Wild Cherry Blossoms: Chapter Two

by Matt 'VGZ' Hanson

< >:

Thoughts

A Ranma ½ & Card Captor Sakura divergence/alterverse. Ranma ½ is the property of the genius Rumiko Takahashi. Card Captor Sakura is the property of Clamp. In other words I don't claim to own them so don't sue me.

Chapter Two:

A Little Adventure.

It had been just over a week since Ranma had shown up in Tomoeda Town when Sakura invited him over to meet her family and have dinner with them. Tomoyo had also asked to come over and would be joining them later. Sakura was busy cleaning up the house while she waited for them to arrive. As she worked she reminisced about recent events. Her school had held a marathon race, the SLEEP card had caused problems at her father's college, and the SONG card had shown up at her school.

Thinking back to the practice session before the marathon, Sakura giggled softly. It had been very impressive when Ranma and Meilen had started running at a fast sprint during the practice. She still thought it was kind of funny that Meilen had been trying to show off by sprinting and ended up being the last one in the group to finish. Ranma's skill and endurance still amazed Sakura, even after seeing him out-fight the FIGHT card. Ranma had matched Meilen in speed and actually chatted with her until she started to slow down. It was rather ironic that Ranma had finished first — by quite a bit — but was only running at that pace because of Meilen.

<I still can't believe Ranma-kun ran *on* that retaining wall during the marathon,> Sakura thought as she moved a chair in the living room to clean under it. She had thought that he couldn't surprise her anymore after seeing his gymnastic performance and the battle with the FIGHT, but seeing him run along the top of a narrow retaining wall had almost made her stumble. <Of course we probably would have been running in circles if he hadn't been on the wall to notice where the LOOP card had left that seam,> she paused to chuckle, <Meilen-chan sure was annoyed that Ranma-kun and I got the 1-2 finish instead of her and Li-kun.>

Sakura continued her cleaning in the kitchen and began to think about when the SLEEP card showed up at her father's office at work and caused so many problems. She was slightly grateful that Ranma hadn't been caught up in that ordeal.

<At least Otousan was able to finish his project on time, even though I messed up all his work,> she thought, feeling ashamed by what had happened. Shaking her head Sakura moved on to happier memories. <Tomoyo-chan and the SONG's duet was so pretty. I bet Ranma-kun would have enjoyed it. I'll have to give him a copy of the recording later.>

A knock on the door startled Sakura out of her thoughts. Walking into the front hall she answered it, finding Ranma standing in his school uniform.

"Ranma-kun! I'm glad you could make it, though you're a bit early," she said with a giggle.

Ranma scratched the back of his neck, chuckling nervously. "Er, I didn't wanna be late."

"Come on in. I'm just cleaning up a bit."

"Oh! Ranma-kun made it here before me."

Looking in the direction of the calm, kindhearted voice the two of them saw a smiling Tomoyo standing at the gate carrying a large bag. Her hair was pulled up in two pigtails tied with red ribbons.

"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura said, admiring Tomoyo's cute, light brown dress as she ushered the two inside. "You didn't need to make that many sweets, Tomoyo-chan," she said, indicating Tomoyo's bag.

"Sweets?" Ranma asked, a hint of a sparkle in his eye.

"I told Sakura-chan I would make some sweets when I asked to come over today. I made extras for you and Kero-chan," Tomoyo replied in a soft voice, giving a little giggle at Ranma's happy expression.

"But, Tomoyo-chan, you didn't need to make that many extra," Sakura said, sweatdropping.

"Actually I also have a gift for Ranma-kun," she said, reaching into her bag.

"Ano, thanks, I guess. But what's the gift for?" Ranma asked with a confused expression.

"I noticed that the only things you wear other than your school uniform are those karate gi. I thought you might like some other clothes. I watched some martial arts videos for some ideas. Please let me know how they fit," Tomoyo said sweetly, handing him a small bundle.

"You can change in the restroom, Ranma-kun," Sakura told him, indicating the half-open door with a small wave. "I'll get some tea to go with the snacks while you're changing."

Ranma nodded and left the room with the bundle while Sakura made her way to the kitchen. When she returned with a tray of refreshments she found Ranma uncertainly wearing his new clothes, Tomoyo looking him over critically. She set the tray down and examined him. He was wearing a blue, Chinese style silk shirt with a small emblem design stitched onto the left side of his chest. The shirt was complemented by a pair of dark-blue, almost black kung-fu pants.

