Black Rose, Blue Thunder:
An Altered Destiny
By: Dreiser
Chapter Sixteen:
The Aftertaste of Love
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 she 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 Nerima came from.
To be continued...
Most characters in this fanfiction are from Ranma 1/2. This
fanfic was inspired by the works of Rumiko Takahashi but the
craziness behind it is purely my own. 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.
Send me flying panties at: Dreiser1@ix.netcom.com
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
For previous chapters of BRBT visit Altered Destinies at:
http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/attenborough/249/index.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.
Alternate Realities are good.
There can never be enough lesbians.
-Quotes of wisdom from my dinky self-