Taiki was getting ready the next morning. They were off to try and find the Kishi no Kuro Bara. The 'hunting' party constituted of Murasaki (Taiki), Aoi, Midori, Tatsumaki and Tsunami. Miaka insisted on coming, all the while trying to find Taiki a good man to fall in love with. Miaka had devised a secondary plan... if the Kishi no Kuro Bara was a good guy, she would try to fix him up with Taiki. If that doesn't work, she thought, she could always try Hotohori or Tatsuki. Since they were coming with her and Tamahome, she would have all the time in the world to play cupid. She wouldn't even tell Taiki...

Tatsumaki was furious. Their party would be traveling as wealthy merchants, and she was outraged.

"I am a warrior-priestess. I shan't be a part of this masquerade!" She fumed. Taiki intervened.

"Please, Tatsumaki-san, if we go as warriors, the Kishi no Kuro Bara won't approach us, but he won't be as suspicious if we pass ourselves as merchants."

"Tatsumaki... listen to Murasaki-san... You know this is the best way we can find the Tsuki no Miko." said softly Tsunami.

"Still, it isn't my idea of how a good warrior should behave..." replied Tatsumaki.

"I understand your warrior's pride..." interrupted Hotohori. "... But sometimes a warrior must use subterfuge in other to win a battle. As long as it is honorable, there is no shame in this."

"The Emperor of Konan himself helps us, Tatsumaki..." added Tsunami. "Swallow your pride, my love. You know our mission is to bring Shiori-sama back with us safe and sound." Tatsumaki nodded, but she still had a dark scowl on her brow.

Taiki readjusted her traveling clothes. I'll never get used to wearing so many clothes at the same time, she thought. She always enjoyed a bolder, more stylish cut of dress. Hmm, ever since I've been on earth my clothes have only been men's clothes. When she thought of Earth, she thought of Ami. If time passed at the same rate on Earth as it was passing here like Miaka said, then Ami would probably be worried sick... I just hope, she thought, that Yaten didn't call her when I didn't come home yesterday night, to check if I was with her.

Later they were on the high road; Tatsuki had gone ahead and scouted the area. There was no sign of The Kishi no Kuro Bara. The road was long so the chances of ambush were many indeed. If he was intelligent, the Kishi would attack them when they least expected it. After being on their guard all-day, they made camp before the sun set. Taiki stretched her legs a little; she went to a small spring of water and knelt down to take a drink. She felt movement that told her she had made a mistake. In a flash she felt cold steel under her chin and a strong armored arm around her waist.

"Don't yell out and don't struggle and you'll be all right... do you understand?" she nodded slightly. The voice, although muffled by something before his face, had something familiar about it. Because the man talked through a layer of leather, his voice was pitched lower, but she thought she knew the voice. The man lifted her off the ground and carried her to her camp where the others were unpacking for the night unaware of what had just happened to her.

Out of nowhere, four armored men jumped in front of Taiki. She saw they all wore a black leather masked that hid their faces up to their eyes. They wore the yoroi of samurai complete with the helmet but the sign of the house they belonged to was missing. They were then the four Ronin that were with the Kishi no Kuro Bara. They let the men who carried her pass and positioned themselves behind him.

Back at the camp, Tatsumaki grumbled at the work they made her, the Kaze no Miko, do. She almost couldn't bear the outrage done to her station, but seeing the Emperor of Konan himself do menial tasks made her keep silent her boiling resentment. In the forest where Murasaki had gone, she felt movement. At first, she thought it was just Murasaki coming back, but she soon understood. Baka no Murasaki! She thought, you've grown too soft and let yourself be captured. Tatsumaki let go of the things she was carrying with a loud crash and brought her jewel sword out of its scabbard.

"Come then Kishi no Kuro Bara... face me! Or are you just good to kidnap defenseless women?" Tatsumaki growled. "What have you done to the Tsuki no Miko??? Answer me, DOG!"

The man in the black armor stopped, still carrying Taiki. "If I have kidnapped Murasaki-san, it is only because I know you too well, Kaze no Miko... You charge an enemy without thinking. I have taken Murasaki-san hostage so you would listen to me..."

Hotohori put himself between Tatsumaki and the Kishi using himself as a shield. "Then tell us what you wish... but first how do you know the name of the Headmaiden of the Suzaku no Miko?"

"I know Murasaki-san as well as she knows me..." said the Kishi no Kuro Bara. Taiki lifted an eyebrow. I do? She thought.

Miaka beamed. She was right! The Kishi was indeed in love with Murasaki. Everything was going so smoothly.

"I am not the one who kidnapped the Tsuki no Miko. I could never lift a finger against her." the Kishi added. I knew it, thought Miaka, he's a good guy.

"Bold words!" said Tatsumaki. "Give us proof! Let go of Murasaki and show us your face! If you are truthful you need not cover yourself. Show us your face if you tell us the truth."

Surprisingly, the Kishi no Kuro Bara let go of Taiki, who took a few steps away from the man. He then reached for his mask but paused.

"I and my warrior can show you our true faces, but I am afraid it will bring more sadness that I wish to cause." With that, he and his warrior took off their masks. All the Miko except for Miaka gasped. Taiki, too, gasped. She now knew why the voice sounded familiar. It was Mamoru-san. Behind him stood Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoicite and Kunzite.

"Kusanagi-sama!" cried out the Miko (except Taiki and Miaka)

"Thank the heavenly stars! Kusanagi-sama!" yelled Aoi crying. She ran to him, ran to him and kissed him passionately.

Taiki facevaulted, Seiya? Kissing Mamoru? She fell faint. What the heck was going on here? She thought, as Kusanagi returned Aoi's kisses with the passion of a long lost lover. Taiki felt her hair stand on end. This is getting more complicated and kooky than a couple of episodes of Melrose Place...

Botan was flying, invisible to all mortal sight when she entered the apartment through the outside wall. She hated sneaking into someone else's lodging like a thief like that, but with Yaten still unconscious they didn't have much choice. They had to let her recuperate and reenergize and the best way was to place her in familiar surroundings. Botan turned tangible and opened the bay door that led to the balcony. Hiei, who was still holding Healer, dropped from the roof to the balcony with amazing speed, entering the apartment quickly and letting Botan close the bay window.

There was a knock on the door; Botan rushed to unlock it and let Yuusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama in. Kuwabara let out a long whistle.

"This place is bigger than my folk's house!" as he looked around impressed.

"Tell me about it!" replied Yuusuke. "I think my mom's pad is as big as this living room. Must cost a small fortune to live here..."

"If you two are quite finished I'd like to know where I could put her down..." said Hiei.

"If she's too heavy... I can..." started Kurama, extending his arms to take Healer. To his surprise Hiei backed up from him and gathered Healer closer.

"She's not... I can manage. I just thought she'd be more comfortable in a bed." Hiei said. Kurama was puzzled; Hiei was reacting strangely all of a sudden. Was he trying to make him feel uncomfortable toward Healer? Botan came back into view.

"There are bedrooms over here... her room must be in one of those. Hiei nodded and followed her, who in turn was followed by Kurama. Botan opened the first door and peered inside. The room was well furnished, an electric guitar was in a corner, and a set of drums in another. Beside the bed was a table with half-written papers on top. On the wall there were trophies for various sports, baseball, football, track, posters of the famous race car driver Tennoh Haruka. In yet another corner was a big duffel bag filled with what looked like sporting equipment.

"I don't think it's her room..." said Kurama.

"Yeah..." replied Botan. "I think this must be Seiya-kun's room..." Yuusuke popped his head in to have a look see.

"Seiya-kun..." he repeated. "After seeing Yaten transform into a woman... you think the other two are... you know, women."

"I don't know. Looks like a boy's room to me..." remarked Kuwabara.

"Would you mind?... We shouldn't poke our nose in other peoples' rooms..." said angrily Botan.

"Look who's talking..." replied Yuusuke; he dodged out of the way of the oar Botan had swung at him.

"Hiei, you might want to take the third door on the left... that's her room." said Kuwabara.

Kurama opened the door for Hiei. They both got in. The room was a little in disarray. The bed wasn't made; there were discarded pajamas on the floor. Several sheets of paper and sheets of music were lying on a keyboard. Kuwabara almost fell flat on his face when he stepped on a microphone that was lying on the ground. Kurama pulled back the covers and Hiei carefully placed Healer on her bed. Botan took the covers from Kurama and took them off the bed. She gathered the discarded sleepwear and turned to the boys.

"Okay, you guys can leave now I'll take it from here..." she said firmly. Understanding that she wanted to undress Healer and put her in sleepwear, the guys went back to the living room. After a few minutes, Botan came back and sat on the sofa. Yuusuke was curious about something.

"Well?..." he asked.

"Well, what?" Botan replied.

"Is she?... you know... " Continued Yuusuke. Kuwabara slapped his forehead. He knew where this was leading. Kurama came to sit next to Hiei, chuckling at Yuusuke's questions and a little annoyed by it as well. As for Hiei, as always, who could tell what Hiei was thinking?

"Asleep? Yes, she's still needs to recuperate..." Botan told Yuusuke.

"That's not what I meant!" replied Yuusuke. Botan looked at him puzzled. She didn't get it.

"What Yuusuke is asking Botan is if Sailor Star Healer has all the right parts to be considered like a female of the species..." said Hiei flatly. All turned to look at Hiei. There was a silence and everyone had sweat drops on the side of their heads. "That is what you meant, isn't it?" said Hiei in the same manner as he had said the previous sentence. This time Yuusuke wasn't able to dodge the oar.

"Yuusuke! You're such a one-track minded hentai... I wonder how Keiko can put up with you!" Botan said.

A few hours passed. Yaten was still sleeping; the guys watched TV and had ordered take out. Kuwabara had gone to get the order when the phone rang.

"What do we do?" asked Botan.

"They have an answering machine. Let it take a message..." replied Yuusuke. They listened to the pre-recorded message, Kurama chuckling softly at the yadda-yadda bit Yaten said. Then there was a beep. "Maybe we should answer," said Kurama as he picked up the phone. Everyone facevaulted.

"Finally! What took you so long?" said Seiya on the other side. Kurama didn't know what to say. "Helloooo, are you going to answer or what? This call is starting to cost me a small fortune to just listen to your breathing... Heeelllooooo!!!!"

"Uh... Moshi-moshi... uh... Yaten can't come to the phone right now. Do you want to leave a message?" replied Kurama. The others fell from the sofa. They couldn't believe he just said that.

"Who is this? And where's Yaten? Or Taiki for that matter?" asked Seiya suspiciously.

"My name is Minamino Shuiichi, Yaten is... in the bathroom right now. Taiki-san hasn't come back yet..." Kurama winced. I couldn't come up with anything better to say?

"Excuse me for being rude, but what the hell are you doing at our apartment?" asked Seiya.

"Uh... Yaten got into a fight today with some school bullies..." Shuiichi paused while Seiya on the other side was swearing. "... But he's okay now... Me and my friends escorted him back here, so they wouldn't try anything funny and Yaten invited us to stay until Taiki came back..."

Seiya paused on the other end. "Okay, listen... I'm going to call back tomorrow. You tell him that. I'll call around the same time as today... tell him to be there..."

"I will, don't worry... Sayonara!" Kurama hung up and sighed. There was a knock on the door; Kuwabara had come back with the food. Since it was Chinese take out, he had quite a big bag.

"Man... For how many people you got food for in there?..." asked Yuusuke.

"Six persons." replied Kuwabara, handing some soup to Botan and Hiei.

"Six, but we're five persons here..." Yuusuke pondered. "You mean you bought food for Sleeping Beauty too?" He started to chuckle.

"Well she needs to eat, too... if she's to recover her energy... I didn't know if they had any food lying around so I thought if there's enough for five, there's enough for six. Besides, the owner owed me... so it didn't cost me that much..." answered Kuwabara.

"Always a sucker for a pretty face..." said Yuusuke. He received a slap behind his head.

"Frankly, Yuusuke-kun! You could be more polite around Princess Yaten..." scolded Botan.

"What's that Princess business anyway?" asked Hiei.

"Might as well tell you..." Botan sighted. "Yaten is not from this world..."

"Yeah so... So's Hiei and Kurama to a certain extent..." interrupted Yuusuke.

"But she doesn't come from the Reikai or the Makai. She's from a different solar system..." replied Botan.

"You're kidding, right?... You mean she's an illegal alien?" asked Kuwabara.

"No... Not really, you see... Oh, this is where this gets complicated. She and the other two Princesses... The Princess of this solar system greeted Seiya and Taiki here. So they are now accepted as Sailor Senshi here, too..." Botan paused to let all that sink in.

"The Princess of this solar system... who is it?" asked Kuwabara.

"I can't say... I'm not authorized to reveal her identity but she does exist, and one day in the future she will become Queen and a new Golden Age will reign on Earth. The Earth and the Reikai will coexist once more and people will have longer lives, and most if not all sickness shall be cured."

"Are you talking of Paradise?" asked Kurama.

"In a way. Now you understand that the Makai doesn't want this to come to pass. For them it will be a disaster for the Makai will be cleansed of all Evil." continued Botan. "That is why the real identity of the savior is only known by a few persons and her senshi."

"C-Could it be?" Yuusuke asked, pointing to Yaten's room.

"No...No, it isn't her but..." started Botan.

"But she knows the true identity of Neo-Queen Serenity..." a new voice interrupted her. He was a young man as tall as Yuusuke, dressed in Chinese clothes, on his forehead was written "Jr." and the most bizarre thing about him was the pacifier he had in his mouth.

"Koenma-sama!" said Botan. Hmm, this must be real important if Koenma leaves the Reikai to talk to us, thought Yuusuke.

"She has the knowledge that could help the Makai overthrow the fabled Golden Age. I did some research after Botan had come to my assistance for the information on Yaten Kou. There is a reason why the Makai has targeted Sailor Star Healer: she isn't supposed to be here..."

"What?" said Kurama.

"Yes... there was a ripple in time. The Princesses Seiya, Taiki and Yaten were forced to take a decision they were not supposed to take. There was a Sailor War raging a few months ago and although it was prophesized, its outcome has changed destiny a bit. The Princess Starlights, much to the chagrin of the Princess they protected, were exiled because of their ability to become male..."

"They were thrown out because they could turn into guys... I don't understand..." said Yuusuke "What does your gender have to do with protecting your count...solar system..."

Koenma sighted. "The Sailor Senshi have always been female, exclusively female. The gift of the Sailor Crystal is given to the daughter of the senshi. It has been so since the beginning of time. The Sailor Starlights sacrificed their bodies so they could find their own Princess. Time has taken a new tangent when the Sailor Senshi formed a conclave to cast out the Starlights. The Starlights could have roamed the Universe but they came back here and the future Neo-Queen Serenity has taken them under her wing."

"Does that mean there could be another Sailor War coming to Earth?" asked Hiei.

"No, because she cast out Chaos, the future Neo-Queen Serenity was granted this boon. And since this solar system is the most balanced, the council of Senshi doesn't want to gain the wrath of this powerful part of the galaxy. So they let the Starlights stay on Earth..."

"Unfortunately this event put some unexpected events into action, and because of the possibility, the Golden Age may not come to pass. The Makai want Yaten because of what she knows. What happened today... they tried to rip her Sailor Star Crystal from her and replace it with a Makai Crystal making her their pawn."

"I don't know if the Makai will try to reclaim her using the same stratagem or if they will try another way... I only know that you have to protect Princess Yaten so that she never falls into the hands of the Makai..."

"She needs to build back her strength for that..." whispered Kurama. He took the remaining soup and headed to Yaten's room. "I'll try to make her eat a little..." he said before entering her room.

"It's so kawaii to see Kurama taking care of Princess Yaten like that..." giggled Botan.

"I'm not sure I like the implication..." said Koenma. Everyone turned to look at him. "You see, Yaten and Kurama were not supposed to meet this soon..."

Kurama went into her room. She was sleeping so peacefully, and she looked adorable. In her arms she held a honey-colored teddy bear. He almost envied that bear, he thought. He sat next to her and brushed back the few strands of hair that had fallen on her face. He started to shake her gently. She grunted a little...

"Five more minutes, Taiki..." she mumbled.

"This isn't Taiki... please wake up, Princess..." said softly Kurama, Yaten's eyes opened and she sat up and realized that she was in her room.

"What are you doing here?" she asked. Her eyes flashed with budding anger. Even angry she looked beautiful, he thought.

"I am but your humble servant and I have brought you some soup, Princess Yaten." smiled Kurama.

She sighed and looked down at her teddy. "Don't call me that..." she whispered. "I am no longer a Princess, except maybe a Princess that rules over Space Dust..." There was a strange mixture of bitterness and sadness in her voice. Not wanting to hurt her, he didn't press her further. He gave her the soup. She shook her head.

"You need to get your strength back, Yaten..." He took a spoonful to her. She turned her head away. "Come on... take a sip... for me?" Still she shook her head. He had an idea. "One spoonful for Mr. Teddy?"

She turned around and said angrily. "I'm not a chi.. <Gloup! >" While her mouth was opened he slipped the spoon into her mouth she had no choice but to swallow the warm soup. She looked at him shocked. She couldn't believe he just did that to her. Smitten, Kurama took some more soup and before he could put it to the height of her mouth, she took the spoon from him.

"I can eat by myself..." she said as she took the soup container from him. She hated to admit it but tasting the soup made her hungry. Kurama looked at her with a wide grin on his face. She ate the soup in no time flat; he took the empty container from her.

"There's still some food left if you want some..." she nodded and got up, but she was a little dizzy and Kurama helped her out. She grumbled and tried to walk by herself, but when she realized she couldn't walk without his help, she let him help her. She rested her head on his shoulder. She felt secure against him as he led her to the dining room.

