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 8:
The next morning, everyone gathered at the Tendo Dojo for the ride
to the airport.
Nabiki handed Johnathon a sheaf of tickets. "Well, it's not first
class, but these will get you to China in a few hours. There's a
stopover in Hong Kong, then you'll change to a smaller plane for the
trip into the in-country. I assume you'll be renting a vehicle for the
remainder of the trip?"
Johnathon shook his head. "Not this time, Nabiki. Jusenkyo is even
farther off the beaten track then the Children of Osirus were. We'll be
busing into a town in the foothills of the Bayankala Range, and hiking
in the rest of the way. Should take us about a week to get there and a
week getting back. We'll be a almost a week late for the beginning of
school, but hopefully it shouldn't be too hard for everyone to make up
their classes. You and Ryoga will make sure and get everyone's
homework, right?"
Both Ranma's groaned at the thought of a week's worth of homework
and Nabiki grinned. "Sure, I'd be happy to. No charge, seeing as we're
all practically family now."
Ukyo looked dubious. "Family?"
Nabiki nodded generally. "Family. Ranma is now my brother-in-law,
which makes the Saotomes family, and since you're marrying Ranko, you're
practically family as well, Ukyo-kun."
Ukyo blinked. "Er... sure, I guess so...."
Johnathon smiled thoughtfully. "Of course, it doesn't hurt that
you're about to make a huge profit on the calendar shoot...."
Nabiki nodded, smirking. "No, it doesn't hurt a bit. We've already
got pre-orders for over a thousand calendars on the first run!"
Ranma sighed. "I should've known." He glanced around and spotted a
certain bandana clad Hibiki talking quietly with Akane near the front
door. Ranma walked over to them and faced the lost boy. "Hey, Ryoga, I
appreciate you taking over my martial arts class again. From what I've
seen, you've done a pretty good job so far. I want you to keep pushing
them, they're ready to start learning some more advanced stuff soon."
Ryoga looked a little irritated. "Pretty good? Hey, I thought I've
been doing better than pretty good! I taught most of them the basics of
all their individual weapon styles already!" He shook his head. "I'm
not so sure about teaching any advanced techniques, though. Even if one
or two of them might be ready to start special training, I'm not certain
about letting girls as young and inexperienced as they are learn any
really dangerous techniques."
Ranma nodded. "I know where you're coming from, Ryoga, and I agree,
you shouldn't just go teaching anyone some of the stuff we can do, but
I'm confident in this bunch, OK? Go ahead and teach them whatever you
feel like they can handle. I'll be back in two weeks tops, and I expect
some real improvement."
Ryoga bristled. "Are you saying you think I can't handle the job,
Ranma?"
Akane put her hand on the lost boy's shoulder. "Of course not,
Ryoga. We have every confidence in you! Ranma's just not too good at
giving complements... right, Ranma?"
Ranma shrugged, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah... you're
doing fine, Ryoga, I mean it."
Ryoga calmed down, mollified. "Well then, I'll keep doing my best.
Its the least I can do for all your family has done for me, Akane."
Akane smiled. "Thank you, Ryoga." Kasumi and Ranko came down the
stairs, Ranko holding a cat carrier, and Kasumi carrying Misty.
"I hope you won't be too uncomfortable in there." Kasumi said,
looking dubiously at the cat carrier. "I'm sorry you have to ride in
storage, Misty." Misty sighed and shrugged and Kasumi commiserated.
"You're being very understanding, Misty-chan. I lined the bottom with
our favorite blanket, you know, the one with the teddy bears on it, from
mother?" Misty nodded, stood up in Kasumi's arms to give the bottom of
her chin a lick, then jumped down to walk on her own.
Soun came out of the living room holding C-chan. "I thought you
would want to say good-bye to your kitten before you left...." He
gently put the kitten down on the floor in front of Misty. "Oh... my
baby girl... you'll... you'll be all right...." He broke into tears,
rubbing his eyes with the back of his arm. Misty sniffed the kitten,
who looked up at her uncomprehendingly, then nudged it with her head,
back toward her father. Soun attempted to stop crying. "I... I
understand, Kasumi-chan. I'll take good care of C-chan while you're
gone...." He picked up the kitten and hugged it while he went back to
crying. Misty took a deep breath and nodded, then turned away, running
over to Johnathon.
Johnathon glanced down at his feline wife. "Is everything ready,
Misty-chan?" The lithe little black cat nodded firmly, and Johnathon
turned to face the rest of their group. "All right, everyone. Let's
get going!"
Nabiki, Ryoga and Soun waved to the airport van that had come to
pick up their friends and family as it drove away. Soun sobbed freely
while he waved, then reached down to take one of C-chan's front paws and
wave slowly for the kitten.
"Say good-bye to your mommy, C-chan." The Tendo patriarch told the
kitten, sniffing. The kitten, not understanding, tried to bat at Soun's
soaking wet mustache with it's free paw.
Nabiki left the two men at the gate and went into the house, looking
in the kitchen for something to eat. < Uh oh.> Nabiki's brow furrowed
as she stared into the refrigerator. < In all the rush, we forgot!>
She looked in vain for something resembling leftovers, but while their
seemed to be plenty of ingredients, there was nothing already prepared
in the kitchen. < With Kasumi gone, there's no one here who knows how
to cook!> She grimaced at the thought of ordering takeout for two whole
weeks while her sister was gone and began thinking of possible
solutions. "Maybe Auntie Nodoka could stay with us while Kasumi and
everyone are gone...?" Nabiki shook her head. "No, that would mean
having to put up with Genma for two whole weeks, not to mention him,
Auntie and Daddy trying to find me a husband. Sheesh, you'd think they
would be satisfied with ruining Ranma and Akane's lives."
Nabiki frowned thoughtfully. "I suppose I could try cooking... it
can't be as hard as Akane makes it seem." She shrugged. "I have to
learn sometime, unless I plan on marrying a cook, or someone who can
hire a cook." Nabiki went to a nearby cupboard. "I guess I'll make
some Ramen. I've done that much before...."
As Nabiki began her preparations, Ryoga wandered into the kitchen.
"Ah, Nabiki... er... I was looking for the Dojo...?"
Nabiki glanced at him in surprise. "And you're still in the house?
You're getting better, Ryoga-kun." She frowned. "Darn it, did Daddy
let you go off by yourself? What if you had gotten out of the yard?"
Ryoga blushed in embarrassment and annoyance. "I'm not a baby,
Nabiki, I don't have to be led by hand everywhere." Nabiki just raised
an eyebrow dubiously. Ryoga frowned. "I don't! At least I know enough
not to go out of the gate!"
Nabiki nodded in agreement. "You have gotten better, Ryoga. You
haven't gotten really lost in quite a while. I just was worried you'd
get lost today. You have a class to teach in three hours, you know?"
Ryoga looked indignant. "Of course I know! Why do you think I was
headed to the Dojo! I can easily make it there in time if I leave now!"
Nabiki resisted the urge to point out the fact that the family dojo
was less than a dozen yards away, and with an effort, took his words at
face value. "Of course you can, Ryoga, but since you're here, you can
help me make something for lunch. I'll take you to the dojo myself
afterwards, so you don't have to worry about being late."
Ryoga brightened at that and nodded. "Sure, Nabiki, I can help!
What do you want me too do?"
Nabiki hesitated. "Er...." She frowned. "Why don't you tell me
what you know about cooking, and we'll see what you can do."
It turned out that Ryoga knew quite a bit more about cooking than
Nabiki did, given all the time he had to spend traveling on his own. He
wasn't as skilled in the kitchen as Kasumi, or even Ranma, but he knew
enough to get by nicely. Nabiki took mental notes as Ryoga prepared
lunch. Every cook had their own style in the kitchen. Kasumi was
graceful and methodical in her cooking, while Ranma cooked with energy
and flair, just like he did everything. Johnathon, Nabiki had noticed,
cooked efficiently, as did Ryoga, with the minimum effort expended to
get the job done.
< That's how I would like to cook. Efficiently.> Nabiki decided.
< I don't want to be a perfect housewife like Kasumi, but since I do
need to be able to cook if I'm going to ever live on my own, I might as
well learn from someone who doesn't cook like it's their sole purpose in
life.> She snickered. < Imagine trying to learn to cook from Ukyo.
Okinamiyaki everyday, and learning to cook by the raging sea? That's
not for me.>
*******************************
Usagi sat down on the chair in front of her parents, looking
worried. Ikuko and Kenji Tsukino, her mom and dad, sat together on the
couch opposite her, looking severe.
Ikuko spoke up first. "Usagi-chan, I know that it may have seemed
harsh at the time for us to ground you, but your father and I felt that
we were doing what's best for you...."
Kenji broke in. "It's not specifically that we disapprove of you
and your friend Diana's... preferences, but rather the fact that you are
still too young to be making those kinds of choices...."
Ikuko continued. "We were also concerned with the fact that both
you and Diana refused to tell us how to contact her parents. How can we
trust either of you when you keep something so basic from us?"
Usagi protested. "But mom, I don't know Diana's parents!"
