All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published by 
Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz Communications.

A Different Viewpoint: Curses and Demons:

  Chapter 34

It wasn't until late that night that either Johnathon or Misty really 
regained the power of speech, raw emotion and need having kept them far too 
overwhelmed with one another for rational thought until both were nearing 
exhaustion.

"I love you." Johnathon said very softly into Misty's ear sometime late that 
night. They had been making love almost nonstop for hours, although 
Johnathon had no real explanation to how they had managed to keep going 
quite so long. "I don't tell you that enough, you know that?"

Misty shook her head just slightly in denial, not wanting to have to move 
too much, but not wanting her husband to think he in any way neglected her.  
"I know, Johnathon. You tell me that every day."

Johnathon held his wife just a bit tighter. "I should tell you more, that's 
all." He sighed. "I'm sorry... I just... I couldn't seem to stop myself once 
we got started... I should have been more careful."

Misty giggled softly. "Don't be silly, husband! Even if you could have 
stopped, I certainly wouldn't have wanted you too! I thought I'd never get 
enough... I felt insatiable." She snuggled into his side with a contented 
sigh. "But you... completed me. Thank you."

Johnathon sighed as well, allowing himself a slightly smug smile. "I'm glad. 
I was... worried. I never... I've never been so... out of control...."

Misty purred softly, the sound sending pleasant vibrations though 
Johnathon's belly. "I don't believe that. You were gentle, even at the 
peak... you moderated your strength.  I know you're strong enough to have 
hurt me... but you never will. Never. I know that I'll always be safe in 
your arms."

Johnathon was silent for several long moments before he responded. "For as 
long as I live... I will protect you. Even from myself, if need be."

Misty giggled again. "You'll never need to protect me from yourself, 
Johnathon."

Johnathon hesitated, then shrugged. "I don't know...." He said lightly.  
"You're pretty darn sexy... even when you're not... you know." He ran a hand 
along her belly slowly, his voice light. "One of these days I may not be 
able to resist, even if you're not in the mood." He hesitated again, 
becoming more somber. "Seriously, I hadn't really thought about it... but 
you can't have been as... excited the last couple nights as Kasumi and I 
were.... Cat's only feel the... the need every once in a while... like 
tonight." He sighed. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Misty shook her head. "There wasn't anything TO say, Johnathon. Don't tell 
me you don't... that you don't feel anything when you're half-cat. I know 
you can become excited without my being in heat. It's the same for me... 
just not as strong." She shook her head, giggling again. "I don't think I 
could SURVIVE doing this every night.  What we had the last few nights is 
just fine... better than just fine in fact. If I ever am... uninterested... 
well, I'll tell you, although I can't picture that happening any time
soon."

Johnathon nodded, smiling and closing his eyes. "I don't know why I 
worry.... Kasumi would have told me if you were unhappy, even if you might 
not have." He opened his eyes and looked into her golden  irises. "Sorry. I 
do worry. I know being like this can't be easy... but I'll try not to let it 
worry me too much."

Misty sighed, then hugged him. "Please. I don't like it when you worry, even 
if it is about me. You and Kasumi take good care of me, the best... but I 
would be happiest if we could all just take care of each other."

Johnathon stroked her head lightly. "Then that's what we'll do then... we'll 
all take care of each other." He frowned lightly.  "Kasumi... she hasn't 
come to bed yet."

Misty frowned as well, glancing at the clock. "I wish she would have come in 
earlier... although I suppose she might have looked in and decided not to 
disturb us... I doubt I'd have noticed if the whole family had stopped in to 
watch... at least for most of it."

Johnathon laughed wryly. "I know what you mean... I don't think I would have 
noticed catching on fire." He groaned slightly. "I don't want to leave 
you... but shouldn't I get her?"

Misty hesitated, then nodded. "I'll do it. There certainly can't be enough 
beds in the house for everyone... she's probably still awake downstairs 
somewhere."

Johnathon started to rise himself, pulling Misty up with him. "We can find 
her together... I don't feel like going far from your side right now."

Misty nuzzled his neck and nodded. "Good. I feel the same. Let's go find 
Kasumi together."

The two half-cat's dressed quietly, Johnathon only taking the time to pull 
on his boxers, and Misty throwing a light robe over her shoulders but not 
bothering to belt it up before they exited the room together. As they had 
half expected, they found Kasumi sitting in the living room and slowly 
sipping a cup of tea while watching a late-night movie.

Kasumi shut off the TV as soon as she noticed them and stood up, going to 
them immediately for a three-way hug. "I love you." She whispered to them 
both, burying her face between their furred chests and holding them both 
tightly. They hugged her tightly back, not saying a word, and it was Kasumi 
who spoke again first, pulling slightly back to look them both in the face. 
"Would you two like something to eat? You both must be hungry after using up 
so much energy."

"What we want," Johnathon said firmly, "is for you to come to bed with us."

Misty nodded in affirmation. "It's late. Please come to bed."

Kasumi nodded with a calm smile. "Alright." She let Johnathon and Misty 
guide her up the stairs, holding on to them tightly as they went. She 
giggled a bit as they both started to undress her on the way up the stairs, 
but didn't say anything. She was beaming happily as they lifted her off her 
feet and carried her into their bedroom, not resisting in the slightest as 
they stripped her naked and laid her down on the bed. Kasumi gasped in 
delight as Johnathon started to make his way down her body. "Oh... oh my!" 
She took a deep breath. "Aren't you two tired?" She finally asked curiously 
as he moved between her legs. "We are." Misty admitted. "But we're still a 
bit excited as well... and we wanted to share at least part of that with 
you... dear, dear sister... we love you, of course!"

Kasumi blinked, then let her eyes roll back. "Oh.... OH!" She stroked her 
feline twin's head at the same time as she did her husband's. "Oh. I'm sorry 
for making you come and get me." She apologized sincerely between deeper and 
deeper breaths. "I won't make you wait for me again."

Misty's eyes were alight. "I most certainly hope not!"

*************

Urd lay panting underneath Happosai as he entered her for what had to be the 
fifth time that afternoon.  He had taken her in the bath, then moved into 
the closest bedroom for times two through five.  He had considerably more 
endurance than she had expected, and even her limits were close to being 
reached after three hours of his constant attention.  Urd did her best to 
respond to his movements but she was starting to get extremely tired, while 
Happosai showed no signs of fatigue.

"What are you made of, Stud?"  She asked him humorously after he had finally 
finished.  "You're like a machine.  Don't you ever get tired?"

Happosai winked down at her knowingly.  "It took me most of eighty years to 
perfect the technique, and I thought it was wasted... until I picked up this 
wonderful curse."  He told her cheerfully.  "Some people think Jusenkyo is 
evil... but I just think it likes to have a little fun.  The curses can be a 
real blast if you know what you're doing.  They don't have to be the end of 
the world."  He rolled his eyes. "That moron, Ranma.  He had the power to 
turn into the sweetest little thing I'd ever seen, and he wastes it.  He 
could sneak into every hot spring, public bath, and girl's gym in existence, 
any time he wanted to, but he never wised up.  Now he's lost his "curse" and 
all I can say is good riddance.  He never deserved such fortune."  Happosai 
chortled.  "Besides, that leaves sweet little Ranko-chan.  No more turning 
into a guy, just girl sweet girl, twenty four seven."  Happosai rubbed his 
hands together in anticipation.  "I can't wait to get a hold of her, so I 
can show her what a Jusenkyo curse is really for."

Urd did her best not to gag at the youthful appearing pervert's obsession.  
"What do you need with a little girl like that when you have someone like 
me, lover?"  She asked Happosai coyly, running a hand over his chest 
enticingly.  "Do you think she could satisfy you as well as a real woman 
like me?"

Happosai turned over to straddle her again, ready to go once more and 
grinning cheek to cheek.  "You're a real woman alright, Urd-chan, and you 
never have to worry.  I'll always come back to you."  He fondled her breasts 
happily as he readied himself for another go.  "Oh yes...."  He moaned 
lustily.  "You'll always be one of my favorites."