"This is why you wanted ta know what the Saotome Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu's symbol was, ne?" asked Ranma, indicating the emblem on the chest of the shirt.

Tomoyo nodded. "Do you like it, Ranma-kun? Did I get all the measurements right?"

"Yeah, it fits great and 'sreally comfortable. Thanks."

Tomoyo smiled. With a gleam in her eye she walked over to Ranma and moved behind him. "Please stand still for a moment, Ranma-kun."

Ranma shrugged as he stood there. He could feel Tomoyo messing with his hair but decided to wait and see what she was doing.

After a moment Tomoyo stepped back with a smile. "There, perfect."

Ranma reached back and felt his now-braided hair.

"Wow. Ranma-kun, you look so cool in that outfit and the braided pigtail really suits you!" Sakura said cheerfully.

Ranma chuckled embarrassedly, a hint of pink on his face. "Thanks, Sakura-chan."

"Come on, Ranma-kun, we'll go eat in my room with Kero-chan. Otosan is coming home late today and Oniichan won't be home for a few more hours so I can't introduce them to you until we have dinner."

Ranma nodded, following the girls upstairs to Sakura's room.

"Kero-chan, It's Ranma-kun and Tomoyo-chan!"

"Oi! Nice of you to visit!" Kero said, his tail wagging excitedly. Focusing on Ranma, he continued, "How ya been, kid? Like the new look, it suits you."

"Thanks. They were a gift from Tomoyo-chan. Good to see ya again, Kero." Ranma cocked his head to one side. "You look more cheerful 'n usual."

"Yes, Kero-chan, you seem to be in a good mood," Tomoyo agreed, her soft voice carrying a note of extra happiness. <Kero liked the clothes too! Now I know he'll support my idea!>

"After I told him that you were going to bake us some sweets, Tomoyo, he's been like this the whole time!" Sakura said with a smile.

"So, what did you make for us today?" Kero asked as he flew over to Tomoyo and hugged the bag she carried in her left hand.

Tomoyo smiled, pulling a box out of the bag. Setting it on the floor she lifted the lid off.

"Oh! It's a strawberry tart!!" Kero exclaimed happily.

Behind Tomoyo Ranma drooled a little, wiping it away before anyone noticed. "That looks good, Tomoyo-chan."

"Wow, amazing!" Sakura agreed from behind Kero.

"Let's eat! Let's hurry up and eat!" Kero chanted, Ranma nodding in agreement.

"We can't. We'll eat after Tomoyo is done with what she came over for," Sakura scolded. Kero and Ranma deflated, sighing. Ignoring their antics Sakura continued. "So, what do you want, Tomoyo-chan?"

"I wanted to get measurements from you for tailoring your outfits again," she responded, tape measure in hand, causing Sakura to sweatdrop slightly. Turning, she asked, "Can I get some measurements from you as well, Ranma-kun?"

"Uh, sure, if ya want. Don't see why you need 'em, though. These fit great."

Tomoyo stood behind Sakura and began taking measurements while Ranma and Kero sat impatiently next to the tart.

"All the clothes you make fit me perfectly already, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura mumbled as Tomoyo measured her shoulders.

"But you are in a growth spurt," Tomoyo rebuked. "Sakura-chan, please lift your arm a bit."

"Uh, hai," Sakura responded, lifting her arms to allow Tomoyo to measure her waist.

Standing back up with a slight blush on her cheeks Tomoyo continued. "I want to make them so that you look your cutest, Sakura-chan."

"T-Thanks," Sakura responded with a small sweatdrop.

Ranma sat off to the side looking lost. <I'll never understand girls.>

"Ranma-kun, could you step out of the room for a minute? I would like for Sakura-chan to try on my latest outfit design."

Ranma sweatdropped at the overly cheerful expression on Tomoyo's face and nodded mutely. Picking up Kero he walked out of the room, both of them giving a sad backward glance at the strawberry tart.

"Sakura-chan, you really ARE too cute!" Tomoyo said, smiling as she looked Sakura over.

Sakura stood twiddling her fingers, eyes closed and a blush on her face. She was wearing a pair of light blue shoes and a matching blue dress with a white apron covering the front. The collars on her sleeves and neck were a pale yellow that contrasted nicely with the blue. A pink bow in her hair completed the ensemble. "You're embarrassing me."

Hearing a knock on the door Tomoyo walked over and looked into the hallway.

