Christopher J Olsen wrote:

All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications.

        A Different Viewpoint: Curses and Demons: Deus Ex Machina part 3

                    Chapter 20

    Almost all of the Senshi had gathered to say good-bye.

To whom?

    Kasumi was reassuring a worried looking Sailor Moon.  "Don't worry
Usagi-chan.  I'm sure Nabiki won't betray your secrets to anyone."

    Ranma rolled his eyes at overhearing that.  "For a price...."

Delete "at"

    Kasumi frowned slightly at the pigtailed youth.  "Now Ranma, that's
not a very nice thing to say."

    "Even though it's true."  Akane put in.  "You know that's why we
haven't told her any of this before.  I don't like to say bad things
about our sister, but she doesn't have the best reputation for keeping
secrets.  I think she's gotten a little bit better recently, but if
someone offered her enough money, I'm not sure what she would do."

    Kasumi sighed.  "I will have a talk with her when we return home.
If she promises not to tell anyone about the Senshi, I know she will
keep her word."  Kasumi smiled sadly.  "She keeps her word you know,
always."

    Akane nodded after a moment's thought.  "That's true, Nabiki always
keeps her word."

Yeah.  Sure.  Maybe to family, but she sure stiffed the principal without
hesitation.

    Usagi looked hopeful.  "You can convince her to keep our secret,
can't you Kasumi-san?"

    Kasumi nodded.  "I will do everything I can to do so, Usagi-chan."

    Usagi beamed.  "Thank you Kasumi!"

    Michiru and Ami came up then, Sailor Mercury going over to Skuld,
who was waiting somewhat impatiently to take the others back, while
Neptune went over to her future Queen.  Ami pulled Skuld aside a bit and
they went into a huddle while Michiru simply walked up to Usagi and
explained.  "Sailor Moon, Mercury wanted me to tell you not to try
transforming right now without your uniform.  Specifically, not to
change back to your normal form while wearing anything other than your
senshi Uniform."

    Usagi blinked.  "Why is that?"

    Neptune shook her head.  "I'm not sure myself, but Ami was going on
about unstable molecules and extra dimensional spaces."

    Johnathon looked interested.  "Really?  I've got to listen in on
this...."  He wandered over to where Ami and Skuld were conferencing and
joined them.  The two girls had their heads together over the Mercury
computer going over equations and he peered over their shoulders to see
if he could figure out anything.  The equations were pretty much
incomprehensible to him, but he didn't let that deter him.  "Can I help,
ladies?"

    Michiru raised an eyebrow as Johnathon listened to a detailed
explanation of the physics involved from Ami.  "Does he really
understand any of that stuff?  Most of it is way over my head."

    Kasumi smiled proudly.  "Johnathon is quite knowledgeable about
science.  He has finished his undergraduate studies in Physics,
Chemistry and Astronomy before finally deciding to major in English."

    Michiru blinked at this.  "Oh... why such a big change?"

    Kasumi wrinkled her nose.  "Johnathon told me he didn't have the
math he needed.  He was slightly weak in Algebra and Calculus."

No need to capitalise those words.

    Ranma and Ranko both nodded sympathetically.  "I know what you
mean!"

    Michiru shrugged.  "I never liked algebra much myself, but Ami's a
wiz.  How can he help?"

    Kasumi shook her head.  "I didn't say he couldn't do the math, just
that he was weak in Algebra and Calculus.  His math skills are actually
quite good.  As long as it has a scientific, real world application,
Johnathon can figure it out, and quickly too.  He says he just has
problems with pure theoretical math."

Unh?  That explanation doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense to me.
Math is math.  You also might be piling a few too many unnecessary
assets on him.

She smiled fondly.  "He can be
terribly arrogant sometimes, but he really does have reason."

    Akane raised an eyebrow.  "Arrogant?  Johnathon?  I've never known
him to be arrogant.  Now Ranma is arrogant, but Johnathon?""

    Kasumi nodded.  "Oh yes, that is one quality our men share, Akane.
Both of them are extremely confident in a few areas.  Confident and
arrogant.  Of course, that's because they are almost as good as they
think they are.  Ranma is arrogant about his martial arts, where
Johnathon is arrogant about his tactical abilities, and his talent for
problem solving."

    Akane nodded slowly.  'You're right.  He's always taking charge when
things get difficult... I never really minded, he always seems to have a
plan.  The Senshi listen to him, even our fathers...."  She blinked.
"He really IS arrogant!"

    Kasumi giggled, nodding.  'He is!"  her eyes twinkled.  "He'd be the
first to admit it too."

    Akane shook her head.  "Ranma would never admit that he's arrogant."

Sure he would.  He'd say, "Yeah, but I AM that good."

    Kasumi raised an eyebrow.  "Are you sure?  He might surprise you.
Ranma... and Ranko have been doing a lot of growing up recently."

    Akane looked thoughtful.  "They have, haven't they."

    Mercury and Johnathon came walking back their way, still talking,
while Skuld worked busily with the Mercury computer.

    "So do you wear a watch?"  Johnathon asked her as they came into
earshot.  Ami nodded.  "Which wrist?"  She pointed to her left wrist.
He started taking of his own watch.  "So wear this on your right wrist
and try changing back to normal.  Worst case scenario in that case is I
lose a watch... our you lose your outfit, but at least they wouldn't be

"or"

interacting."

And I can't quite follow what he's saying.  Why would she lose her outfit
if she's naked except for the watch?

    Ami nodded.  "It should be safe enough.  I'll buy you a new watch if
this one doesn't make it."

    Johnathon shrugged.  "It was my idea.  I can afford a watch.  I
don't buy expensive ones anyway, not with my luck."

    Ami laughed.  "I suppose not.  Although I do notice it's
waterproof."

