~ New Moon ~ Chapter Nine Hi minna! :( Sorry Ôbout last chapter. I guess it wasnÕt as good as the others, ne? I hope this ones up to par though! Also, I have finally finished a good copy of prologue and chapter one for my DBZ/SM x-over. (yipee. *yawn*) IÕll have it up in about a week. Sorry so long, especially since I already have it done! IÕm just a tad bit too busy with school. ItÕs homecoming after all! *sigh* HavenÕt been asked to the dance though. *mutters under breath, figures!* =~-^= Sorry for talking so much! *hehehe* I donÕt own Sailor Moon or Ranma 1/2 so donÕt sue! IÕm not making money off of these so there isnÕt really any reason to right? *LOL* R&R~ Ja ne! Neko -Chan =^-^= Notes: * * - Thoughts -------- - Short passage of time ~Somewhere in-between Nermia and Juban~ Usagi Tendo stared out the grimy window of the bus, watching the last bit of the morning fog being burned away by the slowly rising sun. Beside her sat her dark haired sister, Akane, who was playing with a piece of string to pass the time. The blond lazily turned her head to see what the rest of their small group was doing. Setsuna and Ryoga were huddled together in seats diagonally across the aisle, whispering heatedly. She only caught a few bits of the conversation from her seat. It sounded like, ÔLost. . . .pig. . . moon. . . outersÕ. She had the strangest feeling they were talking about her. (AN: LOL) Turning her head she caught sight of Ranma. He was in a seat directly across from the two Tendo's. He was leaning back in his seat and staring out the window just as Usagi had been doing moments before. *Bored.* The blond sighed and shifted in her seat so that she was facing the aisle, and Akane. ÒAkane? Will you trade seats with me?Ó Akane stopped trying to undo the knots covering her fingers. ÒWhy? I thought you liked the window seat?Ó Usagi blushed and started playing with her hands. ÒOh come on Akane. I just want to . . . you know . . . get to know Ryoga a little more.Ó Her blush increased as Akane started giggling. ÒOh! DonÕt let me sit in the way of true love! After you!Ó She stood and scooted into the aisle to allow Usagi room to edge passed. Ranma, who had really been watching Usagi out of the corner of his eye, slid his foot into the aisle. *Going to go get cozy with pig boy eh?* Typically, Usagi tripped over his out stretched foot with a loud squeal of fright. ÒWhoaaaaaahhhhhh!!Ó Ranma snickered as UsagiÕs arms started flying everywhere, trying to grab at anything that would steady her. He stopped his laughter when he felt her hand grip his pigtail tightly and tug. ÒYEOW! WhatÕd you do that for you dumb meatball head?!Ó Clutching the back of his head in pain the pigtailed martial artist scowled. Usagi however didnÕt have time to answer since she was still off balance, and falling. As she felt her center of gravity shifting over the edge she clenched her eyes shut and felt certain she was about to die. *This is the end! And I never had a chance to try that new flavor of ice cream!* Her still flailing arms came into contact with something and she held on for dear life as the bus took a sharp turn and she fell to her left, completely on top of whatever had saved her. After a few seconds she opened her eyes. Only to come face to face with Ryoga, who was currently as red as a tomato. ÒUh, sorry Ryoga. He he! Um, I didnÕt see you there?Ó Usagi rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. *Great. Now I klutz out right in front of him! Nice going Usagi!* She squirmed slightly, trying to get her feet into a good position to lever her into an upright position. She didnÕt take into account the effect her squirming would have on the lost boy. Setsuna chuckled. She had been getting nervous with some of the questions Ryoga had been asking her. Such as, why did she know Usagi? What was the whole thing with ÔoutersÕ about? Then the one that had really made her squirm. Why did you choose me to help you? *How was I going to answer that one? Tell him the truth? He would never believe me!* The green haired woman smirked as Ryoga started stammering. ÒUs-Usagi?Ó The blond stopped as she was halfway to her feet, no longer in the awkward position. ÒYeah Ryoga?