To My Readers:
I must tell you I am having a blast writing this story arc. This is the sixth installment to Year OF Evil. This story is actually going to a couple of short stories all with the same title. One deals with Ranma and Akane coming to terms with what has happened in the past five months, another is what happens when Ukyo actually finds Ryoga, The third stars Mousse as he tries to stop Kodachi from drowning in the dark arts and the last is Akuma's long awaited talk with Nabiki. I hope you enjoy this new approach.
Sincerely
T.L Porteous
Ranma 1/2
Confessions
Ranma looked at the spot where Akane's nameplate used to hang. It was about a month since he demolished the wooden duck that he believed to be Akuma. During that month both he and Akane were doing their best to repair the damage that the demon had done. It hadn't been easy. Kasumi was a nervous wreck; Nabiki seemed to be the only one she would talk to. Their father's were doing their best to help but unfortunately Soun's cooking was edible at best and his father's best approach had been feeble attempts to steal food. But Soun Tendo stopped him at every turn.
"We are not going back to his style." Soun would tell Genma the bitterness not lost in his voice. And the only other option was the most lethal to allow Akane to cook. Instead Ranma volunteered himself and Akane to do the majority of the cleaning instead. And of course Nabiki was handling the bills. The problem Nabiki was the only one offering income to the household and Ranma and Akane didn't like exactly how she was doing it either.
"If you two can think of a better way to pay the bills I would be glad to hear it." Nabiki said looking over her order forms for The Romantic Adventures of Randy and Amy. The young couple couldn't believe that the publication could become so popular in such a short time. However the comic seemed to appeal to a number of teenagers and soon Nabiki was swamped with orders for the comic. Despite how Ranma and Akane felt the publication was the only thing keeping a roof over their heads. The only saving grace was that her partner hadn't shown up for a long time. But also Ranma and Akane still hadn't talked about what had happened between them. In fact Akane seemed uncomfortable around Ranma no matter what form he was in. Ranma took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Time for me to be a man Akane and I have to talk this thing out. He rapped on the door not surprised that the duck was silent this time.
"Who is it?" he heard Akane call out.
"It's me Akane I think we need to talk."
"Please dine with us again." Akira Saotome said with a false cheerfulness. He had been working for Ukyo for close to three weeks and serving mortals was starting to get on his nerves. But a deal was a deal and so far Ukyo had provided him with a roof over his head. And in exchange he helped her in the restaurant to pay his rent. Not that he needed to. A century of treasure hunting and investing allowed him a pension plan that would allow half the country to be comfortable. But Ukyo had made him sign that damn contract. She was a smart one and under her supervision he was indeed behaving himself and acting like a good full time demon helper. But it still annoyed him to be serving his classmates, mostly because they kept asking him questions about Nabkuma publications popular title. The only saving grace was the fact that the whole Saotome/Tendo Clan was staying clear of the place probably to avoid making trouble for Ukyo.
Ukyo watched her new employee with suspicious eyes. I hate to admit it but Akira is actually pretty good for business. The girls are curious about the attractive new waiter I have in my establishment and he can really act like a people person when he wants to. She watched as he politely excused himself from a group of customers. Also he's a surprisingly good cook. She sighed to herself, can't put this off any longer.
"Akira, can I speak to you for a second." The demon maintained a pleasant smile as he walked over to her
"Actually you can speak to me for a couple of minutes as long as I don't have to serve tables." The demon said grimly. Ukyo couldn't help but grin at Akuma's misery. Over the weeks she watched him serve her customers using only normal human speed which seem to annoy him, plus he had to substitute his favorite jacket for something more suitable for serving. Everyday he found himself dressed in black slacks with a sky blue dress shirt. He also had to keep his horns painted since wearing a cap was impolite. Ranma once mentioned he passed the window and nearly busted a gut when he saw Akuma serving tables in that get up. She missed him hell she even missed Akane a little. She took a quick glance at the clock and was glad that closing time was only an hour away.
"Well Akira Saotome you have been working and living here for about a month. And to tell you the truth you have been a satisfactory employee." She said assuming the tone of a businesswoman.
"I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that." Akuma said wryly. "Does that me I can stay?"
"That's what I want to talk to you about." Ukyo paused for a second. Akira looked at her a look of impatience on his face. "I'm leaving Nerima and I don't know when I'll be back."
"What!" Akuma blurted out sounding worried. "What do you mean you're leaving? You can't leave, when will you be back? I don't think I can stand serving these idiots without you to back me up. Why?" The words flowed out of the panicked demon so quickly that Ukyo could barely make out what he was saying. But the last question she heard loud and clear.
"I'm going to look for Ryoga." The demon's interrogation stopped. A groan escaped his lips.
"Are you crazy? You tried that before remember? You couldn't get a lead because that fool always is lost."
"He deserves to know the truth about how you set him up." She said with a cold angry tone of voice. "He deserves to know he can come back. That he's not a perverted molester and that …" she stopped herself before she could give Akuma any ammunition to play with.
"Please let me look for him than, I can track him down faster than you can." The demon requested still panicking at the concept of being left alone in the restaurant.
"Oh no, you're staying here to pay your dues." She said crossing her arms.
"But I don't know when you're going to back, come on Miss Ukyo I might not have a heart but I know you do. You don't really expect me to run this restaurant by myself do you?" The demon watched as a devious grin formed on Ukyo's face.
"Oh don't worry Akira I have no intention of letting you run the place while I'm gone. I've already arranged for someone to take over the managerial position in my absence." The way she was grinning at him made the demon uneasy. His mind raced as he wondered what his employer was up to.
"Is it someone I know?" The demon asked already sure of the answer.
"Oh you know her quite well." Ukyo said slyly. "In fact you could say she's practically, family"
"Miss Ukyo you didn't?" The demonic employee said his eyes wide open with worry. "Do you know how much trouble you're making for all of us by hiring my sister?"
"Your sister, what are you talking about I didn't even know you had family." Akuma looked at Ukyo with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Well if it not her then who, Oh no." the demon groaned as he heard the familiar clomping of a wooden walking stick.
"Hello ex-son in law." The temporary manager of Ukyo's greeted him.
The creak that the door made whenever it opened alerted Mousse to the mysterious woman who captured him when he tried to rescue Kodachi from the dark forces that were threatening to take her over. He remembered bursting into the house and yelling her name.
"Kodachi!" he yelled out in desperation while searching every room in the enormous household. "Kodachi it's me Mu-Shu where are you?" he cried out while he searched. She might be in her room. He realized and ran there as fast as his legs would carry him. Her door seemed darker then usual. An aura of menace surrounded the door.
"And just what do you think you're doing?" Mousse heard a strangely sweet voice ask him. He turned to see a petite Donna matrix standing in front of him. Her head came up to his chest but her blonde hair, which was in a bizarre poof almost reached his nose. She was dressed in a black tight fitting leather bustier with matching gloves, shorts and boots. Clenched in her gloved hand was a leather lash.