Ikuko nodded once. "You've said as much, but even if that is true,
why didn't she tell us anything about them?" Usagi shook her head
helplessly. Her mother sighed. "Where does this Diana live, Usagi?
Have you ever seen her house?"
Usagi shook her head, trying to come up with something. "Mom...
I... I don't think Diana even has any parents...." She looked painfully
at her own parents. "I think they're probably dead or something. I...
I never asked her about them, because I didn't want to hurt her
feelings...." Usagi started to cry a bit thinking about it. < Poor
Luna, she really doesn't have anyone, does she? Nobody except me and
the senshi, and Mamoru, and Artemis of course, and Kasumi, and Ranma and
Akane, and Johnathon-san....> Usagi blinked back a few more tears. <
But no parents. They must have been part of the Moon Kingdom before it
fell or something.>
Kenji nodded sympathetically. "I understand, Usagi. It isn't easy
talking about difficult things like that, but we worry about you. There
are a lot of bad people out there that might take advantage of you, and
I don't want to see my little girl get hurt."
Ikuko nodded in agreement. "That's right, Usagi. This has all been
because we were worried about you." She paused. "However, your father
and I have decided to lift your punishment. We know that you've been
very unhappy being stuck here at the house all day long, and we think
that you understand how we feel about... taking unnecessary risks with
yourself."
Usagi's face lit up at hearing that her grounding was over, then she
frowned slightly. "Mom... I wasn't taking any... unnecessary risks with
myself...." She tried not to wince. < Not unnecessary ones, anyway.
The risks I've been taking have been very necessary.> She continued
quickly. "Lu... Diana isn't a danger to anyone! She's nice, and kind,
and would never hurt me!" Usagi frowned again. "Although she does
always nag me to finish my homework, and not play video games so much,
and...."
Ikuko hesitated before speaking again. "Well... speaking of
Diana... I know that you care for her, but your father and I don't want
you seeing her again until she comes here and talks to us."
Usagi bit her lip. "And?"
Ikuko sighed. "Now you may think that your father and I may have
been... hasty in our earlier conversation with Diana, but you must
understand, we were quite shocked to find you and her... well... as we
found you."
Kenji took a deep breath. "Now Usagi... if there is anything that
you want your mother or... well your mother to tell you... about,
er...."
Ikuko finished for him. "About sex, dear."
Kenji flushed. "Er... yes. If there's anything... well then you
should feel free to ask, all right? Anything at all."
Usagi was starting to blush bright red. "Dad!"
Ikuko nodded. "I'd be glad to explain anything you don't understand
to you, Usagi, if you have any questions."
Usagi continued blushing, and stared firmly at the floor. "Mom,
dad... I already know... all that stuff. So you don't really...."
Ikuko took a breath, glancing at her husband. "Yes, dear. They do
explain things rather well at school nowadays...."
Kenji grimaced and nodded, then stood up. "Well then... that's all
I had to say...." He glanced at his wife. "I believe that your mother
does have a few more things she wanted to talk about... so I'll just
leave you two alone." Mr. Tsukino took the opportunity to exit, leaving
his wife alone with his daughter.
Ikuko took a deep breath then gave Usagi one of her most
understanding looks. "Now Usagi, your father and I did mean it when we
said that it wasn't... specifically, your... preference, that had us so
worried. We understand that some girls do feel... attracted to other
girls... and we're not going to love you any less if you happen to feel
that way."
Usagi took a deep breath, counted to ten, and smiled calmly. "I'm
very glad to hear that mother...." Ikuko tensed up in anticipation.
"But." Usagi continued slowly, enunciating carefully. "I... am...
not... a... lesbian!" She looked her mother straight in the eye. "I
like boys, OK? I really like boys!"
Ikuko nodded. "I believe you, Usagi-chan, really. Is there any boy
in particular that you'd like to tell me about?" She leaned forward
conspiratorially. "Just between us girls, all right?"
Usagi hesitated, then nodded. < Mom is bound to find out sooner or
later. I should tell her before she finds out on her own.> "Mom... you
know Mamoru Chiba, don't you?"
Ikuko nodded. "Oh! Is that the boy you like? He's... he's quite
nice... a little old perhaps, but a very nice boy." Ikuko looked
thoughtful. "Well, he is very cute, isn't he?"
Usagi blushed so hard she started to turn purple. "Mom!"
Ikuko giggled. "I may be your mother, dear, but I'm not dead. I'm
glad you told me about him." She leaned her head slightly to the side
in interest. "So, have you two done anything yet?"
Usagi continued to blush, twiddling with her fingers and staring
once more at the floor. "Um... well...."
Ikuko shifted a bit closer. "Its OK, Usagi-chan. You can tell
me...."
Usagi swallowed. "Well...."
Ikuko leaned forward a bit more. "Yes...?"
Usagi hesitated a bit more. "Well... we...." There was a pair of
loud thumps behind her and Usagi jumped, whirling around. Her father
and little brother lay face first on the floor just in the hallway
coming out of their concealment rather abruptly. She frowned angrily
and sniffed. "Dad, I expect that from Shingo, but really!"
Kenji picked himself off, holding one hand behind his head
sheepishly. "Er...." He shook his head. "Never mind that. You and
that older boy? What have you two been doing?"
"Nothing, Dad!" Usagi shot back angrily. "We only kissed!" < A
couple hundred times....>
Usagi's father looked like he was about to have a stroke.
"Kissed... kissed? My baby, and that Mamoru Chiba...?"
Shingo pumped his hand. "Way to go, Sis! I didn't think you had it
in you!"
Ikuko sighed. "Really dear, it's just a kiss. Nothing to be
worried about." She turned back to Usagi. "I think it's perfectly fine
for you to have a boyfriend at your age. I'm sure Mr. Chiba would never
do anything improper...."
Usagi shook her head quickly. "No way mom! My Mamoru-chan is a
perfect gentleman! He's a regular knight in shining armor!
Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, polite, hungry...!" Usagi
trailed off. "No wait, I'm hungry...."
Ikuko nodded. "I believe you dear. Why don't you invite that nice
Mr. Chiba by for dinner."
Kenji nodded fiercely. "How about tomorrow?"
Usagi gulped. "Er... OK, I'll tell him." She looked from one
parent to the other questioningly. "Does that mean I can go and see my
friends?"
Ikuko nodded. "Yes, Usagi, it does. Now, you only have a few hours
before Naru's mother will be by to give you a ride to your martial arts
class, so remember to be back here then."
Usagi laughed happily. "Oh, not to worry, mom! I'll catch a ride
with one of my friends! I'll just call Naru first to tell her the good
news!" The blond pony tailed girl ran off energetically, leaving her
family in her wake.
Ikuko sighed, then turned to her son and husband. "Now Shingo, what
have I told you about eavesdropping?" She glared at Kenji. "And what
were you thinking encouraging him?"
As the two men of the Tsukino family cringed, Usagi made her escape.
**************************
Mamoru Chiba lounged in front of the T.V. "pulling a Usagi" aka,
goofing off. Luna whistled in the background as she practiced the
intricacies of folding laundry. She didn't begrudge Mamoru his down
time, as he had been studying hard getting ready for his next semester
when he wasn't at work or sleeping. He would have to cut back when
school started up again next week, so he was putting in a lot of over
time now. A knock came at the front door and Mamoru rose to open it.
Usagi barreled inside the moment he turned the doorknob, nearly
bowling him over. "Mamo-chan!" She screeched joyfully, hugging him
tightly. "Oh Mamo-chan! I'm free! Free at last!" She took a step
back and grabbed his hands, and started jumping up and down excitedly.
"I get to spend time with my hunk meister, yippee!"
Mamoru Chiba laughed and led his girlfriend into his apartment,
pushing the door shut with his foot. "You get to see me at class twice
a week anyway, Usagi-chan."
Usagi shrugged. "Yes... but I don't get any time alone with you,
Mamo-chan...." She blushed. "You know... a l o n e...." She glanced
at her feet, then slowly let her eyes run up her boyfriends body until
she reached his eyes. Mamoru tried not to blush as she thoroughly
"checked him out". Usagi's eyes were soft and she stood on her tip toes
to bring her face close to his. "It's been such a long time,
Mamoru...." She puckered up and closed her eyes expectantly.
Luna coughed. "Ahem. So, Usagi, would you like me to leave the two
of you alone now?"
Usagi blinked and glanced over in the direction of her cat's voice.
"Luna! What are you doing here?" She asked innocently, not the
slightest bit embarrassed.
Luna rolled her eyes. "I live here now, you might remember."
Usagi blinked. "That's right! Well... you don't have to leave,
Luna... I mean, I wouldn't want to kick you out...." She blushed
suddenly and her eyes went wide.
Luna blinked at Usagi's open mouthed stare. "What? What are you
staring at?" She followed the line of Usagi's eyes to the pair of
boxers in her hands that she had just started folding automatically.
Luna sighed, shaking her head. "Won't you ever grow up, Usagi? I'm
just doing the laundry."
