Manga
Part 4
Theories, mysteries, and cold hard fists.
Duke sat across from Cologne as she examined the clear shard closely, a
hard gaze crossed her eyes and she frowned. "It's true I'm not a
sorceress myself, but this is some sort of casing for the Naniban Mirror
shard that acts like a sort of amplifier for it's power; it's just as
strong if not stronger than the whole mirror."
"That's interesting," Duke sat with Ranma and Akane across from the old
woman and eased back in his chair as he thought, over the past few days
he had given up trying to cut the habit down. According to Ranma and
Akane it was one of his more famous trademarks; Duke found it a bit odd
that something like that would be a trademark, but in the end he accepted
it.
Cologne continued her observation "The man who created this is either a
genius or insane; it's quite a piece of work. I wonder if he has some
inherent power about him?"
"Hikaru Gosunkugi is an idiot, either he got extremely lucky this one
time; or he didn't make it at all. I never bothered to ask if he had done
this or if he found it this way, probably the latter I'd say." Duke's
hand went towards his face and he brushed the rough stubble that was
starting to grow there, he was still young so it was patchy and uneven,
but it still made him look older than he was.
"That dork, no wonder he was so nervous when we found him, he probly
stole it." Ranma kicked out of the chair he was sitting in and moved
towards the window to gaze out into the street.
"Perhaps the one who made this is looking for it? It would not have been
and easy task." Cologne pulled out a long thin pipe and started to puff
on it absently as she turned the shard over in her hands. "Tears will
probably still activate it, tears or blood. I'd advise not using it
though, it could have been altered by the encasing process."
"I had thought of that, maybe that's why it brought me here instead of
taking Hikaru where he wanted to go." Duke stood and walked over next to
Ranma. "If you say it's more powerful now, that raises another concern of
mine."
"What's that?" asked Akane looking around and feeling lost in the whole
conversation.
"That I didn't come here alone." Duke clenched his jaw and made a fist.
"I can't leave until I'm sure of that anyway."
"Who else could have come with you? You said you where alone when you
got here, right?" Ranma didn't like thinking about who else could have
come through, many of Duke's later enemies would be more than a match for
himself and his friends.
"Yes, I was alone, but we could have just been put here randomly, I was
in direct contact with Ryu and Metala was only a few feet away from us."
he hit the side of the window in frustration lightly. "Damn, how can I be
sure?!"
"Relax, all will be revealed with time; you are young and impatient
yet." Cologne sighed as she realized everyone was looking to her for the
answers again. "If someone else is here they will probably come in
contact with one of us within a few months, especially if it is as you
say and we are the center of this universe for the time being."
"An interesting way of putting it, but true enough; I can't recall many
more stories in this time period from the woman who creates them." Duke
moved for the door. "I'd like you to hang on to that for me, I don't
think anyone else here has the knowledge and experience enough to leave
it alone or keep it safe. I know Kuno won't get his hands on it this way
as well."
"Actually I was about to ask you to leave it with me, you are quite an
intelligent boy for your age I must say." Cologne smiled at him and he
snorted as he walked out.
"Only on this world lady."
Duke sat at the dinner table with Tofu lazily picking at an instant
dinner. "Plan A is canned, that crystal of mine is too unpredictable to
risk using it."
"After all the trouble you went through to get it too." noted Tofu
absently.
"It was worth it just for the fun involved with an adventure like that."
Duke grinned and gave the back legs of the chair a work out.
"So what's plan B?" said Tofu looking interested suddenly; his dinner
was apparently more boring than he had planned it to be.
"Not sure yet, maybe look around and see if more people from my world
show up?" Duke sat thinking to himself for a long time. "No, It'd be best
if I hang around; the way things are they are more likely to come to me."
"Do you really think someone will show?" asked the young doctor.
"I'm almost positive, that's the problem; if they are here I can't leave
without them." Duke seemed a bit nervous about that last part.
"Are you sure you should leave at all?" Tofu stuffed a ball of rice into
his mouth.
"What do you mean?" asked Duke with a confused look.
"Well, If you being here effects your world; wouldn't it show up in the
manga or the anime here? I mean think about it, if there is no
indication of change in the stories here that means that you'll either
get home eventually somehow or you don't need to because your still
there."
"Still there? I don't follow you." Duke was pretty interested in the
conversation now.
"Well, If the mirror was modified as you say, there's no reason to
believe that you weren't just copied instead of transferred so to speak.
There's no evidence that states you've changed any event in your world
and your fictional self doesn't appear to have the kind of knowledge he'd
have after coming here does he?" Tofu stuffed another ball of rice into
his mouth and chewed thoughtfully.
"That's true, but I haven't exactly been learning a whole lot, and I
can't be sure if your theory is sound so I have to continue to look for a
way back home." Duke smiled a little at the thought and it set his mind
at ease a little to know there was a chance things might work out in his
own world without him there.
"I don't think you should stop either, bu though. It might be best to
just see what Nabiki can come up with on that legal thing, not if it
takes months to deal with though. Duke my boy, we have to consider what
might happen if I'm here for the long haul."
At the Tendo home Ranma Saotome sat waiting for his a friend to arrive
patiently, he was still a little ways from admitting it, but he kind of
liked having Duke around now. He was the first person he could ever
really talk guy stuff too without worrying about a fight or saying the
wrong thing. He was damn good company compared to most of the people he
knew, he didn't appear to want much more than conversation from him and
he was actually more noticeable than him; that kept trouble focused more
on Duke than himself if it occurred; nothing short of Ryoga himself or
Mousse seemed to bother with Ranma while the boy was with him and he kind
of enjoyed it. He was also the first boy that didn't treat him any
different as a boy or a girl. Duke didn't even break his stride or his
conversation the first time he saw Ranma change. He just helped him out
of the puddle and continued walking and talking as if nothing had
happened.
Akane seemed to like him as well, but neither of them appeared to
actively seek each other out for company. Akane was just there, she felt
just as comfortable talking with him as she was when he wasn't there. It
was as if they where working together more than anything else, when they
where together fine, when not, just as good. Ranma kind of liked having a
guy around who wasn't all that interested in Akane in one way or another.
Ranma frowned a little when he thought about Nabiki, they weren't dating
or anything, but every time the two of them where together they flirted
shamelessly. Mostly it seemed like a contest to see who could get the
biggest rise out of the other; both of them where completely shameless
about it and it was rather embarrassing. This was the case at the moment
when Ranma saw them walking down the street towards him, Duke lifted the
girl up from behind getting a scream of surprise and then a giggle as he
put her down. She was wearing that hat she had gotten somewhere again and
had bought a leather jacket to match it, Ranma didn't know what to make
of it. "Jeez get a room you two." he muttered as they walked up to him.
Duke and Nabiki turned to face each other and snickered before parting
ways, Ranma had seen him flirting with girls before, even in front of
Nabiki. She was just the most receptive person to it all, it was obvious
neither of them was serious.
"What can I do for you my friend?" Duke kicked his feet out and leaned
against the wall next to him just outside the dojo.
"We have a big problem." said Ranma quietly, Nabiki turned the corner
like a greased lightening bolt.
"Problem?" she asked.
"Yea, guys in suits have been going around asking about you, they say
they want to meet you." Ranma whispered the information as if he thought
he'd been followed.
"You don't have to whisper Ranma, let's find out about these men. Nabiki
what do you have on this?" Duke smiled a little and a gleam came into his
eyes.
"I haven't gotten a response from Mega Co. the company that owns your
image. It could be a scout to verify your claim and see how much of a
threat you may be. It could also be someone to make sure the biggest cash
cow in Japanese history is safe." Nabiki sighed a little. "Or it could be
someone who has heard about how well you can fight, Ranma has been
approached by several factions in such a manner."
"He refused of course." said Duke with a smile.
"Of course." agreed Ranma, "But these don't seem like those types, too
professional."
"We'll just have to take a look see then won't we?" with that Duke
turned towards the street and then stopped before he rounded the corner.
"It would be best if I did this alone, they are less likely to notice
just me. I'll stop by the clinic to see if they have been by and then hit
the area around Furinkan and Ucchan's, that's where I'd start looking
anyway. I'll come back tonight and tell you what I've found before I
approach them."
"Don't sign anything without me!" cried Nabiki as she ran after him a
few steps.
