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Dragon's Destiny
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Ranma sighed in contentment with Nabiki's head resting against his shoulder. He nuzzled his snout against the back of her head breathing in the intoxicating aroma of her lilac shampoo. Nabiki for her part was quietly reveling in Ranma's actions. She hadn't felt this warm and secure since before her mother had died. She knew in that moment that Ranma would always be there for her. He was her dragon that would save her from knights in shining armor like Kuno. She idly brushed her fingers over Ranma's warm flesh and almost giggled as a fantasy of her sleeping snuggled up to Ranma in dragon form with wrapped protectively around her.
They were interrupted by a scream of surprise then anger and they both looked up to see Akane charging into the furo with a mallet and a battle cry. Ranma gave loose a snarl and Akane stopped dead in her tracks with a high-pitched 'eep!'
Nabiki reluctantly let go of Ranma and turned to stand between Akane and her fiancé. "Hit my fiancé and I'll have you in an arranged marriage to Kuno so fast you'll think it was your own idea," She said threateningly.
Akane looked at her sister disbelievingly before stammering, "That thing is Ranma?"
Nabiki just nodded and turned back towards the copper hatchling. "Ranma, go change back. I need to have a word with my sister."
Ranma nodded and stood up. He silently walked around Nabiki and she watched his powerful muscles rippling under his skin. She briefly wondered what it would be like to ride him bareback and blushed at the hentai thoughts the flashed quickly through her mind. Ranma looked at Akane and snorted as he passed. She jumped slightly, trying to control the fear his aura emitted. He slipped out to the changing room and slid the door shut with his tail.
Nabiki waited a moment then turned on her sister. "Do you have any idea how close you came to having your ass handed to you?" She yelled.
Akane blinked at her sister. She had just seen some sort of demon beast from a horror story assaulting her sister and Nabiki said it was Ranma! Then she remembered what the Amazon matriarch had said. Ranma was an evil, dangerous creature and Nabiki was protecting him?
"Are you out of your mind?" Akane shouted, "You heard what the elder said. That thing is dangerous! It's hurt people!"
Nabiki's face hardened. "He's not a thing! He's my fiancé and might just end up being your brother-in-law!" Nabiki yelled back.
Akane's eyes widened in understanding, however wrong that understanding might have been. "He's put some sort of spell on you hasn't he? Don't worry sis," She said patting Nabiki on her shoulder, "I'll defeat the foul beast and free you somehow."
Nabiki almost cracked up laughing. "Do you have any idea how much like Kuno you sounded just now? Look, just leave Ranma alone. If you want, I'll see about getting him to lighten up on your training."
"Don't worry about it. I'm not training with it anymore. I knew that creature cheated in our duel. There's no way an ordinary boy could have beaten me!" Akane boasted.
"Ok fine," Nabiki said while rolling her eyes, "I'll let Ranma know. It's getting late and seeing how Ranma and I were interrupted, I'm going to bed."
Nabiki turned to leave, ignoring the look of determination in her younger sister's eyes. She hoped Akane wouldn't cause too much trouble for her Ranma. Her Ranma. She wondered how her feeling on that particular subject had manifested so quickly. She hated to think she was so desperate that she seized the first guy who showed her any affection at all. Maybe it was truly love at first sight. Leaving the changing room, she saw Ranma leaning against the wall, waiting.
He had turned back into a pigtailed boy and was looking at Nabiki nervously.
"She has a point." Ranma said, breaking the silence between them.
"What do you mean?"
"Our duel. It wasn't fair. I'm much faster and stronger than a normal person, even when I look like this. I'm sorry I messed everything up for you." Ranma said.
Nabiki took Ranma's arm in her own and leaned against him as they walked down the hallway. "Ranma, before you came here, I was very alone. I didn't realize how alone I was until you entered my life. I don't know if what we have is love yet but I don't think I could handle being that lonely again if you were to leave."
They reached the stairs and headed up towards their rooms.
"I agree," said Ranma, "Even though I've been with Pops my whole life, I never knew what it was like to have family until I was cursed and got these memories. The feelings I have for you, Kasumi, and even your Father and Akane are a lot like the dragon's feelings for his wife and kids. I'd hate to lose that."
The couple had passed Ranma's room and stopped in front of Nabiki's door. They turned to look at each other. Nabiki felt Ranma's gaze upon her but the feeling of Judgment was no longer there. Instead there was warmth and a promise of something deeper. She didn't know which one of them started but both closed the distance between them, lips touching gently, hesitantly, then with more confidence. Nabiki's arms wrapped around behind Ranma's neck deepening the kiss they shared.
Finally they parted looking embarrassed but happy. Nabiki let go of Ranma and turned without a word. She opened her door and with one last glance at her fiancé, entered her room shutting the door behind her.
Ranma left to go back to his room. The smile on his lips faded when he saw Akane standing at the top of the stairs glaring at him. Deciding it was better not to say anything he went into the room he shared with his father and shut the door.
Akane had watched that THING kiss her sister. A small part of Akane's mind remarked on how romantic it had looked but it gave up and went to sulk with her common sense and sense of self-preservation. Now that isn't to say Akane was stupid or anything. It's just that she had been the favored child for many years and was used to getting her way. All she needed was the opportunity to make the mistakes all of us make in order to grow. Fortunately her need to destroy the monster that was controlling her sister would provide just such an opportunity.
"I'll save you Sister." Akane vowed to herself.
* * * * * * * * * *
The small hotel room had become an impromptu war room. Four Amazons were huddled around a map of Nerima and the surrounding Tokyo area while the Elder herself sat in a chair nearby smoking from her long pipe. The door opened quietly drawing the attention of everyone present. A bruised and beaten Xian Pu staggered into the hotel room and sat in a plush chair with a heavy sigh.
"I take it your mission was unsuccessful." Khu Lon stated matter-of-factly.
One of the other Amazons took an icepack from the mini fridge and handed it to Xian to place on her swelling cheek.
"Dragon boy too-too good. Even with training Great Grandmother give me he beat too easily."
"I figured as much child. It is no matter, I have planned for such things."
The young Amazon leaned forward in her chair to look at her Great Grandmother. "Why we try to capture Dragon boy anyway? Shampoo thought it Amazon job to kill all who fall in spring of dragon."
"What do you remember of your history lessons?" Khu Lon prodded.
Shampoo looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking, "Over three thousand year ago Ancestors escape bondage of evil bad man name Herakles and travel many months to find safe home for our people. Finally Ancestors find Jusenkyou valley. Very beautiful and they want to settle there but evil dragon rule whole mountain area. So Ancestors fight long bloody battle to defeat dragon and free all the people held in slavery. Bad dragon tricked the Amazons though and curse Jusenkyou valley with its last breath creating cursed pools. So now all Amazons kill poor fool who fall into middle spring to keep bad dragon from returning."
Khu Lon nodded to herself. There was more to the story of course but it was kept secret amongst the Elders of the village. Things such as the Phoenix people being the dragon's minions and the Musk ruler being a direct descendant of the dragon and an evil succubus. Both tribes had been at odds with the Amazons since that fateful day and even now there were rumors of a buildup of forces in both tribes due to the activities that had occurred at Jusenkyou.
