"Sasuke!!"
"Yes, Master!"
Tatewaki Kunou sighs, glancing around his family mansion's living room. "Where, faithful Sasuke, has my sister been since yesterday morning?! She did not return home last night!"
"Ah, forgive me, Master, but Mistress Kodachi elected to stay with a good friend overnight," Sasuke flusters. The kendoist had retired to bed by the time the ninja servant had returned from the Shiratori mansion. "She asked me to give this to you, but since you had already gone to bed..." he hands Kunou a folded note.
"Never mind," Kunou opens the note, briefly scanning the words written there, then he sighs. "What news of fair Mariko Konjou?"
Sasuke quietly exhales, endeavouring to show no outward sign of his relief. While there was some underlying affection between Tatewaki and Kodachi, the relations between the Kunou siblings had become increasingly strained over the last few years, ever since their mother's death and their father's disappearance into parts unknown. Well, with Kodachi's growing relationships with Tsubasa Kurenai and Azusa Shiratori, maybe the "Black Rose" would find it within herself to walk a more well-behaved path anew.
Now if only things between Tatewaki and Mariko worked out.
"Very good news on that front, Master..."
* * *
"Three Sisters"
by Fred Herriot
fherriot@yahoo.com
**** **** ****
Edited by E.B. Kushnir kush1@iaw.on.ca
With C&C by Kevin D. Hammel khammel@pacbell.net, Robert Geiger robertgeiger@prodigy.net and Robert Masters rdm@pienetworks.com
**** **** ****
Based on "Ranma 1/2" created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****
PART SEVEN - DARK MEMORIES
"OUCH!!!!"
Toofuu Ono winces as Kodachi writhes under his grip, then he sighs. "I apologize, Kodachi-san. I didn't realize that still hurt you so much. Please hold still for a moment..."
Kodachi shudders, then yelps surprisedly as the chiropractor gently fingers probe the discoloured bruise in her side under her ribs. "Nor did I...sense how bad that was, fair...aaaai!!" she moans, her whole body tensing. "Damn those cretins...!!"
Nearby, Azusa and Tsubasa exchange worried looks, then relax as they sense Toofuu's ministrations starting to take effect, the psionic aura of Kodachi's emotions becoming more tranquil. "This was worse than I first suspected last night," Toofuu shakes his head. "You'll have to stay away from gymnastics or any sort of heavy exercise for a few days, Kodachi-san. Any turn of your body that affects this particular muscle group will be painful."
Kodachi blinks, then sighs. "Of course, Sensei. Whatever you believe is best," she lays back on the bed. "Damn...!"
"Just relax," Toofuu smiles, then turns to Azusa. "I heard from a friend at Nerima General Hospital about those three people who attacked Kodachi-san and Tsubasa-san. All three of them are in comas; they might not recover for well over a month. Are you normally that rough when it comes to street punks, Azusa-san?"
The skater sighs. "Forgive me, Toofuu-sensei...but I care deeply for 'Dachi. When I sensed she and Tsu-chan being attacked, it...well, the reaction any of the Great School would feel when they sense a sister or friend in danger is automatic...!"
Toofuu blinks, then concentrates as he probes Azusa's aura. Given that physically, she was human, there were many similarities between Azusa's chi aura and that of a normal girl her age. There were the differences, though. Streaks of deep sea blue-green which denoted her Nendo-kata paranormal abilities. Smaller streaks of pure black...Ryooko Hibiki had described that as the aftermath of a Wanderer's many years alone in deep space; they would eventually fade over time. And finally, the core of Azusa's soul was a mix of pure white and sky blue, slowly melting together. The core chi of Azusa Shiratori and the Wanderer who had merged with her, melting together into one unique being with the best qualities of both. But the majority of Azusa's chi aura was pure pink-red, the sign of passionate love. Noting that Azusa's internal focus was locked on Kodachi, it was easy to conclude who had won this woman's heart.
"I see..." Toofuu chuckles, nodding understandingly.
"Toofuu-sensei...!" Azusa suddenly flushes.
Kodachi stares at her friend, then the doctor, clearly confused by their embarrassment. "What?! What is it...?"
"Given Toofuu-sensei's skill at sensing chi auras, 'Dachi, he'd be the equal of an experienced healer in the Healer's School," Tsubasa helpfully cuts in, then hums. "Sensei, I've been thinking about what happened. There is a way by which we COULD help 'Dachi heal herself using her own recuperative powers and life-force."
"You can't ask 'Dachi to do THAT, Tsu-chan," Azusa objects.
"You could do it with her, 'Zusa," Tsubasa reminds her.
Azusa feels her cheeks flame in embarrassment. "T-true..."
"May I ask what you're talking about?" Toofuu wonders.
"The best term for it is 'intimate therapy,'" Tsubasa smiles, then jolts on sensing a surge of profound embarrassment mixed with gnawing anticipation from Kodachi. "Gomen ne, 'Dachi. I know how much both you and 'Zusa love each other...but given how savage that attack was added onto your upcoming tournament with Furinkan..."
Kodachi blinks, then nods. "Yes, I would like to be in top form for that," she sits up, grunting as a flash of pain surges up from her side, then she gazes on Azusa. "Gomen nasai. I never expected us to get back together THIS way, 'Zusa..."
"You don't want to be forced into this, do you?" Azusa muses.
"No, not really...but I certainly wouldn't object if either you or Tsu-chan...or both of you for that matter...were to help me get myself back to top form," Kodachi smiles, then jolts. *What in the name of the gods made me say THAT?!!* she mentally croaks.
Azusa and Tsubasa madly blush. "W-well..." both stammer.
Toofuu starts to laugh. "Oh, gods! Young girls in love...!!"
Soon enough, everyone howls with merriment before sputters of pain from Kodachi force the others to her side...
* * *
"Ah, another quiet, peaceful day!" Ranma sighs as she, her sisters, Akane, Ukyou and Shampoo make their way onto campus.
"Yeah, it seems...oh, shit!" Ukyou sighs. "Look who's back."
Everyone looks to see Tatewaki Kunou standing in their path, calm determination flashing in his eyes. As soon as he confirms that the women before him have taken notice of his presence, he smiles. "Never could I, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High, believe such blossoming flowers as you could ever conceive of anything else other than to bestow your love to a worthy man. That you choose to wholeheartedly engage in such abominable practices as to share the intimate warmth of each other is a mystery to me, not to mention a grave concern since I fear that if others take to your example...!"
"Kunou, that's enough!!" Ranma snaps. She is quick to sense a crowd surging towards them, many people's interest piqued by this newest confrontation between their school's most bombastic student and the newest members of the student body. Well, if they were expecting a fight between herself and Kunou, they were going to be disappointed. "First, my sisters and I, not to mention U-chan and Shampoo, would consider it dishonourable to force our beliefs and ways on others without their empathic agreement. I am quite aware that almost all the girls in the school now are happy the way they are. That makes me very happy for them. I only ask in return that people respect the way I wish to live my life. We all do."
"Fine and fair enough, Ranma Saotome...but why do you insist that Akane Tendou be party to this...?!" Kunou flusters.
Ranma sighs, crossing her arms. "Kunou, things have changed. Akane Tendou does not exist anymore. She is now Akane Saotome. Since our country doesn't recognize same-sex couplings, the only logical solution to the matter was for my family to adopt Akane as a part of it. What's wrong with that?!"
"WHAT?!?!" Kunou bellows, jolting back in shock, then he bolts over to gently seize Akane's hands. "Akane, say it is not so...!!"
*WHOMP!!!!*
"I didn't give you permission to touch me, pervert!!" Akane snarls, then stows Mallet-sama before marching to the front doors. "Honestly, can't you finally get the hint and leave me alone?!"
Scanning around the crowd, Ranma sighs, shaking her head, then senses Ukyou's calming hand on her shoulder. Give her a break, Ran-chan, the okonomiyaki chef winks. She needs the chance to develop more ways of expressing herself beyond anger, you know.
Hai, that's true, Ranma sadly nods...
* * *
"You look depressed today, Ranma. Are you okay?"
Ranma jolts, then stares at Nabiki. Everyone was now filing into the cafeteria for lunch. "Yeah, you can say that," the older Saotome daughter nods, then sits back. "You really want to know something, Nabiki? I really don't understand people at times. How can Kunou continue to delude himself into thinking that Akane cares for him...damn, especially after what Elder Ryooko did?!"
"Some people withdraw totally from reality when the pressures of life become too much for them, Ranma," Nabiki shakes her head. "That's the reason I was a little concerned about you and your sisters going after him using your own methods instead of playing along with what he likes to do. I know you people don't like the idea of fighting without good cause, but with the way Kunou-chan is at times, trying to resort to a more peaceful solution won't work."
"So I have to keep fighting him all the time, you mean? Damn it all, Nabiki, that'll just get us nowhere..."
"I know, I know," Nabiki sighs. "Look, your human half never had to deal much with friends and friendships because you were out on the road so much with just your dad for company, right? Your Wanderer half only had to deal with your own school, your family, right...then after they died, it was just you and Kikuko-chan? I hate to say this, Ranma, but you've been sheltered your whole life in BOTH your lives. Reality's a lot more different, you know."
"Yeah, you can say that again," Ranma sips her cola, then sighs. "I noticed in my foot locker today there were a half-dozen or so love letters from boys on campus. Geez, didn't Akane make the point about mentioning my gender preference in her speech?"
"My point exactly," Nabiki nods. "In this country, everyone's gotta conform to a certain social standard, even more so than in other nations on Earth. Behave in a certain way, dress uniformly and all that. The nail that sticks up gets smashed down and all that sort of conformist crap. Now, here at Furinkan, it's not as strictly enforced, but there are certain limits people set. Like it or not, Ranma, you and your sisters rather exceed those limits. You're lucky that since it's still so soon after your arrival, others haven't had the chance to properly pigeon-hole you yet in their own minds and worldviews...but when they do..." she shudders.
"Oh, terrific!" Ranma shudders.
"Atop that, Kunou-chan is seen pretty much as the trendsetter about what's acceptable and what's not here at school."
"Why's that?!"
"Turns out that his father, wherever the guy is right now, is on record as the principal here," Nabiki sighs. "The staff know it so that's why Kunou-chan's been left pretty much alone. If he went to another school, it'd be a heck of a lot different, but..."
Ranma's eyes narrow, she nodding begrudgingly. "Like U-chan said it: he's nothing more than the 'big asshole on campus.'"
"Yep."
"Wonderful...!!" Ranma sighs, then hums. "So what now? Do I have to always fight the dummy? I don't want my skills to rust out if that becomes a habit, you know..."
"Let me think about it for a bit," Nabiki nibbles her rice, then sighs. "We've got another problem."
"Being?"
"Money. Look, it was nice of your sisters in Oshika to help you girls settle in and get the guest house paid for, but with the addition of five new mouths to feed...thank the gods your dad doesn't live there anymore!...we need a pretty steady income."
"Well, when U-chan gets her restaurant going, that should help out. What about opening the dojo to new students? Would your dad want to go along with that?" Ranma crosses her arms.
"He hasn't taught much since Mom died," Nabiki laments.
"It will take in money in a much better way than what you do now with all the scams you run, you know," Ranma muses.
"Hai, true, but will it be enough in the long term? If we get you, your sisters, Akane, Ukyou and Shampoo in to teach, it might not do as well since all of you are girls. Female senseis aren't as universally trusted as male senseis," Nabiki warns.
Ranma shudders. "Geez, I never though that being a woman in this society was THAT bad..." she mutters.
"True, we aren't as forward-thinking as the Western nations when it comes to women's rights, but opportunities are there," Nabiki nods. "You just have to play it up the right way."
"How?"
"I'll have to think about that. Let me get back to you..."
An explosion!! Nabiki and Ranma jolt, then spin around as dust seems to settle over a new doorway in the cafeteria wall. A familiar white-robed figure stands there. "WHERE IS SHAMPOO?!?!"
"Oh, frig, what's HE doing here?!" Ranma snarls.
