The Characters herein are the property of Naoko Takeuchi and others,
not me, I mearly write in tribute to them.
This is set in the last few paragraphs of chapter 4 of A Different Viewpoint. Johnathon has failed to cure Ranma's cat phobia and a month later leaves Nerima for China, searching for a cure to the Jusenkyo curses. This is set in that undefined month before he leaves. It is a crossover with Sailor Moon, and should last one long chapter. The main Ranma story line will be crossing over with some Sailor Moon characters in Chapter 14, and that will continue for some time, so this is the beginning of that.
A Different Viewpoint side story. "Cats, Youma, and Senshi, Oh My!"
It was the beginning of a four day holiday from school. Johnathon Dwire, the 25 year old English teacher at Furinkan high school had decided to get away from Nerima's usual craziness. He planned on visiting some other sections of Tokyo that he hadn't gotten to see yet.
Early the first day of his vacation Johnathon got off the bus at his first stop in Juuban. He headed for a manga convention he had heard about in this section of town. Johnathon had not yet reached his destination when he heard screams from nearby. Not playful screams, or the screams of children, but screams of terror. The sound was unmistakable, although he couldn't remember hearing such screams before, there was no doubting the emotion that drove them. Johnathon headed that way quickly, on the lookout for trouble. He found it.
Johnathon saw a dozen teenagers in front of an outdoor booth, apparently just on the edge of the manga convention. They were being mesmerized by some kind of huge demonic knight on a horrific winged horse. The horse was obviously flying, so Johnathon figured that it wasn't just some stunt by the convention. The knight, having scared the teens sufficiently for his purposes, put out a hand and a wave of gray enveloped the young conventioneers. After several seconds they all dropped, falling unconscious.
Johnathon was angry and scared out of his mind. < I've got to do something!> He ran toward the knight. Jumped on to the hood of a conveniently placed parked car, ran to it's roof and leapt at the knight. Johnathon hoped to grapple with him and pull him off his demonic horse. < Perhaps a fifteen foot fall in that armor will stun him.> Johnathon got a hold and tried to pull the knight out of the saddle. The black armored figure only budged a little before straightening and grabbing Johnathon by the throat. < He's incredibly strong! I'm in trouble!>
From behind him Johnathon heard a female voice shouting something about Jupiter. Makoto finished transforming to Sailor Jupiter. She watched helplessly as the black knight held the tall man in black by the throat, hanging in mid air. For just a moment as she had watched the man in black running up the parked car Makoto had mistaken him for Mamoru Chiba, but it was someone else.
Sailor Jupiter swore in frustration. < I can't fire my lightning without hitting him too!> She watched horrified for a moment then shouted. "In the name of Jupiter, I'll punish you black knight!" The Youma did not pay her any attention however. The tall man in it's grip was struggling to draw it's sword. Johnathon had just managed to get the weapon free of it's sheath when the black knight threw him at the manga booth with great force.
Jupiter growled in anger and summoned her power. "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" The lightning struck the black knight and crackled off his armor, slightly scorching him, but failing to do much damage. The black knight had noticed her now and turned his steed in her direction. He charged, pulling his mace from his belt.
As Johnathon had pulled free the black knights sword, he had felt the armored warrior winding up to throw him. A second later he had been flying through the air toward the manga booth. Johnathon struggled to get his feet under him and hit the booth feet first. He smashed into it, toppling it and falling past it to the ground. The young english teacher lay there for several long moments in pain. Slowly he forced himself to stand. Johnathon looked up to see the black knight charging a cute girl in a strange sailor suit with a short skirt.
Sailor Jupiter threw a ball of lightning at it's horse, causing Johnathon to open his eyes wide in surprise. The lightning caused the horse to rear and the black knight fell to the ground. The horse then vanished in a flash of light and a pillar of black smoke. Johnathon started forward, hefting the sword he had somehow managed to keep a hold of. The black knight stood and started towards the girl in the short skirt. She backed away quickly and shouted again. "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" Johnathon saw the lightning crash into the knights armor, acing off it and grounding out harmlessly.
The black knight raised it's huge mace and swung it at the senshi, who made a fantastic leap to escape. Johnathon couldn't help but take a good look at her as she jumped. She wore a tiara, and long gloves and boots. She looked a little silly, but she could really move. Sailor Jupiter landed and tossed another ball of lightning which had the same effect as the first.
Johnathon broke into a run. < She needs help! What am I doing? Never mind, just run!> The black knight moved in again and swung his mace. Sailor Jupiter leapt aside and the knight's mace shattered a fire hydrant. The knight kept after the Sailor Senshi, swinging again and again, keeping her from having enough time to use her lightning attack. Johnathon altered his course, careful to stay away from the water gushing out of the ground. He ran in an arc, headed for the knight.
Sailor Jupiter saw him rushing in, sword lowered. She jumped to the side to keep the black knight's back to the tall man. < What a guy! I hope he doesn't get hurt!> Johnathon used his running momentum to thrust the black knight's sword into a joint in his armor, where the front plate joined the back. It sunk in a full foot and the black knight shuddered at the attack. It spun with great speed and swung it's mace. Johnathon jumped back, letting the sword go and barely dodging the blow.
The black knight moved in, swinging his mace and Johnathon ducked as he shouted to the Sailor Senshi. "The sword! Hit the sword with your lightning!"
Sailor Jupiter paused in the middle of preparing to zap the black knight in the back. < That's a good idea!> She summoned the full force of her lightning. "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" She shouted with gusto. Johnathon saw the mace headed for him and knew he wasn't going to dodge quick enough this time. He blocked with both arms in front of him and felt great pain as the mace slammed into his forearms and flung him backwards, right toward the column of water from the broken hydrant.
Sailor Jupiter watched her lightning strike the hilt of the sword. The electricity focused along the sword and grounded out through the crack in the black knight's armor. Seconds passed and then the black knight exploded in a flash of light and a cloud of black smoke. It left behind a slowly spinning tarot card which blacked and disintegrated.
