The characters of the Ranma 1/2 universe are the
creation and possession of the brilliant Rumiko
Takahashi. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi and her
licensees (Shogakukan Inc., Kitty-Fuji TV, Viz
Communications Inc.) No copyright infringement is
intended.
Many thanks to:
D-chan, for encouragement and invaluable time taken from
her own writing to pre-read for me.
Read D-chan's stories at:
http://www.geocities.com/ayongedarling/
Please sign the guest book and let her know what you think
of the page and her artwork as well. ^_O
And to Jiro Maeda for pre-reading and pointing out some
fundamental errors in my conception of Filipino fighting arts
among other things.
ALSO:
Garry Kleppe, Prince of the Punctuation Pixies,
and Grandee of the Grammar Gnomes for
taking a LOT of time with my stories.
Along with
H.Melton and B. Goldberg, for admiring my
stories more than I deserve. ^_*
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Lure the Tiger from the Mountains
************************************************
************************************************
Chapter: 14
Ah du chen cang
(Pretend to take one path while sneaking down another)
"Pop?" Ranma hissed quietly into the cool semi-
darkness of the basement. "Pop, are you in here?" Looking
around at hundreds of different beers from all around the
world, Ranma now knew why Genma wanted to meet at the
Hilton. He just hoped - -
"Pop! If you've gotten stinkin' again I'm gonna put
vinegar in your hip-flask!" A heavy hand came down on his
shoulder from out of nowhere and he jumped in shock.
"DAMMIT ya old fart! Don't DO that."
"You're getting sloppy boy." Genma chuckled, his
breath only mildly perfumed with beer.
"Yeah?" Ranma's hands flashed out, snatched a
bottle from each of Genma's pockets and rapped him on the
head with them. "Now, you wanna play games? Or you
wanna talk."
"Show some respect, boy!" Genma rubbed his head,
then retrieved his bottles and popped the cap off a Vintage
Romanov Baltic Stout with his thumb. "What was so
important you needed to see me?"
"What do ya know about a monk, dressed sorta like a
Yamabushi. Fights dirty. Blade concealed in his staff, breathes
fire and knows some kinda trick ta strangle ya with his voice."
"His voice?" Genma perked up on hearing that. "What
did he do?" He tilted a bottle to his lips, throat working as he
emptied it of 89,000 yen worth of beer in one long swallow.
"Ummm . . .some kinda chant while he danced in a
circle. Then somethin' grabbed me around the throat; felt like
that guy in Turkmenistan with the piano-wire ." Ranma
rubbed the puckered scar around his neck in memory.
"Kotadama," Genma pontificated. "Power of Words."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"This man is obviously a powerful adept of the
Shugendo order."
"Which means, what _exactly_?"
"Depending on his level of attainment, he can see into
the spirit realm, kill at a distance with the power of his voice,
walk through walls, fly----"
"Okay, I getcha." Ranma thought for a minute. "But
what's he got against me?"
"It is very simple, boy. Your years of sloth, gluttony
and filial impiety have obviously angered the kami who have
sent this man to punish----owwww!"
"Dammit, old man." Ranma shook out his stinging fist.
"Don't give me that bull. You'd a' been a charcoal briquette
by now if the kami gave a shit about that stuff. Besides, this
guy don't exactly want to buy you beer and sushi. He's got a
serious mad-on for the whole Saotome clan; all two of us!
What did you do to piss this guy off so bad?"
"I have always been on excellent terms with the
clergy," Genma replied piously.
"What about that temple in Bali? Or the mosque in
Khartoum. And don't forget the Chinese . . ."
"A misunderstanding," Genma was sweating, despite
the coolness of the cellar. "A few trivial disagreements of a
purely philosophical nature."
"Yeah?" Ranma's tone held a note of un-filial attitude
that Genma found so irritating. "Well, why dontcha see if you
can remember which one wants you _trivially_ dead." Ranma
headed for the stairs. "An' try to think of if b'fore this guy
kills someone." He paused, one foot on the bottom stair.
"Because if this guy hurts one of Akane's sisters or her old
man 'cause he's pissed at you, she's liable to pull your spine
out through your eyeball an' strangle you with it."
"What if he gets to Akane first?" Genma remarked
snidely. He still hadn't forgiven her for having pretensions of
being a martial artist and claiming ownership of _his_ doujou.
"That ain't gonna happen Pop. Remember th' First
Rule?"
Genma shivered as the temperature seemed to drop
suddenly.
"That just ain't gonna happen."
*****
*****
"Oh, hello Ranko-san." Kasumi smiled tiredly at the
petite girl peeking around the corner of her kitchen. "It's nice
to see you're feeling better."
"Feeling-----Oh, oh yes. I'm feeling much better now."
Onna-Ranma mentally kicked himself for losing track of his
character. That would have earned him twelve across the
shoulders with a knotted rope from Genma. He hadn't made
such an elementary mistake since he was seven.
"Ummm, you're looking a little tired. Are you feeling
Okay?" Ranko asked solicitously.
"I am tired," Kasumi admitted. "I've been having a
little trouble----
*Foy porter, honneur garder* The liquid voice
pierced the morning quiet, like a knife through the heart.
"----sleeping." Kasumi looked as if she were about to
weep.
*Et pais querir, oubeir*
Good projection, Onna-Ranma noted with interest,
pinpointing the sound as originating in the garden. Having
perfect pitch, she was especially sensitive to singers who were
'off' in the slightest, but this was a really nice mezzo-
soprano.
"What the hel . . .heck is _that_?" Ranko's head
swivelled , pretending to search for the source of the music.
"Kodachi." Kasumi said tiredly. "She's serenading
me."
*Doubter, servir, et honnourer*
"What's she saying?"
"I have no idea. I think it's French."
*Foy porter, honneur garder* "I want to stay
faithful, guard your honor," Kodachi popped through the
door that lead into the garden, still singing as she entered the
kitchen.