"Are ya done yet?" Ranma asked. "Kero an' I are gettin' kinda hungry."

Tomoyo graced them with a beautiful smile. "We just finished. What do you think, Ranma-kun?" she asked, gesturing to Sakura. While Ranma turned to look at Sakura, Tomoyo quickly grabbed Kero and put a small, pink top-hat on his head, tying it on with a small blue ribbon.

"Kawaii," Ranma said as he looked her over, causing Sakura to blush harder.

"You shouldn't blush. Sakura-chan, you are the world's only Cardcaptor. Seeing you in action wearing this costume, Sakura-chan... It will be so touching," Tomoyo lectured, leaning toward Sakura with a somewhat starstruck expression. "Ne, Ranma-kun?" she asked, turning to Ranma.

"Er, yeah," Ranma mumbled, slightly off-guard. <I'm not sure if I even wanna understand girls.> Looking at Sakura questioningly he amended his thought. <Most of 'em anyway.>

"T-Tomoyo-chan," Sakura mumbled with a large sweatdrop. Seeing Ranma's questioning look she shrugged and gave him a "don't ask me" look.

Off to the side, Kero's eyebrow twitched as he sat himself in front of the tart. "Enough of that! Let me eat already!" As he spoke a vein began to throb on his head.

Meanwhile, outside.

A small glowing, blue dot bounced toward Sakura's house. Hopping off of the glass awning that served to protect the Kinomoto's car it leapt onto one of the small balconies of the house and into the open sliding-glass door.

Sakura's room.

Sakura and Ranma perked up. " "I felt..." " they both began. Looking at each other they blinked.

Ranma shrugged. "I felt somethin' like those cards you've been chasing."

Kero turned from the tart with a serious expression. "Yeah, I felt a faint magical energy."

Tomoyo looked between the three, blinking.

Sakura closed her eyes and concentrated for a moment. Opening her eyes she nodded at Ranma. "Yes, it's the presence of a Clow Card." She quickly made her way to her door and looked into the hall. Ranma stood by her side with Kero floating just in front of them.

"It's already inside the house," Kero said quietly.

"Yeah."

"I think it's in that room over there," Ranma said, gesturing to the room at the other end of the hall.

Sakura focused on the door and concentrated again. "You're right, Ranma-kun. It feels like it's in Otousan's room."

Kero looked at Ranma closely. <He's not even focusing. This kid's senses are incredible. I wonder...>

Stepping back into her room Sakura pulled out her key. "The Key which hides powers of the Dark! Show your true form before me! I, Sakura, command you under our contract! RELEASE!"

The others watched as the key grew into a pink baton which Sakura grabbed out of the air. Heading out of the room with Ranma she grasped her doorknob and turned to Tomoyo and Kero.

"Kero-chan, stay with Tomoyo-chan."

"All right!" Kero whispered.

"Please be careful," Tomoyo said in a concerned voice.

"Don't worry, I'll protect Sakura-chan!" Ranma said with conviction.

Sakura smiled at Ranma briefly. Turning back to Tomoyo she nodded with a serious expression on her face. Moving as quietly as they could the pair approached her father's bedroom. Sakura cracked the door open slightly allowing the two to peek into the room. Looking around the room they saw an empty chair, Kinomoto-san's king-size bed, and a small bedside table with a few books on it. Looking at Ranma, Sakura nodded and the two burst into the room facing her father's organ. Not finding anything Ranma walking over to the bed to check under it while Sakura looked around for any signs of the Clow Card. Noticing the curtains billowing slightly Sakura approached the sliding-glass door cautiously, her sealing wand held in front of her defensively. Using the wand she checked behind the curtains.

"Nothin' under the bed."

"Wah!" Sakura jumped, spinning around to face Ranma. "You startled me, Ranma-kun."

"Heh, sorry 'bout that, Sakura-chan." Ranma suddenly tensed as the small glowing dot bounced behind Sakura and began bouncing on the center of the bed.

Sakura quickly turned to face the speck of light. Leaning down to examine it she shot Ranma a questing look. "A Clow Card?"

"Maybe, you know more 'bout this than me."

Shrugging her shoulders Sakura raised the sealing wand overhead in preparation to seal the apparent Clow Card when it suddenly leapt at her. Sakura stumbled back and nearly fell on her back. Ranma jumped behind her and caught her, sparing her a rough landing. The mote of light hopped off Sakura's chest and onto Ranma's hand before jumping away. Neither had time to react as they were encased in a bright glow.