    Johnathon chuckled.  "A necessity with this curse, as you'll soon
discover for yourself."

    Mercury took the watch and put it on her right wrist.  "OK, I'll try
it."  She hesitated, blushing.  "Um..."

    Johnathon blinked twice.  "Oh... right. can't do it while dressed.
I knew that."  He turned away from her and turned towards the others.
"Alright, lets give Mercury some privacy, OK?"

"let's"

    Ami walked over.  "Michiru, could you hold my Yukata for me?  I'll
want at least one other witness to this."

"Yukata" is not a proper name.

    Michiru nodded and went to her side.  Everyone else politely turned
their back and Ami removed the Yukata and handed it to Michiru.  Wearing
only a watch and a nervous smile she transformed.  With a mild flash of
light she was back to her normal self, fully dressed in the outfit she
had been wearing before turning into Sailor Mercury.

    She checked her right wrist and frowned, there was no sign of
Johnathon's watch.  "OK, now that other way."  She pulled out her Heshin
pen and called out her command phrase, twirling around with a flash of
light... which produced a naked Sailor Mercury.  She checked her right
wrist again and sighed.  "It looks like you're going to need a new
watch, Johanthon-san."
She took the Yukata from Michiru and put it back on.  "Michiru, did you
see anything happening to Johnathon's watch when I transformed?"

    Michiru blinked then blushed.  "Ah... no... I... um... missed it."

    Ami blushed herself.  "Oh well, no harm done I suppose."  She went
over to Sailor Moon and the rest of the inner Senshi.  "It seems that
normal material doesn't survive the transformation back to our normal
forms, only the special material in our uniforms."

    Usagi blinked.  "What does that mean?"

    Ami sighed.  "Anything you are wearing besides your Senshi uniform
when you transform back to normal will be destroyed."

    Usagi's eyes went wide.  "Isn't that dangerous?"

Why would Usagi think that?

    Ami shook her head.  "No, from Skuld's and my calculations, it is a
breakdown on the molecular level.  Kind of like a transporter on Star
Trek, Usagi."

Doesn't that mean that Senshi destroy anything touching their skin when
they transform?  That would be painful if someone grabbed an arm.

    Usagi's eyes widened.  "Oh, I get it!"  She wrinkled her brow,
thinking hard.  "So that means... um, that means...."

    Ami sighed.  "That means that if we transform into Senshi without
our uniforms, We'll be WITHOUT our uniforms."

    Makoto groaned.  "Oh no.  You mean we'll end up butt naked, right?"

    Ami nodded.  "Unless we get our uniforms back, or find some other
way to transform."

    As most of the other Senshi absorbed this rather shocking bit of
news, Venus had approached Urd on her own and asked to speak to her
privately.  They had gone around behind the Guide's hut and Urd had
waited patiently for almost eleven seconds while Minako fidgeted,
obviously trying to think of what to say.

    "Well spit it out, girl!"  Urd demanded impatiently.  "What's the
matter?"  Her gaze softened as Minako flinched.  "Hey now, tell me all
about it, kiddo.  How can the goddess of love help out her favorite
Senshi?"

You know...Urd isn't really the goddess of love.  She's the goddess of
data retrieval.

    Venus blinked.  "I'm your favorite?"  Urd winked.  "Sure, I like
your style, kiddo.  We have a lot in common, you being the "Venus of
Love" and all.  What's got you so down?  The curse?"

"Senshi of Love" sounds better.

    Venus shook her head.  "It's not that.  Not only that, anyway.  I
just... I'm a lousy Venus of Love.  I screwed up.  Artemis and Luna were

meant for each other, I know it, but I let my libido do the walking for
me, and it's all messed up.  Now they'll never get together!"

    Urd looked interested.  "So, you seduced one of them?  Which one,
Artemis or Luna?"

    Venus blinked.  "Um... Artemis."

    Urd nodded, then sat down, patting the ground next to her.  "OK
then, tell me all about it, and don't leave out any of the juicy
details.  The Goddess of Love is on the case!"  Following quite a bit of
exposition, Urd sat back and mused to herself while Venus waited
anxiously for her advice.  "Let me see if I have this right.  You love
Artemis, who loves Luna, but who also can't resist your ample charms.
Luna loves Artemis, but feels betrayed cause he fell for you first,
right?"  Urd nodded thoughtfully.  "You care for Luna a lot, don't you?"

    Minako nodded firmly.  "I love her!  I hate to think I may have
stolen her one true love!"

    Urd raised an eyebrow.  "Do you love her the same way you love
Artemis?"

    Venus blinked.  "What?  No!"  She hesitated.  "Well... maybe... I
mean I do love her, but she's a girl, and anyway she doesn't love me
like that.  She probably hates me!  Besides, she likes guys."

    Urd shrugged.  "Artemis is a girl right now, right?  If Luna still
wants him I doubt she's really only into guys, and I really doubt she
hates you.  Sound's like she's a bit mad at Artemis, but not at you."

    Minako wrung her hands.  "But what do I do?"

    Urd looked thoughtful again.  "Well then, Artemis loves both of you,
and you love both of them... so all you have to do to bring them
together is to seduce Luna like you did Artemis."

    Minako sat there blinking in astonishment for half a minute before
responding.  "You're kidding!"  She finally shouted, sounding
scandalized.

    "Nope."  Urd shrugged.  "I'm serious.  Listen, what you really want
is to get Luna and Artemis back together, right?  So if you seduce Luna
you have several possibilities.  Either she rejects you and thinks your
a slut, or she accepts and you become lovers.  If she becomes your lover
either you can get her and Artemis to accept a three way relationship,
or you'll lose Artemis.  If you lose Artemis all you have to do is dump
Luna, and the jilted pair will fall together,"  she snapped her fingers
"just like that.  If she rejects you in the first place she'll think
you're an even worse slut than she thought before, and try to get
Artemis away from you, so you kick him to the curb and watch her scoop
him up.  If you luck out and manage to keep both of them at the same
time...."  Urd grinned sexily.  "Then you just have to hold on tight!"