Sailor Jupiter sighed in relief. < That was a really tough fight!> She ran over toward where the guy that had helped her had been knocked by the knight's mace. < I hope he's not too badly injured.> There was no sign of him. Water rained down from the broken hydrant, making it hard to see, but there was no man lying injured. She walked around a bit, looking, and spotted something in a pool of water on the ground. Sailor Jupiter went over and picked up the soaked black turtleneck. "His clothing? Where did he go?"
In fact the tall man's clothing was in a pile there, but there was no sign of him. Sailor Jupiter looked around but the only thing she spotted was the other Sailor Senshi, heading her way.
Usagi, (Sailor Moon) asked. "Where's the Youma?"
Sailor Jupiter turned to her. "I beat it, with a little help from this guy... who's vanished now." She held up his turtleneck. "His clothing is here but..."
Sailor Moon looked puzzled. "Maybe he disintegrated?"
Rei (Sailor Mars) lightly punched the blond girl in the back of the head. "That's terrible! Maybe he's like Tuxedo Kamen, and has a costume?"
Sailor Jupiter nodded worriedly. "I hope it's something like that."
Ami (Sailor Mercury), had stopped several yards away and knelt down. "Ah, poor little guy." She gently picked up an unconscious black cat. It's front legs were a little bloody and it looked like it had dragged itself to that point. Mercury examined the cat closely. It was wet, but otherwise clean and in good condition. She stood, cradling the cat in her arms. He was about the same size as Luna and Artemis, and did not wear a collar. Her heart went out to the cute little cat. < He must have been injured in the youma attack.>
Ami had never had a pet of her own. < Maybe
I can adopt this little guy.> The rest of the Senshi were ready to
go. The police were coming and the people at the manga booth were
recovering. No one seemed to be looking for a cat, and he didn't
have a collar. < He's hurt anyway, I'll just take care of him
until he's better.>
--------------------------------------------------------------
Slowly Johnathon woke. Someone was bandaging
his arm... < No, that's my leg now. I'm still a cat. I remember
transforming as I flew through that column of water from the hydrant...>
Ever since
he had ran into that Chinese girl, Shampoo. He had gotten splashed
with that bucket of water from the cursed springs of Jusenkyo while saving
her from a car. Now he changed into a black cat the color of his
hair whenever he was splashed with cold water. < I remember trying
to crawl away after getting hit by that mace, it hurt like hell.
I must have blacked out. Where am I now?>
A pretty girl with short black hair was finishing putting a bandage on his front right leg. She had apparently already done the same for the other front leg. "Oh, you're awake?" She had a nice voice. She kind of looked like Akane Tendo, his sparring partner and the daughter of his martial art's instructor. Her voice was softer and her touch was very gentle.
Johnathon surveyed the bandages approvingly. < Very professionally done.>
Ami noticed his scrutiny and giggled. "So, do you approve?"
Johnathon started to nod then caught himself. < Oops, I'm a cat!> The girl did not seem to notice anything unusual.
Ami continued to talk. "I'm glad you like them. Don't worry little guy, I'll take them off in a few days." Carefully, the little black cat moved his front legs. They were stiff and ached, but didn't seem broken. The girl stroked his head in reassurance. "Ah good, they don't hurt too much now do they?" Slowly Johnathon got to his feet. His legs bore his weight with no real complaint. Ami petted him some more, encouraged by his actions.
Johnathon caught himself moving into her hand as she petted him. < That feels good.> Ami was delighted by the responsiveness of the little cat. He was a quiet little guy. He hadn't made any noise at all when she had bandaged his legs. He wasn't purring now either, although he was obviously enjoying the petting.
Johnathon looked around at his surroundings. He was in a bedroom, nicely furnished. There was a poster of Einstein on one wall. A computer sat on an efficient looking desk. A medium sized bed with dark blue sheets was in the center of the room. A tall chest of drawers was in the corner and a bookcase along one wall. The room was very neat for a teenage girls room. There were lots of books stacked neatly in the bookcase. Science books mostly. He was on the desk in a clear space and she sat in a chair in front of him.
Ami continued petting the black cat for awhile. "Now what should I call you? You're a quiet little fellow, how about Whisper?"
The Johnathon liked that. < Not a bad name for a cat.> He purred, letting her know he was pleased.
Ami smiled "You like that huh? OK, Whisper it is." She picked him up then. Johnathon was uncomfortable being lifted off his feet but didn't resist. She gently put him on the floor. "Would you like something to eat? Are you hungry fellow?"
Johnathon was unenthusiastic. < Oh no, dried cat food I bet, yuck.> He didn't respond.
Ami stood up and walked out of the room, carefully closing the door behind her. Johnathon explored for awhile. It was a nice room really. He checked out the bookcase again. Most of the books were indeed science and medical books. There didn't appear to be any way out save the door. Johnathon sat down to wait.
After a while the girl came back in with two bowls which she set down next to the desk. Again she was careful to close the door behind her. Johnathon checked out the bowls and was pleasantly surprised. A bowl of milk and the other bowl had little pieces of chicken in it.
He looked up at the girl in amazement. < Wow! Now that's cat food!>
She looked back. "Well, are you hungry?"
Johnathon wasn't actually very hungry, but he didn't want her to think he didn't want the food. He rubbed against her ankles purring. < Cat's do this when they're happy right?> He went over to the bowls and started eating. The girl seemed pleased. She sat on her bed and watched him eat.
As he sampled the chicken Johnathon tried to remember. < How did I get here anyway? The last thing I remember was that black knight going up in a cloud of smoke. Then I was here. That girl must have found me when I was unconscious and brought me home for a pet. How am I going to get out of this? I could try to run for it. I could probably escape, if I could just get an opportunity, but what then? I'm most likely miles from home. As a cat it would be quite a hike, especially on my injured legs.>
Johnathon considered his options. < I could change back to human, but I don't know where my clothing is. I'd have to steal some clothing as well as find some hot water. Doing that without letting people know my secret wouldn't be easy. Sheesh, this is quite a problem!> The English teacher turned little black cat gave the matter serious thought. < Probably would be best to let my legs heal up and walk home as a cat.>
Johnathon finished eating and carefully washed himself with his tongue. < Yech!> He sighed inwardly. < I had better keep clean. If this girl thinks I'm dirty she'll probably give me a bath. Hot water will give me away with one splash.>
Ami watched Whisper eat. He was a dainty eater, and he carefully washed himself afterward. He then walked over to the bed, limping a bit. The little cat looked up at her, waiting for something.