"Hoeeeh!"

Sakura's bedroom.

"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo cried out worriedly.

Floating up next to her Kero also called for her, a worried expression on his face. "Sakura!"

Fujitaka's bedroom.

"Oi, Sakura-chan. You alright?" Ranma asked as he sat up, Sakura sitting in his lap.

"Hai, what happened?" Looking around at their surroundings she continued. "Where are we?" Standing up she turned and looked behind Ranma, craning her neck to look at the objects towering over them. "Can this be... the chair and the lamp?"

"Yeah, I think that speck o' light made us small or somethin'," Ranma said as he indicated Sakura's key, which was now larger than either of them.

Sakura stared at the key. She opened her mouth to say something, but a gust of wind from outside blew her into the air.

"Sakura-chan!" Ranma quickly leapt after her, catching her in his arms. She latched onto him, screaming in fright. Ranma tried to twist around so they would land safely, but the airflow suddenly reversed and pulled the pair out of the house.

"Sakura! Ranma!" Kero cried out as he flew into the room followed closely by Tomoyo. Finding the room empty the two began looking for any sign of their friends.

Walking over to the chair Tomoyo reached down and picked up the Key of Clow. "Sakura-chan's key."

Kero floated over next to her with a worried expression. "You're right. She dropped such an important thing...? Where in the world did they go!?"

Outside.

After they had been pulled past the railing of the balcony, Ranma gained enough control to flip around so he was under Sakura. The two plummeted toward the ground, Sakura crying the entire trip down from the second floor. Landing in a lavender-colored flower, Ranma grunted as the air was knocked from his lungs.

Realizing they had stopped moving and were still alive, Sakura looked up from Ranma's chest. "Are you okay, Ranma-kun?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. How 'bout you?"

"I'm okay, thanks to you."

Ranma shrugged. "I said I'd protect ya, didn't I?"

Sakura smiled and nodded, standing up. She watched as Ranma easily hopped down from the flower. Recognition shown in her eyes as she looked at the flower she was standing on. "These are the flowers I planted with Otousan. Thank you, flowers! Thank you, Otousan!" she cheered while holding her hands up in the air and smiling happily.

On the ground below her, Ranma watched her spin around several times, a sweatdrop forming on his head.

Sakura stopped her spinning suddenly, placing her hands on her hips and closing her eyes. "This isn't the time for stuff like this!" She seemed to be scolding herself. Looking at Ranma she continued worriedly. "If I don't have my staff, I can't use magic or seal the Clow Card. What should we do...!?"

"Look out!"

"Eh?"

Sakura watched as Ranma leapt at her, his right arm cocked back to deliver a straight hook. She quickly crouched down and covered her head. Hearing Ranma's fist connect with something behind her, she glanced over her shoulder. She nearly screamed at the sight of a praying mantis flipping off of its back and charging at them.

Ranma quickly picked her up and started running.

"NO! Stay away from us!" Sakura screamed as she watched the mantis follow them. Reacting to her cries, Ranma began leaping from flower to flower, quickly losing the pursuing insect.

Inside, living room.

"Where in the world did Sakura go!?" Kero mumbled dejectedly.

"I am worried about her," Tomoyo said, downcast.

Kero closed his eyes and tilted his head downward. "It doesn't seem like she has left the house."

"Tadaima!" Toya's muffled voice called from the front door.

Kero and Tomoyo perked up in surprise.

"Konichiwa!" Yukito's voice called from near Toya's.

"Ugh.. it's the Oniichan!" Kero grumbled.

"Please, hide!" Tomoyo said, glancing at Kero worriedly.

"Y-Yeah!" Kero quickly flew behind the couch.

Tomoyo resumed sitting upright and looking straight ahead. She immediately stood up to greet Toya and Yukito as they entered the room. "Konichiwa, I'm visiting Sakura-chan today."

Smiling, Toya returned the greeting. "Konichiwa."

Yukito smiled as well. "Konichiwa."

Toya looked around. "Oh? Where's Sakura?"

Sweatdropping, Tomoyo replied. "S-She had to go out shopping."

"Huh? What is she doing leaving her friend here?" Toya said, a disapproving tone in his voice.

"She had told me that she would be right back. Ranma-kun is with her."

Toya frowned a little at that but remained silent.

Behind the couch Kero sat looking worried. <Where did you go, Sakura, Ranma?>

Outside.

