Minna-san,
And here's the conclusion of Part 4. Part 5 should be
coming up sometime in the next couple of weeks.
Enjoy!
Fred
=====
Fred Herriotfherriot@yahoo.com**** **** ****"Fanfiction IS Real Life!"**** **** ****
______________________________________________________________________
Post your ad for free now! http://personals.yahoo.ca
-- Attached file included as plaintext by Ecartis --
-- File: LoneS-04D.txt
-- Desc: LoneS-04D.txt
"Hey, you okay?"
Ataru blinks, then his vision focuses on a smiling face framed
with flaming red hair now worn loose past her shoulders. Seeing
the concern in those deep sapphire eyes, he smiles, eyes misting.
"Welcome home."
"Oh, man! Don't tell me you stayed up all night?!" Ranma
chuckles, helping him to his feet, then looks past him as the dining
room doors open. "Tadaima!!" she calls out on seeing the sisters
come out.
"Welcome home, Onee-chan!" Karen replies as they mass around
Ataru, Ranma and Negako. "How was your time in Sanctuary?"
"Productive," Ranma reaches behind her, then draws out a certain
stuffed rabbit. "I believe this belongs to Hina," she holds it out.
"Waaai!! Usagi-san! Usagi-san!!" Hinako grasps it from Ranma,
then squeezes Mister Bunny close to her. "Did Usagi-san make
Onee-tama happy?!"
"You might say, Hinako, that he made many young people happy,"
Negako lightly smiles, exchanging a knowing look with Ranma.
Hinako blinks, then pales. "Eh?! Hina's dream came true?!!"
"What dream?!" Ataru's eyebrow arches.
"Hina dreamt that Onee-tama helped Usagi-san have babies!"
Confusion crosses Ataru's face, then his eyes widen as he turns
to Ranma. "Oh, no! Don't tell me you used those null-time bubbles
to...?!"
"Make five hundred copies of Usagi-san for five hundred kawaii
girls on Noukiios," Ranma gives him a knowing look. "Including
two young girls you happen to know very well. Ne, Ataru-kun?"
her eyebrow arches.
He jolts, sweat drops pouring down his hair. "What's she
talking about, Onii-sama?" Sakuya gazes curiously at him.
Ataru shudders, then deflates. "It's a long story."
"But not a bad one," Ranma chuckles, then draws up a large
carrying rack bearing the woodblocks she made. "Anyone got a place
where these can be stored? I don't want them to get ruined before
I can make more."
Seeing what Ranma is drawing out, Haruka gasps. "Oh,
Anegimi-sama, you learned how to make ukiyo-e prints?!" she gently
draws out one of the blocks, then stares intently at it. "What's
this of?"
"Sanctuary," Ranma replies. "I made some prints already if you
want to see them, but..." a yawn steals her voice. "Oh, man, I'm
tired!"
"I believe you need to have breakfast, then get some sleep,"
Negako ordains, then gazes on her brother. "Not to mention you.
Shirayuki, can you bring breakfast out quickly? We can delay our
return to Nerima until after the noon hour so everyone can rest up."
"Hai, Nee-sama, Hime's got breakfast all set!" Shirayuki
nods.
Ranma chuckles, then heads into the dining room. She stops
before the table, then looks right to see Chikage relaxing by the
door. They gaze on each other for a moment, then Ranma walks up to
the sorceress. Before Chikage could ask what was wrong, the martial
artist leans up to tenderly kiss the younger woman's forehead.
Chikage's eyes widen, then she gazes confusedly on Ranma. "You were
right," the latter whispers.
Chikage nods. "Part of you wishes that were not so, even now."
"I..." Ranma considers that, then she shakes her head. "No, not
really. But I know that when news of this gets out, there'll be four
girls in Nerima who're going to be heartbroken over this. I don't
look forward to that even if I didn't want to marry them when I was
still a boy..."
"Nee-sama?"
Ranma turns to see Shirayuki place a tray on the table. Seeing
what is there, the older girl hums. "Did Negako teach you how to
make that?"
A curious look crosses Shirayuki's face. "Hai, she did. Why?"
"Just wondering," Ranma heads over to eat...
* * *
A half-hour later, Ranma peeks into Ataru's room to see him on
his bed, staring at the ceiling. "Hey, can I come in?"
"Sure!" he glaces her way, grinning. "So how are they?"
Ranma steps in, closing the door behind her. "Pretty good,"
she walks over, sitting on the bed. "They miss you a lot. By the
way, you didn't get one of those Urusians who had a hand in what
happened to your grandmother. Negako and I helped catch him on
Machibusu."
"Which one?"
"Yethis Seq."
"Oh, him! I thought he got atomized in Onishuto. So they've
got a good chance of finding out where Heaven's Gate Bridge is now?"
"Hai. Yethis' sister and niece made it out. They're staying
with the Lost Stars now." A pause, then, "You going to tell them?"
"About Reiko-chan and Kaneko-chan?" he blinks, then nods. "Hai,
soon. Chikage figured it out. She told me it should be alright
to tell the others, even with them still fighting with the other Lost
Stars."
"Let's hope she's right," Ranma nods understandingly,
then lowers her voice. "I saw Nokoko-oneechan in Sanctuary too,
Ataru."
He takes that in, then nods. "That has to stay under wraps."
"I know."
Silence falls as they consider what to say next. Their eyes
turn to gaze into each other's. Ataru then offers a hand. Ranma
takes it, then allows herself to be drawn towards him. They cuddle,
gazing still into each other's eyes, then Ranma leans up. A gentle
kiss later, she kicks off her indoor shoes as he shifts a light
blanket over them. Soon, their eyes close as they allow their
accumulated fatigue to overcome them.
Unnoticed by either, Yotsuba is gazing through a barely opened
door upon them. Once she confirms that they are asleep, the
detective closes the door, then makes a new entry in her notepad.
"'Ani-chama and Ane-chama are now asleep in Ani-chama's bed. It is
clearly obvious that they ARE falling in love with each other. The
signs all look promising.'"
She heads off...
* * *
"Lonely Souls"
by Fred Herriot
fherriot@yahoo.com
**** **** ****
This part's title suggested by Silussa
**** **** ****
Based on "Urusei Yatsura" and "Ranma 1/2" created by Rumiko
Takahashi; and "Sister Princess," created by Naoto Tenhiro and
Sakurako Kimino. This story is set after the end of the "UY" and
"Ranma" manga series.
**** **** ****
NOTE: The writer's notes are at the end of the "A" Side of the
Prologue.
**** **** ****
THE FOURTH PART, "D" SIDE - FREEDOM FROM HONOUR
Somewhere in Tomobiki, after dawn...
"Oh, I'm so glad that I'm not alone now..."
"Me neither!" Namie Kashima purrs delightedly, then she allows
her tongue to playfully lap up the side of Hiro Kodama's neck. They
are now in a private cull-de-sac some metres from where Tampopo
Kamekichi's restaurant once stood. Both are dressed conservatively,
though given their frantic pawing and wet kisses, they'd prefer to
have no clothes on at all at this time. "When was the last time we
were together?" she mews in Hiro's ear.
"Probably when we first emerged from gestation," Hiro forces
Namie's face into her cleavage. "Let's make up for some lost time,
sister."
Namie wiggles her head. "Hai..."
"Excuse me, but would you prefer to do that in private?"
Both gasp, then look to the street to see a wheelchair-bound
first-year high schooler gazing amusedly on them. The newcomer's
raven hair is tied up in a pair of stubby ponytails, her chestnut
eyes twinkling with mischievous delight. Even bound to a wheelchair,
she is nicely shaped for a woman her age. Hiro and Namie gaze
intently at her, then exchange a confused look. No, this woman
wasn't an Avalonian, yet she seemed to know both of them. How was
that possible? Who was this woman?
Sensing their confusion, the newcomer wheels her mount into the
alley. "I'm Miruko Narumi," she holds out her hand. "Yukimi sent
me."
"You know Yukimi?" Hiro demands as she and Namie pull apart,
they automatically moving to straighten their clothing.
"Hai. Her programming accidentally kicked in sometime ago,
sometime before we started to live together," Miruko waves them with
her. "C'mon. Kanami-chan and Tamako-chan are already here. I'll
take you there."
Immediately, Namie comes up to push Miruko's wheelchair.
Hiro falls in beside her fellow infiltrator as they exit the alley,
then head up the street. "Doesn't any of this bother you,
Miruko-san?" Namie asks.
"Does it bother me?" Miruko blinks, then hums. "Let's see.
Does it bother me that after my parents upped and abandoned me, I
became housemates and lovers with a beautiful alien bioroid. A
bioroid, by the way, who was built to serve Lum on behalf of an
honest-to-goodness CHURCH that worships her as a living goddess?"
She shrugs. "Trivial stuff. What matters is that Yukimi-chan
and I are a couple, that I love her and she loves me."
"But we exist to serve Lum-sama, Miruko-san," Hiro warns.
"I know," the crippled girl nods. "But it doesn't bother me.
Most girls my age in Tomobiki don't really care for Lum, but if it
wasn't for her, I wouldn't've met Yukimi-chan. Why should I
complain?" She falls silent as several Butsumetsu Girl's students
pass by them, then once they are out of earshot, quietly continues.
"Besides, if Lum survived what the news said happened to her, she'll
need all the help she can get."
They gaze on Miruko, sensing her sincerity, then Namie squeezes
her shoulder in thanks. "Yukimi is lucky to know you, Miruko-san."
"Hey, I'M the lucky one!" Miruko grins.
"Why did you parents abandon you?" Hiro wonders.
"Two reasons. One is my gender preference and my wanting to
keep a relationship with Yukimi-chan. The second is the fact that
I suffer from paralytic poliomyelitis," she waves to her lap. "Mom
and Dad decided they didn't want to deal with someone like me, so
they got rid of me as soon as they could, then they vanished.
Lucky for me that Yukimi-chan was able to take me in or else..."
her voice trails off, a shudder running through her.
"Stupid fools," Namie mutters as Miruko indicates a right turn.
They head up the street to the third building on their right.
The building is a split-level bungalow type, though having four
half-floors. A special access ramp leads to the second-level
apartment. Awaiting them are three smiling women in casual clothing.
Namie and Hiro are quick to sense what they are. "Welcome to your
new home, sisters," Yukimi Kitahara, the oldest of the three, steps
up to warmly grasp Namie's and Hiro's hands, then she takes over
pushing Miruko inside. "Was it a safe trip?"
"Quiet," Hiro nods as she and Namie slip off their shoes.
Yukimi lifts Miruko into a wheelchair meant for indoor use.
Kanami Kurosu folds the "outdoor" wheelchair as Tamako Momose guides
the crippled Terran girl to the dining room table. The other
Avalonians join them. Yukimi and Miruko hold hands. "What news of
Lum-sama?" Kanami asks.
"I'm not sure," Yukimi shakes her head. "She and Lan-sama
returned to Earth sometime early yesterday morning. I was able to
sense that Lum-sama is alive, though there's something very wrong
with her. What, I don't know, not yet. Fortunately, given that
Lan-sama's private plot is seldomly noticed by the locals, few people
know of her return outside other members of the Holy Company:
Shutaro-sama, Shinobu-sama, Ryuunosuke-sama, Sakura-sama and
Hayao-sama. They visited them that morning. The big surprise
of that meeting was that Ataru-sama showed up as well, as did another
woman whose identity I've yet to confirm. I take it you all know of
Ataru-sama's feelings now for the people of Tomobiki?" an eyebrow
arches knowingly.
"I learned it later," Tamako confesses. "When it happened,
my brain nearly got fried when my programming clicked in after
Urayamu-sama..." her voice trails off, her eyes misting with tears.
"Well, after he..."
The others grimly nod. "What else happened?" Hiro asks.
"Lan-sama returned to her ship sometime that afternoon.
I didn't see Lum-sama at all, but I could still sense her presence
near Lan-sama," Yukimi sighs. "I came back here to prepare the
apartments for all of you. That pretty much took the rest of the
day. I haven't taken any time to do a detailed scan of either
Lum-sama or Lan-sama this morning."
"That's alright," Namie pats her sister Avalonian's hand.
"Perhaps we should just proceed to Lan-sama's ship and meet them
directly. Let them know that they have more friends here than they
first believed."
"Our creators wouldn't be so blunt, Namie," Kanami warns.
"We know how foolish our so-called 'creators' really are,
Kanami," Yukimi sneers. "Besides, we exist to serve and support
Lum-sama. The Church, in my eyes, is totally irrelevant to the
point. Besides, given how bad this war situation has become,
Lum-sama and Lan-sama ARE truly alone. Do we really want them to
remain that way, sisters?" her eyebrow arches.
The other Avalonians shake their heads...
* * *
Tokyo, Shinjuku, later that morning...
"Welcome, everyone. Hello, Shinobu! I see you brought your
friend!"
"Good morning, Father Cristobal. Hai, this is her," Shinobu
bows respectfully, gently grasping the hand of her family's pastor,
then she indicates Ryuunosuke as she performs the necessary
introductions.
"A pleasure to meet you, Ryuunosuke," Cristobal Rodriguez,
a slender Latino draped in the black robes of a Jesuit missionary,
gently grips her hand. "I am truly sorry for your loss, my dear.
Please, do come in."
"Th-thanks," Ryuunosuke nods, then follows Shinobu into the
Cathedral of Saint Urban. Already there is a small crowd. Shinobu
told her friend that most Japanese Christians lived in Kyushu; the
Miyaki clan hailed from Kagoshima. However, with the growing numbers
of people migrating into Tokyo to seek work, the Church of Rome felt
it was necessary to establish a church here. Saint Urban, named
after one of the earliest pontiffs, was modern as churches came,
lacking the rustic masonry one might find in a medieval European
cathedral. "Nice place," she whispers to Shinobu as they, Toshoba
and Kimiki slip into one of the pews near the altar.
"Yes, it is," Shinobu nods.
People take their places, then Father Cristobal assumes his post
by the altar. Prayers are given, then the pastor asks everyone
to be seated. Once everyone is relaxed, he takes a deep breath,
then notions to one side of the room. Someone stands beside Father
Cristobal. To the surprise of many the newcomer is dressed in the
flowing black robes of an Islamic imam. "My friends, this is my good
friend..." a pause, then he smiles, "...and my brother-in-faith,
Imam Daniyal Larik. He is from Karachi, Pakistan. Like I for you,
he ministers to those of his faith here in Tokyo. I asked him to
come today to help us understand the events which struck Tomobiki
last Monday. We also have with us today," he indicates Ryuunosuke,
"...one who lost her father and her boyfriend that day. For my
friend," he indicates Imam Daniyal, "...his loss is far worse, for
the man who was responsible for that horrible act..." a pause,
"...was one of his own flock."
Ryuunosuke blinks, then glancing at the others here today,
notices everyone gazing on the Islamic cleric with sympathy. Guilt
then surges up her spine. Ever since the official announcement
concerning who perpetrated the bombing at Tomobiki High was made on
Thursday, she had felt nothing but betrayal every time Ibrahim
Alhamzi's face appeared in her mind. Gazing at Daniyal Larik, her
guilt increases. The pain etched on the imam's face was far worse
than what her father had showed when he thought of her mother. No
doubt, even now with what Ibrahim had done, Imam Daniyal thought
of him as not just a friend and fellow Muslim, but a close relative.
Like a son, perhaps?
Father Cristobal steps aside, allowing the imam to assume the
podium. "The blessings of the most Merciful God unto you, who follow
the teachings of the Prophet Jesus (Peace Be Unto Him). Thank you,
my dear friend and brother-in-faith, for allowing me to speak to your
flock today," he nods thanks to the Jesuit, then faces the crowd.
"Yes, my friend does speak the truth about what happened on Monday
and how much it affected me personally. I did not come here to
neither condone nor forgive the actions of Ibrahim Alhamzi. I
cannot, for the only one who could do such a thing in the face of
such a calamity is God. I can only but pray that God will help those
who died, including Ibrahim, find their peace in Heaven."
A pause, then, "No doubt, there are those among you who wonder
why this has happened. Why is it there are those in this world who,
supposedly acting in the name of God, would murder innocent people?
What made a person like Ibrahim Alhamzi become a living weapon..."
-- the imam was grateful he had spoken to Father Cristobal about this
before today's sermon -- "...no different than the kamikaze pilots
who died defending their homeland in the last years of the Greater
East Asian War? What made a man who had treated all his fellow men
with kindness, respect and mercy..." a tear appears in his eye,
"...come to hate and to kill?"
He wipes his eye. "I have asked myself and I have asked God
that very question since Monday, my friends. I wish I could explain
why is it so many who say they follow the Word of the Prophet are
ready to toss aside his wisdom when it comes to those they hate. God
told Moses on Mount Sinai 'You shall not murder.' That is the Sixth
of the Ten Commandments, the basis of Christian law. And if there
is to be peace between Muslim and Christian, we MUST learn not just
to understand but to RESPECT each other's wisdom. We followers
of Islam, after all," he points to himself, "...look upon you as
'people of the Book.' You worship the same God as we."
Shinobu puts her hand up, then when Imam Daniyal indicates
her, asks, "If that is what the Prophet Mohammed wrote in the Qu'ran,
why is it, sir, that extremists want to make war on the people of
Israel or Americans?"
"My dear young lady, I wish I could give you a simple reason
for that particular problem," he shakes his head, then indicates
Father Cristobal. "My friend here told me that in previous sermons
and classes with you, he explained how people who considered
themselves 'truly faithful' Christians have perverted the teachings
of the Prophet Jesus (Peace Be Unto Him) to their own selfish ends.
Everything from the acts of the Holy Inquisition to the Crusades
and ultimately to atrocities like the Holocaust can be attributed
to that sad fact. And yes, it is the same in Judaism. And yes, it
is the same in Islam. Speaking of Israel and Palestine, young lady,
one of the areas of most profound dispute is Jerusalem. You see,
Jerusalem is not JUST the holiest city in both Judaism and
Christianity. Jerusalem also ranks as the third holiest city of
Islam, after Mecca and Medina."
Kimiki puts up her hand. "So in the end, that conflict is
really all about control over the holy places in Jerusalem, like the
Wailing Wall?"
"In one way, madame, you are right. The Dome of the Rock,
where, in our tradition, the Prophet is said to have ascended to
Heaven, sits on the site of the Temple of Solomon, of which the
Wailing Wall is the only last intact remnant. As you will all know,
the Temple was razed by the Romans when the Israelites rebelled
against the Caesars in 70 CE."
"Who really owns the site?" Ryuunosuke shakes her head.
"Exactly," Imam Daniyal glances at her.
"What exactly is 'jihad?'" another person asks. "I heard once
that it means much more than 'holy war,' but I don't know the exact
term."
He perks up. "Ah, yes! What 'jihad' properly means is
'struggle.' Let me tell you a story about the Prophet and perhaps
you may see where such a mistake is made." A pause. "The Qu'ran
was written at a time of terrible conflict in what today we call
Saudi Arabia. That conflict was similar in many ways to the Warring
States period here. The Prophet, as God revealed the Qu'ran to him,
was trying to bring peace to Arabia. One day, returning home after
a battle, the Prophet told his friends, 'We are returning from the
lesser jihad to the greater jihad.' You see, 'jihad' refers to the
effort a Muslim must make to allow God's Will to influence ALL parts
of his life. His personal life, his social life, his relations
with his friends, his place as part of his community. The struggle
that the Prophet spoke of, my friends, is to eliminate evil not just
from your community," he points to his heart, "...but also from your
very soul."
"That's not something one would regularly hear from a Muslim,
sir," Toshoba notes. "With what appears on television..."
he shrugs.
