This is set in the last few paragraphs of chapter 4 of A Different
Viewpoint.  Johnathon has failed to cure Ranma's cat phobia and a month
later leaves Nerima for China, searching for a cure to the Jusenkyo
curses.  This is set in that undefined month before he leaves.  It is a
crossover with Sailor Moon, and should last one long chapter.  The main
Ranma story line will be crossing over with some Sailor Moon characters
in Chapter 14, and that will continue for some time, so this is the
beginning of that.

              A Different Viewpoint side story.   "Cats, Youma, and
Senshi, Oh My!"

    It was the beginning of a four day holiday from school.  Johnathon
Dwire, the 25 year old English teacher at Furinkan high school had
decided to get away from Nerima's usual craziness.  He planned on
visiting some other sections of Tokyo that he hadn't gotten to see yet.

    Early the first day of his vacation Johnathon got off the bus at his
first stop in Juuban.  He headed for a manga convention he had heard
about in this section of town.  Johnathon had not yet reached his
destination when he heard screams from nearby.  Not playful screams, or
the screams of children, but screams of terror.  The sound was
unmistakable, although he couldn't remember hearing such screams before,
there was no doubting the emotion that drove them.  Johnathon headed
that way quickly, on the lookout for trouble.  He found it.

    Johnathon saw a dozen teenagers in front of an outdoor booth,
apparently just on the edge of the manga convention.  They were being
mesmerized by some kind of huge demonic knight on a horrific winged
horse.  The horse was obviously flying, so Johnathon figured that it
wasn't just some stunt by the convention.  The knight, having scared the
teens sufficiently for his purposes, put out a hand and a wave of gray
enveloped the young conventioneers.  After several seconds they all
dropped, falling unconscious.

    Johnathon was angry and scared out of his mind.  <I've got to do
something!>  He ran toward the knight.  Jumped on to the hood of a
conveniently placed parked car, ran to it's roof and leapt at the
knight.  Johnathon hoped to grapple with him and pull him off his
demonic horse.  <Perhaps a fifteen foot fall in that armor will stun
him.>  Johnathon got a hold and tried to pull the knight out of the
saddle.  The black armored figure only budged a little before
straightening and grabbing Johnathon by the throat.  <He's incredibly
strong!  I'm in trouble!>

    From behind him Johnathon heard a female voice shouting something
about Jupiter.  Makoto finished transforming to Sailor Jupiter.  She
watched helplessly as the black knight held the tall man in black by the
throat, hanging in mid air.  For just a moment as she had watched the
man in black running up the parked car Makoto had mistaken him for
Mamoru Chiba, but it was someone else.

    Sailor Jupiter swore in frustration.  <I can't fire my lightning
without hitting him too!>  She watched horrified for a moment then
shouted.  "In the name of Jupiter, I'll punish you black knight!"  The
Youma did not pay her any attention however.  The tall man in it's grip
was struggling to draw it's sword.  Johnathon had just managed to get
the weapon free of it's sheath when the black knight threw him at the
manga booth with great force.

    Jupiter growled in anger and summoned her power.  "Jupiter Thunder
Crash!"  The lightning struck the black knight and crackled off his
armor, slightly scorching him, but failing to do much damage.  The black
knight had noticed her now and turned his steed in her direction.  He
charged, pulling his mace from his belt.

    As Johnathon had pulled free the black knights sword, he had felt
the armored warrior winding up to throw him.  A second later he had been
flying through the air toward the manga booth.  Johnathon struggled to
get his feet under him and hit the booth feet first.  He smashed into
it, toppling it and falling past it to the ground.  The young english
teacher lay there for several long moments in pain.  Slowly he forced
himself to stand.  Johnathon looked up to see the black knight charging
a cute girl in a strange sailor suit with a short skirt.

    Sailor Jupiter threw a ball of lightning at it's horse, causing
Johnathon to open his eyes wide in surprise.  The lightning caused the
horse to rear and the black knight fell to the ground.  The horse then
vanished in a flash of light and a pillar of black smoke.  Johnathon
started forward, hefting the sword he had somehow managed to keep a hold
of.  The black knight stood and started towards the girl in the short
skirt.  She backed away quickly and shouted again.  "Jupiter Thunder
Crash!"  Johnathon saw the lightning crash into the knights armor, acing
off it and grounding out harmlessly.

    The black knight raised it's huge mace and swung it at the senshi,
who made a fantastic leap to escape.  Johnathon couldn't help but take a
good look at her as she jumped.  She wore a tiara, and long gloves and
boots.  She looked a little silly, but she could really move.  Sailor
Jupiter landed and tossed another ball of lightning which had the same
effect as the first.

    Johnathon broke into a run.  <She needs help!  What am I doing?
Never mind, just run!>  The black knight moved in again and swung his
mace.  Sailor Jupiter leapt aside and the knight's mace shattered a fire
hydrant.  The knight kept after the Sailor Senshi, swinging again and
again, keeping her from having enough time to use her lightning attack.
Johnathon altered his course, careful to stay away from the water
gushing out of the ground.  He ran in an arc, headed for the knight.

    Sailor Jupiter saw him rushing in, sword lowered.  She jumped to the
side to keep the black knight's back to the tall man.  <What a guy!  I
hope he doesn't get hurt!>  Johnathon used his running momentum to
thrust the black knight's sword into a joint in his armor, where the
front plate joined the back.  It sunk in a full foot and the black
knight shuddered at the attack.  It spun with great speed and swung it's
mace.  Johnathon jumped back, letting the sword go and barely dodging
the blow.

    The black knight moved in, swinging his mace and Johnathon ducked as
he shouted to the Sailor Senshi.  "The sword!  Hit the sword with your
lightning!"

    Sailor Jupiter paused in the middle of preparing to zap the black
knight in the back.  <That's a good idea!>  She summoned the full force
of her lightning.  "Jupiter Thunder Crash!"  She shouted with gusto.
Johnathon saw the mace headed for him and knew he wasn't going to dodge
quick enough this time.  He blocked with both arms in front of him and
felt great pain as the mace slammed into his forearms and flung him
backwards, right toward the column of water from the broken hydrant.

    Sailor Jupiter watched her lightning strike the hilt of the sword.
The electricity focused along the sword and grounded out through the
crack in the black knight's armor.  Seconds passed and then the black
knight exploded in a flash of light and a cloud of black smoke.  It left
behind a slowly spinning tarot card which blacked and disintegrated.

    Sailor Jupiter sighed in relief.  <That was a really tough fight!>
She ran over toward where the guy that had helped her had been knocked
by the knight's mace.  <I hope he's not too badly injured.>  There was
no sign of him.  Water rained down from the broken hydrant, making it
hard to see, but there was no man lying injured.  She walked around a
bit, looking, and spotted something in a pool of water on the ground.
Sailor Jupiter went over and picked up the soaked black turtleneck.
"His clothing?  Where did he go?"

