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 13
Resting quietly in the sun next to a luxurious hot spring where
Usagi and Rei were currently arguing, Luna tried to relax, shutting out
the sounds of the two girls squabbling. Her rest, however, was short
lived.
"Happosai! You I kill!"
Luna woke fully at the sound of an angry shout, < That was
Shampoo? Shouting about....> She didn't get to finish her thought.
"Hotcha!" The little lecher in question had just bounded over the
wall separating the men's and women's sides of the spring. Luna stood,
hissing at him, but he hardly noticed as he leapt, moments before
Shampoo's bonbori crushed in the wall section he'd been standing on.
Luna leapt away in fright, having nearly been hit by the Amazon's
weapon. Shampoo came through her newly created entry as Happosai nimbly
dodged several small yellow and black projectiles. He landed on
Makoto's head, bounced onto Rei's chest for a quick feel, then Usagi's
for good measure. Shampoo leapt down to attack, even as Sailor Mars
started up her signature fire attack.
"Don't hit me!" Usagi pleaded, and ducked below the water.
Makoto was headed out of the water to get some room. In order to
dodge the combined attacks from Shampoo and Mars Happosai leapt
gleefully onto tall girl's backside. "Oh so big, so firm, so stacked!"
Happosai chortled as he felt her up. With a cry of rage she batted him
off, but he was already headed for his next victim. He bounded over the
far wall after groping a young women from the hotel staff, who had come
out after hearing the commotion. She gasped, then pointed at the wall
with the huge hole in it, her hand shaking.
A towel clad Ryoga, holding another handful of bandanas was climbing
through the hole. "Happosai! How dare you run... away? Eep??" The
last came as Ryoga caught a glimpse of the many unclad bathers in front
of him. He fainted even before the blood could reach his nose.
Shampoo shook her head, reverting back to her more familiar mode of
speach with the stress of the fight. "Stupid pig boy." She turned to
the girls from Juuban. "You is Sailor Senshi right? You help me catch
Happosai, then others not be in any danger, yes?"
Rei and Makoto were already pulling on their robes. "Let's go get
the pervert!"
Usagi hesitated. "But isn't he gone already??
Shampoo shook her head. "No, he not visit pool yet!" As she said
this, shrieks could be heard from that direction. "See?" She bounded
off, followed by the Senshi.
Luna hurried after them. "Sailor Moon, tighten your belt!"
Usagi hurriedly complied, but not before a few lucky souls got an
eyeful. She landed red-faced. "Oh, I think I'll die... after I kill
that little demon!" Shampoo and the two other Senshi were already far
ahead. When Sailor Moon and Luna rounded the hotel to the pool side,
chaos was having a field day. Angry girls and guys at pool side, (some
guys not so angry, since Happosai had already divested some sun
worshipers of their vestments), were chasing the letch around the pool.
Happosai was easily evading their amateur attempts to stop him, and
was feeling marvelous. "Hotcha! Whata bod! Come here baby!" He
hadn't had this much fun in months. Suddenly, he noticed the girl he
had mistaken for Ranma earlier. < Heh, that one is no threat.> The
girl was in a fairly good imitation of Ranma's stance, but it was
obvious to the master that she wouldn't be a problem. Still, he gave
her a quick feel, and took her suit before moving on.
Artemis swung again at the old man, frustrated by her lack of
success. "Damn you old geezer, hold still!" She hadn't noticed her
missing apparel yet, and started chasing him along with the others. A
blast of flame alerted her to the others' presence. "Hey, Mars, get
this guy!"
At the sight of the boiling mad amazon and her two companions, one
shooting off blasts of flame and the other crackling with electricity,
most everyone else gave up their pursuit of the old master and ran for
the safety of the hotel. Luna and Sailor Moon, arriving by the pool as
the mass exodus began, found themselves shoved and pushed, (in Usagi's
case), and stepped on and kicked, (in Luna's) both ending up falling
into the pool. Happosai, not really worried about the Senshi, decided
to play for a little longer.
From a third story balcony window, Nabiki watched the scene with
mounting annoyance. Happosai was easily avoiding the Senshi's attacks,
and more often then not leading them into blasting one another or his
more skilled playmate, Shampoo. Already her outfit was little more than
tatters, and the two Senshi's robes were in the pool. Sailor Moon was
struggling to get
back out of the pool, but her own waterlogged robe was hampering her
movements. A girl Nabiki recognized as 'Diana' from Ranma's martial
arts class was trying to help her, only to be tripped into the pool
again by Happosai. Dr. Tofu had left, running down the nearby stairwell
to aid the Senshi.
