Nerima City.
Ah, the joy to take what's not yours and enjoy its rewards became the daily mantra Happosai lived by most of his life. For the poor women all across the city though, crying from the indignity to be disgraced that way became a daily punishment they didn't want to endure any longer.
But beyond their unanswered cries, and unjustly rewards what the town of Nerima never realized throughout the years was the reason why peace and chaos remained unchanged.
Happosai: "Oh, my precious!, what a haul, what a haul!"
Woman among the crowd: "Come back here you pervert!"
The desperate sounds coming from those affected by the old man's antics were excuse enough for the local hero to intervene, stalling Happosai from taking his trophies home most of the time, but in the end losing the battle thanks to the inescapable truth that Happosai was none other than his own Sensei.
Past his morning jog collecting intimate clothing, the five hundred year old man dedicated most of his day cataloguing and ordering such treasure with careful detail. Perhaps that was nothing more than a fetish to many people, but for Happosai it all had a purpose to be done this way.
Amanozako: "Well, well. . .Well. Now, what do we have here."
Suddenly, the ghastly tone from an old and forgotten voice crawled down the old man's spine the second a roaming shadow appeared from within an alley. Happy, like the Tendo family knew him, turned immediately to watch none other than the witch he met long ago.
Happosai: "Dear Amano-san. To what do I owe this honor?"
There was a very important reason why the tiny master acted so mellow and respectful with the demonic specter, after all, she did a great deal of service in his favor.
Amanozako: "Oh, nothing much. I just passed by the neighborhood and watched you do that wonderful trick of yours. Say, how are things going on around here?"
Happosai: "Well, if you mean that visit the angel gave me a few days ago, it was nothing really. Just some stupid rumor about a Yaomo on these times. . .Can you believe it!?"
The old Lech forced a laugh or two trying to make light of the situation, but if that witch visited him during this particular time, and far from the gates of hell then it meant that rumor was true.
Amanozako: "So you heard. I see. . .Well, I happened to verify that rumor as a true secret the celestials loudly voice all over the world, and are trying to recruit for their forces. Anyway. Tell me, old man. What do you know of a young girl living with your old pal, Chingensai?"
Happosai: "That street rat? Nothing!, that old coot found her lost and homeless. He assured me the girl only meant to live there as entertainment, but there was no Chi or special ability emanating from the girl, I should know because I scanned her."
When the hag thought about it, her own research concluded that she was a simple human being capable to move faster than an average mortal, but stemming no significant Chi or energy level capable to prove an enemy. . .Still.
Amanozako: "It doesn't matter human. My lord prefers to keep tabs on her, just in case she becomes that priest's fiancée, and consequently learns how to fight us."
Happosai: "That sounds fine and everything, but why tell me all this?, after all, she lives on that city, so I see no. . ."
The tiny master found no reason to fret over a teen he barely met once. Happosai decided to disrespectfully veer away from the ghastly demon and return to his own affairs when the malevolent spirit threateningly filled the whole area with her cold aura in ire.
Shivers crawling on his back were sign enough for the old lecher to stop talking and instead listen attentive to what she had to say.
Amanozako: "You fool!. I am the one taught you how to restore life from sexual innuendo and intimate clothing!. I still have you in my contract for as long as you drive your last breath, so. From now on you will find out who she is, and will play my game as a spy whether you like it or not!"
Happosai sternly stared at the witch, admitting that his existence belonged to the pact he made with the female demon almost three hundred years ago. In retrospect he knew a payment was eventually in order since the witch never actually asked him for any form of trade at the time.
Happosai: "I guess this is the catch you so blatantly failed to mention back then, ain't it?"
Amanozako: "No dear human. The price for eternal life was repaired the second you corrupted your students, and in consequence transformed that. . .Boy, Ranma Saotome into a double agent in the service of our lord. This new mission is just an added bonus you will do, or else. . ."
For the first time in ages the old man found his part on this deal too hard to accept. It was true that absorbing life essence through sexual innuendo had its more deplorable effects, but the tiny master began to see what really was at stake here became a doom worse than delivering his soul to her.
Happosai: "Y-You never said anything about including Ranma in all this!, tell me, how is he involved in your designs?"
Amanozako: "Simple mortal. Your freedom to do anything by cheating and stealing left a big example on Genma Saotome. In turn he learned to adapt lazy and cheating techniques into his only son, and finally, after years of misguided upbringing a strong, yet corrupted candidate to protect this city was born."
