Author's Notes –
I've decided to stop putting up my usual disclaimer. After ten chapters I would hope that everyone who reads this fic knows that I don't own the rights to the various works that I am borrowing characters, ideas, and concepts from.
*****
Nerima was ablaze as night descended on the nearly vacant ward of Tokyo. Reddish-orange light cast long, flickering shadows among the ruined buildings that had once populated the ward. A giant bonfire consumed the remains of countless telephone poles. Around it an entire street had been dug out and flooded, preventing the flames from needlessly destroying the few remaining buildings in the area.
"You're sure this is going to work?" a bandana wearing figure asked his companion.
"Yep," the naked redhead replied.
Caked in cement dust, the pair eyed the metal dumpster that the redhead had cleaned out then filled with water.
"I checked it, there are no leaks, and I washed it out with bleach twice before rinsing it and refilling it with water," the small girl explained.
"You're sure you're not going to boil us alive?" the taller figure asked.
"There's a reason I had you put the wood on only one side of the tub," the dirty girl stated. Heedless of the fact that she was standing completely naked before a boy, the redhead walked casually over to the dumpster. Grabbing a large bucket of water she dumped it over her head. The results of the rinse were instantly obvious.
Ryoga blinked, not because he was watching a naked girl bathing. "Kami!" he exclaimed.
"What?! You've seen me topless plenty of times!" the redhead shouted. Though her hair retained several gray streaks due to the cement, it was a much brighter red then it had been moments ago.
"You…"
"Have breasts," Ranma shouted irritably as she filled another bucket.
"Have a beard!"
It was Ranma's turn to blink. She hadn't expected him to say that. Looking at her reflection in the water, it was hard for her to actually tell if she had a beard or not given the irregular light from the giant bonfire.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
Grabbing the bucket once again, Ranma splashed her companion.
"Oink!"
"HA!" Ranma shouted. "Now you're hairier than I am!"
*****
Tsuruko couldn't believe the girl's brazenness. The entire time that she'd been following the pair the odd girl had been completely naked. Sure, she was covered in a good layer of dirt and grime, but that was no reason to be walking around completely naked, especially around a young boy/man. Even if they were lovers it was something completely unacceptable. True, the girl had been forced to clean out the dumpster, but such behavior was, well, unbecoming of a true woman.
Having spent the entire evening watching the pair from a distance the swordswoman had been tempted to lay into the pair. Not only for the girl's brazen and unabashed display of her features, but for laying waste to nearly the entire district. Just because they were apparently the only survivors didn't mean that they could wreck such havoc. Buildings toppled, streets destroyed and flooded, empty beer cans littering the entire neighborhood – it was unacceptable.
Only the feeling that someone else was watching the pair had kept the master and acting head of the Shinmeiryuu from taking action earlier.
With the sun quickly setting to the west the swordswoman knew that she'd have to either leave the pair she was observing or join the rowdy couple. True, the young man looked hearty enough, but what of the girl? Clearly the pair seemed to just barely tolerate each other, but the girl's brazen display of her assets suggested that she was the one in charge.
Too far away to hear what they were shouting, she noted the odd change in their behavior. Hearing the boy's loud laughter she couldn't help but wonder what the couple had endured. Suddenly the boy vanished, leaving only the redheaded girl and a… black piglet?
As the girl turned around to rinse herself, Tsuruko noted the girl's wet hair. Surely the light is playing tricks with my eyes, she thought to herself. There's no way she's a man, I'm sure no man has breasts like that. It's probably just her hair clinging to her face…
*****
Kanako wasn't sure what to make of the odd pair. Clearly they were powerful fighters, destructive, but powerful. Having laid waste to nearly the entire district it was clear that they had some ulterior motive for what they had done.
"Perhaps they are eliminating any possible lairs where the Darkseekers might take refuge," the girl's lone companion suggested.
"No, I don't think that's the reason Kuro," the raven haired girl replied as she stroked her feline companion's head. "Look at all the animals that they freed from the zoo, how they're much more relaxed now that they can roam around freely in the open."
"You think they laid waste to the city just so that the animals could move about freely?"
