It didn't make any sense.
Nearly an hour had passed since Ryoga's disappearance
and Ukyo's swift departure at the hands of his lax bodyguards and
it still didn't make any sense to Nabiki.
None of it made any sense. The fight itself, Ryoga's
enraged actions, Ukyo's seemingly purposeful taunts. They all
remained a complete and utter mystery to Nabiki.
She had always considered herself to be a fairly intelligent
person but Nabiki found herself entirely baffled by the situation at
hand.
Perhaps it was because it involved her so closely.
So, strangely enough, Nabiki found herself asking her
normally carefree companions for advice. Even stranger yet, what
she found herself receiving was the best and most sage advice that
she had heard in a few years.
And it was coming from Ranma and Kodachi.
Would miracles never cease?
"It wasn't his fault, Nabchan," said Ranma in rather solemn
tones while he folded his arms across his muscular chest. "Ryoga
can't control himself when he gets angry like that. What you saw
wasn't him, not really. He didn't know what he was doing when he
was fighting with Ucchan."
"I don't understand," said Nabiki. "How could Ryoga not
know what he was doing? I saw him..."
"You saw him in an enraged state," Kodachi murmured.
"Rest assured, Ryoga didn't know what he was doing when he
attacked Ukyo-kun." She paused to look at Ranma then said,
"What was it that you called him, darling?"
"A berserker," said Ranma solemnly. "That's what my big
bro is, Nabiki. When he gets angry he just loses all sense of
himself. It's something he inherited from Mom. It isn't the guy's
fault, honest. I mean, you saw the look on his face when he saw
you. He was horrified by what he did. It's always like this when he
snaps out of it."
"Snaps out of it?" Nabiki echoed dimly.
"Yeah," said Ranma with a nod. "When he snaps out of his
berserker mode and goes back to normal." His cobalt eyes seemed
to plead with Nabiki for understanding as he said, "It isn't his fault,
Nabchan. Really it isn't. Ryoga would never purposefully hurt
someone like that. Don't hold this against him and please don't hate
him." Averting his eyes, Ranma coughed before he said lowly, "I
know it's not my place to tell you this but the guy cares about you.
I know for a fact that he cares a lot. If you even feel just a little bit
of the same way about him just hear him out. Let him explain why
this happened... let him show you that he hasn't changed, not really.
That he's the same guy inside."
After a long moment of silence, Nabiki's eyes grew lidded
and giving a short nod, she said, "All right, Ranma. I promise to
hear Ryoga out."
Just as Ranma's eyes lit up and he was about to exclaim
something due to his obvious happiness about her decision, Nabiki
added, "There's just one catch."
"Oh yeah?" asked Ranma a bit warily as the happy
expression on his face faded. "What's that?"
"How exactly are we going to find him?"
Ranma's only response was overwhelming silence.
---
Perfume was still pouting.
Or to be more apt, she was still in a grouchy mood. Not
even beating up the perverted old man who was dumb enough to
try and molest Shampoo had cheered her up.
And when beating up people who deserved it didn't cheer
her up, Perfume knew that she was in trouble.
Her dilemma was this: to merge with her pixie half or not to
merge with her pixie half? What should she do?
Perfume honestly had no idea. And because of this, she
was so distracted with contemplating her situation that she failed to
notice the cry of surprise from the apartment building that she was
walking alongside.
However, she did notice when a bucket full of cold water
landed on her head, turning her into a pixie and trapping her
underneath the bucket as well.
She noticed it and had only one reaction.
She immediately listed off a rather long and descriptive
litany of curses in her melodic pixie language.
But after she did this, Perfume grumpily sat down in the
one dry place on the concrete sidewalk and stared at the dark
walls of the bucket she was trapped under. And as she did this she
couldn't help but realize one thing.
If she was merged with her pixie half then this would never
happen ever again. Because if she was merged with her pixie half,
she wouldn't be this small and helpless. At least, she didn't think
she'd be this small and helpless. That was a detail that she would
have to ask her Grandmother about to get the correct answer.
Either way, Perfume was starting to look a lot more
favorably on the idea of merging with her cursed form. Because if
there was one thing that she hated more than anything else, it was
the idea of being helpless.
It just didn't fit her image as an Amazon Enforcer.
---
"Chocolate?" began Akane in some confusion. "Why are
we in this tree? Does it need pruning?"
Trying to regain her breath, Chocolate paused to look up
with Akane with wry but loving eyes and said, "It isn't that, Akane.
I'm sorry if I frightened you but... I just wanted to be alone with
you, that's all."
"Oh," Akane said quietly. Her light brown eyes turned
bright and as they twinkled mischievously she scooted closer to the
other girl. "So why exactly did you want to be alone with me,
hmm? For fun reasons?"
Before Chocolate could formulate a reply Akane rested
her hands on the Amazon's waist. Then in a swift and precise
movement, she pulled Chocolate to her and left only a few
millimeters between their faces.
Forming a slow smile, Chocolate murmured in rather
breathless tones, "It depends on your idea of fun."
