Chapter Nine
The Remaining Dynasty
Ranma heard himself gasp just before his eyes shot open and met the dim, white ceiling. He sat up, slowly, panting for breath, wiping the sweat off his forehead. He licked his lips, making a face when he tasted sour salt.
He glanced over at Akane, sleeping soundly beside him. She had one arm resting on the pillow above her head, the other was laying out flat against the mattress, palm up, her fingertips almost touching him.
Ranma smiled. It only took the sight of Akane's peaceful, sleeping face, and he felt comforted from the nightmare he'd just escaped from. He pecked two of his fingers with his lips, and lightly touched her open palm. Akane's fingers curled slightly, then relaxed. Ranma smirked at himself for his display of sly romance, pulling the sheets off his hot legs. Though slightly comforted from the sight of his fiancee, the nightmare was still fresh in Ranma's mind, and he shivered a little.
Most lucky bastards forget their dreams the minute they open their eyes, Ranma thought bitterly as he carefully got out of bed. Yet I get to remember every detail.
Ranma quietly walked over to the huge window, and pulled one curtain aside.
"Bah," Ranma grumbled, shutting his eyes tight against the sunlight. "That was stupid of me."
He quickly yanked the curtain back into place irritably, rubbing his eyes.
"Well," he muttered sarcastically. "I'm wide awake now."
Sighing in defeat, Ranma eyed the large bed where Akane still slept, and he itched with envy. He wanted nothing more than to crawl back under the sheets, (and, possibly, do some cuddling) but the damn sun had sparked all of his senses, like an open flame touching a fuse.
Ranma walked over to the vanity, where several outfits had been neatly folded. Ranma picked up a random shirt, unfolding it to have a look, and grinned. His favourite colour, red, with his favourite animal, a dragon. Excellent.
This is more like it, Ranma thought as he cheerfully pulled the shirt over his blank tank top.
He grabbed the black sash, which had been sitting on the shirt underneath, and tied it into place around his waist. He rolled up the sleeves to his elbows, where he liked them (unlike Mousse's hand-me-downs, which went past his fingertips).
Ranma looked up at the mirror, flicking his bangs out of his eyes for a better look. With a smile, he noticed how he looked a lot like himself again; only, with a kick-ass dragon on his chest.
"I think a good old morning work-out is in order." Ranma said to his reflection, gaining a grin of agreement from his twin.
Ranma leaned forward, and poked at his bottom lip. The cut there had healed up, and the bruise around his eye was fading considerably. He poked the damaged, slightly blue patch of skin, and winced. Still a bit tender, but it was a far cry from the red and swollen mess it'd been when he first got it.
Ranma slipped on his shoes and headed out the door, twisting around and closing it softly behind him, as as not to disturb Akane.
"Sleep tight, tomboy." he whispered. "I'll be back soon."
Ranma continued down the hallway, a new spring—or, rather, his old spring—in his step. With some familiar-looking clothes of his own, and a stomach being well-treated to fancy food, Ranma felt like himself again.
He held up his left arm, examining the exposed flesh of his forearm. A long scar traveled from his elbow to his wrist, and had turned into a thin, reddish-brown scab. He scratched the the itchy, pinkish skin, pouting.
This ones' a lifer, for sure, he thought glumly.
Ranma made his way down the many stairs, his intentions on the forest just a hop, skip, and a jump from the base of Ho'o Peak. There, he would go through as many katas as he wanted, and turn a tree or two into a practice dummy, beating it with his Kachu Tenshen Amaguriken until the bark was worn.
Ranma whole body was tingling in anticipation. He hadn't practiced at all since his kidnapping; his old man would have scolded him for such a disgrace. His last real work-out was when he trained in the Tendo dojo, then went for run, back on the day he was snatched by the Amazons.
Sure, he'd carried Akane's travel bag for her while they journeyed to Red Dragon, which had been quite a trek, but Ranma had been through many a strenuous hike while he trained with his father, and walking from that cave to that tiny backwater town had been a walk in the park.
No, Ranma needed something more. When he was done, he would be laying flat on his back in the middle of the woods, dog-tired and loving it, a huge grin plastered to his face. At last, Ranma reached the base of the mountain, coming out from the dark stairwell into the bright, early morning light.
Whistling 'Big Hips Blues' to himself, Ranma made his way towards the forest. He walked a short ways into the woods, where he came across a small clearing. Ranma cracked his knuckles, looking around at the trees. He imagined the trees to be members of the Amazon tribe, wielding weapons of every sort. Ranma slipped easily into a battle stance, feeling that wonderful rush swell in his chest and spread through his whole body, buzzing through his whole system, as his adrenaline spiked.
"Okay, which one of ya is first?" he said to the trees. "Who wants a piece of patented Ranma Saotome whoop-ass, huh? Bring it on, I can go all day!"
"Really, if you're going to taunt us, at least look in the right direction."
Ranma jumped, slipping out of his imagination, and the Amazons in front of him were suddenly just trees again. He felt new presences behind him, and felt instantly foolish for getting so caught up in his adrenaline; he'd gotten so worked up he hadn't even noticed. And it was the last person he expected.
Ranma whirled around, seeing exactly who he knew he's see when he did, but this knowledge didn't stop his eyes from bulging in surprise.
"Herb!" he exclaimed.
Herb stood over by the bushes, his arms folded across his chest. He looked the sma e as the last time Ranma had seen him. An immaculate cape, and dragon-scaled armor, making his long shoulders look even wider and longer. Behind him, standing in the shadow of the trees, were Herb's lackeys, Mint and Lime.
"It's been a while," Herb muttered, an amused smirk at Ranma's shock on his lips.
"What are you doin' here?" Ranma blurted.
"How strange. I was just about to ask you that very question." Herb said. "To answer yours, this is China. I've lived here my entire life."
"That's not what I meant," Ranma said, but shook his head. "It's kinda complicated why I'm here."
"Oh?" Herb hummed. "I think I can keep up."
"Uh, I was kind of kidnapped by Amazons." Ranma mumbled.
Herb blinked. "Kidnapped. By Amazons?" he replied. "That is rather complicated..."
"Look, can we just get to the point here? You came for a rematch, right?" Ranma said. "You're pissed because I beat ya, and now that you've found me, ya wanna settle the score. Well, I'm game. That's why I'm out here in the first place; to kick some ass. So bring it, Herb."
Herb looked away, seeming bored. "No," he said blandly. "I did not come here to settle any score, Ranma. You won the battle, fair and square. More so, even after everything, you still saved my life when the mountain collapsed on us, and I almost fell to my death."
Ranma blinked rapidly, then shrugged it off. "I was just...doin' what any martial artist would do." Ranma muttered. "It was the honorable thing."
"We've been traveling around these parts of China for several months now," Herb began, as if not hearing what Ranma said. "Mint spotted you and three others walking around the forest a few days ago, and consulted me. We haven't been tracking you; it's a mere coincidence that we happened to see you leaving that mountain over there, and walking in here."
"Okay," Ranma said slowly. "So, if you don't wanna fight, then what did ya come follow me in here for?"
"Well," Herb said shortly. "Just...an apology, of sorts. For my treatment of the girl back at the Nekohanten. I realize now that the only reason you attacked me then was because you were protective of her, which basically started the whole fiasco, didn't it?"
What the hell? First Saffron, now Herb? Why is everyone saying sorry for? Next it'll be Kuno, or somethin', for cryin' out loud.
"Uh, yeah, I guess so." Ranma stammered. "Look, don't be sorry. It's in the past. Bygones, and all that. I...forgive ya, I guess. Really."
Herb nodded curtly, looking just as uncomfortable with the apology as Ranma was. It obviously wasn't very often when Herb said sorry to someone. He probably didn't do it at all.
"Also," Herb went on, not quite meeting Ranma's eyes. "I just wanted to say that...in turn for saving my life, I would be willing to help you any time in the future, if you should need my assistance."
Ranma almost did a face fault.
This sounds awfully familiar...
"Um, th-thanks, Herb." he said quickly. "Er, I... appreciate it."
Herb just nodded again, and said nothing. There was a long pause, and the air seemed tense and still. Suddenly, Mint and Lime groaned in annoyance.
"Well?" Lime growled. "Do ya need our help with somethin', or not?"