*****************************

An hour later, Happosai walked cheefully from the bedroom nearest the baths, 
wearing his purple gi again and nearly skipping in glee.  "What a hottie!"  
He chortled happily as he walked down the hall.  "Two or three more like 
that and even I won't want any more!"  He shook his head ruefully, glancing 
back at the bedroom where he had left Urd sleeping.  "Sorry girl, but just 
one woman will never be enough for me.  I'm far too much man for just one... 
even one as much fun as you were."

Happosai sauntered down the hall, stretching out his arms and legs a bit as 
he went, peering into each open door he passed.  "Well, well."  He noted 
thoughtfully. "Looks like the ladies have been exploring while I've been 
busy with Urd-chan."  He whistled cheerfully to himself as he spotted the 
other goddesses and Senshi in the main bedroom.  "Ah, there they are!  Best 
not to keep the ladies waiting."  Sauntering into the room with a 
distinctive swing in his step, Happosai waved at the girls as they all 
turned to face him, noting the cards in they had been
playing with with a grin.

"Playing cards, were we, girls?"  Happosai asked with a leer.  "Mind if I 
play?"

"Where's my sister?"  Skuld demanded angrily.  "Where's Urd?"

"Your sister's just find, my dear."  Happosai said placatingly.  "She's 
sleeping it off in the first bedroom past the bath, if you'd care to check 
on her.  She's just a bit tired, is all. I was just too much for the poor 
lass, I'm afraid."  He winked at Haruka knowingly.  "Perhaps you'll have a 
bit more pep, what do you think?  You seemed to have plenty of energy 
earlier...."

Haruka started to rise but Michiru put a hand calmingly on her leg, keeping 
her sitting.  "If you wish to join us, Happosai-san, please have a seat."  
Michiru said politely, indicating a cushion between herself and Setsuna.  
"We were playing spades.  Do you know the game?"

Happosai shrugged disinterestedly.  "I suppose I've played it once or 
twice."  He plopped down on the cushion Michiru had indicated and glanced 
from girl to girl slyly.  "I know one or two more entertaining games we can 
play with cards though."

Michiru, Haruka and Setsuna exchanged wary glances and Setsuna nodded 
subtly.  "Perhaps you and I could play a more private game, Happosai-san, if 
you'd like." The oldest of the Senshi gathered the cards together and began 
shuffling them expertly.  "Something for stakes, perhaps?"

Happosai raised an eyebrow at her in interest.  "Well now... that does sound 
interesting... but why don't we all play?"  He plucked the cards from 
Setsuna's hands and started to shuffle himself.  "I insist.  It'll be tons 
of fun."

Hotaru looked curious.  "What game will we be playing, Happosai-san?"

"What else?"  Happosai said, sounding surprised that she needed to ask.  
"Strip poker, of course."  Michiru, Haruka and Setsuna had mouthed the words 
"Strip poker" along with him and exchanged another look, this one resigned.

Belldandy blinked several times.  "I've played poker before, Happosai-san, 
but I don't believe I know that version."  Haruka raised her eyes to the 
ceiling and tried not to groan, and Happosai turned to her cheerfully.  
"It's really quite simple my dear.  Let me explain."  He started dealing 
cards, five to each player, whipping them out at high speed like a 
professional dealer.  "You see it's just like poker, except instead of 
playing for chips, or for money, you play for clothing."

"Clothing?"  Belldandy repeated before blushing.  "Oh my.  You mean the 
clothing we're wearing?"

Happosai nodded cheerfully.  "You've got the idea."  He glanced at his cards 
before placing his hand face down in front of him.  "I suppose it would help 
if we did have a few chips though, or this will be a very short game."  
Happosai glanced at Belldandy appraisingly.  "Well, I have been wanting to 
try this out... and this is as good a time as any."  He rubbed his hands 
together.  "OK, Belldandy, I wish for a pile of poker chips."  Belldandy 
felt her powers being accessed, and found herself rising slightly into the 
air as she cast a simple spell, summoning the nearest set of poker chips to 
appear right next to Happosai.  They appeared with a slight outrush of air 
and Happosai clapped his hands gleefully.  "Very good, Belldandy-chan!  I 
can tell I'm really going to enjoy having you around."

Happosai took a handful of chips.  "Now then, we'll say that an article of 
clothing is worth ten chips.  The minimum bid is one chip, and the maximum 
bid is, oh... ten chips at once, alright?"

Belldandy nodded slowly.  "I believe I understand.  So, other than that it's 
just like poker?"

"Yup!"  He glanced over at Setsuna expectantly.  "Well then, as I dealt, I 
believe it's your bid."

Setsuna glanced at her cards.  "Alright.  Nothing wild this time?"

Happosai winked at her.  "Not unless you mean me, honey."

"Fine then."  Setsuna agreed.  "I suppose I will bid one chip to open."

Happosai grinned at her.  "Well then, as you don't have any chips to bid, I 
suppose I should sell you some."  He winked at her.  "I'll be the banker, so 
we don't get confused, alright?"

Setsuna raised an eyebrow at him then shrugged.  "It's your game, Happosai." 
  She started to pull off a high heeled shoe.  "You'll give me ten chips for 
this then?"

Happosai nodded cheerfully.  "Of course!"  He counted out ten chips and 
handed them over, taking a Setsuna's shoe in exchange.

Setsuna took her ten chips and laid them down in front of her, pushing one 
of them to the approximate middle of the circle.  "One chip."  She glanced 
wryly over at Skuld.  "It's your bid, Skuld-chan."

Skuld swallowed hard and hesitated, glancing over to her older sister, who 
nodded subtly.  "O-one chip for me too."  She said nervously, pulling off 
one of her boots.  "I guess I get ten chips for my boot?"  Happosai nodded 
and passed her the chips, taking her boot in exchange, and Skuld put her one 
chip out, getting a thoughtful look on her face as she made an inward count.

< This isn't so bad.>  Skuld thought to herself.  < With everything I'm 
wearing I'll be fine for the next... hundred turns... and that's if I lose 
every time.>  The bidding passed around the circle coming back to Happosai, 
who cheerfully put out a chip of his own.  Skuld blinked indignantly.  "Hey, 
wait a second.  How come you can just take a chip from the pile while the 
rest of us have to buy them from you?"

Happosai smiled indulgently at her.  "Because I hold all the chips, my 
pretty young thing.  Can't you tell?"

Skuld blinked twice.  "Oh."

Happosai looked at his cards twice before making his bid.  "Alright.  I'll 
ante one chip and raise the pot by five more.  Any takers?"  He pushed five 
more chips into the center of the circle and Skuld blinked again.

< Can he do that?  Wait, that's right, he said that the maximum bid would be 
ten chips... that means, um.. that means....>  Skuld tried to puzzle out how 
long her store of chips would last with this new factor added in, while 
Setsuna calmly pushed her five chips forward, saying that she would call 
Happosai's bet.  The bidding reached her and she repeated Setsuna's words, 
pushing five more chips out reluctantly and glancing at her cards.  < Let's 
see, if I factor in an average of five chips a hand, I'll only last... um... 
20 hands before I... run out of clothing.>  She frowned.  < Not good.>  She 
wrinkled her nose.  < Well, if I win one game in seven, I should be able to 
keep going for quite a while, right?>  Skuld watched as Belldandy, Haruka 
and Hotaru all folded their hands, apparently out of the dealing, and 
Michiru called the hand and raised two more.  < Wait a second, that's right! 
  If I don't have a good hand I can fold!>  Skuld thought more cheerfully.  
< That way I can still last... 94 more hands before I'm out.>

Happosai grinned and put two more chips into the growing pile, then followed 
them with three more, causing Skuld to rearrange her figures once again.  < 
Wait, you can raise the bid more than once?  If that's the case, then one 
hand could go to... an infinite number, couldn't it?>  She frowned in 
annoyance.  < That's not very fair, is it?> She was still trying to puzzle 
out the new odds as Setsuna called the bet, removing her other shoe to get 
the chips she needed to do so.

