The sun was bright and warm as it rose up past the horizon towards its ascent to midday. Setsuna Meiou could hear the surf in the distance as she sat up on the white sand. As her vision cleared she saw a young black man with a concerned look on his face. He wore a loose white guayabera and shorts.

Setsuna blinked as the young man offered a hand to help her up.

"Êtes-vous d'accord, mademoiselle?"

Setsuna accepted his hand and slowly stood, steadying herself on the sand. She took in the tropical paradise she had found herself on and made an educated guess. She replied in barely accented French, "Est-ce Martinique?"

The man nodded.

"Shit." Setsuna thought.

Pinch Hitter

Chapter 5: Awakenings

When they arrived a week ago in Miami, the Outer Senshi, in their civilian guises of Haruka Ten'ou, Michiru Kaiou, Hotaru Tomoe, and of course, Setsuna Meiou, a short cab ride landed them in a posh hotel right on the connected peninsula of South Miami Beach, placing the quartet of women among American celebrities, European DJs working the club circuit, and fashion models and their camera crews from around the world.

As Setsuna spoke to the concierge, Haruka flopped down on one of the plushly upholstered lobby chairs. She was dressed in a light tan suit sans tie, a short-sleeved dress shirt unbuttoned several buttons down the neckline and dark Italian slip-on shoes.

"It's too damn humid," she groaned, wiping the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief. "It's worse than Tokyo. How do people live like this nine months out of the year?"

"Oh, I'm sure you get used to it, dear." Michiru replied, sitting on the arm of the chair Haruka was in and looking up at the ceiling decorations which evoked both the ocean and the Art Deco decor. She was dressed in an aquamarine-colored sundress made of loose jersey-like material, wedge sandals, and a simple straw hat. "Besides it's so beautiful by the water, you hardly notice."

Standing in front of the two was 16 year-old Hotaru. She was dressed in cutoff shorts, a black short-sleeved blouse, and wrap sandals. "I wanna go to the beach when we have the chance Michiru-ma-" Hotaru stopped and quickly said, " I mean Michiru." She looked away.

The slightly older woman pulled down her sunglasses and looked at Hotaru. For a moment, Hotaru thought she saw a sad look, but Michiru smiled and nodded.

"I think we can squeeze in a trip before the performance tonight. We're not too far from the Jackie Gleason Center."

Setsuna, in an incongruously severe black skirt suit, hat, and pumps returned, speaking as though she hadn't missed a beat. "Well I don't know about you three, but I could use a drink," She handed the room keycard to Michiru and blotted the sweat from her brow with a silk kerchief.

"Here here," Haruka added heartily, giving Setsuna a thumbs-up.

"Haruka!" Michiru scolded. "We need your help with the bags."

Haruka blinked. "Really? Can't we just get a porter to-"

"I don't think a porter would want to spend a bit of time alone while Hotaru enjoys herself in the water," Michiru added under her breath.

"Ah," Haruka blinked as she parsed the words. " Well in that case..." she turned back to Setsuna. "I'll have to take a rain check, Setsuna."

"Another time then, Ten'ou." Setsuna smiled as Haruka took Michiru's arms and, Hotaru in tow, they walked out of the hotel lobby. Once they left, the older woman's face grew tired.

"Alone again, naturally," she half mumbled to herself as she walked out of the hotel and into the humid air.

Setsuna walked down towards Collins Avenue until she quickly came to South Pointe and the end of the beach. Setsuna ended up at a lively upscale beachside bar imbibing mojitos and Cuba Libres (laughingly called 'Mentiras') while watching the people bathe on the shore. As the sun began to disappear behind her, a tall European man approached her. Setsuna looked over his expensive, well-tailored suit and surmised that, while he was probably a bore in the long, or even short, term, he'd do for a night. When he mentioned a small get-together in his private yacht, she smiled.

It was near midnight that the yacht alighted, this time on the Miami side of the inlet. Setsuna had changed from her suit to a more playful tropical bikini and sarong which suited her dark complexion. Setsuna was revved up with nowhere to go. The man had, sadly proven to be a non-starter in bed, or rather a sputtering start and not much to give otherwise. She gave up on that sort of earthly pleasure and instead focused on her other earthly pleasure as she drained the ship of as many bottles of vintage champagne she could get her hands on.

By the time her feet hit dockside, the three-hour booze cruise being advertised seemed like a brilliant idea, as did a blonde woman in a Dior evening gown. She recalled Bimini later, and Grand Bahama by the time they had parted and continued drunkenly onwards. After that it had been something of a blur which led her all the way to the middle of the Western Antilles.

As Setsuna's recollecting finally neared the present, she consoled herself that she at least had stayed in the West Indies. The first and only time she ever left the gates before the recent era was a visit to one of the earliest civilizations on the post-Silver Millennium Earth. It was a primitive land that lay between two rivers dotted with small settlements and a city. They also had made rudimentary versions of the quaff she had missed for the roughly eleven millenia. That led to her witnessing the fall of Babylon to the Kassites.

After walking for twenty minutes, stumbling occasionally on the drier patches of sand away from the shore, Setsuna approached a small resort town, Grand'Rivière. Setsuna hobbled to an open beach side bar. Sitting at the stool, she reached into her top and pulled out a 200 franc bill.

"Un Bloody Mary, s'il vous plait. Tabasco supplémentaire."

As the bartender worked at making the Hemingway-inspired hair of the dog, Setsuna looked around and found a payphone installed near a wooden pillar at one end of the bar. Walking over and feigning a phone call, she peered into the gate. After a moment she dropped the receiver and let out a gasp.

Slowly, Setsuna sat back down and began to drink her Bloody Mary, her eyes staring far away. The spiciness of the drink was the only thing that kept her tethered to reality.

"Dammit," she mouthed this time as she set down the glass delicately and disappeared from sight.

Ranma sat down at Akane's bed, looking towards the door as Akane exchanged looks with Aki. Ranma's face was mostly dry, though her nose and eyes were still red. Aki set down her psychology textbook, looking deeply confused.

"Aki, this is..." Akane looked back as though to gauge her partner's reaction.

Ranma shrugged and raised a hand as nonchalantly as she could. With some chagrin, Ranma wiped her face with her other hand. "... may as well give it to her straight, 'kane."

With a pained expression, Akane finished, "This is my boyfriend, Ranma."

Aki's eyes bugged out as she looked at the small, petite woman in front of her. Ranma tried looking stoic, but it was a difficult look to pull off given what Aki had seen. After a moment of scrutiny, Ranma stood and turned around, sighing.

