Ranma 1/2
A Scary Thought:
Chapter 26
A soaking wet Kasumi-kun finished smashing the last of the coconuts, but as with all of the previous ones, the principal's letter was not inside. "It was just another ruse. Where could he possibly have hid that letter?" Kasumi thought aloud as he stood up, surveying the school from its highest point. Furinkan was a very large place. A single coconut could be hidden anywhere of hundreds of places. That in itself was not that worrisome. What was the real problem was that Kasumi had to find the coconut himself before several hundred students who were all now aware of her intentions.
Kasumi frowned as he pondered the possibilities, trying to reason out the coconut's location. However, he quickly gave up. Deviousness just was not in him. That had always been Genma's area of expertise, not his, and unfortunately Genma was nowhere about and Kasumi had no time to consult him. Kasumi hung his head, the feeling that he was failing Shampoo overwhelming him. "No, I won't give up yet," Kasumi said as he raised his head. "I'll just have to slow everyone else down."
Looking down at the school ground, the building's main power relay caught his eye. "Oh, I really shouldn't destroy school property, but under the circumstances." Sighing, Kasumi took aim and let a bolt of chi strike out at the power relay. The large metal box was destroyed instantly by the beam, and with it, the entire school was plunged into darkness. "There, that should buy me some time," Kasumi said as numerous screams and startled yells could be heard from within.
XXXXX
"Ranma, get the hell off of me!" Akane yelled in annoyance.
Ranma flailed wildly in the pile of bodies that had quickly resulted from the unexpected black out. "That's not me. I'm over here. Oops, sorry, I-"
A loud scream was heard followed by an even louder crash. "Die you pervert!"
"Ryoga, darling, alone in the dark at last."
"Um, that's nice and all, but I'm not Ryoga."
"Would somebody open the blasted door so we can get some light in here!"
"I'm trying, but... ah, here it is."
"That's not a doorknob you idiot!"
"Sorry, sorry, sorry!"
"Ow, watch it."
"How can I? I can't see my own hand."
"Hey! I felt that!"
"I don't suppose anyone has a match?"
"Woohoo! What a haul! What a haul!"
A collective scream went up from all the girls, and a scuffle ensued as everyone frantically tried to find the old pervert. The total blackout soon ended with the door being smashed open with a force of Happosai's body crashing against it. Light from the windows poured in revealing Kotori in a rage so consuming her aura was flaring to near the roof. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
"Yikes!" Happosai whimpered at the sight of the enraged girl. Grabbing his sack of newly acquired goodies, he raced down the hall, and out the nearest window. Kotori pursued him that far, then stood, panting in outrage as she watched him disappear in the trees below.
"That freak! Man, he gives me the... does anyone else feel a draft?" Akane said as a shiver overcame her. Suddenly she blushed as she realized what had happened, and retreated back into the darkened room from which she and the others just came. Seconds later most the other girls in the party followed suit.
"What?" Ranma asked in confusion. Getting no immediate answer, Ranma pondered the possibilities, and came to one conclusion. "He didn't!"
"He did," Makoto replied from within the room as she tried feebly to cover herself with her skirt. "How the heck did he do it? I didn't feel a thing."
"Wahhh! I hate this school!" Usagi cried from behind her. "That crazy principal is going to give me a bowl cut and now that nasty old man stole my panties!"
"Usagi, calm down," Minako said. "Nobody is cutting anyone's hair, and we can just slip off to the gym and pick up some spare clothes there."
"I'm not moving anywhere like this. What if somebody sees?"
Kitsune nodded in agreement. "She's got a point. That would be a little embarrassing. Um, say fellas... ah, could we ask a big favor?"
"Sure, we can go down there-"
"What good would that do? You don't know the locker combos and I'm not about to hand mine out. No, I was thinking of something else..."
XXXXX
Ranma stepped out from the darkened room, a look on his face that said 'say one word, and I'll rip your lungs out and feed them to you'. Most the other boys in the group shared the look as they exited as well all now dressed in skirts. Following them, the girls exited hesitantly, dressed in the boys' pants.
"This is embarrassing!" Ryoga shouted.
"Not half as embarrassing as it would have been for us, so live with it," Saki replied, and then looked down the hall towards the gym. "Come on, we'll make a quick stop by the gym, get changed, then back to the search. And watch it with those. Last thing we need is for you guys to wreck them and for us to need to explain why. Let's go."
"Man," Ranma moaned in annoyance at his current situation, but followed the others anyway. "I just don't get it, why is Kasumi helping that freak?"
"Tis unthinkable!" Kuno responded. "Surely that mad man has gained some leverage over her. He must be stopped!"
"Leverage? What kind of leverage?" Saki asked as the group reached the stairs.
"I am uncertain, but surely it is so. No other explanation would suffice."
Ranma nodded in agreement. "Yeah, there is no way Kasumi would help him willingly. I wonder where she and Ukyo went off to. Besides, what good is all this anyway? Kasumi has the coconuts."
Saki shook her. "Somehow I don't think so. I know this loon of a principal may be hard to predict, but I doubt any of those coconuts held the note. Beyond that, he hasn't made an announcement or anything. You think he would be gloating if he already had the note."
"He may just be laughing at us from his office," Kodachi replied. "Still, you have a point. We cannot give up hope just yet. Somehow, your hypothesis seems consistent with my father's twisted sense of logic."
The group walked by several students on their way to the changing rooms, Ranma and most the boys staring down any comments. None of the observers were brave enough to do more than let off stifled giggles. Finally they arrived outside the gymnasium.
"Hurry up in there, would ya. I want to seen like this as little time as possible," Ryoga said, hurriedly prompting the girls to enter.
Kodachi took a moment to stop and smile at him. "Think of it as a kilt dearest."
"It is not a kilt, and I'm not you're dearest. Now hurry up!"
Kodachi sighed but smiled and did as she was bidden, pausing at the door to reply, "Well, you can always go and change in to your gym clothes if you're so anxious." She then left the boys outside to themselves.
"Now there's a point," Ranma noted, while glaring at an oblivious Ryoga. How dare the jerk treat Kodachi that way, he thought in some anger but did nothing more. He and the others started to head off to the other end of the building and the boys' change room, all except Takeshi that is. Ranma noticed this and stopped. "Aren't you coming?"
Takeshi cleared his throat and leaned up against the wall. "I had to get my stuff cleaned up from yesterday. I forgot to bring it."
"Oh, well, it shouldn't be that long," Ranma replied with a shrug, and a slightly amused grin, before rushing to catch up with the others.
"After they're through, we have to think up some sort of plan," Sempai commented, adjusting the dress he had received from Kitsune nervously. "We're getting nowhere with all this running around. We need to approach this with our heads."
"I say we find Kasumi and find out what is wrong. If we don't have to deal with her, it is just a matter of time. He gave us three days after all," Ryoga said, gaining agreeing nods from Tatewaki and, reluctantly, from Ranma
"He's right, we just-"
"Are you all blind and dumb!" Ukyo shouted angrily as she walked up, causing all the boys to look her way. "This is just the way she... why are you all wearing dresses?"
"That old freak... well he... never mind. Let's just say it was necessary," Ryoga replied with a blush. "Where have you been?"
"Chasing Kasumi," Ukyo lied. "She got away though, but I can't belief you all are so casually dismissing what she just did."
"Ukyo, come on..."
"Don't come on me. I tried to warn you about her, but no one ever listens. Now the evidence is right in front of your faces and you still don't see it. Is everybody so stupid around here you can't see the obvious?"
"Silence wench! I will not suffer your outrageous assaults on Kasumi's character!" Tatewaki challenged, producing with bokken and threatening her with it. Ukyo did not even flinch at the sight of his weapon.
"Spare me. If you all insist on being idiots, I'm not going to stop you. I'll find Kasumi, and deal with this myself," Ukyo responded in kind, and turned to leave.
Tatewaki snarled and moved forward, but Ranma restrained him. "Drop it. It will all work out."
"You speak wisely Saotome, but there will be a reckoning for that woman."
XXXXX
"Fiancée?" Herb repeated in surprise, looking down at the cloaked woman kneeling in front of him. "I remember no fiancée."