    Mina looked incredulous.  "Will that really work?"

    Urd shrugged.  "Why not?  As long as you play your part to the hilt,
and are willing to pay the price if you have to....  If they're really
meant for each other you'll have ensured that they get together, one way
or the other, and you may even get lucky enough to get included in the
bargain.  Who knows?"

    Minako rose to her feet.  "I'll do it!  I'll seduce Luna and get her
and Artemis back together, even if I have to sacrifice this beautiful
young body of mine to do it!"

    Urd clapped appreciatively.  "You go get em, girl!"

    Mina's eyes gleamed.  "All I have to do is seduce Luna!  When we get
back I'll... uh...."  She turned back to Urd.  "Um, Urd-sama, how do you
seduce another girl, anyway?"

    Urd blinked.  "Huh?"  Recovering instantly Urd hopped up and slapped
Mina on the back.  "Not to worry!  I'll talk you through it when the
time comes.  Now you'd better get back to your friends.  Looks like
they're about ready to leave.  Don't worry, I'll come to you when you
need me."

    Mina nodded.  "Alright.  Us Goddess of Love have to stick together,

Inconsistent capitalisation and the plural of "goddess" is "goddesses".

right?"

    Urd winked.  "You bet, kiddo."

    When Venus got back to the others, only the Senshi and the Goddesses
were left.  Skuld was leaning wearily against her gigantic older sister,
and Tuxedo Kamen and the other Senshi were waiting with varying levels
of patience for her and Urd to join them.  Rei glared at Minako darkly.
"Are you ready to go, finally?"

    Minako nodded cheerfully.  "I am now!"

    Rei sighed.  "Great.  OK, we're going to the shrine, right?"

    Usagi nodded.  "Right, everyone concentrate on Rei's shrine."  She
waved to the Goddesses.  "Thanks again Belldandy, Urd, Skuld.  Please
drop by anytime!"

    Skuld nodded tiredly.  "I'll come by to pick up all the Yukata's
tomorrow."  She yawned.  "After I recharge a bit."

    Usagi joined hands with Rei and Mamoru, and all of the others joined
the circle a moment later.  Everyone concentrated and there was a
multicolored flash of light.  When it faded the Senshi came down lightly
in Rei's grandfather's shrine yard.  It was now after dark there, and
they looked around quickly for witnesses, but thankfully no one was
about.  Quietly they moved toward the shrine.

    "Everyone change back."  Rei whispered loudly.  "Before someone sees
us!"  Putting action to words Rei did just that, reverting to her normal
form.  Everyone had glanced at her when she had spoken, and she
immediately blushed bright red, realizing what she had just done even
without looking down to check.  Mamoru Chiba immediately looked away
with a blush.  Next to her, Usagi immediately began shucking out of her
own Yukata.  When she had gotten it off she put it on over Rei's
shoulders, then quickly started to pull off her shoes and socks.

    "Didn't you remember what Ami told us, Rei?"  Usagi asked
innocently.  "You just disintegrated that nice outfit you had on."  She
finished getting fully undressed, then transformed back to her normal
form as well.  "Ta da!"  She twirled, fully dressed again in the outfit
she had been wearing days earlier on the plane, before she had first
changed to Sailor Moon.  "You see, I knew leaving my outfit on was a
good idea!"

    Rei slipped her arms into the Yukata and belted it up, all the while
glaring at the future queen of Crystal Tokyo.  "Usagi...!"  A tongue war
immediately followed, while the others changed.  Mamoru politely turned
his back as the Senshi removed whatever normal clothing they had been
wearing before changing back into their mundane selves.  Mercury, Pluto
and Neptune had it easy, just having to remove their Yukata's and change
back into their regular clothing.  Jupiter took the longest, having to
remove her Yukata, shorts, socks and shoes before changing back, then
having to get dressed again in the same outfit, as she, like Rei, had
stripped before transforming days earlier back on the airplane in China,
so that she could wear off the plane the same outfit she had worn
getting on.

Man, this is way too much detail.

    As she finished getting redressed, Makoto wondered if she'd be
forever doing this before and after fighting Youma.  Remembering some of
their earlier fights, she grimaced, knowing that sooner or later she'd
have to make a choice between saving a life and showing up at a fight
clothed.  Makoto knew that if it came down to a choice between a life
and her modesty, her modesty would get thrown out the window.  She
wouldn't be terribly happy about it, but that would be a price she'd
have to pay if things came to that.

    < Hopefully.>  Makoto thought to herself.  < I won't need to change
into Sailor Jupiter that badly until after Ami gets this problem figured
out.>  Everyone else folded up their borrowed Yukatas and gave them to
Rei, then quietly left, promising to return the next afternoon for a
Senshi meeting if it was at all possible to do so.

    Usagi, at least, didn't think it would be.  She expected to get
grounded again for another month at least, and didn't expect to see any
of her friends any time soon, at least not outside of school.  Mamoru
went with her toward her parents house, and everyone else left as well,
wishing Usagi luck.  Makoto stayed behind, as she needed to borrow
something to wear.  After a bit of searching, Rei found a large baggy
sweater.  Baggy for her at least, it fit snugly on Makoto's larger
frame.

    "Hey!"  Makoto grinned as she checked her reflection in the mirror
of Rei's room.  "This fits great!  Can I borrow it sometime?"

    "You already are."  Rei pointed out.  "But sure.  Just be sure and
wash it before you bring it back."

    Makoto raised an eyebrow.  "Hey, I'm not Usagi, you know?"

    Rei sighed.  "Right... sorry."