    In fact the tall man's clothing was in a pile there, but there was
no sign of him.  Sailor Jupiter looked around but the only thing she
spotted was the other Sailor Senshi, heading her way.

    Usagi, (Sailor Moon) asked.  "Where's the Youma?"

    Sailor Jupiter turned to her.  "I beat it, with a little help from
this guy... who's vanished now."  She held up his turtleneck.  "His
clothing is here but..."

    Sailor Moon looked puzzled.  "Maybe he disintegrated?"

    Rei (Sailor Mars) lightly punched the blond girl in the back of the
head.  "That's terrible!  Maybe he's like Tuxedo Kamen, and has a
costume?"

    Sailor Jupiter nodded worriedly.  "I hope it's something like that."

    Ami (Sailor Mercury), had stopped several yards away and knelt
down.  "Ah, poor little guy."  She gently picked up an unconscious black
cat.  It's front legs were a little bloody and it looked like it had
dragged itself to that point.  Mercury examined the cat closely.  It was
wet, but otherwise clean and in good condition.  She stood, cradling the
cat in her arms.  He was about the same size as Luna and Artimis, and
did not wear a collar.  Her heart went out to the cute little cat.  <He
must have been injured in the youma attack.>

    Ami had never had a pet of her own.  <Maybe I can adopt this little
guy.>  The rest of the Senshi were ready to go.  The police were coming
and the people at the manga booth were recovering.  No one seemed to be
looking for a cat, and he didn't have a collar.  <He's hurt anyway, I'll
just take care of him until he's better.>

--------------------------------------------------------------

    Slowly Johnathon woke.  Someone was bandaging his arm... <No, that's
my leg now.  I'm still a cat.  I remember transforming as a flew through
that column of water from the hydrant...>  Ever since he had ran into
that Chinese girl, Shampoo.  He had gotten splashed with that bucket of
water from the cursed springs of Jusenkyo while saving her from a car.
Now he changed into a black cat the color of his hair whenever he was
splashed with cold water.  <I remember trying to crawl away after
getting hit by that mace, it hurt like hell.  I must have blacked out.
Where am I now?>

    A pretty girl with short black hair was finishing putting a bandage
on his front right leg.  She had apparently already done the same for
the other front leg.  "Oh, you're awake?"  She had a nice voice.  She
kind of looked like Akane Tendo, his sparring partner and the daughter
of his martial art's instructor.  Her voice was softer and her touch was
very gentle.

    Johnathon surveyed the bandages approvingly.  <Very professionally
done.>

    Ami noticed his scrutiny and giggled.  "So, do you approve?"

    Johnathon started to nod then caught himself.  <Oops, I'm a cat!>
The girl did not seem to notice anything unusual.

    Ami continued to talk.  "I'm glad you like them.  Don't worry little
guy, I'll take them off in a few days."  Carefully, the little black cat
moved his front legs.  They were stiff and ached, but didn't seem
broken.  The girl stroked his head in reassurance.  "Ah good, they don't
hurt too much now do they?"  Slowly Johnathon got to his feet.  His legs
bore his weight with no real complaint.  Ami petted him some more,
encouraged by his actions.

    Johnathon caught himself moving into her hand as she petted him.
<That feels good.>  Ami was delighted by the responsiveness of the
little cat.  He was a quiet little guy.  He hadn't made any noise at all
when she had bandaged his legs.  He wasn't purring now either, although
he was obviously enjoying the petting.

    Johnathon looked around at his surroundings.  He was in a bedroom,
nicely furnished.  There was a poster of Einstein on one wall.  A
computer sat on an efficient looking desk.  A medium sized bed with dark
blue sheets was in the center of the room.  A tall chest of drawers was
in the corner and a bookcase along one wall.  The room was very neat for
a teenage girls room.  There were lots of books stacked neatly in the
bookcase.  Science books mostly.  He was on the desk in a clear space
and she sat in a chair in front of him.

    Ami continued petting the black cat for awhile.  "Now what should I
call you?  You're a quiet little fellow, how about Whisper?"

    The Johnathon liked that. <Not a bad name for a cat.>  He purred,
letting her know he was pleased.

    Ami smiled  "You like that huh?  OK, Whisper it is."  She picked him
up then.  Johnathon was uncomfortable being lifted off his feet but
didn't resist.  She gently put him on the floor.  "Would you like
something to eat?  Are you hungry fellow?"

    Johnathon was unenthusiastic.  <Oh no, dried cat food I bet, yuck.>
He didn't respond.

    Ami stood up and walked out of the room, carefully closing the door
behind her.  Johnathon explored for awhile.  It was a nice room really.
He checked out the bookcase again.  Most of the books were indeed
science and medical books.  There didn't appear to be any way out save
the door.  Johnathon sat down to wait.

    After a while the girl came back in with two bowls which she set
down next to the desk.  Again she was careful to close the door behind
her.  Johnathon checked out the bowls and was pleasantly surprised.  A
bowl of milk and the other bowl had little pieces of chicken in it.

    He looked up at the girl in amazement.  <Wow!  Now that's cat food!>

    She looked back.  "Well, are you hungry?"

    Johnathon wasn't actually very hungry, but he didn't want her to
think he didn't want the food.  He rubbed against her ankles purring.
<Cat's do this when they're happy right?>  He went over to the bowls and
started eating.  The girl seemed pleased.  She sat on her bed and
watched him eat.

    As he sampled the chicken Johnathon tried to remember.  <How did I
get here anyway?  The last thing I remember was that black knight going
up in a cloud of smoke.  Then I was here.  That girl must have found me
when I was unconscious and brought me home for a pet.  How am I going to
get out of this?  I could try to run for it.  I could probably escape,
if I could just get an opportunity, but what then?  I'm most likely
miles from home.  As a cat it would be quite a hike, especially on my
injured legs.>

    Johnathon considered his options.  <I could change back to human,
but I don't know where my clothing is.  I'd have to steal some clothing
as well as find some hot water.  Doing that without letting people know
my secret wouldn't be easy.  Sheesh, this is quite a problem!>  The
English teacher turned little black cat gave the matter serious
thought.  <Probably would be best to let my legs heal up and walk home
as a cat.>

    Johnathon finished eating and carefully washed himself with his
tongue.  <Yech!>  He sighed inwardly.  <I had better keep clean.  If
this girl thinks I'm dirty she'll probably give me a bath.  Hot water
will give me away with one splash.