"Ssssire, sssurely you remember your interview, the one that prompted your departure," Sissithississ said, giving the prince, Mint and Cologne a long skeptical look. They were all now gathered in the storeroom of the Amazon restaurant, and in Sissithississ's mind, the jury was still out on what exactly was going on here. Mint seemed unusually nervous, and even the Amazon elder appeared tense. He couldn't read the prince, if it truly was the prince, but given that he was nearly as well covered as Lemon, that wasn't surprising.
"Interview... yes, I remember," Herb recalled with a frown. That's the blasted reason I have this stupid curse, he thought in some anger but quickly dismissed it. There were more pressing matters than dwelling on what had passed. Turning around, Herb pulled her cloak in closer and said, "That doesn't matter anymore."
"What?" Lemon asked in shock.
"I have chosen whom I shall marry already," Herb explained without turning, and a second later found Lemon holding her around her the waist, and sobbing uncontrollably, speaking incoherently through the tears. The close proximity, not to mention the crying, caused Herb to cringe and try to withdraw unsuccessfully.
Sissithississ was already covering his eyes and shaking his head. It just had to be something like that, didn't it? She's going to be blubbering the whole day now, he moaned in his own mind. Collecting himself, he looked back at the prince who was trying to remove Lemon unsuccessfully. "Lemon, let go of the prince, and calm down. We can't undersssstand you."
Lemon did as she was bidden, and took a moment to calm before speaking. "M... My prince. Ha... Have I displeased you in some way?"
"No," Herb replied. "I don't even know you. How could you have displeased me?"
In response to that, and before Sissithississ could stop her, Lemon removed her hood. In that instant it was as if the whole room was suddenly quiet. Cologne looked on, wide-eyed. The girl before her could only be termed as beauty personified. Her hair was like a golden red fire, vibrant and alive. Her skin was the picture of perfection, such that a blemish would not dare to show itself. Even the tears that now rolled down her cheeks seemed only to enhance the image. My lord, was all Cologne could think.
Mint was not so restrained. His mouth dropped open, and any hint of self-control left him. He made a single step towards Lemon, but his face then met an oncoming fist, sending him crashing into the wall and into unconsciousness.
Sissithississ looked at the fallen warrior with a shake of his head, then over at the Elder and prince. To his surprise, both remained where they were. In fact, the prince seemed totally unaffected.
"What is the meaning of this? Why did you attack my guardian?" Herb demanded, her hand glowing with energy and pointed at Sissithississ's face.
"Sssire, my apologiesss," Sissithississ respond, raising his hands and backing off. "He was affected."
"Affected? What are you talking about?"
While Lemon watched the conflict nervously, and in a little surprise, Cologne moved herself between the two Musk warriors. "Now, that is quite enough. Prince Herb, I believe he means that the sight of your fiancée overwhelmed Mint's senses. You know how he and Lime get around girls."
"That is no reason to knock him senseless," Herb replied, but released the energy she had built up. Her attention was then brought back to Lemon who was once again kneeled in front of her.
"My dearest Prince, I was chosen at birth to be your bride. Am I not worthy?" she asked through barely contained tears.
"It has nothing to do with you. As I said, I have already made my choice."
"May I assssk who this woman would be?" Sissithississ asked.
"Her name is Kasumi Tendo."
Sissithississ and Lemon blinked, both wondering if they had heard right. Sissithississ was the first to respond. "Did you ssssay Kassssumi Tendo ssssire?"
"Yes, why?"
"I... wassss told Kassssumi Tendo wasss a man."
Herb crossed her arms, and looked off to the side with impatience. "She has a curse, a Jusenkyo curse. And where exactly did you hear of her?"
"We have been tracking you for sssometime. I heard you were in battle with him... I mean her. In fact, sssome sssaid you had lossst, but I am sssure-"
"I did," Herb responded suddenly, causing the snake warrior to look back at the prince in disbelief. "She is a formidable warrior. That is one of the main reasons I have chosen her."
Formidable is not the word if she can defeat a dragon prince one on one, Sissithississ thought, and then gave the prince a long examining look. Still, there is more to this than fighting skill, and I still think something is not right here. I just can't put my finger on it.
"Kasumi... Tendo..." Lemon repeated, her head bowed, and then looked back up. "But... she isn't meant for you. I am."
"I have heard enough. My mind is made up, and it will not be changed."
Lemon's lips quivered, and another fit of sobbing overcame her. This time she turned to Sissithississ for support. "This can't be true. Say it isn't true."
"Well... ah..." Sissithississ muttered nervously, but this only caused Lemon to burst out with a fresh set of tears.
"OH, it is true. They're going to turn me into a boy!"
"What? No," Sissithississ responded, trying his best to console the girl.
"What's this?" Cologne asked.
"It'ssss nothing. Ssshe's overreacting. Her clan is known for changing itsss women into men, but that issss at birth."
"They will!" Lemon whined.
"No they won't!" Sissithississ replied, but that did not help. He looked up at Herb and Cologne for help.
"Nonsense," Herb at last replied. "If it is necessary, I will forbid it."
"You're only the prince, you can't stop them," Lemon replied, and then started crying again.
Herb scowled, but had to give her the point. As the ruler of the Musk she could do something, but presently only as a prince, she had power only within her own clan, not Lemon's. "Fine then, I'll take you as my second wife."
"Second!" Lemon repeated in shock.
Herb paused, and then shook her head. "Actually, you'll have to be third."
"Third!" Lemon nearly yelled, and if Sissithississ's ears had not deceived him, she sounded almost outraged.
"I have no choice. Kasumi already has an Amazon wife. She would by default be my second."
"Has her own wife?" Sissithississ repeated, and then looked over at Cologne. "I see now why you are here. How did this happen?"
"I think that is a matter for another time," Cologne answered. "You're charge needs some time to herself I think."
"Yesss," Sissithississ agreed, looking down at the sobbing girl holding him. "Lemon, go wait outssside for a bit. I'll ssspeak to the prince."
"But-"
"Now," Sissithississ said with more force, causing the girl to go quiet, bow her head and withdraw. The snake warrior quickly pulled her hood back over her head before she left, closed the door behind her, and turned to the others. "Alright, I think ssssome explanationsss are in order, sssstarting with how you managed to losssse a foot in height over the past few monthssss." Herb tensed, but Sissithississ once again raised his hands to ward off any violence. "You have nothing to fear from me your highnesssss. I have no intention of using this againsssst you, nor of telling anyone elssse. However, given your present company, I do have concernssss."
"How?"
"Actually, I just figured it a moment ago. I have seen you before, my prince, and I knew from that sssomething was odd. I asssume you had an encounter with Jusenkyo?"
Herb frowned, but nodded.
"And that mussst be why you are here in Japan, to retrieve the Kaisssuifu. Were you trapped this way deliberately?"
"No," Herb said then turned away a mumbled something neither Cologne nor Sissithississ could hear.
"What?"
"I said... a... monkey trapped me this way."
A moment of silence passed, ending with Cologne clearing her throat. "Yes, well... unfortunately the Kaisuifu was destroyed. It is currently being repaired, but it will take time. Your Prince has decided to stay here until the repairs are complete and he may return to his original form."
"I sssee," Sissithississ said with a nod. "But, you truly have chosssen to marry thisss... Kasssumi."
"Yes," Herb replied.
"Could you not then at leassst marry Lemon firssst, and Kasssumi later. I am sssure that would appeassse her."
"I have no interest in appeasing her, and besides, I cannot. Kasumi is... more reserved about such things than us. My claim would become quite weak if I were to marry anyone else first. No, Kasumi must be my first wife. I will take this woman as my third wife if it is necessary, but that is the most I will offer."
"Yesss sssire," Sissithississ replied with a bowed head.
"Sissithississ, I must ask you to stay in Japan."
"I underssstand sssire. My misssion wasss to bring Lemon here to marry you anyway. I have no particular desssire to force her to leave. Ssshe can be quite... noisssy," he answered with a strained smile. "I will explain mattersss asss bessst asss I can to her, and we will find sssomeplace to ssstay nearby. Good-day your highnesss." Bowing, Sissithississ turned and left.
Cologne and Herb watched him leave, and then the elder turned to the prince. "That went rather well, but can he be trusted?"
"He is of the snake clan. They are not a very ambitious lot, so I think the answer is yes, he can be trusted. However, if he should depart suddenly, he will pay."
