Ki Cutters: 23
The Possibilities III
Two days later, Mikado Sanzenin sat in a restaurant and sipped his coffee thoughtfully. He continued his search for the perfect lips. There had been a pair that was close, but they had belonged to a certain redhead almost two years before. He scrubbed at his lips. His ditzy partner, Azuza Shiratori, was late. She, too, had nearly perfect lips. That was why he had partnered with her at the beginning of their career. He stood up decisively, a scowl on his face. Damn it! If she was letting her kleptomaniac tendencies rule her again, he…
Three girls suddenly stepped up to him. All of them were lithe, athletic, dressed simply but with the intention to draw the eye. He looked appreciatively. Very nice!
"Mikado Sanzenin?" asked one.
"I am he." He bowed to them. "To what tremendous fortune do I owe the presence of such lovely ladies?"
"We heard that you collected kisses," said a different girl, biting pouty lips that glistened wetly, temptingly.
"You might say we're interested in collecting things ourselves," added the third girl. "Wanna donate?"
oOo
Picolet Chardin stood in the grand dining room of his family's restaurant and dojo. "Take back les capon!" he shouted. "Burnt it is! Almost to the point of le cinder!" He threw up his hands in disgust.
"M'siuer!" A maid hurried up. "There are four young ladies at the door who wish to speak to you."
"Ah? Let it not be said that I am less than a gentleman." He rose, settled his coat to hang more fashionably from his shoulders and strode to the hall. There were four beautiful girls waiting him. "Bonjour! It is a happy sight to see such loveliness gathered in but one place."
"Bonjour, Monsieur Chardin," one of the girls said with a very creditable French accent. She continued in that tongue. How wonderful, that you take the time to meet insignificant ones such as we.
Insignificant! Chardin replied. You cannot mean that! You are all beautiful and you yourself have such a sweet command of my mother tongue. He bowed over their hands and kissed them gently and with flair.
You are a flatterer, the speaker giggled. But a nice one. We were speaking with a friend of ours, Ranma…
Ah! My heart breaks, yet again! Picolet acted as if he were about to swoon. Ranma has sent you to me? I did not know I had such a friend.
One of the other ninja, also fluent in French, was translating with hand signals to the other two.
This guy is smooth! she signed. It'll be easy to make him think he's playing all four of us along. She smiled blankly, as if she had no idea what her sister ninja and Chardin were discussing.
Babies! signed another. He's not bad looking either. He's rich. He might be a resource as well. Perhaps one of us should try for him?
It's worth thinking about. Let's wait and see what happens, signed the last. Ranma seemed concerned about this one. He must be very dangerous.
No, no! exclaimed the ninja speaker. Do not fret so. I cannot bear it! How can your poor heart be healed?
You are so kind! Chardin said. So kind and beautiful. He caught himself. Could… could it be? Did Ranma send you four to me in the hopes that your hearts would be touched by my plight? What virtue! What caritas! I am undone! "Moved am I that you all should be so kind. Please! Stay and have luncheon with me, that I might explain what is required of a Chardin bride. I fear that like many others you will desert me, but my poor heart can hope…"
Oh, brother! signed the last girl her smile becoming fixed. Let's hope he's as good in bed as he is at letting his tongue flap!
A half hour later, three of the girls sat frozen, their hair on end, having just seen, not only the extreme flexibility of Picolet's mouth, but the length and dexterity of his tongue. The last girl's eyes were wide in surprise but also in anticipation. That tongue! Oh, Wow!
oOo
Cologne peered out into the restaurant and glared at the two girls who stood, shocked in the midst of their customers. "What's going on out here?" she demanded.
Lung-Lung spoke up hesitantly, "We not know, great-grandmother. Mousse serving table." She pointed to an overturned table. "There two girls, pretty but new here. They say they want duck. Mousse say how duck prepared here. Which way they want? They say they want special duck. One whisper in his ear." She shrugged helplessly. "Mousse scream and run out. Girls follow."