"Ranma-kun, over there," Sakura said, pointing to an open window.

Ranma nodded and leapt onto the windowsill. Setting Sakura down he made his way over to the other edge of the sill, entering the furoba.

"That was scary!! Though I felt safe with you carrying me."

Ranma glanced over his shoulder at her and smirked. "Looks like we're above the furo. Come on, I'll carry ya down so we don't get wet."

"Un!" She quickly made her way over to him.

Ranma started to pick her back up when both tensed and looked down at the furo. A small yellow mote of light solidified into a girl with a two-pronged jester's hat. The left prong stood straight while the much longer right prong flopped over, hanging behind her — nearly touching the surface of the water she stood upon. She wore a simple Arabian-esque outfit with a small cape. With the exception of a small red jewel on her chest everything was a shade of yellow, including her skin.

"You're the Clow Card, aren't you?" Sakura called, a tinge of anger in her voice. "Is it your fault we're so small now!?" she continued, waving her arms angrily.

The card smiled and nodded happily.

"We nearly died from that fall and Ranma had to save me from that bug!"

The card's only response was a happy giggle.

"It's not a laughing matter! Ne, Ranma-kun?"

Ranma nodded and prepared to attack. The card simply turned and began hopping away.

"Hey, Wait!!" Sakura cried out. Feeling Ranma pick her up she wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as he leapt onto the tile surrounding the furo. Running along the edge he made a second leap, carrying the two to the floor.

Living room.

Tomoyo stared into her tea-cup thinking about Sakura and Ranma.

"Tomoyo-chan, would you like sugar or milk?" Yukito asked.

Her reverie interrupted, she turned to him with a smile. "Oh, just milk, please."

"Hai."

"Thank you very much."

Behind them Kero sat tapping his foot on the floor. <I'm sure Sakura is fine. Ranma's with her after all. They're both fine... I hope.>

Standing up suddenly Tomoyo exclaimed. "I know! I baked a cake today. It's in Sakura's room. I'll bring it right down." Walking toward the doorway she suddenly turned, holding her hand over her forehead. "Oh.. I feel dizzy..." In an overly dramatic display she made her way behind the couch and collapsed onto the ground.

"Oi," Toya called out in concern. He and Yukito turned, preparing to get up and check on her, but before they could really react she jumped back to her feet.

"No, I'm alright now." Smiling cheerfully and giggling softly Tomoyo made her way out of the living room, walking sideways to hide the fact that she was carrying Kero behind her back.

Toya and Yukito turned and stared at each other with bewildered expressions, neither able to speak as they tried to figure out what had just happened.

In the hallway.

"That was worthy of an Academy Award!" Kero whispered.

"My heart was racing!"

"Well, I'll go look for Sakura and Ranma."

"Please be careful to not be found by her Oniisama and his friend."

"Yeah." Kero quickly flew off to begin his search.

The furoba.

Sakura and Ranma dashed after the card, Ranma grabbing Sakura by the waist to carry her over the bathroom's threshold. Setting her back down Ranma resumed the chase — Sakura following close behind him.

"Wait! Come on, wait for us!" Sakura called after the giggling card.

The trio ran across the main hallway into the kitchen, just missing Tomoyo and Kero as they exited the living room. Running under the kitchen table Ranma jumped up and began bouncing between the legs of the chairs, building up speed. Lunging forward he barely missed catching the card as it bounced off of a table leg. Pushing off the floor with his hands he flipped back to land next to Sakura.

"She's more agile 'n she looks."

Sakura nodded. Focusing on the card again she yelled. "Hey! How far do you think you're going!?"

Just as the two of them were about to pass out from under the table the door to the living room opened. Sakura grabbed Ranma and hid behind one of the chair legs. The two watched as Toya walked in carrying a teapot.

"Sheesh... How far away did Sakura and that kid go to shop now!?" His voice was a deep rumbling sound to the two ten-year olds. His steps caused large vibrations that shook the tiny pre-teens.

<O-Oniichan looks like a monster. That's right! Oniichan is more like a monster than I am!!> Sakura thought, clenching her right hand into a fist and closing her eyes in a gesture of self assurance.

"Who's that?" Ranma whispered.

"My Oniichan, Toya. You saw him at the marathon race, remember?"

"Oh yeah, didn't get ta talk to him though. Wonder what he meant about us shoppin'?"