XXXXX
Out in the other room, Sissithississ stopped cold and looked about to find Lemon nowhere about. Damn, where is that girl? I have a trigger-happy dragon prince on my hands now. The last thing I need is for her to up and disappear on me. Walking out into the main dining room, he noticed the distant looks on everyone's faces and sighed. Blast!
Sissithississ grabbed the nearest customer by the collar and hauled him out of his chair. "Alright you, where did the girl go?"
"I don't know. She just left. She said we should stay right here."
"Ssshe did?" Sissithississ asked with a bit of surprise.
"Umhum," the man said, still looking dreamily off at the far wall, unconcerned that he was currently dangling a half-foot off the floor.
"Did ssshe sssay anything?"
"Oh, she just wanted to know where to find Kasumi Tendo."
"And where would that be?"
"Furinkan High School. She's a teacher there."
"Great! Just great!" Sissithississ mumbled, and dropped the man back into his chair before heading out the door. What the hell is she up to? he thought. She's never pulled a stunt like this before. Blast it, I'm not being paid enough for this... actually, I'm not being paid at all. I'm going to beat my brother's head in for conning me into this.
XXXXX
Kasumi-kun slipped into a third story window, being careful to avoid the attention of a group of students at the end of hall. Now, where to look? she asked herself. Despite all of Kasumi best efforts to this point, he was at a complete loss. The coconut seemed to be hidden so deviously that no one could find it. All he could do was press on and hope something came to him.
Right now he was interested in searching the principal's offices again. After encountering the numerous traps, most the students had steered clear of them, especially after finding the pile of fakes. However, at the moment it was the only lead he had.
Opening the nearest door quietly, Kasumi slipped in, continuing to go unnoticed by the students down the hall. He closed the door, sealing himself into the darkness of the room. Fortunately, he had enough foresight for this eventuality, and pulled out a flashlight. He flipped the switch to turn it on, and raised it to look directly into the eyes of a tiger.
"DAH!" Kasumi screamed out, tossed the light as hard as he could at the tiger, and tried to retreat into the darkness. Unfortunately, unable to see, he ran face first into the wall, and fell backwards to the floor, dazed.
"Kaneda?" A voice asked from the darkness. The light of the flashlight moved to shine into Kasumi's eyes. "It is you."
"Who... who's there?" Kasumi asked, squinting to try and see through the beam of light.
"Sorry about that. We weren't expecting you to show up," the voice said, and a clawed paw came into the light, a tiger's clawed paw.
"AHHH! Keep away from me!" Kasumi once more screamed, scrambled to his feet, and promptly ran into the wall again. This time he managed to maintain his footing, just barely.
"No, wait, Kaneda. It's just us."
"Just who? I don't know any talking c...c...cats! Stay away from me, you monster!" Kasumi yelled out, backing up as close as he could to the wall.
"You idiot! Take off that stupid costume. You're scaring him half to death," another voice from the darkness said.
"Alright, alright. Gees, just give me a second would you. There." The light moved, being redirected at the roof, reflecting enough of its light to dimly illuminate the whole room. Kasumi calmed at seeing that she wasn't facing a room full of cat-beasts. Instead, several members of the faculty were dressed up in rather convincing animal outfits, including one tiger outfit.
Kasumi blinked a moment in surprise. "Wh...what are you all doing here? I thought you had all gone home."
"Who the heck told you that?" Kenichi, one of Furinkan's mathematics instructors and, by chance, the one in the tiger costume, asked.
"The principal," Kasumi answered as he at last calmed down.
"That freak! You believed him?"
"He's blackmailing us. Said he'd have us all fired if we didn't help him."
"He's totally insane!"
"Blackmail," Kasumi repeated in shock, and hung his head. "I should have known."
"So, he got you too, did he?" One of the female teachers asked, gaining a nod from Kasumi. "He's totally mad. What are we going to do?"
"You do what you want. I need this job," another teacher responded. "If it means dressing up in these stupid outfits, so be it. I haven't got as much choice as Hiro."
"Where is Hiro?" Kasumi asked, noticing he was not among them.
"Hiro's got more guts than most of us. He said he wouldn't be a part of this. Kocho forced him to go home."
"Yeah, the fool is probably out a job too."
"Hey, if you all had enough nerve to stand up to him, we could have gotten out of this mess."
"Yeah right, I didn't see you standing up and saying anything."
"That's just because you..."
Kasumi watched as the discussion quickly deteriorated into arguments of mutual recrimination. He remained just an observer for the first minute, but finally decided enough was enough. "Everybody, please!" The call caught everyone's attention, causing them all to go quiet and look over at Kasumi-kun. "Thank you. Blaming each other will not solve the problem we are in. We need to do something."
"We're willing to entertain suggestions here."
"Just don't expect us to challenge him."
"Get some nerve, would ya!"
"Shut up! I don't have as many options as you."
"Well, if you-"
"Quiet already!" one of the male instructors yelled out, and then turned back to Kasumi. "What did you have in mind?"
"I... I need to find Shampoo."
"You mean that nut kidnapped her? I should have guessed. You have the restaurant and all. Bet he knew he couldn't leverage you with your job here."
Kasumi nodded. "Yes, I need to find her, but I also need to make sure the students don't get the coconut. However, I can't look for her, and keep everyone occupied at the same time. I need help."
"So, what do you want us to do?"
"Do you think you could keep everyone busy?"
"Sure, we can give it a go, right?" Kenichi asked the others, gaining consenting nods from the others. "Yeah, we can do it. That's just what the nut wants us to do anyway. We'll just put some more effort into it."
"Good. I don't suppose any of you know where the real coconut is?"
"Afraid not. He didn't tell us."
"Yeah, but I bet my life savings it's not in the school. It's too obvious. He must have hidden it somewhere else," one of the older instructors suggested.
"Maybe on the school grounds?" Kasumi asked.
"Possibly, could be anywhere. Knowing Kocho, it is likely within the school boundaries. He'd think it was no fun if the game was rigged so there was no way to win. Yeah, it is here somewhere, but not in the school itself, that's my bet anyway."
Kasumi nodded. The logic seemed sound enough. "Good. I just need you all to keep the students busy inside then. I'll look outside for the coconut. Make sure to keep an eye out for Shampoo. He had her in some big room, but I don't know where."
"One of the classrooms maybe?"
"No, that's can't be right. The students would have run into her by now if that were the case. Maybe she is in one of the old storerooms in the basement. Anyway, we'll keep an eye out for her."
"Good, thank you all."
"No problem. It gives us something productive to do instead of sitting here in the dark. Come on everybody."
XXXXX
Takeshi continued to stand outside the girls' change room, the last boy still in a skirt. He tapped his foot impatiently, giving Sempai, one of the first to get changed and who currently was looking at Takeshi with a smirk, a hot glare. "Don't you have anything better to do? Go find out if anyone has found something."
"Ah... right, sure," Sempai replied, smiling even wider in amusement before departing.
"Stupid jerk. Hey, you going to be much longer in there?"
"I'm coming," Minako replied, and a moment came out in her gym clothes and handed Takeshi back his pants. "Sorry about the wait."
"Yeah, yeah, now if you'll excuse me, I've met my embarrassment quota for the month so I'll be getting changed," Takeshi replied with a frown and headed off to the boys' change room. Minako watched him go, suppressing a giggle.
"Alright, so what is the plan?" Ranma asked as he walked up, passing by Takeshi.
"I've been giving that some thought," Saki responded. "Has anyone seen Shampoo since this morning?" Getting only shrugs and shakes of the head in response, Saki nodded. "Well then, there's your answer. That's why Kasumi helping this kook. He's got Shampoo."
"You sure?"
"You said it yourself earlier. She was here when he first showed up, then she disappeared. My guess is he caught her during the confusion."
"Then we have to find her. Once we do, we can get Kasumi to help us."
"Why bother?" Izou asked. "She obviously doesn't know where the coconut is either. We should just concentrate on finding that, not bothering trying to find Shampoo."
"How could you suggest that?" Ryoga responded. "We can't just leave her to the principal."
"We'll rescue her later. I'm more interested in keeping my hair at the moment."
"You can't do that," Usagi said suddenly. "It isn't right. We have to help her."
