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 10
The inner Senshi landed in the Tendo's side yard a short while after
leaving Dr. Tofu and the others on the street.
Sailor Jupiter, still carrying Ryoga along with a bundle of his
clothing, looked around uncertainly. "OK... so, how are we going to do
this?"
Sailor Moon pointed at the door. "Why don't we knock on the door
and ask Mr. Tendo to let us in?"
Jupiter blinked. "Er... I meant how were we going to switch Ryoga
back...."
Mars, ignoring Jupiter's question, was still looking at looked at
Sailor Moon in dismay. "Oh right, Sailor Moon, like that is going to
work. What do you think will happen when Mr. Tendo sees us standing on
his porch?"
Sailor Venus winked at her and started for the front door. "Lets
find out!" the others followed after nervously. (With the exception of
Sailor Moon, who was glad someone finally agreed with her.) Venus
knocked briskly on the door and waited patiently. Half a minute later
the door was pulled open by a calm looking Soun Tendo, who's only
reaction as seeing five girls in short Sailor fukus on his porch was to
raise an eyebrow slightly.
"Er... yes?" He spoke questioningly. "Can I help you?"
Sailor Venus smiled brightly and nodded, gesturing at herself and
her friends. "Hello Mr. Tendo. I am Sailor Venus, and these are my
friends, the Sailor Senshi!" She faced him squarely as the other Senshi
waved to him as he turned to regard them. "May we come inside?"
Soun blinked once, then nodded, stepping back. "Certainly! Where
are my manners, come in, come in!" Before long Soun was sitting across
his living room table from five of the worlds greatest champions. "Well
now...." He began slowly. "How can I help you ladies?"
Sailor Moon spoke up. "We're here to meet with Shampoo and Dr.
Tofu. They should be coming here any time now."
Jupiter piped in, holding up Ryoga. "And if you could get Ryoga
here some hot water, we'd appreciate it."
Soun blinked. "Ah... Ryoga, didn't see you there. Right then!" He
stood. "I believe we have a kettle on the stove. Right this way,
son." Ryoga jumped down out of Jupiter's hands and followed after the
older man.
Jupiter stood up as well, holding out the clothes. "I think
Ryoga-kun will want these?" She handed Soun Ryoga's clothing and went
back to the table, blushing slightly. When Soun and Ryoga were gone,
she shook her head in relief. "This is so weird. I don't think we've
ever just sat around a table like this before... in someone's house, as
if everything was completely normal...." She frowned, whispering. "I
keep trying to remember that I'm supposed to be Jupiter right now,
not... Makoto...."
Sailor Mercury nodded. "I know what you mean. This is only the
second time we've ever had to work with people who didn't know our
secret identities... but I think this will work out fine. Just keep in
mind that we're here on Senshi business, we want to know more about the
entity that possessed all those cats." The other Senshi nodded in
agreement, and sat silently, waiting. Before long, Ryoga and Soun
walked back into the living room.
Soun cleared his throat. "Ryoga-kun tells me that you helped stop
those possessed cats that attacked Dr. Tofu." He looked gravely around
at the Senshi. "Which one of you is Sailor Moon?"
Sailor Moon blinked. "Oh! We forgot to introduce ourselves
earlier! I am Sailor Moon." She indicated her friends one by one.
"Sailor Mercury is to my right, Sailor Jupiter is too my left, and that
is Sailor Mars." She nodded to Venus. "You've already been introduced
to Sailor Venus."
Soun bowed slightly to each of the Senshi in turn, then knelt in
front of Sailor Moon and put his head to the floor. "Sailor Moon, I beg
you. Please help me with my daughter's pet cat! Poor C-chan is still
possessed!"
Sailor Moon got up quickly, tying to urge Soun to his feet. "Oh no,
Mr. Tendo, you don't have to bow to me, please, get up. I'd be glad to
help your cat."
Soun got up, still bowing and starting to cry. "Oh thank you, thank
you, thank you. I was ever so worried. She's right this way. I left
her in the bathroom, so she couldn't damage anything. Please, come with
me."
Sailor Moon patted the crying man's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't
worry, Mr. Tendo, your cat will be as good as new in a minute, you'll
see."
As Soun followed a crying Soun toward the Tendo bath, Ryoga stood
bashfully by the door to the hall, not quite sure what to do when faced
with a room full of fuku clad super heroes, three of which that were
eying in a way that made him distinctly uncomfortable. "Er... hello
again...." He began hesitantly.
Jupiter took the initiative, patting an open space besides her at
the table. "Ryoga-san, sit down! Why don't you tell us what you know
about the Ghost Cat that Shampoo mentioned."
Ryoga nodded and sat down next to Jupiter, although several inches
farther away then she would have liked. "Er, well, where should I
begin?"
Sailor Mercury looked at him encouragingly. "Why don't you start at
the beginning, Ryoga-kun."
Crashing sounds could be heard farther back in the house, then a
yelp. "Oops! Quick, hold her, Mr. Tendo! I'll zap her!"
Soun's voice came back querulously. "This isn't going to hurt her,
is it?"
Ryoga paused. "Er... it all started...." A loud knock from the
front door interrupted him and Ryoga glanced around, fixing finally on
the side door. "Um, I guess I had better get that...."
Sailor Mercury jumped up. "I'll get it, Ryoga! You go ahead and go
on with your story...." She headed quickly for the front door and
opened it. "Dr. Tofu, I'm glad you're...." She trailed off in
embarrassment.
A little old lady peered up at her through bifocals. "Is that you,
Akane, dear? Going to a costume party?"
Mercury blushed slightly. "Well... I...."
The little old lady nodded. "That's nice, dear. I was wondering if
perhaps you had seen my little Hinako anywhere? I'm afraid she's run
off."
Mercury blinked several times, then took a wild guess. "And Hinako
would be your... cat?"
The little old lady nodded. "That's right, dear, and I know that
I'm not supposed to let her out near your house, but I though I might
have seen her heading this way, so...."
Mercury nodded slowly. "Well, I think she might have... stopped by
for a bit... but I think she's probably gone now. If I see her, I'll
tell you...." Sailor Mercury winced. "Or at least I'll try and get
someone to. Hopefully your Hinako is heading for home as well speak."
The little old lady nodded, smiling. "Thank you, Akane dear, you're
probably right." She reached out and felt the material of Mercury's
skirt. "This really is a very nice costume, my dear. Did Kasumi help
you with it?"
Mercury swallowed slowly. "Er... no, it um, came pre made...."
The old lady nodded, pouting a bit. "Oh I see. I hope it wasn't
too expensive." She smiled again. "I hope you have a nice time at your
party dear. I really must get going."
Sailor Mercury nodded. "I'll keep an eye out for your cat. Thank
you for stopping by." She watched the old lady walk out of the front
gate and then closed the door, leaning against it with a sigh. "Oh
my... now that was a bit awkward...." Mercury blew out a breath and
started to go down the hall after a minute's contemplation, but before
she got two steps she was stopped by another knock on the door. Mercury
turned around with her fingers crossed. "Please, please let it be Dr.
Tofu and Shampoo!" She opened the door a crack, and sighed in relief,
and opened the door fully to let Shampoo and her passenger in, followed
by the good doctor himself. "Oh thank goodness."
Shampoo blinked in confusion but decided not to ask. "Should I take
Nabiki up to her room?" She said instead, glancing up the stairs.
Dr. Tofu nodded. "That would be best. I believe she'll be waking
up in a few more minutes, so she should be in familiar surroundings when
she does."
Soun Tendo came around the corner carrying C-chan, followed by
Sailor Moon. "Oh, Dr. Tofu...." He blinked in shock at the sight of
Shampoo carrying Nabiki. "What has happened to my little girl?!?" He
rushed over, starting to cry again.
Dr. Tofu intercepted him. "Don't worry, Tendo-san. Nabiki just had
a bit of a shock. She'll be fine." He gestured for Shampoo to go up
the stairs. "Shampoo will just take her to her room, so she can rest."
Shampoo started up the stairs as bidden, taking care not to hit Nabiki's
head on the railing.
Soun sniffed worriedly. "Are you sure my baby will be all right?
What happened to her that made her collapse like that?"
Dr. Tofu Ono patted Soun's shoulder reassuringly, subtly
manipulating several pressure points to calm him down a bit. "Nabiki is
uninjured, Tendo-san, she will recover quickly. She has had a bad
shock, however, and it would be best if she wakes up to a calm
environment, so please try to remain clear headed and calm.
Soun straightened up, sniffing back a final tear. "Yes, of course,
doctor. Whatever you think best for my daughter."
Shampoo came down the stairs calmly. "Nabiki is sleeping in her
bed, is alright?" Dr. Tofu glanced at her as if he was about to correct
her again and Shampoo sighed. "Nabiki is sleeping on her bed, is THAT
alright?" Dr. Tofu nodded and Shampoo sighed silently. < I know
Tofu-chan just wants to help me improve my Japanese, but does he have to
correct every single mistake?>
Dr. Tofu turned to Sailor Moon. "Now, I assume you would like to
hear what we know about the Ghost Cat, correct?"
Sailor Moon nodded quickly. "Yes, Ryoga was about to tell us what
he knew, but I'm sure that Shampoo has some details to add?"
Soun blinked for a moment, then nodded. "Ah! I see! The Ghost
Cat, now that explains everything! Yes, yes, why don't we all go into
the living room and talk this out. It would be wonderful if something
could be done about that Ghost permanently, I can't tell you all the
times we've had trouble with it...."
Everyone filed into the living room and sat down, and Ryoga, Shampoo
and Soun took turns telling their audience their stories about the Ghost
Cat.
Soun explained first. "It all started, you see, with this magic
bell that Shampoo brought to Ranma. It belonged to this giant Ghost
Cat, and whoever held the bell was supposed to be the Ghost Cat's
bride. We did finally manage to get rid of it, for awhile, but it ended
up coming back over and over again.
Ryoga jumped in. "I met the Ghost Cat while wandering Japan in
search of training... It tricked me and ended up possessing me, and it
tried to get Akane to marry it, using my body...."
Soun continued. "Of course, we soon discovered the truth. You see,
even while it's possessing someone, it still tends to act like a cat,
and it speaks with a distinct accent...."
Ryoga continued. "Which is why I realized that Shampoo was
possessed by it today... although she splashed me before I could say
anything...."
Shampoo continued. "The Ghost Cat has been much... has been a lot
of trouble for me in the past. Once, it kidnapped me and cast a spell
that would cause me to be stuck as a cat forever, if the magic wasn't
broken before the last bell rung at new years eve...." She sighed.
"Ranma rescued me, although because of all the cats the Ghost Cat had
summoned to protect it, Ranma was in the cat fist at the time...."
Sailor Mars spoke up. "So it's able to possess people, control
cats, and even cast spells?"
Shampoo nodded. "Yes, it is a lot of trouble, every time it comes
back. Ranma always seems to beat it, though."
Ryoga nodded. "The cat is really a coward, it can't stand pain, so
it's not really too difficult to get rid of it, even if it possesses
someone."
Sailor Mercury scratched her chin as she mused out loud.. "So, it
must have been after Tofu-sensei because it still wants Shampoo for
itself?"
Shampoo nodded. "That sounds right to Sham... to me. Do you think
that you can help?"
Sailor Jupiter slammed her fist into her palm. "You bet we can
help! That Ghost Cat doesn't stand a chance against us."
Sailor Mars looked thoughtful. "I could put up some wards... but it
would be best if we could find the Ghost Cat and get rid of it
permanently."
The Shampoo, Ryoga, Dr. Tofu and the Senshi started to discuss plans
for dealing with the Ghost Cat, while Soun listened interestedly.
Upstairs, Nabiki slowly woke, as if from a deep sleep. "Huh... was
I dreaming?" She sat up slowly. "Wait a second, I'm still dressed...
and it's the middle of the day." She paled slightly, then her face
hardened. "Alright... damn it, get a grip, Nabiki, you can handle
this." She sat still for several minutes, trying to calm down. "I... I
remember...." She shook her head speaking in a whisper. "Can it all be
true? I can hardly believe most of it... the Senshi.... The Sailor
Senshi, at my house? No way, that can't be right, I must have had a
nightmare." She got up and went to her door, intending to go
downstairs. When she opened her door she head the sound of multiple
voices talking in the living room, some familiar, while others she
couldn't quite place. Slowly Nabiki started heading for the living
room. As she did, pieces of conversation came to her with more clarity.
< What was that? They're talking about the Ghost Cat? That is
Shampoo talking... and Dr. Tofu....> Nabiki slowed down, listening
silently. < I wasn't dreaming? No, I wasn't, I... I must have fainted
on the street.... Either that or Dr. Tofu put me out with one of his
Shiatsu techniques. They brought me home....> Nabiki moved a bit
closer to the living room, not wanting to miss anything. < So...
everything I remember, really happened?> She peeked around the corner
and spotted Sailor Mars sitting in one corner of the room before she
pulled her head back again. < The Sailor Senshi really are here, and
Sailor Moon... healed my memory.....> Nabiki's hand went into a fist.
< Happosai!!! That miserable excuse for a lower life form did this to
me! He... he....> She tried to calm herself. < Just cool it, Nabiki,
don't go loosing it now, you have to stay calm.... OK, so Happosai
programmed me with his hypnosis incense... I found out about it, thanks
to Dr. Tofu, and I tried to find a way to get Happosai to lead me to the
cure....>
Nabiki took several deep breaths as she recalled exactly what she
had done in order to accomplish that. < Gosunkugi found out about the
hypnosis, and blackmailed me into helping him get the incense from
Happosai... and we did, I bugged my... bra... and when Happosai took off
with it, we tracked him to his hideout, found the incense, and I laid a
trap for Happosai... which almost worked, but....> Nabiki took a deep
breath. < Happosai put me to sleep, and Gosunkugi put him to sleep... I
think... yes, because the next thing I knew, Happosai and Gosunkugi were
there together... Gosunkugi has him under his control! He used the
incense to make me forget everything, and took off with the rest of the
incense and Happosai as his faithful toady....>
Nabiki frowned. < Wait a minute... something isn't adding up. Why
would the Ghost Cat be trying to keep Dr. Tofu from helping me get my
memories back? It said that we had almost figured things out... what
connection does the Ghost Cat have to Gosunkugi and Happosai...?> Nabiki
took a deep breath, then blinked. < Gosunkugi... now I remember, he was
hanging about the photo shoot all this week, always taking pictures of
Ranma.... Could that be it? Could that be what he wanted?> She turned
and quickly headed back upstairs to her room. < It makes sense. I
don't know how the Ghost Cat fits into all of this, unless Gosunkugi
managed to make a deal with it, but the rest of it makes sence.....>
She entered her room and quickly started to go through her photo
collection. < Alright, where is it, where is it.....>
Half a minute later, Nabiki strode into the living room,
interrupting the impromptu planning session that had been going on.