< He wants me to pick him up?> Ami obliged the little cat. "Poor little fella. Your legs still hurt huh?" She put him on the bed next to her and he laid down. Ami stroked the cat gently and he stretched under her hand. After a while she stood up and went over to her desk to do some homework.
Johnathon curled up and started going to sleep. < Oh well. If I'm going to be a pet for a few days I could have done a lot worse. This isn't bad!>
They next morning Johnathon woke to the sun. He was alone on the bed, and supposed that he had slept through the girl's departure. < I wonder what her name is?> He hopped down off the bed, wincing a bit as his legs touched the floor. < Ouch, I'll have to be more careful.> He wandered over to the desk, and looked up. The chair was pulled slightly out, so he figured he could jump to the desk top, but he wasn't sure he wanted to strain himself. He started over to the bookshelf to peruse the titles when the door slid open behind him.
It was the girl. She had obviously just finished bathing, her skin was gleaming with a few last drops of water above the towel she was wearing. Her watched her as she came in. She glanced at the bed, then looked about until she spotted him by her desk. "Oh there you are! Are you feeling better this morning?"
Johnathon was tempted to nod. He did feel better, the rest had certainly helped, as had the bandages. He didn't want to scare her, so instead he just looked at her. She bent down to affectionately scratch his ears. He didn't notice at first but that gave him a good look at, < Wow! She's pretty stacked for a girl her age.> He glanced downward, embarrassed. < This isn't easy, Acting like a cat isn't going to be quite like I expected. I hope she doesn't...> He glanced back at her, and quickly away again. She had walked over to her chest of drawers, and pulled out the top one, and was going through it with one hand. She had also incidentally, taken off the towel. < I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I'm just a cat to her after all. I'll just try not to watch.>
A few minutes later Ami was dressed for school. She looked for Whisper, and saw that he was over by her bookshelf, looking at the books as if he was reading the titles. "Hey Whisper, do I have a mouse hole back there?" She asked with a slight smile. < I wonder what's so interesting about that corner. He's been ignoring me since I got back.> As she walked over to him, he turned to look at her though, and sat back to look up into her face. She knelt down to take a closer look at him, and caressed his face lightly.
Johnathon was surprised at the wealth of sensations he was receiving. He hadn't really considered it before, but his hearing as a cat was much better, he had actually heard her fumbling with each button on her shirt, and the cloth sliding against her skin as she pulled her socks on. As she caressed his cheek, he could feel the slight ridges in her palm, soft as it was. His cheek was as sensitive as his hands had ever been. < My whiskers I guess.> He relaxed as her hands carefully moved over his body, squeezing gently at times. < What is she doing? Not that I mind, it feels good, but it's kind of strange?>
She finished examining him and stood up. "Well, you seem to be in pretty good shape for a stray, I wonder if you were abandoned, but if you were it can't of been too long ago, you're too well groomed for that."
Johnathon wished he could laugh. < Thanks, I think, I do try to keep myself presentable.>
Ami started to pack her bag for school, as Whisper watched her interestedly. "Sorry I can't take you with me to school little guy, but pets are against the rules. I'll see you in a few hours." She looked at him as he gazed at her, and then lay down near her bag as if he understood her.
Johnathon did understand, actually, he wasn't to disappointed. < Maybe I'll get a chance to read her copy of "A Brief History of Time", I haven't had the chance to do more than skim it last time I saw it. He was distracted again as he lay down next to her bed. His new senses were telling him that the girl's bag had contained a tuna sandwich fairly recently. He sniffed at the bag. < I guess I'm smelling her lunch from yesterday? Let's see, tuna, apple, um what's that, wheat bread? Not bad, this sense of smell could really come in handy.>
Ami smiled as Whisper sniffed at her bag. "Sorry, nothing in there for you. I'll get you some food from the kitchen to tide you over until I get back okay?" He watched again as she left the room, and returned with the dishes she had used last night, along with some fresh leftovers from her chicken dinner, and water instead of milk. She placed them down, and was a bit surprised when he didn't immediately investigate. Her looked at her face as she set them down, and shook himself a bit before getting to his feet and walking over to the bowls. He looked up at her almost as if asking her a question, but gave a few laps at the water, and nibbled at the chicken politely before stopping. He paused to look at her, then went over to scratch at the door softly. < I wonder, was he house trained?> She picked him up, opened the door and carried him to the back porch. She carefully set him down outside in her fenced in backyard. She watched him as he surveyed his surroundings, a little anxious that he might try to leave. He seemed content to examine the yard however.
Johnathon was glad she had taken him outside so easily. < When I need to it should be easy enough to escape then.> He enjoyed the varied scents of the garden, before looking for a secluded spot to, um, do his business. When he was finished, he walked back over to her slowly. < My legs still smart from yesterday, I'd better take it easy.> She took him back up to her room, petted him again for a few minutes. < Oh I could get used to this!> Then she got up and left without another word. He sat on the bed for a minute, then leapt down, a bit more carefully then he had earlier. He went over to her bookcase and carefully pulled out the one he had his eye on earlier. He read it completely, and enjoyed the luxury of the time to just enjoy a good read. He was tired when he finished and had a time putting the book back into the shelf. He finally got it into place, but he couldn't shove it all the way back. He sighed. < Oh well, she probably won't even notice. He leapt up to the bed, tired enough to fall asleep again, and relaxed in a sunbeam remembering a particular line from the book. He wondered. "Did God have a choice in creating the universe?"
He woke to the girl sitting down on the bed, it felt like several hours later. She set a rolled up sleeping bag down next to him. Johnathon looked up at the girl quizzically.
Ami looked down at her new pet. "Hey boy, would you like to come with me to Usagi's house?"
