All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications.
For those who missed Addicted pt 5.5, after Nabiki decides to keep
herself out of the group marriage with Ranma and the other girls,
everyone determined to change her mind. After a series of 'nightly
visits' to the middle Tendo sister, Shampoo, Ukyo, Kasumi and Akane all
attempt to convince Nabiki that she's making a mistake. When Ranma
finally shows up, Nabiki gives in, and agrees to marry him, even before
the confused Ranma can ask.
Addicted pt 6
When morning rolled around, Kasumi, as always, was up to greet it.
The fathers woke next, and stiffly came in from their uncomfortable beds
on the dojo floor. Ukyo woke next, being an early riser herself, and
woke Akane. The two of them got Ranma out of bed and all three came down
to breakfast. When Kasumi brought breakfast out of the kitchen, everyone
was faintly surprised that the only one missing at the breakfast table,
was Nabiki. Kasumi went up to get her, not wanting Nabiki to miss
breakfast on such an important day. Outside the dojo, Cologne and
Shampoo were headed to join the Tendo family at breakfast.
Cologne spotted the small black pig wandering toward the front gate
and pogoed over to scope it up. "Ah, Ryoga my boy. I'm afraid today is
far too important for you to interfere, whether or not you know why."
She calmly tapped his sleep spot. "Hmm, now what to do with you...." She
sighed. "Shampoo, you know the details for today's fight, please inform
the groom and the other brides."
Shampoo nodded and Cologne turned to go. "I will deposit Ryoga here
someplace where he will not interfere until this is concluded."
Shampoo nodded again. "No worry, Shampoo explain to Ranma!"
Cologne sniffed and pogoed off. Shampoo watched her disappear then
entered the Tendo compound. Shampoo came around the back yard and joined
the family just as Kasumi brought a bleary eyed Nabiki down to
breakfast.
The Amazon addressed them as a group. "Today, challenge for marriage
is in empty lot by cat cafe, twelve noon. Great grandmother and Elder
Lilac be witnesses. Sisters Nabiki and Kasumi must decide before fight
what will do."
Nabiki cleared her throat. "I believe that my sister and I will both
be participating."
Ukyo, Akane and Kasumi had very similar satisfied smiles at that,
each thinking their actions were the reason for Nabiki's change of
heart. Ranma, already knowing of this news, just nodded, not worried
about the addition of two non-combatants to the mix.
Soun broke out crying. "You'll be careful not to hurt my babies,
won't you Ranma?"
Genma snorted. "My son will do just fine, Tendo, if I remember
correctly last nights sparring session... oof!" Ranma interrupted his
father with an elbow to the stomach.
Nabiki yawned. "Well, if the fight is at noon... I'm going to get
some more rest first." She started to eat slowly, as did everyone else.
When breakfast was done, Nabiki went to her room for a few hours
more sleep. Ranma went to the dojo, to work out a bit and prepare
himself mentally for the fight ahead. Soun and Genma pretended nothing
was amiss by playing a game of Go. That left the other four girls to
talk.
Ukyo spoke first. "So, Shampoo, are there any special rules for
this fight?"
Shampoo glanced at her. "No rules except must fight for real.
Elders judge fairly, but is not honorable to allow husband easy
victory."
Akane looked confused. "Didn't Lilac say that exceptions were
made? She lost to a plumber, right? Don't tell me she fought for real
against him!"
Kasumi sighed. "Oh my. I hope Ranma-kun doesn't get to badly
hurt." She brightened cheerfully. "Ranma always wins, though, so I'm
sure he'll be fine... I hope.
Akane rolled her eyes. "Don't be so confident, Kasumi." Her
expression tightened. "Ranma will win, he has to." She looked
questioningly at Shampoo. "Do we really have to go all out? I
remember Lilac saying she let her husband defeat her."
Shampoo nodded. "Is not same with Ranma. He must prove right to
have five Amazon wives. We must fight for real, Elders know if not."
Akane sighed. "Oh."
Ukyo nodded confidently. "I believe in Ranma. Besides, Akane,
didn't you always say you wanted Ranchan to fight you for real?"
Akane nodded slowly. "Yes.... I'll do it. Ranma had better not
hold back today."
Ukyo clapped her on the back. "That's the spirit." She looked around
thoughtfully. "You know, I'm just starting to really realize, by the end
of the day, we're all going to be married to Ranma. It's...
kinda hard to get a grasp on."
The other three girls nodded mutely.
Shampoo broke in. "Ranma is good husband, but Shampoo still not
believing have four other wives." She glanced at Ukyo, then Akane.
"Still, Shampoo think could be worse. Sisters make good Amazons."
Shampoo looked at Kasumi thoughtfully. "Kasumi not fighter, but Shampoo
think is OK, Shampoo not mind call Kasumi sister." She mused. "Nabiki
is smart, quick learner. She also make good amazon. Shampoo not
unhappy." Shampoo's admission of approval for her soon to be co-wives
was almost shocking to Akane and Ukyo, but they both found themselves
agreeing with her, almost inexorably.
Kasumi smiled sweetly. "Thank you Shampoo. I think I'll like
having you for a sister as well."
Ukyo spoke up. "So after the fight, then what? Are we going to have
to back to China?"
Shampoo looked uncomfortable. "Great grandmother discuss this with
Shampoo. She say other wives and husband probably want stay Japan. Is
not preferred, but is allowed." She sighed. Shampoo been gone from
village long time. Is getting used to Japan, but is not home." Shampoo
shrugged. "Shampoo change much since village. Not home there either."
Kasumi patted Shampoo's hand reassuringly. "We'll all do our best
to make this your home, Shampoo." Shampoo smiled gratefully, although a
bit weakly at that.
Ukyo nodded. "So, where are we all going to live? How are we going
to handle things?"
Kasumi looked thoughtful. "Well, it will be a bit crowded, but you
and Shampoo are welcome to stay here." She mused. "Since Grandfather
Happosai isn't likely to return, we can move you into the quest room."
Ukyo nodded. "I can go for that, but what about Ranma?" She leaned
in conspiratorially and spoke softly. "How are we going to... you know,
split him up? As for that, where is he going to sleep at night? He
can't stay in the same room as Mr. Saotome... not if... we're married to
him."
Kasumi blinked. "Oh my, I really hadn't considered that. If Ranma
had married Akane, he would have moved into her room, but that won't
really work, since he's going to be married to all of us."
Akane blushed. "He could... switch rooms...." She shook her head.
"I don't know, I guess he should have his own room...."
Kasumi nodded. "I think we'll have to rearrange things here a bit.
We should probably discuss this with Ranma as well."
The other girls nodded and the room became quiet. The silence was
broken by the doorbell. Kasumi stood up and went to see who it was.
Kasumi's voice drifted back into those in the living room. "Oh my!
Auntie Nodoka! It's so nice to see you again!" Genma resisted the
sudden urge to jump into the Koi pond. Nodoka knew of his curse now, of
course, but he had gotten into the habit. Kasumi and Nodoka walked into
the living room together.
Nodoka looked around curiously. "Where is my son? Genma, what is
going on? You called me and said Ranma is getting married."
Kasumi indicated the table. "Auntie, would you like to sit down?
Can I get you a cup of tea?"
Nodoka paused. "Yes, thank you my dear." Nodoka say at the table
and allowed Kasumi to pour her a cup of tea. "Now, may I inquire as to
what is going on?" She glanced over at Ukyo and Shampoo. "You are my
son's other fiancees. Why are you here?"
Kasumi cleared her throat. "Auntie, may I explain?"
Nodoka nodded. "Certainly, my dear."
Kasumi nodded back, then began. "The events that lead up to today
began one month ago. Mousse, Shampoo's friend from the Amazon tribe...."
Shampoo broke in. "He not Shampoo's friend! Shampoo kill on
sight!"
Kasumi nodded. "Yes... well, Mousse invited us all to a farewell
party, saying he was going back to China. Akane, Nabiki and I, Ukyo,
Shampoo and Ranma were there. Father and Mr. Saotome were out on a
training mission...."
Akane smirked. "Avoiding Happosai."
Kasumi sighed and continued. "Mousse served us all a large helping
of a dish called spaghetti. Unfortunately Mousse, together with Master
Happosai had planned this as a form of revenge. Mousse, for being
spurned by Shampoo and defeated by Ranma, and Happosai, for many slights
he felt Ranma had done him."
Nodoka's eyes were questioning. "Revenge? What sort of revenge?
And what does that have to do with Ranma getting married?"