"It's your bid, Skuld."  Setsuna gently reminded her.  "You need to bet five 
more to stay in."

Skuld hesitated for several seconds.  < Five more?  That's eleven, and this 
is just the first hand....>  She glanced at the chips she had left and 
looked thoughtful.  < I could... er... fold, and then I wouldn't have to 
risk any more... but then I'll lose the six I've already bid without any 
chance of winning them back!>  She pushed her last four chips into the pile 
in the center and started tugging at her other boot.  "OK, I'm in."  She 
announced uncertainly.

It took three more hands, and both of Skuld's socks and her jacket before 
she finally caught on to the majority of the permutations of the game and 
started to hold her own, but she had gotten Belldandy and the others a bit 
worried before she finally stopped making beginner's errors.  Happosai was 
enjoying himself tremendously, watching the girls strip off their clothing 
piece by piece without putting a very significant dent in his pile of chips. 
  (Not that that would matter, really, as he could always wish for another 
pile of chips, but it would slow things down a bit.)  Haruka and Skuld were 
the farthest behind at first, but all of the girls had lost several articles 
of clothing only five hands in, and by the seventh, things were starting to 
get serious.

It was Haruka's turn to bid.  She had a really good hand this time, a full 
house, tens over sevens.  On the negative side, Happosai seemed to have a 
pretty good hand as well, and the bidding was already up to eighteen chips.  
Just meeting the current bet would force her to take off her tee-shirt and 
shorts at the same time, and only leave her with six chips left before she 
would have to bet either her bra or panties.  Setsuna had stayed in with her 
this time, although the older Senshi wasn't quite as close to running out of 
clothing, having had a bit more luck earlier in the game.  Hotaru, Michiru 
and Belldandy had dropped out right away, although Skuld had only dropped 
out when the betting threatened to make her bid either her own tee shirt or 
shorts.  The
thing was, this was the first really good hand she'd had for the whole game, 
and she was POSITIVE that it would be enough to win this time.

"I see your bet and raise... five chips."  Haruka said firmly, looking at 
Happosai challengingly.

Happosai nodded with a smile and glanced down at her chips.  "It looks like 
you don't have the chips to meet that bet.  Want to sell me some more 
clothing?"

Haruka sighed and started to strip off her gym clothes, first the shirt, 
showing off the white bra she had picked out earlier, then her gym shorts, 
giving Happosai (and everyone else) a look at her panties as well.  She 
handed the clothing to Happosai with noticeable reluctance and he leered 
appreciatively at her before handing her the twenty chips that bought her.  
Haruka pushed the twenty chips Happosai gave her and three out of the four 
she had sitting in front of her into the pile, leaving her with only the one 
chip left.

Happosai glanced at his cards, then pushed five more chips of his own into 
the pile to match Haruka's bet.  "Hmm.  Let me see...."  He muttered to 
himself.  He pushed two more chips into the pile and winked at Haruka.  "I 
"see" you, Haruka-chan."

Haruka groaned and shook her head.  < What have I gotten myself into?>

"Too rich for my blood."  Setsuna said calmly, placing her cards face down 
on the table.  Haruka groaned again, knowing that it was her turn.

"Just two more to stay in, Haruka-chan."  Happosai said with another leer.  
"And all you have to do is...."

"I know what I have to do, alright?"  Haruka interrupted angrily.  "Fine.  I 
see your two.  I call."  Haruka reached back and unhooked her bra, tossing 
it to Happosai contemptuously.  Not that Happosai cared, she could have 
soaked her bra in gasoline and lit it on fire and he still would have 
grabbed hold of it just as avidly as it flew towards him.  The young/old 
pervert cradled the hard won undergarment fondly to his cheek and gave it a 
good sniff before lovingly placing it next to him on top of all the other 
clothes he had won.

"My chips?"  Haruka demanded in annoyance, breaking his contemplation.

Not that he minded changing his focus back to her.  "Here you go dear.  Ten 
more chips for you."  Happosai stared avidly at Haruka's newly revealed 
breasts despite having gotten to see them for a few moments several hours 
before.  It wasn't quite the same somehow, and there they were, just barely 
out of reach, hanging like a pair of ripe apples waiting to be plucked... 
just waiting....  Happosai wiped the drool off his chin and paid attention 
to what Haruka was saying.

"I called, you old freak.  Stop staring at my chest and show your hand 
already!"  Haruka laid down her own cards and covered up her breasts with 
her hands, as she was getting tired of the pervert in front of her staring 
at them as if he was hungry for some milk.  < Now that was a perverted 
image.>  Haruka thought disgustedly, trying not to gag at the very thought.

Happosai sighed dramatically and laid down his hand, a group of three 
queens, but not near enough to beat her full house.  "You win, youngster.  
Well played."

Haruka crowed and raked in her chips eagerly, making sure to count them in 
piles of ten.  "Hah!"  She stacked thirty of her newly won chips and pushed 
them at Happosai in a bunch.  "There.  I'm buying back my bra, shirt and 
shorts, so hand them over."  She hurriedly covered up her breasts with her 
hands when he looked up from the chips to stare at her inquisitively, but 
left the triumphant smirk on her face.

"Hmm?"  Happosai looked puzzled.  "What are you talking about?  Did I ever 
say you could buy clothing with those chips?"

Haruka blinked three times incredulously before exploding at him. "What are 
you talking about you old freak!  You've been selling us those chips for our 
clothes for this whole game!"

Happosai nodded.  "Yes, but I never said that you could buy your clothing 
back with those chips, did I?  I just said I would give you ten chips for 
each piece of clothing you gave me, not the other way around."

Haruka stared at him, her mouth hanging open, so flabbergasted and angry she 
forgot to keep her breasts covered.  "No way.... NO WAY!  You're selling me 
my clothes back or...!"

Happosai's eyes twinkled.  "Or what, dear?"  Haruka started to rise, 
ignoring her state of undress, before both Setsuna and Michiru restrained 
her, pushing her firmly back to a sitting position.  Happosai just laughed, 
enjoying the moment and watching with pleasure as the girls struggled with 
each other.

Haruka finally forced herself to calm down and started to methodically stack 
her chips.  "So that's how the game is played, is it?"  She muttered 
quietly.  "I don't suppose I should really be surprised."

Setsuna glanced at Happosai and nodded at him.  "Naturally, Haruka-chan.  
Obviously the game is only about getting undressed, not the other way 
around."  She looked almost approvingly at Happosai.  "What's the point, 
otherwise?"

Happosai looked surprised at her approval, but beamed anyway. "Exactly, 
Setsuna-chan!  I'm glad at least you understand."

The poker game continued for quite a while after that, although it was now 
obvious that there was no real way for them to win.  Slowly but surely the 
girls lost their clothing, piece by piece.  Skuld had a firm grasp on the 
game's rules now, and it was easy for her to see where the other girls were 
making mistakes.

Hotaru had been playing extremely cautiously the whole game, bidding only 
when she had a very good hand, and not bidding much at all even then, and 
that tactic had not served her well.  She had already lost everything but 
her shirt, bra and panties, and only a few hands later she had lost her 
shirt as well, pulling it off a huge blush.  Skuld realized now that Hotaru 
would have been better off taking a few chances, as her caution left her no 
way to win, but rather doomed her to lose, although slowly.

Michiru lost her skirt and top in one badly played hand and continued 
playing in her underwear more cautiously, folding early and often.  She had 
played rather well at first, but was now making the same mistake Hotaru was 
making, trying to draw out the game to save what remained of her clothing, 
when really all she was doing was delaying the inevitable.

Haruka, wearing only her panties and playing one handed, kept glaring at 
Happosai and betting wildly, running through her large pile of chips far too 
quickly.  She seemed to bet on every mildly good hand she had in her anger, 
and was far to easy to read.

Belldandy and Setsuna were both doing rather well, each having a moderate 
pile of chips in exchange for the clothing they had given away.  They took 
risks occasionally, but won enough hands to stay barely ahead of the game... 
mostly.