    Makoto's face fell. "Oh, hell, Usagi.  She's going to be grounded
forever!"

    Rei shook her head.  "I told her not to come.  She knew what would
happen.  We all did."  Rei sighed again.  "It's the others I'm really
worried about.  Setsuna, Haruka, Ami, Mamoru, and especially Mina!"

    Makoto nodded somberly.  "They took those curses for us!  We owe
them our lives, or at least our humanity."

    Rei sighed a third time.  "We can never pay them back, not for
this... but there has to be something we can do for them!"

    Makoto put a strong hand on her friend's shoulder.  "We can be there
for them, and if they need help, we give it.  That's all we can do."

    Rei stopped herself from sighing yet again and just nodded.  "I
suppose you're right."  Her face grew determined.  "So that's what we
have to do!  Be there for them!  School's starting in one more day, so
we've go to be ready."  She started to pace back and forth.  "We'll need
umbrellas, and a couple thermoses, some extra clothing...."

    Makoto started to nod to herself.  "Yeah, we can make sure they all
get to school OK, and change them back if there's an accident."

    Rei nodded back.  "And cover for them when they need it."  She
frowned.  "We've got to go see Minako before school too,
and have a talk with... er... Akane.  I mean, she doesn't even know who
we are!  If Mina gets splashed, who knows what
Akane might do?"

    Makoto frowned.  "Go home maybe?"

    Rei frowned back.   "I'm not so sure.  She knows she's a copy
right?  If you knew you were someone's clone, would you really go where
to where you could run into them?"

    Makoto shook her head.  "I don't know... maybe?  I hope I would... I
mean, It'd be nice to have someone around... like a
sister or something."

    Rei continued to look worried.  "I'm not so sure it would be the
same with Akane.  I mean, how would you feel, knowing that the man you
love has married someone else?"

    Makoto grimaced.  "Oh yeah, that wouldn't be good."  She nodded to
herself.  "OK then, lets go see her tomorrow morning before the meeting,
and have a talk with Akane.  Better if its just the two of us rather
than everybody at once."

    Rei nodded.  "OK, I'll come by your place first, around eight?  Then
we can go to Minako's from there."

    Makoto nodded.  "See you then."  She yawned.  "Speaking of my place,
I'm going home. It's been a really long week."  Rei
nodded with a smile.  "Get some rest.  I'll see you in the morning."

    Makoto smiled back and headed for the day.  "Goodnight Rei."  She
opened the door and started to leave, but hadn't gotten nine steps when
she felt a wet drop on her cheek. "What?  Makoto looked up to the cloudy
skies above.  "Oh no!"  She stood there in the yard looking up in horror
as it started to softly rain.  "Why?"  She asked plaintively.  "Why
now?"  She blinked painfully as a drop of water went into her right eye,
then looked away from the sky, instead focusing on Rei's door.  "Rei!"
She came back into Rei's bedroom.  "Rei!  It's started raining!"

    Rei's eyes went wide and she snatched up the Yukata she had just
removed in order to get ready for bed, holding it in front of of her.
"What?  Raining?"  She paled.  "Oh damn it!"  She swore in English.
"What perfect timing!"  Forgetting modesty for the moment, she tossed
the Yukata to one side and started rooting through her chest of drawers
for some clothing.

    Ignoring Rei's nudity, Makoto started going through the dark haired
priestess's closet herself.  "Where do you keep your umbrella?  I'm
going to go look for them."

    Rei pulled out some underwear and started quickly dressing.  "I'll
come too.  I don't think anyone has had time to get home
yet."

    Makoto pulled an umbrella out of Rei's closet.  "No, one of us
should stay here.  Everyone should realize they can come here if they
get into trouble.  I'll go looking for them, you stay here and get some
hot water ready."

    Rei frowned but didn't protest.  "Fine... but go after Mina first!"

    Makoto was halfway out the door.  "I know!"  And then she was gone.

    Rei sighed, then more carefully finished putting on her bra.  "Darn
it."  She swore again, shocking herself with her own venom.  "What
rotten luck!"

    Makoto ran through the rain, not bothering to take the time to put
up the umbrella, heading as fast as she could along the route to Mina's
house.  When the rain got strong enough to obscure her vision, Makoto
put up the umbrella and continued to run, looking right and left down
every cross street as she did so.  When she arrived at Minako's house
without spotting the girl, she stopped, trying to think of what else she
could do.  < Minako's parents are most likely asleep by now, but Artemis
was
presumably dropped of here by Skuld almost half about hour ago.>

    "The window!"  Makoto ran around to underneath Minako's window.
Sure enough it was open a crack, but it was also disappointingly dark
inside.  < I bet Artemis is in there.  I'd better tell him what's going
on.>  She wrinkled her nose at the jump she'd have to make.  'Man,
acrobatics is much more Mina's style.  That looks tough!"  She grimaced,
glancing both ways.  "Well at least there's no one around to see..."
Pulling out her transformation pen she quickly changed into her Senshi
form, then jumped lightly up to Minako's window, still carrying the
umbrella.  Makoto peeked in, then pulled the window open so she could
climb inside.  "Artemis?"  She whispered loudly.  "Artemis are you
here?"

    A white cat came out from under the bed.  "Makoto, is that...
whoa!"  Artemis stared wide eyed at the nude form of Sailor Jupiter.

    "Hey!"  Makoto grabbed a pillow off the top of the bed and tossed it
at him.  "Pervert.  What do you think you're staring at?"

    Artemis dived back behind the bed.  "Sorry, sorry!"  There was a
pause.  "Hey, wait a second, you're the one who came
sneaking in here in her birthday suit.  Why is it my fault?"

    "I  had to transform to get up here."  Jupiter explained tersely.
"It's the second floor you know!"

    "Keep it down!" Artemis warned.  "Do you want Mina's parents up
here?"

    Makoto winced.  "Not really.  Have you seen Mina yet?  It started
raining after we got back and I'm worried about her."

    Artemis sighed.  "Me too, but I've been trapped in here!  Skuld-san
dropped me off in my cat form, so I was able to get up
here easily enough, but now that it's raining, I'm stuck."

    Makoto blinked.  "Huh?  Why would the rain stop you?  You'd just
turn into a girl...."  She paused and glanced at the window.  "Oh!"

    Artemis sighed.  "Do you understand?  The rain wouldn't catch me
until I jumped down out of the window, the eve keeps the
rain a foot or so away, so it's not like I can just stick my head out
and get it wet.  Minako's bedroom door is closed, so I
couldn't go out that way either."

    Jupiter raised an eyebrow.  "Oh really?"

    Artemis coughed.  "OK, maybe I could handle the bedroom door, but
have you ever tried to use a sink as a cat?  I don't recommend it.  I

Oh I don't know about that.  He managed to create an entire video game
machine as a cat.

certainly couldn't manage the front door like this, so yes, I was
definitely stuck in here."

    "Alright, alright already, I get the picture."  Makoto grumbled.
"Now stop griping about it and get off your ass so you can help me find
Mina... or Akane Tendo, whatever."  She started going through Minako's
closet, pulling out a brown trench coat after a bit of searching.  "Why
does she have...? Jupiter shrugged, slipping the coat on.  "Never
mind."  Finding a tee-shirt, shorts, socks and shoes piled in one
corner, Makoto grabbed them up in a bundle.  "Come on Artemis, we're
going."

    "What?"  Artemis protested, taking the chance of peeking out from
behind Minako's bed.  "What are you...?"

    Jupiter held up the bundle.  "I'll bring these outside for you when
you change.  Now lets go!"  She went to the window, holding the umbrella
in one hand and the bundle under her arm, then promptly leapt out of the
window.  She turned back toward the window, setting the umbrella down
over the bundle of clothing, the waving to Artemis, who had appeared in
the window.  "Go ahead and jump!  I'll catch you!"

    Artemis narrowed his eyes.  "I'm liable to gain a hundred pounds mid
leap you know."

    The strongest of the Senshi waved that consideration off.  "Not a
problem.  Your girl side is a light weight.  Go ahead, I'll catch you,

light-weight

trust me!"

    Artemis sighed.  "Oh well, here goes nothing!"  Gathering himself,
the moon cat launched himself at Sailor Jupiter.

    Jupiter watched as time seemed to slow as Artemis leapt for her.
When the white cat didn't change immediately, Makoto started to relax,
getting ready to catch him as a cat.  When Artemis finally transformed,
about a foot and a half away from her and still moving fast, she was off
balance and unprepared, and wasn't able to recover in time.

    "Whulp!"  Makoto went down hard, Artemis on top of her.

    The white haired girl landed relatively lightly with Jupiter
breaking her fall and recovered first.  "Are you alright?"

    Makoto grunted.  "I'm fine.  I told you I'd catch you."  She
blinked.  "Um, Artemis?"

    Artemis looked down at her.  "Yes?"

    "Take your hand off my breast, please."  Makoto looked pointedly at
the offending appendage.

    "Oops."  Artemis pulled her hand away, noticing at the same time
that her impact with the larger girl had caused Sailor Jupiter's trench
coat to fall open, and she was currently straddling the larger girl in a
very compromising position.  Artemis blushed bright red and immediately
pushed himself up and off of Jupiter.  "Sorry!  She waved her hands
frantically.  "I didn't mean to... do anything!"

    Jupiter sat up, pulling the coat closed as she did so almost
absently.  "Hmm?"  She shook her head dismissivly.  "Forget about it.
Let's just find her."  Jupiter stood up and went over to the umbrella
and bundle of clothes.  "Now hurry up and get dressed so we can start
searching again."   Artemis went over to the clothing and picked up the
tee-shirt while Makoto shucked out of the trench coat.  "You can use
Mina's coat, I'll carry the umbrella."

    Just as Jupiter was about to change back to her normal self, the
sound of running footsteps stopped her.  Both girls turned to look as a
middle aged man in jogging attire ran by, nodding to them as he passed.
"Hello again Atlanta.  Out enjoying the rain with a new friend, I see?"

Comma after "again"

    The man jogged on and Artemis laughed shakily.  "Er... yeah.
Yukasu-san, just out enjoying the rain."

    The man jogged on and Jupiter blinked in astonishment then looked
down at herself to check.  "Did he just?"

    Artemis nodded.  "Yup."

    "And we're"  Jupiter stammered.

    "Buck naked in the rain."  Artemis summed up.

    Jupiter winced.  "That's what I thought."  She transformed back to
her regular identity and tossed Artemis the trench coat.  "Out enjoying
the rain?"  Makoto quoted.  "With a new friend?"

    Artemis busied herself with getting dressed.  "Er, well its not the
first time Yukasu-san has caught me out of doors in the rain
you see... so after the second time I told him that I liked to run in
the rain... er... naked."

    Jupiter sighed.  "Well at least he's not some pervert, he just
think's we are."  She held up the umbrella for the transformed moon cat

thinks

while Artemis finished dressing, then spoke up again.  "OK.  You head
toward Ami's house, I'll head for Dr. Tomo's place, and we'll meet back
at Rei's in half an hour?"

    Artemis nodded.  "Right."  The two girls hurried off in opposite
directions in search of their teammate and friend.

    Blocks away, a wet and miserable Akane Tendo trudged grimly through

Akane Tendo II, that is.

the rain, looking in vain for a familiar landmark or an open business or
restaurant where she could go inside and perhaps find some hot water.
The light orange summer dress she wore was no protection from the
elements, but at least it was a relatively warm night out.

