Nakano City.
It had been a few weeks since Ryoga was dragged into the Kimura estate after his curse cleared him from the terrible menace angels and demons seemed to be afraid of.
It became an incredible change for the now girl, who until this month had to endure the cold sensation to live in the wilderness.
One thing she wasn't able to forget was that voice which manipulated her dreams with all manner of memories previously suppressed thanks to her denial over a certain couple she valued as family.
The persisting tone abruptly remarked times when Akane Tendo easily dismissed his feelings even though several situations in their past had been so clear and direct there was no denying she could use to fake innocence .
The uncalled assistance from a magical giant cat who openly asked her to marry Ryoga, and those heart shaped marks the magic cookies left on someone's face were among the most difficult for Ryoga to dismiss.
Ryoga kept protecting Akane with the usual 'innocent demeanor' until the voice progressed into a force the fanged teen couldn't stop any longer.
Ryoki: "N-No, she didn't mean it. . .S-She cares for me and would never. . ." Babbled the girl exhausted.
Her weakened struggling words while asleep slowly transformed another peaceful night into the desperate need to trash sheets and pillows wildly on her bed, and unknowingly release mildly powered punches and kicks not hard to be ignored for those who slept close by.
At three in the morning Hana, Bella and Takeda already waited outside Ryoki's door due to the strangely vibration of boards on the floors and the rumbling sensations against the walls. The trio heard over the weeks how terrible these nightmares affected a girl who denied ever having them in the first place.
Takeda: "Should we go in?"
Hana: "I, I don't know. I can sense so much struggle in her dreams, but I don't know if we should intervene."
Bella, albeit reluctant to soften up by the new fiancée's problems, she opted to remain quiet, by standing only if her blade was needed but ignoring the situation the victim was in.
Suddenly, and out of nowhere all three teens were politely shoved aside. Eiko, the elder sister and caretaker for the family walked right through that same door, forfeiting any protocol and acting as the sister she was for everyone.
Eiko: "There, there. . .Everything will be alright." Patted Eiko softly.
The older girl grabbed a whimpering, yet asleep Ryoki into her arms, rocking the teen from one side to the next and soothing her laments with kind words. In time the teen slowly stopped from tensing her arms, lulled by her sweet voice which happened to dominate the tone dying down in Ryoki's mind.
Ryoki's heavy sweat all across her face began to dissipate once Eiko tucked her in and tiptoed outside the room once she felt the incident under control.
No one said a thing about what just happened, and when the elder asked the others to go back to their bedrooms, no more argument over the matter left Takeda and the girls increasingly worried for their new friend.
Saturday morning finally arrived, and with it the regular chores to do a thoroughly cleaning of the house, and enjoy a nice family picnic highly deserved for the heroes protecting the land. As the rest sat over the table and enjoyed their plates, each individual half expected some type of explanation about last night, one that for some unknown reason never actually was given.
Ryoki: "Eiko-san, thanks for breakfast. I promise to help with the house work after I'm back from training."
Eiko: "Please dear, be careful out there and don't over do it. . ."
Ryoki: "I won't!"
It had been so great to sleep in a comfy bed, and take regular showers where the hot and cold water could be easily used from plumbing faucets. Ryoki Hibiki, as Nakano city got to know the former lost boy took her leave after she reported weekly training sessions with her supposedly close relative, Chingensai.
The fanged teen had successfully adapted to living among a loving family despite the terrible past she suffered by the hands of Ranma and the Tendos, that is without the notion about those nightmares playing annoyingly in her sleep.
She never blamed them directly from forcing her to reach this decision because at some point she knew they didn't do it on purpose. Still, the massive memories slowly chipping off her confidence and the trust she had for Akane and Ranma were the principal reason she doubted her new relationship with the Kimura family could really work.
Takeda: "Um, sis. Don't you think we should talk about. . ."
Eiko: "Stop right there Take-kun. I know all of you are worried about her situation, but nightmares are a result from a struggle we all have to confront at some point. If you feel the need, talk to her, but be careful. Bad dreams have threatened to ruin this family before, and I will not let that happen ever again."
