Akane grinned in delight as the game of tag with Ranma and Nabiki picked up speed and some new challenging rules were introduced. This would be a great training tool thought Akane and one that will definitely be added to my weekly routine if I can. I mean who doesn't know how to play this game? Besides the extra rules makes it at least a it of a fun challenge and I will make sure to keep the tone down a bit as there is no sense in showing my hand or making anyone feel insecure. Secrets are best kept hidden.
The winner of the round was allowed to pick the new rule. Currently the 'it' was only allowed to tag with their foot. Previous rules had followed similar lines involving only being allowed to tag in certain places or with certain parts. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves. Eventually the game wound down with everyone having about the same amount of wins. The rule changes had helped balance the game for Ranma and Nabiki, and Akane had made sure to keep things lively but even. Everyone was a bit sweaty but smiling.
"So Ranma are we still friends?" Akane asked after everyone caught their breath.
Ranma shrugged and then gave a sketch of a bow. "I think so. I forgot about that game. Its been a while since we played." Ranma gave a small smile. "Thank you"
Akane looked a bit uncomfortable for a moment before returning the bow. "No problem buddy. And yeah it has been a bit hasn't it. No doubt." Akane frowned briefly but then grinned and turned to Nabiki. "Thanks for playing sis. Cunning rule on only being able to be safe while not moving." Nabiki smirked and took a bow.
"So do you get to do this often Akane?" Akane shook her head in answer. "And you do know that we will be having a sister's night as soon as you finish getting settled right? I know Kasumi is thrilled and I have many questions for you." Akane looked nervous and blushed a bit before replying.
"Well I kinda figured that would be the case. After all we do have a bit of catching up to do. Girls time huh? Well should be able to in a few days." Akane shook her head and then stretched a bit. "Anyway if its cool with you all I am gonna head off and clean up. Its been a day. Thanks again for playing" Akane looked wistful and wandered off to get cleaned up. Nabiki and Ranma shared a look and hung behind.
"What do you think Biki-chan?" Ranma inquired.
"Difficult to ascertain at this time, but basic equations are not computing. Even with my lower level of martial skills I noticed Akane redirected her energy to keep the game even. The rules Akane made while seeming to help were either more balancing or hindering, but Akane seemed to genuinely seem to enjoy the game. I am not sure what Akane is hiding." Nabiki tilted her head a bit and mused aloud. "I will need to consult with Kasumi later on the magical adjustments to the room. My skills are not quite a tuned as hers, and my alchemy tools will not help much in this case. I wouldn't mind taking Akane's picture with a spectrometer photograph though. I wonder if I could slow speed film the change into a different form."
Ranma nodded in agreement. "Let me know the results please. I can tell you that Akane has at least two major energy masks. The skill they were crafted with is rather impressive. If that wasn't one of my specialties, I would not have noticed even the one at all. I only detected the second with the conversation right before Akane left to bathe. Shall we meet tomorrow after noon maybe after classes?"
Nabiki pulled her phone out and checked the schedule. "No I am meeting with a client after classes. I will check with Kasumi, but lets meet after evening training. If its ok with you we will meet you outside the theatre and we can go to a local café from there." Ranma cupped Nabiki's cheek and smiled gently.
"That will be fine. I will let Mom know the plan so she will expect us later then."
Akane washed and then sunk gratefully into the water. Sighing in bliss, Akane now took time to check her normal form for any oddities. Not seeing anything new, she relaxed in the water until the heat started to make her head itch a bit and then stepped out of the water. After drying off, Akane used the mirror to look at her back. Not seeing anything there, something caught her attention at the edge of her vision. Lifting her left arm above her head, Akane was able to see where the mark had moved to now. The small black snake biting its tail now was positioned near her under arm instead of near her tailbone. Akane's mouth quirked a bit and mumbled to herself "What a pain. Hard to keep you hidden you know if you keep moving. Seriously." Seeming satisfied for the time being, Akane stepped into the changing room.
