{Part 8- Rat Race of Cat and Mice}
Soun: "....N....Nabiki! Boo hoo hoo....! What did he do to you...!?"
Nabiki doesn't respond. Or more precisely, she can't. Even though her body still looks the same,
Nabiki's skin is cold and clammy to the touch. Her eyes, unseeing, unblinking, stare aimlessly at
the ceiling, half glazed as if dead. Her breathing is shallow and purely reflexive, her face a
porcelain mask of indifference.
Ukyo sits besides Soun, trying to comfort him, tears streaming down her own face.
Ukyo: "Please.... Mr. Tendou.... don't cry! I'm sure.... sure Ranchan will rescue us all! Please....
don't cry...."
But Ukyo herself is unable to stand the fear, and breaks down as well. Cologne looks on from one
side, while she gauges the responses of some of the demons. It appears the horned, red ones enjoy
this the most. The rest of their jailkeepers are either standing solid guard, or drinking with
Happosai. Cologne snorts in contempt.
Cologne:
Kuno, having done nothing since he woke up but walk circles around his prison, stops for a
moment to observe the scene before him. He closes his eyes and lowers his head for a moment.
Kuno: "Alas, I have failed. To keep these maidens safe, I have failed oh so grave. What honor is
left, for one who has been failed? I'd rather die breaking my face, than die losing my grace....."
Demon: "Ah, shaddup."
Knocking Kuno on the head, a passing demon makes sure Kuno's out cold before moving on.
Mousse, unable to see what's going on, crawls over to the person he assumes to be Cologne for
the cascade of white, and taps her on the shoulder.
Mousse: "Cologne?"
Genma: "Zzzzzzzzzzzzz....."
Mousse: "Wrong person."
As Mousse keeps crawling around trying to find Cologne, he hears something. Not something
others can hear, but since his other four primary senses have sharpened somewhat for lack of
sight....
Voice #1: "So, you see? Lord Kuriimu isn't so bad. In fact, he's told me that your friends are free
to leave if you'll just stay."
Voice #2: "....a.....ah.....but Shampoo....."
Voice #1: "Oh, don't worry. You have much time to think it over. Remember what I told you."
Voice #2: "Yes..... but ugly cat-demon really keep promise?"
Voice #1: "Assuredly."
A bead of sweat drips down Mousse's side as he hears the exchange between Shampoo and a
woman he doesn't recognize. His fists clench unconsciously in rage as he knows the unknown
woman is lying. He grits his teeth.
Mousse:
Using all his strength, Mousse starts yelling out in the general direction of those voices, shocking
everyone in the room into jumping from whatever position they're currently in, even the
unconscious Kuno.
Mousse: "SHAMPOO! DON'T BELIEVE HER! SHE'S LYING! HE'S ALREADY TAKEN
NAB....Oof!"
Mousse is silenced with a club to the head by a sentry demon.
***
"DON'T LISTEN TO HER! SHE'S LYING! HE'S ALREADY TAKEN NAB...."
Shampoo: "!"
Shampoo hears Mousse's voice echoing through the caverns, painfully clear. Lina does too, and
her expression darkens. She grits her teeth angrily.
Lina:
Flashing her sweetest smile, just dripping with insincerity, Lina turns to Shampoo.
Lina: "Ignore that blind fool, he's just trying to stop Kuriimu from having you.... jealously, that
kind of thing."
Shampoo looks at her for a moment, then back to the source of the sound.
Shampoo: "Shampoo want to look."
She starts for the cavern. Lina quickly runs in front of her to block her way.
Lina: "Surely you don't want to go back there! It's smelly, dirty, it's got some of the most...."
Shampoo: "It got some of most trusted people Shampoo know. Move."
Shampoo tries to push Lina out of the way, but she doesn't move an inch. Shampoo's eyes widen,
then she tries again. Lina's friendly face begins to melt away into a very angry, very vehement
visage.
Lina: "Look, girl. I'm almost at the end of my fuse here. All this time, I've been trying to make
you feel comfortable and this is how you treat me? With no trust!?"
Shampoo: "Shampoo never trust people Shampoo meet only half hour. Shampoo want to see
friends, now."
Shampoo glares at Lina evilly, reddish chi flaring from her body. Lina doesn't budge, her silver
hair reflecting the red glow rather brilliantly at the same time.
Lina: "Poor child. So stupid. Fine, it's a chance anyway."
A flash of light, which blinds Shampoo momentarily, and when she can see again, it's not Lina. At
least, not the fully-human one. Huge, silverish wings reach out from her back, a smaller set from
her head. Shampoo recognizes this form.
Shampoo: "Lina suc..succ... er... sucsomething!"
The pomp of Lina's appearance is totally flattened by Shampoo's inability to pronounce the word.
Her wings droop to the floor as she grits her teeth in frustration, then almost screams at
Shampoo.
Lina: "It's succubus, stupid girl!"
But the spot is empty. Lina looks up and sees Shampoo scrambling for all she's worth towards the
nearest exit, and nearly screams at the demons around her.
Lina: "GET HER, YOU FOOLS! LORD KURIIMU'LL CREAM YOU ALL IF YOU DON'T!!!"
The demons all look stupidly at Shampoo for a few seconds, then disappear after her in a massive
dust cloud.
Lina quickly takes one a smaller form and follows after them.
-=-=-=-=-
In the throne room, Kurimuu is sitting on a bone-throne busy savoring the taste of the freshly
consumed soul. He finds it very interesting.