Johnathon got up and stretched. < It looks like she's going to go to a sleep over at a friends house.> The girl reached for him. Johnathon moved away and jumped off the bed. < Oof. Not quite yet!> He hurried over to the bowls and took a piece of chicken.
Ami started after the cat then stopped. "Hungry huh? OK Whisper, why don't you eat." The cat did so, eating quickly this time.
Johnathon had decided on his course of action. < I don't want to be locked up in her room for the rest of the night, but I don't want to let this food go to waste either!> He felt satisfied after a couple of minutes and looked back at her. The girl had been waiting patiently for him on the bed. Johnathon walked up to her feet, looked up and meowed softly.
Ami smiled at the cat. "Ready to go boy?" He just sat at her feet, not wanting to appear too intelligent. Ami took his silence for consent and picked him up, slinging him under one arm. Johnathon was careful not to dig in with his claws as he held on. Ami picked up her sleeping bag and opened her door to go.
The trip was uneventful. Johnathon didn't recognize any landmarks on the way to Usagi's house. It did seem like he was still in Tokyo, but he couldn't be sure. It was a unique experience riding in the crook of her arm for the whole way. Johnathon could feel each step she made, a giant walking along with giant strides. She walked smoothly enough he was glad to see, but it was still quite a bit of motion, much more than riding in a car or even riding a horse.
Johnathon shook his head. < Actually, her gait is much smoother than a horse, it's just the strides are comparatively larger, since I'm so small.> Johnathon noticed his whiskers brushing her chest as he moved his head. It was a strange sensation, warning him his head was close to something. Johnathon hadn't been a cat for long enough to get used to all of the extra senses it gave him. After a few minutes he had gotten a good idea of the exact size and shape of her chest, despite trying to ignore it. < How old is this girl anyway? At first glance I figured she was around 14, but she's pretty well... don't go there you moron, you've got a girl you like don't you? This girl is way too young anyway.>
After a short hike they arrived at their destination. They were greeted at the door by a teenage girl with blond hair. The girl had her hair rolled into balls on either side of her head, then going down in two long pony tails.
The blond girl smiled brightly. "Ami! Come on in! My folks are gone for the next few days and they have taken my nosy brother with them!" She escorted Ami inside, chatting up a blue streak. "Rei's already here. We're waiting on Makoto and Minako. Is that cat from the fight? Oh it's so cute! Is it a he or a she?"
Ami smiled at her friends enthusiasm. "It's a he, I've named him Whisper." Ami put her bag down in the living room.
Usagi kept chatting away. "We'll camp out here OK Ami? Hey Rei! Come out here and see the cute cat! He looks a little like Luna!"
A girl with long black hair came out of what appeared to be the kitchen. "Hello Ami. Ah, he is a cute little guy. You bandaged his legs?"
Ami nodded. "He just had abrasions and bruises. He'll be fine in a week or so."
Rei peered at the black cat. "That's good. I wonder how he got hurt?"
Ami petted his head fondly. "I'm not sure. He probably got hit my something thrown from the fight."
The three girls sat down on the couch and davenport and chatted about school. Soon after, the bell rang and Usagi jumped up to answer the door. She brought in two more teenage girls. Both of them were carrying sleeping bags. Minako had long blond hair, and was classically beautiful. Makoto was a tall athletic looking girl with medium length brown hair tied in a single pony tail that hung from the back of her head.
Johnathon looked at the new arrivals with interest. < Those two are really good looking. Actually, all five of these girls are pretty attractive. They are all way too young for me though. They're look like they're going to have a slumber party.> Johnathon started to feel slightly guilty. < It's really not right for me to be at a girls slumber party. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now.>
Makoto dropped heavily into a chair, and Minako sat down next to Ami. Johnathon suddenly noticed a white cat jump up unto the arm of the davenport next to Minako. The cat was looking at him intently, then looked away as Makoto spoke up.
The tall girl sighed. "I stayed around looking for that guy for two hours, but he never showed up."
Ami looked over at her. "Do you have any clues to how he disappeared?"
Makoto shook her head. "After the black knight hit him, he flew out of sight. I was too busy fighting the Youma to see what happened."
Johnathon looked incredulously at the tall girl with brown hair. < That was her?!?> He peered intently at her. < She does look similar, but I didn't notice till she talked about fighting the black knight.>
Makoto was going through her bag. "I kept his stuff. I wasn't sure what to do with it."
Rei spoke up. "Shouldn't you have left it for the police?"
Makoto shrugged. "I'm not positive I should. If he is like Tuxedo Kamen, he probably wouldn't want the police asking him funny questions. And if the black knight um, disintegrated him, it won't do much harm to wait and see for a bit." Makoto brought out Johnathon's wallet and opened it. "It says his name was Johnathon Dwire." She pulled out his drivers license. "I mean is. He's an American, from California." She passed the wallet around.
Ami found the passport and began to read it carefully. "He's been here in Japan for three months. It gives his occupation as English teacher."
Johnathon sighed to himself. < How am I supposed to keep my secret with these girls going through my stuff? That Makoto must be one of the Sailor Senshi. I heard of them at Furinkan High. There are supposed to be five of them. There are five girls here, so they are probably all the senshi. They haven't seemed to be able to figure out my disapearance.>
Usagi spoke up brightly. "Hey guys, come on!" This is supposed to be a slumber party! You're depressing me!"
Minako shrugged. "Sure, this can wait till tomorrow."
The girls all went on to other subjects, boys in particular. Usagi babbled about her Mamoru. Makoto reminisced about her old boyfriend. Minako shared stories about half a dozen boys she had dated and dumped. Ami was sad that Uwara hadn't been by to see her in so long. Rei was quiet mostly, still not having a boyfriend to talk about. The girls snacked on munchies as they gossiped.
Johnathon had curled up on Ami's lap. He was listening to the conversation and thinking about how he was going to get away with his secret intact. It was starting to get late and the girls started to change into their pajamas. Johnathon was strongly tempted, but forced himself not to look. He buried his head and pretended to sleep, not uncurling from his ball even when Ami started petting him softly.