The elder spoke of times when Takeda himself couldn't cope with angels or demons in his life. Hana had some influencing monsters who tried to attack her on her sleep before she learned how to counter their efforts, and even Gina couldn't accept missing her parents in such a way, nightmares nearly drove her crazy.
A moment later the teens were forced to understand how their line of work was a dangerous one despite their ability to control their inner most fearful thoughts before and during a battle.
Takeda: "You're right sis, I almost forgot my own past. . .Thanks"
Eiko thanked her little brother for understanding and cheered him up into helping Ryoki in anyway she need it.
Eiko: "Remember, she is part of our family, and we need to always be there for her."
Eiko, Takeda and Hana reaffirmed their connection even more when these kind of situations made them come closer with one another, a link they always strived to keep alive and reinforced with every passing day.
Bella, on the other hand remained lost from those personal moments they had to endure alone. The blonde simply shrugged her shoulders and proceeded to obediently go on with human chores as a way to pitch in with the family, that is until Gregor appeared into the house.
Gregor: "We need to talk."
The male angel had a certain respect for Takeda and his family, but that was the extent from his attention once Bella would excuse herself and lead the celestial away from the house.
Back with Ryoga, walking across the streets with no need to stop a fight over whose the better fiancee, or defend a girl who needed no protection felt increasingly good in her heart, and as the girl pressed on her way to Chingensai's Dojo, her mind raced towards unfinished business inherent to her new way of life.
Ryoki: "It feels a bit annoying the way Gina and Aika handle me as a pig, but to be honest I feel closer to them by acting that way. I know Bella-san doesn't trust me completely, and while I'm lying to their faces about my origins, I wouldn't blame her from doing so."
"What worries me in all this new life though, is that damned law those angels gave to Takeda-san. Not only they made a holy mess with recruiting several fiancées for the same guy, but it appears as they reinforce such rule across others areas. . .Including Ranma, and the rest back at Nerima."
The girl managed to walk right when Mr. Hisao opened the ramen shop, watching him work alone after he let her practice for the volleyball club on the afternoons.
Ryoki: "Hey Mr. Hisao, need any help this morning?"
Hisao: "Nah!, don't worry kid. You know most of my food has been cooking since last night, and Saturdays usually begin lazily in the mornings. . .Besides, aren't you having practice with that old man up the hill?"
Ryoki: "Yeah. Um, my uncle seems to have some visitors and I don't know if we'll practice most of the day. If he let me go early, I'll come by tonight after I help Eiko Kimura with the house."
Hisao: "Perfect, that's a date then."
Both, girl and the old man waved one last time before Ryoki rushed the next ten blocks in a matter of seconds and reached the dojo almost instantly.
It was a strange feeling to be able to leak some of her hidden powers through P-chan, and into her female form, but the teen started to get a grasp on the concept of two curses coexisting in the same body, and how to evenly distribute chi among all three forms.
When she slid the wooden gate open, Chingensai already waited by his table on the garden. His hidden smile always creeping up Ryoga's back, but for some reason calming her nerves once his vacillating voice brought him down to a human level.
Chingensai: "Dear, you are early this morning. Is there something wrong you want us to deal with before starting out our sparring training?"
Ryoki: "Stow it old man, I can feel that other old freak hiding somewhere in the vicinity. Is he going to watch us fight?, or is there a reason why Happosai stares at me from the shadows?"
The second Ryoga caught the old man sneaking around to grab her butt, the fanged girl promptly turned on his direction, pounding nothing but air at first, but connecting her closed fist on top of his head a moment later.
Ryoki: "I told you already that I can sense you, old man. Why would you try it anyway?"
The tiny master rubbed the bump on top of his head, trying to recognize the so called Yaomo hidden inside the girl.
Happosai: "Either you tricked me, or you're far drunken than I am old friend. I can sense some powerful chi in this girl, but I have never seen her in my life, and that level of energy does not make her a powerful Yaomo"
Chingensai: "Patience, my good ol' friend. Wait for a moment and see what you have missed all these years."