"Very good child," Khu Lon praised, "The reason for trying to capture the boy this time instead of killing like we have before is two fold. First of all, he has stolen the magical vault key that is an Amazon treasure and we must get it back before we can decide the dragon's fate. Secondly, there is a chance still to bring the boy into the tribe itself. As you know, Jusenkyou is no longer cursed since the boy fell in. This can only mean he has absorbed all the power and essence of the original dragon. Imagine the strength his offspring would have. His power would enable the Amazons to regain their rightful place as a world power once again. As the first to be defeated, you have the right of first wife. Sal Bu, Tal Kun, Kohm, and Flos Su here were the only others he defeated that were ready to travel at the time. And as you know Mu Tsu may never walk again."
Xian's eyes darkened at the mention of her childhood friend's condition but said nothing.
"So now what?" Xian Pu asked.
"If you had been able to defeat him then we would have bound him in the golden chain that held his predecessor, found the key and returned home with him. However that is not the case. For now, we shall follow and watch, plan and wait."
* * * * * * * * * *
It was past midnight when the figure slipped out the window and into the night air. Easily leaping to a nearby roof the figure crouched silently and surveyed the area. Dressed completely in black, only a pair of deep brown eyes were visible through a face mask. With a body dedicated to many years of Ninjitsu practice, the figure leapt to another house nearby and began to run towards the run down section of the ward. The figure finally came to a stop atop a flat roofed building that housed a hardware store and peered over the edge to the street below. Suddenly it leapt up ten feet, avoiding the black shurikens that shot through where it had just been. Coming to a rest a few feet away the figure looked over to the other side of the building to see another person dressed in ninja black.
"Thorn," the first figure acknowledged in a distinctly female voice.
"Heaven," the second person returned with a small nod also in a female voice.
"Still pretending to be a ninja Thorn?" Heaven asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"Still following in mommy's footsteps I see," Thorn replied.
"At least my mother loved me," Heaven taunted.
Thorn growled and leapt towards the slightly taller ninja, her sword lashing out like a streak of silver in the faint moonlight. A pure ebony blade in Heaven's hand blocked it.
"A polished steel sword? You might as well wear a neon sign saying 'ninja!'" Heaven laughed.
Thorn swung wildly but showing she wasn't completely without skill. Heaven, however, seemed to easily block or parry every blow before calmly disarming her opponent, sending the sword flying off the side of the building and into an alley.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I don't have time to play anymore," Heaven said as she threw a small ball to the ground, creating a cloud of smoke. As the smoke cleared, there was no sign of the first ninja.
Thorn searched for a moment before collapsing to her knees. "Damn you Heaven," She muttered, "Your clan killed my mother. I will have revenge."
A few buildings away, Heaven emerged from the shadows once she was sure no one was following her anymore and dropped to street level. Turning down a side alley she made her way to a nondescript door and opened it to go inside. She made her way past some pallets and empty crates the signified an unused warehouse before turning around a pile of pallets to show open floor space with various displays and a glass counter with an old Chinaman smoking a pipe and reading a tabloid.
There were various garments and ninja gear on the racks as well as bins of throwing stars and daggers. On the back wall behind the counter were more expensive items like bows and crossbows, climbing gear, swords and other hand weapons. The glass case held the truly black-market items. Guns, rifles, ammunition, explosives and detonators were placed in neat rows along with various chemicals.
Heaven coughed quietly to make her presence known even though the old man had probably sensed her presence a block away. He looked up from his paper and acted slightly surprised anyway. He was a charming old man and liked to flirt even though he was old enough to be her great-grandfather.
"Ah, Heaven-san. I did not expect to have the pleasure of your company again so soon. Are you in need of more paralysis or sleeping powder?" he greeted her warmly.
"Greetings Liu-san. Some things have occurred recently that I need information on. I figured you or someone you know would be able to tell me of recent happenings in Western China," Heaven explained.
"There are many things that happen in China my dear. You will need to be more specific," Liu said.
"Things of a mystical nature dealing with a small valley in the Bankahla mountain range."
Liu's eyes widened slightly in surprise and he quietly set the paper down on the counter. "What business do you have with that cursed place?" Liu asked.
"It is a family matter at the moment. What do you know of the Amazon tribe and Jusenkyou?"
Liu frowned and checked his security monitor to see if there was anyone nearby. He leaned over the counter and motioned for Heaven to come closer.
"It is only because you are my best customer and remind me of my niece that I even tell you this," Liu whispered.
Heaven frowned under her mask. Things must be greater and farther reaching than she first estimated.
"It is rumored that one of the great ancient dragons has been reborn in a young lad. It is unclear exactly the relationship between the dragon and the Amazons except that they are to be feared. Even the Red army will not venture into Jusenkyou. Most who cross the Amazons are killed or simply never heard from again. I have also heard through my contacts that there was a small party of women warriors smuggled into Japan last week. If these women are Amazons and you or your family are involved I beg you to be careful."
Heaven nodded thoughtfully. "And what of Jusenkyou itself?"
Liu gave a knowing smile before saying, "A cursed place. Over one hundred springs each with a tragic story. Many creatures have lost their lives drowning in the various pools. Anyone unfortunate enough to fall in a cursed pool will take the form of the poor soul that died there. The curse is activated with cold water and deactivated with hot. Rather simple as Chinese curses go but almost impossible to remove from what I've heard. I have some instant one use packets of various curses and a few casks of cursed water from Jusenkyou itself."
Heaven thought on that. It could be useful to turn into something for stealth work or to defeat a powerful enemy by turning them into a harmless animal.
"I may have to look into buying some from you in the future. For now though I need to stock up on more of the basics. Are you still having the special on throwing knives?"
* * * * * * * * * *
Nabiki woke from a rather pleasant dream involving Ranma, lots of pillows and a bucket of red vine licorice. She turned her alarm clock off and sat up drowsily. She grabbed her basket of bathing supplies and left her room wearing nothing but a long 'Hello Kitty' T-shirt. She passed Ranma's room and noticed it was empty already. She wondered briefly if he even needed to sleep. Heading downstairs she heard the sounds of her older sister happily making breakfast. Akane was presumably on her morning jog as there were no sounds of combat this morning. Soun and Genma were idly discussing the price of rice as they played a game of Go before breakfast.
Heading down the hall and reaching the furo, she entered the change room and noticed a clean change of Ranma's clothes on the dryer and the occupied sign on the furo door. Nabiki briefly entertained the thought of barging in on her fiancé but decided it was way too early in their relationship, despite the free show she received the night before.
Suddenly she realized just how she looked in the morning with her hair a mess and droopy eyes not to mention that she was clad only in a shirt, no bra or underwear even. Deciding to come back after Ranma was done, she began to turn just as the door to the furo slid open.
Nabiki looked up at Ranma wrapped only in a towel with slightly damp hair while he looked down at her with her bed hair and morning breath. She noted that all his cuts and bruises from the previous night were gone.
"Um, Good morning," Ranma said.
"Morning," Nabiki said noncommittally.
"So, uh, did you sleep all right?" Ranma seemed unsure of himself this morning. He wasn't quite sure how Nabiki would react after having a night to sleep on what she'd learned. Or the kiss, how was he supposed to act around her now? So he was suitably confused when Nabiki blushed before stammering a reply.