Cologne groaned. She had no idea what was going on, but someone was going to pay for that broken door.
oOo
Nabiki Kagazumi checked her appearance in her mirror. She knew she looked good, but these were special circumstances. Ranma's notes had been unusually specific. Tell Tatewaki the truth about what they wanted. In some way, Ranma seemed protective of the other man, but admitted that he was a very good martial artist. She walked up to the door and knocked. After a moment, a voice vaguely familiar, buzzed through the intercom to ask her business.
"Ranma Saotome should have called to make my appointment," she said. There was a long silence.
"I'm sorry," the voice continued. "There's no excuse for me! The message must have come through right after I last checked the machine! One moment please!" There was another short pause and the front door jerked open. Nabiki boggled as a pigtailed figure stood beyond the entry. Of course the voice sounded familiar. "Kagazumi-san?"
"Ranma?"
'Ranma' looked down. "Augh!" he shouted. He looked like he wanted to cover himself. "This is so embarrassing!"
"Ranma?" Nabiki repeated. He was acting very strangely and his voice was pitched all wrong. The martial artist had never struck her as an actor, and why he might act this way was incomprehensible.
"No, no, no! I am Sasuke Sarogakore! Oh, this is terrible." He dithered, his body language speaking volumes. "Please, come in. Tell me," he asked suddenly, "how well do you know Ranma-sama?"
"Reasonably," she replied, stepping into the big hall. "Do you mean the curse?"
"Yes! Yes! Exactly! I'm cursed as well, to wear his form," he explained. "Especially, after doing the dishes. Hot water, you understand."
"You got caught in the Ranma-iichuan, didn't you?" Nabiki deduced. "Just like Kodachi did."
"Indeed," he admitted. "I really should have changed before coming out, but…" He sighed dramatically. "But enough about me; if you could wait but a moment, I will see if the young master can meet with you."
"Of course, Sarogakore-san," she said.
"Please… Simply, Sasuke." He bowed out.
Nabiki found a seat and looked around the hall. Big. Decorated with the symbols of the past. The armor, the weapons… It also possessed here and there, the symbols of a new turn of thought. Bright flowers in a vase, a painting that, while it complimented the overall décor, was very modern and light in subject. She was comfortable here. It suited both sides of her personality.
She had researched the Kunos a little more extensively than the notes. They were old money, and Kuno Industries was a lucrative firm despite the interference of the owners. Tatewaki's father had been principal at Furinkan and had, fortuitously for the ninja, left for a political position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both Kuno siblings had effectively been orphans for years. Their biological mother had died shortly after Kodachi's birth. Their stepmother had passed away when they were in their early teens. Their father essentially had abandoned them a year later, only to return as a whacked-out Hawaii-phile. Tatewaki Kuno had been an obsessive stalker of Akane Tendo, as well as Ranma's girl-type, but had undergone a recent change of heart… or mind. Most people she questioned felt he was no bright bulb, intellectually, but a dangerous martial artist and a handsome man.
She sensed the movement and rose as Tatewaki strode into the hall. She smiled appreciatively. He was handsome and tall with the lithe strength of a true swordsman. On top of that, her warrior's eyes caught few of the weaknesses that a ninja could exploit. The idea of testing herself against him made her heart beat faster. She considered the opinion of his intelligence. That test would come.
"Please forgive us, Kagazumi-san, for our lapse of manners," he said coming up and courteously bowing the bow one made when not certain of their guest's status. "I have but an hour free for our conversation. Do I understand that Ranma Saotome sent you?"
"Yes, he did," she said, bowing low to properly identify herself as a petitioner. "Kuno-sama, I am a representative of an extended family that has come to grief with the passage of years. I am sorry to speak so boldly, but Ranma is blunt and he asked me to come directly to the point. We are a family without men. We are hoping that certain special people would be willing to help us gain children that our family may continue. We asked Ranma for the names of top martial artists who were not presently in a relationship; men who might sire strong children."
"This is not some sort of joke, is it?" Kuno asked.
"I am very serious. Ranma felt you were a strong martial artist as we seek," she said. "We do not ask for financial help or recognition of the children…"
She stopped uncertain, as the man gave a wry smile. "So I am to be breeding stock?" he asked. "What was Ranma's reaction when you asked him?"