"I see," replied Akane slowly. "Well then, you'll just have to
tell me if your idea of fun is the same as mine."
With that, Akane dipped her head forward and gave
Chocolate the sweetest and most tender kiss that she had received
from the other girl so far. And when they finally parted after several
long moments, Akane seemed reluctant to leave the Amazon's lips
and gave small soft kisses along her lips and jawline before pausing
to look up with an almost impish expression at Chocolate.
"So?" Akane asked with a smile. "Was that fun?"
"No," said Chocolate raggedly as she looked down at
Akane who wore a face of definite surprise. Then out of nowhere
Akane found herself swept up in Chocolate's arms as the other girl
said, "This is my idea of fun."
And so began the two hour make out session that caused
Akane to miss all of her early morning classes.
It was a makeout session that would have lasted longer if
not for the fact that Chocolate hadn't picked the most sturdy of
branches and just when things were getting particularly adventurous
it chose to break and send them falling towards the ground in a
tumbled pile.
The experience of falling wasn't so fun for Akane and
Chocolate themselves but for the students who saw it? Well, lets
say that it was definitely a memorable sight.
Especially because of that fact that when they fell
Chocolate, for some reason, was missing her bra and shirt.
But what really stuck out in their mind was what happened
next. What happened when Shampoo arrived.
"Ouch," said Chocolate with a wince. She looked down at
Akane who's face was completely buried in her abundant chest and
asked, "You okay, Akane-chan?"
"I'm fine," came Akane's muffled reply. Her light brown
eyes peeked up at Chocolate but she did nothing to move her face
from where it was resting. "And you?"
"Well, my butt hurts," said Chocolate sheepishly.
"That not the only thing that be hurting, Mousse."
Akane watched in surprise as Chocolate turned deathly
pale and slowly moved her head to look up at the figure of
Shampoo who was standing next to them.
"Shampoo," said Chocolate in a hushed whisper.
"Mousse," said Shampoo in dark tones.
Darting her gaze from Chocolate to Shampoo and then
back at Chocolate again, Akane blinked dimly before she
reluctantly scooted up so her face was no longer in the soft
firmness of Chocolate's breasts.
"Excuse me?" Akane said as she raised her hand slowly in
the air. "Can I ask a question here?"
Both of the Amazons turned to look at Akane and when
they did she noted that their expressions softened by an enormous
degree.
"Shampoo," began Akane. "You know my Chocolate?"
She paused to form a bright expression and clapping her hands
happily she said, "I'm so glad! She doesn't have enough friends
here! Just me and those guys in her fan club! But they're not really
friends, you know?"
Twitching slightly, Shampoo said, "Mousse and I not
friends exactly, Akane. That what I come to tell you--"
"Mousse?" interrupted Akane. "Who's Mousse? Do you
mean Chocolate?" Turning to look at the girl next to her who was
still missing her bra and shirt, she asked, "Did you change your
name to Chocolate, Chocolate?"
"Eh... uhm... I... it's..." Chocolate stammered nervously.
Finally turning beet red, she sprung to her feet and produced a
round object out of nowhere. "I'm so sorry, Akane-chan!" she
cried out in tearful tones.
Then moments later she threw the smoke bomb and clouds
of black smoke engulfed them. When the clouds cleared away
Akane found herself alone with neither Chocolate or Shampoo
anywhere in sight.
Blinking in confusion, Akane unsteadily rose to her feet and
whispered, "Chocolate? Where did you go?"
The observing students above could only watch in stunned
horror as something that they never wanted to see happened right
before their very eyes.
Akane collapsed to her knees and began crying.
This was a sure signal that this was turning out to be a truly
dark day in Furinkan High's not so glorious history.
---
"Are you sure about this, darling?" Kodachi asked Ranma
in uncertain tones as they walked with Nabiki.
"Of course I'm sure, Dachi," replied Ranma. "I bet if
anyone can find my big bro, the old ghoul can. She'll just do one of
her weird old ghoul things and find him easy. It's gotta be easy for
her." He paused to point at the amulet he still wore around his neck
and said, "After all, she got me stuck wearing this damn thing for
eternity, didn't she?"
"An apt point," murmured Kodachi. "But I'm not sure that
means she'll be able to find Ryoga, my dearest."
"You worry too much," Ranma said with a snort. "Just trust
me on this one, Dachi. The old ghoul's the best bet on us finding
him. It's either her or trying to summon my Grandma and I dunno if
I want to try that right now."
"Your Grandma?" Nabiki cut in with some surprise. "What
could she possibly do to help?"
Chuckling at this, Ranma said, "What couldn't she do to
help is more like it. Grandma could find Ryoga with no problem at
all but as much as I love her, she has this bad habit of meddling and
you and him need to work out stuff on your own. That means no
help from Grandma." His handsome features turned thoughtful and
he said, "I could try calling Grandpa though. But Grandpa is worse
than Grandma when it comes to meddling. And more scary."
Before Nabiki could question Ranma on his Grandpa, they
found themselves in front of the building that Cologne had bought
and gaping at the sign on it.