"Nice ideals you have there, but I live in the real world. I worry about myself first," Izou replied. "If you all want to go hunting for her, fine, but I'm going to find that coconut." Not waiting for any further argument, Izou turned and headed off for the school.
"What a jerk!" Makoto exclaimed. "Come on, we have to find Shampoo."
"I agree," Saki said with a nod. "But let's split up, teams of three. We'll cover more ground. Meet back here every half hour, and don't try anything on your own. Get the others. Okay?"
"Right," the others replied.
"Good. Sempai, Kitsune, come with me," Saki ordered and the two complied and together they headed off for the school. The others divided up quickly as well, leaving Usagi and Minako behind. They waited outside the boys' change room and met Takeshi as he exited.
"What's up?" Takeshi said as he looked around in a bit of confusion. "Did I miss something?"
"Come on, we're going to look for Shampoo. The principal has her."
"Well then, lead the way ladies. I'm always in for a rescue," Takeshi said with a smile.
XXXXX
Nabiki listened from her place of hiding as Takeshi, Minako and Usagi walked off. "Finally," she muttered, and sat back in the shower stall. They're not dragging me into this mess. Let them find the coconut. I'll just stick it out here, out of trouble, till then, Nabiki thought with a small smile at her own ingenuity, and then pulled out her flashlight and book and continued to read where she had left off, before having been interrupted by the girls coming in to change.
However, she did not even get through the next page before she heard a new set of footsteps entering the locker room. Now who? Nabiki thought irritably and shut off the flashlight. She listened closely, noting the footsteps coming closer. Blast! She crawled backwards, hiding further back in the stall, in the plentiful shadows, and waited. The footsteps continued on until Kasumi-kun walked into view. Kasumi walked over to the sink rubbed his face as he looked into the mirror. Oh, why did it have to be him, Nabiki thought as she felt goose bumps grow up her arms.
Kasumi looked in the mirror a moment longer then turned on the tap, and splashed his face with some hot water. The curse began to take effect, but almost immediately he reverted back to his male form. Looking down at his clothes he scowled. "Must still be too wet."
Nabiki stifled a gasp as Kasumi removed his top and wrung it out some more. Why does he have to be such a damn hunk? Nabiki asked herself as she watched the muscles of his arms ripple with effort as he continued to remove the water from his shirt. Just please say he isn't going... no, no, no, don't do that... Nabiki thought and nearly sighed as Kasumi turned to his pants. Nabiki shielded her eyes, but the temptation was too much as she soon looked through her fingers at Kasumi. Ohhhh...
"Isn't he great?" Yotogi asked from Nabiki's side.
Nabiki yelled out in surprise, catching Kasumi's attention. "Nabiki? Yotogi?"
"Hi teach," Yotogi said with a wave and a lecherous grin.
"Yotogi, what did I tell you?"
"Tell me? I'm not the boy in the girls' change room."
Kasumi smiled nervously and covered himself with his shirt. "I thought everyone was looking for the coconut."
"Nah," Yotogi replied, grabbing Nabiki, who was trying her best to be as inconspicuous as possible, by the shoulder. "Me and Nabiki had the same idea. Let the jocks brave the traps. We'll just stay here out of trouble... and enjoy the view."
"Shut up!" Nabiki snapped at the other girl, and jumped to her feet. "I wasn't... honest."
"Oh, come on, Nabiki. You were practically drooling," Yotogi said as she too stood up.
"SHUT UP!" Nabiki yelled this time, and then looked back at Kasumi, shaking nervously.
Kasumi looked between the two girls. "Umm... well, why don't you two just head home then."
Nabiki took the offer immediately, and retreated from the room in a run. Yotogi took a second longer to smile at Kasumi then followed. Kasumi watched her go, and quickly set about putting his clothes back on.
XXXXX
Just outside the door, Yotogi was grabbed from the side and hauled by her collar to be face to face with Nabiki. "Yotogi, if you ever say one more word about this, I'm personally going to make your life a living hell."
"Oh, come on, Nabiki-"
"No! You listen to me. You're going to keep this to yourself. Do you understand?"
Yotogi shrugged. "Fine, fine, have it your way. Gee, I don't see what the big deal is. He's just your cousin. It's not like he's your brother or anything. I mean, if I had a cousin like that-"
"Shut up and get lost!" Nabiki said, pushing Yotogi away from her. "You just remember what I said."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Yotogi said dismissively and turned to leave.
"Excuse me," a voice said from behind them. Both girls turned to look at Lemon, minus her hood. "Could either of you tell me where I could find Kasumi Tendo?"
"He's right in there," Nabiki answer in an absent sort of way, pointing back at the changing room.
"Thank you," Lemon said with a bow and headed in.
Yotogi stopped and looked at Nabiki in confusion. Nabiki had a far off look on her face, almost like she had been hypnotized. "Hey, Nabiki, you there?"
"She's beautiful," Nabiki replied.
"Huh?" Yotogi repeated and looked back at the door. "She's nothing special. What's with you? And why did you say Kasumi was in there. That's Kaneda. Hello? Anyone home? Ah, she's totally out of it. Probably would have called me Kasumi."
Nabiki continued to stare off into nothingness for a moment then finally shook her head vigorously and came back to her senses. "Wh... who was that?"
"I don't know, but I'm getting worried about you. I got the disturbing impression you may have been interested in her, and if you were, you'll excuse me while I go off and lose my lunch. Yuck!" Yotogi stuck out her tongue in disgust, and walked off, shaking her head.
Nabiki looked back at the door, feeling suddenly extremely hot, and with some very strong desires. Man... Nabiki thought as she started to breathe hard, and look about. Bad enough Kasumi as a guy, now girls too. Oh no. I'm going home before I do something I really regret. Nabiki took several steps toward the school gate before stopping, and biting her lip. Damn I'm hot!
"Nabiki, I've been looking all over for you?" Tsubasa said from behind her.
"Tsubasa?"
"Yeah. I thought maybe you got caught by one of those traps. Are you okay? You're sweating," he asked in honest concern.
Nabiki looked back at Tsubasa for a long moment then around her. Her eyes stopped on a nearby supply shed then moved back to Tsubasa.
"Nabiki?" Tsubasa asked in further concern, but then was grabbed by the arm and dragged towards the supply shed. "What's going on?"
XXXXX
Kasumi was just finishing slipping his shirt over his head when a new set of feet entered the room. "Hello?" A female voice called out as the girl continued in.
Now who? Kasumi thought with a mild bit of impatience. I'm never going to get to change back at this rate.
"Kasumi Tendo?" The voice called out again just as she entered the wash area to see her quarry. "Are you Kasumi Tendo?" Kasumi-kun looked back, stunned senseless. The vision of perfect beauty before him blasted any other thoughts temporarily from his head, leaving him standing with his mouth hanging open. "Well, are you or aren't you? I haven't got all day?" Kasumi slowly nodded, halfway through closing his mouth as some of his senses returned to him.
Lemon's innocent look vanished in an instant, replaced with fury. She marched straight up to Kasumi, placing herself uncomfortably close, and prepared to vent her anger. "You... You... You... SLUT! How dare you think you can steal my husband!..."
Kasumi wasn't really listening as Lemon continued with her tirade. He was just too absorbed in the beautiful face before him. Even the open anger on her face seemed only to make her that much more lovely. It took a full minute for him to at last realize just how taken he was with her, and a full minute more after that to consider some of the ramifications of that.
"HEY! Listen to me when I'm talking!" Lemon shouted after noticing Kasumi's lack of attention. "I'm not letting you take Herb from me, you hear me?"
Kasumi finally shook his head from side to side, and then looked up at the roof desperately. "What? I... ah..."
"You weren't listening, were you? Of all the... ooooo..." Lemon fumed as Kasumi continued to look at the roof. "Look at me when I'm talking!"
"I can't!" Kasumi whimpered, feeling something quite disturbing down low. Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! Someone help me! Kasumi thought, and began looking for an escape. Unfortunately, Lemon would not let him, and forced him to look her way once again.
"I said look at me!" Lemon yelled. "Don't you have anything to say for yourself? Well?"