*Et pais querir, oubeir, doubter, servir, et honnourer*
"Seek peace, obey, fear, serve and honor you." With a
flourish, Kodachi produced a single, perfect silver-rose and
presented it to Kasumi on bended knee as she translated.
*Vous vueil jusques au morir Dame sans per.* "Until
death, Peerless Lady!"
"That's very nice, Kodachi." Kasumi took the rose
and placed it in a crystal vase, where it joined a score of it's
fellows. "But you should go home now. I'm sure you must
have homework----"
"Leave!" Kodachi looked horrified. "Nay, gentle lady.
Kunou Kodachi shall _not_ leave you alone when there is
such villainy abroad as would afright all of Christendom. I
shall guard thee from harm, e'en at the cost of my life's
blood."
"That's wonderful, Ko-chan," Nabiki came down the
stairs, knuckling sleep from her eyes. But it's our Saturday
off. Why don't you try giving your life's blood _quietly_." A
thought came to her as she shambled across the floor to the
coffee pot. "I think it would be romantic if you slept across
Kasumi's threshold, just like a faithful and courageous guard-
dog."
"You have the right of it." Kodachi's face lit with the
thought of serving her heart's delight _and_ being incredibly
uncomfortable, all at the same time. And when the snows
came she could prove her dedication by standing without cap
or hose all night in the cold . . .perhaps she'd catch
pneumonia and die a tragic, yet romantically elegant, death.
Occupied with composing a funereal poem that would
make the very stones weep at the loss to the world of Kunou
Kodachi, The Silver Sword of Saint Hebereke's Academy for
Young Ladies of Refinement, Kodachi was oblivious to
Kasumi's indignant squawk as she scooped the older girl into
her arms and carried her up to her room.
"If you're lookin' for Akane, she's out in the doujou,
finishing up her workout before we go." Nabiki remarked,
stifling a yawn.
"Go?"
Kasumi's got exams coming up, so we're going
shopping and then to a movie, so she can get some work
done." Nabiki poured a mug of coffee and added a generous
portion of cream and sugar. "Where's Ranma? Haven't seen
him since that nut case blew the hell out of a pine tree."
"He . . .uhhh . . .he thought it might be better to stay
away for a while. At least as long as that crazy monk is
running lose. Ranma was afraid the guy might come here
looking for him." Ranko bit her lip, then went on. "Could . . .
could I stay here again? Father is out of town and I don't
want to stay by myself."
"Sure, why not?" Nabiki put her mug on the counter
and started rummaging through the refrigerator "Everyone
else in Japan seems to be staying here. We'll just add some
more water to the miso." Noticing Ranko's hurt look she
relented slightly. "Don't mind me. I'm a little cranky because
Kodachi was singing outside of Kasumi's window all night.
Why don't you come with us?" Satisfied at the girl's shy nod,
Nabiki grabbed some rice-balls and salmon and put them on
the counter next to her coffee.
"You want something? Juice maybe?"
"Oh, errr, juice would be fine." Ranko took a glass of
orange juice and sat next to Nabiki.
"So," Nabiki sipped her coffee while Ranko drank her
juice and nibbled on a roll Nabiki had given her. "are you and
my sister lovers yet?"
Juice sprayed across the kitchen and Nabiki pounded
on Ranko's back to help clear her airway.
"WHAT! Are you crazy?"
"I take it that's a no?" Nabiki sighed. "It would do her
a world of good to get laid. Maybe she wouldn't be so intense
all the time. You're kind of cute," she eyed Ranko up and
down, until the smaller girl blushed. "and she wouldn't have
to worry about getting pregnant."
"Gaaaak!" Ranko started another coughing fit, which
Nabiki ignored, munching on a cold rice-ball. "Oh well, I
guess I'll wait until Ranma get's back and see if he's got the
right stuff."
Ranko fell off her stool.
*Nothing like a little workout to start the day*, Nabiki
thought, heading upstairs with her coffee, nibbling on a piece
of salmon. *But all too easy*.
*****
******
"Father? Can you get the door?" Kasumi looked up
from her books as the knock came again. "Father?" Then she
remembered. He had a council meeting this afternoon. Ranko,
Akane and Nabiki had all gone to a movie and Kodachi . . .
Kasumi felt a little guilty for sending her to Kyoutou for a
special tea blend. But _only_ a little. The girl was driving her
mad and she had to study for her exams. The knock came
again and, with a sigh, Kasumi headed down the stairs.
"May I help you?" Kasumi smiled politely at the
young girl standing in the doorway.
Immaculate in a green and cream uniform, she bowed
and held out a clipboard. "Please sign here."
"What is this for?" Kasumi accepted a pen as the girl
pointed to a line with Tendou/Saotome beside it.
"Delivery for Saotome Genma, care of Tendou
Souun."
Kasumi's lips tightened slightly as the sound of _his_
name. If it had been for Ranma . . .with only a slight hesitation
she signed and accepted the small but surprisingly heavy
parcel. The delivery girl saluted smartly before turning away
to her motor-scooter parked outside the gate.
Frowning, Kasumi walked back upstairs to her room.
Frankly, the less she had to do with 'Uncle' Genma, the better
she liked it and she certainly didn't want to have to be
responsible for his mail until and if he returned. A sudden
thought cheered her. She'd just give it to Ranma, the next
time she saw him. It might be something for him, anyway.
Satisfied that she'd solved that problem she tossed the
package into her briefcase and went back to the mysteries of
multivariant analysis.
*****
*****
"Isn't there _anything_ leaving today?" Kuonji Ukyou
frowned down at the ticket agent. "It doesn't have to be
fancy. A fishing boat, freighter. Anything at all?"
"I'm sorry, there's nothing until the ferry leaves
tomorrow." The woman looked up from her schedule book.
