Ah My Goddess Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Goddess ❯ Senshi Meeting ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: mykon1
Ranma attends her first official Senshi meeting as one of them. Sailor Pluto appeals to Ranma to help get her job back.

Anime/Manga: Ah My Goddess Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Fantasy / Hentai / Adventure | Type: Fanfiction Sequel | Uploaded On: 03.28.2010 | Pages: 16 | Words: 17.0K | Visits: 8.6K | Status: Work In Progress

Sailor Goddess
A Ranma One Half Fan Fiction
By Michael A. Ivins
 
Ranma, and all of his/her friends and family are the creation of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own any of them, nor do I own any of the characters from Ah! My Goddess or Sailor Moon. I'm writing this for fun, not profit. I'm so poor that suing me wouldn't do you much good.
 
WARNING: This is a sequel to a previous fic I wrote called, “Nodoka's Lessons.” That was a Lemon fic. While there won't be as much emphasis on sex (it will be more implied than described) in this sequel, it will deal with subjects like incest. If these subjects offend you, stop reading.
 
 
Chapter 9
Senshi Meeting
 
After leaving her lovers unconscious from an overload of sexual pleasure, Ranma got up and transformed into her Senshi identity. She cast a gentle smile on her mother and wife. With all of the higher level of weirdness that had invaded her life, Akane and Nodoka were her island of sanity in the sea of craziness. She loved the two women with a depth and intensity she couldn't express in words. She just hoped that all the insanity didn't end up hurting them.
 
Ranma engaged the umisenken and flew out the window, looking for evil to fight. In a city the size of Tokyo, it wasn't that hard to find. It was a busy night with a fair amount of street crime and rescues. At one burning building she saved a small child and at another a fire fighter had become separated from his fellows by falling beams. He had been pinned and Terra had to lift the beams off him. The fire fighter was injured but the paramedics she turned him over to thought he should make a full recovery in time. He might have died if not for her help.
 
She had to pull people from no less than three car wrecks that night. One of them was a collision between a passenger car full of high school kids and a truck. The kids had been on their way home from a party and none of them was completely sober. Ranma had felt a little saddened that she herself had never been able to participate in the kind of “innocent fun” of the party that the kids had gone to.
 
Even though the following day was Saturday there was no break from the training. In the morning she was trained in more advanced ki manipulation techniques and in the afternoon she had more weapons training, this time with spears. Ranma was starting to get the idea that the training she was receiving was some kind of accelerated course. She felt reasonably sure that most of what she was learning would have been the subject of a course of training that would normally have taken weeks or even months instead of the hours or days she was getting.
 
She knew she often learned such techniques quickly, but even so it seemed she was getting an awful lot in a short time. In most cases it seemed as if her teachers were teaching her the techniques but not giving her time to really master them. She was being left to practice on her own to really get good at the techniques that seemed to be literally thrown at her almost too fast to appreciate.
 
The only trouble with that was the academic learning from books that she was given after the physical training. It left her little time to practice. She supposed she could drop the nightly crime fighting and rescue work, but was loath to do that. She had been able to accomplish some real good and had saved lives. She hated the idea of giving up on that.
 
She had to hope that after the accelerated teaching reached its conclusion she would be granted some time to practice what she had learned. She needed not only to master the techniques but to mold them into her own martial arts style. Once she had done that she should be able to access her moves without having to stop and think. Having to stop and think in a battle could have disastrous results.
 
When Ranma finished the training for the day she went back to Earth and looked at the time. There was only an hour before the Senshi meeting. There probably wasn't enough time to do anything useful before the meeting so she got to a payphone and called to let Akane and Nodoka that she would be late coming home. She idly munched a chocolate bar while making her way to Ami's house.
 
She pulled out her notepad and checked the address. Yes, the house in front of her was the place where she was supposed to go. The name on the mailbox identified this as the home of a doctor. That must be Ami's mom. She had said something about her mom not being home because of a shift at the hospital.
 
When she knocked on the door it was answered by the blue haired genius. Again Ranma reflected on the fact that this girl bore a strong resemblance to Akane, well at least in the face and hair. While by no means stupid, Akane could never hope to even come close to this girl's intellectual prowess. On the other hand Akane was far more muscular than Ami and moved with the grace of a tigress.
 
The senshi of Mercury seemed surprised. “Ranma, you're early.”
 
“Sorry about that,” Ranma apologized. “I got done with my training and didn't really have enough time to go home and do anything so I came here. I know the meeting isn't for almost an hour. I hope this isn't inconvenient for you.”
 
“It's Ok,” Ami responded, “My mom will be at the hospital all evening, so that's not a problem. Would you like to come in?”
 
“Thanks.” Ranma walked in past Ami and took a seat in the living room.
 
Ami told her, “You're the first one here. Would you like some tea or a cold soda?”
 
Ranma accepted the offer of cold soda. While she sipped her beverage Ami sat down and looked nervous. Trying to break the ice Ranma asked, “So your mom's a doctor. What's her specialty?”
 
“Pediatrics,” Ami said, pride in her tone. “She specializes in treating children.”
 
The goddess nodded. “I'm sure she must find that very rewarding.”
 
“She does,” the blue haired girl confirmed.
 
Ranma thought for a moment and said, “You have that computer, right?”
 
Ami nodded. “Yes, the Mercury computer.”
 
A thought struck Ranma, “Right. Do any of the rest of us get computers?”
 
That brought a frown to the blue haired girl's face. “Not that I know of. I got the computer when I became a Senshi. None of the others did. Luna said that was because I was the technical specialist even back in the Silver Millennium. You might want to ask Luna about it when Usagi brings her. She and Artemis control that sort of thing. We're going to have to talk to them anyway so you can get a communicator.”
 
Ranma conveyed a question with a raised eyebrow. Ami said, “The communicators let us stay in touch with each other and let us get alerts when there's a youma or monster to fight.” She held up her wrist and showed what looked like a rather bulky watch. “It's a two-way video communicator. It operates on a frequency that is only used by the Senshi and also uses data encryption and decryption. That keeps our communications secure.”
 
Ranma nodded. “I can see where that would be helpful.”
 
Further conversation was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. Ami got up and went to answer it. A short while later she came back with a tall girl who wore her long brown hair in a ponytail. Though tall, she was not as tall as Ranma's goddess form. From her movements Ranma could see that this girl had at least some martial arts training. This was the same one who had been so impressed with Ranma's reputation for martial arts when they had met at the ice cream shop. The girl carried a large paper bag that she set on the table in the living room.
 
She saw the red head and said, “Oh, hello. I was trying to get here before everyone else. I brought snacks. We met at the ice cream shot. I'm Makoto.”
 
Ranma nodded, “Sailor… Jupiter, right?”
 
The tall girl nodded. “You're Ranma?”
 
The goddess nodded. “Sailor Terra.”
 
Makoto asked, “Are you really a goddess, like Rei said?”
 
“Yeah,” Ranma affirmed. “I only have been that way for about a week. I'm still learning about how to do goddess stuff. I've been getting a lot of training on fighting.”
 
Makoto looked puzzled. “Weren't you already a world class martial artist?”
 
Ranma let out a snort. “I used to think so, but some of the senseis I've had this last week make me look like a beginner.”
 
The brunette reasonably pointed out, “Well… they're gods, right?”
 
The goddess shook her head. “Yeah, but still. I should be able to make a better showing. Well, at least it has been kind of fun. The training is rough, but not as bad as some of the stuff my father put me through.”
 
Somewhat diffidently, Makoto asked, “So you're the same Saotome Ranma from Nerima that I've heard about?”
 
“If you mean the male martial artist in Nerima, then yeah, the same one.” Ranma confirmed. “I've had a curse that lets me change back and forth from male to female and back. Maybe it would be better if we wait for the rest to get here before I go into any kind of detail. I don't want to have to tell the story too many times.”
 
The brown haired girl considered that. “I guess that makes sense. Would you like some cookies, I baked them myself.”
 
Ranma tried to politely refuse. “No, thank you. I don't need to eat much these days.”
 
Ami broke in, “You should try her cookies. Mako-Chan is a really great cook.”
 
Ranma watched as Makoto began pulling food out of the bag. There was a box of cookies along with a variety of other finger foods that she began setting out on the table. Although she was not hungry, Ranma picked up a cookie and took a bite.
 
The goddess savored the taste the cookie. “Mmm! Makoto-san, these are delicious! Ami was right; you are a good cook. Maybe you and my mom should get together sometime and swap recipes.”
 
The Senshi of Jupiter colored slightly at the compliment. “Please, you can call me `Mako-chan' like the others do.”
 
“Ok, Mako-chan,” Ranma acknowledged.”I think you'd like my mom.”
 
“I'd look forward to meeting her. Is your father still alive?”
 
Ranma chuckled. “Alive, yeah. My family's situation is pretty complicated. I'm not sure how much of it I'm ready to share. I ask that you not be offended, but it is hard to explain.”
 
Sounding uncertain, Mokoto said, “Oh… Ok.”
 
Ami asked of Makoto, “Did you bring enough food, Mako-chan? The Outers said they would be coming.”
 
The brown haired girl nodded. “If Usagi doesn't eat it all there should be enough.”
 
Now curious, Ranma asked, “Is it unusual for the Outers to come to one of these meetings?”
 
Ami nodded. “When there is an enemy to fight they attend more often. When we are between crises like now they often skip. Pluto usually only comes when she has something she wants to tell us. Usually it is some new enemy that is coming to fight us or she wants to make some revelation about an enemy we're fighting. She never comes to a meeting just to be sociable.”
 
Ranma thought for a moment. “Going on Ruby's memories I seem to remember that the Outers were charged with defending the system from menaces from outside and the Inners were to protect the Queen and defend against internal threats. Is that right?”
 
“That's right,” agreed Ami.
 
The goddess nodded. “Hmm. Since I'm the Senshi of Earth I guess that would make me an Inner.”
 
As if the idea had never occurred to her, Makoto looked up and said, “I guess it would. Welcome to the team. I guess Usagi will be making a formal welcome to you.”
 
Ranma looked down for a moment. “You don't have to make a big deal about it.”
 
Ami broke in, “No, we have to make some fuss. We don't get new senshi that often and we've never had a goddess on the team before.”
 
“Please don't make too much of that goddess business,” Ranma requested. “The way Rei was acting when I visited her shrine was embarrassing enough. I know she's a priestess but I'd think she'd be more used to dealing with gods and goddesses.”
 
Shaking her head, Ami pointed out, “Just because someone works at a shrine, doesn't mean that kamis come to visit all that often. At least not in person.”
 
“I guess that makes sense,” said Ranma. “Before Skuld came to my home last week, I'd never met a goddess. At least not that I remember.”
 
The doorbell rang at that moment and Ami went to let in the newest arrivals. This time it was all of the remaining Inners, Usagi, Minako and Rei. When Rei spotted Ranma she rushed forward and nearly prostrated herself.
 
The goddess let out a sigh. “Rei, would you stop doing that? It's embarrassing.”
 
“I'm sorry.”
 
Ranma told her, “Regardless of what I am now you should remember we were all princesses back in the Silver Millennium.”
 
The young priestess conceded, “That's true.”
 
Ranma turned to address the two blondes. “Hi Usagi. You must be Minako, right?”
 
The blonde who didn't have ponytails said, “That's right. We saw each other at the ice cream shop.”
 
Hoping to shift the attention of her own divinity, Ranma asked, “Are you really the same Sailor V they based the video game on?”
 
Looking embarrassed the Senshi of Love replied, “Yes, that was me. I was going by that name when I was in England.” She had walked in holding a white cat in her arms and set him down.
 
The cat jumped up on the table and went over to Ranma. He said, “I remember you. You look just like Ruby did in the past. I'm Artemis, ”
 
A moment later a black cat joined the white one on the table. “Hello Ranma. It's good to see you again.”
 
The white cat turned his head and gave Luna a look. “Luna, when have you had a chance to meet Terra since she Awakened?”
 
Ranma interrupted the cats, “Artemis, do you remember Bubastis?”
 
The white cat turned back, “I think so. She was your advisor back in the Silver Millennium, I believe. I was told that her stasis capsule failed and that was why she didn't join us in this century.”
 
Ranma smiled. “Actually, there's a bit more to it than that. She became a goddess and is still alive today. As to when Luna and I met, we didn't meet physically. Her consciousness was drawn into my mind to help me out with a problem. She was greatly helpful in me getting over my fear of cats.”
 
The white cat looked shocked. “You were afraid of cats? That couldn't have come from the Silver Millennium.”
 
“No, that came from this life.” Ranma looked up from the cats and called out, “Say Usagi, when do you expect the Outers?”
 
The blonde with the odangos replied, “Michiru, Hotaru and Haruka will all be coming together. Setsuna usually just teleports in. Humph. Setsuna usually just appears and scares the snot out of me.”
 
Minako chimed in, “It's part of how Pluto maintains her `I'm so mysterious and all knowing' attitude.”
 
Makoto added, “The outers all live together in one house. Michiru and Haruka are lovers and they've sort of adopted Hotaru as their daughter. Hotaru calls them `Michiru Mama' and `Haruka Papa.'”
 
Looking confused, Ranma said, “Papa? I thought Haruka was a girl.”
 
Makoto nodded. “She is, but she's really butch. When we first met her we thought she was a guy. She was flirting with all of us at the time.”
 
Minako pointed out, “She still flirts with us sometimes.”
 
The goddess frowned. “You said the Outers all share a house. Does that mean Pluto lives there too?”
 
“Yes, she does. Hotaru calls her `Setsuna Mama.'”
 
Ranma thought about that. “So is Pluto into girls too?” At the time it didn't occur to her how rude that question was.
 
Minako shook her head. “No, at least I don't think so. On the other hand as cold as she acts most of the time it's hard to say. She may not be into either guys or girls.”
 
Conversation broke off as they heard the sound of a powerful automobile engine approaching outside. When the sound stopped Ami pulled a curtain aside and looked out her window. She commented, “The Outers are here. Hmm, that's odd. Setsuna is getting out of the car too. I wonder why she didn't just teleport the way she usually does.”
 
Ranma suggested, “Maybe we could ask her when she comes inside.”
 
The others laughed nervously. A short while later the doorbell rang and Ami ushered the others in. Ranma registered the names and matched them to the faces. She noted to herself that of the four Haruka, as a blonde, was the only one had had a relatively normal hair color. Hotaru's was a dark purple, Michiru's was aqua while Setsuna's was green.
 
The youngest stepped forward and somewhat shyly said, “Papa has told us that you are really a guy. I hope you won't be offended but I think you're really pretty.”
 
Ranma smiled and rested a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. “Why would I be offended by that? I'm comfortable with my female side and I can appreciate the compliment. You may find this hard to believe but I don't think of myself as `really' either a guy or a girl anymore. I kind of think of myself as both, just not at the same time.”
 
Haruka looked the redhead up and down and commented, “You really do look like Saotome Ranma's girl side. But you're so tall now.”
 
Ranma shrugged. “I have a cousin who is a sorcerer. He was able to use his magic so my cursed form was just as tall as my birth form. Then when I changed last week I got even taller. I'm told my male form will be taller too.”
 
Changed? Haruka asked, “So you're really a goddess now?”
 
This time it was Rei who answered. “She's really a goddess. The shrine recognized her as such and it welcomed her. From the way the wards reacted, she couldn't be anything else.”
 
There wasn't much that could be said in the face of such certainty. This did confirm what Setsuna had deduced as the reason Ranma had become invisible to the Time Gates.
 
Usagi interrupted the conversation. “Now that the Outers are all here we can begin. When we have these meetings in a time when there is no enemy to be fought it turns into more of a social occasion than anything else. It has been some time since a new Senshi has joined us and every time in the past it only happened with we were in the middle of a crisis. I am so happy that we can welcome the newest Senshi in what for us is a time of peace.”
 
She turned to Ranma and said, “On behalf of all the Senshi I want to welcome you to the team, Saotome Ranma, Sailor Terra. With you now joining us, the roster is complete. Every planet now has a Senshi, even the one that the astronomers say isn't really a planet.”
 
Setsuna muttered, “You just can't leave that alone, can you?”
 
Ranma noticed the comment but decided not to say anything about it. Being in this place and in the presence of these girls was causing her memories of Princess Ruby to come forward. It might even be fair to say she was more Ruby than Ranma at the moment. It was mostly for this reason that she asked, “Did any of the Planet Knights get reincarnated?”
 
Ami answered, “Just Tuxedo Kamen, the Earth Knight.”
 
The Senshi of Earth snorted. “Of course it would have to be him. I suppose he's still Princess Serenity's boyfriend.”
 
Usagi didn't like the tone Ranma was using. She protested, “He's my soul mate.”
 
The reincarnation of Princess Ruby shook her head. “I mean no offense to you Princess, but I never did understand what you saw in that guy. He was a wimp back in the Silver Millennium. Maybe he he's toughened up since then, I don't know.”
 
Minako, always curious about matters of the heart, asked, “Why do you say he's a wimp?”
 
Drawing from her past life memories, Ranma said, “What kind of warrior goes into battle wearing a tuxedo? Endymion said it made him look dashing and romantic. I always thought it made him look silly. All the other Knights had armor, which I thought looked a lot more dashing and even sexy. Then there was his habit of using roses as weapons. I mean, come on! Even if they were magic roses, it was a weak attack. The only way they could be effective in battle was if they were thrown with pinpoint accuracy.”
 
The others looked stunned at this assessment. Minako finally said, “Actually he still does that, including the tuxedo.”
 
Ranma frowned. “You said Tuxedo Kamen? He wears a mask now?”
 
The other Senshi just nodded.
 
The goddess shook her head. “Also lame. Back in the Silver Millennium he wanted people to know he was a prince. I can see where a mask might come in handy if he's trying to keep a secret identity now. But, I'd think he'd know that he could use disguise magic the same as the Senshi can. He doesn't need a mask to conceal his face. Where is he by the way?”
 
Usagi supplied, “He's currently in America, studying.”
 
Ranma shook her head. “Ah! Look, Usagi I'm sorry to be putting down your boyfriend, but the only reason he was chosen as the Earth Knight was because he was your boyfriend. As such it was a purely political appointment. The rest of the Knights had to pass hard tests and undergo rigorous training. Tux boy had the title just handed to him.”
 
Usagi tried to think of something to say, but couldn't. Minako observed, “You seem to know him pretty well.”
 
Ranma explained, “Well, as part of the Earth Royal Family he was a distant (several times removed) cousin of mine. As the Senshi of Earth I was part of the committee that voted on his selection as the Earth Knight. I voted against, but I was in a minority. I think he was flirting with all the women on the committee except me. He knew better than to try that stuff on me. I shot him down when we were kids.”
 
“You… He…” Usagi seemed to be having trouble forming sentences.
 
Finally realizing the effect she was having, Ranma thought, “Ok, shutting up now. I thought I was mostly over that whole `foot in mouth' thing. I don't know why I'm acting like this.”
 
Stepping into the silence thus created, Setsuna said, “When you get a chance I'd like to talk to you privately, Saotome-sama.”
 
“Please, Meiyoh-San You can call me Ranma.”
 
The Senshi of Pluto thought to herself, “I'm in enough trouble with the gods right now. I'd better not do anything more to piss them off worse.” Out loud she said, “Given your current… divinity… it might not be appropriate for me to address you by your given name.”
 
Ranma blinked. This was the powerful Senshi of Time she'd been warned to watch her back around? Maybe this was a ploy to gain her confidence. “Ok, would after the meeting work for you?”
 
“That would be fine.”
 
By this time Usagi had recovered somewhat. She resolved that she and Mamoru were going to have a very serious conversation when she saw him next. She couldn't complain about him flirting with his cousin when they were kids because it was before Endymion and the Princess had met. However, his selection as Knight of Earth had happened after they were a couple and his flirting with the women on the selection committee was not a good thing to do.
 
The Princess of the Moon gave a quick rundown on what had happened in the Moon Kingdom after Ruby's death and what had been happening in the fight against evil since the Awakening of the Senshi in the present time. She told of Beryl and the Negaverse, Mistress 9 and Pharoah 90, Sailor Galaxia, the Starlights and others.
 
Then it was Ranma's turn. She gave the condensed version of her life story that included the training trip, the seppuku contract, cat-fist training and some of the other weird training methods used by Genma. They were told of Genma's attitudes toward women and about the trip to Jusenkyo. The goddess told of events after coming to Nerima but glossed over the whole Family Stone affair. She did tell of her current “condition” of coming motherhood and how her father was now an expectant mother as well. She also told an edited account of the week she'd had since becoming a goddess.
 
Makoto said, “Wow. We've usually had one or two major enemies at a time then we'd have quiet for weeks or even months. It sounds like you had weird stuff happening to you every day.”
 
Ranma shrugged. “There were some quiet days, but they were few and far between. I thought that after my cousin did his spell on my chaos attraction that things were going to settle down. It was only for a little while that it was quiet and now the chaos is back. I guess even becoming a goddess wasn't enough to bring it under control.”
 
Ami said, “Now we know why Beryl killed you before she really started in her program. She must have recognized that someone with Ruby's integrity and strength of character would not be turned or tempted. You would have been an obstacle to her plans.”
 
In sad tones Ranma responded, “Like a certain Chinese Amazon I know would say, `Obstacles are for killing.'”
 
The Moon Princess said thoughtfully, “I think that strength of character stayed with you through all of your past lives. That must be why you were able to survive the bad things your father did to you. It's also how you were able to stay sane through stuff that would have made other people permanent guests in a padded room.”
 
Mokoto commented, “I think your father got off lightly just being stuck as a woman.”
 
With a nod, the goddess replied, “I kind of agree with that. Still, being a woman seems to have mellowed her. I just worry about her raising another child. My new brother may not have the strength from past lives that I did. Akane and I have talked about getting evidence to get Pops thrown in jail, but that wouldn't be good for the kid. We're having a hard time figuring out the best thing to do.”
 
“Maybe you could request a little `divine intervention,'” suggested Rei.
 
The goddess nodded. “Yeah, I already thought of that. The question is what exactly to do. I'm going to be asking advice about that. The problem is that not even gods always have the happiest family lives. I don't know how much help they'll be. It kind of seems like all of the gods who've been training me have heard the stories about my life and are trying to play a `can you top this' game with me by telling me about how messed up their families are.”
 
Usagi promised, “We'll give what help we can.”
 
Ami turned to Artemis and said, “Ranma needs a communicator.”
 
The white cat said, “Way ahead of you. When I heard that Sailor Terra was back I got this ready.” The cat produced a wrist communicator apparently from stuff space. Ranma picked that up and fastened it to her wrist.
 
Ranma looked up and asked, “Luna, I was told you are the person I talk to about this. Is there a chance that I could get a computer like the one Mercury uses?”
 
The cat looked surprised, then thoughtful. “I seem to remember that back in the Silver Millennium every one of the Senshi had a computer. I also remember that you and Mercury were the only ones that really used theirs. I think one or two others played games on theirs. The rest never touched them. I'm sorry but I think the Terra Computer was lost during the general confusion of the war with the Negaverse. Hmm, I wonder…”
 
The black moon cat did another one her elaborate flips and a duplicate for the Mercury Computer appeared. The main difference was this one was colored a red that matched Ranma's hair.
 
The cat looked a little smug. “I thought I still had that. It's in like-new condition because it has never been used. Since we don't have the Terra Computer we can let you use the Mars Computer. You don't mind, do you Rei?”
 
The girl with the long black hair looked surprised. “I had a computer? You never told me that.”
 
“You never asked,” the cat responded. “I gave the Mercury Computer to Ami because I knew she would use it. Sailor Mercury was always the smartest and most technically savvy member of the team up to that point. Any one of you could have asked for her own computer at any time. Well… with the exception of Pluto. She should still have hers from the Silver Millennium.”
 
Surprised, Setsuna said, “I haven't thought about that computer in millennia. The computers in the Gates were easier to access through the Staff. I just had to think to use them.” With a thoughtful expression she reached into her stuff space and pulled out a computer that was like the others. Hers was colored black.
 
She shook her head. “I must have been carrying that thing around for thousands of years and unaware. I'm going to have to check into that subspace pocket and see what over bits of junk I may have been carrying that I forgot about.”
 
Luna nodded. She asked, “Rei do you mind if Ranma uses the Mars Computer?”
 
The Senshi of Mars looked uncertain. “I… guess not.”
 
Ranma offered, “I've got a goddess friend who is really smart when it comes to tech stuff. If I ask her nice, I'm sure she could scan this and build me a duplicate or even an improved model and I could give this one back to you if you want.”
 
Rei looked uncertain. “I'm not sure I'd even know what to do with a computer. Still, it is supposed to be mine and I guess I could learn how to do stuff with it.”
 
Ranma thought. “When I was Ruby I probably could have built one of those computers but I don't have either the tools or the parts now. I'm pretty sure Skuld has both. One of her main jobs is system debugger in Ygdrassl, the divine computer. She builds robots as a hobby. Now that I think about it, I believe that as a goddess I'm supposed to have remote access to Ygdrassl. I'll have to talk to Skuld later on.”
 
The redhead picked up the computer from the table and stashed it in stuff space. “Do these computers access a mainframe or are they independent units?”
 
Ami spoke up. “Actually they are both. They function locally for their scan functions and internet. For searching in the lunar database we connect to the Lunar Mainframe.”
 
Ranma nodded. “That sounds familiar. Maybe my friend could build something that could access both the Lunar systems and the Divine one.”
 
Ami looked doubtful. She gave Ranma instructions on how to use the communicator. With that business completed the meeting was essentially over and the girls began to gather in groups and eat the snacks that Makoto had brought. Ranma noticed that the Inners tended to stay together and the Outers formed their own group.
 
Setsuna came up to Ranma and said, “Saotome-Sama, I really need to talk to you. Could we go somewhere private?”
 
“Yeah,” Ranma acknowledged. “Let's step outside. I need a patch of dirt to transport.”
 
The green haired woman looked puzzled. “Dirt?”
 
Ranma shrugged and said, “It's a goddess thing.”
 
They went outside and stepped onto some dirt in a flowerbed. A moment later they appeared to rise out of the ground in the middle of a desert. Setsuna looked around “Where are we?”
 
“This is the Gobi desert. My Pop and I were here as part of my training several years ago.”
 
Setsuna looked puzzled. “What kind of martial arts training would you do in a desert?”
 
Ranma rolled her eyes. “Don't ask. You might want to change to Senshi form or the desert winds might dry you out.”
 
After changing into her Senshi form the green haired woman asked, “What about you?”
 
The redhead shrugged. “A little bonus I get from being a goddess. I don't have to worry about that kind of stuff now.”
 
Ranma looked around and frowned as she said, “You wanted private. This should do. The closest people I can detect are about fifty kilometers in that direction.” She pointed.
 
The Senshi of Pluto looked around for a place to sit, but there was only sand. Ranma said, “Oh, right.” She concentrated on the sand and some of it formed itself into a bench. After making another seat for herself she sat down and gestured for the other to do the same.
 
As the older woman settled herself Ranma told her, “My memories of you from the Silver Millennium are probably not going to help me too much now. At that time we were teenagers. I died before Beryl did her bad deeds. I'd be very surprised if you hadn't changed from the girl I knew in the last 20,000 years.”
 
The goddess looked down. “I don't like to start from a position of distrust but I have had people give me warnings about you. I was told to watch my back. I was also told that you have your own agenda and that I should be careful around you.”
 
The other woman tried to keep up her impassive mask, but was having a hard time in view of losing the core of her world. She looked glumly down at the sand. Was she starting this conversation with a strike already against her?
 
Ranma hadn't learned how to read minds yet, but knew that she would be getting to that in her training sooner or later. She had learned some empathy and was able to pick up on emotions now. She had been told that this was needed for a sex goddess. She could feel the distress of the older woman. Setsuna was close to breaking down sobbing, and it was only through her formidable emotional control that she was able to look near normal.
 
Not sure if she should say anything, Ranma decided to be as up front as she could. She moved to the other bench and put an arm round the shoulders of the green haired woman. “I've only recently learned to read people's emotions. I can tell you're hurting. Is there anything I can I can do to help?”
 
The Senshi of Pluto had tried to stay the cold and seemingly emotionless woman she had always portrayed, but she realized that she couldn't hide her emotions from this goddess. She lost the last of her emotional control and started sobbing, grabbing Ranma and leaning into her shoulder. “They're taking it away from me. The work I've done for 20,000 years is being taken from me. I don't know what I'm going to do.”
 
The green haired woman seemed to lose the ability to speak at that point as great sobs wracked her body. Ranma embraced the older woman and marveled for just the briefest moment to find her smaller than herself. She was frequently surprised at how tall she was now as a goddess.
 
The goddess didn't know what had happened, but it had to be pretty bad for it to so strongly affect a woman who had been around as long as this one. She began stroking her back and speaking in soothing tones. She said things like, “We'll try to find a way to make it right.” “I'll help you if I can.” “If I can get it back for you I will.” She was careful not to promise anything she might not be able to deliver.
 
Setsuna's hands had been on Ranma's shoulders but now they shifted until they went around her waist. She was returning the embrace. The tears didn't last long but the smaller woman sat trembling in Ranma's embrace. Not sure why she did it, the goddess kissed the top of the Senshi's head.
 
At first Sailor Pluto didn't know how to react but finally she just grasped the goddess tighter. Ranma kissed the top of the other woman's head again. At this Pluto turned an anguished face upward to look the goddess in the eyes. To the sex goddess that felt like an invitation that she couldn't pass up. She bent her head down and planted a kiss on the smaller woman's lips.
 
Setsuna was shocked at first. She was not like that. Even when Haruka and Michiru had implied that they would welcome her to join them in their bed, the green haired woman had declined. She felt no disapproval for them, but wasn't really interested in participating. Why was she responding to this woman now? And she was responding.
 
Ranma was scolding herself. “Stupid sex goddess body. I'm seducing one of my new teammates. I shouldn't be doing this. But why do I feel like this is what she needs?”
 
Somehow Ranma conjured a blanket and the two women were laying on it. The next thing she noticed was that they were both naked. She played Setsuna's body like it was a musical instrument with moans and orgasmic cries as the music. In the end Ranma ended up feeling energized and the green haired Senshi was asleep.
 
The goddess regarded the other woman. “Is this what being a sex goddess means? Am I going try and seduce all of my friends? Wait… Bast made the first move on me. That one wasn't my fault. So maybe I'm not quite the insatiable lecher I feared I was.”
 
She felt the stirring next to her and waited. A moment later the Senshi of Pluto opened her eyes and took a languorous look around. When she spotted the redhead she said, “I don't know what possessed you to do that, but I'm not complaining. I think that is the first time I've been intimate with another human being in more than a century.”
 
“A century? That's way too long.”
 
The older woman stretched like a cat. “Mmm, I agree. I think I needed that. I'm feeling much more relaxed now.”
 
Ranma asked, “Do you feel like talking about what was troubling you now?”
 
Setsuna frowned before saying, “Not really, but I guess I have to. I did ask to talk to you.”
 
Ranma smiled a gentle smile. She was trying to be encouraging without pushing.
 
The Senshi of Pluto finally said, “The short version is that I screwed up. I'm in trouble with the gods and you are the only goddess I know who might speak on my behalf.”
 
“What happened?” Ranma gently prodded.
 
The older Senshi paused to think. “I guess I should give you some background. What do you know about how the Guardian of the Gates of Time is chosen?”
 
Ranma frowned now. “I thought it was passed down from mother to daughter. As I remember it, you had just been named as the new Guardian about a year before I was killed.”
 
Setsuna agreed, “That's right. My mother was training me in my duties when the whole Negaverse thing came up. The next thing I knew Mother was killed in battle. Then the rest of the Senshi fell defending the Queen. Serenity told me her plan to send the souls of the Senshi and her daughter into the future. She begged me to watch the Gates and to guide her daughter when she was reborn. I agreed and swore to do as she asked.”
 
She paused and said, “You said it yourself, I was a teenager, little more than a child. I didn't have anything resembling an idea what it was I was agreeing to. I was full of loyalty, idealism and all sorts of other noble emotions. I was going to stay by the Gates of Time even if it took an eternity. I would guide the Princess and I would help her to rebuild the Moon Kingdom.”
 
“I doubt you could understand how mind numbingly boring things were for me. The planet colonies were dead and the survivors had fled off to other star systems. Because of restrictions programmed by my mom before she died I could only use the Gates to watch things in the Solar System. Since there was nothing happening on the rest of the planets that meant watching Earth.”
 
“For more than a thousand years the was nothing on Earth but primitive tribes. Most of them were on the hunter/gatherer level. I got the educational experience of watching the evolution of civilization. I wanted to go to earth and push things along to speed up the growth of civilization, but I had sworn an oath not to interfere.”
 
“You could call me the ultimate voyeur. With the Gates of time you can watch anyone anywhere. If you find out that someone did something interesting yesterday you can still watch it with the Gates like it was happening right now.”
 
“When the civilization of Lemuria arose I went down and found a man and got married. I loved him very much and I watched him and grow old and die. I also watched our son grow old and die as well. After they were gone I went back to the Gates to resume watching. Later, when Atlantis came to be I did the same thing. There was a man I fell in love with.”
 
Suddenly she stopped and thought for a moment. Finally she said, “My husband in Atlantis looked a lot like the one I had in Lemuria. That may be a part of why I fell in love with him. The odd thing that occurs to me is that both men looked a bit like your male form.”
 
Ranma idly played with Pluto's hair and said, “I seem to have a memory from past lives of living with a woman who had green hair. In the past history of the world how common is that hair color?”
 
Momentarily side tracked from the recitation of her past, the Senshi of Pluto thought about it. “Actually it's pretty rare. Could… could that have been you both times?”
 
Ranma mulled that over for a moment. “Maybe I could get someone in Heaven to give me a reading of my past lives. I know that there is something very familiar about you. The feeling of holding you and comforting you, even making love to you felt like something I've done before. It felt like something I had missed for a long time.”
 
“That seems like an awfully big coincidence.”
 
The goddess let out a big sigh. “I don't think there are any real coincidences in my life. I've started to wonder if the gods have been interfering all along. But we're getting off track here.”
 
Setsuna resumed, “Well I won't bore you with a full story of 20,000 years. As I spent my time watching the world through the Gates of Time I thought about what I had promised to Queen Serenity. Part of it was to rebuild the Moon Kingdom with her daughter as the new queen. I made plans and ran simulations in the Gate computers. I found a timeline that would do what I wanted. It was called Crystal Tokyo and it was this fabulous city where Neo Queen Serenity ruled. (That's Usagi.)”
 
“Hmm. I don't know,” said Ranma. “I remember Princess Serenity from the Silver Millennium. As she was then, she would likely have been a decent ruler, but not exceptional. The way Usagi is now, I'd say she still has a long way to go before she's ready to be queen.”
 
“I know,” Setsuna admitted. “She would grow into the role.”
 
“If you say so.” Ranma still felt doubtful.
 
“There was something else.” The Senshi of Pluto was going to share something that she rarely told anyone else about. “The reading of the future shows something bad happening.”
 
“What happens?” Ranma prompted.
 
“A new Ice Age,” said Setsuna. “Most of the rest of the world falls into barbarism and a large part of the world population dies but Crystal Tokyo remains as a beacon of light in the darkness. After the world warms back up the people of Crystal Tokyo go forth and repopulate the world and colonize the planets again. Serenity and Mamoru marry and have a child whom we have already met. She has traveled back from the future and we call her Chibi-Usa.”
 
“Huh?”
 
The eldest Senshi explained, “Her name is really Usagi. We called her Chibi-Usa to tell them apart. I call her Small Lady.”
 
Ranma shook her head. “I don't suppose you looked into possible ways to prevent this Ice Age?”
 
“It's a natural disaster. I won't cause it.”
 
Ranma said, “I wasn't trying to imply that you would cause it. From what you have been saying, you would just take advantage of it.”
 
Setsuna closed her eyes tightly. “Yes,” she admitted.
 
Ranma frowned. “You said you discovered this possible future when running simulations. Did you do anything to encourage this possible future?”
 
“I did.”
 
The goddess weighed what she heard and sighed. “You need to step back and look at this like a superhero who defends the people. Someone who exploits a natural disaster to make themselves undisputed rulers of the world sounds like some of the same people you fought. Even if the people in charge are nicer, that still doesn't make it right.”
 
Pluto sighed sadly. “I guess the gods agree with you.”
 
“What do you mean?”
 
Setsuna explained, “When you were changed into a goddess it changed the timeline and Crystal Tokyo either wasn't going to happen at all or it would take thousands of years to come about. I was frantic. I tried to figure out a way to prevent you from becoming a goddess.”
 
She fell silent. Ranma gently prodded, “And…”
 
“I looked at your fall into the Girl spring. I tried to figure out ways to make that come out differently. I came up with a way that you would land on the ground between the pools instead of in the girl spring. In every case that I simulated, you were stunned from your landing on ground instead of water. You were so wobbly when you got up that you fell into the pool anyway.”
 
Ranma rolled her eyes. “That sounds about the way things go for me.”
 
“I also tried a simulation where you only went a little farther and hit the side of the pool instead if in the middle. That would have resulted in you hitting your head and being knocked out. You would still have gone into the pool but you would have drowned. I found that this was not good because you did so many good things that the world truly did need you.”
 
Ranma nodded. “I'm guessing you seriously considered doing that. You wouldn't be the smart person I know you to be if you didn't”
 
Setsuna confirmed, “Yes, I considered it. But I came up with what I thought would be the perfect way to prevent you from becoming a goddess without killing you. I would go into the fertility clinic in the past and make sure that you got Akane's sperm sample, the right sample. By doing that the simulation showed you having one baby yourself and living happily after that. To be sure there were still some problems, but nothing you couldn't handle. Because there was no `accident' at the fertility clinic you never made your prayer to Kami-Sama and no Wish was granted for you.”
 
The goddess considered that. “Did you try to change things like that?”
 
The Senshi of Time confessed, “Tried, yes. Succeeded, no.”
 
“What happened?”
 
Setuna recalled, “There was a goddess named Peorth waiting for me.” Pluto recounted the events at the fertility clinic.”
 
The goddess nodded. “I've heard the name Peorth, but I haven't met her.”
 
Ranma summed up. “So basically you have 3 options, one of which happens if you can't decide. In that case they would choose your successor. You could pick your replacement now from the people of the earth or you could have a child and train her to be your replacement.”
 
The older woman nodded. “Those are the choices I was given. I have a week to make up my mind what I want to do.”
 
Still idly playing with Setsuna's hair Ranma asked, “You were hoping I could put in a good word for you, weren't you?”
 
In a pleading tone Setuna said, “I don't know what else to do. Being the Guardian is all I've ever done. It's all I know how to do.”
 
Ranma wouldn't let that pass. “Not true.”
 
“What?”
 
The goddess went on, “You have done other things. You are a school counselor now.”
 
Those things were never her real vocation.“Those are just for cover.”
 
Ranma insisted, “That's beside the point. You can do other things. You're smart and capable. You could quickly master any profession.”
 
The ghost of a smile came to her face. “Thank you for that vote of confidence.”
 
With a somewhat apologetic expression on her face, Ranma said, “I don't know how much help I can be in Heaven. I'm pretty new and don't know too many people there yet. Most of the gods and goddesses I've met so far (outside of my teachers) are low level types. While I have met and talked to Kami-sama, that was an official interview. I couldn't call him a friend.”
 
“Please, do what you can.”
 
The goddess took a deep breath and asked, “What do I tell them? Do you want me to say, `she's sorry and promises not to do it again?'”
 
The green haired woman fidgeted a little. “Basically, yes. I had been in the job for so long I never thought it could be taken away from me. I could go back to the real job of watching for and preparing for enemies who are trying to attack the world. I would stop looking for ways to remake the world into a new Moon Kingdom. I would be a responsible Guardian again.”
 
“Well, that's a step in the right direction,” Ranma acknowledged. “I'll talk to the gods and goddess I know and ask if they can pass it up the chain of command. Likely there is some formal way of doing something like this, but they haven't taught it to me yet. I still have so much to learn.”
 
Setsuna took Ranma's hand. “At least you are getting training. I had to learn by doing. I made a lot of mistakes at the start, but I was cautious, so none of my mistakes were bad enough to create a real disaster. With a tool as powerful as the Gates of Time a really bad mistake could end up erasing people or entire civilizations from existence.”
 
Ranma shook her head. “I'm not sure how well I would handle that kind of responsibility.”
 
“Humph. Somebody must think you can handle responsibility or they wouldn't have made you a goddess.”
 
She hesitated, “Saotome-Sama, there's something I think you should know.”
 
Ranma chuckled, “After what we just did together I think you can call me Ranma.”
 
The green haired woman nodded. “You know how you said you were tricked into making the wish that made you a goddess? Well, I think the interference of gods in your life goes much deeper than you are aware of.”
 
“What do you mean?”
 
Setsuna elaborated, “When I was reviewing your fall into the cursed spring I noticed that the trajectory of your fall was wrong for the angle of your panda father's blow that he landed on you. I checked carefully. There was some kind of outside force acting on you.”
 
The goddess asked, “What kind of outside force are we talking about?”
 
The older woman said, “The computers at the Gates tentatively identified it as the `ultimate force.' That is a force that most often associated with the gods. It looks like they wanted you to get the girl curse.”
 
Ranma considered that for a moment. She said, “After finding out that beings that can't lie still managed to trick me into wishing to become a god and a goddess, that doesn't surprise me. But I'm not so sure it was direct interference. They were telling me that part of the reason for my getting the girl curse was destiny. That and some weird kind of reward for something I did (probably in a past life.) I'm curious. Which spring would I have fallen into if this Ultimate Force hadn't interfered?”
 
“You're taking this pretty well,” observed Sailor Pluto. “You would have fallen into the Spring of Drowned Tiger.”
 
“Tiger?” The redheaded goddess shuddered. “That would have been bad. If I'd fallen in that one I'd probably be dead now.”
 
“Why do you say that?”
 
Ranma explained, “As soon as I found out what I had changed into I would have gone into Nekoken and probably started attacking people. For their own safety the people in the area would have had to kill me. As to taking it well, at least the curse I got made me turn into a human even it is a girl.”

The Senshi of Pluto looked puzzled. “I've been trying to figure out why whoever it was may have wanted you able to change into a girl. A couple thoughts occur to me. You likely wouldn't have become a goddess if you were completely male. You certainly wouldn't have been able to access the power of Sailor Terra as a male.”
 
The goddess nodded. “I think maybe I'm a better, nicer person because of the curse, but that may have happened even if I'd been completely male. I doubt it though.”
 
A thought occurred to her. “You said the last time you were intimate with anyone was more than a century ago. Should I take that to mean that you have no prospects to be father for that child Peorth was suggesting you have?”
 
Setsuna admitted, “Other than professionally I haven't even spoken to a man in decades. I haven't dated in a very long time. Why do you ask?”
 
The goddess was looking acutely embarrassed. “Well, I know you were in the fertility clinic and you saw the place where they store the sperm samples. There were more samples of my sperm there. You know… in case it didn't `take' the first time.”
 
For the first time in a long time Setsuna felt a smile coming. “Ranma, are you offering to be the father of my child?”
 
“If you'll have me.”
 
Setsuna gave the other an appraising look. “Having seen your male form in the Gates, I know your mortal form is a prime specimen of young manhood. However, I wonder if I should hold out for a while until after your twins are born. I believe that once that event takes place you will be able to take the form of a male god. I find myself strangely excited by the thought of bearing the child of a god. Getting pregnant could be fun too.”
 
Ranma looked at her. “You seem to be bouncing back from your emotional low.”
 
The Senshi of Pluto smiled, “I think it may have something to do with making love to a goddess. I can honestly say that in 20,000 years I have experienced nothing else like it.”
 
“Yeah, I had Eros and Aphrodite teach me a lot about that kind of stuff. I can truthfully say I'm much better at it that I was before. I hope it doesn't sound too much like bragging to say that neither my wife or mother complained of any lack in that department before.”
 
Setsuna nodded. “Speaking of them, you'd probably better get back to them. The meeting is over and I have presented my request to you. I must confess that this didn't go anything like I expected. If I had access to the Gates I would most certainly check to see if you were one or both of my previous husbands in previous lives.”
 
Ranma stood up and conjured clothing. She smiled. “I could say this didn't go the way I expected either. The way other people talked about you I was expecting (and forgive the language) a cold-hearted bitch. I get the strong feeling that they might have only been seeing the mask you show to the world.”
 
The green haired woman nodded. “I used to be really good about keeping up that mask. Loosing my Staff sort of wrecked that.”
 
Ranma looked around then asked, “I was going to take you back to Ami's house, but I guess you can't teleport without your staff. Where can I drop you?”
 
Sailor Pluto summoned her fuku then detransformed. “Could you go by my house?”
 
From stuff space Ranma produced a map of Tokyo and asked Setsuna to point out the location of her house. A short while later they appeared in the back yard of the house shared by the Outers. Setsuna looked around and asked, “Why the back yard?”
 
“My transport medium is dirt. It also works with sand, as you saw. I'm not sure if it would work with stone, I haven't tried it yet. It would probably be a really good thing if I could work it with concrete.”
 
Setsuna nodded. “I can see how that would open up lots of possibilities for you.”
 
“I've got to get going.” With that she seemed to sink into the ground.
 
When she went in Michiru looked at her in surprise. Haruka was more vocal. “What were you doing in the back yard?”
 
“Ranma dropped me off there.”
 
“Ranma?” Michiru asked, “What happened to `Saotome-Sama?'”
 
Setsuna smiled warmly. “Somehow it didn't seem right to keep calling her by her family name after having wild, passionate sex with her.”
 
The other two women stood stock still with their jaws gaping open. Had they heard correctly? Both would have thought their green haired friend had given up on sex centuries before.
 
“But… you never… When we offered…”
 
The green haired woman smiled. “I guess it makes sense that a sex goddess would know when somebody really needs something like that. I guess I needed it bad.”
 
A moment later Setsuna broke out laughing and was in danger of falling on her butt from the laughter. “The expression on your faces is priceless.”
 
After regaining some composure Michiru said, “So I'm guessing she wasn't angry at you for trying to interfere.”
 
With a shake of her head, Setsuna said, “She was very understanding. I think I can understand why they made her a goddess. She's really nice. She's going to talk to her divine friends and see what she can do. Since she's so new, it's kind of a long shot but worth a try. If I decide to become a mother and raise the child to be the next Guardian, Ranma has volunteered to be the father.”
 
Jaws dropped again. Setsuna hadn't had this much fun with her friends in a while. Finally she said, “You do remember her current condition came about because of getting the wrong sperm sample at the fertility clinic, right. She was just pointing out to me that there was still more sperm stored there and I could use some of it if I needed.”
 
The others relaxed a bit. It made sense and might even be something they would try themselves if they ever decided they wanted another child in addition to Hotaru.
 
Setsuna was enjoying keeping her housemates off balance this evening so she followed up by saying. “I thanked her but told her maybe it would be better to wait until she's had her babies and can change into her male god form. Then we could make a baby the old fashioned way. I thought that would be a lot more fun.”
 
The green haired woman yawned and said, “It has been a tiring day. I'm going to bed.” She headed off to her bedroom. “That was fun,” she thought.

At the Saotome home Ranma walked into the kitchen. She apologized, “Sorry I'm late. I hope you didn't put dinner on hold for me.”
 
Akane shook her head. “I know you don't eat much these days so we went ahead. If you want, there are leftovers in the refrigerator.”
 
“How did your meeting go, dear?” Nodoka asked.
 
Ranma reported, “They seem like nice people. They all seem willing to accept me. Even that one woman I was warned against was nice. It seems she's in trouble with the gods. I may be able to help.”
 
Nodoka said, “We have rather a lot of guests tonight. That nice young goddess Skuld is in the living room waiting for you. We also have Nabiki along with Kasumi and Dr. Ono, her husband. You do remember what we were going to be doing with them tonight, don't you?”
 
With all the other things happening Ranma had momentarily forgotten that this was a “family orgy” night. “Oh, right. I'm sorry my meeting ran so late. I did want to talk to Skuld. I'll see if I can convince her to come back some other day.”
 
 
Author's Note: Ranma has officially met the Senshi and they have accepted her. Sailor Pluto has made her plea to Ranma. Even if Pluto is really hurting from what happened to her, I realize that it's hard to feel sympathy for someone who could so casually shrug off the deaths of Akane and Soun in that one simulation of the future. She will get better with the help of Ranma and the Outers.