Kurimuu:
*tranta* *tranta*
Kurimuu: "?"
*gurampa* *grhanpgha*
Kurimuu: "!"
The cat-demon stares as Shampoo suddenly appears in the entranceway, looking behind her for a
second. Kurimuu smiles, and transforms himself in that second into a dashing young man with just
the right features for an amazon warrior.
Kurimuu: "Ah, you've come at last-"
Kurimuu stares as Shampoo runs towards him. He holds out his arms to embrace her, but instead
she just hops onto his face, kicks off from there, kicks the back of his head on the way down, and
keeps running past the throne into the exitway behind it. He hits the ground with a soft *poof*.
Pushing himself off the ground, Kurimuu looks up at the fast approaching dust-cloud. His eyes
widen as he recognizes what it is.
Kurimuu: "!!!!"
*trample* *trample* *trample*
Demons big, small, flying and hopping all run over Kuriimu in a massive stampede, and when the
dust settles, a small, greasy spot remains on the floor. Lina comes in the last, and spots Kurimuu.
She stifles a gasp and quickly floats over to him, scraping him off the floor when she reaches him,
looking at him with concern. She shakes him.
Lina: "Mi'lord! Are you alright!?"
When she gets no response from the greasy splotch, she flaps it a few times before it pops back
into shape. A rougishly handsome young man, slight bristling and just the right muscle tone.
Perfect.... if not for the bruises, lumps, and various other marks blemishing his body. Lina sighs
dreamily for a second before Kurimuu speaks.
Kurimuu: "Remind me.... never.... ever.... to.... try marrying.... an amazon warrior.... ever."
Lina sighs as he lasps into unconsciousness. She cradles his head tenderly as she drags him over to
the throne.
Lina: "Fine, fine, whatever you say milord, I obey gladly."
-=-=-=-=-
As he returns to the world of the waking, Ryouga can hear some people talking.
Sweet Voice: "Oh, he's coming around."
Guy's Voice: "Hmph, all his brave boasts and he still faints at the sight of even the slightest
cleavage."
Heavenly Voice: "Uh huh, and what's that supposed to mean?"
Guy's Voice: "I'm just saying the guy can't take the sight, that's all. Honest!"
Ryouga: "Yeah, in his deepest dreams he's honest."
Getting up, Ryoga rubs his head and then knocks it a few times to get the buzzing out of it.
Looking around to see who's where, he spots Kasumi right in front of him. She smiles.
Kasumi: "Good to see you're all right, Ryoga-kun."
Ryouga nods curtly at Kasumi, then turns to look around. To his left is Sasuke, stitching Ryouga's
ruined clothing, as well as the three kappas, all of them looking at him inquisitively. Ryoga sighs
in relief as he realizes he's wearing his spares. The three kappas seem to be caught up in an
argument.
Fat Kappa: "I'm sure he's a vampire! I mean, look at his teeth!"
Shaggy Kappa: "Unless his whole family's got his teeth.... hey, maybe they're-"
*donk* *donk*
Bald Kappa: "Ah, can you two keep ya mouths shut!? He's human! He's just got those.... teeth,
that's all."
Ryouga ignores them and turns to his right. First one in his view is Ranma, who's looking at him
intently. Ranma smiles weakly and points at Ryouga's bruises, a slight nonchalance about his
voice.
Ranma: "Ya look like hell, Ryouga. Glad you've got the thickest skin I know."
Ryouga: "And you've got the thickest skull I know. You should use what's in it sometime. Well, I
hope there's something in it."
Ranma blinks once at the rebuttal, as Ryouga keeps panning to his right. There, the heavenly
voice he heard just now..... but....
Ryouga: "Akane-san?"
Ryouga stares at Akane's face. Then up a little. He blinks, rubs his eyes, and stares again. Akane
looks back at him inquisitively.
Akane: "Ryouga? How are you feeling?"
Ryouga rubs the back of his head shyly, then leans forwards and points at Akane's wings.
Ryouga: "Er.... fine I guess. But, Akane-san.... those.... wings on your head? Am I dreaming? I
have to be. You could never have those! Hold on....."
Ryouga pinches himself, but it doesn't hurt. He grins idiotically, and scratches the back of his
head.
Ryouga: "I must be dreaming, it didn't-"
*CRUSH*
Ranma: "That hurt?"
Ryouga: "....a.....little....."
Ranma drags the boulder off Ryoga's head and throws it outside the tent, while Ryouga looks at
Akane again.
Ryoga: "Akane-san.... I'm not dreaming, am I?"
Akane shakes her head solemnly. Ryoga looks at Akane up and down for a few seconds.
Fortunately this time Akane is covering most of herself up with her dark-night blue wings.
Ryouga blinks disbelivingly again a few more times before his "travel-education" catches up with
him. He recognizes what Akane is....
Ryouga: "Akane-san.... how... how could this happen to you...!? You.... you're...
a... succubus!"
Akane looks infinitely apologetic as Ryouga stammers a bit more, then looks away for a second to
gather her thoughts before facing Ryouga again.
Akane: "I'm sorry, Ryouga.... I shouldn't have left you.... I should've..."
Ryouga: "No, Akane-san! I'm alright! Look, I... I... I care for your well being.... Akane-san. Your
whole family too. I... I've failed at that, and now look at you! What happened!?"
Ranma just flips his hand as he interrupts the two, explaining.
