~ New Moon ~ Chapter One: Usagi . . .Tendo? Just have to say that I donÕt own Sailor Moon or Ranma 1/2 and IÕm just borrowing these characters for this fic. Please donÕt sue me. Thanks! =^-^= Note: * * indicate thought. ------ indicate a short passage of time ~ Tendo Dojo - Nermia ~ Akane Tendo woke with a start. She had been having a nightmare. Her sister had been killed and she, Akane, could do nothing to save her. She looked towards the bed to her left. A familiar blond bun of hair was sticking out from under the rumpled covers. *So. It was just a dream.* She mentally sighed and then studied her sister. Even though they had adopted Usagi, Akane felt like they had always been together. They even jokingly called each other twins sometimes. Anyone could tell that wasnÕt true with AkaneÕs dark blue hair and UsagiÕs golden blond. Suddenly Usagi let out a little snore. She looked so comfortable and peaceful. Akane grinned evilly. *Well, I can change that!* She leaned right up to her sisterÕs ear and screamed at the top of her lungs, ÒUSAGI! WAKE UP!!Ó The blond on the bed flew into the air with a scream. Her eyes flew around the room, trying to find her attacker, and settled upon the laughing form of Akane. Usagi growled, ÒYour going to pay for that Akane!Ó She grabbed her bunny pillow and started chasing the giggling Akane. ÒUsagi! Wait! It was just a joke!Ó She rushed out of the room with Usagi close on her heels giggling as well. She cornered her in the Tendo living room and cackled evil. ÒNow IÕve got you!Ó She rushed towards Akane and beat her to a giggling pulp with the pillow. They were both laughing so hard that they couldnÕt stand up but Akane finally calmed down, ÒWeÕd better get going so we can finish our workout before breakfast. If weÕre late again Kasumi will probably make you skip it.Ó At the thought of missing breakfast Usagi quickly sobered up and rushed from the room. A few moments latter she jogged back down the stairs wearing dark blue shorts with white stripes, a white t-shirt, and a thick white head band. ÒHurry up Akane!Ó Akane raced up the stairs and made it back down just in time to see her sister rush out the door. ~Latter that Morning~ Soun Tendo held a post card in front of him, tears streaming down his cheeks. *At last!* ÒKasumi! Nibiki! Akane! Usagi!Ó The first two sisters answered his call but the last two did not. ÒAkane? Usagi? ------ Usagi rushed into the Dojo. ÒYes! I beat you again! Either your letting me win or your just getting slow sis!Ó Akane grumbled good naturedly and they both changed into their karate giÕs. As Akane was stacking up a sizable amount of bricks Usagi surveyed the small pile of training staffs on the floor. She finally chose one and with a deep breath swung into a delicate yet fast kata. Akane slammed her fist into the pile of bricks with a yell right as Nibiki walked in. ÒNo wonder the boys all think your so weird. You should try something more along UsagiÕs lines.Ó She motioned to the lithe blond as she gracefully flipped, landed on her toes softly and swung the staff above her head as she listened. Akane frowned. ÒWell, unlike you my world doesnÕt revolve around boys.Ó Nibiki smirked as she looked out the window. It had started to rain. ÒThen this news wouldnÕt interest you Akane. It might interest you though Usagi.Ó ------ ÒWhat?!Ó, Akane yelled. Soun cleared his throat. ÒHis name is Ranma Saotome and he and his father will be here any minute now.Ó Usagi frowned. ÒDo you mean to tell me that you have engaged one of us to a complete stranger?Ó Akane fumed, ÒDonÕt we get a choice in who we marry?Ó Kasumi frowned slightly. ÒAkaneÕs right Daddy. We havenÕt even met this Ranma.Ó Soun grinned and waved the ragged postcard in front of them. ÒThat can be easily fixed!Ó ~Meanwhile~ Somewhere in the shopping district a short teenager with red hair was being chased by a panda. ÒCut it out!Ó The girl tried to kick the panda way but it just dodged and retaliated with a kick of its own. The crowd was stunned. ÒWow! Did you see how fast that panda was! WhatÕs a panda doing here in the first place?Ó After a few more dodged blows the red head finally caught the panda as his arm came swinging towards her and flipped him over with his own momentum. ÒHah! Suck on that old man! IÕm going back to China.