"Who are you?" he asked keeping a careful eye on the lash.
"Oh no I get to ask the questions here. Just what do you think you're doing? You're not planning on interrupting one of my dollies are you?"
"Dollies," Mousse asked growing more nervous by the second. She was starting to advance on him and he had no intention of allowing Kodachi to hurt her herself. "I only want to save Kodachi from the dark forces she is dealing with."
"I can't let you do that I'm planning a family reunion and I need all my dollies present. So I think I have to find a nice place to put you until the party is over." Before he could react the blonde had already struck him with her lash leaving a welt on his cheek. He could hear her walking up to him as he rubbed his face with his sleeve. Normally Mousse wouldn't think of striking a woman, but it also occurred to the young hidden weapons master that she was no ordinary woman. He launched a barrage of throwing dirks at her aimed to incapacitate not kill. A blur of motion filled Mousse's eyes as the blonde waved her arms about. When the arms were finished moving he saw her giving herself a manicure with one of his dirks.
"Oh you're not going to be any fun." She said sounding more like a little girl then an evil creature of darkness. As Mousse was starting to suspect what she really was. Shit another demon, not good. Mousse thought to himself trying to come up with a plan to get past the blonde demon. He jumped up in the air and threw a smoke bomb at the demonatrix and rushed into Kodachi's room.
"Kodachi are you in here."
"Who dares interrupt me now?" a cold passionate less voice demanded.
"Kodachi it's me Mu Shu." Even with his glasses on Mousse had a hard time seeing anything. The room seemed like a dark abyss with swirls of purple mist all over. "Kodachi its Mu Shu please answer me."
"Mu Shu?" the voice said sounding a little lost. He still couldn't see her in all the mist. A flash of pain struck him from behind. The shoulder of his robe had a large gash were blood began flowing. Another flash, then another followed, as the back of his robe was torn open like so much paper. "Why are you here?" she asked with a hint of anger in her voice.
"I came to stop you from delving too far into these dark practices." He said doing his best to remain standing. Another flash struck him, this time he could see that it was a dark vine with very sharp thorns.
"You are too late. Kodachi Kuno is no more." And to prove her point she lashed out at him again this time striking him against the chest. A loud cry of pain came from the young man as he went flying onto the floor.
"Who is this young fool Dark Rose? Do you know him?"
"He was someone Kodachi knew but he is nothing to me." Those were the last harsh words Mousse heard before passing out.
Since then he has been kept alive a prisoner in the Kuno dungeon for close to a month. He seemed to be a constant source of entertainment for the petite little demon as the lash marks seemed to prove. This wasn't even as half as pleasant as when Kodachi tied him up. The demon kept him alive by forcing him to eat dog food off her boots and drinking water out of a bowl. Like the typical Donna matrix she took a perverse pleasure in causing him pain and humiliating him. He could hear her boots as she walked across the floor.
"You're such a fool; do you think you really can turn my dolly against me? Do you see her here attempting to free you? She's already forgotten about you. But she has let me know a couple of interesting things. Tell me ducky about the Chinese Amazon that is living here in Nerima."
"Why should I?" A battered and weary Mousse asked in a non-cooperative tone.
"It could make things a lot easier for you in the long run." She said rubbing his chin.
"Some how I doubt it." Mousse replied. The blonde smiled and took out a cat o nine tails from somewhere in her tight fitting uniform.
"Last chance; ducky tell me about the Amazon." Mousse just stared at her in silence. Nodding her head the blonde raised the whip and began torturing the stubborn young man.
The two young people just stared at each other for about five minutes not sure what else to say or do. They were both afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing so they both stayed silent.
"This is insane." Ranma blurted out catching Akane by surprise. He was suddenly pacing the floor in nervous frustration. "I came in here to tell you that I still love you and that I miss you and bunch of other things but instead we're both just sitting and staring at each other." Ranma stopped to catch his breath.
"Ranma I..." Akane stopped unsure how to react to Ranma's new attitude. He still seemed nervous but he continued to speak.
"Akane I'm not sure how much I can trust Akuma but he said that when we, well he said you enjoyed it. Is what he said true did you enjoy it?" He looked at her his face a painting of desperation. She didn't want to hurt him especially when he was looking at her the way he was. She lowered her head too ashamed to look at him.
"Yes." She said wanting to slink under a rock somewhere. "I'm sorry Ranma."
"What? Why?" he asked her his tone soft and gentle. "You were under the influence of a potion that lowered your inhibitions so was I. It probably made us both more anxious and excited than we meant to be. If anyone should be feeling bad about enjoying what we did that night it should be me." Akane head stirred to see a blushing and ashamed Ranma sitting beside here.
"You enjoyed it too?" Akane asked tears in her eyes. This time it was Ranma who was looking at the floor not sure of what to say next. She stared at him not sure what to think. He liked it too, He's a guy who made love to me as a girl and he enjoyed making love as a girl. "Ranma do you really feel guilty for enjoying it?" she asked him softly.
"I don't know." The young man answered in a whispered tone. He went silent again. Man this was so much easier when Akane and I weren't talking, I've spent so much time thinking about how I could get her to talk to me again that I never took the time to think about how I felt about it. I'm a guy but so far all those important moments that a guy goes through have all happened when I was girl. The first time I met Akane, my first kiss and now my first orgasm all happened while I was a girl. Kissing that asshole at the ice rink was humiliating and crushing. So how come the first orgasm I had with Akane as a girl doesn't bother me that much.
Akane watched as Ranma was contemplating everything that happened to them both. Poor Ranma all this time I spent worrying about my sexual orientation that I never thought how he must feel. I never really considered that he must be just as confused as I am. Hell, he must be even more confused than I am. I started the whole crazy mess I'm the one who started the whole thing. Akuma told us that the potion lowered our inhibitions just a bit. But he also said it had a stronger affect on Jusenkyo victims. Ranma was acting so strange thoughtful, insightful, compassionate, and tender and it really turned me on. But the question is what happens now?
"Are you insane? Do you really think you can trust the stick monkey here?" Akuma asked Ukyo motioning to Cologne with his thumb. "She'll destroy your business so you'll never marry Ranma." The demon was obviously agitated at the thought of having to work for Cologne. Seeing his agitation brought a strange satisfaction to Ukyo.
"Actually Akuma there's a strong possibility that we might be working together more in the future. You see Mousse seems to have left for China which means The Cat Café is short a worker. So basically it's your choice you can work here under Cologne or you can work there under Shampoo. Something I'm told you're quite good at." Ukyo ignored the glare that Cologne gave her. "Well anyway I signed a contract allowing Cologne full access to my staff while I'm away and in return she'll keep my business running. So I suggest you act really nice to the acting manager while I'm gone."
