The Leper: Diagnosis
by Nikholas "NomaD" F. Toledo
Ranma 1/2 is the property of Kitty, VIZ and the omnipotent Rumiko
Takahashi. I am a property of Switch (so you know who to sue).
I am NomaD... I am coming... I am near.
By the way, this is a self-insertion. My character had a past with
Ukyou, but not the kind you're thinking of. And, because this is my
first Ranma fic, I'm gonna do some weird stuff like use Ryouga and Ukyou
but still keep Kuno, Tendo and Tofu. But I'm not really sure.
This complete version was done with the support of DB Sommer,
Octavian and the occasionals, all of whom have contributed to the
formation of this fic.
Part 13
"Luck of the Damned"
"Good morning, Kasumi."
"Oh, good morning, Nabiki. Breakfast is ready."
"Good morning, Akane."
"Finally, you're up. Hurry up or we'll be late."
"Good morning, daddy."
"..."
"Daddy?"
Breakfast ended in silence.
----------
"Ucchan?"
"Coming."
Ranma nibbled on his okonomiyaki. He wasn't particularly hungry at
that moment. He was still wearing the same clothes he wore the day
before and it made him uncomfortable.
He turned around when he heard footsteps from the stairs.
"Okay, I'm ready."
Ukyou was looking particularly handsome today. She was wearing her
'male' school uniform and she had her hair in a ponytail.
"Finally. You may dress like a guy but you take just as long as a
girl."
Ukyou jabbed him once on the arm. "Quit it, will you?"
"Shall we go now?"
"Yup. Oh, wait... Ishi!"
Ranma immediately went into panic-mode. His eyes dashed to every
corner of the restaurant; there was no telling where the cat would come
from.
The little gray furball emerged from the kitchen with a fishtail in
its mouth.
Ranma inched his way to the door. "W-w-what a-are you doin'?"
Ukyou got down on one knee and tied something on Ishi's neck. When
she stood up, Ranma could see a shiny piece of metal hanging around the
cat's neck. He looked questioningly at Ukyou.
"It's a key... just in case Kii comes by."
The door closed and the cat was enshrouded in darkness.
----------
"I wonder whose garden this is?"
Kii looked around but didn't find anybody in the vicinity. "I
better get outta here."
Kii moved around the various flora and fauna. When he finally got
out of the garden, only then did he realize the size of the garden.
And when he turned around, he was awestruck by the greater size of
the residence in front of him. "Wow, this is bigger than the mansion in
China..."
Then something caught his attention. He approached the source of
the sound and found himself walking along a cobbled path. He followed
the path and found himself in a large clearing among the massive trees.
In the clearing was an array of martial arts training equipment.
On one end of the clearing stood a man holding a bokken; on the other end
of the clearing was a wooden human-shaped target with a very distinctive
ponytail.
Both figures remained unmoving, then the bokken-wielding warrior
snapped out of his concentration.
"And now, Ranma Saotome, I will free Akane Tendo and the pig-tailed
girl from their bondage in your vile grasp. Prepare yourself, you
lecherous swine! With great vengeance, I, Tatewaki Kuno, shall smite
thee!!! HIYAAAA!!!"
Upperclassman Kuno charged the still-wooden foe. Midway, he drew
the sword back and prepared to strike. With one swift and continuous
motion, his incredible speed enabled him to cut off both wooden arms and
decapitate the target.
With his sword swung past the wooden target, he held his pose until
the wooden head landed on the ground. He then got up and smiled (at
himself).
"I am remarkable, am I not?"
"Wow... not bad!"
Kuno smiled but the smile turned to a frown when he realized that
the reply didn't come from him. He quickly faced the direction of the
voice and was immediately startled by a half-naked figure about arms-
length in front of him.
His first reaction was to point his sword at the figure, partly
because of the surprise but mostly because of the figure being half-
naked. He noticed the figure was carrying a potted plant he recognized
to be theirs.
"W-who are you to defy the sanctity of the Kuno Estate?!?"
"I am Kiiroi Niwatori, Kuno-sempai."
"Kiiroi... aah, yes. I recognize you from your association with
that low-life cretin, Ranma Saotome. Though you approach me with an air
of respect, you are no better than the rest of them. But since you have
shown me respect, I shall let you leave without causing you harm, but I
suggest you leave immediately."
"Well then, I'll just be on my way...."
"Hold!"
Kii was already turning around when Kuno commanded him to halt. "I
believe you are carrying something that is of my possession."
Kiiroi looked down on his hands. He was still carrying a potted
plant with a violet flower in it. His fingers were submerged in its
thick soil.
"Oh, this... can I have it? I need it, you see...."
Kuno silenced him with a wave of his hand. "I have been lenient
with you and still you treat me with disrespect, for that... YOU SHALL
FEEL MY WRATH!!!"
"I don't need this right now...." Kii easily dodged Kuno's initial
strike. At the first opportunity, he took off with flowerpot.
Kuno watched the half-naked lad run. "A thief and a coward, he is
indeed affiliated with Ranma Saotome.... COME BACK HERE!!!"
----------
Furinkan High...
Akane was a bit surprised that she and her sister arrived in school
quite early. It was probably because breakfast was rather peaceful, and
the fact that Ranma wasn't there to...
She sighed. Now what was she to do?
"I wonder if there's people in the classroom."
She went up the flight of stairs. She walked the halls and saw
some of the janitors still mopping the floors. Students and teachers
greeted her and she returned their morning greetings. The school clocks
indicated that it was still half an hour before classes would start.
She entered her classroom and saw some of her classmates talking
with each other. Some were eating breakfast and some boys were sleeping.
She got to her seat and just let her mind wander.
It did not wander far before she was interrupted.
She was surprised by the figure that plopped down the seat in front
of her facing her. All she saw at first was a blur of a black uniform
sporting a ponytail.
"Kii?"
"How I wish, sugar."
Akane immediately recognized the voice and her vision began
adjusting. "Oh, good morning, Ukyou."
"Here."
"Huh?"
Ukyou handed a piece of paper to Akane, then got up and left.
Akane just stared at the paper at first then opened it. She
immediately got up, pocketed the note and left the classroom.
----------
Meanwhile, back at the Kunos'...
"COME BACK HERE, YOU FIEND!!!"
Kii came to an intersection and turned right without thinking.
Kuno had been chasing him for quite a while now. He still couldn't seem
to find the estate's exit.
It was too late when he realized that he just walked into a dead
end.
"Crap."
He could hear Kuno's angered shouts approaching and he did the only
thing he could do - he slid open the nearest door and went inside.
He stared at the door for a moment. Then he could see the shadow
of Tatewaki Kuno as it passed the door.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hello."
The hair on his back stood up and he almost cried out in surprise.
He turned around to see a woman in a dark blue kimono with a tea ceremony
set before her.
The woman covered her mouth with her hand and laughed lightly.
"Oh, forgive me. Did I startle you?"
"W-who...?"
"Where are my manners? I am Kodachi Kuno, mistress of the castle."
"Kodachi Kuno? Ranma was wrong, you're not bad looking at all.
Oh, I'm Kiiroi Niwatori."
Kodachi felt her cheeks burn from the compliment. "Kiiroi
Niwatori... yes, I've heard of you from... my brother. You know of my
sweet darling Ranma? Please sit and have some tea with me. I was just
practicing proper manners so that I can be the perfect, demure wife for
my darling Ranma."
Kiiroi WAS tired. And it would be better, he guessed, if he could
get on the good side of Kodachi, so that her brother would stop chasing
him. He sat himself down opposite her.
She began preparing the tea. Each movement of hers was of grace
and perfection. When she finished, she handed him the cup and bowed.
Kii took the cup with his palm, his fingers were covered with dirt
but he didn't want to take any chances.
Kii was about to sip but then stopped.
Kodachi was alarmed by this but she hid it quickly.
"Aren't you gonna have some?"
Kodachi bowed. "I only live to serve."
Kii just shrugged and slowly sipped his tea.
The aroma was intoxicating. He could feel the soft, warm liquid
slide down his throat. He felt light-headed as all the tension
disappeared.
He finished the tea and set the cup down.
Kodachi stared at the cup then at Kii. "Would you like to have
some more?"
"No, thanks - it was very refreshing, though, thank you very much."
"That's odd... here." Kodachi drew something from inside her
kimono and brought out a bouquet of roses. "For you."
"Black roses, how lovely."
Kii drew the roses to his nose and gave it a whiff. Almost
immediately, a small cloud of gas puffed out of the bouquet.
Kiiroi coughed and threw the roses away. "What the-" *koffkoff*
"- hell are you doing?!?"
Kodachi stood up in shock. "How could this be? The paralyzing
powder didn't work! And the tea had the same sleeping drug that Nabiki
Tendo used, so how can you still be awake?"
"Nabiki Tendo?!? Ranma was right, the Kunos ARE demented!"
"There you are!" The door slid open and Tatewaki Kuno charged in
with his bokken thrust forward. Kii was still facing Kodachi so he
didn't see the blade aimed at his back.
Without turning around, Kii extended his arm backwards and hit the
wooden sword at the precise moment. A shower of splinters pelted Kuno's
face and he was forced to raise his arm to cover his eyes. When he
removed his arm, he was shocked to see his bokken reduced to a wooden
stomp.
"How dare you defile my blade?!? For that you shall pay!!!" With
that, Kuno ran outside. "Sasuke! Fetch me a blade, Sasuke! Where are
you, you ungrateful...!"
"It seems I'll have to deal with you myself." Kodachi stood up and
in one swift motion removed her kimono.
She was now clad in a tight, black leotard. She snagged a
gymnastics ribbon from thin air and was now twirling it around.
"Demented, am I? You'll pay for that...." Kodachi snapped the
ribbon and it hit Kii on the chin.
The pain stung him and forced him to move backward. He could feel
warm blood dripping from his chin but he had no time to wipe it off.
Kodachi snagged the ribbon back then thrust it in a spiral motion.
Kii jumped forward to avoid the swirling ribbon. He landed on top of the
mat with the tea set right behind Kodachi.
Kodachi tossed the ribbon away and readied two clubs, one in each
hand. Spikes came out of the club heads and Kodachi began another wave
of attacks.
Kii desperately avoided the clubs while trying not to trip on the
ceramics. Kodachi made a wild swing. Kii arched back and the spikes
barely missed his belly.
He came back up just as Kodachi finished her swing. Kii brought
his hand up and in it was Kodachi's tea powder.
He puckered his lips and blew...
"How dare you...." Kodachi never finished her sentence.
Kii caught her before she fell. "Good thing her leotard didn't..."
*foom*
"... oh dear."
Kii grabbed the kimono on the ground with his palms and covered the
slumbering gymnast.
"I better get out of here."
----------
Akane Tendo looked around to make sure that nobody was spying on
her. She then grabbed the handle with both hands and opened the door of
the equipment room.
She was greeted by the darkness but a gray, misty light filtered
from a nearby window. All she could see were sports equipment piled up
in neat stacks. She squinted and looked around; there was nobody there.
It could've been a trick.
"R-Ranma?"
At first nothing, then a figure stood up.
"I thought you weren't coming...."
"I got your note... what's this about?"
Ranma stepped out of the darkness. Akane could now make out his
face. His eyes were blank - she felt sad when she looked inside them.
"Ranma?"
"I... I called you here... to apologize."
"Oh, Ranma... you don't have to...."
"No! Please! Let me do this... let me do this now."
Akane never saw this side of Ranma before, so caring, so
compassionate. She let her guard down, just this once.
"I feel bad... no, terrible about what happened, about what I did
to you. Until now I can't recall what happened exactly, but I know that
every time I try to remember... it hurts...."
Ranma pointed to his chest, and Akane could see the grief in his
face. All this was very hard for him.
"It's okay, Ranma, that wasn't you...."
Ranma snapped at her. "But don't you see? That *was* me, Akane!
It's me if ever I'd get angry with you! And I don't like it one bit....
The truth is, Akane, I'm scared...."
Ranma felt his knees buckle. He suddenly felt weak and tired. He
leaned on a basket of volleyballs.
Akane stepped closer to make her presence known. This did help
Ranma - his strength came back.
"I'm scared of you being afraid of me. When I try to remember what
happened, all I see is your face filled with so much pain. I can still
see the tears on your cheeks, your soft trembling. I wanted to..."
Ranma paused and gulped. He turned around for he couldn't voice
out what he was about to say to her face.
"... I wanted to hold you and make you feel safe. I don't want to
see you hurt... ever."
Akane could feel herself tremble. She felt something swell deep
inside her and she couldn't keep it in.
She faced her shadow so that the world wouldn't see, so that he
wouldn't see. But Ranma heard her soft whimpers. And it started aching
again, right in the middle of his chest.
He faced her and saw that she was facing the corner with her hands
to her face.
"A-Akane... please don't...." Ranma reached out and touched her
lightly on the shoulder.
His touch felt warm. She never felt safer than she did now. His
touch reassured her and her sobbing stopped. She turned around to face
him.
Akane stared deep into those handsome eyes. He smiled and she felt
herself falling. Ranma saw that she didn't wipe her tears. He touched
her cheek and wiped the streak with his thumb. His hand stayed there,
holding her cheek.
Akane could feel her face getting warm but she fought the urge to
look away. It was a wonderful feeling, if only she was like this when
people were around. She just took it all in, his smiling face, his sweet
caress.
It seemed like forever, then Ranma pulled his hand away.
Akane was a bit startled, she forgot that there was a world that
existed beyond his touch.
"C'mon. First period's about to start."
----------
He walked without really caring about where he was headed. People
tried to ignore him but, being half-naked with a potted violet flowering
plant in hand, it was kind of impossible.
"Could the old woman be right? Is it possible? I better think
about this some more." He found a bench to sit on. "Let's see now....
First, I was immune to both the sleeping and the paralyzing powder.
During the old days, my ancestors were spies, so they would've
experimented with different types of poisons. And the family does have a
reputation of having really tough skin.
"Does that mean that my ancestors, being the cowards that they
were, tried to look for all possible ways to escape a battle? Being
overly cautious IS another family trait. Maybe from all their
experimentation with poisons gave their descendants natural immunity.
Okay, I'll have to settle with that...." He stood up again and started
walking in no particular direction.
"Nabiki Tendo... she used the same sleeping powder. So how come I
didn't wake up? Was Cologne right? Was I planning this all this time?
I could easily wake up when someone's sneaking up on me but I chose not
to with her. And that's because... I wanted her to steal my bandages?
No, that can't be it - Nabiki Tendo... what's she got to do with all
this? Nabiki..."
"Kii!"
He turned around only to find out that it wasn't an echo, instead
it was a voice coming out of a gate. And out emerged from that household
the embodiment of kindness and purity.
"Kasumi?!?" Kii looked around and found himself in front of the
Tendo household.
"We've finally found you. Father will be so happy."
"Huh?"
"Come inside, Father will explain everything."
"But I might...."
"It's okay, we've got your bandages."
"Okay then."
And the gate shut behind them.
----------
Later that day...
"Hey, Hiroshi! What's the rush?"
"Oh, Saotome... didn't you hear?!?"
"Hear what?"
"Hey, what're you guys talking about?"
"Oh, hi, Akane... there's news going around the school...."
"What is it?"
"Somebody broke into the Kuno Mansion!"
"No!"
"Really?"
"Yeah... from what I've heard, the burglar stole a prized flower
that's worth thousands of dollars. And when Kuno tried to capture the
thief, he was beat up pretty badly. That's why he didn't come to school
today...."
"Wow."
"Is this true?"
"Of course it's true! And that's not half of it."
"What else?!?"
"It seems that when Kuno recovered and tried to search for the
thief, he found his sister, Kodachi, in her room, lying on the floor...
naked, with only a torn kimono to cover her!"
"That's terrible!"
"I know I never liked her, but now I feel sorry for her."
"Anyway, I gotta go. I'm checkin' out if anybody knows anything
else."
"Okay, see ya."
"It's almost time to go home - I think I better go now."
"Okay, I'm gonna look for Ucchan."