"He'll be fine Nabiki." said Ranma as he turned back into the house.
"He's Duke Hibiki remember?"
"That's what worries me." said the girl as she turned back towards the
house and went about her business.
Duke smiled as he floated in and out of the crowd, he was dressed in a
smart looking black suit with a dark pair of shades resting across the
bridge of his nose. His hair was wet down and therefore much darker, with
the possible exception of his height he looked like a young Japanese
business man.
The men who where looking for him where easy enough to spot, they stood
on a street corner and stopped people that passed by. Duke eased himself
over to one of the pedestrians and got his attention. "Excuse me, What
are those men doing over there?"
"Lookin for some guy who claims to be Duke Hibiki." the man looked half
way interested in his own story and smirked. "They say he's tryin to get
a little money out of the company illegally; blackmail or somethin."
"Really?" Duke snorted lazily and stalked over to the men with a scowl
on his face.
"Good morning sir! Have you seen this man?" one of the business suits
pulled out a small drawing that was surprisingly close.
Duke smiled and spoke with a heavier voice and a Kyoto accent. "Yea,
every week night from six to seven, and a new episode every Saturday
night!"
The two men stopped and stared at him blankly. "We know that!"
"They why are you asking me?" Duke frowned a little more and looked at
them in mock annoyance.
"There is a man claiming to be Duke Hibiki in the area, we where sent
here by the company to stop this shameless altercation of our number one
star's image." the larger of the two men stepped forward and cracked his
knuckles. "Do you know of this man?"
Duke's scowl turned into a huge smile. "Well, I know that your company
is taking this serious enough to look into it. That means...you know
something I don't. Why else would you be here for some crazy idiot who
could just as easily be ignored, I wouldn't have a prayer in a court of
getting any money; but you where still worried enough about me to send
representatives." He ran his hands through his hair and removed his
sunglasses lazily. "Why?"
"So, you are here. We suspected, come with us Mr. Hibiki." the man
motioned to a car and smiled warmly.
"One moment, I have a representative; she has been very helpful; I would
like to bring her with me if you don't mind." Duke raised his eyebrow and
smirked casually. "Besides, I don't trust you." the inside coat of his
jacket was flashed and the two men stopped when they noticed the gun
resting from a shoulder holster.
"Very well, please step into the car." the man in the suit frowned
deeply and looked to his now silent partner; the man appeared to have a
tinge of fear and a little bit of awe in his gaze. His taller compatriot
had a dark pair of sunglasses and a completely calm demeanor about him.
Duke sat back on the pressed black leather and smiled as Nabiki was
escorted into the car with a worried looking Soun Tendo standing behind
the men. "What is the meaning of this?!" he demanded, Nabiki calmly
allowed herself to be lead gently into her seat.
"Don't worry daddy, I'm going to be fine." assured the girl.
Duke stepped out of the vehicle and smiled warmly at the man. "Now there
is no need to be rude gentlemen, Mr. Tendo, your daughter is acting as my
legal representative; these men are from Mega Co. and they are very
interested in meeting me."
Ranma was instantly alarmed. "Are you nuts?!"
"Ranma, We'll both be fine; Just relax; Trust me." Duke didn't notice
Akane and Ranma go pale when he said those words before disappearing into
the car.
"Should we go after them?" asked Akane as she pulled her father back
onto the porch from the position he fainted in.
"I doubt if we could, we can just hope for the best; you know we
probably won't see Nabiki for a while ya know." Ranma kicked the dirt and
snorted. "Oh, what the hell! Come on Akane!"
Soun Tendo's youngest Daughter abandoned his side and dashed off after
her fianc�e.
Duke smiled and was completely unsurprised when the two men began to
pull various patches of hair from their bodies and faces to reveal
disguises. The larger man completely pulled a rubber mask away to reveal
a completely shocked face. They both stared at Duke like frightened
school children.
Nabiki Tendo's jaw dropped like a rock as she stared at them in equal
shock. "Your...Tetsuo Igoda, and Yotsuya Kiru!"
"Yes, we are." said the shorter man as he composed himself a little. "I
am Tetsuo."
"And I am Yotsuya." replied his companion.
"Who are you and what is your connection to me?" asked Duke calmly.