Ó The panda meanwhile had picked up the sign that had been crushed by its fall and proceeded to whack the young red head to the ground. It picked the girl up and slung her over his shoulder. ÒShouldnÕt someone call the zoo? It just knocked that girl out!Ó The panda turned to the murmuring crowd and let out a roar. That shut everyone up pretty quick. The panda shifted his burden slightly and continued on his way. ~Back at the Dojo~ Soun continued with his tale, ÒRanma and his father have been on a voyage of training. They just recently returned from China.Ó Nibiki smiled. ÒWow! China!Ó Akane frowned and turned away.ÓSo whatÕs so great about walking to China?Ó Nibiki continued with a smile. ÒIs he cute?Ó Kasumi looked thoughtful as she leaned on her hand. ÒHow old is he? Younger men bore me.Ó Usagi was ecstatic. ÒYou mean he knows martial arts? How good is he?Ó All three sisters asked at the same time, ÒWhat kind of guy is this Ranma?Ó Soun started laughing at the eagerness of his daughters but sobered up pretty quickly as he realized something. ÒNo Idea. I've never met him.Ó A few seconds latter they all heard a loud crash. Kasumi sprang to her feet. ÒOh! we have visitors!Ó Nibiki and Usagi stood up as well. ÒOooo! i bet itÕs Ranma!Ó ÒGet out of my way Nibiki!Ó Akane followed at a safe distance. *How depressing. Boys.* Suddenly the Tendo family came charging down the hallway, followed closely by the giant panda and itÕs burden. ÒHey! Let me go! CanÕt you see your scaring them?!Ó Kasumi was at a loss for words. ÒDaddy, is this your friend?Ó Soun quickly shook his head. Nibiki growled, ÒOh! So this panda just decided to visit! Happens all the time!Ó Usagi and Akane were both speechless. The panda deposited the red head in front of Soun. ÒYou. . . you wouldnÕt be. . ?Ó The red head sighed, ÒRanma Saotome. Sorry bout all this.Ó Soun was overcome with joy. ÒAt last! YouÕve come!Ó He gathered the visitor in a tight hug. ÒItÕs so good of you to come! So very. . . Ò He paused. Something was wrong. He held out the red head and stared. Nibiki also stared. She walked up to the visitor and experimentally poked her finger at the red headÕs chest. ÒUm, could you stop that?Ó Nibiki frowned as she looked towards the rest of her family. ÒHE is a girl.Ó Soun promptly fell to the ground in a dead faint. ------ He awoke to his two eldest daughters arguing above him. Kasumi sighed as she changed the cold cloth on her fathers head.ÒOh poor Daddy. HeÕs so disappointed.Ó Nibiki frowned. ÒHeÕs disappointed? Look at what we have for a fiance!Ó She again poked RanmaÕs chest. ÒUm, I really wish youÕd stop that.Ó Usagi felt tears come to her eyes. Ò And I was hoping that Ranma would be my true love!Ó She started bawling loudly and Akane just watched her family carry on. She turned to Ranma. ÒHi. IÕm Akane Tendo. Want to join me in the training hall?Ó Usagi wiped her eyes. ÒYeah! We could all go have a quick practice fight!Ó Ranma just shrugged her shoulders. ÒOk.Ó Usagi smiled at Ranma as they left the room. ÒMy Dad said you went to China to train. Does that mean your good at martial arts?Ó Ranma smiled slightly. ÒI guess I know a few things.Ó Akane smiled, ÒWhoÕs first?Ó Usagi smiled as she backed up and leaned against the wall. ÒHow about you first Akane. IÕll go next.Ó *This will give me some time to study her moves a little.* Akane nodded and got into a defensive stance. ÒIÕll go easy on you okay?Ó Ranma shrugged as she mirrored the stance. ÒWhatever.Ó Akane suddenly let out a war cry and ran at Ranma. She threw punch after punch and was amazed when Ranma dodged them all. *Time to get serious.* She rushed Ranma once again and threw one of her stronger punches but her fist connected only with the wall. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to see Ranma giggling. Usagi started laughing. ÒLooks like you lost! Now itÕs my turn!Ó Akane blushed but moved to the side as her sister stepped up. ÒDo you use any weapons? If so just pick one.Ó She held her hand out to indicate the many different types of weapons lined up against the far wall. Ranma shrugged. ÒI donÕt really use weapons but we can if you want to.Ó Usagi smiled, a strange glint in her eye. ÒAkane, what should I choose?Ó Akane, still a little upset that she had lost so easily, smirked. ÒHow about staff?