Ó The lost boy blushed yet again. *Should I tell her IÕm in love with her? Or would she just laugh? -sigh- Why would she want me anyway?* ÒHere. I thought you might like it. ItÕs never done me any good after all.Ó He held out a shiny silver compass, tied to a frayed piece of string. Usagi slowly took the offered gift. ÒRyoga! ItÕs-Ó He cut her off as he stared at the floor of the bus in shame. ÒI know itÕs not much but I wanted you to have it. I got it in a small shop somewhere in England.Ó ÒI love it Ryoga.Ó Usagi smiled brightly at him as Setsuna looked on with a smile. ÒI can move somewhere else if youÕd like Usagi-chan.Ó Usagi, who had finally regained her ÔbusÕ legs, nodded with a blush. ÒThanks Pu-, uh, Setsuna. I was planning to come over and talk with Ryoga anyway.Ó The bandana clad youth felt his pulse quicken. *She was coming over to see me? Just me? Could it be that she-* ÒOooof!Ó RyogaÕs head collided with the back of the seat in front of him as a hand pushed him forward. A hand that belonged to a certain jealous Saotome. *Stupid jerk! Just who does he think he is?! Trying to steal my fiance away, eh? Well, YouÕll find IÕm a little harder to beat than that!* Plastering on a fake grin Ranma swung around to stand next to Usagi in the aisle, facing Ryoga. ÒHey! P-chan! HowÕre you doing buddy?Ó Ryoga tried to hold his temper in. We watched in astonishment as Ranma slid his arm around UsagiÕs shoulders. The pig tailed boy grinned at the obviously enraged teen. ÒSo whatÕve you two been talking Ôbout? Hey Ryoga! Did you know that Usagi has a pet piglet?Ó *That does it.* ÒRanma! How dare you come here and call me that name! Prepare to die!Ó He stood up and glared face to face with Ranma. The pig tailed teen was blocking his path to the aisle and he had nowhere to turn where he was wedged in between the seats. Ranma smirked at his predicament and never noticed when Usagi slipped out from under his arm. ÒRanma.Ó He turned at the sound of his name and immediately went flying down the aisle with the momentum of the fist which had just connected with his jaw. ÒStop picking on Ryoga!Ó She frowned and turned back to Ryoga, who was still stuck between the seats. ÒSince weÕre both already standing, how Ôbout we just get our own seat?Ó She waited for an answer but only received a nod. *Does he not want to sit with me? I know! HeÕs probably shy!* A closer look at his very red face confirmed it. Usagi smiled brightly as she sat in the seat across from Setsuna and in front of Akane. Ranma had picked himself up by this time and was watching Usagi and Ryoga. He wanted to go right back up there and sit by Usagi himself! What stopped him was a smirking senshi of time. *Sheesh! DoesnÕt she remember that IÕm UsagiÕs fiance? She looks like sheÕs just waitinÕ for a reason to chop my head off!* He scowled at Setsuna but went back to his seat, still stealing glances at the duo across the aisle. Ryoga tried to make himself stop blushing. *Why do I have to be so shy? Oh Usagi.* They sat in silence for a few seconds until Ryoga decided to break the ice. Unfortunately, it was at the same time that Usagi was going to try the same thing. ÒUsagi, I-Ó ÒRyoga, do you-Ó They stopped and stared at each other then started laughing. ÒMaybe you should go first, Usagi.Ó Ryoga fidgeted slightly and tugged at his bandana to try and straighten it. Setsuna couldnÕt help but grin at the two of them. *Those two always did make the perfect couple. A whole lot better than that Martian prince.* She frowned at the thought. *To think, him and the princess were going to get married! If Ryoga hadnÕt shown up . . . * She turned back to watch them. ÒRyoga, do you know how you got your curse?Ó Ryoga felt his heart stop. *She. . . she knows?* His face drained of color and Usagi frowned in concern. ÒDoes it bother you to think about it?Ó All that Ryoga could manage was a small nod. *She does! She knows! She was just playing along the whole time! Maybe, she doesnÕt mind?* He started calming down at that thought. *Finally! Someone besides Setsuna that I can to to about my curse!* Usagi giggled slightly. ÒIt must be quite an inconvenience, ne?