As she watched, Nabiki muttered darkly to herself. "Even without
his strength, Happosai is too much for them." She continue to watch as
Dr. Tofu arrived on the scene. He was apparently trying to sneak up on
the lecher, who was again fondling the busty girl Nabiki had originally
mistaken for Ranma. At the last moment, Happosai appeared to notice the
Doctor out the corner of his eye, for as Tofu leapt at him, Happosai
bounced off his head and landed next to Nabiki.
He looked surprised to see her. "Nabiki Tendo? Hotcha!" She got
in a good blow as he headed for her chest, and he looked even more
surprised. "So, you've been practicing?"
Nabiki kept her face expressionless as a masked man snuck up and
grabbed Happosai from behind. "Gotcha." he said softly. Happosai
realized he wasn't strong enough to break the man's grip, so he hit
several nerve spots on the man's arms. The man flinched in pain, but
didn't release him.
"So, you're Tuxedo Mask?" Nabiki asked the tall masked figure. <
He does look familiar.> Nabiki thought. < But shouldn't he be wearing
a Tux?>
As the two looked at each other, Happosai reached out and touched
the wall. "Breaking point!" With a small explosion, the balcony bent
away from the blasted wall. As Nabiki started to fall, the young man
abandoned his grip on Happosai to grab both her and the doorway's edge.
"Got you." The masked stranger huffed in a low voice. Happosai,
deciding finally that he'd had enough fun for one day, bounded to the
next balcony, then to the roof for the rest of his stash.
Nabiki, frustrated at his escape, yelled at the masked man. "Now
he's escaped, you idiot!" Below, Shampoo and the Senshi gathered what
they could of their dignity, (and clothing), and looked up at the two.
He pulled Nabiki roughly above him and into the doorway, before swinging
up into the hallway himself. He then ran past her.
"Sorry." He said in almost a whisper, "Maybe I should let you fall
next time." he turned the corner before she could get her
breath to retort.
Nabiki, annoyed, went after him, but as she turned into the main
hallway he was nowhere to be seen. < Did he duck into a room? I don't
hear him running down the stairs, and the elevators are closed.>
Outside, Sailor Mars was glancing at Sailor Moon. "Was that Tuxedo
Mask?"
Jupiter frowned. "He was dressed up sort of like a ninja, it
couldn't have been him, unless he's lost his memories again."
Moon pouted. "If he's forgotten me and starts saving Nabiki instead
I'll never forgive him." Shampoo listened in, confusion growing as they
talked.
Finally she broke in. "We fail, Happosai escape. We need to learn
to work as a team." Jupiter and Mars turned to her and nodded.
Moon pouted somberly, "You're right, that was terrible."
Sailor Mars scowled at her 'Leader' "Who are you to talk? You were
no help at all!"
Moon glared back. "It's not my fault I was pushed into the pool!"
"Yes it is, you're just too clumsy!"
"And you're mean!" Moon shouted back.
Jupiter was glancing around nervously. "Later you two, let's get
out of here before anything else happens." She pointed to the wrecked
balcony above, where Nabiki had just returned, looking out from the
doorway. "Anyway, let's get out of here before she recognizes anyone."
She gestured to Artemis and Luna.
Her friends stopped glaring at each other and nodded. "Ah, right."
Sailor Moon said.
"Quick, get back to the hot spring you two." Mars said in a half
whisper. The five girls began running in that direction.
Shampoo watched them leave, and yelled after them. "We practice
later, is OK?" She then walked over to her Airen. "Is Tofu alright?"
He nodded, a bemused expression on his face. "Ah yes. Shampoo, are
you sure those were the Sailor Senshi? Don't they usually wear... a
costume?" < Or something at least.>
Shampoo's brown creased in frustration. "Tofu-chan no worry.
Shampoo recognized... I mean, I recognized them from when I fought with
them before. That was Sailors Mars, Jupiter and Moon. The other two I
don't know, maybe Sailors in training?" Shampoo then pointed up. "Who
was that save Nabiki?"
Tofu corrected. "Who was it that saved Nabiki? I don't know,
Shampoo. When did you fight with the Sailor Senshi? I mean, other than
the time you were possessed."
Shampoo frowned at that unpleasant memory. "Was day Taro beat me,
you remember? He beat me because I was tired after fighting demons with
Senshi. He almost beat Ranma too, but you saved me." She melted
against his, gave him a long kiss. "Thank you again, Airen."
Nabiki headed downstairs. < I'm sure I've seen that guy somewhere
before. He sort of looked like that guy in class, Mamoru Chiba, but I
don't think it was him. He looked... well I suppose it could of been
him, with that hood and mask, it'd be hard to tell. I need to ask some
questions.>
At the front desk she cornered the hotel manager. "Oh, hello." He
stammered, apparently quite disturbed. "Oh, this is very terrible
miss! Someone rob many customer's rooms, someone been harassing
customers at pool! It very terrible trouble, very bad for business! Is
you being robbed too?"