She winced. "It was more Akane's reaction that was the deciding factor."
Tatewaki laughed out loud. "I truly believe you when you say you spoke with them." The young man waved her into a room deeper in the mansion. "Please, Sasuke will bring tea. I have been reclusive of late. Perhaps you could be so kind as to speak of concerns outside these walls to illuminate the shadows of my ignorance."
She giggled. He was obviously well schooled. Of course that didn't mean he had a quick wit. She related the news as she had heard it – a ninja must keep abreast of the daily events that drove people – as well as events at Furinkan. Nabiki boggled a bit as Sasuke came through with tea and biscuits. The recognition of him as a ninja and his unprepossessing appearance were a startling change from Ranma's form. She schooled her expression and explained in greater detail what her clan was looking for.
At one point, Nabiki asked after Sasuke. "Ranma himself is, due to considerations of honor, out of the question, Kuno-sama. Regardless of the words used to express it, he and Akane are exclusive to one another."
Tatewaki looked sad and nodded. "The incomparable Akane Tendo. I wronged her and Ranma for a long time, and even to this day the sight of him inflames me to violence despite my knowledge. Poor Sasuke, if he is incautious, is a recipient at times."
"Yes. He was a bit flustered and answered the door in Ranma's form. I heard about the Ranma-iichuan in my position at the Temple." She sipped some tea and pressed on. "If some of my sisters were to…" She delicately let the unfinished statement hang.
"Seduce Sasuke?" Tatewaki smiled, wryly. "I, of course, do not attempt to run my family retainer's personal life. How could I possibly know or object? It will irritate Ranma as well, no doubt, though not in any way to which he can object." He rolled his cup in his hands, eyes glittering. He continued, "By all means, let them proceed if they and he can come to some mutual agreement. But it may not interfere with his duties, and I do not want him… hurt. He is Chairman of the Board at Kuno Industries and handles policy decisions for me."
She blinked. "Sasuke?"
"Is very capable. He may not be a great ninja, but he is a very good man. He is far more a true parent to my sister and I than our parents of record." A grim look flashed briefly over his face, before the smile returned. "I notice in your bearing and movement that you, too, are a martial artist. Your extended family is a ninja clan, is it not?"
She stopped in mid-movement and set her teacup on the table. "You are quite correct. My clan name I am not at liberty to reveal at this time. Suffice to say that our duty to Baradandya and the Temple has made us renounce past enmities. We hope to convince our former enemies of this fact and live in peace."
"She is a member of the Kotatoo family of the Koga clan," Sasuke said as he set down a fresh tray. At her defensive stillness, he added. "I am in the service of Master Kuno. Besides, my superiors already know much about you after the Mall incident."
"And…?"
"As far as I know, they will wait and see. Many of you bear the names of ninpo warriors, renown for their savagery and deadliness. Might I ask why?"
Nabiki thought a long moment. "Our original master sought those skills and attitudes. She set us to destroy Baradandya Morisato and her sisters or drive them from the Temple. This was a few years before she and Keiichi married. They… Baradandya and Urudu freed us from our servitude and helped us begin anew. Baradandya swore us to serve the light. Our leaders, Kodama and Hikari have taught us to act in the Zen philosophy of the sword that gives life."
"Ah… And if I called the Temple and asked Mrs. Morisato for references?"
"I believe she would offer us references." Nabiki thought a moment. "I am not certain if she would approve the direction our solution is taking."
"Let us break our fast and then continue this discussion," Tatewaki said.
They spoke for some time. She shivered at the way his eyes glowed when she described the action at the Mall against the Crimson Wave, in which she had taken part. His fingers twitched and she knew he wished he had been part of their counterattack. Kuno had not heard the identity of the leader of the terrorists, but apparently knew of Copycat Ken. She saw the controlled response and decided his opinion of the martial artist was low. "A dangerous opponent. I doubt not, though, that Ranma made short work of him." He sobered and gazed at her. "But enough about what your family wants." Tatewaki leaned forward. "What do you want?"
"You!" she blurted out. Horrified, she blushed and looked at her shoes. When had she decided that? When she had come in and realized Sasuke's potential, she continued the interview of Tatewaki as a formality. After all, Sasuke possessed exactly what the ninja had wanted all along.
"That sounded honest," his voice came quietly after a brief pause. "Why?"
She gulped and thought for some kind of answer that would satisfy him before realizing that any contrived answer would be wrong. And if she was going to be truthful…
"May I have some hot and cold water?" she asked.
Tatewaki's eyebrows rose. "Sasuke, please fulfill our guest's request."
Shortly thereafter, they both stared at the tiny woman who hid behind the collar of her blouse.
"You used hot water, so this must be your true form," Tatewaki observed.
"Yes," Nabiki replied. "We acted as guardians at the Temple where Mrs. Morisato and her sisters live. Togenkyo Island provided us with full human form."
"Your origins are truly magical and wondrous. I had thought Ranma had trouble." Tatewaki returned to an earlier point. "Who was the master you were rescued from?" he inquired.
"She was a demon. A true demon and though she was returned to the cycle of days, her name chills me still." Nabiki looked aside, remembering the many who had not made the transition to humanoid form.
"I understand. From personal experience, I have had my own troubles of that sort. Her name?"
"Marller," Nabiki's voice choked. Her eyes came up to catch the look of shock and recognition on their faces. Tatewaki's, formerly so open and easy-going, chilled her to the bone. "What's wrong?" she husked. Sasuke's face, comical before, was tensed in harsh lines as well. Then she remembered. "I am so sorry! I forgot how she harmed you, as well! I should not have…"
"I asked, did I not?" the kendoist said, calming.
Sasuke nodded as well and finished serving. "I am glad to hear it confirmed that she is gone," he said primly. He leaned closer. "Needless to say, I overheard your earlier discussion," he said. "Are they as pretty as you?" His eyes twinkled and Nabiki found herself charmed by the little man.
"Some are prettier, I guess."
"Sometimes, life has its compensations," he said lightly, moving off with empty trays.
Nabiki smiled and turned to Tatewaki. "The time set aside is nearly up. May I see you again, Kuno-sama?"
"On one condition." His face was now serene but unreadable.
She swallowed but strove to maintain her composure. "And the condition?"
"Please call me, Tatewaki. I am dreadfully tired of Kuno-sama."
Nabiki's eyes had hearts in them. Deep inside, her ninja training was doing its best to shoot down her emotions and failing miserably. The most that got past her defenses was 'if this is a line, it's worth it.' "Of… of course, Tatewaki."
"May I call you Nabiki?"
"Please."
He smiled, then. "Nabiki, Friday, I am riding with my sister to the airport. She and her new husband will be traveling to property in the United States for personal reasons."
"I am aware of them. I hope she has an easy pregnancy."
"Master, we need to leave shortly," Sasuke discreetly called from the shadows.
She rose to her feet. "Thank you, Tatewaki, for your time." He joined her and after bowing, shook her hand as well in the western fashion.
"Wait. You are presently a senior at Furinkan?"
"Yes," she admitted, wondering where this was headed.
"Hmmm… Are you considered an employee of this…'Offensive Office Ladies', I think you called it?"
"Yes."
"If I were to examine your resume, what would I find?" he asked releasing her hand and folding his arms.
"Ummm… I type eighty-five words per minute, take dictation in shorthand or from Dictaphone, am fluent in the various courtesies of court and business, as well as English and Korean. I'm learning Mandarin. I'm familiar with computers and radio equipment."
"Do you sing?"
"No… I mean I like singing, but I am not trained as a singer or musician."
"Your particular armed style?"
"Two — the yari and kusarifundo. I am, of course, reasonably familiar with all the arts of ninjitsu, but you asked where my expertise lay."
"Might you be interested in a part-time position as secretary and bodyguard to me? Providing your resume and references check out?" he asked. "Sasuke has been overburdened for far too long."
"I… would be honored." Nabiki shivered, eyes huge under his gaze. She managed to come to herself and begin to bow. He stopped her, taking her hands.
"Sasuke?" Kuno called without turning away.
"I called Mrs. Morisato and explained that Kagazumi-san sought employment with you through 'Offensive Office Ladies, Inc.'. Her reference was most satisfactory. I called Ranma and confirmed who she was by description and placed a call to the number he gave for the company. That put me in touch with Nabiki Tendo. She said she would fax a contract immediately and wished us luck. She gave me a number to reach Kodama who is her Jonin. Unless you have any objections?"
Nabiki looked flabbergasted.
"I told you he was good," Tatewaki grinned, still holding her hands. "Now, if you would come to the airport with us on Friday, we will see Kodachi and Taro Kuno off and you can show me if your skills match your words, and what other skills you have that we have not discussed."
Nabiki blushed to her toes.
oOo
Kodama and Hikari paused in their hiking. Kodama had chosen this overland route as a test of their skills. Though their skills were 'built in' as it were, none of the ninja except herself and Rilla had ever been outside a city. If things went well, Rilla and she would be leading their ninja on training trips to toughen them and allow them greater surety in approaching remote locations clandestinely. This trip to the Unryu farm would serve several purposes. She would test her chonin, Hikari, and get in a little private time as well. It was amazing how unrestrained you could feel when you didn't have forty ninja coming to you with their problems and arguments. Kodama wondered again whether becoming a mother, regardless of the father, would be a good choice for her. She already mothered everyone in sight and it was damned tiring.
"It's so quiet out here, Kodama," Hikari was chattering. "Listen to that bird! Beautiful! And isn't the grass soft underfoot? Maybe we can do this again, sometime, as a sort of vacation?"
Kodama smiled. Her partner was smaller than she and wire thin. Neither was in shinobi gear, having no desire to challenge Konatsu at this time. Where Kodama tended to long meaningful silences, Hikari, except in front of strangers, chattered continuously, her eyes lighting up like flares. For all that she was an excellent ninja, she hardly fit the pattern of dark and grim, which suited Kodama just fine. She had enough of dark, grim and mysterious from the other girls. She wondered if, back when they were rats, she had in some way recognized her need for a bright cheerful personality like Hikari's to balance her own seriousness. It worked well, though, and Hikari was very special in other ways, too.
"Why not make it a vacation on this trip?" Kodama proposed. She pointed to a small clearing. "I wonder if the grass is softer over there. Perhaps we should find out?"
Hikari glanced over, then back at her friend and leader. Slowly, her eyelids lowered and she wriggled a little. "It's a warm day for this time of year. Skin has its advantages…"
Kodama smiled. "Yes, it does, doesn't it?" There would be a short delay in arriving at the Unryu farm.
oOo
Hiroshi and Daisuke lounged about in the park, waiting for Yuka and Sayuri, who were twenty minutes late. Their hopes of going to an early matinee were fading fast. The young men's present topic of discussion was, of course, the new girls in the school. After the initial excessive interest in Ranma and Ryoga, they had become friendly as opposed to alluring. Their increased interest in other boys in the school had eased their irritation with the martial artists but increased the ire of the girls. There were some rumors that some of these girls seemed eager to jump into bed, which they were sure was an exaggeration.
"Yeah… Couldn't be," Hiroshi said in answer to Daisuke inquiry. "You heard Ranma. These stories about mad passionate cheerleaders and girls begging to sell their virginity are bunk," he grumped. "Have we ever seen anything like that? No! We can't even cozy up to our girls without hearing 'pervert' and getting slapped."
"Better than mallets," Dai countered. "And what about bondage? You ever actually met a girl who wants tied up? No! And if you mention hot fudge or whipped cream without adding it's for a sundae, you really get it!"
"Maybe we were moving too fast?" Hiroshi considered. He was the more sensitive of the two and actually struck close to the mark. Asking about handcuffs on the second date was more Daisuke's speed.
"Excuse me…"
They looked over the back of the bench to see one of the new girls standing there, fidgeting in a very attractive manner. Dark haired, with huge dark eyes, she had already been a subject of discussion among a number of the young men. The way she stood, with her hands behind her back thrust her chest forward as if in invitation, but the guys knew from experience that such an invitation was hazardous to pursue. Besides, didn't they all admit to being martial artists? Neither Hiroshi nor Daisuke were, though Ranma's suggested physical training had given them better physiques. They also were not yet comfortable with the fact that while losers they had been, they were now considered attractive by the girls. Only respect for Yuka and Sayuri had held off a lot of the approaches.
"Excuse me?" she said again. They scrambled to their feet.
"Yes? What can we do for you…" Daisuke's quicker off the mark start was spoiled by his memory for names.
"…Korasu," Hiroshi supplied smiling warmly. He had a few fantasies about this girl.
"Hiroshi-sempai, Daisuke-sempai, I have a problem I hope you can help me with."
They swallowed, struggled to subdue their imaginations and after a moment managed to succeed. "Of course," Hiroshi managed. "Our duty as your senior classmates."
"Absolutely," Daisuke echoed. "Name it!"
"Well, you see… I'm… a virgin." Hiroshi and Daisuke felt the hair rise on their heads and the blood pound. Both grabbed at their noses.
Ten minutes later, their dates finally made it to the park and looked around. "Where are they?" grumbled Yuka. "We're only a few minutes late."
"Try half an hour," Sayuri admitted tapping her watch. She looked around for some evidence of their presence. "Let's go to the matinee. If they're there, we'll apologize, if not we'll watch the show."
"Maybe there'll be some cute guys," giggled Yuka.
"You're as bad as they are! Honestly!" Sayuri smirked.
"And you're beginning to sound like Akane," Yuka countered. Linking arms they marched off. Beneath the bench, a magazine with rather lurid pictures riffled in the breeze.
oOo
"What's going on?" Akane muttered as she glanced around the classroom. For once the martial artists were not the center of the swirling emotions that tugged at the senses. Ranma's pigtail was standing on end. Ryoga's teeth were faintly chattering, though only her neko-boosted senses could detect it. Yuka and Sayuri, Akane's closest non-martial artist friends, were acting cold and angry toward Hiroshi and Daisuke. Kogara was acting like a smug jackass, making rude comments at the two who tended to ignore his comments, but flinched every time a girl's voice carried above the murmur. Several other girls also gave the perverted pair the cold shoulder.
The ninja girls were an odd mix. Nabiki looked like Ukyo had last Monday. Akane took that to mean that her interview with Kuno had gone better than well. Choochoo looked smug. Two of the girls looked disappointed and frustrated. Another, Korasu, occasionally shot glances at Hiroshi and Daisuke with an unreadable look on her face. Tek sat at the back and chewed her lip, her expression concerned.
Gosunkugi looked puzzled. Mio had told him today would be 'a day of hidden traps and danger in the shadows'. The Unryu boy, Akari's cousin, looked thoughtful. He had been approached by one of the ninja girls but had asked to take her out on a date. He had been less than trustful of the offer from a girl he had never seen before. The date had been nice, but he had not gone further, yet. Something of a romantic, he wanted a relationship like Ranma and Akane had.
Urudu Kamiko came into class abruptly and waggled her finger at Nabiki. The girl stared at her blankly for a few moments before coming to her feet, her happy almost glazed expression vanishing in a look of concern. She came forward, listened to Urudu's words and paled further. She turned, faced the room and made a quick hand-gesture. The other five ninja rose and followed her out the door, Urudu right behind them. The remaining students exchanged glances, except Hiroshi and Daisuke who stared straight ahead and Kogara, who continued to smirk and snipe.
After twenty minutes, the ninja returned, and Urudu called Hiroshi, Daisuke and Kogara to the front and shepherded them out the door. The ninja sat quietly, eyes forward despite some questions sent their way. Another twenty minutes and Hiroshi and Daisuke returned, sans Kogara.
"In case I hadn't said this before," commented Urudu, dryly, "get your history books out and read chapter twenty-four. Tendo-sensei will be along shortly."