Usagi shut her mouth and tried (unsuccessfully) to stop blushing.
"But... those are... Mamo-chan's...."
Mamoru put a hand to his forehead in embarrassment and amusement.
"Usagi-chan, it is just laundry after all. You have a younger brother
and a dad, so it's not like its something you haven't seen before,
right?"
Usagi shook her head. "But it's my Mamo-chan's!" She blushed
shyly, imagining her boyfriend wearing those boxers... and nothing else,
and quickly started to giggle maniacally. Mamoru and Luna both sighed.
Recovering quickly, Mamoru patted his girlfriend on the shoulder.
"Hey, why don't I take you out for ice cream to celebrate your new
freedom!"
Usagi was immediately distracted away from imagining her boyfriend
in his underwear by the promise of food. "Ice cream! Great! Let's
go!" She hugged Mamoru tightly. "I just have the best boyfriend ever!"
It was at the ice cream parlor that Usagi finally broke the bad news
to Mamoru.
"Mamo-chan...?" Usagi sounded hesitant.
Mamoru nodded encouragingly. "What is it, Usagi?"
Usagi shrugged. "Well... I kinda told mom and dad that we were
dating. They want to meet you... tomorrow night... for dinner."
Mamoru blanched slightly. "Tomorrow? I...." He blew out a
breath. "I suppose it's as good a day as any. OK, I'll be there."
Usagi would have leapt across the table and hugged him if not for
the presence of several dishes of ice cream that wouldn't be likely to
survive the attempt. She settled for beaming happily at him and
planning hugging him a lot more in the near future. Actually, Usagi
realized, she would have done that anyway. The blond pony tailed girl
started daydreaming and blushing as she thought about all the other
things she wanted to do with her boyfriend in the near future.
Mamoru sighed inwardly and started thinking up some plans to keep
his overly affectionate girl friend from doing something that her father
would likely want to kill him for. It wasn't that he had any real
objections to Usagi getting more... affectionate, just that he wanted to
do the right thing by her, and that included getting married first.
*********************
Sitting on Minako's bed, a black cat with a white belly watched as
the self proclaimed "Senshi of Love" went through her cupboard for more
hair dye. "I'm not so sure about this, Minako-chan." Artemis
complained. "I look silly in black." He lifted a paw and sniffed it.
"And how am I supposed to keep this stuff clean? I don't think it's
supposed to go on fur...."
Minako glanced back at her feline advisor. "You look fine. We just
have to remember to dye you when you're in your cat form this time."
She giggled. "Or remember to dye ALL of your hair when you're a girl,
instead of just your head."
Artemis was glad that it was impossible to see him blush through his
now mostly black fur coat. "Why don't I just start wearing a wig?"
Minako glanced at him. "Hmm? Oh yeah! I can really see you as a
blond! How about a brunet, or maybe red hair like Ranma! I bet you
could pass for his twin if we gave you a pig tail...."
Artemis blinked. "Er... that's not exactly what I meant." He
looked thoughtful. "Although now that you mention it, the more
disguises I have ready the better." He frowned. "White hair is just
too uncommon, however. Nabiki or Mr. Tendo would be sure to recognize
me then."
Minako nodded, and went back to looking through her drawers.
"That's why you need to keep your hair dyed. A wig could fall off while
we're working out or sparring...." She found the black hair dye and
brought it out. "Now, we'd better do everything this time, your natural
color is starting to show again." She approached the cat on her bed.
"Now, how do you want to do this... as a cat, or as a girl?" Her eyes
twinkled, giving Artemis a hint about which she would prefer.
Artemis swallowed. "Er... whichever is easier, Minako-chan, just as
long as you remember that your mother is home... we don't want to repeat
what happened to Usagi and Luna, do we?"
Minako pouted. "You're no fun." She sighed. "I don't understand
why we can't just tell mom that you're my lesbian lover from France?"
Artemis sweated slightly. "Well... for one thing, I don't speak
French...."
Minako shrugged. "OK, how about Australia?"
Artemis frowned. "Well... I guess I could pull off the accent...
but that's not the point. I mean, wouldn't your mother be a bit shocked
to find out you're sleeping with another girl?"
Minako shrugged. "Nah... mom sat me down a couple days ago and told
me she didn't care if I liked girls or boys. She even told me about
this one time in high school where she had this huge crush on an actress
at this all girl theater...."
Artemis blinked. "What brought that on?"
Minako looked thoughtful. "I think Usagi's mom has been asking
around trying to find out more about Diana.... I bet she called Ami's
mom too."
Artemis sighed. "I feel sorry for the Tsukinos. This can't have
been easy for them."