    < At least I'm back in Japan... I think, unless all the streets
signs are in Japanese because I'm in a Japan town somewhere?>  Akane
shook her head.  "No, I've walked to far already for that.  I'm in Japan
alright... if only it wasn't raining so hard, maybe I'd be able to spot
something I recognize."  Akane patted herself down futily for the fourth
time.  "It's a pretty dress, but why aren't I carrying a purse?  No ID,
no money... what was she thinking?"  Akane sighed, then looked up at a
street sign.  "Wait a second... I recognize that street name.  I'm in
Tokyo... I hope I'm in Tokyo.  All I have to do is call home collect,
and get Ranma to...."  She shook her head.  "No.  No way am I asking
Ranma for help!"

    Akane swallowed.  "He's already got an Akane, doesn't he?
They're... they're even married."  She frowned.  "When did that happen?
How long has it been since I fell in that spring, anyway?  Weeks?
Months?  Years?"  Akane wrinkled her nose.  "Well, not more than a year
or two.  Akane... the real Akane, and Kasumi looked about the same as I
remember."  Akane glanced up at the sign, then started walking, going
down the new street.  "I should be able to find something open along
here... although with no money...."  She sighed.  "But even if I do find
some hot water it'll last exactly as long as it takes to get wet again,
which in this rain will be a few seconds at best.  So even if I get
inside somewhere I won't... she won't be able to get home without...
without turning back into me."

    Akane shivered.  "It's getting colder.  If I don't get out of this
rain before long I'll catch a cold... or at least I'll give my other
self a cold.  Damn it, Akane, you're not being fair to the poor girl
you're cursing.  I may not know where she lives, but I can get her to
people who can help her, if I wasn't being so stubborn about it."  Akane
Tendo took a deep breath.  "Fine, I'll call home... I'll call the
Tendos, and get them to take care of... of Sailor Venus."  She started
looking around for a phone, and it wasn't too much longer before she
noticed one.  "Oh well."  She sighed.  "Here goes nothing."

    At the Tendo home, Kasumi picked up the phone on the second ring.
"Hello?  She brightened.  "Yes!  I will accept the charges for Akane
V!"  Kasumi paused.  "Akane?  Are you alright?  We just heard from Rei
that you might have gotten lost."

    On the other end Akane blinked.  "Rei?  Who...?"

    Kasumi blinked herself in realization.  "Oh, of course, you haven't
actually met yet...."  The eldest of Soun Tendo's daughter's shook her
head.  "She's a friend of ours, Akane, and she's worried about you."

    Akane frowned to herself.  "Worried about Sailor V you mean."

    Kasumi heard the venom in Akane's voice but chose not to comment on
it.  "We're worried about both of you, Akane.  Now where are you?
Everyone is out looking for you."

    Akane blinked again.  "Really?  Everyone?"

    Kasumi nodded, still holding the phone.  "Everyone we could get, at
least everyone who knows... who you really are."

    Akane was silent for a moment.  "It's a secret, right?  I guess we
shouldn't be talking about it over the phone?"

    Kasumi blinked.  "Oh my!  You're right, Akane!"  She paused.  "Why
don't you just tell me where you are, and I'll have someone come get
you, alright?"

    Akane went silent for several seconds.  "Alright."  She said
finally.  "Just... just don't tell Ranma where I am."

    Kasumi's voice sounded like she was startled by the request.
"Akane?  I'm not sure I understand, but... I won't tell him where you
are.  He's out right now looking for you, anyway.  Please, where are
you?"  After getting the cross streets and telling Akane to wait where
she was, Kasumi hung up the phone and dialed Rei's shrine.  "Rei?  She's
alright.  She called here just a little while ago....  Yes she sound's
fine, just a little upset...."

    Rei grabbed a pad of paper and a pen.  "She's where?  OK... OK, got
it.  I'll go out and get her right now.  Everyone else is accounted for,
except the people looking for Mina... Akane I mean.  Alright, I'll tell
her.  Thanks Kasumi."  Rei put down the phone and turned to Ami, who was
huddled under a couple big fluffy towels.  "Hold down the fort here, OK
Ami?  I'll go get Akane... Mina... whoever."  She groaned.  "This is so
confusing!"

    Ami sighed.  "It certainly is.  I'd better call my mom and tell her
I'm here."  She looked out into the rain.  "I'll never make it home in
this.  Not human anyway, and I don't think my mother would react well to
a black panther at her front door."

    Rei hesitated.  "Makoto took my umbrella, but you could borrow
grandpa's."

    Ami shook her head.  "I doubt I'd make it that far, even with an
umbrella, and I'd just end up losing your grandfather's umbrella, not to
mention another change of clothing."

    Rei shrugged.  "You can stay as long as necessary, Ami, but don't
worry about losing my stuff.  I'll walk you home myself if you like, and
that way if you transform I can always change you back."

    Ami smiled.  "Sure, that's a good idea."  She glanced into the rain
again.  "You had better go get Akane now.  I'll wait for everyone here."

    Rei nodded.  "Right, I'll be back soon."  The black haired priestess
ran out into the storm, not bothering with an umbrella herself.  A few
minutes later she ran up to the corner of the cross streets Kasumi had
given her, and started looking around.  She spotted Akane almost
immediately, the dark haired martial artist was waiting in the small
overhang over the phone, looking completely miserable.  Rei jogged to
her side with a wave.  "Akane!"  She stopped in front of her friends
cursed form.  "Akane, I'm glad you're OK."  She bowed formally in
greeting.  "I am Rei Hino."  Rei smiled warmly at the cursed girl.  "I
hope we can be friends."

    Akane looked wearily at the girl, blinking some water from her eyes,
then smiled back slightly.  "I'd like that."  Her smile faded almost
immediately.  "I'm sure you want your real friend back though, as soon
as possible.  I've borrowed her body long enough."