Skuld herself was down to her tee shirt, shorts and panties, but her pile of 
chips had steadily continued to grow once she got a handle on the game.  
Betting the odds didn't always work, but she was winning more than she lost, 
although slowly.

Happosai was having a wonderful time, not caring if he won or lost it 
seemed, but rather just enjoying the game, and more that that enjoying 
watching as the girls had to strip.  His casual playing, however, was an 
act.  Skuld had watched him for long enough now to figure that he probably 
knew the game as well as any of them, and more so, had an seemingly infinite 
supply of chips to bet with, which game him a large advantage, especially 
whenever he got a halfway decent hand.

Skuld watched him put his advantage to play against her sister when 
Belldandy looked like she was about to win a large hand.  Belldandy had been 
down to ten chips or so at that point, and had bet them all confidently.  
Setsuna had matched her bet, as had Haruka, but when Happosai raised ten 
more, both of them had dropped out.  Belldandy, however, took his raise, 
even though she had to sell her blouse to do it.  The goddess of the present 
had calmly unbuttoned her blouse and pulled it off, folding it neatly and 
handing it to Happosai, showing off her white silk bra.

Happosai leered at Belldandy, then glanced down at his cards.  "Hmm... I'll 
bet... ten more."  He said confidently.

Belldandy blinked twice.  "Oh dear..."  She hesitated, then glanced at 
Haruka.  "Alright.  Very well.  I will call."  She slipped out of her skirt 
and folded it handing it to Happosai.  "Now may we finish the hand?"

Happosai grinned at her scantily clad form and nodded quickly, dealing 
himself two cards.  "Two for me then.. and how many for you, Bell-chan?"

Belldandy shook her head.  "None please.  I'll stand on what I have."

Happosai shrugged and smiled at her.  "Alright... well, I'll bet one more."

Belldandy hesitated again.  "Oh dear... I don't have any chips left 
again...."  She swallowed and slowly removed her bra.  "Well... I will see 
your bet... and raise 5 more."

Happosai took Belldandy's bra reverently and happily pushed 4 chips to her 
and smiled.  "I raise 5."

Belldandy's eyes went wide.  "Oh my..."  She glanced down at her hand, just 
to confirm what she had, then down at her four chips.  "I don't have enough 
to cover that bet unless I sell you my panties."

Happosai's eyes twinkled.  "Nope!"  He winked.  "Oh, did I forget to mention 
one final rule?  You can only play strip poker if you have something to 
lose... so if you lose everything you're wearing you're out of the game."  
He winked at Belldandy cheerfully.  "So what are you going to do?"

Belldandy sighed.  "I suppose I fold...."  She laid down her hand and pushed 
the cards face up to Happosai, showing her royal straight flush, the highest 
hand in the game.

Skuld groaned and shook her head as Happosai gleefully raked in the chips, 
realizing that he had been probably bluffing, but that it really didn't 
matter.

Happosai had apparently realized the same thing, and for the very next hand 
he immediately bet ten chips right off the bat.  Everyone folded, and the 
cards were dealt again.  Again Happosai bid ten chips immediately, forcing 
all the girls to fold.  No one had enough chips to meet his bids, save 
Setsuna, who seemed to be biding her time.  It was obvious he was bluffing, 
but from the way he was staring at Belldandys two remaining chips, it was 
obvious what he was after.

On the third round, Setsuna stepped in, betting ten chips of her own before 
Happosai could even speak.  Happosai met her bet and raised ten chips, and 
Setsuna countered by raising again herself.  Happosai grinned and the 
bidding war was on.  In moments Setsuna had bid every chip in her pile, and 
was stripping off her remaining clothing piece by piece till she was down to 
her panties like Belldandy (who was now down to only one chip) and Haruka.

Happosai glanced at Setsuna's pile of chips, which was down to five, and her 
sole remaining article of clothing.  "I'll bet 6 more."  He said huskily, 
his eyes glittering.

Setsuna nodded with a small smile of her own.  "Well, I see your bet, and 
raise ten more."

Happosai blinked.  "Wait... you only have 5 chips, and your panties would 
bring that to 15... you can't cover that bet."

Setsuna raised an eyebrow.  "Oh?  How about this?  I bet myself.  I'll be 
yours for the night, to do anything you want with.  That should be worth a 
chip or two, don't you think?"

Happosai swallowed before answering.  "I could simply wish for the same 
thing..."

Setsuna nodded calmly, ignoring her lack of clothing.  "You could... but 
wouldn't you prefer it if I was a willing participant, Happosai-san?"

There was a long pause as Happosai glanced at his cards.  His face was an 
open book now, and it was obvious that while he was sorely tempted by 
Setsuna's offer, he had been bluffing the whole time.

The other girls all started to grin, expecting Happosai to fold, but instead 
he shrugged, looked up at Setsuna and nodded.  "I call."

Setsuna pushed down her panties, tossed them to Happosai, and calmly laid 
down her hand.  "Well then."  She said coolly, unruffled by her nakedness.  
"Do you have the cards to beat that?"  Everyone looked at her hand, and it 
was an impressive one, four of a kind, all Jacks.

Happosai whistled, looking impressed.  "That's quite the hand, 
Setsuna-chan!"  Setsuna smiled and nodded, starting to rake in the chips 
when Happosai shook his head, laying down four aces.  "Not as impressive as 
this, but quite impressive."  He rose and twitched a finger at Setsuna 
playfully.  "Come along dear, and bring my winnings."

Setsuna rose to her full height, letting Happosai take a good long look at 
her in all her splendor before reaching down to scoop up the large bundle of 
clothing at his side.  Happosai chuckled put out his hand, indicating that 
she lead the way out of the room and he followed close behind, giving her 
bare rear end a playful swat.

The other girls sat silently for several long moments before Michiru 
blinked.  "Four aces?  Wait a second?"  She reached toward where she had 
discarded her hand earlier, having folded on the first bet, like the rest of 
them, and picked up her cards.  With a disgusted snort she pulled an ace 
from her hand and held it out for the others to see.  "That's what I 
thought.  I pulled an ace on that hand as well... he cheated."

Haruka shot to her feet.  "That bastard!  I'm going to..."

Michiru shook her head, rising to stand by her beloved and wrapping her arms 
around her from behind.  "You can't do anything, Haruka, and you know it.  
Setsuna knows what she's doing."

Haruka sighed then nodded reluctantly.  "I know.. I know....  I just... 
we're so powerless.  He didn't have to play that stupid game... he's proven 
we can't do anything to stop him from doing what he wants...."

Belldandy looked thoughtful.  "And yet, up to the end, he played by the 
rules he set.  Perhaps Happosai doesn't wish for a simple victory?"

Michiru nodded.  "He wants us to fight back.  Setsuna was right."

Hotaru piped up quietly.  "Well, Happosai was always picking on 
Ranma-sensei, wasn't he?  More than anyone else?  Maybe he likes girls that 
fight?"

Belldandy nodded with a smile.  "That's very insightful, Hotaru-chan.  
Happosai does seem to prefer fighters.  That's probably why he picked the 
Senshi to capture."

Haruka growled.  "So we should just roll over and let him do anything he 
likes to us?"

Michiru shook her head.  "I don't know if that's such a good idea either.  I 
don't think we want to see what happens when our "Master" gets truly 
bored..."

Belldandy sighed.  "He must have had a terrible life to be in such pain all 
the time."

Haruka whirled on her incredulously.  "What are you...?  I can't believe 
you're defending that little...."  She trailed off, not having a word vile 
enough to suit her, at least none she could use in front of her daughter.  
"That pervert."  She finished weakly.  He's trapped us all hear, bound us as 
Genies... and he's in the middle of doing... Kami knows what to Setsuna!  
How can you defend him?"

"I'm not."  Belldandy said softly, looking very sad.  "I just... I can tell 
he's hurting... he's so terribly sad, and what he's doing isn't going to 
make him feel any better."

Haruka shook her head in disgust.  "Oh right... he's loving every minute of 
this.  He's got us right were he wants us, and he'll keep playing with us 
forever.  How much pain could he be in?"