    Ami watched Whisper eat.  He was a dainty eater, and he carefully
washed himself afterward.  He then walked over to the bed, limping a
bit.  The little cat looked up at her, waiting for something.

    <He wants me to pick him up?>  Ami obliged the little cat.  "Poor
little fella.  Your legs still hurt huh?"  She put him on the bed next
to her and he laid down.  Ami stroked the cat gently and he stretched
under her hand.  After a while she stood up and went over to her desk to
do some homework.

    Johnathon curled up and started going to sleep.  <Oh well.  If I'm
going to be a pet for a few days I could have done a lot worse.  This
isn't bad!>

    They next morning Johnathon woke to the sun.  He was alone on the
bed, and supposed that he had slept through the girls departure.  <I
wonder what her name is?>  He hopped down off the bed, wincing a bit as
his legs touched the floor.  <Ouch, I'll have to be more careful.>  He
wandered over too the desk, and looked up.  The chair was pulled
slightly out, so he figured he could jump to the desk top, but he wasn't
sure he wanted to strain himself.  He started over to the bookshelf to
peruse the titles when the door slid open behind him.

    It was the girl.  She had obviously just finished bathing, her skin
was gleaming with a few last drops of water above the towel she was
wearing.  Her watched her as she came in.  She glanced at the bed, then
looked about until she spotted him by her desk.  "Oh there you are!  Are
you feeling better this morning?"

    Johnathon was tempted to nod.  He did feel better, the rest had
certainly helped, as had the bandages.  He didn't want to scare her, so
instead he just looked at her.  She bent down to affectionately scratch
his ears.  He didn't notice at first but that gave him a good look at,
<Wow!  She's pretty stacked for a girl her age.>  He glanced downward,
embarrassed.  <This isn't easy, Acting like a cat isn't going to be
quite like I expected.  I hope she doesn't...>  He glanced back at her,
and quickly away again.  She had walked over to her chest of drawers,
and pulled out the top one, and was going through it with one hand.  She
had also incidentally, taken off the towel.  <I guess I shouldn't be
surprised.  I'm just a cat to her after all.  I'll just try not to
watch.>

    A few minutes later Ami was dressed for school.  She looked for
Whisper, and saw that he was over by her bookshelf, looking at the books
as if he was reading the titles.  "He Whisper, do I have a mouse hole
back there?"  She asked with a slight smile.  <I wonder what's so
interesting about that corner.  He's been ignoring me since I got
back.>  As she walked over to him, he turned to look at her though, and
sat back to look up into her face.  She knelt down to take a closer look
at him, and caressed his face lightly.

    Johnathon was surprised at the wealth of sensations he was
receiving.  He hadn't really considered it before, but his hearing as a
cat was much better,  he had actually heard her fumbling with each
button on her shirt, and the cloth sliding against her skin as she
pulled her socks on.  As she caressed his cheek, he could feel the
slight ridges in her palm, soft as it was.  His cheek was as sensitive
as his hands had ever been.  <My whiskers I guess.>  He relaxed as her
hands carefully moved over his body, squeezing gently at times.  <What
is she doing?  Not that I mind, it feels good, but it's kind of
strange?>

    She finished examining him and stood up.  "Well, you seem to be in
pretty good shape for a stray,  I wonder if you were abandoned, but if
you were it can't of been too long ago, you're too well groomed for
that."

    Johnathon wished he could laugh.  <Thanks, I think, I do try to keep
myself presentable.>

    Ami started to pack her bag for school, as Whisper watched her
interestedly.  "Sorry I can't take you with me too school little guy,
but pets are against the rules.  I'll see you in a few hours."  She
looked at him as he gazed at her, and then lay down near her bag as if
he understood her.

    Johnathon did understand, actually, he wasn't to disappointed.
<Maybe I'll get a chance to read her copy of "A Brief History of Time",
I haven't had the chance to do more than skim it last time I saw it.  He
was distracted again as he lay down next to her bad.  His new senses
were telling him that the girl's bag had contained a tuna sandwich
fairly recently.  He sniffed at the bag.  <I guess I'm smelling her
lunch from yesterday?  Let's see, tuna, apple, um what's that, wheat
bread?  Not bad, this sense of smell could really come in handy.>

    Ami smiled as Whisper sniffed at her bag.  "Sorry, nothing in their
for you.  I'll get you some food from the kitchen to tide you over until
I get back okay?"  He watched again as she left the room, and returned
with the dishes she had used last night, along with some fresh leftovers
from her chicken dinner, and water instead of milk.  She placed them
down, and was a bit surprised when he didn't immediately investigate.
Her looked at her face as she set them down, and shook himself a bit
before getting to his feet and walking over to the bowls.  He looked up
at her almost as if asking her a question, but gave a few laps at the
water, and nibbled at the chicken politely before stopping.  He paused
to look at her, them went over to scratch at the door softly.  <I
wonder, was he house trained?>  She picked him up, opened the door and
carried him to the back porch.  She carefully set him down out side in
her fenced in backyard.  She watched him as he surveyed his
surroundings, a little anxious that he might try to leave.  He seemed
content to examine the yard however.

    Johnathon was glad she had taken him outside so easily.  <When I
need to it should be easy enough to escape then.>  He enjoyed the varied
scents of the garden, before looking for a secluded spot to, um, do his
business.  When he was finished, he walked back over to her slowly.  <My
legs still smart from yesterday, I'd better take it easy.>  She took him
back up to her room, petted him again for a few minutes.  <Oh I could
get used to this!>  Then got up and left without another word.  He sat
on the bed for a minute, then leapt down, a bit more carefully then he
had earlier.  He went over to her book case and carefully pulled out the
one he had his eye on earlier.  He read it completely, and enjoyed the
luxury of the time to just enjoy a good read.  He was tired when he
finished and had a time putting the book back into the shelf.  He
finally got it into place, but he couldn't shove it all the way back.
He sighed. <Oh well, she probably won't
even notice.  He leapt up to the bed, tired enough to fall asleep again,
and relaxed in a sunbeam remembering a particular line from the book.
He wondered.  "Did God have a choice in creating the universe?"

    He woke to the girl sitting down on the bed, it felt like several
hours later.  She set a rolled up sleeping bag down next to him.
Johnathon looked up at the girl quizzically.

    Ami looked down at her new pet.  "Hey boy, would you like to come
with me to Usagi's house?"

    Johnathon got up and stretched.  <It looks like she's going to go to
a sleep over at a friends house.>  The girl reached for him.  Johnathon
moved away and jumped off the bed.  <Oof.  Not quite yet!>  He hurried
over to the bowls and took a piece of chicken.

    Ami started after the cat then stopped.  "Hungry huh?  OK Whisper,
why don't you eat."  The cat did so, eating quickly this time.