Ninomiya came through the door shortly thereafter. "Good morning, class. I'm afraid we've had some upset in our schedules. Due to improprieties, I regret we have been forced to expel several students from our school. We will respect their privacy… or else. Several other students will be on probation under close observation. They know who they are. I apologize for the inconvenience to the rest of you. Please try to return to your normal routines. Thank you." She left abruptly, without even a glance at Akane.
"Oh, my god," Akane whispered, "What the hell happened?"
"Akane, your stepmother said 'no speculation'!" Urudu said sharply. "I know you're going to talk about it anyway, but save it for lunch or after school." Akane gulped and opened her book, face burning.
Gos, in the back, shivered. Mio was right again! If only he could manage such accuracy in his magic! Then he might feel more confident in their budding relationship.
Ranma and Ryoga exchanged glances. They wondered how many had been expelled and what prompted it, considering the chaos they had caused in the past.
Ukyo looked at her hands. It had to be the ninja. They had done something, and if it had to do with their expressed intent to acquire progeny, then they — Ukyo, Ryoga, Ranma and Akane — were at the top of the 'watch' list. Look at how Tendo-sensei acted toward Akane. Ninomiya thought the world of Akane, but had given her the cold shoulder this morning. Trembling in reaction, she tried to read her book not realizing it was upside down.
Relax… Ukyo jerked as the words echoed in her head. She glanced up, eyes wide and looked at the serious face of Urudu. You're not in trouble. Relax… And turn your book right-side up or I'll call on you. A faint smile flickered across the teacher's face. Ukyo gulped smiled tremulously and got back to business.
Lunchtime provided the curious with the opportunity to question. Hiroshi and Daisuke were besieged. Ranma decided to look into that angle while Akane and Shampoo investigated Yuka and Sayuri. Ryoga and Ukyo reluctantly went to talk to Tek and Nabiki to hear their angle.
Akane sat down on one side of her friends while Shampoo took the other. "What's wrong?" she asked cutting right to the chase; lunch was only so long. "Did you guys break up with Hiro and Dai? What happened?" She gulped as they glared at her.
"Those 'friends' of yours," Yuka complained. "They're a bunch of sluts! That's what they are."
"Whoa! Which friends? You mean the ninja?" Akane backpedaled mentally. "What did they do?"
"Those sneaky little shinobi tramps," Sayuri snarled, fists clenched in rage. "And on top of that, they tried to blame Hiroshi and Daisuke for the whole thing!"
"What? When? How?" Akane stammered. "Blame them for what?"
"For the tape!"
"What tape?" Ranma asked Asuko who was standing off to one side.
"Hiro and Dai were taped at a love motel with a couple of those ninja girls," Asuko explained. "Kogara showed me the thing. Whoo! Of course with copies going on sale, their girls found out about it."
"Oh, damn!" Ranma shook his head in disgust. Trust the perverted pair to strike again. He wondered how they found out about the ninja's plans for kids or how they convinced them they were martial artists.
"I shouldn't say anything," Tek commented grimly. "But they were acting well outside of their orders."
"Tek!" Nabiki said warningly.
"Nabiki, what Korasu did was really outrageous. I thought they were just going to tease those boys," Tek protested. "It would have served them right to get led to that love motel, strapped down and left to explain themselves."
Ryoga and Ukyo exchanged glances. Strapped down? This sounded nasty. "Could we hear what happened?"
Nabiki sighed and looked skyward. "Korasu has been irritated with Hiroshi and Daisuke since day one — they do drool over their magazines a bit much — and she decided to do something about it. She stole some of their rags and set up a script to play on their fantasies. 'I'm a virgin, please help me do something about it', I think."
"She led them to the motel and got them to handcuff her to the bed," Tek elaborated. "Then three of our sisters broke in and accused them of rape. They bullied them into getting strapped down themselves," Tek grimaced. "Then they decided that they might as well not waste such a conveniently available resource. We do need a varied genetic base group."
Ryoga's hand went for his nose.
