Note: "<Ranma wa Hentai!!>" indicates Japanese speech.  "Ranma is a
pervert!!" denotes English speech.

Dreams - Book 2, Part 1

        Rei yawned and streched.  She was exhausted from the 12 hour flight.
"<Ok, now that that is over, what hotel are we staying at, and how long will
it take us to get there?>"

        Jon looked over to Rei.  "Well, we will be staying at the Marriot
Fisherman's Wharf.  And you really should be speaking in English, cause not
many people here can speak Japanese."  Rei shot Jon a dirty look.  "Don't
look at me like that, Rei.  I know that you can speak English as well as any
of the other Senshi."

        "Leave poor Rei alone.  She's still nervous about being here.  She's
never been to the United States before."  Mako said playfully.  Rei just
started fuming, and stalked off to hail a cab.

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

        On the beach near Ghiradelli Square, a red wolfhound sniffed the
air. <They are here.  It will only be a matter of time before I meet up with
them.>  With what seemed to be a sigh of regret, the wolf ran off towards a
nearby hotel.  As it ran, it seemed to get larger, heavier.  As it arrived
at the service entrance to the hotel, the wolf stopped and looked around.
Seeing no one, the wolf seemed to melt and reform.  Soon, a handsome man of
around 20 stood naked in its place.  The man knelt by one of the many crates
that lined the ally, and reached inside, pulling out a set of clothes.
After he got dressed, he reached back into the crate and pulled out an
object, long and slender.  He moved around to the front of the hotel, the
Marriot Fisherman's Wharf, and leaned against a lamp post.  The doorman
looked his way in disgust.  The man just smiled.  He shook a lock of mangy
red hair out of his face, and unwrapped the object.  The silver of the flute
caught the light and held it, only to let it out somewhat purer then before.
The Doorman moved to remove the man from the premises.  The man raised the
flute to his lips, and started to play a haunting melody that spoke of
virtuous heros, mischievious faeries, and a noble race of shapechangers that
protect an emerald island.  The doorman stood there, enraptured by the tune.
When the flute stopped playing, the doorman swallowed a couple times.
Finally, the doorman managed to speak.  "Excuse me sir" the doorman started.

        "Jackson." the man said, with a soft Irish accent.  The doorman
looked confused.  The man saw this, and added, "That's my name, or at least
as good as I can come up with at the moment."

        The doorman nodded.  "Excuse me, Jackson, but I'm supposed to tell
you that you aren't supposed to be loitering here."  Jackson frowned.  "But
if you keep playing that flute, I don't think that anyone would mind."
Jackson seemed to perk up at this.

        "Thank you." Jackson said.  With that, the doorman smiled and
returned to his post.  Jackson returned to his flute playing.  Suddenly, he
saw them.

        "I remember why I hate cabs now." Jon groused, getting out of the
cramped back seat.  "At least we're at the hotel.  Time to get a little
sleep."  Jon walked towards the door, then paused, hearing the music.  "Wow,
that sure is good music."  Jon commented.

        Rei looked at the man playing the flute.  <Something's wrong with
that guy.  His aura isn't reading evil.  It's more like...like...anger?>
"Who are you?" Rei asked.  <And why am I getting this strange reading off of
you?>

        Jackson finished the tune on his flute, and then gazed out at the
raven haired girl that addressed him.  "My name is Jackson, fair one.  And
you all are?"

        "I'm Rei.  This is Jon, Makoto, Lita, and Ami." Rei said, pointing
to each in turn.  "Now that we've all been introduced, why don't we all go
up to our room and get to know each other better."

        Ami was shocked. "<Rei, what are you doing?  We don't know anything
about this man.  He could be a serial killer for all we know!>"

        "<Relax.  That's why I'm getting him upstairs.  If he's any
trouble...well, there are five sailor senshi right here, and there is only
one of him, so I think the odds are in our favor.>" Rei told Ami quickly.
<Besides, I want to keep an eye on him.  He's too...strange...to let out of
my sight.> she thought to herself.  <No need to worry anyone else, though>

        "After you, miladies." Jackson bowed, and motioned for the group to
enter the hotel.

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End part one.

Next: Jackson's story.