Kasumi continued speaking. "The spaghetti was rather heavily laced
with a number of very rare drugs. Hypnosis mushroom primarily, as well
as a Chinese amazon drug know as 'faithfulness'. We were all hypnotized
by Mousse, who used a song on a tape to program us as he wished."
Kasumi sighed. "We woke up quite a bit later and discovered what had
happened."
Nodoka's eyes were saucers. "Don't tell me that...."
Kasumi blushed deeply and looked at the floor. The other girls were
doing much the same.
Kasumi spoke quietly. "Against our will, the six of us were
hypnotized... into having sex."
Nodoka sat back, stunned, after a long silence she spoke. "I... I
see. That would explain why Ranma is marrying now. Did my son get one
of you pregnant?" She nodded to herself. "Yes, Ranma would have to
marry to care for his child. So, which one of you is it?"
Akane coughed. "Actually, Auntie, Nabiki, Ukyo and I are all
pregnant."
Nodoka's eyes were wide again. "All three? In one night?" She
looked a bit faint. "Oh my." Nodoka gathered herself. "I... I see.
So, what has Ranma decided to do? Where is he?"
Kasumi spoke up. "Ranma is in the Dojo, preparing himself for
today's events. As for what Ranma has decided to do, I believe I should
explain a bit more about the situation first." Kasumi did so,
explaining amazon law and it's full repercussions, and finally getting
around to the effects of the drug 'faithfulness'. "So, we are all...
essentially... addicted to each other. Because of this, as well as to
protect Nabiki and I from being defeated and married to any Amazon male
who wants a wife.... Ranma has decided, with our approval, to marry all
five of us."
Nodoka was quiet, sitting in thought, too shocked and stunned to
speak. Images of dozens of grandchildren started to run giggling though
her mind and Nodoka fought off an urge to smile happily at the thought.
When she had finally collected her thoughts, Nodoka was surprised by
her own level of calm. "I understand. This is a most unique chain of
events. I believe... that I cannot disapprove of what you have chosen
to do. Ranma has shown himself to be a true man among men. Still, I am
concerned about the repercussions of this. It is not legal here in
Japan for a man to have more then one wife. Ranma may be married to all
of you by amazon law, but what of this country?"
Akane nervously spoke. "Nabiki worked out a way... in part at
least. Officially, Ranma will be married to me, to honor our family's
contract. As Ukyo is registered, legally, as a male, if you and Mr.
Saotome were to officially adopt Ranma's girl half, they could be
'officially' married as well, to satisfy her honor."
Nodoka blinked. "An interesting solution. And as for the other
girls?"
Kasumi spoke up. "We would, of course, have no legal status as
Ranma's wives in Japan. Shampoo is only concerned with amazon law, and I
myself...." Kasumi faltered. "I suppose, by Japanese law, Nabiki and I
would be considered Ranma's mistresses." Kasumi took a deep breath,
obviously distressed by her own words. "I don't think there is any
other solution. We cannot marry another, and we cannot officially be
married to Ranma." Kasumi took another deep breath and nodded to
herself. "I accept this. I believe Nabiki does as well."
Nodoka looked sympathetically at the eldest Tendo girl.
"Kasumi-chan, you do your mother proud. Do not ever doubt this. I am
proud to have you as a daughter-in-law, however legal it may be."
Nodoka held out her arms and Kasumi slid over and hugged the older
woman hesitantly. "Thank you..., mother."
Nodoka patted Kasumi's shoulder and smiled, a single tear running
down her face. "This must all be very difficult for you, my dear. You
are bearing up remarkably. I'm very proud of you. Of all of you." She
and Kasumi separated, and Nodoka looked around. "Where is Nabiki?"
Kasumi answered. "Nabiki is resting before the trial by combat at
noon. She said she needed the sleep."
Nodoka nodded knowingly. "I understand. So, Ranma has to defeat
all of you in combat at noon today? I say, that sounds dangerous. I do
hope no one is injured badly."
Akane was quick to reassure her. "Ranma would never hurt a
girl...." She frowned. "Although I hope he won't pull his punches too
much."
Ukyo shook her head. "He'll be fine. Ranchan can handle it."
Kasumi nodded. "I believe in Ranma. He'll find a way."
Nodoka nodded as well. "I'm sure you're right, Kasumi-chan. I have
some things to discuss with Soun and my husband now. Good luck at the
fight. I'll be there, cheering you on."