Mousse sweeps into the cafeteria, ignoring the students around him, then he locks onto someone, a growl surging up his throat. "There you are, you alien whore..." he lunges for the attack...
*CLANG!!*
"Wrong person, jackass!!" Ukyou draws back Spatula-sama, then shifts into a ready stance. "Don't you get the hint by now, bud?! Xian doesn't want anything to do with a dork like you!!"
Mousse surges up, then lunges for the attack. "FIST OF THE WHITE SWAN!!!!" he bellows as a storm of objects surge at Ukyou.
To the weapons master's horror, Spatula-sama twirls like an airplane propeller, the sharp edges cutting through the chains and ropes with the same ease demonstrated days ago by Ryouga Hibiki's bandannas. "Nice try, jerk!! Now try this!" Ukyou yanks up some mini-spatulas. "***HERA SHURIKEN ARASHI!!!!***"
"YEOWCH!!!!!!" Mousse wails as a hail of those small spatulas rip through his robes and hair, staggering him.
Right behind her spatula storm, Ukyou lunges at him, her large spatula whipping around like a baseball bat. "BATTER UP!!!!" she makes contact, sending Mousse sailing through the ceiling into the early afternoon sky. "Now STAY out, you jerk!!!"
"Shampoooooooooooooooooo...!!" Mousse helplessly wails.
Relaxing herself, Ukyou then jolts on hearing whoops and applause echo from the students around her. Flushing madly, the okonomiyaki chef laughs, then bows apologetically. "Oi, oi, that's cool!! Thanks, everyone!! Sorry about that!"
She turns back to her mini-stove as people crowd around her to pass on further compliments. Nabiki and Ranma relax, then return to their own lunches. "Geez, Mousse really knows how to get under a lot of people's skin, doesn't he?" the latter mutters.
"Yeah, I guess so," the former nods.
"Mousse was here?!"
Both turn as Ranko and Shampoo storm up, both tense and ready for a brawl. "Yeah, but U-chan took care of him," Ranma indicates the damage left behind from Ukyou's battle with the weapons master. "He's probably stuck head-first in someone's roof right now..."
* * *
Sure enough...
"HOW DARE YOU WRECK MY ROOF AGAIN, YOU GAIJIN BEAST?!?!?!"
*WHOMP!!* *SMACK!!* *CRUNCH!!* *POW!!* *CLUNK!!!*
"OUCH!!!! OI, THAT HURTS!!!! HELP ME, SHAMPOO!!!!!!"
* * *
Kikuko sighs as she makes her way to her next class. She had sensed what happened in the cafeteria but since Mousse was nowhere near Ukyou's class of fighter, she didn't feel she had to help deal with the fool. If he couldn't get the hint that Shampoo and Ranko were meant to be, that was his problem. So much like Kunou. Why was it so many in this world were so damned blind at times...?
"Kikuko Saotome!"
Kikuko stops, then sighs, turning to see Tatewaki Kunou stand close by, several members of the school kendo club with him, all armed and tense. "Is there a problem, Kunou-san...and who are you talking to, if you don't mind my asking?" she crosses her arms.
The kendoist jolts, then stares evenly at the youngest (in one sense) of the Saotome triplets. "You will call me 'sempai'..."
"You have not done anything to merit such respect from me, Kunou-san," Kikuko's voice drips with such levels of scorn, the added honorific at the end of Kunou's name serves as a scolding insult. "By the way, I am no longer to be addressed as 'Kikuko Saotome.' I am now to be addressed as 'Kikuko Tendou.' If you refuse to remember that, I shall not answer you at all, Kunou-san."
"WHAT?!?!" the kendoist jolts, then leans right into Kikuko's face. "What do you mean by that...?!"
"***KIBARA NO TOGE ARASHI!!!!***"
The kendoists wail in shock as a storm of golden chi balls lash out at them, staggering back from the sudden assault. Kikuko closes her eyes as she telekinetically opens nearby windows, then with a casual mental "shove," sends them spiralling outside to fall three floors into the pool. Hearing the satisfying *splash!!* of the group getting dunked, Kikuko leans on the windowsill, staring down. "Have a nice swim, minna-san," she chuckles, then turns to head back to class...before suddenly stopping, her empathic senses picking up a curious focal nexus from nearby.
A glance over her shoulder reveals a frail-looking fellow with ghost-like features staring wide-eyed at her. Sensing that Kikuko had now detected his presence, the fellow yelps as he tries to duck away and escape. Sighing, Kikuko concentrates, closing her eyes. A surprised cry echoes through the halls as the hapless fellow is tossed back to land right in front of Kikuko. Recognizing him, she sighs, crossing her arms. "Gosunkugi-san, it's not nice to spy on people, you know," she stares intently at him.
Hikaru Gosunkugi shudders, staring wide-eyed at his classmate. "H-h-how did you d-d-do th-that?!" the would-be sorcerer stammers.
"I have my ways. Now why are you spying on me?" Kikuko leans down to glare into his eyes. "Don't attempt to lie to me about this, Gosunkugi-san. I can smell a liar coming a kilometre away."
"I...I...I..." he stutters, then turns away from her steely look. "Imtryingtodiscoveryourweakspot," he then blurts out.
"Eh?!" she blinks, then reaches over to twist his head so she could look into his eyes. "Say that again more slowly please."
"I..." Hikaru gulps. "I'm trying to discover your weak spot," he eeps, his voice so low, no normal person could hear it.
Of course, Kikuko could hardly be classified as "normal." "My weak spot?" she blinks, then straightens herself, reaching down to help him back to his feet. "Why would you wish to know that sort of thing, Gosunkugi-san? Have I done something to cause you such offense that you would seek to retaliate THIS way?"
Hikaru jolts, surprised by her show of grace, then shudders. "N-n-no! N-not y-you, K-k-kikuko-san! It...ah...er...well, you see...it's your sister th-that...well, you see...?"
Kikuko's eyebrow arches. "Which sister do you mean? If you think about it, I have five sisters now."
"Ah...w-well, it's R-r-ranma..."
"Ranma-neesan? Doshite (Why)?"
"Um...w-well, I...um, I gotta go to class!!" he blurts out as he moves to get away from Kikuko.
She sighs, snaring him with a hand as she drags him back close to her. "Gosunkugi-san, it is not nice to leave someone in the middle of a conversation, especially if there is supposedly some sort of problem between the parties involved. Now, you just told me my sister has caused you considerable offense. What exactly happened that caused you to come to hate my sister like that? We cannot resolve this matter by running away from it..."
Kikuko jolts on sensing someone racing at her from behind, then throws up her free hand, her eyes glowing as a telekinetic force-bubble forms around her and Hikaru. Kunou's bokan stick slams into the field, bouncing back to clobber the kendoist right in the forehead, staggering him. With another wave of her hand, he flies right out the open window for another dip in the pool.
"***WHAT SORCERY IS THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS...?!?!?!***"
*SPLASH!!!*
Hikaru is speechless, then watches wide-eyed as Kikuko's eyes lose that strange burgundy luminescence, returning to their normal fudge-brown shade. With that, she lets go of his shirt, then turns to walk away. "Stupid fool! Can't learn a damned thing...!" she mutters, shaking her head as she rubs away an oncoming headache.
Hikaru stares at her, then blinks. "You're a psychic!"
"Eh?!" Kikuko jolts, then turns to stare at him before her cheeks suddenly redden, her empathic powers picking up a surge of genuine curiosity from her classmate. "Oh, Gosunkugi-san, gomen nasai. I didn't mean to snap at you like that..." her voice trails off, then she blinks surprisedly. "You know...?!"
Hikaru flusters, then sighs. "Well, everyone knows that Kunou-sempai is an idiot! That wasn't sorcery from what I saw of what you did. More like some form of telekinesis..." his voice trails off, then he stares at her. "Oi, how DID you do that?!"
"You just made the right conclusion. I'm psychic," she points at him, sensing that he could possibly handle some of the truth. "Specifically, I'm telepathic, empathic and telekinetic. Any time I use my telepathic or telekinetic powers, my eyes glow."
"Soo ka...but how did you get those powers, anyway? Are you some sort of mutant or something like that...?"
"No, I'm half-alien," she shakes her head.
"Oh, didn't want to go to Tomobiki High Sch-...EH?!?!" Hikaru nearly leaps out of his uniform in shock. "HALF-AL-...?!!"
His mouth is slapped shut as Kikuko cuts off his voice, she dragging him to a nearby alcove so they could converse privately. "Baka, do you want to scream that out to everyone in the school?!" she hisses, glaring intently at him. "I swear, if you..."
He waves his hands peacefully to cut her off, then as she draws her hand back from his face, breathes out. "Whew!!" he wipes his forehead, then stares at her. "Look, I..."
"You know, you still haven't answered my question about why you don't like Ranma-neesan so much," she reminds him. He jolts, then shudders fearfully as she leans up to him. "I normally consider it VERY rude to pry into another person's thoughts, Gosunkugi-san, but if you keep stalling with an explanation..."
"IloveAkane!"
"Eh?!" she blinks confusedly, then her eyes widen before she breathes out. "Oh, no, don't tell me you're ANOTHER of those idiots who loves beating up on Akane-chan all the time...!"
"Are you nuts?!" he wails, shuddering like a newborn tree in the wind. "If I tried to fight her, she'd kill me!!"
Kikuko steps back, then gives him an intensive look. "Yes, I can see that you aren't in good shape..." she nods, then sighs. "Well, if that's the reason for you trying to probe my weak spot, I'd recommend that you stop right now, Hikaru-san. Akane-chan and Ranma-neesan are very much in love with each other and will brook no interference in their relationship with anyone..."
"I SAY THEE NEVER!!!!"
Kikuko closes her eyes, snaring Kunou before he could land a strike with his weapon, then sends him flying through a CLOSED window to smack right into the swimming pool's diving board. One bounce later sends him belly-flopping into the deep end, then he sinks below the surface. Kikuko and Hikaru stare out the broken window at the submerged kendoist, the former shaking her head and the latter shivering in mortal terror from what he saw.
"We show him a way to find a nice girl to date and he's STILL working himself into a lather over Akane-chan and Ranma-neesan. Depressing!" she sighs, then hearing a warning bell for the start of afternoon classes, throws up her hand in surrender. "Well, we best get to class before we're late, Hikaru-san. Ikumashou (Shall we go)?" she reaches down for his hand, indicating their class.
Hikaru jolts, then shudders as the warm, SOFT feeling of Kikuko's hand holding his overwhelms him. With a moan, he drops into a dead faint at her feet. Staring at him, Kikuko blinks confusedly, then moves to fireman-carry him to class.
"What a strange boy..."
* * *
Later...
"My heavens, this is just incredible...!"
A well-exercised Kodachi blushes as Toofuu examines the now-unblemished skin under the gymnast's rib cage. Tsubasa and Azusa, both equally refreshed from their bout of "intimate therapy" to heal Kodachi, sit nearby. "So am I free now to bound over many houses with my usual elan, Toofuu-sensei?" Kodachi asks.
"Yes, you're more than free...as long as you avoid the wrath of dishonourable boys along the way, Kodachi-san," Toofuu nods, then turns to the two Nendo-kata nearby. "If this has to happen again, I would like to be informed and be given the chance to examine Kodachi-san first before you...well, ahem..." he flusters.
Azusa and Tsubasa laugh. "We understand, Sensei," the latter replies as both rise, bowing their thanks to the chiropractor. "In the meantime, we have to get back to St. Hebereke before they burn the damned gymnasium down and 'Zusa has to get back to Kolkotz."
"Alright, I'll write a note for your teachers," Toofuu nods.
Minutes later, the three women walk out of his clinic, heading towards St. Hebereke hand-in-hand-in-hand. "That was fun!" Kodachi tries not to cower embarrassingly from what just happened, then smiling, kisses Azusa, then Tsubasa, on the cheek. "Thank you, 'Zusa, Tsu-chan. I never thought I'd ever experience such a purer act of lovemaking, especially with such wonderful people like you."
"For you, 'Dachi, we were more than glad to help out," Azusa smiles, then sighs. "Even if this will be the only time..."