Ó Ryoga smiled slightly. ÒYou have no idea! It always happens at the worst times.Ó Usagi nodded. ÒI bet. It mustÕve been pretty powerful magic to do something like that to you. IÕve actually known a couple of people with the same curse as you.Ó She giggled again. ÒThey were always telling me how hard it was.Ó Ryoga was grinning now. ÒOh, it is. I mean, just the other day, someone tried to eat me!Ó Usagi stared. ÒEat . . . you?Ó Now Ryoga was puzzled. ÒWell, yeah. With this sort of curse that sort of thing can happen all the time.Ó Usagi frowned as she tried to think out the logic in that. ÒHow would getting lost make people want to eat you?Ó Ryoga once again felt the blood drain from his face. *Ahhhhhhh! What have I done?! She meant my directional curse! I almost gave away the fact that I am P -chan!* He shuttered at the thought then noticed that Usagi was still looking at him strangely. ÒOh! Well, that was just a joke! Ha ha! A joke!Ó He nervously tugged on his bandana again, drawing UsagiÕs attention to the piece of cloth. ÒHey! I never noticed before but your bandana looks just like my pet P -chanÕs!Ó She grinned at him as he cringed down in his seat, trying to pull his hair further down over the fabric. ÒReally? Fancy that!Ó *How can this be happening to me? Do the fates hate me?* Usagi nodded. ÒWhere did you get it anyway? Maybe P-chan came from the area you got it from.Ó Ryoga shrugged and glanced over at Setsuna. ÒI canÕt really remember where I got it. I usually donÕt even know what town IÕm in.Ó Setsuna was frowning. *His bandana?* Usagi shrugged. *At least I got him to relax! Um, a little.* Suddenly the bus screeched to a halt. Usagi popped out of her seat and threw her fist into the air. ÒOh! ItÕs our stop! Lets go!ÓShe posed dramatically. ÒShopping, here I come!Ó Ryoga stood next to her and they moved down the aisle. (If only it were a diff. kind of aisle! *LOL*) Akane and Setsuna got off the bus and turned to each other. ÒSince those two seem so happy together, maybe we should just leave them alone. IÕm going to the Cherry Hill Temple to see a friend of the family, do you want to come?Ó Setsuna nodded but was puzzled. *Who is she planning to meet there? Is it one of the scouts? This is getting stranger by the minute.* ÒIÕd be happy to go with you. I, in fact, have to meet some people there as well. After we go though would you be able to accompany me to my house there? We may as well just go there to wait for Usagi since I know that she wonÕt be done with her shopping till pretty late.Ó Akane nodded. ÒSure. We may as well all plan to meet there since weÕre all going different places.Ó Setsuna nodded in agreement and Akane caught Ranma, Usagi, and RyogaÕs attention. Ranma had been sulking. *Why is she so happy with him?* He was the first to reach Akane and Setsuna. ÒWhat?Ó His sulk was evident in his voice and Akane looked at him strangely before answering. ÒWhatÕs wrong with you?Ó He frowned. ÒNothings wrong you tomboy. I just donÕt know if I want to go shopping or not.Ó Those were actually his thoughts, not just his excuse to Akane. *After all, if those two are going to be acting like that the whole time, I might not be able to keep myself from killing the stupid jerk.* Said Ôstupid jerkÕ was standing right behind Ranma, totally unknown to the pig -tailed boy. ÒReally Saotome? Well, IÕd be more than happy to escort your fiance for you.Ó Ryoga couldnÕt help but to smirk as Ranma fumed. *He IS jealous! Funny to think of though. I may not be able to beat Ranma in a fight but maybe I can beat him at love.* His thoughts were cut short however as Usagi bounced up to Ranma with a grin. ÒRanma! You have to come with me! After all, we are engaged.Ó She hooked her arm around RanmaÕs, then hooked her other around RyogaÕs. Both boys glared at each other over the blonds head. Setsuna and Akane just sweat dropped. *How can she be my sister? SheÕs got them both ready to tear each others throats out!* ÒUsagi? Do you know where SetsunaÕs staying here in Juban?Ó Usagi blinked a few times, than wordlessly shook her head. Setsuna smiled. ÒThatÕs alright. IÕll just mark it on this map.Ó Akane proceeded to tell them of the plan to meet at SetsunaÕs. Then, they went there separate ways. ------------ ÒRyoga! You look so kawaii!