Ranma 1/2
Rhythmer's Fist
'Ukyo'
::Theme for Ukyo and her crew; 'Recovery' by Tozer::
"Now what's a pretty lil' thing like you doing out after dark like this?" One of the punks wearing animal masks asked the exorbantly dressed young woman, wearing a tight forest green that was more for hiding her modesty than support under her red fishnet tee shirt. She wore red metallic pants with matching kung-fu slipper, along with wrist bands of the same material. Her ponytail was done at the top of her head, and woven into it every so often were red, green, and metallic beads.
"I was getting supplies that you so rudely relieved me of," the girl challenged, with her back still against the brick wall. Ranma had been swaying to the rhythm in his own private rave, when it was interrupted by the conversation on the other side of the wall. With curiousity, The pigtailed boy paused, to listen to more.
"Awww, we're so sorry, allow us to help you carry them back to our place, sweetie!" The second one stated with saccarine sweetness. Ranma figured what was about to happen, but decided to see how far it could play out before requiring his intervention.
"No, thank you, I have appointments to keep," the girl stated firmly, and attempted to lightly shove the punk in front of her away.
"But our place is just soooo much closer!" a third one stated in a way that brooked no argument, and grabbed the girl roughly by the arm. The young girl bobbed her head one side, and then to the other, as if she had just caught a catchy rhythm.
That was the signal that Ranma needed; before he could act, however, the pigtailed boy felt... another beat.
The other three punks stared incredulously, as their leader that attempted to accoust the girl was on the other side of the wall. Ranma blinked, and stared through the comical hole that was created by his passing... right through it.
"Another practitioner!" Ranma thought to himself, looking at the girl who was standing straight with her arms folded, but her eyes closed with her head bobbing. She had a style that seemed subdued to Ranma, like Shinobi. The other punks decided that their attentions would be more constructive elsewhere, lest their bodys be used also for destructive purposes.
The girl sniffed in distain, allowing her metallic sheen contacts to glitter from the street lights; she was one of Ukyo's crew, if they only knew what touching her would bring upon them.
"Hey!" Ranma called out, alerting the girl to his presence. She acted on instinct, and lashed out with her foot. Ranma barely saw her move, and rolled to the inside of the side thrust kick. The girl was surprised to find the pigtailed boy dodging her, and torqued her leg over into a crescent kick. Ranma turned to face the oncoming kick, and dropped backwards with his right leg shooting up to kick the girl's leg at the knee. Instead of recieving punishment to her knee, the girl leapt into the air away from the other boy into a half gator, and landed facing away. Ranma had his left foot planted flat on the ground with the shin straight up, while his leg bent at the knee with the other leg crossed over it. The pigtailed boy had his arms crossed behind his head like he was resting, but with his body inclined diagonally with his left leg supplying the rise.
"Who are you?" the girl enquired; she had never seen anyone other than Ukyo-sama evade her attack like that.
Ranma smirked from his resting position, "Ranma, Saotome Ranma." The girl blinked, and suddenly dissappeared in a puff of smoke. Ranma himself blinked at the abrupt dissappearance, "Hmm, she was sure friendly..."
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"Ukyo-sama," the girl called out into the large room that looked in the midst of renovation.
"You're late," a distinguished voice called out from what looked to be a bar being repaired, it was hard to make out in the darkness, "Did you get some light bulbs?"
"Yes, and something else you may enjoy."
"Oh?"
"Saotome, Ranma." Ukyo's gring could almost be felt in the dark.
Arc of fire ignited in her position, its trail fading as it passed. Holding a burning fan, stood a lovely young woman wearing a full blood red hanging sleeve kimono with a navy blue obi. Ukyo's eyes seemed to dance from the fire's light flickering off of them. "Tell me more," she commanded in a slightly pleasant voice.
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"And she just dissappeared?" Akane asked, a bit sceptical of Ranma's story.
"Yup, the pigtailed boy stated as they both walked home from school, "I think she must have been some sort of Kunoichi or something, she was pretty good and she knows the Rhythm."
"Well, I can't say I'm too upset about it, I mean she did scare off the neighborhood bullies," the short-haired girl replied as they continued their trek home. Unknown to them, a figure up on the rooftops continued to tail them. Its mission was not to engage, but to make sure they recieved the invitation its mistress commanded it to issue.
Both Ranma and Akane walked into the Tendou home, and a few seconds later, a figure dressed in a slightly tattered ninja's uniform dropped down, and attached the note to the door. Once its mission was accomplished, it leapt back into the trees and to its home destination.
A few seconds later, a figure dressed in a stylish red Ninja's uniform dropped out from her hiding place, and glanced irritably to the direction the short black garbed ninja took off to. She went up to the door and pulled the note off that was addressed to Ranma from a Kodachi Kuno. She rolled her eyes, crumpled the paper up, and attached her own note to the door.
Kodachi would just have to miss Ranma this time, Ukyo had other plans for him tonight.
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"You are invited to the grand opening of Ucchans Verinda," Nabiki read out loud, as she walked into the house. Ranma was sitting in front of the TV, and perked up at the name.
"Nabiki, you say Ucchan?"
"That's the name of the club," the middle Tendou sister replied.
"Oh, a club? What kind?" Kasumi asked, curious to the new business opening near them.
"I guess some sort of nightclub, and it opens tonight."
Ranma was in front of Nabiki and Kasumi before they even realized he had gotten off of the couch, "Sounds tight, girls wanna go?"
Both Nabiki and Kasumi looked at each other, and replied in unison, "Sure."
"Husband too, too nice to take Shampoo and friends to nightclub!"