Minako looked indignant. "What about poor Luna! She's the one they
kicked out of her house and home!"
Artemis nodded. "I feel sorry for Luna too. It's just one big
misunderstanding, but there's nothing we can really do about it, is
there? Not without telling the truth."
Minako looked determined. "I won't believe there isn't anything we
can do. We'll think of something to get those two back together! Wait
and see!" In an abrupt change of mood, she looked at Artemis
questioningly. "Lover... do you ever regret getting together with me?
I mean, for the longest time I thought you and Luna were meant for each
other. I still feel guilty sometimes for taking you away from her."
Artemis shook his head. "No. No, Minako-chan, I don't regret
anything we've done together. Not any of it." He gave her one of his
usual cocky grins and looked away, not wanting her to see the look of
guilt on his face. < Oh Luna... I am sorry.>
Minako noticed anyway and smiled knowingly. < Don't worry,
Artemis. The Senshi of Love is on the case!>
*******************
It was a full class that arrived at the Tendo Dojo later that
afternoon. As promised, Nabiki had led Ryoga to the dojo before his
class arrived, and he waited patiently as his class slowly filed in.
When everyone had arrived Ryoga went one wall of the dojo (it was always
a different wall, but none of his students had mentioned it, thinking it
had something to do with the training). He turned to his students and
stood patiently, and they all obediently lined up in front of him. When
they were all ready he bowed, and they bowed back, ready to begin the
session.
Several of his students glanced around in some confusion, and
finally Makoto spoke up. "Um, excuse me, Ryoga-sensei, but isn't
Ranma-san supposed to be here today?"
Ryoga hesitated, frowning. "Er... Ranma had to leave for
China...." He scratched his head. "So... he asked me to take over for
a couple more weeks...." He glanced around at his class. "If anyone
doesn't want to train under me, they can go."
Makoto was the first to shake her head. "Oh no, Ryoga-sensei!
You're a great teacher! I'm here to train!" Everyone else nodded in
agreement.
Ami broke in. "Ryoga-sensei, is this about Ranma-san's curse? Is
everything all right?"
Ryoga blinked. "The curse? Um...."
Nabiki looked thoughtful. < That's right, most of the class was at
the wedding, so they must have overheard Kuno when he talked about
Ranma's curse. I wonder how much they know?>
Ami answered Nabiki's unspoken question almost immediately. "Did
Tatewaki Kuno use the water from the spring of drowned twins? Is that
why Ranma has left for China?"
Ryoga blinked in surprise. "Er... yes, actually, that's correct."
Nabiki cleared her throat. "So, when did you find out about Ranma's
curse, Ami?"
It was Ami's turn to blink. < Oops....> She shrugged
noncommittally, trying not to show her sudden nervousness. "I found out
back when Ranma-san gave us all those free lessons...." She tried to
recall the cover story they had made up. "When he gave us all lessons
to repay my aunt for helping cure Ranma's cat phobia...."
Nabiki's eyes narrowed slightly. < What makes me think there is
more to this than she's saying?>
Ryoga nodded, laughing nervously. "So... Ranma told you about his
curse, huh? What... er, what exactly did he tell you?"
Umino came over to Ami, looking curious. "What is Ranma's curse,
Ami? I've heard rumors, of course, but they were so ridiculous that
they were obviously contrived to conceal the real truth." He laughed.
"I even heard that Ranma was cursed to turn into a girl whenever he is
splashed with cold water!" Umino shook his head, laughing even harder.
"Hah! What a ridiculous story!"
Everyone in the dojo but Naru stared at Umino in strained suspense
and the geeky young man blinked. "What? What did I say? I told you it
was just a rumor...."
Ami shook her head slowly. "No, Umino-san, actually, that's the
truth. Ranma is cursed to change into a girl with cold water.... At
least he was...."
Umino blinked in disbelief. "You're kidding! That kind of thing
can't be real." He glanced around at the solemn faces around him and
blinked again. "Can it?"
Naru glanced at her best friend. "Usagi-chan, is what Ami said
really true?"
Usagi nodded. "I know it's hard to believe, Naru, but it's true."
Naru shook her head. "Not really, not compared to all the things
that have happened to me. It's just kinda strange, that's all."
Luna (as Diana) spoke up. "Ryoga-san, could you tell us what
happened to Ranma? He's a good friend of ours."
Ami continued. "Yes, Kuno-san said he had water from the spring of
drowned twins. He used it? What happened?"
Nabiki cleared her throat, stepping forward. "Ahem. Information is
my business. If you want the scoop behind Ranma's trip to China, I'll
be glad to tell you all about it... for only ten thousand yen...."
