TRTSS12: The Winged Horse! – By DS Wynne


Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST, Sekirei and other genres belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.

Special Note: This story was originally a part of an anthology format found in the Sailor Moon ST story called "Journey to Adventure". While the first two chapters are recaps found in "Journey to Adventure", the eighth chapter begins FRESH (i.e. the plot continues in no other story except in this one). Furthermore, this story takes place before "Ranma's Precious Jewel". As always, C&C are welcomed.

Author's Note: In other words, everything starts fresh…NOW.


Part 8


Personal Log, Stardate: [-28] 0130.14. With the housework done, I have time to ponder my thoughts. According to Musabi, a Sekirei who has his or her Ashikabi mark removed, thanks to losing a fight, he or she disappears. They don't fade from view or anything, but they are supposedly picked up by MBI for "storage". I hope to the Great Maker these Sekirei are used as a resource, because if that's the case, I am more than willing to take MBI down. But, in the mean time, Musabi's enthusiasm for this…game, no, CHALLENGE, as Musabi would call it, is palatable. If I were to end things, the purpose of being Sekirei will have ended, leaving behind broken psyches everywhere. Worse, a person without purpose can be a dangerous individual, either to him or herself, or to others. For now, I will allow this silliness to continue…


Later…

With Miya back from paying her respects to her late husband, Musubi volunteers to do some errands for tonight's dinner. In the meantime, Ranma, still dirty from cleaning the Inn, decides to take a bath.

"You're up," Miya said.

"Thanks," Ranma said, as he goes to the bathroom with furo. "You know, Musabi is running a bit late from her chores, even for her."

"Oh, don't worry about it," Miya said. "All Sekirei has received all kinds of training from MBI, which is why it's called 'The Training from Hell'."

"You don't say."

"Anyway, once you are done with your bath, Kuu-chan and I follow you. But take your time."

"Alright."

"Oh, and Minato?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for cleaning up the place."

"You're welcome," Ranma said with a smile.

Once alone in the bathing area, he relaxes a bit while cleaning up. However, he was still being watched….

You are alone now, thanks to me, stranger. Now, I shall explore my femininity with your body…

SHHHK!

"Huh," Ranma said to himself. "It's occupied-"

BLOOP!

Ranma could feel ample "gifts" on his back.

"Musubi-?"

"No," said a cute, auburn-haired girl with a really long pigtail braid. Her "assets" were bigger than Musabi's.

"Who are you?" Ranma demanded.

"Yours," the girl said, as she removed her towel.

"Oh, boy," Ranma replied, as he backs up, while Matsu moves forward. It's been a while since he last met a girl who was so forward about her intentions…

"Who the hell are you?" Ranma demanded.

"I am 'Sekirei #2'," the girl said. "And my name is 'Matsu'."

"Okay…"

"I know all about you…Ranma Saotome."

"Eh?"

"Your name is Ranma Saotome, but you also go by the identities Lord Ranshin Rantsu, the superhero 'Ronin', and the military officer Colonel Ronnie Saotome, of the United States Air Force. Your parents are Genma Saotome, a martial artist and criminal, and Nodoka Saotome, a former kendo champion from Okayama. You are centuries years old at least, with connections that would make any world leader, government or otherwise, small in comparisons. You are a high-ranking member of the Japanese Chapter of the 'Hellfire Club' in good standing, as the Jade King. You are presently married to several women, and have a number of romantic liaisons with a dozen more. And…you have a curse that causes you to become a girl when splashed with cold water, with hot water reversing your condition, albeit on a temporary basis."

'She's good,' Ranma thought to himself.

"You are here undercover to expose MBI's 'Sekirei Project' as a favor to Acquisitions President Nabiki Kuno, of the Mishima Zaibatsu, who is the wife of professional kendo champion Tatewaki Kuno…and your sister-in-law."

"Well, it looks like you got me," Ranma said. "But the MBI Director already knows who I am and what I am up to, thanks to a 'bet' Usagi made with HIM. But tell me, what do YOU want?"

"Well, I read all about your…exploits, and I am interested in further…study-"

SHOOP!

"Minato-san!" Musubi said, as she entered the bath wearing only a towel. "I'm ready to wash your back, even though I know you don't want me to-"

Musubi sees a voluptuous girl hovering over her Ashikabi. However, so innocent was her outlook, that she didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

"Oh, who is your friend?"

"'Friend'?" Matsu said, as she puts her glasses back on. "You would call your would-be rival…a FRIEND?"

Suddenly, Matsu whips out a large gun.

"Hey-!" Ranma said with alarm

"You came back from the satellite attack 300 seconds earlier than anticipated," Matsu said. "Now, for a more hands on approach-!"

POOM!

"Ah!" Musubi said, as a net enveloped her.

"Now, where was I?" Matsu said. "Oh yes. I was about to entwine my body with yours, my wild stallion-"

TING!

Matsu stopped in her tracks, as a katana rests upon her right shoulder.

"Now, what did I say about improper relations in either your rooms or in the baths?" Miya the Landlord said sweetly.

"Er, you said not to," Matsu said sheepishly.

"That's right…"

Miyta then turns towards Ranma.

"And you should know better."