Kasumi stared into Lemon's entrancing eyes for a moment in silence, feeling a nearly overwhelming desire to do something, anything, to get this girl to forgive him. That was not as disturbing, however, as what he found himself desiring from her afterward. NO! Kasumi shouted in his own mind to shake himself up. I won't! I won't! He continued, but his resolve continued to deteriorate. He searched desperately through his mind for the will power to control himself, but found it sorely lacking at the moment. It was as if the image before him was an assault on his consciousness. However, just as he felt himself ready to give in, one thing stood up to face this attack.
It was an image of Shampoo, more specifically one of deep hurt. No, I won't betray Shampoo like this! Shaking his head once again, Kasumi's control returned to him, if strained. "I have to go!" Kasumi replied to the question of a moment earlier, and before he could be stopped, dodged by the girl, and ran for the door and outside.
Still inside the change room, Lemon stared at the empty doorway in shock. It can't be. How could he... I thought... her mind skipped several times until finally anger returned to her face. Damn you Kasumi Tendo! You're stronger than I thought, but you still won't get away with this! Lemon thought angrily, raising her hood and heading back out. The direct approach had failed, but she was far from out of options. First things first. I have to know just whom I'm up against.
XXXXX
Kasumi stopped running at the side of school, breathing heavily, but not from the physical exertion. Just who was she? I didn't even get her name? And, what was she talking about? I totally missed it. Kasumi held his head, and looked down at the ground as he pondered his own actions. I can't believe what happened to me. I've never... NEVER felt like that before. He shook his head for yet another time, and stood up straight. There's no time for this. I have to rescue Shampoo.
"Hah, I knew you'd slip up!" A voice said from behind, giving Kasumi just enough warning to dodge an incoming kick. Kasumi rolled forward and safely away as Ukyo's kick spider webbed the school wall.
"Ukyo!"
"Enough is enough! We're having it out right here and now, and this time it's really to the finish!" Ukyo yelled as, swinging out her battle spatula, forcing Kasumi to roll away once again in retreat.
"I haven't got time for this, Ukyo. Can't we do this later?"
"Make time! I'm not letting you get away with this." Ukyo leapt into the air, chopping down with her weapon as she descended on Kasumi. Kasumi held her ground this time, and blocked the flat of the spatula with her palms on either side. For a moment Ukyo hung in the air, supported by her spatula, which in turn was held by Kasumi. The moment was short though, and Ukyo twisted her weapon free as she landed on the ground.
Resolved to the battle, Kasumi pressed forward with a forward kick that Ukyo avoided with a backwards hop. Kasumi then went airborne himself, and Ukyo followed. Both went for a kick, but only Kasumi's connected, Ukyo's just a few inches short. Ukyo fell to the ground, shook off a few stars, and flipped back to her feet. Blast, forgot that she has more reach than I do when she's a guy, Ukyo thought as she recalculated her strategy.
"Ukyo, I really don't have the time for this fight."
"Stop trying to weasel your way out of this, you fraud! You may have everyone else conned, but I'm wise to your tricks. And to think, I was almost starting to buy into it myself. Hah," Ukyo replied angrily, and then rushed forward, slashing with her spatula intensely fast.
Kasumi backed off a step then received the attack, deflecting each blow expertly, and finally slipping through a kick of his own to Ukyo's abdomen. While the younger girl was doubled over, Kasumi continued with a knee to her head, and concluded with a spinning kick that sent her flying limply through the air. Ukyo landed uncontrolled several feet away, barely clinging to consciousness.
"That's enough," Kasumi said as he stood down. He waited for a moment to see if Ukyo would respond then headed off at a run.
Ukyo remained on the ground, staring up at the sky, looking thoroughly miserable. I can't believe she beat me so quickly, Ukyo thought then wiped away some tears that were forming at the sides of her eyes. Finally, she picked herself up slowly to avoid falling over once again from the sudden spell of light-headedness she was now feeling. She looked around to see if Kasumi was still within view, but he was not. She hung her head after a moment then walked off toward the school entrance. She did not even take notice of the cloaked figure watching her leave from behind a nearby shed. She did, however, take notice of Tsubasa scrambling out of said shed, his shirt half off. She did not stay to figure out what was happening.
"Tsubasa, get back in here!" Nabiki called out from inside the shed, but he frantically shook his head as he corrected his shirt.
"Nabiki, I really don't think you're acting like yourself."
"Don't give me that! Who else could I act like? Now get in here. I need a man!"
Tsubasa swallowed, but shook his head once again. "I... I... believe me, I want to, but you'll kill me later. You're... you're not well."
Finally Nabiki stepped out, adjusting her own top. "I'm perfectly healthy."
"Physically maybe," Tsubasa replied.
"Are you implying I've gone crazy?" Nabiki asked as she stormed up to him. "I'm in perfect control of myself!" she practically hollered, but at that moment realized just how out of control she really was. Taking a moment to collect herself, Nabiki looked back at Tsubasa with a frown. "Alright, alright. Maybe... maybe I'm a little... off right now. I really should go home."
"Good, I think I need the rest."
Nabiki frowned deeper, but did not dispute the point. She turned to leave, then stopped and looked back at Tsubasa. "Thanks."
"No problem."
"You mention this to anybody and I really will kill you."
"I know," Tsubasa replied with a smile. Nabiki nodded and headed off. Just as she left earshot, Tsubasa let out a huge sigh, and slapped his forehead. "Man, the opportunity of a lifetime and I squander it! No way I'd mention this. It would be too embarrassing."
XXXXX
Takeshi, Usagi and Minako watched in a mixture of emotion as one of their teachers ran down the hall, carrying a coconut and taunting the group of students chasing after him. They watched with an entirely different set of emotions as another teacher ran by, in the opposite direction, doing much the same. By the time the third ran by, they were hanging their heads.
"This is nuts!" Takeshi exclaimed as yet a fourth teacher ran by. "No one is ever going to find that coconut."
"Forget about the coconut for now," Minako replied.
"Yeah, we have to find Shampoo," Usagi added.
"I'm all for that, I'd just like to know where to look. We've looked everywhere for the coconut, and you'd think by now someone would have run into Shampoo," Takeshi said, then covered his face as the first teacher ran by again. "I repeat, this is nuts!"
"Okay, okay, maybe we need to approach this differently," Usagi said, gaining the other two's attention. After a moment she smiled nervously and held the back of her head. "But, beats me what that different approach is."
"You're a lot of help," Minako responded tiredly, then motioned down the hall. "Come on, let's try this way."
"Why?" Usagi asked.
"Why not?" Minako replied with a shrug, and not able to argue with her logic the others followed. "Say, Takeshi, why did you get sent here anyway?"
"Ladies first," Takeshi replied with a smile.
"Well... we sort of... ah..."
"Caught our teacher on a bad day," Usagi offered.
"More like a bad week," Minako finished.
"A real bad week."
Takeshi nodded, "Must have been. I'm here for more legitimate reasons."
"Like?" Usagi asked.
"Like sending three guys to the hospital... repeatedly." Both girls withdrew in shock. "Hey, they deserved it. You know Kotori. She wasn't always as bad as she is now. Oh sure, she was jumpy about the whole issue of human contact, but not violently paranoid about it. Those stupid jerks decided to play a sick joke on her."
"They didn't-" Usagi began to ask in concern.
"No, nothing that serious, but they scared her half to death thinking they would. They even got their girlfriends in on it, which is why even girls make her go nuts. Since then she's been way gone. I just paid them back for her."
"Yeah, good for you. Bunch of jerks," Minako replied.
"What about their girlfriends?" Usagi asked.
Takeshi shrugged. "They're girls. I don't go around beating up girls no matter what they did. Not my style. Besides, Kotori paid them back herself. Heard they're not much better off than their boyfriends."
Minako nodded then looked up to ask, "I suppose you said repeatedly because they came back."
"Just twice. They smartened up after that. Of course, that did give me a one-way ticket here. I probably would have declined, but since Kotori was coming I decided to join her."
"Oh, I get it," Usagi replied with a grin. "You like her."
In response to that, Takeshi fell flat on his face to the shock of both girls. He recovered quickly, and turned to them. "She's not my girlfriend if that's what you're thinking."
"Oh, it's a secret crush then."
"NO!" Takeshi replied, withdrawing a step. "She's just a friend, a plain old friend, of sorts."
"Uh huh," both girl replied with disbelieving looks.