The time before the match passed with disturbing swiftness. Nabiki
came downstairs in one of Akane's gi's an hour before the fight. Kasumi
excused herself and changed as well. She came down in sweat pants and a
sweat shirt, not having a gi in her size. Ranma came out of the dojo
with half and hour to go before the fight. Ukyo excused herself to go
get ready and promised to meet everyone there. Akane went upstairs and
changed into her own yellow gi. With fifteen minutes to go, everyone
started out for the empty lot near the Cat Cafe.
When they arrived, Cologne and Lilac were waiting, as well as two
barely human specimens of amazon manhood, Sponge and Rag.
Sponge was gigantic. He barely topped five feet in height, but he
must have weighed nearly five hundred pounds. That he could both walk
and fight was remarkable. He carried a weighted chain looped loosely
around his waist as a weapon. Rag was his polar opposite. Several
inches over six feet tall, he looked like he weighted around one hundred
pounds, perhaps less. He was an apparition of skin and bones. Hand
claws hung off his belt, his weapon of choice. Both amazon men grinned
eagerly and leered at the approaching females hungrily.
Ukyo jogged up as they got there, in her chefs garb, bandolier of
mini spatulas and giant fighting spatula ready for combat.
Cologne's cane came up, blocking the two amazon males. "Kasumi
Tendo, Nabiki Tendo. What is you decision today?" Kasumi and Nabiki
stepped forward. Kasumi eyed Rag nervously.
Nabiki spoke for them both, ignoring the leering amazons. "Kasumi
and I will fight Ranma and marry him when he wins."
Lilac smiled and spoke in Chinese to Sponge and Rag, who both became
quite agitated. Lilac appeared to be answering several questions.
Finally they turned toward Ranma and Sponge shouted something unpleasant
sounding in Chinese at him.
Shampoo translated. "They say they look forward to Ranma's defeat,
then they take weak Japanese women for themselves."
Ranma snorted. "Tell them thanks for coming. They've just made
this fight a lot easier for me."
Shampoo blinked. "What?"
Ranma nodded. "Go ahead, tell them, before the 'weak' Japanese
women render them incapable of hearing." Ranma glanced at Ukyo and
Akane, who were glowing menacingly and beginning to head for the soon to
be dead Amazons. Shampoo nodded and quickly told the two what Ranma had
said. Ranma walked in-between Akane and Ukyo and the two Amazon males.
"Don't bother, I want them here." He spoke quickly. "You can beat them
up later." Akane and Ukyo stopped, looking at him incredulously.
Akane growled at him. "I can't believe you, Ranma! Why do you want
those... things... here?"
Ranma glanced at the two Amazon males, then back at the two girls.
"Because all I have to do is look at them and I've got every reason to
win. Getting beat up is nowhere near as bad as having to marry them."
Lilac helpfully translated Ranma's words for Sponge and Rag. They
screamed in rage, grabbed their weapons and charged Ranma. Ranma turned
to face them, smirked confidently and drew upon his chi.
With a shout. "Roaring Tiger!" He blew both of them off their feet
with a medium sized chi blast. Then he looked at the girls. "I meant
what I said. I'd much rather have to hurt you then see you forced to
marry one of those goons, so I'm not going to hold back, OK?" The girls
all nodded.
"Do what you have to, Ranchan." Ukyo said with a smile. Shampoo
nodded.
Akane shrugged. "I always wanted you to fight me for real."
Nabiki glanced at the smoking body of Sponge and shuddered. "Kick
my ass, Ranma." Kasumi just smiled forgivingly at him.
Ranma nodded. "Lets get this over with." He took a place near the
middle of the empty lot. The five girls formed a loose half circle
twenty feet away.
Cologne stepped forward. "This is a formal challenge for marriage.
Ranma must defeat all of you, by knockout, or legitimate surrender.
There in no time limit, and no other rules. We will know if you do not
give you best effort. That in mind, good luck." She stepped back.
"Begin!"
Ranma drew in his chi immediately and shouted. "Roaring Tiger!" The
blast rocketed toward Shampoo, who dodged, barely. The other four girls
glanced at the smoking gouge the chi blast had taken out of the ground
where Shampoo had once stood.
< He's serious.> Akane gritted her teeth and charged, trying to
reach Ranma before he could use another chi blast.
