"You do look fairly exhausted, Akane-chan. Are you sure you don't want to go to bed while the rest of us wait for Ranmira to return?" Akane let out her breath in a slightly exasperated sigh. It was the demon Kaede's fault she had expended most of the remainder of her power this evening; she felt literally drained of both energy and strength. Akane realized. As such, she didn't truly have the strength to protest while Nodoka and Kasumi concerned themselves with her well-being. She reclined in her chair at the family-room table. Nodoka and Genma were seated close to her, while Kasumi had taken to cleaning the room regardless of the others' insistence that she take a break from the housework. "I'm sure I'll be fine," Akane made an effort to reassure Nodoka, yet couldn't quite suppress a yawn. "All I need to do is take it easy for a while." And possibly find something in the kitchen to give herself a quick energy infusion, too. But what? Based on what Skuld and Ranmira had told her, she guessed that the best 'energy boost' would come from a favorite food or drink. Skuld had her ice cream, Ranmira had her chocolate. She herself had a fondness for... cookies. Would those help her now, she wondered? She was about to ask her eldest sister if they had any of the cookies left over from Kasumi's last trip to the marketplace when Skuld rose from the koi pond. An Aa! Megamisama / Ranma 1/2 Crossover Instruments of Change Part Ten written by Mike Koos ---------------------- Despite the fact that both of them had previously witnessed the young Goddess' emergence from her medium, Nodoka and Genma were almost too startled by her sudden arrival to notice Ranmira's similar appearance within the room. Ranmira didn't wait until her feet had settled upon the wood-panel floor to begin scanning the room for hints as to what had happened during her absence. Akane appeared to be recovering, though not in her bed and room as they'd hoped. Mr. and Mrs. Saotome hadn't been physically fighting, as far as she could tell. There was no sign of Ryouga - which probably made Skuld feel a little more at ease - or Ukyou; most likely, they had departed for the evening. Swallowing her apprehension, she began to walk toward Nodoka. She gently cleared her throat. "Mrs. Saotome. I would like to apologize for having to leave so abruptly while we were speaking to each other, and for making you wait." Nodoka studied her for a few seconds' time. "That's quite all right. Akane-chan explained to us what had happened." She forced a smile. What the Gods and Goddesses had to deal with compared to the concerns of Mortals... she wasn't sure if she truly wanted to know or not. "If it isn't too much to ask, may I see my son?" Akane started upon hearing the request. She guessed she should have been expecting Ranma's mother to ask that question sooner or later, but... wasn't Ranma a child, now? How would Mrs. Saotome react to the fact that her son was nine years younger than he was supposed to be?" Ranmira nodded. "No, it isn't too much to ask." Taking a single step backwards, she called Ranma forth, her body seemingly shifting into Ranma's form - a change that slightly unnerved the boy's parents. Ranma's Jhusenkyou curse aside, it was still their son's form being shifted and twisted about... or so it seemed. And when the 'transformation' ended, Ranma opened his eyes and took in the scene before him. He was sixteen again, much to everyone's surprise except Skuld. His mother called his name. "Ranma? Is that you? Ranmira and Akane told us that you had been changed into a child." "Ranmira thought it would be best if I were restored to my true age before meeting you," Ranma said after a brief pause. "I've missed you, Mother." Nodoka embraced him. "I've missed you too, Ranma." As the hug ended, Ranma turned his attention to Akane, moving to her side. "Akane... are you all right?" he asked in a distinctly concerned tone of voice. "Ranmira mentioned to me that you used up a great deal of your power and that you really should be resting." "Ranma...?" His show of concern was genuine, if not accurate enough to fool her and his parents. "I can carry you to your room, if it isn't a bother," he persisted. Akane was unsure what to think. Whatever Ranma was currently up to, however, had to be a last-moment scheme of Ranmira's creation for Nodoka's sake. Hadn't Ranmira implied earlier that a lot of retraining was necessary to fix Ranma's psychological and personal problems? At any rate, she was certainly too exhausted to effectively argue with Ranma. Or Ranmira, if it came to that. This was a delicate time, so the best thing to do was play along to help Ranma look good in his mother's view. "......Okay." Ranma carefully scooped her into his arms and noiselessly started to carry her out of the room. "Oh, they're finally showing their true love for each other..." Tears rolled down Genma's cheeks. "I can die knowing their marriage will be a happy one." The glares that Ranma, Akane and Skuld gave him were no problem to ignore - he'd had a lot