Doubtful that the girl possessed any important information about the ultra demon, the tiny perverted man decided to jump over the fence and watch them fight, choosing to go and steal some clothes on this town if the teen didn't deliver what his old friend had promised the day before.
Ryoki: "You haven't told me why is he here, sensei?"
Chingensai: "I'm afraid things are starting to get out of hand, my dear. A powerful level seven demon has been released on earth to gather information about your birth. Her name is Amanozako, an ancient ghost who, three hundred years ago gave happy and me the secret to absorb life force from female vibes."
The old bearded man explained the girl that this ghastly demon had the ability to attack through physical manifestations of her spiritual power. An ability so destructive, no human was ever able to fight it off.
Chingensai: "I'm afraid they connected me to my good old friend, and thus hell is interested in attacking Nerima directly with the goal to weed you out. Now, I know you dislike the idea to ever go back there, but until we can dominate that male body of yours completely, you are going to have to go there, if anything as a shadow."
Ryoga considered to one day go back and finally challenge Ranma for a final showdown between the two, forgetting to visit that place after whatever outcome that fight might entitle, and seal that chapter of her life into a stupid memory easily to forget.
Ryoki: "Fine, I will go and defend those guys, but only if Ranma can't do a thing against those demons. Takeda told me that Ranma is one of heaven's heroes in charge to protect that area, and I'm sure the angels will help him when the time comes."
Chingensai: "I don't think so, my dear. Don't you remember how Hana almost died during the last invasion if it wasn't for you?. . .No, those angels and their rules keep them from descending here unless there is something they can get out of us."
Ryoki sighed tiredly at the idea because it was true. During the last fight, no angel was ever dispatched to help earth, and they only showed up when Ryoga, dressed as a dark shadow, roamed the affected areas while making herself an easy target to pick.
Ryoki: "Fine. Shall we train then?"
The tiny master winked away at his old friend, hinting him to pay attention on the girl once he covered the whole dojo with his invisibility blanket.
Before the amazed eyes of the old geezer, Ryoki walked towards the table where two cups were set separated one from the other. The girl poured the first cup of hot water over her head, hastily dissipating the extra fluid and shedding all clothes down on the grass.
Happosai: "No. . .It can't be."
The sight of a small black piglet awoke the interest in the master, giving him the desire to fall from the fence and get even closer to the tiny mammal.
Right there, in front of him the piglet hit the table with one of her hooves, knocking down the second cup over her diminutive form, and transforming it into a majestic fanged boy.
Happosai was sent back against the wall when Ryoga exploded into his original self. His red and flaming hair waving with the wind, and his green emerald eyes staring directly at both fighters of old with amazing determination.
Happosai: "T-This Chi. . .I-It's staggering. How?, I mean Ryoga-kun. Since when?"
Chingensai couldn't do nothing more but laugh at his friend's dubious looks. Ryoga had managed over the last two months to fully release the beast a Yaomo could become, that is once the tiny ninja master was able to stabilize its form.
Chingensai: "As you can see old friend, Ryoga-chan is the Yaomo heaven and hell are so afraid to let live. She hid that birthmark just like the ancient texts described. With a blinding dream unable to navigate, and the devil's luck to match."
Happy recalled that sentence from those manuscripts, hitting him loud in his head when a blinding dream unable to navigate had to be translated as Ryoga's directionless sickness, and devil's luck his inability to fight his own fate.
Happosai: "How could I be so blind at the signs!, I had a sleeping Yaomo hiding in my own home all this time, and I was never able to put two and two together."
Chingensai: "Indeed, happy. Do you see now the kind of power humanity has to defend against hell, and heaven altogether?. That's why I ask you today. . .Join me on this endeavor, and fight for the real reward instead of those measly scraps demons and angels alike throw us on the dirt."
Both old masters agreed to protect and train Ryoga as the ultimate weapon the world would need to fight against superior enemies. Happosai promised to become a double agent for hell and their cause while Chingensai swore to keep tabs in heaven while training the girl to become a real Yaomo.