Ukyo threw a brace of spatulas to disrupt Ranma's concentration, and
Shampoo quickly came in on Ranma's flank, looking determined. Kasumi
came in cautiously, trying to remember her training and hoping it wasn't
going to hurt too much. Nabiki imitated Shampoo, circling around behind
Ranma, although much slower.
Nabiki's eyes were narrow. < He's bluffing, but why?>
Soun had to be forcibly restrained by Genma. Cologne hopped over
and helpfully knocked him senseless with her cane. She turned back to
the fight, wondering what the hell Ranma was up to.
Ranma effortlessly dodged Ukyo's spatulas and Akane and Shampoo's
charges then started taunting them. "Hey Akane, you're still too slow,
where'd you expect to be able to catch me? Shampoo, I expected more out
of you, are you really an Amazon or has living in Japan made
you soft. Ukyo, can't you even do better than Kasumi?" Ranma pulled
out a flask of water and splashed himself. He shrunk in mid dodge, his
voice going up an octave. "Maybe you were all scared of me as a guy. Now
I'm smaller than yah, are you still gonna hold back?"
The three girls in question redoubled their efforts, attacking
fiercely with spatula, bonbori, fists and feet. Kasumi and Nabiki
simply tried to keep up and not get in the way. On the occasion the two
older Tendo girls did get in range to attack, Ranma practically ignored
them, dodging around them like they weren't there.
Ranma, however was forced to be on the defensive by Ukyo, Shampoo
and Akane's increased attacks. She dodged backwards, blocking and
ducking but staying on the ground. The red head took a hit from
Shampoo, narrowly escaped getting smashed by Ukyo's spatula, and
absorbed a kick from Akane on her hip.
Ukyo realized what Ranma was up to first and jumped away, purposely
calming herself. "The Rising Dragon Ascension!" She announced with a
yell.
Shampoo blinked and started backing off as well, utilizing her
training to chill her battle aura. Akane reacted last, finding it
difficult to calm her anger. The fear of being blasted into the sky
finally managed to cool her down after a second or two. Nabiki just hit
the ground, hoping not to be blown away. Kasumi backed off calmly,
never having lost her cool in the first place. As the girls all started
calming themselves, Ranma struck, the final piece of his plan complete.
Dr. Tofu's words came back to him. "The important thing to remember
about the sleep shiatsu is it's nearly ineffective on an opponent who's
focused. Active chi will disrupt the effectiveness of the sleep
shiatsu, and a trained martial artist who's ready for it is practically
immune. It works best on a surprised, calm, or distracted opponent. If
their chi isn't focused, it's much easier to disrupt."
At her full speed Ranma attacked Shampoo. The Amazon blocked only a
few strikes before Ranma's outstretched finger found its mark. Before
she had time to fall Ranma reached Akane and repeated the process.
Akane only blocked once before Ranma got past her guard and dropped her,
senseless. Ukyo, however, proved more difficult. She dodged back,
having the time to recover her focus while Ranma had dealt with Shampoo
and Akane.
Ukyo threw another brace of spatulas to buy herself even more time
and whipped out her giant spatula again. She blocked several attacks
and when Ranma finally jabbed her sleep spot, managed to fight off the
sudden wave of lethargy. She staggered slightly, but remained conscious
and managed to slam Ranma with her spatula, knocking her away. Ranma
had dropped her guard after tapping Ukyo's sleep spot, and swore
inwardly at herself as she plowed into the ground a dozen feet off.
Ranma rolled to her feet, rubbing her jaw. "Nice hit, Ucchan."
Ukyo nodded, coming in slowly. "Nice trick, Ranchan, nearly got us
all."
Ranma shrugged. "I wish I had... oomph...."
Kasumi had started to remember her training as the fight had
progressed. When Ranma had landed near her, stunned, Kasumi had reacted
with that training, bracing herself, then jumping forward, spinning in
mid air. Her right foot crashed into the back of Ranma's head at the
end of a perfectly executed flying reverse spin kick.
Ranma's head was jarred forward and Ranma rolled with the blow,
coming back unto her feet a moment later. Ukyo's shock at Kasumi's
successful attack was enough to give Ranma the time to dodge away from
the chef's abortive swing, backflipping clear over Kasumi's head.
Kasumi cringed. "Oh my. I didn't hurt you, did I, Ranma-kun?"
Ranma just grinned and winked. "No, Kasumi-chan, but that was a
real good try."
Kasumi ventured a small smile. "Well then, I suppose I'll have to
try harder." She struck up an offensive stance and approached slowly.