"I think that they are allowing the animals to roam through the city since there are no humans around," Kanako said. Though it was really just her talking to herself, she felt much better pretending that her companion was talking to her.
"What about the Darkseekers?" she asked herself through her companion.
"We've both seen how adverse they are to crossing cold water or even entering the water to catch fish or other animals," the girl stated, "perhaps that is their means of not only keeping themselves safe from the Darkseekers, but of providing the animals somewhere safe to live where they don't have to worry about the Darkseekers."
"They're definitely an odd pair," Kuro stated as the cat turned its attention back to the setting sun.
"Is it me or does that girl look like she has a beard?"
"I think you're starting to see things," the cat purred. "You've been alone much too long – why don't you go down and talk to them?"
Kanako blinked. She hadn't expected that response. Maybe I am seeing things; I am after all talking to myself through Kuro.
Reluctantly the girl leapt out of the ruined building she'd been hiding in.
*****
Looking over the footage that Mecha Tama (version 13) sent her Su eagerly sought a sign of the survivors of the Kuno Compound. From what little she'd seen both she and Dr. Tofu had concluded that someone, probably Ranma, had survived. The four markers – Happosai, Genma Saotome, Nodoka Saotome, and Ukyo Kuonji, had died in the chaotic episode, leaving Akane, her father, Ryoga, and Ranma as possible survivors. Though Dr. Tofu had considered listing Kuno, the sad look in the normally energetic blonde's eyes told him all he needed to know about the kendoka's fate. He had been thrown through the wall and electric fence head first. Even Kuno's hard skull couldn't absorb all that abuse.
"I'm sure that Ryoga survived," Dr. Tofu stated. "Only he's capable of creating such a large Shi Shi Hokodan."
"You're saying that that was a ki technique?" the resident martial artist asked. "That's preposterous – no one could have such a powerful ki."
Ignoring Motoko's remark the doctor examined the still photos of the ravaged compound. "The problem with him is that no one knows where he's going to show up. The boy's got the world's worse sense of direction. Apparently it runs in his family."
"I'm sure it's not that bad," Mutsumi said as she peeked over his shoulder.
"Ryoga would get lost going from the kitchen to the dining room," Dr. Tofu stated. "And he'll knock a few holes into the walls as well."
Su nodded. Though she hadn't really interacted with the one dubbed as 'the Eternal Lost Boy', she'd heard enough from Ranma to know that Ryoga really did have a bad sense of direction.
"What's that?" the auburn haired girl asked as she pointed to the monitor. Building was falling down.
"That's probably them," Dr. Tofu suggested. "Look at all the destroyed buildings."
The assembled girls gasped. Entire blocks had been leveled leaving gardens, trees, and the occasional telephone pole standing. Streets were flooded and animals freely ventured through the wide open spaces.
"We'll know where to start searching tomorrow," Dr. Tofu said as he pointed to the map. "If we're lucky we'll find them tomorrow."
*****
The setting sun brought with it many howls as the Darkseekers prepared for the night. A scant handful had already begun prowling the vacant streets only to find those same streets flooded with the terribly cold water. Howling in protest, they let the others know that this way was blocked.
An unfamiliar howl answered the two foraging Darkseekers. Sniffing out the new intruder the pair of males decided to investigate. Working in tandem the pair quickly found the lone Darkseekers. Letting out a primal roar the larger of the two males called out to the lone female. Pushing aside his companion he sniffed the female.
His companion growled in protest but simply stood back as the large male circled around the female. A sudden kick to the groin dropped the curious male.
A deep and threatening growl from the female stopped the other male in its tracks. Unwilling to cross the new female, he lead her towards the pack. The other male would be able to return on his own, once he recovered.
*****
Tsuruko watched as a new figure appeared by the makeshift moat. More curious than cautious, the new girl (and her cat) hiked up her skirt before wade across the meter deep moat.
Perhaps I should introduce myself as well, the swordswoman thought as she glanced at the retreating sun.
*****
The warm (hot actually) water feel so soothing now that he no longer had a hangover. Soaking in the makeshift hot tub in his true form, Ranma wondered just how other men dealt with facial hair. It had been annoying and bothersome to clean out (thank the Kami he hadn't eaten a lot of food as the few bits he'd found while still in his female form were absolutely putrid). Fortunately he lost the thick red beard once he'd transformed back into his true form, removing the issue of cleaning out his beard.
