Special thanks to: Octavian, EricMcGinnis, Jason Liao, Tonyloco, David 
Johnston, Thomas Scroggs

Ranma 1/2 / BSSM : Eye of a Stranger Chapter Seven
Created by Long Ngo and Lord Talon
Started December 9, 1999
Finished May 1, 1999

* * * * *

	Climbing into the room from the window, Ran looked at the woman in 
the bed.  "You have suffered more than any mother should," he whispered to 
the sleeping woman.  

	"Ranma," the woman muttered in her sleep.

	Smiling, Ran placed a hand on the comatose woman' forehead.  "Have a 
pleasant night's rest Saotome Nodoka.  When you awaken, you shall feel much 
better than the past couple of days," Ran assured her, glowing a goldish tint 
that soon spread to encompassed Nodoka.  Seeing that Nodoka's breathing had 
become a little deeper, Ran smiled once again before leaving through the 
window.

	Stretching, Ran decided to enjoy the day.  Today was the first 
opportunity he had to take a stroll of the city he found himself in.  *This 
place is so strange.  I can't detect any magic.  There are barely any 
animals, anywhere.  The air is so polluted and never have I set foot on a 
city so dependant on technology.  Glancing into the night skies, *What 
happened to the Moon Kingdom?  They couldn't have lost.* Ran thought.  "What 
about the Guards?" he muttered.         

	*I shouldn't have been so angry with Setsuna but how can I trust her, 
after what she has done?*  he puzzled.  Deep down, Ran knew that she had done 
what she thought was right.  "Why did Pluto give up on the Silver Millennium 
for something like this?" he muttered, confused.  

	Ran was so deep in thought that he did not realize the stares he was 
receiving, walking around in his uniform and sword, so used to the ways and 
customs of a civilization long lost. 

	"Ran!" someone shouted out his name.

	It took him a moment to notice someone was trying to get his 
attention.  Slowing down, Ran turned to find Sakura running up to him.  
"Hello there!" he greeted her as she ran to his side.

	"I was heading out to lunch and saw you past by.  Do you want to go 
and grab something to eat?  I'm buying." she asked hopefully.

	Smiling, "Sure.  My treat next time." he replied.  *Now, I just need 
a way of making money.  I wonder if diamonds are worth anything on this 
planet.*

* * * * *	

	"I am sorry, General.  As the guardian of the time-stream, I rarely 
have the opportunity for romance," a lady with dark green hair stated 
bitterly.

	"As the commander of the Guards, I can't afford to build a 
relationship with someone.  Who knows, I might not return from my next 
mission," he said, with a soft knowing smile, understanding all too well of 
the pitfalls of duty, but he wouldn't want it any other way.  It was his 
life.  

	"I don't think anything can kill you except maybe old age or 
boredom," Setsuna joked.

	Both of them were attending a ball held on the Moon.  Setsuna came 
because Queen Serenity ordered her to take a vacation.  Ran was at the party 
due to an unanimous vote held by all members of the Guards and a threat of 
mass mutiny.  As two of the most respected citizens of the Silver Millennium 
stared out into space, many guest attending the ball started to gossip about 
the couple.

	"Don't you think they make a great couple?"

	"General Ran is so handsome in that gold/silver trim tuxedo."

	"That evening gown looks great on Princess Setsuna."

	"I bet that no one in the kingdom is as mysterious as those two."

	Not paying any attention to the gossip around them, Ran laughed at 
Setsuna's comment.  Staring at Terra, the planet that had adopted him and the 
one which he called home, Ran moved a bit closer to Setsuna and embraced her 
with a hug.        

	Setsuna could hear her heart beat faster as she felt his arms reach 
around her and pulled her in slightly for a tender hug.  "So, what would you 
advise, General Ran?" she asked.

	"Just Ran for now, Princess."

	"Please call me Setsuna then.  What would you tell someone in my 
position, Ran?"

	Leaning in, "I would tell her that for one night, we forget about 
duty."  With that said, he proceeded to kiss, in his opinion, the most 
mysterious of all the princess of the Inner and Outer planets.  For a brief 
moment she resisted but soon melted into the kiss as well.  In that moment, 
two souls became one. 

	Setsuna bolted up, into a sitting position.  Placing a hand on her 
lips, *Why?* she wondered, thinking back, when things were a bit simpler and 
life had a certain joy for herself.  She may not be able to change history, 
but until her future self stopped her, she would make sure the future did not 
repeat the mistakes of the past.   

* * * * *

	"So how is my mother doing?" Ranma asked.

	"She is doing fine.  Better even.  I've never seen someone recover 
this fast.  I can discharge her today but I want to wait another day to be 
sure," Aileen explained.

	"It runs in the family," Ranma stated.

	"Nani?" 