"Who says that?!"
Both stop, gazing curiously at Kodachi. The gymnast lets go of their hands, then turns around to gaze at them. "'Dachi, do you actually mean you want to...?" Tsubasa stutters to a surprised halt, wondering what would be the right thing to say now.
"I know you consider it below form to probe someone's mind for the truth unless it is necessary, Tsu-chan," Kodachi grins, then relaxes. "Yes, I want this to be the start of something meaningful with both of you...and ONLY both of you. How could I possibly refuse the advances of such kind people as yourselves, especially after all you've done in the last three days to make me feel more comfortable with myself? I like you both very much, so what is so wrong about wanting to love you both very much?"
"You might not want to say that aloud too much when it comes to your peers at school, much less the teachers, 'Dachi," Azusa warns, scratching her cheek, then she jolts. "What the...?!"
"Eh?!" Tsubasa shudders, then her eyes glow as she looks off to her right. "What in the Mother's name...oh, no, what are those girls doing now?!" she races off, bounding onto a roof.
"What's going on?!" Kodachi demands.
"Your teammates from school...and some other group!" Azusa grabs her lover's hand, then with a telekinetically-boosted leap, sends them both off in pursuit of the rapidly vanishing Tsubasa...
* * *
"How DARE you attack Sempai like that?!!"
Sharp ribbons snap through the air as the three Furinkan High martial arts rhythmic gymnasts move to defend themselves from twice the number of St. Hebereke fighters. Bruises and bleeding cuts cover all the people present, though the Furinkan side, outnumbered two-to-one, have taken the lion's share of injuries in this brief, savage contest. "Who says WE had anything to do with what happened to that bitch you call a team captain?!" the Furinkan leader, Akemi Uzuki, chuckles as she prepares to douse them with a storm of clubs and balls. "If she gets herself into any sort of trouble with the local boys, that's HER problem!!"
"Liar!!!" Suzuko Shinyuu snaps as her friends attack...
...then find their weapons yanked out of their hands!
The girls collapse surprisedly onto the undeveloped lot's ground as the Furinkan team pause, staring wide-eyed at the woman in the slacks and button shirt standing nearby, everyone's ribbons wrapped around one arm. The question the three girls mentally ask is the same: *How did she DO that?!*
"What's going on here?!" she demands.
The St. Hebereke girls jolt. "Tsubasa-chan, why are you interfering?!" Suzuko demands, pointing accusingly at the Furinkan team. "Don't you know what these jerks did to Kunou-sempai?!!"
Tsubasa sighs, then turns to the three Furinkan women before her powers pick up a storm of conflicting emotions from them, especially Akemi. "So..." she drops the equipment to the ground, then crosses her arms. "You sent those Tannin boys after 'Dachi?!"
The other woman jolts, then pales as she tries to stammer out an excuse. "Don't bother denying it," Tsubasa shakes her head. "I can tell what's going on by just looking at you! And to believe you 'paid' for their services with your own body?! Shameful!"
Everyone jolts at THAT broadside from Tsubasa, especially the Furinkan team captain. "HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?!?!?!" Akemi screams out, then looks down at the ground, her cheeks flaming.
Silence falls as Tsubasa's words echo through their minds again and again, eyes locked on the woman who had started this. Azusa and Kodachi appear, moving to stand close to the St. Hebereke group. "What's going on here?" Kodachi demands, looking around.
"Sempai...?!" Suzuko stares at her, then her eyes shoot out of her skull in disbelief. "Oi!! How'd you get well THAT fast?!!"
"Courtesy of a chiropractor my brother knows, Suzuko. Now, what's going on here?" Kodachi crosses her arms, then stares at the three Furinkan gymnasts. "And why are you fighting these girls?! I thought I told you all that I'd handle this matter."
"Yeah, like you handled the other teams your school's faced, eh, Kunou?!" another of the Furinkan girls, Kyooko Tomou, snarls.
Kodachi sighs. "If I feel it necessary," she replies, inwardly unsure as to what should be the right thing to say in a circumstance like this. *Oh, damn, what do I do...?*
Relax, 'Dachi, a voice, Tsubasa's, echoes in her head.
Kodachi stares at Tsubasa, noting her eyes were closed. "No doubt, you decided on hearing about what 'Dachi did to those other teams to deal with the matter ahead of time like she did," the assistant coach opens her eyes, turning to the Furinkan team. "I suppose I can't blame you though I did talk 'Dachi into letting the tournament run fair and square. Regardless of what day and time you did fight each other, though, I would have expected you girls to fight 'Dachi and her teammates, not bring outsiders into it."
"Especially the type of outsiders who would've raped 'Dachi after wounding her enough to force her to forfeit her role in the match," Azusa adds, "...not to mention force you to surrender your own innocence so that you could get their 'help' in dealing with 'Dachi," her eyes then fall on Akemi.
Eyes lock on the woman, especially Kodachi. "You...?!!" the St. Hebereke team captain shudders, a whirling storm of outrage, scalding pain and long-buried shame roaring up from the depths of her heart, then her foot kicks up a ribbon. "DAMN YOU!!!!"
"Sempai!!!" Suzuko cries out.
The Furinkan girls don't stand a chance as the ribbon lashes out, tightly snaring their wrists and ankles, then jerking hard to dislocate those joints and force them to their knees. Tsubasa moves to stop her, but before she could form a telekinetic bubble to entrap her lover, Kodachi screams out in pain as she drops the ribbon, then lunges for a nearby rooftop, racing off.
"I'll get her!" Azusa calls as she chases after Kodachi.
The other St. Hebereke girls exchange a look, then turn as one to Tsubasa, ignoring the whimpering Furinkan girls at their feet. "What's with Kunou-sempai, Tsubasa-chan?! She's never acted like that as long as I've known her!" Suzuko demands.
Tsubasa sighs, shaking her head. "This is a mess...!" she mutters, then sighs. "Look, get your gear, then head back to the school. I'll get these girls to the doctor's office. Leave 'Dachi to 'Zusa there; she'll know what to do. We'll TALK about this when we get the chance, alright?!" she evenly stares at the other women.
They shudder as the coach's eyes bore into them, then weakly nod as they collect their weapons, then depart. Once they are gone, Tsubasa then turns to the three Furinkan girls. "So much for a fair and friendly competition, eh?" she bends down to help them to their feet for the short trip to Toofuu Ono's clinic...
* * *
*Alien...?!*
Hikaru Gosunkugi shudders, sitting in his usual spot at the back corner of the classroom. His eyes are locked on the Saotome triplets in the middle of the collection of desks, then they fall on Akane, still in her position between Ranma and Ranko. Ukyou now sat in front of Akane while Shampoo was on the left side of Ranko. A second later, Kikuko turns around to gaze quizzically at Hikaru, making him shy behind his math textbook. Kikuko shakes her head bemusedly as she turns back to her own work. Fortunately, the teacher was of the "say-it-once-and-get-it-over-with" school of lecturing, which was a quick way to put forty students to sleep.
*You're an alien, Kikuko-san...?* Hikaru thinks to himself, shuddering as a storm of conflicting thoughts and emotions roil through his brain. As a would-be student of the art of voodoo (who wisely chose to study other mystical matters so that he could have as "rounded" an education in spiritual matters as possible), he didn't pay much attention to matters of a "science fiction" nature. This was despite the fact that Tomobiki, Japan's acknowledged focal point of Terran-alien affairs, was a district over from Furinkan. Yet to actually meet someone who...well, at least had a parent who hailed from another planet out there in that vast universe...
Hikaru-san, ogenki desu ka (are you alright)?
The soft voice echoes in his mind as he feels a gentle, loving warmth surge through his body. What a strange, unique feeling this was! With that, sensing renewed strength firm him, he glances over his book to see Kikuko's face tilted his way, her eyes closed. Oh, that's right, she said that her eyes normally glowed when she used her telepathic powers. With that, he turns back to his book, taking a deep breath. *H-hai, d-daijobu desu (I-I'm okay)...* he purposefully thinks in hopes of answering her telepathic hail.
No, you're not, Hikaru-san. Gomen ne.
That causes him to jolt. *Why are you apologizing to me?!*
I didn't mean to shock you with blurting out my origins like that, Kikuko mentally "giggles," causing goosebumps to dance over his body. That felt so...so...so NICE! You caught me at a bad time. Kunou-san's been concentrating on breaking apart Akane-chan and Ranma-neesan; today's the first time he's focused on me.
*I can understand why he wants to do that,* Hikaru muses.
True. Despite his many delusions, one has to admire his good taste in potential life-mates...but if he can't make himself realize that Akane-chan doesn't want him, then all he's going to be in for is a lot of physical and emotional pain, Kikuko sighs.
*I know how that feels.*
Hikaru-san, even if at this time, Akane-chan wouldn't want anything to do with you, how do you hope to win the attention of a nice girl if you don't come forth and say what you feel?
Psychic silence falls as he considers that, then he sighs. *It's hard sometimes, Kikuko-san.*
Hai, I can understand that, I suppose. Puberty for your kind must seem so confusing. It's no wonder so many of you suffer; without any sort of decent guidance from your parents and incorrect guidance from peers... Kikuko shudders, then sighs.
*What's it like for your kind?*
Oh, we don't disguise what happens. It's a mo-...parent's most sacred responsibility to her da-...children to ensure that they understand their role in the continuance of our Gr-...race, Kikuko is quick to catch herself from blurting too many confusing details to Hikaru. It would do him no good to shock him so badly in the middle of math class. We best discuss this at a better time, Hikaru-san. There's so much I want to tell you, so much that you do deserve to know, but if I unload it now...
*Hai, that's true. Arigatou, Kikuko-san.*
Dou itashimashita (You're welcome).
The warm feeling gently fades as Hikaru finds himself better able to concentrate on his math text. Yet a new feeling seems to rise from deep in his heart. For the first time in a LONG while, someone was actually willing to open up to him, forge some sense of understanding with him. Given his looks and shy nature, Hikaru Gosunkugi could hardly claim to have any friends at Furinkan High School. Yet now...could he see Kikuko Tendou as one?
Well, at least she was a Tendou...!
The bell mercifully rings minutes later. "That's all for today, minna-san," the teacher cuts over quickly from his droned lecture, then draws up his books and heads out.
The students release a sigh of content relief, then move to relax for the short break separating math from science class. With that, Kikuko rises, walking back to kneel beside Hikaru. Sensing her gazing at him, Hikaru feels his cheeks flame, then he tries to shy away from her. "Why, do I bite THAT badly?" Kikuko barbs.
He yelps, then finds himself chuckling before sensing someone else approach. "Oi, Kiku-chan, who's your new friend?" Ukyou asks.
Kikuko does the introductions. Ukyou hums, then stares at Hikaru, quick to sense the odd variations of empathic and psionic matrices wrapped around him indicative to a Nendo-kata of someone with a lot of spiritual potential. "Pleased to meetcha, Hi-chan," the okonomiyaki chef reaches over to squeeze his hand, smiling contently. "Hope Kiku-chan didn't burn you out too much there."
"Eh?!" Hikaru jolts, then his eyes widen. "Are you...?" he catches himself, then thinks, *Are you like Kikuko-san?!*
Yep. So're Ran-chan and Ranko-chan, by the way, Ukyou closes her eyes. Don't worry; we sensed Kiku-chan talking to you, but we didn't eavesdrop. To do that when someone wants to privately converse with a friend's rude were we come from.
*S-soo ka,* Hikaru stammers, then feels Kikuko's hand touch his shoulder. Glancing at her, he feels his mind fade out. "She t-touched m-me...!" he stammers before collapsing to the floor.
"Oh, my!!" quotes Kikuko in a Kasumi-esque gesture.
Ukyou has the civility to not laugh. "Geez, he's as gun-shy around women as Ryouga is!!" she covers her mouth.
The door crashes open. "***HOLD!!!!!!***"
Eyes turn as a groan flows through the class, locking on Kunou now at the doorway. His still-damp hakama and soaked hair, atop several cuts and bruises on his face, indicate the level of damage Kikuko did to him earlier. "What now, Baka-sempai?!" Ranko sighs, crossing her arms. "Haven't had enough punishment?!"
