"Blood Calls Out For Blood" A Ranma « / Sailor Moon Crossover Sailor Moon and all related properties are properties of Naoko Takeuchi. Ranma « and all related properties are properties of Rumiko Takahashi. This story is inspired by Vaughan Stevens' "Recruiting" and I owe him a debt of gratitude for a good story and inspiration. Chapter 6 - Here's Kaiba? The woman formerly known as Saotome Ranma stepped into the house that was the dwelling for the warriors of the outer worlds, and didn't bother to look about as she stopped in the middle of the living room. "Is there a place we can take a nap?" Kaiba asked, not even looking back. Michiru nodded. "We've an extra room you can stay in, Kaiba-san," she explained as she led the confused woman toward a little side room next to Hotaru's. Kaiba sat on the bed within and just stared at the wall. "Are you going to be alright, Kaiba-san?" she asked, her tone filled with concern. Kaiba looked up and shrugged. "We'll survive. we're good at that." She replies. Michiru sighed and sat down next to her, placing an arm over her shoulder. "Kaiba, I know it's a lot to go through, but we're all here if you need to talk. Haruka, Hotaru, Usagi, even Setsuna once in a while." She said, trying to make a joke about the infrequence of Setsuna's appearances. Kaiba nodded mutely, staring at the wall for a moment longer, before saying, "We think we should get some sleep now." Without another word, she rested her head on the pillow before going out like a light. Michiru frowned in worry as she left, closing the door behind her, and then embraced Haruka. "I'm worried, love." she said straight out. Haruka nodded softly and sighed. "Yeah. Me too. Poor kid." Akane and Nabiki made their way to Saotome-ke, moving to knock at the door gently. "Saotome- kaasan? Ranma? Is anyone home?" They waited a few moments, before stepping back. "Are you looking for Nodoka?" an older woman asked from near them. "A policewoman came by the other day, saying she's at the hospital." Akane and Nabiki went pale, and nodded. "Thank you," Nabiki said as both bowed, before dashing for the hospital. A few minutes later, they reached the hospital and moved to the counter. "Can we see Saotome Nodoka?" Akane asked breathlessly. The receptionist looked up. "I'm sorry we're only allowing family right now-" Akane swallowed. "She's my fianc‚e's mother. And this is my sister." The receptionist nodded gently and gave them the location. The two walked to the room and slipped in quietly, looking at the sleeping woman. "Obaasan." They whispered gently as they sat down, keeping a vigil over her. "I only hope Ranma's ok." Kaiba woke a few hours later, staring at the ceiling, conversing with herself. <> One of the voices, let us call her mostly-Ami, spoke. <> the other main voice, say, mostly-Ranma, replied. <> Mostly-Ami agreed. <> Mostly-Ranma protested, <> Mostly-Ami sighed. <> Mostly-Ranma shrugged. <> Mostly-Ami nodded. <> Mostly-Ranma snorted. <> Mostly-Ami replied, <> Mostly-Ranma hrmed softly. <> Mostly-Ami paused and replied, <> Mostly-Ranma thought for a moment. <> The other voice paused. <> <> Mostly-Ami agreed. <> Mostly-Ranma replied, <> <> Mostly-Ranma replied, <> Ami paused and sighed. <> Ranma replied, <> Ami groaned as she realized what it was. <>, both personalities replied. Hotaru, Haruka, Setsuna and Michiru began to eat their breakfast, worried about the lack of their newest housemate. Said housemate came down the stairs, looking a hint disheveled. "Hello, everyone." The newest senshi walked to a chair and began to eat. And eat. And eat. The four other inhabitants all looked to one another and came to the same conclusion. One would think she was related to Usagi. Kaiba finished her meal and sighed. "Thank you, everyone, for letting us stay with you until things get settled." The older three flinched a bit at the plural pronoun, but nodded. "You're always welcome here, Kaiba," Setsuna replied, before asking, "So what are your plans today?" Kaiba sighed softly. "We're going to see our mothers. We have to work out a few things." Setsuna nodded. "That's understandable. Haruka can give you a ride there." She gave a meaningful look to the woman. Haruka nodded, understanding completely. "Sure, it's not a problem. I'd like to meet Saotome-san myself." And if it comes down to it, she thought to herself, I can give some backup. Kaiba thought about protesting, but nodded, rather hesitantly at that. "Thank