of practice in learning to ignore the countless glares he'd received throughout his life - but Nodoka could not be similarly ignored. He nervously drew back a step, tensing his body, as Nodoka made an obvious show of fingering the wrapped sword which now lay on the table at her side. "It's good to know that you care more about their engagement than you do about Ranma and Akane themselves," she admonished him, sending Ranma and Akane on their way with a single nod. Skuld chose to remain behind. Genma never changed! Everything the man did was designed to benefit *him* at some point or another. To that end, he used others - his wife, his best friend, his son... any way he could, even if it meant signing them away to other people for only a few bites of food. What few words Nodoka had had with him this evening implied that the future Genma had planned did not include her in any way. If he thought he was going to simply remove her from her son's life... Ranma was the son she had wished for, the son to whom she had given a name based on that of the Goddess who had offered her that wish. Genma was *not* going to drive her away. Genma switched to self-assured mode. "You agreed to the arrangement, Nodoka." The reminder angered her. "So? Because I thought that there might be some merit in allowing the two of them to consider marrying each other, you believe I would want to force them together for your benefit or Soun's?" She paused to take a breath. "Do *not* lead me to believe that the agreement was as much of a mistake as allowing you to run off with my son." Genma opened his mouth to respond, but was silenced by the anger burning in his wife's eyes. "I can see that the fact they are close at this time is good for them both, considering what they are each going through. But I will not have you or Soun forcing them to marry, without considering what your efforts may do to them, simply because you both stand to benefit from their marriage." "Ranma is my son," Genma declared flatly. "He will do what is expected of him." Nodoka snorted. "What is expected of him and what you want him to do are different things. Don't assume they are always the same." "They are," Genma said, facing away. Skuld cleared her throat. Both glanced at her in surprise, as if they had forgotten she was there. "We'll discuss this later, in private," Nodoka indicated to her husband. She switched her attention to Skuld. "I apologize for my husband's behavior. Are you a friend of Ranmira's?" "I'm her younger sister, Skuld." The Goddess offered her a polite bow. "Pleased to meet you." Nodoka returned the bow. "Pleased to meet you. Pardon me for asking... but what is your opinion of my son?" There was an awkward pause. "Well..." Ranma eased Akane onto her bed with the same care that he had used in carrying her upstairs. He stepped back and watched her in silence for several seconds, for reasons which Akane couldn't determine. Perhaps he and Ranmira only wanted to make sure that she would be okay after all she had done, just as Skuld had been extremely concerned when Ryouga had hurt her sister? But now... it was difficult for her to be sure. He turned toward the door to leave. "Ranma, wait!" she called after him. "Huh?" Akane made an effort to prop herself up on her elbows. "What's going on?" she asked. "I mean, this afternoon you were a little kid, and now you're back to the way you were, except now you're acting like a complete gentleman. This isn't like you." The other laughed. "You're training to become a Goddess, and you're saying my changes are strange?" She had no immediate answer for that question. "Ranma..." "It was Ranmira's idea," Ranma offered her a faint smirk. "I guess she wanted me to make a good first impression on my Mom." "...Did she rewrite your personality or something?" "Not that I know of. She says she just patched some things, added some others," he answered. Akane hesitated. "Do you feel... different?" "No..." Ranma stopped to reconsider his words. "Well, not really. She... Ranmira told me I really shouldn't be able to sense much of a change." "Oh?" "Anyway, she also said you should get some rest, and after hearing about what you did today, I agree. 'Night, Akane." It occurred to Akane that she should 'test' Ranma to get a better picture of his changes, but Ranma had already left the room and closed the door behind him before she could manage to say anything else. Akane recalled her concerns from earlier in the day that Ranma wouldn't be the same if Ranmira was successful in changing him to be the person for which his mother had wished. She'd become accustomed to having Saotome Ranma around, Jhusenkyou curse, faults and all. Not to mention all the ridiculous circumstances they always found themselves entangled within. And now, that person could be gone forever... due in part to events she had set in motion. How simple things would be if she had remained a Mortal... Even if Ranma claimed Ranmira hadn't *really* changed him, how much *had* he changed? To Ranma's surprise, Belldandy had