"Enough!!!" Kunou slams his bokan stick on a desk, then turns towards Kikuko. "I will NOT stop until I have freed you...!!"
An incensed roar escapes from the middle of the class as Akane bolts from her chair, lunging at Kunou with Mallet-sama held high. "GET THE HINT, JERK!!!! LEAVE US ALL ALONE!!!!!!" she bellows.
Kunou sidesteps her hammer strike, then lashes out with his bokan stick. "HIYAAAA!!!! TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA!!!!"
Akane yelps with stunned surprise as the storm of bokan thrusts slashes through Mallet-sama's handle, causing the head to drop right on her skull! Before she could recover, Kunou is over her, aiming right at her face. Just as the wooden shaft is about to cave in her skull, the bokan stick is snared by a hand as Kunou is picked up, then propelled through a closed window by Ranma.
"Stupid idiot, leave MY life-mate alone!!!" she bellows.
Kunou howls as he smashes head-first through the glass, then falls to the ground, cracking the concrete on the walkway below before collapsing in a near-dead heap. Everyone gathers by the window to gaze down at the unmoving kendoist. "Is he still alive after all that?!" Hiroshi wonders, shaking his head.
"He's just too dumb to realize he should be dead," Daisuke crosses his arms, eyes turning heavenward. "What a nutcase!"
"Got that right," Sayuri nods.
Ranma breathes out, then rises, shaking her head. "Damn it, what's setting him off now?!" she walks over to the window, staring at Kunou. "If this keeps up, someone IS going to get hurt bad!!"
A wave of shame, anger and fear floods her senses, then she turns to see Akane still on her knees, shaking badly from what just happened. Ranma winces, then moves to comfort. As her hands reach down to touch Akane, a hand bats them away. "Don't...!!!" Akane blurts out, then shudders as a wave of calm surges through her.
Relax, Akane! Ranma closes her eyes as she moves to lift Akane up, heading to the window. C'mon, U-chan!
Right behind you, Ran-chan, Ukyou acknowledges, then turns to the rest of the class. "We're gonna give A-chan a chance to get herself back together again. Tell Kobatsu-sensei, okay?!"
"Okay, Ukyou-san," Yuka nods.
They vanish through the window, then leap up onto the roof. The other students exchange looks. "I've never seen Akane lose control of herself like that before," Sayuri muses.
"Not surprising, Sayuri-chan. That's the first time I know of that someone's defeated Akane's mallet," Daisuke muses.
"Has she always depended on that mallet when she deals with people like Stick-boy?" Shampoo wonders.
"With him and other perverts, yeah."
The Nyu-che-zuu warrior shakes her head. "Bad habit to get into," she exchanges a knowing look with Ranko.
"Got that right, Airen," Ranko nods. "She's been coddled way too much. If this keeps up, sooner or later..."
The others grimly nod...
* * *
"He...he...oh, gods, he...he...!"
"There, there, Akane, relax," Ranma whispers, running her hands through Akane's silky hair, keeping the latter close to her as she allows Akane the chance to finally break down the emotional walls and let her feelings flow forth. They kneel on the roof near the top of the central stairwell beside the clock tower, Ukyou hovering nearby protectively. "It's okay, it's gonna be okay. It was a lucky strike and he was pretty righteously pissed. Kikuko's been kicking the jerk around all damned day..."
"Ranma, stop coddling me!!" Akane hisses, then lowers her eyes ashamedly on sensing the Nendo-kata tense. "Oh, gomen..."
"Sumimasen," Ranma tries to smile, then moves to shift Akane's tear-streaked face so they could gaze into the other's eyes. "Oi, oi, things like being good in martial arts don't happen overnight, remember? Remember what we told you this morning?"
"Y-yeah...!" Akane stutters, then sighs, leaning into Ranma's front as a hand reaches out for Ukyou's. "Damn...damn me...why didn't I see it...why didn't I pick up on it...?!"
The chef kneels beside her, reaching over to run her hand through Akane's hair as her fingers lace through Akane's, Ranma's hand wrapping around their grasped hand in a show of solidarity. "Maybe people didn't want you to pick it up, A-chan," Ukyou sighs.
"B-but...wh-WHY?!!" Akane snaps, her eyes blazing with wounded rage. "I'm a martial artist too, U-chan!! Why couldn't they...?!"
"Maybe you being a martial artist scares them," Ranma hums.
Akane shudders, then taking a deep breath to dry away the tears, leans back to stare into Ranma's eyes. "Why...?"
"I dunno," Ranma shakes her head, then essays a concerned smile, hoping Akane didn't take what she was about to say the wrong way. "Hard to predict what's going on around here now. Maybe that 'creeping conquest' theory of mine from when I first came was more on the mark than I first suspected. Maybe it was because your dad didn't instill the same sort of all-out, never-surrender drive to succeed at the martial arts that Oyaji did to me. Maybe..." she lowers her eyes. *Oh, Mother, please give me the strength...!*
"Akane, I haven't emphasized this a lot beforehand because I didn't want to seem like I was trying to demean you or insult you...but by the looks of it, you really have got to do something about your buried anger," Ranma reaches over to gently squeeze Akane's shoulders. "We all can give you all the encouragement we can...but it'll do nothing for you unless you find it in yourself to take control of that anger...and not let it control you."
Akane shudders, a swell of outrage boiling deep in her heart, then on interpreting Ranma's concerned look, feels a wash of regret and shame flood her soul. No! No!! NO!!! This was the person who was trying to HELP her, not hurt her, not insult her, not...! She squeezes her eyes shut as she leans against Ranma, fresh sobs stealing her voice. How?! How could she lash out at Ranma or Ukyou, demean all that Ranma and Ukyou wanted to do for her?!
Did she...was it because she found it too hard to confront herself, understand what problems she did have?
Was it because...?
Did they...know?
Akane sniffs, then gently pulls back from Ranma, staring into those warm sapphire orbs. She then draws Ukyou over so she could look at them both without turning her head. Her mouth opens as she moves to say something, then she shakes her head violently. "N-not here..." she whispers. "Take me home...please, let's go home..."
"No problem, A-chan," Ukyou nods as she and Ranma help Akane up, then with a telekinetic leap, fly off to the Tendou dojo...
* * *
Later...
"What the HELL happened?!!"
Nabiki shudders, her whole body quaking as she faces Ranko, Kikuko and Shampoo under a tree near the front gate of the school after last class. All three of the younger women carry Ranma's, Akane's and Ukyou's bookbags, having told the science teacher about the attack by Kunou and how much it had badly rattled Akane.
"She nearly got her face caved in by Kunou-bakayaro when he tried to 'cleanse' her in math, 'Biki," Ranko shakes her head. "Ranma-neechan and U-chan got her to the roof where she pretty much broke down. They took her home as soon as they could."
"It's my fault, Nabiki-neesan," Kikuko bows her head. "I was very rough with Kunou-san today..."
"Whoa, don't blame yourself for that idiot's actions!" Nabiki snaps, then sighs. "So she found out that the mallet don't work all the time. Shit...and by Kunou-chan of all people...?"
"We have to pick up her training, Nabiki," Shampoo warns. "If she really wants to call herself a martial artist, she has to have the same dedication to the Art as we do."
"Yeah, she did always treat it like a hobby at times...that is until Kunou-chan got stupid," Nabiki nods understandingly.
"There's one more thing," Ranko breathes out.
Nabiki stares at her. "What?"
"'Biki...," Ranko takes a deep breath, then closes her eyes. "It's time to air some things out. We know Akane was raped once."
Silence.
Shampoo pales, disgust and shock roaring from her heart...in the Nyu-che-zuu, it was the SUPREME dishonour for a warrior to be abused in THAT manner...then stares at Nabiki. The middle Tendou daughter is rocked by Ranko's statement, she taking a step back. Kikuko bows her head. Ranko remains calm, though a sympathetic smile crosses her face. Nabiki bites her lip as she feels a surge of tears well up, then she senses a gentle hand touch her cheek.
"Oi, it's cool. It's gonna be alright," Ranko soothes. "That hurt you all, not just Akane, 'Biki...but I think it's long since time you stopped hurting, don'tcha think?"
Nabiki blinks, then a rare warm smile crosses her face. "Thanks, Ko-chan..." she whispers, gripping Ranko's arm, then she sighs. "Shit, I should've realized your empathic powers would've picked up on that. You've known all along, haven't you?"
"Hai, Nee-san, we have," Kikuko nods.
"Why didn't you...?"
"It's considered quite rude among the Great School to rip open wounds like that unless the people who're suffering speak up first, 'Biki," Ranko warns. "But right now, Akane's anger and shame over what happened have come to blind her in some pretty vital areas. In a way, what happened this afternoon may've been a blessing in disguise for her, wake her up to what's going on."
Nabiki blinks, then smiles. "Thanks, Ko-chan...all of you," her eyes fall on Kikuko and Shampoo.
"Did you catch the one responsible?" Shampoo wonders.
A cloud of burning outrage then settles over the middle Tendou daughter. "No," she hisses. "Even now...I...I've tried to trace the sons-of-bitches down, but it's been four years..."
Shampoo nods, then turns to her fiancee. "Airen, could you track this beast down even now with your powers?"
"That'll be up to Nee-chan and U-chan, Xian," Ranko sighs. "Let them settle out what's going on with Akane, then we'll decide what to do next. Yes, we can trace this creep down using Akane's memories, but that requires a deep mental probe. It's best that Akane's future life-mates handle that, not me. I wouldn't even trust one of the School of Sages in a case like this...but when it comes to help you all recover," her eyes turn to Nabiki, "...I think Ryooko'll be more than happy to help there, 'Biki."
"I..." Nabiki moves to refuse her, then she nods. "Alright, I can...I suppose if it'll help..."
"You have to make that final decision, 'Biki," Ranko pats her shoulder, then nods to the gate. "C'mon, let's go home."
The others nod, turning to follow her, then they are stopped by a pain-tinged voice. "Hold, fair...!!"
Ranko and Kikuko spin around, chi glowing in their hands:
"***KIBARA NO TOGE ARASHI!!!!!!***"
"***UZUMAKI-KEN!!!!!!***"
Kunou is slammed in the gut with two bolts of heavy chi, sending the hapless kendoist sailing across campus, twirling around like a runaway top. Smashing into the far fence, he collapses to the ground, quite still. Ranko and Kikuko relax, then turn to their friends. "C'mon, let's beat tracks!" the former smiles.
"Damn, you girls are really effective when you do that, aren't you?!" Nabiki laughs as they stream through the gate.
"Why do you think I want to marry one of them, Nabiki?" Shampoo laughs as she laces her arm around Ranko's...
* * *
"Oh, 'Dachi...!!"
Azusa drifts between stunned outrage and horrified sympathy as she stares at a wet-cheeked Kodachi, both seated in the former's bedroom at the Shiratori mansion. "H-hai, 'Zusa, it's all true..." the gymnast whispers, then hugs herself. "I...gods, I can't start to believe that...she would gladly do THAT just to elicit some help just to ensure...oh, damn it all, this is all MY fault...!!"
"No, it's not your...!!" Azusa snaps.
"Oh, no, not that, love!!!" Kodachi stops her, then smiles as she leans up to kiss Azusa. "I know that despite...what I've often felt at times when I re-...r-remember...what happened four years ago wasn't the least bit my fault. But by attacking other schools' teams before that, I made this situation possible...I..." she takes a deep breath, then looks down. "I've dug myself into this damned hole and now...I don't know how I can get out of it...I..."
"Alright, fair enough," Azusa draws her into an embrace, then breathes out. "Look, right now, you...have to tell something to the others on your team. They care for you, 'Dachi...and this is going to worry them a lot, confuse them greatly, unless you come out with what happened and why. But right now, why don't we just go get Tsu-chan, then get something to eat, okay? I think we can do a lot more thinking when we've filled ourselves up, alright?"
"I..." Kodachi pauses, then nods. "Alright..."