"Sensual Sorcery?" said Nabiki skeptically.
"Heh," Ranma gave a low chuckle. "I like it."
"As do I," purred Kodachi while she hooked her arm into
Ranma's. "But I can't help but wonder about the name. It certainly
doesn't seem like something that the Elder Cologne would pick
out."
"Maybe that's simply because she wasn't the one to pick
out the name, my dear. I was."
The three teenagers looked around for where the low and
charming voice that had said that came from and saw nothing. At
least, until they looked up.
Because when they looked up they saw a drop dead
gorgeous blonde woman who had her long hair in a high ponytail
and wore a rather scanty outfit that served to make her look quite a
lot like a magical genie of sorts.
"You must be the infamous demon thieves," the woman
pronounced smoothly. "How I've wanted to meet you. It was such
fun seeing the stink you caused back in the village. We haven't had
that much excitement in close to a hundred years and I can't say
how much I delighted in watching it."
"Oh yeah?" asked Ranma as his eyes narrowed slightly and
he moved on the defensive.
The power that Ranma sensed in this woman was like the
old ghoul's, but even stronger, and it served to remind him of his
aforementioned Grandma. Someone that Ranma would never even
dream of messing with.
"Now, now," the woman said as she floated to the ground.
"No need to get nervous. I'd never hurt such very delightful
mischief makers like yourselves." She paused to look at Nabiki
then added, "Or the beloved little sister of my own dear apprentice.
Although," she murmured. "I have heard that you protest her
engagement to my precious Perfume."
"Who are you?" demanded Nabiki. "And how do you
know my Oneechan?"
"Impatient thing, aren't you?" the woman said as she tilted
her head to one side. "My name is Siren but you can call me
whatever you like," she said with a playful smile. "And how I know
Kasumi is quite simple. She's my new apprentice. I'm training her
to be a Mage, as I myself am."
"Kasumi? A Mage?" said Nabiki, Kodachi, and Ranma in
very similar tones as they gaped at Siren.
Apparently they weren't expecting this news.
---
Shampoo was angry. And when Mousse released her
about a mile away from Furinkan High she was about to express
that anger when she found the other girl bowing at her feet with her
head buried in her arms.
"Please, Shampoo!" cried Mousse as she kept her head
down. "I'll do whatever you want but please don't tell Akane-chan
that I'm a man! I can't bear to lose her love!"
"What?" Shampoo said with a blink.
"I can't live without her!" Mousse went on. She lifted her
head to reveal teary teal eyes that were pleading with Shampoo
with all of their being. "Akane-chan is the most wonderful person
that I've ever known! I didn't know what love truly was until I met
her! She makes all other women seem insignificant! If I lost her I
would die!"
"It seems that he has no interest in you, Shampoo."
Jumping on hearing the sound of a husky voice in her ear,
Shampoo whirled around to face Tatewaki who had a small smile
on his handsome and defined features.
"Tachi? When you get here?" asked Shampoo. Her scarlet
eyes narrowing she then demanded, "And how you manage to
surprise Shampoo like that?"
"My Mistress taught me many skills," murmured Tatewaki.
Averting his eyes slightly, he handed Mousse a shirt that he had
draped over his arm. "And luckily, stealth was amongst them.
When I saw you approach Mousse, I must admit that I became
curious and when you left the grounds I felt that it would be best if I
followed you."
"Tatewaki," said Mousse, who had just finished pulling the
shirt over her head. Unsteadily, she rose to her feet to look the tall
boy in the eyes. "I know that it's too late to ask for your
forgiveness but I do apologize for what I did to you. I apologize to
the both of you, for what I once was and what I once did. But
Shampoo," Mousse once again wore a pleading face as she looked
at the other girl. "I've changed. I now know what love really is
because of Akane. All I ask is that you not take that away from
me. Please... please don't take Akane away from me. I just..."
Breaking off tearfully, she finished in wavering tones, "I just can't
live without her."
Observing in some shock as Mousse collapsed to the
ground and began crying, Shampoo was lost for an appropriate
response. That was when she felt Tatewaki clasp her shoulder and
looking up into his tawny eyes she felt her heart leap as he gave her
a warm smile.
"Shampoo-san," said Tatewaki softly. "Look at him. Can
you truly find resentment in your heart for him still? I know that I
cannot. He's a changed ma... woman. Should we not give hi... her
a chance at redemption? Doesn't everyone deserve a second
chance in their own lifetime?"
"Tachi," whispered Shampoo. Turning back to look at
Mousse, her eyes narrowed by a notch. Taking a slow step
forward she knelt in front of Mousse who lifted her head to look
into Shampoo's eyes. "You really love Akane that much, Mousse?
And you really has changed?"
"Yes, Shampoo," said Mousse in shaky tones that were
laced with tears. "I know now how wrong I was to treat you the
way I did. I want to start my life over and I want to start it over
with Akane if I can."