The next hours became a real treat for both ancient humans who, flaring their combined chi, had the honor to spar against a greater opponent. Happosai decided to leave behind the old and stupid games of bombs and tricks while pulling his full chi into action.
So did Chingensai, and at the end of the two hour sparring session, both old men were all banged up, giving up the fight and resting their burned out bodies on the grass. Ryoga could barely handle his souped-up male form after his limit had been reached so far as well.
With some trouble trying to reach the table, the ex-lost boy ran instead a few steps to the left and dropped inside the Koi pond in a splashing plop. Moments later a naked girl popped from within the water, resting with a heaving chest along side the two perverts and managing to cover her body just as she slapped Happosai's grabby hands away from her chest.
Ryoki: "D-Damn it, old man. Not even beaten, and down do you stop harassing girls?"
Happosai: "Oh dear Ryoga. Who would have thought you were really a missing gem my clan has searched for centuries. And to make matters better, even your girly chi regenerates my life much faster than any clothe I have stole before. . .C-Come here, baby."
Ryoki: "Damn it. . .G-Get away from me!."
Both young and old dismissed the use of special techniques or chi moves after the massive expenditure of energy Happosai was forced to invest, and Ryoga's impressive original form exerted got the girl dizzy on the grass, having them both in a disadvantage.
Instead, the fanged girl pushed herself aside by rolling several times away from the perverted geezer while Happosai missed time and again from touching her.
Chingensai: "Oh, the powerful energy of youth. I think this sparring training has gone long enough. I'm going to shed the invisible net off, and Ryoga. You can leave for the day."
Ryoki didn't think twice from obeying the given order. She immediately stood with her remaining strength and dressed on her way to the wooden gates.
Ryoki: "Thanks sensei, I'll see you next weekend. And you old pervert, I hope you stick to your word and tell nothing of this to Ranma, and specially to Akane-san."
Moments later the young girl vanished back into the city. She already had several engagements in need to be fulfilled and to her dismay even Takeda wanted to take her out on a "friendly" date.
Chingensai: "What she says is right Happy. We can't afford for anyone to find out about Ryoga's secret, and I believe your relatives would be a big distraction in her personal training.
Happosai: "But you don't get it Chin-kun!, M'boy and his fiancée are actually looking for him all over the place. They were able to clear his name from that funny business with the police, and Akane-chan seems to be affected the most by his disappearance."
Chingensai: "I'm sorry old friend, but Ryoga-chan has officially moved on from those kids, she is becoming the only defense this world has against either heaven or hell, and for what I can gather, Takeda Kimura, the teen hero working for the celestials is possibly looking into making her a fiancée."
Every excuse branded the old Happosai to remain cautious and keeping his mouth shut. The master of explosive bombs had no other choice, but to play along and lie to Amanozako, Akane and Ranma until the fanged girl could master her original form.
Happosai: "Well, I've never been one for telling the truth, so I guess this is the best course of action. I'm leaving now, and I will keep you posted with any news from Nerima."
Both friends saw each other for the last time this year after the old geezer took his leave and worked the few lose ends back home.
Here on Nakano city, Chingensai had his work cut out to himself when he had to juggle with Ryoga's hidden identity, keep the girl from joining Avaron, and stay away from the celestial radar until the real fight would commence.
Back on the Kimura estate Ryoki Hibiki returned to finish the house's cleansing for the end of the year festival.
Although Bella always kept an eye on the girl, Hana, Gina and Takeda seemed to trust her enough to leave Ryoki alone most of the time.
Eiko: "Very good!, We already have herring eggs, kelp, shrimps, and the kagame mochi pieces for decoration. This should be a lot easier than last year."
Ryoki watched with puzzled eyes as the nineteen year old girl decorated the two stacked mochi fixtures all over the house, forcing the teen to tilt her head and wonder what was so important for Eiko to set decorated rice balls everywhere.
Takeda: "I see you're thinking why setting Kagame mochis all around the house. Were you really living on the wilderness most of the time?"
