I do not own any of the Ranma ½ characters.
Cologne stared out the window into the darkened sky. Although it had only been a few hours since she found out that Shampoo was dead, she felt numb. Unsure of what to do with herself, she went upstairs to Shampoo's room. When she opened the door, tears spilled down her cheeks from her darkened eyes. Blood still stained the floor. Cologne shook with anger.
' Son-in-law,' Cologne thought angrily, ' This is all of your fault. I will see to it that I make your life an endless well of pain for Shampoo.'
Cologne laughed aloud, happy that already she thought of the best way to ruin Ranma's life. It wasn't like she hadn't thought of it before, but it seemed all too clear now. The only choice she had was to go threw with it even if it would cause her demise.
" I got your message Cologne," He hissed from the shadows.
" Good. Did you bring what I asked of you?" Cologne whispered, mostly because her voice was hoarse from tears.
" Yes. A drop of this and you will get your moneys worth," He laughed, " Is this for Ranma?"
" Time will tell. Stay around Mouse, and you will witness the fiercest of battles you have ever seen."
" Anything to avenge my love, Shampoo."
Ranma raced through the darkened streets, knowing he had something that would ruin Nabiki. He knew he shouldn't stoop to her level, but he had to avenge Shampoo's death. And considering the fact that Nabiki had a drug problem, he knew he'd need to help her and the family get over it. For now, he was going to get her back.
Ranma hopped through Akane's window. Akane looked at Ranma innocently, more scared than anything. Ranma wondered why she looked so uneasy, but figured that he might as well act like nothing was really wrong.
" Hey 'Kane. What's up?" Ranma asked casually, jumping down out of the window into her bedroom.
" I have a really bad feeling about this. I even feel bad Shampoo's dead over us," Akane stated, " I think something terrible is going to happen to us because of it."
" Why?" Ranma frowned, " All we did was admit that we love each other. It's not like we were trying to kill anyone. Plus, if it was anyone's fault it was Nabiki's. If she hadn't have been flaunting that picture of us around this would have never happened."
" No one is going to see it like that but us! Don't you get it?" Akane snapped, " I don't know what to do and I have a bad feeling that I'm going to lose you."
Akane turned her face away so Ranma didn't see the tears spill from her eyes. Ranma jumped and put his arms around her, and held her close to him. Akane hugged him back tightly, not wanting to let him go.
" Why does money matter so much to her!" Akane screamed threw her tears, " Why doesn't she just get a job or something?!"
" Well," Ranma thought about telling Akane about everything he found out. He knew he should tell her about Nabiki's drug problem, but it would only hurt Akane and do no good, " She has her reasons. But I am going to set her strait."
" Please Ranma, don't leave tonight. I am so scared. I love you," Akane whispered.
" I'm not going anywhere."
Nabiki laughed after sniffing another line of coke. Kodachi was already in hysterics over something she thought was funny. Nabiki thought Kodachi was way too high but didn't mention it. She just went with the flow, like she had ever since she started into drugs.
" You know what?" Kodachi sighed, " You're brilliant."
" Hmm?" Nabiki mumbled, not really caring about what Kodachi thought.
" You know, for the past 2 years you've done everything you could to get yen! It's funny really," Kodachi laughed, and sat up. She looked at Nabiki thoughtfully, " You don't even need to try anymore. People know just to hand you the money before you blackmail them."
" Yah. But today it killed someone," Nabiki sighed, " Shampoo died. Kasumi called me on my cell phone an hour or whatever ago. Apparently after she saw the picture of Ranma and Akane having sex it broke her. First she slit her wrists, then when that didn't work she hung herself in the psyche ward. As far as I'm concerned Ranma's not worth half the trouble."
" Tell me about it!" Kodachi laughed, " He is absolutely convinced that I want him. It was all a cover up so I could be with you. I'd do anything for you, Nabs."
" Of course I know Achi. As I will do anything for you," Nabiki pulled Kodachi towards her, and placed a kiss on her lips, " Tell me to do anything."
" Tell me you love me and mean it," Kodachi's eyes sparkled.
" Come on," Nabiki rolled her eyes, " You know I'm not capable of love."