"I can check the airline schedules for you." She offered.
A plane ticket would practically exhaust his cash.
_If_ Ranma or Genma were back in Nerima, as he suspected,
it might be worth it. But if they _weren't_ . . .
Ukyou hissed in frustration. It hadn't taken him long
to realize he couldn't possibly search the Norwegian Wind,
before the cruise ship reached Hong Kong. He'd spent an
agonizing time, before deciding to leave the ship when it
docked.
Twice before, when he'd gone to the Tendou's Ranma
had decoyed him away. Was something holding Genma and
Ranma in Nerima? They couldn't leave, so they got Ukyou
out of the way?
Unless . . . Ranma only wanted him to _think_ that
Hong Kong was a decoy, but the Tendou's were really a
decoy, while Ranma and Genma were really . . .
Ukyou pressed a hand to his throbbing temples.
Trying to think like a Saotome was like trying to teach a pig
to sing. It was a difficult, dirty, thankless job that frustrated
the teacher and irritated the pig.
"Would you like me to check the airlines?" The
woman asked again.
Shaking his head Ukyou handed her money for a boat
ticket. "No, tomorrow's ferry will be fine." Better to lose
the couple of days it would take him to get to Osaka on the
International Ferry,than lose a month or more if he were mistaken
and had to find work to rebuild his finances. If he'd made a mistake,
it wouldn't take long to find out. But if there _was_ something holding
Genma in Nerima . . .
Handing Ukyou his change, the clerk took one look at
his grim face and took a step back, fingering the prayer beads
in her pocket, muttering a quick promise to Buddha to burn
incense at temple for the next month.
Turning his collar against the rain Ukyou walked out
into the night toward the 'Guest House' where he was
staying. At HK$72.00 per night it was three times more
expensive than a dormitory room, but it afforded some
privacy and Ukyou had decided to treat himself.
Waving off a taxi, he threaded his way through the
crowded, twisting streets of Kowloon. It was even worse than
he remembered from when he'd passed through on the way to
Qinhai, only a few months ago. Vendors hawking fake
watches were more aggressive, the topless bars were a little
sadder and it was altogether a depressing place. The rain
didn't wash it clean, but only made it smell like a wet dog. A
dog that had been rolling in diesel fuel and urine.
Arriving at the tiny clap-board Guest House Ukyou
nodded to the night clerk and plodded upstairs to his room.
Undressing, he put on a cheap robe provided by the Guest
House, gathered his bath things and walked the few steps to
the shared bathing facilities. Locking the door behind him he
frowned at the minuscule shower with chipped chrome-plated
taps, fantasizing about a _real_ bath. Acres and oceans of hot
water; soaking for hours in a furo, like he used to do at
home----savagely he cut off that train of thought.
He had no home. No family, not even a name, after
the clan had disowned them. But one day . . .one day he
would reclaim his birthright.
Pushing aside those thoughts he gave the cold-tap a
savage twist, dropping his robe to the floor. His lip curled in
disgust at the pale, softly rounded figure reflected in the
cracked mirror above the sink.
Steeling himself he stepped beneath the freezing
spray.
Discipline. Strength. A hot bath was for weaklings and
women. He was strong. A shudder wracked his body and he
turned his face to the stinging spray, welcoming the physical
pain as the bitterly cold water washed his face like tears. He
was a man.
************************************************
Chapter: 15
Pao zhuan yin yu
(Cast a brick to attract jade)
"Senpai is resting." The shorter of the three Seiki-Juka
guarding the hospital door said pugnaciously. "No visitors."
Wordlessly the stranger extended a small pasteboard
rectangle, it's pristine whiteness broken only by an embossed
cherry-blossom.
Daisuke's eyes widened in alarm. "It is an honor to
have a visitor from 'The Society of Patriotism'," he began,
"but senpai is sleeping now. If you could please come
back----"
"Open the door." the stranger rumbled with quiet
menace, lumbering forward.
One of the trio, braver or more stupid than the others,
stepped in front of the bear-like man, trying to block the door.
The big man simply kept walking and the young tough
suddenly slammed against the wall and slid to the ground,
blood trickling from his mouth and ears. Stunned by the big
man's quickness and strength, Daisuke and his remaining
companion simply watched the stranger enter Kunou's
hospital room.
"Kunou-san," the big man wiped his balding head with
the silk-handkerchief he'd used to open the door. "I have
instructions from The Society. There is a package----" The
door closed behind him with a click, as the lock engaged.
*****
*****
This girl stuff was gettin' complicated. Onna-Ranma
lounged in the corner of the doujou, pretending to study.
Ukyou could show up again, anytime.
Lookin' for Ranma.
And that crazy monk was still hangin' around.
Lookin' for Ranma.
Ranma had run across him the couple of times he'd
tried going out as a guy, and he'd only managed to shake the
monk by changing to Ranko.
*I wonder if there's any chocolate in the house?*
But, bein' a girl was starting to weird him out. He
could see things, hear things, that he didn't see or hear as a
guy. Food tasted different, even the clothes he wore _felt_
different if he was a girl, than if he was guy. He flexed his
fingers, shivering as the slender alien - - _female_ - - digits
moved at his command. He was increasingly uncomfortable
in his own skin-----
*Wasn't there some Rocky-Road in the freezer?*
-----uncomfortable in 'both' his skins. And he didn't
like it.
Taking a deep breath, Onna-Ranma calmed himself.
Soon, soon he'd be going back to China and everything
would be fine. He just had to hold on a little longer. Just a
little-----longer.
*Some Pocky would hit the spot.*
Trying to distract himself, Onna-Ranma watched
Akane workout with a 'wooden man', and had to fight an
urge to join in. Especially when she made a mistake and he
knew he could do it better, even as a girl. Maybe Ranko
could do a _little_ martial arts? Shaking his head, he sank
back down.
Ranko was most useful by being as different from
Ranma as possible and not calling attention to herself. He
grinned slightly, recalling Hiroshi's pop-eyed look,just
before he - - he hid a grimace at his mistake - - before _she_,
cannon-balled into Kunou. Well, not _too_ much attention.
*The big double fudge Pocky, . . .*
But it was kind of hard for Ranma to seduce Akane, if
he was never around.. Well, Ranma was around, just not as a
boy, which put a crimp in Pop's plans to scam the doujou
. . . Onna-Ranma rubbed his temples wearily.
This whole thing was getting just a little out of hand.
Normally he didn't have any trouble staying in character
during a con, this girl-stuff was more difficult than any scam
he'd pulled before. He just hoped he didn't start doin' weird
stuff.
*. . . with the dark chocolate filling. Mmmmmmm.*
Eyes tight with a building headache, Ranko slid her
unread books aside and started wandering around the edges
of the doujou, idly playing with various bits of exercise
equipment. Spying a coiled piece of steel she picked it up and
turned it around in her hands. Finally Ranko took one of the
knurled grips in each hand, pushing back and forth,
experimentally. Getting a glimmering of it's use, she tried to
push the handles together, grunting at the effort it took.
He _really_ hated how weak Ranko was compared to
Ranma. Being faster and more flexible didn't make up for
being weak like a _girl_!
Setting herself, Ranko pressed hard against the two
ends of the steel-coil. Sweat beaded her brow as the coil
slowly compressed----- if only his girl-form had more upper-
body strength----but, dammit, if Akane could do this so could
he, or rather she, or . . .oh the heck with it. He was starting to
get another headache just trying to keep who he was, straight.
Once----twice----four times Ranko forced the steel
coil three-quarters closed, then stopped, chest and shoulder
muscles burning with strain.
"Oh, there it is," Ranko turned to see Akane looking
at her.
"Could you throw that to me please, Ranko?"
She tossed it to Akane, curious to see how many
repetitions the other girl could do.
"Thanks." Akane grabbed the coil one handed.
"Kasumi is always trying to teach me to be neater."
Ranko felt her jaw drop as Akane took an identical
coil in her opposite hand and begin to rhythmically open and
close them, pressing the handles of the coils together with a
small click.
"How----" Ranko swallowed hard and tried again.
"How many times can you do that?" Fascinated she watched
the muscles of Akane's forearms bunch and relax, like the
flexing of a giant anaconda.
"Hmmmm . . ." Akane was fast sinking into the
endorphin bliss common to weight lifters. "Oh . . .about two
hundred reps with light resistance to warm up." She indicated
another, thicker, set of hand-grips on the floor at her feet.
"Then I double the resistance to one-hundred-forty kilograms
and do half as many reps, for strength training. I alternate by
doing as many reps as possible in one minute, every other day,
for speed training." She closed her eyes, concentrating on her
workout.
Onna-Ranma curled his lip in disgust at 'her' tiny
female hands, then continued exploring. Keeping an eye on
Akane's workout while wandering around, Onna-Ranma idly
speculated on the best way to counter her moves.
Akane was a grappler. Bulky, dense bone and muscle
structure. Onna-Ranma watched the hard round globes of
Akane's buttocks shift and flex under her unitard as she
limped across the floor to the heavy-bag.
Not very fast on her feet or maneuverable. That made
Akane vulnerable to punches and especially kicks, anything
long-range. Onna-Ranma watched her shake the five-hundred
pound bag with short, vicious jabs.
Strong, though, with quick reflexes, he reminded
himself, recalling how Akane had almost countered his
arrastao takedown. She could probably take a lot of
punishment too----the thin material of Akane's worn unitard
stretched tightly over a hard-sculpted belly and iron-muscled
thighs, like young tree trunks----but you couldn't armor eyes,
groin or throat with muscle. And that knee was vulnerable.
He imagined a quick side-kick, shearing muscle and tendon,
splintering bone. The shriek of pain and spray of blood as she
went down.
Shuddering Onna-Ranma quickly pushed that image
away. Seduction and pain didn't go together. The memory of
a Spanish architect's wife in Algeria with a fetish for spandex
and riding crops popped up and was quickly suppressed.
And broken bones would definitely put a damper on
the whole marriage thing. On the other hand, Akane wouldn't
respect a guy who couldn't at least hold his own against her.
Onna-Ranma didn't have any doubt Ranma could beat Akane
to pieces in an all-out fight. Male, he was faster with more
reach and skill, which meant he could deliver his power more
effectively. Ranko was even faster, and while not as strong,
and more than made up for Akane's strength with technique
and versatility. Akane was too limited with her hard linear
style.
And no matter what form _he_ was in, Akane still
believed all those fairy-tales about honorable samurai, while
Ranma had forgotten more dirty tricks than she could learn in
three lifetimes. The _real_ trick, though, would be to stop
her, without hurting her.
Ranma would have to go in fast and hard, keep Akane
off balance. Close in, hook behind the weak leg and do a
twisting take-down so she landed on her face. Quickly tie-up
those powerful legs with a modified Python-Kills-Young-
Goat, wrapping up her legs with his, forcing them apart so she
didn't have any leverage.
If Akane got her feet under her, she'd kill him.
Akane had tremendous power, so he'd counter with
soft-styles, use her own strength against her, make her
exhaust herself.
It wouldn't be easy----Ranma could imagine the titanic
struggle as he pressed Akane down into the ground, superior
technique against brute muscle. It would be like trying to ride
an earthquake as Akane bucked and heaved, trying to throw
him off. Rama would just have to take the battering as she
slammed him around.
And her hands! Ranma couldn't forget her hands, like
hydraulic clamps. Arms and shoulders like a mountain gorilla.
She'd hammer him to pieces up close, so another joint lock
was his only chance. Mu Tau Pankration or maybe something
from India, that Akane wouldn't know. Couldn't counter.
It would be Ranma's speed and technique against
brute force and stubbornness. He'd have to accept that he'd
get hurt, take some punishment and hold on. No matter how
Akane struggled, if he had the endurance, he could hold her.
He would have to grapple, force her to submit. Hold tight to
her flushed, sweat slick skin - -
Ranko felt an electric shock as the material of her silk
shirt suddenly rasped like sandpaper against a too sensitive
chest.
*Cripes.*
This girl stuff was gettin' complicated.
*****
******
Nabiki's fingers flicked rapidly over her abacas,
totaling up figures in a ledger. "Okay, I think that does it."
Counting out bills and coins she paid off her assistants. "I've
got a line on some refurbished machines that may come on the
market at the end of the week." There were signs of interest
all around at that. "There may even be a few of last years
Delphi, the all electronic one."
Soft whistles and eager looks greeted that
announcement.
"So, who get's 'em boss?" Noriko looked around at
the five other girls.
"I think it should be based on seniority," offered the
oldest of Nabiki's helpers.
"Bull," Moeko snapped. "Whoever's got the most
profitable set-up should get the new machines."
"How about a lottery----"
"Ladies, ladies," Nabiki held up a hand to still the
babble. "I've made up an information packet on all I know
about these units," she passed sealed envelops down the table.
"but you should know that these machines have a spotty
record. Most placements have done very well, at least initially,
because of the novelty. But pachinko players are a
conservative bunch and most machines gathered dust after the
first few weeks. That's why they're on the refurbished market
so soon."
She waited for that to sink in. An unused machine was
a dead loss, especially since they would still have to pay rent
on space for the machine, even if no one ever used it. "You
know your areas best," she continued, "so I'll want a written
proposal from each of you on the risk benefits of using the
new machines in your area. And, because of the risk, I'm
upping the normal rake-off to fifty percent for the first year on
the new machines."
There were gasps of delight, then one or two of the
girls frowned as they realized what that meant. More profit
for them if things went well, but a much greater loss if things
went wrong. And Nabiki still got her ten percent off the top,
no matter what.
"No hurry," Nabiki smiled as she watched various
thoughts chase around inside her helpers heads. "The
machines won't be available for inspection until next week, so
you have at least that long to think about it."
"Nabiki?" Noriko paused for a moment after the
others left.
"Yeah?" Nabiki replied absently, stuffing papers into
her book bag.
"My sister works at the hospital . . ."
It took Nabiki a moment to understand, then she
snapped to alertness. "Yes?" She said more carefully.
"Kunou-senpai has left. No one knows where he
went," she hastened to answer Nabiki's next question. "he
just left in the middle of the night, without even checking
out."
"I called the hospital today, and they just said he was
improving," Nabiki murmured, wheels turning furiously as she
tried to figure out what this meant.
"A lot of the Seiki-Juka were absent today as well."
Noriko added.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because Kunou scares me," Noriko admitted, "and
he doesn't scare you or your sister. I don't know if it means
anything, but I wanted you to know about the hospital."
"Thanks," Nabiki watched the other girl leave the
coffee shop. "I won't forget this."
Kunou didn't scare Akane, because she was too naive
to see what a bastard he was. And, Nabiki admitted, because
Akane could twist the head off a water-buffalo with her bare
hands.
Nabiki saw herself as the intellectual type. As a child
she'd watched a student fall wrong, landing with his arm
straight, instead of flexed. The limb had folded _backward_ - -
with a snap like a pencil breaking - - until his wrist met his
shoulder blade. Splintered bone had erupted from his skin,
like a cluster of horrible white and red weeds, spraying Nabiki
with blood, while the sound of his agonized screams filled her
ears.
She'd become so terrified of falling, it had been a year
before she'd even walk up the stairs to her room, instead
sleeping on a futon in the family room. She'd gradually
gotten better - - better at least at hiding her fear - - but the
thought of hitting someone, of _getting_ hit, or thrown,
nauseated her. Nabiki never been able to understand how
Akane could spar with broken bones or keep on training
when her body was a mass of bruises. But it made her
ashamed of her own weakness, and angry as well. She'd
learned to hide her anger, too.
Regardless of what Noriko thought, Kunou _did_
scare her. Ukyou too, she thought, shuddering as she recalled
the effort it had taken to hide that fear when she'd faced him
down. And how she'd emptied her lunch into the toilet
afterwards.
Shaking off her morbid reflections she tried to
imagine what could be going on. Kunou wasn't supposed to
leave the hospital for another week. Why make her think
Kunou was still in the hospital when she called? She couldn't
imagine what had led, or driven, Kunou to leave the hospital
secretly, but it couldn't be good.
Nabiki decided to swing by the Kunou estate. If
Kodachi was home, and living in the twentieth century - -
although Nabiki was willing to settle for any period that at
least had her speaking Japanese - -she could probably find out
what Kunou was up to.
If Nabiki hadn't been so preoccupied with her
thoughts she might have sensed that she was herself of great
interest to other eyes.
Almost within sight of the Kunou estate she was
literally snatched off her feet as she passed behind a concrete
berm, left over from a make-work flood-control project.
Nabiki had time for one startled squawk, before she
landed face down in a ditch, a hard knee in her spine, pressing
her into the dirt.
"Where is he?"
Shaking in fear, it took a moment before she could
answer. "Where . . .where is who?"
"WHERE!" A cruel hand yanked her head back,
bringing tears to her eyes. "IS!" Another hand grabbed her by
the throat. HE!!"
The pressure left suddenly and she rolled onto her
side, gagging and gasping for breath. Looking up through her
tears she could make out a blurry figure with something large
strapped across . . .
"Ukyou?" she croaked, looking at the face twisted in a
killing rage.*oh shit.* She felt her bones turn to jelly and she
would have wet herself if she hadn't already gone at the
coffee shop.
"Where's Ranma? Or Genma. I'll settle for either."
"If I knew . . ." A cold shudder wracked Nabiki as
she tried to curl into a ball, *Damn you Ranma. This is all
your fault.*
"If I knew were Genma was," Nabiki shivered as she
felt Ukyou's hands on her. " I'd tell you" She clenched her
teeth, trying not to vomit.*Please don't hit me. Please don't
hit me.* "But I don't know . . .don't know . . . they both took
off. Just took off."
"Liar!" Ukyou grabbed Nabiki and dragged her to her
knees.
"Please . . ." Nabiki whimpered, hating the way she
sounded. Hated the way she would do anything to make
Ukyou just go away. "Please . . .I don't know anything."
"I don't trust you," Ukyou grated. "You all lied to me
last time, helped that fat bastard and his son get away," his
hands tightened on her shoulders and Nabiki bit back a gasp
of pain. "And you sicked that nut-case principal and those
goons in pin-stripes on me. So, tell me what I want to
know!"
*He has beautiful hands.* The thought came to Nabiki
involuntarily, even as Ukyou increased the pressure, sending
shooting pains through her arms and neck.
"Please----don't hurt me anymore," she gasped, face
twisted in pain as she twisted helplessly in Ukyou's grip. "I'll
tell you . . .I'll tell . . ."
Ukyou relaxed his grip slightly and bent to help her
up. As he did, reflexes Nabiki had long forgotten took over;
something Souun taught all of his daughters, making them
practice hour-after-hour, until their bones ached and their
fingers bled from striking the wooden-man.
Nabiki's left hand snaked behind Ukyou's head and
pulled, while her right hand skimmed upward along his chest
and rammed, stiff fingered, into his eyes. Ukyou fell back with
a scream clawing at his face. His screams were cut off
abruptly as Nabiki scrambled to her feet and slammed her
book bag into the side of his head. She took a moment to kick
him in the back of the knee, recalling another lesson----*never
show your back to an enemy who is faster than you are*----
before running like hell for home.
Sprinting down the street, a broad grin split her face.
She was bruised, filthy and scared, but---- reliving the
satisfying thud her bag made as it hit Ukyou's head----she felt
_wonderful_!
*****
*****
Branches rustled where there was no wind as two
shadows met and spoke.
"I have found them, or at least I have found where
they were."
"How long ago?"
"A week, perhaps a little more since the wild-horse
was seen. His 'cousin' has been much in evidence of late. "
There was a chuckle from the small shadow.
"Amusing, but unimportant. The father is the one we need.
What fortune in finding the fat-man?"
"Well hidden, for one so large. One that matches his
build was seen talking to the sword-fool at the hospital. The
sword-fool stays with friends now and there is much going
and coming for one supposedly so sick. I thought to visit----"
"Leave that to me," ordered the smaller shadow, "It
could be a trick, that the fat-man let himself be seen. If the
sword-fool knows anything, he will tell me all, and never
recall the telling."
"Then I will question those that have given them
shelter. One among the crying-man's family may know where
the fat-man lies hid, or may have some clue to what we seek.
It may even be----."
"You will _watch_," the small shadow snapped in a
voice of unchallenged command. "This is not our land, nor is
our fight with _any_ other than our prey." The tall shadow
shifted uneasily at the rebuke.
"Watch and listen," the small shadow commanded. "If
you learn aught, do nothing. Come tell me at once. Do you
understand!"
The tall shadow made a gesture of acknowledgment
and the small shadow trickled away into deeper shadows and
vanished. The tall shadow waited a moment more before
leaving. The fat-man was almost within their grasp and to let
him or his devil-spawn escape because they stepped too
lightly around these barbarians was intolerable. Fortunately,
understanding was not the same as obedience.
************************************************
Chapter: 16
Ku rou ji
(Inflict injury on yourself to win the enemy's trust)
"I . . .I appreciate you letting me stay with you while
father is gone." Ranko said softly.
"It's not any problem," Akane finished making up the
spare bed and plumped the pillow. "especially with that
Ukyou running lose." She beat a clenched fist against her
thigh in frustration, remembering the bruises on Nabiki's arms
and shoulders. If she ever caught that guy, she was going to--
--
"A . . .are you alright?" Ranko asked in concern.
A shudder passed through her body and Akane made
herself relax. She had to be careful of her temper."I'm fine,"
Akane forced a smile for her guest. "Let's go to sleep."
Listening to Akane's soft even breathing, Ranko
smiled in the dark. If Ranma couldn't be around, it was up to
Ranko to prepare the ground. And girls trusted other girls the
way they would never trust a guy. This was almost too easy. .
.
"Ranko? What's wrong?" Akane stirred as a sound
penetrated her consciousness.
"N . . nothing," Ranko bit her pillow to stifle a sob.
"It's not, 'nothing'," Akane said, snapping on the
light. "What's----you're crying?" Akane slipped out of bed
and went to kneel stiffly beside the other girl. "What is it?"
"Y . . .you'll think I'm silly," Ranko buried her head in
her pillow. "I'm sorry I woke you up. Please go back to
sleep."
"Don't worry about that! Are you sick?" Akane put
her hand on Ranko's cheek to feel for fever. "Should I get
Kasumi or----"
"mn scrd uko gt m" Ranko mumbled into her pillow.
"What?" Akane leaned closer. "I couldn't hear you.
What----"
"I'm scared Ukyou is going to get me!" Ranko wailed,
throwing herself into Akane's arms. "He was mean to me at
school and he was mean to Nabiki and now he's back and----"
Akane's arms tightened protectively, and she was
startled at how tiny and helpless Ranko felt.
"You just let him try," Akane growled, "and I'll fix
him, good. Now don't worry and go back to sleep." She tried
to pull away but the smaller girl only sobbed harder and clung
to her like a limpet.