Ryoga blinked. "Er...."
From the back of the group, Setsuna frowned. < Why didn't I see
this coming? Is my sight completely useless when it comes to
Jusenkyo?> She strode forward and handed Nabiki a ten thousand yen
bill. "All right. Please tell us." < At least money isn't a problem
for me.> She sighed. < I don't believe I'm resorting to paid
informants now... but I can't chance making a mistake that might
interfere with the princess's future.>
Nabiki made the bill vanish in an instant. < Damn, I should have
held out for more! Oh well, a deal's a deal.> She nodded to Setsuna.
"Yup, Kuno used the spring of drowned twins water all right. He set a
trap for Ranma at the honeymoon suite. Both he and my older sister
Kasumi got splashed by the water, so they're both going to Jusenkyo for
a cure."
Ami spoke up. "So, did the twins water work as Kuno explained? Did
it split Ranma into a guy and a girl?"
Nabiki nodded, her eyebrow raised. "That's correct." < Hmm, this
girl is pretty sharp. I'd better play it straight with her.> "Ranma
was split into two, one guy, one girl. His girl half is going by the
name of Ranko right now. She's planning on using the spring of drowned
boy to turn back into a boy."
Ami looked concerned. "Are they sure that will work? From what
I've heard of the curses, they don't seem that simple."
Nabiki shook her head. "I really don't know. They're going to try,
anyway."
Ami frowned. "You said Kasumi got cursed as well? Did her... other
half get split up too?"
Nabiki blinked. < Does she know about Kasumi's curse too? Did
Ranma tell her, or Johnathon?> She nodded slowly. "Kasumi got split
the same way Ranma did."
Usagi gasped. "Oh no! Poor Kasumi! Does that mean she's stuck as
a cat again?"
Now Nabiki started to look confused. "How did you...?"
Naru looked astonished. "Stuck as a cat? Usagi, what are you
talking about?"
Usagi gulped, looking nervous. "Oops... I guess I wasn't supposed
to talk about that, huh?"
Rei sighed. "You meatball head, can't you keep a secret?"
Usagi looked miserable and Nabiki was surprised to find herself
wanting to reassure the ponytailed blond girl. "Don't worry about it.
It's not like its a big secret around here, anyway." She glanced around
at the other girls meaningfully. "Not that we want all this getting
around. The last thing we want is for all this to get on the cover of
some tabloid." She looked meaningfully at Umino. "Or showing up on
someone's web page...."
Umino wilted under the half dozen threatening stares he suddenly
found himself under. "Of... of course not!" He protested strongly,
looking to Naru for support. "I wouldn't to anything mean like that!"
Naru patted his shoulder. "I know you wouldn't, Umino. You'd never
do anything to hurt someone."
Umino sighed happily at his girlfriend. "Of course not Naru-chan."
Nabiki nodded in satisfaction. < He's safe enough with his
girlfriend as his conscience. > She glanced around at the rest of the
girls in the room. < How did they find out so much about Jusenkyo,
anyway? It's not like Ranma goes around telling just anyone.> She
sighed. < They must have seen him change. I wonder what else they know
about?>
Ryoga was wondering much the same thing. < Oh my god... if they
know about Jusenkyo... do they know about my curse? What if they don't
and they find out? Who would want to learn from someone who turns into
a pig?> Ryoga forced himself to calm down. < Take it easy, Ryoga, if
they know, they haven't said anything, and if they don't... I'll just
have to make sure they don't find out. I managed to keep Akane in the
dark for almost a year. There's no reason I can't keep my secret safe
for a while longer....> He turned to the class, clearing his throat.
"Well, now you know why Ranma can't teach today, but since he has left
you in my charge, we might as well get some practice in, all right?"
The class turned to him and nodded, going silent while everyone moved
back into position. Ryoga waited until they were back in line again
then nodded. "Good. Well then, lets get to work. We'll start as usual
with our stretching exercises. Hino-san, if you'd care to lead the
class?"
Rei beamed and nodded. "Sure!" She hurried over to stand next to
Ryoga and began leading the group through their normal warm up
exercises.
*******************
Shampoo rode swiftly down the fence on her bike, laden down with the
day's groceries. < Hmm... what should I cook for dinner tonight?
Something special, perhaps, to take my Airen's mind off of whatever has
been worrying him so much lately....> Suddenly Shampoo sensed something
approaching her. "Who is it?" The young Amazon braked quickly,
perching her bike on top of the fence with the ease of long experience.
"What? It's you?" Shampoo's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"
*******************
"Niayo!" Shampoo announced cheerfully as she entered the clinic's
front door.