"Look, it's a long story that I'd rather not go into. Things have been kinda shitty lately." She rubbed the back of her neck, "Uh, no offense."

Aki looked back at Akane. Her eyes widened and she kept stopping from looking at Ranma. "Your 'boyfriend'? Her?"

Ranma sighed and looked back towards the door, shaking her head. Akane frowned as she looked back at Aki. "I know what this looks like, but this is really Ranma. He has a...medical condition." She nodded. "Usually he can control what he looks like but right now he's stuck."

Upon hearing Akane saying stuck, Ranma balled up her fists. "C... can we go somewhere and talk, 'kane?" Ranma asked slowly. Her voice wavered and she moved to grab Akane's arm again.

Akane slowly nodded. She grabbed her wallet from her desk and as the two left for the door said, "I'll see you later, Aki."

As Akane and Ranma left the apartment, Aki sat there at her desk, trying to focus on her textbook. A few minutes later, she stood and walked towards Akane's desk, opening the drawers.

Aki found a small box of photos. While most of them seemed to be set somewhere in Tokyo, some of them seemed to be somewhere in the woods and the mountains. Most of the photos had Akane in them or, if not, people Aki guessed were family based on resemblance. There were also a fair number of pictures of Akane with either a black-haired boy, a bit taller than she was or the petite red-haired girl she just saw.

"Hmm... rules out crossdressing..." Aki mumbled to herself.

Aki studied the photos more closely. "We just covered expression and body language." Aki brought the photos back to her desk and open her textbook. She saw how closely Akane stood next to the red haired girl, the girl leaning against her and their shared looks seemingly photos of the boy showed more overt signs of affection - holding hands, hugging - but both of them seemed stiff as they looked at the camera. Aki slowly placed the photos back on the shelf. The question kept repeating in Aki's mind.

"Why is Akane trying so hard to stay closeted?"

"Well that kinda thing is hard to explain to her parents..."

Usagi looked up from resting her head on Mamoru's chest. The two were lying naked in bed, Mamoru on his back with his hands behind his head and Usagi curled up against him. Only a sheet covered them both as they lay there. The room was dark, though the city lights and the light of the half-moon shone through.

"What did you say, Mamo-chan?"

Mamoru laughed and shook his head, "Oh nothing, talking to myself. Actually..." He blushed a bit, "I was thinking I'm glad you're here to tire me out. Otherwise I'd probably stay up all night because of the jet lag."

He moved his left arm and wrapped it around Usagi. Usagi found the space in the crook of his left arm and closed her eyes as she rested her head again on Mamoru's slim, but toned chest. "I really missed you."

"Me too. I-" He looked out of his window, seeing the bare shape of the moon through the thin curtains. "America was great, but nothing beats home." Mamoru sighed and looked at Usagi. She looked content, but Mamoru wondered. He rolled onto his back and looked at the alarm clock, still in the same place since he left his apartment over a year ago.

"Almost eleven-thirty." he thought before saying, "It's getting late, Usako. The last train is pretty soon."

Usagi thumped his chest lightly with a fist, but blushed slightly. "I can't stay over? Meanie." Usagi opened an eye and stuck out her tongue.

"It's a school night. I don't want your parents mad at me." He also pointed around his room, "Plus I need time to clean up the place and make it home again."

"I don't live that far away. If I miss the train, I can walk home," Usagi argued.

"But it's not safe at night, Usako."

"It's Tokyo, not America," Usagi said loudly, looking at Mamoru with an exasperated expression.

"But what Minako and the others said..."

Usagi grew quiet and she withdrew from Mamoru's touch. Mamoru slapped his forehead. "Usako, I'm sorry. I'm an idiot."

Usagi said, "It's okay, Mamo-chan."

Mamoru nodded, "...Can you talk about it?"

Usagi opened her eyes and sat up and nodded. Mamoru did the same, bringing an arm around her. "It's been hard. We still don't know what happened, but as we fought a stray youma I summoned a cleansing spell and... it felt like something had snapped in half inside me." She curled herself into Mamoru's arms. "The next thing I knew, I woke up in Rei's room and I couldn't..." Usagi shook her head and sniffled. Mamoru held her tightly as she softly let go and cried on his shoulder.

After a few minutes in the close embrace, Usagi got up from the bed, pulling off the sheets. Mamoru gasped as he saw her naked form lit with the light of the moon and the streetlights outside.

"Mamo-chan, I think... I need to go see someone," Usagi declared.

"The girl that ran away earlier?" Mamoru asked. "Who is she, by the way?"

Usagi curled her lip. "It's a little... complicated. We don't know much but, um, she... somehow gained the powers I lost. They're weak now. Like when I was in middle school. I've been thinking and... I think I need to see if she's okay."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

Usagi shook her head as she started dressing, "I think it's best if I go by myself. There's something else going on that's a little hard to explain."

Mamoru nodded, not understanding. "Yeah, she flippedout there." He stood from the bed and put on a shirt and boxer shorts. He led Usagi to the door and gave her a peck on the lips as she headed out.

"Take care, Usako. Call me when you get home!"

Usagi popped her head out from the elevator door. "I will, Mamo-chan!" She said as she nodded, then cried out in pain as the impatient elevator door hit the back of her head before opening again. Mamoru chuckled despite himself.

Ranma and Akane sat down at a small booth in a small coffee shop. Even for a Sunday night, the place was empty, with only someone on a laptop working at a corner table.

"Do you want anything Ranma?" Akane asked gently.

Ranma shook her head, "I'm not hungry."

"Really?" Akane asked deadpan.

"Well, maybe I can have some coffee. And maybe a sandwich... and some eclairs for dessert."

Akane looked at Ranma with narrowed eyes and a furrowed brow.

"I may have missed lunch." Ranma supplied sheepishly. "And dinner. A nd kinda only had tea for breakfast this morning."

"Oooookay, now you're starting to worry me," Akane interrupted. She stood and left, coming back a few minutes later with some sandwiches and some coffee with packets of cream and sugar. "Okay, so what happened to you, Ranma?"

Ranma crossed her arms as she leaned against the wall of the booth. She looked down at the formica table. "Look it's nuthin'... just stupid."

Akane put a hand to her head, rolling her eyes. "Ranma you drove all the way out here on a school night! You were crying and hugging me like we haven't seen each other in months. It's not nothing."

Ranma looked up at Akane briefly "I..." She curled her lip and turned away. "I, uh, I just saw a cat nearby is all."