"As time went through Ranma Saotome learned to become a great agent of evil, but he did so under the flag of righteousness, and a martial arts code. In reality the celestials bought his arrogant misuse for justice as a test to his loyalty without reproaching the prideful boy as the hero appointed to protect Nerima."
As impossible as it seemed, Happosai had been tricked into preparing someone capable to act as the only good hero available at the time, but corrupted enough for other demons to tap into heaven's plans without their knowledge.
Happosai: "So, that's the reason I was left alone all these years?, so that I could make the perfect spy for hell to watch over heaven?"
Amanozako: "Indeed, and that's why I gave you so many techniques and powers without actually asking anything in return. I'd say our deal has been fulfilled, with one exception though. You are not to tell anything to that boy of yours, only that he must find out who that girl is, and discover if a Yaomo exists on this age."
The old man could have done the right thing and warn Ranma from the terrible role he played as the devil's advocate, but old habits die hard, and eternal life was a commodity no human had ever gained like him. The poor master dropped to his knees, accepting the mission, and swearing never to tell the truth.
Happosai: "Fine, but once this is done, none of my close relatives will bow to your bidding. . ."
Amanozako: "Fine with me, old human. Find out who that girl is and report back to me. I advice you to use that boy's prideful attitude towards other females, that should make things a lot easier and faster for the both of us."
Once her assignment had been concluded the evil spirit rushed beneath the ground, journeying miles into earth's several crusts and passing right through hell's hidden doors.
The moment she left from his presence all the cold weather moved away from around town. At the time, neither Ranma or Akane were around to feel or pinpoint where the freezing sensation originated, and by the time Cologne arrived to the Tendo Dojo after she felt so much evil wandering close by, there wasn't much else she could do about it.
The old Amazon tried to discern who that aura belonged to, but what froze her in place was the monotonous movement Happosai did while staring into the empty living room and folding the same piece of clothing over and over.
Cologne: "Happy. Are you ok?"
Happosai: "No, Cologne-chan. . .I'm afraid I doomed m'boy without realizing it."
Nothing else escaped from the old man's tight lips, afraid to forsaken not only his way of life, but a possible retaliation the horrible spirit could throw at the family.
The Amazon deduced how terrible the deal must have happened after her own chi could sense the influence coming from such demon visiting the town, and more importantly after leaving her old lover mute and sad.
Cologne: "I don't know what exactly did they ask of you Happosai, but whatever it was you better trust in your own family regardless of the consequences."
The woman found no other way to help a man who refused to be helped. After a while Cologne found nothing more endangering the city, so she simply drove on her staff, hoping for Ranma and the Tendos to be safe for the time being, and wait to see what was really going on out there.
In the same town, but a few blocks away from her home the young Akane Tendo aimlessly walked without even looking at the street she threaded on.
Ranma, although busy by the impertinent fights between Ukyo and Shampoo tried to leave both girls behind as his well timed jumps let him vanish among the tall roofs. Both the chef and the Chinese waitress remained stuck in a series of derogatory insults, unaware of the boy who by then had already disappeared in the distance.
Ukyo: "You see what you've done!, now I'll never find Ran-chan until tomorrow. . ."
Shampoo: "Shampoo hates stupid spatula girl!, Airen loved me more, and now he gone!"
Both girls stayed glued to the fight, forgetting for a moment who they were fighting for, and emphasizing more over who ruled as the rightful fiancée.
Moments later Ranma managed to reach Akane near the bridge and the big river he frequented for meditation. When he sneakily skipped from houses to fences, the boy saw how bitter and painful Akane's tears fell on the grass.
If there was one thing he hated most of all it had to be watching someone close to him suffer. The pigtailed teen opted to leave his stupid antics behind, walking instead of sneaking and sitting besides the girl.
There were plenty of times where the pair had their differences, and pride would reign absolute on both sides, but there were other moments when the Tendo girl would simply feel vulnerable to a point where she would turn around, fall on Ranma's side, and hope to be understood.
Ranma: "It's 'bout that idiot, ain' it?"
The girl found no way to open up at first. Her tears and the cute hiccups reinforced the need to hide the cruel torture from her unnoticed sins, but Ranma never faltered. The teen quietly stood at her side, giving the girl some more time to gather enough courage and say what was in her mind.