* * *
To be continued...
"Yes, Master!"
Tatewaki Kunou sighs, glancing around his family mansion's living room. "Where, faithful Sasuke, has my sister been since yesterday morning?! She did not return home last night!"
"Ah, forgive me, Master, but Mistress Kodachi elected to stay with a good friend overnight," Sasuke flusters. The kendoist had retired to bed by the time the ninja servant had returned from the Shiratori mansion. "She asked me to give this to you, but since you had already gone to bed..." he hands Kunou a folded note.
"Never mind," Kunou opens the note, briefly scanning the words written there, then he sighs. "What news of fair Mariko Konjou?"
Sasuke quietly exhales, endeavouring to show no outward sign of his relief. While there was some underlying affection between Tatewaki and Kodachi, the relations between the Kunou siblings had become increasingly strained over the last few years, ever since their mother's death and their father's disappearance into parts unknown. Well, with Kodachi's growing relationships with Tsubasa Kurenai and Azusa Shiratori, maybe the "Black Rose" would find it within herself to walk a more well-behaved path anew.
Now if only things between Tatewaki and Mariko worked out.
"Very good news on that front, Master..."
* * *
"Three Sisters"
by Fred Herriot
fherriot@yahoo.com
**** **** ****
Edited by E.B. Kushnir kush1@iaw.on.ca
With C&C by Kevin D. Hammel khammel@pacbell.net, Robert Geiger robertgeiger@prodigy.net and Robert Masters rdm@pienetworks.com
**** **** ****
Based on "Ranma 1/2" created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****
PART SEVEN - DARK MEMORIES
"OUCH!!!!"
Toofuu Ono winces as Kodachi writhes under his grip, then he sighs. "I apologize, Kodachi-san. I didn't realize that still hurt you so much. Please hold still for a moment..."
Kodachi shudders, then yelps surprisedly as the chiropractor gently fingers probe the discoloured bruise in her side under her ribs. "Nor did I...sense how bad that was, fair...aaaai!!" she moans, her whole body tensing. "Damn those cretins...!!"
Nearby, Azusa and Tsubasa exchange worried looks, then relax as they sense Toofuu's ministrations starting to take effect, the psionic aura of Kodachi's emotions becoming more tranquil. "This was worse than I first suspected last night," Toofuu shakes his head. "You'll have to stay away from gymnastics or any sort of heavy exercise for a few days, Kodachi-san. Any turn of your body that affects this particular muscle group will be painful."
Kodachi blinks, then sighs. "Of course, Sensei. Whatever you believe is best," she lays back on the bed. "Damn...!"
"Just relax," Toofuu smiles, then turns to Azusa. "I heard from a friend at Nerima General Hospital about those three people who attacked Kodachi-san and Tsubasa-san. All three of them are in comas; they might not recover for well over a month. Are you normally that rough when it comes to street punks, Azusa-san?"
The skater sighs. "Forgive me, Toofuu-sensei...but I care deeply for 'Dachi. When I sensed she and Tsu-chan being attacked, it...well, the reaction any of the Great School would feel when they sense a sister or friend in danger is automatic...!"
Toofuu blinks, then concentrates as he probes Azusa's aura. Given that physically, she was human, there were many similarities between Azusa's chi aura and that of a normal girl her age. There were the differences, though. Streaks of deep sea blue-green which denoted her Nendo-kata paranormal abilities. Smaller streaks of pure black...Ryooko Hibiki had described that as the aftermath of a Wanderer's many years alone in deep space; they would eventually fade over time. And finally, the core of Azusa's soul was a mix of pure white and sky blue, slowly melting together. The core chi of Azusa Shiratori and the Wanderer who had merged with her, melting together into one unique being with the best qualities of both. But the majority of Azusa's chi aura was pure pink-red, the sign of passionate love. Noting that Azusa's internal focus was locked on Kodachi, it was easy to conclude who had won this woman's heart.
"I see..." Toofuu chuckles, nodding understandingly.
"Toofuu-sensei...!" Azusa suddenly flushes.
Kodachi stares at her friend, then the doctor, clearly confused by their embarrassment. "What?! What is it...?"
"Given Toofuu-sensei's skill at sensing chi auras, 'Dachi, he'd be the equal of an experienced healer in the Healer's School," Tsubasa helpfully cuts in, then hums. "Sensei, I've been thinking about what happened. There is a way by which we COULD help 'Dachi heal herself using her own recuperative powers and life-force."
"You can't ask 'Dachi to do THAT, Tsu-chan," Azusa objects.
"You could do it with her, 'Zusa," Tsubasa reminds her.
Azusa feels her cheeks flame in embarrassment. "T-true..."
"May I ask what you're talking about?" Toofuu wonders.
"The best term for it is 'intimate therapy,'" Tsubasa smiles, then jolts on sensing a surge of profound embarrassment mixed with gnawing anticipation from Kodachi. "Gomen ne, 'Dachi. I know how much both you and 'Zusa love each other...but given how savage that attack was added onto your upcoming tournament with Furinkan..."
Kodachi blinks, then nods. "Yes, I would like to be in top form for that," she sits up, grunting as a flash of pain surges up from her side, then she gazes on Azusa. "Gomen nasai. I never expected us to get back together THIS way, 'Zusa..."
"You don't want to be forced into this, do you?" Azusa muses.
"No, not really...but I certainly wouldn't object if either you or Tsu-chan...or both of you for that matter...were to help me get myself back to top form," Kodachi smiles, then jolts. *What in the name of the gods made me say THAT?!!* she mentally croaks.
Azusa and Tsubasa madly blush. "W-well..." both stammer.
Toofuu starts to laugh. "Oh, gods! Young girls in love...!!"
Soon enough, everyone howls with merriment before sputters of pain from Kodachi force the others to her side...
* * *
"Ah, another quiet, peaceful day!" Ranma sighs as she, her sisters, Akane, Ukyou and Shampoo make their way onto campus.
"Yeah, it seems...oh, shit!" Ukyou sighs. "Look who's back."
Everyone looks to see Tatewaki Kunou standing in their path, calm determination flashing in his eyes. As soon as he confirms that the women before him have taken notice of his presence, he smiles. "Never could I, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High, believe such blossoming flowers as you could ever conceive of anything else other than to bestow your love to a worthy man. That you choose to wholeheartedly engage in such abominable practices as to share the intimate warmth of each other is a mystery to me, not to mention a grave concern since I fear that if others take to your example...!"
"Kunou, that's enough!!" Ranma snaps. She is quick to sense a crowd surging towards them, many people's interest piqued by this newest confrontation between their school's most bombastic student and the newest members of the student body. Well, if they were expecting a fight between herself and Kunou, they were going to be disappointed. "First, my sisters and I, not to mention U-chan and Shampoo, would consider it dishonourable to force our beliefs and ways on others without their empathic agreement. I am quite aware that almost all the girls in the school now are happy the way they are. That makes me very happy for them. I only ask in return that people respect the way I wish to live my life. We all do."
"Fine and fair enough, Ranma Saotome...but why do you insist that Akane Tendou be party to this...?!" Kunou flusters.
Ranma sighs, crossing her arms. "Kunou, things have changed. Akane Tendou does not exist anymore. She is now Akane Saotome. Since our country doesn't recognize same-sex couplings, the only logical solution to the matter was for my family to adopt Akane as a part of it. What's wrong with that?!"
"WHAT?!?!" Kunou bellows, jolting back in shock, then he bolts over to gently seize Akane's hands. "Akane, say it is not so...!!"
*WHOMP!!!!*
"I didn't give you permission to touch me, pervert!!" Akane snarls, then stows Mallet-sama before marching to the front doors. "Honestly, can't you finally get the hint and leave me alone?!"
Scanning around the crowd, Ranma sighs, shaking her head, then senses Ukyou's calming hand on her shoulder. Give her a break, Ran-chan, the okonomiyaki chef winks. She needs the chance to develop more ways of expressing herself beyond anger, you know.
Hai, that's true, Ranma sadly nods...
* * *
"You look depressed today, Ranma. Are you okay?"
Ranma jolts, then stares at Nabiki. Everyone was now filing into the cafeteria for lunch. "Yeah, you can say that," the older Saotome daughter nods, then sits back. "You really want to know something, Nabiki? I really don't understand people at times. How can Kunou continue to delude himself into thinking that Akane cares for him...damn, especially after what Elder Ryooko did?!"
"Some people withdraw totally from reality when the pressures of life become too much for them, Ranma," Nabiki shakes her head. "That's the reason I was a little concerned about you and your sisters going after him using your own methods instead of playing along with what he likes to do. I know you people don't like the idea of fighting without good cause, but with the way Kunou-chan is at times, trying to resort to a more peaceful solution won't work."
"So I have to keep fighting him all the time, you mean? Damn it all, Nabiki, that'll just get us nowhere..."
"I know, I know," Nabiki sighs. "Look, your human half never had to deal much with friends and friendships because you were out on the road so much with just your dad for company, right? Your Wanderer half only had to deal with your own school, your family, right...then after they died, it was just you and Kikuko-chan? I hate to say this, Ranma, but you've been sheltered your whole life in BOTH your lives. Reality's a lot more different, you know."
"Yeah, you can say that again," Ranma sips her cola, then sighs. "I noticed in my foot locker today there were a half-dozen or so love letters from boys on campus. Geez, didn't Akane make the point about mentioning my gender preference in her speech?"
"My point exactly," Nabiki nods. "In this country, everyone's gotta conform to a certain social standard, even more so than in other nations on Earth. Behave in a certain way, dress uniformly and all that. The nail that sticks up gets smashed down and all that sort of conformist crap. Now, here at Furinkan, it's not as strictly enforced, but there are certain limits people set. Like it or not, Ranma, you and your sisters rather exceed those limits. You're lucky that since it's still so soon after your arrival, others haven't had the chance to properly pigeon-hole you yet in their own minds and worldviews...but when they do..." she shudders.
"Oh, terrific!" Ranma shudders.
"Atop that, Kunou-chan is seen pretty much as the trendsetter about what's acceptable and what's not here at school."
"Why's that?!"
"Turns out that his father, wherever the guy is right now, is on record as the principal here," Nabiki sighs. "The staff know it so that's why Kunou-chan's been left pretty much alone. If he went to another school, it'd be a heck of a lot different, but..."
Ranma's eyes narrow, she nodding begrudgingly. "Like U-chan said it: he's nothing more than the 'big asshole on campus.'"
"Yep."
"Wonderful...!!" Ranma sighs, then hums. "So what now? Do I have to always fight the dummy? I don't want my skills to rust out if that becomes a habit, you know..."
"Let me think about it for a bit," Nabiki nibbles her rice, then sighs. "We've got another problem."
"Being?"
"Money. Look, it was nice of your sisters in Oshika to help you girls settle in and get the guest house paid for, but with the addition of five new mouths to feed...thank the gods your dad doesn't live there anymore!...we need a pretty steady income."
"Well, when U-chan gets her restaurant going, that should help out. What about opening the dojo to new students? Would your dad want to go along with that?" Ranma crosses her arms.
"He hasn't taught much since Mom died," Nabiki laments.
"It will take in money in a much better way than what you do now with all the scams you run, you know," Ranma muses.
"Hai, true, but will it be enough in the long term? If we get you, your sisters, Akane, Ukyou and Shampoo in to teach, it might not do as well since all of you are girls. Female senseis aren't as universally trusted as male senseis," Nabiki warns.
Ranma shudders. "Geez, I never though that being a woman in this society was THAT bad..." she mutters.
"True, we aren't as forward-thinking as the Western nations when it comes to women's rights, but opportunities are there," Nabiki nods. "You just have to play it up the right way."
"How?"
"I'll have to think about that. Let me get back to you..."
An explosion!! Nabiki and Ranma jolt, then spin around as dust seems to settle over a new doorway in the cafeteria wall. A familiar white-robed figure stands there. "WHERE IS SHAMPOO?!?!"
"Oh, frig, what's HE doing here?!" Ranma snarls.