The imam considers his comment, then he sadly nods. "Yes, sir,
you are right. Indeed, I myself once believed like many of my faith
do these days. That no good could come out of accepting the secular
ways of the West. That the creation of Israel bode nothing but evil
and misery for Muslims in the Middle East..." he falls silent for a
moment. "I think I'm fortunate in that I spent much time learning
to teach the Prophet's words in Toronto, living with Muslims who
resided there. There, they lived alongside those of other faiths.
Their children went to school with those of other faiths, where they
happily interacted with each other, learned to respect each other.
In seeing that, I experienced something of a personal revelation.
I realized that God WANTED it to be this way. After all, the Prophet
said that God created people to be different, so that we could all
come together, learn each others' ways and live with each other."
Silence falls, then Father Cristobal walks over to squeeze
his friend's shoulder. "If we could all believe in that."
"Yes, my friend, if we only could," Imam Daniyal nods.
"Those who say they're fighting for Islam, like Alhamzi-san,
believe they're actually warring against evil," Shinobu concludes.
"Wish they'd listen to their own prophet's words," Ryuunosuke
sighs.
"Indeed," he gazes at Ryuunosuke. "Believe it or not,
Fujinami-san, I do know of you. I know of the terrible loss of your
mother when you were a baby. I know how that affected not just your
father, but also you and your friend Nagisa. Ibrahim..." he sighs.
"Many times did Ibrahim tell me of things he saw in Tomobiki.
What he knew of the alien girl Lum and how her presence there had
come to affect so many. He wept when he told me of how often you
were hurt because your father could not see you as God made you,
Fujinami-san. He wept even more when he told me of Nagisa and what
had happened to him. He..." his eyes shift to Shinobu. "He even
told me of learning how much your friend Ataru Moroboshi had been
abused, in all effect rendered helpless and friendless, by not just
Lum and those who so willingly supported her, Miyaki-san. But by his
parents as well."
The knowing look Imam Daniyal gives her sends chills down
Shinobu's back, then she blinks as another man's voice echoes in her
mind...
* * *
"Shinobu-san?"
She turned back to stare at Reigi Yumoa. "Hai?"
"Do you understand what the concept of child abuse is...?"
* * *
*Oh, Jesu Cristo! What have I done...?*
Shinobu shudders, then wipes her eyes, sensing tears flow down
her cheeks. Ryuunosuke's hand is immediately at her shoulder.
"Forgive me," Imam Daniyal's voice turns the teens' attention
back to the altar. The cleric's head is bowed; no doubt, he realized
his words had come to hurt her. "I didn't mean to accuse you of
anything, Miyaki-san."
"I..." Shinobu sniffs, then smiles, nodding. "It's alright."
He blinks, then turns to Father Cristobal. "My friend, you are
truly blessed, you know that? To have such good people to care for,"
he pats the Jesuit's shoulder, then turns to Ryuunosuke. "I've
prepared something for you, Fujinami-san," he draws out a small book.
Descending from the altar, he holds it out. "It actually is from
Ibrahim's mother. She insisted I give you something like this. I
contacted her to inform her of what happened to her son. She..."
he pats the book, then smiles at Ryuunosuke. "She insisted that you
have this. To understand that what happened on Monday is not
condoned by our faith. It is not our way, Fujinami-san."
Ryuunosuke opens the book, noting that everything was not just
in the flowing script of Arabic, but also in kanji and kana. "The
Qu'ran?"
"Yes," he nods. "This is not an 'official' Qu'ran, by the way.
In our belief, for one to be deemed one of the Faithful, one must
learn the Prophet's words in the original Arabic he wrote the Qu'ran
in. This way, any mistakes which might be made in translation
are hopefully eliminated. This is a special guide I helped prepare
to allow people in Japan to come to better understand Islam, allow
them to ask the right questions. I don't seek to convert you. The
decision, should you actually seek it, in the end MUST be yours.
The Prophet was very specific on that. 'There must be NO coercion
in matters of faith.' But I want to help you heal. So does my
friend here," he indicates Father Cristobal, then the Miyakis,
"...as does your friend and her family. For that, I thank you."
"It will always be our pleasure, sir," Kimiki nods.
Everyone beams...
* * *
The Tendou dojo...
"So when the hell did you get that back, Akane?"
Akane looks up from the shattered blocks on the dojo floor to
see Nabiki stand at the doorway, then gazes down on the Densetsu
no Doogi. "Last night," she walks over to sweep up the dust and
debris her latest workout produced. "If I'm going to convince
Ranma to come back home, I'll have to go all out on him in a formal
challenge. This'll help."
Nabiki tries not to groan as Akane cleans up the mess. *Oh,
shit, what the HELL did those two fools tell her?!* she mentally
roils, then takes a long draw on her milkshake. "Akane, this isn't
a good idea."
"You honestly think I don't know that?!" Akane spins on her.
Nabiki ducks the half-angry/half-afraid look in her sister's
eyes. Akane takes a deep breath to calm herself, then starts to
sweep. "I KNOW he's angry at his father! I KNOW he's angry at Dad!
I don't blame him for that! But..." she pauses, squeezing her eyes
shut. "This is his HOME, Nabiki! I HAVE to bring him back here,
Nabiki! I HAVE to!!"
"What if he doesn't want to come back?" Nabiki asks. "In all
effect, he's paid off the debt he's acquired since he first came
here, Akane-chan. And his father's words mean nothing to him now..."
"If Ranma refuses, his father'll disown him!"
Silence, then Nabiki smirks. "Akane, Akane, Akane, do you
really think Ranma-kun'll fall for that stupid ploy?"
Akane glares at her. "He has no choice!"
"On the contrary, sister dear. He's got loads of choices.
And if he exercises any of them, Uncle'll be up shit's creek without
a paddle!"
"Nabiki-chan, such language!"
Nabiki ducks as Kasumi steps up behind her. "Ohayou,
Onee-chan," Akane turns back to cleaning up the mess. "Be done
soon."
"I can see that," Kasumi sighs. "Akane-chan?"
"What is it?"
"Kimiko-chan will be here shortly to see you," Kasumi announces.
"I want you to treat her nice while she's here. Understood?"
Akane stops, looking away. "There's something I have to ask
her."
"No."
"What?" Akane spins on her older sister.
"No," Kasumi shakes her head. "You will not challenge her or do
ANYTHING that hurts her, Akane-chan, either physically or
emotionally. Kimiko-chan told us empathically last night that she
has no interest whatsoever in Ranma-kun. You have nothing at all to
fear from her, Akane-chan. So PLEASE, treat her nice when she's
here. Alright?"
Akane shudders, then nods. "H-hai."
The elder sister leaves. Nabiki gazes on Akane, then turns to
leave. Before she takes three steps, Akane whispers, "I still have
to know."
Nabiki stops, then shakes her head; she had heard that clearly.
"You got to learn how to trust people, Akane. Let me give you some
advice. DO NOT follow whatever Dad or Uncle told you to do last
night. If you do what they demand of you, it'll be the biggest
mistake of your life."
She heads back to the house. Akane watches her go, then turns
back to her cleaning. Suddenly, one arm comes up, some of the
Doogi's fabric stretching as a small sign appears in its grasp. [I
BELIEVE IN YOU.]
Akane smiles. "Thanks, Dou-chan."
* * *
Minutes later, a replica of Akane in designer slacks and a
flower-print shirt steps into the Tendou yard. Kasumi waits for her
by the patio. "Welcome back, Kimiko-chan," she embraces the entity
which once went by the title "Noroi no Ningyou." "Everyone's
waiting for you inside."
"Arigatou, Onee-sama," Kimiko smiles.
They step inside. "Ah, Kimiko-chan, there you are!" Souun
beams, waving her to a seat across from Akane. "Please, come in!"
"Thank you for your hospitality, Otou-sama," Kimiko sits down.
Genma glares at her, then pales as the doll-turned-woman
gives him a frigid look. Akane notes this, though she remains
silent. Regardless of what might happen between herself and this
physical clone of hers, what Genma provoked at the Ningyou-yakata
Inn HAD been wrong. Kimiko had been within her rights to seek
redress over it. Well, that was by the by...
"Kimiko?"
"Akane-san," Kimiko holds up a hand in a gesture of peace, then
closes her eyes. "On the memory of my first owner, who was raped,
then strangled, by her own brother when she had her first blood,
I speak the whole and absolute truth when I say this: I do not have
any romantic intentions or desires concerning Ranma-sama. Not now,
not ever."
Silence. A chilly, hollow wind blows through the building
as everyone stares wide-eyed at Kimiko. "Raped and murdered by her
own BROTHER?!" Nabiki gapes. "They never said that about you at the
inn."
"It's the truth," Kimiko lowers her hand.
Everyone turns to Akane. She looks at the table, then sighs.
"I can accept that," she whispers, then taking a deep breath, adds,
"And I'm sorry I presumed you did want to start something with Ranma,
Kimiko."
"I can accept that," Kimiko parrots her.
"Well, with that resolved, we can get to a much bigger problem.
Namely bringing Ranma-kun back here where he belongs," Souun nods.
"You won't be able to see him until this evening, Otou-sama."
Eyes lock on Kimiko. "Why's that?" Nabiki asks.
"Ranma-sama will, according to Kumiko-san and Toshiko-san,
be meeting some people after he returns to Nerima with Ataru-sama,"
Kimiko states. "I believe Happousai-sama is one of them, as is the
Nyu-che-zuu elder Kun-lon. I have not been told about anyone else,
but there are more. I do not believe he will have time to see you
until this evening."
"Ridiculous!!" Genma slams a fist into the table. "That boy
will come here IMMEDIATELY after he comes back to Nerima! If he does
not...!!"
An invisible storm of fists smashes into his head and back,
making Genma kiss the floor. Everyone save Kimiko gasps as Toshiko
Saotome drops the Goshin Buufu cloak, she standing behind her
"father." "Oh, Toshiko-chan, ohayou," Kasumi quickly smiles. "Would
you like some tea?"
"No thank you, Kasumi-san," the crimson-haired mirror-twin
shakes her head, then she points to the unconscious Genma. "Tell
the panda here when he recovers that whatever he thinks is 'proper'
will NOT be acknowledged by Ranma, much less Kumiko or myself, from
this day on!" Seeing Souun tense, a feral smile crosses her face.
"Got a problem with that, Tendou-san?"
Chi coalesces around her hands. Souun is quick to recognize
that as the energy needed to unleash the Yamasen-ken's most
devastating attack, the Demon God Assault Bomb. "Y-you really
wouldn't...!" he sputters.
"Give me a reason NOT to?" Toshiko's voice is ice as she
disperses the chi energy in her right hand. She points at Akane,
not moving to look at her template's ex-fiancee. "And don't think
for an instant that your cute little bunny suit'll save your lazy ass
from me, Miss Mallets. I can take you down right here and now if I
wanted to. But that..." she glares at her, making Akane quake,
"...I'll let Ranma do tonight."
"You're here to deliver a formal challenge?" Kasumi asks.
"On my sibling's behalf, yes," Toshiko relaxes. "Tonight
at eight o'clock, on the front lawn of Furinkan High School, those
who desire to pursue any claims with Ranma are to assemble. Ranma
will deal with you then and there. ***NO TIME BEFORE!!!***"
she then spins on Souun as she unleashes her own Demon Head, causing
him to curl in on himself.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
She's so SCARY!!!" Souun wails.
"Oh, Father..." Kasumi shakes her head.
Nabiki rolls her eyes. Akane does nothing save stare at her
hands. "Toshiko-san, PLEASE, will you stop that?" Kimiko then asks.
The Demon Head vanishes as Toshiko gazes fondly on Kimiko.
"Well, since you DID ask so nicely," she titters, then turns to leave
before stopping. "Oh, I forgot something...!" she glances at Akane.
"If you want to fight Ranma to force him into acknowledging
your fool father's wishes, **bring your dojo sign.** If you do not,
Ranma will refuse you. And you won't be in any position to challenge
that, Miss Mallets! Ciao!"
She vanishes under the Umisen-ken cloak. Silence falls over the
sitting room, then Akane whispers, "The dojo sign...?!"
"No...! He can't demand that...!" Souun burbles.
"I think he's not going to give you a choice, Dad," Nabiki
warns.
"Oh, dear..." Kasumi shakes her head...
* * *
Welcome House...
"Hi, Mom, it's me!"
"Oh, Ranma!" Nodoka replies. Ranma now relaxes in the foyer,
the rotunda's lone telephone in hand. "I didn't expect a call from
you until you came back to Nerima! Are you still on Promised
Island?"
"Hai, but we'll be heading back in an hour or so.
Chikage-chan's gonna let us use her travelling rainbow to get back
into town," Ranma smiles. "So how are things going with the
divorce?"
Silence, then, "How did you know...?"
"Ataru's friend, Reigi Yumoa, warned me about that a couple
of days ago," Ranma chuckles. "Relax, Mom. They won't interfere
or anything like that if you want to get away from the panda. In
fact, they can help."
"Well, that's a relief," Nodoka breathes out. "And it's nice
to know that Ataru-kun and his family are being so helpful. Things
are going well with me in that end. But there is the problem
concerning what happens to you when Genma and I do break up. You..."
she pauses. "You can adopt my maiden name if you want to finally
get away from your father, Ranma-chan. My family has no problems
to that end. In fact, they'll be more than happy to welcome you into
the fold if that's what you want."
Ranma smiles. It does not reflect in her eyes. "Mom, I
appreciate their thoughtfulness, but that isn't necessary. There's
another solution."
"You'll ask the Moroboshis to adopt you?"
"No, nothing that drastic, Mom. Look, if I turn around and
adopt another family name, that'll give Oyaji some satisfaction.
He'll be able to tell himself that I ran from my 'responsibility'..."
she makes finger-quotes with her free hand, "...to maintain the
family 'honour.' Do you really want him to feel something like that
after all he's pulled?"
"No, not really," Nodoka chuckles. "So what WILL you do?"
"That, I want to save until we get together at Ataru's place.
Look, can you be there in about three hours? And can you ask your
lawyer to be there, too? She'll want to know these things, I think."
"Alright, that's easily arranged. If you want, I can even bring
my twin sister with me. Hisayo's always wanted to meet you."
"I'd love to meet her too, Mom," Ranma smiles. "Oh, one more
thing."
"Being?"
"Bring OUR dojo sign with you. If we still have one after
Ukyou, Xian-pu and Kodachi trashed the place sometime ago."
"Yes, I can do that. It's still here. The property's in my
name, so I was going to throw it out when everything was settled.
I assume you'll do something with it when you finally decide to
confront Genma?"
"You can assume that. I'll fill you in on the details later."
"Alright, dear. I'll see you soon."
"Hai."
Ranma hangs up, then allows herself to sink into Ataru's
embrace. "I made the arrangements on our end," he kisses her
forehead. "You sure you want to do this? Even if it helps, hearts
are going to be broken today."
"Did you know that when you confronted Lum and Lan?"
"Hai, I did."
"Then why do you expect me to feel different?" she stares at
him.
He considers that, then chuckles. "Touche!" he kisses her
again, then waves her to his bedroom. "C'mon, let's get packed."
"Hai!"
* * *
"Tonight at eight at the school?" Ukyou blinks, staring at
Kumiko Saotome as the latter waits for her order. "Sure, I can be
there."
"That's wonderful," the raven-haired mirror-twin nods before
taking a deep breath. "U-chan, I should warn you that if what Ranma
plans does come off the way she envisions it, any hopes of you
marrying him will be dashed once and for all. I..." she gasps on
seeing Ukyou swing her battle spatula at her face. "HEY!!! What are
you doing?!!" she smashes it away.
"***WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?!!***" Ukyou reaches for
Kumiko's top, then screams out as the latter vanishes. "***DAMN
YOU, KU-CHAN, STOP PULLING THAT SHIT ON ME!!!***" she looks wildly
around, then yelps as a fist hits the back of her head, sending
her to kiss the floor.
Kumiko reappears behind the prostrate chef. "Would you kindly
CALM DOWN and listen for a moment before you throw a
temper-tantrum?!" she demands, then sensing Konatsu moving to defend
his employer, points a warning finger at the male kunoichi.
"***DON'T YOU DARE!!!***"
Konatsu screams as a Demon Head forms, then scrambles out of
sight. Kumiko relaxes, then hops over the counter to sit back in her
chair. By then, Ukyou is on her feet, glaring at the mirror-twin.
"Okay, TALK!!" she slams her fist on the counter. "What did you mean
by all that?!"
Kumiko sighs. "Ranma is going to renounce all links with Genma,
plus renounce his standing as a student of Musabetsu Kakutou-ryuu."
Silence.
"Ran-chan's gonna make himself roonin?" Ukyou's eyes widen.
"Not exactly," Kumiko shakes her head. "He will still retain
the name 'Ranma Saotome.' However, sometime in the next several
hours, he'll apply to form a NEW branch of the Saotome family, based
on Oomure-jima. Your engagement is to a Ranma Saotome, son of Genma
and Nodoka Saotome of Nerima-ku in Tokyo. NOT to Ranma Saotome,
head of the Saotome family of Oomure-jima, part of the city of
Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture."
Ukyou stares absently at her stove as she considers that, then
she gazes back on Kumiko. "Is that even possible?"
"Oh, yes, it is," Kumiko nods. "U-chan, PLEASE!! If you truly,
REALLY care for Ranma, you won't try to screw this up!"
"But..." Ukyou shudders. "What if Dad doesn't accept it?!"
"He'll have no choice BUT to accept it," Kumiko insists. "Look,
under normal circumstances, Ranma won't be able to do much to get
himself out of this mess without hurting someone's honour. That's
something he doesn't like, U-chan. I would think that you'd realize
that by now."
"Yeah, I do, but...!"
"No 'buts,' U-chan!!" Kumiko shakes her head. "There's
something else that'll happen, too. When he was off with
Tampopo-chan to find your yatai, Ranma arranged for some special
investigators to take a detailed look at EVERY illegal thing Genma
has done. It wound up creating a file THIS thick!" she makes a
three-centimetre space between her thumb and index finger. "We're
talking five ADDITIONAL fiancees, a bill of almost half a BILLION
yen for stolen food and other items, the whole mess with the Neko-ken
and everything else. THAT will be turned over to a representative
from a special branch of the Imperial Household Agency. From there,
it'll be spread to the National Police Agency and Interpol!"
Ukyou considers that, then breathes out. "Whoa...!"
"Yes. The panda won't have any time to try to fight what Ranma
has in mind. Once that information gets to the National Police
Agency, he'll have NO PLACE in Japan to hide, U-chan. And
Interpol'll make sure the news gets to Korea, China and everywhere
else the stupid panda dragged Ranma so he could learn the Art. No
matter what, Genma loses in the end."
"About damned time, too!" Ukyou scowls, then blinks. "Ku-chan?"
"Yeah?"
"Doesn't Ran-chan want ANYTHING to do with me?!"
"Not as a fiancee," Kumiko confirms. "Like he told you: he
wants his friend back, not a fiancee. You can't be both, U-chan,
not anymore." A pause. "He's very sorry about that. The one thing
you can be assured of is that Ranma doesn't want anything to do with
Xian-pu, Akane or Kodachi. He's making arrangements now with Xian's
great-grandmother to help Xian go back home with her honour intact.
Kodachi has no legal claim on Ranma, so anything she says is
meaningless. And Ranma renounced everything with the Tendous on
Tuesday. And if Miss Mallets wants to challenge Ranma on that, she
has to offer her dojo sign up or Ranma will refuse her challenge."
"Ai-ouch!!" Ukyou winces. "Akane's dad won't like that!"
"True, he won't. And if he refuses, Ranma destroys the Saotome
dojo sign. Either which way, that morons' agreement comes to an end
today. And with the panda on the run..." Kumiko holds up a finger.
"Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't," the chef smirks.
"Right," Kumiko drawls...
* * *
Furinkan High School, sometime later...
"***WHAT?!?!?!***"
"Yes, honoured friends, it IS true!!" Tatewaki Kunou now stands
before the assembled members of the school kendo club, along with a
small gathering of students from other sports teams. They now gather
on the front lawn. "Nabiki Tendou did proclaim it to the Blue
Thunder last week! Kasumi Tendou confirmed what her sister said
right then and there! That most beauteous flower, that fighting
tigress, our beloved Akane Tendou, is now free from the clutches
of that foul sorcerer Saotome!!"
Hearing that, the group of forty young men before her -- the
noble lads who once went out to duel Akane to win the right to date
her -- emit a joyous scream. "Yes, my friends!!" Kunou shudders,
his eyes tearing as he gazes heavenward. "Justice has prevailed!!
The wicked one who dared attempt to take Akane Tendou away from us is
defeated!! Therefore...!" he points to them, "...as we did before,
so will we do now!! Commencing tomorrow morning, we will show our
love for the fair Akane!! And again, I say this: Whoever should
defeat Akane Tendou will win the right to DATE her!! And there will
be NO exceptions to our proclamation!!! NONE!!"
A loud cheer echoes from the Horde as they raise their bokken
and other playing instruments in salute to their "leader." "Hey,
guys, let's get practised up!!" Nagao Koriko, a member of the kendo
club, looks at the others. "We've got a lady's heart to win over
tomorrow!!!"
The others cheer, then the groups break off, spreading out over
the school grounds to begin some necessary exercises. Kunou watches
them go, then shudders delightedly. "Oh, yes! Yes!!" he cackles.
"Now I will finally win Akane Tendou's love, as it was TRULY meant
to be...!!"
"You're being really smart, Sempai."
Kunou jolts, then looks around. "Pig-tailed girl...?!"
"Not exactly," echoes from his right. "I'm actually the
mirror-twin of your Osagi-no-Onna that showed up at school some
months back."
The kendo team captain blinks, then snaps his fingers. "Ah,
yes, I do remember hearing of you from Nabiki Tendou!!" he sagely
nods.
"Wonderful," a giggle tickles his ears. "You can call me
Toshiko Saotome, by the way. It's the name she chose for me.
Now..."
Kunou gasps as he feels SOMETHING slip inside his hakama
trousers as another finger touches the back of his neck, specifically
over a shiatsu point that would paralyse his legs. "Wh-wh-what...?"
he sputters.
"Oh, SEMPAI!!!" Toshiko coos. "Is that because of ME?!!"
He shudders, then sighs as waves of pleasure flood his body from
his groin. "Oh, that feels so good," he whispers.
"I'm glad," Toshiko chuckles. "Relax, Sempai. I'm using a
certain honourless fool's invisibility technique right now. Just
relax and enjoy it. Besides, no one's watching us right now."
"Indeed," he nods, crossing his arms in front of him to hide
whatever is happening down THERE from potentially embarrassing
exposure. "Tell me, fair Toshiko Saotome, is there some reason you
are here other than to bestow your loving touch upon the Blue
Thunder's robust manhood?"
"Well, I do have a message from the Osagi-no-Onna."
"Indeed?! Pray tell me what it is!"
"Oh, patience, Sempai!" Toshiko giggles. "It's this: tonight
at eight o'clock, all those who've been supposedly enchanted by the
'foul sorcerer' as you call him will learn of his ultimate fate!"
"What?!! What fate is that?!!"
"Ah, but that's a surprise, Sempai," Toshiko soothes. "A
surprise is meant to be anticipated, Sempai. Dreamt of, contemplated
over, yearned for. But, dear Sempai, I will tell you this, since
touching you gives me SUCH pleasure," she purrs in his ear. "The
foul sorcerer is no more."
"Indeed?" Kunou breathes in, then shudders as Toshiko's
invisible fingers dance over his body. "A pity that it was not I
that delivered the final blow to that monster, Toshiko Saotome.
It was only proper," he shakes his head. "But alas, Fate can be
truly cruel at times."
"Hai, Fate can be that," Toshiko sighs. "However, I can give
you this promise, Sempai: the one who was TRULY responsible
for the demise of the foul sorcerer will be revealed tonight. Will
you be there?"
"I shall be there!" he vows.
"Wonderful! Oh, do tell your sister about this as well, Sempai.
She would desire to know this, too. Can you promise me that?" she
then hums.
"I shall do so, beautiful Toshiko! My oath is my bond!!"
"Oh, I'm so happy," Toshiko breathes out as she unlocks his
legs. "Now, Sempai, what say we go somewhere a little more private,
ne?"
He pales, shakily nodding. "Ah, h-hai!"
* * *
Tomobiki, before lunch...
"Hey, check that out!"
People turn as the bouncy beat of Yanni's "Highland" echoes
through the streets. Whatever the onlookers are doing at that time
comes to a halt as they focus their attention on the
brightly-coloured road-train chugging past. Since some road repair
work is underway on the main road connecting Tomobiki to Nerima -- a
frequent occurrence in this town given the many times the streets
got chewed up by the treads of tanks, self-propelled artillery
and the like -- the road-train has to take a detour which arcs Ataru,
Ranma, Negako and the sisters close to Tomobiki High. While some of
the sisters snap their fingers and clap their hands to the bouncy
piano beat -- not to mention Ataru gaily dancing with Haruka -- the
others take in the scenery. "This doesn't look like such a bad
place," Yotsuba muses, scoping everything out through her digital
camera lens.
"Don't let the looks fool you, Yotsuba," Chikage warns, gazing
upon her crystal ball. "Even if many of the 'usual suspects'
are either dead or rendered powerless, the threat to Ani-kun is still
there."
The would-be detective considers that, then nods, continuing
her inspection. In the driver's cockpit, Rinrin scans a map, then
calls back, "We should be back on the main road in about ten minutes,
Aniki!"
"Hai!" Ataru nods as he and Haruka sweep to the climax, then
exchange a courtly bow. "Most enchanting, Haruka-sama," he courtly
kisses her.
"Anigimi-sama!" Haruka's cheeks flame. "P-poh!"
"Hina wants to dance with Onii-tama!!" Hinako waves her hands.
Ataru moans, dropping to his knees. "Oh, my poor back...!"
Laughter echoes through the passenger compartment as Hinako
gives her Onii-tama a properly annoyed pout. Ataru reaches for her
as the CD goes to the next song, "If I Could Tell You." Hinako
giggles as they sway to the music. Ranma stares at him, then turns
her attention to the passing cityscape. She blinks on seeing a white
military-like car parked on a side street, two people inside it, then
shakes her head.
Didn't look too threatening...
* * *
"Moroboshi...!"
"Yes, Young Master, that does look like him!" the driver
confirms.
Shutaro Mendou quakes as he watches the road-train pass before
him. Yes, there he was. And he was DANCING with a GIRL?! And there
were well over ten other GIRLS, some of them exceptionally
beautiful, with him now?! An outraged quiver shakes his body. How
DARE he?! How DARE he abandon Lum-san in her time of need, all to
chase girls?! That...! That...!
"Follow him!" he orders.
"Hai!!"
The command car swings onto the road, Mendou finding himself
three vehicles behind the road-train. Gripping his katana with one
hand, he draws out his cell-phone in the other, then speed-dials
a number...
* * *
An air-raid warning siren goes off at the Mendou estate. Pilots
and gunners man the Air Corps' large fleet of Apache and Huey Cobra
gunships as crews board the Panzer Division's Leopard II tanks. As
the first flight of helicopters rises from the airport, several
emergency gates along the outer perimeter open, allowing tanks to
surge out onto the streets. Passers-by scramble out of the way of
the rampaging vehicles, then exchange annoyed looks. "What's got
into Mendou now?" one man asks.
"Search me!" his friend shakes his head.
"I thought this would've all come to an end when that Oni girl
left!" a third rolls his eyes heavenward.
"Wishful thinking!" a fourth grumbles...
* * *
Ranma perks on sensing something come towards her, then leans
out of the passenger compartment to gaze skyward. Seeing the
menacing shapes presently sweeping towards the road-train, she looks
at Ataru, he still dancing with Hinako. "Hey, Ataru, is there a
military base near here?!"
Ataru stops, then walks over to see what caught Ranma's
attention. "What the...?" he blinks, then seeing the helicopters'
guns pointing in their general direction, sighs. "Oh, hell!!" he
spits out.
"It appears Shutaro has leapt to conclusions again," Negako
wryly muses, she having leaned out to take her own look.
Ataru gazes on her, then his eyes turn back to see a
familiar-looking command car trailing the road-train. "This is just
great..." he sighs.
"Onii-chan, what do we do?!" Karen tenses.
"Yotsuba'll handle this!"
Eyes lock on the would-be detective, then jaws hit the deck as
she reaches into her jacket to draw out a long red cape. "Hey,
Yotsuba, what the heck are you...?" Ranma demands, then screams
out as Yotsuba whirls the cape around her, a burst of light blinding
everyone's view.
When the light fades and everyone's vision returns, Yotsuba
is gone. "Yotsuba-chan...!" Kaho gasps. "Where did Yotsuba-chan
go?!"
Unseen by the others, Chikage and Negako have also vanished...
* * *
"Young Master, the helicopters are moving into position!"
"How soon will the troops have the road-block prepared?!"
"Two minutes, sir!"
"Excellent!" Mendou shudders as he slips his cell-phone
back into his pocket. His mind quickly draws up images of what might
happen -- No! What WILL happen!! -- after he punished Moroboshi
for this latest transgression against the fairer gender, especially
the many beautiful girls now in that slime's company aboard the
strange vehicle some distance ahead of him...
"***AH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!***"
The scion of the Mendou fortune starts, his hairs standing
on end on his hearing that shrill laugh, then he looks around.
"Who...?!"
A blur of red and green whips past his face. Mendou cries out
as his eyes automatically snap shut, then his sword hand squeezes
tight on empty air! "What the...?!" he looks down at his hands,
then bolts to his feet, wildly looking around. "WHO TOOK MY SWORD
AWAY?!?!" he screams.
More of that mocking laughter echoes from his left. He turns,
then looks up to gaze on the top of a telephone pole. Standing
there is a caped figure resembling a French musketeer, with a green
knee-length skirt, a red pleaded cape, a silver feathered hat, brown
calf-length lace boots and a mask covering her face. In her
outstretched hand is his katana. "Are you looking for this, oh vile
villain of villains?!" she demands.
"WHO ARE YOU?!?!" Mendou wails, nearly overwhelmed on hearing
this mysterious stranger call HIM of all people a "villain of
villains."
"Aaaah!!! It's the Bishoojo Kaitou Clover!!" Kaho cries out.
Mendou barely picks that up, then screams out to his driver,
"Catch her!! Summon the Kuromegane at once to capture this thief!!!"
he reaches into his pocket, then blinks on feeling nothing there.
"EH?!?!"
"Looking for this, perchance?!"
Mendou looks up, then cries out on seeing the Lady Clover hold
up his cell-phone in her other hand. "Hear this well, beast!!!"
she points at him with the hand holding his katana. "***I ACCUSE
YOU, SIR!!!***"
He pales, eyes as wide as saucers as the shock of this moment
freezes him in place. "Ac-c-c-cuse...? M-m-me...?" he sputters.
"Yes!! Hear the words of the Lady Clover and know the full
level of your villainy against the innocents of Tomobiki!!"
she thunders. "Know this well, Shutaro Mendou!! I, the Lady Clover,
sworn defender of the weak and oppressed, eternal foe of the rich and
selfish, know ALL your dark deeds!! How YOU lusted after an alien,
an ONI of all things, when she clearly desired you not!! How YOU
hazed and bullied an innocent man because the Oni you so lusted for
desired HIS love, not YOURS!! How YOU played with the hearts of
HUNDREDS of fair, innocent maidens when you were bound by noble giri
to marry yet ANOTHER innocent maiden!! How YOU have brought anger,
misery and endless disruptions to the lives of all of Tomobiki
as you prosecuted your mindless, selfish goals!! ***I ACCUSE YOU,
SIR, OF ALL THAT!!!! AND I FIND YOU GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY!!!!***"
Before Mendou could respond, a surge of women from the local
high schools surrounds his command car, all glaring on the Lady
Clover. "***WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO ACCUSE OUR MENDOU-SAN OF BEING
A CRIMINAL?!?!***" Ogin demands, pointing back at the caped woman.
"Who the hell are YOU to STEAL from our Mendou-san, you thieving
bitch?!! How dare you...?!"
A hard gust of wind slams into Ogin's gut, sending her flying
into Mendou's command car. "Ogin-san!!" he screams, then pales as
the air before the Rosebuds crackles, morphing into a familiar
crimson-haired woman. "SAOTOME!!!!" he snaps. Instantly realizing
that Ranma was here to stand against him, Mendou roars, drawing
a spare katana from a hidden compartment behind his seat. Leaping
out of the car, he charges...
"***HIRYUU SHOOTEN-HA!!!!***"
...and goes flying!
"MENDOU-SAN!!!!" the Rosebuds scream in horror on seeing their
beloved icon disappear, then spin back on Ranma...
...only to see a younger girl in a blue hoop skirt and petticoat
staring at them, her eyes wide and tearing. "Kusu!" Aria burbles,
her feelings for these bad women who were threatening her Nii-ya,
her Nee-ya and Yotsuba as clear as crystal. "Kusu!! Kusu!!!
***KUSU!!!!***"
That last cry echoes like a thunderclap throughout Tomobiki.
In an instant, an ominous rumble shakes the streets, causing the
Rosebuds to look confusedly around. That doesn't save them from the
large group of worried mothers, who literally run them into the
asphalt as they crowd around Aria! The young Parisian gazes around
confusedly, then hearing several of the people around them ask "Are
you alright, dear?! Did those mean girls hurt you?!", relaxes,
basking in the attention she now receives.
Standing on the telephone pole, the Lady Clover watches this,
then slips off her mask. Yotsuba leaps to the ground, then making
her way around the crowd fawning over Aria, tosses Mendou's sword
and cell-phone into the command car. "When you see that jerk, tell
him this," she glares at the driver, giving him the evil eye with her
spy glass. "If he tries to hurt Yotsuba's Ani-chama ever again,
he'll get WORSE!! Understood?!"
"H-h-hai!" the driver sputters.
Yotsuba nods, taking off her cape as she quickly switches
back to her normal clothes, then she heads to the road-train.
Ranma is already there, standing by the stairs leading into the
passenger compartment. "I take it Negako taught Yotsuba how to
switch clothes like that," she gazes on Ataru.
"She did," he nods. "Yotsuba came up with the whole 'Lady
Clover' thing after seeing the Errol Flynn 'Robin Hood' one too many
times. By the way, where'd you get the megaphone to amplify
Aria-chan's crying?"
"Mendou's car. You wouldn't BELIEVE the amount of stuff he's
got crammed into that thing," Ranma shakes his head as the crowd
around Aria disperses, allowing the young Parisian to re-join her
siblings.
Aria daintily makes her way to the stairs. "Nee-ya, Nii-ya,
did Nee-ya and Nii-ya like what Aria did?" she asks Ranma.
"Oscar performance, Aria-chan!" Ataru flashes her an "OK."
"Sure right about that!" Ranma leaps into the passenger
compartment, then reaches down to help Aria aboard. "Hey, driver,
let's go!!"
"Wait! Where're Onee-sama and Chikage?!" Sakuya calls out.
"We're right here, Sakuya."
Everyone screams on seeing Chikage and Negako relaxing in their
seats, the former enjoying a can of ice tea. "So where did you two
go?" Rinrin demands as the driver guides the road-train towards
Nerima.
"Do you hear helicopters now, Rinrin?" Chikage asks.
People glance outside, then up. "What did you do?" Ataru asks.
The grandmistress and the sorceress exchange a look, then
giggle. That response sends sweat drops pouring down the others'
hair...
* * *
"How -- is this -- POSSIBLE?!!"
A drenched Mendou, having been treated by one of the clan's
first-aid teams, stares wide-eyed at the pile of wrecked helicopter
and tank parts on the lawn before the mansion. He had been
fortunate; he landed in one of the estate's swimming pools after
experiencing the Rising Dragon Ascension for the first time. The
tank and helicopter crews had been teleported back to the estate
by Chikage when Negako destroyed their mounts.
Presently, Ryooko is walking up to him, bringing with her a note
that had been tied to one of the Leopards' cannons. "I suggest
you better read this before you decide to play with your toys again,
Onii-san," she hands it to her brother, a mischievously delighted
smile crossing her face. "It appears to me that Moroboshi-kun
no longer wants to play with you."
Hearing that, Mendou snatches the note, then reads:
"Shutaro,
"Today was a warning. Next time, it will be for REAL.
"Leave Ataru and Ranma alone from now on.
"Lum's feelings for Ataru are no longer relevant in this matter.
"Neither are yours.
"Negako Moroboshi"
Mendou shudders, then screams, "***CURSE YOU, MOROBOSHI!!!!***"
Ryooko shakes her head. "You are such a fool, Onii-san..."
* * *
Later...
"Feeling a little better, Lan-san?"
"Yes, Sensei, I am," Lan gently nods. She is now in her
bedroom, a cold compress on her head. Though her skin is still pale
and clammy, she looks much better than she did when the Crossing
Over began. "Just trying to meditate. I'd think the Crossing
Over'd be easier than this..."
"Well, your Crossing Over is quite unique," Yamada softly
cackles as he gazes on his scanner. "As you might now be able to
sense, Lum-san is progressing well. Both of you should be on your
feet by tonight."
"Wonderful..." Lan closes her eyes, then starts on sensing
something odd about her starship home. "Darling was here, wasn't
he?"
The alien doctor pauses, unsure as to how to respond. That
response might as well be a white flag to the
Seishin-Urusian-turned-Nendo-kata. "He WAS here? But why...?"
Lan stares wearily at him. "He said..."
"Yes, Lan-san, I know," Yamada sighs. "Forgive me, but I've no
real WORDS to describe what I saw late last night. But..." he pauses
as he marshals his thoughts. He knew Nendo-kata didn't
telepathically pry on other sentients unless they felt it was VERY
necessary. "He was able to help you endure the Crossing Over with
greater ease, Lan-san."
Lan considers that. "He did...?"
"Yes. And he asked you one thing."
"Being?"
"To take care of Lum-san. He..." Yamada pauses, then lowers
his eyes. "He somehow learned of the abuse you endured when you were
a child. In fact, his exact words were, 'Now we have something
in common.'"
Lan returns to gazing at the deckhead as she absorbs the
doctor's words. "Darling..." she whispers, closing her eyes. "Oh,
Darling..."
"There appears to be much more going on with Ataru-san than any
of us first suspected, Lan-san," Yamada warns.
"I know of some of it," Lan nods, then her eyes begin to glow
the eerie burgundy shade of Nendo-kata blood. That is the tell-tale
sign of her telepathic powers going fully active. "Eh...?"
"Is there someone here?"
"Five...! At the front gate..." Lan tries to concentrate,
then her eyes widen before a groan escapes her. "Oh, Blessed Mother,
not THEM...!!"
"What?!" Yamada looks ready to panic.
"The Church of Lum..." Lan grumbles, reaching for her
forehead...
* * *
"Are they both in there, Yukimi?"
"Yes, I can sense them clearly now," Yukimi's eyes are narrow
as she uses her empathy to scan Lan's scoutship. "Lan-sama is in her
bedroom. Lum-sama's in the swimming pool, I think. And there's
a third..."
Footsteps. "Hello...! Oh, Miruko-chan, is that you?!"
