The Bet- Addiction by Gregg Sharp
Yet another story in the storyarc of "The Bet"
all char tm their respective creators, etc.
LIME WARNING- nothing is actually described, but
there are implications.
---------------------------------
Happosai had been punted all the way to the Nekohanten via Akane.
Mousse had just had the usual run-in with Cologne and Shampoo, neither
were in a terribly good mood when they met. A chance phrase by Mousse
regarding how much trouble women were causing him struck a chord in
Happosai, and the two went off to gripe to each other.
Mousse wasn't used to drinking, but after three scotches "neat" had
become considerably looser. Mousse
confessed that, deep down, he thought he probably would NEVER get the
girl of his dreams. He had to try, though, didn't he? Wasn't it the mark
of a man that he would rather perish than give up his dreams?
Happosai wasn't even nearly beginning to be drunk after a single
bottle of sake, but WAS surprised to
learn that Mousse was one of those people who got more philosophical
when lightly inebriated. This got him thinking, something that always
boded ominously for anyone nearby.
"Akane, it was sweet lil' Akane. Ranma causes me no end of problems,
but Akane has lately been catching up."
"Shampoo, Cologne, maybe I've just learned out here in the outside
world that not all women have to be bitches. Maybe that's it and I just
want something more than to be ordered around and beaten on all the
time."
"You know, Mousse," Happosai turned slitted eyes towards his drinking
partner. "There is something we
could try that'd make us feel a LOT better."
"What's that?" Mousse stared at his drink.
Happosai filled Mousse in on his plan. Mousse didn't even notice the
Reversal Jewel on his robes as he found himself agreeing. "Humiliate
'em," Mousse muttered. It had a certain ring to it.
------------------------------
It was a nice little party. Shampoo had no idea about this "spaghetti"
stuff, but it seemed okay. So Mousse
was leaving forever, and for a sendoff he'd ordered a huge dish of this
Italian food and arranged for a
sendoff at the Tendo dojo.
Shampoo kept trying to glomp Ranma, Akane kept trying to hit Ranma,
Ukyou trying to break up either the Amazon Glomp or Akane Pummelling
from moment to moment, and Kasumi and Nabiki quietly eating. The two
fathers had left quickly, when Happosai announced a training mission he
had in mind, and Happi was still looking for both Genma and Soun.
Mousse smiled. Phase One complete. Each of the victims had eaten
enough of the Special Mushrooms. He'd found this song weeks ago, and had
thought it described omething of his relationship with Shampoo. The
original was some Westerner, the current version by some Japanese group
that occasionally did this sort of thing.
<SNAP!>
The six people in the dining room stiffened as the post-hypnotic
mushrooms went into effect. The tape had
been queued up so that the words began immediately. Nabiki's camcorder
was turned on, as Happosai wanted to see the events when he got back.
"Your lights are on, but you're not home
Your mind is not your own
Your heart sweats, your body shakes
Another kiss is what it takes..."
A little incense burner was carefully inserted into the room. Mousse
knew better than to sniff some of it
himself. The general effect would be similar to that Viagra stuff the
news agencies kept talking about.
"You can't sleep, you can't eat
There's no doubt, you're in deep
Your throat is tight, you can't breathe
Another kiss is all you need..."
Mousse made sure the camcorder caught most of the room on a wide angle
shot. When Happosai came back, he'd get the tape, and he could make
copies of it. The humiliation value would be priceless.
"Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah"
Akane and Nabiki both seemed to nod at that. Mousse made sure that he
had adequate ventilation and prowled the area. Nothing must interfere.
Nothing. For the years of suffering that Shampoo had put him through,
this was a mere drop in the bucket. Mousse was counting on Happi to make
sure that Cologne saw Shampoo's humiliation, as Mousse had no intention
of being anywhere near them when the tapes began to circulate.
"It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough,
you know you're
Gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love."
Only a few more minutes now, Mousse glanced into the room. Everything
was still going on as planned. The signs outside proclaiming "Dojo
closed, Back in three hours" and the low level thugs he'd bribed with
some odd Chinese artifacts would help discourage casual visitors.
"You see the signs, but you can't read
You're runnin' at a different speed
Your heart beats in double time
Another kiss and you'll be mine,
"A one track mind,
You can't be saved
Oblivion is all you crave
If there's some left for you
You don't mind if you do."
Mousse checked. Yes, everyone was eating some more of the drugged
spaghetti.
The tape editing, done that very morning, cut the overall time of the
tape by removing the choruses and
the guitar solo. Time was of the essence here, Mousse knew. The longer
it went on, the better the chance for
an interruption.
"Your lights are on, but you're not home
Your will is not your own
Your heart sweats and teeth grind
Another kiss and you'll be mine."
Mousse gritted his teeth. Ryouga was wandering up to the front gate,
the thugs wouldn't be able to handle
Ryouga. Mousse jumped down from his perch and began a tale of how Akane
and Ranma were out on a date at the park. Ryouga left, swearing to break
up the couple.
Mousse hoped that he had never been that easy to manipulate. He
listened as the additional commands
were quickly given with the music continuing to play as a background. Oh
yes, this was going to be nasty.
<SNAP!> The tape ended. With a grin, and some lingering regrets, Mousse
walked to the door of the room and snapped his fingers. He checked the
camcorder on the way out, making sure it was running. It was time to go,
but he'd left a forwarding address with Happosai so that he could get a
copy. This would be SO amusing.
-----------------------
Akane awoke, hearing Happosai's distinctive chuckle as the
little lech ran from outside the room
off to something. Whatever, as long as he was going away. It was kind of
chilly, though.
Akane's eyes snapped open as she realized that:
a) she was sore and tired, in an unusual way,
b) she was chilly because she was naked,
c) she was NOT alone.
It was night outside, but there was sufficient light that Akane
could see what a mess the room was in.
The table with the remains of the spaghetti had been thrown over to the
side, and there were naked bodies
everywhere.
"Uhmmmmmm." Kasumi was beginning to stir.
Akane looked at the trashed room and made a mistake. She
screamed. This not only woke everyone up, but caused a throbbing
sensation about one inch behind her right eye.
"Aiyaaa."
"Oh my."
"I...didn't. Did I?" Nabiki blushed.
"It's not my fault! Oh man, did we? Uh oh."