Nabiki thought back to the rather naughty if pleasant dream she'd woken from. "Yeah, pretty good. You?"
Ranma nodded back. "Ah, about last night..." he trailed off.
"It's an awful lot to take in. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone without your permission. I need some time to sort it all out myself anyway."
"O-ok. Um, well, I'm done. You can have the bath."
"Thanks Ranma," Nabiki said. She walked up to him and kissed him lightly on the cheek before going into the furo.
Ranma stood stunned for a moment before lightly touching the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him. With a happy grin on his face he left to help Kasumi set up the table for breakfast.
* * * * * * * * * *
Akane was sitting on the same side of the table as her father at breakfast. She kept glaring at Ranma throughout the meal as if daring him to try something. Ranma ignored her but kept sneaking glances at Nabiki. Nabiki for her part was also stealing glances at Ranma. Neither of them had caught the other yet and Kasumi was holding in her laughter at how cute it was. She was so glad Nabiki had finally found someone to bring her out of her shell. Now if only Akane would mature some so she could find a boyfriend then Kasumi could finally do something about that handsome doctor she had a crush on.
About halfway through her meal, Akane put down her chopsticks and grabbed her bag.
"I'll see you at school! Bye!"
Nabiki frowned after her sister and wondered what she was up to. Ranma didn't seem to notice as he was defending Nabiki's unguarded bowl of Rice from his father.
As Ranma gathered his things to go to school when his father stopped him.
"Son, I would like your permission to tell Soun." Genma didn't have to say what.
Ranma seemed to think it over then nodded. "Yes, he deserves to know. Tell Kasumi as well."
"Thank you," Genma said. He looked like he wanted to say more but turned and left instead.
Ranma and Nabiki left a few minutes later. Ranma hopped up on the fence again and scanned the area as he had the previous morning. After a moment he looked down at Nabiki.
"You move with a martial artist's grace you know?"
Nabiki smiled at the compliment.
"So how much do you practice?" Ranma asked.
She shrugged. "Not much. I practice to keep in shape but it's mostly aerobics."
"I think you have a lot of potential. You might even be able to surpass your sister."
Nabiki thought on that. "I personally don't like to fight. I'd rather solve disputes with words than fists."
"Some of the best battles won are fought without a punch being thrown."
"True," Nabiki agreed, "even if you are a lousy poet."
Ranma laughed. "You have to agree though that some people will never listen to words. Only strength means anything to them. Then you have to show that you have that strength or you lose."
Nabiki smiled coyly at Ranma. "That's what I have you for."
Ranma blushed as he responded, "As much as I'd like to, I can't be with you all the time. What about when we're in class. Or you go out with friends. Or even little things like sleeping or going to the bathroom. I'm afraid something might happen and I won't be there to protect you."
Nabiki stopped and became serious. "What are you saying? Are you offering to train me?"
"Uh, well, yeah."
Nabiki crossed her arms and brought a finger to her chin, "I'll think about it. It would be kind of cool to do some of the leaps and feats of strength like you do."
"That's all I can ask. We'd better hurry or we'll be late."
As they neared the school, Ranma leapt down to run alongside Nabiki. They entered the gates to see a large crowd gathered. It wasn't the hentai squad the harassed Akane. This was a mix of male and female students. They all began to whisper among themselves when they spotted the couple entering.
One pushed his way to the front of the crowd and Nabiki groaned silently to herself.
"So my fierce tigress speaks the truth! Thou truly art a demon who has come to enslave the Tendo sisters starting with the morally loose Tendo Nabiki!"
Nabiki pinched the bridge of her nose to fight off the impending headache. "And today was starting out so good too. Ranma, don't hurt him too bad. I need to have a word with Akane."
Ranma watched as Nabiki headed towards the school. The crowd parted for her as if they were afraid to touch her. He could see Nabiki's two lackeys working the crowd, taking bets. Sighing, he turned to Kuno who was ranting some more about evil demons and justice of heaven or some other crap.
"I thought we settled this yesterday Kuno."
Kuno lowered his boken to point at Ranma. "That was before I learned of your true nature! For only a demon using the darkest sorceries of hell could have bested me previously," He pulled out some sort of necklace from his shirt. It looked like a Shinto charm.
"I am now protected from your evil and shall send you back to the pits whence you came."
Kuno pulled the wooden part of his boken away from the hilt revealing a gleaming sword underneath.
Ranma could feel a magical aura emanating from the blade and wondered where in the world the idiot had found a magical sword.
"This blade, which has been handed down through the Kuno clan for generations shall banish you from this realm!"
Well that explained where he got the sword. Ranma knew this wouldn't be as easy as his first fight with the kendoist. The Neko-ken would be useless against enchanted steel. He could transform and scare everyone away, but that would have repercussions he wasn't prepared to deal with yet. This fight would have to be won on a pure skill level.
* * * * * * * * * *
Genma looked into the main room of the house and saw Soun reading the paper still after eating breakfast.
"Have you seen Kasumi?" Genma asked.
Soun looked up from his paper and looked around for a second. "Oh yes. She said something about doing some shopping and borrowing a book from the local doctor."
Genma sat down across his lifelong friend. "I suppose we can tell her later then."
Genma proceeded to inform Soun of exactly what had happened after Ranma fell into the cursed pond.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranma parried a blow from the mystic Katana with a hand to the flat of the blade. As the sword turned aside he quickly kicked up, hitting Kuno in the left side. The blow to the kidneys would leave Kuno pissing blood for a week but it didn't seem to faze the insane kendoist at the moment. Avoiding another strike, Ranma leapt back to get some breathing room and reassess his situation. Kuno just hadn't been this good yesterday. It had to be the sword he was using. But how was he going to disarm the idiot without seriously maiming him?
There were a couple of things Ranma could do that he knew from his dragon memories but unless he wanted to level a large area or kill Kuno he had to refrain. Three thousand years ago was a different world and it wasn't so easy to kill now as it had been back then. He made a mental note that he needed more training if he wanted to keep things non lethal in the near future.
"Damn it Kuno! I don't want to hurt you!" Ranma yelled. He idly noted that Nabiki and Akane had returned to watch the fight.
"Lies! Everyone knows Demons always lie!" Kuno screamed while back slashing with his sword.
"Fine then!" Ranma shouted back, "If everything I say is a lie then I say everything you believe about me is true"
"I knew it!" Kuno proclaimed.
Oh well, he didn't really think it would work. That bit of Shatner logic only worked on Star Trek apparently. Evading another thrust, Ranma worked under Kuno's guard and scored a hit to his stomach, knocking Kuno back a few feet. A small cloud of paper seemed to erupt from his hakama. Ranma caught one out of curiosity. It was a picture of Akane after a heavy workout. Her gi top was loose enough to give a glimpse of what was underneath without really showing anything.
However, Ranma was still stunned enough that he narrowly missed being sliced in half. As it was he received a nasty slash along his ribcage. Clutching his side in pain, Ranma realized he had to stop this fight now before his wound got worse. It was helpful that Kuno fell into a pattern in his attacks because of his kendo training. So Ranma took advantage of his predictability and punched Kuno's sword arm as Kuno was pulling back from a strike. There was a sickening crack then Ranma followed up with a kick to the chest and face. Kuno flew back about fifteen feet on his back and stopped moving.