"Another beer?" Ryoga asked the bandana wearing boy climbed into the tub.
Ranma shook his head, letting his unbound hair loose, "I think I had more than enough for a while. I can't believe you didn't notice that I had a beard!"
Ryoga chuckled, "I was drunk, and I couldn't see straight. Not to mention all the dust!"
Suddenly the taller boy froze. Knowing Ryoga well enough, Ranma knew that something was wrong. Leaping out of the hot water and clearing the lip of the tub he gracefully landed on the dry grass.
A slim girl (with a cat!) stood frozen in the moat. Even though they were at least ten meters away it was clear that the color on her face was not because of the giant bonfire behind the boys. Instinctively they moved to cover themselves.
*****
Having given up on the idea that she could keep her skirt from getting wet Kanako slowly lowered it as she waded into the ever deepening water. With her hands over her head she held up Kuro, keeping the large eared cat out of the cold water. At least the water's not too fast, she thought as she took another step towards the small island.
With only a few more steps she was back in shallower water, though her wet clothes clung to her slim body. Even from nearly twenty meters away she could feel the warmth of the hot two story bonfire that not only warmed but also provided light for the two destroyers of the city.
It didn't surprise her that the bandana wearing boy had been completely naked. After all, he had spent much of the afternoon with a completely naked girl, and he was about to hop into the makeshift bathtub with her. What had surprised her was how big he was.
Locking eyes with him (because she didn't dare look further south) she froze as the boy's companion leapt out of the hot tub and onto the grass. Wait… where did this boy come from? Catching sight of his dangling bits, she felt her face redden. He's hung like a horse!
"Who are you and what are you doing here?!" the second boy shouted, his eyes wide with terror.
"Kanako Urashima," she replied as she tore her eyes away from, well, down there. "I saw several buildings falling down from Tokyo Tower and decided to investigate."
Ryoga blinked. That sounded plausible enough. They had knocked down several prominent buildings in the area, and leveled more than a few city blocks as well.
Pulling a bandana out of stuff-space he held it over himself. Glancing at his companion and rival he noted the terror in Ranma's eyes. Oh, the cat…
"Um, could you put your cat behind you," Ryoga suggested, "or at least out of sight? The idiot here is afraid of cats."
"I am not!" Ranma said loudly, his false confidence evident as his voice wavered.
Obliging the odd request, Kanako set Kuro down, allowing the cat to perch itself on a broken wall off to the side.
With the cat out of Ranma's line of sight, the long haired boy relaxed visibly. Glancing at the slim girl and her black dress/skirt/outfit, he couldn't help but think that something was missing.
"Oh, I'm Ranma Saotome," the shorter of the two boys said as he mysteriously pulled some cloth out of nowhere to cover himself.
"Ryoga, Ryoga Hibiki," the taller boy added.
In the blink of an eye Ranma spun around, throwing several stones at the presence off to his left. The sound of the stones deflecting off of metal rang in the air.
"Ranma Saotome, of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts?" the new comer asked as she stepped onto the island. The large unusual bird on her shoulder explained how she had managed to cross the moat without getting wet.
Resorting to what he knew best, Ranma groaned, "Kami, don't tell me that pops engaged me to you?"
Tsuruko blinked, That's an odd response. "Then you are the Ranma Saotome, slayer of the Phoenix?"
The strange bird on her shoulder squawked.
"You're not from China, are you?" the bandana wearing boy asked.
Sheathing her blade, the swordswoman smirked. "No, I am Tsuruko Aoyama of the Shinmeiryuu."
Both young men blinked then glanced at each other.
"So you don't know her, right?" Ryoga asked for clarification.
"Um," Ranma replied, "I don't think so."
"Aoyama of the Shinmeiryuu?" the girl asked. "Your sister is Motoko Aoyama, resident at the Hinata Sou?"
"Yes," the tall woman replied, "Urashima, would you be related to Keitaro Urashima?"
