This is a major revision of the original story.    Hope you like it.

Long

Thanks to my pre readers : Anand Rao, David Johnston, TonyLoco, Angeline
Jacoba, David Johnston, Octavian

The title was of this fic came from Lord Talon.  He will be helping me with
the Sailor Senshi part of this fic for I know very little about them.  The
reason for the title will become more apparent in later chapters.

The major revision of this chapter is due to K Yee, he pointed out major gaps
in my story.

Ranma / Sailor Senshi : Eyes of a Stranger Chapter One
Created by Long Ngo
Started April 25, 1998
Finished May 15, 1998

* * * * *

      "No!!" Ranma shouted in anguish.  "Please don't die.  I love you."
Ranma whispered.  In his arms was the limp form of Tendou Akane, his fiancee
and one true love.  Sitting in the center of the crater that was once the top
of Mount Phoenix, Ranma berated himself.  He wasn't fast enough in dealing
with Saffron to save Akane.  The fact that she was no longer a dehydrated doll
didn't matter.  Akane was forever lost to those she loved.  

      *I should have been faster, better.  What good is the Art, if it can't
save the girl I love.*  He had finally admitted his love for Akane.  Ranma
swore that he would never use the Arts again except to protect others, even if
his own life was at stake.  He did not deserve to live but his suicide would
further hurt those around him.  "AKANE!!!!!!!!!!!!" The shout of immense pain
echoed throughout the mountain range.

* * * * *
A Week Later

* * * * *
      Nabiki was the first person to see Ranma return.  The strange thing was
the absence of Akane and the ragged look of on Ranma's face.  It seemed like
all the life had left his body.  "Hey Ranma where is Akane?"  The look on
Ranma's face frightened her.  *Did something happen to Akane?*

      In a tone filled with remorse and deep depression, Ranma quietly
answered.  "She's dead Nabiki and it was all my fault."

      Nabiki was speechless.  Her little sister was dead and Ranma said he was
responsible.  "Care to explain Saotome?"  Nabiki asked in a cold voice
deprived of feelings.  Above all else, family came first to Nabiki.

      "It's all my fault," Ranma answered again before heading up to his room.

      Nabiki wanted to slap Ranma.  She wanted answers and Ranma was not
providing any.  Getting up, she headed towards the Nekohanten.  Mousse and
Shampoo were in China with Ranma.  She would have asked Ryouga but knowing him
he coud be anywhere.  

      Nearing the Nekohanten, Nabiki noticed that the restaurant was closed.
Finding the doors open, Nabiki headed inside.  

      "We're closed.  Please come back tomorrow." Cologne's voice came from
upstairs.

      "It's Nabiki.  I've come for some answers and I'm not going to leave
until I get some."

      Hopping down the stairs on her cane, Cologne reached the spot where
Nabiki was standing.  "This is a very grave time.  If you want, you can talk
to Mousse out back or come back tomorrow."  Having spoken, Cologne headed back
upstairs.  At first Nabiki didn't hear anything but soon she heard the faint
sound of crying coming from the upper levels of the restaurant.   

      Walking outside, Nabiki found Mousse meditating.  The look on Mousse's
face was one of sorrow.  Usually Mousse's saddness was caused by Shampoo's
constant rejection but something told her that this was not the case.  "Spill
it Mousse, what happened in China?  What happened to Akane?"         

      Looking up, Mousse was not surprised to see Nabiki.  He had sensed her
approach before she ever appeared outside.  Mousse was a great martial artist,
even though he constantly lost to Ranma.  He had always held in check some of
his skills.  His art was dangerous and deadly, and after their first
encounter, he decided than humiliating Ranma was better than killing him.  But
after the trip to China, Mousse soon found that Saotome Ranma was harder to
kill than he first thought.  

      Mousse had always known Ranma held back but never knew how much until
now.  Mousse thought back to the final moments of Ranma's battle with Saffron,
when Ranma suddenly realized that Akane might die very soon.  For a very short
period of time, Mousse sensed the barriers that held Ranma's true abilities
hidden from others fall away.  In that moment, Mousse had seen a true master
of the arts.  One who knew no bounds.  Someone who, at the age of 17, was more
powerful than Cologne and Happosai but still lacked the experience and skill
to wield his ki properly.  

      He always thought Ranma was an overconfident, insensitive jerk who had
stolen Shampoo from him.  He could have never been so wrong.  The macho
bravado was all an act to hide his true feelings toward Akane.  Shampoo never
had a chance to win his heart.  It had already belonged to another and now
that person was gone.  The trip home had proven that.  Finally coming out of
his deep meditation, Mousse started to explain to Nabiki what happened in
China and Ranma's last few words.              

* * * * *

      Looking around the room, Ranma felt that he was barely holding his
emotions and actions in check.  He was beyond depressed.  He had sworn an oath
in China which he planned to fulfill.  Ranma was packing his belongings.  He
had to leave Nerima, it held too many memories of Akane.  Ranma had finally
found the courage to face his Okaasan.  Whether she rejected him or demanded
that he commit seppuka, so be it.  Either way he was better off anywhere other
than Nerima.  

      Writing a final note to the Tendous, he started to head out of the house
but not before leaving a small package on the table.  The small package held
some gems he found after his battle at Mount Phoenix to make up for all the
trouble he had caused the Tendous, as well as a note promising that he would
make it up to them in the future.   He would miss the Tendous, whom he
considered a second family.  

      Glancing one last time at the training hall that had become his home for
far longer than any other he had ever remembered, Ranma walked into what he
hoped was a new start on life.  He was finally going to be united with his
mother.

* * * * * 
      Saotome Nodoka missed her husband and only child, Ranma, dearly.  They
had left 11 years ago and she had not seen them since.  Ranma would be 17 now
and a man among men according to the oath Genma swore to her before leaving
for his training trip with Ranma.  A knock at the door disrupted her thoughts.
*Who could that be?*  Opening the door, she was greeted by a young man wearing
a red shirt and black pants.  The same clothing Ranko usually liked to wear.
"Hello, may I help you?"

      "Hello Okaasan."

      "Ranma?"  

      "Hai."

      Quicker than the blink of an eye, Nodoka was hugging her son.  She was
so happy.  *Something is missing though.*  "Ranma, where is your father?"

      "He's at the Tendous.  We got back yesterday from China.  I have
something I need to tell you."

      The way Ranma carried himself and the haunted look in his eyes told her
that something was wrong.  Something very wrong.

      Spending the next few hours explaining his life story tired Ranma out.
He began with his earliest memories like the Neko-ken, Jyusenkyou, his
multiple fiancees, his many battles and ended it with the death of Akane and
his oath.  Nodoka was crying by this time.  Her son had gone through so much.
Looking into his eyes, she also knew that it had pained him to hide from her
all those times she had visited.  Although he was cursed with a female body
and had decieved her, given his circumstances she could not hold it against
him.  Nodoka knew the death of Akane had driven Ranma into her arms now.
"What are your plans now my son?"

      "I can't stay with the Tendous any longer.  Everything reminds me of
Akane."  Ranma was openly crying at this point.

      "Why don't you stay here Ranma?  You're always welcome.  You can also
attend your last year of school at Juuban High."  Nodoka soothed.

      "Hai." 

      Truly her son was a man among men.  Never had she heard of someone going
through so much at such an age.  Through his battles, he had matured into a
fine young man.   

To be continued: