All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications.
A Different Viewpoint: Curses and Demons:
Chapter 7:
Inside the Tendo house, Kasumi and Ukyo ignored Ranko's protests as
they removed her chinese shirt and pants and started treating her
bruises and minor abrasions. Kasumi cleaned Ranko's face with a
washcloth, while Ukyo did the same for her hands and arms.
Kasumi hummed softly to herself and nodded with a slight smile.
"There doesn't appear to be anything serious... although one or two of
these bruises will still be purple tomorrow. We'll have to see if we
can cover up those for the photo shoot tomorrow. We will have at least
two days of shooting, perhaps three if things go slowly." She giggled.
"I sound like Nabiki, don't I."
Ukyo laughed. "Your really getting into this calendar shoot, aren't
you, Kasumi?"
Kasumi nodded. "I'm not really sure why... but it is fun. I'm
still amazed that they want me for this."
Ukyo shook her head. "I'm not. You're really pretty, Kasumi.
Isn't she, Ranchan?"
Ranko nodded firmly. "Sure, Kasumi, you're really good looking.
I've always thought so."
Kasumi blushed, and turned her head away slightly. "Oh my. Thank
you, Ranko. You are very beautiful yourself you know. You should take
better care of yourself... at least during the shoot."
Ranko's eyebrows quirked, but she resisted the impulse to protest.
"Sure, Kasumi." Ukyo giggled to herself, and Ranko stuck out her tongue
at her, then started to laugh at herself. Kasumi joined in as well,
laughing quietly, for once feeling like one of the girls, even if Ranko
was really a boy.
Outside, Ryoga was just standing, having been a silent observer of
everything that had gone on that evening. Ryoga hadn't known what to
think about Ranma's separation into two people. Seeing Akane's distress
bothered him more than he wanted to admit, even to himself, but he was
still unsure what to do about it. When Ranko and Ukyo had revealed
their re-engagement,
he was mostly unsurprised, but Akane's obvious pain had nearly driven
him again to act.
Only a lack of targets prevented him from action. < I promised
Akane, I wouldn't attack Ranma... and... and it's not... it's not really
Ranma's fault....> That last thought had come like pulling nails,
making him physically wince, but he couldn't really find it in himself
to go back to his old habit of blaming Ranma for everything. < I
realize now, that Ranma does care for Akane, and doesn't want to hurt
her. The one to blame for this... is Kuno.> Ryoga cracked his knuckles
in anticipation. < Oh yes, I will make him pay!> The bandana clad
martial artist hesitated. < Wait... which way is the back door?> He
looked around, not daring to move. "Um... help?"
********************
The first day of the actual calendar shoot began at dawn. All the
models, as well as Ranma, Dr. Tofu, and Johnathon, showed up at the
designers small studio just before it got light. The photo crew was
already there, and they soon got underway, heading for the seaside. The
fashion designers had rented two mini vans for the duration of the
shoot, and the photo crew had their own vehicle. The group reached the
beach just as it was getting fully light out. All the models got
changed as the photo crew set up their equipment. As the models came
out of the nearby changing rooms, one by one, a small crowd began to
gather around the cameras, investigating the situation. Most of the
males had appreciative grins as they got a good look at the swimsuit
models. A few whistles and cheers greeted them as they came up for the
first shots.
The head camera man, a cheerful looking man in his early thirties
with a modest mustache, eyed the crowd in mild dismay. "The crowd's
going to be a bit of a problem. Usually we shoot this sort of thing in
the off season, or have a section of the beach cleared off...."
Johnathon looked thoughtful. "I think we can manage that. I used to
do this sort of thing for a living. Ranma, Doctor, care to assist me?"
Ranma nodded quickly, Dr. Tofu a second later.
Ranma jerked a thumb at the crowd. "So what are we going to do
about them anyway? We can't exactly beat em up."
Johnathon chuckled. "No, but I think we can clear the crew a space
to work without resulting to violence. Just follow my lead and do what
I do. I used to do security work while I was finishing up college."
He started towards the crowd. "Just remember, be polite, but firm.
Be confident, a good presence is essential. And finally, don't hit
anyone! Intimidate with your calm, not your anger." As he walked,
Johnathon's shoulders straightened, his stride lengthened slightly, and
he seemed to swagger just slightly. He shot the other two men a steely
eyed look, polite but ironclad in it's firmness, that was completely
different from Johnathon's normal expression.
Ranma and Dr. Tofu could both sense Johnathon's aura build up
invisibly, becoming threatening, pushing forward twenty or thirty feet,
as a subtle warning of his approach. He turned to face the crowd and
gave one more piece of advice before they reached them. "Don't go
overboard, and don't scare anyone too badly."
Ranma and Dr. Tofu nodded to each other, building up the proper
mindset to imitate Johnathon's. They noted that as Johnathon got within
twenty feet of the crowd, individuals started to turn toward him, away
from the models. Only three or four, but their movement alerted others,
which alerted others... Johnathon walked almost casually through the
crowd, which parted for him automatically, and placed himself between
them and the photo crew and models. A subtle hint of nervousness ran
through the crowd. Something about the tall lanky gajin put them on the
defensive although most of them couldn't put a finger on exactly why.
Johnathon cleared his throat and addressed them politely, but with
steel in his gaze. "Excuse me, but we're running security for this
shoot, and I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to keep this area
clear while it's going on."
The crowd hesitated, and started to slowly break up. A half a dozen
young men remained, peering over at the girls. "Hey man!" One began,
"We want to see the girls! Come on, we're not hurting anything...." He
trailed off as his hackles started to react to a threat coming up from
behind and to the right. He slowly turned to see Ranma stalking towards
him menacingly.
Ranma's physical body language and stride were nearly a perfect
imitation of Johnathon's, but his aura was much stronger,
almost visibly distorting the air around the young martial artist. Dr.
Tofu went almost unnoticed besides him, having imitated Johnathon's
posture and threatening aura much more exactly. Ranma and Dr. Tofu came
in on either side of Johnathon, gazing politely but firmly at the crowd.
Dr. Tofu inclined his head down the beach. "If you would all give
the models and photo crew some room...." He trailed off. The six young
men and few remaining hangers on had retreated hastily, not wanting to
remain a second longer anywhere near Ranma's threatening gaze.
Johnathon raised an eyebrow at Ranma. "That's great, Ranma... but a
bit overkill though, don't you think?"
Ranma's aura faded until it was just a bit stronger than Johnathon's
or the doctor's. "Oh? Do you think so?"
Johnathon chuckled. "Well, at least they didn't faint or run
screaming."
Ranma chuckled as well. "I bet I could pull that off too, with a
little more practice."
Johnathon's sighed. "Not during the shoot please. Practice scaring
the pants off people on your own time."
Ranma grinned. "Sure Johnathon-san."
Johnathon glanced around at the surrounding area. "Well, that
worked pretty well. I figure we can keep this up until the girls are
done shooting."
Ranma shrugged. "Sure. Hey, where'd you learn to do that, anyway?"
Johnathon blinked. "I'd ask you the same, except I'd bet I know the
answer. Happosai, right?"
Ranma nodded. "Yup, the old freak nearly paralyzed me with his
battle aura once. I just tried to imitate that. You?"
Johnathon shrugged. "Lots of practice. I was a guard for three
years during college, and it's a handy trick. It's just presence and
self confidence really, although I got better at it after my Kendo
instructor taught me to focus my chi. It works great on dogs too.
Easier in fact, cause they're a lot more sensitive. I've been able to
stare down dogs since I was a kid. I've just built on that a lot."
Ukyo, Akane and Shampoo had ignored the crowd, while Kasumi, Nabiki
and Ranko had been nervous at the attention, until they backed off. The
head camera man, noting that his scenery was clear, waved the girls over
so they could begin the shoot.
Ranko went first, setting an example for the others. She had gotten
the knack of the 'sexy' pose down pat. Her seemingly uninhibited
playfulness and come hither looks were designed to bring guys running.
Ranko knew exactly what guys liked, and had plenty of practice in giving
it to them. The cameras loved her, as did the guys using them. Those
who knew her, however, had different reactions.
Nabiki grinned, counting her money rolling in.
Kasumi smiled indulgently. "Ranko's very good at this isn't she?"
She commented pleasantly.
Akane, having seen it all before, just rolled her eyes. "What a
ham." Ukyo was halfway between laughter and embarrassment at her
fiancee's aptitude.
Shampoo appraised Ranko's antics, and took mental notes.
Johnathon caught Ranko's act out of the corner of his eye and he
turned to look. His eyes widened a bit as he watched. After a minute,
Johnathon turned to Ranma, raising an eyebrow. "Anything Goes?" He
asked pointedly.
Ranma looked embarrassed at his other half's antics. "Anything
Goes." He answered with a sigh.
Dr. Tofu didn't comment, observing passively, taking in other
people's reactions, particularly Nabiki's, though he tried not to be too
obvious about it.
Akane went next, deciding to ignore any embarrassment she might
feel. Nabiki gave the photographers some tips on shooting her younger
sister. Ranko was very photogenic, but Akane was a bit more difficult.
The photographer had Akane look away from the camera and had her walk,
run, do a kata, stretch... Akane was best in motion. Caught unaware her
true
beauty shone through. Ranma's eyes were fixed on his wife, as were
Ranko's. They both were spellbound by Akane.
Halfway through the shoot however, Ranko tore her eyes away, and looked
for Ukyo.
The chef returned her look steadily, frowning a bit sadly. Ukyo saw
silent apology in Ranko's eyes, and acknowledged it, nodding, her eyes
becoming calm. < What can I expect?> Ukyo thought wryly to herself. <
Ranko... Ranchan's not going to just stop loving Akane just cause she's
not married to her anymore... I just wish she would look at me like
that.>
The photographer waved at Shampoo next, but the Amazon simply looked
over at Nabiki pointedly.
Nabiki grinned and nodded. "A deal is a deal, Shampoo." She nodded
next to the photographer. "I will go next."
Nabiki had an excellent grasp of what men liked as well, although
she was neither as practiced or as uninhibited as Ranko. Nevertheless,
she put on a good show, working with the photographer. Her superior
smile and 'ice queen' attitude transformed into a sultry look and
statuesque poise that invited one to look, but not to touch.
Shampoo followed Nabiki, feeling competitive. She always enjoyed
showing off her superior figure to best advantage, and today was no
exception. Shampoo had been practicing her technique for years, and it
showed. She concentrated on Dr. Tofu and Ranma, showing one man how
lucky he was, and the other what he was missing out on. For several
minutes, the good doctor found it quite difficult to remain clinically
detached. As for Ranma, this was nothing new, and Akane was more than
enough to keep his attention.
Kasumi was up finally. Dr. Tofu deliberately remained fixed on
Shampoo and kept his eyes away, not trusting himself fully not to
stare. The willowly housewife was demure at first, but she caught
Johnathon's eyes and started to relax. Kasumi began to pose, smiling,
just for him. The photographer moved to the side, catching her
expressions, making it appear that she was looking right at the camera.
Johnathon fell in love with his wife all over again, and the
photographer grinned ecstatically to himself as he got a series of
incredibly expressive shots. Kasumi wasn't as playful as Ranko, as
energetic as Akane, or as sexy as Shampoo, but the look on her face made
your heart pound and your breath stop.
Ukyo was last. She had been a bit embarrassed and shy at first.
Having been dressed up as a guy for ten years hadn't done any good for
her self confidence, especially about her appearance.
Ranko was encouraging. "Go get em Ucchan." She told her quietly.
"Haven't I always told you you're cute?"
Ukyo nodded, grinning slightly. "That you have, sugar." She was
feeling a bit competitive as well, and overcame her shyness slowly,
finally showing off as skillfully as Shampoo.
The photographer caught it all in successive shots, from shy to
playful, and couldn't help shaking his head in mild amazement. < These
girls could go a long way in this business... and I'm the one to shoot
them first.> He took a look at his crew appraisingly. They were all
grins as well. It had been a good shoot, and they knew it. He nodded
and waved towards the van. "Pack up! We've got two more locations to
shoot at today!" < And if they both go like this, we may not need any
more....>
As everyone started heading for the vehicles and changing rooms,
Ranma heard a rapid clicking sound from behind a small sand dune. He
casually hopped over and rolled his eyes when he identified the
photographer taking pictures of the models from behind.
"Gosenkugi." He said flatly.
The pale, skinny sneak started up, and looked back at Ranma wildly.
"Ah... ah...."
Ranma put out his hand. "The film, Gos... I don't feel like pulping
you today."
Gosenkugi hesitated. "Um...."
Ranma snorted and snapped the camera out of his hands. "It's not
like ya got a choice. I'm just bein nice cause I don't like beatin up
on the weak." Ranma opened up the back of the camera and extracted the
film, then tossed the camera back at Gosenkugi. "You're lucky I'm such
a nice guy, Gos. Next time I see ya pulling somethin like this, I think
I'll just tell the girls...." He waved his hand dismissively. "Now
scoot, before one of them notices you and figures out you been spyin
again."
Ranma watched the slippery little guy run off and shrugged. "Bah,
pathetic. If I was ever that bad, I'd just jump off a cliff or
something." He tossed up the film and caught it again. "Hey, maybe the
photographer could use these shots... couldn't hurt."
The rest of the day went smoothly enough, though at the third site
Gosenkugi showed up again. Dr. Tofu was the one to spot him this time,
just before he could start taking pictures. The Doctor moved quickly
over and confronted the youth before Gosenkugi could get away. "This is
a private photo shoot son. You'll have to go." He nodded hastily and
left quickly,
glad that Dr. Tofu didn't know him.
Hikaru Gosenkugi swore silently to himself as he snuck away. < That
was the doctor Nabiki told about her hypnosis. If he gets suspicious,
he might be a problem. I'd better tell the mistress.>
Later that evening, after the photo shoot was over, the photographer
was developing his photos. Nabiki supervised the procedure, not wanting
anything to go wrong with the photos, and also enjoying the chance to
watch a professional work his craft. When the photographer got to
Gosenkugi's film, Nabiki blinked. "Those aren't your shots are they?"
The photographer shook his head. "Nope, you've got a good eye.
Akane Saotome's husband, Ranma, said he got these off some guy on the
beach." He went over the photos. "Hmm... nothing we can use. These
are all close ups of the red-head, Ranko... from behind. Pretty good
shots actually, but you can't see anything but her back in most of
these." He shrugged. "Kid must have some sort of weird fetish for the
lower back or something. Not that I blame him for his choice of girl
to photo.
That red-head is quite something."
Nabiki laughed. "Ranko's something else alright, something else
entirely." She glanced at the photos. "You're right, these photos
aren't much good, unless your a fan of lower back muscles." Nabiki
paused, glancing at one photo in particular where those muscles stood
out especially well. < Although Ranko does have a nice back... and a
nice everything else, just like her twin.> Nabiki took that one photo
for her own collection and discarded the rest. "Well, that's all for
today. See you tomorrow."
The photographer looked up from his own perusal and nodded. "Yup,
we should be able to finish up then. The shoots are going great."
Nabiki shrugged and turned to go. "Of course they are. I set them
up after all."
Nabiki dismissed the incident from her mind. It wasn't until the
next day she recalled it. The final photo shoot was wrapping up in its
second location for the day, when Johnathon noticed the faint click of a
camera from behind a bush.
He walked deliberately over and confronted the pale youth hiding in
the bushes. The young man started to his feet and rapidly began to
backpedal. Something clicked in Johnathon's mind. "Don't I know you?
Hikaru right? Hikaru Gosenkugi?"
Gosenkugi froze and gulped. "Um, Sensei... this isn't what it looks
like."
Johnathon looked dubious. "It looks like you were taking photos of
my wife and the other girls."
Gosenkugi blinked. "Um... then I guess it is what it looks like?"
He started backing away again, hoping that the normally mild mannered
English teacher would let him go.
Johnathon sighed to himself. < Nabiki will want that film.
Normally, I'd let him go with a warning but....> He headed for the
skinny youth rapidly. "Sorry Hikaru, but I can't let you walk away with
those pictures. Give me the film." Gosenkugi tried to run, hoping his
teacher wasn't faster than him. Johnathon caught him in two steps,
grabbing his left wrist and bringing him to an abrupt halt. "Hikaru,
normally I wouldn't do this, but you've come at a bad time to take
pictures of the girls. I'll pay you for the film, but this was supposed
to be a private photo shoot. Nabiki asked me to make sure there's no
one but the professional photographer taking pictures." Gosenkugi
struggled weakly against Johnathon's grip. Johnathon sighed. < A first
year student could break that grip. Gosenkugi's harmless.> Noticing
the commotion, Dr. Tofu and Ranma came over.
Dr. Tofu blinked. "You again?"
Ranma sighed. "Gosenkugi, I should've known."
Johnathon took the camera from the pale teenager's now quiescent
hand and handed it to Ranma. "He's been around before this?" Johnathon
queried.
Ranma nodded. "Yeah, yesterday morning. I took a roll of film off
him them too."
Dr. Tofu nodded. "He was there later the same day as well." <
Where have I heard that name before?>
Ranma got the film and handed the camera back. "I should just break
this thing but... it's just not worth it." He shrugged. "Let him go,
John-san."
Johnathon released the boy and Gosenkugi hurried off. As Gosenkugi
went around a corner, Nabiki walked up. "What's the problem,
gentlemen... and Ranma?"
Ranma shook his head, handing her the film. "Very funny. It was
just Gosenkugi."
Nabiki snorted, shaking her head. "Won't he ever learn? First
Akane, now Ranko. He was they guy you caught yesterday, Ranma?"
Ranma nodded. "Yeah. What do you mean, now Ranko? Don't tell me
that he's...."
Nabiki shrugged. "The film he shot yesterday was all of her."
Ranma shuddered. "No way, Gos knows about the curse, doesn't he?"
Nabiki shrugged. "Well, you're standing right there, maybe he
thinks she's really your sister or something."
Ranma winced again. "Ranko's not going to like this."
Nabiki laughed. "I think she'd be used to it by now, from Kuno."
Nabiki grinned wider. "You were such a hotie, Ranma, your fan club was
bigger than Akane's!" < Until the guys at Furinkan finally figured out
the curse.>
As Nabiki continued to tease Ranma about his male admirers, Dr.
Tofu's narrowed in remembrance. < Gosenkugi? Now I remember. He was
the boy who Nabiki thought shot that video tape of her stripping....
What's going on? Why is she so calm about him showing up taking
pictures again? I'd think she'd at least be a little angry still.> Dr.
Tofu paused in thought as the others headed for the vehicles. < I've
wondered about how well Nabiki was dealing with this shoot. I thought
she'd find it a little difficult after what happened to her. That
experience with the hypnosis incense had to be terribly traumatic, and
she's been acting completely normally. That could have just been her
having adjusted, and her rationalizing this shoot as something she had
control of. The worst part of what happened to Nabiki with the incense
was the loss of control, but being photographed by
Mr. Gosenkugi again, with him spying on her again, however indirectly, I
would have expected some sort of negative reaction, but there was
nothing. Nabiki Tendo is extremely good at concealing her true
feelings, but I think I would be able to notice something.>
The doctor frowned to himself. < I should talk to her and make sure
she's not repressing the trauma. That's not
healthy, Not healthy at all.> He started walking over to join the
others. < I should wait until I can speak to her alone, however. It
wouldn't do to break Nabiki's confidence in me.>
**************************
The head photographer put the lens cap back on his camera and nodded
to Ranko. "That's a wrap. You were excellent, Ranko-chan."
Ranko bristled slightly. "Sheesh, don't call me chan, OK?"
The older man waved a hand defensively. "Sorry, I keep
forgetting... Saotome-san. Anyway, we're all done with shooting, so you
can go home now."
Ranko nodded with a relieved sigh. "Finally! This is it, right?
You've got all the shots you need?"
The photographer nodded back. "Absolutely. I've already finished
with all the other girls. You were the last one today. I believe
Ukyo-san is waiting for you by the van."
Ranko grinned and took off. "Good luck with the photos."
The photographer shook his head. "Strange girl."
Ranko reached the van that the fashion designers had rented to ferry
her and the other "models" to each shooting location. Ukyo had already
changed clothes into a yellow shoulderless top with a V-neck and a pair
of brown pants that made the normally bishonan girl look very feminine.
Despite seeing Ukyo in various swim wear for the last few days, Ranko
thought Ukyo looked more natural in pants. No one would accuse her of
being a boy today, however.
As Ranko reached her, Ukyo handed her her school bag, which held
Ranko's normal clothes. "You all finished, Sugar?"
Ranko took the bag and started pulling out her red Chinese shirt and
black pants. "Yeah, that was it. The photographer said he had enough
now and we could go home." She glanced around curiously. "Where did
everyone else go?"
Ukyo nodded down the beach toward the lights of the nearby city.
"They were planning on getting something to eat."
"Oh." Ranko started pulling her clothing on over the red bikini
that she had worn for the final few shots. "So um...."
Ukyo cleared her throat. "Ranchan, would you like to um... go for a
walk? The beach is nice and cool now, and the with the sun going down
it's quite a sight...."
Ranko blinked, then nodded. "Sure Ucchan. Lets go."
Ukyo held out her hand to her short, red headed fiancee. "Come on,
Ranko, I don't want to miss the sunset." Ranko took her best friend's
hand willingly enough and the two girls ran down to the beach to where
they could catch a glimpse of the last rays of sunlight. They stood
there watching the sun sink over the horizon for several minutes,
holding hands lightly. Ukyo glanced over and slightly down at her
companion, frowning slightly. < This is not exactly how I pictured
this... standing on the beach, watching the sun set... I imagined it so
many times, but I always pictured myself holding on to Ranchan's arm,
and leaning into his shoulder....> Ukyo tried to figure out how she was
supposed to lean on the smaller girl next to her, then gave up. < I
guess I'll have to make do.>
Ranko felt Ukyo let go of her hand. The taller girl then put her arm
around Ranko's shoulders companionably. She stepped in slightly,
pulling Ranko just a bit so that she was nestled under her arm, Ranko's
head barely resting on the chef's shoulder. The petite red head
stiffened up uncomfortably and Ukyo stopped breathing, not wanting to
let go, but not wanting to drive Ranko away either. After what seemed
an eternity, Ranko finally unfroze and wrapped an arm around Ukyo's
back, lifting her head a bit so that she wasn't quite leaning on her
fiancee anymore. As Ukyo felt Ranko relax she did as well, letting out
a nervous breath.
Ranko sighed. < This is how I used to hold Akane... except I'm the
girl now... and Ukyo's acting like the guy! How am I supposed to react
to this, anyway?> She looked up at Ukyo with a weak smile. "Hey
Ucchan... so, have you ever done this before? You know, going out on
dates and stuff?" Ukyo blinked in surprise, glancing down at the red
head. Ranko shrugged helplessly.. "That's kinda what we're doing,
right?"
Ukyo hesitated. "Yeah Ranchan, I suppose you could call it that...
you don't... mind... going on a date... or anything.... do you?"
Ranko shook her head immediately. "No way, Ucchan! A guy would
have to be crazy not to want to go out with a cute girl like you...."
She turned slightly red. "Er...."
Ukyo giggled. "Well, if a guy comes along, you tell him that for
me, OK?"
Ranko glared at her. "Hey!"
Ukyo snickered a bit before sobering. "I'm kidding, Ranchan.
You're the only guy or girl for me, OK?"
Ranko nodded. "I know, Ucchan. You've always been there for me.
That means a lot, you know?" She looked curious. "Still, did you? Go
out on any dates that is, before this?"
Ukyo was taken slightly aback. "Well, I was pretending to be a guy
for the last ten years, so there really wasn't any way I could meet
anyone I'd want to date...."
Ranko noticed her hesitation and smiled slyly. "But...."
Ukyo blushed slightly. "Well... I had to keep up appearances...
pretending to be a guy, so... I did go on a couple dates...."
Ranko looked suspicious. "Not with Tsubasa?"
Ukyo looked horrified. "No! No way! Do you think he would ever
have given up if I had?" She glanced around. "At least I think he's
given up... with Tsubasa you never know...."
Ranko's eyes widened. "So, you were pretending to be a guy? That
means you went on a date with a girl?"
Ukyo nodded, shrugging helplessly. "Um... three dates actually,
before I moved here. She was nice enough, but I really wasn't
interested." She blinked. "Er... I mean, I would have had to tell her
the truth, and I'm pretty sure that would have ended things... but as it
was, I ended up moving here, and I found you again."
Ranko shrugged noncommittally. "It's no big deal, Ucchan. I was
just interested, that's all. I never really went on any dates before...
cept for Akane, and Shampoo a couple times... but that didn't really
count, cause she always blackmailed me into it or somethin...." Ranko
hesitated, then glanced up at Ukyo, who was looking pained. < Uh oh...
what'd I say now? Is it because she doesn't want to be here with a
girl?>
Ukyo grimaced at the mention of Akane, then schooled her features.
< Come on, Ukyo, you know Ranma and Akane had gone out. They did a lot
more than that, so why does it bother me that they dated?> Ukyo shook
her head. < I'm being silly. What's the big deal about a date or two,
after everything else I have to worry about?>
Ranko watched Ukyo calm down and sighed. < I don't know what to
do. Ucchan needs me to be here for her. I said I'm going to marry her,
why am I so reluctant to let myself feel anything for her?> Ranko
answered her own question. < Why? Because I'm a girl right now, and
because of... Akane.> Ranko recalled the honeymoon night for the
thousandth time in the past few days and blushed. < I still can't
believe Akane was willing to do that... to accept me as a girl... like
that.> She glanced at Ukyo. < Could... could Ukyo... like girls...
like that? Akane seemed to, and Ukyo's been dressing up as a guy for so
long, she's even dated a girl... and she's got her arm around me now.
It was Ucchan's idea for us to share her futon... even if we haven't
done anything yet....>
Ukyo glanced at Ranko, noticed the red head was staring at her and
looked quickly away, blushing. < Oh my god... does Ranko expect me
to... to do something? What should I do?> She remembered the dating
advice she had gotten from some of her friends at the all boys school
she had gone to before Furinkan high school. < Should I kiss her? What
if she isn't ready? God, do I even want to kiss another girl?> Ukyo
glanced back at Ranko, and noticed the red head was starting to blush as
well, turning away shyly. "Ranchan...."
Ranko looked back at Ukyo, still blushing slightly. "Yes, Ucchan?"
Ukyo swallowed shallowly and bent her head down toward the smaller
girl's. "Ranko.... I...."
Ranko's eyes went wide and she froze. < Is... is she going to kiss
me?> Ukyo's face got closer and closer and Ranko's eyes got wider and
wider. < Oh my god, she is! What am I gonna do? What should I do? If
I pull away, Ucchan will be hurt, but....> Before Ranko could form a
coherent plan, Ukyo's lips met her own. With just a trace of hesitation
she responded. < Akane... please forgive me.> It was a fairly chaste
kiss, but neither one of them made any motion to pull away immediately.
Ranko tried to relax. < Ucchan. She's my best friend, and she's really
cute... and... I like her... and she's cute... and....>
Ukyo was trying to figure out what she was feeling. < Ranchan... I
love... her.> Slowly she deepened the kiss, trying to find a spark of
passion in herself in the kiss. She wasn't sure exactly what to
expect. < Its... its nice, but... should there be something more?>
A young boy's voice broke the stillness. "Mommy, why are those two
girls kissing each other?" Ranko and Ukyo broke apart guiltily, and
they both noticed the middle aged woman pulling her curious son away
from them up the beach.
"Don't stare, dear. I'll explain it to you when you're older." The
woman politely kept her own eyes adverted, while nodding a slight
apology in their direction as she gently hauled her child away. Ranko
and Ukyo found themselves blushing furiously, not able to look each
other in the eyes.
Ukyo spoke first. "Does it... does it bother you that people see us
as two girls, Ranchan?"
Ranko hesitated, thinking about it. "Well... not that, not really.
I mean, why should I care what other people think about us. If a couple
of girls decide they... er... well, love each other, I'm cool with
that...." She shook her head. "I just... I can't get used to being
thought of as a... a girl myself." She shrugged helplessly. "I don't
know how to explain it...."
Ukyo looked concerned. "Is there anything I could do? I mean, I
did offer to dress up like a guy more... I'm so used to it that it
doesn't make a difference to me, anyway."
Ranko shook her head. "No... no, that don't matter none to me
either...." She shook her head again. "I really hadn't thought of it
that way before, but... if people are going to think I'm a girl... I
don't want em thinking I like guys. I don't care if they think we're...
lesbians... but the idea of people thinking that I would kiss a
guy...." She shuddered. "Ugh. I get the creeps just thinking about
it."
Ukyo nodded slowly. "I understand, Ranchan. Whichever we do is
fine with me."
Ranko glanced at her seriously. "Are you sure, Ucchan? If you're
embarrassed or anything, I could try dressing up as a guy, or we could
wait until I become a guy again before we do nothin...." Ranko
shrugged. "Heck, I know you're a girl, even when you're pretending to
be a guy. If you want to pretend again, I'm cool with it, really. It's
no big deal." She sniffed. "Just as long as I don't have to kiss any
real guys, I don't really care."
Ukyo shrugged back at Ranko. "It's no big deal for me either,
Ranchan. Who cares what people think?" Inwardly she cringed,
remembering all the teasing and torment she had endured after Ranma and
his father had abandoned her. < No, it doesn't matter. Nothing anyone
else says matters to me, as long as I get my Ranchan.>
**********************
When everyone had gotten back together at the Tendo home after the
shoot, Ranma told Ranko about her new admirer. The short red-head
swore. "Damn it! That pervert! I shoulda killed him when he first
showed up at Ucchan's!"
Ukyo, nearby at the time, snorted. "That might have been better
than encouraging him like you did."
Ranko blinked incredulously. "Encourage? What are you talkin
about?"
Ukyo giggled. "Pushing your... chest at him like that. You gave
him quite a show you know."
Ranma and Ranko both looked surprised. "You mean because of
that..." Ranko began, "He thinks I like him?"
Ranma tried to think back. "You know, Ucchan's got a point there I
think. I mean, you... we never really cared much for 'feminine' modesty
and stuff, but when a girl goes and shows you... you know... and doesn't
hit ya after... it means she's got the hots... I mean, she's interested,
real interested, right?"
Akane walloped Ranma on the back of the head. "How would you know,
Ranma? Have you had a lot of girls 'show' you stuff?"
Ranma winced. "Hey, Akane it's not like I wanted them to or
nothing. Girls just always seemed to throw themselves at me...."
Akane sniffed angrily. "Oh, and do you deny you enjoyed it?"
As Ranma and Akane started to argue in earnest, Ranko turned to
Ukyo. "You don't think that Gos really...."
Ukyo shrugged. "Looks like. Since he's obviously seen both you and
Ranma in the same place, he probably thinks you're Ranma's sister or
something."
Ranko shuddered. 'No way, no way! Not another one! I'm getting
sick of it! One love sick idiot after another! I'm just going to have
ta kill him!"