" True enough, but I thought that I could weaken your stone heart. But apparently I'm not water enough," Kodachi sniffed, " Well as long as we are sort of together I'm happy. I do love you so."
" Quit getting all mushy on me Achi, it's not you," Nabiki smirked, then they kissed again.
After 2 hours of talking and laughing, Kodachi passed out. Nabiki sighed thankful that she could go home. Not like she didn't like Kodachi's company, but she did get annoying. And not to mention she didn't like seeing Kuno much.
Nabiki looked over at Kodachi, who was finally passed out. She sighed, and stuffed the rest of her coke in her coat. She stood, and walked out of the door. It was now midnight, and the wind brought a chill up her spine. Nabiki shivered, pulling her coat around herself.
" Nabiki," Kuno grabbed her arm, " I know what's been going on."
" Hey she gave it to me!" Nabiki yelled immediately trying to save her own ass.
" Not the drugs, I mean with Ranma and Akane. Is it true?" Kuno asked with pain in his voice.
" Yep," Nabiki said flatly, " What's it to you? Anyway why do you even care about Akane? Leave her alone. Just drop your stupid fight with Ranma. Akane doesn't wanna be with you. Can you take a hint? Akane loves R-A-N-M-A. Get it now Kuno Baby?"
At lightning speed Kuno slapped Nabiki across the face, making her fall to the ground. Nabiki spun around to get up and found a sword at her neck. Nabiki shuddered.
" I get it just fine," Kuno laughed, and Ranma will get it too this Saturday. I guarantee it. If not you will be the one to pay."
" Ok Kuno. You do that," Nabiki got up and walked away. She was surprised that Kuno didn't follow her.
Nabiki sighed, remembering the phone call from Kasumi. No one wanted her home. She decided that she may as well go to Yuko's home. Yuko wouldn't turn her away, not after what she'd bribed her with. ' It's amusing what a little dirt on someone can get you,' Nabiki thought, taking a quick look at her pictures before knocking on Yuko's door.
The next afternoon, Ranma now 'Ranko' let her long red hair fall down her back. With the help of Kasumi she now had make-up on. She had a white lily pattern on a short black dress which she borrowed from Akane. She had white flip flops on which she also borrowed from Akane. And pearl earings from Kasumi. She looked cute and innocent.
Ranko sat in the park, waiting for Kuno. He was supposed to be there in two minutes, and Ranko felt herself getting nervous. She didn't like having to flirt with Kuno but it was the only way to get the stupid sword from him before he killed anyone who faugh him.
Finally Kuno approached Ranko. He looked the same as always. ' Would it kill him to dress up?' Ranko thought despite herself.
" My pig-tailed girl!" Kuno yelled, and took Ranko in his arms. Ranko reluctantly giggled.
" Oh Kuno!" Ranko batted her eyes and pouted her lips, " Can I see that sword of yours, prewty pweese?"
" Oh so sweet. You like my sword. But I cannot let you hold it. It is really dangerous," Kuno looked saddened, " They say whoever holds it gets controlled."
" But you're not!" Ranko whined.
" Before I let you hold this sword, please tell me what to call you," Kuno smiled lightly, " After all I must put a name to my goddess."
" Ranko!" Ranko flashed him her million dollar smile, " Now can I see it PWEEZE?"
" Only for you pig-er-Ranko," Kuno smiled, " Thankfully it only possesses men."
Ranma was taken back for a second before grabbing it. She felt a strong power surge threw her. She laughed in Kuno's face as she pulled it away from him.
" Thanks Kuno!" Ranko kicked him in the face and ran off, leaving her footprint on him.
" CURSE YOU RANKO!" Kuno yelled at the hysterically laughing Ranko, " Now my fight is lost with Saotome!"
" It was before you even thought about it!" Ranko yelled over her shoulder.
Ranko decided that the sword could be dangerous, so she decided to hide it in Akane's room where Genma couldn't find it. Thankfully no one was home, so Ranma slid into Akane's room. He slid it under her bed where even she wouldn't look, and headed out. She decided to take a long hot bath. She dropped her towel at who she saw sitting in the bath waiting for her.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
There will be another death within the next 2 chapters, but who is it going to be? You'll see soon enough! Thanks for reading!
Peace Out,
Miriam