Mousse sweeps into the cafeteria, ignoring the students around him, then he locks onto someone, a growl surging up his throat. "There you are, you alien whore..." he lunges for the attack...
*CLANG!!*
"Wrong person, jackass!!" Ukyou draws back Spatula-sama, then shifts into a ready stance. "Don't you get the hint by now, bud?! Xian doesn't want anything to do with a dork like you!!"
Mousse surges up, then lunges for the attack. "FIST OF THE WHITE SWAN!!!!" he bellows as a storm of objects surge at Ukyou.
To the weapons master's horror, Spatula-sama twirls like an airplane propeller, the sharp edges cutting through the chains and ropes with the same ease demonstrated days ago by Ryouga Hibiki's bandannas. "Nice try, jerk!! Now try this!" Ukyou yanks up some mini-spatulas. "***HERA SHURIKEN ARASHI!!!!***"
"YEOWCH!!!!!!" Mousse wails as a hail of those small spatulas rip through his robes and hair, staggering him.
Right behind her spatula storm, Ukyou lunges at him, her large spatula whipping around like a baseball bat. "BATTER UP!!!!" she makes contact, sending Mousse sailing through the ceiling into the early afternoon sky. "Now STAY out, you jerk!!!"
"Shampoooooooooooooooooo...!!" Mousse helplessly wails.
Relaxing herself, Ukyou then jolts on hearing whoops and applause echo from the students around her. Flushing madly, the okonomiyaki chef laughs, then bows apologetically. "Oi, oi, that's cool!! Thanks, everyone!! Sorry about that!"
She turns back to her mini-stove as people crowd around her to pass on further compliments. Nabiki and Ranma relax, then return to their own lunches. "Geez, Mousse really knows how to get under a lot of people's skin, doesn't he?" the latter mutters.
"Yeah, I guess so," the former nods.
"Mousse was here?!"
Both turn as Ranko and Shampoo storm up, both tense and ready for a brawl. "Yeah, but U-chan took care of him," Ranma indicates the damage left behind from Ukyou's battle with the weapons master. "He's probably stuck head-first in someone's roof right now..."
* * *
Sure enough...
"HOW DARE YOU WRECK MY ROOF AGAIN, YOU GAIJIN BEAST?!?!?!"
*WHOMP!!* *SMACK!!* *CRUNCH!!* *POW!!* *CLUNK!!!*
"OUCH!!!! OI, THAT HURTS!!!! HELP ME, SHAMPOO!!!!!!"
* * *
Kikuko sighs as she makes her way to her next class. She had sensed what happened in the cafeteria but since Mousse was nowhere near Ukyou's class of fighter, she didn't feel she had to help deal with the fool. If he couldn't get the hint that Shampoo and Ranko were meant to be, that was his problem. So much like Kunou. Why was it so many in this world were so damned blind at times...?
"Kikuko Saotome!"
Kikuko stops, then sighs, turning to see Tatewaki Kunou stand close by, several members of the school kendo club with him, all armed and tense. "Is there a problem, Kunou-san...and who are you talking to, if you don't mind my asking?" she crosses her arms.
The kendoist jolts, then stares evenly at the youngest (in one sense) of the Saotome triplets. "You will call me 'sempai'..."
"You have not done anything to merit such respect from me, Kunou-san," Kikuko's voice drips with such levels of scorn, the added honorific at the end of Kunou's name serves as a scolding insult. "By the way, I am no longer to be addressed as 'Kikuko Saotome.' I am now to be addressed as 'Kikuko Tendou.' If you refuse to remember that, I shall not answer you at all, Kunou-san."
"WHAT?!?!" the kendoist jolts, then leans right into Kikuko's face. "What do you mean by that...?!"
"***KIBARA NO TOGE ARASHI!!!!***"
The kendoists wail in shock as a storm of golden chi balls lash out at them, staggering back from the sudden assault. Kikuko closes her eyes as she telekinetically opens nearby windows, then with a casual mental "shove," sends them spiralling outside to fall three floors into the pool. Hearing the satisfying *splash!!* of the group getting dunked, Kikuko leans on the windowsill, staring down. "Have a nice swim, minna-san," she chuckles, then turns to head back to class...before suddenly stopping, her empathic senses picking up a curious focal nexus from nearby.
A glance over her shoulder reveals a frail-looking fellow with ghost-like features staring wide-eyed at her. Sensing that Kikuko had now detected his presence, the fellow yelps as he tries to duck away and escape. Sighing, Kikuko concentrates, closing her eyes. A surprised cry echoes through the halls as the hapless fellow is tossed back to land right in front of Kikuko. Recognizing him, she sighs, crossing her arms. "Gosunkugi-san, it's not nice to spy on people, you know," she stares intently at him.
Hikaru Gosunkugi shudders, staring wide-eyed at his classmate. "H-h-how did you d-d-do th-that?!" the would-be sorcerer stammers.
"I have my ways. Now why are you spying on me?" Kikuko leans down to glare into his eyes. "Don't attempt to lie to me about this, Gosunkugi-san. I can smell a liar coming a kilometre away."
"I...I...I..." he stutters, then turns away from her steely look. "Imtryingtodiscoveryourweakspot," he then blurts out.
"Eh?!" she blinks, then reaches over to twist his head so she could look into his eyes. "Say that again more slowly please."
"I..." Hikaru gulps. "I'm trying to discover your weak spot," he eeps, his voice so low, no normal person could hear it.
Of course, Kikuko could hardly be classified as "normal." "My weak spot?" she blinks, then straightens herself, reaching down to help him back to his feet. "Why would you wish to know that sort of thing, Gosunkugi-san? Have I done something to cause you such offense that you would seek to retaliate THIS way?"
Hikaru jolts, surprised by her show of grace, then shudders. "N-n-no! N-not y-you, K-k-kikuko-san! It...ah...er...well, you see...it's your sister th-that...well, you see...?"
Kikuko's eyebrow arches. "Which sister do you mean? If you think about it, I have five sisters now."
"Ah...w-well, it's R-r-ranma..."
"Ranma-neesan? Doshite (Why)?"
"Um...w-well, I...um, I gotta go to class!!" he blurts out as he moves to get away from Kikuko.
She sighs, snaring him with a hand as she drags him back close to her. "Gosunkugi-san, it is not nice to leave someone in the middle of a conversation, especially if there is supposedly some sort of problem between the parties involved. Now, you just told me my sister has caused you considerable offense. What exactly happened that caused you to come to hate my sister like that? We cannot resolve this matter by running away from it..."
Kikuko jolts on sensing someone racing at her from behind, then throws up her free hand, her eyes glowing as a telekinetic force-bubble forms around her and Hikaru. Kunou's bokan stick slams into the field, bouncing back to clobber the kendoist right in the forehead, staggering him. With another wave of her hand, he flies right out the open window for another dip in the pool.
"***WHAT SORCERY IS THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS...?!?!?!***"
*SPLASH!!!*
Hikaru is speechless, then watches wide-eyed as Kikuko's eyes lose that strange burgundy luminescence, returning to their normal fudge-brown shade. With that, she lets go of his shirt, then turns to walk away. "Stupid fool! Can't learn a damned thing...!" she mutters, shaking her head as she rubs away an oncoming headache.
Hikaru stares at her, then blinks. "You're a psychic!"
"Eh?!" Kikuko jolts, then turns to stare at him before her cheeks suddenly redden, her empathic powers picking up a surge of genuine curiosity from her classmate. "Oh, Gosunkugi-san, gomen nasai. I didn't mean to snap at you like that..." her voice trails off, then she blinks surprisedly. "You know...?!"
Hikaru flusters, then sighs. "Well, everyone knows that Kunou-sempai is an idiot! That wasn't sorcery from what I saw of what you did. More like some form of telekinesis..." his voice trails off, then he stares at her. "Oi, how DID you do that?!"
"You just made the right conclusion. I'm psychic," she points at him, sensing that he could possibly handle some of the truth. "Specifically, I'm telepathic, empathic and telekinetic. Any time I use my telepathic or telekinetic powers, my eyes glow."
"Soo ka...but how did you get those powers, anyway? Are you some sort of mutant or something like that...?"
"No, I'm half-alien," she shakes her head.
"Oh, didn't want to go to Tomobiki High Sch-...EH?!?!" Hikaru nearly leaps out of his uniform in shock. "HALF-AL-...?!!"
His mouth is slapped shut as Kikuko cuts off his voice, she dragging him to a nearby alcove so they could converse privately. "Baka, do you want to scream that out to everyone in the school?!" she hisses, glaring intently at him. "I swear, if you..."
He waves his hands peacefully to cut her off, then as she draws her hand back from his face, breathes out. "Whew!!" he wipes his forehead, then stares at her. "Look, I..."
"You know, you still haven't answered my question about why you don't like Ranma-neesan so much," she reminds him. He jolts, then shudders fearfully as she leans up to him. "I normally consider it VERY rude to pry into another person's thoughts, Gosunkugi-san, but if you keep stalling with an explanation..."
"IloveAkane!"
"Eh?!" she blinks confusedly, then her eyes widen before she breathes out. "Oh, no, don't tell me you're ANOTHER of those idiots who loves beating up on Akane-chan all the time...!"
"Are you nuts?!" he wails, shuddering like a newborn tree in the wind. "If I tried to fight her, she'd kill me!!"
Kikuko steps back, then gives him an intensive look. "Yes, I can see that you aren't in good shape..." she nods, then sighs. "Well, if that's the reason for you trying to probe my weak spot, I'd recommend that you stop right now, Hikaru-san. Akane-chan and Ranma-neesan are very much in love with each other and will brook no interference in their relationship with anyone..."
"I SAY THEE NEVER!!!!"
Kikuko closes her eyes, snaring Kunou before he could land a strike with his weapon, then sends him flying through a CLOSED window to smack right into the swimming pool's diving board. One bounce later sends him belly-flopping into the deep end, then he sinks below the surface. Kikuko and Hikaru stare out the broken window at the submerged kendoist, the former shaking her head and the latter shivering in mortal terror from what he saw.
"We show him a way to find a nice girl to date and he's STILL working himself into a lather over Akane-chan and Ranma-neesan. Depressing!" she sighs, then hearing a warning bell for the start of afternoon classes, throws up her hand in surrender. "Well, we best get to class before we're late, Hikaru-san. Ikumashou (Shall we go)?" she reaches down for his hand, indicating their class.
Hikaru jolts, then shudders as the warm, SOFT feeling of Kikuko's hand holding his overwhelms him. With a moan, he drops into a dead faint at her feet. Staring at him, Kikuko blinks confusedly, then moves to fireman-carry him to class.
"What a strange boy..."
* * *
Later...
"My heavens, this is just incredible...!"
A well-exercised Kodachi blushes as Toofuu examines the now-unblemished skin under the gymnast's rib cage. Tsubasa and Azusa, both equally refreshed from their bout of "intimate therapy" to heal Kodachi, sit nearby. "So am I free now to bound over many houses with my usual elan, Toofuu-sensei?" Kodachi asks.
"Yes, you're more than free...as long as you avoid the wrath of dishonourable boys along the way, Kodachi-san," Toofuu nods, then turns to the two Nendo-kata nearby. "If this has to happen again, I would like to be informed and be given the chance to examine Kodachi-san first before you...well, ahem..." he flusters.
Azusa and Tsubasa laugh. "We understand, Sensei," the latter replies as both rise, bowing their thanks to the chiropractor. "In the meantime, we have to get back to St. Hebereke before they burn the damned gymnasium down and 'Zusa has to get back to Kolkotz."
"Alright, I'll write a note for your teachers," Toofuu nods.
Minutes later, the three women walk out of his clinic, heading towards St. Hebereke hand-in-hand-in-hand. "That was fun!" Kodachi tries not to cower embarrassingly from what just happened, then smiling, kisses Azusa, then Tsubasa, on the cheek. "Thank you, 'Zusa, Tsu-chan. I never thought I'd ever experience such a purer act of lovemaking, especially with such wonderful people like you."
"For you, 'Dachi, we were more than glad to help out," Azusa smiles, then sighs. "Even if this will be the only time..."
