~ New Moon ~ Chapter Five: Hey minna! This chapter is going to actually get the story going. Before itÕs been sort of jump and skip around. I hope now itÕll make a little more sense to some of ya. =~-^= Oh and when I wrote this my mind went blank on ChadÕs Japanese name. Hope ya donÕt mind too much! I donÕt own Sailor Moon or Ranma 1/2. DonÕt sue me, you wonÕt get much if you do anyway! Please R&R!!! *gets down on knees and begs* Please? *gets hit by a wadded up piece of paper from off stage* Uh, sorry bout that! Um. . . . Ja ne! =^-^= Notes: * * - indicate thought -------- - short passage of time ~Cherry Hill Temple~ It was a typical sunny day in Juban. Birds singing, kids playing in the park, Rei Hino sweeping the temple grounds while her fellow scouts waited for a certain blond who had in affinity for being late. No, not bunny-chan. Minako. Rei looked up from her sweeping with a frown. She could see a distant dust cloud approaching the temple. *Seems almost like when Usagi used to. . . . but thatÕs Minako.* She let out a sigh as the before mentioned blond raced up the steps. Her fellow senshi turned as one to regard the senshi of love. ÒHey. . . (huff) . . guys! (puff) Sorry IÕm so late. I got detention for falling asleep in class.Ó Rei felt herself losing her temper. ÒSo, since UsagiÕs gone your trying to fill the gap? Being late AND falling asleep in class?!Ó Minako let out a slight sigh. ÒRei, you have no reason to blow up at me! I didnÕt get enough sleep last night. I had a dream about. . . you know.Ó The blond fell silent and suddenly decided to memorize what her shoes looked like. (AN: LOL) Over the past few days all of the senshi had been having recurring nightmares about the death of their princess. The princess they were supposed to protect. The princess that was, at the moment, lost. Rei smiled slightly in sympathy. ÒIÕm sorry Mina-chan. I guess IÕve just been a little too high strung because of whatÕs been happening. DonÕt worry though, we ARE going to find her. Right Luna?Ó The girls turned as one to the two cats sitting on the ground. The black one nodded. ÒIn fact, Sailor Pluto has told me of a lead she might have. A friend of hers seems to have come into contact with an Usagi in an area not too far from here. DonÕt get too excited though girls. It could just be a different girl or a false alarm. Pluto says she will check it out and if it warrants more of an investigation then she will alert us.Ó Ami nodded her head and brushed her short blue hair from her eyes. ÒThat would be the best thing to do for now. After all, we have an enemy here and we donÕt want to leave the town unguarded.Ó The brunette next to her flashed the group a victory sign. ÒDonÕt worry you guys! These cardians aren't that tough.Ó Makoto tried to push her own doubt down. *What if we canÕt do this without Usagi? * ÒIÕm sure weÕll have them crying for mercy in just a few days. Then we can all go searching for the Moon Princess.Ó Artemis smiled up at the optimistic senshi of Jupiter. *This is just like before when our ÔofficialÕ mission was to find the Moon Princess. Maybe our luck has changed. If not then itÕs going to have to be Usagi who finds US. That's not too likely.* ÒWell girls I think that now----. . . Meow!Ó The girls stared at the white cat as if he had just grown a new head. Minako leaned closer to see if something was wrong. ÒArtemis? What is it?Ó She turned her attention from her lunar guardian however when she heard a shrill shriek coming from ReiÕs direction. ÒHa! I knew I could still sneak up on you Rei!Ó The fire priestess spun around with a look that rivaled any youmaÕs and came face to face with . . . ÒGrandpa! How many times do I have to say donÕt do that!Ó The withered old man let out a loud laugh. ÒI have to keep you on your toes!Ó The other girls all started giggling as they watched Rei try to hold in a sharp retort. She turned her glare on them however and they soon shut up. *ThatÕs better!* Taking a deep breath to calm herself she turned back to her guardian. ÒIs there anything else you want grandpa?Ó The aged Shinto priest giggled. ÒGuess whoÕs coming to visit Rei?Ó Rei sighed again and quickly counted to ten. *. .7. . . 8. . . .9. . . .* ÒWho Grandpa?Ó He chuckled again. ÒYour Uncle is coming back from his vacation in America and instead of going straight home to Nermia he has decided to visit you. HeÕll be staying about a week.Ó Rei felt her mood brighten. *Finally some good news!* ÒReally?! When will he be here?Ó She hardly noticed as her fellow senshi of love and justice leaned forward eagerly to hear the answer as well. *After all*, Minako reasoned, * ReiÕs uncle is pretty hot!* Makoto was thinking along the similar lines as she elbowed Minako to the side. *Who cares if heÕs a little older? He looks just like my old sempai!* Ami, the studious one of the group was eager as well but for alternative motives. *I wonder if heÕd be willing to teach me some of his healing techniques. If IÕm going to be a doctor I might as well start learning first hand now!* ReiÕs grandpa grinned foolishly at the girls. ÒHeÕll be here in about twenty minutes. He just called from the bus station. I might send Chad to help him bring his things. Then he might be here even sooner so you girls had better go get ready!Ó They all blushed slightly but nodded anyway. With a shared glance they rushed towards ReiÕs room. ------- Minako stared in the mirror at her reflection. *Maybe I should wear another bow? Or maybe just get rid of it altogether? . . . .Naw!