Botan got up and helped Kurama and Yaten sit down. Yuusuke and Kuwabara prepared her a plate; she raised an eyebrow, why were they so helpful all of a sudden? The only one that hadn't moved an inch was Hiei who just studied her from afar. They gave Yaten her food and went back to their own plates talking of all and nothing. It's funny, she thought as she ate, it's almost as though I'm with the girls at Crown. She soon finished her plate. Kurama filled it again and she ate it all. She couldn't believe how much she had pigged out on the food. She could almost say she traded places with Usagi for the day. Eating too much had a sleeping effect on her. She almost didn't hear the laughs as she fell on Kurama's shoulder and Kuwabara had said "TIIIMMMMBBBERRR!" She also didn't feel him pick her up and gently place her back in her bed.

Seiya was trying to wring the water out of her clothes. Next to her Ranma was doing the same thing and she was mad as heck.

"I didn't know you were a girl..." started Seiya. Ranma turned around fuming.

"I AM NOT A GIRL!!! THIS IS A CURSE!!!!!" Ranma-chan yelled.

"Gomen, gomen, I didn't know..." apologized Seiya.

Ranma took Seiya by the hand. "Any way, we won't stay like this for long... follow me... and we can talk about that Sailor business..." Ranma passed the three Amazons that were beating the living daylights out of Ryoga.

"STOOOOPPP IT!" yelled Ranma-chan. That stopped the three sisters. "We need to know what he used on Seiya and me... Just tie him up real good while Seiya and I go take a hot bath. I don't think he used water from the pond of the drowned girl on Seiya..."

"Where are you going?" asked Akane.

"To the baths... might as well show Seiya how to turn back to normal..." replied Ranma as she led Seiya by the hand.

Normal? She thought to herself... I'm normal now... My male body is the one that's not normal... But she didn't say that out loud. She just let Ranma guide her to the furo room. As she walked, Seiya couldn't help but notice just how cute Ranma was as a girl. She caught herself smiling when she thought that and blushed slightly. He was okay as a guy, she thought, but really cute as a girl... Must have a lot of guys running after her, well him. That's probably why she was so ticked off earlier.

Ranma-chan entered the Furo and opened the faucet to fill it. Her father must have come take a bath because there wasn't much water left. She turned around. Knowing the tub would take a while to get full again,, she decided to ask some questions. As Seiya was pulling off her wet clothes, she seemed to be looking for something.

"Don't worry. There are robes in the other room. We can use those when we get out..." Ranma said, Seiya nodded. "Okay let's cut to the chase... You were that Sailor Star Fighter I saw this afternoon, weren't you?"

Seiya sighed but tried to deny everything. "I don't know what you're talking about..." Seiya started.

"Oh! No. You won't brush me off that easily. It was you. I recognized your face..." then Ranma looked lower at Seiya's chest. "... And a certain part of your anatomy..." she added.

Seiya facevaulted and did the first thing that came to mind and covered her breasts. Ranma-chan chuckled. "You have the same expression you had in the afternoon, too..." she laughed. Seiya had a sweat drop along her skull but she too began to giggle and then she laughed too.

"So..." started again Ranma. "Are you like me then, Seiya? A boy that transforms into a girl? Only you seem to control when that happens..."

"Like you?..." replied Seiya as Ranma was taking off her own clothes. "No... Not really..."

Ranma-chan stopped the water and checked it; the water was just perfect. "Uh? What do you mean?"

"Actually..." sighed Seiya, "I'm a girl that transforms into a guy. When we came to Earth we took male forms to look for our Princess and the best way to find her was to sing for her... so we sang and became a popular singing group... we didn't want to become popular... we just did."

Ranma-chan looked at her puzzled. She was all mixed up, especially about the coming to Earth and Princess deal, but one question popped in her mouth she was so surprised by Seiya's confession that the words just got out of her mouth.

"Why would a beautiful girl like you want to become a boy?" Ranma-chan blushed. Now why did I say that? She thought, she's going to think I'm weird...

Seiya blushed. "Honto? You think I'm beautiful..." she smiled. Ranma-chan was embarrassed. Thinking quickly, she pointed to the water trying to change the subject.

"Uh...uh... Look! The water's hot. When you use warm water you turn back into a man... okay... I- I guess we should do it now, okay?" That last part Ranma-chan almost said pleadingly, so Seiya didn't press her/him further, but she was rather glad Ranma had found her beautiful. They both got into the tub at the same time. Seiya looked down at herself.

"Huh?!!! Ranma? Is this suppose to take some time to work?" She asked. She looked back up at Ranma who was frantic.

"Maybe the water's not hot enough... Ouch! The water's scalding hot and still I'm not changing ... Oh no!... This isn't happening. This isn't happening... I'm dreaming, yeah that's it! I'm dreaming... hehehehe! All I have to do is wake up and everything will be..." *SLAP! *

Ranma-chan blinked at Seiya who had just given her a slap on her cheek. She was about to give another one when Ranma-chan lifted her hand to stop her.

"Gomen..." said Seiya. " But you were rambling..."

"I'm okay... I'm okay..." said Ranma-chan, then she hit the side of the furo making a small crack.

"I can guess that it's not going the way you want it..." said Seiya.

"Well DUH! What was your first clue?" Ranma-chan spitted out. She sobered up. "Gomen, I shouldn't take it out on you... it's not your fault. Man, I'm stuck being a girl..."

"It isn't so bad, you know." said Seiya.

"What could be more grave than a boy stuck in a girl's body." flatly said Ranma-chan.

"Being a girl stuck in a boy's body..." smiled Seiya, trying to make Ranma-chan smile again. Ranma-chan seemed to be thinking about something else. "You're right, you know, there are things worse than this... but what are we going to tell the others...? I don't think Akane recognized you as Sailor Star Fighter, but they are going to wonder how you turned out female..."

Seiya was still thinking about it when they heard the door adjacent to the bath open. It was Akane.

"I've brought you guys some clothes." she called through the door.

"Akane-san... you can come in..." said Seiya. Ranma-chan facevaulted.

"Are you crazy?" she whispered to her. "She's going to blow a gasket when she gets in here..."

Seiya got out of the water and put on the robe that she had brought with her. She opened the door to the bath. Akane looked down on the ground blushing; her idol singer was in front of her with only a bathrobe.

"Uh... Akane-san... It's okay... I haven't changed yet." said Seiya. Akane looked up and glancing over Seiya's shoulder she saw Ranma-chan in the bath. A HOT bath and still Ranma was a girl. Akane was about to faint when Seiya said.

"Akane-san... I think we have a small problem..." Akane looked at Seiya, the soft lashes, the full lips, the rounded cheekbones. Akane just looked at her with a vague expression on her face. Then she fell forward, fainting.

When Akane came to, she was in the living room. Ranma-chan was fanning her, Katsumi was handing her some calming tea, and Nabiki was eating some Shrimp Chips. Akane sighed.

"I think I just had a terrible nightmare..." she said. " I just dreamed that Seiya-kun was stuck in the body of a girl..." Ranma stopped fanning, Katsumi said Ara...

"I'm afraid it wasn't a dream Akane-san..." said Seiya, but the voice was definitely more female. "I am really stuck in a girl's body..." Liar! Thought Ranma-chan but she didn't say a word.

"But... How is it possible?" asked Akane.

"That's what we wanted to ask Ryoga-kun..." grumbled Ranma-chan. "But he's out cold because some morons beat the crap out of him..."

The three Tendo sisters blushed at that comment. "Anyway, he's strong like an ox. He'll survive." commented Ranma-chan.

"Maybe..." started Seiya. "... Just maybe, since I fell in the pond at the same time as Ranma, what was in the pond interacted with his curse and in a way cursed me, too..."

Uh? Thought Ranma-chan, they'll never believe that. What a load of bulls...

"BUT OF COURSE!!!" shouted Akane. "That's the only possible explanation! That stuff in the pond was probably magic and by falling at the same time it affected both of you at the same time."

Katsumi and Nabiki nodded. Seiya subtedly winked at Ranma-chan. Her plan had worked. Ranma didn't believe it. They bought it. Maybe they didn't want to believe Seiya really turned into a woman sometimes so they just assumed what Seiya was saying to be the truth. Ranma-chan sighed. That's the moment Ryoga decided to revive.

"What was the license plate of the truck that ran over me?" he mumbled.

"The truck's name was the 'Girl Tendo trampling machine'" said Ranma-chan. "Now what the heck did you do to me and Seiya-kun?" asked Ranma-chan.

Ryoga's face lit up. "I did it? You're stuck as a woman Saotome. You got what you deserve BWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" *SMASH! * Akane hit Ryoga. Ranma-chan blushed to see Akane so concerned for her.

"Akane-chan..." Ranma whispered.

"Maybe Ranma-kun deserved it!" said Akane; Ranma-chan grumbled to herself, then again she thought, maybe not! "But why doing the same thing to poor Seiya-kun?"

"Uh? Who?" sheepishly said Ryoga.

"Hum... That would be me," said Seiya.

"You mean... He was a boy before he hit the water?" Ryoga could feel Akane, Katsumi and Nabiki's anger rise when they grimly nodded. Ranma-chan took the opportunity to ask the most important question.

"Anyway, why did you do that Ryoga? I thought we had settled our differences last time..." said Ranma-chan.

"Yeah... What gives Ryoga-kun? Why are you so mad?" asked Akane softening a little. Ryoga looked at her surprised.

"You... You mean you don't know?" he blurted out.

"Know what?" asked a bewildered Akane. Ryoga blushed and scratched his head; he looked up to Ranma-chan.

"Huh... Saotome... Could I have a word with you?... In private?..." asked Ryoga. Ranma-chan lifted an eyebrow but nodded and got up. While they were waiting for the two boys (err... you know what I mean...), Katsumi took a brush and started to brush Seiya's hair.

"Your hair is a mess Seiya-k.... u.... May I call you Seiya-chan? Let me get the tangles out..." Seiya nodded, but soon enough, she thought she was taking way too much time grooming her hair. She tried to turn her head so she could see but everybody knows that's impossible, so she finally asked.

"Uh? Katsumi-san... what are you doing?"

"I always put my hair in a braid before going to sleep I thought I'd do one for you to see how you looked with it..." Katsumi gently said but before Seiya could object, Katsumi got up. "All done..."

Meanwhile Ranma-chan had taken Ryoga to the guestroom. Before Ranma-chan could talk, Ryoga put a piece of paper before her face.

"Read it!" grumbled Ryoga.

"Ryoga Hibiki, you pathetic excuse for a human being. There will be no more lies. I have told your precious Akane that you are P-chan the pig, the very pig she cuddled in the night. She doesn't want to see your ugly lying face ever again. I have shown her pictures of you transforming. Here are copies of those pictures... hehehe I have the negatives. Now I have Akane all for myself BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Please send my regards to other swines like you... Ranma Saotome."

"I NEVER wrote this!" said Ranma-chan.

"I figured that out when Akane asked me why I so mad... if she knew I turned into a pig she wouldn't have asked..."

"Who gave you the stuff you put in the pond?" asked Ranma-chan.

"I bought it from an old man in the market about a week ago..." replied Ryoga.

Of course, he got lost coming here, thought Ranma-chan. "You think you could tell me which booth if I brought you to the market?"

"Yeah... sure why?" replied Ryoga.

"Because you, me and Seiya are going to go see that old man and ask for the antidote... Baka! I and most certainly Seiya didn't do anything to you to deserve this..." said Ranma-chan.

"Hai... Gomen..." blushed Ryoga.

"I guess you better sleep here... so I know where you are tomorrow morning..." and with that Ranma-chan threw a glass of cold water in Ryoga's face. The transformation was instantaneous and amidst Ryoga's clothes there was a cute little black pig that hissed at Ranma-chan. She picked him up by the collar so he wouldn't bite her.

"What are you so pissed off about? You realize where you're going to sleep?" asked Ranma-chan.

The piglet stopped and looking at Ranma-chan and blushed, he settled down and behaved. Ranma-chan came back into the living room. P-chan leaped out of Ranma-chan's arms when Akane saw him and called out his name.

"P-chan!!! You came back!!!" Akane, smiling, gave the black little pig the biggest hug she could give him. Seiya looked surprised at the pig but her face changed rapidly. She had little stars in her eyes and her face was all kawaii.

"OOOOHHHH!" she cooed. "He SOOOOO KAWAIIIII!!! Can I hold him?" Seiya said, putting her fists to her face like an excited little girl. Everyone in the room had huge sweatdrops on the side of their heads. Even Ranma raised an eyebrow. I guess the old saying is right: chase away your true nature; it comes back at you to make you look like a fool...

Akane gave P-chan to Seiya then turned to Ranma whispering, "Ranma-chan, we have to find something to change him back. He's starting to act like a girl..."

That's probably because he's a girl... thought Ranma-chan to herself.

Seiya woke up the next morning, stretched and yawned then stopped, remembering that she wasn't alone in the room. Last night when everyone was about to go to sleep, she saw Ranma heading outside.

"Where do you think you're going?" asked Seiya.

"I'm going to sleep in the dojo... Where does it look like I'm going?" replied Ranma-chan grumbling.

"You can't go sleep there..." started Seiya. "It's way too cold out tonight..."

"I know!" Ranma-chan whined. "But somebody is using the room I used to sleep in..."

"In that case... why don't you sleep with... err... I mean in the same room as me?" asked Seiya.

"I can't! You're a girl!" objected Ranma-chan.

"Well technically... so are you..." counter-attacked Seiya.

"I don't know... Akane-kun will kill me if she finds out..." started to say Ranma-chan.

Seiya stood behind Ranma-chan and started to push her toward the guestroom.

"You leave Akane-san to me... I am not letting you sleep another night out in the cold because I got your room... Come on. The futon's big enough for both of us."

I know, thought Ranma-chan. I used to share it with my Pop... I still had room even when he changed into a panda. Ranma-chan was tempted, share a warm bed or sleep practically outside with his Pop. Sharing the futon with Seiya was more intelligent than spending half of the night freezing to death. So Ranma-chan decided that, yes, since they were both girls technically there was no real shame into sharing a bed... now was it? So Ranma-chan let herself be led to the guestroom by her new 'girl' friend. They got in, got changed and went to sleep.

Seiya was thinking, lazily staying in bed, on yesterday evening's event when Ranma turned around and snuggled next to her, her head resting on Seiya's shoulder. She held on to her left arm. Seiya smiled wickedly. I could learn to like that, she thought. Sighing, Seiya nudged Ranma-chan trying to wake her up. Ranma-chan mumbled a little, but snuggled back closer to her, not waking up. Seiya raised an eyebrow, not waking up eh? She thought, now what could I do to wake her up? She got an idea. Taking the tip of her ponytail, she started to wiggle it on Ranma-chan's nose. Ranma-chan felt something tickling her face. She sneezed and looked up at Seiya who was looking down at her, smiling.

"GYAAAHHH!!!" shouted Ranma-chan. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Me? What about you?... You're the one that was cozying up next to me... " Remarked Seiya.

Ranma-chan blushed when she remembered the position she was in when she woke up. "G-Gomen..." she spurted out.

"Ah... Don't worry about it!" replied Seiya. "Just one thing, though... what are we going to do about school?"

"Well I can go to school like this. People are used to me changing into a girl... excepted for Kuno, that is..." admitted Ranma-chan. Seiya started to grumble upon hearing Kuno's name.

"Kuno's not your favorite person I see..." said Ranma-chan.

"Let's just say I don't want to see him, especially as a girl... I'll mop the floor with him." replied Seiya.

"My! Aren't we the violent type? Seriously though, I don't think we should go to school today. We better try and find an antidote for our 'condition'" Ranma-chan pointed out, Seiya nodded.

They both got dressed hurriedly and headed downstairs; they ate breakfast with everyone and told Akane of their plan. Akane didn't like the idea that she had to lie and say that Seiya was at the Tendo's home, sick, but given the situation, she couldn't see any other way to deal with it.

"You know, if you're going to be walking down the street, you better look more like a woman." Nabiki said. "People will notice you if you go out dressed like you are... They are bound to make the connection that you ARE Seiya Kou..."

Seiya hadn't thought about that and she didn't want to get Akane into trouble because she didn't go to school. "What do you suggest?" she asked Nabiki.

"A dress and a hat, that way people will only see a resemblance... but won't think you're actually him."

"A DRESS???.... The hat I don't mind, but a dress!" whined Seiya.

"I know exactly what you mean..." said Ranma-chan putting a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. So it was decided and before Akane and Nabiki went to school they found Seiya a dress and had her wear it. Seiya hated dresses, always had and always would hate them. When she was a kid she did everything to trash the stupid dress the servants of Queen Kakyoku made her wear. They finally got the message one day and stopped dressing her up like a prim and proper Princess. They gave to Seiya, Taiki and finally Yaten boy's clothes when they would play. Only when there were special ceremonies Seiya would have to wear a dress. Of the three Starlights Princess she was the one that made the most fuss about wearing a dress. Taiki didn't have a problem wearing a dress once in a while. Yaten; she only fussed when she thought the dress wasn't to her liking. Seiya would go into an all-out brawl with the servants until Queen Kakyoku would come and calm her down. She was the only one who could make her wear a dress.

Well, Queen Kakyoku wasn't there any more and Seiya couldn't afford to be cranky. She sighed and took the dress and put in on. It was a nice dress. When she looked in the mirror she had to admit it looked nice on her. But she still didn't like the idea of running around in a dress, so when the girls weren't looking she put on a pair of her Lycra cycling shorts.