arrived and was seated at the table, drinking tea with his parents and a reluctant Skuld as he returned to the family room. He hoped neither Goddess had mentioned anything about him that his mother might not like. Ranmira's voice assured him. Well, perhaps luck was on his side, for once. Ranmira had already taken care of the first hurdle - she'd told his mother about the Jhusenkyou curses and his father's deeds. Ranma suspected it was due to Ranmira's intervention that his mother hadn't used her sword on her husband... yet. Ranmira considered saying something in response, but decided it was best to remain silent. After all, how could she tell Ranma that nothing of the sort would happen if she wasn't sure, herself? Nodoka was certainly not pleased with the things her husband had done to her son, all in the name of martial-arts training. Ranmira knew that she, Belldandy and Skuld could prevent Nodoka from taking her sword to Genma or Ranma... although she hoped it wouldn't come to that. She could tell that Ranma's mother was a calm, rational person, unlike her husband - and was placing faith in Nodoka's ability to remain level-headed despite what had been done in her absence. "Ranma, come here," Nodoka instructed him. Ranma did as she asked, coming to stand before her. "Can Ranmira-san hear me as well?" "She can hear you." Nodoka smiled. "Good. I would like to speak to both of you. Belldandy has informed me that her sister remains aware of everything while she is a part of you, but I wanted to make sure that she could," she said, giving the sandy-haired Belldandy a quick glance as if to apologize for wanting to verify the Goddess' words. "First," she took a glass of cold tap water from the table and offered it to Ranma. "I want to see an example of this curse you're supposed to have that changes you into a girl." Curses, indeed - now she had a son who could be her daughter part of the time and a husband who could become a giant panda? As Ranma obediently poured the contents of the glass over his head, his features began to blur with the water washing over him. Within a few seconds Ranma had been transformed into a wet copy of Ranmira... though Ranma appeared younger, a quarter of a head smaller in stature, and had far less of a braided pigtail of hair. She also lacked Ranmira's triad of facial markings, while her face contained a hint of tomboyishness that wasn't as obvious in the Goddess' face. This, too, Skuld had attempted to explain: Ranmira's presence within Ranma conflicted with the magic of the curse, and therefore gave the boy-turned-girl an approximation of her form. The rest of Skuld's explanation - such as the fact that the Jhusenkyou curse Ranma carried normally made its victims appear as they would had they been born female - Nodoka stored away for later consideration. Her son was truly cursed to become a girl when he came in contact with cold water. If only Ranmira hadn't been rendered helpless by the loss of... herself, she might have been able to prevent this and more of her husband's mistakes. She was guiding him now, however. Most likely, she was telling him how to behave at this very minute to help him impress his mother. The thought made Nodoka smile inwardly. She wanted to tell Ranmira that the effort really wasn't necessary, but that would mean spoiling the Goddess' fun. According to her sisters, Ranmira had been in the process of trying to get Genma to undo some of the damage done to Ranma throughout the boy's life, in addition to correcting some of that damage herself. Nodoka's arrival had cut that plan short. That was a good thing, since this Ranma was closer to the person Ranma had grown up to be, and less of a rearranged person put together for her benefit. Had Ranmira been able to guide him throughout his life, what kind of person would he have turned out to be? Much as she was loath to admit it, Genma's training had at least taught Ranma how to be strong. Akane, Kasumi, Belldandy and Skuld had each indicated that Ranma had a well-established sense of honor, as had Ranmira. Ranma's considerate and well-mannered behavior now was also impressive - even if some of it could be a last-minute act. Ranma had turned out to be a better person than she had hoped! Nodoka had been afraid that living with only his father as a role model would cause Ranma to become just like the man, yet that hadn't entirely come to pass. In spite of the fact that no one truly seemed to hold Genma in high regard, everyone liked or held some form of respect for Ranma... even his enemies. She could be proud of this Ranma; everyone, including Ranmira, had done their jobs well. There was only one thing left to do. Nodoka rose from her seat at the table and met the gaze of the young woman standing before her. "Ranma, Ranmira-san." She silently hoped her improvised speech would work in this circumstance, as she had very little precedent to help her figure out what to do. "......I have decided that the wish... contract has been fulfilled. I have the son that I want." Once she had