Ó Usagi giggled as she took in the sight of Ryoga in a full tuxedo. He looked quite uncomfortable. Ranma, who was leaning against the open dressing room door, laughed. ÒNice look pig boy!Ó Ryoga frowned. ÒUsagi, maybe you should see what Ranma looks like in one of these. After all,Ó He smirked, Òhe will be wearing one when you get married, right?Ó *IF they get married.* It had been UsagiÕs idea to go into the menÕs dress store. She told them she was tired of trying on clothes and thought it was their turns. What she really wanted was to have some fun. Usagi turned to Ranma with a grin. ÒYour right Ryoga! Ranma! Get into this tuxedo right now!Ó She pulled a random tuxedo off the rack and shoved him in through another open door. ÒDonÕt come out till your all ready!Ó She grabbed RyogaÕs arm and with a wink, guided him to another stall. ÒHurry! Change back and weÕll try to lose him!Ó She giggled. *This is fun! I wonder how long itÕll take poor Ranma to find us.* Ryoga had an evil smile on his face as he changed back into his normal mustard colored shirt and dark green pants and leg binders. *Now youÕll know what itÕs like to get lost Ranma!* He opened the door to the small dressing room, expecting to see Usagi. What he saw was. . . nobody. Nobody but Ranma in his tux that is. The two turned to each other slowly, staring in disbelief. Then, as one, they grabbed each other by the shoulders and yelled. ÒShe ditched us!Ó After a few seconds in this position, they realized who they were clutching. Ryoga backed away hastily, as did Ranma. They both glared. ÒItÕs your fault she left P-chan. She probably got tired of your smell.Ó ÒHa! She only wanted you to come because of your extra money. Usagi would never like you Saotome!Ó Ranma growled in anger. ÒOh yeah?! Well, you wanna know the only reason she was holding onto your arm and being nice to you? She was guiding you! So you wouldnÕt get lost! Usagi just felt sorry for you. She doesnÕt like you!Ó Ryoga felt his heart shatter. *He. . . heÕs right. That must be the reason. After all, how could someone as beautiful as Usagi like me? Let alone love me!* He stumbled back a few steps. ÒYour right Ranma.Ó The pig tailed teen got a good look at RyogaÕs face and was surprised to see tears. *HeÕs cryinÕ? Why? Because of what I said about Usagi?* The lost boy lifted his head, letting his tears flow freely down his cheeks. ÒGoodbye, Ranma.Ó He bounded passed Ranma to the front of the store, where he picked up his pack and sprinted in a random direction. Ranma was stunned. *HeÕs giving up that easily? Naw, it has to be some sort of trick.* He waited a few moments, expecting Ryoga to some running back in yelling ÔDie Ranma!Õ. With a sigh he turned back to the dressing room to change back into his red shirt and black pants so he could find Usagi, or Ryoga. *Why did she leave anyway? dumb meatball head.* ------------- Usagi smiled at the mall fountain as she sipped at her root beer float. It was a statue of a tall woman with flowing gown and hair, holding out her hands. A small stream of water was flowing from her cupped hands to splash softly in the small coin strewn pool at the bottom. All around the woman were eight other small statues of tiny angels with wings. Each was holding a different object. The one with short hair, closest to Usagi, was holding a small harp. The fingers were sculpted perfectly and looked as though they were actually plucking the tiny strings. Her wings were pulled tight against her back as her eyes were closed in concentration. Two on either side had long hair. One was holding a bow, drawn back and ready to fire. Her wings were opened to their fullest, but the tips were bent in slightly. The other was holding what looked like a large broad sword, held high over her head. Her wings were pulled around to circle her sides. Next to the one with the bow was a slightly taller statue of an angel with a ponytail. She was holding a staff that looked like a branch in one hand, and a small sprig of some sort of flowery plant in the other. These four werenÕt what was making Usagi smile, however. It was the next four. *The outers.