Akane let out a dry laugh, "Hah! You're such a liar." She looked at Ranma more closely. Aside from her reddened eyes, she noticed a spot on her cheek that was turning purple. She quickly touched it and saw Ranma wince. "Did you get into a fight?"

Ranma opened her eyes and looked around, "I was... sparrin' with Mousse. Kinda." She looked down.

Akane narrowed her eyes at the sullen Ranma. "I know you weren't in a tizzy because Mousse got a good hit on you." She sighed as she grabbed for one of the coffees and adding cream and sugar.

"Look Ranma, I worry about you, you know?" She said lightly, "You're pushing yourself at school for your scholarship, you don't eat enough, and you haven't made any friends."

"I got Mousse and Nabiki ta hang out with," Ranma muttered under her breath.

"I mean school friends. Friends from class or the martial arts clubs."

Ranma began to open her mouth before Akane interrupted, "Your coach doesn't count." Ranma stayed silent.

"Honestly Ranma, you work so much that I wonder if you even sleep."

"Well... I quit my job at Annie Mallers." Ranma admitted. "It's a long story, but I sorta got fed up with the place."

"Good." Akane nodded and gave Ranma a reassuring smile. "I've been hoping you gave it up for something else. I know you hated the place. Did something happen or-"

"I got fed up is all," Ranma reiterated as she grabbed her coffee and started gulping it down while also taking one half of the sandwich and eating it quickly.

Akane sat back as she saw Ranma practically inhale the two sandwiches she bought. Her movements were quick, but without any large or wild movements. Ranma didn't say anything about the food. When she saw Ranma sigh as she dusted some crumbs from the top of her shirt, Akane spoke again. "Ranma... You didn't really talk about it on the phone, but how are you doing with being locked again?"

Ranma paused. "I dunno, Akane. It's... it's complicated. I don't wanna talk about it."

"Ranma, you have to at some point. Who are you going to talk to about this if not me?"

"I just..." Ranma shook her head, "I've been trying to put it outta my mind until after finals this week. I need time ta think."

Akane nodded and grabbed her coffee. She leaned closer to Ranma, but the red haired girl shirked back slightly. Akane sighed to herself in annoyance. After they finished eating, Ranma pulled out her wallet from the back of her pants. "How much do I owe you?" she asked Akane.

"It's okay. It wasn't that expensive."

"Look, just let me pay ya back for it, okay? I don't do enough for you already."

Akane blinked. She shook her head. "Ranma, you don't have to-"

Ranma slammed two 1000 yen bills on the table. "What kind of boyfriend would make his girlfriend pay for something after he dragged her out of her apartment on a Sunday night?" she said loudly. Akane looked at Ranma askance, but placed the money in her purse.

"Thank you, Ranma..." Akane said quietly as she and Ranma stood and left.

As they walked back towards her apartment she said. "I'm happy I was the first person you turned to when you were upset."

Ranma stopped walking. "Look Akane, I just... there's a lot I need ta talk about. I wanna talk about it. But it's real hard to, ya know?" Ranma let out a snort, "Jeez... all this time and I still ain't good at this stuff. I... you're right I did get in a fight and I won, but... somethin' else came up."

"What?"

"I dunno..." Ranma said, "It felt like I was dyin', but it wasn't me that died, but it also kinda was..." Ranma shook her head and yelled in frustration," Arrgh! It don't make a lick of sense, but it spooked me. It was the first time somethin' spooked me that bad since..." Ranma hesitated for a moment, "Saffron."

"Oh," Akane replied and nodded.

"I needed ta see ya, Akane," Ranma said, "'cause I needed ta make sure you were okay and I was still alive." Ranma crouched down on the street, next to a closed grocery store. "I don't know what I'd do without ya, 'kane."

Akane walked close to Ranma and, kneeling from behind, gave the smaller girl a hug. "Whatever happens, you don't have to do this alone."

Ranma let out a sarcastic laugh, "Heh. I don't even know what it is. Maybe I finally snapped and got scared of my own shadow."

When the redhead didn't continue, Akane asked, "Ranma?"

"Could you love me if I was stuck like this forever?" she asked.

"Ranma, you'll beat this, but even-"

"No, don't answer now, tomboy," Ranma interrupted. "Really think about it. We couldn't get married, we couldn't have kids. Hell, knowin' Pop and your dad, they'd make us marry some random guys outta some crazy sense 'a honor,"

Akane looked at the redhaired girl next to her, frowning.

"Ranma, don't be ridiculous." Akane responded. "Your father would find a way for you to marry a random rich guy, make sure he doesn't ask for a prenup and then ask you to divorce him for the money."

Ranma began to chuckle despite herself . "Akane, you're the best angry violent uncute tomboy an idiot like me can ask for. Just... think about what if, okay?"

Akane nodded as Ranma stood and they walked back to Akane's apartment and Ranma's motorcycle. Ranma got on, backed up, and with a rev of the engine, sped off back into Tokyo.

Akane stood there seeing her go. Her hand was balled into a fist.

"Idiot," she muttered before walking up the stairs.

"What did you call me?" Setsuna asked over the payphone.

"You're an idiot! Where the hell are you now!?" The contralto voice loudly screamed over the telephone.

"I'm still..." Setsuna paused clasping her head, "enervated. I believe I'm in Mayaguez... it's a town in Puerto Rico."

"Puerto Rico!?" Haruka yelled into the receiver. "Well that's just great! I'd ask you to bring back some rum, but I'd be afraid you'd drink it all and end up in Rekya... Reyaka...Rekyavekavik... whatever the hell that place is called!"

"I'm sorry."

"Well I'm glad you're sorry, but that doesn't help us, Ms. Manager! Thankfully between Hotaru's English and Michiru's French, we can get around okay, but poor Hotaru nearly had a panic attack in New York because the porter and the theater manager spoke too fast for her!"

"I'm sorry, Haruka."

"Dammit, Setsuna..." Setsuna could hear what sounded like Haruka kick a plastic trash can. "So when can you meet us? Brussels? Bern? Vienna?"

"Actually..." She hesitated slightly. "I need to get back to Tokyo. Something has come up."

"'Something'?" Haruka's voice turned quiet. "Are Bun-head and the others okay?"

"I believe so. For now. But there are some anomalies I'm sensing that require investigation. If the three of you are needed, I'll send for you. Give Michiru and Hotaru my regards."

"Yeah. See ya," Haruka replied with a sudden click.

Setsuna put down the pay phone's receiver back in it's cradle.

"I've really done it now," Setsuna muttered to herself.

Setsuna walked out onto the sidewalk she found a vendor selling guarapo de caña and, with a gulp of the sugary drink, felt revived enough to continue on once more.

