Ranma Tales ½: Chapter 19 – The Games they Play

Part 1: Three New Sisters

School the next week should have been quiet, or so everyone figured. You know how many big events can really happen in a row? That was not to be the case however. Just like the other day homeroom was interrupted by a knock on the door and the arrival of someone new. Or in this case three someones.

They wore what could be thought of as the schools girl's uniform dress. Sort of. For those unfamiliar with the Furikan girl's uniform, it consists of four pieces: A skirt that goes below the knee, a white dress blouse, a small over-shirt that is sleeveless, and finally a jacket for cold weather. It's also in a dark blue except for the blouse.

What these girls had on had the same parts, though it was to warm to where the jacket. The skirt though was not as loose and only came about half-way down each thigh. To accent this, they wore white socks which came up to the knee. The blouse was also short, only coming to just below the belly button, and tight across the chest accenting their bust. The over-shirt looked more like a vest to the point of having a series of buttons down the front. The effect was rather impressive and made them look a lot like distiled sin. At least one poor boy with a school fetish fell out of his seat.

Even the teacher wasn't immune to their obvious charms, he stood staring blankly at them as they came to his desk. They handed him a slip of paper which after some effort he managed to read. He finally says "Well it seems like we have more new students. They have been away from Japan for the last couple of years, due to their parents taking them to America. Why don't you three introduce yourselves?"

The girl in the middle smiles at him and says, with a slight purr to her voice "Thank you sensei." She turns to face the class and says "We are the Shinjugi triplets. I'm Aya."

The girl to Aya's left says "I'm Kasha."

The girl on the right says "I'm Nori."

Aya takes over again and says "We are very happy to be back in Japan." Then as one they say "Please take good care of us." Though the way they say it, makes at least one boy collapse with a nose bleed at the overt sexual overtone.

This of course makes most of the girls less than happy, not that they were all that happy after finding out Ukyo was a girl yesterday to begin with. Trying to take back some semblance of control the teacher directs the three sisters to take seats in the back of the class.

The girls smile to everyone as they walk by. Nori stops by Ukyo's desk and gives her a hungry look that makes Ukyo squirm. Nori asks in a sultry voice "Why don't you come with me after school today and we can have some fun..."

Ukyo stammers at the girls blunt manner and says "I'm really a girl!"

Without even blinking, Nori practically purrs "So? That just makes things more interesting..."

Ukyo blushes furiously and says "I... Uh... I don't think so... I have to be somewhere after school today..."

Nori asks "So how about tomorrow...?"

Ukyo stammers again, but manages to say "I... Uh... Have things to do all this week at least..."

Nori leans closer to Ukyo so that they are only a few inches apart and says in a low voice "Ah... Your no fun... I'm sure my sisters would have loved to help us out..." She pulls back and as she does so, she runs a fingernail along Ukyo's cheek, making her shiver.

The class is just stunned by the whole scene. It takes several minutes for the situation to settle in. Then all hell breaks loose as furious conversations swirl around the room. Ranma however noticed something else. Technically it wasn't strange with the way they acted, but each one had a strong dark taint to their auras. What was strange was how strong each aura was, in the room only Ukyo and Akane had anywhere near as strong any aura. 'Just who are these girls?'

Part 2: Upon Leaving School

This, being a Saturday class, ended after half a day. So Ranma and Akane were walking out the front when Nabiki caught up to them. Nabiki smiled and said "I hear you got some interesting new students in your class..."

Akane groans and says "Don't remind me... We hardly got anything done with them around... They are insane!"

Ranma shrugged "I'm not sure their insane... They sure do seem... Passionate... However."

Akane huffs "Sure to anything with two legs they are..."

By this point they're walking up to the gate, where all three stop as they spot two familiar figures. The shorter of the two girls waves and says "Hiya Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki!"

Nabiki smiles and says "Hello Kaori. Hitome. What brings you two here?"

Kaori starts to speak, but Hitome interrupts her "We are just here to check up on you guys. It's been a while now and it's rather impolite to spy on friends. So instead we decided to visit." Kaori looks at Hitome darkly for interrupting her.

That was just about the longest thing any of them had ever heard from the quiet and serious girl. Ranma smiles though in reply and says "Well that's nice. Actually it would be kinda nice to have you two around a little bit. Why don't you come over tomorrow and we can all spend some time together?"

Kaori says "Yeah! I knew my new friends wouldn't let me down!"

Hitome sighs and says "You just wanted to get out of the compound..."