Akane awkwardly patted Ranko on the back, feeling
wretched. She didn't know how to handle this and wished
Kasumi was here. Thinking of her sister inspired her.
"I've got an idea," She gently pulled the girl free and
sat her on the bed. Grabbing the frame she heaved, lifting bed,
Ranko and all, to shove them up against her own bed. "Scoot
over," She pushed Ranko onto what had been her bed, then
lay down on Ranko's bed. "If anybody comes in, they've got
to get by
_me_ first." Her tone indicated she hoped someone
would be stupid enough to try.
Ranko smiled tremulously, then turned to face the
wall, curling into a little ball.
Sighing, Akane lay back down, but sleep wouldn't
come as her knee began to ache.
*Stupid showoff* she
thought disgustedly. *You could have just slid the bed across
the floor. But you
_had_ to lift the bed with her on it. You are
such an idiot.* Her knee indicated agreement with a stab of
pain and Akane shifted restlessly. Another sharp jolt brought
tears to her eyes and she stifled a moan. This was going to be
a long night.
Two small, warm hands clasped her leg and Akane
barely stifled a small shriek.
"Cousin Ranma showed me a little trick," Ranko
murmured shyly. "Maybe I can help." Before Akane could
protest, Ranko stripped off her pajama bottoms with one
swift move, leaving Akane wearing only panties and shirt.
"You really should be more careful," Ranko cupped
Akane's knee in her left hand and began making tiny circles
around the edges with her other hand. "you can cause a
permanent injury if you don't take care of yourself."
"I . . .I'm Okay," Akane stuttered, feeling shy and
vulnerable. "You . . .you can go back to sleep . . .now." She
gasped as Ranko's fingers moved dangerously far up her leg,
then back down again. Over and over again, strong clever
fingers traced a path along her flesh. A languorous warmth
spread up her leg and through her entire body, leaving Akane
weak and limp.
"Ooops, did that tickle?" Ranko trailed the back of her
fingers up the inside of Akane's leg, feeling the muscle quiver.
"I'm sorry."
" 'S a'right,"Akane slurred, voice heavy with sleep.
"I'm not tic'lsh."
"Well, that's good," Ranko said, shifting her grip so
that she held Akane's leg in both hands, with the thumbs close
together at the top and the fingers underneath. "I'm ever so
ticklish myself," she lied, pulling her thumbs apart briskly,
working her way down the leg, past the knee to the ankle,
then starting at the top again. "my friends all used to gang up
on me at slumber parties and stuff," Onna-Ranma continued
ministering the leg while recounting stories 'Ranko' had heard
at Furinkan. "and tickle me until I cried. It was awful." She
continued with relish, delicately checking Akane's knee.
"Don't you just hate that?"
"D'no," Akane mumbled. "N'vr h'ppn."
"You've never been tickled?" Ranko gently drew the
covers back over Akane, being especially careful not to jar her
leg.
"N'r been sl'mbr party."
"Never?" Ranko listened to Akane's soft snoring for a
moment. "Every girl should have a slumber party." Ranko
wadded up Akane's pajama bottoms and chucked them
through the dark into the trash can. She wouldn't need those
anymore.
*****
*****
"Don't eat so fast, it's bad for your digestion."
"Sorry."
"Here, have some more ham."
"Alright, but I want you to try some of this, first."
Nabiki shuddered as Ranko accepted a bite of
asparagus-cauliflower-beet log rolled in molasses- soy-
oatbran - - and appeared to
_enjoy_ it!
This was just too weird. Other than a weakness for
brutally hot peppers, Akane normally ate as if she were
fueling a machine, quickly and efficiently, so she didn't waste
time she could use for training. To watch Akane sit quietly
while Ranko scolded her about her eating habits was
unnatural. What in the world could have happened between
them in just a few days?
"Do you want me to help with the dishes?"
Nabiki came out of her reverie to see Akane looking
at her questioningly.
"No, they'll keep. We can just put them in the sink 'til
later."
"Where's daddy this morning?" Akane asked as she
piled dishes in the sink. "Wasn't it his turn to fix breakfast?"
Nabiki bit her lip wondering how to answer that one.
Souun had listened very carefully to her story when she'd
come running in the house after escaping Ukyou. He'd looked
at her torn dress, dirty face and run gentle fingers along her
bruises. Then he'd kissed her on the forehead, and walked out
the door.
"Yes, but the council is arguing about where to put
new recycling bins" Nabiki lied, "and daddy wanted to get
there early to round up support."
By unspoken agreement, over the years she and
Kasumi had conspired to keep the baby of the family ignorant
of how troubled their father really was. It wasn't entirely
unselfish. Watching Akane's unspoiled interaction with
Souun, helped them both pretend they had a happy, normal
family.
"Oh good," Akane said in relief. "He looked so mad
the other day I was afraid he might do something dangerous,
like go looking for Ukyou by himself."
Nabiki hadn't thought of that----
After their mother died, Souun had spent all of his
time teaching, crying and drinking. Then, crying and drinking,
and finally, just drinking.
Nabiki could still see Kasumi laying at the bottom of
the stairs - - her leg bent at an odd angle - - with Souun on
the floor next to her, an empty sake bottle still clenched in his
fist.
At first Nabiki thought he was dead, and felt relieved.
Then she realized Souun was only dead drunk, and got angry
at him because he couldn't even get that right.
He'd sobered up to an empty house and his three
daughters at the emergency ward.
Kasumi's leg healed.
Akane learned that you didn't microwave whole eggs.
Souun stopped drinking and started crying again.
Nabiki started living for today, because even if
tomorrow came, it was probably going to be a real bitch.
Souun hadn't taken a drink in years and Nabiki had
almost forgiven him for loving sake more than he loved them.
Loved her.
Then Saotome Genma had shown up.