"Tomoyo-chan must have used that as an excuse for our absence. Where did that Clow Card go? We can't go out there while Oniichan is there. What should we do?"

Ranma looked around and sighed. "I can't feel it. 'Course, since we shrunk my senses've been off. Hey, there it is!" he said, pointing toward the refrigerator.

Sakura followed his finger and saw it the card bouncing a few feet to the right of her brother. Gasping as her brother turned and started walking toward the card. Without thinking she yelled.

"Look out, Oniichan!!"

Toya paused and looked around. "I thought I just heard Sakura's voice."

Sakura and Ranma had flattened themselves against the leg of the chair, Sakura covering her mouth with her hands. The two let out sighs of relief when the card moved back toward the hallway and Toya continued toward the living room.

"Was it my imagination?" Toya's voice boomed out as he walked out of the room.

Ranma and Sakura followed the annoying card as soon as they deemed it safe to leave hiding. Entering the hallway they were just in time to witness it hop up the stairs. Reacting quickly, Ranma grabbed Sakura, carrying her as he ran. Sakura barely reacted, subconsciously wrapping her arms around his neck as she kept an eye on the escaping card. Reaching the stairs, Ranma began leaping up the stairs with an ease born of practice.

<Ranma-kun is stronger than I thought. Even carrying me he doesn't seem bothered by jumping this high.>

Halfway up the stairs they encountered Kero.

"Kero-chan!" Sakura called happily.

"That must be LITTLE's fault."

"LITTLE? 'Little' as in small?" Sakura asked.

Kero nodded.

"The magic staff turned back into a key on its own, too."

"LITTLE shrinks your magical powers, and not just your size," Kero responded.

"What 'bout your ki?" Ranma asked from off to the side.

"Probably. I've never dealt with someone who used ki so I don't know for sure."

"Well, it would explain why my senses've been so limited."

"How can we get back to our original size?" Sakura asked, distracting Kero from his thoughts.

"If you can touch LITTLE one more time, you should grow back to normal size."

"Great, have ya seen how agile she is? This is gonna be a real challenge." Excitement shone in his eye as he spoke.

"We can do it, Ranma-kun. Come on, we have to hurry up and find LITTLE!"

"Un!" Ranma said enthusiastically.

"Oh, but... even if we find LITTLE, if I don't have my key..."

"Tomoyo has the key."

"Tomoyo-chan does?"

"Great, come on. Lets go get the key from Tomoyo-chan and find that yellow girl so Sakura-chan can catch her."

Kero sweatdropped at Ranma's description of LITTLE. Smiling, he thought, <I definitely prefer him to the Kid and the Brat.>

Sakura's room.

Tomoyo looked at the key in her hands. Grasping it in both hands she held it to her heart. "I wonder if Sakura-chan and Ranma-kun are alright..."

Walking out of the door to Sakura's room she turned, staring as she noticed a small bouncing mote of yellow light. Walking over she watched in surprise as the light stopped bouncing and hovered in front of her. Leaning forward she tried to determine what it was. She raised her hand and was about to touch the tiny yellow-tinted girl when she heard Sakura shout "Don't!!" in a tiny voice. Recoiling she watched as Kero flew toward her with a tiny Ranma and Sakura standing next to each other on his back. Each had an arm over the other's shoulder.

"Sakura-chan? Ranma-kun?"

Tomoyo watched as they collided with the tiny girl, Ranma and Sakura wrapping their free arm around the Clow Card in a three-way hug. Tomoyo turned to follow their movement as they passed her and watched in surprise as Ranma and Sakura returned to normal size and landed on the floor.

"Tomoyo-chan, the key!" Sakura commanded quickly.

"H-Hai!" Reaching into her pocket Tomoyo grabbed the key and tossed it to Sakura.

After activating the staff, Sakura wasted no time in bringing it down to capture the LITTLE.

"Return to the guise that you were meant to be in! CLOW CARD!" she called, ribbons of yellow energy flying out of the tiny speck of light and forming into a card.

"All right! We're back to our normal size!"

"Y-You're hurting me..." Kero moaned from his position under Ranma's thigh. Sakura looked down and noticed that she was sitting in Ranma's lap, pinning him and Kero to the floor.

"Oh, Kero-chan, Ranma-kun! I'm sorry!" Sakura cried as she quickly moved off of Ranma.

"Don't worry 'bout me, I'm fine. Not so sure 'bout Kero though," Ranma said as he hopped to his feet, picking up Kero as he did so.