Ami was slightly puzzled at her cat's behavior. Ever since she had put him down on the couch so she could change he had been curled up in a ball sleeping. She had recently read a book on feline behavior, and Whisper was definitely not behaving typically. He had not shown any interest in the food when everyone was snacking. He had also failed to react when everyone had gotten up to change clothes. Ami was slightly worried but decided that Whisper was probably just very tired and recovering from his injures.
Usagi carried Luna down from her bedroom. "Come on Luna, it'll be fun, let's play!"
Luna was looking slightly put upon but agreed. "Oh very well."
Usagi announced. "OK everyone, let's play Truth or Dare!"
Everyone looked up at her, including Johnathon. < Did I hear a new voice?>
Minako chimed in. "Sure! Everyone get in a circle! Artemis, you too."
Johnathon looked around in some confusion as the five girls and two cats got into a circle on the floor. < Who is Artemis?> Johnathon was carried over by Ami and he looked around interestedly trying to put things together. There was a black cat sitting next to Usagi. < That must be Luna. Usagi said I looked like something like Luna. That means the white cat must be Artemis.>
The white cat sat next to Minako, inbetween her and Rei. Rei sat next to Luna who sat next to Usagi. On Usagi's other side was Makoto, and finally Ami. Ami and Johnathon sat on the opposite side of Artemis from Minako.
Johnathon frowned in concentration. < Something is missing here, but what?>
Usagi was giggling to herself. "He he. OK, since it was my idea, I'll start. My question is for Makoto. You're always talking about your old boyfriend. Tell us who you'll want for your new boyfriend?"
Johnathon looked around. < I'm sure there was a sixth voice. It had been slightly aristocratic, she had replied to something Usagi had said right? What was it she said?>
He was distracted by Makoto's answer. "That guy today, Johnathon Dwire was very heroic. I'd like a guy like that."
Johnathon stared at her. < What? Really?> The other girls oohed ahd aahed appropriately.
Makoto grinned and turned to Minako. "My question is for you Minako. Which boyfriend did you go the farthest with?"
Minako blushed, while she hemmed and hawed. "Um, dare."
Makoto smiled. "OK, the next guy you date. You have to go out with him at least four times before dumping him."
Minako glared at her. "Hey! That's not fair!"
Makoto shrugged. "Sure it is."
The other girls agreed, nodding. "That sounds fair." Usagi added.
Minako sighed. "Alright, fine."
Johnathon suddenly remembered. < Usagi asked "Luna" to play, and then that other voice answered.> He looked at the little black cat sitting between Usagi and Rei. She seemed to be following the conversation attentively. < No way! It couldn't be... could it?> He climbed down from Ami's lap and walked across the circle to Luna. Luna noticed him and looked him in the eyes. Johnathon looked back, walking up until he was only a couple of inches away. < Is she trying to stare me down?>
Minako had noticed the new cat's actions. "Hey Luna, he looks like he's interested in you."
Ami smiled. "Well I'm glad he's feeling better, I was a bit worried about him."
Minako grinned at Luna. "Oh Luna, my question is this. Is he interested in you because you're in heat?" Everyone blushed at the question, even Minako.
Luna looked hastily at her. "Certainly not!" She said aristocratically.
Johnathon's eyes went wide and he sat back on his haunches in shock. < She can talk. How?>
Usagi was looking down at him and Luna. "Well he certainly does seem interested in you Luna. Do you think he..."
Luna interrupted. "I believe it's my turn to ask a question Usagi." She looked Usagi in the eye, trying to ignore "Whispers" attention. "So, Usagi, what was that you were reading last night, instead of your math book?"
Usagi blushed. "Luna, what? I don't.."
Luna stared at her. "Answer the question."
Usagi looked embarrassed "Um, dare."
Luna nodded smugly. "Do all your homework as soon as you get it for the next week."
Usagi whined. "Luna! What kind of dare is that?"
Luna shrugged. "It's mine!"
Usagi frowned. "Hmmph." She considered daring Luna back, then changed her mind. "Rei, how many guys have you kissed? And relatives don't count."
Rei obviously didn't want to admit the truth about that. "Dare."
Usagi giggled. "Now what should I make you do. I know. Kiss somebody!"
Rei blushed. "Who?"
Usagi shrugged. "Anybody."
Rei looked around slowly, blushing furiously. She stopped, looking at Usagi then turned towards her. "Anybody huh?" Rei leaned over Luna and put her hands behind Usagi's head, pulling her in for a kiss.
Usagi blushed. < What would Mamoru think?> She closed her eyes. Rei turned her head slightly so their noses wouldn't bump, then kissed Usagi on the lips. Usagi stiffened a bit, then relaxed into it. Rei broke the kiss and both girls blushed and looked away. Usagi thought about Mamoru, the last time they kissed. Rei wondered if kissing a guy would be the same.
Rei sighed to herself. < As if I'll ever find out if I don't find a boyfriend.> She looked at Ami. "Ami, have you and Uwara kissed?"
Amy nodded shyly. "Yes, three times so far." Everyone made appreciative noises at that. Ami looked over at Whisper and saw that he was still sitting in front of Luna, staring at her. "Hmmm, Artemis, I really would like to know what cats like in other cats. What do you find attracts you to a female?"
The white cat looked at Ami. "Um, it's kinda instinct. You just know, um, when the time is right you just know."
Johnathon looked over at Artemis. < He talks too? I really should have guessed.>
Minako was giggling. "He he. Artemis, you've certainly "known" it was the right time enough times. How many times have you been out all night?" Ha ha ha!" She broke down laughing. Artemis glared at her, and Luna glared at him, Usagi, Rei, and Makoto started laughing as well. Luna looked away hautilly and Artemis kept glaring at Minako.
When the laugher died down he spoke up. "You're one to talk miss boy for every day of the week. Why don't you answer this. How many boys have you dumped this year?"
Minako flushed, wanting to deny that she went through boys so casually. She thought back through the past year. < One, two, three...> "Oh very well, dare."
Artemis grinned. "Fine, you have to call me Sensei for the rest of the night."
Minako shrugged at that. "Sure... Sensei, that's easy, anything else?"
Artemis nodded. "Since you're asking, get me a bowl of milk."