"Duke! These are the men who wrote the Manga! Your manga! They own the
rights to your life!" Nabiki gave them a slightly sour glare and turned
back to him for a reaction.
"Who else have you found?" asked Duke completely unsurprised by the
whole affair.
"Ryu, he fell onto my lap during a late night session a few weeks ago."
the taller man smiled a little. "Nearly cut us in half."
"I figured as much, you wouldn't have taken me seriously unless
something like that had happened to you." Duke snorted and watched the
traffic go by from the dark tinted windows.
"Actually, Mrs Tendo's letter was quite impressive, we would have looked
into this claim at least; do you really think fifty percent of our gross
product gain wouldn't get our lawyers in a bunch? They where screaming at
us for our attention to the matter."
"Fifty percent? I must admit I was unaware of that," Duke gave Nabiki a
sidelong glance and smiled nervously.
"Well, it got their attention didn't it?" she smiled and pulled the brim
of her hat down over her eyes.
"Well, we are pleased that we have found you. Ryu is most interested in
meeting you again, he said something about finding out how you got here?"
the two men leaned forward in anticipation.
"I know a very likely means, but if it's true we can't use it to get
back; we'd have to find another way." Duke smiled at the two men. "I
can't tell you what it is because I know the swordless wonder would try
it anyway and that would put too many lives at risk."
"It is very possible that he does not wish to return just yet either Mr.
Hibiki." said a new voice from behind the men, the window rolled down and
a long haired Japanese boy of about Duke's age was sitting lazily in the
front of the limo; on his shoulder was a very familiar looking katana.
"This world has martial arts secrets we have not dreamed of tapping, I
will not leave until my thirst has been satisfied."
"Ryu you old dog, I knew you couldn't sit idly through an insult. Now
that you've crawled out of the wood work maybe you can enlighten some of
us on your thoughts in this?" Ryu seemed unsurprised by this and looked
at him blankly.
"You have an idea how we may have come?"
"A magical crystal shard, an otaku moron, and a piece of mystical
mirror." said Duke with a casual wave of his hands. "None of which can
help us get back, I already checked into this."
"I suppose finding you was useless then." Ryu turned back towards the
road and the driver gulped nervously.
"Please, you'll get out of practice without me around." Duke smiled and
relaxed in the seat again. Nabiki looked towards the new boy with slight
interest and moved closer to her companions side.
"Mr. Hibiki, these are your identity papers." the taller man tossed a
small package towards the boy and smiled in a business like manner.
Duke lifted the folder up and smiled, inside was a birth certificate,
passport, various legal documents, and a few other odds and ends that
identified him as a Japanese citizen. "Using my real name no less? Very
interesting."
"We are aware of the risk involved, we will simply say that you where
based off old friends of ours that we knew in younger days. This is being
backed with various false payments for royalties to your names, all of
your past is being carefully created by our staff. Nothing will be able
to find that you never existed, all we ask in return is that you do a few
promotional films and photo sessions for us, as well as a few interviews
for various magazines that we will schedule for a later date, you will be
given a back story for your life and a few other small details will need
to be in place, but in the end it will work out fine." the two men smiled
again and bowed towards Duke.
"This is an awful lot for two manga artist to pull off." Duke looked
skeptical for a moment and frowned at the men.
"They have many fans in the government system, I met a few of them and
convinced them and they managed to work this out as a publicity stunt for
the company, but they wanted it to be completely convincing; all my idea
of course." the boy in the front seat kept his gaze forward preventing
Nabiki from reading his face.
"You must be so proud." Duke joked; "I have a few conditions as well,
first is that Ryu and I will both be given homes in Nerima, I'll show you
the area I want them to be in."
"Why?" asked Ryu and the two men in unison.
"Because it is a level of high activity, we'll fit in better there;
there are a few other more unimportant reasons, such as we can fight
there and cause relatively little commotion and disruption to the
people's lives; neither one of us is out of high school yet and there is
one near by called Furinkan, we need to be enrolled if we are stuck here
for a while." Duke looked into the air in a sort of dazed thoughtfulness.
"There are many schools and arena's in Tokyo." Tetsuo looked a little
concerned with these unusual demands and his partner looked on with
slight interest.