"Hi, Shinobu-san!" Miruko waves as Shinobu and Ryuunosuke
come up, the latter pair having just returned from church. "Look
who's back!"
The crippled girl indicates the alien starcraft. "You aren't
mad about that, are you?" Ryuunosuke crosses her arms.
"Not really," Miruko shakes her head, one hand grasping
Yukimi's. "In fact, you might say Lum, in a way, helped me meet my
girlfriend," she glaces up at the wavy brown-haired, golden
brown-eyed Avalonian.
Shinobu's eyebrow arches. She knew of Miruko's gender
preference and how that led to the estrangement with her parents.
She also had met Yukimi Kitahara in passing, but never got the chance
to really get to know the older woman. Yukimi always struck her as
being something like a gypsy at heart, what with her flowery
headscarves and flowing clothes. "Really?"
"Really," Miruko chuckles, gazing fondly at her lover. "Do you
want to tell her this or do you want me to do it, love?"
"As you see best, Beloved," Yukimi wriggles her eyebrows.
"What are you talking about?!" Ryuunosuke shakes her head.
"What's with these people? Are they aliens or something like that?"
"We are, Ryuunosuke-sama," the very tall girl in the halter
top, striped shorts and high-heel boots nods.
Silence. Shinobu and Ryuunosuke exchange a look, then everyone
tenses on feeling a strange, moist *warmth* flood their bodies from
head to toe. *They are that, guys,* Lan's voice echoes in their
heads.
"Lan?!" Shinobu looks wildly around, then relaxes, remembering
what Doctor Yamada had told her last night about the Nendo-kata.
"Lan-sama?!" the motherly-looking newcomer starts. "But...?!"
*Never mind!* the Seishin-turned-Nendo-kata's
voice sounds like brittle ice, then she seems to relax. *Remember
what Darling told you guys yesterday about the Church of Lum?* she
asks Shinobu and Ryuunosuke.
"What about it?" Ryuunosuke asks.
*Meet four of their field agents,* Lan seems to sigh. *All but
Miruko-chan there. However...* she pauses, humming.
"We're not Niphentaxians," Yukimi finishes.
"But they aren't Terrans, either," Miruko adds, then cups her
mouth with a hand as she lowers her voice conspiratorially.
"I think we'd better take this inside to ensure no one overhears
us, ne?"
The others nod...
* * *
"Tadaima!!"
"Ataru-kun, everyone, welcome back!" Chigaiko Inu steps out of
the kitchen as everyone streams into the old shrine. "How was your
vacation?"
"Much better than expected," Ataru slips off his shoes, carrying
his bags into his bedroom. "No problems here?"
"No, but that China girl who wants to marry Ranma-san here
called this morning, wondering when her 'Airen' will be back,"
Chigaiko reports, then looks sympathetically at Ranma. "I pity you,
Ranma-san."
Ranma tries not to look nauseous. "She'll be dealt with..."
Everyone starts on hearing the doorbell. "Who the heck's that?"
Mamoru runs to the door, opening it to see a officious-looking
gentleman standing there. Another, younger and looking like your
average salaryman, stands behind him, briefcase in hand. "Hai, can
I help you?"
"I'm sorry for coming so soon, young lady. Are Ranma Saotome
and Ataru Moroboshi here?" the older man gracefully bows to them.
"Ah, Your Honour, you're just in time!" Ataru walks over, waving
Ranma up to join them. "Ranma, this is Judge Kyuusuke Nozawa of the
Court of Special Appeals. He's the man who got Muchi and Kinshou
off my backs. And I assume you must be from..." he gazes on the
younger visitor.
"The Family Registrar? Yes, I am, Moroboshi-san,"
he nods.
"Pleased," Ranma nods, accepting the man's business card.
"We just got back from Oomure-jima, Your Honour," Ataru waves
them inside. "Shirayuki, we need some tea made up real quick!"
"Hai, Nii-sama!" Shirayuki heads to the kitchen...
* * *
"'Bioroids?!'"
"Hai, Shinobu-san, they are that!" Yamada lowers his scanner.
"Quite similar to Terran norm -- in fact, I'd swear they were
templated off normal Terrans -- but there are some distinct
differences in their DNA."
"Including empathy, right?" Ryuunosuke wonders, then blinks
as a smiling Tamako hands her a cup of tea. "Er, thanks!"
"My pleasure, Ryuunosuke-sama," the tomboyish Avalonian nods.
A sweat drop flows down Ryuunosuke's hair. "Not to mention
a form of touch-telepathy, somewhat different than the broadcast
telepathy the Nendo-kata make use of," Yamada chuckles. "I never
knew the Niphentaxians had advanced that far in the realm of
bio-genetic engineering."
"They haven't," Yukimi reports. "Eighty years ago, explorers
from Phentax Two came to Phentax Twelve and discovered a bioroid
factory left there by an extinct race from beyond the edge of the
galaxy known as the Sagussans. The bioroids -- our people..."
she indicates herself, then Tamako, Namie, Hiro and Kanami,
"...address ourselves as 'Avalonians.'"
"It's stolen technology, you mean," Lan, who had been carried
down by Ryuunosuke so she could join the others in the living room,
sneers.
"In a sense," Kanami shrugs.
"You don't seem to be too angry about this," Shinobu notes.
"Why should we?" Namie wonders. "Were it not for Lum-sama
and the Church, we would not exist. At least, not exist in this
format," she points to herself. "As Avalonians come these days, we
are very lucky in that we've been allowed to live outside the Union's
territory, free from any oversight by our 'creators.' Granted,
it would be very ideal for all of our kind to be free of the
Niphentaxians, but..." she shrugs.
"Well, with three billion of Lum-chan's so-called 'worshippers'
now dead, you just might get the chance," Lan ruefully laments.
"What does that mean?" Ryuunosuke gazes on her, the others
paling on hearing the number of dead their host just quoted.
"Just before Lum-chan and I began the Crossing Over, Benten
called and told us that some awful calamity befell the Church of Lum
a couple weeks ago. It..." the Seishin-turned-Nendo-kata
shudders. Oh, Mother, how could she explain what happened without
making Shinobu and Ryuunosuke automatically believe that Ataru had
deliberately instigated what happened in Lumukyou? "It was an event
that, according to one of Benten's friends, claimed the lives of
those who were 'hard-core' supporters of the Church. The type who
would have killed Darling at first sight, in other words."
"Three billion..." Shinobu blanches.
"Oh, fuck!" Ryuunosuke tries not to gag on her bile as the sheer
SCALE of what Lan just described to them sinks in.
"Hai," Lan nods. "Much that I, even before the Crossing Over,
would wish they'd all get a life, I wouldn't wish THAT on them! Not
at all!"
"Nor would we," Yukimi shakes her head. "Lan-sama, we know that
given the dire straits your people must be in thanks to the Noukiites
-- not to mention you and Lum-sama merging with the noble spirits
who came to help you yesterday afternoon -- the chances of you and
Lum-sama returning home to Uru are very slim. Please, would you two
consent to live with my sisters, Miruko and I at our apartment
block? Sooner or later, someone like the monster who blew up the
school on Monday'll notice this ship's back, then decide to press
on their warped goals against you. Do you want to really deal with
that, even with the powers you've now been given?"
"Yukimi-san has a point, Lan-san," Yamada nods. "Even if the
Great School has dedicated itself to promoting the Unity between
all the Great Schools in the Cosmic Chain of Life, there are those
who WOULD view what you and Lum-san have become as a vile threat
to their own worldviews."
"It would be the smart thing to do," Shinobu agrees.
Lan gazes on them, sensing their sincerity, then nods.
"Alright, we'll consider it. But we best get in contact with Jay and
Kay first to tell them what's happening. Though they sometimes
annoyed me, the MiB have the better interests of all, Terran and
non-Terran, at heart. Oh..."
She winces, feeling her forehead. "I think you better get back
to bed, Lan," Ryuunosuke moves to lift her out of her chair.
"Here..."
"I can do that, Ryuunosuke-sama," Kanami rises to help.
"Nah, it's cool! I'll be okay."
Kanami nods, then returns to her seat. Ryuunosuke carries
Lan to her bedroom. "Thanks, Ryuu-chan," the latter sighs as the
former slips her under the covers. "They're hard to accept, aren't
they?"
"Yeah, they are that," Ryuunosuke draws the blankets over her.
"Ya know, even with what Moroboshi said about them yesterday,
haulin' out that book and all, I still found it pretty hard to
believe that there're people out there who actually WORSHIP us as
living gods! I mean, what the heck did we do ta deserve somethin'
like THAT happenin' to us, Lan?!"
"That why I don't waste brain cells trying to figure them out,"
Lan titters, then closes her eyes. "Still, I have to admit, it is
nice that Yukimi and her friends are here. Hard to believe someone
in the Church got away with sending four prize 'slaves' to Earth
without Oogi finding out."
"What do you mean?"
"Oogi, above all else, was a control fanatic," Lan sneers.
"It's a miracle that there are Church sects that actually view
Darling with some sort of kindness. But they couldn't be too open
about it or else they'd've been branded 'heretics' and dealt with
accordingly." A yawn steals her voice. "Not that it matters,
given that Darling dealt with him..."
Ryuunosuke considers that, then her eyes widen. "He was there!"
"Eh?!"
"Moroboshi! He was there when this all happened, right?"
Lan gazes on the tomboy, then smiles. "You always were a pretty
smart one, Ryuu-chan," she reaches over to squeeze her friend's
arm. "Yes, Darling was there. In the middle of it, to be exact.
He..." she pauses.
Ryuunosuke stares at her, then shakes her head. "He
couldn't've..."
"No, he didn't. Not according to what Benten passed on to us.
And I'd think we'd all know Darling a lot better than THAT,
Ryuu-chan."
"Yeah, ya gotta point there."
"And that HAS to stay secret."
Ryuunosuke considers that, then sighs. "'Cause of Shinobu,
right?"
"And a few others, too. Especially if there're other Church
agents still here in Tomobiki. And the chances are VERY good that
there're some out there now. After all, how was it that they were
able to get copies of all our diaries to write the Book of Lum?" Lan
grimaces. "I wish I could figure out HOW they were able to do that!"
She nods. "And yes, Shinobu, too. Please don't think that I hate
her, Ryuu-chan. She's got many good qualities that I admire a lot.
But one of her bad qualities is how she sometimes views people more
as personal property than as equals."
"Like Moroboshi?"
"Especially Darling," Lan nods. "I noticed it a lot when I
watched them. Lum-chan let Darling get away with a lot more than
what Shinobu ever did. Did you think that, in the wake of all that,
Darling would continue to care for Shinobu in the same way he cared
for Lum-chan?"
"Not really," Ryuunosuke shakes her head. "But, still,
Shinobu-chan's got some really strong feelings for Moroboshi,
even now..."
Lan gazes at her visitor, then her eyes narrow. "You saw them
too, didn't you?" she blinks. "Darling's half-sisters?!"
"'Half-sisters?!'" Ryuunosuke gapes. "What're ya talking
about?!"
Lan quickly orders Mister Big Screen -- her deck-to-deckhead
bedroom tele-video monitor -- on, then verbally links into her ship's
memory banks. A second later, three holo-images appears. Ryuunosuke
recognizes two of them, then tells Lan about hers and Shinobu's
encounter with Ataru, Sakuya and Chikage on Friday after the memorial
service to Monday's bombing victims. Hearing of Lan's and Lum's
encounter with Sakuya, Chikage and Haruka on Saturday after the
gang's meeting with Ataru and Negako at the Mendou mansion,
Ryuunosuke shudders. "Shit! How'd Lum take that?!"
"Not good," Lan sighs.
"Damn..."
* * *
An hour later...
"So how are things with Lum and Lan?"
"Progressing as expected," Negako smiles. She and Ataru stand
in the kitchen. At present, Judge Nozawa and the registrar,
Tetsuo Sakagami, are busy with Ranma, Sakuya and Chikage (the elder
of Ataru's half-sisters acting on behalf of the Moroboshi Clan) in
the living room. Toshiko and Kumiko, along with Kikuko Tendou,
had arrived shortly after the judge and the registrar came to join
in on the discussions since the mirror-twins would join Ranma as part
of the Saotome family of Oomure-jima. "It appears the Church of Lum
dispatched five Avalonian agents to be ready to take the place of
Aisuru and his cohorts, plus Shutaro. They are with Lum and Lan, as
is a local girl who became lovers with one of them."
"Avalonians?!" Ataru blinks surprisedly. "But I thought that
no Avalonian was to ever leave Niphentaxian sovereign territory!"
Negako peers towards Tomobiki for a moment. "It appears these
five were created by one of the 'pro-Darling' sects of the Church."
A pause, then, "And they know that no one in the 'normal' Church
hierarchy knows of their existence, so they have extra incentive
to 'play it safe.'"
"Really?" he blinks. "We'll keep an eye on them, then."
"Agreed."
"Ani-kun?"
Both gaze on Chikage, she standing at the doorway. "His Honour
and Sakagami-san would like to see you. Ane-kun's mother just came,
too."
"Right."
Ataru heads into the living room. Sakuya is now greeting
Nodoka, her twin sister Hisayo and another smartly-dressed
woman carrying a briefcase. No doubt, that was Nodoka's lawyer,
Maya Nishiki. "Mrs. Saotome, it's good to see you again," Ataru
joins his sister to greet Nodoka, then waves at Ranma. "As you can
see, he came back to you safe and sound."
"I never doubted it for a moment, Ataru-kun," Nodoka smiles.
"And I'm more than grateful that your family has been so willing
to help my son in his time of need." She then introduces Hisayo
and Maya.
Once that is done, everyone proceeds to form a circle in the
middle of the living room. Ranma sits across from Judge Nozawa,
she flanked by Ataru and Sakuya. Silence falls, then the justice
of the Court of Special Appeals takes a deep breath. "Saotome-san,
it surprises me that you never reported any of this anytime earlier,"
he indicates the folder thick with all of the affidavits and other
testimonials concerning Genma's crimes.
"I'm sorry, Your Honour, but until very recently -- about seven
weeks ago -- I neither knew the full extent of Genma's actions on my
'behalf,'" Ranma's voice drips with scorn at that word, "...much
less believed that I could simply sidestep my 'obligations'
and seek legal redress against those who desire to press one sort of
claim on me or another. It wasn't until I met Tampopo Kamekichi
that I learned that I HAD that right, Your Honour. If I realized
that much earlier, I would've..." she falls silent.
"I see," the judge sighs. "Ranma, it will take me time to
review all of this. But from what I've seen so far, I'd gladly issue
an injunction today that would temporarily eradicate all obligations
you may have to all the parties mentioned here," he indicates
the folder. "By next Wednesday, I can have a full and proper review
of this matter completed, then render a full judgement in that case.
Do you wish that to happen?"
Ranma stares at him, then nods. "Yes, I do."
"Very well, then. Mrs. Saotome, it has come to my attention
that you are now seeking a divorce from your husband. Is this
correct?"
"It is, Your Honour," Maya speaks up on her client's behalf.
"You're her lawyer?"
"Yes, sir," she hands him a business card.
He examines it, then nods. "Very well, then. Thank you,
Nishiki-san. Mrs. Saotome, understand this now: the seppuku pledge
your husband signed on his and Ranma's behalf eleven years ago no
longer has any legal standing. Further, any attempt by you or your
birth-family to force him into any agreement -- familiar, commercial
or otherwise -- without Ranma's VOLUNTARY consent AND witnessed
in the physical presence of either Tampopo Kamekichi, Grandmistress
Negako Moroboshi of the Moroboshi-Hana Saikoo Jinseijitsu
Ninjitsu-ryuu, the Matriarch-in-Waiting of the Moroboshi Clan, Sakuya
Sukeyama, the Second Matriarch-in-Waiting of the Moroboshi Clan,
Chikage Hirosaki, or the Patriarch-in-Waiting of the Moroboshi
Clan, Ataru Moroboshi..." he pauses dramatically, "...will have no
legal standing. Do you understand this clearly, Mrs. Saotome?"
he stares at Nodoka.
She shudders, then bows. "Yes, Your Honour, I do."
"Good. Please make VERY sure that your family understands
that, Mrs. Saotome. Certain parties have risen questions about your
father's ultimate motives towards bringing Ranma into the Asagaya
Clan. The Grandmistress here..." he indicates Negako, "...was one of
them. If it turns out that your father's desire towards Ranma is
ultimately to Ranma's physical or emotional detriment, it will be
stopped. Is THAT understood?"
Nodoka gazes on him, then nods again. "I understand, Your
Honour."
Hisayo places a comforting hand on Nodoka's shoulder. "Good,"
the judge takes a deep breath. "I am sorry it had to come to this.
Ranma's situation is very unique. And because of that uniqueness,
the court which I serve as justice is perfectly suited to deal with
this matter."
"I understand, sir," Nodoka nods. "I'm grateful that my son
will be able to live his life under his control. I..." she stares
on Ranma. "For a long time, I allowed my husband's foolish ideas
of a 'man above men' to direct my every action concerning you, Ranma.
I can't beg your forgiveness for the pain you've endured because
of that." She then gazes on Sakuya and Ataru. "And again,
Sukeyama-hime, Moroboshi-dono, I cannot thank your family enough
for stepping in to help when my son needed you."
"It was our pleasure, ma'am," Sakuya nods.
"Your Honour, may I get copies of that file?" Maya asks.
"Here," Ranma reaches behind her to draw out a file like the one
the judge now had. "We anticipated you wanting something like this
to help Mom finally divorce that jerk," she hands it to the lawyer.
"Thanks."
"Will Ranma have to testify at the hearing, Nishiki-san?"
Judge Nozawa asks. "Who's presiding over your case?"
"Judge Shimako Mizuko of the Tokyo Family Court, sir."
"Ah! Good," the judge nods. "I'll send a message to her about
this matter. Do you believe Ranma will be needed to testify in that
case?"
"I believe not, but if necessary, I can contact you about it."
"Please do so."
"Chances are there, you'll win hands down, Mom," Ranma smirks.
"What do you mean by that?" Nodoka asks.
"Do you really think the panda'll show up for the trial?"
Judge Nozawa blinks. "Ranma, do you believe that man is a
potential flight risk in case criminal charges are raised against
him?"
Ranma sighs. "Yes, Your Honour, I'm more than sure of it. If
there's one thing he's capable of doing, it's running away. I..."
she pauses, then smirks. "A couple of days ago, a friend of ours..."
she nods to Kimiko, who smiles in return, "...with Negako-san's
help, erased from his mind the knowledge of two very devastating
martial art forms Genma could use to say free of the law. It won't
make things much easier for the police, though. That's one of the
things I've always been concerned about when questions about police
come up. If they intervened, especially against some of the very
powerful martial artists or other creatures I've dealt with,
they'd've been slaughtered. I won't have that, not at all."
"What do you propose, then?" the judge asks.
"What has to happen, sir, is that Genma has to be deprived
of all LEGITIMACY," Ranma explains. "Part of that will be done by
yourself and the honourable registrar here," she indicates Tetsuo
Sakagami. "Part of that will be done by the grandmaster of my old
martial arts school, when he strips Genma of his teaching license.
Part of that will be done by Mom here because even though he
technically runs our family dojo, Mom is the owner of the property.
And she happens to have the dojo sign right with her now. Ne, Mom?"
she grins as Nodoka produces a wooden sign faded with age, but
clearly marked MUSABETSU KAKUTOU-RYUU - SAOTOME DOJO.
"I see," Judge Nozawa nods. "What of your father's Jusenkyou
curse?"
"Easily dealt with."
Eyes lock on Negako. "What do you mean, Onee-sama?" Sakuya
asks.