"Ranma, you PERVERT!"
"Now, now, Akane! I don't really think this was Ranchan's idea."
"Maybe you're right, Ukyou." Akane related that she had heard
Happosai upon waking up.
"Anyone see my clothes?"
"Sorry, Kasumi, I think these used to be them."
Nabiki thought for a moment. "Where's Mousse."
"He not here," Shampoo looked around.
"That's it!" Nabiki snapped her fingers.
------------------
"Urrrrghhhh." Kasumi was the first to wake up this time. She was
QUITE sore. Pushing Shampoo off of her (and waking the amazon up at the
same time) Kasumi made an idle comment about having to replace the
tatami mats in this room a bit earlier than she'd planned.
The morning sun was shining in through the doorway. Somehow
Kasumi doubted anyone would make it to school today. Still, some hot tea
would be lovely right now. The caffeine would be necessary.
"Ungh," Ranma went to the furo. He wanted an ice pack, but knew
he'd have to settle for a cold rinse for now.
Akane started coming in, saw Ranma and began to close the door.
"Akane leave? Then Shampoo go in."
"Ranma's already in there."
"Akane? What difference does it make at this point if Ranchan's
in there? I think we've pretty much
cut through a lot of that right now. Besides, I REALLY need to scrub
after that."
"Shampoo agree with Spatula Girl. Shampoo see entirely too much
of everyone here, but think Shampoo really need to get clean."
Nabiki shouldered past all three blocking the doorway and sat
next to Ranma. "Personally, I think I
could scrub all day long and still not feel clean."
"Aiyaa. Mercenary girl right. Shampoo have odd taste in mouth
too."
"Uhm. Got any mouthwash around here, guys?"
"Sure, Ukyou. I think we ALL know how we got such things and we
really DON'T need to linger on the details, now do we?" Nabiki began
scrubbing with a vengeance.
Ranma just tried to ignore everyone around him. This was very
difficult for him, a test of his self-
control beyond anything he'd had before. He knew that if he just glanced
once, he'd end up staring.
"Shampoo." Nabiki hesitated.
"Yes?"
"You remember that Formula 110 you used on Akane back when you
first came to Japan?"
"Of course, Shampoo remember."
"I REALLY want to forget about this."
"Shampoo really not happy about way first night with airen go,
either. Shampoo know Amazon Law though, and Shampoo know two solutions.
One, give kiss of death to all other women involved then kill everyone.
If Shampoo no kill everyone, then others from Village do."
"Your society doesn't believe in halfway measures, does it,
sugar?"
Shampoo nodded. "Is so. Two, have ceremony. Everyone inducted
into Amazon Tribe. Then members of Amazon Tribe no have to hunt down and
kill."
Nabiki hung her head. She was sore, she was tired, and she felt
like she'd be walking a bit funny
for the next several days at least. Right now, she knew she and the
others were still in shock and emotionally numb from their shared
experience. "What kind of ceremony?"
--------------------
Cologne was NOT a happy camper. One doesn't get to be her age
without learning to control one's temper, and this was one of those
occasions where something had to be done NOW and recriminations and
blame could be assessed after damage control had been done.
Besides, she'd seen the videotape delivered and the note in
Happosai's handwriting. She suspected what was on the tape, and figured
that it would eventually get back to the homeland. THAT would be bad if
she hadn't found a way to deal with it before then.
"Induction into the tribe of amazons will make you sisters of
Shampoo, you understand this? She is your elder sister and you will
defer to her in all matters concerning the tribe. You will be bound by
the laws of the tribe and our customs. Are there any objections?"
Everyone was silent, though there were any number of glares
exchanged.
Cologne was rushing the ceremony. Not because of amazon
kill-squads, but because once the little group got over their shock
they'd probably not be able to deal with each other for months. That
meant doing this NOW.
Then, Cologne promised herself, she was going to lock herself in
her room, watch the tape and either
laugh or cry for the next several hours. Probably both as well as get
roaring drunk.
-----------------------
It was one month later, when Nabiki made a morning announcement
to the world, that the real problems began.
"Bleeararrraargghghhhhhhh."
"Oh my. I better make some ginger tea."
Akane, holding her stomach and turning slightly green, held up
two fingers.
Akane didn't notice that Kasumi had set out three cups.(1)
-----------------
Mousse, feeling really depressed, wondered why he had done all
this. He LOVED Shampoo. OK, she was mean, petty, violent, and disliked
him, but that was just the surface. Now, if he so much as showed his
head around her or Cologne he was pretty sure he'd be the "duck special"
on the menu before he could get the first syllable of an apology out.
Mousse wrote a letter. He didn't think anyone would read it, but
it made him feel better. He listed
the various drugs he'd used, the Chinese Fertility Incense mixed with
two sticks of the "Male Endurance
Enhancer" that had been breathed. The Stabilizer leaves, Post-Hypnotic
Mushrooms, and powdered Phoenix shell in the spaghetti sauce. As far as
he knew, there wasn't a cure.
Up until five weeks ago, he'd toyed with the idea of using the
Phoenix shell to bind Shampoo to him.
He'd rejected it then because he wanted Shampoo to choose him of her own
free will. Now Shampoo, like the others, were addicted, addicted to each
other. Addicted to love.
Though he was thoroughly miserable, Mousse watched the tape
again anyway.
====================================
i had gotten sufficient numbers on the votes from
"the Art" for an "all the girls" ending. Obviously,
this one would be VERY different. Figure the time is
after the first wedding attempt, things have cooled
off a little, then WHAM!
what would happen if this one wins "The Bet"(2)? Well,
think about it: Cologne as the Elder teaching her new
charges Amazon Lore. Kasumi relearning combat skills,
as well as Nabiki. Akane, Nabiki, and one other are
pregnant. (No, it is NOT Ranma-chan and Ryouga did
NOT somehow wander in during all this, I can be mean
but there are limits.) Nabiki, Ukyou, Ranma and Akane
are still going to school and there are copies of that
tape being sold and distributed all over Nerima? What
are our hapless inductees into the Amazon Tribe going to
do? Who marries Ranma? HINT: it is not Kodachi.
This doesn't even get into residual effects from
the various drugs that Mousse loaded in.
No, this is NOT how "Dragon's Destiny" will end. It
COULD end that way, but I had ONE in mind...
i won't e-mail copies of anything except to my sempai
or pre-readers. if you didn't get something, wait till
the finished version is posted to the RAAC who will
possibly archive it.
(1)- i have it on reasonable medical authority that
sisters living in the same household have a good
chance of being on the same cycle.
(2)- as to who set the situation up, and what the tiny
change was, i leave up to you the reader. Personally,
i'd lean towards Urd, in which case this is
definitely NOT how she planned on it developing. The
change being in Happosai's trajectory so he came down
on where the Reversal Jewel was hid.
Ja ne,
gregg
This is my continuation of Gregg Sharp's "The Bet: Addiction. As
of now, he has already written part three, which follows my part two.
Oh Gregg? If you read this, you can put part three on the FFML now.
PS, I'll be writing part 4, but it's going to have to wait until after I
finish Chapter 33 of "A Different Viewpoint" which will be coming out
in a couple days, and my "ADV/A Scary Thought" crossover, which will be
out a few days after that. Maybe a week.
"All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications. and are used here without permission or license. No
claims to the above copyright are made by the author of this work. This
work is for non-commercial use ONLY, and is produced for the enjoyment
of fans only. This work is the expression of the author and the
depiction of the Ranma 1/2 characters herein are in no way represented
to be a part of Ranma 1/2 as depicted by the original author and
copyright holder(s)."
Addiction. Pt 2
Kasumi walked into her favorite drug store, looking for some ginger
tea and... Kasumi blushed involuntarily at the thought of why she was
buying the other items she was here for.
Hiroshi hated summer vacation. For everyone else it was a time of
relaxation. No school! But he was stuck working at his parents store.
He smiled politely at the young woman coming up to the counter.
Hiroshi's jaw dropped as he recognized her. "K-Kasumi Tendo?"
Hiroshi's mind flashed on a scene from a video he had gotten a week ago
and he tried to stop his furious blush.
Kasumi put her purchases on the counter and she looked at the
cashier with mild concern. "Are you feeling alright, Hiroshi?" Kasumi
remembered the boy from earlier trips to the store, as well as the few
times he had visited Ranma from school.
Hiroshi was almost ready to faint. <She knows my name!> He tried
to drive the image of her naked form (still vivid from several viewings
of the tape) from his mind. Hiroshi focused on her purchases to keep
from staring at the eldest Tendo girl. "That's one ginger tea and one,
two, three... pregnancy test kits?" Hiroshi's mind started going
blank. "Ranma got all three of you pregnant?"
Kasumi blushed bright red. "Oh my!"
Hiroshi blinked in shock. "Did I just say that out loud?" Kasumi
nodded faintly, her eyes wide. Hiroshi gulped. "Oh my."
Kasumi fought down her blush with an effort and pulled her wallet
out of her purse. "How much?"
Hiroshi's eyes were a bit glazed. "It was 5000 yen."
Kasumi blinked. <That seems like a bit much.> "5000 yen?" She
questioned, glad to be able to keep the subject away from Hiroshi's
gaff. "Isn't that a bit much?"
Hiroshi shook his head, coming out of his daze. "Oh, right!"
Quickly he totaled her purchases. "3250 yen."
Kasumi brought out the correct amount and Hiroshi took it, quickly
bagging her purchases. Kasumi watched him nervously. <Hiroshi knows
about... the other night. I wonder who else knows?>
Hiroshi handed Kasumi her bag and couldn't help looking at her
face. The worry and embarrassment written there made his own
embarrassment fade.
Hiroshi felt sympathy grow in his heart for her. "Kasumi-san, wait
here. There is something you should see." He hurried out from behind
the counter and ran up the back stairs. Kasumi stood uncomfortably
waiting for him to return. Hiroshi came back down quickly, placing a
video tape on the counter in front of her. "I... thought you should
know about this."
Kasumi looked uncomprehendingly at the video tape. "What is it?"
Hiroshi nodded to himself, remembering a conversation he had had
with Daisake the other night. Daisake had insisted that most, if not
all of the participants in the very explicit video, had been
drugged.Hiroshi hadn't been so sure, but Kasumi's reaction seemed to
carry out that theory.
He pushed the tape across the counter toward her. "Some guy was
selling these a week ago. I think you should know about it."
Kasumi blinked uncertainly and picked up the tape. "Is... is this
tape why... you knew... about..." Hiroshi nodded faintly. Kasumi again
reached for her wallet. "It was... 5000 yen?" Kasumi guessed, bringing
out several bills.
Hiroshi shook his head and waved off the money. "Just take it." He
spoke quietly. "I... don't want it any more." Kasumi put the money
away and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Hiroshi-san, you are very
generous."
Hiroshi bowed back. "It is nothing, Kasumi-san. Please forget
it." <And please don't tell Ranma or Nabiki about this!>
Kasumi bowed again and left, stuffing the tape into her purse. When
Kasumi arrived home, Ranma was in the Dojo, doing Katas over and over.
Akane was watching TV, and Nabiki lay on the porch, reading a manga. Her
two sisters looked over at Kasumi as she entered the room.
"Did you get them?" Akane asked hesitantly.
Kasumi nodded. "Yes... and something else."
Nabiki blinked. "What?"
Kasumi brought out the tape wordlessly, laying it down next to the
pregnancy test kits.
Akane blinked in confusion, but Nabiki's eyes went wide. "He
didn't!"
Kasumi looked worried. "I think he must have. The nice young man
at the drug store seemed to know about... what happened. He told me
that I should see this tape."
Nabiki paled. "They're selling it at the drug store?"
Kasumi looked thoughtful. "I don't think so. He gave it to me for
free. I believe he said some man had been selling them two days ago."
Nabiki groaned. "Two days? Then there's no stopping it now." She
glanced from the pregnancy kits to the tape, and back to the pregnancy
kits. "I'm afraid it's too late to do anything but spin doctoring for
the tapes... If that's even possible. Right now there's something a bit
more important." Nabiki picked up a pregnancy kit. "I'm going to
check."
Akane looked a bit confused. "What? Spin doctoring? Nabiki, what
are you talking about?"
Nabiki sighed. "Never mind, Akane. Why don't we all see if what
might of happened, has happened."
Kasumi picked up a pregnancy test kit as well. "That's sensible,
Nabiki."
Akane picked up the last one and gulped. "Might as well get this
over with." The three Tendo sisters went toward the bathroom together.
****************************************
Out in the Dojo, Ranma had just finished a complicated kata and was
about to start another when he was interrupted by clapping. Ranma
turned to see Ukyo standing in the doorway.
The okonomiyaki chef beamed at him. "That was great, Ranchan! You
really are the best!"
Ranma put his hand behind his head and shrugged. "I guess... What's
up Ucchan?"
Ukyo was in her chef's outfit as usual. The bandoleer of mini
spatulas, and the great big spatula she always carried gleamed in the
light coming in the open door.
Ukyo's smile was equally bright. "Guess what, Ranchan, I've got
great news. You're going to be a father!" Ranma froze, he slowly
opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Ukyo started to get worried.
"Ranchan? Come on, say something. I'm pregnant! Ranma?" Ranma closed
his mouth. He took a deep breath, nodded firmly to himself and moved
over to Ukyo.
Ranma looked her in the eyes with a serious expression. "Ucchan...
I'll do the right thing. I promise I'll always be there for you and...
our kid."
Ukyo's smile came back brilliantly. "Do you mean it? You'll marry
me?"
Ranma nodded. "Yeah, Ucchan... I won't let any kid of mine... go
without a father."
Ukyo hugged him happily. "Oh Ranchan! I'm so happy!" Hesitantly,
Ranma hugged her back. After a long moment, Ukyo pulled back a bit.
"Ranchan, let's go tell everyone, OK?"
Ranma looked like he wanted to bolt. "Oh no! Akane's going to kill
me! Shampoo's going to kill me, and you!"
Ukyo shook her head. "I can handle Akane, Ranchan. As for Shampoo,
we're all Amazons now, so she can't kill me." Ukyo pulled out of
Ranma's arms. "As for that, Shampoo's supposed to be coming by this
afternoon to tell us all about Amazon law." Ukyo sighed. "Ranchan, we
can't put off telling everyone. They'll find out soon enough anyway.
It's better we tell them ourselves."
Ranma nodded slowly. "You're right, Ucchan." He sighed. "Might as
well get this over with."
Ukyo smiled sweetly and took his left arm in hers, and they walked
toward the house. They reached the living room to find all three Tendo
sisters sitting around the table sipping tea. The sisters all glanced
over to see Ranma and Ukyo walk in. Kasumi smiled pleasantly as ever,
Akane glared angrily at Ranma, seeing Ukyo on his arm. Nabiki just
stared appraisingly at them.
"We've got an announcement to make." Ukyo said cheerfully.
"Ranchan's going to marry me!"
Akane's eyes blazed. "What did you say?" She rose to her feet.
"Ranma! Is this true?" Akane didn't wait for an answer. "It is, isn't
it! That's it! Ranma, I'm going to...!" Akane paused, then turned
away. "Fine." Her voice was cold. "Marry her. I don't care."
Ranma looked stricken. Ukyo frowned and held tightly on to his arm.
Nabiki looked thoughtfully at the Okonomiyaki chef. "So, you're
pregnant too?" Ukyo and Akane both turned to Nabiki in surprise.
Ukyo blinked. "Too? Who else is pregnant?"
Nabiki snorted in derision. "Better to ask who isn't."
Ranma's eyes had gotten very wide. Ukyo had to keep him from
falling over in shock. Just then the back door flew open.
Shampoo entered with her hand raised in greeting. "Nihao!"
Everyone but Ranma turned to look at the Amazon. Ranma was too
stunned to react.
Kasumi smiled pleasantly at Shampoo. "Hello Shampoo! Won't you
have some tea?" Kasumi turned to Ukyo. "Ukyo-chan, would you like
some? It's ginger tea, very good for... your condition." Nabiki
grinned at Shampoo, the Amazon was looking a bit befuddled, trying to
figure out what was going on.
Nabiki decided to tell her. "So, Shampoo, I was wondering... how
did you feel this morning?"
Shampoo looked puzzled. "Shampoo fine. Why mercenary girl ask?"
Nabiki shrugged. "I was just curious if the other night had any...
consequences."
Shampoo blinked. "You mean is Shampoo with child?" Nabiki nodded.
Shampoo shook her head. "Shampoo take special herbal tea every
morning. Secret of 3000 years Amazon history. Shampoo choose when have
Ranma's child!"
Nabiki turned to look at her eldest sister, sipping her tea calmly.
"Well, Kasumi, it looks like you and Shampoo have something in common."
Kasumi blinked, then blushed in understanding. "Oh no, Nabiki... I
wasn't... taking anything... I mean I certainly didn't expect... Oh my!"
Ukyo's eyes went wide. "Nabiki, you don't mean that you and Akane
are both..."
Nabiki nodded, and glanced at the one man in the room. "Yup.
Congratulations, Ranma! Three out of five isn't bad!" Her voice was
plainly sarcastic. "In one night yet! Looks like martial arts aren't
the only thing you do well."
Shampoo's eyes went wide as well. "Three?"
Nabiki rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Don't you get it yet?
Ukyo, Akane and I are all pregnant!"
Shampoo nearly fell over in shock. Ranma slowly pulled free of
Ukyo. He shot her a look that begged for understanding. Ukyo
hesitated, then nodded.
Ranma sighed and looked at Akane. "Akane... I... Ukyo was
pregnant... I didn't know..." Akane had turned to face him, an
uncertain expression on her face. Ranma struggled on, trying to find
the right words. "It was the right thing to do... but... you're
pregnant too... and..." Ranma spoke the words as if he wasn't sure what
they meant. The look on his face was confusion. "And Nabiki... I... I
don't know what to do!"
Akane's anger had vanished, replaced by her own worry and
confusion. "I... I don't know either, Ranma."
Nabiki took a long sip of tea, then spoke up. "Well, since I'm
already involved, I've wave my usual fee." She glanced up at Shampoo,
who was leaning dazedly against the doorjamb. "Shampoo, I assume you
brought your book of Amazon law, right?" Shampoo nodded dazedly and
pulled the book out from between her breasts. Nabiki took it and
started leafing though it. "First things first. Amazon law will get us
all killed if we aren't careful, so we'll deal with it first."
Kasumi slid over to make a space for Shampoo. "Shampoo, sit down,
have some tea. Why don't you tell us about your laws."
Shampoo nodded and sat down next to Kasumi. Ukyo and Ranma sat down
as well, between Akane and Nabiki.
Shampoo shook her head to clear it. "Great-grandmother's ceremony
make you all Amazons. Sisters to Shampoo." Shampoo paused and looked
around. Everyone else stared back attentively. "Ranma, as strong
Amazon male, is much valued. Shampoo, as elder sister, can share with
sister Amazons. Strengthen tribe. That why Shampoo not have to kill
other girls that share husband."
Nabiki nodded. "That's what I figured. Ranma's breeding stock, the
stronger the better for the tribe."
Shampoo nodded in response. "Shampoo is Ranma number one wife, but
can share with others."
Nabiki was reading the book of laws. "Says here that an Amazon can
have more than one mate, as many as he, or she, can defeat
simultaneously in combat. This is to ensure that the strongest warriors
have the most children."
Shampoo frowned a bit. "You not Ranma's wives. Ranma not defeat in
combat. You only married if Ranma defeats you."
Ukyo grinned. "Hey, then I'm already married to Ranchan! He beat
me the first time we fought, right after I showed up here."
Shampoo looked irritated, but nodded. "Ukyo is married to Ranma.
Shampoo follow Amazon law. Will share husband if must."
Ukyo shrugged. "Well, I wanted Ranchan to myself, but... yeah, I'll
go along with it."
Akane was glaring at the two girls angrily, but she was blushing at
the same time. "Ukyo? I can't believe you'd go along with this!
It's... it's ludicrous! How can you agree to... share Ranma like he was
some kind of..." Akane sputtered to a halt, unable to think of a proper
example.
Shampoo smirked haughtily. "If Akane no want Ranma, then Akane no
have to share. Akane not married to husband anyway, is just mistress."
Akane muttered incoherently for several seconds. "Mistress! No way!
I'm as much married to Ranma as you two. He defeated me the first day
he came here!" Akane's mouth snapped shut. <Why did I say that? Do I
want to share Ranma with those two?> Ukyo and Shampoo regarded Akane
levelly, then turned to Ranma.
"Ranchan, is that true?" Ukyo asked in a neutral tone.
Ranma shrugged, nodding slightly. "Yeah, I guess. I was a girl at
the time and I didn't hurt her or nothin... but yeah, I beat Akane."
Nabiki closed the book of law, having found everything she was
looking for. "There you have it. According to Amazon law, Akane, Ukyo,
and Shampoo are all married to Ranma. Kasumi and I and his mistresses,
technically, but are not married to him. This all assumes Ranma is
deemed worthy of having three wives. There will be an official trial by
combat. Shampoo, it doesn't go into much detail on that. Care to tell
us about it?"
Shampoo nodded. "This very rare, that one male take three Amazon's
as bride. Simplest trial be fight between Ranma and all three of us. If
witnessed by two of more elders, and judged a worthy match, marriage is
secure from all challenges against it. Otherwise, things get
complicated."
Akane spoke up. "Complicated how?"
Shampoo nodded toward Akane and Ukyo. "You not raised in village.
Amazon born, raised in village fight hard against man. No let male win
easy. Elders not believe you fight hardest against man. Might appoint
strong Amazon warriors to substitute for test. Elders must witness, say
good fight."
Ukyo frowned. "Hey, Cologne's the only Amazon Elder around here.
Does this mean we have to go to China?"
Nabiki cleared her throat before Shampoo could answer. "Technically,
no. You are considered married unless the marriage is challenged by an
Elder. Cologne's not going to challenge this, so we can wait until a
second Amazon Elder comes here to hold the trial of combat."
Shampoo looked surprised, but nodded. "You is right, Nabiki Tendo.
Shampoo not think of that."
Nabiki smirked. "That's why they pay me the big bucks." Nabiki's
face turned serious. "It's best we don't go to China, actually. There's
one thing Shampoo hasn't mentioned. We're all Amazons now, right?
Amazon law now applies to us, right? All Amazon laws?" Shampoo
nodded. Nabiki closed her eyes and shook her head. "So that means if
some guy defeats us, we have to marry him, right?" Shampoo nodded again
and Akane, Ranma, Kasumi and Ukyo gaped at her. Nabiki opened her
eyes. "Akane, Ukyo and Shampoo don't have to worry about it. Unless
their marriage to Ranma is judged invalid. In that case, we're all up
for grabs."
Kasumi's eyes were wide. "Oh my!"
Akane cracked her knuckles. "Any guy that tries is going to regret
it!"
Ukyo grabbed on to Ranma's left arm again. "Ranchan will pass that
trial. I know he will! Won't you Ranchan?"
Ranma grunted. <A challenge. Finally something I can deal with!>
"No problem. I will for sure, you can count on it."
Akane looked doubtful and slightly worried. "Are you sure Ranma?
You have to beat all three of us at once. The Elders have to believe it
was real."
Ranma nodded. "I can do it. It'll be tough, sure, but I'm not
letting some other guy beat you up so he can marry you."
Akane and Ukyo looked at each other, and wordless understanding
passed between them.
Finally, Akane spoke. "Well... it's better to have to share Ranma,
then to be married to some jerk I don't know."
Nabiki smirked. "Yup, better the jerk you do know, eh Akane?"
Ranma looked indignant. "Hey!"
Akane smiled wryly. "Yeah, but at least he's my jerk."
Ukyo grinned. "You mean our jerk!"
They both looked at each other and laughed, while Ranma grumbled in
between them.
Nabiki broke in. "I'm glad you two agree on something. There's
still several matters to deal with." Everyone focused on Nabiki again.
She held up a finger. "First, Kasumi and I are still non married
Amazons. Assuming Ranma beats his trial, that still leaves the two of
us."
Shampoo nodded. "Village know this by now. Many boy who no beat
Amazon in village will come. Kasumi make very good wife." She paused.
"Some will even come for Nabiki, she very pretty girl, yes?"
Nabiki smiled sweetly, her voice dripping sugar. "Oh my, Shampoo,
I'm so pleased you noticed!" Nabiki shook her head and went back to her
serious tone of voice. "Anyway, Shampoo's right, it's only a matter of
time until somebody challenges Kasumi and me." She looked pained. "And
there's no way either one of us will be able to win against someone with
even moderate skill."
Akane and Ranma both looked worried, Ukyo looked sympathetic, and
Kasumi looked like she was going to faint.
Akane's face took on a grim expression. "We'll have to train you."
Nabiki sighed. "I don't think we'll have enough time. It would
take years to get good enough not to be defeated, if that's even
possible. Still, we should train, if only to cut the number of idiots
down. At least if we have some skill we may have some choice." Nabiki's
voice was quiet. Her usual confidence had faded with her final words,
as if she had just now fully realized the implications of what she was
saying. "Damn it, I don't need this. First I'm pregnant, and now I've
got to worry about getting married to whatever guy that beats me up."
Shampoo spoke up. "Is Amazon way. You Amazons now, must follow
laws." She sounded guilty when she said those words, but it didn't
change them.
Nabiki snapped at her angrily. "I know we have to follow your damn
laws! If we weren't Amazons, you'd have had to kill us, and now that we
are, we have to follow your laws, or your whole tribe may kill us! I
know it, but I don't have to like it!" Everyone was silent as Nabiki
visibly calmed herself. "I don't blame you, Shampoo, not really. I'm
just a little... scared right now. This is a hell of a lot to deal with
all at once, you know?"
Shampoo nodded sadly. "Shampoo understand. Is OK be scared,
Nabiki, as long as one does what one has to do."
Nabiki let a small smile appear on her face. "Thanks, Shampoo." She
nodded, gathering herself. "OK, that in mind, back to the business at
hand. Is there any way to postpone any challenges of marriage? Or
perhaps even avoid them entirely?" Nabiki looked questioningly at
Shampoo.
Shampoo looked thoughtful. "Nabiki is pregnant with Ranma's child.
If great-grandmother say so, no male can challenge until baby born, to
avoid risk to baby."
Nabiki looked a bit relived. "Eight months, eh? Well, if I train
like crazy, maybe I'll be able to hold off an unwanted suitor or two by
then." She frowned. "That still leaves Kasumi."
Akane looked thoughtful. "What about..." She paused, exchanging a
look with Nabiki. Nabiki seemed to understand and nodded. Akane turned
to her eldest sister.
Kasumi's normal cheerfulness was completely gone. She tried to
smile. "It won't be so bad. I'm sure I'll be defeated by a nice young
man. I've always wanted to get married and raise a family of my own."
Akane shook her head. "Kasumi, you can do better than some random
Amazon male that want's an easy bride." She peered at Kasumi
thoughtfully. "Kasumi... is there anyone around here... that you like?"
Kasumi blushed a bit, looking down at her tea. "I've never met
anyone, that was interested in me..." <Unbidden came a face with
glasses, a kind face... it was overlapped momentarily by the face of a
boy with a pigtail.> Kasumi shook her head, clearing her mind.
Akane, Ranma, and Nabiki exchanged knowing glances.
Akane looked back at Kasumi. "Well, maybe there is someone who
likes you, but hasn't been able to tell you."
Kasumi looked up. "Do you think so?"
Akane nodded. "I'm sure of it. Kasumi, we've all been waiting for
him to tell you himself, but it's obvious that Dr Tofu really likes
you."
Kasumi blinked. "Dr Tofu? Really? He's so silly, and sweet... but
does he really like me?"
Ranma nodded. "Definitely, Kasumi, he's crazy about you. He can
hardly think straight when you're around."
Kasumi brightened. "Oh my! Do you think he might... want to marry
me?"
Nabiki smiled. "I have the feeling that he will, especially when he
learns he might lose you."
Kasumi looked hopeful, and everyone but Shampoo smiled. Shampoo was
trying to think of why this bothered her.
Shampoo shrugged. <If I can't remember what it was, it can't be
that important.>
Nabiki clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "OK! Dr Tofu
can marry Kasumi, Ranma marries the three of you..."
"Is married!" Shampoo insisted.
Nabiki shrugged. "Right, is married to you three, and I have eight
months to train before I have to worry about fighting off lecherous
Amazons. That only leaves two things to deal with." Everyone stared at
her.
"There's more?" Akane asked, looking a bit dismayed.
Nabiki nodded. "Afraid so." She tapped the tape. "Kasumi found
out that tapes like this were being sold, as recently as a week ago. In
all probability this is a tape of that night's... activities. It's too
late to stop, so the best we can do is some spin control."
Shampoo paled. "Aieee! You mean great-grandmother not only one get
tape?"
Nabiki glared at Shampoo. "Is that how she found out? I thought
you told her?"
Shampoo looked nervous. "Great-grandmother get tape weeks ago.
Shampoo thought it only one."
Nabiki slapped herself on the forehead. "Why didn't you tell me
this sooner? We might have been able to keep the tapes from getting out
if we had known about it then!" Shampoo looked sheepish. Nabiki shook
her head resignedly. "What's done is done, but that tape is going to do
tremendous damage to our reputations. All we can do is spin doctor it."
Ranma interrupted. "What does that mean? You keep saying spin
control and spin doctoring, but how is spinning going to help?"
Nabiki looked tired. "Spin doctoring means we take the information
that will ruin our reputation and put a positive "spin" on it. We
"Doctor" it until it puts us in the best possible light."
Ukyo sighed. "This isn't going to be pretty, is it?"
Nabiki shook her head. "Nope. I think I've got a way to help, but
it isn't going to be easy, and things are going to get worse before they
get better. I think I may be able to salvage our good names... mostly.
I'm going to have to call in most of my favors to do this. Everything
really depends on how far these tapes have spread, and what exactly they
show."
Ukyo gulped. "Then I guess we should see exactly what is on the
tape. So we know what do defend ourselves against."
Nabiki nodded. "The VCR's right over there, if you'd do the honors,
Ukyo."
Ukyo gulped again. "Might as well get this over with." She picked
up the tape and went over to put it into the VCR.
Akane gulped. "I'm not so sure I want to see this."
"No one's making you, Akane." Nabiki said quietly. "You can go if
you want."
Akane gulped again but remained sitting. Ukyo turned on the TV and
pressed play. Akane looked away from the TV, and turned to Nabiki.
"Sis, you said there were two things. What was the second?"
