When Things Go Awry
A/N- 'ello! Welcome to the next chapt of WTGA! And sorry about the wait on this...really didn't mean to take this long!
But still, I really seem to be getting into this one, so I might just finish this one sooner than I thought!
Disclaimer- I don't own InuYasha or Ranma 1/2, they are the respective property of Takahashi-sensei. I am but humbly borrowing them for my own wayward imagination...
Whelp, this chapts going to feature one of Ranma's fellow cursed 'friends', one that has a secret just like Ranma does...
'Thoughts'
'Inner Youkai Talking'
Chapter 8:
Just One More To Add...
There just had to be someplace else where he could have been, but no, such was Ranma's luck. 'Might as well get this over with.'
"Look, Ryouga. I've been busy, or haven't you heard yet? The Tendo house and Dojo burned to the ground and we were forced to relocate, so frankly, I don't have time for any of your silly challenges, alright. Now if you please, I have somewhere to be." With that, he tightened his grip on Kagome's arm and tugged her along, determined to just get to Kagome's and have a nice hot bowl of ramen before taking a hot shower.
But as with everything else, Ryouga leapt into the frey, attempting to take Ranma down once again. Knowing this would happen, Ranma tightened his grip on Kagome and moved out of the way just in time. "Alright, what is it this time Ryouga? Huh? What did I do this time?"
Frankly Ranma just couldn't take it anymore, heck, he had no idea how he'd ever been able to put up with this stuff. 'Can't I go just a single day without having to fight with somebody? Huh? Is that too much to ask?'
'Kill the whelp then, he deserves it after all...' Narrowing his eyes further at his Youkai's input, Ranma had to clench his fist to keep from doing just as his Youkai said. After all, it did sound rather tempting.
Kagome looked up at Ranma and felt her concern for him increase when his eyes started to flash amber, knowing just where this was going, Kagome reached up and cupped Ranma's cheek to gain his attention.
Looking at Kagome when he felt her touch, Ranma felt his heart leap in his chest when Kagome smiled at him while whispering softly, "shhh...it's alright. Let me talk to him, I'll see what I can do, alright?"
Ranma could only nod his head as he slid his arms free from about Kagome, her smile deepened before she turned to face Ryouga, who looked rather confused at the moment. But considering the fact that he was watching two females hugging each other, Kagome wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Bowing, Kagome straightened up and quirked her head to one side, "my name is Kagome Higurashi, I take it that you are Ryouga Hibiki. I've heard all about you and your..." Kagome chuckled softly, "relationship with Ranma."
Blinking, Ryouga glanced between the girl before him and Ranma, not understanding anything going on at all. "Ummm, I see...but, look...this is between me and Ranma, so please do not interfere."
He then narrowed his eyes at Ranma for letting a girl take his place, but it surprised him when Ranma just began laughing. 'Has he lost his mind or something?' "What is so damn funny Ranma?"
Kagome's eyes widened slightly at the clearly angered tone to Ryouga's voice and she couldn't help but think that she'd seen this type of behavior before, but where? Closing her eyes, she searched her mind and when she found it, her eyes snapped open in shocked understanding. There was more going on here than met the eye.
Clearing her throat, Kagome glanced at Ranma. Seeing this, he stopped laughing immediately, he knew that look. Licking his lips nervously, he inched closer to Kagome, being careful of his steps.
Ryouga was shocked when he saw this, just what the heck was going on here and why was Ranma being so obedient towards this woman...who was this woman? Not to mention, just when did she find out about the curse?
"Ranma, smell him and tell me what you smell." Kagome kept her voice steady and strong as she turned her eyes back upon the 'young man' standing a couple feet away. She had a hunch and if she was correct, then they may have just found a way to kill two birds with one stone. After all, you couldn't confuse that look in his eyes.
It was desire, plain and simple. 'Sometimes it good to be a miko, I probably wouldn't have noticed otherwise. And besides, I promised that I would give Ranma a hand in ridding him of his fiances.'
Raising an eyebrow at Kagome's request, Ranma did as she had asked and took a deep pull of the air about them. Almost immediately, his eyes blew wide as the scent surrounding Ryouga registered in his mind and it was more surprising than he'd ever thought.
"Ryouga, drop it."
Flinching at the tone of Ranma's voice and the pure power behind it, Ryouga shivered, actually shivered. "Wha...what are you talking about?"