It was a cloudy, sweltering night in Tokyo. The wind was kicking up, pushing around leaves and the errant plastic bag as it threatened to rain over the city. The Takabune sat moored within the clouds. unnoticed.

Within the bowels of the ship, Benzaiten kneeled before a throne on a dais, looking down at the wooden floor through the eyeholes in the lacquered, downturned mask.

A hand emerged from the silhouetted figure and pointed at her.

"Benzaiten. Tell me what happened."

Benzaiten did not look up. "Daikokuten was a fool, eyeing the prize so quickly." she replied calmly. "His fishmonger of a brother was more than happy to follow that peddler to oblivion at the Serenity's hand."

"The Serenity? Not her keepers?"

Benzaiten shook her head, "I saw it myself. Somehow, she was able to defend herself against our enervation."

There was a low hum as the silhouetted figure contemplated his next move.

"What is your assessment?"

Benzaiten finally looked up. "My lord. I am keeping the Serenity in my sights, However, if I may suggest it," she paused. "We should begin to rebuild the energy array."

"That would set us back weeks, if not months. Can you not subdue the Serenity yourself?"

"My lord..." she sucked in a breath, "Revenge is paramount and our time is short, but the Serenity has maintained herself somehow. Our work will be for naught unless we can successfully deal with her."

"Very well." The voice took a slow, grunting breath. "You will update me on the array...and the Serenity."

Benzaiten nodded, looking down again. "Yes, my lord."

With that, the figure, his throne, and the dais it sat upon faded from view, leaving her alone in the ship's hold.

As Benzaiten made her way further into the bowels of the ship, she was stopped by a large hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw a very tall, broad shouldered man clad in leather and lacquered wood armor. On his back was a spear even taller than he was. His mask depicted a figure with a mouth twisted in rage.

"What do you want, Bishamonten?" she asked cautiously.

"You bought time..." He said ponderously, as though carefully selecting each word. "Why..."

"Hmph. There is chaos forming and we need as much as we can muster if we're to finish our business. You may look the part, but you are no fool."

"No... There is time..." He released his hand and nodded slowly. "My thanks..." He turned and walked away.

Benzaiten continued on her way. "Not as much as I'd prefer. Damn you, Serenity."

The engine noise died down as Ranma put away her motorcycle behind the boarding house. She was muttering to herself as she trudged up the stairs.

"Dammit, I'm such a goddamn..." Ranma stopped when she saw someone sitting by her door.

"Usagi?" Ranma whispered.

"Hi Ranma." Usagi stood and brushed off her dress, "I thought we should talk."

"What are you doin' here this time'a night?"

"Mousse said you were neighbors and Mako-chan... Jupiter told me where you guys live." She stood up and bowed to Ranma. "Are you feeling better?"

Ranma nodded, then looked around the hallway suspiciously. "Anybody give ya trouble?"

Usagi shook her head, "There was this guy next door, but he just asked if I wanted tea..." she smiled wryly, "after he hit on me."

Ranma let out a snort and cracked her knuckles. "Yep, that's Ishigo all right. I'll give him an ass kickin' tomorrow," smirked as she took out her apartment key and opened the door.

Inside, Usagi saw just how spartan Ranma's home was. It was a single Japanese-style room, with a kitchenette and sink in one corner, a large living/bedroom space with a table, a radio, phone, and closet to store clothes and bedding. There was also a small bookshelf which had some textbooks, a few martial arts magazines and sports newspapers. Otherwise there were few things in the way of decoration. Usagi realized Ranma's whole apartment was just a little bigger than her room at home.

Looking around, a photograph by the phone caught her eye. It was a black-haired man and a shorter black-haired woman in front of a large skyscraper, Usagi realized in Shibuya. The man had his arm around the woman and they looked happy. Thinking for a moment she grabbed the photo and pointed at the man in it

"This is you?" Usagi asked Ranma.

"Huh? Oh, yeah." Ranma nodded, "That was around last Christmas. Not a lotta snow that day, but 'kane and I..." Ranma slumped down, "We had a good day then."

"You're handsome." Usagi remarked.

"Huh?" Ranma asked, "Oh. Um... Thanks?" Ranma tried not to blush, but Usagi saw her cheeks flush. "Sorry, I get a bit nervous when girls say that."

"Oh, you're the shy type," Usagi said giggling as she saw Ranma grow red. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit a sore spot."

Ranma sat down finally and shook her head. " Nah it's alright. I just, I knew a few girls who were real pushy and I kinda twinge on it now, especially since I'm with Akane."

Usagi nodded. "I'll make sure Minako and Makoto don't see this then. They're both pretty boy crazy, at least before Mako started dating Mousse and Mina I guess is just crazy about anyone cute."

Ranma nodded, "You mean the other Sailor Senshi? Jupiter's the one who shot lightinin' right? That's pretty cool. And Minako?"

"Sailor Venus. She used to work on her own as Sailor V. I kind of had a crush on her when I was a younger. She's really nice, if a little silly."

"And the hot head and the other one with the safety goggles?" Ranma asked.

Usagi giggled, "Hot head! Why didn't I ever think of that? It's so perfect. That's Rei. She's really pretty in that mysterious sort of way, but she's a bit defensive. And the other one is Ami. She's so smart! She's our age but she's already at Todai!"

Ranma stopped for a moment and waved a finger in the air, as though adding up an invisible tally, "Wait, ya mean Ami Mizuno?"

Usagi nodded, "You know her?"

Ranma waved her hand, "A little. She's a friend of a friend. Now I know why she was lookin' at me so damn funny." Ranma chuckled weakly.

Usagi smiled, "Sometimes she gets very enthusiastic when she's trying to solve a problem. But she's really sweet, if a little bit shy."

"You guys sound like good friends." Ranma smiled wryly. "Mousse n' I and a coupla other folks used ta be close friends back in high school..." Ranma paused. "Well, actually it was pretty damn complicated."

Usagi nodded. "I can understand complicated." She looked around and asked, "I hope I'm not being pushy, but, um, do you have any snacks?"

Ranma shook her head. "No, but I guess we can get some. There's a Seven Eleven around here." Ranma scratched her head.

Usagi stood up and gave Ranma a hand up as well. "Ranma, I think after what happened the past few days, I think it's safe to say that we should get to know each other a lot better. Not just because you have my powers, but..." Usagi paused, "let's be friends."

Ranma blinked, "Huh. My friends usually wanna kill me."

Usagi laughed. "How about I try and kill you with kindness? And rice crackers. We can stay up and talk about each other and see what we can figure out?"