"I think I know why." Yotsuya looked Nabiki up and down causing her to
move even closer to Duke's side in discomfort.
"What are you looking at you pervert?" she snapped at him angrily.
"The reason he lost his hat again." retorted Yotsuya calmly; Nabiki
blushed and said nothing, she only glared at the man and turned away from
him.
"Again?" wondered Hibiki, but he pushed it aside for more important
matters. �Calm down both of you, I can see this is getting no where. If
you really want to know why I want to stay I'll tell you in the simplest
way possible. The area is the setting of a Manga in my own world, I think
the two of us being here may have something to do with that. I'm also a
bit of a fan so you will understand, your going to be paying us right?
Just take it out of my pay if it bothers you that much; do it or I don't
care about your stupid shoots and contracts, I can live without identity
or allot of money easily and comfortably. My skills and martial arts
training are more than enough to keep me fed and I can easily get my own
connections in this town."
Nabiki cringed, it was a bold risk he was taking at the moment.
Basically he had told them "Do as I say or I'll just become Yakuza; I
don't need you; it's the other way around." It was something they where
all very much aware he could and would do if the need should arise.
"Very well, is there anything else?" said Tetsuo after a moment of
thought.
Ryu spoke up. "How is it a Manga artist has so much power and money?"
"Simple, Duke Hibiki is the only story we ever wrote. We made our money
by handling the merchandizing, money, and over all publicity of the
character ourselves." Yotsuya lit up a cigarette and smiled at the two
passengers.
"Yes, we then used the money to buy up various small companies and
created a rather successful empire of manga, anime, music, and video game
companies. Quite impressive, in our twenty seventh year of life we both
sit atop the world of entertainment in Japan as it's masters. A
monumental achievement; even for genius such as ours!" Tetsuo hugged
Yotsuya and the two of them started to cry in pride as they waved small
fans around.
"Whatever. Just do as I ask and we'll see about contracts with your
company. I warn you though; I'm not about to overdo this thing, a few
photos here and there and a press release or interview on occasion, but I
want to be left alone. I'm a fighter first and foremost and I won't be
drug into anything I don't want to do."
"We are very much aware of your attitude towards such a lifestyle. We
only want these shots as a way to keep you out of our business matters;
if we get you identities as a publicity stunt and then there is no
publicity our sponsors in this will become suspicious. We are honest men
and since we can pay you for our success that was at your expense we
will; but we are not willing to give up our fortunes for your sake, you
will get royalties on your names and a few other legal benefits; more
than enough to live as a prince here in Japan. All we ask is that you
keep away from our empire legally, we do not wish to be the victims of
millions of claims like yours from around the world." Tetsuo gave another
serious bow and leveled his gaze on Nabiki.
"Besides, we will find it entertaining to say the least; to think! How
many artist may spend time with their own creations!? It will be quite an
experience to keep an eye on your activities on our world." Yotsuya
smiled and bowed again.
"Your planing to spy on us?" asked Ryu flatly.
"Oh relax sword boy, they are the least of our problems in this world."
Duke frowned and rubbed at his chin in thought. "Besides, I don't have to
put out that nice doctor I've been staying with any longer."
"Excellent, we will sign the contracts when we reach our corporate
offices and finalize this deal! It is late and we will have hotel rooms
for you to stay in Tokyo this evening as it may take a few hours for us
to finish this unpleasant business."
Ryu smiled slightly as he watched the road pass by him. He already had
an apartment in Tokyo and would have to move out for Nerima in a few days
if Duke had his way; oddly he found he didn't mind, the thought of being
around his old rival again excited him and he could feel the tension
building between them again. Soon it would be as it was before, fast
paced battles, close near death fights that only the two of them could
survive; "Ah the glories of battle again."
The driver pushed his glasses nervously back into place and gripped the
steering will harder as he gulped again. "The things he was hearing where
insane, but also very dangerous sounding. His employers where being their
usual idiot selves; but these other people where completely nuts, "I just
hope I'm not around when the shit hit's the fan."