A little old lady smiled at her. "Ah, how sweet." She turned to
the doctor. "Well then, thank you very much for treating my back,
Doctor. I'll just leave you two love birds alone then." She giggled
and hurried off, swinging the sign in front over to closed as she went
through the door."
Dr. Tofu shook his head. "Ah well, we might as well close up early
anyway." He glanced at Shampoo. "Shampoo, I know you've been wondering
what's bothering me...."
Shampoo nodded automatically. "Nyes I did, Tofu-chan!"
Dr. Tofu blinked. "Shampoo... did you just meow?"
Shampoo's eyes widened momentarily then she smiled at him. "Nwhy?"
She stepped up and cuddled into his side. "Don't you Nlike cats?"
Tofu blinked again. "Er... certainly Shampoo, of course I like
cats." He smiled, putting his hands on her shoulders and pushing her
gently away. "Is this is your way of asking me if I have a problem with
your curse?"
Shampoo blinked once, then nodded agreeably. "Nyes, that's it."
Tofu smiled, shaking his head. "You make a cute cat, Shampoo-chan,
I certainly don't mind your Jusenkyo curse." He tapped her nose
lightly. "So don't worry." He glanced at her suddenly as if confused.
"Shampoo... is there something...?"
Shampoo interrupted. "You were about to ntell me about what was
bothering you."
Tofu frowned. "Yes... I want you to keep this to yourself Shampoo,
but did you notice anything wrong with Nabiki while you were working
with her during the photo shoots? I know I asked you to keep an eye on
her, but did anything at all seem unusual?"
Shampoo shook her head. "Nabiki nwas fine, Tofu-chan."
He frowned. "I really should go see her. Are you sure? She didn't
say anything about Gosenkugi, for example?"
Shampoo shook her head again. "Why Gosenkugi?"
Dr. Tofu shook his head. "I really can't tell you much, except that
Nabiki came to me with a problem a while back, and...." He shook his
head. "Shampoo, what do you know about the hypnosis incense that
Happosai was using a few months back?"
Shampoo shook her head. "I nreally don't nknow anything about it,
Tofu-chan...."
He looked surprised. "Really? You and your great-grandmother were
both affected by it, I'd have thought Cologne would have tried to find
out something about it."
Shampoo hesitated, thinking. "Nno, Cologne... er, great-grandmother
nnever told me anything about the incense...."
Dr. Tofu sighed. "Oh well. I think I had better go see Nabiki
myself. She said that Ranma and Akane got cured of the incense, but she
never mentioned how.... It would be useful information to know, even if
I'm mistaken about Nabiki."
Shampoo nodded. "All right. Why don't I make dinner for us while
nyour out, Tofu-chan?"
The good doctor nodded distractedly. "That sounds nice,
Shampoo-chan." He went to the door and opened it, pausing and glancing
back at her with a slight grin. "You really do sound like a cat,
Shampoo, its kind of cute... don't greet any patients like that though."
Dr. Tofu started off toward the Tendo Dojo. < I wonder what's
gotten into Shampoo today? Is she trying to tell me something by acting
like a cat?> He mused. "Maybe this is her way of telling me she's
considering jumping into the spring of drowned girl and getting a
half-cat curse like Johnathon-kun...." He considered a felinoid Shampoo
for a few minutes. "I guess I wouldn't mind, if that's what she wants."
************************
In a dark alleyway, a cloaked figure spoke quietly to something only
it could see. "So the doctor knows of a cure for the incense? I see,
and he's going to check on Nabiki Tendo?"
A thin pale teenager came up from behind her meekly. "Mistress,
that might be a problem. Nabiki Tendo was the only one to know that I
had the incense, and Happosai. If she regains the memories that I
locked away...."
The cloaked form sniffed. "Then the doctor must be dealt with. Are
your pawns ready?"
Gosenkugi nodded. "I have both brother and sister under my control
now, mistress. They can act at any time... but they will not be enough,
and Happosai the others are already on their way to China...."
The cloaked figured growled softly to itself. "If it is allies they
need, so be it. That can be arranged." She spoke to the air once
more. "Gather your troops, and kill Dr. Tofu immediately, and before he
reaches the Tendo Dojo!"
Gosenkugi nodded. "Yes mistress." The pale youth slunk away
quickly, and she felt another presence leave as well, leaving her alone
in the alley.
"Soon." The cloaked figure hissed to herself. "Soon I will have my
revenge, Kasumi Tendo!"
End Chapter 7
You can find all the previous Chapters to this at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/fanfics.html