Giving a short nod, Shampoo rose to her feet and looking
down at Mousse, she said, "Shampoo believe you. I'll keep your
secret... for now. But you have to be telling Akane the truth and
you have to be telling her soon."
"Yes," Tatewaki agreed solemnly. "Akane deserves to
know all of you, Mousse. Not just the bits and parts that you want
for her to see. If what you have truly is love then she will
understand and accept you. Trust in that."
"Thank you," whispered Mousse as she wiped away the
last of her tears and slowly stood up. "Thank you both for
understanding and giving me this chance."
There was a slight pause as all three teenagers smiled at
one another as a wave of peacefulness fell over them. Then
Shampoo formed a scrunched up expression.
"But tell Shampoo one thing," Shampoo began as she
studied Mousse carefully. "Why you on Earth would you be
picking the name of Chocolate for a disguise?"
---
"So you want to find Ryoga," said Siren in thoughtful tones.
"Well, that seems easy enough." She turned to look at Kasumi and
said, "How about it, Kasumi dear? Would you like to give it a
whirl?"
"Oh my," said Kasumi, who had been listening to the whole
conversation very attentively. "Certainly I want to help Imotochan
find her iinazuke but I'm not sure that I would know where to start,
Sensei."
"Sensei?" repeated Nabiki rather dubiously.
"Don't sound so shocked," said Siren as she favored
Nabiki with a teasing smile. "I do happen to be her teacher in the
ways of sorcery after all. Now then," she turned and walked to
Kasumi's side. "It really isn't all that difficult to attempt. Just allow
me guide you."
Narrowing his cobalt eyes, Ranma watched as Siren lightly
ran the tips of her fingers over Kasumi's eyes as the eldest Tendo
sister closed them. A brilliant glow seemed to surround them and
on seeing it he frowned.
Seeing his change in attitude, Kodachi asked softly, "Does
something bother you, darling?"
"Can't you feel it, Dachi?" replied Ranma as he kept his
eyes focused on Siren and Kasumi. "I know that you gotta just
from what I've taught you about the art."
"Yes, I can feel the energy she's summoning but I don't--"
Kodachi suddenly paused in what she was saying as her violet eyes
went wide in realization. "It's not just her alone, is it? Kasumi is
somehow summoning it as well."
"You got it," Ranma said as he gave a short nod. "But how
she's doing it is something that I can't figure out."
While the couple were pondering over this, Nabiki was
transfixed as she watched her older sister awash in the bright
golden light that surrounded her. Kasumi's head was slightly tipped
back and Siren floated behind the girl as she murmured soft and
seemingly gentle words into her ear.
It was a mesmerizing scene to say the least but what
Nabiki couldn't get over was the power and the sheer level of
confidence she felt coming from Kasumi now. She had never seen
her Oneechan like this before.
And Nabiki wasn't really sure if she liked it.
"Every person has a soul and every soul has an energy, that
energy is distinct, like the person," murmured Siren in low magnetic
tones. "Call it a spiritual fingerprint if you will. To locate Ryoga, all
you need to do is concentrate on him. See him in your mind as
clearly as you would if he was standing across from you now."
Pausing, Siren smiled before she said, "Good girl. What you see is
his outer self. His shell, his body. Now look deeper, look at his
soul, find that energy inside of him that makes him a living and
breathing person. Find that and you will find him."
Kasumi felt herself drifting away, in a mass of lights and
colors, and suddenly she found herself floating above Ryoga who
was sitting in front of a lake wearing a morose expression as he
tossed stones into it.
Then just as suddenly, she found herself being pulled away
from him and when she opened her eyes Kasumi saw the proud
face of Siren beaming at her.
"I knew it!" exclaimed Siren happily as she engulfed
Kasumi in a sudden hug. "I knew that you had the makings of a
powerful Mage inside of you! Imagine, you traveling on the astral
plane with only the scarcest aid from myself! I've never heard of
such a fast learner!"
"It was so wonderful," Kasumi said in dazed tones to Siren
who had released her from the hug. "I can't quite describe how I
felt. Just so warm and cared for. And the lights... their voices were
just so overwhelming, Sensei. I didn't know which one I should
listen to at first."
"You still found him all the same," said Siren proudly. "A
simply excellent job, my dear. I'm so--"
Siren was cut off from her praise when she heard a loud
cough and tilting her head she looked at Nabiki who wore a deep
frown on her sharp features.
"Sorry to interrupt," said Nabiki drolly. "But I was
wondering if maybe you could tell me where Ryoga is?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Imotochan!" Kasumi exclaimed. "He's in
the park sitting on the shore of the lake, right by that area that
Akane sometimes likes to go boating in."
"The park," repeated Nabiki. Turning on her heel she
started out of the shop but paused to look at Ranma and Kodachi.
"Thanks," she said softly. "For explaining everything to me. I swear
that I'll keep my promise."
With that, Nabiki ran out the door and to Ryoga.
"Kids," said Siren in bemused tones. "I do hope that she
resolves their little trouble." Sapphire eyes then locked on Ranma
and she smirked. "Now, if I'm not mistaken don't you have
something to ask of me? A favor, perhaps? Or a request of some
sort?"
"Ranma darling?" said Kodachi as she turned to look at her
boyfriend who was staring at Siren.
Giving a low chuckle, Ranma said, "You don't miss much,
do you lady? And yeah... I'd like to ask your help if I could. I
suppose that you know about this amulet, huh?"
"The legendary slave amulet," Siren murmured. "Such a
nasty little trinket. It controls the wearer through the force of chi
and from what I can tell Cologne is the one who imprinted it. She
must be terribly annoyed with you to have done that."
"You could say that," said Ranma dryly. "Do you know of
some way that I could take this thing off?"
"I'm afraid not," said Siren a bit sadly. "Not even a Mage
of my caliber could remove it. The purpose of the amulet is to be a
safety of sorts. A control switch, with it Cologne can monitor your
actions. Although," Siren wore a thoughtful expression. "I don't see
why she would have you wear it. You seem to have a strong aura
but the magic I sense in you is almost repressed. Not enough to be
a threat."
"Dachi," said Ranma who kept his eyes locked on Siren.
"Do the honors, would you?"
"My pleasure, dearest," said Kodachi as she produced a
flask out of nowhere. She then proceeded to pour the contents
over Ranma's head.
Siren watched as the handsome black haired pigtailed boy
before her turned into a gorgeous blonde haired pigtailed elf and
said, "Ah. Now it makes more sense. Cologne wishes to control
the power that your cursed form holds. Very logical considering
what I'm sensing from you now and I get the distinct impression
that you don't even know the most minute of your many abilities."
"Incredible," Kasumi murmured. "The power that I sense in
Ranma now is almost as strong as yours, Sensei."
"He's an elf and they're a powerful lot," Siren replied easily.
"Not to mention a dangerous lot as well."
"But like you said, I don't know how to use my powers. I
don't even know my abilities," said Ranma.
"But...?" Siren prompted mischievously.
"But I'd like to use my powers and I'd like to know what
my abilities are," Ranma supplied carefully.
An unspoken communication seemed to take place
between Siren and Ranma and forming a slow smile, Siren
murmured, "Very well. I do think that we should speak on this in
private though." Peeking over Ranma's shoulder at Kodachi, she
said, "I promise to return him shortly."
Seconds after saying this, Siren and Ranma disappeared in
a flash of golden light as they winked out of existence to leave
Kodachi and Kasumi alone and more than a bit surprised at their
sudden exit.
---
"I ruined it," said Ryoga in soft self deprecating tones. "I
ruined it all. Everything that Nabiki-chan and I could have had. I
don't deserve to live..."
After saying this, he tossed yet another stone into the lake
and watched as it caused a huge splash. He knew that he was
bothering the people who were trying to have fun on their boats but
he didn't really care.
Ryoga wasn't like his mom in the fact that when he got
depressed it didn't go away quickly. Instead, he tended to be
depressed for long periods of time. Replaying the event that caused
his depression over and over in his head until Ryoga reached such
a melancholy state that he wasn't aware of anything else but his
feelings of depression.
Lucky for Ryoga, and everyone else, he hardly ever got
depressed. Like anger it was a rare emotion for the lost boy who
lead a nominally happy life.
It was a life that had recently gotten its happiest with his
engagement to Nabiki. When he was with her he finally felt that
small little empty place in his heart fill up and Ryoga suddenly found
himself a whole being.
At least, he was until he screwed things up.
"I'm such an idiot," Ryoga muttered darkly. "Why didn't I
concentrate on what Mother taught me and just ignored Kuonji?"
He said the last part in biting tones as he fingered the smooth stone
he held in his grip. "Even with what he said about taking Nabiki
away from me I knew that he wasn't a match for me. Although..."
Ryoga trailed off thoughtfully. "He did manage to block my punch."
Pondering this, Ryoga heaved a deep sigh then threw the
stone into the lake to cause yet another huge splash that sent a
nearby sailboat rocking perilously back and forth across the water.
Staring at the long grass, his dark brown eyes grew pensive after a
few moments.
"Nabiki-chan isn't even mine to defend," murmured Ryoga
sadly. "I wish she was but she isn't. Maybe one day she might have
been but that's probably all gone now."
"I wouldn't be so sure."
Whipping his head upwards, Ryoga looked up at Nabiki's
beautiful features with wide and shocked eyes.
"Nabiki-chan?" whispered Ryoga. "How...?"
"Magic," said Nabiki somewhat playfully as she smoothly
sat down next to Ryoga on the lake shore.
Several moments of complete silence passed before Ryoga
said very quietly, "I'm sorry. I know you must hate me for what I
did but please believe me... I didn't mean to do it. If I could take it
all back I would." He paused and gave a deep sigh then continued,
"I'm not making excuses for what I did but I have this problem, I
guess I got it from my Mom somehow. I don't get mad often but
when I do I lose all sense of myself and become engulfed in the
anger. When Kuonji said that he wanted you for his own," Ryoga
said this rather tightly and clenched his hands in the grass. "I saw
red and before I knew it we were fighting."