"People, people, forget the Ghost Cat. I'm afraid we have bigger
problems than that." She tossed a photograph onto the living room
table. "And this is the proof."
The room went silent, and Ryoga picked up the photo slowly, turning
it over and over trying to figure out what Nabiki was talking about.
"Er... Nabiki, this is just a photo of Ranma's... Ranko's back, right?"
He looked carefully. "Yup, red pigtail, and everything... I don't get
it."
Nabiki smirked knowingly, and gazed around the room wisely, soaking
up all the attention she was getting. "Of course you don't." She
explained helpfully. "I only just figured it out myself, but it all
makes perfect sense now."
Sailor Mars spoke up. "What does? What does this photo prove?"
Nabiki hesitated, extremely tempted to charge an extremely lucrative
fee out of her audience before continuing. "Just this once, because you
helped me, I'll forgo my usual fee." She went over to a spot near Ryoga
and took a seat. "You see, all this started when Happosai hypnotized
me."
Soun blinked, then looked like he was ready to explode. "HE DID
WHAT?!?"
Nabiki winced. "Quiet, Daddy, I'm trying to tell a story here."
Soun paused. "Er... quite. Go on, Nabiki."
Nabiki cleared her throat. "As Dr. Tofu was aware, I managed to
figure out that I had been hypnotized, and so I decided to do something
about it." She nodded to the doctor. "I decided to find out how
Happosai had hypnotized me, and get him to undo it, on my own...." She
sighed, shaking her head. "I nearly succeeded, but I made the mistake
of allowing one Hikaru Gosunkugi to help me." Nabiki shook her head. "I
tricked Happosai into breathing in his own incense, and put him to
sleep, but not before I breathed in some myself. Gosunkugi decided to
take the incense for himself, and with both me and Happosai under it's
effects, there was no one to stop him."
Dr. Tofu spoke up. "Gosunkugi is the one that took that photo,
correct?"
Nabiki nodded. "Yes. You see, Gosunkugi did nothing more to me
than making me forget everything that had happened... for which I hold
no harsh feelings, but...."
Dr. Tofu nodded in understanding and encouragement. "But...."
Nabiki continued. "But with Happosai, he used the incense to make
him into his personal slave."
Shampoo blinked. "Oh!" She grabbed the photo away from Ryoga and
took a good look at it, then pointed something out to Dr. Tofu who
nodded in agreement."
Nabiki concluded. "Now, I didn't recall this until just recently,
thanks to the hypnosis, but apparently someone used the strength sapping
Moxibotion point on Happosai to make him weak?"
Shampoo nodded. "Great Grandmother used it on Happosai, after he
hypnotized us, Mouse, and the Kunos to attack Ranma and Akane." Shampoo
nodded to the Senshi. "The Sailor Senshi helped Ranma and Akane defeat
Happosai, and Sailor Moon cured all of us of the hypnosis. Great
Grandmother used the Moxibotion point on Happosai, but he escaped soon
after. Still, we decided that he was no longer much of a threat...."
Nabiki sniffed. "Unless he was to get his strength back... and
since Cologne has the only copy of the chart that will show Happosai the
cure...."
Shampoo finished. "The only other way for Happosai to find out
where to cure Moxibotion point is to look on Ranma's back!"
Nabiki nodded. "Which is why Gosunkugi has been going around trying
to get a photo of Ranma, in this case Ranko's, back. He's trying to
cure Happosai." She pointed at Dr. Tofu. "So the reason the Ghost Cat
attacked Dr. Tofu wasn't because he was out to get Shampoo again, it was
that Dr. Tofu was about to find out that I was still hypnotized!"
Everyone blinked.
Sailor Mars shook her head. "Wait, I don't get it, what connection
does the Ghost Cat have to what you've just told us?"
Nabiki held up a finger. "Only one. We were about to "figure out
the truth" it said. That was why it was trying to stop us. What other
truth could it have been talking about? Certainly it knows that we know
it wants Shampoo." She shook her head. "No, while I don't know how
Happosai, or Gosunkugi managed to get it to cooperate, there is no other
real explanation."
Sailor Moon was counting on her fingers. "And if it knows that we
know that it knows that we know... anno?"
Mars sighed. "Just listen for a bit longer, OK, Sailor Moon?"
Sailor Mercury spoke up. "So what you're telling us is that
Gosunkugi, who has the hypnosis incense, is working with Happosai and
this Ghost Cat... and they want to get Happosai's strength back?"