"Really!" Takeshi replied, but failed to convince either girl. "Oh fine, believe what you like, but it isn't true. We're strictly friends and nothing more. Besides, you know how she gets. She'd kill me if I even suggested such a thing."
Usagi thought about that then nodded. "Yeah, she is a little over the top, isn't she."
"You got that right," Takeshi agreed then continued on down the hall with the girls following. "Since we're on the subject of girlfriends and boyfriends, fair is fair. How are you two set in that department?" Minako looked away self-consciously, while Usagi smiled up at the roof dreamily. Takeshi looked back at them and nodded. "I see."
While Minako was looking away, she looked out the window, out at the gymnasium and a thought hit her. "Hey, has anyone checked the gym."
"Why? We were just there for the assembly," Usagi pointed out.
"Sure, but the gym is a lot bigger than what was used for the assembly."
Takeshi nodded. "You know, you have a point. Well then, let's give it a look see." Nodding together in agreement, the three headed off to the nearest exit.
XXXXX
The three arrived at the gymnasium door, with Takeshi taking the lead. He opened the door cautiously, then joined with the two girls in a quiet, "Wow," when they saw the jungle within.
"It's incredible! It's so real. Look, there's even wild grass. How did he get all this inside without being noticed?" Minako asked.
"God only knows," Takeshi replied then pointed to the ceiling. "Look, the power here must be on a separate source. He probably has a generator around here."
"We should go get the others."
"For what?" Takeshi asked. "We haven't found anything yet. This could be just another fake. We should check it out first." Usagi and Minako nodded in agreement, and followed Takeshi inside. "Be extra careful. No doubt this place is full of booby traps, and I don't feel partial to being the booby."
The three proceeded inside, taking every step slowly. Soon a conversation in the distance caught their attention, the three changed directions to check it out. A few minutes later they hid themselves in some bushes and looked up at a tower that stood in the rough center of the jungle. Inside the tower Ms. Hinako and the principal were talking. However, of more interest to the three was the cage hanging next to the tower, which had Shampoo, chained inside.
"There she is," Usagi said excitedly, but Takeshi raised a finger to his lips to quiet her.
"We don't want to get caught," Takeshi whispered then looked back at the tower in surprise as Ms. Hinako growled loudly.
"This is intolerable!" Ms. Hinako exclaimed as she began pacing the length of the tower. "I hate being cooped up here! I want some action!" She pulled in her fish bowl closer, draining a bit more energy to stave off the drowsiness that had been plaguing her since the early morning meeting.
"Now, now. We be going to have some fun real soon little wahini."
"That's another thing, stop calling me that! I'm not your little anything, you hear! I'm an instructor, god damn it! I have a degree and everything!"
The principal quickly waved his arms to fend off the verbal assault. "Oh, nonono, you misunderstand. I just be a saying that-"
"Oh shut up!" Ms. Hinako yelled back. "Bad enough you blackmail me. I don't need to listen to your prattle too! I've a good mind to drain you!"
"You no want to be doing that."
"Want'a bet?" she asked with angry eyes.
Down below the three students exchanged confused glances. "What has Ms. Hinako so worked up?" Usagi asked in a whisper.
"Beats me," Minako replied. "But, she sounds ready to kill someone."
"I hope it is the principal," Takeshi commented then turned away. "Come on, let's get out of here and tell the others." The others nodded and followed. However, after about five steps, Usagi caught her foot on a root sticking up from the ground and fell flat on her face with a loud cry of fright.
"What be that?" the principal asked as he and Hinako rushed to the side of the tower to look out. It took only a moment for Ms. Hinako to spot the threesome and point them out.
"Shit!" Takeshi exclaimed, and yanked Usagi back to her feet. "Make a run for it! I'll cover you!"
"But-" Usagi tried to say, but got cut off.
"Go!"
Before Usagi could protest further, Minako grabbed her by the arm and raced off. Takeshi spared a second to watch them leave then turned back towards the tower, noticing Ms. Hinako jump out.
"Finally, some action!" she said with a satisfied grin.
"We really don't have to do this," Takeshi said as he backed off.
"No, but I feel like it. Happo-Tsurisen-Gaeshi!" Hinako tossed her fish bowl into the air, and used the moment to form a triangle with the fingers. Before Takeshi knew what has happening, a giant blast of energy came his way.
Some distance behind him, Minako and Usagi were running towards the exit when they heard a scream. They looked back, and ducked just in time to avoid Takeshi's flying body. Takeshi continued on, smashing through several trees on his way until finally the gymnasium wall stopped it, although the wall cracked from the force of the impact.
"Takeshi!" both girls exclaimed in shock and ran over to him.
"Anybody have an aspirin?" Takeshi moaned out as Minako pulled him to his feet.
"Are you alright?" Usagi asked, gaining a sour look from Takeshi.
"I won't dignify that with an answer. Look out, here she comes again." Usagi and Minako looked back in horror to see the still adult Ms. Hinako coming up, her fish bowl once again in hand.
"Come on now. You can do better than that, can't you? I've barely started."
"We'll never make it," Minako said as she looked down the wall at the exit. "What are we going to do?"
"Scatter," Takeshi suggested as he supported himself. "She can only aim at one of us."
Needing no further discussion the three did just that, and ran off in three separate directions. Ms. Hinako looked between the three in confusion then growled. "Darn it! Get back here! Happo-Tsurisen-Gaeshi!"
This time the blast was aimed at Usagi. She dove for the ground, just barely dodging it. She recovered in time to see a second blast, but dodged slower this time and was sent tumbling into a batch of bushes.
Ms. Hinako then turned her aim on Minako. Minako jumped out of the way of the first attack, but while still airborne had no way of dodging the second. She was thrown back, and slammed into the roof, cracking several of the support beams in the process. As she fell back to the ground uncontrollably, Takeshi rushed over and caught her, rolling across the ground to absorb the extra impact.
"Thank you," Minako said with a smile.
"Save that for later," Takeshi replied, gesturing over his shoulder to where Hinako was setting up another shot. Takeshi tossed Minako clear, but was caught by the blast full on from behind.
"Takeshi!" Minako screamed out as the boy was sent once more crashing through the jungle and into yet another wall, this time face first. Her strength somewhat restored, she ran to his side, and rolled him over to face her. "Are you... never mind. Stupid question. Come on, you have to get up."
"I wish I could, but I'm in no shape to do so."
Minako looked over her shoulder at Ms Hinako was busy with Usagi. "Darn. How's she doing that? I thought she drained people. She's never blasted anyone like that before."
"Must be releasing the stored energy. I'm more interested in how she's keeping her adult form. Those blasts are hugely powerful. She should be reverting to her child form after using them but she's not," Takeshi said as he tried to prop himself up but failed. "Ah gees. Get the heck out of here, will ya. You have to find the others and get some serious help in here."
"No way. I'm not leaving you and Usagi to her. She's gone nuts! She'll kill you."
"I don't think she'll go that far," Takeshi replied.
"Oh no? What makes you think that?"
Takeshi thought for a moment then smiled weakly. "Blind optimism? Come on, you're not doing any good here, and you can't make it away carrying me. Make a break for it while she's still distracted and get the others. We'll survive till then."
Minako frowned, but unfortunately Takeshi was right. "Okay, I'll be right back. You better be okay when I get back or I'll kill you for lying to me."
Takeshi smiled. "Well, when you put it that way. I do really prefer living to being killed twice over. Get going." Minako reluctantly nodded and rushed to the exit and outside. Takeshi moaned in pain after she left, but managed to pick himself off the ground. "Man, I'm too young for this."
XXXXX
At the other end of the gym, Usagi was not having any fun as she was forced to avoid blast after blast from her instructor. If I was Sailor Moon, this wouldn't be so bad, she thought as she leapt over yet another attack. But, like this, this is really hard. When is she going to let up? I can't take this much longer, she asked herself as fatigue started to overcome her, letting one blast come a bit too close. She was knocked high into the air, giving Hinako a perfect shot.
Fortunately for Usagi, Takeshi intervened at that moment to hit Hinako with an attack of his own. A blizzard of paper birds slashed by Hinako from behind, sending the instructor sprawling along with her fish bowl. Usagi landed safely, noting Takeshi leaning against a tree, the attack having apparently taken most his remaining strength.