Ranma looked at the blonde girl in front of her, "Jeez, I got a final exam tomorrow and I..." Ranma stopped at the doe eyed expression and finally said, "all right. Not like I was gonna be able to sleep anyway." She stuck out her tongue and pulled down an eyelid in mock frustration.

Half an hour and a large plastic bag of snacks and tea later, Ranma and Usagi sat back down on the floor of Ranma's apartment.

"So, you wanna go first, or should I?" Ranma asked.

"Hmm" Usagi thought aloud. "Let's take turns."

"Um okay, I guess I can start from Jusenkyo since Mousse told you about that. How did you end up bein' a Sailor Moon, anyhow?"

"Well..." Usagi began. The conversation flipped back and forth for a while.

"Silver Millennium?"

"FOUR WOMEN!?"

"Time travel!?"

"A demigod!"

"The universe!?"

After a few hours, they had finally caught up to the present. Usagi leaned over and gave Ranma a quick hug. Ranma, for her part paled slightly, unsure what to do and visibly relieved when it was over.

"So when Mamo-chan came, what happened?" Usagi asked.

Ranma shook her head as she regained her bearings. "I dunno. When he touched me, everything went off. My head was buzzing..." Ranma hugged her knees.

"It was like my life flashed before my eyes, except it wasn't *my* life. There's was some kinda castle and gardens, but it's all a blur. All I can remember is feelin' a sword piercing my chest." Ranma thought for a second, "All I can think about is how much it felt like my life was fading away. I felt like I was dyin' and I freaked..."

"I remember when I was given these powers by Luna. I was only 14 and all I thought about was trying not to fail math and hang out with my friend Naru."

Ranma laughed, "When I was 14, one of my best friends challenged me to a duel. I got dragged to China before I could fight it. Took him forever to let it go."

"I was pretty normal, and then all of a sudden I had these powers, this destiny, but more than that a responsibility. I was supposed to fight the evil that threatened to destroy the earth. And on top of it, I had to find the reincarnated princess of the long lost empire. I cried the first time I was in a fight with youma."

"But I don't get it. Why me? I want my old life again." Ranma sighed. "All ten square meters of it."

Usagi shook her head, "I don't know. We're trying though. I'll let you know if we find something, okay?"

Usagi left for home in the lightening sky. Ranma let out a tired sigh and set her alarm clock for an hour ahead. She hoped the cat nap would be better than nothing.

Akane struggled with leaving her bed the next day. As hot as it was, even with the air conditioning in her apartment, she just felt like sleeping some. Unfortunately for her, it was the first day of finals. She trudged out of her bedroom into the kitchen/dining/living room, a stack of index cards in her hand. Akane saw Aki was in her pajamas watching the news, though her attention turned towards Akane before she caught herself and looked back at the small television. Akane fumbled with instant coffee and toast, thinking of what she should review before her exam.

"Pretty crazy stuff happened yesterday," Aki commented.

"Huh?" Akane said, just as the electric kettle was beginning to boil.

"Some crazy storms at the docks in Tokyo Bay."

"Oh yeah?" Akane asked, half paying attention as the timer in the toaster oven dinged and she struggled to find her jar of marmalade in the fridge.

"Yeah, rumor is there's a new-"

"Hey Aki, can you keep your stuff in the fridge on the right side?"

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Have you seen my marmalade?"

"..."

"You ate it didn't you Aki?"

"... not on purpose."

Akane sighed. "Aki, that's not fair!"

"I'll get new a new jar today, I promise! I don't have any tests today! I'll go right now!"

"Hmmph." Akane said as she grabbed some butter instead. "You don't have to go that far. Just stop eating my food."

Aki nodded sheepishly as she got up to get dressed. Akane sat down and instead of noting the grainy photographs being televised, turned the tv off and began reviewing her notes.

Ami was standing on the train to Hongo and Tokyo University. The small screen near the door showed it was 38 degrees out with almost 100% humidity. Looking around, she couldn't help but see everyone hold onto handkerchiefs to wipe the sweat from their brow and necks. Ami herself was perspiring somewhat, but mostly she felt like it was difficult to breathe in the humid air of the car. Ami took her time walking the kilometer or so uphill hike towards Akamon, the famous red gate that signaled the Southeastern entrance to the university. A voice called out to her as she wiped her brow in front of Akamon.

"Hey Ami."

Ami jerked back, relaxing when she realized it was Mamoru who was jogging up to meet her.

"Oh Mamoru, what a nice surprise. What brings you here?"

Mamoru nodded towards the school. "Oh, the usual. See my advisor, talk about my thesis now that I'm back in Japan. How about you? Final exams soon?"

Ami nodded as the two walked inside of campus taking in the crowds of students running around the picturesque campus.

"I haven't eaten yet, have you?"

Ami shook her head, "I'm ashamed to say I had to run out of the house as soon as I woke up."

"Let's hit up the cafe by the Information Science building. Too early for the cafeteria and I'm not feeling nostalgic enough for the Campus Store quite yet."

Ami giggled slightly and nodded.

The small coffee shop inside of Todai was a wonder of modernist design. To some to contrast between bare light grey smooth stone walls and light brown wooden furniture would seem severe, but the light that came in through the large glass window and strong air conditioning gave it a welcome feeling.

Sitting down with iced coffee and a sandwich, Mamoru asked, "How is university life treating you? I remember it being a bit of an adjustment from high school."

Ami nodded, "Yes. It's hard to talk about it with the others, but... I wonder if I've been trying to do too much. I'm taking more courses than anyone else I know. I thought that Todai would be free of the attitude most people have about college and there would be people seriously learning. Mostly it's people happy to coast on the school's reputation or their parent's money."

Mamoru nodded and gave Ami a wry smile. "Oh yeah. This place breeds that kind of attitude. Not many people are as studious as you, Ami."

"Or you, Mamoru. I've heard good things about you from my Physics professor."

"Kuroda-sensei?" Mamoru laughed. "I almost failed his Vibration and Waves course. That was when the Death Busters attacked us."

Ami smiled for a moment with Mamoru before frowning. "Anyway, I've been trying to study as much as I can, but it's been difficult. I have a study partner, but we only share one class together. And with what's happened..."

Mamoru pursed his lips. "Usagi told me a bit of what happened. She also mentioned you were stuck on a cause?"

"Yes," Ami replied. "I've looked over the energy readouts and, other than a spike in chaos energy that corresponds to the event, but as to the cause of or source of it, I'm stuck."

