Disclaimer: Ranma ½ and it's characters are the product and property of rumiko takahashi and viz video.
A Bengal Tale
Part Six
By Michael Fetter
Mornings in the Tendou home were fairly quiet and subdued. Without their father, the girls had a chance to sleep in without being woken by two martial artists fighting in the dojo. Kasumi was up early, as is usual for her, humming a small tune and preparing breakfast for her sisters. She was still a bit upset over her father's absence, but with Akane home Kasumi had little doubt that her father wasn't far behind.
Kasumi was just setting the dining room table when she noticed her sisters had still not woken up yet. Losing a fraction of her smile, but not frowning mind you, she set her apron in the kitchen and headed upstairs.
"Morning, Nabiki." Kasumi greeted her stumbling and yawning sister, passing her on the stairs. Well, at least someone is up. "Akane!" She called sweetly.
The elder Tendou daughter had barely opened the door to Akane's room when she was bowled over by a Bengal tiger with very reddish hued fur. "Oof! . . . Morning, Ranma. Did I startle you?"
Neko-Ranma stopped barring his teeth and cocked his head at the strangely pleasant two-legged creature beneath him. His instincts told him that this one was not a threat, but a care-giver/food-provider. Changing his expression to a strange, cat-version of a smile, Ranma licked the older girl's face and stepped carefully off of her body.
Smiling sweetly at the cat-kiss, Kasumi stood back up and entered the room. Akane had not woken yet, and gave no indication of wishing to do so any time soon. Her sister was huddled about one of her pillows with the covers pulled in tightly around her, seemingly sleeping quite peacefully.
Akane sprung from her bed quite suddenly when she felt someone come within a few feet of her body. Somehow, over the past months, she had learned to distinguish between Ranma's presence and someone else's. Her hands came up to a guarding position as she landed across the room, instinctively heading for Ranma. It was going to take a while before Akane felt completely secure without him around.
"Morning, Akane." Kasumi chirped after getting over her surprise.
Akane blushed as she realized whom she was trying to defend herself against. "Uh, morning, Kasumi. What's up?"
Without thinking, Kasumi started to tidy up her sister's bed and move about the room, fixing the things that had become disorganized. "I just came to wake you up. School should be starting in about an hour."
"School?!" Akane moaned, her shoulders slumping a little more. Ranma brushed his body against her leg to give her support, human or tiger, he didn't like to see his playmate upset about anything. Akane's hand came to rest on the tiger's head, stroking the fur softly and rubbing around the ears. "I just got back from China and we don't even know if dad's okay, and you want me to go to school!"
The worry and frustration in Akane's eyes was quite evident and Kasumi had no doubt that it was justified, but it was her responsibility to make sure the family was taken care of in daddy's absence. That meant keeping her sisters safe. The best way to do that with Akane was to keep her distracted. Nabiki had already gotten in contact with the authorities and told them of the situation, editing only the prudent pieces.
"I'm sure father is not far behind. Besides, he and his friend are masters of martial arts. They'll be fine." She smiled reassuringly and directed her little sister to the furo. "Now get cleaned up and ready for school. Breakfast will be waiting for you."
Akane sighed at her sister's innocent and optimistic attitude. The Amazons were not a bunch of people to be taken lightly. If it weren't for Ranma, she was certain that she would not have made it out alive. Father was still much better than her, but . . . Akane still had doubts.
Ordinarily, Akane would've gone to the dojo, picked up a bunch of their weapons, and taken off for China to find her father. Having lived the nightmare for three months already, however, has driven some sense into her. Ranma and she were still much too tired and undernourished to leave now. She had to get the redhead to remain sane long enough to help her train. If her father and Mr. Saotome were still in China, then she would likely have to deal with the Amazons all over again. She might as well be as prepared as she can be.
First things first, Akane needed to talk to Ranma. Looking down at the affectionate tiger at her side, she smiled and led the cursed individual into the furo. Deciding to skip the cold bucket of water, Akane stepped into the warm bath and had Neko-Ranma join her.
The tiger jumped in causing some of the water to spill over the side. A second later, a naked redhead was sitting on all fours across from her with a slightly confused look on her face. Ranma looked down. "Eep!"
It was hard not to laugh. Akane still had some trouble remembering that Ranma was really a guy. She still got a slight trickle of blood running from her nose when she saw Akane naked. "You weren't this embarrassed yesterday, Ranma." She leered at the redhead's slender waist that melded so eroticly into her exquisite posterior . . . What?! Akane shook her head to clean out the random thoughts from her mind. I'm turning into one of the perverts from school, she frowned at the idea.
"Uh . . . yeah, uhm, I . . . uh . . ." Ranma looked anywhere except at Akane; the wall seemed very interesting all of a sudden.
"It's alright, Ranma." She smiled at the other girl's obvious nervousness. "We need to talk and you definitely needed a bath."