"Who says that?!"
Both stop, gazing curiously at Kodachi. The gymnast lets go of their hands, then turns around to gaze at them. "'Dachi, do you actually mean you want to...?" Tsubasa stutters to a surprised halt, wondering what would be the right thing to say now.
"I know you consider it below form to probe someone's mind for the truth unless it is necessary, Tsu-chan," Kodachi grins, then relaxes. "Yes, I want this to be the start of something meaningful with both of you...and ONLY both of you. How could I possibly refuse the advances of such kind people as yourselves, especially after all you've done in the last three days to make me feel more comfortable with myself? I like you both very much, so what is so wrong about wanting to love you both very much?"
"You might not want to say that aloud too much when it comes to your peers at school, much less the teachers, 'Dachi," Azusa warns, scratching her cheek, then she jolts. "What the...?!"
"Eh?!" Tsubasa shudders, then her eyes glow as she looks off to her right. "What in the Mother's name...oh, no, what are those girls doing now?!" she races off, bounding onto a roof.
"What's going on?!" Kodachi demands.
"Your teammates from school...and some other group!" Azusa grabs her lover's hand, then with a telekinetically-boosted leap, sends them both off in pursuit of the rapidly vanishing Tsubasa...
* * *
"How DARE you attack Sempai like that?!!"
Sharp ribbons snap through the air as the three Furinkan High martial arts rhythmic gymnasts move to defend themselves from twice the number of St. Hebereke fighters. Bruises and bleeding cuts cover all the people present, though the Furinkan side, outnumbered two-to-one, have taken the lion's share of injuries in this brief, savage contest. "Who says WE had anything to do with what happened to that bitch you call a team captain?!" the Furinkan leader, Akemi Uzuki, chuckles as she prepares to douse them with a storm of clubs and balls. "If she gets herself into any sort of trouble with the local boys, that's HER problem!!"
"Liar!!!" Suzuko Shinyuu snaps as her friends attack...
...then find their weapons yanked out of their hands!
The girls collapse surprisedly onto the undeveloped lot's ground as the Furinkan team pause, staring wide-eyed at the woman in the slacks and button shirt standing nearby, everyone's ribbons wrapped around one arm. The question the three girls mentally ask is the same: *How did she DO that?!*
"What's going on here?!" she demands.
The St. Hebereke girls jolt. "Tsubasa-chan, why are you interfering?!" Suzuko demands, pointing accusingly at the Furinkan team. "Don't you know what these jerks did to Kunou-sempai?!!"
Tsubasa sighs, then turns to the three Furinkan women before her powers pick up a storm of conflicting emotions from them, especially Akemi. "So..." she drops the equipment to the ground, then crosses her arms. "You sent those Tannin boys after 'Dachi?!"
The other woman jolts, then pales as she tries to stammer out an excuse. "Don't bother denying it," Tsubasa shakes her head. "I can tell what's going on by just looking at you! And to believe you 'paid' for their services with your own body?! Shameful!"
Everyone jolts at THAT broadside from Tsubasa, especially the Furinkan team captain. "HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?!?!?!" Akemi screams out, then looks down at the ground, her cheeks flaming.
Silence falls as Tsubasa's words echo through their minds again and again, eyes locked on the woman who had started this. Azusa and Kodachi appear, moving to stand close to the St. Hebereke group. "What's going on here?" Kodachi demands, looking around.
"Sempai...?!" Suzuko stares at her, then her eyes shoot out of her skull in disbelief. "Oi!! How'd you get well THAT fast?!!"
"Courtesy of a chiropractor my brother knows, Suzuko. Now, what's going on here?" Kodachi crosses her arms, then stares at the three Furinkan gymnasts. "And why are you fighting these girls?! I thought I told you all that I'd handle this matter."
"Yeah, like you handled the other teams your school's faced, eh, Kunou?!" another of the Furinkan girls, Kyooko Tomou, snarls.
Kodachi sighs. "If I feel it necessary," she replies, inwardly unsure as to what should be the right thing to say in a circumstance like this. *Oh, damn, what do I do...?*
Relax, 'Dachi, a voice, Tsubasa's, echoes in her head.
Kodachi stares at Tsubasa, noting her eyes were closed. "No doubt, you decided on hearing about what 'Dachi did to those other teams to deal with the matter ahead of time like she did," the assistant coach opens her eyes, turning to the Furinkan team. "I suppose I can't blame you though I did talk 'Dachi into letting the tournament run fair and square. Regardless of what day and time you did fight each other, though, I would have expected you girls to fight 'Dachi and her teammates, not bring outsiders into it."
"Especially the type of outsiders who would've raped 'Dachi after wounding her enough to force her to forfeit her role in the match," Azusa adds, "...not to mention force you to surrender your own innocence so that you could get their 'help' in dealing with 'Dachi," her eyes then fall on Akemi.
Eyes lock on the woman, especially Kodachi. "You...?!!" the St. Hebereke team captain shudders, a whirling storm of outrage, scalding pain and long-buried shame roaring up from the depths of her heart, then her foot kicks up a ribbon. "DAMN YOU!!!!"
"Sempai!!!" Suzuko cries out.
The Furinkan girls don't stand a chance as the ribbon lashes out, tightly snaring their wrists and ankles, then jerking hard to dislocate those joints and force them to their knees. Tsubasa moves to stop her, but before she could form a telekinetic bubble to entrap her lover, Kodachi screams out in pain as she drops the ribbon, then lunges for a nearby rooftop, racing off.
"I'll get her!" Azusa calls as she chases after Kodachi.
The other St. Hebereke girls exchange a look, then turn as one to Tsubasa, ignoring the whimpering Furinkan girls at their feet. "What's with Kunou-sempai, Tsubasa-chan?! She's never acted like that as long as I've known her!" Suzuko demands.
Tsubasa sighs, shaking her head. "This is a mess...!" she mutters, then sighs. "Look, get your gear, then head back to the school. I'll get these girls to the doctor's office. Leave 'Dachi to 'Zusa there; she'll know what to do. We'll TALK about this when we get the chance, alright?!" she evenly stares at the other women.
They shudder as the coach's eyes bore into them, then weakly nod as they collect their weapons, then depart. Once they are gone, Tsubasa then turns to the three Furinkan girls. "So much for a fair and friendly competition, eh?" she bends down to help them to their feet for the short trip to Toofuu Ono's clinic...
* * *
*Alien...?!*
Hikaru Gosunkugi shudders, sitting in his usual spot at the back corner of the classroom. His eyes are locked on the Saotome triplets in the middle of the collection of desks, then they fall on Akane, still in her position between Ranma and Ranko. Ukyou now sat in front of Akane while Shampoo was on the left side of Ranko. A second later, Kikuko turns around to gaze quizzically at Hikaru, making him shy behind his math textbook. Kikuko shakes her head bemusedly as she turns back to her own work. Fortunately, the teacher was of the "say-it-once-and-get-it-over-with" school of lecturing, which was a quick way to put forty students to sleep.
*You're an alien, Kikuko-san...?* Hikaru thinks to himself, shuddering as a storm of conflicting thoughts and emotions roil through his brain. As a would-be student of the art of voodoo (who wisely chose to study other mystical matters so that he could have as "rounded" an education in spiritual matters as possible), he didn't pay much attention to matters of a "science fiction" nature. This was despite the fact that Tomobiki, Japan's acknowledged focal point of Terran-alien affairs, was a district over from Furinkan. Yet to actually meet someone who...well, at least had a parent who hailed from another planet out there in that vast universe...
Hikaru-san, ogenki desu ka (are you alright)?
The soft voice echoes in his mind as he feels a gentle, loving warmth surge through his body. What a strange, unique feeling this was! With that, sensing renewed strength firm him, he glances over his book to see Kikuko's face tilted his way, her eyes closed. Oh, that's right, she said that her eyes normally glowed when she used her telepathic powers. With that, he turns back to his book, taking a deep breath. *H-hai, d-daijobu desu (I-I'm okay)...* he purposefully thinks in hopes of answering her telepathic hail.
No, you're not, Hikaru-san. Gomen ne.
That causes him to jolt. *Why are you apologizing to me?!*
I didn't mean to shock you with blurting out my origins like that, Kikuko mentally "giggles," causing goosebumps to dance over his body. That felt so...so...so NICE! You caught me at a bad time. Kunou-san's been concentrating on breaking apart Akane-chan and Ranma-neesan; today's the first time he's focused on me.
*I can understand why he wants to do that,* Hikaru muses.
True. Despite his many delusions, one has to admire his good taste in potential life-mates...but if he can't make himself realize that Akane-chan doesn't want him, then all he's going to be in for is a lot of physical and emotional pain, Kikuko sighs.
*I know how that feels.*
Hikaru-san, even if at this time, Akane-chan wouldn't want anything to do with you, how do you hope to win the attention of a nice girl if you don't come forth and say what you feel?
Psychic silence falls as he considers that, then he sighs. *It's hard sometimes, Kikuko-san.*
Hai, I can understand that, I suppose. Puberty for your kind must seem so confusing. It's no wonder so many of you suffer; without any sort of decent guidance from your parents and incorrect guidance from peers... Kikuko shudders, then sighs.
*What's it like for your kind?*
Oh, we don't disguise what happens. It's a mo-...parent's most sacred responsibility to her da-...children to ensure that they understand their role in the continuance of our Gr-...race, Kikuko is quick to catch herself from blurting too many confusing details to Hikaru. It would do him no good to shock him so badly in the middle of math class. We best discuss this at a better time, Hikaru-san. There's so much I want to tell you, so much that you do deserve to know, but if I unload it now...
*Hai, that's true. Arigatou, Kikuko-san.*
Dou itashimashita (You're welcome).
The warm feeling gently fades as Hikaru finds himself better able to concentrate on his math text. Yet a new feeling seems to rise from deep in his heart. For the first time in a LONG while, someone was actually willing to open up to him, forge some sense of understanding with him. Given his looks and shy nature, Hikaru Gosunkugi could hardly claim to have any friends at Furinkan High School. Yet now...could he see Kikuko Tendou as one?
Well, at least she was a Tendou...!
The bell mercifully rings minutes later. "That's all for today, minna-san," the teacher cuts over quickly from his droned lecture, then draws up his books and heads out.
The students release a sigh of content relief, then move to relax for the short break separating math from science class. With that, Kikuko rises, walking back to kneel beside Hikaru. Sensing her gazing at him, Hikaru feels his cheeks flame, then he tries to shy away from her. "Why, do I bite THAT badly?" Kikuko barbs.
He yelps, then finds himself chuckling before sensing someone else approach. "Oi, Kiku-chan, who's your new friend?" Ukyou asks.
Kikuko does the introductions. Ukyou hums, then stares at Hikaru, quick to sense the odd variations of empathic and psionic matrices wrapped around him indicative to a Nendo-kata of someone with a lot of spiritual potential. "Pleased to meetcha, Hi-chan," the okonomiyaki chef reaches over to squeeze his hand, smiling contently. "Hope Kiku-chan didn't burn you out too much there."
"Eh?!" Hikaru jolts, then his eyes widen. "Are you...?" he catches himself, then thinks, *Are you like Kikuko-san?!*
Yep. So're Ran-chan and Ranko-chan, by the way, Ukyou closes her eyes. Don't worry; we sensed Kiku-chan talking to you, but we didn't eavesdrop. To do that when someone wants to privately converse with a friend's rude were we come from.
*S-soo ka,* Hikaru stammers, then feels Kikuko's hand touch his shoulder. Glancing at her, he feels his mind fade out. "She t-touched m-me...!" he stammers before collapsing to the floor.
"Oh, my!!" quotes Kikuko in a Kasumi-esque gesture.
Ukyou has the civility to not laugh. "Geez, he's as gun-shy around women as Ryouga is!!" she covers her mouth.
The door crashes open. "***HOLD!!!!!!***"
Eyes turn as a groan flows through the class, locking on Kunou now at the doorway. His still-damp hakama and soaked hair, atop several cuts and bruises on his face, indicate the level of damage Kikuko did to him earlier. "What now, Baka-sempai?!" Ranko sighs, crossing her arms. "Haven't had enough punishment?!"