"Do you think whoever or whatever caused it, utilized some sort of transmitter, like a radio tower or something, to generate the energy?"

Ami thought for a second, "Possible... but I ruled it out because the Mercury Computer should have been able to triangulate a position for the signal using GPS satellite array it's connected to."

Mamoru agreed as Ami continued, "The emergence of an apparent stranger with similar powers is even stranger. All I've been able to ascertain from both energy readings and from talking to acquaintances is that they're human. Mostly."

"Mostly?" Mamoru asked.

Ami nodded "I haven't had a chance to do much substantive research, but it seems-"

"Oh, Hi, Ami." a voice interrupted. Ami and Mamoru looked up and saw Ryouga Hibiki. He wore a casual outfit of a gym shirt, loose pants, and sneakers.

"Oh, Ryouga. How are you?"

"Good. I was getting a run in, but I thought a coffee would be good before I go back into the library to study for that discrete math test this afternoon."

"You went jogging in this weather?" Mamoru asked, surprised.

Ami blinked, "Oh right. Ryouga, this is Mamoru Chiba. He's a graduate student in planetary physics and astronomy. Mamoru, this is Ryouga. He's a first year like me. He's in mechanical engineering."

Mamoru quickly stood and the two men bowed slightly. The taller Mamoru said, embarrassed, "Sorry I'm out of business cards, I just got back from America and I didn't really need them there."

Ryouga looked around for a second, "Don't feel bad. Not like I have any on me when I'm working out." He gave Ami a knowing look. "I like to keep myself in good shape. You can lead a jock to Todai, I guess but you can't make him stop exercising." He left briefly and came back with an iced tea.

"Mind if I sit with you guys?" Ryouga asked. Ami and Mamoru nodded and Ryouga sat on the bench seat next to Ami as Mamoru, in a chair, sat across. He looked between the two and shrugged

"Well..." There was an awkward silence before Mamoru piped up, "Oh!, Did you get a chance to see the lunar eclipse the other week, Ami?"

"Eclipse?" Ami asked. "I think I heard something on the radio, but I was 'distracted'." Ami said, emphasizing the last word to which Mamoru nodded suddenly understanding. Ryouga for his part furrowed his eyebrows, but otherwise said nothing.

"That's a shame," Mamoru said, "I saw some great photos of it online. I would've gone to the Haystack observatory to view it, except you know it was during the day in Boston. You guys had one of the best views of it!"

Ami nodded and raised her cup but then seemed to freeze, holding her drink in front of her without taking a sip. "Wait... when was that again?"

"Hmm... I guess it was Sunday morning in Boston, so... It must have been Sunday night your time, the other week?"

There was a pause as Ami looked lost in thought, as she silently mumbled to herself. Ryouga and Mamoru stopped and gave each other a shrug. Suddenly Ami dropped her drink, the coffee spilling all over her half-eaten sandwich. She exclaimed, "Ahhhhh!" before running out of the cafe.

"Was it something you said?" Ryouga asked Mamoru before they got up to clean the mess.

Setsuna clicked her teeth. She really wanted to be in Tokyo by now, but she was feeling weak and sluggish. While traipsing around Tokyo thorugh teleportation was easy enough, traversing the thousands of miles, especially with a week's worth of alcohol still working its way out of her system, was proving harder than she would have preferred.

By her estimation,given the ocean towards the west, and the blonde, tanned white people playing volleyball, it looked like she was somewhere in Southern California. At least the bikini looked appropriate again, unlike when she had ended up in central Texas. Going through her possessions, she found she only had 5 US dollars left.

She almost decided to blow it on fast food when she saw a middle-aged woman push a cart down the sidewalk.

"Tamales! Tacos al Pastor! Sopes!"

Setsuna thanked her stars and gathered herself for the next trip.

That evening, Ranma found herself parking her motorcycle at the base of a hill where a temple stood. She double checked the address before deciding she was at the right place. She trudged up the stairs, her shoulders feeling heavy as she thought to herself, "Man I guess the silver linin' is that if I bombed, I'll still end up with a B in the class. Not great but hell..."

At the top of the stairs she was left a bit breathless by the scenery. "Damn this place must get packed during New Years," Ranma said to herself.

"Actually most folks just take the train to Meiji Shrine," a woman's voice replied.

Ranma jumped back slightly, "Sheesh, let a guy have a moment's peace, willya?"

The woman in question merely harumphed. She was somewhat tall, with long black hair and, currently, in a miko's outfit, sweeping the grounds. "And here I thought you were a martial artist."

Ranma grumbled, "I've been distracted lately." She looked at the miko closely and narrowed her eyes, "You're the hothead, huh?"

The miko sighed, "It's Hino. Rei Hino."

Ranma nodded, "Okay, Hino." She looked around the empty grounds. "Where's Usagi?"

Rei replied, "The meeting isn't for another twenty minutes."

Ranma blinked. "But on the phone Usagi said it was at seven."

Rei let out a small laugh. " 'Usagi time' means everyone won't get here until at least seven twenty. Ami's here though. She's setting up if you wanna come in."

Ranma shook her head, "Actually, I could use some fresh air." and took a few steps before bounding to the roof of the main building in a light, almost carefree jump. Rei had to remind herself to keep hold of her broom as she looked on.

Ranma sat on the roof, looking out at the nearby skyline. After catching herself agape, she turned back and finished her chores as Usagi, Makoto, Minako, and Mousse arrived. Behind them was Mamoru, as well as what appeared to be Luna and Artemis in their human forms, Luna in a loose dress and Artemis in a button shirt and pants.

Rei, distracted by Luna and Artemis whispered to the group. "Is there a reason why Luna and Artemis are in human form?"

"YES." Usagi, Makoto, and Mousse quickly supplied. Rei shook her head and pointed up at the roof. "Our guest of honor's here already," she said, deadpan.

"Oh boy, he's brooding again," Mousse said to the small group. "I'll be back." with a little bit of a running jump and a hop he leaped up onto the roof of the shrine as well.

Rei sighed as she finished sweeping. "Could somebody tell our guests we have perfectly fine chairs?"

Makoto smiled, ignoring the miko's complaint. "He's like Chow Yun Fat..." she said dreamily.

"Oh?" Minako giggled. "Does that make you Michelle Yeoh?" Jupiter turned and stuck out her tongue at Minako before they started laughing a bit before walking inside the temple.

Up on the roof, Mousse crouched next to Ranma. "Huh, pretty nice view," he said.

Ranma turned to Mousse, "I didn't figure you'd be invited ta this party."