Several hours passed and Nabiki found herself sitting on a roof top bar
in a large sky scraper hotel in Tokyo. She sipped at the glass in her
hand lazily and smiled as Duke relaxed in his chair. She was getting
forty percent of his earnings, and that was allot of money; more than
enough to keep up with the destructive antics of Ranma Saotome. The three
of them would take the train back to Nerima tomorrow; Ryu would accompany
them back of course, he sat brooding at the bar with a few scattered
women trying to catch his eye along the polished surface of the counter.
Nabiki and Duke where sitting at a small round table that overlooked the
city below. Duke sipped at a double burbon that hung from his fingertips
as he watched the lights flicker across the town. "You know, not one of
us is old enough to drink."
Nabiki sipped lazily at a tall glass of champagne. "Your complaining?"
"No, but it bothers me a little how easily I can get my hands on it
here. Besides, I doubt any of those women realizes Ryu is only seventeen
years old." He downed half of the glass easily and relaxed a little more.
"He'll sleep alone tonight." commented Nabiki as she turned to glance at
him.
"Yea, if he sleeps at all that is; he gets this way before we fight. I
can always tell, I doubt we'll get out of Tokyo before he gets started."
Duke emptied his glass and placed it on the table.
"You won't sleep alone though." Nabiki gave him a wry smile and leaned
back in her chair copying him without realizing it; she adjusted her hat
lazily and smirked. Duke swallowed, he had given the hat to her after the
little adventure in the Kuno mansion as a sort of momento, but she
started to wear it allot and looked damn good in it, the jacket didn't
help him much either, he never could resist the charms of a pretty woman.
Nabiki more than qualified at the moment and she was moving her toes up
and down his shin slowly. Duke struggled to keep his calm exterior and
was quite successful.
"I had brought you for your expertise Nabiki Tendo." Duke smirked at her
and leaned forward. "I doubt I would have stayed awake through all those
contract readings, I probably would have been screwed over pretty badly
by that nasty little vice president of theirs if not for you; I'm good at
negotiations, not paperwork."
"He was a little vicious, I'm glad those two decided to keep him toned
down." Nabiki gave a distasteful snort at the thought of him. "Besides
it'll be more fun to screw you over myself."
"They where a little two helpful if you ask me. They even got the houses
already, I was expecting a little bit of a wait for it. I think there may
be more to this than they are letting on." Duke frowned a little and sat
up again.
"Don't worry about it, those two are fanboys. I think they are just
waiting for the publicity to start rolling in when your life gets a
little exciting again." Nabiki rubbed at his arm and smiled.
"The scary thing is you might be right, I think things will get
interesting, especially with Ryu around, they said they would be spying
on us; that could mean that they are planing to watch us like a
television show or something. Who knows, they might just have their own
entertainment in mind, they are known for spending an extravagant amount
of money for just entertainment." He smiled a little and glanced out the
window as a helicopter flew by a few stories below them.
"I thought you didn't know who they where?" Nabiki looked surprised
again.
"Of course I found out about them! As soon as I found out I was a Manga
I looked for information on the two of them the first chance I got. I
just didn't want to give all my cards away at the beginning of the hand
Nabiki."
"You haven't been peeking ahead in your own Manga have you?" Nabiki
scowled at him.
"Now that...is a secret." Duke smiled and winked at her.
Duke and Nabiki stood in the hallway they where locked in a passionate
kiss at the doorway to Nabiki's room. His hands moved up and down her
body slowly as she fumbled at the lock absently with her free hand; after
a moment she found it and the door swung open. She broke away and slipped
into the room; closing the door most of the way and peering seductively
at him from the crack. Her hand snaked out and grabbed the belt of his
pants pulling him closer to her; she kissed him from behind the doorway
and smiled. "Care for a little after business pleasure?" Duke never got
the opportunity to answer as he vanished into the room, the door closed
slowly behind him leaving the hallway empty; well almost.
Akane Tendo stood staring at the remains of the scene in shock; Ranma
was standing beside her lazily, he was completely uninterested in the
whole affair.
"I'll kill him!" screamed the girl in shock as she started forward, a
firm hand stopped her.
"Akane, she pulled him in there. It ain't like he's the first one ya
know?" he turned and opened a room in the hotel.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!" Akane slammed a near by cleaning cart over his head
and stared at him with her aura beginning to burn.
"Whad ya do that for!?" cried Ranma.
