Off to the side a green-haired woman watched in rapt attention with crimson eyes. The man had aged a couple of years, or rather an illusion spell had worn off. He wasn't really that different, only the people who knew him would notice the little changes. She was still trying to figure out the man's true power. Since it wasn't possible by any magical means she had to rely on sensing his life energy, something very difficult when he was the best at that particular area. All she knew was from seeing him train, which had been going on for the past couple of days since Nodoka informed them of the latest attack.

Ranma didn't take the news well. He told Ryoga to get him when the war council was to take place and entered the dojo. Since then he had been 'training' his energy blasts, mostly to get relief through mass destruction. His eyes glinted as he turned to another pile of stone and he fired another chi blast, reducing the rocks to fine dust.

Setsuna remained watching the man she loved as he obviously tried to regain his cool, failing miserably. All she could do was watch, since she didn't have any real experience with these feelings, she didn't know how to give him the support he needed.

Turning all around she marveled at the Nova 'dojo.' It seemed like either Nodoka or Hinako created a huge space inside the building, effectively making the place capable of withstanding a full-out fight between the Nova siblings. It served its purpose for Ranma as well. The Senshi of Time didn't want to think of the destruction her lover would cause outside in his current mood. So far he had been firing off blasts of energy as destructive as a World Shaking. That wasn't a lot considering what Ryoga and Hinako could do, even some of the Senshi could do better. What was impressive was the fact that he had been firing those nonstop for days.

Another explosion turned her attention back to the present. She couldn't very well feel Ranma's entire aura, but the little she could spoke volumes to her. There was a deep pain routed in there, a pain caused by Beryl's death. And that very same pain made Ranma burn in a cold anger towards his sister's executioner. An executioner that was probably still alive.

Setsuna didn't fool herself. The pieces were falling in place all too easily for her liking. *She might be back.* She thought but doubted it. Serenity had a big ego and thought nothing could stand up to her, but the late Queen knew all too well how much power the house of Nova held. If she were still alive she wouldn't make such an obvious and futile attack against one of the Novas.

She shook her head. *That doesn't matter, right now.* Even if Serenity was still alive, Setsuna's loyalty was now with the young princess. Queen Serenity destroyed her own people because of her pride and did something horrible to Sailor Saturn. As far as Setsuna was concerned the Silver Millennium was over and a new order under Usagi was in its way. A new order she would contribute in with all her might, even going so far as to unsealing the Forbidden Magic of Time. It didn't really matter anymore, since the use of those techniques made impossible the use of the Gates of Time. Something that was already impossible with Ranma around.

So it was that she made her decision, even if her mind was set from before. She would give it her all against the forces coming, even if those forces were those of her late Queen, to protect that in which she believed.

Setsuna kept to herself, deep in thought, as Ranma continued dishing out chi blasts. Both remained in the dojo without sharing a word, yet there was a connection between them not even the kami could break.

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

He walked down the hall, relishing in the feel of his mature body. He could feel the power flowing through his veins, much more powerful than before. He extended his senses outward, feeling each and every life under his care. *My people.* He thought with a smile, even if he would never voice those words, at least not to just about anybody.

Nodding to two guards, who bowed to him in greeting, he entered the throne room. A room he hadn't been in since he last died. His eyes quickly rested on the woman standing there, who bowed to him with great respect and no small amount of affection. He owed her a lot, yet she was his servant. "Greetings, Lord Saffron." Her voice rang out.

Saffron, King of Mount Phoenix, smiled at the woman that took care of his child form before he grew up and had served him better than any other for so long. "Raise, Lady Kima." She did so and took a step to the side, clearing the path for him.

He walked past her and sat on his throne. The winged woman with the silver hair stood by his side as they readied themselves for a long day of audiences. It wasn't everyday that the Phoenix King reached maturity after being killed by a mere teenager.

Even though Ranma Saotome's name was worse than a curse among the winged people, it was decided by the nobles that no action should be taken against the pigtailed martial artist. Even if he did kill their King, he did in defense of another, and didn't try to destroy the Phoenix even if he could've done it. Saffron himself agreed with the decision, knowing he wouldn't get a thing out of killing the teenager. Except a little satisfaction, of course.

Just as he finished that particular line of thought the doors opened and the first of the nobles stepped forward. Saffron and Kima dutifully heard his words and good wishes and thanked him for his attention. The process was repeated more times than any of them could count.

