Getting to know you
Ranma and Akane follow their hosts to their rooms. Sousuke watches as they enter and sees that they quickly and efficiently check for threats. Akane looks around the room a second time to check out the decor. Standard hotel layout, two full-size beds, dressers, table with two chairs and television. Kaname showed her the half bath in between rooms and then pointed out the unused bed. Akane started removing the necessary items she and Ranma would need from her pack. Ranma and Sousuke went into his room.
Ranma looked around the room and put down the pack he was carrying. He walked over to the window and looked out. Third floor, no balcony, triple pane window that doesn't open, deadbolt on the connecting door, card-key entry on the room door and the door appeared to be steel core with reinforced frame.
"Are all the rooms in the resort set up the same?" asked Ranma.
"The furnishings are..." began Sousuke.
"I mean the security features." interrupted Ranma.
Sousuke stood in the middle of the room watching Ranma. Ranma waved around the room.
"All this is way too fancy for just a resort. Is this a safe house? Someplace VIPs are brought to have out of the way talks?" asked Ranma.
Sousuke didn't show it but he was cursing himself out real bad. He had brought two unknowns into their quarters and this one was being a bit too right for comfort. He'll have to put this one out of commission and then check on Kaname. Without taking his eyes off of Ranma, he reached behind his back to get his taser. He would shock Ranma and then cuff him to the bed-frame. Whipping the taser into line, Sousuke shoots the barbed darts into Ranma. The darts appear to go through Ranma with no effect. Sousuke drops the taser and gets his pistol into position to fire. Ranma seems to blur and then he has the pistol and bends the barrel. Before Sousuke can try anything else, he feels some pokes at his neck and back. He is lowered to a sitting position on the bed. Ranma brings a chair over to the bed and sits down.
"Okay, we seemed to have gotten off to rough start. I would like to talk with you without fighting. Now, I'm going to release the pressure points so you can talk and then we can have a calm discussion." said Ranma.
Ranma? Whats going on?- Akane
Is everything okay over there? - Ranma
We're having a nice conversation. Why? - Akane
Oh, Sousuke and I had a little misunderstanding. We're talking it out. - Ranma
Men! I swear, why can't they just get along. They have to beat on their chest and scream at each other - Akane
AHEM. I can still hear you - Ranma
Ranma didn't 'hear' anything else so he decided to 'clear the air' with Sousuke.
"Are you with Amalgam? Do you have any connection to Gates group?" Sousuke asked first.
"Ah...No? Those names don't ring any bells." answered Ranma.
"Were you sent here after Kaname?" Sousuke asked heatedly.
"Huh...Why...Never mind that. Akane and I are just here by accident. Another couple was with us when we got lost in the storm. They went back into the storm and got lost after we had set up the shelter." Ranma told Sousuke.
"Why didn't you tell us that. We could have had rescue teams out looking for them...You're not concerned about them, are you? Do they mean so little to you?"Sousuke asked in disgust.
"Oh no, they are our best friends. Its just that you don't know them as well as we do. Ryoga tends to get lost real easy and Ukyo was with him to give him directions." said Ranma.
"They are still out in a hostile environment, possibly dead, and all you can say is he has a lousy sense of direction!" hissed Sousuke.
"Look, you're taking this badly. Let me explain. First, Akane and I have to wait for them so we can all go home." explained Ranma.
"So leave a message at the front desk and take the train back to Tokyo." said Sousuke.
"That might be a problem. Your Tokyo doesn't appear to be our Tokyo." mumbled Ranma.
"Excuse me, did you just say my Tokyo is not your Tokyo?" asked Sousuke.
Ranma put his hand behind head to nervously play with his pigtail. Red-faced with embarrassment, he nodded his head.
This boy is nuts. I'll humor him until I can get to Kaname and call for extraction - Sousuke
"What makes you think that?" asked Sousuke.
"When I left the table at dinner I had gone to make a phone call to our parents. They aren't in the directory. I checked out other people and places. None of them were in the directory. I looked at the map for Tokyo. No Nerima district. Newspapers and TV stations have different names. I bet Akane and Kaname are finding differences in singers and actors." stated Ranma.
"Assuming this is true, how did you get here?" asked Sousuke.
"Remember, Ryoga has a lousy sense of direction." said Ranma.
"Whats that got to do..." started Sousuke.
"Ryoga has a family curse. Been in the family for generations. If he starts walking without looking directly at a guidepost he won't reach his destination. He has literally been around the world. He has gone to places that are out of this world from his descriptions. We started out to go on a training trip in the mountains near Nerima. To make sure we stayed together we were roped together like mountain climbers. He dropped his wallet and dragged us backwards when he walked back to get it. He only walked three steps. We were suddenly in a swampy jungle. So we tried to help him figure out how to use his talent. If he can keep a destination and time in mind until he 'travels' theoretically he should show up at his destination and on time." explained Ranma.
"So, What happened?" asked Sousuke.
Ranma played with his pigtail and looked at the floor in embarrassment.
"I thought he didn't hear me but I made a comment about being lucky to be home by Christmas." mumbled Ranma.
Sousuke looked at Ranma and started laughing. He laughed until he fell sideways and had to be put back in position by Ranma.
"AH...AH...Thank you...That was a good story...I'll have to tell Kaname that so she can have a good laugh, too." chuckled Sousuke.
His laughter died down when he saw Ranma wasn't even cracking a grin.
"You're serious about this." said Sousuke.
Ranma nodded his head.
"Oh, come on. There are no such things as curses." stated Sousuke.
Ranma nodded his head again.
"Okay, proof it." said Sousuke.
"First, I have to release you. I want your word you won't try to attack Akane or I until I have proven to you that curses exist." asked Ranma.
"Agreed, you have my word." pledged Sousuke.
"Okay, let me get my bathing things and tell the women we are going to the baths." Ranma told him.
In the bath, Sousuke, still clothed, was watching Ranma disrobe. Ranma held his arms out and turned in place. Sousuke could see that Ranma had nothing concealed. Ranma sat on a bathing stool and started scrubbing.
"About three years ago, my father and I were finishing up a ten year training program. My father wanted me to be the best martial artist in the world. I was taken from my mother when I was six and traveled to all the dojos and centers for martial arts. He wanted to go to this special training ground. A guide was trying to tell us about the dangers in this area but pop just entered the area and, stupid me, I followed. We were balanced on top of these bamboo stalks and jumping from one to another while attacking and defending. I kicked pop off of his stalk and he fell in a pool of water. The guide is shouting something about the pool of the drowned panda when pop leaped out of the pool heading straight for me. I was stunned and couldn't move in time and was knocked into another pool. The reason I was stunned was because it wasn't pop but a panda wearing his clothes. The guide told me that I had fallen into the pool of the drowned girl. He told us these were permanent curses and that cold water activates it and hot water turns us back to our original forms." explained Ranma.
"Oh, this is getting better and better. Your father is a panda and you change into a girl." sneered Sousuke.
"Yeah. Tell you what I'll let you activate the curse. Fill a bucket with cold water and put a hand on me. When I get hit with the water you'll feel the change happen." said Ranma.
"Face me so I can watch your eyes too." said Sousuke.
"I don't think that would be a good idea..." Ranma started to say.
"My way or no way." said Sousuke.
"Okay, I warned you." said Ranma.
Sousuke prepared to pour the water onto Ranma when he remembered to touch him to feel the change take place. Sousuke poured the water and placed his hand on Ranma's chest. Something wasn't right. Ranma was suddenly shorter and had red hair. Sousuke noticed that the chest he was touching seemed softer. He was afraid to look down so he gave a tentative squeeze. Ranma giggled in a higher pitched voice. He still didn't look down but he put his other hand on Ranma's chest. Ranma said in a moaning way that Sousuke was so forward. Sousuke decided to look down to confirm what his hands were telling him. He closed his eyes. He opened one eye and checked again. Ranma asked him if he wanted to nibble on them to make sure they were real. Sousuke jumped back and slipped on the floor kicking Ranma's feet out from under him. Sousuke was sprawled out on the floor with Ranma on top of him when they heard the door slam open.
Kaname told Akane she was going to let the guys know they were ready to go to dinner. She walked down to the bath and saw which stall had Ranma's stuff on it. She was getting ready to knock on the changing room door when she heard Sousuke say his way or no way and Ranma say he warned Sousuke. Sliding the door open she stepped into the changing room. She heard the sound of pouring water then silence. She heard a woman giggle then the woman moaned that Sousuke was so forward. She was really starting to get mad when the woman asked Sousuke to nibble on them to make sure they were real. She slammed the door open and saw Sousuke on the floor with a nude red-haired woman on top of him. Both of them had the expression of deer caught in the headlights. Kaname looked at Sousuke with tears in her eyes because he had betrayed her. Looking him in the eye, Kaname took the ring off her finger and threw it at Sousuke. She turned and ran back down the hallway and into her room.
Oh Shit. AKANE. Kaname came into the bath just after I had changed to prove to Sousuke that magic and curses exist. She started crying and threw her ring in Sousuke's face - Ranma
Usual timing, right? If you're going to be caught in the act then it will be the worst possible time. Kaname just came in the room and is on her bed crying. I can't tell if they are tears of rage or heartbreak. - Akane
Look, I'll get changed and get Sousuke back to his room. If we talk to them maybe we can straighten this out. - Ranma
Ranma quickly changed and got dressed. The whole time Sousuke just sat on the floor staring at the ring in his hand. Getting Sousuke back to his room was like walking a puppet without strings. Ranma put Sousuke on the bed and treated him for shock.
Akane, is Kaname in any shape to talk to? - Ranma
Not right now. - Akane
Sousuke is in shock right now. No expression on his face, nothing in his eyes and he keeps saying "alone again" and "no future" - Ranma
Well, Kaname stopped crying but she looks as dead - Akane
Lets try a long shot. Just start talking to her. Tell her about how we met and the troubles I caused until I got smart and married you. - Ranma
Ranma, I hope this works because otherwise two lives will be destroyed - Akane
Akane sat next to Kaname on the bed and started telling the story of her and Ranma. As the story unfolded, Akane saw she had Kaname's attention but didn't stop her tale. Ranma was telling Sousuke about the trials of being in love but not being brave enough to do what his heart wanted. Finally, the stories ended but Akane and Ranma both said that life isn't perfect and that if they were open with each other then their love would endure anything. Sousuke told Ranma about his harsh life as a child soldier and how he tries to be open but is afraid of losing Kaname and being alone. Ranma tells him about the aftermath from Jusendo and the failed wedding and how he almost lost Akane twice. Kaname tells Akane that she is afraid of losing Sousuke not only because of a failed romance but a chance he might die in battle. Akane tells her that Ranma has fought many enemies to protect her and even had to kill a demi-god to save her. Akane tells Kaname that the path she and Ranma chose is full of dangers and either might die but they wouldn't have it any other way.
Akane asked Kaname if she and Sousuke had any issues with their relationship because they had appeared somewhat strained at dinner. Kaname was silent for several minutes deciding if she wanted to tell this almost stranger something so personal. Finally, she turned to Akane and began to explain what happened since Sousuke gave her the ring.
"Let me get this straight. You want Sousuke to be more intimate. When he starts to be more intimate he stops as soon as he starts. You think that he may not love you as much as you love him because of the failure to be more intimate." stated Akane.
Kaname nods while looking at the floor.
"Let me think on this for a few seconds, Okay?" asked Akane.
Ranma, did you just catch what we were talking about?- Akane
Not really. Why? - Ranma
Ask Sousuke in a roundabout manner if Kaname treated him as a pervert? - Akane
Yeah, for a couple of years. - Ranma
Did she hit him? - Akane
Yeah. Used that fan of hers and anything else that was handy. - Ranma
Can you say flinch at the first sign Kaname might be getting mad? - Akane
I asked Sousuke about how intimate they've become. He said holding hands and hugs. If he tries anything beyond that she tenses up and he stops. - Ranma
I asked Kaname about what she does if Sousuke becomes more intimate. She said she is so surprised she shakes or tenses up and then he stops. - Akane
Kami-sama, things never change. Well, lets tell them about Stop and No. - Ranma
I'll explain it to Kaname - Akane
Sousuke said he already knows about them and what they mean. No means no proceeding past that point. Stop means disengage and retreat immediately. I told him just moving away from her is usually sufficient. - Ranma
What an intelligent young man. Handsome, too. - Akane
Hey! - Ranma
Oh hush. I'm going to see if she'll talk to him. - Akane
I'll teach him the crouching tiger technique. That almost always works. - Ranma
Oh, really? - Akane
She says she can't forgive him for being with her and doing perverted things. - Akane
You did explain about the curses, right? - Ranma
She said she doesn't believe in fairy tales and that we can't explain it away. She saw Sousuke being unfaithful with her own eyes and heard them with her own ears. - Akane
Oh, really. Well, tell her to come down to the baths in five minutes. The red-hair woman wants to talk with her. - Ranma
How will I know that?- Akane
Easy, I'll knock on the door and tell you. - Ranma
Five minutes later, Akane was having a hard time keeping up with Kaname. Kaname was stalking down the hallway and gathering steam all the way. They got to the baths and heard a woman singing. She was the only one at the baths at this time so Kaname knew it had to be the red-haired bitch, tramp, slut, man-stealing...AArgh! The woman called out if anyone was there. Akane said they were told to come to the baths for an explanation of her behavior. She said to enter and Akane and Kaname did. The woman was sitting on a bath stool and looked almost ready to rinse. She asked Kaname to dip up some water from the furo because she had a cold and didn't want a cold rinse. Kaname felt more like braining her with the bucket but because she wanted her to finish so they could talk she filled up the bucket. The woman asked if Akane might pour the water so she could talk with Kaname.
"I'm afraid this afternoon was a big misunderstanding." the red-haired woman began.
"No, there was no misunderstanding what I heard or saw." Kaname said.
"So, I have no chance of explaining. You only believe what you see with your own eyes and hear with your own ears." said the red-hair woman.
"That's right" said Kaname
"A shame really. There is so much more to this world than you think. So you don't believe in magic or curses." she said.
"May I hold your hand for moment?" asked the red-haired woman.
Since the woman had her back to Kaname, she placed her hand on top the woman's hand on her shoulder. Akane chose that moment to pour the water on the red...no...black-haired man!!!!
"Eeep!" Kaname squeaked.
She was flabbergasted. She, no, he wasn't there a second ago. Where did the little red-haired woman go? What was going on?
"Well, what do you think of that. Is he big enough for you?" asked Akane.
Kaname looked blankly at Akane.
"Go ahead and touch him. He's real." urged Akane.
Kaname shakily reached out a finger and touched the man's back.
"Oooh, you made my back itch. How about you scratch it for me?" he asked
Kaname looked at Akane. Akane made a go-ahead motion.
She reached and started to scratch his back.
"Harder. Mm. Harder. Longer strokes. Yeah, just like that. Oh, baby, you've got the touch." said the black-haired man.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE!" said a familiar voice.
Kaname froze. She was afraid to turn around. Someone pushed around in front of her. She kept looking at the floor. She didn't want look him in the eyes.
"Do you know what it sounded like outside? Then I open the door and see Kaname with this man." said Sousuke.
"Kaname, look up please"said Akane
"This is similar to what happened this afternoon. Ranma was showing Sousuke that magic and curses do exist. Sousuke slipped and knocked Ranma down on top of him. Ranma was teasing Sousuke with what he was saying." explained Akane
"When Akane and I first met, it seemed like one misunderstanding after another kept happening. She'd get mad, I'd get malleted and on and on. One day she took the time to listen to my explanation. I stopped being a rude jerk. Suddenly, voila, we started talking and dating and kissing. We still had a problem with intimacy. I didn't have a clue and she had issues. We worked it out together. We used the NO and STOP words quite a bit as we progressed and became comfortable at each level. Don't be shy about exploring. Don't worry about what someone else thinks. This is your relationship, not theirs." explained Ranma.
"Now, why don't you two go talk. Since I'm here I think I'll finish my bath." said Ranma
Dumping a bucket of cold rinse water on his head, Ranma changed to the red-hair woman.
"Akane, want to scrub my back?" Ranma said
Sousuke and Kaname left and returned to their rooms. Sousuke was lying on his bed when he heard the lock click on the interconnecting door. He went over and tried the handle. He opened the door, entered and softly closed the door.