She said fondly.
Artemis mock scowled at her. "I bet you have. Without me to look
after you, I can barely imagine all the trouble you've gotten into!"
The other Senshi smiled at each other and at the reunited pairs.
Minako smiled at her friend and mentor. "Oh, you know it, Artemis!
We could never do without you!"
Luna spoke up. finally having been released from Usagi's strangle
hold. "What's happening? We heard you fought a Youma?"
Rei nodded. "Two, actually. We haven't figured out what they are
up to yet." Luna listened while the girls described what they knew
about the recent Youma attacks.
The black cat shook her head finally. "You're right, there's not
much there to go on. We'll have to keep our guard up until we figure
out what is going on."
Johnathon spoke up. "Do you need any help? I could stick around
for awhile and help out. I'd just call home and tell them I am going to
be out late." The Senshi looked at each other.
"Well, we have had two Youma's in a row." Makoto said shrugging.
We were going to patrol tonight."
Johnathon smiled. "Then count me in."
Minako looked over at him. "We were going to split into teams and
cover as much area as possible."
Usagi nodded. "We'll pair up and contact each other if we spot a
Youma."
Johnathon grinned. "We'll it's good that I showed up then. Now
there's an even number." He looked around at the girls. "Why don't I
pair up with Ami. That way she can transform me in case of trouble."
Ami nodded. "Good idea Johnathon-san, we can have pairs of two."
Johnathon looked up at the sky. "It looks like it might rain.
Usagi, Mina, you should take Luna and Artemis home in case it does. You
two can pair up after that."
Usagi nodded then looked at Luna and giggled. "Oh yeah, If it rains
you'll be arrested for indecent exposure."
Luna groaned. "Don't remind me. That's nearly happened to, Artemis
already."
Minako nodded. "Right, we'll take them home and meet here, OK
Usagi?"
Usagi nodded back. "Right, meet you here in half an hour?" Minako
nodded.
Rei looked at Makoto. "OK, I guess that leaves you and me,
partner."
Makoto grinned and gripped Rei's forearm. "Right, partner." She
looked at Ami. "We'll head for last night's sighting. You two can take
the other spot."
Ami nodded. "OK, we should keep in contact and watch watch other's
backs." Everyone nodded and they all set off in their own directions.
********************************************
Minako was ecstatic. <Artemis is finally home! It has only been
two weeks, but it seems like it has been months!> It was late, and the
streets were practically deserted, so Mina was happily telling Artemis
about the last two weeks in Juuban as they walked.
Artemis walked along side her, happy to be back, and listening to
his charge gossip with a grin on his face. <I missed you Mina, I missed
you a lot.> Both of them were so happy to be back together that they
failed to notice the cloud bank moving over head. It wasn't until it
began to drizzle that they looked up. Artemis froze <Oh &$#@!>
Minako turned to her cat and remembered a second later what was
causing his distress. "Oh no! Artemis quick, come here!" Minako
quickly scooped up the white cat and held him beneath her chest. She
bent over to shield Artemis from the rain.
Artemis sighed in relief. "Whew, that was close."
Minako nodded. "No kidding, if you get wet out here..." She
started walking, still bent over to keep the rain off her mentor and
friend.
Artemis shuddered at the thought. "No thank you. We're not out of
the rain yet, though."
Minako smiled down at her companion. "Don't worry Artemis, I'll
protect you." She continued moving forward, hunched over even more to
prevent stray drops from catching him. The rain started to pour down
and Minako quietly swore. "What a night not to bring an umbrella. I'm
going to get soaked!" She hurried on as best as she could for a couple
more blocks. The wind picked up and started blowing the rain
diagonally. Artemis tried to tuck himself into as small a ball as
possible to avoid the rain, but it wasn't hopeful. Minako could feel
the raindrops hitting her forearms and hands occasionally. "Artemis,
how soon will you... how much more water will it take?"
Artemis meowed in consternation. "I'm not sure, not much more
though."
Minako nodded firmly. "Right." She knelt, bending over ninety
degrees to protect him. While holding him to her chest with one arm,
she pulled her shirt out of her skirt with the other hand. Minako
stuffed Artemis into the front of her shirt and stood up. "There, that
will keep you dry for awhile."
From between her breasts came Artemis's muffled voice. "Mina? What
are you...?"