    Rei hesitated for a long moment, then shook her head.  "Nope.
Minako can wait.  You don't have to change back into her unless you want
to."

    Akane blinked incredulously.  "You're kidding!  I'm... I'm a curse,
stealing your friends body away from her... and you're telling me I
don't have to change back into her?  Why?"

    Rei smiled sadly.  "You're a person cursed to share a body with my
ditzy friend.  You may have been... created by a curse, but that's
certainly not your fault!"

    Akane blinked.  "Oh."  She hesitantly smiled back at Rei.  "That's
nice of you to say."  She stepped out into the full force of the rain.
"Why don't we go someplace dry?"

    Rei grinned.  "That's a great idea.  Come on, I'll take you to my
place."

    Akane nodded.  "Lead the way."  Rei nodded back and did so, leading
Akane back the way she had come.  "First,"  Akane began, "tell me
about... about who I am... about who this dress belongs to.  Who is she
really?"

    Rei was silent for several long seconds.  "Her name is Minako Aino,
she is sixteen years old.  She goes to high school with her friends,
Usagi, Ami and Makoto.  She's good at volley ball and acrobatics.  She
used to fight crime, first in England, then in Japan as the mysterious
Sailor V.  Later she joined the Sailor Senshi as Sailor Venus, and has
been helping them... us, save the world, or at least Japan, ever since."

    Akane stopped, causing Rei to stop as well or leave her behind.  "So
that would mean that you're... one of the Senshi?"

    Rei nodded with a grin.  "Sailor Mars, at your service."

    Akane shook her head incredulously.  "When I curse somebody I don't
fool around, do I?  I still can't believe I'm really Sailor V.  I mean I
saw the uniform, but... wow."  She started walking again, and Rei strode
along at her side again.

    The raven haired priestess shook her head.  "You don't have to be
all that impressed.  You had a pretty exciting life yourself you know."

    Akane raised an eyebrow.  "I guess you know the... the real me.  But
it's not like I ever saved the world or anything."

    Rei laughed.  "Not yet, maybe, but you, at least the other you,
did!  You, Ranma, Johnathon-san, and all your friends got together and
helped us stop an invasion of Youma just a few months ago."

    Akane stopped dead again.  "You're kidding!"  Rei shook her head
solemnly and Akane blew out an astonished breath.  "You're not kidding.
Wow."  She and Rei started walking once again.  "How did we... that is,
you and the original me, meet?"

    Rei looked thoughtful.  "Well, Johnathon-san introduced us to you
and Ranma first, because you had figured out he was helping us with the
Youma attacks, and you wanted to help."

    Akane's eyes narrowed.  "Johnathon?  Who is that?"

    Rei blinked.  "You don't know?  Johnathon Dwire... well he's
officially Johnathon Tendo now I guess."

    Akane's eyes went wide.  "John-san!  He was my English teacher for
awhile, and Daddy was training him.  We sparred a couple days a
week...."  She shook her head.  "He got cursed trying to help Shampoo,
and finally left... months ago... almost a year.  He came back?"  Akane
raised an eyebrow.  "Johnathon Tendo?  How in the world did that
happen?  Did he get adopted by Daddy or something?"

    Rei laughed.  "No, not really.  He married Kasumi a couple months
ago."

    Akane's eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her head.
"He did what?  No way!"  Her face slowly grew thoughtful.  "Well, they
are pretty close in age I guess... and he was always hanging around
whenever Kasumi was there...."  She shook her head.  "So he came back,
and married my big sister?"  She shook her head in disbelief.  "How much
time has it been since I... since I drowned, anyway?"

    Rei blinked.  "I don't know, exactly... but only a few months, I
think.  I think Johnathon came back just before the school year ended,
and the school's starting up again the day after tomorrow."

    Akane's eyes went wide again.  "So little time... and I... she...
Akane, got married to Ranma?"

    Rei nodded solemnly.  "Yes, just a couple weeks ago, although it
sure seems like longer!"

    Akane sighed.  "So... I finally married him.  What happened to Ukyo
and Shampoo?"

    Rei wrinkled her nose.  "Well, Ukyo... I'm not sure, she went to
China with you... Akane Ranma, Johnathon and everyone...."  She
hesitated.  "I'm not sure if I should be the one to be telling you about
all of that."

    Akane frowned.  "All of what?"  She waved a hand dismissively.  "No,
never mind.  I won't press you about it.  I suppose I'll find out sooner
or later."  Akane sighed.  "What a mess.  I'm sorry you have to put up
with all of this, Rei.  It must be really uncomfortable, having to try
and explain all these personal details."  She smiled weakly at the other
girl.  "Rei, I'm not going to do anything about it... but I've got to
know at least... what happened.  If you don't want to tell me, I'll
understand, but I still have to know."

    Rei took a deep breath.  "OK, I'll explain what I can, but it's
really complicated, and I don't know everything that happened."  She
took another deep breath, fortifying herself.  "OK, Shampoo is the
easiest to explain.  Dr. Tofu challenged her and beat her in a fight,
and later challenged Ranma and beat him as well, so she's engaged to Dr.
Tofu now.  I guess they're waiting until she turns eighteen to get
married."

    Akane whistled.  "Dr. Tofu and Shampoo?  No there is one match up I
never would have seen coming.  I wondered what had happened to the
doctor, with Johnathon marrying Kasumi and all...."

    Rei interrupted.  "Oh?  Was there something going on between Kasumi
and Dr. Tofu?"

    Akane sighed.  "Not really.  Dr. Tofu was crazy about her for the
longest time... and I mean that literally.  He'd go nuts every time she
walked in the room.  Kasumi just thought he was being silly... I don't
think she ever found out how he felt about her."

    Rei looked impressed.  "Wow, and he never told her?  Poor guy!"  She
smiled reassuringly.  "Well, if it helps, he and Shampoo looked pretty
happy together when I saw them."

    Akane smiled slightly.  "Actually it does help.  I'm glad that they
can be happy."  She hesitated.  "So... Ukyo?"

    Rei swallowed nervously.  "Well... that's a bit more complicated.
Um... well, it all started when you and Ranma went on your honeymoon.
Kasumi was taking you up to your rooms at the hotel you were staying at,
but apparently Tatewaki Kuno had trapped the doorway with a bucket of
water from the spring of drowned twins.  Somehow both Ranma and Kasumi
got splashed.  I think it was because Kasumi was opening the door for
you guys or something like that.  Anyway, both she and Ranma got split
into their different forms."

    Akane blinked.  "Wait a second, you said THEIR different forms.  So
Ranma got split into a guy and a girl?"  Rei nodded.  "And Kasumi got
split into two Kasumis?"

    Rei nodded again.  "Sure, girl and cat...."  She stopped at the
sight of Akane's paling face.  "Oops.. I guess Kasumi got cursed after
you got drowned at Jusenkyo, huh?"

    Akane nodded weakly.  "I'd say so!  Kasumi got cursed?  Twice?  How
in the world did that happen?!?"

    Rei held up her hands.  "This is a lot to absorb all at once.  Maybe
we should slow down a bit."

    Akane took a deep breath.  "No, no I'm alright.  That was just a bit
shocking.  How WAS Kasumi cursed, anyway?"

    "Well...."  Rei began.  "That's a long story."

    Akane sighed.  "I can believe it.  So much has happened!"  She
looked at Rei somberly.  "Lets just walk for awhile.  You're right, I do
need a bit more time to absorb all of this."

    Rei nodded in understanding.  "Sure."  The two girls walked on in
silence, the rain drowning out the other night noises.  Rei turned to go
up the steps to the shrine, and Akane followed her wordlessly.  When
they finally arrived at her room, Rei opened the door for Akane.  "Come
on in."

    Akane looked impressed.  "You live here at this shrine?"

    Rei nodded.  "I'm a shrine maiden here.  I help out my grandpa when
I'm not at school... or fighting monsters."  She let Akane go in first
and followed her, closing the door behind them.  "Akane, this is Ami
Mizuno, Ami, this is Akane Tendo."

    While Rei made the introductions, Ami stood up from where she had
been sitting on Rei's bed and bowed slightly, a pleasant smile on her
face.  "Akane, it is nice to meet you again... for the first time."

    Akane laughed.  "Again, for the first time.  That's a good way of
putting it!  It's nice to meet you too, Ami, although I suppose the
circumstances could be better."

    Ami nodded quietly.  "You are my friend, Akane, or at least I hope
you will be again.  Let's not let the circumstances change that,
alright?"

    Akane hesitated.  "You're friends with the original Akane.  Are you
sure you want to be friends with me too?  I'm not really the same
person."

    Ami bowed and smiled warmly.  "I'm sure that I want to be your
friend.  The Akane I know is a warm, generous, brave person.  If you are
anything like her, I want to be your friend too.

    Akane bowed back.  "Then I hope I live up to your expectations."

    Ami smiled.  "I'm sure you will.  You two look cold.  The furo's all
warmed up, why don't you take a soak, get the chill out and change into
some dry clothes?"

    Rei was nodding enthusiastically.  "That's a great idea, Ami!  I'm
freezing!"

    Akane went slightly pale.  "Yes... I think so too."  She said
quietly.  "A hot bath is a good idea around now."

    Catching her tone of voice, both Senshi realized what was wrong.
"Oh no!"  Ami was contrite.  "I wasn't thinking, Akane.  Hot water would
turn you back into Mina, wouldn't it?"  She sighed.  "I'm sorry, I
didn't mean to imply that I wanted you to leave."

    Rei took hold of Akane's wrist  "You don't have to change back if
you don't want to.  We've got plenty of towels and a heater.  You can
just dry off and warm up."

    Akane shook her head, suddenly smiling again.  "No, it's OK.  A hot
bath does sound great, even if I won't actually get to enjoy it."  She
took a slow breath.  "Don't look so sad, OK?  It's not like I'll be gone
forever.  I'm just a splash away."

    Rei nodded.  "Come on.  I'll show you the way to the furo."  As they
entered the furo room and started  undressing, Rei looked at Akane
seriously.  "I'm going to ask Mina to change back into you later.  We
still need to talk, and you need to know a lot more about Minako, and
about all of us."  They finished getting undressed and started cleaning
up in preparation for getting in the furo, then walked over to the furo
together.  Rei got in first, holding up a hand to help Akane in.  "I'd
better hold on to you, in case Mina gets too disoriented when you
change."

    Akane nodded, taking Rei's hand and stepping slowly into the water.
"That's a good id...."

    Waist deep in the furo, still holding Rei's hand, Minako Aino
blinked in astonishment.  "Where...?"  Rei was about to explain when
Minako answered her own question.  "I'm in the furo with Rei."  The
blond haired girl's eyes glittered.  "I must be dreaming!"

    Rei blinked twice.  "Er...."

    Minako stretched sexily and stepped into the water fully.  "What a
great dream!"  She exclaimed happily, then gazed thoughtfully at Rei.
"Wow, Rei, you're ever prettier in a dream than you are in real life!"

    Rei blinked again.  "Um... thanks?"  She started to speak again.
"Mina, this isn't really...."  Rei's eyes went wide as she felt a hand
on her thigh.  "Minako, what are you... ah... Mina... I don't
think...."  She gasped in surprise as Mina's hands started to wander a
bit too freely.  "Oh dear...."

    End of Chapter 20

I hope you liked it! Please C&C, it's why I write!

You can find the rest of the story on my website at
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/

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