Nabiki and Akane came running up.
What distracted you out there Ranma?" Nabiki asked with concern in her voice.
Ranma picked up a photo off the ground and showed it to Nabiki. "Someone's been taking pictures of your sister."
Nabiki turned red in embarrassment. Akane snatched the photo from Ranma's hand and looked at it. She began to turn red as well but in anger.
"You! You pervert!" Akane yelled and whipped out a mallet to clobber Ranma.
Nabiki turned to her sister, "Don't you dare! If you want to hit someone for those photos then hit me. Or hit Kuno for buying them! Or better yet hit daddy for being too lazy to find a real job so I don't have to do all this crap to keep you clothed and fed! Ranma's injured so I'm taking him to Dr. Tofu's."
"I'll be all right," Ranma said.
Nabiki could see the growing dark wet spot on Ranma's green shirt. "You're bleeding. Come on."
She grabbed his hand and led him away from the campus leaving a stunned Akane behind.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranma was sitting on an examination table with Nabiki standing close by. A man in a dark gray gi wearing glasses was holding Ranma's arm up to look at the area Ranma had been cut.
"So you're Ranma Saotome Nabiki's fiancé? You don't look like the horrible monster Akane was telling me about this morning," the man joked.
Nabiki's face turned serious. She was obviously too easy on her sister with their talk while Ranma was fighting Kuno.
"Well, my sister does tend to exaggerate Dr. Tofu," Nabiki said.
The doctors laughed but regained his demeanor before speaking again. "Ranma, take your shirt off. I need to get a better look at the cut to see if you need stitches."
"Ah doc, you don't need to do that. They'll just have to come out tomorrow. I heal real fast," Ranma replied as he took off the ruined shirt.
"I'll be the judge of that," Tofu said as her leaned in to inspect and clean the wound, "Hmm, looks like it glanced off the ribs without even nicking the bone. You said this was done with Kuno's family blade?"
Ranma nodded not sure what the significance was.
"I'll need to stitch you up anyway. Your healing ability won't help you against a magical wound. You'll still heal faster than a normal person I think but it will probably be as much as a week before this wound disappears. You must be pretty tough, a sword like that can cut stone like butter."
Ranma frowned as if he should have known how slowly magical wounds would heal. The he looked at the doctor suspiciously as he seemed to realize something.
As the doctor was preparing to sew the wound shut, the phone rang. Nabiki said she'd get it and walked out to the waiting room.
Ranma idly listened to Nabiki talking to someone, it sounded like her sister Kasumi on the phone but even Ranma's excellent hearing couldn't tell what she was saying over the phone.
"There, all done," The doctor said proudly.
Ranma looked down and saw only five stitches, "Wow, you're pretty good! I hardly felt a thing."
Tofu smiled at the boy and said, "Thank you Ranma, I try my best. Now I'll put a bandage over the wound to keep it clean. I'd suggest you stay in that form so you don't tear your stitches."
Ranma couldn't tell if the doctor was joking because of what Akane had told him that morning or not. He decided the doctor might bear watching.
As the Dr. Tofu finished up, Nabiki came back into the room looking nervous. Ranma raised an eyebrow when she made eye contact.
"Are you finished?" Nabiki asked.
"Why yes. Who was on the phone?" Tofu asked.
"Oh, uh, just someone calling to say they were on their way here."
"Ok. Well Ranma you're good to go, just be careful to pull those stitches and check back with me in a couple of days."
"Uh, right. Sure thing doc."
Nabiki grabbed Ranma's arm and they went out into the waiting room while Tofu cleaned up the examination room.
"What's going on?" Ranma asked his fiancé.
"Someone the doctor really likes is coming by. Things tend to get a little crazy around here when she's here."
At that moment the door to the clinic opened and in came an old lady walking with help of a cane.
"Wow, the doc sure knows how to pick 'em," Ranma joked.
"Idiot," Nabiki said playfully punching Ranma in the shoulder.
Then behind the old lady appeared Kasumi. She seemed a little concerned to see her sister Nabiki at the clinic.
"Are you all right Nabiki?" Kasumi asked.
The older lady looked up at Kasumi and seemed to sigh in frustration before turning around and leaving.
"I'm fine sis," Nabiki said, "Ranma here got a little distracted while someone was trying to kill him."
"Oh. You shouldn't play so rough with your friends Ranma," Kasumi admonished.
Ranma had a look of 'is she serious?' on his face as Nabiki pulled him out the door. "We'll see you at home sis. Ranma here needs to rest after this morning."
Kasumi smiled before replying, "You're such a good fiancé to take care of Ranma like that."
Nabiki blushed a little as the two teens took off for home. As they left the front gate of the clinic he noticed a group of people all standing around looking nervously at the doctor's office.
"What's up with them?" Ranma asked as they headed down the street.
"Well, the good doctor tends to go a little crazy around Kasumi. He can actually be dangerous to be around when Kasumi's near. Nothing permanent has ever happened but Akane one was hunched over for a whole day when Kasumi walked into the room while the doctor was examining my little sister."
"He must have it bad. What's Kasumi think about all that?"
Nabiki shook her head. "I don't think she notices. It frustrates Akane to no end because she has a crush on the doctor but he only has eyes for Kasumi."
Ranma chuckled. "So is there anyone around here that you like?"
Nabiki moved close and grabbed Ranma's arm. "Maybe. I'm still working on it."
The two waked back to the Tendo home holding hands.
* * * * * * * * * *
Kasumi looked around before going to the examination room. Dr. Tofu looked up and his glasses fogged over.
"K-k-k-k-Kasumi! What a coincidence meeting here of all places. He he eh eh ehe."
"They're all gone Doctor." Kasumi said.
Tofu Ono's glasses cleared instantly. "So how long are we going to keep up this charade?"
Kasumi giggled. "You have to admit, it clears out the clinic quickly so we can be alone." She closed on the doctor and gave him a long, loving kiss. The doctor's glasses seemed to fog up a little again.
"So do you have the files?" Kasumi asked as they broke away.
The doctor composed himself and took a manila folder from his desk. "Yes. It appears someone high up was already compiling the information so it was no problem to get it once I gave my reasons and told them whom it was for. Your sister caught quite the man. Who would have thought I'd ever get to meet the reborn DaiRyuujin no Nishi?"
"It would be an honor to have him in my family but first I must make sure my family is safe. There are rumors that Ranma has acquired quite a few enemies over the years."
The doctor shrugged. "I scanned the files myself a while ago and it seems most of his problems could be cleared up. Apparently his father was quite willing to sell his son for the most minor of things up until he was cursed at Jusenkyou."
Kasumi smiled again. "Thank you Tofu. I wish I could stay longer but you have patients waiting outside and I need to get home to cook lunch."
Tofu gave Kasumi a hug and they parted. "You know Kasumi. My superiors still want you on a full time basis."
Kasumi gave a sad smile. "Once Akane is off to college then I will consider their proposal." She turned and left.
The doctor finished cleaning up as he heard his patients hesitantly entering the waiting room. Things were certainly going to become more interesting in Nerima if not all Japan.
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Dragon's Destiny
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Ranma sighed in contentment with Nabiki's head resting against his shoulder. He nuzzled his snout against the back of her head breathing in the intoxicating aroma of her lilac shampoo. Nabiki for her part was quietly reveling in Ranma's actions. She hadn't felt this warm and secure since before her mother had died. She knew in that moment that Ranma would always be there for her. He was her dragon that would save her from knights in shining armor like Kuno. She idly brushed her fingers over Ranma's warm flesh and almost giggled as a fantasy of her sleeping snuggled up to Ranma in dragon form with wrapped protectively around her.
They were interrupted by a scream of surprise then anger and they both looked up to see Akane charging into the furo with a mallet and a battle cry. Ranma gave loose a snarl and Akane stopped dead in her tracks with a high-pitched 'eep!'
Nabiki reluctantly let go of Ranma and turned to stand between Akane and her fiancé. "Hit my fiancé and I'll have you in an arranged marriage to Kuno so fast you'll think it was your own idea," She said threateningly.
Akane looked at her sister disbelievingly before stammering, "That thing is Ranma?"
Nabiki just nodded and turned back towards the copper hatchling. "Ranma, go change back. I need to have a word with my sister."
Ranma nodded and stood up. He silently walked around Nabiki and she watched his powerful muscles rippling under his skin. She briefly wondered what it would be like to ride him bareback and blushed at the hentai thoughts the flashed quickly through her mind. Ranma looked at Akane and snorted as he passed. She jumped slightly, trying to control the fear his aura emitted. He slipped out to the changing room and slid the door shut with his tail.
Nabiki waited a moment then turned on her sister. "Do you have any idea how close you came to having your ass handed to you?" She yelled.
Akane blinked at her sister. She had just seen some sort of demon beast from a horror story assaulting her sister and Nabiki said it was Ranma! Then she remembered what the Amazon matriarch had said. Ranma was an evil, dangerous creature and Nabiki was protecting him?
"Are you out of your mind?" Akane shouted, "You heard what the elder said. That thing is dangerous! It's hurt people!"
Nabiki's face hardened. "He's not a thing! He's my fiancé and might just end up being your brother-in-law!" Nabiki yelled back.
Akane's eyes widened in understanding, however wrong that understanding might have been. "He's put some sort of spell on you hasn't he? Don't worry sis," She said patting Nabiki on her shoulder, "I'll defeat the foul beast and free you somehow."
Nabiki almost cracked up laughing. "Do you have any idea how much like Kuno you sounded just now? Look, just leave Ranma alone. If you want, I'll see about getting him to lighten up on your training."
"Don't worry about it. I'm not training with it anymore. I knew that creature cheated in our duel. There's no way an ordinary boy could have beaten me!" Akane boasted.
"Ok fine," Nabiki said while rolling her eyes, "I'll let Ranma know. It's getting late and seeing how Ranma and I were interrupted, I'm going to bed."
Nabiki turned to leave, ignoring the look of determination in her younger sister's eyes. She hoped Akane wouldn't cause too much trouble for her Ranma. Her Ranma. She wondered how her feeling on that particular subject had manifested so quickly. She hated to think she was so desperate that she seized the first guy who showed her any affection at all. Maybe it was truly love at first sight. Leaving the changing room, she saw Ranma leaning against the wall, waiting.
He had turned back into a pigtailed boy and was looking at Nabiki nervously.
"She has a point." Ranma said, breaking the silence between them.
"What do you mean?"
"Our duel. It wasn't fair. I'm much faster and stronger than a normal person, even when I look like this. I'm sorry I messed everything up for you." Ranma said.
Nabiki took Ranma's arm in her own and leaned against him as they walked down the hallway. "Ranma, before you came here, I was very alone. I didn't realize how alone I was until you entered my life. I don't know if what we have is love yet but I don't think I could handle being that lonely again if you were to leave."
They reached the stairs and headed up towards their rooms.
"I agree," said Ranma, "Even though I've been with Pops my whole life, I never knew what it was like to have family until I was cursed and got these memories. The feelings I have for you, Kasumi, and even your Father and Akane are a lot like the dragon's feelings for his wife and kids. I'd hate to lose that."
The couple had passed Ranma's room and stopped in front of Nabiki's door. They turned to look at each other. Nabiki felt Ranma's gaze upon her but the feeling of Judgment was no longer there. Instead there was warmth and a promise of something deeper. She didn't know which one of them started but both closed the distance between them, lips touching gently, hesitantly, then with more confidence. Nabiki's arms wrapped around behind Ranma's neck deepening the kiss they shared.
Finally they parted looking embarrassed but happy. Nabiki let go of Ranma and turned without a word. She opened her door and with one last glance at her fiancé, entered her room shutting the door behind her.
Ranma left to go back to his room. The smile on his lips faded when he saw Akane standing at the top of the stairs glaring at him. Deciding it was better not to say anything he went into the room he shared with his father and shut the door.
Akane had watched that THING kiss her sister. A small part of Akane's mind remarked on how romantic it had looked but it gave up and went to sulk with her common sense and sense of self-preservation. Now that isn't to say Akane was stupid or anything. It's just that she had been the favored child for many years and was used to getting her way. All she needed was the opportunity to make the mistakes all of us make in order to grow. Fortunately her need to destroy the monster that was controlling her sister would provide just such an opportunity.
"I'll save you Sister." Akane vowed to herself.
* * * * * * * * * *
The small hotel room had become an impromptu war room. Four Amazons were huddled around a map of Nerima and the surrounding Tokyo area while the Elder herself sat in a chair nearby smoking from her long pipe. The door opened quietly drawing the attention of everyone present. A bruised and beaten Xian Pu staggered into the hotel room and sat in a plush chair with a heavy sigh.
"I take it your mission was unsuccessful." Khu Lon stated matter-of-factly.
One of the other Amazons took an icepack from the mini fridge and handed it to Xian to place on her swelling cheek.
"Dragon boy too-too good. Even with training Great Grandmother give me he beat too easily."
"I figured as much child. It is no matter, I have planned for such things."
The young Amazon leaned forward in her chair to look at her Great Grandmother. "Why we try to capture Dragon boy anyway? Shampoo thought it Amazon job to kill all who fall in spring of dragon."
"What do you remember of your history lessons?" Khu Lon prodded.
Shampoo looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking, "Over three thousand year ago Ancestors escape bondage of evil bad man name Herakles and travel many months to find safe home for our people. Finally Ancestors find Jusenkyou valley. Very beautiful and they want to settle there but evil dragon rule whole mountain area. So Ancestors fight long bloody battle to defeat dragon and free all the people held in slavery. Bad dragon tricked the Amazons though and curse Jusenkyou valley with its last breath creating cursed pools. So now all Amazons kill poor fool who fall into middle spring to keep bad dragon from returning."
Khu Lon nodded to herself. There was more to the story of course but it was kept secret amongst the Elders of the village. Things such as the Phoenix people being the dragon's minions and the Musk ruler being a direct descendant of the dragon and an evil succubus. Both tribes had been at odds with the Amazons since that fateful day and even now there were rumors of a buildup of forces in both tribes due to the activities that had occurred at Jusenkyou.
"Very good child," Khu Lon praised, "The reason for trying to capture the boy this time instead of killing like we have before is two fold. First of all, he has stolen the magical vault key that is an Amazon treasure and we must get it back before we can decide the dragon's fate. Secondly, there is a chance still to bring the boy into the tribe itself. As you know, Jusenkyou is no longer cursed since the boy fell in. This can only mean he has absorbed all the power and essence of the original dragon. Imagine the strength his offspring would have. His power would enable the Amazons to regain their rightful place as a world power once again. As the first to be defeated, you have the right of first wife. Sal Bu, Tal Kun, Kohm, and Flos Su here were the only others he defeated that were ready to travel at the time. And as you know Mu Tsu may never walk again."
Xian's eyes darkened at the mention of her childhood friend's condition but said nothing.
"So now what?" Xian Pu asked.
"If you had been able to defeat him then we would have bound him in the golden chain that held his predecessor, found the key and returned home with him. However that is not the case. For now, we shall follow and watch, plan and wait."
* * * * * * * * * *
It was past midnight when the figure slipped out the window and into the night air. Easily leaping to a nearby roof the figure crouched silently and surveyed the area. Dressed completely in black, only a pair of deep brown eyes were visible through a face mask. With a body dedicated to many years of Ninjitsu practice, the figure leapt to another house nearby and began to run towards the run down section of the ward. The figure finally came to a stop atop a flat roofed building that housed a hardware store and peered over the edge to the street below. Suddenly it leapt up ten feet, avoiding the black shurikens that shot through where it had just been. Coming to a rest a few feet away the figure looked over to the other side of the building to see another person dressed in ninja black.
"Thorn," the first figure acknowledged in a distinctly female voice.
"Heaven," the second person returned with a small nod also in a female voice.
"Still pretending to be a ninja Thorn?" Heaven asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"Still following in mommy's footsteps I see," Thorn replied.
"At least my mother loved me," Heaven taunted.
Thorn growled and leapt towards the slightly taller ninja, her sword lashing out like a streak of silver in the faint moonlight. A pure ebony blade in Heaven's hand blocked it.
"A polished steel sword? You might as well wear a neon sign saying 'ninja!'" Heaven laughed.
Thorn swung wildly but showing she wasn't completely without skill. Heaven, however, seemed to easily block or parry every blow before calmly disarming her opponent, sending the sword flying off the side of the building and into an alley.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I don't have time to play anymore," Heaven said as she threw a small ball to the ground, creating a cloud of smoke. As the smoke cleared, there was no sign of the first ninja.
Thorn searched for a moment before collapsing to her knees. "Damn you Heaven," She muttered, "Your clan killed my mother. I will have revenge."
A few buildings away, Heaven emerged from the shadows once she was sure no one was following her anymore and dropped to street level. Turning down a side alley she made her way to a nondescript door and opened it to go inside. She made her way past some pallets and empty crates the signified an unused warehouse before turning around a pile of pallets to show open floor space with various displays and a glass counter with an old Chinaman smoking a pipe and reading a tabloid.
There were various garments and ninja gear on the racks as well as bins of throwing stars and daggers. On the back wall behind the counter were more expensive items like bows and crossbows, climbing gear, swords and other hand weapons. The glass case held the truly black-market items. Guns, rifles, ammunition, explosives and detonators were placed in neat rows along with various chemicals.
Heaven coughed quietly to make her presence known even though the old man had probably sensed her presence a block away. He looked up from his paper and acted slightly surprised anyway. He was a charming old man and liked to flirt even though he was old enough to be her great-grandfather.
"Ah, Heaven-san. I did not expect to have the pleasure of your company again so soon. Are you in need of more paralysis or sleeping powder?" he greeted her warmly.
"Greetings Liu-san. Some things have occurred recently that I need information on. I figured you or someone you know would be able to tell me of recent happenings in Western China," Heaven explained.
"There are many things that happen in China my dear. You will need to be more specific," Liu said.
"Things of a mystical nature dealing with a small valley in the Bankahla mountain range."
Liu's eyes widened slightly in surprise and he quietly set the paper down on the counter. "What business do you have with that cursed place?" Liu asked.
"It is a family matter at the moment. What do you know of the Amazon tribe and Jusenkyou?"
Liu frowned and checked his security monitor to see if there was anyone nearby. He leaned over the counter and motioned for Heaven to come closer.
"It is only because you are my best customer and remind me of my niece that I even tell you this," Liu whispered.
Heaven frowned under her mask. Things must be greater and farther reaching than she first estimated.
"It is rumored that one of the great ancient dragons has been reborn in a young lad. It is unclear exactly the relationship between the dragon and the Amazons except that they are to be feared. Even the Red army will not venture into Jusenkyou. Most who cross the Amazons are killed or simply never heard from again. I have also heard through my contacts that there was a small party of women warriors smuggled into Japan last week. If these women are Amazons and you or your family are involved I beg you to be careful."
Heaven nodded thoughtfully. "And what of Jusenkyou itself?"
Liu gave a knowing smile before saying, "A cursed place. Over one hundred springs each with a tragic story. Many creatures have lost their lives drowning in the various pools. Anyone unfortunate enough to fall in a cursed pool will take the form of the poor soul that died there. The curse is activated with cold water and deactivated with hot. Rather simple as Chinese curses go but almost impossible to remove from what I've heard. I have some instant one use packets of various curses and a few casks of cursed water from Jusenkyou itself."
Heaven thought on that. It could be useful to turn into something for stealth work or to defeat a powerful enemy by turning them into a harmless animal.
"I may have to look into buying some from you in the future. For now though I need to stock up on more of the basics. Are you still having the special on throwing knives?"
* * * * * * * * * *
Nabiki woke from a rather pleasant dream involving Ranma, lots of pillows and a bucket of red vine licorice. She turned her alarm clock off and sat up drowsily. She grabbed her basket of bathing supplies and left her room wearing nothing but a long 'Hello Kitty' T-shirt. She passed Ranma's room and noticed it was empty already. She wondered briefly if he even needed to sleep. Heading downstairs she heard the sounds of her older sister happily making breakfast. Akane was presumably on her morning jog as there were no sounds of combat this morning. Soun and Genma were idly discussing the price of rice as they played a game of Go before breakfast.
Heading down the hall and reaching the furo, she entered the change room and noticed a clean change of Ranma's clothes on the dryer and the occupied sign on the furo door. Nabiki briefly entertained the thought of barging in on her fiancé but decided it was way too early in their relationship, despite the free show she received the night before.
Suddenly she realized just how she looked in the morning with her hair a mess and droopy eyes not to mention that she was clad only in a shirt, no bra or underwear even. Deciding to come back after Ranma was done, she began to turn just as the door to the furo slid open.
Nabiki looked up at Ranma wrapped only in a towel with slightly damp hair while he looked down at her with her bed hair and morning breath. She noted that all his cuts and bruises from the previous night were gone.
"Um, Good morning," Ranma said.
"Morning," Nabiki said noncommittally.
"So, uh, did you sleep all right?" Ranma seemed unsure of himself this morning. He wasn't quite sure how Nabiki would react after having a night to sleep on what she'd learned. Or the kiss, how was he supposed to act around her now? So he was suitably confused when Nabiki blushed before stammering a reply.
Nabiki thought back to the rather naughty if pleasant dream she'd woken from. "Yeah, pretty good. You?"
Ranma nodded back. "Ah, about last night..." he trailed off.
"It's an awful lot to take in. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone without your permission. I need some time to sort it all out myself anyway."
"O-ok. Um, well, I'm done. You can have the bath."
"Thanks Ranma," Nabiki said. She walked up to him and kissed him lightly on the cheek before going into the furo.
Ranma stood stunned for a moment before lightly touching the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him. With a happy grin on his face he left to help Kasumi set up the table for breakfast.
* * * * * * * * * *
Akane was sitting on the same side of the table as her father at breakfast. She kept glaring at Ranma throughout the meal as if daring him to try something. Ranma ignored her but kept sneaking glances at Nabiki. Nabiki for her part was also stealing glances at Ranma. Neither of them had caught the other yet and Kasumi was holding in her laughter at how cute it was. She was so glad Nabiki had finally found someone to bring her out of her shell. Now if only Akane would mature some so she could find a boyfriend then Kasumi could finally do something about that handsome doctor she had a crush on.
About halfway through her meal, Akane put down her chopsticks and grabbed her bag.
"I'll see you at school! Bye!"
Nabiki frowned after her sister and wondered what she was up to. Ranma didn't seem to notice as he was defending Nabiki's unguarded bowl of Rice from his father.
As Ranma gathered his things to go to school when his father stopped him.
"Son, I would like your permission to tell Soun." Genma didn't have to say what.
Ranma seemed to think it over then nodded. "Yes, he deserves to know. Tell Kasumi as well."
"Thank you," Genma said. He looked like he wanted to say more but turned and left instead.
Ranma and Nabiki left a few minutes later. Ranma hopped up on the fence again and scanned the area as he had the previous morning. After a moment he looked down at Nabiki.
"You move with a martial artist's grace you know?"
Nabiki smiled at the compliment.
"So how much do you practice?" Ranma asked.
She shrugged. "Not much. I practice to keep in shape but it's mostly aerobics."
"I think you have a lot of potential. You might even be able to surpass your sister."
Nabiki thought on that. "I personally don't like to fight. I'd rather solve disputes with words than fists."
"Some of the best battles won are fought without a punch being thrown."
"True," Nabiki agreed, "even if you are a lousy poet."
Ranma laughed. "You have to agree though that some people will never listen to words. Only strength means anything to them. Then you have to show that you have that strength or you lose."
Nabiki smiled coyly at Ranma. "That's what I have you for."
Ranma blushed as he responded, "As much as I'd like to, I can't be with you all the time. What about when we're in class. Or you go out with friends. Or even little things like sleeping or going to the bathroom. I'm afraid something might happen and I won't be there to protect you."
Nabiki stopped and became serious. "What are you saying? Are you offering to train me?"
"Uh, well, yeah."
Nabiki crossed her arms and brought a finger to her chin, "I'll think about it. It would be kind of cool to do some of the leaps and feats of strength like you do."
"That's all I can ask. We'd better hurry or we'll be late."
As they neared the school, Ranma leapt down to run alongside Nabiki. They entered the gates to see a large crowd gathered. It wasn't the hentai squad the harassed Akane. This was a mix of male and female students. They all began to whisper among themselves when they spotted the couple entering.
One pushed his way to the front of the crowd and Nabiki groaned silently to herself.
"So my fierce tigress speaks the truth! Thou truly art a demon who has come to enslave the Tendo sisters starting with the morally loose Tendo Nabiki!"
Nabiki pinched the bridge of her nose to fight off the impending headache. "And today was starting out so good too. Ranma, don't hurt him too bad. I need to have a word with Akane."
Ranma watched as Nabiki headed towards the school. The crowd parted for her as if they were afraid to touch her. He could see Nabiki's two lackeys working the crowd, taking bets. Sighing, he turned to Kuno who was ranting some more about evil demons and justice of heaven or some other crap.
"I thought we settled this yesterday Kuno."
Kuno lowered his boken to point at Ranma. "That was before I learned of your true nature! For only a demon using the darkest sorceries of hell could have bested me previously," He pulled out some sort of necklace from his shirt. It looked like a Shinto charm.
"I am now protected from your evil and shall send you back to the pits whence you came."
Kuno pulled the wooden part of his boken away from the hilt revealing a gleaming sword underneath.
Ranma could feel a magical aura emanating from the blade and wondered where in the world the idiot had found a magical sword.
"This blade, which has been handed down through the Kuno clan for generations shall banish you from this realm!"
Well that explained where he got the sword. Ranma knew this wouldn't be as easy as his first fight with the kendoist. The Neko-ken would be useless against enchanted steel. He could transform and scare everyone away, but that would have repercussions he wasn't prepared to deal with yet. This fight would have to be won on a pure skill level.
* * * * * * * * * *
Genma looked into the main room of the house and saw Soun reading the paper still after eating breakfast.
"Have you seen Kasumi?" Genma asked.
Soun looked up from his paper and looked around for a second. "Oh yes. She said something about doing some shopping and borrowing a book from the local doctor."
Genma sat down across his lifelong friend. "I suppose we can tell her later then."
Genma proceeded to inform Soun of exactly what had happened after Ranma fell into the cursed pond.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranma parried a blow from the mystic Katana with a hand to the flat of the blade. As the sword turned aside he quickly kicked up, hitting Kuno in the left side. The blow to the kidneys would leave Kuno pissing blood for a week but it didn't seem to faze the insane kendoist at the moment. Avoiding another strike, Ranma leapt back to get some breathing room and reassess his situation. Kuno just hadn't been this good yesterday. It had to be the sword he was using. But how was he going to disarm the idiot without seriously maiming him?
There were a couple of things Ranma could do that he knew from his dragon memories but unless he wanted to level a large area or kill Kuno he had to refrain. Three thousand years ago was a different world and it wasn't so easy to kill now as it had been back then. He made a mental note that he needed more training if he wanted to keep things non lethal in the near future.
"Damn it Kuno! I don't want to hurt you!" Ranma yelled. He idly noted that Nabiki and Akane had returned to watch the fight.
"Lies! Everyone knows Demons always lie!" Kuno screamed while back slashing with his sword.
"Fine then!" Ranma shouted back, "If everything I say is a lie then I say everything you believe about me is true"
"I knew it!" Kuno proclaimed.
Oh well, he didn't really think it would work. That bit of Shatner logic only worked on Star Trek apparently. Evading another thrust, Ranma worked under Kuno's guard and scored a hit to his stomach, knocking Kuno back a few feet. A small cloud of paper seemed to erupt from his hakama. Ranma caught one out of curiosity. It was a picture of Akane after a heavy workout. Her gi top was loose enough to give a glimpse of what was underneath without really showing anything.
However, Ranma was still stunned enough that he narrowly missed being sliced in half. As it was he received a nasty slash along his ribcage. Clutching his side in pain, Ranma realized he had to stop this fight now before his wound got worse. It was helpful that Kuno fell into a pattern in his attacks because of his kendo training. So Ranma took advantage of his predictability and punched Kuno's sword arm as Kuno was pulling back from a strike. There was a sickening crack then Ranma followed up with a kick to the chest and face. Kuno flew back about fifteen feet on his back and stopped moving.