"There is a variation of the soulsword attack that can be used
in cases such as this: the Fire Scythe of Death," Negako explains.
"When it comes to a Jusenkyou victim, all that happens is that the
cursed form is magically severed from the birth form. They would
live as two beings."
"Oh, you mean like that magical burner Jijii has!" Ranma nods.
"The same idea," Negako nods.
"So one part of Genma could never hide as a panda again while
the other half gets tossed into the zoo for the rest of his life,"
Ataru grins.
"In a sense. What more likely will happen is that Genma's
soul will remain in his birth form while a copy of the soul of the
panda who drowned in Shonmaoniichuan will take full control of his
cursed form."
"So he won't be able to hide behind that?" Judge Nozawa nods.
"Very well, then. I'll have an arrest warrant sent to the National
Police Agency later today. By tonight, Genma Saotome will be a very
wanted man."
"That's all I can ask, Your Honour," Ranma bows thankfully.
Nodoka hands the Saotome dojo sign to her child. Pausing for a
moment, she then draws up the bundle containing the clan honour
blade, moving to hand it to Ranma. Seeing what she is doing, Ranma
shakes her head, waving the sword away. "No, Mom. I don't need
that."
"Why not?"
"First, it reminds me a little too much of what kept us
separated for so long. And second..." Ranma grins, "...someone
like you needs something to help protect you from all sorts of evil
jerks out there, ne?" she winks.
*'Including a certain deadbeat husband who is about to have the
whole world come crashing down on his head later this day,'* Nodoka
interprets the underlying meaning behind her child's words.
"Understandable, Ranma," she embraces her, then moves back to her
place in the circle.
"Well, if that's all you need me for, I best get back to the
office and get certain warrants drafted," the judge rises.
"Sakagami-san, I leave the rest of this matter in your
more-than-capable hands."
"Of course, Your Honour," the registrar nods as everyone rises,
bowing thankfully to the judge as he departs...
* * *
"***HE DEMANDED WHAT?!?!?!***"
Genma stares wide-eyed at Souun. Both are alone in the sitting
room. "The dojo sign!!!" the latter sobs. "Toshiko told us that
Ranma said he'd refuse a challenge from Akane-chan unless we put up
our dojo sign!!"
"He can't demand that!!" Genma slams his fist into the table.
"But he'll refuse to fight Akane-chan if we don't!!"
"How about dropping this once and for all?!"
Both spin around to see Nabiki standing by the door, arms
crossed. "No!!" Souun shakes his head. "The schools MUST be
joined!!"
"Indeed!" Genma nods. "And they WILL be joined even if I have
to drag that fool boy back here beaten and bloodied to a pulp!!"
"Oh?" Nabiki smirks. "You are such a stupid idiot, Uncle!"
"Nabiki, how dare you speak to our guest...?!" Souun demands.
"SHUT UP, DAD!!!!"
Instant Niagara Falls results. "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Nabiki just yelled at me!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
She hates me!!!"
Nabiki ignores Souun's caterwauling as she glares Genma down.
"Do you really think Ranma-kun's going to let you pull that sort of
garbage on him now, after all the things he, Toshiko, Kumiko and
Kimiko've done to you since this mess began?!" her voice is as thick
as molasses in its faux sweetness. "Besides, why are you panicking
so much about OUR dojo sign, Uncle? After all, what's to stop
Ranma-kun from destroying YOUR dojo sign instead?! I'm sure it's
still there -- on AUNTIE'S property -- even if the dojo itself got
wrecked by Ukyou, Shampoo and Kodachi some time back!"
"What...?" Genma pales.
Nabiki shrugs. "Why not? Ranma-kun is, after all, now a
student of Saikoo Jinseijitsu Ninjitsu-ryuu under Negako-san's
tutelage. Ojii-san himself approved of that just after Ranma-kun
met Ataru-kun, remember? You haven't had a chance to train anyone
else in your school since you founded it, have you? And do you
really think that Ranma-kun's going to give you a chance to teach
a new student before he calls the law down on your head?!"
"What are you talking about?!" Souun demands.
"What I'm talking about, Dad, is the fact that while Ranma-kun
was off on his four-week trip that produced Ukyou's yatai, someone
was VERY busy investigating ALL of us! ESPECIALLY your so-called
'friend' here," Nabiki indicates Genma. "As to who was behind it, I
don't have a name, but I'll lay a VERY strong bet that someone was
the very same person who helped Ranma-kun get the jobs that allowed
him to send those cheques to us..."
"Then you must find the name of this person so we may punish
him for his interfering with our agreement!!" Souun demands.
"No can do, Dad," Nabiki shakes her head. "This person
investigated ALL of us, remember? If I tried to go after this
person, what's to stop him or her from nailing me with extortion
and child pornography charges? You remember that, don't you? All
the things *I* had to do to keep this house over our heads because
YOU were so damned lazy about teaching new classes, much less
allowing THIS bastard to nearly eat us out of house and home?!"
she indicates Genma, then turns away. "Tough luck, Uncle.
Ranma-kun's made pretty damn sure you can't freeload off ANYONE ever
again."
She heads off. "Nabiki...!" Souun shudders, then turns to
Genma. "Saotome-kun, how could your son do this to us...?"
"I have to go," Genma rises.
"Wha...?!"
"Nabiki may have a good point about the boy going after my dojo
sign," Genma warns. "I'll be back soon, Tendou-kun!"
He races off. "Saotome-kun," Souun whispers...
* * *
Later...
"So this is it, huh?" Rinrin smiles.
Ranma nods, gazing at the beautiful hanko in her hand. Written
in a circlet around the shadowed image of the Stargazer Park statue
are the words KANAGAWA-KEN ODAWARA-SHI OOMURE-CHOU SAOTOME-KAZOKU.
The official seal of the Saotome Clan of Oomure-jima, part of the
city of Odawara in Kanagawa. "Yeah, this is it!" she shudders.
As head of the new family, the hanko was Ranma's by right, though
she arranged with Tetsuo Sakagami to ensure if anything happened
to her, the hanko would fall into Toshiko's possession as the
next-oldest sibling. Once it was properly registered with the civil
district office on Promised Island, it was legal.
Even better, Toshiko and Kumiko had a greater sense of
legitimacy over their lives than before. After the registrar
opened up the new book for her new family, Ranma had welcomed Toshiko
and Kumiko as her adopted sisters. She would have to prepare a will
to ensure that the mirror-twins would get her mortal possessions
in case she died before having children, but that would come at a
future date. Right now, all they had to do was wait for Judge Nozawa
to deliver his indictment against Genma and Ranma could finally
put Nerima and its troubles behind her once and for all.
"You better put that somewhere safe, Onee-chan," Karen warns.
"Even if your baka-baka father can't make himself invisible now, if
he gets his hands on that hanko, who knows WHAT sort of trouble
he could cause."
"Yeah, good point," Ranma nods, then turns to Chikage. "And who
better to trust this with than a person who'd probably give Elder
Cologne an industrial-strength case of the willies...! URK!!"
The "urk" came from Cologne's walking cane hitting the back of
her head. "I heard that, 'son-in-law,'" the Nyu-che-zuu elder, now
perched on Rinrin's shoulder, smirks despite the mischievous
sparkle in her eyes.
Everyone laughs. "Sorry, Hibaa-chan!" Ranma flusters.
Silence falls, then Cologne's eyes soften. "So, it has
happened," she whispers, gently feeling Ranma's face. "To believe
this particular power of Jusenkyou has eluded our knowledge for all
those years."
"From what I've learned of Jusenkyou, Elder Kun-lon, those of
your tribe who've been afflicted in that manner have chosen to flee
than face possible persecution and ostracization from their sisters
and brothers," Chikage sighs, taking the hanko from Ranma and
slipping it into her blazer pocket. "Still, some news of it might
have percolated to your ancestors. If not, then how did the Blood
Sibling Law come into effect?"
Cologne blinks, then nods. "A good point, young lady. I take
it, Ranma, you've been told about that particular law."
"I have. Chikage told me," Ranma indicates the sorceress.
"If I am deemed worthy of it, I will gladly become blood-sisters
with Xian if that is what is needed to allow her to return to the
bosom of her family with her honour and standing intact. And if I am
allowed to exercise my rights as that law dictates, I will..."
she pauses, "...not force your honoured great-granddaughter
into another marriage. After all my experiences, Hibaa-chan,
I don't want to put Xian through anything like that."
"I can agree to that," Cologne cackles, then blinks as a gloved
hand gently touches her cheek. "What...?" she stares curiously
at Aria.
The young Parisian smiles, then kisses the elder's forehead.
"Hibaa-ya is very, very sad that Nee-ya is not a boy anymore,"
she says. "There's no need to be sad, Hibaa-ya. Nee-ya loves
Hibaa-ya very much."
She walks away. "But how...?" Rinrin blinks.
"I thought she couldn't accept me as a boy," Ranma mutters.
"That one has something of an enchantment on her," Cologne
warns.
"A tree-spirit spent time with her some weeks before Christmas,"
Chikage explains. "They are very close friends, Elder."
"A tree-spirit?!" the Nyu-che-zuu elder spins on the sorceress,
then sighs. "Oh, yes! I keep forgetting it IS Promised Island we're
talking about here! It has been some time since I was last there!"
The others laugh, then jolt as a bullet slams into Ranma's
chest, sending her sprawling. "HOT-CHA!!! You did it, didn't
you?!!"
"Happy!!" Cologne moans.
More laughter as Ranma pries the grandmaster of Musabetsu
Kakutou-ryuu from her. "Jeez, Jijii, ya didn't need to squeeze
me THAT hard!" she pants, allowing him to drop to the floor, then she
feels her chest.
"Oh, don't be so shy, Ranma-chan!! Give your old master a hug!"
Happousai coos, then lunges again for Ranma ample bust.
"Kusu!"
He lands on target, his eyes widening as that pained sob freezes
him in place, then he hesitantly turns to gaze on Aria. "Kusu!"
the young Parisian sniffs again, tears brimming in her eyes. "Kusu!"
The sisters shudder as they take a step away from Aria. "Kusu!"
Happousai gulps, then quickly leaps up to Ranma's shoulder,
his hands waving frantically at the young girl. "Now, now, dear,
d-d-don't cry!" he sputters. "Please don't cry! I was just having
fun with R-ranma here!!"
"Kusu!!"
Realizing he wasn't going to win this one, Happousai quickly
flips to the shoulder of the nearest girl to Ranma. He relaxes
as Aria seems to calm down, then shudders as an icy chill warps
around him from head to toe. Turning left, he gazes directly into
Chikage's dark eyes. The young sorceress is NOT amused. "What are
you doing on MY shoulder?"
Happousai screams, then vaults into Negako's waiting arms; she
had just stepped in from the living room. "Happy, when are you EVER
going to learn how to control yourself?" the ninjitsu grandmistress
shakes her head as she allows her friend to relax in her crossed
arms.
"Aneki sure has some strange friends," Rinrin shakes her head.
More laughter echoes through the kitchen. "So how are things
back with the panda and his friend, Jijii?" Ranma turns to Happousai.
"They are not pleased," the aged grandmaster draws his pipe then
lights it. A quick glance around the room to ensure Aria was nowhere
in sight, then he relaxes. "I assume you got your dojo sign with
you?"
"Right here," she draws it out.
He takes it, then shakes his head on noting the weathering
the sign has taken. "Stupid idiot," he mutters under his breath
as he turns the sign around, then taps a point near the top.
Everyone gapes as a hidden door opens, revealing a slender
compartment bearing an envelope. Taking that out, Happousai hands
the sign to Ranma, then he opens the envelope. Looking at what is
written there, he sighs. "Foolish place to hide this."
Yotsuba leans in to take her own look, spy glass in hand. "This
is his teaching license, isn't it? Why'd he hide it in the dojo
sign?"
"Actually, my dear, I put it in here when I made this sign for
Genma just before he helped seal me into that cave. I did the same
thing for Souun." He shakes his head. "To believe they failed so
badly..."
"Their children have all the potential in the world," Cologne
notes.
"Hai, Cologne-chan, they do," Happousai nods. Seeing him now,
Ranma is suddenly struck by how old the man before her really is.
"It is not all over yet, Happy," Negako muses.
"What do you mean, Negako-chan?"
"As Kun-lon just stated, their children DO have all the
potential in the world," Negako indicates Ranma. "Ranma is exploring
the limits of her own potential. So have Toshiko and Kumiko since
they were set free of that compact. Nabiki is presently
rediscovering hers. Akane will soon do the same thing if she
continues to make use of the Densetsu no Doogi. Kimiko has her own
potential if she desires to explore it, as does Kasumi. The only way
for it to be 'all over' is for them to stop doing what they are now
doing. Do you, Happy, envision that happening?"
Happousai considers that, then smiles. "You have a point,
Negako-chan," he nods, then hands the sign back to Ranma. "You might
want to hang onto that, Ranma-chan. Who knows when you might need
it again!"
Ranma smirks. "If I think of starting up my own dojo, Jijii,
I'll carve a new one," she slips the dojo sign somewhere safe, then
takes a deep breath. "Well, I best get ready for tonight's fun at
the school."
"Come with me, Ranma," Negako waves her outside, allowing
Happousai to place himself on the kitchen counter before departing.
Ranma follows her out. The others watch her go, then Chikage
reaches into her blazer to draw out a tarot card. Death. The young
sorceress' eyes narrow, then she senses Cologne gazing at it. "You
best prepare your great-granddaughter, Elder Kun-lon," the sorceress
warns. "Tonight is not going to be a pleasant night for anyone,
even Ane-kun."
"Good point," the Nyu-che-zuu elder nods.
As she departs, a distant look appears in Chikage's eyes...
* * *
Mid-afternoon...
*Darling...*
Lan's eyes open, then she sits up. Her body moves more easily
now, though a chorus of painful dings dances around her joints.
"Lum-chan...?" she glances around the bedroom, then grunts as she
stands.
"Huhn...? It done now...?"
She looks to the couch beside Mister Big Screen to see
Ryuunosuke sitting up, stretching herself. Watching the gentle shift
of every one of the tomboy's muscles, Lan's eyes sparkle as a gentle
surge of arousal bubbles deep within her. *Blessed Mother, she's
beautiful!* her cheeks flame, then she quickly calms herself. No!
Damn it, given the amount of mindless garbage Ryuunosuke had to
endure since she was a baby, making any suggestions, no matter how
subtle, towards forming THAT sort of intimate relationship
with the tomboy would hurt her far more than help!
Still, she COULD dream...
"No, not yet," Lan walks over to help Ryuunosuke stand. "But
Lum-chan drifting in and out of consciousness now. Feels like she's
fully undergone the Psi-Unity part of the Crossing Over. It's just
a matter of time now. You want something to eat? You look a little
hungry."
"Yeah, I can use a bite," Ryuunosuke smiles her thanks, then
stops as she finds herself gazing deeply into Lan's sullen evergreen
eyes. "Lan..."
Time seems to stand still for them, then without understanding
why she suddenly wanted to do this, Ryuunosuke leans down to gently
caress the alien teen's lips with her own. Lan's eyes widen in
shock, then instantly soften as the warm tidal wave of feeling
bursting from that contact surges right into her brain. They gaze
into each other's eyes for yet another blissful eternity, then
Ryuunosuke's cheeks suddenly flame. "Ah...!"
"Ryuu-chan?"
A gulp. "Um...! Ah, s-sorry about th-that..."
"Please, Ryuu-chan, don't apologize," Lan places a hand on her
friend's cheek. "I really liked that. You're a good kisser."
"Ah...! W-well, you s-see..." she stops, then blinks. "I am?"
"Hai," Lan nods, then takes a step back. "Ryuu-chan,
Yamada-sensei told you about the -- uniqueness of the Great School.
I'll have to live with that uniqueness for the rest of my life. I
won't disguise it, either. To do that would mean that I'm ashamed
of what I am. And I'm certainly not ashamed of THAT, Ryuu-chan.
Not one bit," she smiles serenely.
Ryuunosuke considers that, then steps up to Lan. Slowly, she
reaches over to grasp the other woman's hands. They stare into the
other's eyes, then Ryuunosuke leans down to give Lan a chaste kiss.
They pull apart, then Ryuunosuke smiles. "You won't be alone,
Lan-chan. I..." she then shrugs. "You're my friend. Regardless
of what happened before, I..." she pauses again, then gives Lan's
hands a warm squeeze. "I want us to be friends. And if we become
something more..." she shrugs. "Then we do."
"I'll hold you up to it," Lan playfully winks, then turns as
footsteps herald the coming of Namie to the bedroom. "Yes?"
"Forgive me for interrupting, Lan-sama, but Shinobu-sama
just came back from a brief shopping trip," the bioroid smiles.
"She brought with her Momoe Marubeya-sama with some news concerning
Lum-sama's Darling."
Lan and Ryuunosuke consider that, then nod as they follow Namie
to the living room. At present, Hiro is serving Shinobu and Momoe
tea. Both look up as their schoolmates come down to join them.
"Welcome back to Earth, Lan-san," Momoe nods pleasantly as Lan and
Ryuunosuke sit. "Though I have to warn you now that your presence
in Tomobiki these days won't be as enjoyable as it was when you live
here before."
"I've already sensed that, Momoe-san. Thank you," Lan nods.
She hadn't got to know any of Mendou's female fans before she was
forced to leave Earth. Since her primary focus living in Tomobiki
was fixed on Lum, events centred on Mendou didn't bother her as much.
>From what she could now sense of Momoe Marubeya, Lan knew the woman
cared deeply for Mendou as well as her small circle of friends.
There was also a powerful surge of hate deep within her, but it
wasn't focused on Lan. Most likely, that was meant for Lum; most of
the girls of Tomobiki High fervently believed that if Lum hadn't
been interested in Ataru, she'd scoop up Mendou in a New York minute.
"I take it Shinobu told you who else came back with me."
"Yes, I've been told," Momoe nods. Now the anger was trying
to swell forth, but something was dampening it. Curiosity?
Confusion? "I was also told of what's happening to you and Lum now.
I find it so hard to believe that there's this race out there that
DOES this sort of thing."
"We've done it for a hundred millennia, Momoe-san. No one's
really yet to complain about our desire to help others," Lan
chuckles, then nods thanks as Hiro comes up to hand her a cup of tea.
"How long before Lum comes out?" Shinobu asks.
Lan glances in the direction of the swimming pool, her eyes
glowing as she does a scan of the other Nendo-kata. "A few more
hours. By eight o'clock at the earliest, I'd say. Things like this
can't be rushed." She relaxes, then turns to Momoe. "So what else
brings you here today?"
"Some news from earlier concerning Mendou-san and Ataru-kun."
She explains. The others listen to her, shock and surprise
appearing on their faces as they hear how easily Ataru, his sisters
and Ranma had dealt with Mendou and the Rosebuds. Lan remains
relaxed, using her empathy to pick out how Shinobu, Ryuunosuke
and Momoe, not to mention the five Avalonians presently standing
in for Megane and his friends, react.
As questions start to fly from the crowd to Momoe, Lan focuses
on Shinobu. Clearly, Ataru's old girlfriend is dismayed, no doubt
at Muchi Moroboshi's infidelity to his wife. There is also concern
and trepidation. That was understandable; Ataru had spent a
considerable amount of time with these girls. Given what his
feelings might have been like when he left Tomobiki seven weeks ago
-- if what his words yesterday reflected his true feelings, his
actions last night notwithstanding -- Shinobu believes those girls
probably now think the worst of their brother's old associates.