"I do?" She sniffed under her arms and blanched. "Geez, you weren't kiddin'. Can you hand me some . . . eep!" Ranma almost forgot they were both naked until she turned around to pick up some soap. Can't lather up with cold water anymore.
Akane smiled a little deeper as she watched Ranma's breasts sway back and forth when she turned about in the furo. She'd seen them often enough, but never really got the chance to appreciate the creamy white skin or the small pink . . . Augh! I am a pervert! "Ranma, we, uh . . . need to . . ." Start thinking clearly! "Our dads aren't back yet. The Amazons should've only been interested in us, but they may have taken our fathers prisoner."
Squeezing her eyes shut, Ranma tried to carry on the discussion. "Why'd they do that?"
"Probably for ransom or something, to get us to return to the village."
Ranma sat back on her butt to get more comfortable, the water came up to her collarbone, her breasts floating just below the surface. She thought about what might be happening to their fathers. It was all her fault; she should go back. "You're right. I'll go back."
"What?" Is Ranma being noble, trying to keep me out of danger? "My father is out there too! I'm going with you."
Her red pigtail swung back and forth, as Ranma shook her head. "No, they just want me. They should let our fathers go when they have me."
That stupid, idiotic, arrogant, jerk! Does she think she can take on the whole tribe by her . . . No, that's not it at all, is it? Ranma is going to sacrifice herself again, like before. "You moron! I thought we were over that months ago. Why would you want to die now!?!"
"I wanted to die long ago, even before I met you." Ranma lowered her chin into the water and looked at her feet through the rippling water. "Ever since the Neko-ken. I only kept going cause I thought I would see my mom again, and pops always told me men aren't quitters. That doesn't matter now, does it?" She smiled at the quietly worried Akane. "I'm not a guy anymore, so what's the use?" The last part came out more like a statement rather than a question.
Akane remembered how Ranma had chosen to be insane and a cat than a girl. Did her father really have that much of an influence on Ranma? All these months, her companion cared for her and kept her safe and all she wanted was to die. "Why not just kill yourself while we were in China?!" She demanded.
Ranma gave her a weak smile. "I was kinda out of it most of the time."
She scowled at the redhead and thrust her finger in Ranma's face. "You still had your chances, while we were at the village. Why not then?!"
"I don't know. Maybe I should've." Akane is still glaring at her. "It would've saved you a lot of trouble."
Akane was quite beyond mad now, she was boiling. Standing up in the water, she began to advance on the distracted pigtailed martial artist. "You STUPID JERK!" She slammed Ranma against the wall of the furo and held her by the shoulders, suspended a few inches off the ground. "All these months together, did I ever attempt to drive you away! Did you really think I minded having you around! You saved my life more times than I care to remember! You guided me through China and back home! You became my best friend and you still think so little of yourself! I don't become friends with losers! Are you trying to tell me I was just being a fool to even care! To care about you." Akane's arms began to tremble as her eyes began to tear up. There was a light squeak as Ranma's body began to slide down the wall and into the water. Still holding the redhead's shoulders, Akane sat down with her, looking deeply into Ranma's blue eyes.
"Go, if that's what you want." Akane sniffled a bit and drew in closer to Ranma, resting her head against the other girl's shoulder. "But . . . But if you go, I . . . I won't be your friend ever again."
Akane's arms snaked around the smaller girl's waist. " . . . I won't . . . I won't say I care about you anymore."
Looking again into Ranma's eyes, Akane closed in on the redhead's mouth. They could feel each other's warm breath and their beating hearts in the intimate contact. "I . . . I won't . . . I won't let you touch me again. . . . I won't . . . ever."
It was as far as Akane would go. Ranma watched her in shock and amazement. She knew that her Neko-ken mind trusted and became affectionate with Akane, but never had the girl reciprocated those feelings to this degree. Their mouths were so close, Ranma was sure that if she moved a fraction of an inch closer, they would be kissing. Her eyes were locked on the deep brown in Akane's and she suddenly wondered if there was something worth living for? Could Akane truly be her savior as she was Akane's in China?
There was nothing else in her life to live for, but if Akane still felt she was special then what did she have to lose? Coming to a decision, Ranma chose to risk it all. If it didn't work out, she would be no worse off.
It was only a fraction of an inch and Ranma was ready to travel that distance. In a moment she would feel Akane's sweet lips against her own, taste of her essence with all of her passion. She would feel the electricity of their contact flow through her body like a wild fire. Ranma leaned in.
"Akane are you in?" The bathroom door opened to reveal Nabiki wrapped in nothing but a towel.
Akane screamed and jumped back in shock, letting Ranma fall face first into the water. There was a mass of bubbles bursting on the surface until the redhead could find purchase on her seat and lift herself out of the water. Akane was still staring wide-eyed at whoever had just interrupted their private moment.
A bit miffed, Ranma turned around to glare at the intruder. "Do you mind? We'd like to have a little privacy!"
Blinking a few times, Nabiki quickly reclaimed control of herself and smirked. "So was this a private thing or could anyone join?" Nabiki took a step closer to the furo and let her towel drop.
Ranma might have started to get a nosebleed from the sight of so much flesh, but her vision was tainted with blue and her aura was slowly swimming to the surface about her body. Nabiki apparently recognized the power from yesterday and took a few steps back.
"Well, uhm, I can see you're busy. I'll just w-wait outside until you're done." She flashed a strained smile and dashed out of the room, forgetting about her decency entirely.
When the annoying girl was finally out of sight, Ranma relaxed and let her aura fade away. What did that girl think she was doing anyway? Not like she's got something I ain't seen before. And who the heck was-
"Ranma! You didn't have to be so mean to my sister!" Akane mock scowled. She was actually a bit happy to finally find someone who could stare down the Ice Queen of Furinkan High.
"Sister?" Ranma blinked at the door then looked back at Akane. "That was one of you're sisters?" Akane nodded and Ranma blushed a deep red, moping on her side of the furo. "Aw, geez, Akane. I didn't know that. I'm sorry. I'll go apologize to her-"
"Don't worry about it, Ranma." She sighed and sat back down in the furo. "Nabiki had that coming anyway, but I think you should make it up to me."
Sighing, Ranma nodded her head and stared at the bottom of the furo. "H-How do I do that?"
Akane smiled and scooted a bit closer to the redhead. "You can start by finishing what you were doing before we were interrupted." She giggled as a lecherous smile grew on Ranma's lips. A sudden displacement of water and Akane found herself pressed between the back wall and a passionate embrace from a certain redhead. Breaking their kiss for some air, she let her hands roam across Ranma's body. "Why Ranma! You're an animal!"
They had a good laugh after that.
The sun was hot and unending as two travelers trudged on through the great expanses of some unknown desert. The wind flowed like water over the dunes, lifting up sand in its wake and beating down upon the individuals. Through all of the heat and stinging sand, the men were not angry, tired, or desperate. Instead they were bored.
"Are we there yet?" Genma whined as he followed his taller companion.
Soun sighed, clenching and unclenching his fist. How did Ranma stand to put up with this man for ten years? "No, Saotome. Not yet."
Drooping his shoulders and scowling at the monotonous view, Genma started twiddling his thumbs once again. "How long till we get there?"
Taking a glance at the map, Soun sighed and folded the piece of paper and replaced it in his gi. "Soon. I'm certain of it."
Mumbling something about saying something like that ten dunes ago, Genma trudged on behind his friend.
School.
Akane wasn't a bad student nor did she loathe to attend it, but after living from day to day, attacked constantly, and turning into a tiger whenever she ran into cold water, school just seemed so dull and unnecessary. Looking down at the animal at her side, she briefly considered getting out by triggering her curse.
Ranma still wouldn't wear any of her clothes and dress like a girl. Even after that little, Akane blushed here, intimate moment in the bathroom, the boy turned girl still had her insecurities. Smiling just a bit more, Akane thought of how interesting it would be to help Ranma through it. It would definitely require a lot of hands on training.
Neko-Ranma was very happy. His playmate had been very affectionate and that made him very happy. Though she looked like a two-legger and not very available for a tiger, he was happy just to be with her. His mate even had a little more spring in her step so he guessed she was happy too.
They rounded the last corner before Furinkan High and came into clear view of a courtyard filled with boys. Ranma could see Akane tense up a little as everyone turned to look at her. They seemed like easy prey to Ranma so he wondered why Akane was getting so upset all of a sudden.
Akane stopped and knelt down beside Ranma and spoke slowly. "Ranma, these are weak fighters. I don't want you to hurt them, okay? Just stay back a little and let me deal with them. Understand?" Thankfully the Neko-ken was starting to retain a bit more of the rational Ranma and the tiger was able to nod its head in understanding. Akane smiled at him and left her backpack with the cat. She took a few more steps closer and watched as the boys readied themselves for combat. The shouts of love and challenge were old and tired so Akane gave them no mind as she charged.
Neko-Ranma carried the bag of Akane's in his mouth as he watched her charge the mob. Wondering why she didn't want him along, Neko-Ranma jumped onto the nearest wall and waited. His mate was very skilled, but against these fighters it was like dropping a stone in the water and expecting it to float. The mob was so pathetic it probably wasn't even fun to attend.
Less than a minute later it was all over. Akane stood in a courtyard of unconscious boys wiping a stray lock of hair out of the way. Seemingly by reflex, she plucked a rose out of the air that had been thrown from behind a nearby tree.
This got Neko-Ranma's attention. Leaping down from the wall, he studied the new comer carefully. Shrugging, which is hard for a tiger, he padded over to the steps of the building and waited. The boy didn't seem to be a challenge for Akane even before they were attacked by the predator/scratching posts that had followed them in China.
"Aw, fair Akane Tendo. You fight like an animal of lithe grace that I might compare thee to a jungle cat! But now it is time for our great duel. As I bring my noble blade down upon thee, know that you are my heart and it will only bring us closer!" Those who weren't unconscious were getting that reoccurring headache again.
A bit upset about the whole thing, Akane smashed the rose under her feet. "How did you know I was back so quickly?!" She demanded.
Nonplussed by the demand, Kuno motioned to the roof of the school. "Your tactless sister has reported to me of your return."
Akane scowled and dropped into a fighting stance against Kuno. The poetic idiot nodded smugly and withdrew a kobuto from somewhere within his kendo uniform. Both fighters were surprised when a red blur suddenly crossed between them. Kuno found his hands empty and began to search for the lost training sword.
Neko-Ranma was happy. He was getting very bored when the annoying two-legger started talking, but the stick he took out was just the thing he needed to get attention. Keep away was a very fun game!
"Foul beast! You dare to touch the noble blade of Kuno. I shall smite thee for such actions!" Kuno raged on, remarking on the position of animals in the world and other such nonsense that Neko-Ranma didn't understand.
Boredom set in again when he saw the two-legger just standing around and babbling. Didn't the boy know that he had to chase Neko-Ranma to make keep away fun?
Huffing a bit, Neko-Ranma trotted over to Akane and dropped the kobuto. He didn't play fetch, but he thought Akane may want the stick for some reason. His playmate, however, seemed to find the situation very amusing. She was holding her sides and laughing heartily.
"I see now!" Kuno cried in joy. "Your loveliness has endeared you to even the beasts that they would see fit to protect you! Truly you are a woman of pure spirit! Akane Tendo, I would date with thee!!"
Akane had apparently recovered just enough to punt the arrogant boy over the school grounds. Still coming down from her mirth, Akane shouldered her backpack again and led Ranma into the school. She got odd looks, some even frightful, but no one harassed her or dare to try separating the two of them.
The door opened to the dark storeroom of the Nekohaten. They established a small restaurant to maintain enough funding for their project. Cologne thought it was more to keep her master fed, but wouldn't say it out loud.
She entered on her cane and stopped just outside of a circle of light. There was a table and large pot, bubbling with various ingredients. From her vantage point, it was hard to see what the master was making and Cologne didn't want to appear nosy. "You summoned me master?"
"Indeed I did, Cologne. Tell me how my two mindless slaves faired against Ranma Saotome." His voice boomed with just a hint of glee.
Cologne was understandably uncomfortable with relating the bad news. "It seems that mindless is a very good term for describing them. They never made it to the dojo."
Though it was dark, Cologne knew that small flapping sound was her master blinking. "They got lost?" Cologne nodded. "That's impossible! I drew a map to the dojo myself!"
Cologne big sweated as she recalled how long it had taken just to get to Japan with the master leading the way. Could it really be that the master could get lost drawing a map? "Well, they are certainly fools."
"Yes, that must be it. It doesn't matter now anyway. Bring in your best fighters. I have a potion that will come in handy!" I hope he's not going to ask them to eat that, Cologne eyed the pot with some trepidation. Never in her life had she seen something so vile. She doubted there was anything more terrible.
"Ranma!" Akane sang out her boyfriend's name as she called him over to the shade of a tree.
Neko-Ranma sprinted across the courtyard after chasing away the pesky two-legger with the stick. That boy just didn't get how to play chase, Neko-Ranma suspected.
Smiling like the sun, Akane stroked Ranma's fur as he landed in her lap purring. "I have a surprise for you!" She indicated the bento in her hands and held out a piece to the tiger.
Neko-Ranma almost ran in fear as his senses were assaulted with something a rational mind would call toxic. Not having a rational mind, Neko-Ranma instead called it a nightmare given form. Having deliberated for too long, Neko-Ranma soon found the piece of . . . black, squeaking, slithering gunk . . . shoved into his mouth forcibly. If not for the fur, people would have seen the first tiger to go many shades revulsion before passing out, twitching.
"Hmm . . . Ranma must be tired. Oh well, more for me."
The end of lunch bell would ring a few minutes later, informing all that classes would be starting again in a few minutes. Everyone in the courtyard started to pile into the front doors, everyone except a cute girl and her tiger.
"What does it do?" Cologne asked as she backed away from the boiling pot.
Beginning another round of sinister laughter, the master held up the final product in two clear viles. "With this potion, you're two warriors will appear as that which our enemies fear the most! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Blinking at the hysterical master, Cologne wondered if his plan was really all that good. Shrugging, she turned to find Xian Pu and Mu Tsu. At least it wasn't her who had to drink it.