A small black envelop was resting at the bottom of the clothes basket. Akane finished dressing and then pocketed the envelop before stepping outside. Akane checked the time and discovered it was now early evening. She went quickly to her room and checked to make sure there was no obvious listening, and then whispered a command word to lock the door with a wood elemental. Sitting on the bed Akane allowed herself to take a deep breath and change mental modes before taking out the envelop. Her face took on a stony expression, eyes narrowed and her breathing became deeper as Akane breathed a command word to open the paper. Taking out the card, Akane read the details in silence. She glanced at the clock on her bedside table to verify a timeframe. Putting the envelop in her pocket again, Akane reached in her bag and took out a smaller pouch. This went over her head and under her shirt after checking the contents. Akane then pulled some paper squares out of another pouch and verified each of the ofuda before placing them in one of her pockets. After closing her bag again, Akane made a small gesture to release the wood elemental on the door and stepped out into the hallway. Searching the house, Akane found the person she needed.
"Pops. I need to go out. I will be back sometime later. Not sure when, but hopefully only a couple of hours." Genma looked up from the game reluctantly and frowned at Akane.
"What? Now? But we are having dinner shortly. Explain yourself Akane." Soun looked over now as well. Akane gritted her teeth in irritation, knowing the timing was poor, but not having much choice. Turning her body mostly away from Soun, Akane flashed Genma a corner of the black envelop. He paled and nodded while waving his hand at her to go then. Genma took out a handkerchief and dabbed the sweat off his face that had suddenly broken out. "I will take care of things Akane. Please check in with me later"
Akane grimaced. "Sure whatever Pops. I will when I feel like it. Later" Akane rolled her eyes and turned to trot out of the house. Soun blinked at the exchange and looked at Genma for explanations. Genma sighed and wondered how much truth he could give without clearing it with Akane first.
Soun grumbled "Genma. Can you explain why my daughter is leaving again without dinner after only being home a few hours?" Genma looked down and shook his head.
"I'm sorry old friend. This is one answer I can not give without permission." Genma put on a tight smile and tried to reassure Soun, "But its ok really. Akane has done this before. Actually this is rather normal, and I trust her to come back soon. No worries old pal. I just need a bit of time. Akane is just running a little errand and will be back before you know it."
Akane arrived at the local Inari shrine about an hour after leaving her newest resting location. She hesitated to call it home since it didn't feel like it and she simply wasn't used to even the concept of staying any place more than a few months. Home to Akane was someplace that other people lived and some sort of fantasy concept not having to do with her reality and understanding of the world. Akane shook the musings from her head and took a deep breath to focus on the task at hand.
Akane took in her surroundings and sniffed the air. There was a slight bitter scent and it made her want to sneeze. Resisting the urge, Akane examined the elemental and sprititual wards surrounding the shrine, but was careful to not actually step on the grounds or touch anything. Studying the ground around the shrine, Akane noticed little scratches in the dirt off to one side. Her eyes narrowed as she dipped a finger into the pouch pulled out from under her shirt. Akane then started humming as she drew a quick line completely surrounding the marks. Taking an ofuda from her pocket, Akane whispered the invocation word, causing the sigil to flare briefly before going dark again. She then carefully placed the piece of paper in the center of the cordoned off scratches. The paper began burning as soon as it touched the ground and as it turned to ashes the marks disappeared. A breeze blew away the ashes, and all that remained was the line in the dirt Akane drew. Breathing a soft sigh, Akane brushed away the line.
Akane continued in this fashion around the entirety of the shrine for a few minutes, having to repeat the line and ofuda procedures only twice more. Nodding to herself, Akane noticed gratefully that this shrine was at least smaller than some of the others and not being used during this time of day. Checking the perimeter was cleared and secured, Akane stepped up to the main entrance and dipped into her pouch again. With her finger covered in the grayish powder, she closed her eyes and dabbed the stuff on her eyelids and lips. After completing this task Akane clapped her hands together in front of her and began chanting softly with her eyes still closed. A few moments after finishing the chant the powder sparkled and Akane opened her eyes.