Minako giggled as Artemis's fur tickled her skin. "Stop wiggling,
you're tickling me!" Artemis froze and Minako started walking again,
still bending over to keep the rain from soaking the front of her
shirt. "I told you I'd protect you. Don't worry, we'll get you home,
no problem."
Artemis didn't reply, he was to busy trying to calm himself down.
Stuffed under her shirt, Artemis was acutely conscious of all the bare
skin pressed up against him. His head was the only part not touching
her naked flesh. That was only because he was nestled in between her
breasts on her bra. As Mina hurried along, her breasts moved up and
down slightly and Artemis was trying not to get aroused. He had found
himself attracted to Mina years ago, when she had first started to
develop.
Artemis had managed to suppress those feeling, never letting her
know how he felt. <I am a cat after all, not a human.> Artemis had
suppressed his feelings for Minako so well that he could ignore them
almost all the time. <Those feelings were unfeasible anyway.> When he
had first met Luna, he had hoped to find someone with a like mind as
well as a physically compatible body. That was the problem with normal
female cats, no brain. The opposite was true for Minako, he loved her
mind, but they were different species. Luna was his only chance at
love, or so he thought. She had rejected him at every turn. Artemis
really didn't try anymore, just played around, but Luna genuinely didn't
seem interested. <There is no one for me, is there.>
When he had gotten slashed with Jusenkyo water however, things had
changed. Artemis had started having fantasies about Minako. The whole
atmosphere at the Tendo home had kept giving him... ideas. Johnathon
and Kasumi's wedding and honeymoon, short as it had been. The constant
sexual tension between Ranma and Akane, especially the Cat-fist
episode. Even all the time spent around Luna had been stressful.
Still, he knew Minako couldn't feel the same way about him as he did
about her.
<What human loved a cat?> Artemis thought sadly to himself, then
paused. <Well, Johnathon loves Kasumi, even if she's currently stuck as
a cat.> Artemis sighed. <That's different, he married her as a human,
and he wants her to become human again.> He shook his head. <That's
nothing like, Mina and me.>
Minako giggled and squeezed him. "Artemis! Quit it, you'll end up
unhooking my bra!" Artemis's jerked his head, startled as she squeezed
him. Minako's words turned out to be prophetic as he felt a small metal
clip come undone behind his head. Minako stopped. "Eep!"
Artemis cringed. "Oop. I'm sorry, Mina I..."
Mina coughed, her breasts lifting slightly with the out take of air
and the bra coming apart. "Never mind, scoot down so I can put it back
on."
Artemis shifted down her chest, his hind legs coming to rest on her
skirt. Minako fumbled with her bra though her shirt with her hands
while trying to keep Artemis dry. He slipped a bit, his right back leg
slipping a few inches inside her skirt. Minako ignored that,
concentrating on putting her bra back together without taking her shirt
off or exposing Artemis to the rain. Artemis froze, trying not to move
a muscle.
Artemis tried to think of other things, but he was getting very
aroused now. <I'm touching her panties, I can practically...> He was
starting to get hard. <Down boy, yikes, Mina will never understand
this!> A voice somewhere inside his mind told him to "accidentally"
slip his paw into her panties. Artemis was strongly tempted but
resisted.
Minako was sure she had her bra together. <No, the damn hook not
slipping into the hole!> She was too distracted to pay attention to the
truck going by, or the large puddle it was about to hit. The wave of
water it kicked up caught her completely by surprise. Minako was
completely soaked from the chest down, the water sluicing into her from
the front. An instant later, Artemis changed, instantly growing into a
busty white haired girl, only a little shorter than Minako.
Artemis felt a great pressure and heard a loud tearing sound.
Minako fell backwards as her clothing burst apart from the front as
Artemis became a naked girl. Minako's shirt tore entirely off her body
and Artemis's head bumped up underneath her chin. Her skirt had split
along the front as well, Artemis's right leg having split it at the
waist band and burst it open to the bottom. Minako hit the ground
backwards, Artemis sprawled on top of her. They both lay stunned for
several long seconds. Slowly, Artemis looked up at Minako's face,
trying to lever him, no, herself up. Minako looked down at Artemis's
face in shock.
Artemis looked back sheepishly. "Um, hi!"
Minako looked further down at the peculiar sensation of Artemis's
breasts rubbing up against the bottom of her own. The wind howled and a
large section of Minako's shirt flew off where it was laying on
Artemis's back and flapped away into the street. Minako was suddenly
VERY conscious of just how little she was currently wearing. Her shirt
was flapping down the street, what was left of it anyway. She was
sitting on her skirt, and her bra had fallen off somewhere behind her...
and was currently being skipped down the street by the wind.