"Yeah!" Mint exclaimed. "It can be anything, Master Ranma! Anything! We'll do your laundry, buy your groceries, wash your back, make your bed...anything you command, we'll do it!"
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Master Ranma? Where'd that come from?
Ranma chuckled nervously, embarrassed. "Y-you don't need to do silly things like that!" he said. "Um, but there is something really important that I think I could really use your help with..."
Here it comes.
"Anything, Master Ranma!" Mint and Lime chorused.
Herb looked rather annoyed buy his lackeys. His lips and eyebrow twitched and he held back his anger.
"Well, that mountain there is Ho'o Peak." Ranma began. "A guy called Saffron lives there; he's a prince. Uh, it's a long story, but like you, he's sorry about some things that happened in the past, and now he's helpin' me with this problem. You see, a few weeks ago...I was kidnapped by the Amazon tribe..."
Here we go again. I'm gettin' real sick of tellin' this story.
"So," said Herb when Ranma finished his tale. "The Amazons will come here once this Kima woman finds them and tells them you're here, and when they do, it could possibly turn into a war?"
Ranma nodded. "Considering the ways of the Amazons, I'm guessin' it ain't a question. It will be a war."
"What you're asking me, then..." Herb guessed. "Is that you want me to fight alongside you and the Phoenix people against the Amazon tribe?"
Ranma nodded. "More or less." he said.
Herb looked thoughtful. "The Musk Dynasty has always been aware of the Amazons in it 1,400 years of history," he said. "Of course, since they believed we've died out, it's obvious we've never had much of a bond with them. However, we knew they existed; we knew and respected their skills. Now, to hear of such a pitiful disgrace come from their village—kidnapping a young boy and keeping him locked away in a cellar just to make him marry some girl...it's unforgivable. The people of the Musk wouldn't stand for such a travesty."
"So, you'll help, then?" Ranma asked. "I mean, I know you wanna repay some sorta 'debt' or whatever for me savin' your life...but really, ya don't have to. I mean, I'm sure we can fight the Amazons no problem with me an' the Phoenix people, Saffron, and we've got two talented Amazon fighters on our side, too. Three people doesn't really make it or break it at this point, ya know? So you don't need to fight."
Herb looked surprised, and looked at Mint and Lime, who shrugged. Ranma looked back and forth between the three men, confused.
"What? What is it?" he asked.
"Perhaps we shouldn't have stayed in the shadows so long," Herb said. "Everyone thinks we're long gone."
"How could you think the powerful Musk Dynasty was extinct?" Lime exclaimed incredulously.
"You mean...?" Ranma began.
Herb smiled. "Why don't you come with us, Ranma?" he said. "I'll show you what remains of the Musk Dynasty."
Akane's eyes opened slowly, and she sighed. It was the best sleep she'd had in what felt like ages. She sat up in bed, stretching, popping slept-on joints with a happy grunt. She noticed that Ranma wasn't in bed, nor was he anywhere in the room. Akane frowned, and got out of the large bed.
Ranma's pile of new clothes (which a winged woman had brought in last night while Ranma was walking around with Saffron) was slightly askew. He'd obviously picked out something from the pile already. She looked over at the door, to see his shoes were gone, as well.
"I wonder where he went off to..." Akane thought to herself as she went to get her bag.
After she was dressed she excited the room... and nearly crashed into Saffron.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, surprised to find the prince outside her room. "M-morning."
"Good morning," Saffron said, as if Akane hadn't just nearly knocked him down to the floor. "How are you today, miss?"
"I'm fine, thanks." Akane said, blinking at the boy's manners. If it weren't Saffron, she'd be quick to call him cute; if she ever did, though, Ranma would probably tell her to go get her head examined.
"Is Ranma still sleeping?" Saffron wondered.
Akane shook her head. "No," she said. "I just got up, and he wasn't there. He must've gone out, or something."
"He's always on the go, isn't he?" Saffron asked.
"Yeah," Akane never would have dreamed she'd be chatting it up with Saffron of all people. "Ranma's always in constant motion."
"I hope he'll be back, soon." Saffron fretted. "We'll be having breakfast shortly."