"He's my brother," Kanako nodded. "It seems that the saying 'It's a small world' seems very fitting."
"Very," Tsuruko smiled.
"Um, could you two give us some privacy?" Ranma suggested.
"Achoo!" Kanako sneezed. "Do you have any dry clothes that I might be able to change into?"
"I like the view," the swordswoman smirked, "but if you insist."
*****
Letting out a roar the Alpha female, no, the Alpha of her pack listened for her pack as the sun finally set to the west. Hearing the responses from her pack members she let out a low primal growl. A new voice cried out in the distance issuing a challenge. Crying out she called the more experienced and powerful members of her pack back.
Scouting out the area she found a favorable spot. Not only would it provide the pack with a good spot to view the coming fight, it was familiar ground for her. Even after the chaos of the past few nights, meeting encountering two new packs and fighting for supremacy over the new, larger pack, the alpha was not going to let go of her hold over her pack.
It didn't take long for her pack to arrive. Looking at the disgruntled former leaders of the two smaller packs she sneered. The quick arrival of the one of the scouts and the new female brought a light howl from the handful of males around the circle. As the Alpha she knew that she had her pick of the litter if she so choose, but none of the males were good enough for her. She would submit to no one weaker than her. She had to have the best, and only the best could have her. Once she defeated the new arrival she would let the males fight over her, they needed something to do.
A monstrous cry from the challenger filled the clearing as the new female stood in the middle. Unlike many of the others this female was completely dressed rather than wearing tattered and ragged clothes. Alpha herself was wearing a tattered leotard, but this upstart wore a complete dougi marred only by a dark stain on the left shoulder.
Answering the cry, the Alpha leapt into the circle. Closing with her opponent she was floored by a powerful kick to her ribs. Startled she barely recovered as she rolled on the ground. Standing back up she barely pulled up her defenses as her opponent pummeled her, knocking her back down to the ground.
The challenger was merciless, stopping only when the others in her new pack howled in rage and protest, conceding on behalf of their former pack leader. Letting out a triumphant roar the new Alpha kicked her fallen opponent, leaving her defenseless as the assembled males fought over her.
*****
It was weird for the socially inept martial artist - sitting with two attractive women was hard for the young man. Not knowing what to expect from either, yet supposedly having no expectations to meet either was odd. His limited experience with women was rarely good (though that was a relative term) as most ended with him having to run for his life after some odd martial arts challenge (in which he would end up the victor of course).
Sensing the boys' unease, Tsuruko smiled. She hadn't expected the slayer of the Phoenix King to be so timid. As much as she wanted to talk martial arts with the two young men, she knew that the direct approach wouldn't be the right one given their circumstances.
"So Urashima-san, I assume that you've practiced the Urashima style?" the swordswoman asked.
For her part the slender girl nodded. Though she was still getting used to her strange outfit (made from the near countless bandana's that the boy known as Ryoga Hibiki had stashed somewhere).
Looking at the older woman she offered a gentle bow. From what little information she had of the Aoyama she had expected the swordswoman to know about her adopted family's secretive style. "Of course, both my brother and I were taught it, though I don't know if he still practices it."
"Have you ever heard of that style?" Ryoga whispered.
Gently shaking his head Ranma remained silent.
"You look like a capable fighter Hibiki-kun," Tsuruko added, "are you a martial artist as well?"
Bowing his head the fanged boy chuckled, "Yeah, how did you know?"
"Even without proper lighting I can tell that your muscles are strong and you move like a practiced fighter," Tsuruko stated as she eyed the taller of the two boys. "Though you're not as coordinated as Ranma, I can tell that you're the more physical and stronger fighter."
Chest swelling, Ryoga grinned stupidly as a rare feeling of pride ran through him.
"Ah, he's nothing special," Ranma interjected. Feeling a bit left out, and wanting to put Ryoga in his place as second best, the raven haired boy leaned back against the remains of a wall.
"Why would you say that?" Kanako asked as she glanced at the pair.
"Sure, Ryoga's stronger, and tougher, but he has no style or technique," the raven haired fighter stated as he counted off his rival's weaknesses. "He leaves too many openings and is easily provoked. That and the fact that he's never beaten me straight up and had to rely on teaming up with others to even have a chance at beating me – which he never has done."