-----Nabiki hoped Souun had only done something
dangerous, and not something stupid.
"Kasumi's studying for her exams, so we're going to
have to make some more changes in the chore schedule,"
Nabiki told Akane, hoping to head off any more questions
about their father. "Do you have any preferences?"
"Uhhh . . .no, just whatever you want me to do."
Nabiki didn't miss the way Akane had glanced at Ranko
before answering and wished Kasumi were home. Nabiki
thought briefly about calling her, then dismissed it. The
Tendou finances didn't come close to covering medical
school, and Kasumi's scholarship depended on how well she
did on her exams. And how well she did, depended on peace
and quiet, which was in short supply at the Tendou home
lately.
"That's fine, just be sure to check the list when you
get home."
Nabiki poured a final cup of coffee as the other two
girls headed to school.
"What's in this?" Ranko grabbed Akane's bag along
with hers on the way to the door - - or tried to. Nabiki was
impressed to see the smaller girl actually shifted it slightly
from the floor.
"Ummm, books. Mostly." Akane muttered.
"Mostly?" Ranko's eyebrows came together in a slight
frown, then she bent and pulled the bag open. "Mostly?" She
repeated, pulling a small, heavy sack from the interior. "Most-
ly??" She pulled two more from the interior. "What's in
these?"
"Uhhh, just a little . . .lead." Akane, said the last
almost inaudibly, reaching for the sack in Ranko's hand, only
to have her drop it out of reach.
"Why do you have lead in your book-bag?" Ranko
asked mildly.
"Training?" Akane replied in a small voice.
"Not until the knee has completely healed." Ranko
snapped, looking harassed. "What did we talk about
yesterday?"
"Reconstructing the Bok Hok Pai test of courage in
the garden?"
"NO!" Ranko bopped Akane on the head.
"Overtraining is bad?"
Ranko smiled. "Now, empty the bag."
"But-----"
"No," Ranko nudged the bag with her foot and it fell
over with a metallic thump. "Now, get rid of 'em." She
watched as Akane pulled fifty kilograms of weight from her
bag, then started to shrug into the straps.
"ALL of them," Ranko stopped Akane with a hand on
her arm. Akane looked shamefaced, then dumped five more
sacks of lead.
"Now, the rest of it . . ." Ranko stared at Akane,
tapping one dainty foot impatiently as Akane removed weight
belts from her waist, wrists and ankles.
"Is that
_everything_?"
Akane bit her lip and removed another ten kilograms
from a vest under her shirt and added it to the formidable pile
that surrounded her book-bag.
"You need a keeper." Ranko berated as they finally
headed out the door.
*****
*****
"The dog ate my homework!"
No, Nabiki thought, too cliched.
"I lost it when I used my book-bag to beat off a crazy
man with a giant spatula . . ." ummmm, better stick with the
hungry dog. A good lie beats a bad truth.
She'd never missed a homework assignment in her
life and now this! If she ever caught up with that Ukyou guy
she'd----
"You forgot this, the other day."
"Aaaaaak!" Nabiki jumped back, pressing her hand to
her thundering heart. "Ukyou?"
He looked terrible. His face was all puffy and had
turned an interesting shade of yellow-green as the bruises
aged. Two black eyes completed the picture, making him an
altogether pitiful sight.
"You look terrible." Nabiki glanced down at the
school bag he dangled from one finger, keeping a careful
distance." What's this?"
"Your bag." Ukyou thrust it toward her and she
gingerly took it.
"What's the deal," she asked suspiciously, "first you
try to break my face, and now you're returning my stuff?
Why?"
"I'm not a thief," the pony-tailed boy muttered surlily,
falling in step with Nabiki. "I just want to kill Saotomes."
"Well, it's certainly refreshing to meet a nice virtuous
boy," Nabiki said blandly. "there are so many ruffians around
these days."
Ukyou grunted, but refused to be baited.
"UKYOU! Prepare to FIGHT!"
"Oh, hi Akane!" Nabiki watched her baby sister
lumber down the street at her best speed, considering the
double handicap of a bad leg and the attached Ranko who
was digging in her heels and pounding Akane on the back in
a futile attempt to get her attention.
"Ukyou," Akane spat, shrugging off Ranko, who
immediately reattached to her arm like a spider-monkey,
"You're going to be sorry you attacked my sister!"
Ukyou fell into a ready stance, a small bladed weapon
appearing in each hand.
"Knives?" Akane snarled, catching a glimpse of steel.
"Great, I can use them to carve you a new-----you look
_terrible_!" she exclaimed, stumbling to a halt as she got a
good look at her opponent. "What in the world happened to
your face?"
Ukyou flushed and looked down at the ground,
suddenly finding his toes unbearably fascinating.
"I do good work, don't I," Nabiki patted Ukyou on
his battered face, moving to stand between the two
combatants. "I appreciate your concern, baby-sister, but I've
got things under control." Looking at Ukyou's face she felt
strong, really strong, not just the shell she'd always hidden
behind.
"I don't need your help!" Ukyou objected.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you," Nabiki cooed, feeling
a thrill of triumph as Ukyou flushed, angry and embarrassed.
She wondered if Akane felt like this when she won a match.
"Listen you," Akane took a heavy step forward, "I'm
going to----owwww!"
Ranko grabbed Akane by the ear and yanked. "We're
going to be late if you don't come on. Sorry about that," she
apologized to Ukyou, "but she was
_really_ looking forward
to breaking your arms and legs." Ranko bowed politely, as
did Akane, albeit only because Ranko had a firm grip on her
ear.
"Owowowow!"
"You are such a big baby," Ranko chided. "You're
just going to have to let Nabiki beat up on her own
boyfriends."
"B...b...boyfriend?" Ukyou stuttered in horror.
"I dunno," Nabiki said doubtfully, "I think I can do
better."
************************************************
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