"But, But, your hours of business are almost the same." the demon was actually flustered by the concept of being under the thumb of the old woman who was clearly looking for Amazon justice. He turned to see his new boss grinning at him as Ukyo went out the front door.
"You better get some rest ex-son in law you have a very busy day ahead of you. Especially since Shampoo will also need you at The Cat Café." The demon just grumbled something in his native tongue and went upstairs to his room. Outside the restaurant Ukyo began thinking back to what prompted this decision. It was a couple of weeks ago Ukyo found herself at The Cat Café after hours.
"What you want?" Shampoo asked in a harsh voice. Ukyo took a deep breath and began the speech she practiced on the way over.
"Right now what I want is a table, some sake and your company." She told the surprised Amazon.
"Shampoo have no time for games, you want play games play them with Ranma." Shampoo said bitterly.
"I'm not her to gloat Shampoo I'm here to discuss some business." Caught by surprise and intrigued by Ukyo's idea of discussing business. She motioned for Ukyo to sit and went to the back to look for some wine. Cologne was surprised as her granddaughter grabbed the aged spirits from the wine cabinet and took to a table where Ukyo was waiting. She watched as she poured a glass for her former rival and then one for herself. The two young ladies soon began talking Cologne watched their lips very closely.
"So what business you want to discuss?" Shampoo said with a hostile tone of voice.
"A merger of sorts, I'm leaving Nerima for a long period of time and I'm not sure when I'll be back." She said taking a gulp from her glass.
"Why you go?" Shampoo asked with little interest while taking a shot from her glass. Ukyo seemed to drift away for a bit and then looked back at Shampoo.
"That is no concern of yours." She said quietly
"Shampoo need to know if business partner reliable Shampoo need to know when Ukyo be back."
"I'm going to look for Ryoga, let him know about how Akuma set him up." Shampoo just stared at Ukyo hardly believing her ears.
"Why look for stupid pig boy? He come here eventually." The Amazon asked Ukyo.
"True but he'll think he's not welcome and it's not fair to deprive him of all his friends because of that demon jackass." Shampoo couldn't help but notice a little sadness in the restaurant rivals voice, but she decided not to call her on it instead she took a shot from her glass.
"Okay but Shampoo still not see why Shampoo should look after Ukyo's business. Shampoo not even know how to cook okinomyaki." Ukyo face formed a small grin aimed at the Amazon.
"I have a new cook to handle the actual restaurant I just need somebody to make sure he doesn't screw up, I hear he can cook a pretty mean ramen to." Hearing this Shampoo took another shot from her glass and prepared to attack the threat to her great grandmothers business. "I think you would be perfect to keep an eye on him." Cologne couldn't believe what she was lip-reading. Ukyo is trying to set up Shampoo! She continued reading the conversation, when suddenly the name of the cook was mentioned. Both family members' eyes must have bugged out at the same time.
"So do we have a deal?" Ukyo asked a grinning Shampoo.
An hour and several glasses of sake with both Shampoo and the old ghoul later, a temporary agreement was formed. And Cologne happily agreed to manage Ukyo's in exchange for making Akuma's life miserable and in return Ukyo promised Akuma's services to the Cat Café, which would leave him to Shampoo's tender mercies. As she set off in no particular direction she also remembered what she had told the demon about an hour ago.
"He deserves to know the truth about how you set him up." She said with a cold angry tone of voice. "He deserves to know he can come back. That he's not a perverted molester and that …" Ukyo took a deep sigh as she began searching for the eternal lost boy. "And that somebody actually misses him."
The demon watched as Ukyo walked away a feeling of dread filled the black void that he would never call his heart. Not if I know what's good for me.
It was Wednesday, the middle of the school week but Ranma wasn't thinking about school. Instead he was thinking about the conversation that happened last night. The young couple had talked pretty much all night and that was when Akane made the suggestion Ranma never expected to hear.
"Ranma I think the only way we're going to get over this thing is if we make love with you as a man." The suggestion blindsided Ranma into a stupor he just stared at Akane with his jaw wide open and his eyes glazed over.
"N, n,now!" Ranma finally blurted out.
"No not tonight but soon." Akane said blushing brighter then Ranma had ever seen her blush. "It's late and I think that we both should go to bed separately." Akane said gently. Ranma was in too much shock to pursue the subject any further like a zombie he walked into the wall before finally finding the door and leaving Akane's room. But now the young man had a good night's rest to reflect on the proposal. But sex, am I, are we ready for that? Shouldn't we wait until we're married first? I don't even know exactly what to do. Ranma continued these contemplations, as he got dressed. Man all the time pop and me spent together on our training journey and he never once tried to bring up the birds and the bees. He finished getting dressed and went to the kitchen.
The Cat Café seemed busier than usual when Nabiki walked in; the customers also seemed rowdier than usual. Nabiki wasn't really surprised as she looked at the flier for The Cat Café. In bold letters it read:
Martial arts table waiting contest: Cat Café is very happy to announce it have top martial art waiter in the world. And he ready to prove his skill by challenging all to get him to spill your order. That right if our expert even spill one noodle your meal is free.
Nabiki could tell by the choppy grammar that Shampoo had written the advertisement but she was not one to turn down a free meal. A sign in front of the door told her to take a seat and wait for the special server to get to the table smiling while she schemed how to get the server to spill her order. She listened as some of the customers left the restaurant.
"The guy is incredible. He didn't drop a single noodle from any orders." One of them said.
"No kidding it was worth paying for our meal just to see that performance."
"Yes ma.., Nabiki? Hi." The scratchy voice caught her by surprise and her heart jumped up just a bit. Looking down from her in equal surprise was Akuma.
"You're the special server?" she asked barely able to contain her surprise.
"Afraid so, look it's a long story but I'll be glad to answer your questions in a couple of hours. That is if you're interested." Nabiki couldn't help but notice a little pleading in his voice.
"Alright I guess we do have something's to discuss. What time are you off work."
"At this rate probably midnight, Can you meet me at Ukyo's at 11:45?
"Ukyo's,"
"Like I said it's a long story."
"Akira you have customers." They both could hear Shampoo yell for her server.
"Be right there boss." Before she could say anything else to him Akuma was gone. Nabiki pushed herself away from the table strangely she wasn't hungry anymore.
"Are you ready to tell me about the Amazon?" The strange dominatrix demanded.
"Get bent." A battered and bloodied Mousse hissed out.
"Actually I prefer my dollies to do the bending." She said with a smirk. She quickly kicked Mousse in the stomach. "What you need is some food in your stomach. Come and feed him little troll." The door creaked open and carrying a bowl of hot gruel was a battered Satsuke. He carefully approached the tortured young man and began to feed him. The strange blonde left the two of them alone.