Akane looked around the shrine, but did not step onto the grounds yet. She waited glancing from side to side, and tapped her foot a bit after a few minutes. Having enough of the patience, Akane raised an eyebrow and stated "You might as well come out now. I have you sealed in here. There is no escape. There will be no forgiveness if you do not cooperate. I can offer you a contract for about 5 seconds longer otherwise you will be removed. O-Inari-san has requested a removal of all trespassers. Countdown begins now. 5. 4. 3. 2…" Five blue shimmers appeared spread around the shrine grounds in front of Akane. She pulled five ofuda out and waited for the shimmers to solidify. The youkai resolved themselves and the one closest to her growled through pointed teeth.
"Prove it human." Akane nodded and did not seem surprised as if expecting this. She set the ofuda down in front of her in a neat line and then straightened up and opened her shirt slowly. Akane pulled out her left arm and raised it so they could see the snake on the underside of her arm. Redressing Akane then reached into her pouch and held up a sacred jewel. Kissing it gently, the stone glowed with a soft light. Akane held it up and showed it off for a few moments before putting it back into her pouch.
Looking into the eyes of the naga youkai, Akane replied, "That should do. Are you ready to proceed?" The naga frowned and hissed. The rest of the youkai responded similarly with distaste and discomfort for the situation. The looked at each other with nervous glances and shuffled around a bit, unwilling to reply immediately. Akane ignored them and kneeled down and began activating the ofuda one at a time. Akane looked up at the group again and closed her eyes once again, taking a deep breath and the clapping her hands twice. Opening and looking at the leader Akane asked, "Are you ready yet? I am finished preparing for your transport. As a member of the shinsengumi I guarantee your safe transport. I live to serve." At this formal intonation, Akane touched her hands and forehead to the ground in a traditional formal bow.
The youkai seemed to relax a bit with this assurance. The naga stepped forward first and Akane slid one of the ofuda forward a bit until it shimmered upon reaching the shrine border. The naga slowly touched the edge and then with another blue shimmer that shrunk and seeped into the area above the ofuda for a few heartbeats until there was a small flash of light with the sigil flaring brightly. Akane opened her eyes after the flash faded and touched the ofuda with the glowing sigil and whispered a word causing the glow to dim a bit. Akane then picked up the ofuda carefully and placed in her pouch. Looking up Akane inquired, "Will the next one step forward please. Your cooperation is appreciated." This ritual was repeated until the last youkai contained in the final ofuda was held inside the pouch. Akane then sighed in relief and mumbled to herself, "Well that went better than expected. Whew five of them could have been freaking painful."
Akane stood and entered the shrine. Following routine procedures, Akane restored all the wards and blessings and made sure everything was in order. Smiling a little bit Akane was honestly pleased for a bit. Inari-san was one of the easier requestors to handle. With everything in order, Akane took a few moments to wash her hands and mouth at the sacred water before offering a coin and prayer hand claps. Finally Akane jiggled the bell rung just a little since it was rather late. Leaving a bit more peacefully she headed off quickly to the delivery place. Thirty minutes later Akane met up with a pair of twins that grinned toothily at her. Akane stuck her tongue out in response before standing more formally and bowing deeply.
The twin men were young and dressed in traditional but rather high quality looking clothing. They both gestured for Akane to join them at a small table and share in their drink. Akane smiled and sat down across the small table from them.
"Chou and Yuki it is pleasant to greet you again. May fortune continue to smile upon you." Akane offered a formal greeting after sitting. She looked sad for a moment before holding up her hand, "Unfortunately I am short on time due to recent changes so can not partake of your offerings this evening. Thank you for your kind generosity though my friends." The twins looked a bit upset and protested.
"Why is that? This is rather rude behavior from you young one. Please do not offend us and our master. You must share our sake and we shall have rice here shortly as well. You must spare at least a bit of time or we will be most upset." He frowned while his twin pouted a bit. Akane glanced around for a clock at the small place and spied it. A grumble escaped her stomach at that point. The voiceful twin smirked in triumph. "See your physical embodiment speaks for you. Our master told you needed to take better care of yourself. When will you learn to listen to your elders, young sister?" He shook his head. Akane sighed and gave in at this point thinking that these two in particular could really be just a bit too nosy and bossy sometimes.
"Alright I give in already Chou. Enough nagging from you brother." Akane held hands up in defeat. A server walked up and dropped off a fresh bottle of sake, one small cup, and three large bowls of steaming rice. Akane inhaled the scent of the rice deeply and was grateful on the inside for Chou's pushiness. Carefully breaking her chopsticks apart, Akane then offered, "Thanks Inari-san for the rice." The twins grinned and everyone dug in to enjoy the rice. Yuki quietly filled Akane's cup which after a few minutes of eating she drank. A while later after all three friends were sated, Akane pulled out the ofuda from her pouch and handed them over to the twins with both hands. Yuki accepted in a similar manner. Akane intoned, "Transaction complete and set contract terms met as requested." She reached into her inside shirt pocket and confirmed the color of the envelop was red. Nodding in satisfaction to herself she then smiled at the twins and followed that with a nonchalant shrug. "Business as usual." Akane chuckled.
"How much more do you owe the shinsengumi sister? You could be working for us after all and we would take much better care of you. We actually like you." Yuki reached out and patted Akane's shoulder after putting the ofuda inside his jacket.
"No worries brothers. You fuss too much." Akane grinned at their mutual chagrined expressions. "I have at most three contracts left to complete. Tonight's catch will be worth double since there was so many youkai. I should get a bonus. I am just really glad they were so willing to cooperate. The last group I confronted of that size almost wiped the floor with me, and if I hadn't had that new girl show up with the mirror and comb, I would have gotten whipped." Akane shrugged and tried to move on. "Well since its been a bit since I was last working for your master, how are things here? I should be in the area for a while to settle some family business, but I suspect we will maybe work together again. Maybe we can hang out sometime too. I picked up some new tricks to share." The twins nodded in enthusiastic agreement.
Chou asked, "Where are you staying? We will have to check with our master, but I am sure we can get permission to visit."
"Tendo dojo. Are you familiar with its location?"
"Yes." Chou and Yuki shared a look before Chou raised and eyebrow at Akane. "What are you doing associating with the clans? Do you hop from one fire into the next? Don't you have someplace else to stay that might be a bit safer?" Akane shook her head and chuckled again albeit more nervously now.
"Would you believe I'm a Tendo?" The twins looked shocked and then a bit miffed. "I apologize. I wasn't withholding on purpose. It just never came up. The funny thing is they think I don't know anything about the upcoming trials, but my contacts within the shinsemgumi and other related business informed me years ago. I am truly sorry you didn't realize, I just never have considered it a big deal. I already have an idea of how its going to play out eventually and despite what my family thinks once the trials are completed so are my obligations." Akane sighed. "Its really foolish of them to keep any of in the dark about this and yet that is what they are doing to me." Akane looked a bit more upset and continued, "One of my teachers outside the clans really cared for me and got me a bunch of secret information to help me prepare. Thanks to him I have been fairly ready for the last two years now. The trials are dangerous, but unless some major changes were made to very old traditions, I should not be in danger of dying. Please don't be angry with me. I have to hide this instinctively from everyone." Akane pleaded with her friends.
"Wow. That's amazing Akane. Its ok. We understand secrecy and its necessity. Thanks for telling us when you could. But why is your family withholding information about the trials?" Chou seemed confused and concerned.
"I don't really know my brothers." Akane frowned. "Its confusing and strategically illogical. The trials are not to be taken lightly and I have confirmation all the other clans representatives are aware. Genma took me to visit all our allied clans over the last couple of years. My best guess is that the information I was provided was incomplete. My plan is to pretend ignorance until the opportunity arise to expand my horizons. You taught me well." The twins grinned and shared another look.
"Do you want some help? This could be fun."
"Maybe. I don't want you getting in trouble."
Chou argued, "Oh nothing much sister. Let us put our heads together and we will have a solid proposal for you when we visit."
"Ok Chou. That sounds fair, but be warned while I trust you and your master, I do not trust my family. So my only request is you let me lead initially. Please no mentioning the shinsengumi or contracts or youkai or even Inari-san. Even Genma, actually especially Genma doesn't know. Genma still thinks everytime I leave to do a contract is to work for the Gambling King. He has no idea that the shinsengumi acquired the debt shortly after the he lost. So please help me keep everything on the low down ok. Please?"
"You can trust us Akane. We will help keep your secret safe." Chou looked up to check the position of the moon. "We need to leave here shortly. Do you need us to bring anything from the main temple for you when we visit in a few days?"
"Yes could you please bring a new ink block, brush, and blank ofuda papers? Also if there are any ashes that can be spared I would appreciate the refill for my pouch." Akane tapped her chin in thought. "That's all I can think of really. Thanks again. Well I should be heading back to the rest spot as well before I cause any more issues." Akane stood and then bowed to the twins.
"Be well until we next meet sister"
"You as well my brothers." Akane waved as she walked out the door. Akane picked up the pace a couple of blocks from the little place. In a bit of a hurry she missed the small shadow watching her take off. A few minutes later Akane was hit by light rain shower and groaned. Akane was grateful this hadn't happened while hanging out with the twins though. Even she didn't trust them with the truth of this. And no matter how well her masks could hide the truth of the transformation from everyone else, the twins were masters of masks. Shivering a bit Akane pushed herself more to get out of the rain. Arriving a bit later at the house Akane was greeted by a quiet house. Hoping to get some sleep Akane quietly snuck in and began making her way up to her room.
"Akane. Come here please." The voice was steel. Akane froze and then rolled her eyes before facing the direction of the voice. Deciding that cooperation would get her off to sleep faster, Akane walked into the living room where Nodoka sat with tea at the table. "I was kept waiting quite a while for your return. Genma's explanation was not terribly satisfactory on why you needed to leave so suddenly at such a late hour. Also I find it disturbing that he informed me this is normal for you. Can you ease my concerns?" Akane knew this wasn't really a question, but a not subtlety disguised demand.
Akane shrugged. "What's to explain? I went out and I returned." Akane kneeled down at the table and placed her hands in her lap. "I wanted to catch up with some old friends of mine. What's the big deal?" Nodoka looked irritated.
"I realize you are not used to this specific living situation, but we expect better manners from you now. It is acceptable to but we had a family dinner planned and it was disappointing that you would leave to hang out with friends. Please do not conduct your self in a discourteous fashion or there will be consequences. Akane we are so glad to have you back, please don't spoil it with ill behavior."
Ducking her head, Akane was able to hide how pissed she was at being reprimanded. Admittedly she knew she had to leave out the shinsengumi business which made her look like she was ditching her long lost family for friends, but this was annoying. Akane couldn't remember the last time someone scolded her for being childish and it didn't earn Nodoka any points in her book.
"Ok. I get it. Sorry 'bout ditching you. I didn't mean to be mean Auntie." Akane made sure her voice sounded properly remorseful.
"You're forgiven dear." Nodoka smiled warmly at her. "We are all just so very happy to finally have you home that it was upsetting to all of us when you left so suddenly. Please don't worry us like that anymore." Akane looked up and had an unsure look on her face and her mouth made an oh of surprise.
"Oh Auntie. I'll try not to do that again. I am sorry." Akane's expression slid into exhaustion. "Can I crash now Auntie? I am tired after today." Nodoka looked sympathetic and nodded. Akane stood slowly and started for the doorway.
"Akane I almost forgot to tell you. You will need to rise early tomorrow so you can register for school. You have school to finish after all." Akane looked over her shoulder and smirked at her.
"No I don't think so. I finished my last year last year. I am done already. Didn't Genma tell you this? Night Auntie." Akane turned and wandered off to bed. Nodoka sat in wonder with eyes wide in surprise.
AN – OK well an update after years. I already updated all the previous chapters. Got a bug and decided to pick this up again. Only a vague idea how I will get to where I want this story to go, but who cares. I am having fun and breaking the hell out of my writer's block. Is anyone actually reading this?