Mina blinked. <Where are we anyway? Kansas?> The only thing she
was currently wearing was her panties, and her cat, who was currently
doing a very nice impression of a busty naked girl. Both girls looked
incredulously at each other, not completely believing that this was
actually happening.
Minako finally reacted. "Artemis? Oh shit!" She sat up, pushing
the smaller girl back by the shoulders. Minako got into a kneeling
position, holding Artemis at arms length. "What, how, Artemis...?"
Artemis recovered from her own shock. "Mina, snap out of it!
Mina!"
Minako blinked. "Right." She looked around, taking stock. Minako
took a second look. "Oh brother, this is ridiculous." She stood and
tried to help Artemis to her feet, but the white haired girl couldn't
seem to stay up without help. "Artemis, can you stand?"
Artemis fought for balance and ended up falling into Minako. "Um, I
don't think so."
Minako hugged Artemis to her, holding her up. "What are we going to
do? We're naked, outside, two blocks from home and you can't even
stand."
Artemis broke her thoughts away from contemplating the feelings
generated by their bodies pressing together, and took charge.
"Transform Mina! You can carry me as Sailor Venus!"
Minako's eyes brightened. "Of course! Why didn't I think of
that?" She eased Artemis to the ground and brought her transformation
pen out of subspace. Minako raised the pen and transformed. "Venus
power!" Minako transformed into Sailor Venus in a lengthy flash and was
glad to be suddenly dressed in her Sailor fuku. She looked around
quickly. A car was approaching, it's lights hadn't illuminated them yet
but they would soon be in plan view. Venus scooped up Artemis, quickly
seeing that there was nothing salvageable left of her clothing in
sight. As the headlights started to shine on them Sailor Venus leapt
away, landing on the roof of a nearby building.
Venus made sure she had Artemis securely held and sighed in relief.
"I cant believe that just happened."
Artemis coughed. "It is not over yet. You'd better get moving,
unless you want the next headline about Sailor V to be a picture of you
holding a naked girl."
Venus blushed. "Right." She started to run, leaping from rooftop
to rooftop heading for home. She hoped the late hour and the rain would
keep them from getting spotted. They were in luck, the reached Minako's
house without incident. Venus jumped them up to the second floor and
her bedroom window. It was unlocked as she had left it and Sailor Venus
let them inside. She sat down heavily on her bed. "Whew, carrying two
isn't easy." Minako took a few deep breaths and dropped her Sailor
Venus transformation, as she always did after entering through the
window. Minako was suddenly conscious of several things. She was still
only wearing panties, another girl was sitting naked and wet in her lap,
and she was shivering.
Minako hugged her transformed cat tightly. "Oh Artemis, you're
frozen!" Artemis slowly returned the embrace, awkwardly, as she still
wasn't very experienced in her human body. Minako was pleased when
Artemis's shivers abated, but held on for a bit longer. "Boy, that
teaches me to stuff you under my shirt in a rainstorm." She giggled.
"That had to be the worst possible combination of bad luck on record,
huh?"
Artemis just murmured. "Mm hmm." And held on to her.
Minako slowly became aware of a strange sensation. <I could swear I
feel...> Minako slowly extracted herself from the smaller girls hug and
looked down at Artemis's large breasts. Minako noticed that Artemis's
breasts were larger than hers, and also, that her nipples were hard.
Minako placed her right hand on Artemis's left breast, just to make
sure. Artemis gasped at the sudden rush of sensation produced when
Minako touched her breast. Sure enough, Artemis's nipples were rock
hard, and her response to Minako's touch was unmistakable.
Minako wasn't sure what to think. "Artemis, um, are you attracted
to me?"
Artemis turned away with a small cry and pulled away. She flopped
gracelessly to the floor. "Mina, I'm... I'm sorry..."
Minako only hesitated a second, then slid off the bed and hugged
Artemis from behind. "Don't Artemis, please don't be sorry. It's OK,
it's OK." She hugged the smaller girl tight and rocked her a bit, back
and forth. The distress in Artemis's voice had shocked her. <He's, no,
she's really upset about this. How long has he felt this way?>
"Artemis snap out of it! This isn't like you!"
Artemis nodded. "Right, right, I'm sorry Mina I..."
