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After the Fall - Chapter 10, The Servants in the Fray
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Sasuke walked down the streets, his head tilted in shame. He had returned to Fortress Kuno when he heard that Master Kuno had been released from the sanitarium. He was hoping to take up his position as retainer once more.
The Fortress Kuno, however, was a mess. The place had been ransacked, and belongings were missing. A pile of ash in the back indicated that many things, including most of the missing photos and paintings, had been burned. It made no sense. Brigands might have ransacked the house, but to burn the paintings? A rival family might have burned down the house, but just burning certain things while leaving the structure intact?
Deep in thought, Sasuke walked on. He failed to notice the shadowy figure trailing him, until a ribbon wrapped around his waist and he was hauled unceremoniously into a nearby tree.
"Unhand me, you brute! Let me go, I say! Harm one hair on my head, and you will face the wrath of the entire Sarogakure clan!"
"Quiet, wretch! I have orders for you. I wouldn't even have need of you, but that evil mercenary girl has set her dogs after me. I can't afford to operate openly for the moment, disgusting as the thought may be. I must have my revenge on that evil Tendo Akane for seducing my darling Ranma!"
"M-m-m-m-m-m-mistress Kodachi?!?!"
"Yes, Sasuke, it's me. I need your skills. You are trained to work in secret. You can gather my allies and help to dispose of my enemies one at a time."
"B-b-but what about Master Kuno?"
"Brother dear is not in his right mind. He defended the offspring of that evil woman from my righteous revenge. He harmed me, his own dear sister."
"Master Kuno harmed you?" Privately, Sasuke was thinking that this was normal.
"He hurt me. I'll show you." Kodachi began stripping her ninja outfit off, starting with her mask. Sasuke watched her as he hung from the tree, noting that she was much more muscular than she had been the last time the two had met. Soon, she was down to biker shorts and a sports bra.
Sasuke grimaced. Kodachi's face was disfigured, with jagged scars below her eyes. All over her body were bruises large and small.
"That looks painful."
Kodachi slapped him. "It is, you wretch. It will heal. Those Amazons and brother dear must pay for it, however."
"The Amazons?"
"Yes, that stupid blind duck boy actually convinced the Chinese bimbo to marry him, and they brought two teenage sluts back with them to run that restuarant of theirs."
"I see. What am I to do first, Mistress Kodachi?"
"You are to gather reinforcements -- those whose purpose is aligned with ours. They will aid me in my righteous quest to free Ranma and brother dear from the wicked Tendo girl's evil clutches. You will meet me at the end of this week at the Fortress Kuno to plan our next move."
"As you wish, Mistress Kodachi."
Kodachi dropped Sasuke from the tree, then ran off. Her laughter rang through the night as she jumped from building to building.
Sasuke sat rubbing his butt, and contemplating his circumstances. If what Kodachi had said was true, he could find Master Kuno at the Tendo residence. He knew where he was going to go next.
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It was almost midnight. Akane was sitting, watching her sister and Kuno. The two hadn't moved since Nabiki had fallen victim to the shadow ki, though occasionally one of them groaned. Akane was worried, but she couldn't touch them for fear that she would be drawn in as well.
She had to go -- nature was calling. "It should be all right. They haven't moved so far."
Akane called out, "hey Ranma, get up here. I gotta use the furo."
Ranma appeared at the window. "Sure, have fun."
"Pervert." She stuck her tongue out at him.
"Kawaiikune." He stuck his tongue out in return. Ranma smiled as Akane walked away, giggling.
As she entered the furo, she heard Ranma yelling. "HEY MOUSSE, TOFU, GET UP HERE! THEY'RE AWAKE!"
By the time Akane got out of the furo, nearly everyone was in Kuno's room. Nabiki and Kuno were being examined by Dr. Tofu and Mousse. Occasionally, Nabiki would giggle as she was poked in a ticklish spot; Kuno appeared, by the redness of his face, to be stifling the same reaction. At long last, the examination was done.
"Okay, you appear to be fine. The shadow ki has left your system. To be safe, I'd like to keep you under observation for the next few days. Kuno, we have a few compresses and herbal packs to help with your wounds." Tofu smiled. "Get some rest."
Mousse was next to speak. "I have some incense recommended by Elder Cologne as well. Let me know when you plan to sleep and I'll set it up."
Nabiki grimaced. "I never thought I'd have anything like that in my room... are you sure it's necessary?"
"If Elder Cologne suggested it, I hope you will take her advice. She really does have your best interests in mind. Though she may want to borrow money at some point in the future."
"Okay then. I'm going to my room. Have to make some phone calls."
Kasumi smiled at Kuno. "I'll go make you some tea."
Mousse, Ranma, and Kuno were left alone in the room. An uncomfortable silence followed, until Ranma cleared his throat. "Ah... Kuno... I gotta say... thank you."
"You are welcome, Ranma-sensei. Though I fear that I was at fault for not being present to protect little Ranko from the start. Is she all right?"
"She'll be okay, though she'll probably be all over you in the morning. She sat in here watching you until she fell asleep. At least she takes after me, sleeps like a log -- I was afraid all the shouting would wake her up."
Kuno smiled. "It is good to know that she was not seriously hurt."
"She's tough, and we're a close family. I never thought I'd say it, but Akane's probably the most loving mother out there."
"Indeed. Mousse, would you mind showing me how to set up the incense? I can prepare it for Nabiki-chan."
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Kuno paused outside Nabiki's door. He debated knocking. He thought of just barging in. No, that wasn't a good idea. The wrath of Nabiki towards anyone who caught her changing would be far greater than a simple low orbital kick. He knocked.
Inside her room, Nabiki was finishing the list of her phone calls. Everything was almost in place. Then, she heard a knock on her door. She hated being interrupted when she was working.
She opened the door, ready to berate Mousse for not waiting, but her expression softened. "Kuno-chan... please come in. I'll be right with you." She dialed her last number. "Hello... yes, I am fully aware of the time. However, this is an emergency. I have business for you. I've ordered an all-town watch, specifically concerned with locating Kuno Kodachi and any known associates. I want a full report on all movements. Yes, the usual rate." She hung up. "So, Kuno-chan, what can I do for you?"
"I brought the incense for you; Mousse told me how to prepare it. I also would like to offer you a place in my room. I would not like to see anything happen to you with my sister loose and your family targeted."
"Why, Kuno-chan." Nabiki smiled. "How sweet of you to worry about me." She kissed him on the cheek. "Go back to your room. I'll get my pajamas and a spare bedroll."
Kuno walked out and went downstairs. Kasumi had promised him tea, after all. A few minutes later, Nabiki was waiting in his room.
When Kuno arrived, the bedroll was all ready. "I thank you, Nabiki-chan. Excuse me for one moment." Kuno dimmed the lights, then lit the incense. He lay down in the bedroll on the floor. "You may have the bed; it will be much more comfortable. Good night."
"Good night, Kuno-chan."
An hour later, Nabiki quit trying to get comfortable. She just couldn't sleep. The sounds from Kuno confirmed that he had managed to fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Nabiki sighed. How *WAS* she going to get to sleep?
Nabiki grabbed the blanket from Kuno's bed, took her own pillow, and curled up next to him. "Good night, Kuno-chan."