Nabiki's eyes were glued to the set. "Dealing with all our
parents. Father, Mr. Saotome, and the Kuonji's"
Akane sighed. "Oh." Akane made herself look at the set as the
static stopped and the tape started to play.
Well, there you have it. If everyone seems a bit too accepting
in all this, read the first fic again. The explination for everyone
getting along so much better than normal is there, as well as in the
third part.
Addicted pt 3: the bet
ranma no video
insert standard fanfic disclaimer of your choice here.
WARNING: There are Lime moments ahead. No actual descriptions of sexual
acts occur, but they ARE referred to.
---------------------------------------
Kasumi blinked and gasped. Akane held her hands over her eyes,
occasionally peeking a look, then shuddering. Nabiki looked a little
pale herself, the "Ice Queen" facade having crumpled during the first
few minutes. Ukyou swore. Shampoo merely had a sick look on her face.
Ranma fainted.
They were, of course, watching a poorly edited and obviously
homemade videotape of events that were largely unremembered at least on
a conscious level.
"Aiyaaaaaa...no wonder great grandma-ma was telling me to use
ancient amazon extra-strength mouthwash...." <shudder>..."and brush and
floss."
"I can't believe that...I...he...we..." Ukyou began to swear,
quietly, but with all the attention to fine detail as a sailor from
Kobe.
"Damn...I knew I was limber, but..." Nabiki's voice trailed off
and she stared at the unconscious Ranma. She had a new appreciation for
the finely toned body of a martial artist.
"Oh my, oh my, oh my." Kasumi held one hand in front of her
mouth, and just stared. "Oh dear."
Akane noticed that Ranma was escaping having to sit through this
by means of his faint. "PERVERT!" <WHAM!>
Ranma woke up, glanced towards the television, and didn't blink
for several minutes.
Cologne popped her head into the room. "Oh, so you're finally
watching that thing." She noted that absolutely no one had paid her any
attention, and further, it was unlikely that anything short of WWIII
would have caused the small group to notice anything besides the events
on the tape.
After another half hour, the tape finally ended. Cologne noted
the shell-shocked look several of them were manifesting.
"Uhm, I'm sorry. I'm really, really, really, sorry." Ranma
managed to say though he was addressing a section of the floor.
Kasumi, currently an interesting shade of scarlet, nodded
absently.
"Great grandma-ma, you know what happen yet?"
"Yes, child. I have two bits of news for you all." Cologne
waited a bit, knowing that the scenes they had just viewed were going to
put them back into shock for a little bit.
"News?" Nabiki finally got her mind out of neutral.
"Yes. Tell me, child, any odd dreams lately? Cravings? Odd
feelings or sensations?"
Nabiki nodded. She noticed everyone else was doing the same
thing and getting rather nervous looking as they did so.
"The song, as you recall, was 'Addicted To Love.'" Cologne had
never heard the song before herself, but with a chorus like that what
else would it be titled? She didn't listen to much music herself.
"What music?"
"Shampoo hear what sound like music playing at beginning of
tape..."
"Hmmm. Let me see it." Cologne inspected the tape as Ukyou
brought it over. "Interesting. This is a copy of a copy. Happosai
apparently made the original, now someone else has gotten into the act
and started their own distributorship."
Nabiki made a little noise in the back of her throat as she
caught a good look at the labels. "Made in Hong Kong?"
The little group looked at each other, knowing that tape pirates
in areas like Hong Kong usually made copies of 10,000 minimum. Adding
international distributorship to the equation...
Kasumi's usual air of ignoring everything unpleasant was gone.
Of them all, she was the most shattered by the shame involved here. "How
can I face anyone ever again?"
"Kasumi," Ranma gently wiped a tear from her cheek. "Kasumi, be
strong. It wasn't your fault. We'll survive this..."
"Sis," Nabiki hugged her sister briefly.
"Well, it seems the second hand copies have some scenes cut."
Cologne sighed. "Before I go any further, please be seated and do not
interrupt me. I have a lot of information to impart."
Cologne waited until everyone had sat and quieted down. She
nodded once, they were strong and therefore worthy additions to the
tribe.
"You were drugged all right, and quite thoroughly. Happosai may
have done all this, though Mousse is certainly an accomplice. Those
samples of the dinner that you brought me, Nabiki, contained several
drugs known to the Amazons, though Happosai may have learned of them
during his long life without any involvement of the Nichieju.
"Posthypnotic mushrooms, by themselves, would have worn off by
now. Stabilizer herbs make the timing a bit trickier. Powdered phoenix
shell...now we're getting into some real problems. There is one more
drug that may have been used, but I'm hoping it was not."
"They haven't worn off..." Nabiki rubbed her forehead. She knew
a headache was arriving soon.
"Not quite, child. While you likely aren't going to repeat the
events on the tape whenever someone snaps their fingers, you haven't
left the presence of the others for very long have you? What's the most
you've been seperated, maybe six hours?"
Everyone started thinking about that. Cologne wasn't nearly done
yet.
"Then there were the other commands. Quite obviously these were
NOT the work of Mousse. No, I'd say Happosai used Mousse pretty
thoroughly in this little event, and sought revenge in this manner for
any number of slights.
"By turning a profit on this whole sordid mess, he is thumbing
his nose at Nabiki. The public shame may not have been entirely his
plan, as he had originally just sold the tapes to Furinkan students and
apparently put a few 'freebies' out to people who knew you. The shame
was his strike against Akane
and Ukyou. Having to share her husband is his blow against Shampoo. The
knife in Ranma's ribs is that people he cares about are hurt and will
continue to be hurt through his actions, however little control he might
have had about them at the time.
"Or at least, that's how I see it."
"Why me?" Kasumi had a quaver in her voice.
"Mainly to hurt son-in-law, I think. You, of everyone else
here, have offered Ranma the least hurt. It will also devastate your
father." Cologne watched them. They were not terribly receptive now, but
some things could not be put off any further. That she'd gotten this far
off the subject indicated how upset she was herself. "In any case, that
is not as important as this is."
"Not important?" Ukyou squeaked.
"There are some long term effects." Cologne shook her head. "The
other commands, which combined with the words of that damned song, are
going to take months to work out of your system even if I used Formula
113 shampoo on each of you."