Ranma: "Oh, she just had her...."
Akane: "Ranma!"
Akane gives Ranma a glare that would make ice feel hot, and Ranma gets the hint all too clearly.
Surely he's never seen such beautiful eyes before on Akane before, but not now.
Akane lowers her eyes to the floor and sighs, clutching her wings closer to herself as she wonders
how to explain.
She looks back up at Ryouga, who's still giving her a curious stare. When Ryouga realizes what
he's doing, he quickly turns around and twiddles his fingers, looking at his bedroll.
Ryouga: "Ah... sorry, Akane-san, I was star-"
Akane: "Daijobu, Ryoga." (Daijobu = It's alright.)
Akane places a hand on Ryoga's shoulder, and he turns around.
Akane: "Ranma.... Ryoga, everyone, please listen to me. I have something to tell you all."
Ranma and Ryouga all begin paying instant attention. The three kappas as well, all waddle to her
side and settle themselves comfortably. Kasumi starts making more tea, humming. Akane looks at
them nervously, head wings drooped, then sighs.
Akane: "Ah well.... I guess you all know what this means then. I'll be stuck on this island for as
long as I live, and that's a pretty long time."
Sad nods from everyone. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Akane continues.
Akane: "You see, when... well, for Ryouga's sake, I'll explain. When Ryouga sent me away, I kept
running. Yes, I heard someone scream, but I kept running for my life. Then I ran into Ranma....
and stupid me, I forgot he was all too easily frightened by cats. Shampoo was there too. I told
Ranma about.... about that monster... Kuriimu. Sekki told me his name. She was the one who
took Ranma to safety before Kuriimu actually came around. We, Shampoo and I, fought him...
but we weren't good enough. He.... he killed me. He caught Shampoo.... I saw it before I....
died."
Ryouga stares at Akane for a moment, then turns around and grabs Ranma faster than anyone
thought possible. shaking him for all he's worth.
Ryouga: "RANMA, YOU BASTARD! HOW COULD YOU JUST LET HER GET KILLED!?"
For a moment, Ranma only stutters. Then Ryoga's brain catches up with his thoughts. Not letting
go of Ranma, Ryouga turns to face Akane again.
Ryouga: "Akane-san? If you died...."
Akane: "Ryouga, please put Ranma down first?"
Nodding dumbly, Ryouga puts Ranma down. Ranma gasps for breath the second the hold is
released, and Ryouga sits attentively to listen to Akane. She continues sadly.
Akane: "Then.... for a moment, I didn't know what happened. I was floating.... in bright lights.
Then, Sekki found my.... corpse.... and brought me back. What I didn't know, and probably her
too, was that in using her own life force to save me, I would become.... something like her. I'm
doomed to live for a very long time on this island, and like this, Ryouga."
Akane gestures with the last words to herself, directing the words to Ryouga. With a saddening
understanding, Ryouga nods. The shaggy kappa, against all laws of his anatomical makeup of
limbs, snaps his... er, fingers.
Shaggy Kappa: "No wonder she's new around here!"
*bang*
Bald Kappa: "Shut up and let her finish, dummy!"
Akane: "But now I know what to do. Sekki told me everything about my abilities now.... and how
to rescue our family and friends. Kuriimu lives in another cave, on the other side of the island. He
has them in a holding cavern. Sekki told me of a way in, the one she always uses without Kuriimu
noticing. I think we'll use that too. I think we can pull this off, guys. And with my... erm.... new
body, I think I'll be able to hold the demons off long enough for you guys to rescue them."
Suddenly, without warning, Ryouga slams his fist into the ground at Akane's suggestion. He looks
at her with a deadly seriousness, and everyone is compelled to listen.
Ryouga: "Absolutely ridiculous, Akane-san! You.... how can you face them all alone!? At least let
me help you! You won't last...."
Akane looks at Ryouga icily. Ryouga's speech falters, then dies in his throat. Akane's battle-chi
begins to glow a little, a bluish-white hue, and she gets up, wings unfolding at the same time. It
takes Ryouga all the willpower he can muster not to pass out, again. He can't stop his nose from
leaking (blood) like a faulty tap though, so Kasumi passes him some super-absorbent tissues.
Ryouga: "Thanksh, Kashumi."
Akane: "Follow."
Akane drifts out the tent, leaving a small trail of energy behind her. Ryouga, Ranma, the kappas,
Sasuki, and Kasumi all follow. Stopping at the nearest tree, Akane points.
Akane: "Observe."
In a flash, her wing cuts through the tree with a razor sharp edge. Ryouga stares as the tree is
splintered with a punishing assault by Akane using both her improved power and her rather
flexible and morphable wings.
Ranma whistles at the speed of Akane's work, while Ryouga simply stares.
Ranma: "Sure has gotten a lot better from the last time."
Dusting her hands off, Akane isn't even breathing hard when she's done and the tree is but a
memory.
Akane: "Now, Ryouga, do you believe me when I say I can take care of myself?"
Ryouga nods dumbly. Akane floats back to them.
Akane: "Then, shall we?"
*rustle* *rustle*
-=-=-=-=-
Shampoo keeps running. She can't stop running. Her breath burns in her lungs, but she won't stop.
Because every step of the way, she knows there're a bunch of slavering, butt-ugly demons all after
her, and she knows what's going to happen to her if she stops. Oh, yes, she knows. And every
room she passes, every chamber and every tunnel, more and more demons join the chase.