Taking Kero from Ranma, Sakura began to frantically question to crushed guardian-beast. "Are you all right, Kero-chan? Kero-chan!"

"Oniichan, Yukito-san, this is Ranma-kun."

"Yo! Nice ta meetcha."

Yukito smiled at the pig-tailed boy. "It's nice to meet you as well, Ranma-kun," he said in his normal, pleasant voice.

"Yeah, nice," Toya said as he attempted to engage in a staring match, though Ranma ignored him, unintentionally thwarting his efforts. Giving up he studied the boy more carefully. <Sakura was right about his martial arts skills. I've seen masters that don't move that fluidly.> Opening his senses he took in the boy's aura, his eyes nearly bulging in shock. <How on Earth did a kid his age get such a huge aura, let alone that level of control over it?> Blinking, he almost mumbled. <Is that a kitten-spirit following him!?>

"You alright, Toya? You look a bit spooked," Yukito whispered in his ear, concerned.

Turning to face Yukito he whispered his response. "Yeah, the kid's just not what I expected."

Later that evening, dinner.

" "Itadakimasu!" "

Toya and Fujitaka stared as Ranma began inhaling his food, managing to outpace even Yukito's speedy eating habits. Sakura and Tomoyo shook their heads, having more or less gotten used to Ranma's quirk from eating lunch with him at school.

"Can you even taste what you're eating?" Toya asked in deadpan. "Even Yuki doesn't eat that fast."

Ranma ignored the quip.

Sakura shook her head. "No, it's good to eat like that. It shows you're healthy!"

Ranma paused to smile at Sakura. At the head of the table, Fujitaka chuckled at their antics.

<Definitely has a crush. That's the same thing she said about Yuki's eating habits,> Toya thought with a sigh. Shaking his head he turned toward Sakura.

"You know, Sakura. You're going..." Toya began while gesturing in his younger sister's direction. Unfortunately for Toya his movement placed his chopsticks near Ranma's.

"Er, Ranma-kun why did you break Toya-kun's chopsticks?" Yukito asked with a puzzled expression.

"And steal my pickle?" Toya added with a glare.

Scratching behind his new pigtail, Ranma chuckled nervously. "Sorry, it was sorta reflex, ya know?"

"And just how did you manage to develop a reflex of snapping someone's chopsticks while stealing their food?" Toya asked with a lidded stare.

Ranma blinked. "It's part of the Saotome Ryuu Martial Arts Dining. Deflect incoming attack and counter," he stated as if it were common knowledge.

Ranma looked around. <Hearin' a room full o' people blink is creepy.>

"Martial," Toya began.

"Arts," Yukito continued.

"Dining," Fujitaka finished.

Ranma nodded.

"Ranma-kun, how do you make a martial art out of dining?" Sakura asked.

"And why would you?" Toya asked with a scowl, watching Ranma unconsciously stuff the stolen pickle in his mouth.

"One o' the prime tenets of the Musabetsu Kakuto Saotome Ryuu is ta make everythin' into trainin'. Oyaji came up with it as a way a boostin' my speed, offense, an' defense. He tries ta take my food while defendin' his. I do the same. It's pretty good trainin', though his chopsticks usually ain't broken that easily."

<In other words his father tries to steal his food in the guise of training. No wonder he eats so fast, probably has to to get enough to live on. Though if he makes everything into training it would help explain how a ten-year-old boy could have so much skill and such a huge aura,> Toya thought while studying Ranma carefully. Frowning a little he stared at Ranma more closely. <I feel like I should know him from somewhere, but I know we've never met before. Must be from seeing him with Sakura so much recently.>

<Ranma-kun's father doesn't sound very nice at all,> Tomoyo thought, coming to a conclusion similar to Toya's.

<I think I'll start bringing a lunch for Ranma-kun. He doesn't get much to eat at school since he can only afford a few pieces of bread each day,> Sakura thought, using the same gesture of self assurance that she had earlier.

"Do you always eat that fast, Ranma-kun?" Yukito asked. At Ranma's nod he continued, "Eating quickly is fine but you should slow down and savor your food from time to time."

Ranma blinked but nodded. <Never thought o' that.>

Everyone had made their way into the living room after dinner, looking forward to having Tomoyo's strawberry tart for dessert. Sitting around the sofa they watched as Tomoyo cut the tart into six even slices.

"Here you go," Tomoyo said sweetly.