She and Ranma-chan waved the girls goodbye as they went to school. Both Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome cried in their corner. Since Seiya was now a girl they couldn't make their plan work at all: to make Ranma jealous enough to admit he loved Akane. Seiya grumbled something about the dress. Ranma-chan looked up and said:

"I don't know why you're so cranky about this... You look good in a dress."

"If you like it so much... why don't you wear it?" replied Seiya bluntly.

"I can't. I tried that dress before. The chest won't fit and the waist is too big..." replied Ranma-chan.

"..." Seiya started to get angry; had Ranma-chan just called her fat and flat chested? "Well excuse me for being of normal proportions and not a busty midget..."

"Who are you calling a midget?" replied Ranma-chan, anger rising. Just then they heard a familiar pig snorting.

"Oh... There you are, P-Chan..." Ranma-chan was about to pick him up when Seiya beat her to it. She started to snuggle the pig against her bosom; the pig had a strange vacant expression on his face.

"You're so cute... Yes, you are! Yes, you are!" cooed Seiya. I'll never understand why girls go gaga over stupid animals, thought Ranma-chan. She facevaulted when Seiya planted a kiss on P-chan's nuzzle.

"Ewww! You don't know where it's been!!!" said Ranma-chan, revolted. She looked at P-chan who really looked like he didn't mind the treatment. "Give me that!" Ranma-chan grabbed the pig from Seiya and headed to the bathroom. Seiya followed, curious as what Ranma would do with the pig. When they got in the bathroom, Ranma-chan pitched the pig in the hot bath.

"Don't do that. He might drown..." Seiya reached in the bathtub and grabbed P-chan and pulled. She screamed when she realized she was holding the head of Ryoga.

"Now... Do you still wish to kiss P-chan?" asked Ranma-chan.

"What the?..." It didn't take long to figure out that the little black pig she been cuddling and kissing was Ryoga. Now she understood what Ranma meant by "there are worst things you can change into." Hey, waitadamnminute! I was snuggling with him!!! She let him go, glaring at Ranma-chan.

"You could have told me, you know..." Seiya turned around and got out of the bathroom. Ryoga reached for the clothes Ranma had let out for him.

Seiya waited for the two guys to get out of the bathroom. She felt lonely. She wished Yaten or Taiki would be there. Yaten would probably say the dress wasn't the right shade for her, or would say the dress looked like a rag... She chuckled, even though she'd been gone two days, she missed Yaten and Taiki. We've been together all our lives... well, almost all our lives. Yaten came to us when Taiki and I were five. Taiki I've known all my life. Good old Taiki. Knowing you, you're probably in Tokyo already studying. Yaten is probably whining his way to school now. Sometimes we get on each other's nerves, but at times like this I really realize how much I love them both. Life wouldn't be the same without them. Each has a good side, and each has something that bugs the others. Seiya wished it was already the evening so she could call home and get some news from them. Should I tell them, she thought. Should I tell them I can't turn back into a guy? What if it's permanent? What do we do then?

Maybe fate is giving me a message... Stop pretending... Be yourself... Have I ever been myself? She thought. Ever since I was a kid I have been the tomboy, the scrapper, the make-believe warrior of Kinmoku. Was it really me? Is Seiya the Idol Singer really me? Why am I so moody all of a sudden? Maybe I never had the time to think about me... There was always something else to think about. It started with Yaten, she thought, when she saw for the first time this fragile little girl who couldn't smile, who looked like she carried the weight of the world on her shoulder. She didn't understand then why Yaten was so hurt... She just wanted to be friends. It took time, but one day the three of them became inseparable. Is it because I'm alone right now? Then came the attack of Galaxia... the destruction of the population, the disappearance of Princess Kakyuu. They came to earth to find her. Then I met Odango, she sighed. It still hurt. She realized some part of her will still love her, but she knows better now. She knows better than to hurt herself with a love that cannot be.

"Seiya-chan... Moshi-moshi...!" Seiya saw a hand wiggle in front of her face. Ranma-chan looked at her. "Earth to Seiya... come in Seiya..." Seiya got out of her thoughts.

"Have you guys waited long?" she asked.

"We have been calling to you since the last two minutes..." replied Ranma.

"Gomen... I was just thinking... Shall we go?" Seiya said, standing up; the other two nodded and followed her.

Getting to the market was a real chore. At one point Seiya just wanted to ditch the two others, who were quarrelling all the time. Ryoga couldn't find his way out of a room without getting lost. Ranma-chan had tried to humor him by letting him guide them to the market. Finally, fed up with the entire altercation, Seiya told them to stop bickering and told Ranma to point to the right direction.

They finally came in view of the market, but since only Ryoga knew who they were looking for, it took them the rest of the morning to find the right spot in the market. Unfortunately, the old man who sold the potion to Ryoga wasn't there any more.

"He was here two days ago," said the man in the next booth. "He was selling all kinds of crazy stuff, but, hey, it worked and people came and bought a lot of stuff... He asked me to look out for his space because he told me he would have the visit of a cute girl and he wanted his booth to be still there..."

"Did he say his name?" asked Ranma-chan.

"No... no he didn't. But if he doesn't come back tomorrow he will lose the spot. The manager of the market passed and told me he didn't receive any money from the old man, so he's giving the spot over to another guy."

"What kind of stuff did he sell?" asked Seiya.

"Old Chinese remedies. He had a potion for... ah-hem... making men feel better about themselves. Of course, I don't know if that thing worked or not... Anyway, it was all herbal Chinese medicine. Yeah and there was that old lady that came in bright and early each morning. I thing she was the one that made all that stuff for him..." replied the man thinking.

"Was she a really old woman...?" asked Ranma-chan.

"Yes!" The man chuckled. "She looked quite old and she had a cute girl with purple hair with her most of the time. Oh yeah! I heard her once called the old man that had the booth Happy!"

Ranma-chan growled. She knew Happy was the nickname Cologne, Shampoo's grandmother called Happosai. Ryoga realized the two old people had duped him.

Ranma-chan thanked the man and grabbed Seiya and Ryoga.

"Where are we going?" asked Seiya.

"To the Nekohanten, to find the old hag who made that stupid potion... I should have known..."

"Well, I don't... What the heck are you talking about?" replied Seiya.

"The old man who sold the potion to Ryoga was none other than Happosai." Started Ranma-chan. "You know the old hentai who took away your..."

"I think I get the picture" interrupted Seiya grumbling.

"Anyway, at the Neko Hanten there is this old hag who's Happosai's old flame. She's probably the one that did that whacked out potion in the first place. So we're going over there and ask that she gives us the antidote and we'll be on our way..." replied Ranma.

Why do I get the feeling that it won't be as easy as that? Thought Seiya.

Yaten slowly woke up. Her room was still dark, but since she faced the window, she could see the first colors of the sunrise. So many beautiful colors, she thought, different and somehow similar to sun rises on Kinmoku. She wasn't sleepy any more and was feeling refreshed and again at normal energy levels. She stretched her arms a bit and turned around wondering what time it was.

She hiccuped a surprise when she saw Kurama, sitting on a chair, sleeping. His head was nodding up and down on a regular pattern. Around his shoulders a blanket had been thrown on. He had fallen asleep watching over her. She was amazed. She sat up looking at him. He looked tired. She didn't want to wake him, but she felt he would be more comfortable lying down on the bed. Her hand was almost upon him when she backed up, blushing. What am I doing? She thought, why should I care if he were comfortable? I didn't ask for him to watch over me. She looked to him again, the tousled red mane, his eyes closed. He was beautiful. She could feel her cheeks burning up just looking at him. His lips were half-opened. She leaned forward almost against her will. She wanted to touch his lips; she didn't know why. She just had to. She touched them with the tip of her fingers, a feathery touch; his lips were as smooth as silk. She was giddy and controlled herself not to start giggling right there and now. Her head was swimming. She heard her blood coursing thundering in her ears. Not lifting her hand, she touched his cheek. He moved with her gesture. He snuggled against her hand; she was trembling, afraid. I don't want to wake him, she lied to herself, but something deep within her urged her to continue. Her heart was beating so hard she was afraid everyone in the apartment building could hear her.

Suddenly Kurama's eyes fluttered open; Yaten gasped. Her mind exploding in a series of really good explanations for her hand on his cheek. She stopped breathing and her heart skipped a beat when he looked back into her eyes. The time seemed to stand still as they both stood transfixed by the other's gaze. Yaten breathed again, but couldn't calm her heart as she felt butterflies in her stomach. Kurama was the first to move. He mimicked her by placing his hand on her cheek. His hand was warm but not as hot as her burning cheek. She felt it again, the giddy feeling only this time she didn't want to giggle. She moved closer to him. Still looking into her eyes, he put his second hand on her other cheek, and gently tilted her head up. He, too, moved closer.

They were so close now, she saw in his eyes that he was flushed as she was by emotions that couldn't be denied. Their faces inched ever closer; they both closed their eyes instinctively and kissed. Their first kiss was tentative and quick, so was the second, as if they were trying to gauge the other's reaction. The third was passionate like those romance novels the girls always talked about, a kiss just like Taiki's poetry books hinted about. Yaten felt as though she was melting in his arm, a small hmm escaped from her. Their kisses multiplied. They both lost count as they let their passion run amuck with them. Kurama held her in his arms, noting amidst the mist that clouded his mind how her body fitted with his. Yaten ran her fingers into his red locks; they would have stayed like this for many hours. Unfortunately...

"Huummmm.... Would you like it better if I left?" While their lips were still locked into a kiss, Yaten and Kurama's eyes shot open. They both looked at Hiei who, Yaten just noticed, had been sleeping across the bed at her feet. His face had a strange mixture of anger and enjoyment at their expense. Yaten, blushing, disengaged from Kurama and got out of bed. She grabbed her school uniform and mumbled quickly something about taking a shower before going to school. She got out, her face still red, and locked the bathroom door.

"Was it something I said?" Hiei said, looking at the door Yaten had just vanished to. His only response was her pillow that Kurama had thrown on his head.

"OW!... crazy fox!" said Hiei and he took the pillow and started to pound Kurama with it.

"Mercy... Mercy..." softly laughed Kurama as he fell on the bed. He was careful not to speak too loud knowing that Yuusuke and Kuwabara slept in the other rooms. Hiei stopped hitting him with the soft pillow and crawled on the bed beside him. Kurama was a little surprised. He thought Hiei would be mad with him because he kissed Yaten. Hiei hugged Kurama.

"If you're wondering, no, I'm not mad... although I am a little jealous" he admitted. He was absent-mindingly picking some strands of Kurama's hair, resting his head against Kurama's chest.

"So..." Hiei said not looking up. "How was it?... kissing her?"

Kurama looked at Hiei, he thought he was mocking him but when Hiei looked back at him, he knew he wasn't. He really wanted to know. There was no hatred like Kurama feared or resentment. Kurama took Hiei in his arms and gently stroked his hair.

"It felt... I can't describe it, Hiei... I only know what I feel for her is different that what I feel for you. It doesn't change my feelings towards you, Hiei... please believe me..." Kurama's voice was so soothing to Hiei's ears, he could have fallen asleep there as he had done many times.

"What you feel for her... it's like you found your mate, your other self... isn't it?" asked Hiei.

Kurama didn't answer. He was pondering what Hiei said. Was that what he felt for Yaten? Was it like a child's fairy tale complete with the scoundrel thief and a beautiful princess?

Meanwhile in the shower, Yaten let the water slowly bring her back to reality. She hadn't dreamt it. She was kissing Kurama. Why did I do that? She thought, and why do I ache for more? She was divided in two different thoughts. One part was mad that she succumbed to a moment of stupid passion and the other wanted her to march right back in her room to continue what was so rudely interrupted. What is wrong with me, she thought. I have never been so unsure of myself. She was washing her hair, and she thought back to Kurama, his eyes, his lips, and the kiss...

Stop it, she growled to herself. You're turning into a bigger romantic than Makoto... Next I'll be starting to call him sempai and comparing him to every boy I meet on the street. Is that so bad? A tiny voice said in the back of her head. Yes it is, she resolutely said to herself, rinsing her hair of the shampoo. Isn't it about time you acted what you really are? The voice said again. She closed the water and hugged herself half because it was cold half because of the realization.

She looked down at herself; this is what I am... Her eyes started to warm up, warm tears started to flow. She angrily blinked them away, as she reached for the towel to dry herself up. She hid her face in the damp towel not taking it off until her eyes dried up.

She sighed. She had to turn back into a boy for school. Somehow she didn't want to. She felt like going to school as a girl yelling, 'Hey you stupid girls who fawn over me and send me stupid perfumed love letters guess what?... I'm a girl, too, you dimwits!'. She knew she couldn't do that. After all, being an idol singer brought bread on the table. When they came back to Earth they didn't know what to do else besides sing, and the fans wanted them back. She sighed. Her body changed into more masculine proportions. He got dressed then turned to the mirror to dry his hair. He looked in the mirror, his hair was a shade darker, and he sighed at the reflection.

"Lo-kun..." he whispered. "Would you look like this if you were still alive?" He wiped the steam from the mirror studying his face with his hair still wet. Loutus had blue-gray hair, he remembered. Yaten's was silver gray. Other than that, they were identical as children. He looked back in the mirror. Am I to live out your life, brother? He thought. The small voice came back. You know he would like you to be happy being who you are... not living this farce that he lives on through you. He started the hair dryer hoping the sound would drown the voice in his head.

Hiei lifted his head. Kurama was fast asleep next to him. He got up moving slowly as not to waken his friend. Poor silly fox, he sighed, so tired he fell asleep in no time. He heard the bathroom door open. Yaten was probably finished using the shower. It's a good thing, he thought, that I got out of the bed. I don't think this is a good time to tell her about Kurama and me. Just then the door opened. Yaten got in, Hiei was surprised.

"You changed back into a boy..." he whispered.

"Yeah!" said sarcastically Yaten. "They are waiting for a MALE Idol singer at Sarayashiki... Going as a girl would only complicate matters, don't you think?" Hiei nodded. Yaten noticed Kurama. "Oh Gomen..." he whispered. "I didn't know that Kurama went back to sleep." Hiei took him by the arm.

"We better let Shuiichi sleep..." Yaten nodded, then turned surprised to Hiei.

"Shuiichi?" He asked.

"That's Kurama's... err... normal name: Minamino Shuiichi..." Hiei replied. Yaten was about to open Taiki's door when Hiei stopped him.

"Your... brother didn't come in last night so Yuusuke is sleeping in his room." Uh? Taiki didn't come back to sleep... that wasn't like him at all. Maybe he went to sleep at Ami's... uh yeah right! As if! Then he remembered he once said he wouldn't be caught dead kissing a guy, and in his female form he kissed Kurama. He started to smile.

"Huh... moshi-moshi, Yaten-kun?" said Hiei when he saw Yaten just staring.

"Uh? Oh, nothing... Come on let's grab something to eat..." said quickly Yaten. He opened the fridge door; there wasn't much around. "Milk... natto..." both he and Hiei made a face when he mentioned natto. Yaten reached in the fridge, took out a container and opened it. "Ewww! And something that died..." he closed it back and trashed it.

"Looks like it's cereal today..." Yaten said, taking the milk out of the fridge.

"Don't care just as long as I get something to eat..." Yaten got two bowls out and 3 kinds of cereal.

"Gomen... Taiki usually does the cooking around here... Your choice, Raisin Bran, Wheaties or Count Chocula..." said Yaten.

"Let me guess, Count Chocula is your cereal?..." chuckled Hiei.

"Hey! Can't beat a sugar rush this early in the day... Want some?" asked Yaten. Hiei nodded, Yaten started to chow down when Hiei looked at breakfast with suspicion.

"My milk is turning brown..." he finally said. Yaten started to laugh.

"It's supposed to... You never had that kind of cereal before?" Hiei shook his head. He took a spoonful and sampled it, and his face lit up. "Good huh?" asked Yaten. Hiei nodded.

Hiei finished his bowl in no time flat. Yaten couldn't believe it. Yaten continued to eat at his own pace. A stifled yawn was heard. It was Yuusuke who was stretching in the living room. Shortly after, Kuwabara emerged from Seiya's room.

"I think I'd better go and wake Kurama... unless you want to do it?" Hiei asked. Yaten swallowed a big spoonful of cereal (nearly choking on it) but shook his head. He did want to go and wake him up. The part that wanted to kiss him again wanted to, but he was afraid. Hiei shrugged and went into his room, coming back a few minutes later with a yawning Kurama.

They all took breakfast in silence; Kurama trying to sneak little glances at Yaten whom, when he saw them, just looked away trying not to blush. The time soon came for them to go back to school; Yaten left a message for Taiki, just in case he would be coming back before Yaten did. Yaten turned around and saw that the others had already left. Only one person was left behind waiting for him: Kurama.

"The others have gone ahead to get Keiko-chan." said Kurama taking Yaten's school bag. "Shall we go..." Yaten sighed in relief. He headed to the door, he was about to take his school bag when he said:

"Hehehe, here I was afraid you might try to kiss mmmm..." Yaten didn't finish the sentence. Kurama was already kissing him passionately. Yaten was surprised at first, then started to enjoy the kiss. He heard the schoolbags hit the ground as Kurama hugged him. Suddenly Yaten's eyes lit up. Shimatta! I'm not a girl right now!!! Yaten disengaged from the kiss, surprising Kurama.

"What's wrong?" Kurama's soft voice asked him. Yaten was turning his back to him. He reached and brought Yaten into his arms. Yaten let him do so, for it felt soothing.

"I- we can't kiss when I'm a boy..." said Yaten.

"I don't mind..." started Kurama.

"Well I do..." Yaten turned his head slightly, "... you don't?"

