"Why do you assume that it is anything beyond what I have already said?" Setsuna asked with a raised eyebrow.
Michiru answered, "Because it has been several months since Galaxia was defeated and if this were a genuine concern it makes sense that you would have started looking for a physical trainer shortly after that battle. Instead, you've put all this together just today, without even mentioning it to us."
Setsuna looked at both of her teammates. It was so tempting to leave them in the dark on this or to use this as an excuse to extract some vengeance for killing her. Unfortunately, Neo-Serenity's order was that Ranma and Hotaru be engaged not Ranma and Makoto or Rei or Ami or anyone else for that mater. So she was going to need help fending off the inner senshi long enough for Hotaru to get to know her future husband. That meant she had to tell Haruka and Michiru everything.
"Under no circumstances are Hotaru or Ranma to find out about this, do I make myself clear?"
"This has something to do with the future then?" Haruka observed.
"Yes, though probably not in the manner you are thinking," Setsuna stated. "Queen Neo-Serenity has decreed that, retroactively, Hotaru and Ranma are engaged to be wed."
"WHAT?!"
Setsuna didn't respond to the outburst visibly, instead continuing to clean the table.
Michiru was the first to regain her composure. "Setsuna, I think you better explain this."
Setsuna raised an eyebrow. "What is there to explain? Hotaru and Ranma are engaged to be married, as per Neo-Serenity's orders."
"Why?" Michiru asked. "I doubt Neo-Serenity would give such an order without at least some kind of explanation. And why shouldn't Ranma and Hotaru know about this?"
"Why the engagement? I don't know. I am merely following orders." The last thing she wanted was Michiru and Haruka trying to 'help' Hotaru feel more welcome so she wouldn't impose exile on herself. They were very likely to smother the poor girl in the process, which would only speed her departure. Better they not know the full reasoning behind it.
"Why keep Ranma and Hotaru unaware of it? That is my requirement because I wish Hotaru to be happy. Ranma would react poorly to anyone trying to rein him in with bonds of honor; he has had many people trying to do so in the past and has become quite thoroughly sick of it. Hotaru would use any method available to her to gain companionship, including an honor engagement. Therefore neither can know it exists."
Michiru sighed disappointed in Setsuna's response to the more important question, but pressed forward. "Alright, do you at least know anything about why the Queen chose to engage our daughter to this Ranma person?"
Haruka decided to voice a question of her own. "And what happens if Hotaru turns out to be like Michiru and I?"
Setsuna smirked, "The answer to Haruka's question is part of why Ranma was chosen." Schooling her features a bit to restore the seriousness of the discussion, she continued, "Ranma acquired a magical curse for being in the wrong place at the wrong time a little over a year ago. The curse enables him to change gender, much like one of the Starlights, only he has little control over it.
"As possession of such a curse would suggest," Setsuna continued, "Ranma has lead a very interesting life. That is how Neo-Serenity knew of him. He is also quite powerful in his own right, and will be able to keep up with and protect Hotaru, even when Hotaru becomes Sailor Saturn."
"You've got to be kidding," Haruka voiced her opinion. "He's just a normal human. I doubt he could keep up with Mercury."
Setsuna calmly answered, "'He's just a normal human?' That would be news to many people, not the least of which is Ranma himself. Grandmaster martial artists are no more 'normal humans' than you or I are, Haruka. There are grandmasters of karate and kung fu that could beat you, as Sailor Uranus, senseless. While Ranma may not yet be a grandmaster in any given martial arts style but he is at least a master in more of them then you have ever even heard of, Haruka. That alone makes him as far from 'normal' as any of us."
"Oh, really?" Haruka's voice dripped disbelief.
"He sat at our table in a stance for Martial Arts Tea Ceremony," Setsuna began. "He ate using techniques from Martial Arts Dining, and used a special technique from that school to force feed Hotaru a full meal. And I'm sure you never heard of either style until now.
"If you really don't believe me, then challenge Ranma tomorrow to a fight," Setsuna finished, unable to resist the temptation to see Haruka brought down a peg or three. "Feel free to fight him as Sailor Uranus; it won't matter. You'll still wind up looking like a fool."
"What, and let him know who we are?" Haruka protested.
Setsuna tilted her head slightly, "I have mentioned the engagement to Hotaru, right? If they are to be engaged, I very much doubt we could keep Ranma from figuring it out for long. Besides, he is very good at keeping secrets. He can be trusted." Michiru frowned. "Is it really important that this engagement happen, Setsuna?"
"Yes. It is," Setsuna answered. "Without it, Hotaru will die after Crystal Tokyo is founded. And this has to be something Hotaru makes happen on her own or Ranma will run like a frightened gazelle." That should ensure their help without getting them too involved in the actual relationship.
Haruka humped, "He better be good to Hotaru if he knows what's good for him."
Setsuna allowed herself a vicious smile, "Then we're in agreement, I take it."
Both of the others nod.
Meanwhile,
See other episodes by Brian Drozd
(Posted Wed, 13 Aug 2003 02:38)
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