Akane: "R-Ranma. . .I. . ."
Another few seconds gave the girl a chance to look at his face, and see an honest smile filled with mutual understanding Ranma rarely managed to give.
She realized the boy had one of those brief moments where he would never mess with her feelings, or make fun of her physical figure, but who liked to listen and find a solution beyond prideful banter and cheap tricks.
Ranma: "I know. I may be hard on that idiot at times, but he is like a brother, an' you know that."
Akane: "B-But. . .Sniff!. It's been almost a year since he's been around, and I-I know it's mostly my fault."
At this point in the conversation the pigtailed boy had no choice, but to furrow his eyes together, wondering with a silent pause why would the girl think that if most of the time he was the culprit.
Akane: "You see. I may had played with Ryoga-kun's feelings several times over." Confessed sadly the girl.
The weight slowly augmenting over the years finally collapsed the second she intervened for the fanged boy the last time they met, but what the girl saw in Ryoga's saddened eyes this time were pain and distrust directly aimed at the girl.
Akane: "I didn't really mean it Ranma, I swear. It's just that. . ."
The memories alone forced the girl to abruptly shut up and bitterly weep from the pressure in her chest. Ranma knew about her selfish demeanor for some time now, but the boy always choked her vengeful retaliations as part of their untamable relationship.
Too late he realized how Ryoga would be affected by so much indifference coming from those he trusted the most, and more importantly how important his presence meant for Ranma's true happiness.
Ranma: "He'll be here soon, I promise 'kane. Ryoga may be a klutz out there, but he ain' a simpleton or a weakling."
Akane: "Then why hasn't he been here yet. I need him Ranma, I need to tell him how sorry I am, and that I don't care if he's afraid to tell me about P-Chan. We are his only family, and he must know that from me."
For the first time in his life Ranma believed this to be beyond a normal squabble easy to resolve since the lost boy hadn't been this lost for so long before, and what made things even harder to control were the tears damping Akane's school dress which made the pigtail boy explode at his incompetence.
Ranma: "Akane. I will find that idiot no matter what. . ."
The promise alone made the young teen stop her whimpering cries, leaving in their place a sniffle or two that, to Ranma's surprise, transformed into the closest hug she had ever shared with him.
Akane: "T-Thank you Ranma, I. . ."
Ranma: "Don' mention it."
That awkward silence between the two after the boy did something nice for the girl quickly vanished once Akane felt at ease with his determination. Ranma felt the need to walk at her side on their way back home, understanding the kind of promise he made was one he dared not to break not only for her sake, but for all the terrible things he ignored along the way.
When they arrived home both Akane and Ranma went right to business, asking Nabiki about her closest list of contacts capable to find the lost boy, and more importantly her peculiar gathering skills to do so as soon as possible.
Nabiki: "Well, this has got to be the newest and most interesting development so far. Now then, let me check some leads I already had in mind and I'll get back to you in a few hours. . .Ahem!"
It was obvious that her intensions were legit, but the second the middle Tendo raised her open palm both teens knew a certain form of payment had to be invested anyway.
Ranma: "Don' worry 'kane, we'll find him an' explain the whole thing."
Akane couldn't do anything else but hope wherever Ryoga could be, at least he wouldn't hold a grudge against her for long, but deep down the youngest Tendo knew that was a lie, after all, there was a reason why she wasn't able to deal with those terrible eyes the lost boy had during their last meeting.
Akane had so much guilt riding on her back, the depressed teen simply pulled a few bills from her pack and tiredly gave them at her sister.
Akane: "It was like disappointment and bitter pain at the same time. As if something broke in his heart and everything I did to him came crashing down at once."
The youngest Tendo girl tried to hold her tears back, but such heavy burden slowly growing through the years became a weight she couldn't withstand any longer. Ranma knew this as well, but the boy always blamed the lost boy's innocence as the cause for his gullibility, and not in his own arrogant pride.
When the pair tried to get their bearings and rest for the day, that's when the old lecher living among the family decided to make his move. The time couldn't be better when the chaos they had in their hands, and after the way that witch sentenced his life forced Happosai to hide and keep Ranma from finding the truth.
Nakano City.
The first day of practice had finally come to an end for Ryoga, who by then knew nothing of the sport. Mai, Mariko and Reiko acted so much friendly towards the new girl at first, giving the fanged teen a false sense of security she dared not to test until the trio could be trusted.