Ryoki: "Y-Yeah. I had the chance to pass some Christmas days with a family, but most preparations for yearend festivities were things I was never around to see. Even when I was little, I always wondered why my mom fixed our house with so many stuff, but I never asked the reasons myself."
Hana: "I see. Well, Kagame Mochi has a big meaning in our culture, and more importantly it's a staple as a family treat. In our holy training, and according many traditions we believe certain kamis are represented depending on a certain part of the house."
It felt strange the way Hana talked to Ryoki like if she was a little girl, but the fanged teen never left her eyes off the priestess, taking every single word in, and listening at a story she had never heard until now.
Hana: "There is a kamado gami god of fire in the kitchen, a nando kami backroom god in the bedrooms, a kawaya gami toilet, and suiji water gods in the plumbing and faucets protecting bathrooms and sinks which are places in need of kagame mochi."
Bella hardly listened to all those superstitious lies as if they were real, but there is a certain showmanship in the way humans recite a certain object with the need to relate it into a kami that the blonde found fascinating.
Gina, and Aika were mesmerized at the lecture as well. It was an official duty for Shinto priestess to encourage their culture and teach new generations about old traditions, that's why both Hana and Takeda inflated their chests during the celebration's real meaning.
Takeda: "In fact, the different foods prepared for the Osechi have a meaning of their own. Kelp and broiled fish cakes symbolize good luck, shrimps resemble old men with their bent backs and long mustache which represent a long life, and the herring eggs are the direct interpretation of Kazunoko, or a wish for women to have lots of children."
The boy had such a happy face and his finger raised into the air, as if he was an expert in the matter. When he opened his eyes to see how the girls reacted, Hana, Bella and Gina blushed tremendously at the hint for bearing children while Ryoki, Aika and Naoki stared baffled at the last explanation.
Hana: "Y-Yeah well, some traditions aren't exactly made for everyone, but those are the facts behind our culture."
After a while the house had been turned into a local Shinto temple where those unable to visit the real ones could come and pray to their ancestors.
Ryoki: "What should I do with these?"
The fanged teen held in her hands a pair of bamboo decorations Eiko explained they were to be set outside the gates after December the twenty-sixth.
Eiko: "These two special decorations represent longevity, steadfastness and prosperity, but we are getting used to set a Christmas tree like it has been recently introduced from western countries."
Ryoki found so many traditions a basic knowledge the girl was supposed to know long ago, but living on the forest, or briefly visiting the Tendo dojo as a piglet mostly gave her a sense of regret and hatred she couldn't separate from Ranma and Akane.
Ryoki: "Damn it!, it's not their fault, but I really wanted to share this with them. Well, forget it. That's in my past now, and nothing will bring back those days again."
Perhaps it was foolish of her to blame every wrong turn in her life to Ranma and company, but the sanest thing to do now was to replace her need of belonging from the Tendos with this new family, at least until the truth could be discovered and Bella would try to exterminate the real Ryoga from her.
Suddenly a hand resting on her shoulder made the girl turn and see Takeda repeating a question the girl most likely ignored during her own thinking.
Ryoki: "Sorry. What was that again?"
Takeda: "It's alright. I asked you if any of these preparations remind you of the family you frequented before you met us?"
Ryoki: "Nah. The Tendos and Ranma Saotome were the closest thing I had for a family, but they ended up taking me for granted until the day I realized it. . ."
The fanged girl clenched her teeth in anger at the memories forcing their way in regardless of her resistance. She dreaded the day when Ranma or anyone one from Nerima would cross paths with her in the future, making the girl look increasingly devoid of any love for those who betrayed her.
When she stopped tightening her fists and getting the pretty pink color back to her cheeks, the sudden realization from what she said on a whim made Ryoki grow her eyes in surprise, twisting her face towards the crowd and berating herself for talking too much.
Ryoki: "Man. I shouldn't have said that. . ."
Takeda: "Don't sweat it, Ryoki-san. We knew at some point that you ran from someone in particular, but we're glad you can count us as your family."