Nabiki blinked. < I haven't checked the room yet, but I'll bet I
know what this thief stole.> She shook her head. "I don't know. I have
a question for you though."
The manager shook his head. "Oh no, too, too sorry miss customer,
no refund on room."
Nabiki grinned just slightly to herself. < And once you have their
money, never, ever give it back, Rule of Acquisition #52.> "That's not
it." She told the man, "I was wondering, has anyone staying here...
asked about Jusenkyo? Or have you seen a tall, European fellow, wears
black, black hair, with a bunch of Japanese girls, or...."
The man was nodding vigorously, happy to be on another subject.
"Very funny you ask that. Yes, yes, a man and group, very beautiful
Japanese girls stay here, only one day ago. That same man, he back
today, he say, 'You see me? Tell me when you see me last, where I go
to.' I tell him, yes sir, just see you this week. He look surprised,
he say, 'Oh, but you see me many month ago?' I think, I say, yes sir, I
think you was here, 8, 9 month ago, you still looking for legendary
valley? Jusenkyo? You find it sir? He say, 'I was looking for what?'
I tell him, You say you looking for legendary valley, called Jusenkyo,
you maybe loose memory, maybe meet Amazons near there? He say, 'Yes,
yes that was me, where you say I should look?' I told him same as
before, he should look by village of Amazon womans, north of village
maybe, in mountain pass, if legend true. He say, 'Thank you very
much.' Very strange no?"
Nabiki nodded. "Very strange yes." She paused to fish a picture
out of her purse. She showed it to the manager. "Is this the man?"
He nodded quickly. "Yes, yes. You know him? I see you here in
picture." Nabiki nodded slowly. "He here, room number 315. He leaving
tonight he say. You want me to send him message you is here?"
Nabiki shook her head. "No, thank you. Is he here alone?"
The manager nodded. "Yes, he arrive yesterday, was nobody with
him."
Nabiki nodded. "I think I'll stop by, surprise him. Thank you
again, you were most helpful."
The manager nodded back. "Very glad I could help my customer. You
have nice stay now."
Nabiki stepped back to consider this discovery, glancing briefly at
the photo as she replaced it in her wallet. It was a shot of Johnathon
and Kasumi, a few days before their wedding. Nabiki and Soun were in
the background. Akane had surprised them all with the pictures, Nabiki
especially. < It's a really good shot. When did Akane get so sneaky?>
As she mused over the picture, she noticed someone entering the
hotel from the hot springs entrance. < Ah, the three Sailors, and...
two cats?> She watched them head around to the elevators. < OK, the
mystery deepens. Is Johnathon really here, or more likely his nosy
brother Michael? Who was it I saw with the Sailor's by the pool, was
that really Diana? And who was that redhead that looked like Ranma?
Was that really the mysterious new Sailor Earth? And what do the cats
have to do with it? It seems like there are just too many cats lately.
The cats that caused Ranma's phobia, Shampoo, then Johnathon and
Onnichan, the cats Johnathon used to cure Ranma's phobia... hmm, didn't
Akane say that there was a black one and a white one? The cats that
attacked Dr. Tofu, Shampoo attacking like she's got the cat fist.... Now
the Senshi have a pair of cats, a black one and a white one.... didn't
Akane tell me those were the Psychologist's cats? Ranma was going to
teach her niece and friends... are they the same cats?> She sighed. <
I don't know, but it sure seems like a pretty big coincidence
otherwise. Now, what do I do about Michael-san? If it is him, and not
Johnathon with a memory gap...>
Her thoughts were interrupted as Dr. Tofu and Shampoo came in,
leading Ryoga. She waved to them, and they came over. "Ok guys, I
think it's obvious that we need to talk to the Sailor Senshi. You guys
are going to have to work together if you're going to beat Happosai."
Ryoga looked blank. "The Sailor Senshi? Where?"
Shampoo just nodded. "You is right, Nabiki-san. Where will we find
them, though?"
"You are right, Nabiki." Dr. Tofu corrected gently.
"I'm glad you both think so." Nabiki smirked slightly. "Finding
them shouldn't be a problem, I booked them next door to us. Come on,
we'll pay them a visit."
In the room in question... "Hey! Someone's been in here." Rei said
as she opened the door. Everyone rushed to check their luggage.
Usagi was at her purse. "Well, my money is still here."
Makoto frowned, going through her large purse. "Our costumes, Rei,
they're gone!"
Rei was groaning. "Oh great, all my underwear is missing."
Luna and Artemis said together, "Happosai." Luna looked anxiously
at Usagi. "The silver crystal, is it...?"
Usagi made a face at her. "Nah, here it is." She produced the
locket from mid air. "I haven't left it out of my reach in months."
Luna sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. If that's all he got away
with, we'll be alright."
Rei muttered under her breath. "This from someone who's used to
running around naked." Luna pretended not to hear.