A gentle wind blew across the lake and averting his eyes
from where they had rested on the people who were still trying to
steady their sailboat, Ryoga gazed at Nabiki.
His dark eyes were shining with unshed tears and were a
deep well of sadness as Ryoga whispered, "If you don't want
anything to do with me anymore I'll understand, Nabiki-chan. After
all," he gave a harsh laugh. "Now you have a movie star in love
with you too. I'm sure that he's a much better catch than I am and
has far less problems."
"Ryoga," said Nabiki in stunned tones as her hazel eyes
went wide. "What did you just say?"
Flushing darkly, Ryoga quickly moved his gaze away from
Nabiki's and said quietly, "I'm in love with you. And apparently
Kuonji is too." Staring at the ground now, Ryoga picked at the
grass. "I can't really blame him for that I suppose... for loving you
as much as I do. He thinks that he's the better man for you and I
guess he is. At least he doesn't lose his temper and turn into an
animal."
Ryoga abruptly rose to his feet and purposefully avoiding
Nabiki's eyes, he said, "I... wish you good luck, Nabiki-chan.
Maybe one day we'll meet again and when we do I hope that you'll
have found it your heart to forgive me."
He then started to walk away only to be stopped by the
lightest tug on his hand. Turning his head, Ryoga stared at Nabiki in
certain wonder.
"Don't go," Nabiki said it like it was an order even though
her sensual voice was trembling slightly.
"Nabiki-chan?" said Ryoga in amazement.
"If you go..." began Nabiki helplessly. "I won't have anyone
to talk to. I won't have anyone... I..."
"Nabiki-chan," said Ryoga again as he stepped closer to
her and softly wiped at the tear falling down her cheek. "I won't go,
not if you don't want me to. I only want to make you happy. I... I
never want to see you scared or unhappy like I did back there. I
just thought that you would be happier with me gone. That way you
could be with Ukyo and start over..."
"Idiot," Nabiki said in a bare whisper.
"What...?" Ryoga asked in confusion.
Lifting up her hazel eyes Nabiki gave Ryoga a shaky smile
and said in rough but fond tones, "You're such a big idiot, Ryoga-
kun. Do you know that?"
"Yeah, I guess so," said Ryoga wryly. "Ranma tells me that
often enough for me to realize that it's sort of true."
"Don't go," repeated Nabiki quietly. "I don't want you to
go away, Ryoga-kun." Almost painfully, she ripped her gaze away
from his and continued, "I'm sorry, but I'm just so confused about
you and Ukyo... I can't sa--"
"It's all right," interrupted Ryoga softly as he tenderly
pressed his fingertips against Nabiki's lips. "Take all the time that
you need. Just knowing that you care about me and want me
around is enough for me."
"Ryoga-kun," Nabiki breathed shakily.
They didn't know how it happened but one way or another
they ended up in each others arms. Nabiki was warmed by the
gentle sensation of Ryoga's arms around her while the lost boy
exalted in the knowledge that Nabiki wanted him with her despite
seeing the very worst part of him.
This, thought Ryoga with a smile, is perfection.
Or at least it was perfection until Nabiki lifted her head
from his chest and said rather sternly, "Ryoga?"
"Yes?" asked Ryoga a bit nervously.
"I want you to apologize to Ukyo first thing tomorrow
morning at school," began Nabiki. When he opened his mouth to
reply, she cut him off and said, "I'm going to ask him to apologize
to you as well. You're my iinazuke and he's my... well... co-star, I
guess. I want you both to try to get along for my sake. It will..." she
trailed off as her eyes grew pensive. "Help me figure things out."
"All right, Nabiki-chan," said Ryoga softly as he formed a
slow smile. "I'll apologize to Kuonji. To tell you the truth, I was
planning on doing that anyway."
Returning his smile, Nabiki once again rested her head
against Ryoga's strong chest and said, "I thought as much. You are
my faithful iinazuke after all."
"Yeah," murmured Ryoga who happily breathed in the
clean scent of Nabiki's hair. "I am, aren't I?"
---
When Chocolate, Shampoo, and Tatewaki arrived back at
the Furinkan High campus they were greeted by a hundred or so
fearsome glares burning into them.
"This," said Tatewaki lowly. "Doesn't bode well."
Shampoo could only give a short nod as slowly the
students turned towards them and their eyes growing even more
fierce, if that was even possible, together they gave a tremendous
shout that reverberated in the air as they then accused, "You made
Akane-chan cry!!"
While Shampoo and Tatewaki visibly paled at the
threatening tone of the crowd Chocolate was pale because of what
they had just told her.
Did she really make her sweet Akane cry?
"What?" Chocolate said as her eyes went wide. Pushing
past Shampoo and Tatewaki, she ran towards the crowd who
glares softened just a bit because of just how incredibly good
looking she was. "Akane-chan?" she cried out. "Where are you,
Akane-chan?! It's me... Chocolate!"