The only two reasons bothering the girl the most about this new club were the incessant attention Takeda showed for her after classes, and Kotone prancing around school property and pointing at the both of them like if they were a couple.
Kotone: "You are a true rival Ryoki Hibiki, but even though he walks you out and courts you openly. He will be mine!"
The shout itself could be heard all over the different groups assisting on their own activities. Many gathered right around the three teens with the hope to see a good show while others jealously stared at the new addition shadowing Hana and Bella from the spotlight.
The fanged girl tried desperately to fight the crowd, but in the end all she could do is walk out of school grounds nervously fidgeting her tensed fingers and blushing in shame from their chortling laughs.
The young priest found her reaction so cute and endearing, he found hard not to sigh and dumbly smile at her, but once he noticed her fang protrude in anger through clenched teeth, Takeda ran at her side trying to lessen her humiliating situation.
Takeda: "Don't mind her. She is always like that with other girls. . .S-She even made duels to the death with Bella and Hana, but they just ignored her. Well, Bella tried to kill her on the spot, but I managed to defuse the situation."
Ryoki: "I don't care what she may talk about me, but what gets me every time is how everyone clings from you like if you were a rock star or something."
Takeda: "Y-Yeah, I know right."
Suddenly, her own words alarmingly startled her into stopping in the middle of the road, abruptly halting all rational thinking and forcing the recently appointed female to carefully interpret her own statement. Was she actually complaining in a fit of jealousy about the way people reacted towards a boy she may be attracted to?.
Despite the screeching ovation dying down as they stood farther into the city, to Ryoki, the simple fact to walk at his side became an unnerving experience the teen started to hate about this new life, not to mention experiencing the raging hormones forcing a change Ryoga wasn't ready to accept just yet.
It was true that the other kids making fun of their relationship didn't affect her emotional state that much, but what the old man said about hormones and odd feelings oriented towards her original gender worried her to no end.
Ryoki: "Damn it, why is he still walking with me!. . .And more importantly, why can't I stop blushing so much and feeling so hot in my insides?"
She knew changes were being made by the curse adapting to her body, but the fear to embrace womanhood from an old male standpoint, and specially unlike Ranma's way to act as a female had become too much of a challenge for the girl.
Between ignoring her worries over love and escaping away from Takeda's company Ryoki became well lost within her thoughts, unknowingly bringing the teen into to the ramen shop as both reached Mr. Hisao's home.
She tried really hard to clear any weird sensations for boys in her own mind without realizing that Takeda's sudden conversation led her into more trouble than what she could handle.
Takeda: "So!, would you like that or not?"
Ryoki: "Um. . .Ah. . ."
What to do in these cases when her attention drove her into disregarding an ongoing conversation, subsequently turning the ignoring girl into an inconsiderate and selfish person?.
She could ask him again to repeat the question, but that would only show how distracted the girl really was all this time. Responding yes, or no could worsen her situation even more as well.
As the seconds flew off her grasp the fanged girl's face began to redden to a greater extent. Sweat started to run across her forehead and her tensed arms slightly flailed nervously from one side to the next with no idea how to solve this puzzle.
Takeda, on the other hand believed how difficult it may had been for the girl to walk all alone on the streets, forcing him to escort her ahead. After all, most people watched them walk side by side before, and watching them again after practice would mean nothing between the two.
Then again, watching the same girl exposing a hectic behavior and donning flustered and awkward faces back at him had to mean something else for nearby onlookers. . .Perhaps those two must be in love, or something along those lines, deduced the boy.
He needed to do something fast before the girl could pass out from the exertion of energy and the rigor to keep so much blood engulfed in her beautiful reddened cheeks. With a broader smile and his charming closed eyes the teen raised his finger into the air and repeated the question, only this time in a jokingly manner.
Takeda: "You don't really need to accept my invitation for dinner back at home, you know!?"
The sudden outburst from the question and his hand scratching the back of his head transformed the seriousness of the chat into a lighter condition while at the same time let the fanged student know what the boy had previously asked.
Ryoki used that moment to let all her pent up air out from an almost collapsing set of lungs, and stare at her shoes right before returning the answer.
Ryoki: "S-Sure. We can try that, but maybe another day?. . .Today I promised to help Mr. Hisao with the store."