"Ranma you pervert!" cried Akane as she started to lob objects at him,
Ranma paused when he noticed she was in tears.
"I didn't mean me you uncute tomboy!" retorted Ranma in shock. "How
could you even think that!"
"But Nabiki and that...that..." Akane wasn't quite sure what to do.
"Leave em alone Akane, Nabiki started it and he ain't exactly takin
advantage ya know?" he walked into the room and stood looking at Akane.
"What are you doing Ranma?!" screamed Akane. "How could you be so calm
when my sister is over there doing...that!?"
"Doing what Akane? Getting exactly what she wanted? I paid my whole life
savings for a hotel room so you could spy on your sister and you think
I'm not gonna use it? There is nothing we can do Akane, I'm going to
bed." Akane blushed and walked in behind him.
"We have to sleep here?" she hadn't thought about this part of the plan
when it happened. "Alone? Together?" She was slightly relieved when she
noticed there where two identical beds in the room; Ranma, now female,
was passed out on one of them snoring already. "I guess it has been a
long day." she glared angrily at the door down the hall before walking
into the room nervously and laying on the other bed.
As soon as the lights where out Ranma's eyes flew open, she stared at
the other bed nervously and sighed in relief when she saw Akane sleeping
there. "Damn it! Why didn't I think about this?! I should have known we'd
have to sleep here!" He glared at the curvy form under the sheets across
from him and suddenly became aware that he wouldn�t be sleeping very much
tonight. "Great, kept awake by an uncute tomboy."
Akane lay in the darkness staring at the sleeping and unmoving form
across from her in the darkness. "How am I supposed to sleep with him in
the room! Who knows what that pervert is planing! I'll have to kill him
before the night is through I bet. Ranma you jerk, it's your fault we
didn't think to get two rooms, I bet you planned this. Pervert." Akane
sat an simmered for a long while, it never crossed her mind that Ranma
almost didn't have enough for this room, much less two rooms.
Duke smiled as Nabiki's nude form clung to him as they lay between the
sheets, she was now sleeping soundly; several hours had passed and he
found he was drifting between sleep and the subtle movements of Nabiki in
her rest. Occasionally she would rub on him when she shifted and he would
wake up for a few moments and watch her. "Well kid, I think things are
going well. I hope you get this happy every time you run into some
money."
Nabiki purred in her sleep and shifted again pushing her head against
his neck. Duke smirked as he realized something. "Money." he repeated.
Nabiki stirred again clinging closer to him and making pleased sounds in
her sleep. "I've got an evil thought." Duke put his pinky up to his
mouth. "One mee-llion dollars!"
Nabiki's eyes fluttered open and she hugged against him again. "You
awake?"
"Yea," he answered lazily.
"I just had the greatest dream." she moved on top of him and kissed him
as she spoke.
"About what?" asked Duke with a knowing smile.
"Nothing, but I'm feeling a little active right now." she ran her chin
down his chest and started to suck on his neck softly.
"Nocturnal activities? Nabiki Tendo, you are a truly ravishing
creature."
Ryu sat brooding at the bar long into the evening, when it finally came
time to close the bartender ignored him after a single look. It was
almost morning now and he had not yet been to his room, the women had
long ago left him to his silence and he stared into the space before him
with his first drink still in his hands. "Does it matter to me what world
I'm on. I have no friends, no family, only the sword and it's way matters
to me. Why then are the faces of the people he knew coming to my mind.
The young girl, and the nerd; we had fought together it's true and they
where very able compatriots. Still, I have all I need in this world, my
noble status is gone and I have no use of it in modern society. I have
money, but I still find it far more than I shall ever need. My opponent
is here as is my blade, what need have I in this world?" No answer came
to him and he sighed. "It is not home, but it could become it very
easily. I will go to Nerima, there I will continue my search of mastery.
Soon I will become the strongest, and Hibiki will serve to make sure it
stays that way, only together will we truly become strong." he stood from
the bar at last just as the sun's rays poked over the horizon in the
distance. "The time has come for our destinies to be met, we will
discover who among us is the strongest."
TBC.....
Next time: A Yakuza party gives Duke the perfect opportunity to play
out one of his fantasies. You'll just have to read it.
C&C to CarrotGlace@juno.com
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