"Ah, hey Shampoo, nice of ya to tag along!" Ranma greeted, doing an impressive job of hiding the startledness of Shampoo's sudden appearance.
"What's going on down here?" Akane asked, walking downstairs and paused, "Oh, Shampoo, what are you doing here?"
The lavender haired girl smirked towards the raven-haired one before replying, "Ranma take Shampoo and Akane sisters to much dancing tonight." Shampoo's smirk got deeper, "No-beat girl want come too?"
Akane's brow furrowed, but managed to keep her reply reletively calm, "No-beat girl?"
"Is right, yes?" Shampoo replied, innocently, "You have more left feet than yak, and move like one, too."
"Ouch, harsh," Ranma whispered to Nabiki and Kasumi. Both girls only nodded in reply.
Akane's temper continued to steadily rise without guage, "I'll just let you know, that I happen to be a GREAT dancer, thank you!"
Shampoo blinked, and nodded in approval, "Shampoo see, Akane not so no-beat girl after all."
"Huh?" Akane asked, puzzled, "You haven't even seen me dance... he's behind me, isn't he?" Shampoo, Nabiki, and Kasumi nodded. "Ranma, would you be so kind as to remove your hands from my waist BEFORE I BREAK YOUR WRISTS?!"
"Chill, chill," Ranma placated, as he removed his hands from Akane so that she wasn't dancing with him anymore, "Just helping you to prove a point." Ranma flipped over Akane and onto the base of the stairs before the girl's swing could connect with him, "So, I guess we're all going to Ucchan's tonight? Sweet!"
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Ranma, Shampoo, Akane, Nabiki, and Kasumi arrived at the front entrance of Nerima's new nightclub. There was already an extensive line to get in, as many were starved to check out the newest addition to the area's nightlife. From the outside, a hard trance beat was permeating the air; everything that it came in contact pulsed with the heady four time beat that affected human bodies in a pleasant manner. Before even entering, adrenaline was running on high just from anticipation.
It was an old warehouse that had been turned into a verinda some time ago, and then renovated recently to become what it was now. The dark outside was lit by a few halogen lights against the walls under weather shelters, and the stylistic and bold neon light that announced the name of the club that every youth in Nerima wanted in.
Nabiki noted that the invitation was only for four people, and suggested that it should be a 'girl's night out.' From the unanimous vote against him, and the accusing glares the four girls were giving him, Ranma presumed it was more for keeping potential poachers off their perspective territory than any other excuse for prudence.
They each came with their own dress styles that Ranma assisted with helping them choose. Ranma herself wore a modified version of her usual red and black ensemble, but instead of the frogs fascened, a gold chain connected each to the complimenting hole on the other side, while her pants were shimmering windpants, and her slippers were glittering. Nabiki's outfit considted of a burgundy blouse with a navy blue vest left open that came down to her mid drift. She wore matching navy blue dress slacks with black slight heeled shoes. Kasumi wore low cut off-white blouse with a red hankerchief in the pocket. She complimented it with a dark red wraparound skirt with stalkings and off-white buckle high heeled shoes. Akane wore a white polo shirt with a dress silver shimmering dress shirt over it that was unbuttoned exept for the two near the middle. Her shirt cuffs remained unbuttoned, and she wore form-hugging black velvet pants wtih designer sneakers. She silently wondered to herself why Ranma hadn't had her wear a more femanine outfit. Shampoo came in a white babydoll t-shirt with a Super girl logo on it in pink. Her hair was coated in glitter that seemed to catch every light in the place. She completed her outfit in pink kung fu slippers, and heavy baggy jeans.
The five girls walked up to the front of the line, much to the angered chagrins of patrons that had been waiting for a while yet, and flashed the VP invitation to the security, just as it had instructed them to. the large men nodded, and opened a second door that hadn't been opened up all night.
"Wow, it's an elevator," Akane exclaimed as the girls walked in.
"Yeah, pretty posh, too," Nabiki replied, pushing a hand against the cushioned leather wall of the elevator, and estimating how much such a thing would cost.
"This too, too nice, Shampoo no go in VP elevator before. Is 'Little Red' first time too?"
Ranma-chan shrugged, "Na, I'm pretty descently known nowadays, so I get props."
The elevator's short ride ended, and opened up to a balcony that overlooked the rest of the dancefloor. Among the immense span was a sea of people, dancing as they could to the rhythmic vibes that enticed its listener to move in it's power. Neon blue lights encased in glass railings were the guide rails around the dancefloor, while the floor itself was made of light up panel that flashed a soft yellow to blue, and to red on the beat. The floor lights were accompanied by a dazzling light show that reflected off of strategically placed mirrors and strobed the massive floor area for an asthetic effect that didn't boggle the senses, but intermingled with the rest of the atmosphere to enhance the mood. It was a powerful sight below them that took the Tendou Girl's breaths away. Never had they been privy to experiencing such an ordeal.
"Oh my," Kasumi exclaimed, as she looked down with slight anxiety.
"Wow," Nabiki followed, after managing to regain her breath.
"We... are going to be in that?" Akane shouted over the music nervously.
"Not unless you want to," A voice said behind them. All five girls turned to see a light brown haired girl dressed in a white blouse that was frilly at the neck and cuffs, and tight pink leather pants that flaired at the bottom, "I see you recieved a VIP invitation..." The girl seemed to pause, as she looked over the girls, "Um, shouldn't there be one more of you?"
"Huh? I thought this was only for four..." Ranma paused, as she noted Nabiki, Shampoo, and Akane's glare, "er, five people."
"Um, I mean five cute girls such as yourselves should have a guy with you," the girl recovered, attempting not to cause suspicion, "Anyway, you can take the walkway to the stage that's fenced off from the rest of the dancers in the middle of the floor there. Only our invited guests are allowed in there." The girls looked towards the center, seeing the dancefloor that was being refered to. The floor stayed a constant soft white, and though it was a large area, it had no inhabitants. The only way to get to it was the bridge that lead to a spiraling and sparkling stairway that descended into it.
"Coool!" Akane, Nabiki, and Kasumi said at once. The girls made their way to the designated dance floor, unnoticing their hostess pull out a cellphone.
"Ukyo-sama, Ranma's not with them."
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Ukyo sat in the managerial balcony, and watched the five girls enter the danceway, She clicked her tongue in slight annoyance, and brought the cellphone back to her ear, "Don't worry about it, just keep an eye out for him, alright?"
She put up the phone, and folded her hands over her lap, "Damn you, Ranma Saotome. Just like you to keep a girl waiting."
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As soon as they hit the ground, Ranma and Shampoo were moving to the groove, quickly becoming lost in themselves. Nabiki tentatively joined in, though much more reserved until she built up a bit more nerve at being in the center of attention. Kasumi surprisingly threw caution to the wind and danced in a way that could only be considered provacatively scandelous. Akane looked on nervously, and became self concious. They were in the middle of it all, and though she could dance okay in her own opinion, Ranma and Shampoo totally outclassed her. The raven-haired girl ended up hugging the stairway and bobbing her head to the music.
The girl with the ponytail, wearing a metallic reflective gold vest and pant set over a read blouse, looked from where she was about to change music tracks and down to the dancefloor. Her eyes narrowed, as she caught sight of the five *girls* that habited it, with no boys in sight. Her eyebrows raised, as she noticed one of them.
Her look turned to the door girl at the VIP elevator, and as if just knowing, the other girl turned to look back. The girl running the turntables jerked her head to the center stage, and mouthed 'Little Red'. The other girl's eyebrows raised, and she turned to look. She caught sight of the redheaded girl, who was completely outstyling the other four girls on the floor.
The door girl's expression grew into a smirk, as she nodded her head towards the center floor. The other girl nodded back, and motioned one of the other DJs to come up to the booth. She gave instructions on what she wanted played next, and then walked off.
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The majority of the crowd was now watching the center stage, and the girls who were grooving it up with serious style. Akane stared in amazement, as even Nabiki began to lose her reservations, and started dancing lively. What really was throwing the youngest Tendou daughter for a loop, was the way Kasumi shook her behind, jerking it side to side at the punctuation of each lead heavy bass beat, while her arms twisted sensuously in the air above her head.
Ranma and Shampoo were holding an impromptu dance-off; taking turns to show off some of their moves. Right when Shampoo was about to take her turn, from on high, a girl leapt down and landed kneeling between them. A second girl, which Akane recognized as the one that met them at the door, strode down the stairway and towards Ranma and Shampoo.
The two newcomers came to stand next to each other about five feet apart, turned towards each other, and nodded. In unison, they skipped to the left, then skipped to the right on beat. The then slid smoothly left, then right in the same beat, leapt into the air, and landed on their left foot with their right foot kicked out to the side. They switched feet, kicking their left foot out with their right foot braced on the ground, and then switching back; getting lower as they did so. Once they were in squatting position, they lept up in sync, landed on their heels, twisted on their heels to the right while twisting their torso to the left as they put their own left fist against their right fist at their chests. They then finished by skidding back, dragging their right feet on the heels with their right hands out in gesture to Ranma with their heads bowed.
Ranma nodded in approval, as the crowd the performance; the redhead couldn't leave this challenge unanswered. She motioned Shampoo to keep out of it. and began to step wide, signifying she was about to breakdance.
Ranma suddenly began to go into a tricky series of steps, and then leapt into the air. She landed solidly, and pumped her arms at chest level. She rolled her body and kicked her right leg at the end of it. She then swung her right leg back, and flipped forward, landing on her hands and left foot in a crab position with the right leg straight out in front. She planted her right foot out straight, and twisted to her right with her left leg still bent. She turned back down to land her left foot, and began to six step. Half way through it, she swung her right leg under her in a sweep, pushed herself up slightly into the air and spun once horizontally. She landed on her hands and toes, with her body straight out, continued the rest of her six step, and then leapt up and kicked her feet straight into the air. She landed on her right forearm, and then suddenly dropped it down onto the right side of her neck and shoulder, still holding her balance with her legs out almost in the side splits. She kicked her feet together, launcher her back up into an upright position, held her arms out to the side, and then bowed her head and dropped her arms down at the same time.
Ranma-chan entrage stood, wide eyed. Even Shampoo was clearly impressed. The crowd apparently agreed with their sentiments, as they wee roaring even louder than before.
The two challengers looked at each other with raised eyebrows, and then their expressions grew a bit more serious. In sync, they turned to the right, shaking their right hand, and then to the left with their right hand pointing to the left, still shaking. They hopped into a skip, spun in opposite directions, and then leapt and landed on their backs, with their legs folded up to their torsos. They kicked back up leapt up and twisted into a half gator. They then landed on their right hands and spun. The both pushed off back to their feet, and then did an arm plant with their left hands in unison.
Ranma clapped, and started to skip around in trucky steps. She dropped down and went into a flare, and then into an adidas windmill. She kicked her legs up and herself into a spinning hand stand, and then lowered herself onto her head. She spread her legs to the side for balance, and planted her hands on the side of her head. She twisted her legs one way, and then back the other, while helping herself into the spin with her hands. She repeated this several times, until she was in a solid headspin, and begun to unfasten her shirt. Everyone watched, impressed, as she removed her shirt to reveal a black sports bra, and tossed it to Kasumi, who caught it without flinching. Ranma pulled her legs in, causing her spin to become tighter and faster, and then planted her hands on the ground after several seconds, pushed herself up quickly, and dropped onto her back for a backspin. After a few seconds of that, she kicked herself up to kneeling, with her chin resting on her fist in pose.
The lights went out suddenly, and just as instantly came on. Between the two challenging dancers, stood a young lady with long chestnut hair, wearing a snow white kimono with an emerald green obi. "Impressive," she said in a collected tone, "For your skills on the floor, I openly invite you to attend Ucchans anytime you like without cost." She gestured to the two girls at her side, "This is Konatsu" she said pointing to the one in the gold ensemble, "and this is Tsubasa," the girl in the blouse nodded her head, "May I ask your name, sugar? For the permenant VIP list."
Konatsu could answer, the redhead spoke up, "Print it as, 'Lil Red', but the name's Ranma Saotome."
Konatsu, Ukyo, and Tsubasa froze, and then repeated in unison, "RANMA SAOTOME?!?"
"Yeah, I'm popular," the redhead beamed.
"And egotistical," Akane grumbled.
"But... you're a girl!" Ukyo said incredulously, "You mean to tell me that you are the child of Genma Saotome?"
Ranma began to get nervous, "Uh, what did the old man do this time?"
"You...." Ukyo hissed, "You left me behind, all those years ago."
"Huh?" Ranma replied, "I can't say I remember you, doll."
"So, you've forgotten me since when we were little kids, huh?" Ukyo quizzed forcefully, "I guess best friends never keep their promises, huh?"
"Best..." Ranma mouthed to herself, before something clicked, "UCCHAN! OKONOMIYAKI UCCHAN!!!!"
"So, you remember me," Ucchan hissed.
"Uhhh, Jusenkyo?"
Ucchan paused for a sec, and turned to look at Konatsu, who shrugged and mouthed 'I don't know'. She then turned back to Ranma and shook her head slightly.
"Uh, cross-dresser?"
"What the hell are you babbling about?" Ukyo shouted.
"Well, you're supposed to be a guy!"
"And you're not supposed to ge a girl!" Ukyo began to growl, "You mean to tell me, that my father engaged me to ANOTHER GIRL?!?"
"ENGAGED?!?" Ranma shouted in surprise, "Oh Pop, we're gonna discuss this..."
"ENOUGH!" Ukyo drew Ranma's attention back to herself, "FOR MY DISHONOR, I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE! BEHOLD! THE KUNOICHI SCHOOL OF THE SPARROW FANS!" Ukyo spun once, and produced two long beams about half her length in each hand, and slapped them together. A spark of flame ignited, and she ran forward at Ranma, becoming encased in a fire comet, "FLAMING SPARROW!!!!"
Ranma leapt into the air and into a half gator, before the ball of flame collided with him. She landed at the same time Ukyo came to a stop. Ukyo's beams opened up into oversized fans, which were used to snuff the flames encasing her.
"RANMA!" Shampoo, Akane, Nabiki, and Kasumi shouted out at once in alarm.
Ranma began to skip back and forth in stance, As Ukyo seemed to glide towards the redhead. Ranma turned to her left, crossing her right leg over the other, and then twisted to her right, launching herself into a spin kick. Ukyo spun to the outside of it, and committed a horizontal swipe with her left fan. Ranma dropped down into a left leg sweep, that went through Ukyo's legs as if they weren't tangible, but kicking up the kimono as they passed through. Ukyo drew both her oversized fans back, and swiped at Ranma. The redhead leapt high into the air, tumbling and twisting, and landed a good distance away, staring at her once childhood friend in surprise.
Ukyo seemed to glide once again towards Ranma, and the pigtailed girl met her head on. Ukyo flicked her wrists, and several smaller fans spun towards Ranma. She weaved around the projectiles, and leaned towards Ukyo with a backfist. Ukyo parried the blow with a fluidness and grace few of them had ever seen, and tried to hit Ranma in the face with the same fan. Ranma rolled her head down and around it, and brought her right leg up and around in an attempt to connect the outside of her foot with Ukyo's head. Her opponent once again parried with her right, at the same time turning to her right and rolling around Ranma.
The pigtailed girl brought her right foot down, and bent backwards to avoid the horizontal swipe that passed just over her nose from behind. She then dropped to the ground, and spun into a helicopter kick that parried the vertical fan swipe, and forced Ukyo to spin away.
Ranma kicked back onto her feet, and leapt at Ukyo with her legs first; attempting a scissor kick. Ukyo leapt through her legs, and flipped while keeping her body completely straight as she glared down at her opponent.
The redhead back spun, and leapt using her back muscles out of the way of the fans that stuck into the dance floor. She righted herself, and turned to see Ukyo staring blankly at her. The girl in the kimono then slumped to the ground, to reveal Shampoo standing irritated, with one of her bonbori in hand. Ranma looked over and saw Akane holding Konatsu and Tsubasa's heads together, both obviously out cold.
"I guess we aren't going to be staying for the after party?" Ranma asked with a nervous chuckle.
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Next day...
"Oh, look, Ucchan sent us permenant VIP passes," Kasumi exclaimed, "Isn't that nice of her? She even says she wants to let bygones be bygones!"
"Yeah, like you should really trust her," Akane growled from where she was sitting. Shampoo nodded in agreement.
"So, who's up for Ucchan's tonight?" Ranma asked cheerfully.
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"Soon, Ranma Saotome. First I will befriend you, and then earn your trust, and when you least expect it..." Ukyo crushed the ice pack she was holding against her head in her fist. She blinked, when she realized what she did, and growled.
"TSUBASA, ANOTHER ICE PACK!"
Rhythmer's Fist
'Ukyo'
::Theme for Ukyo and her crew; 'Recovery' by Tozer::
"Now what's a pretty lil' thing like you doing out after dark like this?" One of the punks wearing animal masks asked the exorbantly dressed young woman, wearing a tight forest green that was more for hiding her modesty than support under her red fishnet tee shirt. She wore red metallic pants with matching kung-fu slipper, along with wrist bands of the same material. Her ponytail was done at the top of her head, and woven into it every so often were red, green, and metallic beads.
"I was getting supplies that you so rudely relieved me of," the girl challenged, with her back still against the brick wall. Ranma had been swaying to the rhythm in his own private rave, when it was interrupted by the conversation on the other side of the wall. With curiousity, The pigtailed boy paused, to listen to more.
"Awww, we're so sorry, allow us to help you carry them back to our place, sweetie!" The second one stated with saccarine sweetness. Ranma figured what was about to happen, but decided to see how far it could play out before requiring his intervention.
"No, thank you, I have appointments to keep," the girl stated firmly, and attempted to lightly shove the punk in front of her away.
"But our place is just soooo much closer!" a third one stated in a way that brooked no argument, and grabbed the girl roughly by the arm. The young girl bobbed her head one side, and then to the other, as if she had just caught a catchy rhythm.
That was the signal that Ranma needed; before he could act, however, the pigtailed boy felt... another beat.
The other three punks stared incredulously, as their leader that attempted to accoust the girl was on the other side of the wall. Ranma blinked, and stared through the comical hole that was created by his passing... right through it.
"Another practitioner!" Ranma thought to himself, looking at the girl who was standing straight with her arms folded, but her eyes closed with her head bobbing. She had a style that seemed subdued to Ranma, like Shinobi. The other punks decided that their attentions would be more constructive elsewhere, lest their bodys be used also for destructive purposes.
The girl sniffed in distain, allowing her metallic sheen contacts to glitter from the street lights; she was one of Ukyo's crew, if they only knew what touching her would bring upon them.
"Hey!" Ranma called out, alerting the girl to his presence. She acted on instinct, and lashed out with her foot. Ranma barely saw her move, and rolled to the inside of the side thrust kick. The girl was surprised to find the pigtailed boy dodging her, and torqued her leg over into a crescent kick. Ranma turned to face the oncoming kick, and dropped backwards with his right leg shooting up to kick the girl's leg at the knee. Instead of recieving punishment to her knee, the girl leapt into the air away from the other boy into a half gator, and landed facing away. Ranma had his left foot planted flat on the ground with the shin straight up, while his leg bent at the knee with the other leg crossed over it. The pigtailed boy had his arms crossed behind his head like he was resting, but with his body inclined diagonally with his left leg supplying the rise.
"Who are you?" the girl enquired; she had never seen anyone other than Ukyo-sama evade her attack like that.
Ranma smirked from his resting position, "Ranma, Saotome Ranma." The girl blinked, and suddenly dissappeared in a puff of smoke. Ranma himself blinked at the abrupt dissappearance, "Hmm, she was sure friendly..."
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"Ukyo-sama," the girl called out into the large room that looked in the midst of renovation.
"You're late," a distinguished voice called out from what looked to be a bar being repaired, it was hard to make out in the darkness, "Did you get some light bulbs?"
"Yes, and something else you may enjoy."
"Oh?"
"Saotome, Ranma." Ukyo's gring could almost be felt in the dark.
Arc of fire ignited in her position, its trail fading as it passed. Holding a burning fan, stood a lovely young woman wearing a full blood red hanging sleeve kimono with a navy blue obi. Ukyo's eyes seemed to dance from the fire's light flickering off of them. "Tell me more," she commanded in a slightly pleasant voice.
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"And she just dissappeared?" Akane asked, a bit sceptical of Ranma's story.
"Yup, the pigtailed boy stated as they both walked home from school, "I think she must have been some sort of Kunoichi or something, she was pretty good and she knows the Rhythm."
"Well, I can't say I'm too upset about it, I mean she did scare off the neighborhood bullies," the short-haired girl replied as they continued their trek home. Unknown to them, a figure up on the rooftops continued to tail them. Its mission was not to engage, but to make sure they recieved the invitation its mistress commanded it to issue.
Both Ranma and Akane walked into the Tendou home, and a few seconds later, a figure dressed in a slightly tattered ninja's uniform dropped down, and attached the note to the door. Once its mission was accomplished, it leapt back into the trees and to its home destination.
A few seconds later, a figure dressed in a stylish red Ninja's uniform dropped out from her hiding place, and glanced irritably to the direction the short black garbed ninja took off to. She went up to the door and pulled the note off that was addressed to Ranma from a Kodachi Kuno. She rolled her eyes, crumpled the paper up, and attached her own note to the door.
Kodachi would just have to miss Ranma this time, Ukyo had other plans for him tonight.
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"You are invited to the grand opening of Ucchans Verinda," Nabiki read out loud, as she walked into the house. Ranma was sitting in front of the TV, and perked up at the name.
"Nabiki, you say Ucchan?"
"That's the name of the club," the middle Tendou sister replied.
"Oh, a club? What kind?" Kasumi asked, curious to the new business opening near them.
"I guess some sort of nightclub, and it opens tonight."
Ranma was in front of Nabiki and Kasumi before they even realized he had gotten off of the couch, "Sounds tight, girls wanna go?"
Both Nabiki and Kasumi looked at each other, and replied in unison, "Sure."
"Husband too, too nice to take Shampoo and friends to nightclub!"
"Ah, hey Shampoo, nice of ya to tag along!" Ranma greeted, doing an impressive job of hiding the startledness of Shampoo's sudden appearance.
"What's going on down here?" Akane asked, walking downstairs and paused, "Oh, Shampoo, what are you doing here?"
The lavender haired girl smirked towards the raven-haired one before replying, "Ranma take Shampoo and Akane sisters to much dancing tonight." Shampoo's smirk got deeper, "No-beat girl want come too?"
Akane's brow furrowed, but managed to keep her reply reletively calm, "No-beat girl?"
"Is right, yes?" Shampoo replied, innocently, "You have more left feet than yak, and move like one, too."
"Ouch, harsh," Ranma whispered to Nabiki and Kasumi. Both girls only nodded in reply.
Akane's temper continued to steadily rise without guage, "I'll just let you know, that I happen to be a GREAT dancer, thank you!"
Shampoo blinked, and nodded in approval, "Shampoo see, Akane not so no-beat girl after all."
"Huh?" Akane asked, puzzled, "You haven't even seen me dance... he's behind me, isn't he?" Shampoo, Nabiki, and Kasumi nodded. "Ranma, would you be so kind as to remove your hands from my waist BEFORE I BREAK YOUR WRISTS?!"
"Chill, chill," Ranma placated, as he removed his hands from Akane so that she wasn't dancing with him anymore, "Just helping you to prove a point." Ranma flipped over Akane and onto the base of the stairs before the girl's swing could connect with him, "So, I guess we're all going to Ucchan's tonight? Sweet!"
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Ranma, Shampoo, Akane, Nabiki, and Kasumi arrived at the front entrance of Nerima's new nightclub. There was already an extensive line to get in, as many were starved to check out the newest addition to the area's nightlife. From the outside, a hard trance beat was permeating the air; everything that it came in contact pulsed with the heady four time beat that affected human bodies in a pleasant manner. Before even entering, adrenaline was running on high just from anticipation.
It was an old warehouse that had been turned into a verinda some time ago, and then renovated recently to become what it was now. The dark outside was lit by a few halogen lights against the walls under weather shelters, and the stylistic and bold neon light that announced the name of the club that every youth in Nerima wanted in.
Nabiki noted that the invitation was only for four people, and suggested that it should be a 'girl's night out.' From the unanimous vote against him, and the accusing glares the four girls were giving him, Ranma presumed it was more for keeping potential poachers off their perspective territory than any other excuse for prudence.
They each came with their own dress styles that Ranma assisted with helping them choose. Ranma herself wore a modified version of her usual red and black ensemble, but instead of the frogs fascened, a gold chain connected each to the complimenting hole on the other side, while her pants were shimmering windpants, and her slippers were glittering. Nabiki's outfit considted of a burgundy blouse with a navy blue vest left open that came down to her mid drift. She wore matching navy blue dress slacks with black slight heeled shoes. Kasumi wore low cut off-white blouse with a red hankerchief in the pocket. She complimented it with a dark red wraparound skirt with stalkings and off-white buckle high heeled shoes. Akane wore a white polo shirt with a dress silver shimmering dress shirt over it that was unbuttoned exept for the two near the middle. Her shirt cuffs remained unbuttoned, and she wore form-hugging black velvet pants wtih designer sneakers. She silently wondered to herself why Ranma hadn't had her wear a more femanine outfit. Shampoo came in a white babydoll t-shirt with a Super girl logo on it in pink. Her hair was coated in glitter that seemed to catch every light in the place. She completed her outfit in pink kung fu slippers, and heavy baggy jeans.
The five girls walked up to the front of the line, much to the angered chagrins of patrons that had been waiting for a while yet, and flashed the VP invitation to the security, just as it had instructed them to. the large men nodded, and opened a second door that hadn't been opened up all night.
"Wow, it's an elevator," Akane exclaimed as the girls walked in.
"Yeah, pretty posh, too," Nabiki replied, pushing a hand against the cushioned leather wall of the elevator, and estimating how much such a thing would cost.
"This too, too nice, Shampoo no go in VP elevator before. Is 'Little Red' first time too?"
Ranma-chan shrugged, "Na, I'm pretty descently known nowadays, so I get props."
The elevator's short ride ended, and opened up to a balcony that overlooked the rest of the dancefloor. Among the immense span was a sea of people, dancing as they could to the rhythmic vibes that enticed its listener to move in it's power. Neon blue lights encased in glass railings were the guide rails around the dancefloor, while the floor itself was made of light up panel that flashed a soft yellow to blue, and to red on the beat. The floor lights were accompanied by a dazzling light show that reflected off of strategically placed mirrors and strobed the massive floor area for an asthetic effect that didn't boggle the senses, but intermingled with the rest of the atmosphere to enhance the mood. It was a powerful sight below them that took the Tendou Girl's breaths away. Never had they been privy to experiencing such an ordeal.
"Oh my," Kasumi exclaimed, as she looked down with slight anxiety.
"Wow," Nabiki followed, after managing to regain her breath.
"We... are going to be in that?" Akane shouted over the music nervously.
"Not unless you want to," A voice said behind them. All five girls turned to see a light brown haired girl dressed in a white blouse that was frilly at the neck and cuffs, and tight pink leather pants that flaired at the bottom, "I see you recieved a VIP invitation..." The girl seemed to pause, as she looked over the girls, "Um, shouldn't there be one more of you?"
"Huh? I thought this was only for four..." Ranma paused, as she noted Nabiki, Shampoo, and Akane's glare, "er, five people."
"Um, I mean five cute girls such as yourselves should have a guy with you," the girl recovered, attempting not to cause suspicion, "Anyway, you can take the walkway to the stage that's fenced off from the rest of the dancers in the middle of the floor there. Only our invited guests are allowed in there." The girls looked towards the center, seeing the dancefloor that was being refered to. The floor stayed a constant soft white, and though it was a large area, it had no inhabitants. The only way to get to it was the bridge that lead to a spiraling and sparkling stairway that descended into it.
"Coool!" Akane, Nabiki, and Kasumi said at once. The girls made their way to the designated dance floor, unnoticing their hostess pull out a cellphone.
"Ukyo-sama, Ranma's not with them."
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Ukyo sat in the managerial balcony, and watched the five girls enter the danceway, She clicked her tongue in slight annoyance, and brought the cellphone back to her ear, "Don't worry about it, just keep an eye out for him, alright?"
She put up the phone, and folded her hands over her lap, "Damn you, Ranma Saotome. Just like you to keep a girl waiting."
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As soon as they hit the ground, Ranma and Shampoo were moving to the groove, quickly becoming lost in themselves. Nabiki tentatively joined in, though much more reserved until she built up a bit more nerve at being in the center of attention. Kasumi surprisingly threw caution to the wind and danced in a way that could only be considered provacatively scandelous. Akane looked on nervously, and became self concious. They were in the middle of it all, and though she could dance okay in her own opinion, Ranma and Shampoo totally outclassed her. The raven-haired girl ended up hugging the stairway and bobbing her head to the music.
The girl with the ponytail, wearing a metallic reflective gold vest and pant set over a read blouse, looked from where she was about to change music tracks and down to the dancefloor. Her eyes narrowed, as she caught sight of the five *girls* that habited it, with no boys in sight. Her eyebrows raised, as she noticed one of them.
Her look turned to the door girl at the VIP elevator, and as if just knowing, the other girl turned to look back. The girl running the turntables jerked her head to the center stage, and mouthed 'Little Red'. The other girl's eyebrows raised, and she turned to look. She caught sight of the redheaded girl, who was completely outstyling the other four girls on the floor.
The door girl's expression grew into a smirk, as she nodded her head towards the center floor. The other girl nodded back, and motioned one of the other DJs to come up to the booth. She gave instructions on what she wanted played next, and then walked off.
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The majority of the crowd was now watching the center stage, and the girls who were grooving it up with serious style. Akane stared in amazement, as even Nabiki began to lose her reservations, and started dancing lively. What really was throwing the youngest Tendou daughter for a loop, was the way Kasumi shook her behind, jerking it side to side at the punctuation of each lead heavy bass beat, while her arms twisted sensuously in the air above her head.
Ranma and Shampoo were holding an impromptu dance-off; taking turns to show off some of their moves. Right when Shampoo was about to take her turn, from on high, a girl leapt down and landed kneeling between them. A second girl, which Akane recognized as the one that met them at the door, strode down the stairway and towards Ranma and Shampoo.
The two newcomers came to stand next to each other about five feet apart, turned towards each other, and nodded. In unison, they skipped to the left, then skipped to the right on beat. The then slid smoothly left, then right in the same beat, leapt into the air, and landed on their left foot with their right foot kicked out to the side. They switched feet, kicking their left foot out with their right foot braced on the ground, and then switching back; getting lower as they did so. Once they were in squatting position, they lept up in sync, landed on their heels, twisted on their heels to the right while twisting their torso to the left as they put their own left fist against their right fist at their chests. They then finished by skidding back, dragging their right feet on the heels with their right hands out in gesture to Ranma with their heads bowed.
Ranma nodded in approval, as the crowd the performance; the redhead couldn't leave this challenge unanswered. She motioned Shampoo to keep out of it. and began to step wide, signifying she was about to breakdance.
Ranma suddenly began to go into a tricky series of steps, and then leapt into the air. She landed solidly, and pumped her arms at chest level. She rolled her body and kicked her right leg at the end of it. She then swung her right leg back, and flipped forward, landing on her hands and left foot in a crab position with the right leg straight out in front. She planted her right foot out straight, and twisted to her right with her left leg still bent. She turned back down to land her left foot, and began to six step. Half way through it, she swung her right leg under her in a sweep, pushed herself up slightly into the air and spun once horizontally. She landed on her hands and toes, with her body straight out, continued the rest of her six step, and then leapt up and kicked her feet straight into the air. She landed on her right forearm, and then suddenly dropped it down onto the right side of her neck and shoulder, still holding her balance with her legs out almost in the side splits. She kicked her feet together, launcher her back up into an upright position, held her arms out to the side, and then bowed her head and dropped her arms down at the same time.
Ranma-chan entrage stood, wide eyed. Even Shampoo was clearly impressed. The crowd apparently agreed with their sentiments, as they wee roaring even louder than before.
The two challengers looked at each other with raised eyebrows, and then their expressions grew a bit more serious. In sync, they turned to the right, shaking their right hand, and then to the left with their right hand pointing to the left, still shaking. They hopped into a skip, spun in opposite directions, and then leapt and landed on their backs, with their legs folded up to their torsos. They kicked back up leapt up and twisted into a half gator. They then landed on their right hands and spun. The both pushed off back to their feet, and then did an arm plant with their left hands in unison.
Ranma clapped, and started to skip around in trucky steps. She dropped down and went into a flare, and then into an adidas windmill. She kicked her legs up and herself into a spinning hand stand, and then lowered herself onto her head. She spread her legs to the side for balance, and planted her hands on the side of her head. She twisted her legs one way, and then back the other, while helping herself into the spin with her hands. She repeated this several times, until she was in a solid headspin, and begun to unfasten her shirt. Everyone watched, impressed, as she removed her shirt to reveal a black sports bra, and tossed it to Kasumi, who caught it without flinching. Ranma pulled her legs in, causing her spin to become tighter and faster, and then planted her hands on the ground after several seconds, pushed herself up quickly, and dropped onto her back for a backspin. After a few seconds of that, she kicked herself up to kneeling, with her chin resting on her fist in pose.
The lights went out suddenly, and just as instantly came on. Between the two challenging dancers, stood a young lady with long chestnut hair, wearing a snow white kimono with an emerald green obi. "Impressive," she said in a collected tone, "For your skills on the floor, I openly invite you to attend Ucchans anytime you like without cost." She gestured to the two girls at her side, "This is Konatsu" she said pointing to the one in the gold ensemble, "and this is Tsubasa," the girl in the blouse nodded her head, "May I ask your name, sugar? For the permenant VIP list."
Konatsu could answer, the redhead spoke up, "Print it as, 'Lil Red', but the name's Ranma Saotome."
Konatsu, Ukyo, and Tsubasa froze, and then repeated in unison, "RANMA SAOTOME?!?"
"Yeah, I'm popular," the redhead beamed.
"And egotistical," Akane grumbled.
"But... you're a girl!" Ukyo said incredulously, "You mean to tell me that you are the child of Genma Saotome?"
Ranma began to get nervous, "Uh, what did the old man do this time?"
"You...." Ukyo hissed, "You left me behind, all those years ago."
"Huh?" Ranma replied, "I can't say I remember you, doll."
"So, you've forgotten me since when we were little kids, huh?" Ukyo quizzed forcefully, "I guess best friends never keep their promises, huh?"
"Best..." Ranma mouthed to herself, before something clicked, "UCCHAN! OKONOMIYAKI UCCHAN!!!!"
"So, you remember me," Ucchan hissed.
"Uhhh, Jusenkyo?"
Ucchan paused for a sec, and turned to look at Konatsu, who shrugged and mouthed 'I don't know'. She then turned back to Ranma and shook her head slightly.
"Uh, cross-dresser?"
"What the hell are you babbling about?" Ukyo shouted.
"Well, you're supposed to be a guy!"
"And you're not supposed to ge a girl!" Ukyo began to growl, "You mean to tell me, that my father engaged me to ANOTHER GIRL?!?"
"ENGAGED?!?" Ranma shouted in surprise, "Oh Pop, we're gonna discuss this..."
"ENOUGH!" Ukyo drew Ranma's attention back to herself, "FOR MY DISHONOR, I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE! BEHOLD! THE KUNOICHI SCHOOL OF THE SPARROW FANS!" Ukyo spun once, and produced two long beams about half her length in each hand, and slapped them together. A spark of flame ignited, and she ran forward at Ranma, becoming encased in a fire comet, "FLAMING SPARROW!!!!"
Ranma leapt into the air and into a half gator, before the ball of flame collided with him. She landed at the same time Ukyo came to a stop. Ukyo's beams opened up into oversized fans, which were used to snuff the flames encasing her.
"RANMA!" Shampoo, Akane, Nabiki, and Kasumi shouted out at once in alarm.
Ranma began to skip back and forth in stance, As Ukyo seemed to glide towards the redhead. Ranma turned to her left, crossing her right leg over the other, and then twisted to her right, launching herself into a spin kick. Ukyo spun to the outside of it, and committed a horizontal swipe with her left fan. Ranma dropped down into a left leg sweep, that went through Ukyo's legs as if they weren't tangible, but kicking up the kimono as they passed through. Ukyo drew both her oversized fans back, and swiped at Ranma. The redhead leapt high into the air, tumbling and twisting, and landed a good distance away, staring at her once childhood friend in surprise.
Ukyo seemed to glide once again towards Ranma, and the pigtailed girl met her head on. Ukyo flicked her wrists, and several smaller fans spun towards Ranma. She weaved around the projectiles, and leaned towards Ukyo with a backfist. Ukyo parried the blow with a fluidness and grace few of them had ever seen, and tried to hit Ranma in the face with the same fan. Ranma rolled her head down and around it, and brought her right leg up and around in an attempt to connect the outside of her foot with Ukyo's head. Her opponent once again parried with her right, at the same time turning to her right and rolling around Ranma.
The pigtailed girl brought her right foot down, and bent backwards to avoid the horizontal swipe that passed just over her nose from behind. She then dropped to the ground, and spun into a helicopter kick that parried the vertical fan swipe, and forced Ukyo to spin away.
Ranma kicked back onto her feet, and leapt at Ukyo with her legs first; attempting a scissor kick. Ukyo leapt through her legs, and flipped while keeping her body completely straight as she glared down at her opponent.
The redhead back spun, and leapt using her back muscles out of the way of the fans that stuck into the dance floor. She righted herself, and turned to see Ukyo staring blankly at her. The girl in the kimono then slumped to the ground, to reveal Shampoo standing irritated, with one of her bonbori in hand. Ranma looked over and saw Akane holding Konatsu and Tsubasa's heads together, both obviously out cold.
"I guess we aren't going to be staying for the after party?" Ranma asked with a nervous chuckle.
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Next day...
"Oh, look, Ucchan sent us permenant VIP passes," Kasumi exclaimed, "Isn't that nice of her? She even says she wants to let bygones be bygones!"
"Yeah, like you should really trust her," Akane growled from where she was sitting. Shampoo nodded in agreement.
"So, who's up for Ucchan's tonight?" Ranma asked cheerfully.
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"Soon, Ranma Saotome. First I will befriend you, and then earn your trust, and when you least expect it..." Ukyo crushed the ice pack she was holding against her head in her fist. She blinked, when she realized what she did, and growled.
"TSUBASA, ANOTHER ICE PACK!"