Shampoo keeps herself going by telling herself that the next step, the very next step, will bring her
safety. Will bring her to the exit, where Ranma and the light is waiting. Aw man, who's she
kidding?
Shampoo:
Forcing her two legs to keep going, Shampoo can feel her strength waning. The muscles in both
her legs are beginning to complain and cramp, but she can't stop. She can feel herself slowing, the
sound of the demons getting closer, but how?
Shampoo:
A stray thought hits her mind. She curses herself for her stupidity.
Shampoo:
Up ahead, she can hear something. A cool breeze hits her face, dragging away the stench of the
caverns. Oh, good Lord, the feeling is wonderful! Fresh air at last!
Shampoo:
A rumbling is heard. The coolness feels wet against her skin. Shampoo's mind conjures up her
salvation, and suddenly, her legs don't seem so tired anymore. She runs through the opening in
front of her. Lady Luck is just too good to her sometimes.
Shampoo:
Looking behind her, Shampoo can see the approaching dustcloud. Turning around, she dashes
straight for the cascading liquid, and takes a quick bath.
Shampoo (C): "Niiiiiaow!"
Shaking herself dry, Neko-Shampoo spots another opening on the far side of the cavern and starts
running again, her flexible and lightweight body giving her a much needed advantage of speed and
size. She speeds through the caverns on all fours, a pinkish-white blur of fur. But also, with
enhanced feline senses, she can actually smell a trail. It smells strongly of Genma, but still it has
everyone else's scent as well.
Shampoo (C): (Oops, forgot about the reader! It means : Freedom!)
Using her claws to gain some traction, Shampoo skids around a corner and speeds through the
cavernous mouth of the labyrinth, sunlight streaming through the exitway. The second she gets
out, the odours of the cavern seem like another world away. Trotting quickly into the bushes by
the side, Neko-Shampoo peeks out from under them and looks at the exit for signs of pursuit. A
good sign is that it seems that the pursuing demons all seem to hate sunlight a lot. In fact, some
strange, black demon started smoking the second it stepped out and yelped all the way back into
the cave. Smiling to herself, Shampoo quickly trots off to find the rest of her friends. (Cute voice :
Don't forget Ai Ren!)
-=-=-=-=-
Akane, Ryouga, Ranma and Sasuke all prepare to take on whatever's coming through the bushes
as the rustling gets closer. Ranma focuses at the slight shaking of leaves in the bushes, and steps
forwards cautiously. Ryouga and Akane both look at him, then Akane tries to put a hand on
Ranma to stop him.
Akane: "Ranma!"
Ranma: "Shh, Akane! I think...."
Ranma's eyes widen when Shampoo steps through the bushes. A Cat.
Ranma: "........"
Akane, Ryouga, Kasumi and Sasuke all stare at Ranma as he stares stupidly at Shampoo.
Shampoo stares back at Ranma for a moment, a sweatdrop forming on her head.
Shampoo (C): "Niaow?"
Everyone stares as they expect Ranma to go running off, screaming, into the forest. Instead,
Ranma just walks over to Shampoo and picks her up, then walks over to the kettle of water
Kasumi was boiling outside the tent and dumps the contents over her. Everyone stares as the cat
turns back into Shampoo. Shampoo stares at Ranma for a moment, then grabs him in a chokehold
and drags him to the middle of the assembled group, totally oblivious to the fact she's not wearing
anything. Even Ryoga doesn't notice Shampoo's current state as he concentrates on Ranma.
Ranma just sits there, looking dumbly at everyone.
Ranma: "Er.... guys? Whaddaya all starin' at?"
Ryouga cracks a few knuckles, then bends over and grabs Ranma by the collar, lifting him above
the ground with fist cocked and ready to strike.
Ryouga: "Alright, impostor. I'll give you one chance before I beat your teeth out. Where's the real
Ranma, and what did you do with him!?"
Ranma blinks at Ryouga innocently, then knocks Ryouga on the head irritatedly.
Ranma: "Ryouga, ya dumb pork-brain! It's me! I'M Ranma!"
Ryouga smiles darkly, and shakes his head.
Ryouga: "Not likely. The REAL Ranma would have gone off screaming into the forest by now
when that cat showed up."
Everyone begins nodding, even the kappas, who have no idea what's going on. Ranma begins to
sweat, and begins thinking as well. (Oh my goodness, he's thinking!)
Finally, he nods in agreement and scratches his head.
Ranma: "You're right, Ryouga. I don't know. Why didn't I run off screaming?"
Ryouga and the rest stare at him for a moment, before Ryouga bares his teeth.
Ryouga: "Acting innocent won't help you now, imposter. DIE!"
Ranma shuts his eyes as he waits for Ryouga's fist to mash his face. It doesn't come. Opening his
eyes, Ranma sees Ryouga staring at his fist, stopped by the back of Akane's outstretched hand,
just like that. Withdrawing his throbbing red hand, Ryouga stares at Akane. He does NOT believe
she could stop him just like that with a hand, without even flinching.
Ryouga: "A...a...Akane-san?"
Akane stares at Ranma, and into his eyes for a long time. Ranma looks back into Akane's eyes as
well.... those liquid depths neverending. He feels like he's being drawn into a vortex, but a warm
and inviting one. All too soon though, the contact is broken with a mental pop, and Akane stares
at Ranma, physically this time.
Akane: "Ranma, I'll be damned if Sekki didn't do that to you."