Makoto was shaking her head doubtfully. "He's got my tiara again,
I'm not any good with my lightning without it."
Artemis shrugged. "Time you learned how to do with out the prop,
Makoto."
She sighed in response. "I guess."
A knock on the door caused them all to tense up. "Hello? Are you
in? We need to talk." It was Nabiki Tendo's voice.
Luna shook her head ruefully. "You might as well let her in...
'Sailor Moon', though perhaps you should all get dressed first?"
A few minutes later the four from Nermia were standing across from
the three Senshi from Juuban. "No fukus today?" Nabiki inquired.
"...Too obvious" Sailor Mars answered after a short pause.
Dr. Tofu could feel the tension building in the room. "Now, we're
all on the same side, correct? We're allies, and, as such, we need to
learn to trust one another, or we are doomed to fail."
Sailor Moon nodded in agreement. The other two Senshi watched this,
then Jupiter nodded slightly as well. "OK." She looked at each of the
four. "So where's that other guy, the one in the black mask? Shouldn't
he be here?"
Shampoo answered, puzzled. "What you mean?" She shook her head
suddenly. "What do you mean, He is not with you? Where are your
friends, the other two girls from pool?"
The Senshi looked at each other, Moon glancing at the bathroom for a
second. Nabiki noted this. Sailor Moon finally answered for them.
"They're not Sailor Senshi, they are our... friends. They don't usually
fight with us, because they don't have any powers."
Nabiki nodded to herself, and Ryoga spoke up. "So, does anybody
know who this masked guy is?" Nabiki considered offering her opinion,
but decided to wait and see if anyone else had any ideas. No one else
spoke up however.
Dr. Tofu turned to her to ask, "Nabiki, you got the best look at
him, can you describe him for us?"
Nabiki complied, recalling what she'd seen and heard from the moment
she noticed the man in black sneaking up behind Happosai. Dr. Tofu had
her describe the man's mask twice. It was two pieces you say? Hmm. <
Interesting, it almost sounds like....>
Nabiki nodded. "I told you, a sort of black bandana covering his
hair, and a black mask, it looked like leather. His shirt was kind of
floppy around the arms, with really old looking buttons, square, not
round. Black jeans maybe, and leather boots. A sword belt too. I
didn't hear him move."
Shampoo asked her to clarify something else. "You say Happosai poke
man in arms? Can you show where?"
Nabiki frowned thoughtfully. "Uh, I think so. Ryoga, would you
grab me around the arms?" She positioned him until her had her grabbed
firmly. "He grabbed Happosai like this, and Happosai poked him here,
and here." She demonstrated on Ryoga's arms.
Shampoo watched closely. "Tofu, you see?"
Dr. Tofu nodded. "Yes... hmm, interesting."
Sailor Mars said impatiently. "So he poked him in the arms, big
deal."
Dr. Tofu said softly. "Perhaps not too important, but it does tell
us something about our mystery man." he looked at Ryoga. "This will
probably sting a little." He then touched Ryoga in the arm where Nabiki
had before.
Ryoga's arm shook, and he reflexively released Nabiki. "Ow." He
said, rubbing his arm slightly. "Nerve strike huh? I couldn't hold
on. Happosai's used that on me before, I think."
Dr. Tofu nodded. "Yes, without his strength, Nerve strikes and Chi
attacks are all Happosai has offensively, yet this man in black wasn't
affected."
Nabiki grinned to herself. < Nerve Strike huh? That pretty much
clinches who it has to be.>
Jupiter noticed her grin. "You know something, don't you, Nabiki?"
Nabiki shrugged. "I don't 'know' anything for sure. But It seems
Johnathon and my sisters did stay here about a week ago like they
planned, and this morning, a man who resembled Johnathon enough to fool
the Manager was asking questions about them."
Jupiter snapped her fingers. "Michael Dwire! John-san said it was
odd, his brother giving up so easily."
Nabiki smiled. < John-san said, hmm? He told me the same thing.>
>From the bathroom Nabiki heard a faint moan.
Ryoga nodded. "It makes sense. "Michael Dwire's supposed to have a
really high pain tolerance... that's how he didn't let go of Happosai."
Sailor Moon said. "We should find him, maybe he can help us."
Mars retorted. "Sure, how are we going to do that?"
Nabiki spoke up. "Well, maybe we should start by knocking on his
door? He's in room 315."
Shortly the seven of them were standing in front of that door.
"Hey," Said Sailor Moon. "It's open." Inside, the room was obviously
deserted. Evidence of hurried packing and a note taped to the TV were
all that was left of the previous occupant..
"It's for you, Nabiki." Ryoga said, pulling it off.