Nabiki nodded. "That's exactly what I'm saying?"
Soun paled. "Those two... working together?" He slumped in fear.
"We're doomed!!!" In a second he was on his feet and running for his
room. "India... yes, India is nice this time of year... or maybe
Australia...."
Nabiki sighed. "Daddy... you don't understand. Now that the truth
is out about Happosai, it's not us that are in trouble."
Soun stopped in mid rush. "We're not?"
Nabiki shook his head. "No, especially with the Senshi right here.
No, the ones who are in danger now are Ranma and Ranko, and everyone
with them."
Ryoga bolted to his feet. "Akane's in danger?"
Nabiki nodded. "At least peripherally. You see, if Happosai had
already gotten the Moxibotion fixed, he wouldn't need to keep all this a
secret. Therefore he still needs Ranma or Ranko's back to find the
cure. Therefore, he is most likely already in China. Now that we know
the truth, whoever is in charge of all of this will step up their
timetable, so that we can't warn them in time."
Ryoga blinked. "Whoever is in charge? Wouldn't that be Gosunkugi?"
Nabiki shook her head. "I don't think so. You see, whoever sent
the Ghost Cat after Dr. Tofu was obviously willing to kill him, or me,
in order to keep all this secret. Gosunkugi doesn't fit the bill. He's
power hungry, and a bit of a pervert, but he's not a killer." She
shrugged. "Somebody else has to be pulling the strings."
Sailor Moon looked awed. "Wow, Nabiki, you're really smart to have
figured all that out!"
Sailor Mars frowned. "Yeah, but what are we going to do about it?"
Nabiki frowned as well. "We've got to contact Johnathon-san and the
others as soon as possible." She checked her watch, then went to the
phone in the hall. "They should be at their second stop by now, but
maybe the plane was running late...." Nabiki checked through her
portable rolodex for the number and dialed. After a few minutes she
came back into the living room shaking her head. "Their plane got in
over an hour ago, and from there they planned on taking a bus into the
mountains, and camping out the rest of the way. Even if I could contact
the bus company, there's no way we can contact them until they reach a
phone and call us...."
Nabiki shook her head. "By the schedule they arranged, they'll be
hiking through the Balankala Range this time tomorrow, with six days or
so before they reach Jusenkyo."
Shampoo wrinkled her nose, then smiled suddenly. "Six days? They
taking time, not in any rush, yes? We can catch them before they get to
Jusenkyo and warn them!" She turned to her husband to be. "Can we go,
Tofu?"
Dr. Tofu only hesitated a moment before nodding. "Yes, Shampoo. I
think it's about time we visited your family anyway."
Ryoga slapped his fist into his palm hard. "I'm coming too! I owe
Happosai about a hundred good beatings."
Soun started to cry again. "Oh, what friends, what heroes! You'll
save my daughters and Ranma,
won't you?"
Ryoga nodded firmly. "Don't worry, Mr. Tendo. We won't let
Happosai or anyone hurt our friends."
Sailor Moon spoke up. "We're going too."
Everyone turned to her in surprise, including the other Senshi.
"What?" "We are?" "Sailor Moon...?"
Sailor Moon nodded firmly. "What if the hypnosis incense gets used
on Ranma again, or on anyone? I'm the only one that can heal them!"
Sailor Mars looked concerned. "But... Sailor Moon, what about...?"
Sailor Moon shook her head. "I've got to go, Mars, don't you
understand? The rest of you don't have to come with me, but I at least
should go."
Sailor Jupiter nodded. "I'm coming too. Mercury, Mars, Venus, you
three should stay behind... in case something comes up here. Me and
Sailor Moon will go."
Nabiki blinked, then grinned. "Great to have you along. So, how
are you two planning on getting to China?"
Sailor Moon blinked. "Er... actually, I don't have any idea...."
Half of the room fell over.
Nabiki sighed. "I guess it's up to me again. I'll get tickets for
you two... just two, right?"
Sailor Moon hesitated. "Could you get tickets for three, just in
case? There are several more of us that might be able to come along."
Nabiki nodded. "Three it is then. Could you come to pick up your
tickets early tomorrow morning? Say before 6 am? I'll try to get a
flight for as early as possible."
Jupiter nodded. "I'll be here."
Nabiki blew out a breath. "Well then, I guess there is nothing more
to say. I suspect that everyone has preparations to make, so I think we
should adjourn until tomorrow. Dr. Tofu, I'll call you tonight with our
flight information. Sailor... Jupiter?" Jupiter nodded. "I should
have everything for you by tomorrow morning. Be sure and be here by
six, alright?" She stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lot
to do before we can go."
Nabiki headed upstairs to her room, and the Senshi also excused
themselves. The middle Tendo got on her phone and busied herself in the
necessary preparations for their departure. The only seats available
were three on a flight early in the morning, and a pair of luxury seats
on a flight just before it. She couldn't afford the exorbitant price
for the luxury seats, but they were the only other seats available, so
she started putting her contacts to work. Half an hour later she had
managed to wrangle a deal that would get her the seats she wanted, and
she hung up the phone in relief.
Her work done, however, there was nothing more to distract her.
Nabiki put down the phone and collapsed on her bed, trying not to cry.
A soft knock on her door caused her to sit up suddenly, checking her
face quickly to make sure that there were no signs of tears.
"What is it?" Nabiki asked coolly through the door.
"It's me, Nabiki." Dr. Tofu's voice came through the door clearly.
"I thought you might want to talk."
Nabiki hesitated for several long moments before getting up to let
him in. "I... I suppose." Nabiki sighed, opening the door for him then
going back to sit on her bed. "So... what is it that I'm supposed to
talk about?"
Dr. Tofu shrugged patiently. "That's up to you, Nabiki. Do you
want to tell me about it?"
Nabiki shook her head. "There's really not much else to tell. You
already know what he did to me...."
Dr. Tofu said the name with no small amount of disgust. "Happosai."
Nabiki nodded. "You already know... what happened. Most of it,
anyway." She shook her head. "It was worse not knowing." Nabiki
looked Tofu in the face. "Not knowing what was happening, not being in
control. That was the worst part. The rest...." She shook her head.
"I can handle that part. So I gave some overly hormonal geeks a show.
Big deal. As far as Hiroshi knows, I was the one that conned him.
Gosunkugi wasn't that bad either, he didn't do anything I wouldn't have
done in his place." Nabiki's eyes went cold. "It's Happosai that I
want dead."
Dr. Tofu just stood there for awhile, regarding her. "I
understand. I just want you to know, that if you ever want someone to
talk to... about any of this, about anything at all. I'll be there for
you."
Nabiki turned to the side, not quite facing him. "I know that."
She took a deep breath and straightened up a bit. "I've got tickets for
tomorrow morning... two of them for one flight and three for a flight
following it. I figure I'll give the Sailor's the tickets for the
second flight...."
Dr. Tofu blinked. "Just two tickets? If it's money, I can pay for
Shampoo and myself, certainly."
Nabiki smiled slightly. "I figured as much already, doctor. No,
the problem is that everything going our way at that time is already
booked solid. I'm afraid that two of our passengers are going to have
to travel with the luggage."
Dr. Tofu blinked. "Two? But...."
Nabiki winked at him. "Yes, two, because I'm coming with you."
********************
Mamoru Chiba stopped his car in front of the Tsukino home and turned
to his girlfriend worriedly. "Usako, are you sure you want to do this?
Your parents just finished grounding you for a month. I was supposed to
come over for dinner tomorrow night! What do you think they'll do if
you go missing for a couple weeks? Makoto can get away with it since
she's living on her own. She'll be a bit late for school when it starts
up, but she'll manage. But your parents will go ballistic!"
Usagi sighed, staring at her hands in her lap. "I know... but
there isn't anyone else, Mamo-chan. I'm the only one that can help if
Ranma or one of the others gets hypnotized again. Rei's wards can free
people from possession, but they won't work against that magical
hypnosis."
Mamoru hesitated. "Well, from what you've told me, the incense can
be used to counter its own effects, right?"
Usagi nodded. "Yes, but what if we can't get any, or it all gets
used up? Ranma, Akane, Johnathon and the others helped us save the
world. If it wasn't for them, I might have had to watch all my friends
die again...." She sniffed back a tear. "I owe them anything and
everything I can give." Usagi tried to smile. "Besides, what else
could my parents do to me that's worse than grounding me for a month?
By the time we get back I'll have to go to school anyway, and I'll be
too busy trying to catch up for them to punish me!"
Mamoru chuckled. "You will at that. You'll be careful, won't you,
Usako? I could come along if you'd like...."
Usagi shook her head. "I know how important the first week of
classes can be when you're in college, Mamo-chan. You need to
concentrate on your studies." She shrugged. "Happosai isn't really all
that dangerous, even if he gets his strength back. We've beaten him
before, and with two Ranma's helping, it'll be even easier this time."
Mamoru frowned. "What about this Ghost Cat? It could be a problem
if they attack you at the same time."
Usagi grinned and gave him the thumbs up. "The Ghost Cat is scared
of us, and Ami says it's power level isn't high enough to be very
dangerous, so its not a problem."
Mamoru nodded. "It sounds like you've made up your mind. Well,
good luck, Usako. I'll come by Rei's shrine to pick you and Makoto up
for the ride to the airport, assuming that Nabiki comes through with the
tickets you asked for."
Usagi leaned over to kiss her boyfriend on the cheek. "You're so
sweet, Mamo-chan. I'll see you tomorrow." She opened her door and got
out of the car, then turned back to blow him another kiss. "Say
goodnight to Luna for me!" She turned again toward her home and ran up
to the front porch, opened the door, and went inside. Shaking his head
in dismay as he pictured the calamity that would occur as soon as the
Tsukino's realized that their daughter was missing, Mamoru Chiba pulled
his car away from the curb and headed for his own home.
***********************
Akane stared at the country side outside her window as it slipped
by. They had been on the bus for two hours now, and would be on it
until well into the next day, with quite a few stops in between. It was
getting late, and the bus was nearly deserted, save for her husband and
their traveling companions. The tension between Ukyo, Ranko, and
herself had been high the whole time, and they hadn't really been able
to talk, leaving Akane hours upon hours to think.
Johnathon and Kasumi were sleeping in their seats with Misty laying
between them. The bus driver hadn't complained at her presence loose so
far, but she was keeping quiet anyway. Ranma was also snoring
noiselessly away at her side, but Akane couldn't sleep. It seemed like
Ukyo and Ranko were unable to sleep as well, as they were still sitting
up in their seats, a couple rows up from Akane.
Akane stared at them, going over in her mind the same things she had
been mulling over for the entire trip. < I want Ranko back, and I'm
willing to do anything I have to in order to get her back. But...
Ranko's honor bound to marry Ukyo, and I can't be married to both her
and Ranma. So, I can't be married to her, what does that leave?> Akane
kept running into the same problem. < No matter what I think of to do
to get Ranko back, Ukyo looses. I know she loves Ranma... and Ranko, as
much as I do. If I steal Ranko away from her, I'm no better than
Kodachi. Ranko wouldn't leave her, anyway. Ukyo's honor, and hers,
depends on them getting married, and Ranko cares for Ukyo... at the
least, Ukyo's her best friend... at the least.>
Akane sighed. < Does Ranko love her? I know she cares for her, but
does she love her, or is she just marrying her out of honor? Either
way, I don't have the right to interfere... but I want to know.> Akane
shook her head. < All this is getting me nowhere but tired. I want
Ranko, but I can't take her from Ukyo. What does that leave me? If
only there was some way we could work this out.> She frowned up at the
pair in question. < Ranko has been so withdrawn on this trip. Every
time I look at her, she freezes up, like I'm going to hit her or
something.... Especially whenever Ukyo's around.> Akane smiled wryly to
herself. < I guess I did used to act like that, but... she's not mine
to hit anymore.>
Ukyo sat next to her fiancee silently, thinking. < What am I going
to do about Ranchan?> Despite their physical proximity, she felt miles
apart. < Ranko has been stiff as ice this whole trip. Whenever Akane
looks her way, she freezes up! How can we get any closer if Ranchan is
feeling so guilty all the time? It's not Akane's fault, not really.
She hasn't said or done anything to Ranchan to make her feel guilty.
But she really doesn't have to, does she? Ranchan knows that Akane
still loves her, and it hurts her to see us together. I can understand
how Akane feels, but that doesn't help me figure out what to do about
it.> She glanced back over her seat and saw Akane watching her.
Instead of looking away, Akane opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say
something, then shut it, obviously not wanting to wake anyone. Ukyo
took a deep breath, then turned back to Ranko.
"Ranchan?" Ukyo whispered quietly to her red headed seat mate.
"I'm going to go back and have a little woman to woman chat with Akane,
OK? You stay here and try to get some rest."
Ranko blinked and glanced back at Akane. "You sure, Ucchan?"
Ukyo nodded. "Sure I'm sure. We're just going to talk some of this
stuff out, I promise."
Ranko nodded slowly. "OK, Ucchan. I guess that's a good idea."
She yawned. "I think I will get some shut eye after all. All of a
sudden I can hardly keep my eyes open." Ranko stretched and settled
down in her seat. "If she hits ya, Ucchan, hit her back."
Ukyo giggled and got up. "I don't think we'll go that far, Ranko.
Akane and me know that isn't the answer."
Ranko sighed. "I wish the answer was that easy. If it doesn't got
anything to do with hitting something, I'm not much good at it."
Ukyo patted her red headed fiancee on the shoulder. "You're doing
fine. Now get some sleep." She turned and walked quietly down past
Akane and Ranma's seat and quirked her head toward the back of the bus.
Akane nodded and followed the Okonomiyaki chef to the seat at the very
rear of the bus and they both sat down. Neither of them spoke for
several minutes, as they both tried to come up with just the right thing
to say.
Ukyo sighed, then broke the silence. "I don't know how to say this,
Akane, but...." She shook her head. "This isn't really your fault...
and I know I must sound terrible for saying it, but... but Ranko has
been tense this whole trip, especially when you're around."
Akane frowned but nodded. "I know... I know. But what can I do?"
She looked at the floor. < What can I do? Do I want to do
anything? Do I really want Ranko to feel comfortable being with Ukyo
when I'm around?> She sighed. "What do you want me to do, Ukyo?" She
looked up at Ukyo's face earnestly. "I don't want to come between you
and Ranko...." She winced as Ukyo looked skeptical and went on. "OK,
truthfully, I'm jealous, angry, and I quite honestly want her back...
but that's not going to happen, and I'm trying to accept it."