Belldandy sighed.  "Oh... he thinks this is what he wants... but it's just 
going to make things worse for him.  I just... I wish I knew how to heal 
him... take away his pain... maybe he'd let us go then."

"Good luck!'  Haruka said angrily, sitting down in a huff and covering her 
breasts with her arms.  "I'm not planning on holding my breath."

Belldandy didn't answer, but looked down at the one chip she had left 
sitting in front of her with a sigh.  < Setsuna... you sacrificed yourself 
for me... I can't let this go on.  I have to do something.>

*************

Later that morning, downtown in San Francisco, Peter Caine was explaining 
the situation to his father. "No Pop, we can't free any of the other 
animals."

The Shambala master sighed. "Ah... it was only... an idea. We shall 'scope 
out the joint' then? And tonight... free the young woman?"

Peter nodded. "Yes, well, if she's even here."

Caine gave his son a glance. "I do not doubt that she is here.  I sense... 
great evil is about." He frowned. "I do not believe I have ever felt this... 
kind of evil before." He looked at his son. "A
Japanese Demon... you said?"

His son shrugged. "He said a demoness, he didn't tell me the brand."

Master Caine sighed. "You should have... questioned him more fully." He 
glanced at his son again. "That is your job... is it not?"

Peter sighed back. "It was 2 o'clock in the morning, Pop! It we need, I can 
try his number again... He might be home by now."

Caine shook his head. "I do not think that will be necessary." He pointed 
towards the Big Cat building, where a very familiar figure was just entering 
the building.

"What the?" Peter gaped. "That was him! What's he doing here? He told me he 
was in Japan. If this is some sort of trick...."

His father laid a calming hand on his son's shoulder. "I do not think...."

Peter shrugged off his father's hand. "I'm getting to the bottom of this!" 
He walked swiftly in the direction of the Cat house's main doors.

**********

Ami woke up again in a small cage... different from the last one she'd been 
in. It was slightly larger, and smelled new. Out the cage's door she could 
smell trees, the wall opposite a viewing area, apparently for the general 
public. The sounds that way were unmistakable. An inexplicable urge had 
woken her, cutting even through her slumber, and she felt strange.  Her 
dreams had been... vivid, but she blocked them out as she tried to 
concentrate on the sounds around her.

< An English tour group I suppose.> Ami reasoned. < The guide's English is 
very good.>

She slowly opened her eyes and looked around. Unremarkable blue painted 
cement walls, a small water trough, and nothing else was evident in her new 
home. The exit door to the outside yard was closed, and she sighed to 
herself. < I wonder how long before the other's find me? I suppose they 
could teleport in at night...> She glanced at the viewing area. < A lot of 
tourists here today. I haven't seen so many European faces...> She paused, 
listening carefully. < Why is everyone speaking English?> She blinked 
suddenly as she looked about the area. < Why are all the signs in English?>

Her heart seemed to pound harder in her chest. < Ohhh dear... I don't think 
I'm in Japan anymore.>

Ami rose with only slight difficulty and began to pace her cage in 
agitation, something burning deep within, her tail swishing behind her. < 
This... is not good, not good at all. What am I doing here... wherever this 
is? How long was I asleep for?> She moved her neck slightly up and down.  < 
Still hurts, but not barely as badly... I suppose It's been a day or two at 
least. Why was I transferred here? I'm sure I was at the Tokyo Zoo the last 
time I was awake... They must have drugged my food for the plane flight.>

As she paced, her waking was noted, and on a cue from the zoo's head vet, 
her cage door was opened.

< They are letting me go out?> Ami wondered. < I wonder why?> She cautiously 
poked her head outside. < Not a bad yard.> She mused. < It's certainly 
larger than the what I had in the Tokyo Zoo.> She walked slowly out into her 
new home. It was a large platform of earth and grass, surrounded on two 
sides by a moat and fence, and behind her a large wall.  Several shade trees 
grew in the enclosure, and Ami looked about her, mildly impressed. < Well, 
this is fairly nice I suppose...> She shook her head suddenly. < Nice... if 
I wanted to be an exhibit for the rest of my life. Is there anyway I can get 
out of here?>

With escape in mind, she began examining her enclosure more carefully. As 
she moved under one of the trees, however, she realized that she was not 
alone. A large black shape was laying on one of the larger of the tree's 
branches indolently. Ami backed up in surprise.

< Oh my!> She thought. < Another panther!> As she slowly backed away, the 
other big cat climbed out of the tree and came towards her.

Ami flinched backwards but kept herself from running away. < I'd better try 
to be friends... we might be together for awhile.> As the larger panther 
came up closer, she spotted a second feline coming up from the moat area. < 
Two? Are they mates?> Ami wondered to herself. < I hope they don't mind the 
company.>

Indeed, the two seemed not to mind her presence, and Ami found herself the 
object of much friendly attention. < Well, they seem to like me... > With 
that worry off her mind, Ami explored her new world. < No way out.> She 
sighed. < It looks like I'm stuck here for awhile.> She lay down under the 
shade of the largest tree and looked curiously back at the people passing. < 
The hippo area is across the way... I wonder when we get fed.> She listened 
to the excited people staring back at her. < At least I can improve my 
English listening skills.>

Her two companions suddenly began hissing at each other, Ami looked up 
alarmed, but it was over almost as soon as it had begun. To her surprise, 
the smaller of her two companion's walked away, while the larger lay down 
next to her and started grooming her. Ami let the larger cat go over her 
fine coat with his rough tongue, not wanting to make a bad impression on 
him. At the same time she tried to puzzle out the strange sensations she was 
feeling.

< What's wrong with me? I want... I want... what? What do I want?> The 
cursed girl closed her eyes and tried to focus on her schoolwork, trying to 
recall the first few chapters of the class's new mathematics text. It was 
much harder than she remembered, bringing up all of those numbers and 
theorems, and Ami started to get worried. < Why? Why can't I think clearly?> 
One by one, images started to run through her mind. Ranma Saotome, at 
Jusenkyo, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts... glistening with sweat.

Ami shook her head. < He's married! Why am I thinking about him?> Johnathon 
Dwire/Tendo's image came up a moment later, a sleekly furred half cat, 
exotic, tall, his black shorts blending into his fur so that she could 
barely tell he had anything on at all. For a moment she wondered what it 
would be like to be crushed to that furry chest, held in those powerful 
arms, pinned down by hands who's claws could spring forth at any moment, 
tearing clothing off with gentle thoroughness.

Ami's eyes darted open and she stared at the rocks and grass before her 
hollowly. < No! He's married too! What am I... why am I thinking about... 
men... now?> She couldn't help but recall an old fantasy of hers, replaying 
the night she had first met Johnathon Dwire. She had found him in his house 
cat form, hurt after a Youma attack, and had brought him back to her home to 
nurse him back to health, completely unaware of his curse. Many times after 
that, Ami had played with the idea of having accidentally splashed Johnathon 
with some hot water that night... and what might have happened if she had.

It was all highly illogical of course, her fantasies of a cat suddenly 
blooming into a damp, steaming, naked man... with herself fresh out of the 
bath as well, wrapped only in a single towel, of Johnathon leaping on her to 
keep her from crying out. She replayed the fantasy again, with the older man 
pushing her down on her bed, holding her tightly under his naked form, of 
his kissing her firmly on the lips to muffle her startled cries. Naturally 
he quietly explained his curse to her, telling her that he meant no harm. 
Slowly he would release her, not fully taking his weight off her in case she 
tried to run, and they talked, her full of wonder at the magic of his curse, 
him, full of gratitude for her taking care of his wounds. They would trail 
to a stop, uncomfortably aware of their bodies so close together, only a 
damp towel separating them....

>From there her fantasies had taken many different paths. Johnathon had not 
been married at the time, she had felt no guilt at the dreams, although 
after his marriage to Kasumi she had filed that particular fantasy away.  
Now however, she found herself remembering each of those fantasies in great 
detail.