"Ranma...?"
"Hmm?"
"Good luck... I mean, for later."
"Thanks...."
----------
To an onlooker, the silence would've been deafening. The figures
remained still. The very air did not stir.
Finally, one of them reached for the table in front of him. He
picked up his cup and quietly sipped his tea.
The older figure shifted in his seat, trying to relieve himself of
the tension. The lone female stood by the kitchen door... waiting.
"Well, young Niwatori, have you decided?"
Kii stirred, looked at the figure opposite him, and spoke. "Very
well - I shall do what you ask..."
Tendo almost shouted with glee, but his celebration was short-
lived. He could see in the young man's eyes that he wasn't finished
speaking.
Kii felt weird with the bandages in place. His fingers were
itching. "... under one condition. I need something...."
"Name it! If it is within my power, then you shall have it!"
"But alas, Mr. Tendo... it is NOT within your power."
Soun began beading with sweat. The panda remained still. Kasumi
went in and took the empty cups.
"W-What is it?"
"I need something from your daughter, Nabiki."
"N-Nabiki?"
"Yes, this is what I want from her...."
----------
"Hey, Nabiki! Wait up!" Akane ran towards her sister, who simply
ignored her approach.
"Oh, hello, Akane."
"Why'd you leave me like that?"
"I thought you were going with Ranma, your fianc�."
Akane blushed at her sister's remark. "Oh, that. We were just
talking. He had to go back to Ukyou's to get ready."
"Good for him."
"I wonder if Daddy found a suitable challenger. I wonder if it's
Kii?"
"I doubt that. Chances are Dad will have to fight Ranma himself,
no matter how pathetic he is."
"Really? Oh, poor Daddy."
----------
Ukyou entered the restaurant. She searched blindly for the light
switch. The lights flicked open only to reveal the empty floor.
She placed a paper bag on the counter and peered up the stairway.
"RANCHAN? YOU UP THERE?"
"I'm in the shower!"
"OH, OKAY! I GOT YOUR CLOTHES WASHED AND PRESSED."
"Can you bring them up?"
"Okey-dokey!" Ukyou drew from the bag a nicely pressed shirt and
pants.
As she went up, she could hear the pitter-patter of the water.
When she reached the end of the stairs, she unfolded the clothes and laid
them on the bed. She sat on the other side while waiting for him.
She decided to lie down. "Aren't you done yet?!?"
"Almost... hold your horses."
Ukyou shifted her head to one side and stared at the bathroom door.
A jolt came to her when she realized that the door was slightly ajar.
She sat up and saw that a pair of boxer shorts was hanging on a
seat. She blushed at the thought and almost giggled. But the thought
still remained.
After all, she didn't have a shower curtain, since she lived alone.
"Hmm. It's just a peek...."
Ukyou crept up to the bathroom door. A devilish grin was plastered
on her face - all she needed was a pair of horns and it would've been
uncanny.
She could still hear the shower pouring. Steam was seeping out of
the door. She peered in slightly and saw what she thought was flesh.
She was right, of course, since, at that instant, the water stopped
dripping and the door flew open to reveal a naked torso.
Ranma stepped out with a towel wrapped around him. He almost
bumped into the skulking Ukyou.
Ukyou was face to face (?) with a semi-wet towel and Ranma's
crotch.
"Ucchan, could you turn arou- huh?!? What the...? UCCHAN?!? WHAT
THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!?"
"Gyaaah!!! Eeek! No, it's not what...! Oh gosh, I'm sorry!!!"
*mega-blush*
In his shock, he lost grip of his towel and it slithered off his
skin.
Ranma scrambled for his towel, made a grab for his boxers and
darted back into the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Ukyou ran behind her bed and grabbed the sheets. She
felt like the bed was wide enough to hide her embarrassment. It took a
while before she could regulate her breathing.
The door opened. Ranma stepped out, with pants on this time. He
still had a bare chest, but this time he did it on purpose. He had a
big, arrogant smile on his face.
"Hey."
Ukyou just whimpered from behind the bed.
"You naughty, naughty girl...."