Mousse nodded. "Well, after all that stuff, I guess I'm in too deep. Plus Mako and I met up after school since I didn't have my pizza shift today."

Ranma let out a derisive laugh.

"How were the exams?" Mousse asked.

Ranma gave a small shrug. "Eh, pretty sure I bombed my physiology exam, but I did well enough I should be fine. Otherwise, all I had were term papers I wrapped up or martial arts demos which I can do in my sleep."

Mousse nodded, "Hey Saotome, I just wanted to let you know. I don't think I ever gave you a proper thanks for all those years ago."

Ranma finally turned to Mousse, "Huh?"

Mousse replied, "Almost getting yourself killed for the Kaisuifuu for me and Ryouga's sake. We weren't exactly friends then, but I guess I should've said 'thank you' or something in the intervening years."

Ranma returned to gazing at slowly dimming skyline, the horizon to the west glimmering in orange and gold.

"We better get goin'," Ranma said aloud. Mousse nodded as they jumped back down to the temple grounds.

Ranma turned to Mousse and flashed a small smile, "Usagi said they usually have somethin' ta eat at these things and I dunno about you, but I'm fuckin' hungry."

Mousse sighed, "You're always hungry, Saotome. Even in the smaller package."

A while later, with everyone assembled Usagi spoke to the crowd. In all ten people, including the two currently not feline advisors sat in the room behind a table. Ami, meanwhile was still fiddling with a laptop computer and a cable that extended to a sizable projector aimed at a white bedsheet attached to the ceiling with masking tape.

"Hi everyone... wow, lots of new people, huh?" Usagi chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. Everyone nodded, though the fight for elbow room was decidedly real when they awkwardly reached for cookies and cold tea.

"Okay. I think this should work, barring any other technical difficulties," Ami announced. the assembled group nodded as she turned out the lights and turned on the projector. She picked up a clicker, adjusted her glasses, and cleared her throat

"Bear with me. I don't usually make Powerpoints for these meetings, but I think it's the easiest way to do this." She pressed the button on the clicker, revealing a very up-close image of the moon.

"Well, you see, 10,000 years ago, the Silver Millenium was a-"

"Skip it." Ranma said

"Huh?" Ami asked.

Ranma shook her head. "I got the bullet points already, skip ahead to why I'm stuck like this."

Amii blinked. "But-"

Usagi frowned, "Ranma, don't be rude."

Ranma's eyes widened. "We don't gotta bore everybody with some kinda convoluted backstory almost all of ya have heard fifty million times."

Everyone in the room blinked.

"Well it would still be nice to ask, you know." Rei inputted.

"You wanna piece a me, hot stuff?" Ranma said

"'Hot stuff?!' Why I ought to-"

"It's okay!" Ami interjected stopping the two from coming to blows, "I can accommodate. I can understand the need to know." Ami quickly pressed the button on her clicker repeatedly, clicking ahead of her presentation, going forward one too many slides. She groaned for a second before correcting herself and regaining her bearings.

"As Mamoru helpfully informed me of earlier in the week, there was a celestial event of great importance the other week, In fact, it was the pivotal event that caused the present situation. Specifically a total Lunar Eclipse."

On the screen, an image of the eclipse was shown.

"This was taken by the National Astronomical Observatory. The exact syzygy occurred at approximately 10:56:37 PM, Japan Standard Time," Ami said, flowing into an easy lecture voice. "During this period of syzygy, we experienced a total lunar eclipse. While typically this would pass without incident, at this point the Mercury Computer recorded a sharp blast of chaos energy. At first, we thought an enemy broadcast the energy using conventional EM frequency technology. However, the moon being in eclipse..."

Ami paused and sighed. "Normally to harness the chaos energy needed to interrupt celestial energy, you have to build a rather large and complex amplifier that harnesses a significant amount of power. Power on the level of Queen Beryl and Metalia."

Everyone save Ranma and Mousse gasped. "However," Ami continued, "The earth's penumbra actually shields a large amount of the moon Celestial Energy, giving someone access to chaos energy to what amounts to both energy amplification and weakened defenses in one shot. In the Silver Millenium this was easily shielded by the ginzuishou, but given our present location..."

"Wait, does that mean you're saying Ranma is a conduit for chaos energy?" Minako asked which cause Mousse to snicker loudly before Ranma gave him a cold glare. Mousse shot back, "Oh don't give me that look, man!" Makoto elbowed him brusquely and he shut up.

Ami broke any further speculation. "Anyway... It's a possibility, though I'm not ruling out other reasons." She turned to the redheaded girl. "Ranma, if you wouldn't mind submitting to some physical tests."

"What kinda tests? You gotta draw my blood? Stress test? EKG? CT scan?"

Ami shook her head and replied, "Well a blood sample would be useful if I can get access to an PCR machine... but no. I was thinking of more an energy analysis."

Ranma nodded. "Sure, it'd be nice ta know if there's any reason this happened ta me other than fate kickin' me in the damn butt again. But have you figured out how ta fix it?"

Ami sighed and said, "Sort of."

"Sorta?" Ranma replied

"Well the short answer is we would have to find a way of simulating the same level of chaos energy found in the eclipse. As I mentioned, it is feasible, but requires a substantial investment in time and energy, far beyond the bounds of what we could accomplish quickly. The other option is more certain, but..."

The silence hung for a moment as Ami stood silent, gripping the clicker in her hands tightly.

"Well what is it!?" Ranma said, banging her fist on the table.

"We wait for the next total lunar eclipse that has the correct characteristics as the last one. Usagi could call on her power during that eclipse and things should return to normal."

Ranma nodded. "Alright that works, why's that so hard? When's the next Total Lunar Eclipse that'll work?"

"December."

Ranma sighed, "Of course. Well that ain't so-"

"2011."

Ranma mouth hung open for a moment as the room was dead silent. Finally she uttered:

"...shit."

Setsuna, haggard, exhausted, found herself in the middle of Shibuya Station. The commuters that saw appear gasped in shock, though after a moment, Setsuna realized that was more due to her dress. She tried to summon the energy for one last hop, but found herself growing dizzy. She rubbed her stomach, regretting the burrito de lengua she had. She dug out some pocket change and muttered to herself, "The hell with it, I'll just take the train home."

As she slowly dragged her way towards the JR platform, she walked by a newsstand. She briefly glanced at the headlines before pausing. She felt a sense a dread as she read the staid headlines of The Yomiuri Shimbum and the Asashi Shimbun.

"A Return to a Mysterious Figure?"

"New Sightings Suggest A New Heroine!".