After many boring hours of the same thing the torture finally came to an end. Saffron gave leave to the last of the nobles and sighed in relief as the doors closed again, leaving him alone with Kima. "Even after I'm reborn I still dislike these customs."

"The nobles insisted on keeping the proper protocol, Lord Saffron." Kima informed him seriously, though it was clearly evident she didn't like all that either. In fact Kima was more a soldier than a noble, preferring the field of battle to the royal court.

"That doesn't mean he has to like it." A female voice rang from the shadows on the other side of the room.

Kima's reaction was instantaneous. Even before the woman finished with her statement the winged soldier already had her sword out in a ready position and was standing protectively in front of her King. "Show yourself." She commanded with a tone of voice that could freeze a star.

Saffron stood up from his throne with a deep frown. Someone had managed to enter his throne room, passing countless armed guards and sentries, without anyone's notice. Not even his own. Such a feat couldn't be taken lightly.

Kima felt a hand rest on her shoulder but didn't turn from the shadowed corner where the voice came from. "My Lord?" She inquired.

Saffron smiled at the protectiveness on his servant's part, but knew she may be getting in over her head if someone as powerful as he suspected had entered the room. He would protect his people, and that included even his soldiers. "Lady Kima, step aside." His commanding voice stopped any argument that might come from the sword-wielding woman. She did step aside, though her stance was still battle-ready.

With seemingly little concern he walked to the center of the room and fixed his gaze on the shadows. His eyes caught sight of a female body leaning casually against the wall, though he couldn't see much more than that. "Why are you here? What do you want?"

"My, my. Direct and to the point, I see." The woman said in a playful tone of voice. "What kind of manners are those?"

Saffron frowned. "The manners I show to people who intrude in my domain without announcing themselves." With that he formed a fireball in his right hand, ready to blast the person standing there, mocking him. "Now step forward."

She laughed a little at that, making Saffron narrow his eyes and Kima's blood boil in anger. After having that she walked out of the shadows, where the Phoenix people could see her. "Hello, Saffron." She said with a smile.

Kima tensed at the familiarity with which this landling referred to her King, but kept herself back following her Lord's orders.

Saffron frowned as the woman seemed somehow familiar to him. This made the woman pout. "You don't remember me? I'm hurt. Though I probably can't blame you. Your memories must be a mess after my little brother killed you."

Both winged people knew whom the woman was referring to. "You are Saotome's sister?" Saffron asked, his memories still refusing to come out in the open. The fireball in his hand was still ready, but something inside didn't let him attack this impudent woman, who claimed to be connected by blood to the accursed Ranma Saotome.

She smirked and shook her head. "He isn't a Saotome, Saffron."

"Stop being so familiar with the King!" Kima commanded. She was shaking in rage at the tone of voice the woman was using when speaking to Lord Saffron. It was condescending, almost demeaning.

Saffron signaled for Kima to remain quiet and turned his attention back to the woman. "I'm sure you didn't come here to inform me of your relation with Saotome. What do you want?"

She indignantly crossed her arms under her breasts and looked at the Phoenix with an impatient expression. "I told you he isn't a Saotome, you idiot. He's Ranma of the House of Nova."

"DIE!" Kima bellowed as she launched herself at the foolish woman. She had dared insult Lord Saffron, she would die.

Saffron reacted as if slapped by the mention of the name. Suddenly everything became clear. He knew why he thought he knew this woman. *How could I forget her?* The time it took him for everything to sink in was less than it took for Kima to make the first thrust. His expression one of apprehension, not something common in the Phoenix King, he launched the fireball to the floor on Kima's path. "Stop!" He commanded urgently, knowing what the consequences would be for his servant if she attacked the second born of the House of Nova.

Kima barely managed to stop her advance and jump back. Even if she did manage to evade the fireball the explosion still sent her flying back a few feet. She recovered instantly and landed on her feet, her eyes fully focused on Saffron.

The guards entered the throne room with weapons drawn, but Saffron angrily commanded them to remain outside and not let anyone enter. There was so much power behind his every word that they didn't hesitate even for a second.

Once again alone, Saffron slowly made his way to the smirking woman. His following actions made Kima faint. Hardened soldier or not she couldn't stand the sight of Lord Saffron kneeling in front of the woman and reverently kissing her hand. "Hira-sama."

"Stand up, Saffron. I don't want your woman to faint again if she wakes up to see you kneeling before me." Hinako said calmly.