Ms. Hinako quickly returned to her feet and turned to face Takeshi. "I thought I got rid of you already."
"Oh, I'm working overtime right now, trust me. But, by all means, just go on as you were. I don't think I'll be much of a bother anymore."
"I'll make sure of it," Hinako replied.
Takeshi sighed as she readied another blast. Sorry Minako, but I think I'm a goner here, he thought as he closed his eyes and braced himself. This time, however, Usagi came to Takeshi's rescue, pelting Hinako with a clump of dirt.
"Stop it," Usagi shouted.
"Students really shouldn't be hitting their teachers," Hinako snarled and turned on Usagi, leaving Takeshi be.
"Normally I wouldn't, but you're acting crazy," Usagi replied then started backing off as Hinako pulled out a fifty yen coin.
"Deliquent! Happo-Goju-en-Satsu!"
Usagi suddenly felt very tired as her energy began to be sucked away. However, enough sense remained to her to turn and run. Ms. Hinako growled in annoyance and pursued her, but Usagi ducked into some bushes to hide. Ms. Hinako stopped a few short feet away and looked around frantically for her prey as Usagi tried to remain quiet.
This is crazy. I have to transform. No, wait. What am I going to do? Blast my teacher? She'll fail me for sure! Usagi thought in a panic then shook her head. No, I can't. Besides, what if Kasumi comes and sees me? No, I'll just have to hide till the others get here. I hope they're quick. I'm no good at this. It's so much easier when the person that's after you isn't your teacher.
XXXXX
Kasumi-kun was currently engaged in an extensive search through a set of bushes that bordered one of the school's fields. However, he was finding it very difficult to concentrate on the task. In fact, his mind kept returning to his encounter of only a few minutes ago. Every time it did he would wrench it away, and reaffirm himself on his present goal, but it was not easy.
I've never reacted to anyone like that before. Why her? Kasumi asked himself as his mind once again wondered. What do I tell Shampoo? I've always held that I have no interest in that sort of thing, but now... Oh, I have to worry about this later. Kasumi shook his head, and returned his attention to the bushes.
After a moment more of searching, Kasumi heard a voice call out to him from the distance. He looked up to see Ranma, Ryoga and Tatewaki running up. "Ranma?" Kasumi asked as he came up close.
"We've been looking all over for you," Ranma replied.
"Yes. We know now the foul treachery that has befallen you," Tatewaki added as he moved to the front of the group. "That despotic fanatic that calls himself my father has kidnapped Shampoo and no doubt threatened her safety should you not aid him."
Kasumi stared a long moment at the three boys, feeling suddenly quite hot and uncomfortable, before nodding. "Yes. I'm sorry about all this."
This time Ryoga pushed his way to the front to reply, "It's nothing Kasumi, we understand. You had no choice."
"Perhaps," Kasumi responded as the feeling increased. He once more shook his head in an attempt to clear it, but it remained. "I have to help Shampoo," he said as he looked away.
"Well, that's why we're here. We're going to help you find her," Ranma replied then noticed that Kasumi was averting his eyes. "Hey, you don't need to feel guilty or anything."
"It's... not that... I..." Kasumi tried to explain, but did not understand this feeling himself. "I'm not feeling entirely well."
"Don't worry about it. We'll find Shampoo, and once we get her we can deal with that nut job together," Ranma replied then looked around. "What are you looking around here for?"
"I was hoping to find the coconut but so far-"
"Hey!" Minako called out, gaining the four boys' attention. "We found her! You have to come quickly!"
"What? Where?" Kasumi asked anxiously as Minako ran up.
"In the gym."
"The gym?" They all echoed in surprise.
"Yeah. Ms. Hinako's in there too and she's gone nuts. You have to..." Minako trailed off as Kasumi raced off towards the gymnasium.
"Alright, let's go. Minako, go tell the others. They should be meeting at the change room pretty soon."
Minako nodded. "Right, but hurry up. Usagi and Takeshi are still in there."
Tatewaki raised his bokken towards the gym. "Wicked instructor, you shall fall before the my might! Come, we will engage this villain in the name of justice!" So proclaiming, Tatewaki ran off after Kasumi, leaving Ranma shaking his head and Ryoga scratching his.
"Is he always like that?" Ryoga asked.
"You get used to it. Come on," Ranma answered and the two headed off.
XXXXX
Kasumi-kun did not even slow enough to open the gymnasium doors, instead opting to simply kick them in. Once inside, the signs of the battle were obvious, with trees uprooted and walls and ceiling cracked. The whole building moaned from the effort of supporting itself on the injured support structure, but held. All of this, plus the whole jungle scene before him barely registered with Kasumi. His mind was firmly set on finding Shampoo.
"Kasumi!" Hinako called out at noticing his entrance. "I thought you were busy with the students."
"Where's Shampoo?" Kasumi asked as he continued to scan the jungle. Hinako did not reply as Tatewaki, Ranma and Ryoga soon joined Kasumi.
"Oh, so that's it. Well, that's fine. I'm in for some action."
"Huh?" Kasumi said as a devious smile crossed Hinako's face.
"I've actually always wanted to see if I could beat you. Now's the time to find out." Hinako tossed her fish bowl into the air, and formed a triangle with her hands as before. The motion was largely lost on the three boys, but Kasumi could feel the sudden upturn in energy and leapt clear of the coming blast. Ranma, Ryoga and Tatewaki were not so fortunate and were blasted right back out the door again.
"Hinako?"
"Oh come on," Hinako replied in annoyance as she caught the fish bowl. "I've been cooped up here all day. I need a good fight right now."
"What's wrong with you?" Kasumi asked as he took up a defensive posture.
"Nothing. I'm feeling great!" Hinako replied.
"Don't believe her," Usagi called out from hiding, causing Hinako to turn. "She's gone coo-coo!"
"You delinquent. Come out here and say that!"
"Enough!" Kasumi ordered, gaining back Hinako's attention. "I just want Shampoo."
"Sorry, can't have that. I've been given specific instructions to make sure no one gets near her, especially you." Hinako once again tossed her fish into the air and readied her attack. However, this time Kasumi was better prepared, and dodged clear into the woods, and out of Hinako's line of sight. "Hey! Get back here!"
Kasumi concealed himself among the trees and laid in wait, thinking. This is not like Hinako at all. She is definitely not thinking straight. I doubt the principal could have done that so it must be something else. Kasumi changed hiding positions as Hinako came into the trees to search. Kasumi watched her from concealment, considering his options until his eyes stopped on the fish bowl. Fighting fish. I wonder. If she drained too much of their battle aura, it may be affecting her. Nodding to himself, Kasumi formed a plan of action, and began his attack.
Ms. Hinako turned just in time to see Kasumi attempting to rush her. Having only one hand free, she raised her fifty-yen piece to counter the attack. "Happo-Goju-en-Satsu!" To Hinako's immense surprise, Kasumi continued on through the drain, and knocked the coin from her hand. Before Hinako could recover from that, she found her fish bowl confiscated. "How? No one has ever managed to attack me while being drained."
"It's not important," Kasumi replied, feeling modestly fatigued from the drain but otherwise fine. "This is over."
"Oh no it isn't! Happo-Tsurisen-Gaeshi!" Both hands now free, Hinako attempted another blast, forcing Kasumi onto the retreat. She fired another time, but Kasumi again dodged. The loss of energy from the second attack caused Hinako to pause and consider, but she decided to continue her attack. Her third attack was better aimed, and forced Kasumi to jump into the air. Now I have her, Hinako thought, and raised her hands to shoot but found her angle of attack increasing far faster than she expected.
Kasumi landed in front of Hinako, and looked down at the confused younger version of the instructor. "You okay now?"
"What happened?" Hinako asked as she lowered her hands and shook her head. "I feel awfully weird."
"You must have overdosed on the energy from these fish."
"I did?" Hinako asked then looked down in shame. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright, where's Shampoo."
Usagi came out from hiding at that moment and joined the two instructors. "She's over there," she pointed out. "He has her in hanging in a cage."
"Right," Kasumi said with a nod, handing the fish off to Usagi. "I'm going to go get her." Kasumi ran off through the trees, leaving Usagi with Hinako.
A moment after Kasumi left, the three boys came back through the door, along with several others from the class. "Alright, where is he? I've taken enough abuse for today and he's going to pay for it!" Ranma shouted as he came in.