A long moment passed before Chocolate heard a sniffle
and a muffled voice say her name. Pushing through the crowd with
a face of determination, Chocolate found Akane sitting on the
ground where she was surrounded by assorted members of the
Furinkan High girls sports teams.
"Akane-chan?" whispered Chocolate who fell to her knees
in front of the other girl. Hesitantly reaching out to cup Akane's
cheek, she said, "Please don't cry..."
"Chocolate?" said Akane in tones of wonderment as she
looked up at the other girl. "Oh, Chocolate! Where did you go?! I
thought you left me for Shampoo and you went with her to do what
we did in the tree but except in another tree and I don't want you
doing that with anyone but me! When I thought about it my chest
hurt and Yumi wanted to take me to the nurse but I said no and--"
"Akane-chan," murmured Chocolate who gave a mixed
sob and laugh as she buried her face in the warmth of the star
athlete's shoulder. "I love you so much."
"Chocolate? Do you mean it?" said Akane softly.
Giving a slow nod into Akane's neck, Chocolate lifted her
head and murmured in her ear, "I'm in love with you, Akane-chan.
And I don't want to do what we did in the tree with anyone but you
either. I swear on my life."
Earlier it was said that Shampoo's arrival on the scene
heralded the most memorable moment in Furinkan High's not so
glorious history (for today at least) and this statement was certainly
true. Because when Chocolate and Akane decided to resume their
activities from earlier in the tree but now in front of a rather large
crowd, Shampoo was there, and she, along with everyone else
who watched the pair, found their interaction very memorable to
say the least.
And some might say Shampoo's arrival did herald it.
Although Shampoo herself would balk at this statement if
anyone told her about it. Of course, the most interesting part of the
day was yet to come.
Because, after all, this is Furinkan High and even more
importantly this is Nerima. And in Nerima just when it seems like
things can't possibly get any more interesting and any more crazy is
precisely when they do.
Thus giving the district an odd combination of both surprise
and predictability when it came to the insanity there.
---
When the flash of golden light faded from Ranma's eyes
she found herself inside of a sort of void that was only filled with
the continuous flash of multicolored lights.
"So, do tell," said Siren in jaunty tones that served to
distract Ranma from studying their surroundings. "What exactly do
you want from me? Besides the coveted honor of being my student
along the side of the lovely Kasumi."
"You've been around for awhile, right?" asked Ranma
slowly as she studied Siren with careful eyes.
"Well, it depends on your definition of awhile," Siren said
suavely. "But some would say that I've been around the block a
few times. Why do you ask?"
Heaving a sigh, Ranma said, "If you've been around then I
bet you know that things aren't always simple and to get what we
want sometimes we gotta do stuff we're not too happy about.
Y'know what I mean?"
"Certainly I do," replied Siren. She tilted her blonde head
to one side and said, "I must admit that your maturity surprises me,
Ranma, but don't think that you're fooling me."
"What?" Ranma could only blink in surprise.
"Silly girl," Siren purred as she floated close to the blonde
haired elf. Holding Ranma's defined chin in her soft hands, Siren
murmured, "Don't try to lie to the master, it will only end up getting
you into more trouble."
"Huh," Ranma released a huff of air as she formed a slow
smile of respect. "You're something, lady."
"I'd like to think so," said Siren in sultry tones. "Now, do
cut to the chase and tell me what it is you require."
Snorting at this, Ranma shook her head a bit then said,
"Well, this is gonna sound stupid, I know, but I need your help to
help me fulfill this promise that I made."
"Indeed?" Siren quirked an eyebrow. "And what exactly is
making you keep this promise? From what I've heard from
Cologne and countless others the infamous demon thieves hardly
care about what is just and right."
"Normally that'd be true," admitted Ranma. "But in this
case the person that I made the promise to is a hell of a lot stronger
than me, and I'm not in the mood to get my butt kicked. Especially
not in front of Dachi." Ranma paused to consider Siren then added,
"That's why I did the whole thing in the first place. To impress...
well, more to keep Dachi happy by winning the fight against the
freak." Her blue eyes narrowed as she muttered, "It's too damn
bad for me that she didn't even notice when I beat up the old goat."
"Old goat?" Siren asked curiously.
"Yeah," Ranma nodded. "His name's Happosai."
Seconds after Ranma said this she was met with a very
shocking sight. The sight of the normally carefree and easygoing
Siren forming a face of absolute fury.
"Did you say Happosai?" said Siren in slow tones.
Unable to reply, Ranma instead gave a quick nod of her
blonde head and on seeing it, Siren's sapphire eyes seemed to flare
with fire and she clenched her hands into fists.
"Happosai..." Siren seethed quietly.
Observing as the Mage started to twitch, Ranma said very
reluctantly, "So... you know the guy already?"
"Oh, I know him," muttered Siren who was starting to
revert back to her usual self. "How could I ever forget him? He
was the one who stole her away from me..."
"Stole who?" Ranma pursued.
Lifting her gaze to meet Ranma's, sapphire eyes glinted and
giving the elf a friendly smile, Siren murmured, "It's nothing, dear.