"She has to be stopped." Satsukae whispered to Mousse as he fed him.
"I know." Mousse responded grimly.
"Stay alert and watch for your chance." Satsukae finished feeding him. The little ninja quickly disappeared up the stairs leaving Mousse to ponder in the darkness.
Kasumi looked at the reflection in the mirror. It looked like her only its eyes were cold and cruel.
"Who are you?" Kasumi whispered.
"You know who I am. I'm the person you will eventually become." The mirror answered. Kasumi stepped back and gasped at the mirror.
"No it's not true." She cried turning her face from the mirror.
"There, there little one, don't cry." A strange melodious voice came from above her. A pair of strong yet feminine arms embraced her. "Everything will be all right."
"Who are you?" Kasumi whimpered to the strange blonde dressed in a schoolgirls outfit.
"I'm someone who is going to give you a place in this world." She said with a warm smile.
"Hey pretty girl want to go on a date with me?" a tall lanky youth with black spiky haired asked her.
"For the umpteenth time you little freak go away." Ukyo yelled at the strange young man. She was about to reach for her spatula when another lanky yet more attractive young man stopped her.
"There you are my brother still chasing after girls."
"C'mon bro I'm wearing her out she'll say yes sooner our later."
"More likely she is going to hit you with her spatula. Now come along." The feminine looking brother dragged the younger libidinous brother away from Ukyo. She continued on her way. Oh this is ridiculous I'm never going to find Ryoga at this rate. Why did I even think I could find him in the first place? She continued walking despite her negative thoughts. Because he needs to know that he's not what everyone accused him of being. She thought back to a couple months ago when Ryoga stayed with her when she was drunk. He just stayed and watched over me. He didn't try to anything with me. How could I believe that he could be a rapist? She continued walking and wondering down the streets of Tokyo determined to find him.
Meanwhile Ryoga was walking down an unfamiliar street searching for the way back to Nerima. He wore a hood that concealed half his face. Everywhere he looked seemed strangely familiar yet confusing at the same time. It wasn't the first time this had happened to him and it probably wasn't going to be the last. He looked up into the sky. The sun's going to come down in a couple of hours. Good I'll make a lot better time once it gets dark and I can start taking the main roads. With grim determination to set things right Ryoga set out towards Nerima unsure (as always) of the road ahead of him.
School was a complete blur to Ranma and Akane as they spent the entire day stealing glances from each other. Even Nabiki seemed distracted returning from The Cat Café. The young man walked the fence as usual while Akane walked below him. She knew that what was on his mind was the same thing that was on hers. They were going to make love this weekend. Ranma nearly had a heart attack when he found the note in his textbook
Ranma
I now realize how much I truly and deeply love you. I don't want you to worry about your curse affecting our relationship anymore. This weekend I want to take you someplace special and private just the two of us. Be sure to bring some protection.
His question was confirmed when he looked at Akane and she nodded discreetly while blushing.
Oh man how am I going to get the condoms without everyone in Nerima finding out? Where can we possibly get some privacy from our family, Nabiki, and Akuma? A thousand other questions clouded Ranma's mind ranging from the innocent to the verge of erotic. And for the first time in a long while Ranma was not as confident in his abilities as usual.
"Nobody appreciates you do they Kasumi? They all treat you like a servant catering to their every whim. Well now it will be your turn. Let's go out and have some fun."
"But what about dinner, and this house needs to be cleaned and,"
"See this is what I'm talking about. You need to stop thinking about others and start thinking about yourself for a while. Come on take a walk with me the house can do without you for a couple of hours."
"Well I guess a little walk won't hurt. Maybe some fresh air will do me some good." She said grabbing her bag.
"That's my girl." The strange blonde said leading Kasumi out the door.
Nabiki looked over her notes. As usual the lesson was already memorized in her head but she needed something to kill the time. She was still eight hours before her my what date, make up, business meeting? What am I going to do with him? Why am I even thinking about him? Why do I want to know so much about him? She shook her head and tried to focus on her homework. Oh why did I have to come to the library it's too quiet I can practically hear every minute, As usual the Foreinkin high library was populated with students studying their assignments totally oblivious to what was going on around them. She sighed and closed her book.
"The hell with it I'm hungry I'm going to have dinner at Ukyo's and he can pay for it." She muttered as she left the library.
"That's odd the doors locked." Akane told Ranma. As long as she could remember the door was always unlocked but that was mostly because someone was always home. "Damn I don't have my keys now what are we going to do?"
"We're martial artists Akane remember?" Ranma said with a grin. He quickly ran to the backyard and quickly proceeded to the roof. Akane couldn't help but smile and shake her head before following after him.
"Come on slowpoke what's taking you so long?" he teased sitting in front of her window. "Don't tell me you're getting out of shape." He grinned.
"Out of shape, that sounds like a challenge to me." Akane grinned and proceeded to chase after Ranma. He quickly opened the window and darted into Akane's room with her in hot pursuit.
"Come on you out of shape tomboy, your going to have to do better than that." He said as he ran down the stairs.
"Tomboy oh you're asking for it buster." She looked down the stairs to see Ranma making a face at her from the bottom of the stairs with his fingers stretching his mouth wide open while sticking out his tongue.
"Nyah Nyah." He replied still making the face.
"Oooh you," She yelled out taking a flying leap off the stairwell.
"Oh no," Ranma muttered as Akane came crashing down on him. "Ouch!" he said as they landed into a heap on the floor.
"Oh poor baby want me to kiss it and make it better?" Akane said in a sexy taunting tone of voice.
"Depends are you going to kiss my entire body?" Ranma teased back.
"Mmmm maybe," She said.
"I thought you wanted to wait until this weekend." Ranma said suddenly serious.
"Oh relax Ranma I was just teasing." Akane said suddenly getting defensive. She rolled off him careful not to hurt him anymore. He groaned and slowly got up.
"These days it's hard to tell."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" she asked getting angry.
"You just seem sexier that's all." Ranma answered trying to avoid an argument. "I mean you seem more relaxed about this whole lovemaking than I am anyway." The look of shock on Akane's face made him wish that he could take those words back. But it was too late the damage had been done
The pain from the thorn in his chest almost made Satsukae stumble as he went up the stairs. His face was worn and weary as he brought his master his tea. The young male heir to the Kuno dynasty was writing poetry when Satsukae rapped on the door.
"Master Kuno? It's time for your tea."
"Enter." He heard his young master command. The little ninja stepped in careful not to spill the contents of the tray. Kuno was still busy writing poetry for his red-haired obsession that he didn't notice the limp that Satsukae had developed as of late. The servant of Kuno carefully poured tea into the cup and handed it to the young man.
"Will that be all master Kuno?"