"Ranma!" Ryoga growled.
"But I have to say, I'm glad he's my rival," Ranma stated as he casually brushed of his rival's obvious discomfort. "Even though I could probably last out here on my own, I'm glad that he's with me. I wouldn't want anyone else watching my back."
"Ranma," Ryoga said clearly floored by the light complements his rival was giving him. This was as close as Ranma got to actually praising him for his strengths.
"If he wasn't my rival I doubt that I'd have been pushed as hard and I probably wouldn't have been able to beat Herb or Saffron, and that's not including the help that he (and Mousse) provided during those incidents."
Tsuruko nodded. "I must say, you're not completely like I had imagined you to be."
Ryoga snickered as Ranma fell over.
"I had heard that you were an egotistical, womanizing, upstart martial artist," the swordswoman smiled. "You definitely have a large and healthy ego Saotome-kun, but it seems that you're not as bad as the stories have made you out to be. You're far from being a womanizer – in fact I'd say that you're very shy and timid, but that's to be expected from martial artists who are lone students."
A series of distant roars filled the air, reminding the group of the ever present threat of the Darkseekers.
"We should probably get some rest," Ranma said as he popped up to his feet. "I'll take the first watch; Ryoga, I'll wake you up when it's your turn."
"It might be best if we pair up for the watch," Tsuruko suggested. "That way we can help keep each other awake."
"But we… we couldn't let you do that," Ryoga stammered.
"We're all martial artists," Kanako said defensively.
Patting Ryoga's shoulder Ranma shook his head, silencing any further protests from his rival.
"Why don't I take the first shift with you," Tsuruko said with a smile. "I could use a good, refreshing bath and I doubt that I'll be able to sleep after a nice soak."
*****
The dougi wearing Darkseeker was not particularly hungry. Though she had spent the past two days in the sewer she had feasted well. Feasting on a pathetic long haired meal, she had been able to devour it all herself. She didn't eve have to bother with the monstrosity that had bitten her as it had suffered a fatal blow prior to the fall.
No, hunger was not her issue; it was her pack's issue. They needed to feed, and as their leader it fell on her to lead them as they hunted.
Hearing the howl of a distant and still unintroduced pack mate, she led the pack towards its howl. Far stronger and faster then the rest of her pack, the new Alpha leapt over an abandoned car. Landing in the empty street she heard a distinct twang. Instinctively she leapt out of the way as an arrow hit the dirt behind where she had been standing.
A feral grin formed on her lips as she let out a howl. Leaping back behind a broken wall she heard another twang and then the sound of the arrow burying itself in the wall. Sniffing the air she howled again. The pack would feast to night!
The unknown male cautiously approached her, only for her to snarl a warning. Head bowed, he backed off just far enough so that he was not invading her personal space, though close enough that they both could sniff at each other.
Slowly the rest of the pack arrived, each one howling as they introduced themselves to their new pack leader. Each time the previous scene repeated itself.
Twenty strong, the pack circled the building as they sought a way inside.
Spotting a potential weakness in their defenses, the dougi wearing alpha leapt onto the cool stone-like surface and pulled herself up. Only the strongest and most agile of her pack followed as the others drew their preys' eyes and attention. Digging her nails into the weak fake stone, she pulled herself up the wall until she reached the roof.
Something about the purple haired girl made her howl in rage, giving away her presence.
"Aya!" the girl shouted as she cast aside her bow and arrow as she took up her twin swords.
A mighty leap brought the dougi wearing Darkseeker inside the startled girl's reach. A powerful swipe barely missed the naked girl. Instinctively the Alpha leapt back, narrowly avoiding being decapitated by the girl's blades.
"Shampoo!" the girl's companion shouted as he unleashed a hail of painfully sharp metal objects at the handful of Darkseekers.
The be-speckled but otherwise naked boy somehow produced more weapons, pinning two of the Darkseekers with nets and chains as he lashed out blindly. With the pair of fighters focused on close combat the rest of the pack slowly climbed up the side of the building.