"If I minded... do you think I'd do this..." Kurama kissed him again. Yaten didn't stand still for that kiss. He pulled away rapidly.

"I do... I mind... I- I-... Let's go to school... I don't want to talk about this right now... I- I'm not ready..." said Yaten blushing.

"Gomen... I didn't want to rush you..." Kurama reached to touch his face. "I'll wait for you..." Yaten nodded quickly, took his bag and got out with Kurama.

They walked to school in silence; Kurama tried to ease the atmosphere by telling Yaten he wouldn't kiss him unless Yaten wanted him to. That's just it, thought Yaten, I want to kiss you, but not as a boy... Part of him, his female part for lack of a better word, longed for Kurama, and another part feared love with him, with anyone, afraid of the rejection.

I have to talk to someone, thought Yaten, but to whom? She couldn't talk to Seiya who was into girls anyway... so was Taiki. He needed a girl to girl talk. Minako was out of the question. Ami would probably decorticate the situation and leave Yaten even more mixed-up than before. Yaten sighed. Rei hated boys. She had no interests in dating yet, and Makoto would probably fawn over her last boyfriend. Michiru and Haruka, Yaten almost laughed out loud when he thought about it. They probably wouldn't give him the time of day so for advice... He didn't know Setsuna enough to confide in her. Hotaru was younger than she was. All that was left was Usagi and Luna... Luna was a cat, Yaten liked Luna but he really didn't think she could help him. Usagi... Usagi's a klutz! How could baka Usagi help him sort out his dilemma?

Like always, sighed Yaten to himself, when you really need advice, you're all alone with your problem. Yaten dismissed the thought. They were arriving at school. Keiko came up to him. That surprised Kurama.

"Ohayo Gozaimasu, Yaten-kun!" sang Keiko happy like a little bird.

"Uh? Keiko-chan? How come you're here so early? Yuusuke and Kuwabara went to get you..." said Kurama.

"It's because we have an extraordinary meeting of Yaten's fan club this morning before class. Since I didn't see you yesterday afternoon I couldn't tell Yuusuke... Are you coming, Yaten-kun?" replied Keiko pulling Yaten by the arm. Yaten sighed. A stupid fanclub meeting. Might as well go and get it over with. Yaten was soon escorted by a troop of girls that escorted him inside the school. Kurama looked on. Something was peculiar about the scene. He shrugged. Keiko was his friend. he was getting paranoid that someone might want to hurt Yaten.

Yaten was taken inside the school and down the basement. There was a peculiar decaying smell. Yaten thought he was imagining it because none of the girls seemed to smell it. He was taken to a door. Keiko opened it and smiled.

"Welcome to the Makai... Princess..." Yaten's mind barely registered the sentence as he was pushed forward in the darkened room. He turned around. He saw the door starting to dissolve. The girls looked back at him with evil smiles. Realizing it was a trap, Yaten sprung forward. He was gripped by a mesh of tentacles that seemed to be made of the darkness of the room. Yaten tried to escape but the tentacles held him in a viselike grip. Panicked, Yaten cried out.

"KURAMMAAA!! HELP ME!!! HIEI!!!" He saw the portal was almost closed. He yelled again as loud as he could "HEEEELLLLPPPP!!!! KUUURRAAAAMMMAAAAAAAAAAA!" The portal closed and Yaten was engulfed in darkness.

Taiki felt dizzy as he looked at Aoi and Kusanagi kiss. Well for Taiki it might as well have been Seiya and Mamoru. She almost fell down on the ground, what the heck is going on? She thought. Tatsumaki went forward.

"Kusanagi-sama..." she said with reverence. "We thought you were dead..."

Kusanagi stopped kissing Aoi but still looked at her deeply in the eyes. He sighed.

"I am sorry if I had to make you believe I was dead. Unfortunately I had no choice..."

"Uh... Hotohori... Who is he?" whispered Miaka.

"Kusanagi-sama is a prince of a province of Konan. It was rumored that he died in a fire at one of his secondary residences. It was also rumored that his cousin Prince Akurei was somehow responsible for his death, as a ploy to get his province... Unfortunately there wasn't any proof to tie him to the incident, so I couldn't prosecute him."

"Hotohori-sama..." said Kusanagi bowing deeply. "I am pleased that you have come all this way. I'm afraid I may be bearer of even worse news..."

"What do you mean?" asked Hotohori.

"While I was roaming the countryside helping in any way I could, my countrymen had fallen prey to the dire regimen of my cousin. I have heard that he was the one who kidnapped my betrothed and brought her to his castle. I fear he might force her to marry him..."

"And then gain another province and become more powerful, I see..." replied Hotohori. "I doubt your cousin will stop there..."

"Indeed, Hotohori-sama..." continued Kusanagi. "I fear my cousin is amassing his armies, and that he will soon rally against you..."

"Emperor..." said Tatsumaki. "If we would try and get Kusanagi-sama back to his throne and quell this rebellion before it grows too much, I will aid you all I can, but we must rescue the Tsuki no Miko from his clutches."

"I agree..." admitted Hotohori. "There is one question that still nags me Kusanagi-sama... Why didn't you come forward and accuse your cousin of your attempted murder..."

"Because, Emperor..." started Kusanagi. "I had no proof. Me and my betrothed the Tsuki no Miko, have had suspicion against my cousin. But you know the law, Emperor. I cannot accuse another noble of wrongdoing unless I have proof."

"A month ago, my guards found and killed a spy. On him they found all he needed to start a fire. So with the help of my most trusted guards..." Kusanagi gestured to the four men that were with him. "We dressed the dead man in my clothes and put fire to my bedchambers... I and my men hid at Midori's parent's household and waited to see if my cousin would take my province..."

"The very next day, my cousin arrived at the gates of the palace and with false grief made himself regent of my land..."

"News travels fast, my lord..." snorted Tsunami. "... Especially when it should take two days of travel from your cousin's palace to yours..."

"I had to bid my time, Emperor," continued Kusanagi. "And gather evidence against my cousin before I could present my case before you. But Akurei has become bold in his enterprise if he has taken captive my betrothed. I'm afraid Akurei will stop at nothing to get what he wants..."

"I understand. Yes, we should pay Prince Akurei a visit with my troops..." said Hotohori.

"Iie... no Emperor. If he has the Tsuki no Miko hostage he might kill her or her warrior-priestess if he feels he is cornered..." interrupted Kusanagi.

"That would be sacrilege... but I guess the cornered animal is the most vicious... What do you suggest we do?" asked Hotohori.

"My Lord, my cousin has taken residence in my palace. Unknown to him, I have constructed hidden rooms and corridors known only to me and my guards. We could sneak inside the palace and hide in it until we can locate the Tsuki no Miko and her warrior-priestess. Once we know their location we could sneak a small group at night, and rescue our friends. Then you could march in with your troops, Emperor..."

"Your plan has merit, Prince Kusanagi, I will think about it tonight and I will reach my decision tomorrow morning..."

"I will abide by your decision, my Lord..." replied Kusanagi, and with that Hotohori retired to his tent. Kusanagi stood up and went back to Aoi. Taiki was floored again to see Aoi kiss Kusanagi with such passion; Taiki had a huge sweatdrop as she tried to imagine Seiya as a woman and kissing Mamoru. She then saw Midori give a very friendly hug to one of the guards of Kusanagi, the one that was Kunzite double. At least she didn't kiss him, she thought. Then she felt a pair of hands on her, massaging her shoulders. Umm, she thought, whoever's doing that, I needed it. She looked down. The fingers where slender and fine. For a moment Taiki thought it was Miaka, but she saw her enter Tamahome's tent. She was about to turn around when the one who was massaging her shoulders spoke:

"Saki-chan... You're so tense... Does this ease you..." Taiki's eyes shot wide open when she recognized the voice... ZOICITE!!! What did he just call me?... Saki-chan?... Oh Stars! I hope this isn't what I think this is!!! Zoicite! I couldn't do better than Zoicite? She sighed unbelieving. Zoicite is the guy I'm supposed to fall in love with... NO WAY! I mean he's nice and all that but kiss him? She made a face <Blah!!> I think I'd rather kiss Haruka-san, at least she's a girl. She turned around to face him.

"Uh... y-Yes Thank you, ahhh..." Taiki thought. Stars I don't even know his name here...

"Saki-chan, are you still mad at Makoto?" said the guard that looked like Zoicite.

Who's Makoto? Thought Taiki, then she figured it out... Oh stars, no! He talks to the third person that really annoys me when people do that! Makoto must be his name. Oh man! This is going to be hell, she grumbled to herself.

"Saki-chan, I know our marriage is.... Aahhh what is name for that... Makoto is sorry his Chinese is so bad..."

Taiki stood there speechless... married... I'm married to him? This isn't going to be hell; it's going to be worse. Wait a minute... We're speaking Chinese here? I thought we spoke Japanese... Taiki was pondering on that when the guard that looked like Nephrite put a hand on Makoto's shoulder.

"I think the word you are looking for is 'arranged marriage' Makoto-san. No wonder a Lady of renown literary pursuit hates her husband to be because he does not know her own language."

I'm not married to him, yet! She sighed, what a relief... I was afraid there for a second...

"Tomo-san, stop insulting Makoto. Makoto tries his best to learn Chinese and to talk to future wife nicely... if Tomo-san does not want to help Makoto then go..." Makoto said angrily.

Stars! It's like listening to a five-year-old talk... I've got to get out of this book before I'm completely nuts. I don't want to fall in love with him... I WANT OUT OF THIS CRAZY STORY!!! Taiki looked as Tomo started to laugh and shrugging, walked away.

"Makoto is sorry, beautiful Saki-chan, that Makoto is not what Saki-chan wants as husband. Makoto has come to China to help Kusanagi-sama, then Father of Makoto and Father of Saki-chan decide to make Makoto and Saki-chan husband and wife to seal treaty of peace between Konan province and Japan."

What? Taiki fumed but tried to keep that for herself. I'm a bargaining piece for a treaty... This story really sucks!!! I know these things happened throughout history but WHY ME?

"Makoto also knows Saki-chan loves Mizuumi more than Makoto, but Makoto thought about what Saki-chan said..."

"Please... get to the point..."said Taiki.

"Makoto agrees to Saki-chan's terms." he simply says. Me and my big mouth, thought Taiki I have absolutely no idea what he's talking about...

"And those terms are?" asked Taiki, trying not to look too stupid.

"Ah! Saki-chan tests Makoto to see if Makoto can be trusted? Very well. Terms of marriage is that Makoto lets Mizuumi live with us and let Mizuumi and Saki-chan be together. Saki-chan then accept marriage and will give Makoto children as heir."

Taiki raised an eyebrow. What a lousy think to do... This marriage must mean peace between China and Japan if we were prepared to do all that to get married. What a lousy deal... I feel sorry for the guy. He seems to love Murasaki but she doesn't love him back. She loves Mizuumi... Is that Ami-chan...? I hope so.

"Did Makoto say all well? Saki-chan no say word..."

"Yes, you said it well, Makoto-san..." Taiki tried. She was relieved when she saw Makoto break into a smile. "It is indeed what we agreed upon..."

"Makoto is glad, Saki-chan speak so well..."

"Well... You know, Makoto-san... maybe we could work on your language problem..." Taiki said.

Makoto smiled even more. He kneeled before her and said:

"It will be an honor, my Lady, teach Makoto..." He said the first part as though he has said it many times before, she thought. She took his hand.

"Why don't we start tonight?" Taiki said and they went in one of the tents. She made him practice to talk but also made him say 'I' instead of using his name all the time. It took a good part of the evening. She was feeling tired so she leaned on his shoulder while he read to her. Taiki, tired by the day's events, fell asleep on his shoulder.

Meanwhile in Tamahome's tent, Miaka broke her kiss with Tamahome.

"I don't understand..." she said. "If Kusanagi-sama is engaged with the Tsuki no Miko, why was he kissing Aoi-san..."

Tamahome sighed. "Because he loves both Shiori-sama the Tsuki no Miko And Aoi-san. He will legally marry the Tsuki no Miko and Aoi-san will be in his harem. I think they all agreed that if Aoi-san bears Kusanagi-sama children they will be considered legitimate..."

"Ah..." replied Miaka. Tamahome bend forward again to kiss her but Miaka had another question.

"Are the other two headmaidens in the same situation..."

"Not really..." replied Tamahome. "Midori is engaged but to a Japanese lord... I think his name is Lord Kitsune, but I'm not sure. And Murasaki-san is engaged with Makoto, second son of an influent Japanese Shogun, and right hand man of the Japanese Emperor. Theirs isn't a marriage of love it's more of a political arrangement of peace between Konan and Japan. There are still arrangements to be made but their marriage should be celebrated soon. Do you have another question Miaka?"

"Just one... If you were changed into a woman... would you still like woman or would you be able to love a man?" asked Miaka.

Tamahome didn't reply. He has fallen off his chair, stunned, a huge sweatdrop slipping the side of his head...

Shampoo was overjoyed when she saw Ranma-chan enter the Neko Hanten. She was less happy when she saw another girl with Ranma-chan, a very beautiful girl. She fumed, another girl that would try to get Ranma away from her, not if Shampoo had anything to say about it.

When Seiya entered the room she saw an old crone balancing on a wooden cane. That must be the old woman she had heard about. She was old. The word for it was feeble. She wobbled to their table as soon as Ranma-chan, Ryoga and herself were seated.

"Good day, Son-in-law. What brings you and your friends to our humble restaurant...?" the old woman croaked. She seemed a feeble old woman but Seiya sensed an aura around the crone that made her shiver.

"Oh! Can the sweet talk." said surly Ranma-chan. "I think we both know why I am here..."

"Very well then, I think we can discuss this. Would you care to step into my office to discuss this...? Shampoo, dear, give them some hot Ramen for Ranma's guest... on the house of course." The old woman smiled at Seiya. At least Seiya thought she was smiling.

As soon as Ranma-chan left with the old woman, Shampoo came to their table with some hot Ramen. She placed the bowls in front of Seiya and Ryoga respectively.

"How are things at the restaurant?" asked Ryoga trying to make some small talk.

"Business is good..." she started. "Want hot sauce?" Both Ryoga and Seiya nodded. Shampoo turned around to get it. When she came back, she tripped and the hot sauce fell all over Seiya's dress.

"Oh! My! Shampoo so sorry... you come quickly with Shampoo in restroom get clean or else will stain pretty dress..."

Seiya took no time following Shampoo. Since the dress wasn't hers she wanted to waste no time washing it. But as soon as she got into the restroom she received a bucket of water on the head and she felt a rubbing motion on her head.

"So you see it's not only me that's at stake..." replied Ranma-chan hotly. In the kitchen Ranma-chan had explained to Cologne that whatever plan she had for him backfired because Seiya was also affected by the potion. And since she brought someone that was innocent into the plan she had no choice but to undo the damage that was done.

"Indeed this changes things... Very well. I will give you the antidote. Wait here... I will make enough for both of you..." the old crone disappeared into a small backroom. Ranma-chan waited a while when suddenly she was hugged fiercely.

"Is Ranma happy to see Shampoo?" said Shampoo while giving Ranma-chan a huge bear hug.

"Yeah, very happy..." replied Ranma-chan not all that happy.

"Now Ranma, can be nice with Shampoo. Shampoo took care of competition..."

"Shampoo, what did you do to Akane-chan this time!" Ranma-chan said disengaging from her hug.

"Akane-chan? Me no do nothing to Akane..." replied Shampoo.

"Uh? Who are you talking about..." Ranma-chan stopped talking. Omigod, she thought, I hope she doesn't mean Seiya...

"Me took care of girl that came with you..." smiled Shampoo. "Is Ranma-chan mad?"

"Well, what do you think? That was Seiya Kou!!!" yelled Ranma-chan.

"Silly Ranma-chan... Seiya is boy." said Shampoo matter-of-factly.

"Well, he isn't now, technically..." replied Ranma-chan. "He fell into the pond that Ryoga had spiked with the potion that the old ghoul did. When he fell he got transformed into a girl and now he's stuck in female form just like me..."

"You mean beautiful girl that came with you is beautiful Idol singer Seiya Kou transformed into woman...?" said Shampoo slowly.

"Yes!" snapped Ranma-chan.

"Oh-oh..." said Shampoo. Ranma-chan felt an impeding doom falling on her.

"What did you do to Seiya, Shampoo...?" asked Ranma-chan getting really worried now.

"Well... Shampoo gave to Seiya a new type of Shampoo that grandmama worked on..." started shyly Shampoo.

"What? You erased her memories?" Ranma-chan fumed.

"Ara... yes... but is new formula. It not really erase memory. She thinks she somebody else... Also grandmama add special herbs that alters hair color with sun..." admitted Shampoo.

"Oh, Great. Just great. I knew this was going too easily... What hair color is she now?" asked Ranma-chan.

"Shampoo doesn't know... I pushed the girl out in the street by secret door but didn't look where she went... So Shampoo doesn't know what color hair she now have..." said Shampoo apologetically.

"TELL ME THIS ISN'T TRUE!!!!" yelled Ranma-chan.

"Shampoo..." said Cologne who overheard the entire conversation. "You help son-in-law find the girl and bring her here... then Ranma-kun, we will discuss how we can mutually help each other..."

Oh-oh! Ranma-chan didn't like that last part that mostly meant that as Ranma-kun he would have to accept to marry Shampoo. I don't want to but I can't leave Seiya like that...

"Very well, old ghoul... We'll talk." Ranma got out of the kitchen with Shampoo, rallied Ryoga and they headed in the streets in search of Seiya.