Akane laughed. "Ranma? Miss breakfast? It's never happened." she said. "He'll probably turn up soon."
"All right," Saffron said, nodding. "Well, I'll call Kima down to escort you when breakfast is ready. I'll be on the look-out for him."
With that, the prince walked off, and two gaurds Akane hadn't noticed hurried after him.
That must get a bit irritating, having gaurds follow you around like you're so breakable. Akane thought to herself as she walked the opposite way down the hall. As she walked, she wondered about Ranma. Where could he have gone to? It's not like he had an errand to run, or a place to be. What could he be doing? Akane told herself not to worry like some over-protective mother, but she couldn't help it. One minute, he'd winked at her and told her he'd be back for lunch, the next he was gone, and never came back. Then Cologne came and told her he was dead.
Even if it'd been a lie, it had made Akane realize that someone special can vanish in the blink of an eye. Just when you think everything is normal, everything can plummet before you're ready to take the plunge.
Akane shook the thoughts from her head. Ranma was fine, she told herself firmly. If he thought he could just up and leave her again, he was dreaming.
"So, lemme get this straight," Ranma said. "You three aren't the only ones left remaining of the Musk Dynasty?"
Ranma, Herb, Mint, and Lime were walking up a steep hill. They'd wandered far off the beaten path, into thicker bush. Ho'o Peak was still in sight, but Ranma worried his lip between his teeth. For some reason, he had a feeling a certain tomboy wouldn't be too pleased when she woke up and found him missing...
"Of course not," said Herb, taking Ranma from his thoughts.
"We've served Master Herb since we were children," Mint said. "So Lime and I were the only ones to go with Master Herb to Japan to look for the water pot that would turn Master Herb back into a man."
"The others stayed here, and a month after we got back we met up with them again." Lime went on. "We've been traveling China, trying to find the perfect place to set up our new village. Then we can start to replenish our clan again."
"How many others are there?" Ranma asked.
"Seven," said Herb. "All teenagers, mostly. None too much older or younger than yourself."
"Wow," Ranma said, his eyes widening. "That's all?"
"From what we know of," Herb said. "We may have others out there, somewhere. With 1,400 years of ancient history to look back on, it a bit difficult to find anyone. We're fortunate to have these children."
The four continued to walk in silence, until they reached the top of the hill. Ranma blinked in surprise when he saw several tents pitched, with a campfire blazing, and cups of ramen noodles sitting by the bed of coals.
"Look! Master Herb is back!" someone called.
Ranma glanced over at the trees, where a young boy stood with firewood. He grinned, and ran over to them.
"Welcome back, Master Herb." the boy said. "We're just getting back from collecting firewood."
"Excellent, Chamomile." Herb said kindly. Ranma hurt his neck looking at Herb as quick as he did in surprise. He'd never heard him talk so nicely to someone.
The boy, Chamomile, was a lot shorter than Herb; even Mint was taller. He showed fangs when he grinned, and Ranma was instantly reminded of Ryoga. He wore yellow armor, and wore what looked like a tuque on his head, made from a monkey's pelt, making it look like he had monkey ears.
So he's the offspring of a member from the Musk who mated with a woman who was once a monkey, who got cursed to become female in the cursed spring. Ranma mused to himself.
Chamomile led them over to the campfire, while six other boys hurried from the woods and joined them. They made a pile of fire wood with Chamomile by one of the tents, chatting amongst themselves.
"This is a hell of a lotta work for some lousy ramen noodles. They're chicken flavour, too! I don't like the chicken flavour!" one boy complained, as they made a pyramid with the firewood.
Another boy punched his arm. "Quit whinin', Pepper! Just be happy for what ya got, why don't cha? Ramen is ramen, as far as I'm concerned."
"Yeah, because you'd eat a moldy orange just to have food in yer belly, Oregano." another muttered. "You're such a glutton it isn't even funny."
"Shaddup, Sage!" the tall boy, Oregano, snapped.
"Hey, would you two stop fighting and just pile the damn firewood, already?" another said, rolling his eyes.
"Thyme is right. You shouldn't argue. You'll anger Master Herb." another said, so quietly Ranma hardly heard him.
"What's that, Mace? Are you actually speaking?" Oregano jeered, stuffing a few logs under his arms.
The other boys didn't speak, but Mace, a tall, lanky boy with black hair that covered one of his gray eyes, didn't seem to be offended by Oregano's words. They walked over to the campfire, where Herb, Mint, Lime, and Ranma stood, and Oregano put the logs on the fire.
"Hey, Master Herb." another boy said, with a pelt cap of a lynx on his head, making him look like he had pointy cat ears. "We're having ramen noodles for breakfast. It's all that's left of the food. It's mine and Thyme's turn to go buy some more. We'll do that after we eat."
"All right, Hibiscus." Herb said. "Don't steal this time, will you? I know you did that with the ramen."
"Don't look at me, sir! It was Pepper and Oregano who stole the ramen, when it was their turn to get food! Thyme and I will just gather fruit, we promise!"
"Fruit?" Oregano echoed, looking disgusted. "Lame."
"At least I'm not a lousy theif, tubby!" Hibiscus snapped.
"Who're ya callin' tubby? I ain't tubby!" Oregano shouted.
"Here we go again." said Sage, who had black panther ears on his head, rolling his eyes as he tore open the packets of ramen and poured them into the boiling water.
"Who is this, Master Herb?" Chamomile asked, pointing at Ranma. "Is he some lost member of the Dynasty we've never met?"
"As if, Chamomile." Pepper snorted. He was obviously a fox's child. He had the pelt cap of a fox sitting in his head, and wore orange and black amour. "We're all that's left of the Dynasty. Everyone else kicked the bucket ages ago."
"Pepper!" Thyme, a boy with leopard ears, hissed.
Chamomile looked up at Ranma with honey-coloured, hopeful eyes. He reached up and tugged on his sleeve.
"Are you a lost member?" he asked quietly. "Pepper is wrong, right? You were just lost a long time, right? Then Master Herb found you."
Ranma winced, looking down at the young boy. He had to be at least nine or ten; he seemed so young and innocent to be roughing it in the wilderness with a bunch of teenage boys. He almost wanted to humour the kid, instead of making that cute face look heart-broken. He wasn't about to lie, though.
"Sorry, kid, but no. I'm not part of the Musk." Ranma said. "I'm...an old friend of Master Herb."
"Oh," Chamomile said sadly, looking down. "I see."
"Told ya so," Pepper muttered, sitting down on a stump.
"Pepper, you better shut your gob, or I'll shut it for you." Sage warned.
Pepper looked over at Ranma. Ranma wasn't good at dealing with kids, but he tried to put on a stern look, patting Chamomile's head for emphasis. Pepper's lip twitched, and he dropped his orange-brown eyes.
"Yo, Chamomile." he called.
Chamomile looked over at Pepper, his eyes still sad.
"Sorry." Pepper muttered quietly, looking uncomfortable.
Chamomile dashed over to Pepper, and threw his arms around him. Pepper blushed, then ruffled the child's hair, smiling a little.
Ranma watched the boys, and smiled. Even though these boys were all pretty rowdy and wild, they were like brothers, and cared about each other. After all, they only had each other. It had to be hard for all of them.
"The noodles are ready!" Thyme called, and instantly the boys crowded around the campfire, Pepper walking with reluctance.
"Go get the bowls, will ya, Sage?" Thyme asked, as he stirred around noodles. Sage nodded and headed into one of the tents, coming back out shortly after with several bowls.
"Do ya want some ramen, Dragon Man?" Chamomile said to Ranma, grinning.
Ranma blinked. Dragon Man? He looked down at his shirt, and remembered it had a dragon design on it.
"It's Ranma," he said. "If it's okay with you, I'd love some ramen. I'm starved."
"We don't mind," said Thyme, smiling.
"Yeah. You can have my portion." grumbled Pepper.
"Siddown beside me, Dragon Man!" Chamomile exclaimed, patting the grass beside him.
Mace came over, and sat down beside Ranma, opposite Chamomile. Ranma looked at him and offered a smile, and Mace flushed, the red tinge lighting up his pale cheeks, and looked away. Ranma watched the boy, who looked about his age, then shrugged. He sure was shy. According to the big guy with grizzly bear ears, Oregano, he hardly ever spoke.