Takeda: "Really?, well that's great! Because I promised Mr. Hisao I would see him this week too. Might as well pay him a visit."
Not the reaction Ryoki hoped to get, but at least when they both entered the Ramen shop, the girl was able to separate herself from the boy without the onlookers getting any ideas about their friendship.
Takeda watched as the fanged teen hurried to the back of the counter, fixed an apron around her waist and began serving, cleaning tables and carrying the dirt dishes to the back as if she had done so for a long time.
Hisao: "Oh!, Takeda-san. Good to see you my boy. Please, come this way."
The two men took the first table in the eatery, making themselves at home and waiting for the lovely waitress to take their order.
Ryoki: "Hisao-san, T-Takeda-san, what would you like to order?"
Hisao: "Oh, my sweet girl. You have no idea how soothing those words are to me. . .If my wife could see you now. . ."
The man felt like tearing up a bit from old memories, but a deep intake of air and a smile were enough to stop melancholy from setting in, giving the man a better chance to appreciate the situation.
Hisao: "I made some special lobster flavored ramen on the blue pot, I think I'll have some of that."
The boy found it hard to stop from staring at the girl and that strange yellow bandanna she hid most of the time under her hair. This time though, it looked like there was a rule of thumb around the shop to keep her head well covered, and for the first time the boy found Ryoki even more beautiful dressed that way.
Ryoki: "Takeda-san. . .What would you like to order." Said the girl with clenched teeth.
Takeda: "Oh!, sorry. I-I will have the same. T-Thank you."
Ryoki immediately went back to work, taking the several other costumers orders, and promptly walking into the kitchen while keeping an angry eye on her friend's dumb stares.
Takeda: "I am just wondering here, Hisao-san, but. Wouldn't be better if Ryoki could rest a bit before working?, I mean she just worked hard in our volleyball practice a while ago."
It was fair to ask that to the man since they met long ago, and a certain relationship of sorts had them closer than friends.
Hisao: "I tried Take-kun, I really did but she is unstoppable. The first time I met Ryoki-chan, the girl was running around town like crazy, like if she hadn't been able to walk in years. Then, when I asked her to work for me on the afternoons, she agreed and pretty much does everything around here when she returns from school."
Takeda: "I see. So, she has lived with you all this time?"
Hisao: "Well, she recently saved a couple of children from the last demon invading the city. I volunteered to take care of them for the time being, all because the way she lives around town."
The older man hinted about a more survivalist way Ryoki used to coexist with nature without actually having a real address of sorts. Regardless of how much Takeda insisted though, the old man had promised never to reveal how she really lived which forced the elder to keep his mouth shut.
Moments later Takeda saw Aika and her little brother run down from the stairs, greeting the busy teen serving the food, and asking all manner of questions about her day.
The boy saw how skillfully fast Ryoki served and gathered all the dishes, mastering her job more like a hobby than a real chore, and attentively dealing with the two kids .
As Takeda carefully watched over the children joking with the girl, he noticed the little boy somewhat different from the little girl. The teen squinted his eyes and felt the life force in Naoki slowly healing him back to a regular soul, but not reaching its proper level just yet.
He was about to mention something about it, but the conversation went back on track when the elder had something more important in mind.
Hisao: "Actually, that's the reason why I called you here. You see, I am a busy man all the time, and although I love kids, my schedule leaves me with little to no free time on my own, so I was wondering. . ."
Those were enough words for the boy to understand the hidden question behind Mr. Hisao's request. Takeda knew how the man had worked in the past to keep homeless youngsters secured from harm, and with no doubt about it, he knew this to be the same case.
Takeda: "Sure Hisao-san, you don't need to even ask that. We have plenty of space at home, and Neesan would love to have children's laughs back at the house. What about Ryoki though. . .Does she live anywhere close by?"
The old man couldn't stop a chortling laugh when the teen asked about Ryoki's livelihood. He knew how wrong it was to leave a young girl to fend off on her own out in the wilderness, but a promise was a promise and he wasn't about to break one.
Hisao: "Hmm. . .How does the say go?. . .That's for me to know, and for you to. . ."
Takeda caught the clue in a flash. He smiled and thanked the man for his altruistic help towards the less fortunate citizens caught during his own scuffles, not to mention the assistance he did by turning his shop into a public shelter.