"Man, my head hurts..." said Seiya. "Where am I?" She looked around and studied the place. This didn't look like Jyuuban or Azabu or any district of Tokyo she usually hang out at. She stopped before a shop that sold mirrors and looked at herself.

"OHMIGOD!!!! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY HAIR?" she yelled scaring all of those who were passing next to her. "What possessed me to cut it that way? And where's my bow; I never leave home without it??? And where the heck did I get this tacky dress? It doesn't scream Aino Minako future Idol of millions at all," She said, talking to herself looking down at the dress. She looked into the little purse she was carrying to take out a brush to rearrange her hair. She didn't find any, not even a compact, but she found a wallet. Realizing she didn't know how much money she had, she opened it and let out a cry of joy.

OMIGOD! she thought, Where did I get all that money? Who cares? She shrugged. I have a weird haircut, no bow, a tacky dress and no Artemis around. What can any respectful teenaged girl do in a situation like this but... GO SHOPPING!!!

I took not time for her to find a fashionable clothing store and start splurging. She immediately found the cutest outfit that screamed, Minako-chan put me on. So she did. She paid for it instantly and told the sales person she wanted to put it on immediately. As she got out of the store she put the rag as she called it in a garbage pail adjacent to the store. Then she headed toward the mall for more shopping. She just had to find a red bow to replace the one she misplaced.

Meanwhile Ranma-chan, Shampoo and Ryoga were looking all over for her. They looked for a girl that had Akane's dress on but could not find any. As they turned a corner, Ranma-chan's heart sank. In the garbage, was the dress only Seiya was nowhere to be seen.

"Man..." she whined "How are we ever going to find her?"

When Taiki woke up the next morning she thought she had just had the most horrible nightmare of her life. She sighed then realized she was leaning against something soft and warm. She looked down and saw how she was dressed.

Oh Stars, no... it wasn't just a nightmare. The thing she leaned against moved and she saw Zoicite's face smiling at her.

"Ohayo! Did Saki-chan sleep well?"

She let out a wonderful scream which woke up everybody in the camp. Everyone sat up on their camp beds as they heard Taiki scream.

"GET AWAY FROM ME YOU...YOU...YOU HENTAI. DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN!!!"

"But Saki-chan... Makoto no do anything..." said Makoto as he dodged the various objects Taiki had thrown at him.

"SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP!!!!" she yelled outraged. Makoto who wasn't all that dumb knew better than to stay in the tent with that fury, he decided to get out of the tent and wait until she would cool off before talking to her again.

While that was happening, Aoi settled back in the bed with Kusanagi.

"You know, I really wonder if that marriage is ever going to work..." she said. "I'm just lucky to have Shiori-chan and you I think..." as she snuggled back into his arms she could feel his mind was miles away. She sighed.

"You're worried about her, aren't you?... Me too... I'm afraid that your cousin might have hurt my little dumpling..."

"Your little dumpling? What am I then?" he started to laugh.

She smiled mischievously. "You are my Lord Dumpling!" They both started to laugh. He hugged her closer.

"You are right, of course..." he said when he sobered off. "I'm worried about Shiori-chan. I do hope my cousin has not done any sacrilege on her..."

"Yes, unlike a certain person I know, not naming any names..." she whispered.

"Aoi-chan... You know that this must remain a secret..." he whispered back.

"I know... I just wished you were both married... that way I would have both of you to myself." she smiled.

He sighed. "I wish it, too... I hope we can rescue her soon... I miss her terribly..."

"I know, so do I..." She got out of bed. "I think we better get up and get ready. Hotohori-sama has probably come up with his answer. Kusanagi nodded, got out of bed and put on his armor.

A little while later, Hotohori called all to gather to hear his decision. Taiki stood well away from Makoto still fuming and angry at him.

"I have decided..." said Hotohori. "That me and my court will go back to my palace and prepare for the offense against Lord Akurei. I will allow Lady Aoi, Midori and Murasaki to accompany your rescue party... I do hope your venture will be rewarded, Lord Kusanagi."

"I do hope myself good Emperor... and I thank you to leave the Star Miko with us... They will be of a great help as will Kaze no Miko and Umi no Miko." replied Kusanagi.

When all was said and done the two groups separated and wished each other luck. Miaka was mad at Hotohori for not letting her go with them. Since she couldn't find one good reason to stay with the rescue party, Hotohori had deemed the matter closed.

Taiki was a little relieved. The sooner they find the Tsuki no Miko, she thought, the sooner she got out of that crazy story. She was feed up with the whole thing and just wanted to get away from Makoto's sorry puppy eyes that were trying so desperately to please her. It made Taiki lash out each time he tried to accost her. She couldn't stand him, or rather she couldn't stand the whole situation. Cursing, wondering why she was dealt with such a lousy hand in the first place? Wondering who could hate her so much as to put her through such a stupid scenario. She sighed. She'd better calm herself. Getting angry would only make matters worse.

"Murasaki-chan... May I have a word with you?" It was Midori. She took her arm and led her away.

"Listen, I know you are upset about this whole arranged marriage thing but... Could you give Makoto-san some slack? He does try hard to please you..."

"He tries a little too much if you ask me..." snapped Taiki.

"That's because he adores you. He loves you and he wants you to be happy." tried Midori.

"If he loves me so much, why doesn't he just call the marriage off."

"You know he can't, Murasaki-chan. He can't go against his Emperor's wishes... He'll have to commit seppuku if he disobeys his Emperor... Now be honest, Murasaki-chan. You don't want that to happen to Makoto-san now, do you?" asked Midori.

Taiki thought about it. No, no she couldn't do that to Zoi... Makoto, even though he irritated her. It wasn't worth death, so she nodded.

"You're right but still I wish..."

"That you could be with Mizuumi? Silly, he already accepts her as your lover. What more can you ask for?" smiled Midori.

"I still have to bear his... children." replied Taiki with a shudder.

Midori sighed. "Maybe it won't be too bad, Murasaki-chan... He loves you. Think of all the arranged marriages where the husband doesn't love his wife. I think you will be just fine..."

"I wish I could believe you..." said Taiki.

"Believe me, Murasaki-chan, loving a man isn't all that bad. I love Kiniro-chan but I also love Lord Kitsune and count the days that separates my own engagement. I guess you could say I'm lucky compared to you that I love my future husband and that I am loved by him... But you could give Makoto-san a chance. He does want to please you. He loves you. Who knows? Maybe one day you will love him too. But don't give the chance to his heart to harden against you because you will be then sorry we ever scorned him."

Taiki listened to Midori with a speechless attention. The Yaten she knew would have never spoken of her emotions like that. Or how to handle her own. Midori looked like Yaten but she certainly didn't act like her. She was so nice and attentive. Well I can't say Yaten isn't nice, she corrected herself. I mean Yaten does have her moments... even thought they are rare. She nodded to Midori. She had taken the whole incident as a personal insult. Once she finished this story she would be back in her world with Ami. Oh how much she would hold Ami when she got back. And maybe Taiki was there in the story to help Murasaki deal with her strange situation.

"Arigato, Midori... I will try..." replied Taiki smiling. Midori's smile broadened. She's so cute, thought Taiki, just like Yaten when she eventually smiles happily.

Taiki got up. Midori helped with the rest of the preparation. Taiki went straight to Makoto.

Makoto was helping saddling his horse, when Tomo tapped on his shoulder. Makoto gasped when he saw Murasaki come to him. Tomo took the saddle from him and said he would finish the preparation.

"Makoto-san... I wish to talk to you... " said Taiki calmly.

Makoto was speechless. Less than 2 minutes ago he felt like she wanted to skin him alive. Now she seemed gentle and caring. He didn't know what to do. Tomo almost kicked his butt so he would get going. He took a few steps towards her.

"Yes... "

"Not here... Makoto-san, I wish to talk in private..." replied Taiki.

Makoto looked to Tomo uncertain if he could leave his post, Tomo shrugged.

"Go ahead I'll cover for you. " he winked.

Taiki and Makoto walked to the edge of the small river where she was startled the day before. Makoto, seeing a beautiful blossom picked and offered it to Murasaki. Taiki took the flower. He means well, she thought. Maybe I was too cross with him. Look at those puppy eyes.

"Makoto-san... I would like to apologize for the way I have been acting with you. I was unfair. I had no right..." started Taiki.

"Hush... Saki-chan, Mak... I forgive you, if Ma... I haven't been so bold you would not have been mad at me... But Makoto was so happy to hold you in arms, he... I didn't think you might object..." He reached and touched her hand. He dropped to his knees and took her hand and kissed it. Taiki felt a little uneasy. She never was kissed on the hand before and it made her feel a little giddy. When he finished kissing her hand, she withdrew it, blushing slightly.

"I- I... Makoto-san, I may not be a very easy person to live with... but maybe... with time." She gasped. Makoto had put a finger on her lips to silence her.

"Say no more... beautiful nightingale... These simple words have brought a great joy to my heart. If you are not ready for me... I will wait for you. Your words have given me the strength to wait until you are ready. I love you and I will wait until the day you will truly call me husband..."

Taiki was deeply troubled. She felt like she was on the verge of tears. Her heart was in turmoil. Did she do the right thing? She didn't wish to break his heart. She felt her lower lip tremble as he simply knelt there looking at her. Taiki didn't know it but she was blushing. She wanted to bolt out of this clearing, but she couldn't move. Am I... she thought wide-eyed, am I falling in love with him? But I love Ami... it must be this story that's making me act so stupidly.

Tomo arrived in the clearing, disturbing them. Lord Kusanagi was ready to move towards their destination: Midori's household. Taiki was grateful for the interruption. She shivered, as she speculated at what might have happened if she would have stayed longer alone with Makoto. Yes, it frightened her...

Back in the real word Yui, who had successfully been able to 'borrow' the book from the library, was reading it in the dorm room she shared with Miaka. And so, she read, thus begins Murasaki's quest for her true love, little did the Suzaku no Miko's headmaiden knew, she would never again see Miaka, until the story would be told...

As soon as she read those words, she heard a scream and received a heavy weight on her head. Miaka had been expelled of the book, a very angry Miaka.

"NOOOOOO!!!! WE WERE ABOUT TO EAT!!!!" she yelled on top of her lungs. She grabbed the book from Yui and opened it. "Give me that. I have to go back I'm starved..." But nothing happened. She banged the book several times on her head. Face vaulting, Yui took the book from her.

"Are you crazy? Do you want to break it? This book is priceless... Besides, I just read that you are no longer in the story..."

"What? It isn't fair BWAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!! I'm hungry!!!" cried Miaka.

"There's food in the fridge... " said Yui flatly. Miaka stopped crying and dashed in the kitchen. Yui sighed. There was nothing that could divert Miaka from eating so she just shrugged. She was about to continue reading, when she heard a knock at the door. She lifted an eyebrow. The knock had been so soft she almost didn't hear it over the sounds Miaka made while gorging herself. There was a second knock, this time more sure. Yui put the book down and went to the door.

She opened it and in the corridor stood a blue haired girl with the uniform of the Jyuuban High School. She was blushing slightly and visibly embarrassed to be there.

"Ano... " she started. "My name is Mizuno Ami, and I was wondering if you knew where Taiki Kou was?"

Kurama was getting ready, after Yaten left with Keiko, to head to his own school which was just a short distance away. With the number of people here he thought Yaten wouldn't be in any danger. He lifted his head and saw Botan on her oar coming to him with lightning speed. In the distance, he saw Kuwabara and Yuusuke running toward school. Distancing them slightly was also Hiei. Kurama's heart sang, when Botan yelled to him that Keiko hadn't come home at all last night.

"Oh Gods, no! Yaten!" he gasped. He dropped his bag and started to run toward where Yaten had been brought. Hang on Yaten, he thought, I'm coming... reaching in his hair behind his back he took out a single red rose. With a click of the wrist, the rose was transformed into a thorn filled whip, as rose petals floated in the area, impregnating the air with a sweet smell. For Kurama it helped him locate the foul smell of the Makai and, soon enough, he found it.

He heard Yaten cry out in panic. Kurama's heart skipped a beat. He ran down the stairs to the basement. Blocking his path were girls from the school. They were smiling evilly to him. Kurama realized they weren't girls but demons of the Makai. They had just taken the appearance of girls. Growling his frustration, Kurama lashed at them, but there were too many.

"Oh... the mighty Kurama," laughed the creatures. "There's a bounty on your head, either attached to your body or not..."

"Let me pass!" yelled Kurama, as a flurry of razor sharp rose petals buried themselves into the demon's flesh. Kurama heard Yaten yell.

"HEEEELLLPPP! KUUURRRAAAAMMAAAA-" the sound was cut off. Kurama saw red. They had succeeded. Now the portal to the Makai was closed, sealing Yaten away from him. A transformation occurred to Kurama. His hair turned white and his features changed. His ears grew bigger and pointed. White fur grew on them. He now had fangs and he showed them to his opponents, snarling. He lashed out at them. How had they dared, to take his beloved away from him? For that crime they must pay... with their dark blood.

It was a real carnage. Blood spattered on the nearby walls followed by diverse body parts. Kurama in his Youko form was covered with blood. In his eyes had the glint of man possessed by killing frenzy. Botan was the first to reach him, but she looked away and turned back unable to look at the carnage and at her friend who had turned into a blood thirsting beast.

The boys followed Kuwabara and Yuusuke, appalled by the amount of blood and guts flying around. Kurama still tore at his enemies, at the ones who took away the one he loved, uncaring of his friends as they yelled for him to stop.

"We got to at least save a couple... so that we can know where they took Yaten and the others," said Yuusuke. Hiei nodded. It was up to him to stop Kurama... At least he hoped he could stop him. In his Youko form Kurama was a little less predictable and a lot less reasonable. Hiei's only chance was to bluntly shove him into the wall, hoping the impact would cut off his wind and make him listen to reason.

Hiei bit his lips as he tried to reach his friend, unable to dodge all of the rose petals. Some tore at his skin and pierced his clothes. Kurama turned around just as Hiei was ramming him on the wall. With both his arms Hiei slammed into Kurama's stomach. The few surviving demons cowered in a corner as Yuusuke and Kuwabara approached.

"Now," said Yuusuke, "you're going to tell us what we need to know or we will let him finish you off... slowly..."

Meanwhile Kurama gasped for air. Hiei slapped him a couple of times.

"Kurama! Snap out of it, you crazy fox!" yelled Hiei. Kurama lifted a feral gaze to him. Kurama had recovered and his reactions still couldn't be trusted. He bared his fangs to Hiei.

"How dare you put yourself between me and my prey!" said Kurama as he tore into Hiei's back with sharp talons. Hiei cried out at the searing pain. He had to say something to make Kurama stop.

"Why do you put yourself between me and the ones who took away the woman I love?" snarled Kurama.

Hiei hissed as the talons tore his flesh. He has only one way to bring back Kurama from his temporary insanity... the truth.

"Because..." Hiei whispered painfully into his ears. "I love her, too... and we need to know where she is if we want to help her..." The savage onslaught stopped. Hiei looked into Kurama's eyes as they turned back to their original green color. He saw the tears forming in his eyes. he had gotten through to him.

"Hiei?..." whispered Kurama as his features changed. Hiei smiled as he sank into the abyss of unconsciousness.

His eyes fluttered opened many hours later. From the color reflecting on Yukina's hair they were near the end of the day. He could feel that his wounds had been healed and that Yukina had given all her powers so that he would recover this fast. He saw the way she trembled that his curing had drained her considerably.

"Where's Kurama?" asked Hiei.

"He- he's in the other room... Hiei... he's... not well..." that was an understatement. As Hiei went into the other room he saw Kurama lying listless on the floor starring off into space. His clothes were all bloody and soiled with... whatever. They were at Master Genkai's house. Hiei knew the place well for having been here many times before. He heard in another room, Yuusuke, Kuwabara and the old master discuss about a plan to rescue Yaten and the students and personnel of the school.

Hiei slowly and silently came to sit next to Kurama. Kurama didn't bat an eyelash. Hiei didn't know if Kurama knew if he was here or not, his eyes starring at the paper walls. Blank eyes, no expression, just a blink of the eye sometimes, then a tear falling slowly to his chin.

"I... I almost killed you..." said Kurama's voice cracked and parched. This must be the first words he uttered since the incident. "I almost killed you... and I lost her..."

"NNOOOOOOO!!!!" he yelled his frustration and hurt in a single scream that turned into a whacking sob. Hiei heard movement in the house. Yuusuke and Kuwabara were soon at the edge of the room. Hiei saw the worry that was written on their faces. Even Kuwabara bit his lip knowing the torment Kurama felt. Yuusuke looked at Hiei and nodded. He understood the gesture. Yuusuke was telling Hiei to take care of Kurama. Putting a hand on Kuwabara's shoulder, Yuusuke gestured that they should go back to planning. Without a word, he agreed and followed Yuusuke back to the room where Master Genkai waited.

As soon as the door slid shut, Hiei hugged and rocked Kurama gently, passing a soothing hand in his hair. Kurama tried to get away from him but Hiei was stronger and he didn't let go.

"How... how can you stand to hold me? I almost killed you... out of blind rage..." choked Kurama. He looked up, his green eyes still bleak but a familiar glint had returned.

"You weren't yourself... You were mad... I understand... I'm not the kind of guy who lets a little thing like trying to kill get in the way of our 'Friendship'..." said Hiei, with a little smile in the corner of his mouth. Kurama just looked at him.

"You know, this is where you're supposed to laugh..." hinted Hiei.

"I'm not really in a laughing mood..." Kurama hung his head down, and started to return Hiei's embrace.