Ukyo patted her shoulder. "I don't think you'll have to go quite
that far, Ranchan. I'll help you discourage him, OK?" She looked
sideways at Ranko. "So how many girls have shown you 'stuff' anyway?
Besides Shampoo that is."
Ranko hesitated, turning red. "Um...."
Ukyo winked at her. "Don't worry Ranchan, I'm not going to hit
you."
Ranko grimaced. "Well...."
Ukyo tried to tease her. "Is that why you ended up with Akane
instead of me? Did she give you a free show?" Ranma, Akane and Ranko
all froze guiltily. Ukyo blinked. "She did? You're kidding! Akane?"
Ukyo's eyes narrowed dangerously. "When?" Her tone was brisk.
Ranko waved her hands from side to side. "No, no, no... it's not
like that, Ucchan! Akane hit me afterward! Every time! Really!"
Ukyo's eyes were wide. "She... hit you... AFTERWARD?!! EVERY
TIME?!?"
Akane rolled her eyes. "Oh, like that's going to make it better!"
She turned to the fuming Okinamiyaki chef with for her, a very
reasonable expression. "It was the day Ranma first arrived at our
house, you see. I thought Ranma was a girl, and when I saw her clothes
in the hamper, I decided to join her in the bath." She blushed. "I
walked in on him...."
Ukyo listened, more interested now than angry. "Ooh! Did you...
did you um...."
Akane blushed brighter. "Get a look? I think we both did, but at
the time I thought Ranma was some pervert that had sneaked into our
bathroom...." She shook her head. "How was I to know? Anyway, I got
out of the bathroom right away, put on my gi, and ran into the living
room to grab something big to hit him with."
Ukyo laughed lightly. "I should have known it would have been
something like that."
Akane frowned. "Something like what?"
Ukyo shook her head. "I just mean that Ranchan is always getting
into embarrassing situations like that because of his curse... or at
least he did...." She glanced at Ranko. "At least you don't have to
worry about stuff like that happening anymore."
Ranko sighed and nodded. "That's one good thing." She frowned.
"Still, I'd rather get embarrassed like that and worse, rather than
never be a guy again."
Ranma sighed in response. "I'm sorry, Ranko. I understand what
you're going through." He shook his head. "My curse wasn't so bad that
I'd have ever chosen to do this to you."
Ranko nodded. "I know, bro. It's not your fault." She grinned
confidently. "Besides, before too long I'll get a guy body again."
Akane reached over and patted her ex-fiancee on the shoulder. "Of
course you will, Ranko." < Please, oh please let her be right for
once!>
Ukyo spoke up to break the tension in the room. "So, tell me about
the other times Akane flashed you, Ranchan." She directed her question
to the female half of the pair. "I've got to hear this story....:"
Ranko, Ranma and Akane all blushed, and Ranko swallowed nervously.
"I don't know...."
Ukyo smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not going to get mad. I've accepted
what's happened between you and Akane. I'm not going to let that spoil
our future, OK? Go ahead and tell me about it, I'm really interested."
Akane sighed. "I'll tell you, if you want, Ukyo." She rolled her
eyes. "The second time was on the same day.... Ranma's father
explained about the curses... by throwing Ranma into the koi pond, so he
was a girl. Then Ranma had said something insulting about my figure,
and I... er... Ihithimwiththetable....."
Ukyo blinked. "What did you say, Akane? I couldn't quite make that
out."
Ranko sniffed. "She hit me with the kitchen table. When I came
too, I decided to take a bath and get changed back into a guy, only I
didn't realize that while I had been out, Akane had gone in to take her
own bath...."
Akane blushed. "I was so shocked over everything... getting engaged
to a boy who turned into a girl can do that... that I forgot to put up
the occupied sign. I came out of the furo just as Ranko was coming in,
and we both got another good look...." She blushed. "This time she was
a girl... not that I cared. I was furious, and I slapped her and
stormed off." Akane glanced at Ranko, then at Ranma. "I guess I do owe
the both of you an apology. You never really were a pervert... well,
not much, anyway."
Ukyo shook her head. "And I thought I got embarrassed when Ranchan
tried to prove to Ryoga that I was really a girl. Sheesh. If it's not
one thing with you, Ranchan, it's another." She shot Ranko a quick
smile. "Not that I'm complaining. I like a little excitement from time
to time."
Ranko sighed. "I'm getting a bit tired of it all myself. Just this
once, I hope this trip to China is completely boring."
Ukyo gave her fiancee a measured look. < Not if I have anything to
say about it, Ranchan.>
End Chapter 7
You can find all the previous Chapters to this at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/fanfics.html