Soun: "....N....Nabiki! Boo hoo hoo....! What did he do to you...!?"
Nabiki doesn't respond. Or more precisely, she can't. Even though her body still looks the same,
Nabiki's skin is cold and clammy to the touch. Her eyes, unseeing, unblinking, stare aimlessly at
the ceiling, half glazed as if dead. Her breathing is shallow and purely reflexive, her face a
porcelain mask of indifference.
Ukyo sits besides Soun, trying to comfort him, tears streaming down her own face.
Ukyo: "Please.... Mr. Tendou.... don't cry! I'm sure.... sure Ranchan will rescue us all! Please....
don't cry...."
But Ukyo herself is unable to stand the fear, and breaks down as well. Cologne looks on from one
side, while she gauges the responses of some of the demons. It appears the horned, red ones enjoy
this the most. The rest of their jailkeepers are either standing solid guard, or drinking with
Happosai. Cologne snorts in contempt.
Cologne:
Kuno, having done nothing since he woke up but walk circles around his prison, stops for a
moment to observe the scene before him. He closes his eyes and lowers his head for a moment.
Kuno: "Alas, I have failed. To keep these maidens safe, I have failed oh so grave. What honor is
left, for one who has been failed? I'd rather die breaking my face, than die losing my grace....."
Demon: "Ah, shaddup."
Knocking Kuno on the head, a passing demon makes sure Kuno's out cold before moving on.
Mousse, unable to see what's going on, crawls over to the person he assumes to be Cologne for
the cascade of white, and taps her on the shoulder.
Mousse: "Cologne?"
Genma: "Zzzzzzzzzzzzz....."
Mousse: "Wrong person."
As Mousse keeps crawling around trying to find Cologne, he hears something. Not something
others can hear, but since his other four primary senses have sharpened somewhat for lack of
sight....
Voice #1: "So, you see? Lord Kuriimu isn't so bad. In fact, he's told me that your friends are free
to leave if you'll just stay."
Voice #2: "....a.....ah.....but Shampoo....."
Voice #1: "Oh, don't worry. You have much time to think it over. Remember what I told you."
Voice #2: "Yes..... but ugly cat-demon really keep promise?"
Voice #1: "Assuredly."
A bead of sweat drips down Mousse's side as he hears the exchange between Shampoo and a
woman he doesn't recognize. His fists clench unconsciously in rage as he knows the unknown
woman is lying. He grits his teeth.
Mousse:
Using all his strength, Mousse starts yelling out in the general direction of those voices, shocking
everyone in the room into jumping from whatever position they're currently in, even the
unconscious Kuno.
Mousse: "SHAMPOO! DON'T BELIEVE HER! SHE'S LYING! HE'S ALREADY TAKEN
NAB....Oof!"
Mousse is silenced with a club to the head by a sentry demon.
***
"DON'T LISTEN TO HER! SHE'S LYING! HE'S ALREADY TAKEN NAB...."
Shampoo: "!"
Shampoo hears Mousse's voice echoing through the caverns, painfully clear. Lina does too, and
her expression darkens. She grits her teeth angrily.
Lina:
Flashing her sweetest smile, just dripping with insincerity, Lina turns to Shampoo.
Lina: "Ignore that blind fool, he's just trying to stop Kuriimu from having you.... jealously, that
kind of thing."
Shampoo looks at her for a moment, then back to the source of the sound.
Shampoo: "Shampoo want to look."
She starts for the cavern. Lina quickly runs in front of her to block her way.
Lina: "Surely you don't want to go back there! It's smelly, dirty, it's got some of the most...."
Shampoo: "It got some of most trusted people Shampoo know. Move."
Shampoo tries to push Lina out of the way, but she doesn't move an inch. Shampoo's eyes widen,
then she tries again. Lina's friendly face begins to melt away into a very angry, very vehement
visage.
Lina: "Look, girl. I'm almost at the end of my fuse here. All this time, I've been trying to make
you feel comfortable and this is how you treat me? With no trust!?"
Shampoo: "Shampoo never trust people Shampoo meet only half hour. Shampoo want to see
friends, now."
Shampoo glares at Lina evilly, reddish chi flaring from her body. Lina doesn't budge, her silver
hair reflecting the red glow rather brilliantly at the same time.
Lina: "Poor child. So stupid. Fine, it's a chance anyway."
A flash of light, which blinds Shampoo momentarily, and when she can see again, it's not Lina. At
least, not the fully-human one. Huge, silverish wings reach out from her back, a smaller set from
her head. Shampoo recognizes this form.
Shampoo: "Lina suc..succ... er... sucsomething!"
The pomp of Lina's appearance is totally flattened by Shampoo's inability to pronounce the word.
Her wings droop to the floor as she grits her teeth in frustration, then almost screams at
Shampoo.
Lina: "It's succubus, stupid girl!"
But the spot is empty. Lina looks up and sees Shampoo scrambling for all she's worth towards the
nearest exit, and nearly screams at the demons around her.
Lina: "GET HER, YOU FOOLS! LORD KURIIMU'LL CREAM YOU ALL IF YOU DON'T!!!"
The demons all look stupidly at Shampoo for a few seconds, then disappear after her in a massive
dust cloud.
Lina quickly takes one a smaller form and follows after them.
-=-=-=-=-
In the throne room, Kurimuu is sitting on a bone-throne busy savoring the taste of the freshly
consumed soul. He finds it very interesting.