"Enough!!!" Kunou slams his bokan stick on a desk, then turns towards Kikuko. "I will NOT stop until I have freed you...!!"
An incensed roar escapes from the middle of the class as Akane bolts from her chair, lunging at Kunou with Mallet-sama held high. "GET THE HINT, JERK!!!! LEAVE US ALL ALONE!!!!!!" she bellows.
Kunou sidesteps her hammer strike, then lashes out with his bokan stick. "HIYAAAA!!!! TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA!!!!"
Akane yelps with stunned surprise as the storm of bokan thrusts slashes through Mallet-sama's handle, causing the head to drop right on her skull! Before she could recover, Kunou is over her, aiming right at her face. Just as the wooden shaft is about to cave in her skull, the bokan stick is snared by a hand as Kunou is picked up, then propelled through a closed window by Ranma.
"Stupid idiot, leave MY life-mate alone!!!" she bellows.
Kunou howls as he smashes head-first through the glass, then falls to the ground, cracking the concrete on the walkway below before collapsing in a near-dead heap. Everyone gathers by the window to gaze down at the unmoving kendoist. "Is he still alive after all that?!" Hiroshi wonders, shaking his head.
"He's just too dumb to realize he should be dead," Daisuke crosses his arms, eyes turning heavenward. "What a nutcase!"
"Got that right," Sayuri nods.
Ranma breathes out, then rises, shaking her head. "Damn it, what's setting him off now?!" she walks over to the window, staring at Kunou. "If this keeps up, someone IS going to get hurt bad!!"
A wave of shame, anger and fear floods her senses, then she turns to see Akane still on her knees, shaking badly from what just happened. Ranma winces, then moves to comfort. As her hands reach down to touch Akane, a hand bats them away. "Don't...!!!" Akane blurts out, then shudders as a wave of calm surges through her.
Relax, Akane! Ranma closes her eyes as she moves to lift Akane up, heading to the window. C'mon, U-chan!
Right behind you, Ran-chan, Ukyou acknowledges, then turns to the rest of the class. "We're gonna give A-chan a chance to get herself back together again. Tell Kobatsu-sensei, okay?!"
"Okay, Ukyou-san," Yuka nods.
They vanish through the window, then leap up onto the roof. The other students exchange looks. "I've never seen Akane lose control of herself like that before," Sayuri muses.
"Not surprising, Sayuri-chan. That's the first time I know of that someone's defeated Akane's mallet," Daisuke muses.
"Has she always depended on that mallet when she deals with people like Stick-boy?" Shampoo wonders.
"With him and other perverts, yeah."
The Nyu-che-zuu warrior shakes her head. "Bad habit to get into," she exchanges a knowing look with Ranko.
"Got that right, Airen," Ranko nods. "She's been coddled way too much. If this keeps up, sooner or later..."
The others grimly nod...
* * *
"He...he...oh, gods, he...he...!"
"There, there, Akane, relax," Ranma whispers, running her hands through Akane's silky hair, keeping the latter close to her as she allows Akane the chance to finally break down the emotional walls and let her feelings flow forth. They kneel on the roof near the top of the central stairwell beside the clock tower, Ukyou hovering nearby protectively. "It's okay, it's gonna be okay. It was a lucky strike and he was pretty righteously pissed. Kikuko's been kicking the jerk around all damned day..."
"Ranma, stop coddling me!!" Akane hisses, then lowers her eyes ashamedly on sensing the Nendo-kata tense. "Oh, gomen..."
"Sumimasen," Ranma tries to smile, then moves to shift Akane's tear-streaked face so they could gaze into the other's eyes. "Oi, oi, things like being good in martial arts don't happen overnight, remember? Remember what we told you this morning?"
"Y-yeah...!" Akane stutters, then sighs, leaning into Ranma's front as a hand reaches out for Ukyou's. "Damn...damn me...why didn't I see it...why didn't I pick up on it...?!"
The chef kneels beside her, reaching over to run her hand through Akane's hair as her fingers lace through Akane's, Ranma's hand wrapping around their grasped hand in a show of solidarity. "Maybe people didn't want you to pick it up, A-chan," Ukyou sighs.
"B-but...wh-WHY?!!" Akane snaps, her eyes blazing with wounded rage. "I'm a martial artist too, U-chan!! Why couldn't they...?!"
"Maybe you being a martial artist scares them," Ranma hums.
Akane shudders, then taking a deep breath to dry away the tears, leans back to stare into Ranma's eyes. "Why...?"
"I dunno," Ranma shakes her head, then essays a concerned smile, hoping Akane didn't take what she was about to say the wrong way. "Hard to predict what's going on around here now. Maybe that 'creeping conquest' theory of mine from when I first came was more on the mark than I first suspected. Maybe it was because your dad didn't instill the same sort of all-out, never-surrender drive to succeed at the martial arts that Oyaji did to me. Maybe..." she lowers her eyes. *Oh, Mother, please give me the strength...!*
"Akane, I haven't emphasized this a lot beforehand because I didn't want to seem like I was trying to demean you or insult you...but by the looks of it, you really have got to do something about your buried anger," Ranma reaches over to gently squeeze Akane's shoulders. "We all can give you all the encouragement we can...but it'll do nothing for you unless you find it in yourself to take control of that anger...and not let it control you."
Akane shudders, a swell of outrage boiling deep in her heart, then on interpreting Ranma's concerned look, feels a wash of regret and shame flood her soul. No! No!! NO!!! This was the person who was trying to HELP her, not hurt her, not insult her, not...! She squeezes her eyes shut as she leans against Ranma, fresh sobs stealing her voice. How?! How could she lash out at Ranma or Ukyou, demean all that Ranma and Ukyou wanted to do for her?!
Did she...was it because she found it too hard to confront herself, understand what problems she did have?
Was it because...?
Did they...know?
Akane sniffs, then gently pulls back from Ranma, staring into those warm sapphire orbs. She then draws Ukyou over so she could look at them both without turning her head. Her mouth opens as she moves to say something, then she shakes her head violently. "N-not here..." she whispers. "Take me home...please, let's go home..."
"No problem, A-chan," Ukyou nods as she and Ranma help Akane up, then with a telekinetic leap, fly off to the Tendou dojo...
* * *
Later...
"What the HELL happened?!!"
Nabiki shudders, her whole body quaking as she faces Ranko, Kikuko and Shampoo under a tree near the front gate of the school after last class. All three of the younger women carry Ranma's, Akane's and Ukyou's bookbags, having told the science teacher about the attack by Kunou and how much it had badly rattled Akane.
"She nearly got her face caved in by Kunou-bakayaro when he tried to 'cleanse' her in math, 'Biki," Ranko shakes her head. "Ranma-neechan and U-chan got her to the roof where she pretty much broke down. They took her home as soon as they could."
"It's my fault, Nabiki-neesan," Kikuko bows her head. "I was very rough with Kunou-san today..."
"Whoa, don't blame yourself for that idiot's actions!" Nabiki snaps, then sighs. "So she found out that the mallet don't work all the time. Shit...and by Kunou-chan of all people...?"
"We have to pick up her training, Nabiki," Shampoo warns. "If she really wants to call herself a martial artist, she has to have the same dedication to the Art as we do."
"Yeah, she did always treat it like a hobby at times...that is until Kunou-chan got stupid," Nabiki nods understandingly.
"There's one more thing," Ranko breathes out.
Nabiki stares at her. "What?"
"'Biki...," Ranko takes a deep breath, then closes her eyes. "It's time to air some things out. We know Akane was raped once."
Silence.
Shampoo pales, disgust and shock roaring from her heart...in the Nyu-che-zuu, it was the SUPREME dishonour for a warrior to be abused in THAT manner...then stares at Nabiki. The middle Tendou daughter is rocked by Ranko's statement, she taking a step back. Kikuko bows her head. Ranko remains calm, though a sympathetic smile crosses her face. Nabiki bites her lip as she feels a surge of tears well up, then she senses a gentle hand touch her cheek.
"Oi, it's cool. It's gonna be alright," Ranko soothes. "That hurt you all, not just Akane, 'Biki...but I think it's long since time you stopped hurting, don'tcha think?"
Nabiki blinks, then a rare warm smile crosses her face. "Thanks, Ko-chan..." she whispers, gripping Ranko's arm, then she sighs. "Shit, I should've realized your empathic powers would've picked up on that. You've known all along, haven't you?"
"Hai, Nee-san, we have," Kikuko nods.
"Why didn't you...?"
"It's considered quite rude among the Great School to rip open wounds like that unless the people who're suffering speak up first, 'Biki," Ranko warns. "But right now, Akane's anger and shame over what happened have come to blind her in some pretty vital areas. In a way, what happened this afternoon may've been a blessing in disguise for her, wake her up to what's going on."
Nabiki blinks, then smiles. "Thanks, Ko-chan...all of you," her eyes fall on Kikuko and Shampoo.
"Did you catch the one responsible?" Shampoo wonders.
A cloud of burning outrage then settles over the middle Tendou daughter. "No," she hisses. "Even now...I...I've tried to trace the sons-of-bitches down, but it's been four years..."
Shampoo nods, then turns to her fiancee. "Airen, could you track this beast down even now with your powers?"
"That'll be up to Nee-chan and U-chan, Xian," Ranko sighs. "Let them settle out what's going on with Akane, then we'll decide what to do next. Yes, we can trace this creep down using Akane's memories, but that requires a deep mental probe. It's best that Akane's future life-mates handle that, not me. I wouldn't even trust one of the School of Sages in a case like this...but when it comes to help you all recover," her eyes turn to Nabiki, "...I think Ryooko'll be more than happy to help there, 'Biki."
"I..." Nabiki moves to refuse her, then she nods. "Alright, I can...I suppose if it'll help..."
"You have to make that final decision, 'Biki," Ranko pats her shoulder, then nods to the gate. "C'mon, let's go home."
The others nod, turning to follow her, then they are stopped by a pain-tinged voice. "Hold, fair...!!"
Ranko and Kikuko spin around, chi glowing in their hands:
"***KIBARA NO TOGE ARASHI!!!!!!***"
"***UZUMAKI-KEN!!!!!!***"
Kunou is slammed in the gut with two bolts of heavy chi, sending the hapless kendoist sailing across campus, twirling around like a runaway top. Smashing into the far fence, he collapses to the ground, quite still. Ranko and Kikuko relax, then turn to their friends. "C'mon, let's beat tracks!" the former smiles.
"Damn, you girls are really effective when you do that, aren't you?!" Nabiki laughs as they stream through the gate.
"Why do you think I want to marry one of them, Nabiki?" Shampoo laughs as she laces her arm around Ranko's...
* * *
"Oh, 'Dachi...!!"
Azusa drifts between stunned outrage and horrified sympathy as she stares at a wet-cheeked Kodachi, both seated in the former's bedroom at the Shiratori mansion. "H-hai, 'Zusa, it's all true..." the gymnast whispers, then hugs herself. "I...gods, I can't start to believe that...she would gladly do THAT just to elicit some help just to ensure...oh, damn it all, this is all MY fault...!!"
"No, it's not your...!!" Azusa snaps.
"Oh, no, not that, love!!!" Kodachi stops her, then smiles as she leans up to kiss Azusa. "I know that despite...what I've often felt at times when I re-...r-remember...what happened four years ago wasn't the least bit my fault. But by attacking other schools' teams before that, I made this situation possible...I..." she takes a deep breath, then looks down. "I've dug myself into this damned hole and now...I don't know how I can get out of it...I..."
"Alright, fair enough," Azusa draws her into an embrace, then breathes out. "Look, right now, you...have to tell something to the others on your team. They care for you, 'Dachi...and this is going to worry them a lot, confuse them greatly, unless you come out with what happened and why. But right now, why don't we just go get Tsu-chan, then get something to eat, okay? I think we can do a lot more thinking when we've filled ourselves up, alright?"
"I..." Kodachi pauses, then nods. "Alright..."
* * *
To be continued...