Mina shook her head. "Don't apologize, for any of it. You don't
have to be ashamed that you feel... attracted to me. I don't mind, you
are pretty cute yourself you know, as a cat or a girl..." <What did I
just say?> Minako shook her head. <I meant it, didn't I.>
Artemis turned her head to look at Minako. "Mina, do you really
feel that way? Don't just say it to make me feel better."
Minako looked thoughtfully at the smaller girls face. "I... A
couple of minutes ago, I wasn't sure what I thought, but, Artemis, I
have always cared deeply for you. It doesn't take much for that to
become something more."
Artemis looked away. "I never told you, because I was a cat, but...
I've been in love with you for years."
MInako hugged her tightly from behind. "Oh, Artemis, you should
have told me. I used to wish that you were human. I kept comparing my
boyfriends to you, and they always fell short." She smiled to herself.
"That's why I never stayed with one. I wanted someone like you."
Artemis sighed. "Still, It's no good, Mina. I change into a human
now, but I'm a girl!"
Minako was quiet for a couple minutes. Then she giggled. "You poor
guy, I bet you really wished it had been drowned man water huh?"
Artemis nodded. "Uh huh! Then I could..." She froze. "I mean..."
Minako giggled. "I think I know what you mean. It would have been
nice." She sighed softly into the back of Artemis's head. "Oh,
Artemis, you know... I'm not exactly adverse to you being a girl. I
find your new body pretty... sexy. We still could..."
Artemis gasped. "Mina! You, you do? As a girl? You would...?"
The white haired girl paused. "Um, do the other girls know about, you
know..."
Minako shook her head, and realized Artemis couldn't see that. "No,
I'm not really like that... really, it's just, it's you. It doesn't
matter if you're a girl." Minako hugged her transformed guardian cat
and slowly brought up a hand to cup a breast gently. "Artemis, with you
I would, I will, happily."
Artemis gave off a gasp at the renewed sensations and urges going
through her body. "Mina, you have to go... Usagi's going to worry if
you're late. I'll be here. We can talk about this some more later."
Minako released Artemis reluctantly. "You're right as usual, tuna
breath." She stood and started quickly getting dressed. "I'll come
back and we'll talk." She grinned mischievously. "And other things."
Artemis gulped. "I'm not very practiced with this body, Mina."
Minako smiled. "So we'll practice."
**********************************************
Elsewhere, Usagi carried Luna into her house and closed her
umbrella. Luna jumped down, grateful that for once Usagi had shown some
foresight.
Usagi looked outside. "The rain's stopping. I hope Mina and
Artemis got back OK."
Luna looked at her charge with interest. <Usagi's growing up,
finally. It's nice to see.> "I'm sure they're fine. Why don't you
meet, Minako at the shrine. You had better get going too." Usagi
nodded and left without another word. From behind her Luna heard
footsteps.
"Usagi, are you back?" Ms. Tsukino walked up to the front door. "I
could have swore I heard Usagi talking to someone in here." She looked
down. "Oh my! Luna's back!" She picked up the black cat. "Usagi's
missed you! Where have you been you naughty cat!" Usagi's mother
started to carry Luna toward the living room. "You've been gone quite a
while haven't you?" She said to her daughters pet. "I bet you could
use a bath couldn't you?"
Luna started to sweat. <Uh oh, this is not good.>
*********************************************
As they walked, patrolling for Youma, Johnathon and Ami were
talking.
"Ranma and Akane both want to help the Senshi, Ami." Johnathon
said, looking seriously at the short haired girl. "From what I've seen,
you could use some help."
Ami looked thoughtful. "From what you've told me about Ranma, and
what I've seen, their help would be valuable." She paused "But perhaps
rather their coming to Juuban and helping us battle Youma, Ranma could
train us. We could all use some martial arts training."
Johnathon shrugged. "If anyone could teach a bunch of Youma
hunters, it'd be Ranma. The question it how to go about it?" You
couldn't really keep showing up at the Dojo as the Sailor Senshi,
someone would notice. Ranma could come up here, but again someone would
notice if he was training the Sailor Senshi, unless you know someplace
private enough?"
Ami looked thoughtful. "We probably could find some place private
enough. But perhaps we could also train in our normal identities. It
would carry over I think."
Johnathon blinked. "But what about your secret identities? If five
girls show up wanting to train with him, "Dr, Mizumi's" niece and
friends for example, Ranma will probably figure out who you are."
Ami nodded. "I've thought about that. We'd have to talk to the
others, but I believe we could trust Ranma with the truth. We do know
his secrets, it would be equitable for him to know ours."
Johnathon paused. "It would be your decision of course, but I think
you're right. You could definitely trust Ranma to keep your secret."
He pointed. "There's a phone, let me call home, eh? Let them know I'll
be late." He dialed the number and the other end was picked up after
several rings.
Akane was on the other end. "Hello?"
Johnathon looked back toward Ami. "It's Johnathon. Tell, Kasumi
that I'll be late tonight, OK, Akane?"
Akane sounded hesitant. "Why? What are you doing?"
Johnathon hesitated, he looked at Ami again. She nodded and mouthed
the words. "Tell her."
Johnathon smiled, Akane was speaking worriedly into the phone.
"Johnathon?"
He answered her cheerfully. "Oh, I'm patrolling Juuban for Youma to
fight with the Sailor Senshi."
Akane's voice rose and octave in surprise. "You're what?!?"
Johnathon spoke reassuringly. "Yes, I'm with Sailor Mercury right
now. We think a Youma will show up tonight, and since I was in town
anyway I thought I'd help out."
Akane sputtered. "Sailor Mercury! Help out?" Johnathon!"
He grinned at the phone. "Give Kasumi my love, and don't worry.
Tell Ranma he can come along next time. I've gotta go. Goodnight
Akane!" Johnathon hung up with a chuckle. "That was fun. I wish I
could have seen her face."
Ami giggled. "You're mean sometimes Johnathon-san."
Johnathon shrugged. "Sometimes. Lets go find a monster to beat
up!" Johnathon walked up and offered Ami the crook of his arm. "Shall
we?"
Ami giggled again, but took his arm. "Absolutely." They walked off
again. Johnathon began to whistle a cheerful tune. Ami shook her
head. <I'll never understand him, but he is a nice guy, even if he
enjoys fighting monsters.>
********************************************
Walking past a shopping mall, Rei and Makoto heard a loud crash.
They headed to investigate. Sure enough, a Youma was terrorizing people
in the mall. It was busy feeding off their fear.
Rei quickly spoke into her watch. "Everyone, A Youma has shown up
at the mall, come quick!"
********************************************
Ami and Johnathon ran into a nearby alley. Ami brought out her
transformation pen and immediately transformed. Johnathon's eyes went
wide and his jaw dropped. Before he thought to turn around she had
finished transforming to Sailor Mercury.
Johnathon blushed. <Oh my. That's why they asked me to turn my
back before.>
Mercury turned to him and blushed as well, realizing what he had
just seen. "Oops." She shrugged. "Oh well, no harm done." Mercury
summoned up a gush of cold water and splashed Johnathon.
He transformed instantly and picked up his shoes, putting them
quickly into his pack. "Let's go!" He grinned at Mercury and she
grinned back.
"Right!" Sailor Mercury said, then leapt up to the roof of the
building to their left.
Johnathon followed her as she quickly ran and jumped across the
rooftops. Before long they had reached the mall. Sailor Mars and
Jupiter had managed to lure the Youma outside and they were herding it
with their attacks. As Johnathon and Sailor Mercury approached, they
got a good look at it.
"An Allosaurous?" Johnathon muttered, naming the prehistoric
creature the monster represented.
Mercury nodded as she got into range for an attack. "Lucky for us
it's not to scale."
As Mercury prepared to attack, the creature got tired of dodging and
charged Jupiter. It's claws made Johnathon's look quite insignificant
and Sailor Jupiter wisely retreated. Sailor Mars and Mercury attacked
with ice and fire blasts and the monster barely sidestepped, but kept
coming for Jupiter. It was gaining ground on her rapidly. Johnathon
had dropped his pack as he came into sight and never stopped running.
Now he broke into a sprint, curving around behind the creature. It
looked like it might weight six to eight hundred pounds and moved
quickly.
Johnathon grimaced. <Jupiter might be in trouble in seconds
unless..>. He poured on the speed, throwing everything he had into going
faster. At the last second he leapt, and caught it around the throat
from behind. Johnathon threw his weight violently to the left. His
weight around its neck toppled the monster, sending it crashing head
first into the ground. Johnathon slashed its throat and leapt clear.
The Youma lay quivering on the ground for several seconds. Finally
it rose, holding one claw to its throat. The pause had been too long.
Electricity, fire and ice hit it simultaneously and the Youma roared as
it was racked between the Senshi's attacks. Seconds later it vaporized
with a flash and a rush of air. Sailor Moon and Venus ran into sight to
witness the finish. As Sailor Mars and Mercury walked up to join
Johnathon and Sailor Jupiter, the felinoid looked distastefully at the
dark blue liquid on his claws.
"Blood." Johnathon said quietly. "The other's didn't bleed."
Slowly he stooped and deliberately wiped his claws on the grass. When
he stood back up he heard whispers and frightened voices. Johnathon
sighed. <I don't have to look to know that sound. The public has
spotted a "monster" and this time, it's me.> He looked instead at the
Senshi. They had gathered nearby and were also noticing the reaction's
Johnathon was getting. A dozen or so pedestrians and shoppers were
looking in his direction fearfully, pointing and whispering.
An older man, hiding his granddaughter behind him shouted to the
girls. "Sailor Senshi, there's still a monster! Can't you see it?"
Sailor Moon turned to the man. "No, that's not a Youma, it's a
friend!" The crowd started to whisper loudly.
A middle aged woman pointed at Johnathon. "It's a monster! Are you
siding with the demons against us?" Johnathon finally looked at the
crowd. A couple women screamed.
A young man about Johnathon's age yelled. "It's going to attack!
Stop it before it kills someone!" Johnathon put up his hands to show he
meant no harm. That brought another shout. "Look, it still has blood
on its claws!"
Johnathon dropped his hands and sheathed his claws belatedly.
<Dammit, it is always the same.>
Sailor Jupiter was starting to get angry at the crowd. "You
idiots! He saved my life! Stopped that Youma! He's one of the good
guys!"
The young man that had spoken before shouted back. "It's just a
trick! It's still a monster! Destroy it before it kills someone!"
Jupiter's tiara started to spark. "Why you little...!"
Johnathon stepped to her side and put his furred hand on her
shoulder. "Don't, they're just scared, Jupiter, leave them alone."
Mercury came around to her other side. "Whisper's right, Jupiter.
We should go."
Johnathon looked at Sailor Mercury and nodded. "Let's get out of
here." He turned to go.
Mars shouted at him. "Whisper, duck!"
Johnathon did so, and a brick passed though the space that his head
had been in. He looked back. Several men and picked up rocks and
pieces of brick broken off earlier by the Youma. They started to throw
their improvised weapons.
Johnathon dodged and started to run. <There's nothing I can do to
salvage this. These people
won't listen to a monster.>
Sailor Venus stepped in between Johnathon's retreating form and the
mob, her arms outstretched. "No! He's done you no harm!" A bit of
brick clipped her in the temple and she staggered, then stood firm. The
other Senshi rushed to her side.
Sailor Moon imitated Venus's stance before the crowd. "What's wrong
with you people?"
Mercury checked Venus's head. "It's not serious, but we should go
after Joh... Whisper"
Mars turned angrily toward to crowd. "We can't let them get away
with that!"
Mercury shook her head. "No, Whisper's right. They're just
scared. That's nothing we can fix by zapping people."
Jupiter nodded reluctantly. "Mercury's right. Lets go... before I
electrocute some idiots."
The Senshi turned and ran after Johnathon. The crowded stared
after, uncertain how they should react. Soon the Sailor Senshi caught
up to Johnathon on a nearby rooftop. He had retrieved his pack on the
way out of sight.
Johnathon shouldered his pack, looking sad. "Damn. I should have
expected that reaction. It's what I usually get after all."
Sailor Moon walked up to him. "It's not fair! You were there to
help!"
Johnathon shrugged. "It's OK, Sailor Moon. Life is seldom fair.
I'm used to it." His last words rung false. <I'll never get used to
the hate.>
Jupiter was pacing, furious. "Those idiots! Couldn't they see?
Johnathon, Whisper had just saved me, and them!"
Mercury temporized. "The Youma scared them pretty badly. People
don't think clearly when they're scared."
Venus looked at her incredulously. "That's no excuse for attacking
someone who came to help them!"
Mars looked thoughtful. "That Youma, it was putting out a pretty
strong fear aura. Those people were probably affected."
Sailor Moon nodded, cheering up a bit. "That must have been it! It
was the affects of that Youma!"
Johnathon looked dubious, but shrugged. "I hope so, but..." He
sighed. "Never mind. Why don't we get going. Mars, Mercury? Could
you change me back?"