Nabiki read it out loud. "Dear Miss Tendo, when I saw the look of
recognition on your face, I knew I had to leave. You won't stop me from
finding out the truth." There was no signature. Nabiki frowned.
"Conceited isn't he. Well, I guess he's off to Jusenkyo then."
Out in the hallway, Luna was banging her head quietly against the
wall while Artemis watched dumbfounded.. < Why didn't I tell anyone,
damnit! I should have known he was going to do something like this.>
The rest of the afternoon was spent in planning, after a quick check
of the hotel and the surrounding area head turned up no sign of the
elusive Dwire. The expedition returned to Nabiki's slightly larger room
for a long planning session. Later, most everyone slept well, notable
exceptions being Luna and Nabiki, who were both feeling upset over Mike
Dwire's sudden involvement in things Jusenkyo. The morning dawned
bright, and Nabiki's rented van and driver arrived. Soon the journey
was underway in earnest.
"If they didn't vary from their plan." Nabiki was saying, "They
should be at Jusenkyo in five more days. According to Shampoo, the
trail the driver will let us off at tonight will put us about three or
four days walk from Jusenkyo. We're getting a bit closer because the
bus they planned to take doesn't go as far into the mountains as the
road we're taking. We have to get there first. Hopefully we'll find
them along the trail, but if we don't we need to beat them to the
springs. If they haven't arrived yet, Shampoo can fetch a little help
from her village. It's only a few hours farther along the same trail."
Shampoo nodded. "Elders sure to author lots of hunters to get
Happosai, he was very bad man to Amazons many years ago."
Dr. Tofu corrected. "That's authorize, Shampoo." (Nah, the author
thinks lots of amazons should get Happosai too!)
Sailor Moon asked curiously. "Why don't we send Shampoo to the
village right away?"
Nabiki shrugged. "To dangerous for her to go alone. Besides, we'll
need her help if we run into Happosai."
There was only slight delay. Their driver stopped to help another
rental driver's car out of a muddy ditch. "He only competition in
area." The driver explained. "If I no help him, I no get time off."
Nabiki swore under her breath hearing that, the other car being
several minutes back and driving in the opposite direction. It was too
late, but... "Did he say who his fare was?" Her driver shrugged. "No,
he just say, customer very impatient, start walking, no wait."
"That doesn't help us much." Mars said. "It could have been
anyone."
"Whoever it was has lost a few hours at least." Dr. Tofu pointed
out.
They had to be patient with that, for no other sign of others
passage were evident. An hour later the van reached its final
destination. They all piled out, putting on their packs. Shampoo said
excitedly. "We are very close to Mt. Phoenix now, see?" She pointed
out the blasted slopes of Jusendo. "Here is beginning of trail, we go
now OK?" Though it was already
approaching dusk, they agreed to hike a few hours until it was full
dark.
When they set up camp, they were still in the foothills, the
mountain pass just ahead. As they finished building a fire, everyone
gathered around the warmth for another conference. Just as everyone was
getting settled, a sudden squall caught them unprepared. The number of
humans around the fire remained constant, even as the exact humans
differed. Dr. Tofu stared for a long moment before politely averting
his gaze, Shampoo leapt into Dr. Tofu's lap, Ryoga bweed his
startlement.
Nabiki was nodding knowingly. "They are the same cats aren't
they." It wasn't a question. "In fact..." Nabiki peered closer at
Luna. "You're Diana?" She couldn't conceal her astonishment. "How...
How is that possible?" She pointed at Artemis, who was trying to hide
behind Jupiter. "Then you're Atlanta? I've... I've heard you talk!
How did you learn to talk?!" For once, Nabiki was dumbfounded.
Sailor Moon sighed. "Ever since we met you, Nabiki, I figured that
it was just a matter of time, no matter what we did, before you would
figure us out. Ranma had to know our secret of course, if he was to
properly train us. Ranma-sensei couldn't have kept it from Akane-san,
we understood that. Asking Johnathon to keep it secret from Kasumi-san
was very hard, but she learned our secret on her own, much to my relief
actually."
Nabiki tried hard not to frown. "But you... they... couldn't trust
me with your secrets, is that it?
Sailor Moon sighed deeper, still speaking in the voice her friends
had come to recognize as her 'Serenity' persona. "Trust is not easily
earned Nabiki-san, as I'm sure you are aware... and your reputation
might lead one to believe that you aren't the most trustworthy of
people."
Nabiki's face was turning red. "Hey! That's not fair. Everything
I did, I did for...."
"For your family...." Sailor Moon finished for her. "I know. Even
Ranma has admitted as much. We did consider telling you before all this
happened. Johnathon believed you could be trusted, and Kasumi also
believed in you. I have come to trust their judgment. I myself... I
liked you when I met you, but..."
Nabiki waved her hand slowly. "It's a big secret, I know. I was
pretty pushy... OK, sneaky about trying to find out what was going on."