finished speaking the words a bright golden light engulfed Ranma, somewhat similar to the light in which Skuld had teleported Ranmira and Akane away earlier in the day. Belldandy and Skuld were the only individuals in the room who didn't need to avert their eyes. The light soon faded. Ranma opened her eyes to find Ranmira standing immediately at her side, wearing what could have been described as a long, thin white frock cut in an unusual style, trimmed by violet and blue in an almost regal fashion. A long, violet ribbon descended from her scarlet hair in a bow. She wore what appeared to be leather boots and loose armguards, as well as white fingerless gloves. Simple golden jewelry inset with sapphire-hued jewels encircled her neck and waist. This was the Ranmira Ranma had seen and had been expecting to meet face-to-face one day, since the moment she provided him with an image of herself to let him know exactly who was acting as a part of his conscience. Ranma was grateful to be separated from Ranmira, of course - now that the wish his mother had made was 'fulfilled,' she no longer had a Goddess monitoring her actions or trying to guide the way she behaved. Yet, at the same time, Ranma felt as though something quite important had been taken away from her. Nodoka blinked. "Ranmira-san...?" "Thank you, Mrs. Saotome," Ranmira inclined her head, smiling. "Your clothes... you weren't wearing those clothes earlier." She considered this. "Oh. As a part of Ranma, I could only manifest myself in his place. The link between us altered my clothing to match Ranma's clothes so that I would not look out of place, and because Ranma would in theory already be wearing the proper clothes for whatever situation I entered." While Ranmira made her explanation, Ranma subconsciously pulled her braided pig-tail of hair over her shoulder and began twirling it around her finger. She glanced down at the pig-tail. Tugged at it for good measure. Red hair. The same red hair she'd always had, come to think of it. A shade of scarlet matching Ranmira's hair color. Hadn't Ranmira told him something about his appearance as a girl changing? What was it... oh, right. "Didn't you say that if we were separated, the curse would change me into a different girl?" Ranma spoke up. "Or is this how I would look if I had been born as a girl?" "I... altered your curse," answered Ranmira. "I thought it would be better if you did not have to worry about re-establishing yourself as a different girl, but instead kept the appearance to which you have become accustomed." She smiled. "As long as you don't choose to use my appearance for the wrong purposes, Ranma, I will not mind." "But if you have changed his curse, doesn't that mean that some of the 'cures' which might work for others with the curse will no longer work for Ranma?" Nodoka inquired before Ranma had a chance to respond. "You're right; some of the possible cures won't work for Ranma since his curse has been modified," Skuld said, hesitantly. "We can restore the original curse's template if you want, though." Nodoka studied her 'daughter' momentarily. The Goddesses had previously explained to her that only the victim of a curse could properly remove that particular curse, so there was no point in asking them to cure Ranma's curse or neutralize it. She had to admit to a slight curiosity as to what her daughter might have looked like had she given birth to a daughter instead of a son, yet she didn't want to force Ranma to endure any other problems for the time being. In addition, having Ranma keep her resemblance to Ranmira could be viewed in a sense as a tribute to the Goddess, just as Nodoka had derived her son's name from Ranmira's years ago in honor of what Ranmira had brought about by way of a wish nearly seventeen years ago. Ranma would likely ask her about that, sooner or later. "I don't think turning into a different girl would be all that bad. After all, I wouldn't have to worry about Kunou and the others recognizing me," concluded Ranma, her voice carrying a little more force than was evident from Ranmira. "Perhaps." Ranmira, the true owner of the voice they shared, conceded. "But that advantage would not last for long. Tatewaki, for example, may believe that you have simply placed the 'pig-tailed girl' under a spell to disguise her from him, and double his efforts to 'free' her from you." "This 'Tatewaki...' is he one of the people you mentioned that has fallen in love with Ranma's female form?" Nodoka asked. Ranma's cheeks reddened. Ranmira had told her mother about that? "He's in love with both me as a girl and Akane, and wants to kill me when I'm a guy." "Why?" "Because I 'dared' to be engaged to Akane. And because he thinks I'm holding 'his pig-tailed girl' hostage with some sort of 'evil sorcery.' His sister's the opposite - she wants to marry me when I'm a guy and kill me when I'm a girl." Her mother murmured something Ranma couldn't quite hear, ending with, "I see." The look on Nodoka's face... she'd seen that look from Akane enough times