"<Great grandma-ma, they are amazons now. If it is as I suspect,
they deserve to know.>"
"Yes child. The drug I alluded to earlier is one of our village
secrets. It's name would translate most literally as 'Constancy' or
'Faithfulness' in Japanese. It would be unthinkable for Mousse to use
it, as it is well known that for a male even to knowingly carry the
material is an immediate death sentence.
"Have you never wondered, son-in-law, about the laws? How an
outsider male defeating an amazon must be brought within the tribe? How
would we control such males if they have already proven capable of
defeating their wives in combat? Peer pressure, strength in numbers,
yes, these and similar factors are the
ones most employed. As you may now realize, such is not ALWAYS the
case."
"Why do I have a feeling this is going to be unpleasant?"
Cologne nodded. "Happosai using the drug on Shampoo, even if he
merely placed it in and then had Mousse deliver it, has placed himself
under Edict. He will be slain with no more ceremony than a rabid dog
should he step anywhere near the village. The effect of 'Faithfulness'
is simple. The wife has some, then has her husband fulfill his duties
after a few hours for the drug to work its way through her system. The
husband is then 'addicted' to the wife."
"So Ranma's addicted to at least one of us," Akane narrowed her
gaze towards Ranma. If the tape had been accurate then...
"No, child." Cologne sighed and shrugged while looking at
Nabiki. "The reason that it is so forbidden for a male to possess the
drug is that it works the other way as well."
"What's the cure?" Nabiki glared at Ranma, though she didn't
seem to be able to put any feeling in it. After all, he was in a bad
situation himself. Injuries carried over when he switched forms so drugs
would likely do so as well.
A new voice came from the foyer. "Enough, Cologne. I haven't
seen a mess THIS screwed up since Pin Ya and Ko Lada went after the
legendary Mambo Jack. My goodness, that must have been about..."
"It was in '38, Lilac." Cologne nodded. "Oh yes, the second
Elder needed to officiate at this little event has arrived."
Lilac, a three foot tall, not nearly as gnarled or old as
Cologne, amazon stepped forward. In her hands was a staff identical to
Cologne's. "My goodness, so this is the young boy who's caused all the
fuss. My, my. I expected you to be... taller, sonny boy. With muscles
rippling like some Japanese Adonis. I am SO disappointed."
"Urk." Ranma managed to get out that much, but it was obvious
that he had gone further and further into shock. Kasumi looked so
completely out of it that she'd probably not have noticed if Cologne
were to announce her upcoming wedding to Mister Ed.
"My and such a charming conversationalist." Lilac looked over at
Cologne and raised an eyebrow. "You know, Cologne, the tales of this boy
doing such martial arts manuevers and learning all those techniques
didn't impress me nearly so much as that videotape. Any man that manages
to satisfy five women, even with frequent naps and an interesting
pharmacology in him, has got some qualities we DEFINITELY want to add to
the amazons. I remember my Douglas..."
"Don't start on that now," Cologne said with a scowl.
"You see," Lilac hobbled over to Kasumi and gave her a nudge and
a wink, "we don't always just need warriors added to the gene pool. Oh
my, no."
"Must you, Lilac?"
"My Douglas, for example. Well, the village needed an outside
expert in some VERY delicate matters. So, back in '09, I sought out this
dashing young fellow and deliberately lost to him in an 'accident'
thereby bringing his knowledge to the Nichieju. Very valuable catch he
turned out to be, eh, Cologne?"
"What was he, a doctor? An engineer?" Kasumi licked her lips and
found herself watching Ranma. He was a strong warrior, which was
something they wanted now.
"Oh heavens, no. My Douglas was VERY good with his hands, he
was." Lilac cackled, which caused Kasumi to blush.
"He was a PLUMBER, all right." Cologne glared at Lilac. "We got
someone who understood sewage systems, water purification, dam building,
and basic modern construction techniques. What we got out of all this
was indoor plumbing, simple water purification, and a small dam that
supplies electricity to the village. Which merely proves that SOME
people play fast and loose with the rules, and if it benefits the
village in the long run, then in the long run it is overlooked. Which
is the point my esteemed colleague is trying to make."
Lilac smiled at Kasumi. "Come on, dear. I know you and your
sister over there aren't exactly top notch warriors. That doesn't mean
you're defenseless, does it? Even if you decide not to lose in battle
against the young man currently twitching over there, that doesn't mean
you can't exercise some choices. The only choice you don't have right
now, is the one to wait around."
"There are suitors coming?" Cologne followed her question with
an ancient swearword peculiar to the amazons. It involved the male
gender, denoted which head was being used to think with, and that said
male wasn't particularly good with either of the two in any capacity. It
also referred to something you make
french fries out of.
"Oh yes, yes. I figure within three days the first two will get
here. I may be old, but I can travel pretty damn fast when I need to."
Lilac shuddered. "You know the culprits, that monstrously obese child
and his brother."
"Sponge and Rag?" Shampoo seemed to flinch and shudder at the
same time, managing to look thoroughly revolted. "We hurry before they
get here. If they beat merc...Nabiki and Kasumi, it very bad. Would not
even wish that on crazy psycho nutcase girl."
"They're that bad?" Nabiki blinked at Lilac's nod.
"They could NEVER get brides within the village. You've no doubt
heard that the village isn't very big, and the gene pool is therefore
not that large itself? Well those two are living proof."
"So," Cologne looked at each of the women in turn. "Tomorrow we
schedule the match. You have until then to secure a more suitable
candidate, otherwise Ranma shall have to fight you with the others.
Nabiki, we might be able to postpone your fight for the remainder of
your pregnancy, but those two
are not terribly clever and may endanger your child by some 'accident.'
While such a crime would result in the two being punished, it would
still be best to remove yourself from their consideration."
"DO try, Nabiki dear. I hear you're quite the businesswoman, and
not all battles are resolved in hand-to-hand combat, eh?" Lilac smiled
for a moment. "And as for you, young lady, I've heard you've an
inclination for the healing arts, for cooking, and for space management.
All quite valuable skills even if it doesn't make you the front line
fighter. I would hate to see either of you trapped into a marriage to
those two utter wastes."
"Tomorrow then, at noon, I think. To delay further involves
further risk." Cologne looked at the clock. Early evening. "Time to get
busy. You can go comfortably numb after you've resolved the problem."
----------------------------------