Ukyo cheered enthusiastically, "Go Kasumi!" and rushed to flank
Ranma. Ukyo attacked fiercely, realizing now that Ranma's earlier
attacks had been a bluff to get them to drop their guard. < I know
Ranma's going to win, but I've still got to do my best. Ranma, I'll
make you proud of me.>
Ranma was slightly impressed. Although Ukyo didn't pose much real
threat by herself, her reach with her weapon made it difficult to subdue
her without injuring her. The spatulas had to go. Dodging a
considerably more enthusiastic Kasumi, who seemed to be remembering a
lot more from her youth, Ranma went toe to toe with Ukyo, finally
managing to grab her battle spatula and tear it away.
Ranma jumped back with the weapon, only to trip over an unexpected
obstacle. Ranma fell backwards over Nabiki, who had conveniently placed
herself in a position of trip him. Kasumi had readied herself behind
Nabiki and nearly managed to tag Ranma again. Ranma rolled to her feet
once more, dodging several of Ukyo's mini spatulas and blocking a few
more with the giant spatula. Ranma feinted with the weapon, then swung
as Ukyo came to a halt to avoid the feint. The spatula's bladed edge
tore open the front of Ukyo's shirt and cut her bandoleer in two,
replaying an event from their first fight.
Ukyo didn't react the same this time, not bothering to cover her
chest, she attacked. Ranma dodged, scooping up the severed bandoleer
with the giant spatula, she threw Ukyo's weapon's away with all her
strength. Then Ranma began to attack Ukyo in earnest, feeling out the
strength of her defenses. Ukyo without weapons was little threat, but
Ranma was finding it hard to finish the fight, as she would have to
pummel Ukyo senseless.
It was better than the alternative but Ranma still hesitated. < I
can't do it.>
Ranma kept dodging. With the fight nearly over, Ranma couldn't bring
herself to hurt Ukyo. Shampoo and Akane, however, could wake anytime,
even if the older two Tendo sisters were no real threat. Ranma suddenly
came up with another plan.
Ukyo was getting frustrated. She couldn't tag Ranma, even with
Kasumi and Nabiki's help, but Ranma wouldn't hit her. < Damn it Ranma,
hit me! Do you want to lose?>
Suddenly Ranma dodged in and grabbed Ukyo's shirt, flinging it wide
open. Ranma smirked and looked to Ukyo's left "Hey Sponge, take a
look! It's the closest that you'll ever get."
Ukyo screeched and covered her breasts. Ranma tapped her sleep spot
as Ukyo's concentration was broken and the Okonomiyaki chef dropped.
Ranma turned back to Nabiki and Kasumi. Casually he stopped Nabiki's
fist in mid punch and tugged her to him, spinning Nabiki toward the
ground. Kasumi stepped in a moment later and Ranma caught Kasumi by the
collar with her free hand, accepting Kasumi's snap kick with a slight
grunt. Ranma firmly but carefully forced both girls to the ground and
held them there.
Ranma let them struggle for several seconds, proving they were
helpless, then spoke quietly. "Do you surrender?" Nabiki and Kasumi
both stopped struggling.
"I surrender, Ranma." Kasumi said with the majority of her
customary cheerfulness.
"I give." Nabiki said gruffly. "Now help me up."
Ranma helped both girls to their feet, breathing slowly in relief.
Cologne pogoed over. "I declare this battle over. Ranma, you've
won the right to marry all five girls."
Lilac came over as well, clapping. "Nicely done boy, or should I
say girl. I was wondering what you were up to, but you seem to have
pulled it off nicely."
Ranma shrugged, turning toward Akane. "Lets get them to Dr. Tofu's"
Kasumi had gone over to Ukyo and closed her shirt after checking her
for injuries. "I don't think it's necessary, Ranma." She nodded to
Akane and Shampoo who were groggily coming to their senses. "Ukyo's
unhurt, and you went much harder on her than Akane or Shampoo."
Ranma paused. "Ah... I didn't mean to... I just...."
Nabiki slapped the smaller girl on the back. "Don't worry about it,
Ranma. You did what you had to, and you won. That's all that matters."
Akane sat up. "He did?" She got to her feet and staggered over to
Ranma. "I knew you could do it, Ranma!" She hugged the red haired girl
happily.