Ó Usagi nodded slightly with a wide grin on her face. ÒDo you agree Ranma?Ó The visiting red head looked suspiciously at the two sisters but finally nodded. Usagi walked to the wall and picked up two identical staffs. She started spinning them both and walked back to Ranma with a grin. She released her grip on one of the staffs and it went flying towards Ranma at a surprising velocity. The red head barely had time to catch it. *Well, SheÕs better than her sister.* Ranma also started spinning her staff, a confidant smile on her face. Akane frowned, *So sure of herself!* ÒUsagi! Make sure you win!Ó Usagi nodded wordlessly and then rushed towards Ranma. the red head eeped a little at the unexpected attack from the small blond but dodged out of the way, swinging her staff at the same time. Usagi parried the blow and returned it with a sharp jab for RanmaÕs stomach. Ranma knocked the tip of the staff away as she executed a tight back flip. She stopped and studied Usagi. *Shoot! No openings! She's better than she looks.* Usagi took this small distraction as her sign to attack and attack she did. Each thrust was countered and each step lost was gained back moments latter. Ranma just kept going with the grin on her face getting wider as Usagi's attacks began to slow. *Well, I have more stamina at least!* Winded, Usagi decided to end the fight quickly. She fell to the ground with a thud, clutching her staff in one hand and her face in the other. ÒOw! You broke my nose!Ó Ranma was shocked. *How did that happen?* ÒAre you okay?!Ó Usagi grinned as Ranma let her defenses down. She swung her staff out in a surprise attack and let out a little laugh of triumph as Ranma fell to the ground. Akane started laughing loudly but Ranma quickly got to her feet. ÒHey! ThatÕs cheating!Ó Usagi shrugged, a grin on her face. ÒI donÕt recall setting up any rules. I take any opportunity that presents itself. During a battle that is. IÕm really not that sneaky. ThatÕs NibikiÕs job.Ó Ranma sighed but smiled. ÒI guess I wouldÕve done the same thing if I was losing too.Ó She held out her hand to Usagi. The blond just stood there staring at the red heads hand. "Tha... that....that was so mean!!" She started to bawl and Akane sighed. *Just like father.* ------ Kasumi caught Usagi by the wrist as she went racing passed. ÒThe bath is ready. Go get Akane while I try to find Ranma.Ó ÒFine.Ó Usagi went running to the stairs and as she passed the family room she noticed her father talking to an old man. *I wonder who that is?* As she ran into her room downstairs on the porch Kasumi was trying to coax a reluctant Ranma into taking a bath. ÒYour probably all sweaty after your workout. I insist.Ó She ushered Ranma to the bath and then returned downstairs to finish cooking dinner. Ranma sighed but removed her clothing and put them in the waiting basket. She entered the little room and filled a bowl with cold water. After pouring it over her she stepped into the steamy water. *Now what am I going to do?* Akane and Usagi were just outside the door shedding their clothes. *Oh well. TheyÕll have to find out sooner or latter.* The figure in the bath was just stepping out when Akane and Usagi walked in, wearing what most wear when they are taking a bath. There were a few seconds of silence broken only by the slight whistle of wind. Akane backed out of the room, dragging a slack jawed Usagi. They both put on their robes and then ran down the stairs. Akane screaming angrily and Usagi crying profusely. Kasumi was startled by the sudden change in the decibel level. ÒWhatÕs wrong?Ó Akane blushed slightly. "There is a pervert in the bath!" The sisters both entered the living room and Akane quickly noticed the addition to the familiar faces. ÒWhoÕs he?Ó Soun answered, ÒThis is my old friend Genma Saotome.Ó Usagi stifled her cries for a few seconds and ran to her fathers side. ÒDaddy! ThereÕs a pervert in the bath and he looked at me and Akane! Go kill him!Ó There was a squeak of floorboards behind the group and they all turned to see a young man with a black pig tail. "Sorry bout that." Akane frowned. "Who are you?" The youth tugged at his damp pigtail in embarrassment. "Ranma Saotome." So, What'd ya think? E-mail me ANY comments. stonekid@etv.net Tsukino Neko =^-^=