	"Faster healing."

	"Ah."

	Stopping in front of the door, he calmed himself before entering.  
Tomorrow was the day of the tournament.  "I was wondering if there is any 
chance you can release her in time for her to come watch me compete in the 
martial arts tournament tomorrow?" Ranma inquired.

	"Oh course I'll be there," a voice from the other side of the door 
answered.  "Will you both quit talking about me behind my back and come in?" 
that voice continued.     

	"Hai!" Ranma and Aileen spoke at the same time.  A smile was showing 
on both of their faces. 

* * * * *
	
	The next day, Usagi, Minako and Rei found themselves at the Juuban 
Recreational Center.

	"This is so cool!" Usagi shouted over the noise of the crowd to 
Minako and Rei. 

	The both of them just smiled.  They were here at tournament to watch 
their friends, Makoto and Haruka compete in the Juuban Open Invitational 
Martial Arts Tournament.  They also wanted to see Ranma fight.  They had 
heard through the grapevines that Ranma was suppose to be very very good.   

	"Yeah.  It's too bad Ami said she was busy.  I think she might have 
liked to watch the tournament," Minako said. 

	The three scouts looked at each other for a moment, and said in 
unison, "Naaahhh!"  Soon all three were giggling at their own joke.  Ami was 
their dear friend but they just couldn't believe that she would come to 
anything like this.  Seeing that the tournament was about to begin, all three 
rushed out to get snacks and went to find their seats.

	Had they stayed a moment longer, they would have seen a short brown 
haired girl walk in, with a duffel bag over her shoulder, wearing mirrored 
sunglasses.

	Ami looked around to make sure no one was watching her, and walked 
quickly to the registration area.  She had a reputation to hold on to.  
Another reason was that she wanted to surprise the gang after seeing how much 
she had improved under Ranma's tutorage.  Arriving at the desk, she 
accidentally bumped into a boy.

	"Oh, Pardon me," Ami bowed.

	The boy was dressed in a black Hakama and blue gi top, carrying 
around a bokken.

	"Why must there be so many beautiful tigresses at such a place?  
Though I must stay true to Tendou Akane and my Pig-tailed Goddess, surely the 
gods are testing me.  I can not chose so I must have them al . . ." Kunou's 
speech was interrupted by someone bumping into him.  Turning around, readying 
to unleash his fury on the lowly individual that had dared attack him, Kunou 
stopped after seeing the bowing Ami.  "Hark, does my eyes deceive me?" Kunou 
asked.  Not waiting for an answer of any kind, "I see now.  My presence as 
overwhelmed you.  Fear not maiden, for I see that you wish to do battle with 
me.  Know this, I Blue Thunder of Furinkan high, shall let you date me if you 
defeat me in battle!" he stated.  Raising his bokken into the airs, a bolt of 
lightning cracked in the sky as if to prove the boy's claim.

	". . ." 

	"I see that my presence has stunned you.  Fear not, it is only 
natural for you react thus.  For am I not Tak . . ." before he could complete 
his speech another girl had accidentally bumped into him.  

	Seeing the boy switch his attention to the girl, Ami qickly headed 
towards the entrants table.  *Strange boy,* she thought. 

	The judge looked at Ami, "Name?" he asked.

	"Ami Mi-Anderson.  Amy Anderson," she said, in an attempt to cover up 
her slight slip of the tongue.

	"Style?"

	"Kempo and Tai-chi."

	"Rank?"

	"Uhh . . . Black belt?"

	"School?"

	Ami smiled, "The path of the Lunar Guard School!"

	"Huh?" the judge asked. He'd never heard of that school before.

	"Just check your records. Now, where do I get changed?" she asked.

	"Uhh . . . through the doors on the right," he said. 

	Ami smiled and walked away.  *It'll take him a little while.  Good 
thing I hacked into the database and entered the school or else I'd have 
never been accepted.  Now, let's hope all those sessions with Ranma have paid 
off,* she thought and entered the locker room.

* * * * *

	"Thanks, guys.  I really appreciate the lift.  I just can't believe 
my jeep broke down so suddenly.  It was running fine yesterday," Mamoru 
complained.

	"No probem, Mamoru.  We were coming here anyways and who am I to keep 
the prince from his princess," Haruka joked. 

	"That's right Usagi and the gang will be here too," he said.  Turning 
to Michiru, "So who are you betting on, Michiru?  Haruka or Makoto?" he asked 
with a grin.  *Pay back for that earlier comment,* he thought.

	"How'd you know about that?" asked Haruka before the comment sunk in, 
"What!  Michiru would support me over Makoto!"

	"It's been awhile but I think I might join you guys as well.  This 
year there is suppose to be some big shot martial artist entering," he 
commented dryly.