Hana's smile and even Bella's slight nod were signs of acknowledgment Ryoga felt so lucky to have earned. The fanged girl took a deep breath, asking next for a private moment with the boy, and leading him by the hand towards the last room on top of the house.
As both teens rushed three flight of stairs up, the girls down on the first floor watched questioningly at the pair leaving.
Gina: "You think she's going to declare her love for him?"
Hana: "What makes you say that?, they are just friends and I don't think that's what this is all about."
Gina: "But. . .Wasn't this way how we all made a pact to love Takeda-kun?, remember. We took him alone and poured our feelings until he accepted us as fiancées."
The little fifteen year old girl had a point both Hana and Bella seemed to have missed. In the past, both teens procured a private time with the boy, explaining their status as the alpha fiancée and leaving the others as second rate concubines.
Hana: "I hate to admit it, but you may be right."
The simple admittance to be mistaken made the priestess, Gina and Eiko leave the rest of the decorations behind, walking instead upstairs and meet with the couple getting away from them.
Gina: "Bella-san. Aren't you going to come as well?"
The blonde angel had a terrible waking moment the second Avaron demoralized her dreams as a possible candidate for the boy, not to mention the desperate cries Gregor imposed on the girl every time they've met about their own connection.
Hurt and embarrassment flared deeply in her mind, but the simple cold stare and her serious demeanor were the only sign she dared to represent her feelings with.
Bella: "That matter does not correspond to a celestial."
Hana and Gina knew something happened during her recall back to heaven that made the girl even colder than before. The priestess wanted to fix that problem as well, but a certain magnetism pulled every teen towards the last floor, and against the door connecting them with the pair.
Once everyone remained at the top floor Ryoki and Takeda silently talked right at the end of the hall where Ryoga's room had been assigned. The girl hastily pulled the boy inside on the last second, leading him on top of the bed as she tried to lower her heart rate to a normal beating and confess what lied for so long in her mind.
Ryoki: "L-Listen Takeda-san. You guys have been the greatest people I have ever encountered in my life, so, whether you want it or not, I need to be truthful once and for all.
The teen felt his heart racing as well. He had redundantly rejected the idea to have several fiancées at once, but despite having deep feelings for Hana, Takeda recognized a strong attraction for the fanged teen as well.
He simply furrowed his eyes, stood from the bed and walked right behind Ryoki while the girl looked away from him.
Suddenly his hands surrounded the girl, and in a swift move turned her around, closing his face mere inches in front of her and preparing his lips to kiss her own.
Ryoki saw the unexpected turn of events as a misinterpretation of facts the girl didn't mean to make. Her eyes grew in size several times over, and the blush came furiously back into her face, but her hands were able to pull him away in the lat minute and sent him spiraling back on the bed.
Ryoki: "S-Sorry Takeda-san, but you don't understand my position. I need to explain first about my life, and after that, I will leave you alone."
Takeda: "Why?. . .Isn't what I feel in my heart, what you feel in yours?. I have seen you all this time, and you can't lie to me. I. . .I-I like you a lot Ryoki. . ."
There was nothing the fanged girl could do now, but to show him the horrible truth and expect his rightful punishment. The teen tightened her fists again at the impotence to avoid "that" secret and realize something from doing so. . .She was about to mess her life a lot further than it already was.
Ryoki: "Fine, I wanted to confess my secret to you alone, but I can hear the loud thumping hearts from all of you out there. Hana, please open the door and come in."
At her request, Takeda saw the door creaking open and the several girls walking in with shame written in all their faces.
Hana: "We just wanted to reaffirm your intentions, Ryoki-san, but we understand how you feel for Takeda-kun."
Ryoki: "No!, you don't. . .I may have some confusing feelings towards him, but first. I need you to see something and then you can pass judgment over me."
Takeda: "So. You really have feelings for me?"
Ryoki: "I-I. . .I do like you a lot, but you need to understand the whole truth and not only what you see before your eyes."
Takeda managed to raise a brow confused, mostly because he didn't find a problem with her secrets. Still, the one who had a certain explanation for Ryoki's reluctance was Hana who until now had tested the fanged girl over her love for girls instead of boys.