you, Haruka-san. We appreciate it." After breakfast, Haruka and Kaiba left, driving uneventfully to the hospital where Nodoka was staying. The two went to the room, and paused as they saw who was inside. Akane and Nabiki were concerned as they talked quietly. "Nabiki, What are we going to do? I haven't seen Ranma since he came to talk to me the other day, and now baasan's here. What if Ranma's hurt or worse?" Nabiki sighed and shook her head. "I don't know. Things are getting too dangerous lately." Akane nodded. "Yeah." She paused as the door opened, and then went pale. "R. Ranma? Is that you?" Nabiki looked up and stared. Before their eyes were two people. The taller figure seemed like a man, but with their frequent experience with those who dressed like the opposite sex, they knew what to look for and realized that the person was a she. The other, however, stunned them. She looked like Ranma but was not quite. Kaiba didn't reply as she moved to her mother's side. "How is she?" She said, not answering the question. Nabiki replied, "She's. um, she's sleeping. Nice look, Ranma. What prompted this?" Kaiba looked up. "We're not Ranma anymore." She said quietly. "This is my friend, Ten'oh Haruka." Akane stifled the brief flare of irrational jealousy with a frustration with herself. "It's nice to meet you, Ten'oh-san." Haruka nodded. "It's very nice to meet you. You must be Akane. Kaiba's mentioned you." The two blinked. "Kaiba?" Kaiba sighed. "Us. We're Saotome Kaiba now." Nabiki shook off the disbelief and quipped, "You and the mouse in your pocket?" Kaiba sighed. "It's hard for u- me to explain. I'll try to explain it later." She then began to stare at her mother, very concerned. Haruka looked to the Tendou daughters. "Can I speak with you two alone, please?" Akane nodded eagerly, and both girls followed Haruka outside. "It has to do with what he talked about, doesn't it? Some way to help us?" Haruka nodded. "Yes. Kaiba's gone under a lot of changes, so please be patient with her. She still doesn't know who she is, I think." Nabiki rubbed her face for a moment. "So, when is he coming home?" Haruka shook her head. "That's up to her to decide. She's staying with myself and some friends for now, but it's up to her to decide." Akane frowned worriedly. "Why do you keep calling him a her?" Haruka sighed a bit. "Because she's not a he anymore. He gave it up to do what he has to, to save people. His life as Saotome Ranma's over. She chose the name Kaiba herself, probably to get over the loss of her past. Don't hold it against her. I don't know if I'd have the strength to go through what she has, and I've done a lot of things." Akane looked down, trying not to break into tears. "But. but I loved him." Haruka moved to her side, placing her hands on Akane's shoulders. "Don't let it stop you. If you love him, or her, then don't let what has happened to her stop you. Just because she's a woman, doesn't mean she's not the person you love. You have to decide whether you're strong enough to stay with Kaiba." Nabiki frowned, a bit of worry in her tone as she spoke up. "But what about her mother?" Akane paled at those words, realizing the implications of Nabiki's question. Haruka sighed. "If her mother will not accept her, then at least we will." Nabiki shook her head. "It's not that. They had some stupid contract. if Ranma wasn't a man among men, he would commit seppuku." Haruka blanched. "Oh hell." Kaiba took her mother's hand, squeezing it softly. "We don't know what to do, okaasan. We've gone through so many changes, and still have some to go through. We don't know how you're going to react to all of the changes, but we'll make you proud. We may not be the `man among men' you had in mind, but we will protect you and others. We won't let you down. Even if you don't accept us, we love you. And we always will. We promise." Kaiba looked down. "You'd have loved Ami too. Beautiful, kind, intelligent. she'll even help smooth off the rough edges, I think. We're worried how Ami's mother'll take this too. She works here, so maybe we can talk to her when we're done." A gentle hand brushed the hair from Nodoka's face. "As for these creatures. they die. They killed Ukyou, Ryouga. they almost killed you. We don't know what we would have done if they did that. We don't even wanna think about it. But they die. My friends and we are going to take them down, no matter what it takes, no matter what the price. If we can