to recognize it as an 'I'm going to have to have a talk with them' look. She mentally wished her mother good luck. No matter *how* prepared one was for even *one* member of the Kunou family, they could always do something thoroughly unexpected. Who knew how Kunou, Kodachi or their father would treat the mother of Saotome Ranma? Nodoka was asking Ranmira what she would do now that this 'wish contract' was fulfilled when Ranma turned her attention back to the conversation. "My Goddess Relief Office will send me on other assignments," Ranmira answered, unaware of the disappointment that crossed her younger sister's face. Her thoughts were concerned more with what her Relief Office or Kami-sama would think of the steps she had taken to insure that Nodoka's wish was fulfilled. Nodoka seemed somewhat disappointed as well. "Will we be able to see you again?" "I... cannot be sure. However, if you need to talk to me, you can ask Skuld to relay the message to me and I will try to come if I can." Skuld was the best bet for the Saotome family to send word to her, short of calling the temple and asking her elder sisters or Keiichi about it, since the younger Goddess was currently helping Akane learn to be a Goddess as her apprentice. The phone in the hallway chose that moment to ring. Ranmira walked casually toward the door leading into the hallway. "Allow me to answer the phone, Kasumi-san," she announced in the direction of the kitchen. She had a good idea who would be on the other end of this phone call... and that meant she should be the one to answer. "Thank you," she heard Kasumi reply. Now, for the phone. Ranmira gingerly picked up the receiver and placed it to her ear. "Ranmira," said the voice she had been expecting to hear. Everyone's eyes turned to look at Ranmira when she returned to the family room moments later, a serious expression to her face. Belldandy and Skuld needed little more than a momentary glance to guess what concerned her. Ranma and Nodoka, on the other hand, looked at her in minor confusion. The latter two could tell that the phone call had either been for Ranmira - though as to how anyone knew to call her here was anyone's guess - or had focused on something that involved her. She hadn't said much to Kasumi after finishing with the conversation on the phone... whatever was on the Goddess' mind could very well be as serious as the look she wore. "Is something the matter, Ranmira-san?" Ranmira met Nodoka's gaze for a second. "That was... my supervisor calling on the phone." It had, in fact, been Kami-sama to whom she had spoken - though she didn't want to alarm Nodoka or Ranma by mentioning that He wanted to see her in His office as soon as possible. "I must be going, so that I can check in." "Are you in any trouble?" Concern showed in Nodoka's voice. Try as she might, Ranmira couldn't hide the nervousness she felt. "I do not know," she truthfully answered. Skuld was likewise worried. Their eldest sister Urd was no stranger to receiving reprimands for the things she did. But Ranmira? Ranmira had been changed by becoming a part of Ranma - but she hadn't really done anything to merit punishment or demotion, had she? Not like Urd... "Would you like me to go with you, oneesama?" She felt Belldandy's hand grasp her shoulder. "We must be going as well, Skuld. It's late, and I don't want Keiichi to worry." Skuld frowned. "What do I care if he worries?" she wanted to say, then remembered that she was supposed to be on good behavior. Nodoka thought highly of Ranmira, as far as she could tell, and the last thing Skuld wanted to do was leave the woman with the impression that Ranmira's younger sister - the Goddess of the Future, no less! - was an immature, spoiled child. Her temper surged slightly at even the thought of the last word. She wasn't a child, blast it! Why did people insist on believing she was a child? Other Gods and Goddesses called her a child, Urd foremost among them. It angered her so... She forced the thoughts to the rear of her mind and locked them away. This was *not* a good time to let her temper show. A glance up at Belldandy's face told her that her sister was patiently watching her, blue-gray eyes careful not to show what Belldandy was thinking. Skuld was left to come to her own conclusions. Reluctantly, she acquiesced. "I suppose you're right, oneesama. We don't want Keiichi to worry, after all," she said dryly. She caught her sisters' admonishing stares - and, if only for an instant, thought she saw Ranma give her a similar stare. Skuld changed the subject. "Let's go." "Yes." Belldandy smiled, returning her attention to Nodoka, Ranma and Genma. "I believe Ranma deserves some time alone with her family." "*His* family," insisted Ranma. Skuld laughed. "You're presently a girl, Ranma," she reminded the cursed boy. Ranma hmphed, and both her mother and father couldn't resist a laugh. Belldandy was right, however - the reunited Saotome family did deserve time alone with each other, and Ranmira had an appointment with Kami-sama to keep. Skuld