In front of them Kima took out her sword and stood protectively in front of Saffron, who glared back at the prince of the Musk. "What are 'you' doing here?" Saffron asked back as Kima prepared to deliver the first attack.

Ryoga and Hinako, who were standing in the sidelines, just stared at the confrontation with amusement on their faces. They deliberately didn't inform Herb and Saffron about who their allies would be. Right now they were in the Nova dojo, yet the Musk and Phoenix were too caught up with each other to pay any attention to their surroundings.

It was then that a male voice was heard and both Ryoga and Hinako cursed under their breaths. They wanted to see a fight, yet it seemed like it wouldn't be taking place. "Calm down. We're all on the same side." Ranma said as he approached. Herb and Saffron were quick to note Ranma seemed a little older than before. Not much, probably enough to be in his early twenties, but noticeable enough. The pigtailed martial artist stopped just a few feet from the confronting parties.

Saffron nodded for Kima to sheat her sword and turned to Ranma. "I can't say I'm happy to see you, but Hinako-sama tells me you're her brother."

"Had to act the part. It wasn't easy defeating you limiting myself to that low a level." Ranma said seriously.

Kima frowned at the insult on Saffron but remained silent. Hinako had been quite explicit on the consequences of attacking any of the Novas and even if she held no real respect for the woman Lord Saffron ordered his servant to follow her commands.

Ranma turned to the prince of the Musk. "Herb." He greeted.

"Ranma." The Musk prince greeted back, slightly taken aback by the control the pigtailed man was displaying. Though if he was right in his assumptions he was in front of another of the Novas.

Ranma turned to Ryoga and Hinako. "You planned this, didn't you?" When none of his siblings answered he shook his head and turned to the guests. "The meeting will take place in the backyard." And with that he turned on his heels and walked away.

Herb and Saffron turned to each other in confusion. The Ranma they knew wasn't like this person at all. With a feeling of uneasiness they started asking each other questions as to how they got here.

Ryoga and Hinako joined Saffron and Herb in explaining their past to each other. They lamented the fact that a fight was avoided, but then again they were used to having Ranma ruin their fun.

Mint and Lime were too busy ogling Hinako to notice anything.

That's why none of them noticed as Kima following Ranma, her fists clenched tightly into fists.

--------------------------------------

Kima followed the pigtailed martial artist through the door he had just walked out of. She had been a little unnerved when she finally took notice of her surroundings, but pushed it to the back of her mind to deal with the current situation.

As soon as she walked through the door she noticed she was in a Japanese house. She turned towards the hall that leads to what appeared to be the backyard, but found not a sign of Ranma. "Can I help you?" She whirled around to see the man casually leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

Kima ignored the fact that she had completely missed his presence and clenched her teeth. "Saotome." She growled out, hand reaching for her sword. It was an impressive sight of a winged woman glaring down at him.

An impressive sight that had no effect as Ranma glared right back and, for some reason, the winged woman found her danger sense flaring. "I'm not a Saotome." He said coldly. "I'll let it slide this one time because I understand your anger at me." He took a deep breath, calming himself.

Kima relaxed when he did so. "Why did you kill Lord Saffron?" She asked. "You could've avoided it, yet you still killed our King!" She finished taking a hold of his shirt, her anger overwhelming her uneasiness.

Ranma calmly stood there, seemingly unconcerned of Kima's hands on him. "That's my concern." He said. "And even though I killed him he's still alive. I could kill him in a way he wouldn't be reborn, but I didn't. And I won't." Seeing Kima doubt for a second he pressed on. He stared deep into her eyes, letting her know he was being honest. "I'm sorry if I hurt you."

The truth was that of all the people that hated Ranma, the only ones he felt he wronged were the Phoenix. It was the only case in which, by his actions alone, he was guilty of harming someone without a good reason. In other cases the conflict involved both parts sharing the blame, but Ranma felt deep inside that the Phoenix were indeed harmed by his actions.

Kima blinked at the sincerity in Ranma's eyes. She was angry with herself for letting him convince her he was sorry. But it was a fact she couldn't deny, not even the best of actors could fake this much feeling into an apology. And even though there wasn't any pleading less at all, it was an apology that felt all the more sincere.

The winged woman released her hold on Ranma's shirt and turned, not able to meet his eyes. "What's done is done. Even if you're sorry that won't change the past." She said still more than a little annoyed. *He killed our God. A mere mortal killed our King.*

Ranma nodded even if he knew she wouldn't see the gesture. "What would you ask of me?"

Kima turned and gave the pigtailed man an incredulous stare. "What?"

"What do you want me to do to atone?" Ranma asked seriously, his mind set on compensating what he had done.

Kima smirked, a thousand thoughts going through her mind. So many ways to get back at the young man that destroyed her world. She closed her eyes and sighed. *And yet none of those things would make it better for my people.* Revenge against Ranma just wasn't something she felt like the Phoenix needed. She would be glad to have her revenge, had it not been for the fact that so many people depended on her.

Ranma saw as Kima was engulfed in her thoughts and silently started walking away. She would tell him when she was ready.

"Hold." Kima said after opening her eyes and seeing Ranma wasn't in front of her.

*That was faster than I expected.* Ranma thought as he stopped walking. "Yes?"

Kima turned to Ranma, who was almost outside the house. *And I still felt nothing.* She thought in amazement. It seemed like Hinako wasn't boasting when she spoke of Ranma's skill in the Art. That meant she wasn't kidding about Ranma starting the Amazons either, but that could wait for another time. "Are you willing to atone for what you did to us?" She asked, needing confirmation before making her request.

Ranma slowly turned around and looked Kima directly in the eye. Even though they were separated by more distance this time his gaze held the same intensity. "Just ask." He knew he wasn't making a mistake. Even if Kima held resentment towards him she had a sense of duty as strong as his.

The winged woman nodded. "Hinako said you were the one to train Soap." Soap was actually a legend in the valley of Jusendo, and the main reason why neither the Musk nor the Phoenix launched a full assault against the Amazons. Even if none dared speak her name she was known and feared. With time the legends had become more and more that, just legends, but every few hundred years the Musk would get a nasty surprise when they went to the Amazon village looking for wives and they found a blonde 'demon', as they called her.

It was also said that a hundred of years ago the Musk Prince went to Soap, intent on making her his wife. In his opinion only such a strong woman had the privilege of becoming his mate. The prince returned a changed man, his arrogance gone, and he forbid his line to seek the Martial Arts Master.

Ranma nodded, already knowing where this conversation was going. "What about it?"

Kima took a step forward. "Then I ask of you that you train our warriors." The Phoenix, even if strong, were not up to par with the Musk or the Amazons in terms of skill.

The pigtailed man seemed to consider it for a minute and answered. "There's no need for them to be trained. After this war is over both the Amazons and the Musk will probably become your allies." He raised a hand to stop Kima's protest. "However, I did tell you to ask something from me." He paused and looked intently at Kima. *She will do.* "I will train one of your people, who in turn will train your soldiers."

Kima wanted to object to that, but nodded. "You already have someone in mind." The way Ranma assessed her didn't pass unnoticed.

Ranma nodded. "There is a price, though. If you don't feel like paying it, I'll choose another among your people."

Kima felt offended by the insinuation that she would back down. "What is this price?" She asked with no small amount of arrogance, confident in her own strength.

Ranma smiled sadly. "Immortality." With that he turned and left.

Kima remained motionless for a full minute before blinking. That, she had not expected.

--------------------------------------------

"I don't like this." Haruka said as he turned to where Usagi was talking to Nodoka. The girl had a happy smile on her face.

Michiru leaned on Haruka's shoulder. "What don't you like, Haruka?"

"The inners didn't come to this meeting even though the princess ordered them to come. Even we attended their meetings when Usagi ordered it." The blonde said with a frown on her face.

Michiru sighed and straightened. There was no use in acting romantically when Haruka was all business. "I understand them, though. If we didn't know the Novas as well as we do we'd probably be acting the same way."

Haruka smirked as she turned to her lover. "Don't you mean if Mousse wasn't one of them?" Seeing Michiru staring wistfully at her brother she got worried. "Michiru?"

The aquamarine-haired woman shook her head and sighed. "It's nothing. Just that the brother I remember is so different from the man he is today." She turned back to Mousse, who was right now engaged in conversation with a blonde woman. "Do you think we'll change that much over the years?" She knew very well that as Senshi they would have lives far longer than those of normal humans. If Setsuna was any indication they would pretty much be immortal in terms of longevity.

Haruka shrugged. "Don't worry your pretty head over it. I'll be there by your side." With that she placed her arm around Michiru's shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

Michiru just relaxed against Haruka. "Thank you."

On another part of the yard Cologne was speaking to Taro. "So why don't you cure your curse? Ranma-sensei told me Hinako cured his curse, as well as Ryoga's."

Taro shrugged. "I kind of like my curse. I lose some of the style needed for martial arts, but gain strength and speed that more than compensate for the loss."

Cologne blinked. "Isn't that cheating?"

Again, Taro shrugged. "Who cares? When I fight seriously I avoid water if at all possible, but when training it evens the stakes a little. The others don't seem to mind. Before you got accepted I was the youngest student, and therefore the one with less skill. This curse was actually an accident, but an accident I learned to like."

The Amazon narrowed her eyes. "You imply I'm less skilled than you are." When she saw Taro nod she pouted and tears threatened to leak from her eyes. It was a gesture she couldn't do when she was old.

Taro snorted. "Nice try. Maybe someone a few hundred years younger will fall for it."

Cologne composed herself instantly and smiled. "True, but it feels good to be able to do it again without causing people to have heart attacks."

Laughing at that Taro nodded. "Soap and Mousse were the only ones not being decrepit old ghouls when Ranma accepted them."

Cologne would've objected at that had it not been for the fact that Taro included himself as one of the old ghouls. She smiled once again, noting so many similarities between Ranma's students. she didn't notice it, but Taro blushed slightly at seeing her smile so carefree. It seemed like even being hundreds of years old didn't protect him from a beautiful smile.

"There might be another one shortly." Ranma's voice said from behind. Both Taro and Cologne nearly jumped out of their skins and turned around with glares. Since they were both used to no one being able sneak up on them, every time Ranma managed it he gave them quite a shock.

"Will you someday quit doing that?" Taro asked in annoyance.

Ranma, who was casually standing there with his arms crossed over this chest, smirked. "Of course not."

Cologne recovered and thought about what Ranma said. "What do you mean by another one?"

Ranma sobered and turned to the house. "Just that. Someone asked me to train her."

Taro snorted. "And being the asshole you are you'll make her wait for two hundred years to accept her. Just like you did with me."

The pigtailed man shook his head. "You weren't ready, yet. There was still much for you to do before you could break from your old life. And no, if she so wishes I could even start training her tomorrow."

That silenced Taro and Cologne stared incredulously at her sensei. "Then all that you made me go through..."

"Couldn't be avoided." Ranma stated. "Every person has to travel a different path, Cologne. As for this new student, I owe her people for something I did. She asked me to train them all, yet I will train only her because she has the potential. 'If' she accepts."

Taro nodded. "So who is this new student?"

Ranma turned to Cologne as he spoke, not wanting to miss her reaction. "Kima of Phoenix Mountain." He wasn't disappointed.

"What?" Cologne asked with a glare at her instructor. "Are you out of your mind? She'll use the knowledge to destroy the Amazons. Besides the fact that she has less skill as a fighter than Shampoo." She obviously forgot to mention that Kima could easily beat Shampoo in a fair fight.

Ranma shook his head. "First of all is the fact that I owe her for killing her King. You have no idea how much she suffered because of that. Second, she won't be using what I teach her to fight the Amazons. Don't ask me why, you'll find out soon enough. As for her skill, you're right, she doesn't have the skill Shampoo does. That's even more amazing, since she's an exceptional fighter even if her skill in martial arts is very limited. With that potential can you imagine what she'll do when she's properly trained?"

Cologne reluctantly nodded. If put that way, Kima was indeed worthy of becoming one of Ranma's students. "Do you think she'll become one of us?"

Ranma nodded. "I know she will." He put one comforting hand on Cologne's shoulder and continued. "Don't worry, Cologne. Things will turn out fine. We just need to take care of this little business and you can join Soap in training your people."

Taro smirked. "It this business is so 'little' why bring all the big guns?" Unlike Cologne, Taro was perfectly aware of Ryoga's and Hinako's guests and how they were connected to the Novas.

"You'll see." Ranma answered cryptically before making his way to greet Setsuna, who had just arrived.

"I hate it when he does that." Taro muttered, to which Cologne could only laugh.

-----------------------------------

"You still feel jealous." Mousse said calmly.

Soap, who had been staring at Ranma and Setsuna as they kissed, was startled. "What?"

Mousse smiled. "You feel jealous of Setsuna. Even if you know Ranma loves you just as much as before she was back in his life."

Soap nodded and turned to the lovers again. "I feel happy for Ranma-sensei, but a part of me is scared that Setsuna will take him away. I know it's silly."

Mousse shrugged. "Feelings usually are."

They remained silent for a moment after that. Just as Mousse was about to speak Soap beat him to it. "What are you not telling me, Mousse? I know you, and you're obviously keeping something back."

Mousse smiled. "I knew you would notice. The others might not, but you and Ranma are the ones I've spent the most time with."

"So out with it." The blonde Amazon said proudly.

The man nodded and turned to see Ryoga and Hinako enter the backyard, followed by the Phoenix and the Musk. Cologne's reaction was hilarious, even more so since Taro made a big deal of her shock and she eventually bopped him over the head with her staff. How she got it out without Taro noticing was beyond him. Hearing Soap giggle he smiled. "It's just that I've been thinking about Ranma's teachings. He said the Art and a family didn't get along, yet so far he's managed very well with Setsuna."

Soap knew where he was going. "And you thought maybe you could start a family of your own." She sighed and turned back to seeing Ranma and Setsuna, who were now on a corner quietly talking to each other. "You're not the only one, but we're far from normal people. Remember we don't age. I don't want to see my family grow old and die as I move on."

"Death is a part of life."

"Easier said than done. We've both experienced the deaths of so many people we cared for. Can you imagine what it must feel like to lose a son to time?" Soap asked downcast.

"I'd rather not."

Soap smiled mischievously, taking advantage of the mood to take Mousse off guard. "That's why you've been putting the moves on Aunty Hinako, isn't it?"

Mousse's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets at that. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" He bellowed in her face. All he got as a result was a giggling Soap and everybody in the yard looking at him strangely. He muttered a meek 'sorry' and turned back to Soap with a reproachful look. "Are you done having your fun?"

The Amazon Master smiled sweetly at him. "Why did you react so violently? Could it be that I'm right?" Mousse stared at her hard and she giggled again. "Oh come on, Mousse. You know I'm only kidding. Kami knows it's hard enough to catch you off-guard." *Though I think you do feel something for Aunty Hinako. You've never protested like this before.*

Mousse took a deep breath. "Fine. I'll let it slide this once." He turned all around and noticed everyone supposed to be here had arrived. "When do you suppose the war council will begin?"

Soap shrugged. "Beats me. Maybe Grandma wants everyone to know each other."

Mousse raised an eyebrow. "You do realize you're the only one with enough guts to call Nodoka-sama 'that', don't you?"

------------------------------------------

"Are you certain that's the way you want things to happen, dear?" Nodoka asked with concern.

Usagi nodded seriously. "If my mother is the one behind the latest attacks I should be the one to deal with her." She stared off into space. "I can't let her destroy what we've been fighting for."

Nodoka nodded. "Very well. If she's the one behind these latest attacks I will order my children to let you take care of her. However should it seem that she would win..."

"I understand."

Nodoka then turned to see everyone was ready. "What do you say we start this meeting?"

"I believe it would be best. The inner Senshi don't seem to want to attend." It was no mystery to her why the inners seemed reluctant to have any more contact with the Novas. After Luna informed her of what Ami discovered in the Mercury computer she went to Nodoka for confirmation. That action seemed to kill Luna's trust in her, since she hadn't seen the black cat from that night on. The inners had been avoiding her as well. It hurt to see her friends reject her, but she needed to do the right thing and stop this new enemy, even if it was her mother, from destroying the new order she and Nodoka had agreed upon.

END PART 12

Author's notes: Sorry about the filler chapter. I'm leaving in a few hours on a camping trip for two weeks and wanted to give you something. The next chapter will have a couple of fights, as the enemy starts to make itself known.

See you in Part 13!