Ami shook her head once more, forcing herself to stop. < No! It's not 
right!> Her mind, however, simply threw up alternate fantasies in place of 
the ones she was trying to ignore. Ryoga-sensei's image came to her and she 
sighed. He WAS an incredibly well built young man... a perfect specimen of 
young adulthood, at least physically, with those little fangs that seemed so 
adorable on his innocent countenance. She had gotten a peek at him in the 
buff, months earlier, after they had returned from the dark kingdom and she 
and Mars had transformed him back into his human form. It had left her 
speechless. His baby pig form was adorable of course, but when she though of 
it she immediately pictured herself in her panther form, picking Ryoga-pig 
up by his bandana with her teeth, and then jumping them both into a furo.

The images of what would follow swam through her mind, causing the 
discomfort she had been trying to ignore to redouble, becoming an ache she 
could no longer deny. Her eyes shot wide open once more as the reality of 
her situation finally began to dawn on her. Lost in her fantasies, Ami 
hadn't really noticed the large male panther continuing to groom her, slowly 
moving to stand over her, straddling her hind quarters. With a hiss, Ami 
rolled over, pushing the larger cat away with all four paws, having to stop 
herself from unsheathing her claws on him.

< Oh Kami-sama!> Ami realized in a sudden moment of crystallized horror. < 
I'm in heat!> Throwing the male panther ignominiously to one side, Ami 
rolled to her feet and stood up on all fours, quickly loping away from him 
to the far side of the pen . < What's wrong with me?> Ami asked again, 
berating herself. < I should have figured this out half an hour ago. The 
symptoms were obvious! I can't let this cloud my judgement.> Agitated, Ami 
paced back and forth over a short stretch of grass, keeping one eye on the 
larger male at all times. < That one
was trying to... mate with me. It intimidated the smaller one, and it... 
knows I'm in... in season.>

Ami catalogued the physical sensations she was feeling as coolly as she 
could. < Oh my... I really am. My body... aches... like I'm on fire. I 
haven't been this aroused... ever. It's different... much different than I'm 
used to... but it can't be anything else.> She moaned softly. < Oh 
Kami-sama! It's so bad. Does Luna have to go through this? It's awful!> Ami 
moaned again, a bit louder, and both males perked up their ears and started 
heading toward her. Ami froze in terror. < No! What did I do? I called them 
somehow?> She moaned again, louder, then skittered backwards as the two 
males hurried toward her even faster.

< What's going on? What set them off?> The two male panthers encountered 
each other on the way over to her and suddenly hackles went up again on both 
sides.  After a bit of hissing and posturing on both sides, the smaller male 
again backed off, although a bit more reluctantly than he had the first 
time. Ami continued to retreat as the larger male advanced on her once more, 
facing him and retreating backwards. < What do I do? I don't want to... to 
mate with a panther!> She moaned softly again, vocalizing her dismay, and 
the male panther tried to slip quickly around behind her, encouraged by the 
sound.

Ami turned with his and growled as he tried to mount her once more, slapping 
him away with her paw when he got too close. < Oh no you don't!> She thought 
fiercely, hackles going all the way up her spine in anger and frustration. < 
I don't care how much this body wants it, you AREN'T my type!> The larger 
male continued to circle, not taking the hint, and Ami started to get more 
and more frustrated, moaning again deep in her throat as the ache she was 
feeling started to become even worse. < Why? Why won't he leave me alone? 
Can't he tell I'm not intrested?>

Suddenly the smaller male was there by her side, growling at the larger male 
and with a pounce, knocking him away from her. The smaller male rolled the 
larger one over with the momentum of his rush, then leaped back to position 
himself between Ami and the larger of the two males. Ami blinked in 
confusion as the panthers circled one another, coming together in a blur of 
fur and claws before the larger male was forced away, the smaller using a 
leverage trick to bowl the larger one over and keep him away from Ami 
herself. After half a minute of this, the larger panther abruptly gave up, 
pretending that it had just lost interest, and calmly walking off to take a 
nap in the opposite corner
of their enclosure.

Ami watched the smaller panther warily, as he approached her, but rather 
than try and circle around behind her, or even simply coming up to groom 
her, he stopped several feet away and laid down, still facing her, and 
staring at her with a quizzical expression on it's face, as if it was trying 
to figure her out. Ami slowly lowered herself to the ground as well, keeping 
her eyes on him, and tried to rest, the constant strain she was under having 
started to really wear down her nerves. Half an hour passed, and the smaller 
male drove the larger off three more times, each time doing so quicker than 
the time before, until the larger male finally seemed to completely lose 
interest. Instead of claiming her himself, however, the smaller male panther 
simply watched her, acting almost like a black furred bodyguard rather than 
a male interested in mating with her.

Ami was still trying to puzzle out his strange behavior when a dark haired, 
slightly unshaven young man called to her from just outside her cage at 
feeding time that morning. Ami noticed him right away. < Johnathon?!! He's 
found me!>

At her fixed look, the he held up a sign in Japanese. "Turn around twice if 
you're Mercury."

Almost giddy with relief, Ami quickly circled twice, then went over the 
front of the cage, only a few feet away from him, ignoring the meat being 
offered and staring right at him. < It's me, It's me!>

He nodded, his face brightening, then spoke softly in Japanese. "Tonight... 
late, I'll come and get you. Sleep as much as you can."

As he stood there, an angry looking man about Johnathon's age or a little 
older came up next to him. "Dwire... I don't know how you got here, but...!"

An older, man, looking slightly Chinese came up to the two younger men and 
placed a hand on the new comer's shoulder. "Peter... still your anger... all 
is not as it seems...."

"I don't need your help either, old man!" Peter yelled fiercely.

Michael's face was turning red. "I!!! Who do you think you're yelling at, 
you baboon faced buffoon!"

Peter blinked as his son turned to face the other man again. "Baboon? You'll 
pay for... Argh!"

Caine spoke up quickly. "Yes... very well, shall we take this outside and 
settle it like... men?"

"You're on!" Mike didn't hesitate.

"I'll kill him!" Peter agreed vehemently. The two young men followed the 
elder outside and around the corner to where there were no viewers.

Peter squared off. "Come on you @%^&!" Mike faced him in his own stance, 
fists raised, jaw clenched in anger.

Caine stepped back a little, as if to avoid the encounter, then pivoted on 
one foot, hand flashing out like lightning. "Got you!" He held something 
tightly in his fist. "Show yourself, Demon... You can not escape me."

Bemused, both men turned to look at the priest, uncertain of exactly why 
they had just been so terribly angry with each other. They both started back 
as a tiny man with wild golden hair and a black outfit appeared in Caine's 
hand.

"You is letting Senbei go!" The tiny imp protested. "Senbei is not even 
knowing how you is holding him here!"

Caine shrugged slightly, not letting his attention waver for an instant. "I 
have fought... and destroyed demons... before this, little one. You are not 
welcome here."

The little imp protested. "But Senbei must be here! Must increase his 
happiness by making those who help the panther unhappy! Is Senbei's job!"

Caine shook his head. "No longer. I can not... permit you to interfere... 
any longer."

Peter had walked over and was staring at the tiny demon. "That's not Mara... 
is it?"

Michael walked over as well. "No... but he has her fashion sense, and 
tattoos a bit like hers."

Peter glanced at him. "Johnathon, what are you doing here anyway?"

"You've got the wrong Dwire. I'm Michael, John's twin brother."

Caine spoke up. "I was about to..." He shrugged. "To tell you... before this 
demon interfered."

Peter shook his head. "OK, then what are... never mind... was that panther 
Ami?" He pointed back towards the front of the building.

Michael blinked twice, then nodded. "Yes it was, and we should let her know 
everything's alright... we must have worried her with that little display 
back there." < Ami... that's another of the girls taking classes at the 
Tendos. I think I'm starting to see a pattern!>

Peter nodded. "Can you handle that thing, Pop?"

Caine grinned, still not looking away from the demon. "As you say.... No 
problem." The shaolin master suddenly glanced in the direction of the 
panther cage with a frown. "We should rescue the young woman tonight. She 
should be safe... for now. But I fear she is undergoing a trial of her 
own... one that she should not have to face this young."