    Johnathon had decided on his course of action.  <I don't want to be
locked up in her room for the rest of the night, but I don't want to let
this food go to waste either!>  He felt satisfied after a couple of
minutes and looked back at her.  The girl had been waiting patiently for
him on the bed.  Johnathon walked up to her feet, looked up and meowed
softly.

    Ami smiled at the cat.  "Ready to go boy?"  He just sat at her feet,
not wanting to appear too intelligent.  Ami took his silence for consent
and picked him up, slinging him under one arm.  Johnathon was careful
not to dig in with his claws as he held on.  Ami picked up her sleeping
bag and opened her door to go.

    The trip was uneventful.  Johnathon didn't recognize any landmarks
on the way to Usagi's house.  It did seem like he was still in Tokyo,
but he couldn't be sure.  It was a unique experience riding in the crook
of her arm for the whole way.  Johnathon could feel each step she made,
a giant walking along with giant strides.  She walked smoothly enough he
was glad to see, but it was still quite a bit of motion, much more than
riding in a car or even riding a horse.

    Johnathon shook his head.  <Actually, her gait is much smoother than
a horse, it's just the strides are comparatively larger, since I'm so
small.>  Johnathon noticed his whiskers brushing her chest as he moved
his head.  It was a strange sensation, warning him his head was close to
something.  Johnathon hadn't been a cat for long enough to get used to
all of the extra senses it gave him.  After a few minutes he had gotten
a good idea of the exact size and shape of her chest, despite trying to
ignore it.  <How old is this girl anyway?  At first glance I figured she
was around 14, but she's pretty well... don't go there you moron, you've
got a girl you like don't you?  This girl is way too young anyway.>

    After a short hike they arrived at their destination.  They were
greeted at the door by a teenage girl with blond hair.  The girl had her
hair rolled into balls on either side of her head, then going down in
two long pony tails.

    The blond girl smiled brightly.  "Ami!  Come on in!  My folks are
gone for the next few days and they have taken my nosy brother with
them!"  She escorted Ami inside, chatting up a blue streak.  "Rei's
already here.  We're waiting on Makoto and Minako.  Is that cat from the
fight?  Oh it's so cute!  Is it a he or a she?"

    Ami smiled at her friends enthusiasm.  "It's a he, I've named him
Whisper."  Ami put her bag down in the living room.

    Usagi kept chatting away.  "We'll camp out here OK Ami?  Hey Rei!
Come out here and see the cute cat!  He looks a little like Luna!"

    A girl with long black hair came out of what appeared to be the
kitchen.  "Hello Ami.  Ah, he is a cute little guy.  You bandaged his
legs?"

    Ami nodded.  "He just had abrasions and bruises.  He'll be fine in a
week or so."

    Rei peered at the black cat.  "That's good.  I wonder how he got
hurt?"

    Ami petted his head fondly.  "I'm not sure.  He probably got hit my
something thrown from the fight."

    The three girls sat down on the couch and davenport and chatted
about school.  Soon after, the bell rang and Usagi jumped up to answer
the door.  She brought in two more teenage girls.  Both of them were
carrying sleeping bags.  Minako had long blond hair, and was classically
beautiful.  Makoto was a tall athletic looking girl with medium length
brown hair tied in a single pony tail that hung from the back of her
head.

    Johnathon looked at the new arrivals with interest.  <Those two are
really good looking.  Actually, all five of these girls are pretty
attractive.  They are all way too young for me though.  They're look
like they're going to have a slumber party.>  Johnathon started to feel
slightly guilty.  <It's really not right for me to be at a girls slumber
party.  Oh well, nothing I can do about it now.>

    Makoto dropped heavily into a chair, and Minako sat down next to
Ami.  Johnathon suddenly noticed a white cat jump up unto the arm of the
davenport next to Minako.  The cat was looking at him intently, then
looked away as Makoto spoke up.

    The tall girl sighed.  "I stayed around looking for that guy for two
hours, but he never showed up."

    Ami looked over at her.  "Do you have any clues to how he
disappeared?"

    Makoto shook her head.  "After the black knight hit him, he flew out
of sight.  I was too busy fighting the Youma to see what happened."

    Johnathon looked incredulously at the tall girl with brown hair.
<That was her?!?>  He peered intently at her.  <She does look similar,
but I didn't notice till she talked about fighting the black knight.>

    Makoto was going through her bag.  "I kept his stuff.  I wasn't sure
what to do with it."

    Rei spoke up.  "Shouldn't you have left it for the police?"

    Makoto shrugged.  "I'm not positive I should.  If he is like Tuxedo
Kamen, he probably wouldn't want the police asking him funny questions.
And if the black knight um, disintegrated him, it won't do much harm to
wait and see for a bit."  Makoto brought out Johnathon's wallet and
opened it.  "It says his name was Johnathon Dwire."  She pulled out his
drivers license.  "I mean is.  He's an American, from California."  She
passed the wallet around.

    Ami found the passport and began to read it carefully.  "He's been
here in Japan for three months.  It gives his occupation as English
teacher."

    Johnathon sighed to himself.  <How am I supposed to keep my secret
with these girls going through my stuff?  That Makoto must be one of the
Sailor Senshi.  I heard of them at Furinkan High.  There are supposed to
be five of them.  There are five girls here, so they are probably all
the senshi.  They haven't seemed to be able to figure out my
disapearance.>

    Usagi spoke up brightly.  "Hey guys, come on!"  This is supposed to
be a slumber party!  You're depressing me!"

    Minako shrugged.  "Sure, this can wait till tomorrow."

    The girls all went on to other subjects, boys in particular.  Usagi
babbled about her Mamoru.  Makoto reminisced about her old boyfriend.
Minako shared stories about half a dozen boys she had dated and dumped.
Ami was sad that Uwara hadn't been by to see her in so long.  Rei was
quiet mostly, still not having a boyfriend to talk about.  The girls
snacked on munchies as they gossiped.

    Johnathon had curled up on Ami's lap.  He was listening to the
conversation and thinking about how he was going to get away with his
secret intact.  It was starting to get late and the girls started to
change into their pajamas.  Johnathon was strongly tempted, but forced
himself not to look.  He buried his head and pretended to sleep, not
uncurling from his ball even when Ami started petting him softly.

    Ami was slightly puzzled at her cat's behavior.  Ever since she had
put him down on the couch so she could change he had been curled up in a
ball sleeping.  She had recently read a book on feline behavior, and
Whisper was definitely not behaving typically.  He had not shown any
interest in the food when everyone was snacking.  He had also failed to
react when everyone had gotten up to change clothes.  Ami was slightly
worried but decided that Whisper was probably just very tired and
recovering from his injures.

    Usagi carried Luna down from her bedroom.  "Come on Luna, it'll be
fun, let's play!"

    Luna was looking slightly put upon but agreed.  "Oh very well."

    Usagi announced.  "OK everyone, let's play Truth or Dare!"

    Everyone looked up at her, including Johnathon.  <Did I hear a new
voice?>

    Minako chimed in.  "Sure!  Everyone get in a circle!  Artimis, you
too."

    Johnathon looked around in some confusion as the five girls and two
cats got into a circle on the floor.  <Who is Artimis?>  Johnathon was
carried over by Ami and he looked around interestedly trying to put
things together.  There was a black cat sitting next to Usagi.  <That
must be Luna.  Usagi said I looked like something like Luna.  That means
the white cat must be Artimis.>

    The white cat sat next to Minako, in between her and Rei.  Rei sat
next to Luna who sat next to Usagi.  On Usagi's other side was Makoto,
and finally Ami.  Ami and Johnathon sat on the opposite side of Artimis
from Minako.

    Johnathon frowned in concentration.  <Something is missing here, but
what?>

    Usagi was giggling to herself.  "He he.  OK, since it was my idea,
I'll start.  My question is for Makoto.  You're always talking about
your old boyfriend.  Tell us who you'll want for your new boyfriend?"

    Johnathon looked around.  <I'm sure there was a sixth voice.  It had
been slightly aristocratic, she had replied to something Usagi had said
right?  What was it she said?>

    He was distracted by Makoto's answer.  "That guy today, Johnathon
Dwire was very heroic.  I'd like a guy like that."

    Johnathon stared at her.  <What?  Really?>  The other girls oohed
ahd aahed appropriately.

    Makoto grinned and turned to Minako.  "My question is for you
Minako.  Which boyfriend did you go the farthest with?"

    Minako blushed, while she hemmed and hawed.  "Um, dare."

    Makoto smiled.  "OK, the next guy you date.  You have to go out with
him at least four times before dumping him."

    Minako glared at her.  "Hey!  That's not fair!"

    Makoto shrugged.  "Sure it is."

    The other girls agreed, nodding.  "That sounds fair."  Usagi added.

    Minako sighed.  "Alright, fine."

    Johnathon suddenly remembered.  <Usagi asked "Luna" to play, and
then that other voice answered.>  He looked at the little black cat
sitting between Usagi and Rei.  She seemed to be following the
conversation attentively.  <No way!  It couldn't be... could it?>  He
climbed down from Ami's lap and walked across the circle to Luna.  Luna
noticed him and looked him in the eyes.  Johnathon looked back, walking
up until he was only a couple of inches away.  <Is she trying to stare
me down?>

    Minako had noticed the new cat's actions.  "Hey Luna, he looks like
he's interested in you."

    Ami smiled.  "Well I'm glad he's feeling better, I was a bit worried
about him."

    Minako grinned at Luna.  "Oh Luna, my question is this.  Is he
interested in you because you're in heat?"  Everyone blushed at the
question, even Minako.

    Luna looked hastily at her.  "Certainly not!"  She said
aristocratically.

    Johnathon's eyes went wide and he sat back on his haunches in
shock.  <She can talk.  How?>

    Usagi was looking down at him and Luna.  "Well he certainly does
seem interested in you Luna.  Do you think he..."

    Luna interrupted.  "I believe it's my turn to ask a question
Usagi."  She looked Usagi in the eye, trying to ignore "Whispers"
attention.  "So, Usagi, what was that you were reading last night,
instead of your math book?"

    Usagi blushed.  "Luna, what? I don't.."

    Luna stared at her.  "Answer the question."

    Usagi looked embarrassed  "Um, dare."

    Luna nodded smugly.  "Do all your homework as soon as you get it for
the next week."

    Usagi whined.  "Luna!  What kind of dare is that?"

    Luna shrugged.  "It's mine!"

    Usagi frowned.  "Hmmph."  She considered daring Luna back, then
changed her mind.  "Rei, how many guys have you kissed?  And relatives
don't count."

    Rei obviously didn't want to admit the truth about that.  "Dare."

    Usagi giggled.  "Now what should I make you do.  I know.  Kiss
somebody!"

    Rei blushed.  "Who?"

    Usagi shrugged.  "Anybody."

    Rei looked around slowly, blushing furiously.  She stopped, looking
at Usagi then turned towards her.  "Anybody huh?"  Rei leaned over Luna
and put her hands behind Usagi's head, pulling her in for a kiss.

    Usagi blushed.  <What would Mamoru think?>  She closed her eyes.
Rei turned her head slightly so their noses wouldn't bump, then kissed
Usagi on the lips.  Usagi stiffened a bit, then relaxed into it.  Rei
broke the kiss and both girls blushed and looked away.  Usagi thought
about Mamoru, the last time they kissed.  Rei wondered if kissing a guy
would be the same.

    Rei sighed to herself.  <As if I'll ever find out if I don't find a
boyfriend.>  She looked at Ami.  "Ami, have you and Uwara kissed?>

    Amy nodded shyly.  "Yes, three times so far."  Everyone made
appreciative noises at that.  Ami looked over at Whisper and saw that he
was still sitting in front of Luna, staring at her.  "Hmmm, Artimis, I
really would like to know what cats like in other cats.  What do you
find attracts you to a female?"

    The white cat looked at Ami.  "Um, it's kinda instinct.  You just
know, um, when the time is right you just know."

    Johnathon looked over at Artimis.  <He talks too?  I really should
have guessed.>

    Minako was giggling.  "He he.  Artimis, you've certainly "known" it
was the right time enough times.  How many times have you been out all
night?"  Ha ha ha!"  She broke down laughing.  Artimis glared at her,
and Luna glared at him,  Usagi, Rei, and Makoto started laughing as
well.  Luna looked away hautilly and Artimis kept glaring at Minako.

    When the laugher died down he spoke up.  "You're one to talk miss
boy for every day of the week.  Why don't you answer this.  How many
boys have you dumped this year?"

    Minako flushed, wanting to deny that she went through boys so
casually.  She thought back through the past year.  <One, two,
three...>  "Of very well, dare."

    Artimis grinned.  "Fine, you have to call me Sensei for the rest of
the night."

    Minako shrugged at that.  "Sure... Sensei, that's easy, anything
else?"

    Artimis nodded.  "Since you're asking, get me a bowl of milk."

    Minako grinned wryly.  "Yes Sensei."  She started to get up go to
the kitchen.  "Hey Ami, do you think Whisper would like some milk?"

    Ami looked at her new pet and nodded.  "He liked it before.  It
couldn't hurt."