But it was the full color photo of a airborne Sailor Senshi unfamiliar to Setsuna with the caption: "A New Sailor Moon?" that stopped Setsuna in her tracks. She stared at the blurred face in the photo, posed in a fighting stance.

Suddenly, she began saying, in increasing volume to the point where other pedestrians, who were already trying to ignore the bikini-clad woman stopped and stared, "Nononono!"

Setsuna grew light-headed as she passed out on the hard tile floor.

It was Friday night when Akane knocked on the door of Ranma's apartment. She waited a few minutes, but there was no answer.

"Ranma, are you home?" She called out. After no reply, she dug into her bag and pulled out a housekey. She opened the door and turned on the lights.

Ranma was lying on the bare tatami floor, eyes open but staring blankly.

"Ranma?" Akane said, but Ranma didn't move. "Ranma!" She said. "What's wrong? You didn't pick up your phone, but Mousse said you didn't have work today."

She put down her bag and shut the door behind her. walking over to Ranma she knelt down and touched her shoulder. She noticed Ranma's eyes were red, her cheeks still wet.

"Ranma, what's wrong? Did you fail a class? Did something happen at the library?"

"Eleven years," Ranma whispered.

"What?"

Ranma slowly sat up. She rubbed her face before curling up into herself, hugging her knees. "Unless somethin' else happens, I'm stuck like this for eleven years. Well I mean eleven years and like 5 months. Somethin' ta do with a lunar eclipse or somethin'..."

Akane kneeled down next to Ranma. She gently placed a hand to her fiancée's shoulder. "Ranma, are you sure?" she asked.

Ranma nodded. "Yeah. I mean I trust the person that figured it out. I mean it ain't forever. at least." Ranma let out a cold laugh. "I just have the worst damn luck, don't I?" Ranma rhetorically asked. "I don't even know why me, 'cept the usual universe kickin' me in the nonexistent ballsack."

Akane frowned. "So it's certain there's nothing you can do about it?"

Ranma shook her head, "If there is, I don't know..." She looked up and wiped her glassy eyes again, "Sorry Akane, I'm kinda all over the place... What are you doin' here anyway?" she asked, cracking something resembling a smile at her presence.

"Well I finished my exams and it's the weekend and you didn't call and now..."

Ranma nodded, "Yeah... I just. It ain't been a good week, that's for sure."

Akane nodded. "Have you eaten anything?" She looked around, "DO you even *have* anything to eat?"

"Some cup ramen. After my last test this mornin', I just... came home. Didn't even feel like trainin' really. Just a couple of forms and I was just... tired."

"Well if all you're eating is cup ramen, no wonder," she started to stand up, but ranma gently grabbed her wrist and she stayed in place.

"Didya think about it? What I said?" Ranma asked, her blue eyes piercing.

Akane nodded, "I did." Ranma nodded, waiting.

Akane sighed, "You're right. It would be tough if you were stuck as a girl, even if only for eleven years." She turned and intertwined her fingers with Ranma's. "You know know old my mom was when she died?"

Ranma shook her head.

"Twenty-nine. She had Kasumi when she was 18, after all. She wasn't even 30 when she died of cancer." Akane looked at Ranma who sat motionless."I always wanted to have a family before that age. I want to be married, I want kids before I get as old as her. I always have."

Ranma just nodded as she looked off into space.

"But I also love you Ranma." Akane said. "I wasn't lying when I say that, but..."

Ranma mechanically nodded, staring off into space. Akane sighed and did the only thing she could do and hugged Ranma. They sat there in silence for a long time.

The fluorescent light shone bright, yet cold as Setsuna Meiou woke up could hear the surf in the distance as she sat up on the bed. As her vision cleared she saw a young Japanese woman holding her shoulder.

"Don't get up. You're still dehydrated."

Setsuna blinked as the young woman check an IV drip attached to her arm.

"Wild night, miss?"

Setsuna shook her head. "Last thing I remember was the station."

The nurse nodded. "The police found you passed out after yelling out loud incoherently. You'll be fine after some more fluids and bedrest, though I believe the police are fining you for disorderly conduct".

"Shit." Setsuna thought as she noted how stiff and itchy the hospital gown she wore was before she fell asleep again.

The next day, after a lengthy excoriation by the police and a hospital discharge, Setsuna departed home and got a change of clothes. The news was already growing cold, but she found a few more images of the girl she saw on the newspapers. Whoever it was, it definitely wasn't Usagi, though it confirmed her sense of ill ease which started her desperate movement westward. Preparing for combat, Setsuna transformed into Sailor Pluto and closed her eyes.

"Selene, help me help your daughter through this trouble," she intoned as she concentrated and vanished.

Sailor Pluto appeared in front of a wooden door. She heard what sounded like papers being shuffled.

"Usagi or whoever this is," Pluto said with a smooth command. "We need to talk."

"Dammit, can you come back in a few!?" the voice on the other end shrieked.

Pluto blinked. "I cannot. This is too important to- what are you doing?" Sesuna replied as the echo in the room began to sound strange to her ears.

Ranma let out a frustrated groan as she loudly out down the martial arts magazine. "I'm takin' a dump! What the hell do you think I'd be doin' in the can?"

Setsuna finally took a look around. The tile was perhaps white at one time, but now was tinged a dingy gray. The sinks were bare steel and rusted underneath. Most disturbing however was the row of urinals behind her.

"This is the men's room!" Setsuna exclaimed.

"No shit."

"But-"

Ranma paused. "I'm a guy, dammit, it's on my records... and besides, the line in front of the women's room is pretty' awful." Ranma admitted.

"Jeez, a guy can't even get any goddamn peace on the can! Look, just tell Dr. Yamada it's still fifteen before my shift and if it's that important he can take it from my break time." Ranma let out a groan, "Been eatin' too much cheese pizza and I got a big one brewin'."

Sailor Pluto turned up her nose and let out a small, disgusted groan. "Actually, I-" Setsuna paused and regained her bearings. When she was sure the room was empty save the two of them. "This is about the Silver Millenium. I need to speak with Sailor Moon, whoever she is."

"Oh." Ranma replied quietly. "Jeez I- Look, can ya give me a few minutes?" Ranma asked. "I'm kind poop-shy when I know someone is standing there."

"Oh! Yes. Of course." Pluto said as she detransformed and opened the door to leave the bathroom. She came eye-to-eye with a young man in basketball shorts and a t-shirt who took a step back and examined the sign next to the door, confused.

Not much to add. Dissertation writing has engulfed my life. Thanks to Unsurpassed Travesty and Jadells for pre-reading.

～裏には裏がある