Both men momentarily went silent when Ryoki brought the most delicious and hot ramen bowl on the house, serving them with care, and returning back into the kitchen with utmost efficiency.
It was so amazing the smell and the taste, that even the other costumers requested the same dish, and before soon the store began to close its doors after Ryoki had served them all at once.
A few minutes later Hisao talked with the children, and then presented Takeda as the boy he explained, would take care of them from now on. Ryoki had no idea of this until now, but the old man recalled the promise he previously made to her.
Hisao: "They will be well taken care of, and we agreed that the best care would always come first for the children. Honestly, I may be able to take care of them now, but soon they'll need to leave for school and you know how daunting is my job here."
Ryoki: "Don't worry Hisao-san, I understand and if Takeda-san is ok with that, there is no reason for me to complain. How about you kids. . .Are you ok with going home with him?"
Both children were prepared beforehand about the Kimura residence and the way they always treat the less fortunate, so they cheerfully agreed and accepted his altruistic help.
At the end of the day Takeda walked towards home leading Aika by the hand while Ryoki held Naoki on the left side of the road.
Hisao: "Oh wow, you really look like a young family. That is just too cute!"
The fanged girl felt that strange tingling sensation again right when their sights met one another, and his smile seemed like it wanted to melt her face. At this point Ryoki couldn't stop her flustered features from publicly confess how embarrassed and nervous she was by simply walking beside the boy.
Takeda knew this as well, that's why the boy decided to walk closer to the girl, and wave his hands harmoniously hoping to ease her anxiety with a different argument.
Takeda: "S-So. . .What do you think of our team?, do you believe we have a chance against the more competitive players?, after all, the others are a bit older and. . ."
Ryoki had no idea what the boy was trying to do by speaking so loud and attract other people's attention with his oversized mannerisms. That is until several girls walking on the opposite sidewalk saw them together, driving their attention at the children mostly, and walking unaware of the pretty match both Ryoki and Takeda did together.
Ryoki: "He's distracting the people walking by us, so that they don't see us as a couple?. . .Nice!"
The girl found his effort to protect her mental state so incredible and opportune, Ryoki couldn't avoid to let a "thank you" quietly leave her lips. She felt so close to the boy that her own arms began to flail tensely and her voice raise into a blabbering mass of nonsense.
Ryoki: "Yeah!, we can win. We just need to work a few weaknesses and reinforce Mariko and Mai's attacks while practicing a bit more with Kotone's assists."
By the time the four of them arrived to the estate there was no more awkward feelings between the two once the conversation melted their worries away. Ryoki felt so close to the boy, she couldn't help but to remember those good old days when Ranma playfully joked with him like brothers.
She wanted to replace Takeda with that pigtailed idiot after those same memories brought back all the humiliations, and embarrassments both Akane and Ranma did with the teen, and by the look of it, it seemed like it was working so far. . .Then again.
At the same time, those memories triggered the reason why she didn't want to meddle with the local heroes, or other teens for that matter. She swore to use this gender only to become stronger, and more importantly until her real body would be ready to be normally used again, but something else had come into the equation.
Thanks to these stupid hormones and the weird effect they did on her mind, Ryoki realized she was getting used to like boys, and what was worse. . .She was actually lying to Takeda by representing someone she is not.
Ryoki: "I-I think I should leave. . ." Said the remorseful teen once they reached the Kimura's homestead.
Takeda: "But why?. We're here, and I would love for you to meet my family."
It was so tempting for the girl to play this part. Who knows, maybe falling for a cute guy who is this courteous and respectful could change all the bad luck she had as a boy.
-: "Listen to yourself!. . .What the hell are you thinking!"
The fanged teen nervously startled herself back into reality thanks to that strange voice, bowing respectfully before the boy, and trying to walk out of the estate until a someone else stopped her in her tracks.
Hana: "Please, Ryoki-san, wait!"
It was the young priestess who ran to meet the fanged girl. Both bowed at each other, and before Ryoki could do a thing Hana grabbed her by the shoulder and invited her in, disregarding her more obfuscated reluctance as she did so.
Hana: "C'mon, we made hot cocoa and cookies. It would be great to have you with us."
Her smiling face and attentive demeanor made Ryoki remember the terrible fear she had as a boy towards pretty girls. That was reason enough for the fanged teen to dumbly play with both her index fingers and blushingly accept the invitation.