gave Belldandy a nod. "Good night, Mr. and Mrs. Saotome, Ranma," Belldandy concluded. "Good night, Belldandy, Skuld-san. And thank you for all you've done to help my son and I," Nodoka thanked them. "Ranmira is the one who has done most of the work, not us." And with a polite bow, Belldandy left the room to find the mirror through which she had arrived, with Kasumi's help. Skuld walked out into the yard, and from there into the koi pond. It was Ranmira's turn to leave. "Good night, everyone." "Good night, Ranmira-san. I would like to thank you most of all." Ranmira blushed. "It was my pleasure, Mrs. Saotome." Taking care to move a handful of steps away from the table, she vanished within a flash of warm golden light. Nodoka stared at the spot where Ranmira had stood for a moment, then retrieved her sword before fixing her husband with a glare. "Ranma? Would you mind checking on Akane while your father and I have a little talk?" The girl hesitated. "Yes, Mother." ** ** ** Ranmira walked carefully through the large, polished doors that led into Kami-sama's office. She did not show it, though her thoughts were racing, filled with worry as to what He would say to her. The office, as were the doors that concealed it, was designed not to intimidate but to soothe. In that regard aspects of the office would change appearance based on what those viewing it believed to be comfortable. A God or Goddess could easily see through the illusion if they chose; since one was often only called to Kami-sama's office for important matters or to accept the consequences for what one had done, most chose to keep the illusion. Her thoughts did not involve the illusion at all. She had never been asked to appear before Kami-sama to be reprimanded in her life. Urd was usually the one getting into trouble over her actions... oh, sure, as children Ranmira and Skuld had had a mischievous streak. But neither of them had ever done anything serious enough to merit the attention of Kami-sama. Both were still considered young - while Ranmira had matured and followed in the footsteps of her older sister Belldandy, whom she idolized, Skuld insisted on firmly retaining whatever ties with her childhood she had left without wanting to be called a child. "Ranmira." The Goddess' expression betrayed her anxiety. "Y-yes, sir...?" "Please, rest easy, child. I only wish to speak to you." She ordered her body to calm down, a part of her offhandedly wondering whether it would help to cast a Calming spell on herself. "I regret to inform you that you will be placed on suspension pending an investigation into what happened after your 'reawakening.'" Ranmira's face fell. "Oh," she said in a voice almost too quiet to hear. "Ranmira, this investigation is merely a procedure. It will likely turn out in your favor; I thought you might like to use this opportunity to spend time with your sisters, as well." "Really?" Her eyes widened. "Thank you, sir!" "There is another detail I would like to discuss with you." Uh-oh. Ranmira braced herself for what could be more bad news. "It has become clear to me that your experience as part of Ranma, in addition to temporarily losing your memories and such within Yggdrasil, has caused you to absorb some of the boy's traits, knowledge and abilities into yourself. While this has helped you grow into a stronger person, you still have many of Ranma's skills as a fighter." He paused. "Now, while I am not sure if it would be a good idea for you to become a fighter, you do not have all of the necessary instincts and conditioning necessary to be able to use Ranma's skills without the possibility of hurting others or yourself, just as Akane still lacks the full knowledge and experience necessary to become a full Goddess. That is why I would like you to ask Ranma if he can train you in becoming a 'martial artist.'" Ranmira inhaled. Her, train in the martial arts? She couldn't be a fighter! Urd could possibly be a fighter, and Skuld, if they put their minds to it... but herself or Belldandy? Still, Kami-sama believed she should consider the idea. She did have Ranma's knowledge within her, and the thought of hurting herself or someone else with her 'new skills' frightened her. Besides which, Marller was probably planning revenge against her and Urd for their last fight. Better to be prepared, although her desire to fight had long since diminished. She had no choice but to become a fighter. (...to be continued...) ------------ Credits: Written by: Mike Koos Prereaders: Richard Beaubien, Kevin D. Hammel, Jonathan Ng, Shadowmane, Tom Williams, David Wills With apologies to Takahashi Rumiko and Fujishima Kosuke... All parts of this series are available at the RAAC archives at ftp://ftp.cs.ubc.ca/pub/archive/anime-fan-works or from my WWW pages at http://www.fanfic.net/~makoto/ Comments and questions welcome. * Mike ('Kino Makoto') Koos: makoto@cal.net * http://www.fanfic.net/~makoto * * "I can do nothing to stop you. Your background music is too strong * for me." - Sam Johnson, Whose Line is it Anyway?