Ranma noticed Mace also received his portion last; maybe it was coincidence, but Ranma couldn't help but be suspicious. All the boys seemed to ignore Mace, they hardly even looked in his direction. Ranma looked at Mace, but couldn't tell what animal mother he'd had. He didn't show it off like the other boys did. Maybe he was embarrassed about it.
"So, you and Master Herb are friends?" Pepper asked suddenly during their small breakfast.
"Uh, yeah. Of sorts." Ranma replied, slurping up the ramen.
"'Of sorts'? What the heck does that mean?" Pepper retorted with a frown.
"How long have you known each other?" Sage asked. "I never saw you with Master Herb until now."
"Er, well, we didn't exactly start out as friends." Ranma explained sheepishly. "In fact, we were enemies. We haven't known each other long. This is only the second time we've met."
"Are you a martial artist?" Thyme asked. "You look like you just got into a fight. Your eye is bruised."
"Yeah," said Ranma, absently touching his eye. "I am a martial artist."
"Cool!" Chamomile cried. "Are ya really strong, like Lime?"
Ranma laughed. "You bet I am," he said cockily. "I've been trainin' since I was a baby. Me and my old man wandered all around Japan and China. I'm like you guys; I was always training, and never really got ta know about women."
"You've got that short-haired girl, though." said Mint, pointing his chopsticks at Ranma. "You must know tons about girls when you've got her. You live with her, too, right?"
"You mean, she's your... mate?" Hibiscus asked excitedly, and all the boys, even Chamomile, leaned forward intently at the word.
"You live with her?"
"Have you seen those...those things that women have? Those things on their chest, that we don't have?"
"Have ya kissed her?"
"Is her skin really soft?"
"Does she smell nice? What does she smell like?"
"What's her name?"
"Is she really, really pretty?"
Ranma leaned back as the boys started to crowd around him in wonder, asking question after question. He scratched the back his head embarrassingly, laughing nervously.
"Well," he began, and the boys shut their mouths and listened intently. "Her name is Akane, and I live with her back in Japan, at her family's dojo. Er, in my opinion...she's pretty, yeah, and her skin is quite soft. She smells pretty good. She smells like grapes and raspberries," Ranma smiled to himself at this, remembering her bottle of shampoo. "Um, I've kissed her. And...once or twice I've...seen her...things, purely by accident."
"Whoooooooa!" the boys chorused, fascinated.
"What're they like?" Pepper asked.
"Have you touched 'em?" Oregano added.
Ranma blushed. "N-no!" he blurted. Then, he got an idea. "I've got a curse, though, that makes me a girl. So I know what they feel like, though I've never...touched...Akane's."
"REALLY?" they shouted, huge grins lighting up their faces. "Show us! Show us! Show us!"
"I'm...gonna need some cold water." Ranma said.
"Here, here! Take my canteen!" Hibiscus cried, shoving his canteen at Ranma. Ranma took the canteen, took off the cap, and dumped the contents over his head. Instantly, he felt the change, and heard the boys cry out when they saw it happen.
"Look! He...She...He... has boobs now!" Oregano cried, pointing.
"I fell into a cursed spring at Jusenkyo," Ranma explained. "So now when I get splashed with cold water, this happens. Hot water reverses the effects, and I turn back into a guy."
"Lucky!" Pepper yelled.
"Can we touch 'em?" Oregano asked.
"What?" Ranma cried. "No! Absolutely not."
"Pleeeeeease?"
Ranma knew they'd never stop asking unless she said yes."Ugh...fine. One at a time, though, and you can only poke 'em, got it?"
"Whoo-hoo!"
Mace didn't go up to take his 'turn'; merely watching red-faced from the sidelines. He hadn't hoarded Ranma with questions, either, but his eyes had bulged slightly when he saw Ranma change into a woman. None of the boys seemed to care that he hadn't asked questions, though, since nobody seemed to notice.
After breakfast, Hibiscus and Thyme left to go gather some fruit. Ranma used the left over hot water from the pot to change back. He smelled a bit like chicken ramen now, but at least the boys weren't ogling at his breasts anymore.