Kurimuu:
*tranta* *tranta*
Kurimuu: "?"
*gurampa* *grhanpgha*
Kurimuu: "!"
The cat-demon stares as Shampoo suddenly appears in the entranceway, looking behind her for a
second. Kurimuu smiles, and transforms himself in that second into a dashing young man with just
the right features for an amazon warrior.
Kurimuu: "Ah, you've come at last-"
Kurimuu stares as Shampoo runs towards him. He holds out his arms to embrace her, but instead
she just hops onto his face, kicks off from there, kicks the back of his head on the way down, and
keeps running past the throne into the exitway behind it. He hits the ground with a soft *poof*.
Pushing himself off the ground, Kurimuu looks up at the fast approaching dust-cloud. His eyes
widen as he recognizes what it is.
Kurimuu: "!!!!"
*trample* *trample* *trample*
Demons big, small, flying and hopping all run over Kuriimu in a massive stampede, and when the
dust settles, a small, greasy spot remains on the floor. Lina comes in the last, and spots Kurimuu.
She stifles a gasp and quickly floats over to him, scraping him off the floor when she reaches him,
looking at him with concern. She shakes him.
Lina: "Mi'lord! Are you alright!?"
When she gets no response from the greasy splotch, she flaps it a few times before it pops back
into shape. A rougishly handsome young man, slight bristling and just the right muscle tone.
Perfect.... if not for the bruises, lumps, and various other marks blemishing his body. Lina sighs
dreamily for a second before Kurimuu speaks.
Kurimuu: "Remind me.... never.... ever.... to.... try marrying.... an amazon warrior.... ever."
Lina sighs as he lasps into unconsciousness. She cradles his head tenderly as she drags him over to
the throne.
Lina: "Fine, fine, whatever you say milord, I obey gladly."
-=-=-=-=-
As he returns to the world of the waking, Ryouga can hear some people talking.
Sweet Voice: "Oh, he's coming around."
Guy's Voice: "Hmph, all his brave boasts and he still faints at the sight of even the slightest
cleavage."
Heavenly Voice: "Uh huh, and what's that supposed to mean?"
Guy's Voice: "I'm just saying the guy can't take the sight, that's all. Honest!"
Ryouga: "Yeah, in his deepest dreams he's honest."
Getting up, Ryoga rubs his head and then knocks it a few times to get the buzzing out of it.
Looking around to see who's where, he spots Kasumi right in front of him. She smiles.
Kasumi: "Good to see you're all right, Ryoga-kun."
Ryouga nods curtly at Kasumi, then turns to look around. To his left is Sasuke, stitching Ryouga's
ruined clothing, as well as the three kappas, all of them looking at him inquisitively. Ryoga sighs
in relief as he realizes he's wearing his spares. The three kappas seem to be caught up in an
argument.
Fat Kappa: "I'm sure he's a vampire! I mean, look at his teeth!"
Shaggy Kappa: "Unless his whole family's got his teeth.... hey, maybe they're-"
*donk* *donk*
Bald Kappa: "Ah, can you two keep ya mouths shut!? He's human! He's just got those.... teeth,
that's all."
Ryouga ignores them and turns to his right. First one in his view is Ranma, who's looking at him
intently. Ranma smiles weakly and points at Ryouga's bruises, a slight nonchalance about his
voice.
Ranma: "Ya look like hell, Ryouga. Glad you've got the thickest skin I know."
Ryouga: "And you've got the thickest skull I know. You should use what's in it sometime. Well, I
hope there's something in it."
Ranma blinks once at the rebuttal, as Ryouga keeps panning to his right. There, the heavenly
voice he heard just now..... but....
Ryouga: "Akane-san?"
Ryouga stares at Akane's face. Then up a little. He blinks, rubs his eyes, and stares again. Akane
looks back at him inquisitively.
Akane: "Ryouga? How are you feeling?"
Ryouga rubs the back of his head shyly, then leans forwards and points at Akane's wings.
Ryouga: "Er.... fine I guess. But, Akane-san.... those.... wings on your head? Am I dreaming? I
have to be. You could never have those! Hold on....."
Ryouga pinches himself, but it doesn't hurt. He grins idiotically, and scratches the back of his
head.
Ryouga: "I must be dreaming, it didn't-"
*CRUSH*
Ranma: "That hurt?"
Ryouga: "....a.....little....."
Ranma drags the boulder off Ryoga's head and throws it outside the tent, while Ryouga looks at
Akane again.
Ryoga: "Akane-san.... I'm not dreaming, am I?"
Akane shakes her head solemnly. Ryoga looks at Akane up and down for a few seconds.
Fortunately this time Akane is covering most of herself up with her dark-night blue wings.
Ryouga blinks disbelivingly again a few more times before his "travel-education" catches up with
him. He recognizes what Akane is....
Ryouga: "Akane-san.... how... how could this happen to you...!? You.... you're...
a... succubus!"
Akane looks infinitely apologetic as Ryouga stammers a bit more, then looks away for a second to
gather her thoughts before facing Ryouga again.
Akane: "I'm sorry, Ryouga.... I shouldn't have left you.... I should've..."
Ryouga: "No, Akane-san! I'm alright! Look, I... I... I care for your well being.... Akane-san. Your
whole family too. I... I've failed at that, and now look at you! What happened!?"
Ranma just flips his hand as he interrupts the two, explaining.