A glance to Ryuunosuke reveals a sense of envy. Lan could
understand that. To go from the only child of a broken, emotionally
hollow home to suddenly having a family of twelve loving, caring
sisters -- thirteen if one counted Negako -- would probably make
anyone like Ryuunosuke Fujinami VERY happy. And there is concern,
even worry, for Shinobu as well, Lan notes. Given that woman's
mixed feelings towards her former boyfriend, what would happen if
Shinobu should ever directly meet Ataru's sisters? Would those
sisters allow Shinobu to get close to their brother or force her
away? If that happened, how would Shinobu herself react to it?
Now to Momoe. That woman is a nexus of fear, anger and
confusion when it came to Ataru's sisters. Momoe's anger at them was
simple for Lan to understand. If what happened this morning
continued to play out, it would drive Mendou to seek violent redress
against Ataru. And in that realization lay the heart of Momoe's
fear: if those girls got hurt, what WOULD Ataru do to Mendou in
return? As for the confusion...? Lan tries not to groan. Oh, Sweet
Blessed Mother, how could she be so STUPID? Did she really believe
that EVERY teenage girl on Earth would automatically reject Ataru
Moroboshi because he once chased girls?
"What do you think, Lan?" Shinobu asks.
Lan starts, then relaxes herself. "I see no problem here."
"What does that mean?" Momoe demands.
"Simple," Lan returns her glare. "People in this town've
deluded themselves a LOT when it comes to Darling. Do you honestly
think that he lived ONLY to chase girls, try to date them? Of course
not. But until his memories were repaired from what his 'mother'
did to him, he had no means to pursue other interests. He got the
chance thanks to Negako-san. They leave Tomobiki. Along the way,
they meet these other sisters. Darling has a family again, one
willing to give him a chance, a chance no one here EVER gave him."
She focuses on Shinobu. "Yes, Shinobu, that not only includes
you, but Lum-chan. So why SHOULDN'T Darling get defensive if anyone
from here tries to probe into his personal business? As far as he's
concerned, no one in Tomobiki HAS that right anymore. And if they
disagree..." she shrugs. "Well, look what just happened to Shutaro
and the Rosebuds."
"There's something you're not telling us," Momoe's eyes narrow.
"Yes, there is..."
She gives them a quick replay of the encounter yesterday
between her and Lum and Sakuya, Chikage and Haruka. Ryuunosuke
cuts in to remind Shinobu who Sakuya and Chikage are. At the end,
the others in the room are thoughtfully silent. "So because his clan
is run as a matriarchy, this Sakuya girl is seen as the new
Matriarch. And because of that, she has final say towards who
Ataru-kun'll marry?" Momoe asks. "And that would override anything
Ataru-kun's parents might've said because the leadership of the clan
is passed on from grandmother to granddaughter?"
"That's unbelievable," Miruko Narumi speaks up for the first
time.
"Not really, Miruko-chan. Where I come from -- my Nendo-kata
side, that is -- that would be seen as quite normal," Lan smiles.
"Sounds like those Chinese Amazons from Nerima I've heard about
a lot," Shinobu muses, then shakes her head. "So what do we do?"
"Make sure they don't hurt us again," Momoe mutters.
"And why would they?" Lan stares at her.
"Why not?!" Momoe shudders. "Mendou-san's not going to live
what happened today down, Lan-san! He's going to keep going after
Ataru-kun again and again until...!" tears brim her eyes.
"Until...!"
Her voice fades, then she jolts on feeling comforting hands on
her shoulders. Momoe looks around to see Kanami gazing concernedly
at her. The former blinks, then tries to smile as she gives one of
the bioroid's hands a thankful squeeze. "Momoe-san, why do you care
so much for Mendou in the first place?" Lan wonders. "Don't you know
that he's now engaged to marry someone else? What happens when he
does get married? What will you do then? You can't keep pining
for him, you know."
Momoe quakes, then mutters, "You never gave up on Rei-san!"
Shinobu and Ryuunosuke wince. To both their surprise, Lan
remains remarkably calm as she replies, "No, I didn't. And because
I didn't, I wouldn't be mourning Rei at this time, Momoe-san."
"What...?" Momoe rasps, wide-eyed, then she seems to deflate.
Gazing concernedly at the silent woman, Kanami then turns to
Lan. *Lan-sama, I'll walk her home,* she telepathically
transmits. *Momoe-sama needs a chance to think over what she's
learned today.*
Lan nods, closing her eyes to hide their glow as she responds,
*Make sure she does nothing against Darling or his family,
Kanami-chan.*
*Hai, I understand.*
Wordlessly, Kanami helps Momoe to her feet, then walks her out
of the room. The others watch her go, then Yukimi stares at Lan.
"Lan-sama, what do we do now? Lum-sama still cares a lot for
Ataru-sama..."
"I know," Lan nods. "But do NOTHING to him or his sisters,
Yukimi. That goes for the rest of you, too," she focuses on the
other bioroids. "I know you feel your first duty is to Lum-chan,
but trying to pigeonhole Darling into something he doesn't want
anymore is going to cause a lot of pain to a lot of people. I won't
tolerate that, especially now!"
"Hai," the others nod.
As the bioroids turn back to their own business, Lan beckons
Shinobu and Ryuunosuke to the swimming pool. Stepping inside, Lan
telekinetically locks the door. Yamada is at the side of the pool,
scanner out as he monitors Lum. Gazing at the squid-like shape in
the deep end, both Terrans quickly note the birthing sac on the side
of the Nendo-kata's body. Within that, there floats a nearly-adult
figure, clearly female.
"Man, she'll be a knockout when she comes out," Ryuunosuke
notes.
"All the boys are going to be pretty disappointed once they
learn she can only mate with another woman," Shinobu smirks.
"Couldja imagine what Megane'd say if he ever saw this?"
Shinobu considers that for a moment, then screams out in a
plausible Aisuru Megane imitation, "IT'S A TRAGEDY!!!!" Laughter
fills the room; even Yamada cackles on hearing that. Then Shinobu
quickly sobers. "I can't believe I just did something like that!"
she shakes her head.
"He's passed on into the Black Ocean, Shinobu," Lan reminds
her. "He wouldn't really care about that sort of thing anymore."
"Is that what you believe?"
"It is," Lan nods, gazing on the growing humanoid form in the
pool. "In a way, the Lan both of you know is gone now, as is the
Lum..." a pause, then, "...and as is the Ataru Moroboshi we all knew
before."
"I don't want to think that," Shinobu shakes her head.
"You may not have a choice now, Shinobu," Ryuunosuke warns.
"But..."
"She's right, Shinobu," Lan warns, then gazes once more on the
"new" Lum. "And Lum-chan's going to have to realize that as well."
*No...*
All three jolt as that weak voice echoes in their minds.
"Lum?!"
*No...!* that voice moans. *I'll never -- stop loving
Darling...!*
"Lum..." Shinobu's eyes soften...
* * *
"Damn it! It's not here!!"
Genma gazes around the ruins of the dojo he called his own since
he and Nodoka married. The building hadn't been touched by the
repair crews. That hadn't bothered Genma until today. The Tendou
dojo was still intact and usable. And the agreement between himself
and Souun DID stipulate that Ranma and Akane would live and work at
the Tendou dojo. But now...!
"What are you doing here, Genma?"
The *shiing!* of a drawn katana makes him leap to safety.
Nodoka's cutting thrust misses his feet by inches as he lands some
distance away. Scanning the area around his wife, Genma quickly
notices the presence of two other people. Hisayo Asagaya was one,
someone Genma despised as much as he did his father-in-law.
The other woman was Nodoka's lawyer, someone whose name Genma didn't
know. "This is my house and dojo, Nodoka! I have every right to be
here!! Now, where is my dojo sign?!"
"*Your* house?" Nodoka snorts. "*Your* dojo? Don't be so quick
to assume that, Genma. As for that worthless sign, I gave it to
Ranma. I'm sure my son will find use for it soon enough! As part
of a *fire!*"
Genma shudders, then perks on hearing a bemused snicker echo
from somewhere behind him. "My, are WE the stupid one today?!"
"Boy...!" he turns...
...then his stomach caves in as someone buries her fist into it,
making him double over. The air near Genma fizzles, revealling
Toshiko. "Lucky thing I came out this way just in case you decided
to do something REALLY stupid today, Genma!" the crimson-haired
mirror-twin smirks. "Not that it's going to really matter in a few
hours anyway."
Genma groans, then suddenly lunges. Toshiko backflips clear,
then lands on the ground near the dojo entrance. "***KIJIN RAISHUU
DAN!!!!***" she sends a storm of vacuum blades at the Yamasen-ken's
creator.
Genma barely dodges that attack, ducking behind a cloud of
shattered wood and flung-up dirt as he moves to charge Nodoka. His
wife doesn't see Genma in time before his fist slams into the side
of her skull, the force of the blow sending her into Hisayo.
Nodoka's katana drops to the ground as the sisters collapse, that and
its scabbard snared by Genma before he vanishes. "Nodoka!!
Hisayo!!" Maya screams as she races to her client's side, drawing
out a cell-phone to call an ambulance and the police.
Watching this from nearby, Toshiko grins, then vanishes under
the Goshin Buufu. Once she is masked, she proceeds to a nearby
cul-de-sac before going visible again. Drawing out her own
cell-phone, she makes a call. The other end is quick to respond.
"Negako."
"It's me," Toshiko reports...
* * *
Minutes later...
"Damn it...!"
Genma tries not to shudder too much as he secludes himself
under a bridge over the Shakuuji River close to Kasugachou.
Calmly sheathing the sword, he takes several calming breaths. Once
relaxed, he adjusts his glasses, then mentally runs through what he
had just been through over the last while. Hell, since that family
meeting over four weeks ago when he tried to put matters concerning
his family's future on the right track.
Unseen by him, an invisible hand reaches out to tap several
shiatsu points on the head and back. Genma gargles, then passes
out, the katana clattering to the ground. A second later, the air
behind him fizzles, revealling Toshiko. "You'll keep for now," she
nods, then heads off...
* * *
Approaching suppertime...
"Oh, guys...!"
Ranma gazes mistily at the uniform the sisters just presented
her. For junior high and high school students at Stargazer West
College, the standard winter uniform was a white shirt and tie
covered by a red button dress, that in turn topped by a beige button
jacket. The school crest was emblazoned on the left upper arm.
Elementary school girls wore a simple beige sailor suit uniform.
For boys, the uniform was a beige jacket and chestnut-brown
trousers, that over a white shirt and tie. "School for us doesn't
start until next Monday, Onee-chan," Karen explains. "Even if you
have to go to Furinkan for the next week, you won't miss much."
"Will they force you to wear the girl's uniform if you're
'stuck' this way, Onee-sama?" Sakuya points to Ranma's heart.
"Nah, they didn't bother doing it when I was locked because
of the Chiisui-ton or the Cat's Tongue. 'Sides, I got Doc Toofuu's
medical chit to 'cover' me, so to speak," Ranma lightly smiles,
then picks up the Stargazer West uniform. "Well, I better put this
somewhere safe."
"Onee-sama?"
"Hai, Sakuya-chan, what is it?" Ranma stops.
"When you and Onii-sama get back to the Island, I'm DEFINITELY
taking you shopping!" the eldest of the sisters wags a warning
finger.
Sweat-drop, eyebrow twitch. "Is that a threat?"
Laughter fills the living room as Ranma scoops up her uniform,
then heads to her bedroom. Placing that somewhere safe, she heads
out, then stops on seeing Chigaiko Inu standing in her way.
"Chigaiko...?"
The slender ex-Tomobikian's eyes are misty. "Is this true?"
Ranma blinks, then sighs. Ataru had gone for a walk with his
old classmate while Negako taught Ranma the Shihi Oogama. No doubt,
he told her things she, the only girl in Tomobiki who cared
unconditionally for Ataru, really would not want to know. "Yes,"
she nods.
Chigaiko considers that, then looks down. "I..." she begins,
then takes a deep breath to calm herself. "I love him, you know."
"Well, you're one up on me, then," Ranma sighs.
The other woman gazes on her, surprised by the attempted
show of humour, then she asks, "Do you want to love him?"
Silence falls as Ranma considers that, then she crosses her
arms. "Right now, I'm not worried about that sort of thing,
Chigaiko-san. I got more important things on my mind. It doesn't
mean I wouldn't shy away from wanting a relationship with him if he
wants it, though. But..."
"I see," Chigaiko lowers her head. "Maybe I should go."
"What the hell for?!"
That response surprises her. "But Ataru-kun said...!"
"I know what he must've told you, Chigaiko. But why the HELL
do you wanna go back to a place where nobody remembers your name,
treats you like you were part of the furniture, you have no friends
and all the memories you have of that place are bad ones?" Ranma
demands. "Why the hell do you think Ataru left? Why do you think
I want to put Furinkan behind me?"
Chigaiko considers that, then sighs, shaking her head. "I just
can't shut my feelings off, Ranma-san. It's not that simple..."
"I know it's not that simple. I just spent ten weeks trying
to come to terms with my feelings for those people who cared for me,"
Ranma admits.
"They're not going to understand what you've just been through."
"I know."
They stare at each other, then Ranma squeezes the other girl's
shoulder. "Stay, please. Don't go back to Tomobiki. Hell, if you
want, come live with us on the Island when we go there next week.
You ARE Ataru's friend and I don't want to take that away from him.
Please?"
"I..." Chigaiko blinks, then nods. "Okay, I'll stay."
"Onee-chan?"
Both gaze on Karen. "Gomen nasai, Onee-chan, but it's a little
after six," the younger girl warns. "Don't you want something
to eat before you go to the school to deal with all those people?"
Ranma nods. "Good point."
She passes Chigaiko as she heads to the kitchen. The latter
watches her go, then looks nowhere in particular. "Be careful,
Ranma-san..."
* * *
An hour later...
"Uncle hasn't come back yet?"
"No sign of him," Akane shakes her head. She and Nabiki relax
at the sitting room table, having just finished supper. The younger
Tendou has the Densetsu no Doogi on. "I guess Ranma's dealt with him
already."
"Probably," Nabiki sips her tea.
Kasumi steps into the room, a wrapped object in hand. Noting
the size and shape, her sisters are quick to deduce what it is.
"Make sure you take that with you when you go meet Ranma-kun,"
Kasumi instructs.
Akane trembles. "Onee-chan..."
"No. You heard what Toshiko-chan said this morning. If we
refuse to acknowledge his wishes, ESPECIALLY now, then we dishonour
ourselves."
Akane considers that, then takes the dojo sign in hand before
the sisters are surprised by Souun's voice. "What are you doing?!"
They gaze on him. The look on his face reflects his mood.
"Doing what Ranma wants us to do, Dad," Akane rises, tucking the dojo
sign under one arm as she moves to leave. "Isn't that the HONOURABLE
thing to do?"
"You put that right back...!!" he advances on her.
Before Souun could finish his sentence, Akane's fist smashes
into his jaw, sending him into the koi pond. "Dou-chan!!"
Akane gasps as the Doogi lets go of her hand, she giving her father
a careful look. Fortunately, the strike only stunned Souun. "Don't
do that, alright?!"
A stretch of cloth raises a sign. [SORRY.]
"Let's go, sis," Nabiki finishes her tea, then rises, she moving
to slip on her shoes. "We'll be back in a couple of hours,
Onee-chan."
"Be careful," Kasumi sighs as they go, then a chill warps
through her as she gazes on the table. "Such a pity..."
* * *
"Hibaa-chan, is time, yes?"
"Yes, child, it's time," Cologne gazes on the wall clock.
Shampoo grunts as she rises, brushing her sleeves off as she
reaches for her bonbori and butterfly swords. "I'll bring Airen
back," she assures the elder in Mandarin, then glances at the cage
holding a transformed Mousse. "Thank you for keeping him out of my
way, Great-grandmother."
"It's quite alright, Xian," Cologne sagely nods. "But remember,
this situation is very fluid. Trust in your training, child."
"I will," Shampoo nods.
After the door closes behind her, Cologne hops down to let
Mousse out. "Give her ten minutes, then follow her discretely."
The duck waddles out, nodding thanks as he flies upstairs
to get some hot water, then access his weapons. The elder watches
him go, then smiles. "You wished for a long time to win Xian's
heart, Mu-tzu," she chuckles, switching to English. "Tonight,
your chances can improve greatly if you don't let your mindless
passions override your common sense."
Shaking her head, she heads to the kitchen...
* * *
"Heading off to see Saotome-sama, Mistress?"
"Yes, I am," Kodachi collects her battle gear. "Hopefully
by the end of today, a clear road will stretch between myself and
Ranma-sama's heart!"
"Do be careful, Mistress," Sasuke warns. "Saotome-sama
did insist that all his other would-be suitors be present."
"I'm aware of that."
Kodachi springs clear of the Kunou mansion grounds, then takes
the rooftops towards Furinkan High. As she closes in on her goal,
the martial arts rhythmic gymnast tries not to cackle. While she had
no legal claim on Ranma, the fact that there now existed a permanent
estrangement between him and his fool father made things MUCH easier
for her. Once Genma was out of the way, Akane Tendou's and Ukyou
Kuonji's claims for his hand were made meaningless. And it only
would take a quick call to the Interior Ministry to see that Chinese
barbarian sent packing. With that done...!
* * *
"So Ranma's gonna be here to deal with all his fiancees,
huh?!"
"That's what Sempai thinks," Daikun Takuichi, one of the seniors
in the kendo club, gazes on the front lawn of the school. In the
middle of the path between the front gates and the front door, a lone
figure stands, bokken at the ready. Almost all of the other members
of the Horde had gone home; Daikun and his companion were about to
leave. "Though he was being weirder than usual about what's going
on with Saotome! Said somethin' about that crazy mirror-clone
of his tellin' Sempai Ranma was dead."
"Man, is Sempai EVER gonna figure that out?!" Nagao Koriko
wonders.
"Search me, man," Daikun shakes his head...
* * *
"Something in the air..."
Toofuu Ono frowns as he gazes on the darkening sky overhead.
He was in the process of closing up his shop for the evening when he
sensed -- well, SOMETHING unnatural in the air over Nerima. What was
it? It didn't seem to be any typical chi or mana signature he was
familiar with -- and after studying under an archmage like Ryuuji
Hirosaki, he knew a LOT! -- so what was it? And why did he have this
awful sense of FOREBODING now?
What was going to happen?
* * *
"Uhnn..."
Genma's eyes flutter as he picks himself off the ground under
the bridge. Glancing around, he is shocked to see that the sun had
long set. Snaring the clan sword, he steps into the open, then scans
for an outdoor clock to get the time. Just his luck, a digital
timepiece hangs in the window of a nearby store. Seeing the time,
he pales. "Seven-forty...!"
No! In twenty minutes, the boy would...!
Grunting, he leaps for the nearest fence-line, then races off...
* * *
"Kunou-kun, what are you doing here?"
"Ah, Ninomiya-sensei, a pleasant evening to you," Kunou nods
sagely as Hinako Ninomiya, in her child's body, steps out the front
doors of the school. "I was called here by the pig-tailed girl
concerning the final fate of that vile sorcerer Saotome. According
to the lovely Toshiko, one of the pig-tailed one's mirror-clones,
Saotome is said to be dead."
Hinako stops, staring quizzically at the kendo team captain.
"Are you sure about that? We haven't received any notification
of the sort."
"Ah, that seems understandable, Sensei," Kunou chuckles.
"You know how slow the government bureaucracy can be at times."
"True," she nods, then starts on hearing someone laughing.
"Who?"
A storm of black rose pedals showers the ground around Kunou.
"A good evening to you, Sensei!" Kodachi lands some distance from her
brother, then she dramatically bows to Hinako. "I see we're the
first ones here."
"It appears we are, sister," Kunou nods, then tenses.
"What the hell're you guys doing here?!"