Ukyo blinked, looking impressed. "I appreciate what you're going
through, Akane-chan. Now I guess you know how I've felt for the last
few months."
Akane slowly nodded. "Yes... I suppose I might at that. Ukyo, I
promise, I'm not going to try and break you two up. I love Ranko, but
marrying you is something she has to do...." Ukyo glared at her but
Akane kept going. "... and something you've had to do for most of your
life. I won't destroy her honor, or yours, just because I'm hurting
right now."
Ukyo sighed. "You're not the only one. Ranko's been hiding it, but
I know she misses you. How do you think I feel? I'm finally going to
marry my Ranchan, but only because there's an extra one. I'm coming in
a poor second, and that's not how I wanted things." She shook her
head. "But that doesn't matter. I love Ranma... Ranko, and I'll take
her any way I can get her."
Akane sat back. "I know you love her, and I honestly don't want to
get in your way... it's hurting Ranko, and that hurts me too. If the
only way Ranko can be happy is to be happy with you, then...." She
shrugged. "Then I want her to be with you."
Ukyo sat back as well. "We're agreed on that, but Ranchan is going
to keep wincing every time you're around...."
Akane broke in. "I won't stay out of her life, if that's what
you're implying. She's not just my ex-fiancee you know, she's also my
best friend." Akane glanced up at her own husband. "I wouldn't keep
you from seeing Ranma you know. I haven't, have I?"
Ukyo shook her head. "No you haven't... not that I've come by very
often, but you've been pretty good about it... well, after I gave up
trying to marry him at least."
Akane sighed. "I admit it wasn't easy, but I trust him...."
Ukyo nodded. "And I trust my Ranchan too. If they're anything,
they're honorable."
Akane sighed. "I took too long figuring that out... but you're
right, they are." She glanced from Ranma to Ranko and back. "So what
are we going to do about it?"
Ukyo shrugged. "How should I know? Even if I asked you to stay
away, I know Ranko would want to see you... and I'm not going to ask you
to stay away."
Akane frowned thoughtfully. "Ranko's uncomfortable because she is
feeling guilty about being with you while I'm around." She glanced at
Ukyo. "So since I'm going to keep being around...."
Ukyo looked back at her, trying to follow along. "Then we have to
get her to stop feeling guilty?"
Akane grimaced slightly, but nodded. "That's about it." She looked
back up at Ranko. "I suppose I could have another talk with her...."
Ukyo sighed. "I guess that's the best we can do."
Akane wrinkled her nose. "Maybe... maybe we can put our heads
together and come up with something better."
Ukyo looked interested. "What did you have in mind, Sugar?"
***************
Hours later, the bus stopped at their destination, a small town in
the foot hills of the Balankala range, from where they planned on
walking the rest of the way. Ukyo and Akane had talked until very late,
not really arriving at a conclusion, so they were the most bleary eyed
of the bunch as they staggered out onto the street.
It was just getting light, and Johnathon went looking for a
telephone, while Kasumi consulted their map. "Johnathon thinks it will
take us around six days to hike in, given a steady pace." She looked a
little self conscious. "I know I'll be holding the rest of you back,
but I'll do my best to keep up."
Ranma was quick to reassure her. "Nah, don't worry about it,
Kasumi. It'll be nice to be able to take it easy for once."
Ranko nodded. "Yeah, what's a few extra days getting there going to
matter? I've been a girl longer than this before. It's not a big
deal."
Kasumi smiled. "That's very nice of you two to reassure me. I know
you must want to get to the springs as soon as possible...."
Ranko shook her head. "It's no big deal, Kasumi, trust me!
Besides, with you along, this is going to be a great trip! This way,
Akane don't gotta cook nothing!"
Akane spun around to face the red head, her face turning purple.
"Ranko!!!" She scooped a small boulder off the ground and started to
chase Ranko around and around the bus, shouting threats.
Johnathon came back shaking his head. "I leave for a couple minutes
and look...." He cleared his throat, speaking so everyone could hear.
"I'm afraid the phones are out here, so I wasn't able to leave a message
for everyone back home, but I'm sure they're all fine." He grinned at
Akane, who was still holding her boulder. "Since everyone seems so full
of energy, why don't we get started right away. We can be miles from
here by dark, and find a nice camping spot. What do you say?"
Akane dropped her boulder and sniffed at Ranko. "Never mind. Who
cares if you like my food or not. You get to eat Ukyo's cooking now."
She aimed a glare at her. "And I better not hear you complaining about
that, or I'll help her beat you up for it!"
Ukyo laughed and shouldered her pack. "If Ranchan does insult my
cooking, Akane, I'll hold you to that!" Without further discussion, the
small group headed into the foothills.
End Chapter 10
You can find all the previous Chapters to this at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/fanfics.html