"Yes Satsukae that will be all." The obsessed samurai stated not taking his eyes away from his poetry. His rounds weren't finished so he continued to do his responsibilities. Master Kuno is still looking for his secret love. Even after all the time that has passed he still loves her and mourns her disappearance. A sudden thought came into the little manservants mind. Love he quickly went to Kodachi's room.
"What do you want?" The same cold voice as the one so may years ago questioned him.
"I just wanted to know what you plan to do with your prisoner."
"I care nothing for him."
"She's been torturing him for hours." Satsukae shouted to her.
"That is of no concern of mine."
"He still loves you. He resists her because he loves you." The room went silent for a moment.
"He is a fool." The voice responded sounding a little warmer.
"Love makes fool of us all." Satsuake responded. "She's going to kill him if she keeps torturing him like this." More silence filled the room.
"I don't care." She said in a slightly warmer and choked voice. Satsukae's heart jumped he felt that he was starting to reach her.
"Then why do you hide from him?" a vine suddenly flashed in front of him striking his face and at the same time a sharp pain wrapped around his chest.
"That will be enough I fear no man."
"Prove it." The ninja said a solid steel determination formed on his face.
"I see no need to prove anything to you." She said another vine strike followed by another assaulted Satsukae battered body.
"Prove it to yourself." The little ninja said before lapsing into unconsciousness.
The restaurant promised a good meal and it delivered as far as Ryoga was concerned. He paid his bill and left the restaurant in better spirits. The sky was getting darker so Ryoga found himself traveling down the main road he stopped when he saw the sign.
"Nermia 25km." away with an arrow pointing him in the direction he needed to go. So naturally he went in the opposite direction, which took him into the woods. Without the streetlights to light his way Ryoga soon found himself stumbling around in the dark. He saw a light ahead of him and went towards it. He was so focused on the light that he wasn't watching were he was going and he suddenly found himself falling into a lake.
"Hmm almost quitting time, Okay Akira you go back to spatula girls and help Great Grandma close up." She watched as the demon that seemed more annoyed than tired nodded and disappeared. She was a little disappointed that the demon didn't seem worn out. She made the special promotion specifically with him in mind. He was allowed to use enough magic to get him back and forth between their establishment and Ukyo's whenever either of them needed him. They planned to work him to the point of death. But the demon's stamina seemed endless. Just like bedroom. Shampoo thought depressed about the outcome of his deceptions. Shampoo was no longer engaged to anybody and it was only her families prospering business that really kept her in Nerima that and the humiliation of going back to China without a husband our girl Ranma's head in a bowl. Even Mousse had rejected her as a wife after she was willing to accept him as a husband. No not Shampoo's husband, but Shampoo's replacement Ranma. After a month of not having anyone to fight or pursue she realized how empty her life had become. And this time Mousse wasn't around to comfort her when she failed, all she had now was Akuma love him or hate him Akuma had become Shampoo's world. She wanted the demon to suffer but so far he had thwarted all her attempts at revenge. He arranged for their divorce, and her latest scheme did indeed bring in a lot of paying customers expecting a free meal. But despite all the feet trying to trip him, the things thrown at him, even the out right attempts to tackle him nothing worked he didn't spill a single noodle. The demon proved to be as skillful as she advertised. What was even worse was that he was a charming server who wooed the female customers. Frustrated and depressed Shampoo turned off the lights to her establishment and went to bed.
Ukyo looked into the campfire, it wasn't the first time she had gone camping, and it was most likely not going to be the last. As the flames flickered back and forth she thought a lot about Ryoga. Why am I doing this? Yeah ok so he's a nice guy, and it would make Akuma miserable to have one of his plans backfire, but I have to face it I miss him. She smiled thinking about all the times he ended up in Nerima. He was always a gentleman, and unlike most of Ranma's rivals he never used anybody else or intentionally put anyone in harms way, than there was Ranma, who was more macho and arrogant always afraid to show his sensitive side, never willing to back out of a fight no matter how ridiculous the circumstances. But Ukyo started to realize something that brought an attitude of depression. Akane was right I don't know anything about how Ranma grew up. I imagine he never really got a chance to watch many movies or listen to much music during his training journeys. But now that he had settled in Nerima she had no idea what he liked besides okinomyaki. Well I'll have plenty of time to find out later after Ryoga woos Akane away from Ranma honey. The sight of a black piglet coming out of the lake by her campsite interrupted her thoughts.
He waited until the old lady left Ukyo's before finally collapsing into a chair. The day was enough to kill any human but even a demon had his limits. All day he had been working waiting tables at The Cat Café and cooking and serving food at Ukyo's. The only thing that was good about the day was the constant looks of disappointment on Cologne and Shampoo's face, as he showed no sign of exhaustion or irritation. But now that there was nobody around he felt free to rest considering that he had to go back to work after school. He only agreed to miss a day of school to help with Shampoo's business promotion. But he still was going to have to work eight hours straight in two restaurants. An idea suddenly occurred to him. A soft rap at the door told him Nabiki was ready to talk to him. His dark void (that wasn't a heart) started beating a little faster than usual as he opened the door. She was still in the same outfit that she usually frequented but to Akuma it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Everything about her was the same the hair the condescending tip of her nose the cold calculating eyes. She was perfect.
"Hello Nabiki it's good to see you."
"It's nice to see you to Akira." She replied casually.
"Would you like to have some late dinner?" He asked her gently.
"I guess a little bit of dinner wouldn't hurt." She said hoping her stomach wouldn't betray her. The truth was she had stopped by Ukyo's earlier only to see a black and red blur leave the restaurant only to come back a couple of minutes later when Cologne called for another order. She couldn't believe some how The Amazons had taken over Ukyo's and had trapped Akuma into working for both establishments at the same time. A lump actually formed in her throat when she saw him working so hard with a smile on his face, especially since he hated serving humans like this. She decided that her stomach could wait until he was finished. He came back from the kitchen looking a little tired while carrying a tray of okinomiyaki just the way she liked it. Beside it was a small bottle of spring water. He turned on one section of the lights and put the tray on the table in front of Nabiki.
"Would you like anything else?" he asked her gently.
"This is fine thank you." She answered still not looking directly at him. He sat directly across from her watching her take a bite of her meal. Damn this is good. How does a guy who doesn't eat learn to be such a good cook?
"How is it?" Nabiki sighed looking at the eagerness on his face.
"It's wonderful Akuma really it is. So tell me why are you working both of these restaurants at the same time?" Akuma sighed and began telling the whole story to an attentive Nabiki while she ate her meal.
"I'm sorry Akane I didn't mean it to sound offensive." Ranma whispered as she sat on her bed. As always they found themselves in her room. She didn't answer him she wasn't sure how. He slowly joined her on the bed and gently took her hand. "The truth is I don't know if I'm ready for this yet." He said gently looking at the floor.