    Minako walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.  She got
out a couple bowls and the milk.  She called back into the room.  "Hey
Luna, is there a cat you like?"  Minako filled the bowls and came back
out, putting one bowl in front of Artimis and the other next to
Whisper.  "That's my question, is there one special cat for you?"

    Luna was quiet, if she could have blushed she would have.  "Dare."
She finally said.

    Artimis lapped away at his milk, pretending not to watch Luna.  <Is
Luna mad at me?>

    Johnathon was doing the same as Artimis.  <How do these cats talk
anyway?  Is it a trick I can learn?>

    Minako grinned, she was sure that Luna really liked Artimis, and
vice-versa.  "OK Luna, why don't you kiss Whisper there."

    Johnathon whipped his head around to look at Minako.  <What?>

    Luna protested.  "Cats don't kiss!"

    Minako was tempted to ask Luna what they did instead, but decided
not to take the joke too far.  "Well, just pretend then."

    Johnathon could feel everyone looking at him and Luna.  <Oh boy,
what should I do?  What would a normal cat do?>  Self consciously he
wiped the milk off his whiskers and licked it off the back off his paw.
Johnathon sat back on his hind legs and tried to act casually.  Luna
approached him nervously.  He let her and she sat down in front of him
facing him, only a couple of inches away.  She leaned forward, ready to
back away if he reacted badly.  Johnathon did nothing, not sure how a
normal cat would react.  Their faces met and her closed his eyes.
Johnathon could feel her nose sniff and her face move away.  When he
felt her back away he opened his eyes.  Luna was looking strangely at
him from two inches away.

    Luna sniffed the other cat again.  <That was strange.  He smells
like a human.>  Luna moved closer and sniffed at his chest.

    Usagi giggled.  "That must have been some kiss, Luna!"

    Luna ignored her ditzy prot�g�.  <I can smell Ami's scent on him,
milk and chicken, and very faintly, cat, but there is also a definite
smell of a human male.>  In the background Artimis was angrily slurping
milk and Minako, Rei, and Makoto were blushing.

    Johnathon was frozen.  <What's she doing?  Can she tell I'm not a
cat?  Or is she coming on to me?>  Ami watched fascinated.

    Luna stopped sniffing him and turned to Ami.  "Ami, has anyone else
been near Whisper since you found him?"

    Ami looked thoughtful.  "No, just me.  Why?"

    Luna looked back at the other black cat.  "You found him at the
scene of the fight?"  Ami nodded.  Luna sat back.  "I smelled a man on
him, his owner probably."

    Johnathon nearly sighed in relief.  <That was close!>

    Makoto became interested.  "Really?  Maybe it's Johnathon Dwire?"
She got up and got her bag.  Makoto brought out a black turtleneck and
brought it over to Luna.  "Here's his shirt."

    Luna sniffed it.  "Yes, it's definitely the same scent."  Everyone
thought about this for a minute.

    Usagi spoke first.  "Maybe this Johnathon is from the Moon
kingdom?"  He helped defeat the Youma, he disappeared, like Tuxedo Kamen
always did, and he has a cat..."

    Rei looked skeptical.  "I don't remember Mamoru ever leaving his
clothes behind Usagi.  Besides, that's just a normal cat."  Ami and Luna
both looked at "Whisper" wonderingly.

    Usagi protested.  "Hey!  Mamoru's transformation's have taken
different forms before.  It's possible.  And maybe Whisper is just
pretending to be normal!"

    Rei still looked doubtful, but Johnathon could tell the others did
not feel so skeptical.  <I might as well let them know before they
figure it out on their own.>  He meowed loudly and pointed at Usagi with
his paw.  When everyone was looking at him he nodded at her,
exaggerating the movement so it was easy to tell what he was doing.
Then he looked at Rei, shook his head, and shrugged.

    Luna asked incredulously.  "Can you talk?"  Johnathon looked at her
and shook his head.  She persisted.  "Are you sure?"  He nodded and
meowed for emphasis.  "You can understand me?"  Nod.  "Are you a moon
cat like me and Artimis?"  Johnathon hesitated then shook his head.
"No?  Then why are you intelligent?"  Johnathon sniffed loudly.  "Oh
right, you can't talk."  He nodded.  "Is Johnathon Dwire from the Moon
kingdom?"

    Johnathon tilted his head.  <What's a moon kingdom?>  He shook his
head after a moment.  Luna sighed, stumped.

    Makoto kneeled down in front of him.  "Do you know what happened to
Johnathon Dwire?"  He nodded.  "Is he alive?"  Nod.  "Do you know where
he is?"  Nod.  "Can you take us to him?"

    Johnathon thought about that one.  <Should I reveal the whole
truth?>  Slowly he shrugged, then nodded.

    Makoto looked excited.  "Great!  Let's get going!"  Johnathon shook
his head.  He pointed at Luna and then at Makoto, then got up and ran
toward the hallway.  He looked back and waited.  "You want us to
follow?"  He nodded then headed down the hall and looked at the doors.
There were three of them, closed.  He tapped the first with his paw and
meowed.  Makoto walked to his side and blinked.  "You want to go in
there?"  He nodded.  She opened the door, a bedroom.  The cat shook his
head and went to the next door.

    Makoto looked confused.  "What?  That door now?"  He tapped it and
meowed plaintively.  The other girls and Artimis had followed and were
watching.  Makoto shrugged.  "OK..."  She opened that door.

    Johnathon looked in.  <Ah! A bathroom with a tub!>  He ran in and
jumped into the tub.

    "What are you doing?"  Luna had followed him into the room and was
looking at him with some confusion.  Johnathon looked back at her
intensely, then jumped up and tapped the hot water handle.  He repeated
the action several times.  Luna finally asked.  "You want hot water?"
He nodded vigorously.  Luna looked back at the others.  "Might as well
see what he wants."

    Makoto walked forward and turned on the hot water.  Johnathon jumped
out of the tub as the water came toward his feet, still cold.  He walked
up to Usagi and nudged her with his head.  He did so again stronger,
then repeated the process with Ami.

    Ami figured it out.  "You want us to leave?"  He nodded and pointed
at Luna.

    "You want me to stay?  Luna asked him.  He nodded again.  "Alright
then, everyone else out."  They complied and Johnathon pawed at the
door.  Makoto started to shut it and Johnathon remembered something.  In
a flash he ran out and headed for the living room.  He ran to Makoto's
bag and started tugging it toward the hall.  Minako helpfully picked up
the bag and Johnathon raced back into the bathroom.