The reaction surprised both, Takeda and Hana, but as the fanged girl cautiously walked into the enormous house the boy quietly asked Hana what was going on.
Hana: "I have a few charms and enchants so, we can finally know if she is a Yaomo by applying them to her, and report back to Avaron."
It was an underhanded trick alright, but Takeda needed to remind himself this was for the good of the city, despite his newfound feelings for Ryoki.
Once inside, Ryoga discovered a life she had lived long ago with her parents. Strangely enough the group she met back at school seemed to share the same home which made a lot of sense after what Mr. Hisao mentioned for this close knit family.
Gina looked like the youngest female keeping Takeda mostly busy with her almost childish antics while Hana and Bella acted in a more mature fashion.
The one adult, but not that old was Eiko. A young woman eerily familiar when the fanged teen compared her to Kasumi. The house itself had most luxuries a well arranged family could afford, but beyond aesthetics and expensive decorations what forced Ryoga to a screeching halt were the framed pictures.
There they were, each young teen sharing laughs and adventures as the team slowly became whole. The sequence from picture to picture depicted a real family who shared and lived by their own rules based on love and understanding.
Ryoga: "Wow, the only picture I have ever been in, it has to be during Toma's kidnapping. Now that I see them, I can understand why they're so close even out there on the streets."
The fanged teen reminisced about her own family, who a long time ago shared the same principals until that damn curse separated them for good. She could identify her surroundings with the same costumes, and even the few knickknacks Eiko must have set up for the rest to follow reminded her about the things his parents loved to use back at home.
There were religious paintings just like Ryoga's mom loved to hang by the wall, accentuating in great detail the very few pictures they shared together.
Unable to let the memory pass the fanged girl let a sternly sigh Takeda could only describe as an old family anecdote.
Takeda: "Were you able to find anything familiar?"
Ryoki: "Yeah. Mom and dad used to hang small Buddha statues and landscaping pictures around the house, that is of course until. . ."
The girl felt the anguish straight into her chest once she remembered the only reason why she frequented the Tendos so often. She wanted to belong somewhere. . .Not just on the road, or lost in a foreign city, but in a place she, or back then, he could call his own.
The girl had no idea how the female body really worked, but even as a boy Ryoki never felt this intense need to cry. She refused to entertain the thought, but a glimmering and glassy set of eyes seemed to do just that.
As Takeda described the meaning over the Kimura estate and the fate his own parents suffered a few years ago Hana busily used all manner of paper dolls activated by the good feelings regular people develop during their existence.
Charms able to burn themselves when close to an evil being weirdly stayed dry and unchanged while her demonic tracking spell rendered no conclusive results whatsoever. By the time the priestess went through with all her tools the clock stroke nearly midnight.
It was getting late, and at the end of the evening Eiko invited Ryoki to stay for the night. The fanged girl profusely thanked her for the invitation, but regardless of how cute Gina acted, or how endearing Eiko performed like a true older sister, the fanged teen knew Hana closely studied her every move.
Ryoki: "Thank you so much Eiko-san. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. You as well, Gina-san. Well, I should get going now, take care and thanks for the invitation Hana-san."
Past the proper etiquette and the respective farewells the young teen started towards the main gate outside the house. Once the girl patted both Aika and Naoki on their heads, nothing but dust could be seen in the distance once the girl vanished into the night.
Takeda: "Well. What did we find out?"
Hana: "Sigh. . .Nothing here. No matter what I did, no charm or enchant activated its effects and that's impossible. Any living or dead creature must ooze an specific aura whether it be good or bad based on their actions, but she has none of them."
Takeda: "Well, I guess that rules her out from being a Yaomo, right?"
Hana: "I don't know yet. I need to consult with Bella when she gets back, but even before that I think we should see where she lives first."
Takeda: "Good luck finding out. I tried to be nice and friendly, but she refused to say a thing. I thought she lived with Mr. Hisao-san's ramen shop, but he wasn't even able to care for Aika-chan so I guess Ryoki living there is out of the question."
Hana: "It doesn't matter. I managed to stick her with several paper dolls made with tracking abilities. Tomorrow morning, just before school you and I are going to see where this girl really lives."
Takeda disliked being this treacherous, but the trick had worked, and he really wanted to know more about Ryoki. With that plan in mind both teenagers went directly to bed in hopes to clear this mystery once and for all.