Ranma: "Oh, she just had her...."
Akane: "Ranma!"
Akane gives Ranma a glare that would make ice feel hot, and Ranma gets the hint all too clearly.
Surely he's never seen such beautiful eyes before on Akane before, but not now.
Akane lowers her eyes to the floor and sighs, clutching her wings closer to herself as she wonders
how to explain.
She looks back up at Ryouga, who's still giving her a curious stare. When Ryouga realizes what
he's doing, he quickly turns around and twiddles his fingers, looking at his bedroll.
Ryouga: "Ah... sorry, Akane-san, I was star-"
Akane: "Daijobu, Ryoga." (Daijobu = It's alright.)
Akane places a hand on Ryoga's shoulder, and he turns around.
Akane: "Ranma.... Ryoga, everyone, please listen to me. I have something to tell you all."
Ranma and Ryouga all begin paying instant attention. The three kappas as well, all waddle to her
side and settle themselves comfortably. Kasumi starts making more tea, humming. Akane looks at
them nervously, head wings drooped, then sighs.
Akane: "Ah well.... I guess you all know what this means then. I'll be stuck on this island for as
long as I live, and that's a pretty long time."
Sad nods from everyone. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Akane continues.
Akane: "You see, when... well, for Ryouga's sake, I'll explain. When Ryouga sent me away, I kept
running. Yes, I heard someone scream, but I kept running for my life. Then I ran into Ranma....
and stupid me, I forgot he was all too easily frightened by cats. Shampoo was there too. I told
Ranma about.... about that monster... Kuriimu. Sekki told me his name. She was the one who
took Ranma to safety before Kuriimu actually came around. We, Shampoo and I, fought him...
but we weren't good enough. He.... he killed me. He caught Shampoo.... I saw it before I....
died."
Ryouga stares at Akane for a moment, then turns around and grabs Ranma faster than anyone
thought possible. shaking him for all he's worth.
Ryouga: "RANMA, YOU BASTARD! HOW COULD YOU JUST LET HER GET KILLED!?"
For a moment, Ranma only stutters. Then Ryoga's brain catches up with his thoughts. Not letting
go of Ranma, Ryouga turns to face Akane again.
Ryouga: "Akane-san? If you died...."
Akane: "Ryouga, please put Ranma down first?"
Nodding dumbly, Ryouga puts Ranma down. Ranma gasps for breath the second the hold is
released, and Ryouga sits attentively to listen to Akane. She continues sadly.
Akane: "Then.... for a moment, I didn't know what happened. I was floating.... in bright lights.
Then, Sekki found my.... corpse.... and brought me back. What I didn't know, and probably her
too, was that in using her own life force to save me, I would become.... something like her. I'm
doomed to live for a very long time on this island, and like this, Ryouga."
Akane gestures with the last words to herself, directing the words to Ryouga. With a saddening
understanding, Ryouga nods. The shaggy kappa, against all laws of his anatomical makeup of
limbs, snaps his... er, fingers.
Shaggy Kappa: "No wonder she's new around here!"
*bang*
Bald Kappa: "Shut up and let her finish, dummy!"
Akane: "But now I know what to do. Sekki told me everything about my abilities now.... and how
to rescue our family and friends. Kuriimu lives in another cave, on the other side of the island. He
has them in a holding cavern. Sekki told me of a way in, the one she always uses without Kuriimu
noticing. I think we'll use that too. I think we can pull this off, guys. And with my... erm.... new
body, I think I'll be able to hold the demons off long enough for you guys to rescue them."
Suddenly, without warning, Ryouga slams his fist into the ground at Akane's suggestion. He looks
at her with a deadly seriousness, and everyone is compelled to listen.
Ryouga: "Absolutely ridiculous, Akane-san! You.... how can you face them all alone!? At least let
me help you! You won't last...."
Akane looks at Ryouga icily. Ryouga's speech falters, then dies in his throat. Akane's battle-chi
begins to glow a little, a bluish-white hue, and she gets up, wings unfolding at the same time. It
takes Ryouga all the willpower he can muster not to pass out, again. He can't stop his nose from
leaking (blood) like a faulty tap though, so Kasumi passes him some super-absorbent tissues.
Ryouga: "Thanksh, Kashumi."
Akane: "Follow."
Akane drifts out the tent, leaving a small trail of energy behind her. Ryouga, Ranma, the kappas,
Sasuki, and Kasumi all follow. Stopping at the nearest tree, Akane points.
Akane: "Observe."
In a flash, her wing cuts through the tree with a razor sharp edge. Ryouga stares as the tree is
splintered with a punishing assault by Akane using both her improved power and her rather
flexible and morphable wings.
Ranma whistles at the speed of Akane's work, while Ryouga simply stares.
Ranma: "Sure has gotten a lot better from the last time."
Dusting her hands off, Akane isn't even breathing hard when she's done and the tree is but a
memory.
Akane: "Now, Ryouga, do you believe me when I say I can take care of myself?"
Ryouga nods dumbly. Akane floats back to them.
Akane: "Then, shall we?"
*rustle* *rustle*
-=-=-=-=-
Shampoo keeps running. She can't stop running. Her breath burns in her lungs, but she won't stop.
Because every step of the way, she knows there're a bunch of slavering, butt-ugly demons all after
her, and she knows what's going to happen to her if she stops. Oh, yes, she knows. And every
room she passes, every chamber and every tunnel, more and more demons join the chase.