"My woman?" Saffron was startled by the very concept of having Kima as a woman and blushed to the roots of his hair. It took him a full minute of embarrassment to see the giggling Hinako and understand she was just teasing him. "Hira-sama, that wasn't funny."

Hinako continued giggling for a couple of minutes and Saffron sighed, knowing it would be fruitless to try and stop her. Rather he turned his attention to Kima. It was the first time he had seen the soldier drop in a faint. *It's probably the first time it happens.*

The Phoenix King sighed again, something he wasn't used to, and knelt next to his servant. He placed one hand over Kima's forehead and concentrated briefly. The winged woman snapped awake almost immediately, she didn't waste any time in regarding her surroundings.

Saffron stood and turned to Hinako, who by now was quietly studying him. He felt rather self-conscious at the examination, but did his best to hide his nervousness.

Kima stood up and picked up her sword. "Who are you?" She asked in a voice that demanded an answer. As far as she was concerned Lord Saffron was her liege and no one should speak so casually to him.

Hinako tilted her head to the side and regarded Kima with appraising eyes. "I'm Hinako. Second born of the House of Nova."

"And the person who created me." Saffron added for Kima to understand. He couldn't risk the soldier losing her temper again and wasting her life in a futile attempt against a Nova. Seeing Kima do a double take, but remain conscious, he continued. "It's been incredibly long since I last saw her, and she didn't call herself Hinako then." He said turning back to his creator.

"What?" Kima asked intelligently, turning to the woman as well.

Hinako grinned as the cat who ate the canary.

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Ryoga knocked another of the guards out, a bored expression on his face. He turned just in time to get a fist to the face, and heard the distinctive sound of crushing bones. "Baka." He said as he grabbed the guy holding his broken hand and punched him out of consciousness. He dropped the dead weight and kicked the double doors open, and clear off their hinges. Walking into the huge room with a confident smirk he dealt with two other guards, a single blow to each one. *Pathetic.* He thought, even though he couldn't really blame them for being so weak. Ranma had thousands of years of hard training over them.

He continued walking forward, his eyes now intent on someone sitting comfortably in a throne. Power emanated from that young man, so very different from the weaklings he had to deal with on his way here. A power so great he could've taken care of any invader, had it not been a Nova.

The young man stood up, anger clear on his features but held back by the show of strength just given by the older man, who appeared to be in his late twenties. "What is the meaning of this? How dare you enter the Musk Citadel like this?"

Ryoga stopped short of the man by a few feet, towering over him. The distance between them could very well be none, for the sheer power they both emanated covered nearly the entire room. With a snort, the older man spoke in a deep voice. "Prince of the Musk Dynasty, do you know your origins?"

Herb flared his aura at the question. "How dare you question the ruler of the powerful Musk?"

Ryoga nodded in understanding. "So you don't know. Or you forgot. Why does the Musk Dynasty have a Prince instead of a King?" Herb roared in rage and threw a punch, which was effortlessly caught in Ryoga's vice grip. The later continued as if nothing happened. "Open your eyes, Prince of Demagorth Govian." And he released the Musk Prince. Ryoga wasn't one for long speeches, so he went directly to the point.

That title made Herb take a step back, staring in disbelief at the huge man. He couldn't believe someone else knew about the true origins of the Musk Dynasty. It was a secret passed on from father to son in the royal family. The only possibility was too hard to believe.

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"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!" Haruka bellowed as she attacked the guy before he had a chance to answer. She would let him answer after he woke up from the beating she was going to give him.

The man moved impossibly fast and Haruka found her punch missing its mark. That should have been enough to tell her this was no ordinary person, but having just woken up she wasn't thinking straight. She tried again, ignoring the man's request for a chance to explain himself.

Haruka continued trying to even touch the guy, all the time dishing out curses and promises of pain. These, in exchange, caught the attention of the rest of the household. Michiru and Hotaru arrived to see Haruka breathing heavily, still trying to beat on the mature Mousse.

"Will you please let me explain." He said calmly. Even if she had some training in the Art, it was nearly nothing compared to his.

Michiru at first was afraid Haruka would hurt her brother, but after a few seconds she realized Mousse was in no danger whatsoever. By the time Haruka couldn't keep up with her attacks both Michiru and Hotaru had amused expressions on their faces. Mousse wasn't even breathing hard. It seemed like Ranma had trained him well.