	"Ranma," Michiru said.  "I've never seen him fight but his reflects 
are sharp."

	Haruka nodded, agreeing with Michiru, remembering the baseball 
incident.  "How did you know?" she asked.

	"Usagi," Mamoru answered.  "Lets go sign in, Haruka," he stated.

	"Sure!" Haruka said.  

	As they both walked towards the registration table, Michiru followed 
the two carrying Hotaru.  

	"I'm so excited" Hotaru cried happily.  "This is going to be fun to 
watch."

	"I know Hotaru-chan. Just remember-this is a contest of skill," 
Michiru gently reminded her.

	"I know.  I know.  I just hope I can see all those cool special 
martial arts techniques I watched on the television.  Maybe I can pick up a 
couple techniques and be just as strong as Oniisan!" she bubbled.

	Michiru stared at her for a moment and then let the comment slide.  
Ever since that incident a few weeks ago, Hotaru had gotten healthier and 
even started to train like the rest of the Senshi during the weekends.  When 
asked why, Hotaru would just repeat that she would like to be as strong as 
her Oniisan.  This, of course, was nonsense.  Hotaru didn't have any brothers 
or sisters in either the Silver Millenium or in her present incarnation.  Or 
did she?  For some strange reason, an image of a man began to form in 
Michiru's mind.  But just as the image was about to become clear, Hotaru 
began speaking to her and the image vanished.

	Michiru looked down at Hotaru and said, "I'm sorry, Hotaru-chan.  Did 
you say something?"

	Hotaru frowned.  "I was wondering why Pu didn't come with us?"  

	Michiru smiled.  Hotaru had picked up called Setsuna Pu from 
Chibi-Usagi.  "I don't really know, Hotaru-chan.  You know she has an 
important job," Michiru stated.  For her part, Michiru was wondering also.  
Where was Setsuna today?  Especially since she was the one that informed 
Haruka of this tournament and hinted at entering the tournament was a good 
idea.  Michiru shook her head. "Come on now, Hotaru-chan.  It's time to get 
to our seats," she said and began leading Hotaru off.

	Off to the side, a man with green eyes and brown hair instantly 
became interested in the conversation when he heard Setsuna's name being 
mentioned.  *What's so special about this tournament that she would come?* he 
wondered.  Deciding to pay closer attention to what happened at this 
tournament, he headed off towards the officials' dressing room.

	As Mamoru and Haruka each handed their registration cards to the 
judges and filled out the necessary forms, Mamoru turned to Haruka.  "Good 
luck, Haruka.  I'm going to go look for Usagi and surprise her."

	Haruka grinned.  "Same to you.  Make sure you tell the princess that 
I will not beat up her precious prince too much!" she said.

	Mamoru shook his head and went in search of Usagi.  

* * * * * 

	A large pony-tailed girl walked up to the judges' table and handed an 
entry card to the judge.

	"Kino Makoto?" asked the judge as he looked her over. 

	"Yes."

	"This is your first competition?"

	"Yes."
	
	"Sign this please," the judge said as he handed her a piece of paper, 
with a place at the bottom for her name.

	Following the instructions givened to her, Makoto was about to head 
towards the locker rooms, when someone called out her name.

	"Hey, Makoto!  Glad you could make it!" a brunette shouted. 

	"Haruka," Makoto growled.

	"Be nice, Haruka," the green hair girl next to Haruka spoke.

	"Yes, dear," Haruka replied.   	
 
	"See you in the ring.  Make sure you don't lose before facing me!" 
Haruka called over her shoulder as she left for the locker rooms, accompanied 
by Michiru.  

	"We'll see who is better!" Makoto called after the short haired 
brunette.  *I didn't practice just to lose,* she thought before following the 
departing couple.

* * * * *
	
	"I'm fine I tell you.  Now let me out of this chair!" a woman's voice 
rang out.

	"I'm sorry, Nodoka.  Since I'm the doctor here and more importantly 
your doctor, I suggest you remain in the chair for at least a few days," 
another woman's voice came back.

	"Look at it this way, Okaasan.  You'll have a front row seat to the 
competition," a boy's voice was heard.  "From here, you can see be win this 
competition easily!" 

	"Ranma, what have I told you about that?" Nodoka said.

	With a sigh, "Yes, Okaasan.  I understand.  I won't underestimate my 
opponent," Ranma said, as the three of them came into the arena.  Ranma was 
walking by Nodoka's side, carrying something long and slender.  It was 
wrapped completely in some kind of cloth making it undistinguishable to the 
naked eye. Nodoka was being pushed in a wheelchair by Aileen Mizuno, Nodoka's 
doctor.

	As they walked in, Aileen went over to the security station to set-up 
for Nodoka's chair. While she was doing this, Nodoka turned to Ranma and said 
"Do your best, son.  I know you won't let me down, no matter how you fare."