The boys went to go and explore around the forest; Mace stayed behind, sitting over by the hill, watching the valley of trees. Ranma and Herb sat by the campfire, which was crackling softly now, the bed of coals orange and hot.
"So, all these boys will help fight the Amazons, too?" Ranma asked.
"They all listen to me as their master," Herb said. "If I command it, they'll do it. It's not like they won't be willing, though. All of them fight so much amongst themselves they'll be pleased to be able to fight someone else for real."
"Even Chamomile?" Ranma asked. He couldn't imagine that small boy fighting an Amazon.
"He doesn't really fight with the boys too much," he said. "He gets along with all of them. They all have fighting spirits in them, though. Born to be martial artists. Chamomile has as much fight in him just like the rest of them. Don't underestimate him for his size."
"I feel...kinda bad. I mean, draggin' all of these...these kids...into a war started because of me." Ranma said quietly. "I don't wanna see them get hurt when they don't need to. None of you need to fight this battle. The Amazons have no quarrel with you. They don't even know you're alive."
"It's time they did." said Herb sternly. "It's also time for them to learn the error of their ways; and what's better than having the Phoenix people and the so-called 'wiped out' Musk Dynasty beat some sense in them to do just that?"
Ranma said nothing, staring into the vibrant orange coals through the charred logs of the fire, the embers dancing in the reflection of his eyes.
They're just children. If any of them get hurt, I don't think I'll be able to forgive myself.
Akane was fidgety.
It was now lunchtime, and she sat at the long table with Mousse, Lufa, and Saffron. Ranma still hadn't shown up. She was the only one who seem to be worried; they all calmly ate lunch while Akane sat, the chair beside her vacant, her leg jittering uncontrollably up and down while she stared at the food on her plate.
"Why aren't you eating, Akane?" Lufa asked at the end of lunch. Everyone was done eating, but Akane hadn't taken a bite. "It's not good to waste food."
"I'm sorry," Akane mumbled. "I'm just...too preoccupied to eat right now."
"I'm sure Ranma will turn up, Akane." Mousse said. "I know it's not like him to miss a meal, but maybe he just went for a walk. Maybe he's working out. He hasn't done it in a while; he must hate himself for it."
"I guess," Akane said quietly. "I just wish he'd told me where he was going."
"Wherever he is," Lufa said. "I'm sure he can take care of himself. Now, eat. When will you ever get another chance to eat your own entire lobster for lunch?"
"You're staying there?"
Ranma looked up at Ho'o Peak, looming in the distance, where Chamomile was pointing at from his perch on Ranma's shoulders. The young boy had taken quite a liking to Ranma, and as the group left their campsite to head for Phoenix Mountain, Chamomile had jumped onto Ranma shoulders, much to his surprise.
"Yep," Ranma replied. "That's Ho'o Peak."
"So is your pretty mate, there?" Chamomile asked.
Ranma chuckled. "Yeah, she's there." Ranma said. "She's probably fuming right about now." he added in a mutter.
Ranma looked up at the sky, where the sun was sinking low behind the mountains. Ranma had stayed at the Musk's camp for hours, telling stories and playing with the boys. It was a long time before Ranma finally glanced at the sky and noticed how dark it was getting. So, everyone was heading back to Ho'o Peak, and all of the boys were anxious to meet Akane and see Saffron's home.
"So, this Saffron guys is going to let us stay here?" Pepper asked.
"I should think so, once I tell him you're all going to help us." Ranma said.
"He's rich, right?" Hibiscus asked.
"Well, he is a prince." Ranma said. "He's just a kid right now, but when he gets older he'll be very powerful."
"What about the food?" Oregano said. "Is the food any good?"
Ranma grinned. "Oh, yeah." he said.
"Sweet." Oregano looked up at the mountain, his eyes shining with anticipation.
Ranma led the group of ten up the many stairs at the base of the castle, into the castle's corridors.
"Ranma Saotome!" a winged man cried when he saw Ranma. "Welcome back, sir! You've been gone all day, sir; your friends have been wondering where you were."
"Just out and about," Ranma replied. "I brought some company; they're gonna be helpin' us with the Amazons, so they're gonna need a place to stay. Give these guys some rooms, will ya?"
"Y-yes, sir." the man stammered. "I'll see to it immediately."