"Kuonji-kun!" Hinako turns as Ukyou comes up, shortly followed
by Nabiki and Akane. "Tendou-kun?! How many people are coming
today?"
"Might be quite a few, Sensei," Nabiki looks around, then perks
on hearing a certain bicycle bell. "And there's Shampoo...!"
"Nihao!!" Shampoo lands on the front walkway, then hops off her
bike as she scans around the lawn. "Where Airen?! He said to be
here!"
"Why'd he invite you?!" Akane glares hotly at the
warrior-maiden.
"Shampoo wonder why Airen invite you!" Shampoo returns her look.
"Shampoo know that Airen say he no want anything to do with you
anymore!!"
"Girls, that's enough!!" Ukyou moves to moderate. "Ran-chan's
got something important to tell us! There's no need for a fight!!"
The other would-be suitors glare resentfully at the chef. "What
does a servant girl like you know?" Kodachi demands. "As far as I
know, Ranma-sama desired to treat us all equally and fairly." A
sneer turns her lips. "Not that I'd consider any of you equal to
myself, of course!"
"Hey!!!" the others snap.
"That's enough!!" Hinako draws out a five-yen coin. "There'll
be no fighting on school grounds even if there are no classes on...!"
"Akane!!"
"Dad?!" Akane spins around as Souun storms onto the property,
a fretful look on his face. "What are you doing here?!"
"I'm here to take that back!" he points to the wrapped bundle
in Akane's hand. "You have no need to bring th-...!!"
Before he could finish, much less get his hands on the dojo
sign, a glowing chain snares him by the legs, then he is flung
towards the clock tower. Everyone cries out in shock as Souun kisses
concrete, then he drops to the steps. "Tendou-san!!!" Hinako rushes
to his side.
"What was...?!" Kunou looks around.
"Aiyah! That psychic kusarigama attack!!" Shampoo exclaims.
"That's right."
Everyone looks to Kunou's right as someone steps out of the
shadows, a glowing hook-chain-weight hanging off one hand. "Ranma!!"
Akane gasps.
"Ran-chan!!" "Airen!" "Ranma-sama!!" "Pig-tailed girl!!"
echo from the others as they swarm towards the redhead...
...then she vanishes as a wall of air slams into the others,
sending them flying back to the walkway. Ranma reappears some
distance behind Akane, an annoyed look on her face. "Do I have your
attention now?"
"Shampoo!!!"
Ranma ducks a pair of hooked chains racing for her head, then
the Psychic Kusarigama flies. Mousse cannot avoid it; he screams
out as it snares him by the neck. Ranma sends him head-first
into the walkway beside Nabiki. "Nice to see you, too, Mu-tzu,"
she withdraws the chi-chain.
"Alright, we're here," Nabiki crosses her arms. "What's this
about?"
"We're not all here yet, Tendou-san," Ranma's eyes narrow.
She vanishes as a scream howls at her from the east. Genma
slams into the ground, his katana parting empty air. Before he can
recover, an invisible fist smashes into his nose, then he's sent
flying into the stone wall fencing in the school property. As Genma
drops to the ground in a dazed heap, Ranma reappears. "Pathetic,"
she sneers.
"What's he doing with your mom's katana?" Nabiki wonders.
"He attacked her at her house, looking for this," Ranma draws
out the Saotome dojo sign, then pops open the hidden hatch on the
back. "Not to mention this," she draws out the envelope contained
within.
"What exactly IS that, pig-tailed one?!" Kunou asks.
"Glad you asked, Kunou," Ranma drops the dojo sign as she draws
out the license. "This's Oyaji's teaching license, given to him by
Jijii back before he was sealed in that cave. So..." she moves to
rip it up. "Once this and the sign are destroyed, the Saotome-ryuu
is no more..."
"NO!!!!"
Ranma jumps clear as Souun lunges at her, the latter's hands
grasping for his friend's license. Before the Tendou patriarch
could recover, a chi bolt slams into the dirt beside him, sending
him flying into a tree. As Souun slides to the ground, Ranma lands,
shaking her head. "Stupid!"
"Saotome-kun, you have no right to destroy that!" Hinako marches
up, her trusty five-yen coin at the ready. "That is your
father's...!"
"I have no father."
"...property...!" Hinako stops. "What did you just say?"
Ranma reaches into her tunic, then draws another envelope.
Stuffing Genma's contract into a pocket, she hands the new envelope
to her teacher. Hinako opens it, then scanning the contents,
gapes. "Oh...!" she covers her mouth, then looks at Ranma.
"Saotome-kun, is this true?"
"It is," Ranma turns to the others. "As of noon today, I
applied for and was given the right to form MY OWN branch of the
Saotome Clan. I have renounced all familial ties with BOTH Genma
AND Nodoka Saotome of Nerima. As of that moment, Ranma Saotome,
son of Genma and Nodoka, ceased to exist. I am now Ranma Saotome
of Odawara in Kanagawa." A pause, then, "And I am an orphan.
Because I am still under age, I am under the legal guardianship
of Grandmistress Negako Moroboshi of the Moroboshi-Hana Saikoo
Jinseijitsu Ninjitsu-ryuu, presently resident of Kasugachou district
in Nerima. None of you can use either Genma or Nodoka to get at me
anymore."
Silence falls as the others consider that. Ranma waits for
someone to say something, then she turns to Akane and Nabiki.
"Whatever claim your family has towards me is now null-and-void."
To Ukyou. "The same applies to you." To Shampoo. "Given that our
situation is unique, Xian-pu, I will explain what will happen in your
honoured great-grandmother's company in the near future." To Mousse.
"But that doesn't give you a free ticket to molest Xian like you did
before, Mu-tzu." To the Kunous. "And no, I've no desire to have
anything to do with either of you. Not now, not EVER...!"
"NO!!!!"
Ranma spins out of the way as Genma charges, the katana ripping
close to her heart. The older martial artist spins around as he
tries to cut off her legs, but Ranma cartwheels clear before sending
a Mouko Takabisha at Genma. He dodges, then lunges towards Ranma.
Before he could take a step, Hinako leaps in the way.
"***HAPPOU-GO-EN-SATSU!!!***" Genma howls as the chi-drain begins,
his hands letting go of the katana. Seeing the blade fly right at
Hinako's face, Ranma lunges. The child-teacher is knocked clear as
the katana buzzes past. The others watch Hinako fall, then turn
back...
...as the sword plunges through Ranma's chest, punching out the
back to the left of her spine. "***RANMA!!!!***" Akane screams...
...as, unseen by any of the would-be combatants, a certain
wire-mesh crucifix given to Ranma some days ago on Promised Island
touches the edge of the sword blade. As contact is made, the rose
in the heart of the cross suddenly blossoms open, a burst of
brilliant light blinding everyone...
* * *
"Yes...!" Chikage grimly nods...
* * *
"Perfect," Negako closes her eyes...
* * *
"What was that?!" Cologne perks...
* * *
"You did it now, Genma!" Happousai puffs his pipe...
* * *
"Ranma...!"
Looking confusedly around his bedroom, Ataru then stands.
Racing out the back door so that the sisters wouldn't notice, he
leaps for the nearest roof, then takes off at a dead run towards
Furinkan High...
* * *
"***OYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII...!!!***"
Genma's vision is full of bright spots as he staggers to his
feet. Before he could sense any danger, a human-shaped hand covered
in fur grabs him by the throat. One hard toss later sends him
back-first into a cherry tree. Before he could slide down, something
brackets his shoulder joints to pin him in place. His hands and legs
are likewise nailed down. Dizzy from the impact, he closes his eyes
as he tries to recover.
"R-r-ranma...?"
Blinking, he looks up to where he thinks his son is...
...and instantly wishes he didn't look at all.
"**Nice try.**"
Standing before him now is what should be Ranma Saotome in
female form. But Genma knew that Ranma's female form didn't include
golden fur covering her skin, a cat-like tail sticking out her back
that ends in a diamond-shaped pad, slitted eyes, fanged canines,
puffed cheeks sprouting a small grove of hair-like whiskers,
elegantly pointed ears tipped in black fur and large, bat-like
wings sticking out of her shoulders close to her spine. On her
chest, the crucifix Chikage passed on to her through Ataru glows
softly. The katana that nearly skewered Ranma's heart is now in this
being's hands, no blood anywhere on the highly-forged steel.
Gazing at this monstrosity from a safe distance away, the others
are speechless. "Ranma-sama..." Kodachi whispers for them all.
"**But no cigar,**" Ranma savagely grins, she playfully waving
the katana close to Genma's face, her voice ringing with the rumble
of haunting thunder mixed with a tiger's purr. The older martial
artist winces as the blade flashes before his eyes, turning away as
he squeezes his eyes shut. A faux-pout turns her lips at the
supposed lack of attention. "**What's the matter? Aren't you happy
to see what YOU created, Oyaji?!**"
"YOU MONSTER!!!!" Kunou then roars, drawing his bokken.
"RELEASE THE PIG-TAILED GIRL THIS INSTANT!!!" he charges at Ranma's
back...
...as she swings to her side, the katana flying. That slices
through his bokken in a flash. Along with his neck! "KUNOU!!!!"
Nabiki shrieks as Kunou's severed head flips again and again in
mid-air before hitting the ground with a sick, wet *thud!* His body
collapses right afterward.
That sound is enough to make Genma's eyes snap open, they
dropping at once to stare upon the headless corpse not two metres
from him. Before he could think of what to do now, claw-tipped
fingers tap several places on his face. "**Uh-uh!!**" Neko-Ranma
shakes her head. "**You're not going to avoid seeing THIS, Oyaji!
There's no escape for you THIS time!!**"
"Ranma, are you totally INSANE?!!" Akane screams as the others
around her brace themselves for what might happen next. "He
didn't...!"
"**He didn't WHAT?!?!**" the felinoid snaps, moving with inhuman
speed to loom over Akane. "**Deserve what I just give him?! SO
WHAT?!! He always kept screaming at me 'Die, Saotome!!' all the
time!! WHAT THE HELL SHOULD I'VE DONE?!! THE WORLD'S BETTER OFF
WITHOUT HIM!!!**"
"***RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...!!!!***"
"Dad, NO...!!!" Nabiki shrills.
"SOUUN!!!!" Genma screams.
Everyone is frozen in place as Neko-Ranma uses the claws of one
hand to shred Souun's Demon Head. The katana slashes across at the
same time, catching Souun in the abdomen. "TENDOU-SAN!!!!"
Hinako screams in horror as the felinoid wheels around, then delivers
a deadly stroke through his side, effectively ripping him in half!
As the parts slump to the dirt, Neko-Ranma's wings spread out, a
blazing aura of chi surrounding her.
"**Just in case you get any ideas of leaving...!**"
she smirks.
Energy lashes out to touch the four corners of the school
property. In the wink of an eye, a large dome forms, sealing off
Furinkan High from the rest of Nerima. Watching this, everyone
still standing shuffles closer together, their eyes locked on the
monster who just struck two people down with the same nonchalance
one might apply to swatting an annoying fly.
"**Now...!**" Neko-Ranma raises his sword. "**Where were we?**"
* * *
"Toofuu-sensei, what IS that?!"
"I'm not too sure, Kasumi!" Toofuu shakes his head. He and
Kasumi just met two blocks from the school's front gate a moment
ago, seconds before the strange energy dome was formed. "Energy
unlike anything I've EVER seen before," the chiropractor peers
intently at it...
* * *
"***HAPPOU-GOJUU-EN-SATSU!!!!***"
Neko-Ranma remains still, she allowing the katana in her hand
to punch into the dirt, as Hinako's energy-absorption
powers try to latch on her fighting chi. "**Oh, please!**" the
felinoid's lips twist in a fair approximation of Ranma's cocky grin.
"**I hardly feel that!!**"
Hinako screams out as she feels NOTHING coming at her, then
spins her coin on Mousse, who is closest to her. He screams out as
she drains his battle chi, then drops to the ground. Now in her
adult body, Hinako spins back on Neko-Ranma. "***HAPPOU TSURISEN
GAESHI!!!!***"
"**No thanks! I don't want that!!**" the felinoid holds up a
hand. The chi bolt slams into the palm, then Neko-Ranma curls her
fingers to pool the energy into a spheroid. "**Here, have it
back!**" she grins savagely as the chi rips out, lancing right for
the teacher's heart.
"Look out, Sensei!!" Ukyou moves to shove her clear...
...then all the fiancees and Nabiki are snared by spirit
kusarigamas flung from Neko-Ranma's other hand. As they're sent
flying away from the hapless teacher, the chi bolt punches through
her fifty-yen piece. She screams as the energy floods her system,
then a mindless shriek steals her voice as even MORE chi, a tsunami
of energy, flows relentlessly into her. "**Here you go. I've got
more to spare,**" Neko-Ranma smirks...
...then blinks surprisedly as Hinako's body explodes from her
cells becoming supersaturated with energy! As the area is showered
with a fine reddish mist, Neko-Ranma covers her mouth. "**Ooops!
Overdid it!!**"
"Why, Ranma?"
She pauses, then turns to see Nabiki standing nearby. Reaching
down to yank the Saotome honour blade from the ground, Neko-Ranma
walks over to the still-weakened Mousse. "**I'm doing to them what
they long threatened to do to me, Tendou-san!**" she raises the
blade, then contemptuously slams it into the back of his head.
"**I'm giving them a taste of what they've long wished to see happen
to me!**" she twists the blade to make sure the weapons-master's
brain is sufficiently shredded. As soon as his body stops twitching,
she pulls out the katana, then turns to face Nabiki. "**Any reason
I shouldn't be doing this?**" an eyebrow arches amusedly.
Despite the jovial look on the felinoid's face, Nabiki is quick
to realize that this thing before her is in NO mood to be civil.
And given what Neko-Ranma just did to Kunou, her own father, Hinako
and Mousse, she knew that any false step, any wrong word, she says
now might be her last. Hopefully, the other girls will recover
fast enough so they could find some way to take this damned thing
DOWN. "I can think of some."
"**Oh?**" Neko-Ranma crosses her arms...
* * *
"Uhnnn..."
Nabiki blinks. "Where...?" she grunts, slowly sitting up as she
rubs her eyes, then she scans around. "What the hell...?! Where
am I...?"
All around her was white. Not the blinding white one might
associate with staring directly into a noon sun. But a ghostly
white, what one might find in a billowing cloud on a clear day.
Standing, Nabiki takes a more intense look around. Wait...! She
could pick out some darker elements in the surrounding bland scenery.
And her feet were clearly pressing down on something solid. What
could it be? Kneeling, she reaches down, then runs her hand at the
level of her toes. Wait...! Was that...? "Grass?"
She had to be still on school property!
Standing, Nabiki straightens, then remembering nearly-forgotten
lessons about perceiving surrounding chi fields, relaxes...
* * *
"**Let me tell you what I think,**" Neko-Ranma places the tip of
her sword on a large rock in the school pathway. "**I think the
time's come for EVERY LAST idiot who's imposed himself, herself
or itself on my life to finally understand what doing that will COST
them! After all, Tendou-san, you don't allow people to take
advantage of you without extracting a pretty steep penalty in return,
ne? Why shouldn't I do that, then?!**"
"It's not the same...!" Nabiki shakes her head.
"**'Not the same?!'**" the felinoid's eyebrow arches, then one
hand lashes out, a psychic kusarigama leaping from the palm into the
darkness.
A surprised scream echoes from where that chi-chain went, then
Nabiki watches wide-eyed as a dazed Kodachi sails through the air
towards Neko-Ranma. "**Take our local psycho-maniac gymnast here,**"
the felinoid snares Kodachi by the neck, then slams the katana
through her heart before ripping open her throat with her claws.
"**Assumed she's my fiancee when I made it VERY clear that I wanted
nothing to do with her!**" she allows Kodachi to drop to the ground,
then produces another kusarigama chain. "**She poisons me, paralyses
me, then has the utter GALL to presume that because she's of 'higher'
birth that me, she could do whatever she wanted to do with me
regardless of what my 'honour' demanded otherwise!**"
The chi-chain flies off to Nabiki's left. The felinoid yanks
back soon enough, this time producing Shampoo. "**And speaking
of people who think they've got the right to impose their worldview
on me, let's talk about Miss Kitty here!**" Neko-Ranma allows the
katana to impale the warrior-maiden through the forehead. With a
yank, the felinoid rips off the top of Shampoo's skull, allowing
the rest of her to drop to the ground beside Mousse. "**Represents
an 'advanced' culture that's survived on its own for three thousand
years! Feh!! One nuclear bomb'd wipe them out in the blink of an
eye!! Doubt all their magic'd help them then!**" she shrugs. "**And
to believe I actually defended them from Saffron! Heh!! Maybe I
should've let them die!! Best way to get rid of them, ne?!**"
"R-ran-chan...!"
Neko-Ranma turns to see a wobbly Ukyou emerge from the darkness,
her battle spatula in hand. Snorting, the felinoid walks over to
glare into the cook's eyes. "**Friend or fiancee, U-chan? What'll
it be?**"
Ukyou shudders, then shakes her head. "You're not Ranma..."
In a flash of steel, Ukyou's head flies off her neck. Nabiki
gulps helplessly as the okonomiyaki chef's headless body drops to the
ground, her head landing nearby. Still bound to the tree, Genma can
do nothing but gaze in horror as the heartless beast that was his
child carries on its work. "**Jeez, ask a simple question and you
get all THIS crap!**" Neko-Ranma shakes her head as she turns, then
stops. "**Oh, there you are!**" she crosses her arms on seeing a
quivering Akane standing there. "**So, 'friend,' what do you
want?!**" she smirks. "**Think that cute little bunny suit'll save
your ass THIS time, tomboy?!**" A shake of the head. "**And to
actually believe I really wanted to WEAR that flimsy thing! Dear
Fates, WHAT was I actually thinking?!**" she turns away, shrugging.
Screaming, Akane charges. Neko-Ranma smirks as she fades from
view, then a thunderous "***KONTOU!!!!!!***" fills the air. Nabiki
and Genma watch in horror as a blazing katana blade pops out of
NOWHERE to punch through Akane's abdomen, psionically slicing the
Densetsu no Doogi's buckle in half. Before she could react, the
blade twists around, then vertically "rips" in her half from groin
to the top of the head. A surprised scream bursting from her lips
is instantly cut off as her very soul is shredded by the soulsword.
As Akane drops, Neko-Ranma drops the Goshin Buufu cloak, dispersing
the soulsword as her eyes fall on Nabiki. "**She was supposed
to be the 'heir' to your school?!**" she snorts. "**Get real!**"
"Actually..." Nabiki tenses, then assumes a ready stance. "If
you really want to know, Saotome, I'M the real heir of the
Tendou-ryuu!"
They gaze on each other, then Neko-Ranma walks over to pick up
the dropped Tendou dojo sign. Tapping the back of it, she pops open
the small compartment there, drawing out Souun's teaching license.
"**Is that a fact, huh?!**" she holds up the envelope, then uses a
chi ball to burn it. "**Well, I guess it's your dojo now, Nabiki!
Here, catch!**"
She tosses the sign at the middle Tendou daughter. Nabiki
catches it, then screams as the Saotome blade punches through the
wood -- and her heart! "**Some heir,**" Neko-Ranma sneers as Nabiki
looks blankly at her before dropping to the ground, then she draws
the katana back...
* * *
"Where are we, Dou-chan?!"
[I CAN'T TELL,] a small sign appears hanging off Akane's left
arm. The sign twirls around. [THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE NEVER
EXPERIENCED BEFORE!] Another twirl. [HE'S BEEN DOING SOME REALLY
STRANGE TRAINING, AKANE!]
"Yeah, but WHERE?!" Akane looks around, then blinks on seeing
a human-shaped shadow pass by to her right. "Hey!!"