Minako grinned wryly. "Yes Sensei." She started to get up go to the kitchen. "Hey Ami, do you think Whisper would like some milk?"
Ami looked at her new pet and nodded. "He liked it before. It couldn't hurt."
Minako walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. She got out a couple bowls and the milk. She called back into the room. "Hey Luna, is there a cat you like?" Minako filled the bowls and came back out, putting one bowl in front of Artemis and the other next to Whisper. "That's my question, is there one special cat for you?"
Luna was quiet, if she could have blushed she would have. "Dare." She finally said.
Artemis lapped away at his milk, pretending not to watch Luna. < Is Luna mad at me?>
Johnathon was doing the same as Artemis. < How do these cats talk anyway? Is it a trick I can learn?>
Minako grinned, she was sure that Luna really liked Artemis, and vice-versa. "OK Luna, why don't you kiss Whisper there."
Johnathon whipped his head around to look at Minako. < What?>
Luna protested. "Cats don't kiss!"
Minako was tempted to ask Luna what they did instead, but decided not to take the joke too far. "Well, just pretend then."
Johnathon could feel everyone looking at him and Luna. < Oh boy, what should I do? What would a normal cat do?> Self consciously he wiped the milk off his whiskers and licked it off the back off his paw. Johnathon sat back on his hind legs and tried to act casually. Luna approached him nervously. He let her and she sat down in front of him facing him, only a couple of inches away. She leaned forward, ready to back away if he reacted badly. Johnathon did nothing, not sure how a normal cat would react. Their faces met and he closed his eyes. Johnathon could feel her nose sniff and her face move away. When he felt her back away he opened his eyes. Luna was looking strangely at him from two inches away.
Luna sniffed the other cat again. < That was strange. He smells like a human.> Luna moved closer and sniffed at his chest.
Usagi giggled. "That must have been some kiss, Luna!"
Luna ignored her ditzy protégé. < I can smell Ami's scent on him, milk and chicken, and very faintly, cat, but there is also a definite smell of a human male.> In the background Artemis was angrily slurping milk and Minako, Rei, and Makoto were blushing.
Johnathon was frozen. < What's she doing? Can she tell I'm not a cat? Or is she coming on to me?> Ami watched fascinated.
Luna stopped sniffing him and turned to Ami. "Ami, has anyone else been near Whisper since you found him?"
Ami looked thoughtful. "No, just me. Why?"
Luna looked back at the other black cat. "You found him at the scene of the fight?" Ami nodded. Luna sat back. "I smelled a man on him, his owner probably."
Johnathon nearly sighed in relief. < That was close!>
Makoto became interested. "Really? Maybe it's Johnathon Dwire?" She got up and got her bag. Makoto brought out a black turtleneck and brought it over to Luna. "Here's his shirt."
Luna sniffed it. "Yes, it's definitely the same scent." Everyone thought about this for a minute.
Usagi spoke first. "Maybe this Johnathon is from the Moon kingdom?" He helped defeat the Youma, he disappeared, like Tuxedo Kamen always did, and he has a cat..."
Rei looked skeptical. "I don't remember Mamoru ever leaving his clothes behind Usagi. Besides, that's just a normal cat." Ami and Luna both looked at "Whisper" wonderingly.
Usagi protested. "Hey! Mamoru's transformation's have taken different forms before. It's possible. And maybe Whisper is just pretending to be normal!"
Rei still looked doubtful, but Johnathon could tell the others did not feel so skeptical. < I might as well let them know before they figure it out on their own.> He meowed loudly and pointed at Usagi with his paw. When everyone was looking at him he nodded at her, exaggerating the movement so it was easy to tell what he was doing. Then he looked at Rei, shook his head, and shrugged.
Luna asked incredulously. "Can you talk?" Johnathon looked at her and shook his head. She persisted. "Are you sure?" He nodded and meowed for emphasis. "You can understand me?" Nod. "Are you a moon cat like me and Artemis?" Johnathon hesitated then shook his head. "No? Then why are you intelligent?" Johnathon sniffed loudly. "Oh right, you can't talk." He nodded. "Is Johnathon Dwire from the Moon kingdom?"
Johnathon tilted his head. < What's a moon kingdom?> He shook his head after a moment. Luna sighed, stumped.
Makoto kneeled down in front of him. "Do you know what happened to Johnathon Dwire?" He nodded. "Is he alive?" Nod. "Do you know where he is?" Nod. "Can you take us to him?"
Johnathon thought about that one. < Should I reveal the whole truth?> Slowly he shrugged, then nodded.
Makoto looked excited. "Great! Let's get going!" Johnathon shook his head. He pointed at Luna and then at Makoto, then got up and ran toward the hallway. He looked back and waited. "You want us to follow?" He nodded then headed down the hall and looked at the doors. There were three of them, closed. He tapped the first with his paw and meowed. Makoto walked to his side and blinked. "You want to go in there?" He nodded. She opened the door, a bedroom. The cat shook his head and went to the next door.
Makoto looked confused. "What? That door now?" He tapped it and meowed plaintively. The other girls and Artemis had followed and were watching. Makoto shrugged. "OK..." She opened that door.
Johnathon looked in. < Ah! A bathroom with a tub!> He ran in and jumped into the tub.
"What are you doing?" Luna had followed him into the room and was looking at him with some confusion. Johnathon looked back at her intensely, then jumped up and tapped the hot water handle. He repeated the action several times. Luna finally asked. "You want hot water?" He nodded vigorously. Luna looked back at the others. "Might as well see what he wants."
Makoto walked forward and turned on the hot water. Johnathon jumped out of the tub as the water came toward his feet, still cold. He walked up to Usagi and nudged her with his head. He did so again stronger, then repeated the process with Ami.
Ami figured it out. "You want us to leave?" He nodded and pointed at Luna.
"You want me to stay? Luna asked him. He nodded again. "Alright then, everyone else out." They complied and Johnathon pawed at the door. Makoto started to shut it and Johnathon remembered something. In a flash he ran out and headed for the living room. He ran to Makoto's bag and started tugging it toward the hall. Minako helpfully picked up the bag and Johnathon raced back into the bathroom.