Nabiki and Akane came running up.
What distracted you out there Ranma?" Nabiki asked with concern in her voice.
Ranma picked up a photo off the ground and showed it to Nabiki. "Someone's been taking pictures of your sister."
Nabiki turned red in embarrassment. Akane snatched the photo from Ranma's hand and looked at it. She began to turn red as well but in anger.
"You! You pervert!" Akane yelled and whipped out a mallet to clobber Ranma.
Nabiki turned to her sister, "Don't you dare! If you want to hit someone for those photos then hit me. Or hit Kuno for buying them! Or better yet hit daddy for being too lazy to find a real job so I don't have to do all this crap to keep you clothed and fed! Ranma's injured so I'm taking him to Dr. Tofu's."
"I'll be all right," Ranma said.
Nabiki could see the growing dark wet spot on Ranma's green shirt. "You're bleeding. Come on."
She grabbed his hand and led him away from the campus leaving a stunned Akane behind.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranma was sitting on an examination table with Nabiki standing close by. A man in a dark gray gi wearing glasses was holding Ranma's arm up to look at the area Ranma had been cut.
"So you're Ranma Saotome Nabiki's fiancé? You don't look like the horrible monster Akane was telling me about this morning," the man joked.
Nabiki's face turned serious. She was obviously too easy on her sister with their talk while Ranma was fighting Kuno.
"Well, my sister does tend to exaggerate Dr. Tofu," Nabiki said.
The doctors laughed but regained his demeanor before speaking again. "Ranma, take your shirt off. I need to get a better look at the cut to see if you need stitches."
"Ah doc, you don't need to do that. They'll just have to come out tomorrow. I heal real fast," Ranma replied as he took off the ruined shirt.
"I'll be the judge of that," Tofu said as her leaned in to inspect and clean the wound, "Hmm, looks like it glanced off the ribs without even nicking the bone. You said this was done with Kuno's family blade?"
Ranma nodded not sure what the significance was.
"I'll need to stitch you up anyway. Your healing ability won't help you against a magical wound. You'll still heal faster than a normal person I think but it will probably be as much as a week before this wound disappears. You must be pretty tough, a sword like that can cut stone like butter."
Ranma frowned as if he should have known how slowly magical wounds would heal. The he looked at the doctor suspiciously as he seemed to realize something.
As the doctor was preparing to sew the wound shut, the phone rang. Nabiki said she'd get it and walked out to the waiting room.
Ranma idly listened to Nabiki talking to someone, it sounded like her sister Kasumi on the phone but even Ranma's excellent hearing couldn't tell what she was saying over the phone.
"There, all done," The doctor said proudly.
Ranma looked down and saw only five stitches, "Wow, you're pretty good! I hardly felt a thing."
Tofu smiled at the boy and said, "Thank you Ranma, I try my best. Now I'll put a bandage over the wound to keep it clean. I'd suggest you stay in that form so you don't tear your stitches."
Ranma couldn't tell if the doctor was joking because of what Akane had told him that morning or not. He decided the doctor might bear watching.
As the Dr. Tofu finished up, Nabiki came back into the room looking nervous. Ranma raised an eyebrow when she made eye contact.
"Are you finished?" Nabiki asked.
"Why yes. Who was on the phone?" Tofu asked.
"Oh, uh, just someone calling to say they were on their way here."
"Ok. Well Ranma you're good to go, just be careful to pull those stitches and check back with me in a couple of days."
"Uh, right. Sure thing doc."
Nabiki grabbed Ranma's arm and they went out into the waiting room while Tofu cleaned up the examination room.
"What's going on?" Ranma asked his fiancé.
"Someone the doctor really likes is coming by. Things tend to get a little crazy around here when she's here."
At that moment the door to the clinic opened and in came an old lady walking with help of a cane.
"Wow, the doc sure knows how to pick 'em," Ranma joked.
"Idiot," Nabiki said playfully punching Ranma in the shoulder.
Then behind the old lady appeared Kasumi. She seemed a little concerned to see her sister Nabiki at the clinic.
"Are you all right Nabiki?" Kasumi asked.
The older lady looked up at Kasumi and seemed to sigh in frustration before turning around and leaving.
"I'm fine sis," Nabiki said, "Ranma here got a little distracted while someone was trying to kill him."
"Oh. You shouldn't play so rough with your friends Ranma," Kasumi admonished.
Ranma had a look of 'is she serious?' on his face as Nabiki pulled him out the door. "We'll see you at home sis. Ranma here needs to rest after this morning."
Kasumi smiled before replying, "You're such a good fiancé to take care of Ranma like that."
Nabiki blushed a little as the two teens took off for home. As they left the front gate of the clinic he noticed a group of people all standing around looking nervously at the doctor's office.
"What's up with them?" Ranma asked as they headed down the street.
"Well, the good doctor tends to go a little crazy around Kasumi. He can actually be dangerous to be around when Kasumi's near. Nothing permanent has ever happened but Akane one was hunched over for a whole day when Kasumi walked into the room while the doctor was examining my little sister."
"He must have it bad. What's Kasumi think about all that?"
Nabiki shook her head. "I don't think she notices. It frustrates Akane to no end because she has a crush on the doctor but he only has eyes for Kasumi."
Ranma chuckled. "So is there anyone around here that you like?"
Nabiki moved close and grabbed Ranma's arm. "Maybe. I'm still working on it."
The two waked back to the Tendo home holding hands.
* * * * * * * * * *
Kasumi looked around before going to the examination room. Dr. Tofu looked up and his glasses fogged over.
"K-k-k-k-Kasumi! What a coincidence meeting here of all places. He he eh eh ehe."
"They're all gone Doctor." Kasumi said.
Tofu Ono's glasses cleared instantly. "So how long are we going to keep up this charade?"
Kasumi giggled. "You have to admit, it clears out the clinic quickly so we can be alone." She closed on the doctor and gave him a long, loving kiss. The doctor's glasses seemed to fog up a little again.
"So do you have the files?" Kasumi asked as they broke away.
The doctor composed himself and took a manila folder from his desk. "Yes. It appears someone high up was already compiling the information so it was no problem to get it once I gave my reasons and told them whom it was for. Your sister caught quite the man. Who would have thought I'd ever get to meet the reborn DaiRyuujin no Nishi?"
"It would be an honor to have him in my family but first I must make sure my family is safe. There are rumors that Ranma has acquired quite a few enemies over the years."
The doctor shrugged. "I scanned the files myself a while ago and it seems most of his problems could be cleared up. Apparently his father was quite willing to sell his son for the most minor of things up until he was cursed at Jusenkyou."
Kasumi smiled again. "Thank you Tofu. I wish I could stay longer but you have patients waiting outside and I need to get home to cook lunch."
Tofu gave Kasumi a hug and they parted. "You know Kasumi. My superiors still want you on a full time basis."
Kasumi gave a sad smile. "Once Akane is off to college then I will consider their proposal." She turned and left.
The doctor finished cleaning up as he heard his patients hesitantly entering the waiting room. Things were certainly going to become more interesting in Nerima if not all Japan.