When the teen stopped declaring a certain truth no one knew about, the priestess had mere seconds to raise her hand and explain Ryoki's sexual identity only to be stopped by another participant joining in.
In her desperation Bella had finally floated right into the same room. Her crumpled brows demanding the sure explanation the rest needed to hear that Ryoki was in reality a demon, forcing her fingers to snap ready and summon her blade.
Ryoki: "Good. We are all here, so let's get this show on the road. Hana. . .You're right, I like girls and not boys, but not in the context you're describing. Once I show you my secret, all of you will understand everything."
The same exercise Ryoki made Takeda and the girls do on her last day camping out there had been the request the girl asked for them to repeat. This time Gina, and Eiko were present during the demonstration, unaware that there was more than just a trick turning a human into a piglet.
Ryoki turned to see Takeda directly into his eyes, blushing intensely by his humiliated attempts to kiss her a few moments ago. Luckily the girl made things clear about her feelings in time, and now that everyone was here, she knew the priest would understand the real reasons she had from doing so.
Ryoki: "Forgive me, Takeda, but I never meant to mislead you into this situation."
The boy couldn't understand why would she say that. They shared mutual feelings, and he didn't feel ashamed to admit it openly. When the girl asked him to pour some hot water on her, the piglet everyone knew and loved appeared among the fallen clothes.
Takeda: "We all know what you turn into, Ryoki. If that's your fear over me then I don't mind at all loving you like this."
It was a noble sentiment the fanged teen thanked him for with happy snorts, but the tiny pig's nose kept pointing at the piece of paper Ryoki left for the boy to read.
Takeda: "Pour hot water over me again, and this time you'll know why I can't correspond those feelings."
From the scrutiny and doubtful sensation in every set of eyes, the teens watched as the priest dispensed some more of the hot liquid Ryoki brought from the bathroom on top of the piglet.
The next few seconds became eternal after the tiny mammal grew in size, and its darkened fur transformed into a muscular male body donning a powerful vibe, and a flaming red mane.
Hana and the girls were barely able to look away from the well endowed boy once they got over the transformation, but the priest and Bella couldn't stop from staring at him, most likely for different reasons, but unable to break eye contact from the male.
Ryoga: "Takeda-san. This is the real me. . .I am Ryoga Hibiki, and I was born a boy, but that old man living by the hill told me of my ancestry, and how I was really the only descendant from a powerful couple killed long ago."
That became the precious moment when Bella's blade came into life as the immense Chi Ryoga poured swallowed the whole estate. Her wings sprouted almost unconsciously and the girl readied herself to confront such monster without a regard for her life.
Hana: "T-This power. . .S-So much. You must be that Yaomo angels are looking for, aren't you?" Asked the girl without looking at the naked teen directly at his face.
Ryoga: "Yes Hana-san. I am that Yaomo everyone is trying to capture. I will go back to my last form, and leave my judgment to you."
It was a sure suicide to deliver himself to them after showing them the truth, but at this point Ryoga started to see a pattern repeating itself over and over. He was a powerful being beyond those who posed as leaders and governors over humanity.
He knew sooner or later, either he would end up fighting them, or heaven and hell would try and hurt the closest connection he had with a family or friends.
It was unavoidable at this point to try and salvage a life he wasn't ever meant to enjoy anyway. The teen took a deep breath, walked into the cold shower, and stood underneath its current until Ryoki walked out of it as a girl.
Ryoki: "You know now why I can't respond to your feelings, Takeda-san. I am a boy destined to be destroyed, and nothing can stop that."
Takeda's eyes bulged in surprise, watching frozen at the blonde angel who didn't lose a beat, and flung sword first against her target.
Swoosh. . .Clash!. . .
Hana and Gina ran their hands at their open mouths, covering them in fear when the priest dashed forward and knelt before the fanged teen, stopping the sword against his hands before it could stab her heart.
Bella: "What are you doing!?. . .She is the devil incarnate. The objective we were instructed to slay and deliver to our superiors. . .Move, or I will kill you with her."