Peter looked at his father in confusion. "A trial? What do you mean?"

Caine just raised an eyebrow. "It is not something I believe we can help her 
with. She will be guarded from danger from the outside, I believe, but it is 
danger from the inside that she will have to face."

Peter shrugged. "If you say so, Pop."

***************

Inside the enclosure, Ami was a little bit more than worried. < They were 
being influenced by something, I'm sure!> She paced nervously. < If only I 
could transform!> She wished she could talk, yell, anything... "Grrr!" She 
stopped herself from growling fiercely as she saw the two younger men 
returning. < Thank goodness! I wonder what happened?>

Johnathon approached her cage first and whispered in Japanese. "We're 
alright now... there was this tiny demon, but it's been taken care of."

Peter frowned. "What are you telling her?" He said in English.

"That everything's alright, Detective...." Michael waited.

"Caine. Peter Caine." He glanced at Ami. "Does she understand any English?" 
Michael shrugged, but Ami nodded emphatically. Peter noticed. "You do? 
Great, that will make things a lot easier." He looked around, but no one 
else was in hearing range. "Your friends asked me to help you get out of 
here. Tonight, we'll be back to free you, so just hang in there."

Peter motioned to Michael. "Come on, let's find somewhere to talk... we need 
to plan this thing out." The two men smiled and nodded to Ami, then left the 
building together.

Ami tried not to watch them, but she couldn't help glancing at them until 
they were gone. < I can't believe they found me this quickly! Johnathon must 
have spent a fortune to get plane tickets here so fast.> She frowned. < 
Wherever here is... probably America... the people all sound American I 
think, sort of like the American movies I've seen.> With her rescuers gone 
for the moment, Ami found herself drawn back into the reality of her own 
predicament. Her physical discomfort had continued to grow the entire time, 
and she was finding it more and more
difficult to endure, and it would be hours before nightfall. Closing her 
eyes, Ami tried to hold on, doing her best to enter a meditative state, 
despite her discomfort.

Ami started to the sudden sensation of something very close to her face. She 
started backwards, opening her eyes only to see the face of the smaller of 
the two male panthers only inches away, staring into her eyes as if looking 
for something. She stared back in confusion, a look that he seemed to match. 
Ami watched as the young male panther (she had the impression somehow that 
it was perhaps just grown to maturity, although aside from the size, she 
wasn't sure how she knew that.)

< Hello?> A strange voice came into her mind then, as if it was one of her 
own thoughts, only with a deep throated male voice, one that inexplicably 
seemed to match the panther in front of her. Ami glanced around her, but saw 
no one close enough to speak. < It's me.> The voice told her. < Right in 
front of you.> Ami looked at the smug looking panther standing nose to nose 
with her and stepped back with a start. < Hi!> The voice in her head said 
cheerfully. < You really do understand me, don't you!>

Ami hesitated, then slowly nodded her head. < Oh good.> The voice in her 
head said in a relieved tone. < I wasn't sure if that would work. Most 
panthers can't really understand very much when I try and talk to them....> 
Ami blinked in confusion and the panther looking her in the eyes ducked his 
head in embarrassment. < Not that you're just another panther. I knew you 
were something special as soon as I first saw you.>

Ami shook her head in denial automatically, then quirked her head at him 
questioningly, and the voice went on. < Oh yeah, you'd probably like to know 
my name. My old master called me Midnight. What's your name?>

Ami hesitated, then tried to think back at him. < My name is Ami. Can you 
understand me?>

Midnight beamed at her. < Yes! Wow! You can understand me? You really are 
intelligent!>

Ami blinked. < And... and you are too? How? How are you here? Who are you?>

The black panther in front of her quirked his head. < I just told you. I'm 
Midnight.>

< Oh, of course.> Ami nodded. < You did tell me.> She quirked her own head 
in imitation of his. < How did you get here? Don't tell me that all panthers 
are like you....>

Midnight seemed to laugh, his mouth hanging open slightly. < Of course not. 
You're pretty unique yourself you know.> He ducked his head shyly. < You're 
as smart as you are beautiful...> Ami blinked in astonishment at him, not 
sure how to respond, and Midnight visibly winced. < Dumb, dumb, dumb... what 
am I thinking, coming on so strong? I must sound like an idiot.>

Ami giggled slightly. < Well, you were doing alright until you started 
calling yourself an idiot.>

Midnight blinked. < Really?>

Ami nodded slowly. < You were just trying to be nice.> She glanced away. < I 
know I'm not really all that beautiful....>

Midnight was incredulous. < Yes you are! Really! I thought so the moment I 
first saw you! And it's not just because... because you're... er....>

Ami swallowed. < I'm in season, right? That's why your friend was... trying 
to... mate with me.>

Midnight looked her in the eyes. < This is your first time, huh? Don't 
worry, I won't let Gengis bother you again. He's pretty mellow really, most 
of the time, but I don't think he's ever been around a female before either. 
  He's just going on instinct.>

Ami nodded. < So... he's a normal panther? He's not intelligent too, is he?>

Midnight nodded. < He's as normal as it gets. When I try first tried to talk 
to him like this he just got confused. I can get basic emotions off of him, 
wants... but nothing really complex. Right now he's sulking because I 
usually let him have his way, although he knows which one of us is really in 
charge. He just got a bit overexcited when you arrived.>

Midnight licked his lips nervously. < I can understand how he feels. Your 
presence is... well, a bit overwhelming. Do you have any idea what you're 
doing do me just by being here?>

Ami took a step back. < I'm sorry... I don't mean to....>

Midnight shook his head. < It's not your fault. It's not like it's something 
you can control. Take it easy. You don't have to do anything you don't want 
to do.>

Ami shuddered, sinking back down to lay on the grass again. < I'm not so 
sure. These urges are so powerful... I can barely think straight.>

Midnight lay down facing her. < I think I understand. I have to admit that 
I'm very drawn to you, Ami. It's not like anything I've ever felt.> He 
looked at her seriously. < But I won't let my instincts make me do anything 
I you don't want me do to.>

Ami sighed. < Thank you. I'm not ready for... for that. I mean, I'm sure 
you're a perfectly nice per... panther... but I'm not ready for such a large 
step.> Even as she denied it, her body renewed its demands, stronger than 
before, but she wasn't ready to give in.

Midnight quirked his head at her in confusion again. < You're weird, Ami.> 
His voice was kind, softening his words. < You're nothing like I expected 
you to be.>

Ami blinked. < What you expected?> She nodded a moment later. < Oh yes, you 
must have known I was coming... the zoo keepers must have mentioned it.  I 
suppose you expected a normal female panther, not one like me.> She suddenly 
felt strangely disappointed. She wanted so much to be what he wanted her to 
be, although she couldn't think of a rational reason why.

Midnight hesitated. < Well, actually, yes. That's what I did expect at 
first... but at the same time, I was hoping you'd be the one....> He shook 
his head. < You're going to find this hard to believe....>

Ami looked up at him with a combination of hope and dread. < The one? I 
don't understand.>

< It's a long story.> Midnight explained. < But I can think of no other 
reason that you'd be here. There can't be many other panthers like us in the 
world, can there?>

Ami nodded in agreement. < That's true. I still find it strange that we've 
met like this. It really seems like an incredible coicidence.> The spark of 
hope increased, as did the fear, but her mind refused to say why.