Minako brought the bag and set it down on the bathroom tile. "You wanted this in here, right?" He nodded and started to paw at the door again. "Close the door?" He nodded and meowed plaintively. "Alright." Makoto closed the door, leaving him and Luna alone with a slowly filling tub. Johnathon suddenly realized one final problem. He started to frantically tear at the bandages on his fore legs, which were starting to hurt from all the running around he had been doing.
Luna looked on, confused. "What are you doing?" He looked at her, shook his head and continued biting at the bandages. Johnathon was in a hurry. He wanted to get those bandages off before he changed form. In addition he also wanted to get changed before the water got too hot. Johnathon got his right foreleg free and started working on his left using his teeth. He got it mostly off and ran to the tub. He jumped in, dunking his whole body and rolling. It was really hot, but not quite scalding.
Johnathon changed in an instant and jumped out. "Hot!" He grabbed a towel off the wall and covered himself.
Luna looked on in sheer astonishment. "What?!? You're Johnathon Dwire? I can't believe it!" Johnathon grabbed a second towel and started drying himself.
The door burst open. Five girls and a white cat were gathered there. "What the..." "Is it him?" "Where?" "Did you?.." Their words blended together and became to hard to understand.
Johnathon held up his hand. "I'll explain everything in a minute. If you could just wait for me to get dressed?" He walked to the door and closed it. Johnathon went into Makoto's bag and started getting out his clothing. A minute later he came out, shirtless, but otherwise dressed. "Alright, this is quite a story, so why don't we all sit down in the living room," Everyone marched out to the living room and took seats in various places.
Johnathon bent down to pick up his shirt, and Ami spoke up, pointing at his arms. "It's you! You're Whisper!"
He nodded. "I'm afraid so." Johnathon pulled his shirt over his head and sat down cross legged against one wall. "Yes, I am Johnathon Dwire, I am also that black cat."
Makoto started to turn red. "Hey! You watched us changing!"
Johnathon shook his head. "I didn't actually. I was curled up with my eyes closed the whole time."
Ami nodded. "That's true. I was worried something was wrong with him."
Makoto calmed down a bit. "Well, why didn't you tell us earlier?"
Johnathon sighed. "If you were cursed to become a cat whenever you were splashed with cold water, would you want people to know about it?"
Makoto shrugged. "No, I guess not. Hey! When you got knocked through that fountain from the broken hydrant... that's what happened!"
Johnathon nodded. "I changed, I blacked out soon afterwards."
Usagi's eyes were wide. "Water changes you into a cat?"
Johnathon nodded to the blond girl. "Cold water, hot water brings me back."
Usagi giggled. "No way! That's so cool!"
Johnathon sighed. "I thought so too, once."
Usagi didn't notice the sad look in his eyes, but Ami did. "How did it happen?" She asked gently.
Johnathon looked at Ami and nodded. "Deep in China there is a training ground called the cursed springs of Jusenkyo. There are over a hundred springs there. Apparently each spring has had someone or something drown in it at some point long ago. Now, if you fall into one of the springs you'll take the body of whatever, or whoever drowned there."
Ami nodded thoughtfully. "So you fell in a spring where a cat drowned?"
Johnathon shook his head. "It's not that simple. I've never been to China. Three months ago I ran into a girl from China. She had fallen into the spring of drowned cat. She had recently moved to Japan and her great grandmother had followed her. This wise old woman had brought a bucket from the spring of drowned cat with her to try and reverse the curse on her great granddaughter. When I first met them they were moving the great grandmother's things. An out of control car was headed for the girl. I knocked her clear. Unfortunately she was carrying the bucket from the spring of drowned cat. I was soaked..."
Johnathon was silent for a moment, remembering. "So know you know my secret. And I know yours." He looked at Makoto. "I think we can trust each other, eh Sailor Jupiter?"
Slowly the tall brunette nodded. "It's not quite so bad, sharing a secret."
A voice from behind him asked. "So how much water does it take?"
Johnathon frowned to himself. "About half a liter minimum. Why?"
Makoto jumped up. "Usagi don't you..." Johnathon was splashed from behind, instantly shrinking to a cat. Makoto finished lamely. "Dare."
Usagi had a now empty pitcher in her hands and was looking down at the pile of clothing on the floor. A small black cat climbed out slowly. "That's so cool!" Johnathon looked up at her reproachfully.
Ami admonished her friend. "It wouldn't be cool if it happened to you Usagi."
Makoto chimed in. "Yeah. You couldn't go out in the rain, or go swimming..."
Ami nodded. "It isn't funny to be cursed."
Usagi looked contrite. "Oh I'm sorry Dwire-san."
Johnathon meowed resignedly. He headed slowly for the bathroom, limping a little. His arms, um, legs, were still hurting. Makoto and Ami both rushed over to pick him up. They looked at each other and giggled. Ami nodded at Makoto and went back for Johnathon's clothing. Johnathon let Makoto pick him up and carry him into the bathroom. She set him on the edge of the tub and turned on the hot water. Ami brought in his clothing and set it down. Johnathon meowed loudly and motioned with his paw for them to turn around.
Politely they did so and Johnathon jumped into the tub and stuck his head under the running water. Seconds later he grabbed a towel and dried off, then quickly got dressed.
"Thanks." Johnathon said simply and went out into the living room again. Usagi was waiting for him looking sheepish. "I'm not mad Usagi." He reassured her. "Just don't do that again. OK?" She nodded. Johnathon grinned at her and sat down. "I can understand how you feel. When I first discovered the Jusenkyo curses it was incredible. I was excited and pleased that magic was real. It was like a fairy tale come true. But those kind of stories are only fun from the outside looking in. It's different when it's happening to you."
Johnathon looked around at the girls and cats thoughtfully. "Although you probably already know that to be true, huh." The room was silent for a while, everyone thinking about the "magic" in their own lives.
Minako spoke up. "It has been scary from time to time. It's a big responsibility too." The other girls nodded in agreement.
Johnathon looked around at them, outside he could hear the rain starting to fall. "You could tell me about it, if you like. Sometimes it helps to share a burden with someone willing to listen."