Now, why don't you tell me just what the promise you made to
Happosai entailed?"
"Sure," said Ranma slowly. Still studying Siren with careful
eyes, this time because of the Mage's recent odd change in mood,
she said, "The old goat made me promise to get him all of the ladies
panties in Nerima in exchange for letting me beat him up in battle."
There was a long moment of silence and Ranma studied
Siren's blank features rather anxiously. What if the Mage got angry
again but this time blew up? Ranma had no way of knowing if she'd
be able to survive that.
But then Siren burst out into melodic laughter.
Blinking at this, Ranma finally said in droll tones, "Glad that
you find it so funny, lady. But I gotta get him those panties or
there's going to be trouble."
"I'm sure there will be," Siren managed through her
laughter. Wiping at the tears in her eyes, Siren gave a few more
chuckles as she said, "And you want me to help you collect these
desired panties for you?"
"Well... more like I want you to help me think of a way to
get the panties but stick him and not me with all of the blame for the
whole mess going down," Ranma said as she formed her patented
sly smile that so many knew.
"An interesting proposal," murmured Siren. "One definitely
worth considering." She paused for a moment to form a thoughtful
expression then eyeing Ranma with a look that could only be
described as sultry, Siren said, "Very well. I'll help you, but only if
you make me a promise."
"A promise?" Ranma repeated warily. "Great."
"Now, now," Siren said huskily as she floated close to
Ranma and tapped the elf on the nose. "It's nothing at all like the
promise that Happosai made you take. In fact, I think that you'll
find mine far more appealing than his."
"So what's the promise?" asked Ranma.
"I want you to promise to never make another promise to
Happosai again," Siren said as she moved her face inches away
from Ranma's so breath was on breath. "If you do then in turn, I'll
promise to teach you just what talents your cursed form holds and
take you as my student."
"That's it?" asked Ranma skeptically. "All you want is for
me to never promise the old goat nothing ever again and you'll
teach me about magic and stuff?"
"That's it," said Siren with a nod of her head. "Of course,"
she paused to smile lasciviously. "It would make the deal sweeter if
you caused some trouble for him as well."
"Heh," Ranma chuckled at this. "I think that I can manage
that, lady. The old goat didn't seem like anyone I wanted to keep
as a friend anyway. Even if he is pretty damn powerful for a
wrinkled old squirt." Giving Siren a flirty smile to match her own,
Ranma continued, "And you're a hell of a lot more fun to look at,
that's for sure."
"Why thank you, dear," Siren replied smoothly. Flying
backwards, she then tilted her head to one side and held out her
hand as she asked, "Is it a deal then?"
"You bet," said Ranma while accepting Siren's outstretched
hand. "It's definitely a deal."
"Excellent," said Siren in sensuous tones. "Well then," she
tossed her blonde head and twirled her index finger in the air. "Lets
get to work, shall we?"
---
"Nerima," Akari read the sign aloud. Turning to regard her
two companions she asked, "What do you both think?"
"Doesn't seem so strange to me," said Taro as he regarded
the quiet neighborhood. "I wonder where all the stories about it
being the source of all chaos came from?"
"Tauros, tauros," murmured Tauros thoughtfully.
"Yeah, that's true," Taro said with a smile as he rubbed the
hulking Pokemon's neck fondly. "Things aren't always as they
seem."
Tauros was about to reply when Akari beat him to it by
releasing a high pitched and very panicked shriek.
Whirling around to regard the girl, Taro clasped her on the
shoulders and asked anxiously, "What is it? Are you all right? Did
something happen, Akari?"
"My... my..." Akari stammered shakily.
"Your what?" Taro prompted. "Your heart? Your eyes?
Your feet? Your head? What's wrong?"
"My panties," Akari whispered as she met Taro's gaze with
wide eyes. "They're gone."
At this, Taro could only wear a blank expression as his
eyes got glazed and he said dimly, "Your panties?"
"My panties," affirmed Akari with a nod.
"But... why would your panties be gone?" asked Taro once
he finally regained his equilibrium.
Akari started to open her mouth to respond when she froze
and her eyes went wider than before. Observing this, Taro turned
around to see what caused this reaction.
And that was when he saw several thousand panties go
whizzing past them and down what were once the formally quiet
streets of Nerima.
Upon seeing this, Taro was starting to understand just
where all of the stories about this district came from.
To be continued...
------------------------------------------------
I'd like to thank Jim Robert Bader, Red
Death, and my brother Patrick for listening to my goofy ideas. Also
special thanks to Wade Tritschler for allowing me to be a part of
his Altered Destinies project.
Chat with me on ICQ! My ICQ # is: 37674780
Thanks to Red Death all of my fanfics are archived at:
http://www.lvdi.net/~reddeath/dreiser.htm
Next up: The panty magnet. Nothing else need be said.
"Black magic isn't on a list of a wife's duties!"
-Lina Inverse; The Slayers-
Juri Rules All.
Mokona is Satan.
Yes, I'm a girl.
-Quotes from my dinky self-
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