She sighed as well, hanging her head a bit. "I just couldn't stand
knowing that everyone seemed to share a secret that I didn't know." She
looked up at the Senshi. "And... you don't really have to tell me
now..." A loud Meow! and
Bwee! protested. "But I guess I'm not the only curious one."
Sailor Moon nodded. "If we are to face battle together, we should
trust each other." She looked at her friends and 'guardians'.
Jupiter shrugged. "It's alright with me."
Mars growled. "I guess it makes sense."
Dr. Tofu spoke up then suddenly. "I'm honored, but perhaps we
should all sleep on it? Important decisions should never be made when
you're tired."
Nabiki nodded, surprised to find herself agreeing. "He's right, it
can wait until morning."
Sailor Moon nodded back serenely. "Perhaps your right. Goodnight
then." Everyone trundled off to their tents.
Elsewhere, a the Ghost Cat was disappointed. "Ah well." He said to
his slaves. "It might have proved a useful piece of information, but it
really matters little. Come to me my dear Shampoo." He pondered.
"They look like cats, those two, but they can't be, for I've had no luck
reaching them."
Shampoo's absence was not discovered until morning. Dr. Tofu was
angry... at himself. "I should have known, when she didn't try to sneak
into bed with me... ah... anyway, what can we do about it? There's no
use searching for her, not as a cat. Besides, this is her home, she
knows it far better than we do."
Nabiki frowned. "She didn't change back before leaving? No, how
could she?" Nabiki reminded herself. "No hot water. Speaking of hot
water, we should change Ryoga back."
Mars nodded. "I'll do it."
As the Senshi of Fire restarted the ashes of their campfire, Sailor
Moon wondered, "I hope Shampoo's not possessed again." No one answered
her, as they were all fearing the same thing.
Soon enough, everyone was ready to leave. Sailor Jupiter thought to
ask. "Sailor Moon, do you still think we should tell them?"
The moon senshi shook her head. "This doesn't seem safe anymore.
If whatever took control of Shampoo does have her again, they could
attack at anytime. We should keep our eyes out for danger."
Mars nodded, for once in agreement with her 'leader'. "Right.
There'll be time for secrets later. Now we better hurry and find our
friends."
The made their way along the trail cautiously. It was fairly easy
going at first, but the trail gradually got steeper and rougher as it
began to ascend. By noon Nabiki was getting fairly tired, and the two
ex-moon cats were also feeling rather ragged, having to walk on just two
legs all day being new to them. They took a longer break than
originally planed, and Dr. Tofu eased their aches as best he could as
they ate. When they began plodding on again, Nabiki felt better, but
the relief from pain didn't last, soon her legs and feet were aching
again. Luna and Artemis conversely, were doing fairly well, having
finally adjusted to their two legged stride. They were already used to
walking most everywhere they went. Even Dr. Tofu was starting to feel
the strain however as evening approached.
The group was finally on top of the pass. The mountain ledges rose
high on either side. After their long day, no one was particularly
looking for trouble, but Ryoga was getting a bad feeling. He was in
front with the Sailor Senshi. Mars was taking her turn leading him.
Nabiki and Dr. Tofu were just behind them, and the two ex-cats were
bringing up the rear. Ryoga kept looking around at the rocks, his
intuition bugging him. "You know what?" He said slowly. "This would
be a great place for..."
"Oh ho ho ho ho ho!" A terrifying laughter rang down from the rocks
behind them.
"An ambush." Ryoga finished. Ahead in the dying light, they could
make out a huge figure flying down from the cliff face, a much more
feminine figure came out from behind a boulder as it landed. The
laughter's source appeared as Kodachi bounded down behind them, her
gymnastic apparel as obvious as her insane laugh. A young man in a
purple gi was beside her.
Only Nabiki really recognized him, though the Senshi had seen him
once before. "Happosai and Kodachi behind us, Pantyhose Taro and...
Shampoo ahead." Nabiki summed up for the others. "This doesn't look
good."
Happosai lead off the attack with his paralyzing chi 'fear' blast.
As he had expected, Dr. Tofu began fighting it almost immediately.
Nabiki was completely paralyzed with terror, and she screamed in horror,
reliving Happosai's abuse. The two girl/cats were frozen as well. To
his surprise, Sailor's Jupiter and Mars were quickly breaking free of
his attack. Sailor
Moon, having stared into the eyes of Metalica, The Death Phantom, and
Mistress 9, was already wrapping up her biggest attack.
Happosai screamed as his perverse little soul was blasted with a
light brighter than anything he'd ever encountered. He saw himself for
the first time as he really was. He screamed again, then fainted, the
shock having been too much for him.