    Minako brought the bag and set it down on the bathroom tile.  "You
wanted this in here, right?"  He nodded and started to paw at the door
again.  "Close the door?"  He nodded and meowed plaintively.
"Alright."  Makoto closed the door, leaving him and Luna alone with a
slowly filling tub.  Johnathon suddenly realized one final problem.  He
started to frantically tear at the bandages on his fore legs, which were
starting to hurt from all the running around he had been doing.

    Luna looked on, confused.  "What are you doing?"  He looked at her,
shook his head and continued biting at the bandages.  Johnathon was in a
hurry.  He wanted to get those bandages off before he changed form.  In
addition he also wanted to get changed before the water got too hot.
Johnathon got his right foreleg free and started working on his left
using his teeth.  He got it mostly off and ran to the tub.  He jumped
in, dunking his whole body and rolling.  It was really hot, but not
quite scalding.

    Johnathon changed in an instant and jumped out.  "Hot!"  He grabbed
a towel off the wall and covered himself.

    Luna looked on in sheer astonishment.  "What?!?  You're Johnathon
Dwire?  I can't believe it!"  Johnathon grabbed a second towel and
started drying himself.

    The door burst open.  Five girls and a white cat were gathered
there.  "What the..."  "Is it him?"  "Where?"  "Did you?.."  Their words
blended together and became to hard to understand.

    Johnathon held up his hand.  "I'll explain everything in a minute.
If you could just wait for me to get dressed?"  He walked to the door
and closed it.  Johnathon went into Makoto's bag and started getting out
his clothing.  A minute later he came out, shirtless, but otherwise
dressed.  "Alright, this is quite a story, so why don't we all sit down
in the living room,"  Everyone marched out to the living room and took
seats in various places.

    Johnathon bent down to pick up his shirt, and Ami spoke up, pointing
at his arms.  "It's you!  You're Whisper!"

    He nodded.  "I'm afraid so."  Johnathon pulled his shirt over his
head and sat down cross legged against one wall.  "Yes, I am Johnathon
Dwire, I am also that black cat."

    Makoto started to turn red.  "Hey!  You watched us changing!"

    Johnathon shook his head.  "I didn't actually.  I was curled up with
my eyes closed the whole time."

    Ami nodded.  "That's true.  I was worried something was wrong with
him."

    Makoto calmed down a bit.  "Well, why didn't you tell us earlier?"

    Johnathon sighed.  "If you were cursed to become a cat whenever you
were spashed with cold water, would you want people to know about it?"

    Makoto shrugged.  "No, I guess not.  Hey!  When you got knocked
through that fountain from the broken hydrant... that's what happened!"

    Johnathon nodded.  "I changed, I blacked out soon afterwards."

    Usagi's eyes were wide.  "Water changes you into a cat?"

    Johnathon nodded to the blond girl.  "Cold water, hot water brings
me back."

    Usagi giggled.  "No way!  That's so cool!"

    Johnathon sighed.  "I thought so too, once."

    Usagi didn't notice the sad look in his eyes, but Ami did.  "How did
it happen?"  She asked gently.

    Johnathon looked at Ami and nodded.  "Deep in China there is a
training ground called the cursed springs of Jusenkyo.  There are over a
hundred springs there.  Apparently each spring has had someone or
something drown in it at some point long ago.  Now, if you fall into one
of the springs you'll take the body of whatever, or whoever drowned
there."

    Ami nodded thoughtfully.  "So you fell in a spring where a cat
drowned?"

    Johnathon shook his head.  "It's not that simple.  I've never been
to China.  Three months ago I ran into a girl from China.  She had
fallen into the spring of drowned cat.  She had recently moved to Japan
and her great grandmother had followed her.  This wise old woman had
brought a bucket from the spring of drowned cat with her to try and
reverse the the curse on her great granddaughter.  When I first met them
they were moving the great grandmother's things.  An out of control car
was headed for the girl.  I knocked her clear.  Unfortunately she was
carrying the bucket from the spring of drowned cat.  I was soaked..."

    Johnathon was silent for a moment, remembering.  "So know you know
my secret.  And I know yours."  He looked at Makoto.  "I think we can
trust each other, eh Sailor Jupiter?"

    Slowly the tall brunette nodded.  "It's not quite so bad, sharing a
secret."

    A voice from behind him asked.  "So how much water does it take?"

    Johnathon frowned to himself.  "About half a liter minimum.  Why?"

    Makoto jumped up.  "Usagi don't you..."  Johnathon was splashed from
behind, instantly shrinking to a cat.  Makoto finished lamely.  "Dare."

    Usagi had a now empty pitcher in her hands and was looking down at
the pile of clothing on the floor.  A small black cat climbed out
slowly.  "That's so cool!"  Johnathon looked up at her reproachfully.

    Ami admonished her friend.  "It wouldn't be cool if it happened to
you Usagi."

    Makoto chimed in.  "Yeah.  You couldn't go out in the rain, or go
swimming..."

    Ami nodded.  "It isn't funny to be cursed."

    Usagi looked contrite.  "Oh I'm sorry Dwire-san."

    Johnathon meowed resignedly.  He headed slowly for the bathroom,
limping a little.  His arms, um, legs, were still hurting.  Makoto and
Ami both rushed over to pick him up.  They looked at each other and
giggled.  Ami nodded at Makoto and went back for Johnathon's clothing.
Johnathon let Makoto pick him up and carry him into the bathroom.  She
set him on the edge of the tub and turned on the hot water.  Ami brought
in his clothing and set it down.  Johnathon meowed loudly and motioned
with his paw for them to turn around.

    Politely they did so and Johnathon jumped into the tub and stuck his
head under the running water.  Seconds later he grabbed a towel and
dried off, then quickly got dressed.

    "Thanks."  Johnathon said simply and went out into the living room
again.  Usagi was waiting for him looking sheepish.  "I'm not mad
Usagi."  He reassured her.  "Just don't do that again.  OK?"  She
nodded.  Johnathon grinned at her and sat down.  "I can understand how
you feel.  When I first discovered the Jusenkyo curses it was
incredible.  I was excited and pleased that magic was real.  It was like
a fairy tale come true.  But those kind of stories are only fun from the
outside looking in.  It's different when it's happening to you."

    Johnathon looked around at the girls and cats thoughtfully.
"Although you probably already know that to be true, huh."  The room was
silent for a while, everyone thinking about the "magic" in their own
lives.

    Minako spoke up.  "It has been scary from time to time.  It's a big
responsibility too."  The other girls nodded in agreement.

    Johnathon looked around at them, outside he could hear the rain
starting to fall.  "You could tell me about it, if you like.  Sometimes
it helps to share a burden with someone willing to listen."

    The five girls looked at each other.  They had kept their secret for
a long time.  Could they afford to trust?  One by one they nodded.