Six transformations later, everyone began to go their separate ways,
ready to go to their respective homes.
Ami stopped them. "Can we discuss some things? As a group?"
Usagi looked at her quizzically. "Like what?"
Ami looked around at the other girls. "Johnathon and I have been
taking about some things. Ranma Saotome has offered to help us.
Perhaps we should take his offer and let him train us in the martial
arts."
Rei frowned. "How? We can't really go to the Tendo Dojo as the
Sailor Senshi!"
Ami nodded. "You're right, but I think we could go as ourselves. I
believe we could trust Ranma to keep our secret."
Makoto whistled. "That's quite a step to take... Ranma seemed like
a nice guy and all, but..." She shrugged. "I don't know, maybe."
Minako looked thoughtful. "It's an idea. We really could use some
training. Why don't we take some time to think about it?"
Usagi nodded. "OK, maybe Luna can tell me if it's a good idea or
not."
Minako smiled. "I'll ask Artemis too. They've spent a whole lot of
time with him."
Makoto turned to Johnathon, who had stood quietly observing the
debate. "What do you think, Johnathon? You've know him the longest.
Should we tell Ranma our secret identities?"
Johnathon looked at her seriously. "Ranma could indeed help you.
I've always found him to be trustworthy. His honor is unquestionable.
That said, it is still your choice. I can't tell you what to do."
Rei spoke up. "It's getting late. Everyone, let's meet at the
shrine tomorrow after school and talk about it." The other girls
nodded.
Usagi looked at Johnathon. "Will you be there, Johnathon-san?"
He shook his head. "Not right after school. I'm going back to work
tomorrow, and I have to do some catching up. Call me at the Dojo if you
decide anything, or if you need help." Everyone broke up then, heading
for their homes.
Johnathon headed for the train, wondering how things would develop.
<Was Rei right? Was it the after affects of the Youma that caused the
crowd's negative reaction? I thought that being with the Senshi would
keep me from getting hunted down as a monster. Was I wrong? Am I going
to endanger the Senshi more than I help them with my presence?> He
sighed. <Everytime it starts to seem like my curse is good for
something, I find out otherwise. I hope, I hope I'm wrong, but I'm
afraid I'm not.>
********************************************
Usagi got home and Luna raced between her legs as she came in the
door.
Her mother ran up panting. "Usagi! Grab that cat of yours. I've
been trying to give her a bath for an hour now!"
Usagi turned around and picked up Luna. <Oh brother, now what
should I do?> "I've got her mom. Um, don't worry about it. I'll give
her a bath."
Usagi's mother looked surprised. "You will? Well, don't make a
mess dear. It's good to see you taking some responsibility for your
pet." Usagi nervously nodded and carried Luna toward the bathroom.
As they got inside the bathroom Luna let out a sigh of relief and
quietly spoke. "That was a close one. If your mother had used cold
water on me, she would've had a heart attack, and we would have had some
serious explaining to do."
Usagi grinned. "Boy, the look on her face would have been fun to
see though."
Luna hissed. "Don't even think it, Usagi."
Usagi giggled. "OK, OK, I wasn't really thinking about it." She
turned the tap on the bath. "Now it's time for your bath."
Luna sighed. "I suppose I must endure this. Just remember, no cold
water, unless you want to explain to your mother why there is a naked
girl in her bathroom." Usagi giggled and Luna sighed again.
*****************************************
In Minako's bedroom Artemis had curled up on the bed to get to
sleep.
The white haired girl shivered. <It's cold, without fur.> Artemis
crawled beneath the covers and fell asleep.
When Minako got to her room she noticed Artemis's head sticking out
from under the covers and smiled. <Waiting for me to come to bed?> She
quietly undressed and slipped beneath the covers next to Artemis. She
hesitated then, not sure if she was ready to take the next step.
<Artemis is probably tired anyway.> Finally, Minako moved over to
Artemis and gently laid up against the smaller girl, cuddling just a
bit. Artemis stirred but didn't wake. Minako found it very nice
sleeping next to her friend like this. She fell asleep, a smile on her
face.
End Part 27
Please C&C, send to tagan1@pacbell.com.
The rest of this work can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/
P.S. Don't you find that site address incredibly appropiate?
Espicailly since it's hosting a SI, who's main character is now living
in a Dojo in Tokyo. Pretty cool, eh? Anyway, check out the new
Character pic of Johnathon if you haven't seen it already.