Midnight shook his head. < It might seem like a coincidence to you, but it 
isn't. It's all because of my old master....> He hesitated, then nodded. < 
Maybe I'd better tell you the whole story. You see, up until six months ago, 
I was what my master called his "familiar." Months after I was born, my 
master took me from my mother and raised me himself, enchanting me to be 
smarter, healthier... and making my life longer so I'd be able to live as 
long as he did. He was a wizard, you see, and he had extended his life far 
beyond the span of most humans....> He hesitated again. < Do you understand 
any of this, or am I telling you something obvious? Are you a familiar too?>

Ami nodded. < I understand what you're telling me I believe, but no, I'm not 
a wizard's familiar. So, what happened? How did you come to be here?>

< My master was old, far older than he appeared, and his old familiar had 
died of old age, so when he bonded to me, he made sure that I would stay 
around to be with him.> Midnight shook his head. < Unfortunately it was my 
master who ended up dying first.>

Ami looked away. < Oh. I'm so sorry for you. Were you two very close?>

Midnight sighed. < We were. He was a good master. He treated me well and for 
the first dozen years of my life we were happy.... We stayed away from 
people mostly, although when someone came to my master for help, he did what 
he could. One day a family came to us for help. An evil spirit had been 
haunting them for generations... and they had done everything they new how 
to do to try and fight off its influence, but its curse would not go away. 
They came to my master telling him that he was their last hope. They had 
moved here, to San Francisco all the way from China, hoping to escape the 
spirit, but it followed them, and it was angry. My master and I confronted 
it, and we did banish the spirit, but not without cost. The struggle 
weakened my master so much that the spells keeping him alive were torn 
apart. He started to age as a normal man from that point, and he was already 
ancient.>

< Wasn't there anything he could do?> Ami asked softly. < Couldn't he save 
himself with his magic?>

Midnight shook his head. < He was too weak. That sort of magic takes great 
power, or a great sacrifice. I would have gladly given my life so that he 
would have the power to save himself, but he would not accept. He was not 
willing to go on living at the price of another. My master knew that he 
would die soon, and started making preparations. He lasted for three years 
after that, and those were good times. We knew our time together would be 
short, but we were still happy together. My master donated me to the zoo, 
knowing that they would care for me well... and they have, although it has 
been a bit boring at times.>

Ami smiled softly, causing Midnight to eye her strangely. < I can understand 
that. I wouldn't want to be stuck in the same place for so long.>

Midnight quirked his head at her again. < You are so strange, Ami. You act 
just like a human sometimes. Don't you know that baring your teeth like that 
is a sign that you're angry?>

Ami blinked, then shook her head quickly. < Oh no! I'm not! I was just....>

Midnight nodded. < You were smiling like a human. And you nod and shake your 
head too.> He chuckled. < My master taught me to do it too, so I just fell 
into it again myself when we started talking. You've never been around other 
panthers before, have you?>

Ami shook her head. < No, that's true. You and your friend were the first 
panthers I ever really met face to face.> She hesitated. < But you were 
explaining why this isn't a coincidence. Your old master donated you to the 
zoo, but it's still strange that we should end up in the same place like 
this.>

< It's not as strange as you think.> Midnight told her. < My old master 
wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be alone, so before he died he cast one 
final spell, one that would draw a companion to my side... someone I could 
spend the rest of my life with....> He looked nervously at Ami. < So... here 
you are.... It has to be my master's spell!>

Ami looked astonished. < Do you really think so? I mean, I can hardly 
believe I got here because of some spell... > She hesitated, strangely 
wanting to believe it. < Or could it? Getting transferred to San Francisco, 
where you are... that could have been your master's spell acting.  After 
all, it could have been any zoo in the world, couldn't it?>

Midnight nodded in agreement. < Right. That was how it would have worked, 
taking some random factor and making it a certainty.> He peered at her 
shyly. < And... here you are.>

Ami swallowed. < So... we're... destined to be together?> Her heart sang, 
and she felt ready to faint, all at the same time.

< I... I hope so.> Midnight's voice was quiet even in her mind. < I've never 
met anyone like you, Ami. I'd like it if you could stay with me.>

< I'd... like that too....> Ami began hesitantly, not believing her own 
words even as she said them. Before she could analyze what she was feeling, 
Ami shook her head in denial. < I can't stay here. I have responsibilities. 
I've got to leave, and soon.>

Midnight looked her in the eyes. < Then I'll come with you! You're the one 
I've been waiting for. I can't lose you after only a day....>

Ami shook her head again. < I... there's no way... where would I keep you... 
mother would never understand... oh Kami... I wish there was a way...> Her 
eyes widened. < What am I saying? It's like I'm a different person....>

Midnight raised an eyebrow. < Did I ever tell you that you're strange, Ami?> 
He winked at her. < Besides, I'm sure your mother will love me.  Aren't I a 
lovable fellow?"

Ami looked at him and couldn't help but agree. She could hardly think 
straight around him, he was so desirable. She took several steps forward and 
butted her head into his shoulder, rubbing up against him provocatively 
before she even knew what she was doing.

Midnight hesitated for a moment in surprise, then caressed her back with his 
chin, putting it over her neck and rubbing slowly against her. < Well 
now....> He murmured quietly in her head. < I guess that's as good an answer 
as any.>

Ami didn't answer, instead rubbing herself down the length of his body, 
taking in his scent, the feel of his body against hers... it was 
intoxicating, and she felt what reservations she still had being overcome by 
her overwhelming desire for him. He really wasn't that small. Ami realized 
as she continued to rub against him, playfully nuzzling against his hip with 
the side of her face. He was smaller than his cage mate, Gengis, but still 
noticeably larger than she was, and sleekly powerful. She wanted him to be 
more powerful than her... wanted him to press her into the grass with his 
weight, wanted him to....

Ami jerked away from Midnight in shock, surprising him. < What am I... What 
am I doing!?!>

< Whatever it was...> Midnight told her jokingly. < You were doing it very 
well.>

Ami felt a surge of warmth at his voice, both pleasure and anger at the same 
time. < That's not funny! I can't... I can't be doing this!> She had to 
fight to keep the desire out of her mental voice, and didn't fully succeed.  
He could sense how she felt about him, and she knew it.

< Ami what's wrong?> Midnight sounded confused in her head. < Are you 
scared? I promise I won't hurt you.>

Ami shuddered, then shook her head. < I know you won't Midnight, but... I 
can't. I just can't.>

Midnight quirked his head sideways at her. < Should I go?> He shivered, 
ripples of fur running down his flanks. < If you're not ready... I can go... 
over to the other side of the enclosure, anyway.> He shivered again. < I 
don't know if I can... when you're this close to me... I don't know how long 
I can resist....>

Ami was suddenly terrified. < No! Don't leave me alone. What if... what if 
Gengis comes back?> She couldn't explain why she was so frightened, not 
logically.

Midnight immediately nuzzled her cheek, trying to calm her. < I won't leave 
you... and I won't let Gengis come anywhere near you if you don't want him 
too. I promise you that.> He sighed, reigning in his lust for her as best as 
she could, the fear he was sensing from her made it much easier to do.

Ami nuzzled him back automatically, still shivering. < I don't know why I'm 
so frightened. Your friend Gengis is bigger than me, but I've faced tougher 
foes... I know I could protect myself from him if I had too.>

Midnight chuckled softly in her mind. < He's just a big cream puff you know. 
He looks tough, but show a bit of spine and he whimpers and shows you his 
belly.>

Ami reluctantly pulled away from Midnight a second time. < I'm not scared of 
him really... I'm scared of being alone with him.>

Midnight raised an eyebrow. < Oh?>

Ami shuddered again. < I can't... I can't think straight. I'm afraid that 
I'd... that I'd let him....>

< It's hard, huh?> Midnight was sympathetic. < It's my first time too. I 
mean, I've read about it in books... and seen nature shows on TV... but it's 
so much more when it's really happening.>

Ami stepped away from him deliberately as she tried to think. < I know only 
a little bit about the subject myself. I remember some of the basics, from 
books I read when I was considering becoming....> She shook her head. < I 
can't remember anything... my head feels like it's filled with fog.>

Midnight kept himself from following her. < If you're not ready, I'll wait.  
I'll keep Gengis away from you too, OK?>

Ami nodded. < Thank you. I'm really glad you're here. I hate to think what 
it would be like having to deal with this alone.>

Midnight shrugged sheepishly. < Aw, forget about it. Why don't you just lie 
down and try to get some rest. I'll keep watch.>

Ami nodded slowly and sank down into the grass. < I'll try.>

End Chapter 34

You can find all the previous Chapters to this at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/fanfics.html





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