help it, we won't let another friend die. We won't watch people say goodbye to loved ones. We won't watch places like this fill up." Kaiba didn't even watch as Nodoka began to awaken. "You, the Tendous, and my new friends. you're all we have left. And by all the kami, we will not let you die. We may not be Ranma, anymore, but some things didn't change. Saotome Kaiba doesn't lose. And we're not going to lose." Nodoka stared at her son-turned-daughter. "Ranma?" She asked, shocked at her child's new appearance and words. Kaiba looked up, and blinked, before squeezing the hand softly. "'Kaasan?" "Ranma, what's happened to you?" Nodoka said. Kaiba sighed. "We're Kaiba now, kaasan. We had to change, to make sure you were safe. To make sure we don't lose anyone else. We've lost so much already and we will not lose anyone else." Nodoka looked at the changes her daughter went through and sighed. "I see. But what about the promise?" Kaiba sighed. "Okaasan, We can't be a man among men. Not anymore. The best we can do is be your daughter. And a warrior. We have to stop others from being killed." She closes her eyes. "we would rather die a ronin, than life and watch everyone and everything we care about be destroyed." Nodoka turned pale, or rather, more pale than she already was. "You truly would sacrifice everything to protect?" Kaiba nodded. "We already have, haven't we?" Nodoka stared intently at her daughter. "No, you haven't. You still have friends. You haven't given up your honor." She then took Kaiba's hands in her own. "And you have not lost your mother." Kaiba looked at her. "Okaasan?" Nodoka nodded. "Ranma gave his life to gain the power to protect people and save lives. I can think of no better proof that one is a man among men. If he cannot claim that, no one can." She admits, embarrassed. "I suppose I should get to know my daughter now. So, Kaiba?" Kaiba nodded. "It's in honor of another who lost her life in the battle, Mizuno Ami. And what better than a horse of the sea?" Nodoka paused and nodded. "I see. Very fitting, my child. You realize that it also is called the Tatsu No Otosuno?" Kaiba paused, and smiled. "Dragon. yes. That fits very well. We did not think about that." Nodoka smiled gently, then paused as three people entered the room, and paused, watching the scene. She recognized Akane and Nabiki, but paused as she looked to the stranger. "Kaiba-chan?" She asked. Kaiba nodded gently. "Okaasan, this is one of our new friends, Ten'oh Haruka. She's helping us deal with the things that we have sacrificed and what we have become." Haruka bowed. "It is an honor to meet you, Saotome-san." The Tendous relaxed and nodded. "Are you alright, baasan?" Akane asked. "Yes, I'm fine, dear." Nodoka sat up a bit. "I was just having a talk with my daughter here." Nabiki barely concealed a sigh of relief as Akane nodded mutely. Haruka smiled and patted Kaiba's shoulder. "She's got a lot of potential, and a lot to live up to. But I think she's going to do very well." Nodoka looked curious but did not press the issue, as a nurse stepped in. "Visiting hours are almost over." She informed regretfully. Kaiba nodded. "I understand." She looked to her mother, "Okaasan, I'll try to visit as often as I can," she replies then stands, giving a gentle hug to Nodoka. "Please get better." She asked, receiving a nod from Nodoka as the four leave. Akane looked at Kaiba and tapped her shoulder. "Ra.. Kaiba?" she asked gently. Kaiba turned toward Akane. "Yes, Akane?" Akane looked into her fianc‚e's eyes, and swallowed. "Can we talk later?" Kaiba looked to Haruka, who nodded softly. "Yes, Akane. I need to talk to you as well." Kaiba paused and then very nervously asked, "Would. you like to talk over dinner maybe?" Akane blinked. Ranma was asking her on a date? This was a surprise. And one that she was hoping for, but not in this way. Still, it would give them a chance to talk. "Certainly, R- Kaiba." Kaiba nodded and gave Akane a gentle hug before looking to Haruka. "Ready when you are," she said softly as the two left. Nabiki shook her head. "She's grown up a lot." Akane blinked, as if noticing Nabiki for the first time. "Yeah. but haven't we all?" Nabiki paused, and nodded. "You're right." (Author's Note: I confirmed that Kaiba is one word for sea horse, but there's another word for it, tatsu no otoshigo, and tatsu means dragon. Rather fitting if one considers the Hiryu Shoten Ha (Rising Dragon Ascension Defeat, no?)