Ranma returned the hug hesitantly. "Um, Akane, we're both girls
right now...." Shampoo glomped them both a second later. Ranma sighed.
"Never mind."
Before long the only ones left on the field were Sponge and Rag.
***************************
Inside the Tendo Dojo, Ranma, returned once more to his male form,
was standing with his five brides before Cologne. The Amazon elder was
speaking in Chinese, reciting the official ceremony. Lilac observed,
still grinning, from the rear, while Soun Tendo and the Saotome's stood
together watching quietly.
Cologne finished speaking in Chinese and pulled out a scroll.
"There, that deals with formality. Now, just sign the scroll, and you
are all officially married by Amazon law." She unrolled the scroll,
produced a pen and handed both to Ranma.
He looked dubious. "I just sign this?"
Nabiki stepped forward and looked at it. "OK, what's this thing
say?" She pulled it from Ranma's hands and showed it to Shampoo.
"Translate please, Shampoo-chan."
Shampoo nodded and took the scroll. "This say is marriage document
of Amazon tribe. All that sign are in marriage with Ranma, with... with
Shampoo as head wife."
Nabiki nodded. "I thought so. What exactly does that mean?"
Shampoo blinked. "Shampoo becomes head of family. She make
decisions for family, own property...."
Nabiki sighed. "Cologne, care to explain that?"
Cologne shot Shampoo an exasperated look. "As you yourself have
stated, Nabiki Tendo, this only is legal to the Amazon tribe, you need
not be concerned...."
Nabiki shook her head. "Oh no, old woman. We are part of your...
Amazon tribe now. I 'm quite sure that you'd find a way to make us
follow that contract if we signed it."
Cologne hrumphed. "Shampoo is my heir to take my position in the
tribe. She cannot be just another wife to Ranma."
Nabiki shook her head again. "Find another way, Cologne. I'm not
going to sign this as is."
Cologne glowered at Nabiki, then shot a look at Shampoo, speaking
quietly in Chinese. "Why, child? Why sabotage yourself?"
Shampoo bowed her head and answered in Japanese. "Shampoo not enter
into new life with new family with lie."
Cologne sighed. "Very well, I will change the document. However,
unless you wish Shampoo to lose her status in the tribe, she must be at
least in nominal charge. She need not have any real power over you, but
in name at least, she must be head wife."
Nabiki nodded. "I can live with that. Just have this document both
in Chinese and Japanese this time, alright?" Nabiki glanced back at her
new family. "That is, if this is alright with all of you?" They all
nodded, even Shampoo.
"You're doing fine, sugar." Ukyo said, grinning."
Cologne took back the scroll and rolled it up. "I will return in a
few hours with a revised document."
Nabiki nodded. "I'll go over it with you if you'd like, elder
Cologne."
Cologne snorted. "Of course." The elder Amazon pogoed off.
Lilac laughed. "Hah! It's been awhile since I've seen Cologne back
down for any reason. I approve, Nabiki Tendo... or would that be
Saotome?"
Nabiki smiled. "Tendo, of course, since Amazon law doesn't include
changing your name, and by Japanese law, I'm not married,"
Lilac shrugged. "Whatever. I think the tribe can't do wrong by
including you among our ranks. I'll be seeing you around." Lilac
nodded to the newlyweds and exited.
Nodoka stepped forward. "We should arrange for Akane and Ranma to
be legally married as soon as possible." She glanced at Ukyo, then
Ranma. "As well, we should see about adopting Ranma's female side, so
the contract with Ukyo can be fulfilled."
Nabiki spoke up. "As Doctor Tofu is aware of the truth, I think we
can get him to do the blood tests."
Nodoka nodded. "Yes, that should work. We can take care of most of
that today. I'll take Ranma, Ukyo and Akane to the doctors, and to the
licensing offices."
Nabiki nodded. "I'll come along to help. It's best we get this
done before someone gets wind of this and tries to stop us. It's just
lucky Kuno doesn't go for imported videos. As it is, I'm surprised
Ryoga hasn't shown up by now." She shrugged. "Lets get going."
****************************
Wandering thought the halls of the Cat Cafe, Ryoga suddenly
sneezed. The little black pig snorted worriedly to itself and continued
to look for the bathroom.
****************************
End Addicted pt 6. Followed by 7 when I get a chance.
I hope you liked it, C&C is always welcome!
You can find previous chapters at this page:
http://home.datawest.net/firethorn/