Lunging in and out the alpha toyed with her prey. Though the sword wielding girl had the advantage in range, it was clear that she did not have the strength and stamina to fend off so many enemies. Isolated from each other the two naked youths fought valiantly.
Keeping their advantage the Darkseekers refused to let the two reunite. Hounding them relentlessly they kept a handful of the pack back to rest while the others tested the pair's individual defenses. Taking her own break, the Alpha grew impatient. Spotting several discarded weapons from the naked boy, she grinned. Grabbing a chain she wrapped it around her left forearm.
Letting out a growl, she waited for those hounding the girl to slowly back off. Stepping forward she kicked one of the reluctant members of her pack off the roof as she glared at the purple haired girl. Rushing in she waited for her prey to lash out with the twin blades. Deftly she countered the girl's counter as she let loose with the weighted chain. Catching her startled prey completely unaware, the alpha knocked the girl off balance as the heavy chain connected with the girl's knee. The sickening sound of ligaments and muscle ripping as the joint bent in an unnatural caused the girl to scream out in pain.
Rushing in the dougi wearing female wrapped her right hand around the girl's left wrist before ramming her hand into and through the girl's ribcage. With a triumphant roar she ripped out the girl's still beating heart. Deftly she grabbed a handhold of the girl's purple hair and brought it within centimeters of her own face as she devoured the girl's heart before her shocked eyes.
"Shampoo!" the naked boy shouted as he beheaded several Darkseekers. Enraged by the sight of his life-long love's brutal death the master of hidden weapons valiantly fought against the odds. Even his great skill and numerous weapons weren't enough to get him any closer as the overwhelming number of Darkseekers kept him at bay.
Eviscerating a female Darkseeker Mousse realized his error as he failed to pull the blade out of the creature's stomach. Exposed for just a second he felt a powerful blow connect with his ribs. Startled he lost his grip on the sword as the blow carried him off his feet. Spinning, he hit his attacker with a knee to the face. Freed of his attacker the extremely near-sighted martial artist crashed into a bucket, inadvertently triggering his curse.
Knowing that he could barely fend off the powerful creatures in his true form, Mousse knew that he would fare much worse in his cursed form. Praying for forgiveness, the nearly blind duck jumped over the edge and took to the air.
*****
The gentle night's breeze carried the horrific screams and hungry howls to Ranma's keen ears. Though he could faintly hear them he knew it was too far away for him to do anything about it. Balling his hands into fists he turned his face so that the light wind blew straight into it.
"You hear it too, don't you?" Tsuruko asked as she stood up in the makeshift bath.
The raven haired boy nodded. Even with his back to her a slight shiver went down his spine. He was certain that it was the swordswoman and not the screams that made him tremble. Either that or it was that damned c..c-feline.
A roar not too far behind them answered the screams, probably one of the big cats that they had freed from the zoo.
But it was the sound of water being disturbed as the sleek and slender martial artist exited the bath that really bothered the younger martial artist. Despite her calm and formal demeanor Ranma knew that she was a predator. He could only hope that he wasn't her prey.
"I find it interesting that you and Hibiki-kun went out of your way just to create this small sanctuary for those zoo animals," the elegant woman stated as gently toweled herself off. "Why go to the trouble?"
"It's not that much trouble," Ranma answered with a shrug. "But probably because we were drunk."
A pregnant silence filled the air as only the crackling fire filled the night air.
Glancing over at the sleeping Ryoga and Kanako (who happened to be sleeping in his bed roll) as they lay in the shadows, Ranma cracked his wrist and knuckles.
"I've been meaning to ask you Saotome-kun," the elegant swordswoman said, breaking the silence. "What happened to the red haired girl?"
Repressing a twitch, the young martial artist shrugged as he looked away from Tsuruko.
"The last I saw of her she had entered the bath bearing a black piglet," the tall woman said. "But when I arrived there was only you and Hibiki-kun. I thought she might be hiding in the bath, but she wasn't there."
Not in the mood to explain himself or demonstrate his curse multiple times, Ranma cut her off, "I'll tell you in the morning; that way I won't have to explain things to both of you separately."
*****
A/N
And the cast grows smaller…. Sigh…
Hope you liked the chapter. Please, please, Read and Review.
Dreamingfox