	"Thanks, mom. You can count on me!" he said with a grin and gave her 
a quick peck on the cheek before darting off.  Nodoka just smiled at her son, 
as Aileen came back and wheeled her off to their seats.

	Ranma walked to the judges table and filled out a brief form, before 
turning to one of the judges.

	"Name?"

	"Saotome Ranma."

	"Style?"

	"Kempo, Karate, Aikido, Chinese Amazon Wu-Shu, Kendo, . . . " Ranma 
began listing styles he had picked up through his ten year training trip.  

	The judge stopped him after Ranma had listed six styles and did not 
seem to be stopping.  

	"You've mastered all those styles?" the judge asked, a bit skeptical, 
especially considering how young the boy was.  Seventeen years old was what 
his registration card listed.  

	"More or less," Ranma shrugged.

	"Exactly what school do you represent?" the judge asked.

	"Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu."

	"I beg your pardon?" the judge blinked. 

	"Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu," Ranma stated proudly.

	The judge was getting a bit angry. The Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu was 
perhaps one of the most secretive schools still in existence.  There were 
only two families that practiced it.  One of the family stopped teaching over 
ten years ago and the other family that supposedly practiced the form feel 
off the face of the Earth and haven't been heard since.  There were rumors 
that the school had resurfaced again about a year ago with the news of the 
defeat of the Dojo Destroyer.  Then about four months ago, it disappeared 
again.  For this boy to say that he was a practitioner of the mystical school 
left much to question and he didn't think that any member of that school 
would compete in a tournament.  Most of the more ancient schools rarely 
competed in televised tournaments.  "Look, I don't have time for . . ." he 
spoke, anger clearly in his voice.

	"Excuse me but I couldn't help but overhear. What seems to be the 
problem?" a voice behind Ranma asked. 

	"This kid here claims to be a student of Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu," the 
judge answered.  

	"Not student, a master," Ranma corrected the man.

	"Look kid, you are too young to be a practitioner of Musabetsu Kakuto 
Ryuu much less a master," the judge replied.

	Clearing her throat, a young lady a few years older than him, wearing 
a grey blazer and a matching skirt, waited until she got their attention.  
She also had on a badge which indicated she was one of the ranking judges. 

	"What school is it you practice, young man?" she asked.

	"Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu ," Ranma complained.

	The woman looked at Ranma for a moment and then turned to the judge.  
"Check the Nerima list," she said.  At that comment, the judge looked a bit 
embarrassed.  He could have settled everything if he had just consulted his 
files.  Finding the indicated file, he grew a little pale.  Juuban may have 
their monsters and Sailor Senshi but Nerima had one of the most concentrated 
population of powerful martial artist around.  Saotome Ranma was listed as 
being a master of the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu.  Turning to look at Ranma, the 
judge was a little frightened.  To master such a school at such a young age 
meant that he was really good.  "The third door on your right down the hall 
is you're dressing room. Good Luck," the judge finally spoke.   

	Ranma picked up his bundle, and turned to the woman. "Thanks. If you 
hadn't showed up, I don't think that guy would have let me participate," he 
said.

	"It's my job, Saotome-san.  Now, you'd better hurry.  The tournament 
will be getting underway soon," she said, and began to walk away.

	"Well, thanks again, Miss...?" Ranma called after her.

	The woman turned to Ranma and smiled a slight smile, her green-black 
hair seemingly flowing behind her.  "Meiou, Meiou Setsuna," she answered.

	Ranma stared at her for a moment before rushing to the locker room to 
get changed.		

	"Where am I now?" a boy called out.  Turning to one of the people 
with strange badges on their shirts, "Do you know the way to Nerima?" he 
asked one of the judge, just missing Ranma.

	Looking up at Ryouga, the judge just shook his head.  Not one, not 
even two but three martial artist from Nerima were at the tournament.  This 
was going to be a very interesting tournament.  The judge was happy the arena 
was insured.

* * * * *

	As Usagi and company looked on, they saw various different styles of 
martial arts being displayed.  from the traditional styles to the very 
strange.   There was a person who used not only his bokken but also talked 
his opponent into submission.  There was also a boy who was using an umbrella 
to fight.

	Naturally, when Mamoru, Makoto and Haruka fought their matches, 
Usagi, Minako, Rei, Michiru, and Hotaru cheered.  Usagi cheered loudest for 
her Mamo-chan.  What surprised everyone was Ranma's match.  They were 
expecting a quick win but Ranma barely won his match.  At the last moment, 
Ranma caught his opponent with a lucky strike and knocked the man 
unconscious. 

     As the net round of matches took place, they group could only wonder 
what would happen next.

To be continued: