Finished: 2002-09-18
Standard disclaimer: I do not own anything in this fan fiction except
for the idea behind it and even that is mostly blatantly stolen from a
multitude of sources. And if you don't like that, then I will kill you
with my dulled butter knife!!! MWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *Hark* *Cough*
*Sputter*... Sorry can't do the evil laugh yet.
Timelines: Everything in the canon Ranma has happened. This fic starts a
few weeks after the failed wedding.
Age rating: If you can understand all the crap I'm spouting then you are
definitely old enough to read this fan fiction.
"Japanese "
*Thoughts*
Kenneth Lönnberg aka Macross_VF1 proudly presents:
Mirror Life
Chapter 3
*** - - - - ***
Ranko strode out from the Nekohanten and stretched lazily. That little
sparring match was just what she needed. Shampoo followed her out,
literally glowing in adoration. She, along with Cologne, had witnessed
the entire sparring match between Ranko and Mousse and she was truly
impressed with Ranko's abilities. Sure enough, she had seen Ranma use
all those skills on many occasions, but only in life and death
situations. Since this was a sparring match Ranko had taken the time to
make a small show of it as she flowed with unbelievable grace through
her movements, making it seem like a dance, yet at the same time dealing
a hard pounding on Mousse. Shampoo knew she had been slacking off in her
training lately and she entertained the thought of having Ranko as a
teacher.
As a strong contrast to Ranko, a living bruise named Mousse shuffled out
standing slightly to Ranko's side, small sounds of pain emanating with
each step. Sure, Shampoo beat him worse than this on a regular basis
(every time he tried to glomp her), but he seldom was in this much pain
from a sparring match. In fact, the only time he could remember worse
pain was when he started training in the Hidden Weapons technique. Still
he had to admit that it was good training. Maybe he could get Ranko to
help him train to defeat Ranma. Nah, that was not a good idea. After
Saffron, even Mousse realized that Ranma was way out of his league. And
besides, he didn't really want to anger Ranko.
He realigned his glasses and took a good look at Ranko. Her stretching
did some pretty interesting things to her profile... Mousse quickly
averted his gaze, trying to avoid those thoughts. Funny, he never
considered Ranma as 'hot' whenever he was in his female form. As he
looked to the side he saw Ranma and Akane walking towards them. He
growled mentally but held his temper in check.
"Hiya Ranko." Ranma called out cheerfully.
Both Ranko and Shampoo turned to face the newcomers. Shampoo lit up and
prepared an amazon glomp (patent pending), but a hand on her shoulder
stopped her. She turned her head and saw that the offender was none
other than Ranko.
"Sorry." Ranko quickly whispered into Shampoo's ear. "But I really think
you should stop glomping him. Every time you do that, he gets malleted
by Akane and he doesn't exactly like that."
Shampoo's eyes widened slightly in anger. Did Ranko really want to stop
her from being with her beloved airen? Her anger faded away when she saw
the pleading look in Ranko's eyes. Maybe the red-haired girl was right.
Ranma had never responded well to her advances and after a year she was
getting desperate. Attacking the wedding had not been one her greater
moments and while Ranma had forgiven her, she knew she was not on the
top of Ranma's list of favourites. Right now she could try anything,
even something as drastic as changing her entire approach for getting
Ranma. She sighed and smiled at Ranko. She had been lonely for a long
time, not having much in the way of friends even before she came to
Japan, so Ranko's arrival was like a gift from heaven. She truly hoped
that she and Ranko could become the best of friends.
So to everyone's astonishment (With the exception of Ranko and Shampoo
of course), Shampoo held her ground instead of rushing forward and
embracing Ranma in a bone-crushing hug.
"Nihao." She said and walked up to Ranma, smiling genuinely.
"Ranma no... Huh?" Akane began, winding up for another round of "Punting
Ranma into LEO", but she promptly cut herself off with a slack jawed
expression when she witnessed Shampoo's new behaviour. She quickly
collected herself and became suspicious. The amazon was up to something
she quickly concluded.
"And just what are you planning?" Akane asked dangerously.
"Why should kitchen destroyer care?" Shampoo snorted. "Shampoo only want
to be nice to Arien."
"Stop it you two." Ranko interjected. She turned to face Akane. "I told
Shampoo that Ranma doesn't like her glomping him all the time and it
seems that she took that little piece of information to her heart. If
you have to be mad at someone, be mad me." She turned around to Shampoo.
"And stop calling Akane strange names. I doubt you would like it if
anyone called you cat girl all the time."
"Like I care what that baka does." Akane said crossing her arms and
turning away from Ranko but inwardly she was grateful for Ranko's
efforts and that Shampoo maybe was beginning to get the hint.
"Shampoo stop calling Akane kitchen destroyer but only because Ranko ask
to." Shampoo said as she mimicked Akane.
Ranma scratched his pigtail in confusion. "Don't I get any say in this?"
All three girls turned on him and simultaneously shouted "NO!" while
glaring dangerously at him. Ranma, like any sensible male, predictably
cowered from the combined glare.
Ranko was the first one to notice their incredible timing and
coordination and started giggling. Shampoo followed soon after, and even
Akane couldn't help herself. One fit of mad giggling later, Ranko held
out a hand to Shampoo and Akane.
"Friends?" She asked with a smile.
"Friends!" Shampoo replied eagerly and took the redheads hand.
"Oh well... friends!" Akane followed somewhat hesitantly and took
Ranko's other hand, yet her smile showed no regrets.
Ranma had quietly inched his way from the girls as they giggled like
maniacs and now stood beside Mousse. "Man! What happened to you?" He
asked, trying to get his mind off the great mystery known as women.
Mousse "the bruise" (Hey that almost rhymes! Ok, I'll shut up now...)
turned to look at Ranma with a groan filled with agony. "Ranko." He
answered, sounding as if he had gone to hell and never returned.
Ranma looked confused and scratched his pigtail. "What, did you try ta
glomp her or something?" if you're trying for slang, use, somethin'.
"NO!" Mousse shouted in anger. "What do you think I am? A pervert?"
Three snorts behind his back clearly disagreed with him.
"Duck boy, big pervert. Always trying to glomp Shampoo."
"Yeah, not to mention all the times he's glomped on to other girls. I'm
starting to think he takes off his glasses just to get an excuse for
getting a quick feel."
"Well if he tries anything with me, I'll make sure he feels it when we
spar..."
Mousse didn't even dare to face the angered girls and desperately
explained himself to Ranma. "Look, she wanted to spar and that's how it
happened, ok?"
"Good, 'cause I would have pounded you otherwise." Ranma answered with a
pat to the myopic boy's back. Mousse nearly doubled over in pain. Of
course Ranma was happily oblivious of this. "The only who can touch her
is me, since I'm her brother."
Foot meet mouth.
One minute later, Mousse "the bruise" was joined by Ranma "the bruise".
"Man, why do they always hit us? Wouldn't it be enough to tell what we
did wrong?"
"This time, Saotome, this time I actually agree with you."
***
Buildings are normally quite static. To move them is quite an effort and
something that's usually only undertaken with small family houses, while
the bigger ones are firmly planted where they were constructed. Of
course landslides, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters
can do serious damage to buildings and also destroy them. Now as one
might imagine, if nothing of the above is happening, a house should not
move more than a microscopic amount each year, if anything at all,
right?
"HE DID WHAT?!?"
Wrong. Behold the break dancing Tendo Dojo.
"Yeah, that about sums up what I thought. Still he does have a valid
point. You won't be able to avoid Kuno forever, no matter how much you
want to." Akane said.
Ranko rubbed her temples. "Yeah, I can agree with that, but I would sure
have liked some warning."
"Warning of what?" Ranma asked just as he entered the living room
looking a little better than he had at the nekohanten.
Ranko only glared at him. "Your little 'scheme' concerning Kuno... I
could sure have used a little time to prepare. Heck I don't even know if
I'm going to school tomorrow."
"Oh, that's no problem." Kasumi interjected as she passed the room.
"Aunt Nodoka was so exited about getting a another child that she
quickly signed you up for school. She even bought you school supplies,
and she wanted me to tell you that you two are going on a shopping trip
very soon."
Collective blinks followed. With a sigh of resignation Ranko admitted
defeat. "Fine! I have to meet the moron tomorrow. That doesn't mean I
have to like it though."
"Aw, c'mon, don't be that way. Look at it this way, now it's at least a
controlled situation and you've got a chance to set things straight once
and for all." Ranma said cheerfully.
Ranko and Akane both gave him a look wondering if the latest beating had
broken something vital. "Hello! Earth to Ranma? This is Kuno we're
talking about remember? The guy who couldn't understand that you had a
gender switching curse, even though he had seen it hundreds of times?
I've had it up to there..." Ranko pointed at the ceiling. "... with him
and I don't want him to get any more sick ideas."
Akane blink-blinked to Ranko's comment. "Sorry to correct you Ranko, but
you haven't actually met Kuno yet."
Now it was Ranko's turn to blink. "Uhm, yeah that's true..." She said
nervously. "But you know since I have Ranma's memories, I feel like
throwing up when I think of him."
"Now I feel sorry for you. His pervert memories can't be much fun
having." Akane smirked.
"Nah, he isn't that bad. Right Ranma?" Ranko asked with a wide smile.
"Hey, I ain't no pervert!" Ranma replied indignantly.
"Yes Ranma, we believe you." She said in a soothing manner. "I only hope
you can convince Mallet-sama when the time comes." Ranko answered
smiling like Kasumi.
Akane couldn't hold it anymore and started giggling. "Yeah, mister
Mallet-sama will be very angry at you if you do anything perverted." She
managed to get out.
Ranko giggled a bit too, but her mood soon turned sour again. " *Sigh* I
wonder what I have to do to manage Kuno tomorrow."
"What about him?" Nabiki asked as she entered the living room.
"Exactly what I said." Ranko answered with a little irritation. "Ranma's
little declaration leaves me with no choice but to confront the idiot.
Only with my luck, or rather Ranma's, I'd probably end up having to beat
every boy up avoiding a date, just like Akane had to do. Of course I
wouldn't be surprised if his lunatic sister decided to show up as well."
The redhead shook her head.
"And the problem is?" Nabiki asked with a non-comprehending expression.
Ranko snorted. "Yeah, you would see no problem with that, only
opportunities. Just how much did you make today for instance?"
"Now, now, no need to get upset. For your information, yes I did make a
killing of Ranma's declaration but you don't have to worry, I did not
sell anything that will harm you, Ranma or Akane. In fact, you've
probably the person who has benefited most from this."
"Huh?"
"Well this was all Ranma's doing really." Nabiki explained to the
redhead. "I'm made so much that I'm even considering giving you that ID
I gave you this morning for free."
"For free?!?" Ranko almost yelled with a wide-eyed expression. She
quickly narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "And just what kind of service
do I have to perform to get it for free."
"Why nothing, my dear Ranko." Nabiki said, looking more innocent than an
infant. Her expression soon softened into a genuine smile. "Look, Ranma
asked me to and frankly since he did so good handling Kuno, I'm feeling
generous."
"It's the end of the world! Nabiki is generous! Run fer yer lives!"
Ranko said sarcastically, yet the smile on her lips left no doubts of
her gratitude.
"Yeah, that or the pod people." Akane piped in.
"I can't believe you two. Can't I be generous once in a while without
being ridiculed?" Nabiki asked crossing her arms theatrically.
"No!" Both Akane and Ranko said at the same time. They took a look at
each other and started giggling. Nabiki tried to look unaffected but
soon she couldn't help herself and joined the other two in their
giggling fit.
"Now back to the problem. What to do about Kuno. Somehow I don't think
he'll believe the truth." Ranko said.
"No, he never has." Nabiki said seriously. "In fact, the best result you
get by playing along with his delusions. Just like Ranma did today."
"Well you of all people should know considering how much money you
always seem to make oh him. I'm surprised your small 'additions' to his
thinking hasn't backfired yet." Akane concluded.
"What, can I say? I'm an expert on Kuno." Nabiki smirked.
"Yeah, always going on about Kuno-baby. I'm beginning to think you like
him or something." Ranko added playfully.
Nabiki's normally controlled expression vanished in an eye blink. "Are
you trying to make me sick?" She said looking at Ranko as if she had
grown another head. "Sure, he got the looks and money, but dig under the
surface... scratch that, you don't even have to look further than his
wooden stick can reach and you'll find an obsessive, delusional moron
who lives in a fantasy world of his own. " Nabiki looked almost ready
to throw up.
Ranko put up her hands in a placating manner, mentally sweat dropping at
Nabiki's outburst. "Uhm, I was just kidding. No need to get upset."
Nabiki blinked realizing what she had done and started rubbing her
temples. "Look, I'm just sick and tired of everyone assuming that I like
the idiot just because I deal with him on a daily basis."
"Well I for one thought so." Ranma said scratching his pigtail. He
regretted his contribution to the discussion immediately when Nabiki
gave him a death glare.
"Damn, all this talk about Kuno is giving me a headache. I'll go and
take some aspirin." Nabiki said getting up from her seat.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Akane said while stretching. She turned
and looked expectantly at Ranko. "Well, I'm going to the dojo. Want to
come with me?"
"Uhm, no I'm too tired really. Maybe tomorrow." The redhead answered as
she got up. She missed Akane's somewhat disappointed expression.
"Oh well, no choice then." Akane turned and grabbed Ranma by his
pigtail. "You're coming with me."
"What did I do now?!" Ranma asked confusion clear in his voice, yet no
answer came from Akane. Like a condemned man, Akane dragged him to the
dojo unrelentingly. The sounds of his struggles slowly faded into the
evening. You guessed it, yet another sparring session at the Tendo Dojo
was underway.
***
Nabiki stood in the kitchen swallowing some painkillers. She heard
someone clearing a throat to her side and she turned only to find Ranko.
The redhead looked for some reason very nervous and she was fiddling
with her pigtail while looking at her feet.
"Yeah, what is it." Nabiki asked.
"Uhm... well you know..." Ranko said almost stammering out every word.
"Speak up." Nabiki commanded somewhat irritated.
"About the ID-card..."
Nabiki sighed. The 'shy schoolgirl' act for that? "Look, I told you
already, I'm giving it to you for free. Strange as it may sound, there's
no strings attached. Or can't you just understand the meaning of the
words 'free of charge'?"
"Yeah, but it's not that..." Ranko continued nervously.
Nabiki was beginning to loose her patience with the redhead. "Out with
it."
"Can you make it... you know... real?" Ranko finally got out.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. This could get interesting. "Are you asking me
what I think you're asking?"
"Huh?" Ranko replied intelligently.
"Are you asking me actually make up a completely new identity for you?"
Ranko scratched her pigtail in a manner very much like Ranma. "Uhm,
yeah, if it's not too hard that is."
Nabiki couldn't help laughing at that one. "Hard? Heh! Oh, it's hard all
right."
"Forget it! I knew it was a stupid question." Ranko turned and started
for the exit.
Nabiki quickly blocked the exit. "Look, I'm not even sure I can do it
and even if I can, it's not going to be cheap."
Ranko stopped and looked strangely at her. "You're kidding? C'mon it
can't be that hard, right? I mean you're Nabiki, there's nothing you
can't arrange."
"Believe it or not, there are things I can't do since I don't deal with
it on a general principle."
Ranko snorted at that. "I didn't even know you had principles."
Nabiki crossed her arms in irritation. "Listen 'Ranko', I have more
principles in life than you can possibly guess. One of them is to not
just stand and accept grave insults like that. Just because I don't show
them doesn't mean I don't have them. Now do you want my help or not?"
Ranko looked a little ashamed. "Sorry..." She said meekly.
"Good, back to business then. To forge an identity I would have to deal
with some rather shady characters, possibly even the yakuza. Now do you
understand why I don't do some stuff?"
"The Yakuza?!" Ranko exclaimed. "That's way to dangerous, Nabiki! If
that's what you have to do then forget the whole thing. It's not worth
it."
"I'm touched by your concern of my welfare." Nabiki's voice literally
dripped with sarcasm.
"Look, I said I was sorry."
"Yeah I know." Nabiki said with a sigh. Her features softened as she
continued. "And I do believe you. Now don't get all your hopes down just
yet. There are other options available although they might prove a
little trickier..."
"Why don't I like the sound of that?" Ranko asked.
"Because you won't." Nabiki said seriously. No, Ranko was not
going to like it. She had enough experience with Happosai to know that.
*** - - - - ***
Chapter three completed and things are maybe going to start get
interesting. Just exactly is Nabiki planning to do? And just how will
Kuno take to seeing his pig-tailed goddess in the flesh? It will all
become clear in the next chapter.
Some of you might think Akane and Nabiki is a bit OOC. Well, you might
be right about that, but the way I see it, both of them are as tired of
all the fighting as the rest of the Wrecking Crew. Of course, almost
dying/almost loosing a sister just might make them see life around them
in a new light. Besides, this is my story and I can do whatever I want
with it. ^___^
It's kinda funny really. When I started this story I had a quite clear
objective about where I wanted the plot to go. Now I'm not certain of
anything. Oh well, for the moment I'll just let the story continue to
take its own ways. It's amazing how a story can get a life of its own.
If you wish to contact me then do so at:
kenneth@gon.nu or kenneth.lonnberg@bodenonline.com
My works will be available at:
My own page - http://www.angelfire.com/anime4/macvf1fanfic
And when they get around to update/accept my fics, these sites will also
feature my fics:
Lady Cosmo's Fanfic Library - http://ladycosmos.anifics.com/
Ranchan & co. Crossing bridges - http://tannim.anifics.com/
Standard disclaimer: I do not own anything in this fan fiction except
for the idea behind it and even that is mostly blatantly stolen from a
multitude of sources. And if you don't like that, then I will kill you
with my dulled butter knife!!! MWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *Hark* *Cough*
*Sputter*... Sorry can't do the evil laugh yet.
Timelines: Everything in the canon Ranma has happened. This fic starts a
few weeks after the failed wedding.
Age rating: If you can understand all the crap I'm spouting then you are
definitely old enough to read this fan fiction.
"Japanese "
*Thoughts*
Kenneth Lönnberg aka Macross_VF1 proudly presents:
Mirror Life
Chapter 3
*** - - - - ***
Ranko strode out from the Nekohanten and stretched lazily. That little
sparring match was just what she needed. Shampoo followed her out,
literally glowing in adoration. She, along with Cologne, had witnessed
the entire sparring match between Ranko and Mousse and she was truly
impressed with Ranko's abilities. Sure enough, she had seen Ranma use
all those skills on many occasions, but only in life and death
situations. Since this was a sparring match Ranko had taken the time to
make a small show of it as she flowed with unbelievable grace through
her movements, making it seem like a dance, yet at the same time dealing
a hard pounding on Mousse. Shampoo knew she had been slacking off in her
training lately and she entertained the thought of having Ranko as a
teacher.
As a strong contrast to Ranko, a living bruise named Mousse shuffled out
standing slightly to Ranko's side, small sounds of pain emanating with
each step. Sure, Shampoo beat him worse than this on a regular basis
(every time he tried to glomp her), but he seldom was in this much pain
from a sparring match. In fact, the only time he could remember worse
pain was when he started training in the Hidden Weapons technique. Still
he had to admit that it was good training. Maybe he could get Ranko to
help him train to defeat Ranma. Nah, that was not a good idea. After
Saffron, even Mousse realized that Ranma was way out of his league. And
besides, he didn't really want to anger Ranko.
He realigned his glasses and took a good look at Ranko. Her stretching
did some pretty interesting things to her profile... Mousse quickly
averted his gaze, trying to avoid those thoughts. Funny, he never
considered Ranma as 'hot' whenever he was in his female form. As he
looked to the side he saw Ranma and Akane walking towards them. He
growled mentally but held his temper in check.
"Hiya Ranko." Ranma called out cheerfully.
Both Ranko and Shampoo turned to face the newcomers. Shampoo lit up and
prepared an amazon glomp (patent pending), but a hand on her shoulder
stopped her. She turned her head and saw that the offender was none
other than Ranko.
"Sorry." Ranko quickly whispered into Shampoo's ear. "But I really think
you should stop glomping him. Every time you do that, he gets malleted
by Akane and he doesn't exactly like that."
Shampoo's eyes widened slightly in anger. Did Ranko really want to stop
her from being with her beloved airen? Her anger faded away when she saw
the pleading look in Ranko's eyes. Maybe the red-haired girl was right.
Ranma had never responded well to her advances and after a year she was
getting desperate. Attacking the wedding had not been one her greater
moments and while Ranma had forgiven her, she knew she was not on the
top of Ranma's list of favourites. Right now she could try anything,
even something as drastic as changing her entire approach for getting
Ranma. She sighed and smiled at Ranko. She had been lonely for a long
time, not having much in the way of friends even before she came to
Japan, so Ranko's arrival was like a gift from heaven. She truly hoped
that she and Ranko could become the best of friends.
So to everyone's astonishment (With the exception of Ranko and Shampoo
of course), Shampoo held her ground instead of rushing forward and
embracing Ranma in a bone-crushing hug.
"Nihao." She said and walked up to Ranma, smiling genuinely.
"Ranma no... Huh?" Akane began, winding up for another round of "Punting
Ranma into LEO", but she promptly cut herself off with a slack jawed
expression when she witnessed Shampoo's new behaviour. She quickly
collected herself and became suspicious. The amazon was up to something
she quickly concluded.
"And just what are you planning?" Akane asked dangerously.
"Why should kitchen destroyer care?" Shampoo snorted. "Shampoo only want
to be nice to Arien."
"Stop it you two." Ranko interjected. She turned to face Akane. "I told
Shampoo that Ranma doesn't like her glomping him all the time and it
seems that she took that little piece of information to her heart. If
you have to be mad at someone, be mad me." She turned around to Shampoo.
"And stop calling Akane strange names. I doubt you would like it if
anyone called you cat girl all the time."
"Like I care what that baka does." Akane said crossing her arms and
turning away from Ranko but inwardly she was grateful for Ranko's
efforts and that Shampoo maybe was beginning to get the hint.
"Shampoo stop calling Akane kitchen destroyer but only because Ranko ask
to." Shampoo said as she mimicked Akane.
Ranma scratched his pigtail in confusion. "Don't I get any say in this?"
All three girls turned on him and simultaneously shouted "NO!" while
glaring dangerously at him. Ranma, like any sensible male, predictably
cowered from the combined glare.
Ranko was the first one to notice their incredible timing and
coordination and started giggling. Shampoo followed soon after, and even
Akane couldn't help herself. One fit of mad giggling later, Ranko held
out a hand to Shampoo and Akane.
"Friends?" She asked with a smile.
"Friends!" Shampoo replied eagerly and took the redheads hand.
"Oh well... friends!" Akane followed somewhat hesitantly and took
Ranko's other hand, yet her smile showed no regrets.
Ranma had quietly inched his way from the girls as they giggled like
maniacs and now stood beside Mousse. "Man! What happened to you?" He
asked, trying to get his mind off the great mystery known as women.
Mousse "the bruise" (Hey that almost rhymes! Ok, I'll shut up now...)
turned to look at Ranma with a groan filled with agony. "Ranko." He
answered, sounding as if he had gone to hell and never returned.
Ranma looked confused and scratched his pigtail. "What, did you try ta
glomp her or something?" if you're trying for slang, use, somethin'.
"NO!" Mousse shouted in anger. "What do you think I am? A pervert?"
Three snorts behind his back clearly disagreed with him.
"Duck boy, big pervert. Always trying to glomp Shampoo."
"Yeah, not to mention all the times he's glomped on to other girls. I'm
starting to think he takes off his glasses just to get an excuse for
getting a quick feel."
"Well if he tries anything with me, I'll make sure he feels it when we
spar..."
Mousse didn't even dare to face the angered girls and desperately
explained himself to Ranma. "Look, she wanted to spar and that's how it
happened, ok?"
"Good, 'cause I would have pounded you otherwise." Ranma answered with a
pat to the myopic boy's back. Mousse nearly doubled over in pain. Of
course Ranma was happily oblivious of this. "The only who can touch her
is me, since I'm her brother."
Foot meet mouth.
One minute later, Mousse "the bruise" was joined by Ranma "the bruise".
"Man, why do they always hit us? Wouldn't it be enough to tell what we
did wrong?"
"This time, Saotome, this time I actually agree with you."
***
Buildings are normally quite static. To move them is quite an effort and
something that's usually only undertaken with small family houses, while
the bigger ones are firmly planted where they were constructed. Of
course landslides, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters
can do serious damage to buildings and also destroy them. Now as one
might imagine, if nothing of the above is happening, a house should not
move more than a microscopic amount each year, if anything at all,
right?
"HE DID WHAT?!?"
Wrong. Behold the break dancing Tendo Dojo.
"Yeah, that about sums up what I thought. Still he does have a valid
point. You won't be able to avoid Kuno forever, no matter how much you
want to." Akane said.
Ranko rubbed her temples. "Yeah, I can agree with that, but I would sure
have liked some warning."
"Warning of what?" Ranma asked just as he entered the living room
looking a little better than he had at the nekohanten.
Ranko only glared at him. "Your little 'scheme' concerning Kuno... I
could sure have used a little time to prepare. Heck I don't even know if
I'm going to school tomorrow."
"Oh, that's no problem." Kasumi interjected as she passed the room.
"Aunt Nodoka was so exited about getting a another child that she
quickly signed you up for school. She even bought you school supplies,
and she wanted me to tell you that you two are going on a shopping trip
very soon."
Collective blinks followed. With a sigh of resignation Ranko admitted
defeat. "Fine! I have to meet the moron tomorrow. That doesn't mean I
have to like it though."
"Aw, c'mon, don't be that way. Look at it this way, now it's at least a
controlled situation and you've got a chance to set things straight once
and for all." Ranma said cheerfully.
Ranko and Akane both gave him a look wondering if the latest beating had
broken something vital. "Hello! Earth to Ranma? This is Kuno we're
talking about remember? The guy who couldn't understand that you had a
gender switching curse, even though he had seen it hundreds of times?
I've had it up to there..." Ranko pointed at the ceiling. "... with him
and I don't want him to get any more sick ideas."
Akane blink-blinked to Ranko's comment. "Sorry to correct you Ranko, but
you haven't actually met Kuno yet."
Now it was Ranko's turn to blink. "Uhm, yeah that's true..." She said
nervously. "But you know since I have Ranma's memories, I feel like
throwing up when I think of him."
"Now I feel sorry for you. His pervert memories can't be much fun
having." Akane smirked.
"Nah, he isn't that bad. Right Ranma?" Ranko asked with a wide smile.
"Hey, I ain't no pervert!" Ranma replied indignantly.
"Yes Ranma, we believe you." She said in a soothing manner. "I only hope
you can convince Mallet-sama when the time comes." Ranko answered
smiling like Kasumi.
Akane couldn't hold it anymore and started giggling. "Yeah, mister
Mallet-sama will be very angry at you if you do anything perverted." She
managed to get out.
Ranko giggled a bit too, but her mood soon turned sour again. " *Sigh* I
wonder what I have to do to manage Kuno tomorrow."
"What about him?" Nabiki asked as she entered the living room.
"Exactly what I said." Ranko answered with a little irritation. "Ranma's
little declaration leaves me with no choice but to confront the idiot.
Only with my luck, or rather Ranma's, I'd probably end up having to beat
every boy up avoiding a date, just like Akane had to do. Of course I
wouldn't be surprised if his lunatic sister decided to show up as well."
The redhead shook her head.
"And the problem is?" Nabiki asked with a non-comprehending expression.
Ranko snorted. "Yeah, you would see no problem with that, only
opportunities. Just how much did you make today for instance?"
"Now, now, no need to get upset. For your information, yes I did make a
killing of Ranma's declaration but you don't have to worry, I did not
sell anything that will harm you, Ranma or Akane. In fact, you've
probably the person who has benefited most from this."
"Huh?"
"Well this was all Ranma's doing really." Nabiki explained to the
redhead. "I'm made so much that I'm even considering giving you that ID
I gave you this morning for free."
"For free?!?" Ranko almost yelled with a wide-eyed expression. She
quickly narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "And just what kind of service
do I have to perform to get it for free."
"Why nothing, my dear Ranko." Nabiki said, looking more innocent than an
infant. Her expression soon softened into a genuine smile. "Look, Ranma
asked me to and frankly since he did so good handling Kuno, I'm feeling
generous."
"It's the end of the world! Nabiki is generous! Run fer yer lives!"
Ranko said sarcastically, yet the smile on her lips left no doubts of
her gratitude.
"Yeah, that or the pod people." Akane piped in.
"I can't believe you two. Can't I be generous once in a while without
being ridiculed?" Nabiki asked crossing her arms theatrically.
"No!" Both Akane and Ranko said at the same time. They took a look at
each other and started giggling. Nabiki tried to look unaffected but
soon she couldn't help herself and joined the other two in their
giggling fit.
"Now back to the problem. What to do about Kuno. Somehow I don't think
he'll believe the truth." Ranko said.
"No, he never has." Nabiki said seriously. "In fact, the best result you
get by playing along with his delusions. Just like Ranma did today."
"Well you of all people should know considering how much money you
always seem to make oh him. I'm surprised your small 'additions' to his
thinking hasn't backfired yet." Akane concluded.
"What, can I say? I'm an expert on Kuno." Nabiki smirked.
"Yeah, always going on about Kuno-baby. I'm beginning to think you like
him or something." Ranko added playfully.
Nabiki's normally controlled expression vanished in an eye blink. "Are
you trying to make me sick?" She said looking at Ranko as if she had
grown another head. "Sure, he got the looks and money, but dig under the
surface... scratch that, you don't even have to look further than his
wooden stick can reach and you'll find an obsessive, delusional moron
who lives in a fantasy world of his own. " Nabiki looked almost ready
to throw up.
Ranko put up her hands in a placating manner, mentally sweat dropping at
Nabiki's outburst. "Uhm, I was just kidding. No need to get upset."
Nabiki blinked realizing what she had done and started rubbing her
temples. "Look, I'm just sick and tired of everyone assuming that I like
the idiot just because I deal with him on a daily basis."
"Well I for one thought so." Ranma said scratching his pigtail. He
regretted his contribution to the discussion immediately when Nabiki
gave him a death glare.
"Damn, all this talk about Kuno is giving me a headache. I'll go and
take some aspirin." Nabiki said getting up from her seat.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Akane said while stretching. She turned
and looked expectantly at Ranko. "Well, I'm going to the dojo. Want to
come with me?"
"Uhm, no I'm too tired really. Maybe tomorrow." The redhead answered as
she got up. She missed Akane's somewhat disappointed expression.
"Oh well, no choice then." Akane turned and grabbed Ranma by his
pigtail. "You're coming with me."
"What did I do now?!" Ranma asked confusion clear in his voice, yet no
answer came from Akane. Like a condemned man, Akane dragged him to the
dojo unrelentingly. The sounds of his struggles slowly faded into the
evening. You guessed it, yet another sparring session at the Tendo Dojo
was underway.
***
Nabiki stood in the kitchen swallowing some painkillers. She heard
someone clearing a throat to her side and she turned only to find Ranko.
The redhead looked for some reason very nervous and she was fiddling
with her pigtail while looking at her feet.
"Yeah, what is it." Nabiki asked.
"Uhm... well you know..." Ranko said almost stammering out every word.
"Speak up." Nabiki commanded somewhat irritated.
"About the ID-card..."
Nabiki sighed. The 'shy schoolgirl' act for that? "Look, I told you
already, I'm giving it to you for free. Strange as it may sound, there's
no strings attached. Or can't you just understand the meaning of the
words 'free of charge'?"
"Yeah, but it's not that..." Ranko continued nervously.
Nabiki was beginning to loose her patience with the redhead. "Out with
it."
"Can you make it... you know... real?" Ranko finally got out.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. This could get interesting. "Are you asking me
what I think you're asking?"
"Huh?" Ranko replied intelligently.
"Are you asking me actually make up a completely new identity for you?"
Ranko scratched her pigtail in a manner very much like Ranma. "Uhm,
yeah, if it's not too hard that is."
Nabiki couldn't help laughing at that one. "Hard? Heh! Oh, it's hard all
right."
"Forget it! I knew it was a stupid question." Ranko turned and started
for the exit.
Nabiki quickly blocked the exit. "Look, I'm not even sure I can do it
and even if I can, it's not going to be cheap."
Ranko stopped and looked strangely at her. "You're kidding? C'mon it
can't be that hard, right? I mean you're Nabiki, there's nothing you
can't arrange."
"Believe it or not, there are things I can't do since I don't deal with
it on a general principle."
Ranko snorted at that. "I didn't even know you had principles."
Nabiki crossed her arms in irritation. "Listen 'Ranko', I have more
principles in life than you can possibly guess. One of them is to not
just stand and accept grave insults like that. Just because I don't show
them doesn't mean I don't have them. Now do you want my help or not?"
Ranko looked a little ashamed. "Sorry..." She said meekly.
"Good, back to business then. To forge an identity I would have to deal
with some rather shady characters, possibly even the yakuza. Now do you
understand why I don't do some stuff?"
"The Yakuza?!" Ranko exclaimed. "That's way to dangerous, Nabiki! If
that's what you have to do then forget the whole thing. It's not worth
it."
"I'm touched by your concern of my welfare." Nabiki's voice literally
dripped with sarcasm.
"Look, I said I was sorry."
"Yeah I know." Nabiki said with a sigh. Her features softened as she
continued. "And I do believe you. Now don't get all your hopes down just
yet. There are other options available although they might prove a
little trickier..."
"Why don't I like the sound of that?" Ranko asked.
"Because you won't." Nabiki said seriously. No, Ranko was not
going to like it. She had enough experience with Happosai to know that.
*** - - - - ***
Chapter three completed and things are maybe going to start get
interesting. Just exactly is Nabiki planning to do? And just how will
Kuno take to seeing his pig-tailed goddess in the flesh? It will all
become clear in the next chapter.
Some of you might think Akane and Nabiki is a bit OOC. Well, you might
be right about that, but the way I see it, both of them are as tired of
all the fighting as the rest of the Wrecking Crew. Of course, almost
dying/almost loosing a sister just might make them see life around them
in a new light. Besides, this is my story and I can do whatever I want
with it. ^___^
It's kinda funny really. When I started this story I had a quite clear
objective about where I wanted the plot to go. Now I'm not certain of
anything. Oh well, for the moment I'll just let the story continue to
take its own ways. It's amazing how a story can get a life of its own.
If you wish to contact me then do so at:
kenneth@gon.nu or kenneth.lonnberg@bodenonline.com
My works will be available at:
My own page - http://www.angelfire.com/anime4/macvf1fanfic
And when they get around to update/accept my fics, these sites will also
feature my fics:
Lady Cosmo's Fanfic Library - http://ladycosmos.anifics.com/
Ranchan & co. Crossing bridges - http://tannim.anifics.com/