"Thanks," Ranma said, adjusting Chamomile on his shoulders. "I'll be in my room, and I'll be bringing these guys with me to make some...introductions. Just come and get 'em once you've got the rooms set up, okay?"
"Yes, sir." said the winged man. He hurried off to make the arrangements, and Ranma continued down the hall, towards his room.
Once they arrived at the double doors of Ranma's room, Ranma hoisted Chamomile off of his shoulders and set him down. He opened the door to the room, finding it empty.
"Huh," he muttered. "I guess Akane isn't in."
Ranma walked into the room, and the ten men behind him followed his lead, not over-crowding the huge room in the slightest. Just then, the door to the left opened, and steam rolled into the room.
We have a private bathroom? Ranma thought with surprise. I thought that was a closet.
Akane walked into the room, a small white towel wrapped around her body, her hair damp and dripping. She was humming to herself, but the melody quickly stopped as she noticed she wasn't alone. She jumped in surprise, to not only see Ranma, but ten other men in the bedroom. Ranma blushed, not only because Akane was showing a lot of legs in that skimpy towel, but because ten other guys were seeing this display of flesh, as well.
Ranma knew each of them had noticed for two reasons; one, none of them were blind, and two, the moment Akane had stepped out of the bathroom, Ranma heard a strange rush of wind, that only lasted a second. It was sound of ten men gasping in unison.
"R-Ranma..." Akane murmured, her finger frozen in the act of running through her wet locks, her hazel eyes wide.
"Uh..." Ranma replied intelligently.
"Ranma!" Akane cried, running towards him.
Ranma took a step back, and held his breath. Here it comes. I can already feel the mallet caving in my skull.
"Oh, Ranma!" Akane exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. "Where on earth have you been?"
Ranma's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as he looked down at the top of Akane's dripping wet head. This was the last thing he'd expected her to do.
"Gee, Akane." he muttered sheepishly. "I didn't know I worried you so much."
"Of course I was worried, you dummy!" Akane pulled back to cup his face in her wet hands. "You've been gone since morning, and you never came back!"
"I'm sorry," Ranma murmured, smiling. He touched her face, wiping away the droplets of water dripping off her bangs and rolling down her cheeks. "I should have told you where I was going."
"Damn right you should have, baka." Akane said with a shaky laugh, pulling him in for a quick kiss. "Don't you ever scare me like that again."
Ranma smiled, stroking her wet bangs from her eyes. "I won't." he promised.
"She is pretty, Dragon Man!" Chamomile cried. "Really, really, really pretty!"
"Are you kidding? She's gorgeous!" Hibiscus shouted.
"That skin does look soft!"
"What I wouldn't give to have a mate like her!"
Ranma watched the boys chatter animatedly, and blushed. He looked back to Akane, chuckling nervously at the look she was giving him. She smiled coldly, her eyes mischievous, and a shiver rolled up Ranma's spine. She grabbed his ear, and pulled it down to her lips.
"You better start explaining, Saotome." she whispered. "Ten men just saw me half naked, and I want to know why."
Authour's Note:
These new OCs of mine are so much fun, you have no idea. xD Do you enjoy them as much as I do? :3 I hope so; because if you do, I've done my job well. Well, as you can see all of the boys are named after spices and herbs, since that's obviously the pattern with the three Musk Dynasty characters from canon: Herb? Mint? Lime? xD It had to be done. ^^
Have any of you watched Ouran High School Host Club? Well if you have (and if you haven't, you should) you may have noticed that Chamomile is kind of like Honey-senpai-you know, the adroable one who loves cake? xD Yeah, it's obvious where I got my insporation for Chamomile from. -,- heh heh...Just like Mint and Lime, all of these boys have the same running gag: they love to ogle over women. :P I'm sure they're going to be big Akane fanboys after the show she put on for them. Hell of a first meeting, wouldn't you say? x3
Well, the anti-Amazon battalion is now complete; all we need now to add to this recipe of destruction is the Amazon Tribe! Kima and her scouts will tell them to come to Ho'o Peak, and when they do, KA-BOOM! Epic battle scene, anyone? ;)
Stay tuned for Chapter Ten!
- Jadells