Growling, Ranma muttered ramen under his breath, letting the change take place. He then narrowed his eyes at the completely stunned person standing before him. "I'm talking about your concealment spell, drop it now."
If there was anything that could cause Ryouga to panic, it was those very words. Glancing nervously between Kagome and Ranma, Ryouga knew there was nowhere to run and finally gave a nod of accent in defeat.
Muttering, 'Forest,' a change began to take place even as Ryouga's own concealment spell dropped.
Revealing a full-blooded Ookami Youkai, Female.
Kagome felt a smile of pure satisfaction cross her lips as she looked their now female companion over, 'I knew I was right.'
Ryouga's appearance hadn't changed too much, her hair was longer and she was a little bit taller and had a bust. But other than that, nothing else was different.
Ranma could only gape in utter surprise, as he took all this in.
Now, he expected the Youkai part, but not the female one. Shaking his head in utter denial, he thought back on all their fights over Akane and anything else.
Not one thing had hinted to such a secret, how, how had she been able to pull this off for all these years and so convincingly too?
"Why...why Ryouga, why did you hide something so important?"
Snorting, Ryouga tossed her hair over her shoulder even as she narrowed her eyes at Ranma, "do you think that it would have been easy to tell you that not only was I not human but female as well? I mean, look at you! Why did you not tell me, huh?"
Back-peddling slightly at that, Ranma narrowed his eyes even further, "it's not like I knew about all this or anything! I mean, I barely found out as it is...hmph!" Crossing his arms, Ranma turned away, "and I thought you were my friend."
Rolling her eyes, Kagome lifted a hand and let it fly. A loud 'crack' filled the immediate area, causing Ryouga to nearly jump, while Ranma just clutched his cheek as he stared wide eyed at Kagome.
"Grow up, both of you! Ranma...apologize right now!" Keeping her voice steady and her eyes hard, Kagome glared Ranma down.
Gulping, Ranma gave a hesitant nod of his head. 'She's still scary, but at least she didn't say that word...I wonder if it would still work?' He shivered when he remembered the pain of face-planting, 'on second thought, I don't wanna know.'
Shaking off his thoughts, Ranma turned towards Ryouga and bowed, "I'm sorry Ryouga, I didn't mean to jump on you like that. So...sorry..."
Ryouga could only blink in utter surprise, she just couldn't believe her eyes, not only had this human female subdued Ranma. But she had gotten him to appologize, proving that he feared her...but why...she looked so weak.
"Uh, don't worry about it...I'm sorry I didn't tell you either. But um...I do want to know one thing, what did you mean when you said you'd barely found out?" Ryouga didn't know if it was safe or not, but she still walked over to stand next to Ranma anyway. It wasn't in her nature to just sit back and watch things, not when she was a part of it.
Kagome smiled at that, "have you ever heard of the tale of the half-demon and the miko who with the help of their friends..." Ryouga jumped right in on that one, "fought against an evil that plauged us all."
She raised an eyebrow in silent questioning, "yes I know that story, almost every Youkai does, why?"
"Well, that's the simple part. I am the shikon miko and Ranma is the reincarnation of the half-demon, InuYasha. In fact, you might say, he is InuYasha." Smirking as Ranma stuck his tongue out at her, Kagome turned to take in Ryouga's reaction.
Currently making a great impression of a fish out of water, Ryouga could only stare at Ranma her eyes wide with utter surprise and shock. Which really made Ranma feel rather uncomfortable.
And when she didn't stop after a few moments, he snapped. "Alright! Enough, stop staring at me like that, you know the truth now alright so just stop it."
Blushing heavily when she realized what she'd been doing, Ryouga turned her head away. "I...um...sorry. I didn't mean to stare..."
A small chuckle suddenly interrupted their conversation and both Ranma and Ryouga looked to the source. Kagome just waved her hand as their eyes fell upon her, "I couldn't help it. You two are so silly, and all over such a small thing too. It's just too much!"
Blinking in confusion for a moment as he thought on her words, Ranma's eyes slowly widened as his Youkai realized just what Kagome had. "Don't just stand here idiot! She's a threat to our female!" Stiffening immediately at what that meant, Ranma turned and walked over to Kagome's side.
Looking directly at Ryouga, Ranma slid both his arms about Kagome's waist. Pulling her back against his chest firmly. Earning him a gasp of surprise from both women.
Making sure their eyes were locked, Ranma then tilted his head and pressed his nose against the skin beneath Kagome's ear. Jaw dropping, Ryouga could only gape at them.