"ME?" Ranma yelled. "This girl was the one who came on to me?"

"And would you have refrained yourself from taking advantage of your opportunity?"

"Miya, I'm not going to lie to you and say I didn't think about it," Ranma said. "But I gave you my word of honor that I would respect the rules of the inn."

"Then I accept your explanation-"

"Um, could someone get me out of this net?" Musubi said. "Please?"

Later…

After explanations were given, and after promising to maintain the rules of the inn, Matsu showed off her secret room to everyone.

"Oh, so that's why Kusano thought she saw a ghost," Ranma said.

"Uh-huh," Kusano replied.

"As I mentioned downstairs, I once worked for MBI," Matsu said. "Unfortunately, since I am one of the first generation of 'Sekirei' that would make me somewhat valuable."

"When my husband was alive, he would routinely help those Sekirei who no longer wanted to be a part of MBI," Miya said. "In fact, my husband was a part of MBI himself."

"Oh, I see," Ranma said. "So how did Seo and your husband know each other?"

"They were good friends at MBI, before Seo became a complete degenerate."

"Huh."

Miya then turns towards Matsu.

"And remember, no more causing me trouble, okay?" Miya asked. "Or you are on your own."

"Don't worry, I promise!" Matsu said. "Just don't kick me out!"

"Well, then. If nothing else, I will prepare for dinner," Miya said pleasantly, as she turns away.

'Man,' Ranma thought to himself. 'I hope things around here won't get TOO complicated for me…'

"Well, it's back to the lab," Matsu said, as she enters a sliding door.

"Can I see?" Musubi asked.

"Perhaps later. I got work to do."

"Awwwww…"

"Matsu," Ranma said. "You're going to…keep things quiet between us, right?"

"Of course I will, 'Minato'," Matsu said with a nod a wink. "I want us to be…'special friends'."

"I am Minato-san's friend, too!" Musubi said enthusiastically.

"Humph. Well…see ya!"

With that, the secret entrance to Matsu's room closes.

THUMP!

Ranma breathes a sigh of relief.

"Scary," Kusano said to herself…

Later that night…

For a while now, Ranma looked at the ceiling to his room wide-awake. For some reason, since meeting Matsu, he felt like he was a target of someone's intentions…and not for the positive. At the same time, a girl face was slowly forming in his head, a girl associated with…water.

SHOOP!

"Huh?" Ranma said, as he looks up.

"Heh," Matsu said with a lecherous grin.

"Hey, what-?"

"Shhhh!" Matsu replied, as she places a finger on Ranma's lips. "Though I am usually prepared, I forgot to do this at least…"

With that, Matsu kisses Ranma on the lips.

FWOOSH!

Golden light filled the room, as wings of light grew on Matsu's back. And for some reason, Ranma felt…good, as if a part of him was complete.

"Now, YOU…are my Ashikabi," Matsu said with a blush. "I will be yours forever…"

"…"

"But not tonight," Miya said.

"Miya!" Matsu said.

"Miya!" Ranma said. "Nothing is going on-"

"I know, but I did say that nightly visits are forbidden," Miya said. "No breakfast for either one of you."

"Aww!" Ranma and Matsu said in unison.

However, in spite of this, Ranma found all of three of his Sekirei lying next to him, when he woke up in the morning.

"Ah, come on!" Ranma yelled. "I didn't even do anything to warrant this torture…"

"Good morning, Minato-san," Matsu said with a smile. "Time for a morning kiss-"

SMOOCH!

Matsu sees that she had accidentally kissed Musubi, who had sat up while waking up. She was unaware of what just happened.

"Minato-san?" Musubi asked in sleepy state. "Good morning…"

"Heh," Matsu blushed furiously. "Sekirei doing something like this…what will happen next…?"

The way that Matsu looked would make even Usagi's own personal perversion look mild in comparison.

"Brrrrrrr!" Ranma said with a shiver…

During lunch, Ranma sat quietly, as he ate his food. The last thing he wanted was Miya to think he was up to something…

"Hey, have you seen Uzume?" Ranma said, as he looks at Uzume's empty place.

"Um, she worked late last night, and is still in bed," said Kagiri, as Miya fed him food.

Ranma frowned. He notices Kagiri's hands.

"What happened?" Ranma asked.

"Um, I burnt myself," he replied. "All over, in fact."

"I see…"

Later, while Musubi and Miya practiced martial arts, Ranma was looking over his latest writings, based upon the notes he had took while looking for clues on MBI activity. So far, things were a bit tight on the information front, other than the fact that once all the Sekirei have been winged, the so-called game would begin in earnest…

He looked over to where Kusano was taking a nap.

Smiling, Ranma began to doze off a bit…

In his daydream, he saw the same blond girl from his dreams last night. She wore some sort of stylish outfit consisting of a short skirt and a black duster. She suddenly turns to face Ranma in his thoughts.

"I will KILL YOU!"

"Ulp!" Ranma said, as he snapped out of his daydream. He then turns towards Kusano, who had awoken from Ranma's yell.

"Minato-san?" Kusano asked.

"Eh, just a bad day dream," Ranma said, knowing that he had the distinct feeling that he will soon meet this mysterious girl…

Tbc.