"It's okay... I'm not much of a comedian anyway..." he chuckled. This time Kurama joined in a little. "That's it... Kurama, you need to grab a hold of yourself if you want to save Yaten. She needs you now... We've faced situations as hard as this one... even worst odds and we pulled through... We can do this..."

"You are right... Hiei..." Hiei got up and gave him cleaned clothes. "Here, after you put these on I am sure you will feel better. The river is near the house, maybe..."

"I'll go wash and gather energy...and Hiei, thank you..." said Kurama. Hiei was about to leave the room when Kurama called to him.

"Hiei, did you mean what you said when you told me you loved Yaten...?" said softly Kurama.

Hiei didn't turn to face him. "I- I told you that so that you would snap out of your killing frenzy..." Hiei then closed the door behind him.

Kurama looked where Hiei had vanished, wind blowing in his hair. "Koibito... I know when you lie to me... I understand your reasons... but are they fair for you?..."

Yaten slowly regained consciousness. He felt he was still held by the tentacles that trapped him. He could also feel he was held about in the air. He woke up trying to struggle against the tentacles but they just held him stronger. Yaten winced at the pain.

"I must say I'm impressed, Princess... After all, you did wake up trying to escape..." said a voice. Yaten looked in the direction of the voice. He saw a tall shadowy creature surrounded by a group of student girls from the Sarayashiki College. They all seemed transfixed and under some spell.

"What have you done to them?" gasped Yaten.

"Oh! So noble of you to think of others, Princess Yaten... Yes I do know your name. Know that this is the result of your disobedience to the call of the Black demon Crystal. If you would have given up freely your Sailor Crystal and took on mine, you would happily be my consort now and there would be no need for these geese."

"I'll never be your consort you... you... Power Hungry Demon!" spat Yaten.

"Hmmm... Defiant. I almost like that in a woman... but, no. I grew tired of you... You're too spirited, and frankly I like my women with a little less spirit..." The demon responded.

"Well, excuuuuse me for not being up to your standards... If I'm not on your date list then why the hell am I here?" asked Yaten.

"Hell... funny you should use that term because that's exactly where you are... in a way. You are here because I have still need of your Sailor Crystal. Also, I want to rid from the face of my future realm the champions you so befriended."

"You mean Yuusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei and Kurama... why?" asked Yaten.

"Because these four have for too long meddled in the affairs of the Makai. They are an obstacle and must be eliminated... and you will serve as bait..."

Yaten grew pale. She didn't like it one bit. "You say this as though I will help you..."

"Oh, but you will... For you see, I brought these to insure you behave and do as I say..." said the Demon. It approach one of the student girls and pointed a sharp talon to her throat.

"Now, Princess, my first order is for you to transform into your true form... In this dark realm your pure powers will shine like a Super Nova. Those 4 imbeciles should have no problem finding you then... Do it now or she dies..."

Yaten looked at the girl. He couldn't let her die, and he couldn't lead Kurama and the others to this trap. Yaten agonized. He was looking for a way around this but couldn't find any. Yaten's face grew in terror as he saw the Demon slit the girl's throat.

"Noo... I didn't say anything!!!" yelled Yaten. He saw the girl's soul leave her body as her body slumped to the ground. The Demon inhaled and the girl's soul was eaten up.

"Hmm... a small snack..." he told Yaten.

"But why? I didn't say anything. I didn't say yes or no... Why did you kill her?" Yaten asked, horrified.

"Because I am a Demon like you said, and you hesitated. I have no virtue and patience is one of those stupid things. Not to worry. There's more where that came from..."

Yaten looked in horror and apprehension as the Demon reached for another girl.

"Care to experiment on how long I can test my 'patience' this time around?" he gloated evilly.

"Ano... My name is Mizuno Ami, and I was wondering if you knew where Taiki Kou was?" said Ami to the girl who opened the door.

"Uh... Taiki-san isn't here right now..." Yui said trying to find something to say quick. "Have you tried his place? He must be there by now..."

"That's just it..." the blue hair girl replied. Yui could see she was worried and that the girl was fighting not to cry. "I've just come from his apartment he isn't there and Yaten Kou isn't there either. I've tried calling but all I get is their answering machine. I even went to their recording studio just in case he and Yaten were practicing and they weren't there, either. They are not at the night club they hang out, too, either."

"Oh! I wish I could help you but Taiki-san isn't here and I really don't know where he is..." Yui lied. She hated to lie to this girl but she had no choice. She couldn't tell her Taiki Kou was now in an ancient Chinese novel.

"Are you sure? It's so much unlike him to act this way... I do hope he's not in any danger" Ami told her.

Uh? Yui thought, how come she knows so much about Taiki-san, where he lives, his phone number, his routine... unless...

"GYAAAAAAHHHH!!!! YOU MUST BE TAIKI-SAN'S GIRLFRIEND!!!!" yelled Maika loud enough to alarm the entire dorm. Not wanting to cause a scene from angry fans, Yui grabbed Ami and pulled her into the apartment. She quickly closed the door and not a moment too soon. Girls were getting out in the corridor to ask who was the mystery girlfriend of Taiki Kou.

"Miaka! Please! Not so loud!" whispered Yui trying to calm her down.

"Okay, okay... " whispered back Miaka. She then turned to Ami with stars in her eyes. "So you're really Taiki-san's girlfriend... He talked about you but he never told me your name..." Miaka, with lightning speed took out her notebook and started to scribble on it asking Ami questions.

"Your name, blood type, height, school you go to..." said Miaka.

"Ara..." started Ami.

"Miaka! Please. You're embarrassing me! Leave this poor girl alone." Yui said angrily to Miaka. She cleared her throat and smiled to Ami.

"Well, since Miaka started a commotion, maybe you better sit down. Would you like something to drink? I was brewing some tea."

Ami sat down on the couch near the book. "Oh! If it isn't too much trouble... " she said.

"No trouble at all..." replied Yui. She started to go into the kitchen but when she saw Miaka take out her notepad again, she grabbed her by the nape of her neck. "Oh no, you don't. You're coming with me." Miaka started to protest but Yui dragged her into the kitchen. While the two girls were arguing in there Ami heard a familiar voice.

"Ami-chaannn..." whispered the voice. It was...

"Taiki!" Ami stood up and looked around. Where was he? It sounded like he was close. Ami turned around and saw the book that was on the couch and the book was glowing. Ami couldn't believe it. She was probably hearing and seeing things. The disappearance of Taiki was getting on her nerves. She then saw the cover simmering. She saw Taiki's face, his arms outstretched to her.

"Ami-chan... Help me!" Taiki asked with pleading eyes. Ami grabbed the book. The image faded. "Help me... Amiiii..." The voice had stopped.

"Tai-chan!" cried Ami. Already tears forming in her eyes. Without hesitation she opened the book. The first thing she saw was an illustration of a beautiful woman in ancient Chinese clothing, but she resembled Taiki when she was Star Maker as thought she were her twin sister. Just then Miaka and Yui came back from the kitchen.

"No, don't read... " Yui started, and Ami disappeared. "... the book..."

"Oh no! What are we going to do now?" whined Miaka.

Ami thought she might have had a fainting spell because she had a headache and she seemed to come to. She heard the familiar voice of Minako, Rei and Makoto. She felt weird, as though next to her body. I must have fainted, she told herself, seeing that image moving on the book. I must have imagined it. I was so worried when Taiki didn't call last night I couldn't sleep. That must be what caused me to have a hallucination. She sighed and tried to open her eyes.

"Look! She's coming to!"
"Thank the gods, she did receive a rather nasty bump..."
"Give her some space and watch it. You're stepping on her hair..."

Stepping on my hair? No one seems to be close enough to do that, she thought. She opened her eyes and gasped. She, along with Minako, Rei and Makoto where in some sort of dark cell. Those two girls didn't seem like they were bad people. What was she doing here?

Then she realized the girls' clothes were weird. They all looked like that picture of the woman who looked like Taiki. She let out a surprised gasp when she saw she was herself a similar sort of clothing but what almost sent her fainting again was that her hair... her hair was so long. She stood up rather fast and found out her hair was even longer that she was. She felt dizzy.

"Woah! Mizuumi-chan you shouldn't get up so fast!" The brunette told her.

"Ah... You are right Mako-chan... Gomen ne..." The girl looked at her with a weird expression.

"Mizuumi-chan? What did you just call me?" said Inazuma.

Ami was startled. There was Makoto, Rei and Minako but they looked different. What was going on? I remember the book then waking up here.

"Mizuumi-chan, are you all right? You look disturbed?" said Kiniro, the one who for Ami looked like Minako.

"I... What am I doing here?" Ami asked.

"You mean you don't remember the attack?" asked Akari. Ami shook her head at the raven hair girl. Akari looked at the other girls worried but explained to Ami how they got where they were now.

At sunset, the small rescue group arrived at Midori's household, where they were greeted by a young man. Taiki gasped. If not for the hair color she could have sworn she could see Yaten as a guy. Midori ran up to him and hugged him.

"Lo-kun! Brother!" she said. Of course, thought Taiki, in this reality her twin brother didn't die. Then this Yaten never saw her family die, she thought, then maybe this is how Yaten would have been like if she never lost her family, so loving and full of life. It pained her that her own Yaten didn't have that choice.

"If you are that happy to see me wait 'till you see who else is there." Her brother smiled and side stepped. Midori let out a small gasp of joy.

"Kitsune-sama!" Taiki looked up and saw a man with red hair, dressed in a richly manner with embroidered silk. He smiled at Midori as she rushed to kiss him. Taiki smiled. It was without a doubt they were pretty much in love with each other, the way they kissed without a care as to who might be watching. Taiki then made a strange parallel... They almost looked like Usagi and Mamoru. Midori introduced him to everyone present and then she introduced her family and then later she stole away with Lord Kitsune and wasn't seen before the next morning.

During the evening Mihat, Midori's father informed them that he had sent guards to secure the hidden tunnels that lead to Kusanagi Castle. Mihat, although now past his prime, still had a warrior's hand and heart.

"Kusanagi, my boy..." he said. "Let me come with you... I am still a tiger that wants his share of the dragon."

"Mihat-sama... I would like to bring you with me but I need to keep you here with your son, just in case things don't work as they should. We need you to make sure that my cousin doesn't have the chance to attack the Emperor's palace." replied Kusanagi.

Mihat looked at his son. "Hai!" he sighed. "I understand but still I wish we could have a piece of the action."

"Don't worry, father," replied Loutus. "I am sure we will do battle with his forces. I know Akurei and his arrogance, and from the talk of the townspeople he will strike soon."

"I just hope we can rescue the Tsuki no Miko and her priestesses." said Kusanagi.

"Hai!" replied Mihat "and restore you to your rightful throne, my Lord. The people have no liking to your malevolent cousin. They mourned you bitterly when they learned of your death."

"I am ashamed to have had to hide myself. I hope the people can forgive for that..." said Kusanagi.

"I think they will." said Loutus. "I even think some of them already know that you were the Kishi no Kuro Bara..."

Taiki retired herself early in the evening to the room they had given her for the night. She lay down on the bed. She grabbed a pillow and hugged it dearly. Seeing Aoi and Midori with people they loved made her ache for Ami. "Ami-chan, I miss you so..." she whispered holding the pillow as though she would Ami. "I wish you were here and in my arms... " She softly cried herself to sleep. Coming out of the shadows, Makoto sat next to her bed. He brushed away a few strands of hair and dried her remaining tears.

"Do not worry, beautiful nightingale. Never again shall someone make you cry so... I promise..."

Back in the dark cell, Akari, Kiniro and Inazuma, silently understood that the blow to their Mizuumi's head must have been worst than they feared, for she didn't remember who she was. Just then the door to their cell opened. Ami gasped. A girl that looked exactly like Usagi was roughly shoved forward by a man with white hair. Even though he didn't have an inverse black moon symbol on his forehead Ami recognized his face: Prince Diamondo. The other girls called him:

"Lord Akurei! What have you done to the Tsuki no Miko!" asked Akari hotly.

"I? Nothing... But I will do something to one of you, if your precious Miko won't agree to marry me..." Akurei replied.

"I will never marry you!" replied Shiori defiant.

"Think about my proposition. You have until tonight or I will personally torture your priestesses one by one until you accept..." and with that he closed and locked the door behind him.

Shiori started to cry. All the girls except for Ami went to comfort her. Ami was still analyzing the situation and had even tried to transform, but it seemed she couldn't. The girls told Shiori not to listen to the blackmail of Akurei, that they would gladly sacrifice themselves. Shiori could not be wedded to such an evil man.

Ami bit her lip. What have I gotten myself into?....

"What are we going to do?" wondered Miaka out loud. Yui gasped as she looked outside. It was raining and the rain was black.

"Ranma-chan? What are you doing here?" Ranma-chan froze. Oh no, just what I need, Akane.

"Nihao Akane. We look for Seiya Kou who now looks like girl!" said Shampoo. Ranma cringed, oh please don't tell me she just said that...

"WHAT??? Weren't you suppose to take care of this problem Ranma?" growled Akane.

"Actually, Akane-chan," started Ryoga. "This time isn't not Ranma's fault..." and Ryoga told Akane what went on during the day. That Shampoo, jealous that Seiya was a rival for Ranma's attention, had used her brainwashing shampoo formula on her. The brainwashing shampoo also had the effect of changing color in the sun.

"So you're telling me Seiya Kou has a different hair color and thinks he's somebody else?" asked Akane as calmly as she could.

The three of them nodded. Akane took her dress from them and marched into the store. After several minutes she came back out.

"Okay, she now has blonde hair and she bought a blue and purple ensemble that consists of a purple mini-skirt, pink knee high socks and a blue tank top. She also bought a matching blue and purple jacket she wore on top. When last she was seen, she was heading toward the mall..."

"H-How did you get that information?" gasped Ranma-chan.

"Simple... I asked the clerk of the store if she had seen my sister who had run off with my dress and our dad's wallet. I told her that she took the money without ' our dad's ' consent and that I really needed to get a hold of her... I told her she was last seen at a beauty salon and that she probably had dyed her hair and that I didn't know what color..." replied Akane.

"And she bought that? I'm impressed!" whistled Ranma-chan.

"She went to the mall? How are going to find her? Now that school is finished do you have any idea how many girls there are at the malls at this time?" asked Ryoga.

Both Akane and Ranma were stumped. Shampoo's eyes lid up.

"Shampoo got idea!"

Seiya was tired but had finally found a red bow, and some nice accessories to go with her new outfit. If the girls could she me now, she thought. Hey come to think of it where is everybody? Seiya passed next to the information booth and saw where she was... Nerima? What the heck am I doing in Nerima?... Oh I know I probably went to see... what's his name? Yaten? No, that's not it... Taiki either... it's... That's weird. For some odd reason I can't remember his name. Oh, it'll come back to me eventually...

Seiya wanted a place to sit down. All that walking around had made her tired. She headed for the central part of the mall knowing there she would find some bench to sit on. When she arrived there, she saw there was a commotion. Someone was selling something. Seiya, who now thought she was Minako, was curious to know what was this all about.

There were a couple of girls selling the merits of a brand new shampoo.

"Yes, Ma'am, this shampoo is wonderful for blonde hair!" said Ranma-chan.

"It will turn your hair into golden silk!" added Akane. Seiya looked at her hair... Hum, maybe I should give it a try.

"We will demonstrate it here. All we need is a volunteer and she will receive a free treatment..." Ranma-chan had just finished uttering those words when a group of teenaged girls arrived near the stage crying:

"Pick me! oh! Oh! Pick me!" Ranma-chan looked through that crowd and, sure enough, a blonde Seiya was among the girls waving to her. Ranma-chan gestured to Ryoga who went into the fray of girls and went to 'pick' Seiya. Ranma-chan and Akane then congratulated her and made her sit in the chair. Then Shampoo did her thing. She wet Seiya's hair and lathered the specially formulated shampoo. Seiya felt sleepy and closed her eyes, while Shampoo was rinsing her hair. Akane was drying Seiya's hair when she started to snore. Ranma-chan eyed the whole operation suspiciously. Ryoga was looking at them but he had a question on his lips.

"Excuse me, but isn't his hair supposed to turn back black?"

"Hai!" said Shampoo "Shampoo don't understand... bottle says formula no 765... is good bottle. Mousse bottled it yesterday for me..."

Ranma-chan eyes grew wide. "Did you say Mousse?" Shampoo nodded. "Was he wearing his glasses at the time?"

Shampoo thought, no, he didn't have his glasses on, Akane understood instantly. "He's more near-sighted than a mole! If he didn't have his glasses on he must have switched the bottles!"

Ranma felt again the impeding doom over her head. Akane took hold of the situation, "Maybe we should wake her up and bring her back to the Neko Hanten and do this all over again."

Before Ranma-chan could stop her, Akane nudged Seiya. Seiya didn't move an inch and continued to snore. Ranma was about to stop Akane when she saw that the girl didn't wake up. Akane shook her again this time with more insistence, to no avail. Seiya wasn't waking up.

"Shampoo? Are you sure you didn't give Seiya-san a sleeping shampoo?" asked Akane.

"Silly, Akane... There is no such thing as sleeping shampoo..." replied Shampoo.

"Oh, because a Brain-washing one is normal?..." said Akane getting slightly mad.

"Is no Shampoo's fault if Mousse made mistake!" replied Shampoo angrily.

"You know, we wouldn't be in this mess if you weren't so jealous, you know!" yelled Akane.

"Uh... Girls, I don't think we have time for this!" started Ryoga.

"You should talk, Akane... So beat up girls that run after my Ranma..." yelled back Shampoo.

"Since when is he YOUR Ranma?!" yelled Akane.

"Listen, girls, I really think..." started Ryoga. "Butt out!" the two girls yelled back. Ryoga backed off, sitting next to Ranma-chan who knew better than to get involved when these two argued.

Seiya stirred in the chair. She opened her eyes and looked at her watch.

"OH MY GOD! I'M SO LATE!!!!!" She yelled so loud she stopped the argument between Akane and Shampoo and made Ryoga and Ranma jump with fright. Seiya got up and started to run.

"Omigod, omigod, Rei-chan is going to be like so mad at me she's going to fry my butt. I better hurry back to Hikawa temple on the double..." Ryoga, Ranma, Akane and Shampoo were speechless as they saw Seiya dash toward the train station, as though running the 500 yard dash.

"Well, don't just stand there!" yelled Ranma-chan. "Let's run after her!!!"

Meanwhile, back at the Neko Hanten, Cologne was meditating, relaxing before the evening customers came for dinner. Her eyes shot wide open. Her lower lip trembled. She looked outside. It was raining a little but as she looked closely, the rain was black. She quickly ran into her room and opened an old cherry wood chest. Inside she took out a small velvet bag. Reaching inside, she took a clear crystal ball. Balancing it on her cane she exposed it to the rain. Almost instantly, the clear crystal ball became jet black as though perverted. She let it go with a loud crash. It confirmed her suspicions. Demons were behind this. She didn't know why, but she had to give to Ranma and that Seiya her ultimate cure all. She took one of her bottles and raced downstairs. She waited until the rain stopped then told Mousse he was to close the shop and to run to the Tendo Hall.

Seiya ran to the train station that was connected to the mall. She got a train ticket to Tokyo. The woman at the wicket told her to hurry because the train was almost ready to leave and she closed her booth. Seiya dashed yet again not listening to Ranma-chan and the gang that was slowly catching up to her. She jumped on the train. As she did it started moving. She sat down but didn't know why she couldn't shake the sense of dread she felt.

Ranma cursed as she saw the train leave. The panels announced that was the last train to Tokyo. They could never catch up with her. Just then Cologne arrived.

"Great grandmama!" said Shampoo.

"Here!" she said giving her potion to Ranma-chan. "This will cure you and Seiya of all the things that trouble you. You must take a dose for each thing that hails you. Use it sparingly I only have four doses." started Cologne.

"Grandmama, why do this? Shampoo thought..." she was cut short as her Grandmother gave her a bundle of silk with what looked to be weapons inside.

"There is no time to explain. Know just that we can no longer play that game... The fate of the entire world hangs in the balance... Tendo Akane you must return to your home, and help protect it. Don't argue; just do it. I will rejoin you and so will Mousse." snapped Cologne.

Akane didn't answer but somehow she knew the old woman was saying the truth. She nodded and started to run toward her home.

"Akane!" said Ranma, who had turned back to normal after drinking a dose of Cologne medicine. Akane turned back to face him. "Please... be careful..." he said.

"You, too..." she replied, and she headed to her destination.

"Ranma, it is imperative that you give Seiya the medicine... I sense in her great power and she will need it but it is blocked by my medicine. Her battle aura is immense and it will be needed. Do you understand Ranma? Find her and give her one dose for each thing that was done to her. Ranma, the time is grave... I will help the Tendo fight that which is coming, but you three must go into the heart of it and extinguish it before it takes over our plane." And with that Cologne disappeared, following Akane.

"Hey! Wait! Tell us what's going on?" Ranma shouted he saw Shampoo's face as it became pale. "What wrong Shampoo?"

"These are very ancient weapons, have been in family for many generations... Weapons to kill demons..."

Ryoga gasped. "Is that what's waiting for us in Tokyo?"

"If you want to help Akane Ryoga I understand. You don't have follow us..." said Ranma calmly.

"No, I'm coming with you! You might need someone with my strength and technique... but how are we going to get there?" said Ryoga.

"Thanks. I appreciate it Ryoga. Now on how to get there... I have a plan... Follow me!" having said that Ranma headed toward the exit, followed by Ryoga and Shampoo.

"You...you win... I will change back. Just release them!" pleaded Yaten. The second corpse falling to the ground. The demon smiled. This was too easy. Only two dead and already the girl was ready to surrender. Almost no challenge there.

"Then do it, now!" he ordered her. Yaten gulped. Not wanting another death on her head, she uttered her henshin sentence.

"Healer Star Power Make up!" There was a flash of light and dancing stars and Yaten's body changed into that of her female self.

"I've done what you asked... Now release them!" she yelled.

"Not so fast my dear. You are in no position to make demands... I still need one last insurance my precious little star... " The demon gloated. He opened his hand and a cup and knife appeared. Smiling, the demon took the knife and the cup hovered under his wrist. He slashed his own wrist with it and blood started to pour out of his wound and into the cup. The demon then reversed his movement and his wrist was without any injury. He approached Healer. She saw that the demon was interested in her right wrist.

"What are you doing?" she asked trembling.

The demon smiled. "You'll see soon enough..." He took the knife and slashed her wrist. Healer yelled at the searing pain feeling her blood flowing through the wound filling the cup. With a sharp gesture, he slashed again in the opposite direction. She gritted her teeth but it was over and her wound had disappeared. Even the tear in her leather glove didn't show.

She then saw the demon utter some cabalistic words, weaving magic into the blood. Healer watched helpless in morbid fascination. The demon incorporated different elements in the blood. Some of them Healer couldn't recognized, they looked so alien to her in nature.

The demon then took the cup to his lips and drank half of its contents. Licking his lips, he turned to Healer. With a gesture, the tentacles that held her made her advance toward the demon. Shacking her head, closing her eyes, he raised the cup to her lips.

"DRINK!" He ordered her "Drink! Or else all these geese will suffer greatly before they die and I will make sure you stand and watch..." Healer didn't want to drink the foul liquid. She knew it would bore her no good news if she did.

"Drink!" he told again. "I won't ask another time... Or I'll torture them so much you will beg me to kill them..."

Healer had no choice she knew this beast had a short temper and she also knew he didn't bluff. She opened her mouth and he tipped the vessel making the liquid run down into her mouth. The taste was revolting. She almost gagged and spitted it out. But the gaze of the Demon told her she better not do that or else the girls he held captive would suffer the consequences. She swallowed not knowing what disgusted her more, the vile liquid or the gloating laughter of her captor. She was forced to swallow the last drop. As soon as she did, she yelled out in pain. Her entire being was like it was on fire. Sweat broke through her pores as she felt her bowels burn as though she swallowed fire. She agonized, writhing even if her body was held capture. Then it stopped as suddenly as it had started. Her vision blurred as she saw the demon open a portal and the girls enter it like sheep in a slaughterhouse. She fought to stay conscious until the last girl entered the portal. When she saw the portal closing she couldn't fight it any more and her body went limp.

Michiru was talking about her day with Setsuna when she heard her shriek. Turning around, she saw Setsuna in mid air, a magenta glow around her. Her costume of Sailor Pluto appeared as well as her Time Staff. Hearing the blood curdling yell, Haruka arrived running into the kitchen and grabbed Michiru, pulling her away from the other woman. Setsuna's face was frozen in a horrible deformed rictus of surprise and pain. What they saw next made their skin crawl. Sailor Pluto's Time Staff started to fall into dust, as well as her costume. Then Setsuna fell to the floor naked her face still held in that horrible grimace. Haruka took her jacket and put it on her. helped by Michiru they then placed her on her bed.

When this was done, Michiru gasped. "Mo!..." she said. Haruka turned around to where she was looking prepared to jump on any enemy lurking in the shadows. But she wasn't prepared for this. Outside rain had started to fall... a black rain.

Rei was outside raking leaves. She didn't like that. Ever since the start of class she had felt uneasy as though something horrible was about to happen. She heard the phone ring. Leaving her rake, she ran inside the house. She was alone but something told her she better answer it.

"Moshi-moshi?" she said as soon as she took the receiver to her mouth.

"Rei-chan?..." replied a voice. Rei knew it was Usagi. "Have you seen Ami-chan? I'm worried."

"No, I haven't seen her... Why?" Rei asked.

"Well she was concerned over Taiki-san... You should have seen her at school today, Rei-chan." Usagi paused trying to calm herself but Rei could clearly hear she was crying, worried sick. "She didn't pay attention to anything. Mako-chan and Minako-chan are here with me and they'll tell you if you don't believe me. She even skipped the last class. She told me she would and she did it. Rei-chan, there's something more... the school where Yaten was going for the week. All the students disappeared, Rei-chan. We all tried to reach either Taiki or Yaten but we couldn't reach any of them. Ami-chan was supposed to come an hour ago, and she still hasn't come back.... " Usagi suddenly stopped gasping.

"Usagi-chan! Usagi-chan! What is it?" In the background Rei could hear Mamoru, Makoto and Minako also gasped. She even heard Artemis and Luna hiss.

"Oh my God!!!" Minako had said.

"Moshi-moshi... Usagi... USAGI!" Rei yelled on her side trying to get back Usagi's attention.

"R- Rei- Rei-chan... l-look outside..." Usagi croaked. Rei looked outside through the window. She almost fell to the ground. It was raining outside... but the rain was black.

Kurama, Hiei, Yuusuke and Kuwabara were revising their strategy one last time when they heard Botan cry out in pain. They rushed to her side she was convulsing, her eyes staring off into infinity. Through her convulsions she said.

"Link to Reikai... severed... no... darkness is falling from the sky... No it can't be!" That's all they could learn from her as her body stiffened and her face contorted into a scream... a scream that produced no sound. Yukina started to feel faint and slumped to the ground, but before that could happen Kuwabara had caught her. Kurama felt sick. He turned around to take some fresh air. He froze horrified. A black rain had started to fall and Kurama could feel it starting to destroy the plant life around Master Genkai's house.

Healer came to. She felt drained of some of her senshi powers. She started to feel as weak as the day she had done battle with Galaxia. She saw monstrous leeches on her, and she knew by the horrible glow they casted that they weren't sucking her lifeblood but her Senshi energy. She lifted her head defiantly. She saw the Demon gloating at her.

"Well rested... I suppose?"

She would have told him to go to Hell... but that would have been pretty stupid, since she thought they were already there.

"What have you done to me?" she asked whispering.

"Me? My little waning star, I haven't done nothing to you... What the energy leeches are doing well that's an entirely other subject..." he replied nonchalantly.

"That's not what I meant..." she gasped angrily. "What was that stuff you made me drink?"

"Oh, that?" replied the Demon as though it was nothing. "Only my life insurance... but why tell you, when I can show you..."

And with a sharp talon, he slashed the skin across his chest. Healer's eyes grew wide as she felt a burning pain across her own chest. She looked down unbelieving but forced to believe because of the pain. She had the exact slash across her own chest and she could see the blood spilling from her open wound.

"So you see, if your friends hurt me... they hurt you. What do you think of my little insurance policy? Oh and I'm afraid that if they kill me I won't be alone... sweetheart... Oh and this is the cherry on top." He paused and reciting incantations, Healer could feel her wound closing up. She could feel the magic work on her and she looked on the Demon's chest. His own wound was closing up as well as hers. Healer looked into the amber eyes, the horrible realization registering in her brain.

"That is right... if they heal you they heal me..." he smiled. "Only true death will shatter the spell... and I'm afraid that's quite permanent..."

"I-I'm not afraid of dying" replied Healer. She wished she could have said it with more determination in her voice.

"Maybe... but will your goody-two shoes friends have the guts to kill you..? I bet they won't..." He laughed in her face, as she tried to wiggle herself free of the tentacles. But she felt weaker and weaker by the second, while the Demon seemed to become even more powerful.

Taiki woke that morning, sighing that her ordeal wasn't over yet. She started to get out of bed when she saw Makoto sleeping on the floor next to her bed. She looked at him. She never heard him get in during the night. He could have easily slipped into bed with her and yet he didn't. She was touched by his gallantry. Smiling, she got closer to him and...

Taiki backed off, what is wrong with me? Where did that come from? I'm not interested in Zoicite. He seems quite happy with Kunzite back home. Her hands started to tremble. How much of this can I blame on this wretched book? she thought. Ami... she clung to her name like she would cling to a lifesaver. It's Ami-chan that I love. No, Makoto... Zoicite... Ami-chan, I need you. I feel adrift in an ocean of contradiction. Ami if only you were here. One look into your beautiful blue eyes and I would know where I stand. I've been in difficult situations but never have I doubted myself before. She hugged herself, not knowing what to do next.

Makoto woke up and saw her hugging herself in the bed, looking so lost, so hurt. It pulled at his heart. He wanted so much so climb onto the bed and hold her. To take away whatever burden she had, just hold her, although he wanted more.

"Saki-chan..." he whispered softly, afraid he might startled her. Taiki looked down to him. Their eyes met. I feel so weird when he looks at me like that. I'm afraid. She felt vulnerable and hated every second of it. He didn't move from where he was, waiting for her to tell him otherwise.

"Saki-chan..." he continued. "Please do not be afraid for Mizuumi-san. We will find and rescue her..."

"I- I know..." she replied. "That's not what I am afraid of..."

"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, a little hurt.

"Yes... no... I- I don't know any more..." Taiki replied. Maybe, she thought to herself, this is the way the book goes... I have to live through it if I want to get out of here...

Makoto rose from the floor and turned around. "Mak... I will leave Saki-chan alone if she's afraid of Makoto..."

"No..." she said. He stopped. "Please stay... " she whispered. He obeyed her and was about to sit back down on the floor. She reached out to him.

"You don't have to sit on the floor..." she said as she tapped on the bed next to her. He was surprised but did as he was told. He tried to look in her eyes but she averted her eyes. With his hand, he turned her face gently. she was blushing and still not trying to look him in the eyes. Makoto brought himself closer to her. Taiki bit her lips. If you want to get out of the book, Taiki, then swallow your pride and take your medicine. Maybe if he kisses you, you'll get out of this crazy thing. Right now I only want out. I don't care any more. I only wish to be with Ami-chan. If it means kissing Zoicite then... so be it.

Makoto drew her closer to him but he felt her reluctance. It's as though she wanted him to continue and at the same she was afraid. He knew not what to do next. He felt like he was forcing her somehow. This wasn't what he wanted at all. He let go of her chin and gathered her in his arms, putting her head on his chest.

"You are not ready, my nightingale. I will wait until you are..." Taiki clung to him, part of her cursing that he didn't kiss her so she would be free of this book. The other part grateful that he didn't force himself on her.

Midori then entered Murasaki's bedchamber happy and unknowing of the situation. She let out a small gasp when she saw them on the bed.

"Oups! Sorry! I didn't know you were BOTH in here... Aaahhh we have to get ready... Oh, Murasaki-chan, you'll need this... sorry!" said Midori as she threw something on the bed. With that, she turned. Giggling, she closed the door behind her.

Makoto got up. "I will leave you so you can prepare yourself... My heart..." he exited, leaving her alone to muse over the object Midori had left her.

It was a medallion with a purple star on it and as soon as she took it, Taiki felt the power of her native planet.

"Maker Star Power Make up!" There was a flash of light but instead of her Sailor Fuku she now wore an armor similar to what Tatsumaki and Tsunami wore. Finally, she thought, some action. I vow I will rescue all who need to be rescued... Ami-chan, I want so much to see you again...

She ran out of the room and headed for the courtyard. She was soon meet by Midori and Aoi already wearing their armor and stood ready, smiling at their sister in arms.

Meanwhile, Ami woke up. She felt a familiar power nearby. She started to cry of joy. "Maker..." she whispered. "I feel you near me... Tai-chan..."

They were in the tunnels and had been walking for hours. Taiki felt a tugging at her heart... "Ami-chan... Is this you?... I feel your presence... It's impossible..." A glow escaped from her and it passed the others who gasped when they saw it. They heard Makoto gasp as Taiki's body slipped forward, falling lifeless to the ground. Taiki flew through the air as in a dream, slipped through the corridors and passageway. Finding the cell where Ami-chan's life force had guided her, she snuggled to her. Ami with a trembling hand took the light into her hands.

It was Taiki, she knew it. She could feel Taiki's soul basking her with love. "Tai-chan... it's you. It's really you..." the glow intensified. *Ami-chan* she heard in her head *Hang on my Love I'm coming for you*. Tendrils emerged from the glow. The other girls gasped but Ami's calm face told them their friend had nothing to hide. The tendrils change into hands and arms that caressed Ami's face then held her in a loving hug.

"What happened to her?" roared Tatsumaki. All of them told her to hush lest the entire palace would become aware of their presence. Makoto held Murasaki's limp form in his arms, trying to feel some life in the deadlike body. Fearing the worst, he hugged her tightly, sobbing softly.

Ami kissed the light. "Go..." she whispered. "You can't stay away from your body too long..." The hands dissolved and the light went away from her. With the speed of light, it went back on its way and reentered her body. Taiki gasped for air as though for the first time in her life. Feeling her coming back to life, Makoto gave her space to breathe. Tears flowed from her eyes, "I saw them. I know where they are..." she whispered, a smile on her face. She was happy to be alive. The sight of Ami and knowing it was indeed Ami-chan and not a stranger, gave her the strength to see this through.

"Are you fine enough to travel?" asked Makoto.

"Yes, it's this way..." said Taiki getting up and taking the lead. After a good ten minutes of rapid walking through the corridor, they arrived at a junction.

"I recognized the passageway..." said Kusanagi. We are near the holding cells. He gestured for everyone to shush when he saw a group of his cousin's guard pass in the corridor. Tatsumaki fumed but nevertheless waited until the guards turned a corner.

"We could have taken them easily... Why didn't we attack them?" grumbled Tatsumaki.

"Because I didn't want to take the chance of having them sound an alarm... This is a rescue not an all out battle... We do not know if the Miko can fight. And I will not endanger her with foolish bravado." replied Kusanagi dryly.

"Patience, my love," said Tsunami. "I am sure you will have the battle you crave before the day is done..."

"For once, Tsunami-san..." replied Kusanagi. "I hope your prediction doesn't come true until Shiori-sama is rescued..."

Kusanagi pushed a secret button and a door opened for them. They slipped into the corridor. Taiki, taking the lead, went straight to the cell and opened it.

"Murasaki-chan!" said a familiar voice as she entered the cell, but Taiki was looking for a pair of true blue eyes. "Tai-chan!" she heard and rushed to where the call came. She was met half-way by Ami as they hugged and fell to the ground crying.

"Kusanagi-sama! Aoi-chan!" gasped the Tsuki no Miko. "Shiori!" they both shouted as they rushed to hold her.

Kiniro and Midori embraced but Midori stepped aside when one of Kusanagi's guards came to kiss her. Taiki was a little bit surprised to see Kunzite kiss Minako... but then again she thought everything's been weird in this story. She didn't care she had Ami in her arms... for her the story was over as far as she was concerned. She took Ami's face in her hands and whispered.

"Aishiteru... Ami-chan..." she dipped forward to kiss her, Ami's face as red as can be but she closed her eyes to accept the kiss. There was an explosion at the cell door. Tatsumaki, Tsunami and Makoto yelled out in pain and collapsed to the ground.

"My, my, my... isn't that touching?" said a voice coming from the blown door.

Kurama paced back and forth, worry etched on his brow. Kuwabara was about to make him sit down when Master Genkai entered the room. Kurama almost jumped on her.

"Have you found her?" he said gripping the old woman's clothes. Yuusuke cringed. The last guy who tried that on Master Genkai didn't live long enough for his next breath. But she merely sighed.

"Hold on to your hormones, Kurama... Yes I found her... too easily if you ask me." She grabbed Kurama's hand and twisted it a bit, not enough to actually harm but enough to tell never to try that stunt again.

"Then, tell me... us where she is..." He replied, rubbing his hand.

"I will. All in good time..." she started.

"In good time? IN GOOD TIME??!!!" Kurama yelled. "Stop toying with us, woman, and spit it out!"

Master Genkai looked at Kurama straight in the eye. She closed her eyes, and sighed. "You'll never be able to find her if you continue to act irrationally... I'm surprised Kurama... You usually have more self-control..."

"How can I feel otherwise? I feel like someone tore into my soul..." he cried out, his tears flowing out his eyes.

"Tore into your soul?..." said Kuwabara. "Gee, what did you do to her when we left you all alone with her last night?"

Kurama's green eyes connected with Kuwabara, who realized his mistake too late. He leaped at him. "Take that back!..." he roared as he transformed into a six tailed silver fox-spirit. It's gaping maw going for Kuwabara's throat. Yukina rushed to place herself between them, trying to shield Kuwabara from the Youko's attack. Hiei was fast and the wind plucked the youko in mid air and grabbed him. Realizing what he just, did Kurama changed back into his old self crumbling on the ground.

"What's the matter with me?" he whispered, his hands trembling.

"It is because of your Youko form Kurama..." started Master Genkai. "I think it senses her danger, and lashes out like a caged animal. You're devastated yourself so your Youko persona is trying to get the better of your humanity, Kurama... You must calm down..."

Kurama hung his head low, embarrassed by his actions. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up half-expecting to see Hiei. Kurama was surprised to see it was Kuwabara.

"I'm sorry, Kurama... I was a dunce and spoke without thinking... So what do you say? Do we go kick some demon butts and get her out of there..."

Kurama smiled then chuckled." AS you say my friend, as you say..."

"Alright! Let's go show them who's boss!" replied Yuusuke cracking his knuckles. Hiei nodded and started outside, followed by Kurama and Kuwabara. Yuusuke was about to follow them when he felt a tug at his shirt.

"Yuusuke! If you need to come back quickly then break this seal. All non-demon within a 60 foot radius will be transported into somewhere safe. Use this only if there is no other alternative." Master Genkai cautioned. "Here, use this crystal. It will lead you to the closest portal to the Makai realm."

Yuusuke took the scroll and the crystal and ran after the others. She sighed and looked at Yukina.

"You better get ready Yukina... we have a temple to go to before the boys arrive there..."

"How do you know where Kuwabara and the others will be?" she asked, puzzled.

"Because that is where the scroll will take them..." Genkai replied.

"But maybe Yuusuke and the others won't need this scroll..." she ventured.

"Oh they will... believe me they will... Now let's get ready."

Meanwhile in the Makai, Sailor Star Healer fainted, exhausted by the leaches who sucked her energy. The Demon checked if she was really out cold and removed the leaches from her. A lesser demon materialized.

"Master, our spies tell us Yuusuke and his band have arrived in the Makai... they are coming this way..."

"Very well, change my guards immediately, and replaced them with Bitaro, Manikunen, Yobiko and Eizu... Immediately..." replied his master.

"But Master, I don't understand... they are good fighters but not as good as..." questioned the lesser demon.

"Never you mind... now do as I say!" growled the Demon. The other yelled and disappeared. "Now, my dear... I hope you have a lovely screaming voice because you're going to lead them to me..." He started to chuckle and disappeared.

"I know this place..." said Hiei flatly.

"Really? Been here before?" sneered Kuwabara.

"No. I always avoided this place," he replied. "This is the castle of Pazoles..." Kurama gasped.

"From your reaction, I'll bet this guy is trouble..." wondered Yuusuke.

"He's ruthless and cunning. We have to be careful when dealing with him. He's most deceitful" explained Kurama.

"Yes and he's quite ambitious also... Some say he is overconfident in his plans... Let's just say those who said that didn't live long..." added Hiei.

"I SMELL MORTAL SOUL!!!" said a thundering voice.

"Let me guess. The obligatory guard that stands at the entrance and will destroy us we try to pass..." commented flatly Yuusuke.

"Hehehehe... They never learn do they?" chuckled Kuwabara. They heard the sound of a whip. "Kurama! Conserve your strength... I'll deal with this bozo!" Kuwabara extended his spirit sword.

"I think Pazoles isn't the only one that's overconfident here..." said Hiei as Kuwabara charged the guard.

Healer woke up, still feeling weak from the leaching, but the horrible things were gone. She thanked the stars for that. The door burst open and she saw Kurama battling two demons.

"Kurama!" Healer yelled. Was she ever glad to see him. His clothes were ripped and he had some slashes on him telling her about the battle he had to go through to rescue her. He dealt with the loathsome creatures and jumped to her, his feet resting on the tentacles. He smiled at her.

"Kurama..." she whispered. He looked deep within her eyes. She felt trapped by those eyes. He inched closer to her, putting a hand on the side of her face. He kissed her.

Couldn't this wait until I'm freed? she thought. His kiss deepened and became even more passionate. Ooh what the heck! she replied to herself as she started to respond to his kisses. It's not like she kissed a lot of guys but Kurama was a good kisser, she thought. Then something felt weird. His hand that was against her face it became rougher and it had talons.

She opened her eyes and saw that she was kissing the demon. She turned her head trying to escape this. She spit on the ground. She felt sick. She was enjoying that kiss. It revolted her. The demon drew back. She glared at it.

"I thought I wasn't on your date list any more!!!" she yelled, outraged.

"I changed my mind... and my dear I don't think you're in any position to refuse me." he chuckled. He traced a finger against her face, then traced it downward to her neck...

Omigod! she thought. Afraid she started to scream. "KURAAAAMAAAA!!!! HELP MEEEEEE!!!!"

Kurama gasped. They had just gotten rid of the last guard defending Pazoles' throne room. "YATEN!!!" She sounded like she was nearby. All of them heard it. They followed Kurama as he entered the throne room.

Seiya stepped out of the bathroom. She couldn't find a brush so she couldn't rearrange her hair the way she wanted to. So she just sat back down in the train when she realized that not too far from here was the Temple of Hikawa. The conductor called the next stop. Seiya decided to get out here. It was, what, maybe a ten minute run from here to the temple.

"No sweat! I've done this lots of times in the morning!" she said as she stood in front of the train door. When it opened, she started to sprint toward the temple. She ran and ran, only to pause and try to catch her breath at the bottom of the temple steps.

"Why can't they build these stupid temples on ground level...?" she grumbled, then she heard it, a familiar laugh that made her heart sing. "Oooo... He's here!" and her eyes got all starry and she looked at the stairs in determination and started to run up the stairs.

Mamoru laughed because Usagi had fallen flat on her face with the drink she was carrying for him, and had stained her pretty dress. So Rei, grumbling, had taken her inside to clean up. Only then did Mamoru start to laugh, unable to keep it inside any longer. He didn't want to laugh in his Usako's face, but the look she had was priceless. Mamoru was turning around when he was tackled in a big hug fiercely, actually knocking some wind out of him. All he saw was a blur of golden hair.

"MAMO-CHAN!!!!" said the girl that tackled him, her face hidden by the way she was holding him. This couldn't possibly be Usagi, Mamoru thought...

"Ano... May I help you?" asked Mamoru. The girl stiffened and gasped. She took a few steps back, tears flooding her blue eyes. The girl was familiar to Mamoru somehow, but he couldn't quite place the face, and she was taller than Usagi. The girl started to bawl out...

"MAMO-CHAN!!! You... you don't remember me? BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!" Mamoru felt a big sweatdrop on the side of his head. He was trying to quiet this deranged girl. Her reaction were just like Usagi's crying in cascades.

All that noise brought Rei, Minako, Makoto and especially Usagi outside...

"Who is she?" asked Minako. "Beats me! Maybe an old flame of Mamoru?" replied Makoto.

"My! and I thought Usagi-chan was a weird choice..." added Rei. The three girls heard a growling sound. They turned around with sweatdrop rolling down their heads. Usagi was almost purple with rage... not a pretty sight.

"Uh... Miss... I'm sorry, but I think you got me confused with somebody else..." said Mamoru as he was trying to calm this geyser.

"Oh yeah! I'm sure there's a lot of guys who like to be called Mamo-chan in Tokyo..." sneered Artemis.

"Artemis!!!" yelled at the same time Minako and Luna, as Usagi was marching up to the girl. Not knowing what else to do, the girls and cats followed them. The girl latched herself to Mamoru again just as Usagi was coming next to them.

"But you've got to remember, Mamo-chan... not after all we've been through..." she said starry eyed.

"Listen, you bimbo! I don't know who you are but hands off my Mamo-chan!" said Usagi pulling Mamoru by the arm. Seiya did the same and suddenly Mamoru knew how a wishbone felt. Then suddenly Usagi stopped tugging. She did a double take and marched up to Rei, leaving poor Mamoru being cuddled by the amorous girl.

Usagi took a fist full of Rei's hair and dragged her up to the girl busy hugging her Mamo-chan. Rei followed her having no choice in the matter being pulled by the hair like that. Minako and Makoto looked on with sweatdrops on their heads. Usagi proceeded to put the fistful of Rei's hair and placed it on the girl's head, they recognized her immediately:

"SEIYA!!!!" they all shouted.

Seiya looked at them dumbfounded "WHO?"

"Hikawa Temple is the place where I shall find the black hair goddess, right Saotome?" asked Kuno as he was driving at top speed in his sports car.

"Yes, of course, and I've heard she'll be very happy to see you Kuno old boy..." Ranma replied. Seiya is going to have my head for this, he thought, but Kuno's car was the fastest way to get here. And since Ranma didn't know how to drive a car, he was forced to bring Kuno with them. Which wasn't hard to accomplish. All he had to do was to mention Sailor Star Fighter and Kuno's hormones went into overdrive. He hated to use the stratagem but times where dire... He had to make Seiya drink the potion... Oh well, he'll see soon enough.

Kuno's car came to a stop. They were just at the bottom of the steps of the temple. Kuno got out of his car with tears in his eyes.

"Oh, Black hair Goddess, I have come to woo you and to pledge my undi..." *BONK* Kuno fell to the ground while Shampoo looked at him.

"Oh. Him out cold for at least two hours... Did Shampoo did good Ranma?" asked Shampoo, as the two guys put Kuno back in the car.

"Oh... yeah... I hope he stays put until we cure Seiya..." replied Ranma.

"I just hope he... she's there..." added Ryoga. Ranma gave him a look that said 'don't jinx it'. Ranma and co. ran up the stairs to the temple.

Meanwhile, Mamoru, Usagi, Seiya, Minako and Makoto watched Rei as she sat before the fire entering her trance.

"BOOOOORING!" said Seiya. Rei was starting to boil. Seiya, who thought she was Usagi, was getting on her nerves.

"WOULD SOMEONE KEEP HER QUIET PLEASE!!!!" she growled.

"Sei..." Seiya looked up to Mamoru and seemed like she was about to cry. He changed the start of his sentence. "Usako... please keep it down and be silent so that Rei can find out what the trouble is..."

"Okay, Mamo-chan..." Seiya replied then she had a mischievous smile. "I know a way I can keep silent."

"Oh? And how's that?" asked Mamoru. Seiya closed her eyes and puckered up. Mamoru facevaulted.

"Uh... Rei-chan? Can you hurry this up? I have a situation here..."

"I'm waiting..." said Seiya. Minako and Makoto were trying desperately to keep their laughter in check.

"I wish I had a video to record this..." said Minako.

Rei's eyes suddenly opened. She saw Seiya falling in a pond then coming out as a woman. She then saw Seiya receiving a shampoo from a girl. The image blurred and she then saw Taiki and Ami dressed in ancient clothing, both of them female. She also saw a strange book. The image changed again. She saw Healer held by some big tentacle-like monster. She saw little green glowing things sucking her energy. She then saw a man with red hair deliver Healer. She saw them kissing. Then both of them fell lifeless to the ground. She shivered as her vision went away. What did it mean?

The temple's door swung open. "Rei-chan..." it was Rei's grandfather. "You have people here who say they can cure Seiya... Why? Is he sick?"

"You might say that!" replied Mamoru as he tried to ignore Seiya's repeated attempt to kiss him.

Ranma, Shampoo and Ryoga entered while Rei's grandfather exited.

"Who are you? And what happened to Seiya?" asked Usagi. She wasn't all too pleased with the situation.

"Ah... You see" started Ranma. "Here's what happened..." Ranma then started to relate how Seiya fell into the pool and transformed into a woman. Since he didn't know these people, Ranma left out the part that he also knew about Seiya's secret identity. He then told them that they went to Shampoo's restaurant, and being jealous of Seiya, she used a special brain-washing shampoo that also changed the hair color of the afflicted person. After running around in hopes of finding Seiya, they found out that she was coming here, so they asked a friend to give them a ride here.

Ranma took a deep breath and waited for their reaction. Rei nodded.

"It confirms what I saw in my trance..."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's give her the medicine..." said Makoto.

Ranma poured out a dose of the elixir but Seiya refused to take it. Everybody groaned. Mamoru took the dose from Ranma.

"Please, Usako... for me?" Mamoru said using his puppy eyes.

"What will I get it I take it?" replied Seiya coyly.

"I'll give a really, really nice kiss..." "HEY!" said Usagi as the others tried to shush her.

"That kiss will be much nicer if you give it to me now..." said Seiya.

"You don't take the medicine... you don't get a kiss..." replied Mamoru, Seiya pouted but took the medicine.

"I feel weird..." she said. "Hey! What am I doing here? Oh well, Re-chan...youwouldn'tbelieveallthenicestuffIfoundwhenIwasinNerima...whatwasIdoinginNer ima?IhadnoideabutIsaidtomyselfMinakoknow..."

"MINAKO?!!!" said the girls.

"Yeah? what?" Seiya replied looking at them she shrugged. "anywayImeetthisreallycuteguyatthemalloverthereandhegavemehisphonenumberheto ldmeifIevercomebacktoNerimatogivehimacalland..."

Ranma poured yet another dose and handed it to Seiya. "Thanks!" she replied. "I was thirsty...say you're kind of cute yourself..." she gulped the contents down.

Seiya shook her head. Instantly her hair turned black. She blinked a couple of times and said: "Whoa- What am I doing here?... Ranma?"

"Seiya? Is it really you, now?" asked Usagi.

"Of course, Odango... who do you think it GYAAAAAAHHH!!!" screamed Seiya. Everyone jumped expecting the worst.

"What am I doing in a mini-skirt????" screamed Seiya, trying to pull down the fabric visibly embarrassed. Everyone sighed. They were all relieved.

"Here, Seiya, if you drink the rest of this bottle you'll turn back into a guy." said Ranma. Drat! He thought I wanted to keep the last portion just in case Cologne would try another try like that.

Seiya took the bottle and was about to drink it down when he remembered the kind of clothing she was wearing.

"Uh... Rei-chan you wouldn't happen to have something I could wear when I change back now would you?"

She pointed to a door in the corner to Seiya. "There are some apprentice robes in that room. You can also change there..."

"Arigato!" Seiya headed with the bottle into the small room.

Rei's grandfather came back through the entrance of the temple. "Uh, Rei-chan, there are these two girls who clam they know where Taiki and Ami are..."

Miaka and Yui came in the temple. The girls and Mamoru went to see them.

"You- You know where Taiki-san and Ami-chan are? Please tell us, we're worried sick." said Usagi.

"Miaka, you better show them... You see, your friends are trapped..." replied Yui.

"Trapped? Where?" asked Makoto.

"In here!" said Miaka putting the book in front of her. Rei turned pale. It was the book she saw in her vision.

End of part 9

• On to Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten's Excellent Adventure Part 10
• Email author
• Back to the Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten's Excellent Adventure index page