* She finally stopped tugging at her outfit and sat down on ReiÕs futon. ÒHey Rei! Your uncleÕs here! HeÕs a pretty cool dude!Ó Rei rolled her eyes but stood anyway and walked towards the door. Minako and Makoto however beat her to it. ÒGet out of my way!Ó ÒNo! I call first dibs since IÕm taller!Ó ÒWell, most men like blonds so you should just give up anyway!Ó The senshi of Venus and Jupiter kept trading insults and didnÕt even notice as someone stopped in the doorway to watch. ÒHa! Seems as though IÕve come in the middle of a duel! Ó Rei turned away from the duo with a look of annoyance that quickly disappeared when she saw who the speaker was. ÒUncle!Ó She rushed towards the man in the doorway. ÒWhy hello Rei! I havenÕt seen you since you were this tall!Ó He held up a hand to about four feet from the ground as he set some of his bags down. Rei felt herself blushing as the duo realized who was there and rushed towards him. The blond reached him first and swiftly took his hand, pumping it vigorously. ÒHello ReiÕs uncle!Ó *Wow! He looks even better than in the picture!* He was tall with his shoulder length brown hair pulled into a pony tail and round glasses that suited his face. Makoto elbowed Minako out of the way and grabbed his hand, shaking it as well. ÒMinako! I canÕt believe you donÕt even remember his name! ItÕs . . . um. . Ò She rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment as Rei sweat dropped. *Figures theyÕd remember his every freckle but forget his name.* Ami on the other hand giggled slightly. ÒHello Dr. Tofu. ItÕs nice to meet you.Ó The ruffled Dr. Tofu straightened his glasses as he stepped towards the blue haired girl. ÒAkane? Is that you?Ó As he got a closer look he started blushing. ÒOh IÕm sorry! I thought you were someone I knew from Nermia! Forgive me.Ó He bowed slightly and Ami bowed back, blushing. *He is pretty cute. Wait! What am I thinking?!* ÒThat's alright Dr. Tofu. My name is Ami.Ó ÒPleased to meet you Ami.Ó Minako and Makoto glared at Ami. Rei smiled brightly. ÒSo tell me about your life in Nermia Uncle! HowÕs business and all?Ó She winked at him slightly. ÒAny cute girls you like there?Ó Tofu blushed and nodded slightly. ÒActually yes. Her name is Kasumi Tendo. Would you like to see a picture? Akane is one of her sisters.Ó He remover his wallet from the back pocket of his pants and, still blushing, handed a small snapshot to the raven haired girl. ÒHer family owns a dojo in town. In fact, two of her sisters help to keep my business going!Ó He laughed and Rei looked at him quizzically. ÒPerhaps I should explain. The two youngest sisters practice martial arts and are quite good at it. One of them, Akane, gets in quite a few fights. The younger usually only joins fights when they get too out of hand for Akane but they both injure other people or themselves on a regular basis.Ó Rei grinned. ÒI think itÕd be fun to learn more martial arts! I mean, aside from what youÕve taught me uncle. Do they give classes?Ó Tofu sighed. ÒActually they donÕt. Ever since his wife died Soun Tendo has been. . . . preoccupied.Ó Rei looked at him curiously again. ÒThen how do they make a living?Ó Tofu smiled. ÒThe girls of that family are all very resourceful. The second oldest, Nibiki, usually finds ways to make ends meet. SheÕs quite a shrewd business woman!Ó Makoto, interested in anything that has to do with fighting, stepped closer. ÒDo you think we could get the two youngest at least to give us lessons?Ó Dr. Tofu considered that for a few moments and then nodded. ÒYou might. IÕm going to call latter tonight to tell them I made it back from America okay. IÕll ask them for you if you want.Ó Makoto smiled brightly. ÒThanks! Hey, how old are the two youngest anyway? It might be a little weird to take lessons from girls younger than us.Ó Minako frowned before Tofu could answer. ÒWhy are we going to ALL take lessons?Ó Ami turned to the blond. ÒI think itÕs a good idea Mina-chan. It will help us with our work.Ó Minako stared for a few seconds but finally nodded her head with a smile. ÒI guess your right Ami. We would do a lot better if we all knew some martial arts.Ó She turned to the tall brunette. ÒGood thinking Mako-chan!Ó ÒTheyÕre both 16.Ó Everyone turned to Dr. Tofu with blank looks on their faces. ÒThe two youngest? They are both 16.Ó It finally registered that he was answering the question from earlier and Makoto smiled. Rei on the other hand was confused again. ÒYou mean theyÕre twins?Ó Dr. Tofu smiled at his niece. ÒNo. The youngest was adopted. She doesnÕt look a thing like any of her older sisters.Ó Rei nodded in understanding. ÒThat makes sense then.Ó She turned to the other three girls. ÒWell guys. I guess I call you all tomorrow with the answer from the dojo. ItÕs getting pretty late and youÕd all better go home.Ó The others nodded. Minako picked up Artemis and Ami picked up Luna. ÒGoodbye Rei-chan!Ó They chorused. After the girls had left Tofu turned back to Rei. ÒWell, I think IÕll go call now. WhereÕs your phone?Ó Rei ran a hand through her hair. ÒJust down the hall and around the corner.Ó Dr. Tofu nodded and left the room. +~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+ What did ya think? Good? Bad? Tell me -k! Also, does anyone know what Dr. TofuÕs first name is? *rubs back of neck in embarrassment* IÕm really brain dead tonight and since I promised to have this chapter up by tonight I donÕt have time to look for it. *LOL* I really hope you liked it! Well, Ja ne! stonekid@etv.net Tsukino Neko =^-^=