Shifting uncomfortably and feeling her face beginning to heat, Kagome pinched Ranma's arm. "Hey! What are you doing Ranma? This isn't the time for such things! People might get the wrong idea, your still in your female form, remember?"
Ignoring Kagome's words, Ranma kept his eyes on Ryouga, waiting to see if she got the picture or not. It seemed for several moments that she was just confused, until realization flashed through her eyes as well as a pained one. "So you two are together huh? Well isn't that surprising...what did you tell Akane?"
Stiffening at those words, Ranma growled lowly, "She doesn't know. And I plan to keep it that way for the time being, so if you would. I'd like it if you didn't go blabbing to her, alright wolf?"
Ryouga was about to respond when sudden shouting sounded nearby, shouting that both of them recognixed. And both immediately raised their consealment spells, it seemed that they would soon have company.
Up ahead of them, from around the corner came running not only Akane but Kuno as well. It seemed that the moron had followed them to their new home as well, which could only mean that his sister wouldn't be far behind.
Releasing Kagome, Ranma tried to get in front of her before Akane or Kuno saw her, but it was already too late. Kuno had zeroed in on him. "Ranko! My love!"
As the guy went into a flying tackle, Akane booted him in the ass in typical Akane fashion. Causing the man to miss his mark and head towards Kagome, at which Ranma stepped in. Burring her fist in the guys face. "Keep your mitts off Kuno!"
Kagome and Ryouga just watched all this in muted surprise, but when Ranma moved to attack the fallen Kuno, Kagome latched onto his waist. "Enough Ranma, don't make me say 'it' again!"
Stilling at those words, Ranma felt a full-body shiver wrack his form. He still wasn't up to finding out if that threat was really possible or not. Frankly, he felt better off not knowing.
Clearly having had enough of being ignored, Akane stomped over and slapped Ranma as hard as she could. Seeing the red mark on his cheek made her pride swell, "you two timer!"
Sighing, Ranma bit the inside of his cheek, drawing blood. He had to remain calm, calm. 'Screw that! That bitch must die! She dares to make us submit, she must be put in her place!' He agreed with his youkai but he knew Kagome would never let him get away with such a thing.
Having seen and heard said slap, Kagome slowly unwound her arms from Ranma. Stepping around him as he conversed with his youkai, Kagome lifted her own hand and let fly.
The slap rang out loud and clear, surprising both Ranma and Ryouga, neither had expected that one.
"Now listen to me, if you lay one more hand upon him, I swear I'll kick your ass from here to hell and back. Do you hear me you annoying asshole?" Kagome was pissed. After bottling up all her anger towards Kikyou and then being introduced into Ranma's multiple Fiance scenario. Well, she'd had it.
No one would come between her and Ranma, never again.
Akane just blinked in shock. None of Ranama's other fiances had ever said that kind of thing to her. Yes they'd called her stupid, tomboy, brat, etc. But this girl was different, in fact, 'she'd dead!'
Gritting her teeth, Akane pulled back her fist and was about to punch Kagome square in the face, when Ranma caught her fist. This just angered her even further, "what the hell Ranma? Your protecting that bitch?"
Ranma ignored Akane's words and just knocked her fist easily to the side, not saying a word, Ranma lifted Kagome up into his arms and took off. Leaving a fuming Akane and a rather amused Ryouga behind.
"That jerk! I'm going to kill him!" Clenching both fists at her sides, Akane was rather surprised when Ryouga started laughing. Whirling on him she poked him in the chest with a finger, "What the hell are you laughing at Ryouga and why didn't you stop him?"
Rolling his eyes, Ryouga just gave Akane a pittying look. "Look Akane, there is way more going on here that you could ever understand. If you know what's good for you, forget about Ranma. Trust me, you don't want to come between him and Kagome."
Having said his piece, Ryouga turned and walked off, he had a lot to think about. Not to mention, some very hard decisions to make.
Watching the one person she'd thought would be on her side walk away, Akane kicked the unconscious Kuno in the ribs angrily. "Just what the hell is going on here?"
A/N- There we are another chapt under my belt.
Well people, how do you think I handled that?
Believe me, the hard part is yet to come. The final face-off between our couple and the fiancees of doom! After all, the others aren't going to be very happy once Akane's spread the news of Kagome around.
Luckily the miko can hold her own, after all, what's a few angry human females compared to killer demons?
Anyway, that's all to come, so keep an eye out.
Until next time!
Ja Ne! =^..^=