Ryoga hadn't been affected by Happosai's attack, as he had leapt and
was airborne as soon as Taro landed. Their first exchange of blows was
surprisingly successful, at least surprising to Ryoga. < It's like his
heart isn't in this fight.> Ryoga realized. < I may actually have a
chance.>
Shampoo had used the opportunity provided by Happosai's chi attack
to jump kick Dr. Tofu. The pause was long enough for her to catch him
unprepared. Her first kick was followed by a punch to the midriff to
bend him over, then bringing one shapely leg high, she axe-kicked him
into the ground.
Kodachi also made used of Happosai's attack to entangle Sailor
Jupiter in her ribbon. Jupiter, shaking off the fear, tried to send an
electric charge down the ribbon, but only ended up delivering a slight
shock as Kodachi was still airborne. The insane gymnast was only
slightly frazzled. She called out, "Hoop!" One was delivered to her,
(though Jupiter couldn't see her assistant,) and she wrapped the end of
the ribbon around it. She then sent the whole apparatus flying into a
cliff face, knocking Jupiter off her feet as she was pulled along. Mars
gave a quick 'Fire Sniper' at Kodachi, but the agile girl wasn't there
when it struck. She called out, "Clubs!" and started a barrage of the
weapons at Sailor Mars.
Mars took a glancing blow to the temple as she tried to dodge the
multiple missiles. < Dodge, dodge!> Her mind screamed even as she
braced for an impact... that didn't come. Kodachi looked annoyed as
well, and glanced back at her assistant's position. Mars glanced as
well. Gosenkugi was laid out in plain sight, obviously unconscious.
Mars glanced behind her suddenly as some sixth sense kicked in. She
ducked as Shampoo came at her with a high sweep kick. Mars leapt away
to gain some breathing space. As she did, she noticed Sailor Moon's
unconscious form, blood trickling from her temple. Suddenly Shampoo
found herself fighting a mad woman. Too angry to shout any command
phrases, Mars' hands ignited, and Shampoo was hard pressed to just stay
out of reach of those flaming fists.
Nabiki meanwhile had finally shaken herself out of the paralyzing
fear, just in time to roll out of the way of the pair. She got to her
feet only to see Kodachi pulling out a spare ribbon, and begin to twirl
it in preparation for an attack. Nabiki charged her, hoping to get
close enough to make the ribbon unusable. < I'm out of my league.> She
realized as Kodachi almost casually leapt backwards and entangled Nabiki
in her ribbon. A moment later Nabiki was bracing for impact, as Kodachi
flicked her toward the canyon wall. She fell short. A dark figure
leapt out from behind a boulder next to Gosenkugi, and a bright blade
severed the ribbon.
Kodachi started her traditional ribbon attack with the considerable
amount of ribbon still available. Nabiki watched from her prone
position as she struggled to free herself. She discovered the wire
hidden within the ribbon, even as Sailor Jupiter had a few moments
before. Nabiki groaned, and started rolling around on the rocky ground
in an effort to get free.
A few unsuccessful attacks from Kodachi had her frustrated by her
opponent, as he easily parried the ribbon, even going so far as to cut
off a few more pieces. She considered going for her rope/rod, and
dueling with him but decided not to face him in his arena. Instead she
dived away from his assault, and rolled past the battling pair of
Shampoo and Mars. She set her ribbon spinning again as a distraction,
and then tossed the two clubs she had grabbed as she rolled. Nabiki
shouted out a warning, but the dark clothed man was ready. As Kodachi
tossed her weapons, he reached behind him and pulled out an even longer
blade, this one so thin it seemed more like a whip. His thin blade
smacked the clubs aside, and he leapt in with a lunge, his new sword
ending inches from her throat.
"Surrender, Lady." The stranger said softly.
Nabiki looked up from where she was finally removing Kodachi's
ribbon. "'Don't trust her! She's tricky!"
Kodachi spared her a withering glance. "Ignore the peasant my
lord. Surely you are of noble house! What magnificent swordsmanship!"
She said in her sultriest voice. "I am utterly undone, and at your
mercy. Please, oh good knight, accept a token of my esteem."
While Kodachi was pulling this, Taro and Ryoga's fight had escalated
into a no holds bared, rock cracking power fest. Unfortunately, Ryoga
was being outclassed in both power and maneuverability. Ryoga's massive
endurance was wearing thin. He thought wearily. < In a bit, I won't be
able to avoid the second blow... then he'll finish me.>
Luna was shaking herself awake. On her way to Sailor Moon, Shampoo
had struck down both Artemis and herself, Artemis had apparently been
struck harder, she was still out. Luna gave the battle a quick look. <
Dr. Tofu, Artemis, Jupiter and Nabiki down... Nabiki's almost free
though. Happosai is down, Shampoo's on the ropes, Kodachi is... who is
that?> All this came to her in one glance. Seeing Ryoga's plight, she
shouted to the figure over Kodachi. "Help Ryoga! I'll handle Kodachi!"