Takeda: "N-No!, she is my friend and a close family I will protect from anyone."
Both teens stared defiantly at each other despite his whole training coming to an end and his loyalty shifting towards a defeated girl fallen to her knees.
Ryoki tried to pull him aside with one hand hoping to take the attack fully, and be done with this mess, but to her surprise the boy veered on his knees, kissed her square on the lips and never let go from her damped body crouched around wet clothes.
Her eyes flew open at the sensation, depriving her brain from all conscious thought, and instead letting the teen enjoy the intimate care Takeda was willing to share. A few moments later reason internally slapped the girl into realizing what had happened.
With as much care as she could summon Ryoki pulled the kiss away, watching puzzled at a boy who laid his life on the line despite knowing who she really was.
Ryoki: "T-Takeda. . .Why on earth?"
Takeda: "You are who I love, just like Hana, and Bella are. I will not let you loose yourself only because someone said otherwise. And you, Bella-san. I can feel your hatred for what Avaron made you follow, but I don't agree with that either. . ."
The refreshing sense of acknowledging her efforts was a strong enough feeling for the angel to gasp in surprise and back away from both teens. Her blade disappeared from her hands in an instant after no desire to kill was ever present in the angel, and at the end of the day all teens became a closer knitted family than before despite of what could happen next.
Ryoki still stared tensely at the boy, touching her lips with two fingers and quietly murmuring why would he kiss another guy. Takeda felt her disbelief over his demonstration cute and as he rested his forehead on hers, the boy said something it never occurred to the girl.
Takeda: "You are who you are, Ryoki-san. If I met you as a girl, and I fell in love with one, then that means nothing more in you should surprise or make me want to walk away from you."
Ryoki: "What the hell!?. . .He sees me as this form despite who I really am, but. . .If sensei was right. Would that mean that I can live the rest of my life as a woman?. Is that even possible?"
There were many unanswered questions the fanged girl had, and no one around to explain them for her. In time she was sure either heaven or hell would try to come after her, but for now it seemed as her luck began to change for the better.
Ryoki: "Well. I guess it's ok if you feel that way, but what are we going to do about me?"
Takeda: "Nothing. Avaron doesn't know who or where are you, and hell is afraid to look directly for you. Otherwise there would have been more invasions like before, but they have stopped altogether."
"I guess we can lay low and hear what your uncle has to say, and then we can go from there."
Hana: "You know we are going against heaven on this, don't you?"
Takeda: "I know, but have you wondered Hana-san, why on earth would they impose their costumes by force?. . .Aren't you tired of living with the brand to be one of several fiancées destined to be attached to a pre-arranged marriage?"
Hana realized Takeda had a very strong point against the same problem she doubted from the start. She thought this through for some time now, and since life seemed unfair for women in this heavenly regime the priestess decided to go on board with the rebellion.
Hana: "Fine. I think this is the best course of action for now."
Both teens watched at Bella next. They had hopes to have the blond on their side, but the angel had her rules to follow, and by keeping Ryoki a secret, the celestial girl surely forsake her own existence here on earth.
Takeda: "Listen Bella-san. I know this goes against every teaching given by Avaron, but. . ."
Bella: "I agree to follow your lead Takeda-san, but know this."
The angel astonished the boy after her prompting acceptance of their situation, but regardless of how demeaning and humiliating the angel was treated back on heaven Bella had a strong sense of justice no simple solution could veered her from imposing her terrible wrath.
Bella: "If Ryoki-san ever tries to harm an innocent, or rebels against us in any way, I will personally cut her in half."
Takeda: "Fair enough. For now, let's keep this from anyone else and go about our business. I'm sure her uncle can add more at this situation and then we can deal with the future more calmly."
When that Saturday ended, Ryoki had finally been accepted as a trusting family member in a group who acknowledged her full existence. She realized the kind of risk the Kimura family took in covering for her, but if Ryoki were to become a powerful Yaomo in time, the girl made a personal promise to give her life for those who gave their own for her.