Kaori sticks her tongue out at the other girl in reply.

At that moment three now familiar girls start to walk by when they stop suddenly after seeing Hitome and Kaori. Hitome catches sight of the three girls as well and the expression on her face hardens. Seeing Hitome's look Kaori glances behind her and actually loses her smile for a moment at the sight of the three sisters.

The Shinjugi sisters stare at Hitome and Kaori and vice versa. Nabiki, Ranma, and Akane look back and forth at the two sets of girls. Finally Hitome speaks "Well... I wouldn't have believed you were back in Japan if I hadn't seen you with my own eyes."

Aya steps slightly in front of her sisters and replies "We hadn't expected to see you so soon Hitome. Apparently two years hasn't changed you much. Or that darling Kaori either."

Hitome frowns and says "Well if nothing else you three have managed to get sluttier... And here I thought you'd already mastered that art."

Aya smiles brightly "Ah! But there is so much to the arts of pleasure... You really should enjoy yourselves some time, it might manage to loosen you up..."

Kaori shivers slightly ands says "So what brings you back Aya?" As she desperately tries to change the subject before things can become violent.

Aya shrugs "Do we need a reason? We just missed Japan so much really... America has it's charms, but it's just not the same."

Hitome says "I'm sure you just slept with everyone who was even slightly willing and so you decided to come back and try again here..."

Aya sighs "Well that could be true as well... Though we had fewer complaints from the girls over there..."

Kaori interrupts again "Well it's been so nice meeting you three again... Why don't we catch up some time... Later..."

Aya smiles "Of course we can Kaori dear... We did tell you to drop by anytime you wanted so we can... Play. The offer still stands."

Kaori manages to keep a smile on her face, but she looks a tad pale. She replies "Sure."

The Shinjugi sisters bow slightly to the two girls. Then to Nabiki, Ranma, and Akane as well. Finally they turn and walk out the front gates.

Nabiki stares blankly at the departing girls and says "Wow... I don't think the rumors did them justice..."

Akane looks curiously at Hitome and Kaori. Then she says "Um, do you two know our new classmates?"

Hitome replies "Classmates?"

Ranma nods "They joined our class today..."

Kaori frowns and Hitome says "Stay away from those three. They are nothing but trouble."

Akane shrugs "Well I wasn't really planning on getting near them... They're kinda... Creepy..."

Kaori raises an eyebrow and says "Creepy... Never heard them referred to as that before... They must be loosing their edge..."

Nabiki asks "So how do you know them?"

Hitome answers "They were classmates of ours during junior high. Suffice it to say, we know them better than we want to." Kaori nods.

Akane asks "You went to junior high with them and they're still alive?" She has meant it rather jokingly, though she wouldn't mind strangling the perverts really.

Hitome however looks downright grim as she replies "It wasn't my choice they are still alive."

Kaori interrupts and says "How about we come by tomorrow afternoon? We can have lunch and hang out..."

Ranma nods, glad at the interruption. "That sounds fun."

Soon the two girls say goodbye and walk off to where ever they were heading. The three remaining teenagers look at each other for awhile.

Finally Nabiki says "Well, there is definitely way more there than either wanted to say.."

Akane and Ranma just nod.

Part 3: Dark Deals

Three familiar girls wait in a hotel room shortly after they left the high school. Much like the last time they were out at night, they have stripped off their clothes and the glowing red lines are the only things covering their bodies. Kasha and Nori, not exactly the patient type, however, have started playing with each other.

When Saeko Kenjou arrives, she just stares at their antics for a few moments before she says to Aya "Well I think I can understand how you girls got the nickname ' the slut sisters'... Those two can't even seem to keep their hands off of each other..."

Aya just smiles. Eventually she says "That's 'lust sisters', but I don't mind too much when people get it wrong. We just don't hide our desires... That however is not why we called you."

Saeko replies "I would hope. While I'm tolerant of your antics, I don't really want to be part of them."

Aya makes her smile seductive and replies "Ahhh... But we could have so much fun..." Then she laughs and says "Ok business it is."

Saeko mumbles "good." Even she wasn't immune to the show or the moans coming from it. Though she'd be damned if she'd show that to these three.

Aya continues "We need a favor... We don't have any resources locally yet, but we are interested in testing two of the targets. Specifically the boy Ranma Saotome and the girl Akane Tendo. We'd like to decide if they are better to destroy or if they'd be better to convert..."

Saeko snorts "Seduce you mean..."

Aya smiles and says "No, we plan to seduce them either way... They are fairly attractive after all... We just need to know if we should make things permanent or have our fun and dispose of them."

Saeko shrugs "Ok, so what do you have planned then? If I think it's worthwhile I may give you some dolls of mine to use."

Aya says "We want a way to force them into a situation where we can see how they fight. We know who they are friends with, and we can be fairly sure that they have a weak link somewhere in there."

Saeko asks "So what do I get if I help?"

Aya replies "We will let you have the same information we get from the encounter. Also we think there is a good possibility we could find a suitable human servant to help you out. Your dolls have limits humans don't after all."

Saeko frowns "Very few real limits... But who is the servant?"

Aya smiles a evil smile and says "We think the Kuno girl could be made to do nicely... It will take a short while to make her useful, but she could become a very effective tool. If you agree we will start our work on her today."

Saeko asks "Then when would you like the use of my dolls?"

Aya replies "Today if possible. The sooner the better."

Saeko thinks about it and finally says "That may be possible I just finished my Musha Ningyo (Warrior Dolls) dozen today. I could lend you the use of ten from the dozen. I need to test them under combat anyways, so this is a good use. I also think I may have a way to draw them out. Over the last two days I've sent my servants to watch those who are near those two you want to draw out. One of the boys that hangs around them has a sister who should be at school late today. I should mention however that they found another strong target there."

Aya smiles "Even better... A chance to test three at once... We accept the terms. Send your dolls and we will go take care of the Kuno girl."

Saeko nods "Then our business is over...?"

Aya turns her smile into a seductive one again and says "Business is over... But you could stay for some pleasure..."

Saeko replies coldly "No thank you. I have to return to my house and send the dolls out."

Aya frowns slightly "Ahhh... Your no fun... But I guess it can't be helped..."

Saeko turns without saying another word and walks out of the room. Aya turns back around and watches her sisters have fun with each other for awhile. She then says "Nori, go offer the Kuno girl our 'help'."

Nori groans "Ahh... Why do I have to go? Kasha was just about to do that one trick she knows..."

Aya shakes her head "You can have more fun later. Now that the deal is concluded we have to live up to our end... And! I haven't had a chance to play yet." At the last she draws her fingers along the curve of Nori's left breast.

Nori moans and says "Ok. Ok. I'll go... Just remember you owe me later."

Aya replies "When have we ever forgotten?"

Nori stands up and walks to the door. As she walks there she calls on her power and clothes seem to form over her body. She is dressed in a skimpy black outfit, including a short top and a mini skirt, before she reaches the door. As she walks out she takes a glance back at Kasha and Aya as they begin playing with each other and sighs.

Part 4: Offers too Good to be True

Kodachi Kuno raged internally, and often externally, since her defeat. She should have been the victor. She had planned things out so her evil rival should have been helpless. The only way for a mere peasant to defeat her was by cheating.

Now all she could do was rage in her room. Which had seen better days. Kodachi's rage had made her destroy most anything breakable. Even her walls had long strips torn out of them by one of Kodachi's ribbons. Since she hadn't once left her room in the last several days, this room had taken the abuse. Her school hadn't even called, after Nabiki Tendo had passed around the rumor of Kodachi's failed attack on Akane.

Kodachi fumes 'Can this girl never fight fair? I have lost twice now to her, each time due to her evil cheating ways! How can I best her and prove the superiority of nobility over the peasants? My flowers didn't work as planned. She melted my ribbon. She turned my clubs into ash. How does one fight a sorceress?'

A voice calls out to her from her window. "You fight someone like that by gaining power equal to or greater than what they wield."

Kodachi turns on her bed to see a strange sight. In front of her reclining in her open window on the third floor was a girl. she has shoulder length hair with two short braids along her temples. She has three triangles covering her face, one on her forehead and one on each cheek. The one on her forehead points a tip upwards, the ones on each cheek have the tip pointing down. Another triangle with an upward facing tip adorns each shoulder. On her chest one upward facing triangle sits below her neck and one downward facing triangle covers the tip of each breast. Each hand has a triangle covering it that points toward the fingers. A longer triangle points upwards toward her belly button to cover her lower regions. On each hip sits another upward pointing triangle. And finally a last pair of triangles covers the top of each foot pointing toward her toes.

Kodachi glares at the girl and says "Who are you? And how did you get in my room? And why aren't you wearing clothes?"

The girl smiles and says "My name is Nori. I'm here to offer you the power needed to teach that girl a lesson. The rest isn't currently important."

Kodachi screams "Get out of my room! I don't know how you know what you are talking about, but I will not have strange peasants in my room!"

Nori shrugs and gracefully stands up. She smiles and says "Make me."

Kodachi rushes forward to slap the insolent girl. Nori just stands the ground and says "Midnight Dance". Instantly the world seems to fall apart around Kodachi leaving her standing in an empty dark grey world with nothing in it except for the girl called Nori and herself.

Kodachi stops her rush and stares around her for awhile. Then she asks "How?"

Nori smiles "I have the powers you seek. As you can see my power is rather absolute. You could wield power like this if you agree to serve me and my sisters."

Kodachi asks "You are some sort of goddesses?"

Nori says "Yes. We are goddesses. Ones that wish to give you what you need to defeat the girl you hate so much. All we ask in return is your service to us." Nori was hardly above lying to get her target to do her bidding.

Kodachi thinks it over and says "Working for a set of goddesses would be an honor. What would you ask of me?"

Nori replies "Mostly things you desire anyways... Hurting the girl Akane... Making the boy Ranma yours... Serving our whims from time to time in return for your training..."

Kodachi thinks it over and asks "I can really gain the power to defeat that stupid peasant whore?"

Nori nods "Easily... Are you ready to serve us?"

Kodachi bows and says "It would be my pleasure to serve you."

Nori grins widely and says "Good. Now come stand in front of me."

Kodachi walks forward to stand directly in front of the other girl. Nori says "excellent", as she walks even closer to Kodachi. When her body is close enough to touch Kodachi's she places her hand on the other girls forehead. Gathering her power she channels that power into Kodachi, changing the way Kodachi looks at the world. Kodachi however doesn't take this quite so well and screams before she passes out, falling to the ground. Nori releases her illusion now that it's not needed.

Nori smiles and says "I could have done that the nice way... But Aya left me so aroused earlier... You'll just have to make up for it... It's not like you'll be awake all that soon anyways..." Nori pulls off Kodachi's clothes.

Author's Notes:

For those curious Wikipedia has a lot of information on things I'll mention. Not all of what is there quite matches what I've learned, but if you ever wonder about things like the various martial arts I mention or even details on names and terms that aren't in english you can normally find them explained on there. A lot of lore and myth I mention is also discussed there.

JakeTheSheepy: I can understand to some extent why you may say that... The problem lies with my attempt to put a cinematic though real world style flavor back into the martial arts action. So I look at the legends behind the martial arts. Ranma ½ wasn't really built on that, it's what makes a lot of things different. Elemental affinities in general as expressed in this series are based on a series of Japanese legends/lore (The best known is probably The Book of Five Rings' by Miyamoto Musashi though it was by no means unique in the idea). Not all attacks will be elemental in nature (Kasumi and Hitome, for instance both use 'Neutral' Ki attacks, it's also possible to have physical ones as well). It's just elemental attacks are easier... Or anything else related to an Affinity. 'Wind's Fury' is actually a lot like mokuo takabisha in a lot of ways (both form in the hands, both shot toward opponents, etc), but they look a bit different. Very few things worked out just as they were in the original. That though is kinda the point of an AU setting... It's not meant to be exactly like the original... I also can't make everyone happy.

Btw I didn't remember Umisen-ken at all, but then I've never had a complete set of the manga to read. Wikipedia happens to have a nice write-up that describes it as a whole series of different attacks. All of those seem more like cheap tricks or underhanded moves. While some of the cast wouldn't think twice to use them I don't really see them as Ranma's thing for the most part. You never know though, Ranma would do a lot of things under the right circumstances.

Anyway...

I also tried something a bit different with the Japanese this time. Things with Japanese names will often be in Japanese with a translation directly following them in parenthesis. I've done this a bit in the past, but I think this chapter has a bigger use of Japanese than any other due to the dolls. The dolls themselves even have a proper name that I'm going to use, ' Musha Ningyo'. Ningyo actually implies traditional Japanese dolls, and Musha are a type of Ningyo for special occasions, but I stuck the two together because I like the sound. I'm doing that because these ones are 'special' compared to the other doll servants Saeko Kenjou uses. I could just call them 'Warrior dolls', but that could get confusing if the more 'normal' servants are in combat as well and I want to specify one group over another.

This chapter was hard since it mostly acts as the setup/intro to the Dark Sisters and the lead-in to the next chapter... On it's own it's not much.

This is the grammar corrected version, just back from the ever helpful borg rabbit.