Shampoo keeps herself going by telling herself that the next step, the very next step, will bring her
safety. Will bring her to the exit, where Ranma and the light is waiting. Aw man, who's she
kidding?
Shampoo:
Forcing her two legs to keep going, Shampoo can feel her strength waning. The muscles in both
her legs are beginning to complain and cramp, but she can't stop. She can feel herself slowing, the
sound of the demons getting closer, but how?
Shampoo:
A stray thought hits her mind. She curses herself for her stupidity.
Shampoo:
Up ahead, she can hear something. A cool breeze hits her face, dragging away the stench of the
caverns. Oh, good Lord, the feeling is wonderful! Fresh air at last!
Shampoo:
A rumbling is heard. The coolness feels wet against her skin. Shampoo's mind conjures up her
salvation, and suddenly, her legs don't seem so tired anymore. She runs through the opening in
front of her. Lady Luck is just too good to her sometimes.
Shampoo:
Looking behind her, Shampoo can see the approaching dustcloud. Turning around, she dashes
straight for the cascading liquid, and takes a quick bath.
Shampoo (C): "Niiiiiaow!"
Shaking herself dry, Neko-Shampoo spots another opening on the far side of the cavern and starts
running again, her flexible and lightweight body giving her a much needed advantage of speed and
size. She speeds through the caverns on all fours, a pinkish-white blur of fur. But also, with
enhanced feline senses, she can actually smell a trail. It smells strongly of Genma, but still it has
everyone else's scent as well.
Shampoo (C): (Oops, forgot about the reader! It means : Freedom!)
Using her claws to gain some traction, Shampoo skids around a corner and speeds through the
cavernous mouth of the labyrinth, sunlight streaming through the exitway. The second she gets
out, the odours of the cavern seem like another world away. Trotting quickly into the bushes by
the side, Neko-Shampoo peeks out from under them and looks at the exit for signs of pursuit. A
good sign is that it seems that the pursuing demons all seem to hate sunlight a lot. In fact, some
strange, black demon started smoking the second it stepped out and yelped all the way back into
the cave. Smiling to herself, Shampoo quickly trots off to find the rest of her friends. (Cute voice :
Don't forget Ai Ren!)
-=-=-=-=-
Akane, Ryouga, Ranma and Sasuke all prepare to take on whatever's coming through the bushes
as the rustling gets closer. Ranma focuses at the slight shaking of leaves in the bushes, and steps
forwards cautiously. Ryouga and Akane both look at him, then Akane tries to put a hand on
Ranma to stop him.
Akane: "Ranma!"
Ranma: "Shh, Akane! I think...."
Ranma's eyes widen when Shampoo steps through the bushes. A Cat.
Ranma: "........"
Akane, Ryouga, Kasumi and Sasuke all stare at Ranma as he stares stupidly at Shampoo.
Shampoo stares back at Ranma for a moment, a sweatdrop forming on her head.
Shampoo (C): "Niaow?"
Everyone stares as they expect Ranma to go running off, screaming, into the forest. Instead,
Ranma just walks over to Shampoo and picks her up, then walks over to the kettle of water
Kasumi was boiling outside the tent and dumps the contents over her. Everyone stares as the cat
turns back into Shampoo. Shampoo stares at Ranma for a moment, then grabs him in a chokehold
and drags him to the middle of the assembled group, totally oblivious to the fact she's not wearing
anything. Even Ryoga doesn't notice Shampoo's current state as he concentrates on Ranma.
Ranma just sits there, looking dumbly at everyone.
Ranma: "Er.... guys? Whaddaya all starin' at?"
Ryouga cracks a few knuckles, then bends over and grabs Ranma by the collar, lifting him above
the ground with fist cocked and ready to strike.
Ryouga: "Alright, impostor. I'll give you one chance before I beat your teeth out. Where's the real
Ranma, and what did you do with him!?"
Ranma blinks at Ryouga innocently, then knocks Ryouga on the head irritatedly.
Ranma: "Ryouga, ya dumb pork-brain! It's me! I'M Ranma!"
Ryouga smiles darkly, and shakes his head.
Ryouga: "Not likely. The REAL Ranma would have gone off screaming into the forest by now
when that cat showed up."
Everyone begins nodding, even the kappas, who have no idea what's going on. Ranma begins to
sweat, and begins thinking as well. (Oh my goodness, he's thinking!)
Finally, he nods in agreement and scratches his head.
Ranma: "You're right, Ryouga. I don't know. Why didn't I run off screaming?"
Ryouga and the rest stare at him for a moment, before Ryouga bares his teeth.
Ryouga: "Acting innocent won't help you now, imposter. DIE!"
Ranma shuts his eyes as he waits for Ryouga's fist to mash his face. It doesn't come. Opening his
eyes, Ranma sees Ryouga staring at his fist, stopped by the back of Akane's outstretched hand,
just like that. Withdrawing his throbbing red hand, Ryouga stares at Akane. He does NOT believe
she could stop him just like that with a hand, without even flinching.
Ryouga: "A...a...Akane-san?"
Akane stares at Ranma, and into his eyes for a long time. Ranma looks back into Akane's eyes as
well.... those liquid depths neverending. He feels like he's being drawn into a vortex, but a warm
and inviting one. All too soon though, the contact is broken with a mental pop, and Akane stares
at Ranma, physically this time.
Akane: "Ranma, I'll be damned if Sekki didn't do that to you."