Ukyou couldn't even look him in the eye. She tightened her grip on
the sheets. "Why were you stark naked anyway?!?"
"You had no curtains, and I didn't want my boxers to get wet. And
please, stop avoiding the issue. Naked or not, you were still a very
naughty, naughty girl...." Ranma's grin grew wider as he approached her.
"Who would've thought that Ukyou Kuonji...."
"It wasn't like that!"
"Oh, but it was.... Caught with your hand in the cookie jar,
weren't you? But since you want it so bad, I guess I'll have to oblige."
"Huh? What do you...?"
Ukyou lost her voice as she watched Ranma slowly approach. He made
his away around the bed and stopped just a few feet in front of her. He
took one end of the knot of his pants... and began to pull.
Ukyou began screaming wildly and she shut her eyes as much as she
could, trying to get the image out of her head. "EEEEEEEEEK!!! GET AWAY
FROM ME, YOU MANIACAL PERVERT!!! I SWEAR, I'LL BEAT THE LIVING HELL OUT
OF YOU IF YOU DON'T STOP! RANMA, I'M NOT KIDDING!!! STOP IT THIS
INSTANT!!!"
Ukyou grabbed a pillow and bombarded Ranma with soft but painful
blows. Ranma blocked it with his arms while laughing his heart off.
Ukyou didn't stop, thinking that, if she did, he might actually do it
again.
Her pillow began to give and feathers flew out into the air. She
finally stopped when she was out of breath, after murdering her pillow.
They just stood there for a moment while the feathers flew all over
the room.
Ranma was still smiling. "That was fun.... Want to do it again?"
Ukyou whacked him with the empty pillowcase for the last time. "I
hate you."
----------
"We're home!!!"
"Oh, welcome home, Akane. And you, too, Nabiki."
Akane saw her dad and uncle enjoying some tea and cookies. She sat
herself down and dug in.
Nabiki proceeded to the stairs.
"Nabiki."
Nabiki froze. She slowly turned towards the firm voice. "Y-yes,
daddy?"
"Come here for a second...."
"Yes, dad."
Genma stared at his friend's irresolute face then leaned towards
Akane. "Akane, don't you feel hot and sweaty? You should go up to your
room and change."
"Actually, I feel fine, Uncle Sao-"
"No, Akane. I really think you should."
"Oh. Okay." Akane passed her sister and made her way upstairs.
Knowing what was to happen, Kasumi went inside the kitchen.
Nabiki sat herself opposite her father. Genma Saotome just blended
in the background.
"Nabiki, I am about to ask you to do something... it is something
that you won't like, something that is very shameful."
"What?"
"But as your father, you will follow what I have to order you. In
our dojo...."
----------
In the dojo...
... sat a man. He placed himself on the center of the floor.
The lights were closed and, outside, it was already getting dark.
It would not be long now.
He was sitting cross-legged, his eyes closed to the world. His
shirt and glasses lay a few feet away. He was a mere shadow in the
hollow space. His body was glistening with sweat.
Only moments before, he was readying himself for the match to come.
But that wasn't what was important now - not yet, anyway.
Before that, he was to face an adversary. This was not a battle of
strength but one of will - and the first to bend would lose.
He was ready... and waiting.
The door creaked softly and a figure strode inside. Her walk was
confident even in the presence of the darkness. She didn't bother
opening the lights - it would be easier this way.
"I thought you'd never come."
"This isn't about me, anymore. I'm doing this for my sister."
"Never did I hope to hear such noble words from you."
"Never you will again, after this."
"Close the door, please."
Nabiki followed as instructed. They were immediately consumed by
the darkness as a resounding *THUD!* echoed all throughout the hall.
"Now what...."
Kii noticed the flatness of her voice. It wasn't even a question
but more of a reflex.
"Come. Sit. It is almost time."
Nabiki strode forward, each step deafening her. She didn't feel
good about this; she never did from the start. She could barely make out
his silhouette.
When she was close enough, she sat herself on the wooden ground.
Even in the darkness, she knew that they were meeting eye-to-eye.
A chilling draft entered from nowhere, shivering her spine. There
was no turning back now.
"You may begin."
---------------
end of Part 13
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