In the distraction, Kodachi had brought her hand up to her face,
blowing a powder at the masked man's face. He reeled back, holding his
breath, and she sprang to her feet. Disarmed, she sped away from the
battle towards her assistant's bag, but the masked man was too closely
pursuing her, she passed on by and kept running. "Oh ho ho! I will yet
return!" She promised, leaping towards the highest rocks.
Meanwhile, Happosai had also regained consciousness. Freed of the
hypnosis's influence, he was playing possum, considering his options.
Luna knelt by Nabiki to help her up, and was astonished as the girl
pulled a supersoaker out of her jacket. Shampoo had finally gotten past
her enraged opponent's guard with a solid blow, but before she could
press her stunned foe, she was deluged with a powerful blast of water.
She hissed angrily and made a quick withdrawal. Nabiki tossed the still
incensed Mars the water gun and pointed at Taro.
Rei understood, and she blasted the monster with a superheated blast
from the watergun. Transformed, Taro simply smirked, and continued to
smack the pig-boy around... or tried to. Ryoga managed to grab the
first punch, and he started squeezing backwards. Taro soon discovered
to his discomfort that the power question had gone the other way. He
kicked free and the fight started again in earnest. Jupiter cursed as
she strained against the wire in Kodachi's ribbon, cutting herself in
several places. She continued to strain, however, and the ribbon began
to break.
Luna rushed to her. "Hold on, don't hurt yourself!" Before Luna
could stop her, Jupiter finally broke free, cut in several places.
"ARRGGHHH!!!" Jupiter screamed in rage, crackling with
electricity. "I am going to fry her until her eyes glow!"
Seeing an enraged Jupiter and Mars approaching him, Pantyhose Taro
tripped Ryoga and jumped away, noticing that all his allies were fallen
or fled. He pulled out his ever present canteen and doused himself,
transforming into his monster form. Rather than face Mars, Jupiter and
Ryoga all at once he fled, flying rapidly for the horizon. Mars and
Jupiter both fired their attacks after him, but the Jusenkyo cursed
monster dodged and kept flying.
Mars growled in anger and turned around to check on the others.
"Don't bother, Jupiter, he's out of range. Sailor Moon's been hurt!"
She started running back to where the future queen of the earth was
shakally trying to sit up.
"Ohhhhh...." Sailor Moon moaned loudly. "What hit me?" She felt
her head and winced. "Ouch!" Bringing her hand back she noticed traces
of blood. Feeling extremely dizzy and weak she wavered. "I think
I'll... lay back down for awhile...."
Nabiki went over to Dr. Tofu, who was still unconcious. "The Doc
looks OK... I think. He's breathing alright, anyway."
Mars knelt by Sailor Moon's side and checked her head. "Stay still,
Sailor Moon, you might have a concusion. Shampoo hit you from behind
with one of her Bonbori." She smoothed her leader's blond hair out and
sighed in relief. "You're bleeding a little, but it doesn't look too
bad. You just cut your scalp when you hit the ground."
Sailor Jupiter checked on Artemis, who was still out cold as well.
"Artemis looks like she has a pretty good black eye... I think we need a
doctor."
Luna glanced around and noticed Ryoga starting to wander off.
"Ryoga, stop!" She ran up behind him and turned him back in the
direction of the group. "Come with me. Where do you think you were
going?"
Ryoga blinked. "Er... I was looking for Happosai. Didn't Sailor
Moon blast him somewhere around here?"
Luna glanced around. "You're right... but where is he?" She looked
all around her. "He's not the only one missing. Gosenkugi was over
there, and he's gone too... and that swordsman is missing as well."
******************************
Hikaru Gosenkugi crawled for his life. < Have to get back to the
mistress, I have to tell her what has happened!> Having woken up in the
middle of the battle, he had waited for a distraction and slipped away,
using what ninja skills he had learned from Happosai to make good his
escape. Suddenly he stopped as a young man in a purple gi came out of
the bushes in front of him. Gosenkugi smiled in relief. "Happosai!
You got away!" He nodded, getting to his feet. "Very good, now I want
you to hurry ahead to the mistress and inform her of what's happened."
Happosai just stood there for several seconds, then started to
chuckle. "I don't think so."
Gosenkugi blinked then looked angry. "I command you, go!"
Happosai laughed louder. "You haven't got a clue, have you? I'm
free, you pitiful little flea! Do you have any idea what I'm going to
do with you?" Gosenkugi stiffened in shock, suddenly imagining several
possible fates Happosai could inflict on him. Without a word he turned
white and fainted dead away. Happosai smiled. "Now thats more like
it!" He rubbed his hands together in antisipation. "Happi's back!"
End Chapter 13
You can find all the previous Chapters to this at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/fanfics.html