XXXXX
Kocho was in a fit of laughter. The whole gymnasium, much like the school, was covered with cameras and the show he was being treated to was the best he had seen in years. However, his jubilance ended abruptly when he noticed Kasumi-kun coming his way. "Ah well, me did no think it would last forever. Time for the principal to show his stuff, yah." He pulled out a remote just as Kasumi arrived at the base of the tower.
Kasumi's attention, however, was not on Kocho, but instead on the cage that huge a few feet away. "Shampoo!"
"Hey there, kiki! Me be very happy with all the work you be putting in."
"Enough is enough! Let Shampoo go and give them the coconut!" Kasumi ordered, his frustration being too much to conceal.
Kocho looked up at the roof with a puzzled look. "Coconut? What coconut you be talking about?"
"This one," Ranma said from behind the principal, causing him to spin around in surprise. Ranma stood along with Tatewaki, Ryoga, Makoto, Saki and several others, holding a coconut.
"You should no sneak up on your principal like that."
"Yeah, and just what are you going to do about it?"
"This," the principal replied with a smile and pressed a button on the remote. The result was the coconut exploded. Kasumi looked up from the ground in shock as the tower exploded, sending its occupants through the air. Kocho came out of the explosion, descending to the ground, laughing all the way with another coconut in hand. "You be having to try harder than that, my little kikis," he said as he landed next to Kasumi.
"I said that is enough! You have your coconut, so let Shampoo go," Kasumi said, but the principal shook his head.
"The Big Kahuna don't think so. You be doing one more thing for principal first."
"NO!" Kasumi said with such force it surprised even himself. "I'm tired of all this, and I'll take Shampoo myself if you don't-"
Kocho waved his finger in warning, raising the remote. "Nonono, you no want to be doing that. Me press this button and SNIP!"
"Vile Villain!" Tatewaki yelled as he recovered. "Coward! How dare you hide behind Shampoo! I will stand for this no longer! Have at thee!" Kuno charged at his father, his bokken slashing with immense speed. To his surprise, Kocho seemed unthreatened, and merely produced a pair of shears to defend himself. The two clashed for a moment, until Kuno found his bokken shredded.
"Bad kiki. Your sword no be match for Aloha Sword Shredder technique." Tatewaki looked at his destroyed blade with a defiant sneer, but pulled back from his attack. That attack done away with, Kocho turned back to Kasumi and tossed her a pair of his sheers. "Now, you be giving them all new school hair cut."
Kasumi looked up at the cage then back at the gathering students. "Okay, you win."
"What?" Several students yelled in shock.
Kocho began laughing in triumph. However, this was exactly the moment Kasumi was waiting for. He tossed the sheers he was holding, knocking the remote from the principal's hand, and into the crowd of students where Saki ended up catching it. Kocho's laughter quickly stopped as the students collectively gave him an evil grin and began to approach. "Uhoh. Me be thinking this is going to hurt."
"Get him!" Ranma at last shouted, and the crowd stormed forward to overwhelm the principal.
Kasumi did not wait to see the results, instead leaping up to the cage, and swiftly breaking the locks to release the still unconscious Shampoo. "Shampoo, are you alright? Shampoo?" Getting no response, Kasumi infused Shampoo with some of his energy.
After a moment, Shampoo moaned then opened her eyes. "Kasumi?"
"Oh, you're okay. Thank heavens," Kasumi said in relief and pulled Shampoo in closer, so close in fact it did not even occur to him that he was actually kissing her. That is, until Shampoo started kissing him back. For a second, ingrained reflex almost made him pull back, but only for a second, and then he lost himself in the sensation of holding Shampoo tightly to his body while their mouths tasted each other fiercely. Slowly the tension that had filled his body since meeting that strange girl in the locker room faded, and the only girl in his head was the one in his arms. Kasumi found that even then he had no desire to stop, but then he heard several throats being cleared from below. Kasumi looked down at the crowd of on looking students and blushed.
"Okay, if you two are finished making out," Saki said, "maybe we can decide what to do with this freak."
Ryoga and Ranma held the half unconscious instructor up. "I say we just beat him to a pulp!" Ryoga suggested.
"Oh, no be doing that. Please," the principal responded with upraised arms.
"Yeah, and exactly why not?" Ranma asked.
"You be misunderstanding. Me just be wanting to give all you brothers and sisters a good time at school, yah. Me be saying to myself, them kiki, they be having no fun. So me decide to have a little game, yah."
"Yeah, right," Saki replied sarcastically. "And I'm the Queen of England. Do you take us for a bunch of naive idiots?"
Kasumi descended to the ground, carrying Shampoo, who was still in shock from being kissed. "Alright, I think you've all made your point."
"Like heck we have. We let this guy get away with this and he'll pull some other stunt."
"Me promise, no more buzz-cuts," Kocho offered.
Saki shook her head. "No deal. You'll just think something else up."
Kocho laughed nervously. "Oh, you have me all wrong."
"No, she has you dead to rights. Alright, let's cream him," Ranma said, but Kocho escaped his and Ryoga's grasps and hid behind Kasumi.
"You have to protect your principal."
"I don't see why," Kasumi replied, looking away. "You threatened Shampoo, blackmailed the other teachers, and caused no end of trouble for the students."
"Oh, come on. Me be nice from now on."
"I've heard that sorry from my Uncle Genma as well, and he never kept that promise."
The students smiled in victory, and began to approach. "No, wait, wait, wait. Me make you a deal. Me make you new vice-principal, yah?" Kasumi stood silently as the students continued their slow advance, causing Kocho to further panic. "Okay, okay, me do anything you want."
Kasumi raised a hand and stopped the students from advancing. "Fine, I have no interest in being vice-principal, but... all new school rules have to be cleared through me. And no more blackmailing the teachers."
Kocho considered, but the looking at the evil expressions on the students' faces made up his mind for him. "You win."
Kasumi nodded. "Right, that's enough."
"Oh, come on, Mr. Tendo," one of the boys complained, but Kasumi shook his head.
"No, that's enough. We've all had a rough day. Go on home. I promise to keep him under control from now on."
Several grumbled, but conceded, and the crowd began to break up. Kocho bowed before Kasumi in thanks. "The Big Kahuna be very thankful."
"Just remember your promise. I won't be able to hold them off next time if you break it."
"Me remember, yah," Kocho replied as he returned to his feet and quickly made himself scarce.
"Kasumi?" Shampoo said at last, gaining back his attention.
"Yes?"
"Is Kasumi going to kiss Shampoo every time Shampoo kidnapped? If so, then Shampoo make sure she get kidnapped lots."
"Ummm... ah..." Kasumi replied nervously as he set Shampoo down on her feet. "Well... that is... umm..." Shampoo did not wait for Kasumi to stammer out an answer, and just smiled and hugged her husband happily, causing Kasumi to blush once again.
At the doorway, Saki looked back curiously. Something is definitely not right here. Kasumi up and disappears and Kaneda appears in his place. Yes, something is definitely not right around here, but damned if I know what it is. Shaking her head, Saki left with the others.
XXXXX
Lemon watched from concealment with a deep frown as Kasumi and Shampoo finally departed to join the others. Of all the... oooo... She clenched her fists in anger, but knew well any physical action would be downright foolhardy. She was no match for this Kasumi Tendo. No, she would have to try other methods, more... strategic methods to rid herself of this she-male.
"There you are," Sissithississ as he approached. "I've been looking all over for you. Why did you take off like that?"
Lemon calmed her face, and looked back at her guardian with an innocent smile. "I... just wanted..."
"To sssee Kasssumi, isss that it?" Lemon nodded reluctantly. "Look, we'll be sssticking around for a while, till thisss sssituation isss sssorted out one way or another. I wouldn't get your hopesss up though."
"It okay Sissy," Lemon replied with a weak smile. "I'm better now. I'm sure Herb will make the right choice."
"Really?" Sissithississ asked with an upraised eyebrow. I have a feeling I'm going to be dragged into something messy very soon, he thought as Lemon continued to smile on.
End Chapter 26
Well, that concludes things for this chapter. Special thanks as always go to T. H. Tiger for creative assistance in writing this thing, and all my other pre-readers. Later.