"Ranma I..." she still wasn't sure what to say to him. It surprised her to hear Ranma admit that there was something he didn't feel ready for. He has three other attractive women chasing after him, he's mastered a variety of different styles of martial arts, and he has his own female body to experiment with and he's not sure he's ready for this.
"Akane it's not that I don't' want to it's just."
"It'll be my first time with a man Ranma, I'm not sure I'm ready for this either but I think this is something we both have to do." She said squeezing his hand in hers. "You need to see that you are still man enough for me despite Jusenkyo, and that I still prefer you as a man. And I need to prove that I'm not a lesbian. She thought to herself. "I love you Ranma Saotome regardless of what happens. He smiled at her and his shoulders loosened a bit.
"This weekend then?" he asked still smiling
"This weekend," She replied smiling back.
"Oh dear that took longer then I thought." Kasumi said looking at her watch.
"Well you still need to work on your pool skills. But still, you have to admit that you had fun." Kasumi's only response was a flush in her cheeks as she remembered the way the guys were looking at her as she bent across the table to take a shot. She really couldn't remember how Lae-In convinced her to go to a pool hall. It wasn't the kind of place she usually frequented. The crowd was not the kind of people she associated herself with. Almost every one of them had a four o clock shadow and a tattoo and then there were the men. But for some reason she felt protected by Lae-In. And Kasumi had to admit that it felt good to just go out and have some fun. She after all had gone through hell with Akuma deceptions and all.
"Yes I admit I had fun." Kasumi said with a little grin. "But I better get back I have to get breakfast ready."
"Do you always have to take care of them?" The blonde asked with a pout formed on her lips. Kasumi stopped at her door and took out her key. "See the house is still here it didn't blow up or anything while you were gone. What are you doing tomorrow night?"
"Nothing much; why what are planning now?"
"Can you dance?"
"So you're working and living here while also working for Shampoo at The Cat Café while Ukyo hunts down Ryoga." Nabiki synopsized with no emotion on her face.
"That's about the size of it. I have to admit it as punishments go it's a pretty good one."
"Can't argue with you there," She replied still showing no emotion. "You should have known better then to piss off Shampoo."
"Couldn't help it," The demon responded a little bitterness in his voice.
"Why is that?" Nabiki said being careful only to show a little bit of interest.
"A long and bitter filled story better off never repeated." The demon said still sounding bitter.
"You said you would be happy to answer my questions." She said with a condescending voice. She refused to show the demon an inch of compassion until he did something to earn it.
"So I did but that's not really the question you want answered is it?" he said raising an eyebrow at her.
"Really is that what you think?" she replied coolly. They sat across from each other each one wearing their best poker face. Her face is like polished marble perfectly devoid of compassion on the service but I can see the hurt in her eyes. She misses me. The demon thought his black void beating faster then he cared for.
I'll be damned if I let him think that he's going to break me. I don't care if he's had centuries to perfect that poker face of his. He wants to see me again he's going have to open up a little. He thinks that little arrogant grin and those dark penetrating eyes can fool me. The middle Tendo sister noticed that her heart was beating at a faster rate then she was used to. "All right then just out of curiosity, what do you think is the question I want answered?" Stupid Nabiki you just let him redirect the conversation.
"You want to know why I won't say those three words every mortal on this plane of existence wants to hear." Don't break Akuma you've been playing the misdirection game for centuries she's just another contestant.
"You're rich now?" Gack girl is that the best you can come up with?
"Oh very clever," Better start pacing makes it look like I'm growing impatient with her.
"I thought so." Oh brother now he's pacing to make it look like he's getting impatient with me. They found themselves face to face only a couple of inches apart from each other.
P-Chan found himself wrapped in a towel by the fire. Ukyo had scooped the little piglet out of the river. She gently wrapped him in a towel and placed him by the fire. This was the same woman who was threatening to pull off the extra utilities of his human counterpart. Now she was caring for the pet of her chief rival.
"How are you doing P-Chan?" feeling a little warmer. Ukyo asked as she cooked some fish on the fire. The little piglet nodded not sure what to do about his current situation. "I'm glad to hear it so what brings you to my campsite so far from Akane hmm?" she asked moving towards him. The little piglet said nothing. "Not talking huh?" Ukyo said sitting beside the little piglet. "That's ok I like my guys strong and silent." The remark made the pig blush a little bit. Ukyo sat next to him with her kneels brought up to her chest she looked up at the stars. "You know I used to do this back when I was planning on pummeling Ranma. I spent a lot of nights camping outdoors before I settled Nerima. Some nights I just sat up and looked at the stars." She said staring at the sky. "And then the second time I found myself doing this was to pummel Ryoga." The piglet started to inch away when he heard this confession from her, "its funny how history tends to repeat itself." She stood up and walked towards the fish hanging over the fire on a make shift spit. "Only this time I'm not planning on hurting anyone this time," Hearing this made P-Chan stop his hasty retreat and focused on Ukyo. She turned to him and smiled with a fish kabob in her hand. "So are you hungry?" she asked smiling at the piglet. The little piglet couldn't deny that the fish did smell quite good.
A little time later the two of them were sitting on a picnic blanket eating fish with rice and a couple of other side dishes. The little piglet was starting to feel more relaxed around the young woman. Man what a dope Ranma is not recognizing a good thing when it whacks him. He has her chasing after him. She's attractive, funny, comforting, a good cook and an excellent fighter. Why can't he see how lucky he is and let me start dating Akane so he can happy with Ukyo? He looked up to see her smiling at him.
"Man you have a bigger appetite than I thought. But that's ok it's healthy. I just hope I have enough for Ryoga when I find him." The little piglet's eyes bugged open when he heard this. "I mean the least I can do is feed the poor guy, he's suffered enough after what Akuma put him through." The more Ukyo talked the more P-Chan paid attention. Unfortunately Ukyo wasn't very forthcoming about the exact details all he new for sure was that he wasn't a rapist and some how Akuma set him up. "So I got to find him and let him know that he still had friends in Nerima." Me, someone is actually looking for me. The piglet thought and a small tear formed in his eye.
Ranma found himself in the training hall sparring with his father. He blocked the old man's punches easily enough but his mind just wasn't on the fight. To make things even more difficult his father seemed a little stronger and faster since he and Mr. Tendo went on their training journey. Genma shoulder struck Ranma's chin nearly stunning him.
"What's the matter with you boy? First you surprise your old man by asking for a training bout and now you don't even seem to be awake." Ranma quickly ducked underneath the roundhouse that Genma aimed at his head.
"Pop how did you know mom was the woman you wanted to marry?" the question stopped Genma cold. All the years that they spent traveling and training together Ranma never really asked about his mother or about his family in general. Of course his father was never really forth coming with any information regarding his wife Nadoka. There was little point to it considering the two never really met until their father's arranged their engagement. To give her credit Nadoka was a proper lady who always treated her husband properly despite his indifference to her when they weren't trying to have a family. And she did allow him to take their only child on a long training journey to make him a man among men (as well as allow him to leave the homestead for a good long period of time). Of course that idea was no longer possible thanks to Jusenkyo.
"Why do you ask boy?" Genma said standing still as long as possible. "Are you and Akane starting to come to your senses?"
"Just answer the question ok pop?" Ranma said noticeably uncomfortable with the whole conversation. He shifted back and forth on the balls of his feet while keeping his arms behind his back. Great now what do I do? I can't tell the boy the truth. He looked into his son's eyes and saw something he never saw in his eyes before, doubt. For all the time they traveled together Ranma had always been confident to the point of arrogance. And now here he was asking his old man for advice about women.
"Ranma my boy I knew your mother was the woman I wanted to marry the first time I met her." Of course that was because my father told me so.
"Really," Ranma asked with genuine interest. Genma found himself back into a corner with no way out. "How did you know?"
"When I first met your mother I felt a cold chill go down my back." Brought on by her father's katana "She was so beautiful and graceful and when she smiled at me for the first time I knew that I was going to spend the rest of my life with this woman." If I knew what was good for me.
"Can you tell me more pop? Please I really want to hear more." Ranma said with a little excitement in his voice. Where's Happosi when you need him.
She watched in the shadows as the young man hung on the wall from his chains. Even with his robes tattered and his body scarred all over he was a picture of strength, of determination of, No he is a fool a minor distraction. He left me, abandoned me.
"Kodachi!" he screamed out suddenly like he was waking from a bad dream. The dark rose jumped back slightly not sure what to make of his outburst. His face was flooded with pain as he screamed her name again. "Kodachi this is not the way. She can't be trusted she'll destroy you." He pleaded to the darkness. And still Kodachi was silent as she observed this young man. He stopped screaming and stared out into the darkness. "Kodachi are you there?" he asked in a quiet and pleading voice. Her lower lip trembled a bit, no you are stronger now, colder now you want vengeance remember?
"Kodachi I know you're there my eyes might be weak but I can smell the rose petals. Please talk to me." Mousse pleaded to the Dark Rose. He looked up at the darkness that concealed her. "Fine if you won't talk to me than just listen to what I have to say." There was still no reply so he continued to speak. "She's not here to help you she specializes in pain. Not the kind of wonderful yet gentle pain you put me through but harsh pain driven by vengeance and hate." He stopped hoping that she would say something anything that would let him know he had gotten through to her. But only silence came from the shadows. "Is that why I'm here? Is this your vengeance on me? I didn't leave you Kodachi but I did keep some things from you that I'm willing to confess to you if you'll just answer me."
"You still loved that Chinese witch." A cold penetrating voice came from the darkness.
"No I suffer from an ancient curse."
"A curse?" the voice couldn't hide its surprise.
"Yes I suffer from a curse that transforms me into a duck when splashed with cold water. Shampoo didn't turn me into a duck that night she merely took advantage of the curse that I have been suffering from."
"It doesn't matter now. It changes nothing." Kodachi replied walking away from the tortured and battered Mousse. I heard that Kodachi that twinge of sadness in your voice you tried to hide it but I heard it. Mousse couldn't help but smile a little as the door closed to the dungeon.
"Well?" Satsukae asked as Kodachi exited the dungeon.
"Well what?" Kodachi asked sounding a little angry from behind her cold exterior.
"You left rather quickly. Have you decided what will happen to him?"
"Like I said before I don't care what will happen to him." She said walking away from him. Satsukae watched her go and felt something that he hadn't felt in a long time regarding the Tendo siblings.
"You're a coward Kodachi Kuno!" he yelled out a look of pure rage on his face. She stopped but didn't turn around.
"What did you say little man?" she asked in a tone of voice that warned of caution. However Satsukae was too angry to hear it.
"I said you are a coward Kodachi Kuno." He said in a more steady but still full of rage voice. A vine struck his arm causing him to wince back in pain. "You are afraid of actually giving your heart to someone." another vine this time striking his leg. Satsukae ignored the pain and continued his tirade. "He came back to stop you from destroying yourself and everything you care about. But you're too scared and selfish to see that." The vine struck him deep into the chest.
"Silence," Kodachi ordered in a clearly angry voice. "How dare you show such impertinence? Perhaps some time in the dungeon with the young fool will still that impudent tongue of yours." She quickly turned around completely wrapping the vine around the little ninja. And faster then he thought possible she dashed to the dungeon door and tossed him.
Perfect. The little ninja thought as he got up from the hard stone floor.
Mousse looked up to see what had been thrown in the dungeon with him or more likely who? The bundle got up wincing in apparent pain. Mousse couldn't see too clearly without his glasses on but he could make out his voice.
"Satsukae?" Mousse called out in surprise as the little manservant approached him. This was his only advantage he had in this scenario. Satsukae was more than just loyal to the Kuno family he loved them like a father so much so that he would go through great pain if it meant saving them.
"Yes Master Mu-Shu it's me."
"I told you before call me Mu-Shu or Mousse I'm not your master." Mousse said with great pain in his voice. "I'm your ally." Satsuake nodded his head in agreement a small glimmer of hope came into his eye. For as long as Mousse has been in the dungeon Satsukae has been taking care of him feeding, healing him when necessary and most importantly helping him plot a way to save Kodachi.
"Ally and maybe you're the best chance I've got to save them." Satsukae said grimly.
The Weekend
A red haired pigtailed girl walked out of the grocery store feeling a little uneasy. Her arms were bundled with groceries that she seemed to carry with ease despite her small frame. I really hope I wasn't too obvious in there. She thought still self-conscious of the small box in her pocket. Of course this is the only way I could get them without drawing any unwanted attention to Akane and me. She was so lost in thought that she barely noticed the figure rushing at her until it was almost too late. She ducked just in time to avoid a huge bonbori that would have more then likely taken off her head.
"Girl Ranma kill." The Chinese Amazon said attacking her again.
"Shampoo wait," She pleaded but it was to no avail. The Amazon swung at her again and again. She was barely able to keep the groceries in her arms. Ah screw it he thought tossing the groceries at her. Shampoo easily avoided them and prepared to face her former fiancé. But it gave Ranma more then enough time to run as fast as he could with her in hot pursuit.
"Girl Ranma kill." Shampoo yelled out launching herself out at Ranma.
"Shampoo I don't want to fight you." Ranma pleaded once more avoiding Shampoo's charge. But she did not relent. And finally Ranma could see no choice but to fight her. Ranma looked at his surroundings and noticed that they ended up in a children's playground.
"Now you die." Shampoo said preparing another attack.
"Are you crazy Shampoo? We can't fight here, not with all these kids around." Their surroundings didn't seem to matter much to her.