" "Thanks, let's eat!" " everyone responded heartily.

Not bothering to use a fork, Toya simply picked up his piece and took a bite out of it. Beside him, Yukito ate at a more relaxed pace, savoring the flavor of the dessert. Next to Yukito, Fujitaka calmly took a bite. Like Yukito he decided to use a fork. Sitting between Fujitaka and Sakura, Ranma looked at the others before deciding to follow Yukito's advice — though he mimicked Toya and simply picked up his piece of the tart. Taking a bite he chewed slowly, enjoying the flavor. Sakura smiled happily as she ate the wonderful dessert. To Sakura's right, Tomoyo sat holding her plate, eating slowly with everyone else.

"Great," Toya said cheerfully.

"Delicious," Sakura agreed.

Tomoyo demurely replied. "I'm glad!"

Yukito leaned toward her slightly. "Tomoyo, you're a great cook."

"Yeah, Tomoyo-chan. This's great!" Ranma chimed in, taking a second large bite — nearly finishing off his piece in the process.

Fujitaka smiled. "Yes, this is very well made, Tomoyo-san."

Tomoyo blushed slightly from the praise. "Thank you very much."

Deciding to pick on his sister once more, Toya spoke up. "Sakura would never be able to make something this good."

Sakura glared at her older brother with a lidded stare. "I can too!"

Leaning next to her Ranma delivered his own glare, though he remained silent due to the food in his mouth.

Toya almost gulped. Coughing, he turned away from his sister and Ranma. <This kid is incredible. I can't believe he can focus his aura like that. Feels like a huge weight is pressing down on me.>

Not noticing her brother's reaction, Sakura turned and looked down at the table. "If I learn how to make it..." she continued in a slightly melancholy voice.

"It's rather simple," Tomoyo told her.

"Really...?"

"Yes. We can bake it together next time."

Sakura nodded cheerfully.

"But it really is delicious!" Yukito praised, switching back to the original subject.

Looking at the empty plate Toya sighed. "Too bad there's none left."

Sakura turned to look at the plate, a nervous expression on her face. <Kero-chan's piece! I completely forgot.>

"T-This is it...?" Kero moaned unhappily as he stared at the tiny piece of tart that Sakura had saved for him.

Ranma reached over and patted him on the head. "Er, I guess I got your piece. Sorry 'bout that."

Ignoring Ranma, Kero continued to whine. "My cake..." Perking up suddenly, he exclaimed. "I know! LITTLE!"

The other three looked at him strangely.

"LITTLE?" Sakura questioned.

Moments later.

Ranma watched a micro-sized Kero munch on the now much larger strawberry. "Wish I'd thought a' that," he sulked.

"I'm so happy!!" Kero exclaimed.

Sakura leaned down to get a closer look at her guardian beast. "I didn't know I could use it this way."

In another part of Tomoeda.

Genma sat at a beef bowl stand next to the college professor he had given the scroll to.

"So, Nobunaga-san, have you made any progress on the translation?"

"We've made some progress, Saotome-san; however, it's proving to be more difficult than I had first thought. The scroll is much older than the scrolls that have been discovered from this culture previously. The dialect is much more archaic than what my research team and myself are used to and several of the terms are ambiguous. We have managed to translate bits and pieces of the scroll and know that it contains instructions for some form of advanced training. As for what the training is actually for and what it involves... Well, we'll have to get back to you on that."

Genma frowned at the man. <It's obviously martial arts training. What else would the m-m-master keep.> Shaking off his fear he responded. "So you can translate it? How much longer will it take?"

"I can't make any real estimates at this point. It could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. But don't worry, this scroll is our highest priority right now. The amount of lost knowledge and historical significance of the scroll has piqued most of my team's interests. Several of my associates have pulled all-nighters working on the translation. My team and I will translate the scroll, I assure you."

<A few months...> Genma grimaced. <At least the boy hasn't been slacking off. Despite the time wasted at that school he's still improving.> Sighing he replied, "I guess waiting another month or two will be worth it if I can get a version of the scroll I can read." <Teaching the boy a lost form of martial arts... This scroll better be worth it. Wish I could find another translator so I wasn't so dependent on this guy.>

A furo is a Japanese bathtub. It is usually filled in the morning and used by the whole family throughout the day. You scrub down before getting in and then just use it to relax. The furoba is the "bathroom" where the furo is located. From what I can tell from the anime, Sakura's house has a separate restroom.