Haruka was currently kneeling, taking deep breaths and glaring up at the intruder in her house. "What do you want?" She growled out once she recovered enough to talk. Right now she was starting to realize that if the man wanted to hurt her he had many chances to do so.

"I wanted to take a bath. I'm going to China with Ranma today." The man answered.

It took Haruka a full five seconds to make the connection in her mind. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Mousse?" She felt like an idiot. It didn't help matters any that Michiru and Hotaru picked that particular moment to start giggling. Mousse reached down and offered a hand to the blonde, a smile on his face. Haruka accepted his offer for help and turned in mock anger at her lover and Hotaru. "And what are you two laughing at?"

Both Hotaru and Michiru stopped laughing and regarded Haruka seriously, then started laughing again. Haruka couldn't help but laugh with them, even if she was the one being laughed at.

Mousse silently left the room with a smile on his face. He entered the bathroom and started undressing. Then went through the motions of taking a bath mechanically. Only when he found himself resting in the furo did he start thinking about the event. *They're a family.* He thought. The way they acted around each other reminded him of how things were when he and Michiru were young. *But this isn't my place. I'm an intruder here.* Mousse knew he was part of another family now. One Ranma, even if he was younger than the 'supposed Amazon,' started with the Art as the common interest. Mousse felt at ease here, but every reunion between Ranma's students always brought him joy.

Now he felt elation at the prospect of another reunion. One that could be permanent. Ranma said the path of the Art was one of loneliness, since anything that had a hold on you stopped your progress. Even if he was reunited with Setsuna, the woman he loved the most, Mousse could tell Ranma still lived the Art, not an ounce of devotion taken away from it. Maybe Ranma's words weren't entirely accurate. Maybe you could be a family man and still hold the Art. Mousse wanted that.

A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. He shook his head. "Hai?"

Michiru's voice could be heard from outside. "Just wanted to check on you, Mousse. You've been in there a long time and breakfast is ready."

The man smiled. "Arigato. I'll be down in a minute." *No time to think about this. Today we welcome a new face to our lines.*

With that Ranma's first student got out of the furo and prepared himself for the day's festivities.

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"Are you ready?" Soap asked with a pleasant smile. "It's almost time." She turned to the window and saw it was nearly noon. Ranma would be there shortly.

Cologne, who was dressed in an oversized robe, sighed as she stood up and nodded. All the arrangements were taken care of, and the council had chosen the new matriarch of the Amazons. She was still surprised her people had taken the news so well. That she was resigning her position as the matriarch to become the second grandmaster of the Art with Soap.

Also, it was quite unnerving no one inquired about it. Sure, it would be a great advantage to have another grandmaster training the warriors, but she had expected for at least her rivals in the council to protest, jealously leading their actions.

What Cologne didn't know, and wouldn't believe if told, was that in truth even her rivals respected her skills in the Art. And from that respect came joy that their best warrior would become an immortal monument to the Art, just like Soap. When they were told the ceremony would be a private matter they accepted it without protest, even though some of the young ones had to be 'convinced' not to eavesdrop.

As they made their way outside, Cologne once again was amazed at the chi control everyone had. Aside from Shampoo, she wasn't able to feel anyone's presence, even if they were all ready.

As they exited the house Cologne could see Tofu and Taro standing to one side, Mousse on the other and Ranma in front. Off to the side Setsuna and Shampoo watched everything with interest.

Soap nodded to everyone present and assumed her position next to Mousse. Ranma nodded and focused his attention on Cologne. "Greetings, Cologne. Is everything ready?"

The former matriarch of the Amazons nodded. "Hai, Ranma-sensei." She realized she couldn't really call Ranma any other way after everything that had happened between them, even if most of it was an act on the pigtailed martial artist's part.

Ranma smiled. "Then step forth and let my sister grant you your youth back." As if on cue, a shimmering portal of black energy appeared to Ranma's right. Two people stepped out of it and it disappeared.

Cologne's senses screamed danger at the ridiculously high amounts of power those two emanated. She instantly recognized them, even though the man was older than she remembered, and wondered if anyone near Ranma was normal.

Ranma shook his head and he turned to Hinako. "Will you ever stop making entrances like that?"

Hinako smirked. "Of course not. That's part of my charm."

Ryoga snorted. "What charm?" His reward for that comment was an elbow to the gut. Everyone else would've thrown up with such a powerful blow. To Ryoga it nearly tickled.

Ranma shook his head and sighed. "I suppose it was too much to ask of you two to be serious." Shrugging that off he turned back to Cologne. "The process will probably hurt a little, but don't worry. Hinako knows what she's doing."

Cologne nodded without an ounce of fear. With that the woman in the black dress stepped forward and placed a hand on Cologne's forehead. "Don't move." She commanded.

The next thing the former matriarch knew was a pain so unbelievable she thought she would die. Her vision blurred and even though she wanted to scream her body wouldn't respond.

The others had to shield their eyes because of the sudden flash of light emanating from both Cologne and Hinako. Even though it lasted only a few seconds the ones who didn't turn around quickly enough had to blink to clear their vision.

Mousse stepped forward to catch the falling woman. He had seen this happen three times now, and all of those Hinako was spent when finished. He once asked her about it, and the response he got made sense. It was much more difficult granting life than destroying something. "Thanks, handsome." Hinako sleepily said, her eyes closed.

The others missed the exchange because their attention was on the other person. Standing there was a purple-haired woman who appeared to be in her twenties. Her resemblance to Shampoo nothing short of astonishing. She was looking down at her hands, once wrinkled and small, in wonder. She felt so different, and at the same time there was a feeling of familiarity with the change she underwent. Her balance was off, but not something she couldn't compensate. In fact she felt she only needed to remember how to use this new body, like someone who hasn't been on a bicycle for years.

Ranma and the others waited patiently for Cologne to finish her examination. Taro and Tofu remembered the feeling of being in a young body after being close to the grave and smiled at Cologne. Elation was the dominant feeling they once had, and Cologne's aura was filling with that very same emotion.

Shampoo watched wide-eyed as her great grandmother changed from being an old crone to being nearly her twin. In fact if someone who didn't know them saw the pain they would at the least think they were sisters. She also understood the implications of the change. Cologne would never age now, living for as long as nothing killed her, and it would be quite hard for someone to achieve that.

Setsuna hid her shock better than Shampoo, but either way was astonished. She had felt the magic power emanated during the short moments of the spell, and she recognized it. *She's incredible!* Hinako reverted Cologne's age to her mid twenties and then somehow managed to emulate the power of the Silver Crystal and combined it with Nova power, in the process making the power concentrate on Cologne's body alone. Had the Senshi of Time been a couple of meters further back she wouldn't have felt a thing. She sighed in relief when Hinako collapsed after she was done. The thought of someone who could use that kind of power without being drained was unnerving.

Ryoga smirked. "Wimp." Too bad Hinako wasn't awake to hear it. *Oh well. I'll just have to wait till she wakes up and start the teasing.*

Ranma ignored his brother and walked to Cologne, who by now was smiling widely at the feel of her young body. His students, except for Mousse who was still holding the unconscious Hinako, followed the gesture and the newest of them was quickly surrounded. "How're you feeling?"

Cologne took a deep breath and stretched her arms upward, reveling in the motion. What she forgot was that Shampoo got her assets from someone, and with the move she thrust her chest forward with only the thin robe to cover her breasts. Tofu and Soap snickered when Taro turned a deep shade of red at the view. The purple-haired woman stood casually and answered with a smile. "Alive."

Tofu smirked. "Not for long. The real training starts now." The expressions on everyone's faces made Cologne gulp, wondering what Tofu meant by that. She did know what it meant, but she didn't want to think about it right now.

Ranma nodded. "And Tofu is gonna help you adapt to the routine." His eyes glinted when Tofu groaned. *Serves you right for teasing Cologne. And I still haven't forgotten what you did to Soap.*

After a few minutes Setsuna approached Ryoga. "When is the council taking place?"

"Tomorrow." The man crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes focused on the celebrating group. The celebration consisting of a fight where Cologne was adapting to her new body. For this Ranma teamed with Cologne while all the others took the other side. It was a fight restricted to only physical attacks.

Setsuna nodded and turned to the fight as well. Ranma was doing a good job of supporting Cologne whenever she needed assistance, while at the same time dealing with his opponents with frightening ease. The only ones who did come close to him in hand-to-hand skill were Tofu and Soap. Mousse was better using his chi in special techniques while Taro was still relatively new in the group.

The fight continued on for hours, and after a while Hinako joined the others in watching. The end result was Ranma and Cologne managing to defeat all the others, though the later was so exhausted when it was all over that she passed out.

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"I found him." She whispered as she hung the phone. *Good.* A voice, but not her own, spoke back in her mind.

END PART 11