She runs over to intercept it, then screams out as the shadow
fades into the cloudy white without a trace. "DAMN IT!!!!"
* * *
"Wh-why...?"
Neko-Ranma perks, then turns to see Genma staring blearily
at her. Drool drips from his mouth; his whole body now sags as if
Hinako Ninomiya just nailed him with the Happou Fifty-yen chi drain.
"**Why?!**" genuine surprise appears on the felinoid's face, then she
walks over to stand beside her father, waving to the shattered
corpses scattered across the lawn. "**Well, isn't this what you
wanted, Oyaji?!**" she gazes intently into his eyes. "**It IS what
you wanted, after all!! You...**" she points to Genma, "**...wanted
ME...**" she points to herself, "**...to be able to defeat and
destroy anyone who faced me in a fight! Isn't that why you taught
me the Neko-ken? Isn't that why you took me away from Mom? Isn't
that why you never wanted me to have friends or know a normal
life?**" a hard edge appears in her voice. "**So I COULD be the best
martial artist ever?! Isn't that what you really, REALLY wanted
of me, Oyaji?!**"
Genma shudders, his eyes trying to turn away from the carnage
before him. Not a muscle in his head or neck responds. "**Well,
then...**" Neko-Ranma sighs, then concentrates as a strange, icy fire
seems to consume her. Within seconds, she is back to normal. "I
guess you just didn't meet up to my expectations, Oyaji," her voice
reverts to normal, though Genma is quick to note that her eyes are
still cat-slitted. "Gee, that's too bad."
She draws out a cell-phone, then dials a number. A second
later, a man's voice calls back, "Toranoseishin Finances, Yumoa
here."
"Reigi-san, it's Ranma."
"Yes, Ranma-san, can I help you?"
"Has Judge Nozawa put out the arrest warrant for Genma?"
"Hai, it went out two hours ago. In fact, the Nerima District
Police Box got a call from Nodoka Saotome's lawyer sometime ago.
Genma is wanted now for assault and battery on both Nodoka and her
sister Hisayo Asagaya."
"Is that a fact?" Ranma shakes her head. "Stand by a moment."
"Hai, standing by..."
* * *
"Ataru-kun!!"
"Stand back, Kasumi-san!" Ataru waves Kasumi away from the
sealed gate of Furinkan High School, then he touches the handles.
"Be careful, Ataru-kun!" Toofuu, who had been trying to analyse
the energy field encompassing the school when Ataru came, warns.
"Relax, Ono-sensei! I know what this energy's about!" Ataru
grunts, then relaxes himself as he tries to pull the gate doors
apart...
* * *
"Well, Oyaji, what's it gonna be?"
Genma quakes as Ranma glares amusedly into his eyes. "Do I tell
Reigi-san to get the police down here so they can haul your ass into
jail? Make you face up to ALL the things you did? After all, during
those weeks I was gone from Nerima, I had some friends do some
research on the stuff you pulled during the trip you NEVER bothered
to tell me about!" She leans into his face, snaring his full
attention with those burning, slitted eyes. "Does the name Yuuko
Asayama sound familiar to you, Oyaji? How about Sayuri Fujiki?
Or maybe Miwa, Narumi and Mizuho Sasamoto?! What the HELL was I
supposed to be doing marrying TRIPLETS, Oyaji?!"
No answer. Ranma raises a hand. A burning sphere of chi
appears there. With a fling of the hand, she sends it to the corpses
littering the school grounds. In a flash of light and clouds of
smoke, they vanish. "Or do I try to give you one last chance?"
she tilts her head to and fro.
"L-l-last ch-chance...?" Genma sputters.
"Oh, yes!" she nods. "You see, Oyaji, much that right now, I
hate you, I can't deny for a minute that you did teach me some
important things about martial arts. And life. And honour." A
sarcastic grin crosses her face. "Especially where it concerned
upholding promises. Ne, Oyaji?" her eyebrows wriggle. "All I have
to do is call Reigi-san and tell him that you're not here. It might
give you a few hours head start to get out of the country. Say head
to Korea or China, where the police can't catch you. After all, you
*stealing* Mom's katana, not to mention *hitting* Mom and her sister,
isn't going to go down well with a lot of people."
"Wh-what d-d-do I have to d-do...?" his voice strengthens,
though she senses the truth behind his words. Right now, anything
looked better than facing the consequences of what Ranma unleashed
tonight. "T-t-tell me...!"
"Well..." she glances to the front gate. "Just meet my new
fiance!" she then gushes, gazing hopefully at him. "After all, all
YOUR choices for my fiancees kinda bit the big one a few minutes
ago..." she waves to the empty lawn where there had lain nine
corpses, "...not to mention them having all sorts of annoying
problems and all that!" she snorts. "So I felt it was time to choose
my OWN fiance. After all, a 'man above men' should have full freedom
of choice when it comes to his wife, ne?"
"Yes!! Y-yes! Of c-course!!" he rapidly nods.
"Fair enough, then," she saunters to the gate...
* * *
"You bastard...!"
Nabiki's teeth grind as she gazes through the thin veil of fog
at the bound, sagging Genma. She had come to this point a minute
ago, just in time to see that monstrous winged felinoid transform
into -- or back into? -- Ranma. She hadn't been able to overhear
everything Genma and Ranma had said, but with her experience
reading lips, she got the general point of their conversation.
Ranma now had his father over the hot coals. One phone call to Reigi
Yumoa -- Oh, yes. Nabiki knew very well who that man was -- would
see the lazy ass panda jailed once and for all.
So why was Ranma willing to give the fool one last chance?
Unless...
* * *
Ataru grits his teeth. "I think I got it..."
Suddenly, the front gates open. Before he could understand
what is happening, Ataru is snared by his shirt collar and yanked
into the school grounds. "Ataru!!" Toofuu moves to catch him, but
nearly gets his face smashed in when the gates close on him.
"Ataru!!!" he grabs the bars, then starts to yank hard. They do not
move. "Damn it!!" he screams.
"Toofuu-sensei, wasn't that Ranma?!" Kasumi wonders.
"I...!" the chiropractor stops, then gazes nowhere in particular
as he considers her question. "I'm really not sure, Kasumi..."
* * *
"Hello, Ataru!"
"Ranm-...! Mmmfpht!!" Ataru's voice is cut off as Ranma swamps
him with the proverbial mother of all French kisses.
Stuck to the tree, Genma stares dumbfoundedly at his son -- his
perfect martial artist, his own legacy, his icon of manliness
(even if he is now in a girl's body!) -- presently kissing another
MAN! And not just any man, but one of the most girl-crazy teenage
men ever to walk the face of the planet in recent memory!! And that
was no friendly kiss, either!
Finally, Ranma pulls away from a stupefied Ataru, then gazes
serenely at Genma. "You failed, Oyaji. Completely, totally failed!"
She looks up as Ataru seems to recover. "Right, my love?" she purrs.
He looks at her, then shudders as something overcomes him. His
eyes close, then open again. Now, his left eye glows with a burning
crimson fire. "**You can say that, dear,**" a smirk twists his lips,
then he gazes balefully on Genma. "**So why haven't you killed this
fool yet?**"
Ranma pulls away from him, then closes her eyes as that strange,
icy fire returns. This time, it consumes Ranma and Ataru both. Once
the fire fades, Neko-Ranma stands once more on the grounds of
Furinkan High. Seeing that homicidal felinoid again sends a painful
weight into Genma's stomach.
But the being now standing beside Ranma...?!
HE was the stuff of nightmares!
* * *
"Kami-sama have mercy!!" Nabiki pales...
* * *
[AKANE, I THINK I CAN SENSE NABIKI!]
"Okay!! Get me to her, Dou-chan!"
[RIGHT!]
* * *
Water explodes...
"DARLING!!!!"
"Lum-san!!" Yamada moves to help the just-emerged brunette
get out of the pool before she drowned in what was once her native
environment.
"N-no...!" Lum sputters as the door to the swimming pool room
opens, revealing Lan, Shinobu and Ryuunosuke. "N-no...!!
D-DARLING...!!"
* * *
A growl escapes Neko-Ranma as she glares in the general
direction of Tomobiki. "**NO!!!**" she howls. "**DON'T YOU DARE,
YOU BITCH!!! HE'S MINE!!! YOU HEAR ME, LUM?!! HE'S MINE!!!!
*MINE!!!!***"
"**Ranma...!**" the Cyborg sighs, his voice a hollow, metallic
twang as he shakes his head, wondering what he ever did to deserve
THIS!
* * *
"Y-y-yeah...! When Ranma-chan falls in love with someone,
h-...!" Nabiki sputters, then spits out, "*She* doesn't mess around!"
* * *
Lum looks up, her brown eyes glowing. She doesn't sense the
towels moving to wipe off the gestation fluid from her, much less the
comforting hands of her friends squeezing her shoulders.
"Y-y-yours...?!"
* * *
"**Yes!**" Neko-Ranma snarls. "**Mine!**"
She swirls around, then slinks herself against the Cyborg,
one of her clawed hands tracing the outline of the gunmetal-grey
ascending phoenix insignia bolted to the cybernetic right side of his
chest. The finger traces down to the point where that symbol merges
seamlessly into a golden mirror version on his human left side.
"**And we have YOU to thank for this, Oyaji,**" she gazes on Genma.
"**Remember when you took me to Sendai when I was four? When you
left me alone at our campsite when you tried to steal supplies
from Ataru's uncle? Remember when you tried to take me from Ataru
and his sister Nokoko, who found me at our campsite, all ALONE?!**"
her voice takes on a brittle edge. "**Remember what happened
next?!**"
"N-no...!" Genma pales.
The felinoid peers intently at him, then snorts, looking up at
her half-machine soul-mate. "**He doesn't remember, love. Typical,
ne?**"
"**Hai, that it is!**" the Cyborg shrugs, then straightens
himself. "**Well, if it must be done, it must be done right, I
guess.**"
Neko-Ranma pulls away from him as Ataru approaches Genma.
Stopping a metre from the bound martial arts teacher, the machine-man
closes his good eye. Icy fire envelopes him, restoring him to
normal. Almost normal, that is; his left eye still glowed.
"Saotome-san, I have a request of you."
Genma stares blankly at Ataru. The younger man looks tense.
"Sir, having come to know your child over the last couple of weeks,
may I...?" he pauses dramatically, "May I ask for her hand in
marriage?"
* * *
Sweat drop, eyebrow twitch. "At least he's doing it right,"
Nabiki mutters, then gasps on feeling a hand touch her shoulder.
"Who...?!"
"There you are!!" Akane breathes out. "Are you okay?!"
"Akane!" Nabiki feels a lump in her throat, then starts on
hearing her sister cry out in shock. "What...?" she turns back to
the image before them. "Oh, that!" she chuckles, rubbing the back
of her head.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO RANMA?!?!" Akane shrieks.
A shrug. "Something to do with the Neko-ken, I guess..."
* * *
"Marriage...?"
Spittle drips from his mouth as a hollow laugh bursts from his
lips, then he gazes monomaniacally at Ataru, a mindless cackle
framing his voice. "Marriage?! MARRIAGE?!?! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING
ABOUT?!! I HAVE NO DAUGHTER!!! I HAVE NO SON!!! I HAVE NOTHING!!!!
***NOTHING!!!!***"
Ataru blinks. "You've abandoned your child, then," he wonders,
then seeing Genma nod, shrugs. "Well, I guess you have to die."
That stops Genma short. "'D-d-d-die'...?"
"Of course," Ataru turns away, an unwelcoming smile crossing
his face before that cold fire turns him once more into the Cyborg.
"**After all, according to the laws of that land where my Other and
I hail, those who willingly abandon their own flesh-and-blood
-- those who willingly KILL their child's happiness for their own
greed and selfishness -- must pay for their sin with their LIVES!!**"
He gazes on Neko-Ranma. "**Agreed?**"
* * *
"What manner of beast IS that?!" Kunou hotly demands; he had
just arrived ten seconds ago. "What has he done to the pig-tailed
one?!"
Akane's and Nabiki's elbows shut him up. "Shut up!!!"
"That, Stick Boy had coming!" Shampoo snorts as she, Ukyou and
Kodachi appear, then falls silent on seeing the Cyborg and
Neko-Ranma...
* * *
"**Agreed,**" the felinoid smirks, then allows the cold fire to
transform her to normal. Unnoticed, the energy dome enclosing
Furinkan High fades. Drawing out her cell-phone, she dials a number.
"Toranoseishin Finances, Yumoa here," the other end answers.
"It's Ranma," Ranma barks out. "Genma's at Furinkan High. Get
the police here right away! I don't think we can hold him down
long!"
"Right away!"
The line is cut off, then Ranma draws out the Saotome dojo sign.
Walking to Genma, she stuffs that into his gi top. The teaching
license comes out of her pocket, then joins the dojo sign. Ranma
playfully taps her father's cheek. "I won't be needing that
anymore," she smirks, stepping back as chi begins to coalesce in her
right hand.
"***KONTOU KITEI: SHIHI OOGAMA!!!!***"
A cutting wave of chi leaps from the soulsword to cleave Genma
from head to groin, literally splitting him in half!
* * *
"Saotome-kun...!" Souun burbles...
* * *
A sonic boom shatters the windows of Furinkan High as the cherry
tree Genma was bound to is shredded by the Fire Scythe. Two balls
of energy billow from the impact point. The one to Ranma's right
quickly forms into a panda, a replica of the same animal who drowned
in Jusenkyou thousands of years ago. The one to Ranma's left forms
more slowly into Genma. "There!" she disperses the soulsword.
"Now you can't hide, Oyaji!"
"Ranma-kun!!"
Ranma starts on hearing Toofuu Ono's voice, then closes her
eyes. They open a second later, once again normal. Ataru remains
in shadow as he allows cold fire to revert him to normal. "Yo, Doc!"
she turns, waving.
Toofuu and Kasumi stop, their eyes widening on seeing Genma and
the panda, now separated into two living beings. "What the...?"
the former gapes, then spins on Ranma. "Ranma-kun, what
happened...?!"
"***GENMA SAOTOME, YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!!!!***"
Genma perks on hearing that megaphoned scream, then bolts to his
feet as a storm of Tokyo's riot police race onto the property,
shields and batons ready to do their necessary work. Flanking
them are representatives of the Nerima division, guns out.
Screaming, the martial artist turns to flee, then cries out
surprisedly as a glowing kusarigama chain snares him by the leg. He
kisses the ground as Ranma disperses the chi-chain. "He's all yours,
boys!!!" she waves the police on to their target.
"NO!!!" Genma spins on the riot police, a weak chi ball in hand.
It lashes out, blasting through the phalanx advancing on him
like a cannonball. Fortunately for the riot police, their shields
and body armour protect them from serious injury. Seeing what just
happened to his brother officers, one Nerima policeman levels his
service revolver on Genma's head. A squeeze of the trigger later,
half of the target's head disintegrates in a shower of crimson blood,
pulped grey matter and shattered bone.
Movement stops as the burly martial artist wavers, then drops
dead to the ground. Silence falls over the scene as people stare
at Genma. Smoke suddenly billows from his body before a bright fire
begins to consume his corpse. Screams escape the police as they back
away from the bonfire, then they fall silent as the fire fades,
leaving nothing behind. People stare at the site, then a riot
officer turns to Ranma. "What happened...?"
"We can explain that."
Everyone turns to see Negako standing there, Cologne and
Happousai perched on her shoulders. "Negako-san?!" Toofuu blinks.
"What...?"
"When Ranma separated Genma's birth form from his cursed form
using the Fire Scythe, she didn't do it precisely enough to ensure
both could live separate lives to their fullest, Doctor," Cologne's
eyes narrow. "Happy here learned that the hard way a century ago
when he tried to sever the birth form and cursed form of a boy cursed
by the Nyanniichuan."
"We had to watch the poor boy grow weak and die over a year's
time," Happousai continues. "When he died, he disintegrated.
There was nothing left to bury. Nothing at all. Save memories,"
he looks away.
The others take that in, then a detective from the Nerima police
box, the senior officer present, holsters his weapon. "Pity," he
stares at the spot where Genma Saotome fell. "It would have been
quite interesting to see that fool on trial. Alright, everyone,
let's secure the scene!"
"Hai!!" the other policemen go to work.
"Ranma, did you forget something?" Negako asks.
Ranma looks nonplussed, then starts. "Oh, shit!"
She walks over to tap a point in mid-air over the walkway.
A fizzle of air later, nine people drop into a heap by her feet.
"Sorry about that, guys!" she ruefully chuckles, helping Nabiki and
Mousse up. "We needed you all out of the way so Oyaji could be
finally taken care of!"
The others are silent as they stare at Ranma or Ataru or the
place where Genma fell. Ranma is quick to notice the fear and shock
in their eyes as they glace either at her or Ataru. Once they appear
to have sufficiently recovered, she heads over to where the Tendou
dojo sign lay, splattered in blood and nearly cleaved in half by the
Saotome honour sword. The sword in question lies on the ground
nearby. Ranma picks up the sword, then stares at it for a moment
before gazing at Ataru. "You mind?"
"Toss it," he nods.
She sends it flying. Ataru reaches into his jacket to yank out
his Lawgiver. Aiming on target, he barks, "Homing disrupt! Five
shots!!"
"*Homing disrupt, five,*" the pistol's computer responds.
Five loud *cracks!* later, the sword is no more. Staring at the
billowing energy mist that follows a disintegrating shot from a
Lawgiver, Ranma sighs, shaking her head. She then glaces at the
Tendou dojo sign. Taking a deep breath, she picks it up.
"Ranma-kun...?" Kasumi tenses.
Nabiki, Akane and Souun also notice. Seeing the damage the sign
has already taken, it wouldn't require much from Ranma to destroy
it. Staring at the blood-splattered wood, symbol of something
that had warped the lives of so many over the last decade and more,
she sighs. Shaking her head, she tosses it contemptuously
at Souun. "Train a REAL martial artist!" she ordains. "That is, IF
Jijii gives you a new training license!"
She walks away. "Lieutenant, does Ranma have to be here to give
ahy testimony?" Ataru gazes on the senior police officer.
"No, Moroboshi-san. We can send someone to talk to her
tomorrow," the detective nods. "She looks pretty tired. She best
get some sleep."
"Hai," Ataru nods, then heads off after his friend...
* * *
"Much more happened here than what they know," Cologne muses.
She, Happousai and Negako sit on the front steps of Furinkan
High, they watching Ataru walk Ranma off the property. To their
surprise, none of Ranma's would-be paramours move to accompany
her back to Kasugachou. "Indeed," the ninjitsu grandmistress
lightly smiles. "It would be very interesting to see how these ones
put this puzzle together."
"Yes, it would be, wouldn't it?" Happousai cackles...
* * *
Sometime later...
"Welcome home, Ani-kun."
Ataru stops on hearing that greeting. A teary-eyed Ranma is in
his arms, asleep. She broke down some distance from Furinkan High,
he being there right away to comfort her as well as see her back to
safety.
He now stares at Chikage, she leaning against the wall beside
the door leading into the old shrine. "Was this necessary?"
he wonders.
"It would've happened to Ane-kun sooner or later. Just like the
emergence of your hidden side would've occurred sooner or later,
Ani-kun," the young sorceress remains calm. "What would you prefer?
What would Ane-kun prefer? Have it happen now when it could be
controlled? Or have it happen when you least suspect it and risk the
deaths of many?" A pause, then, "You at least had to confront
the mass slaughter of Oogi's minions when the Cyborg first appeared.
I shudder to wonder what might have happened had that part of you
emerged when Lum was still in Tomobiki."
Ataru considers that, his lips twisting sourly. "True..."
* * *
To be continued...
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