The five girls looked at each other. They had kept their secret for a long time. Could they afford to trust? One by one they nodded.
Usagi turned to Luna. "Why don't you tell it Luna? You know the story best."
Johnathon woke up first the next day. He looked at the clock. It was almost noon. They had talked late into the night, practically until morning in fact. He had fallen asleep on the couch. The girls were all in their sleeping bags on the floor. He looked down at them, marveling at the stories they had told. They were so young to have so much responsibility. He shook his head wryly. There was really very little he could do to help. Fighting Youma was far beyond his abilities. He would be a liability rather than an asset if he tried to help them.
Quietly Johnathon climbed over the back of the couch so as not to wake the girls. He walked into the kitchen and started looking around for ingredients for breakfast. Normally he avoided cooking more than he had to, but occasionally he felt like it. Right now he was feeling very domestic, probably because of the girls. He kinda felt like a big brother. They were all around ten years younger then him, but he had felt close to them last night.
"Nice kids." He murmured to himself as he got some eggs out of the refrigerator.
"Those girls?" Queried a voice from near his ankle.
Johnathon looked down at the white cat standing there. "Sure Artemis, I like them." Johnathon continued preparing breakfast.
Artemis hopped up on the counter to observe. "Don't let them hear you call them kids." He warned mischievously.
Johnathon shrugged. "I won't, even if they are ten years younger then me."
Artemis quirked his head at him. "Oh yeah, I had forgotten how old you were. You look about Mamoru's age.
Johnathon glanced at the moon cat. "Usagi's boyfriend?"
Artemis nodded. "Right, although he treats her like a kid too a lot of the time." Artemis watched as Johnathon began cooking a monster omelet. Johnathon got it started and kept an eye on it as it cooked.
To pass the time he chatted with Artemis. "So what's it like for you? Being a cat I mean."
Artemis shrugged. "I've always been a cat. I don't have anything to compare it to."
Johnathon nodded. "It must be tough sometimes though. You being intelligent and having to hide it."
Artemis meowed in an obvious spoof of a normal cat and laughed. "I guess you would know about that."
Johnathon paused. "Yeah, I guess I would."
Artemis looked up at his face. "You'd answer your own question best. You've been both cat and human. What's it like?"
"In comparison you mean?" Johnathon looked thoughtful. "That's a tough one. I guess I don't really dislike being a cat. It's actually pretty cool in some ways. I can hear and smell better, and see in the dark better. It's neat being able to jump more than ten times my own height, even if I'm small at the time. Being seen as a cute pet has it's ups and downs. It's easy to be a cat in some ways. No responsibility and having it easy. People tend to like cats, and treat them, us, pretty good. I guess those things don't really apply to either one of us though."
Artemis blinked. "Which things?"
"Having no responsibility and having it easy." Johnathon paused in thought, remembering being Ami's pet. Most of it he hadn't really liked but... "There are perks to being a cat." He said quietly, thinking about falling asleep to Ami's gentle petting. "But that's not an option for me."
Artemis nodded. "Because you're really a human, right?"
Johnathon looked sad. "I think like a human, but I'm not really human anymore, or cat. It's too easy to change. It seems like the curse has made me a water magnet. Cold water always seems to find me. As a cat, how long can I avoid a hot bath? I suppose I could avoid hot water, but I am a human being first. Staying a cat isn't really tolerable for me. It's not who I am." Artemis lay down, looking sad. Johnathon concentrated on the omelet for awhile then looked at the small white cat. "Don't look so sad. It's not that bad. There is good and bad in equal measure. I'm pretty much OK with it."
Pretty soon the smell of food started waking up the girls and Luna. They started wandering into the kitchen and Johnathon served breakfast. Even Usagi woke in time to eat, noon being the time she usually wanted to wake up anyway. The girls were enthusiastic about the meal, thanking Johnathon sincerely. He was embarrassed at the praise, but pleased.
Ami asked thoughtfully. "So Johnathon, what are your plans?"
He quirked an eyebrow. "Today, or in general?"
Ami looked at him. "Both."
Johnathon shrugged. "Well I came to sight see originally. Go to the manga convention. I didn't expect to fight a, what did you call it? A Youma."
Amy smiled. "And in general?"
He shrugged again. "Oh, go home to Nerima, teach, nothing spectacular. I am seriously considering heading to China to look for a cure to the curse."
Makoto slapped her hand down on the table. "Hey! Why don't we show you around town?" The other girls looked at Makoto and then at Johnathon.
Usagi beamed cheerfully. "Sure! We know all the best places!" The other girls nodded.
Minako chimed in. "It's the least we can do after you helped Makoto with that Youma."
Johnathon bowed his head. "There is no need for that, I..."
Ami quietly added. "Come on Johnathon, when they get an idea in their heads there's no stopping them."
He grinned suddenly. "Why not, sounds like fun. Thanks girls." They gave a little cheer.
Makoto jumped up. "Time's flying! Let's go!"
Johnathon spent the rest of the day with five energetic teenage girls. Late that night they dropped him off at the subway for the last run to Nerima.
"Keep in touch Johnathon." Ami said quietly.
Makoto winked at him. "Look me up when you're around here, huh?"
Minako grinned. "Look out Johnathon. I think you remind Makoto of her old boyfriend."
Makoto raised a fist in mock threat. "Why you!"
Usagi chimed in. "Come and visit anytime. I'm sure Luna would love to see you again." The little black cat at Usagi's feet looked like she wanted to blush.
Johnathon smiled. "Good bye everyone. I'll try to keep in touch. and I will drop by when I'm near. It will probably be awhile. I'm kept pretty busy. Good bye.
Johnathon stepped unto the train. He waved at them till the station was out of sight.
Johnathon didn't see the girls again for almost eight
months. He called Ami before he went to China, but failed to contact
them at all until he returned to Japan, having discovered no cure.
Johnathon spent a month in Nerima. Then had an adventurous trip back
to China with Ranma and company. The events on that trip caused Johnathon
to go visit the girls and their guardian cats once again.
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StorylineI hope you liked it! C&C is always welcome!