* The first was a tall angel with her wings held open to their fullest at her sides. She was holding a sword in front of her face, almost like a salute. *Sailor Uranus, most protective of all the senshi.* Next to her was a petite angel with shoulder length wavy hair. This one was sitting on a rock with her legs crossed and was holding a small hand mirror out in front of her. *Sailor Neptune, smart and beautiful but with hidden strength.* The next statue made UsagiÕs smile dim slightly in sadness. It was a small angel with a short bob, holding her wings half opened. Her large eyes were staring at the passersby with a look of anguish. She was holding a tall staff, with a large G shaped blade on the end, out to her side. *Sailor Saturn, senshi of destruction. Destined to always be lonely. Strongest of the senshi and holder of the silence glaive.* The final statue was of a tall angel with long hair, part of it drawn up in a bun. She was standing with her side facing the crowds of shoppers, wings held down with he tips dipping into the water. Holding her time staff crossed in front of her body her other hand was held next to the top of the staff, by the garnet orb. *Sailor Pluto, Puu. My best friend and the closest thing I had to a sister until Akane. Keeper of time and possibly more lonely than Saturn. Always watching the gate.* Usagi sighed as she finished her drink. *Guess I may as well go walk around now. After all, those two are either fighting or are trying to find me.* She walked passed the trash can, easily throwing the empty cup across the 15 foot gap. As she was making her way out of the food court she accidentally bumped into someone, knocking their books to the ground. ÒOh, IÕm sorry!Ó She quickly bent down to help retrieve the books. ÒThatÕs alright. I wasnÕt looking where I was going either.Ó She glanced up at the speaker. *Wow! What a hunk!* The ÔhunkÕ had wispy brown hair and cool blue eyes. ÒHello, my nameÕs Alan.Ó He held out his hand as they both stood up. Usagi blushed. ÒMy name is Usagi.Ó She gripped his hand but started blushing even more as instead of shaking it he kissed the back softly. ÒItÕs a pleasure to meet you Usagi.Ó She looked up into his eyes for a few moments before blinking and taking a few steps back. ÒOh! IÕm sorry! I have to go! Bye Alan!Ó She waved as she turned and jogged to a distant store. *That was really creepy!* Right after she walked away from the boy he was joined by a girl. She had similar eyes and longer brown hair. ÒWho was that Alan? I think I may be jealous.Ó She glared as she waited for his answer. ÒHmmmm? Oh, it was nobody Ann. Just another of these earth girls. You know your the only one for me.Ó He hugged her slightly and they continued walking. Something caught AnnÕs eye, however, just as they turned the corner. It was Ryoga, lost as usual. He was mumbling under his breath as the couple approached. ÒI was sure it was that way. Maybe if I turned right instead of left?Ó Ann was grinning. *He sure is handsome! Maybe I should help him!* She detached herself from Alan and bounced over to the lost boy. ÒExcuse me? Are you lost? IÕd be happy to help you.Ó Ann smiled as Ryoga blinked at her quick speech. ÒYeah, sure. Can you tell me where this is?Ó He pointed at the map that Setsuna had given him with her house marked. Ann nodded. ÒWouldnÕt you rather I show you instead?Ó She leaned closer towards him and fluttered her eyelashes. Alan was not happy. *First she gets mad at me for liking that blond girl and now sheÕs flirting with this earthling.* ÒAnn I think we need to go. Now.Ó He frowned at his ÔsisterÕ as Ryoga tried to back away from her without her noticing. Ann turned her head away from Ryoga and stalked back over to Alan. ÒWhat do you mean Alan? Ryoga took the distraction as his chance to escape. As he was walking around another corner he shook his head slightly. *What a strange girl.* That was when he noticed he was back where he had started, the food court. +~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+ HowÕd you like it? If you have any questions just e-mail me. Suggestions too. I even accept flames! *grin* Ja ne! stonekid@etv.net Tsukino Neko =^-^=