    Usagi turned to Luna.  "Why don't you tell it Luna?  You know the
story best."

    Johnathon woke up first the next day.  He looked at the clock.  It
was almost noon.  They had talked late into the night, practically until
morning in fact.  He had fallen asleep on the couch.  The girls were all
in their sleeping bags on the floor.  He looked down at them, marveling
at the stories they had told.  They were so young to have so much
responsibility.  He shook his head wryly.  There was really very little
he could do to help.  Fighting Youma was far beyond his abilities.  He
would be a liability rather than an asset if he tried to help them.

    Quietly Johnathon climbed over the back of the couch so as not to
wake the girls.  He walked into the kitchen and started looking around
for ingredients for breakfast.  Normally he avoided cooking more than he
had to, but occasionally he felt like it.  Right now he was feeling very
domestic, probably because of the girls.  He kinda felt like a big
brother.  They were all around ten years younger then him, but he had
felt close to them last night.

    "Nice kids."  He murmured to himself as he got some eggs out of the
Refrigerator.

    "Those girls?"  Queried a voice from near his ankle.

    Johnathon looked down at the white cat standing there.  "Sure
Artimis, I like them."  Johnathon continued preparing breakfast.

    Artimis hopped up on the counter to observe.  "Don't let them hear
you call them kids."  He warned mischievously.

    Johnathon shrugged.  "I won't, even if they are ten years younger
then me."

    Artimis quirked his head at him.  "Oh yeah, I had forgotten how old
you were.  You look about Mamoru's age.

    Johnathon glanced at the moon cat.  "Usagi's boyfriend?"

    Artimis nodded.  "Right, although he treats her like a kid too a lot
of the time."  Artimis watched as Johnathon began cooking a monster
omelet.  Johnathon got it started and kept an eye on it as it cooked.

    To pass the time he chatted with Artimis.  "So what's it like for
you?  Being a cat I mean."

    Artimis shrugged.  "I've always been a cat.  I don't have anything
to compare it to."

    Johnathon nodded.  "It must be tough sometimes though.  You being
intelligent and having to hide it."

    Artimis meowed in an obvious spoof of a normal cat and laughed.  "I
guess you would know about that."

    Johnathon paused.  "Yeah, I guess I would."

    Artimis looked up at his face.  "You'd answer your own question
best.  You've been both cat and human.  What's it like?"

    "In comparison you mean?"  Johnathon looked thoughtful.  "That's a
tough one.  I guess I don't really dislike being a cat.  It's actually
pretty cool in some ways.  I can hear and smell better, and see in the
dark better.  It's neat being able to jump more than ten times my own
height, even if I'm small at the time.  Being seen as a cut pet has it's
ups and downs.  It's easy to be a cat in some ways.  No responsibility
and having it easy.  People tend to like cats, and treat them, us,
pretty good.  I guess those things don't really apply to either one of
us though."

    Artimis blinked.  "Which things?"

    "Having no responsibility and having it easy."  Johnathon paused in
thought, remembering being Ami's pet.  Most of it he hadn't really liked
but...  "There are perks to being a cat."  He said quietly, thinking
about falling asleep to Ami's gentle petting.  "But that's not an option
for me."

    Artimis nodded.  "Because you're really a human, right?"

    Johnathon looked sad.  "I think like a human, but I'm not really
human anymore, or cat.  It's too easy to change.  It seems like the
curse has made me a water magnet.  Cold water always seems to find me.
As a cat, how long can I avoid a hot bath?  I suppose I could avoid hot
water, but I am a human being first.  Staying a cat isn't really
tolerable for me.  It's not who I am."  Artimis lay down, looking sad.
Johnathon concentrated on the omelet for awhile then looked at the small
white cat.  "Don't look so sad.  It's not that bad.  There is good and
bad in equal measure.  I'm pretty much OK with it."

    Pretty soon the smell of food started waking up the girls and Luna.
They started wandering into the kitchen and Johnathon served breakfast.
Even Usagi woke in time to eat, noon being the time she usually wanted
to wake up anyway.  The girls were enthusiastic about the meal, thanking
Johnathon sincerely.  He was embarrassed at the praise, but pleased.

    Ami asked thoughtfully.  "So Johnathon, what are your plans?"

    He quirked an eyebrow.  "Today, or in general?"

    Ami looked at him.  "Both."

    Johnathon shrugged.  "Well I came to sight see originally.  Go to
the manga convention.  I didn't expect to fight a, what did you call
it?  A Youma."

    Amy smiled.  "And in general?"

    He shrugged again.  "Oh, go home to Nerima, teach, nothing
spectacular.  I am seriously considering heading to China to look for a
cure to the curse."

    Makoto slapped her hand down on the table.  "Hey!  Why don't we show
you around town?"  The other girls looked at Makoto and then at
Johnathon.

    Usagi beamed cheerfully.  "Sure!  We know all the best places!"  The
other girls nodded.

    Minako chimed in.  "It's the least we can do after you helped Makoto
with that Youma."

    Johnathon bowed his head.  "There is no need for that, I..."

    Ami quietly added.  "Come on Johnathon, when they get an idea in
their heads there's no stopping them."

    He grinned suddenly.  "Why not, soundly like fun.  Thanks girls."
They gave a little cheer.

    Makoto jumped up.  "Time's flying!  Let's go!"

    Johnathon spent the rest of the day with five energetic teenage
girls.  Late that night they dropped him off at the subway for the last
run to Nerima.

    "Keep in touch Johnathon."  Ami said quietly.

    Makoto winked at him.  "Look me up when you're around here, huh?"

    Minako grinned.  "Look out Johnathon.  I think you remind Makoto of
her old boyfriend."

    Makoto raised a fist in mock threat.  "Why you!"

    Usagi chimed in.  "Come and visit anytime.  I'm sure Luna would love
to see you again."  The little black cat at Usagi's feet looked like she
wanted to blush.

    Johnathon smiled.  "Good bye everyone.  I'll try to keep in touch.
and I will drop by when I'm near.  It will probably be awhile.  I'm kept
pretty busy.  Good bye.

    Johnathon stepped unto the train.  He waved at them till the station
was out of sight.

    Johnathon didn't see the girls again for almost eight months.  He
called Ami before he went to China, but failed to contact them at all
until he returned to Japan, having discovered no cure.  Johnathon spent
a month in Nerima.  Then had an adventurous trip back to China with
Ranma and company.  The events on that trip caused Johnathon to go visit
the girls and their guardian cats once again.

    Thanks to all the people I got ideas from, too many to remember, but
thanks.

    Please C&C, it's why I write.

    You can find "A Different Viewpoint" at my brother's web page.

    http://www.geocities.com/Tokyp/Dojo/1449/