"You die Shampoo's honor restored." She said coldly.
"But there are kids here they could get hurt."
"Ranma dating Akane too long getting weak."
"Shampoo, please don't do this." A flying bonbori was the Amazon's only reply and Ranma saw that reasoning with her was useless. No choice I have to fight her here but I might be able to buy the parents' time to get their kids out of here. Straitening herself Ranma put on a defensive battle stance
"I'm not weak Shampoo, the way I see it you're the one with the weapons while I'm here unarmed." The red head taunted "But then I can understand why last time we fought I wiped the floor with you, and that was well you were armed." Shampoo's eyes narrowed slightly and a small grin formed on her face.
"Very well girl Ranma Shampoo fight you unarmed." As she said this she dropped her weapons and took up an attack posture.
The Weekend
Ukyo woke up to find P-Chan had disappeared. Her little piggy traveling companion and confidante was nowhere to be seen. She looked around the campsite for a half hour and couldn't find him. Sighing, she finally packed up her things and prepared to leave. I can't stay around here all day. She thought to herself. Still I am going to miss that little guy I can see why Akane likes him so much. Maybe when I get back I should get a pet of my own. Shaking her head she heaved on her backpack and continued on her way. The next question is where to go from here? Ryoga could be anywhere and I can't afford to stay away from my restaurant for too long even if it means ending Akuma's misery. A small grin formed on her face as she thought about all the torture the Poo family as the demon sometimes referred to them was putting the demon under. The look of sheer terror on his face kept her smiling through most of her journey. Still I can't keep this up forever maybe I should have asked for Ranma honey's help in tracking him down P-Chan was nice but I prefer my male companions human. Ukyo started imagining her and Ranma sleeping under the stars together and all the romantic things that happen when a man and a woman spend too much time together. A sudden flash of Ryoga's face forcing Ukyo to reality interrupted the thought. First things first though which way now? She started walking down a path that was closest to the lake determined to find The Eternal Lost Boy.
"Ah it's a mummy!" some campers screamed running and screaming in terror. A figure made his way to the campsite. The stranger did indeed look like a mummy only this mummy was wrapped in a tiger motif, Got to find some clothes since my backpack's is at the bottom of the lake along with my spare clothes. Ryoga thought to himself doing his best to move in his makeshift bandanna suit. He stumbled his way into one of the tents and desperately looked for any clothing he could find. Unfortunately for him all he could find was a pair of black Speedos. Great just great! He emerged from the tent wearing the slightly snug pair of black Speedos. Sighing he saw no recourse but to head down to the lake and talk to Ukyo. He still found it hard to believe that someone was actually looking for him. Even after the bounty on his head was dropped nobody decided to make the effort to let him know. He stopped and sat by the lake refusing to move hoping that Ukyo would stumble onto him.
"Ryoga?" he turned to see Ukyo staring at him with very open eyes and Ryoga suddenly realized how snug his Speedos were.
The Weekend
"Nabiki are you ok? Would you like anything before I leave?" Kasumi asked her middle sisters door.
"I'm fine Kasumi get out of here already." Nabiki had said in a very calm and controlled voice.
"Ok I'll see you later." Nabiki couldn't help but notice that this was the third night Kasumi had gone out. She was happy to see her sister going out for a change. Plus she's had more bounce in her step lately. I'm glad she's going I have a lot of thinking to do.
"Don't forget what I am Nabiki." The words filled her head in fact for the past couple of nights the only thing on her mind had been her last conversation with Akuma. She remembers standing nose to nose with him and not smelling anything that intense look he got in his eye when she didn't back down.
"Forget Akuma if you want there to be something between us then you're going to have to be honest with me." Did I just say that?
"Do you want something between us?" Akuma asked her taken by surprise by her words. This time it was Nabiki's turn to go quiet. She wasn't quite sure how to answer that question. Do I really want to get into something with him? Her heart was beating a mile a minute as that question raced through her mind. She watched as he paced a little more trying not to look at her.
"Akuma why are you afraid to fall in love?" she asked with a voice that showed more compassion and longing than she cared for. The demon turned to see her mask of professionalism slowly begin to crumble. And she could have sworn she saw a small spark shine in his eye.
"Because I'm not supposed to," The demon answered quietly. No sarcasm or condescension in his voice. She looked at his face and didn't see the demon founder of Anything Goes Martial Arts, instead she saw a confused and lonely young man. The demon sighed and took off his cap revealing his painted horns. "Please sit down and I'll tell you what I can." He said beckoning her back to the table. Nodding in understanding she went back to the table and sat down. She watched as he slowly came to the table and sat across the table from her. He put his arms on the table and enveloped his fingers together. The demon felt a soft pair of hands cover his.
"Take your time Akuma we have all night." Nabiki said as softly as she could. Just by looking at her face Akuma felt a little easier speaking to her. The demon smiled a nervous smile and began to speak.
The Weekend
"Many years ago the Kuno family came across those cursed weapons." Satsukae started his tale. Mousse listened to his tale carefully determined to save Kodachi no matter the cost. The little manservant had already begun paying the price for saving her; night after night he would act disobedient to be thrown into the dungeon with Mousse after being tortured for his impudence. The little manservant showed more strength in the last couple of days than he's ever shown before. He saw no point in speaking out his pain as the thorns slowly prodded him from the inside. All that mattered to him was stopping the curse from happening again. "They didn't seem like much at first in fact they didn't seem like weapons really none of us could figure out why someone would keep a vine full of thorns and a couple of black roses in a heavily ordained box." He coughed a little and then continued his story. "But also inside was a manuscript which explained what they really were. They were ancient weapons used by an ancient Amazon goddess. We thought of them as nothing else but something to add to the master's collection. But somehow the mistress got a hold of them. And without anybody knowing it she began mastering them. What nobody knew at the time was that there was an evil presence in those weapons. Over the course of year it became obvious who the real master was."
"How could this go on for an entire year without anybody noticing?" Mousse asked as anger started to grow in his soul.
"Young master Kuno was too young and too involved with his bushido lessons. Mistress Kodachi was also too involved in her dance classes. Oh what a graceful dancer she was starting to become." Satsukae said drifting away from his story.
"Satsukae," Mousse's voice snapped Satsukae out of his memories.
"Sorry, I was just remembering the old days." He said his voice full of remorse.
"I understand but I need you to focus if we're going to save her."
"Them." Satsukae corrected him then continued his tale. "As for the master he had fallen in love with another woman as well as his first wife. So his attention was divided between his wife, his other love and his own bushido. By the time we became aware of what those weapons were doing to the mistress it was already too late."
"What do you mean it was too late?" Mousse asked an edge of panic in his voice.
"The weapons had already bonded with her and the only way to save her was to kill her."
TBC