Ranma managed to get to his friends after a brief struggle. "You guys look pretty grim. Wanna talk about it?"
Hiroshi shuddered and waved a hand at the crowd. "I'm sorry, buddy," he replied. "I never understood why you wouldn't talk to us before."
"Talk… About what?"
"We never knew how aggressive girls could be," Daisuke groaned. "You wouldn't believe what we did."
"Shut up, Dai," Hiroshi flinched. "If you want the details, go get a copy of the tape. There are enough of them floating around, thanks to Kogara."
"Kogara?" Ranma scowled. That individual had not returned to class.
"Yeah. He and some ninja girl named Senrigan taped the whole thing, and Kogara's been handing them out left and right." Hiroshi closed his eyes and shuddered again. "We don't even get a cut of the profits."
"I'd watch it, guys," Ranma warned. "Akane's headed this way and she don't look happy."
oOo
Kodama and Hikari walked up the road along a high powerfully built fence. Hikari looked at it with some curiosity. She jerked a thumb at the structure. "Why all this?" she asked.
"Sumo pigs are the largest and strongest pigs in the world, or so I'm told," Kodama replied. "Actually, to hear Ryoga talk about it, even these fences are far too weak if a pig really wants to leave. It's more to make the insurance agents happier, than anything else."
"How do they keep them in?" asked Hikari nervously. They hadn't seen any yet, but…
"Electric fence inside the big one. See those strands on the posts? If you get in there, don't touch them. It's painful to the pigs, but it would probably kill you. Oh, and whatever you do, don't go where the pigs are in your natural form."
"Why?"
Kodama shuddered. "Pigs eat anything, Hikari. Before I came to the city and met you, I used to live on a farm. Pigs broke into our nest. I was the only one who got away."
"Eeek!" Hikari gulped, eyes huge. "Were those sumo pigs?"
"No, those were ordinary pigs, about fifty kilos. Sumo pigs get up to a metric ton. That pig of Akari Unryu's flattened an armored limousine up at the university. At least that's what Skuld said. I'm inclined to believe her."
"Kodama, you're making these things out to be some kind of monster. It's not like they're Godzilla or anything."
Kodama snorted. 'Don't believe me,' her body language said. Behind them, a large whitish boulder shook itself and rolled to its feet. Katsunishiki trotted in a curiously dainty fashion after the two girls.
"Come on! The pigs can't be that… Eeek!" Hikari, turning her head to argue with Kodama, looked behind at the behemoth only meters away. She snatched at her friend's shoulder and sprang forward. Kodama glanced behind and went white. Katsunishiki had broken into a canter as Hikari reacted to his presence. She quickly matched her friend's actions and speed, fleeing up toward the farmhouse in a general retreat.
"Head for the roof!" Kodama gasped. They leaped. Hikari made it easily. Kodama, winded and upset, misjudged her attempt and slipped on the shingles. She began to slide off, back into the path of the huge beast.
"Kodama!" screamed Hikari. A hand grasped Kodama's outstretched hand and swung her back up to safety.
"Katsunishiki's really quite harmless," a light tenor voice informed her. "He does like to play, however." She glanced up and gulped at the bishonen features of the man who had lifted her up. "Forgive me, I am Konatsu. I understand you are Kodama and Hikari of the Kotatoo?"
She gasped again at his knowledge. Not the fact that he knew who they were, but as he spoke he had made a subtle gesture. The gesture was a recognition symbol for their clan, a secret gesture that offered acknowledgement and succor. It was one that should have only been known by Clan Kotatoo. She automatically signed in response and saw his recognition of that signal. She then signed in a hand signal stolen from a rival clan and saw his frown. That one he didn't know. She huffed, disquieted. "Who are you?" she asked finally.
Konatsu blinked, unsettled in turn. Hadn't he told them? "I am Konatsu, soon to be husband of Akari Unryu. I am… who I said I am."
"How do you know this?" Kodama signed again and watched his hand move in response. Konatsu shrugged. "You are Clan Kotatoo!" she accused loudly.
Konatsu shrugged again. "I have no idea what you mean by that. Why don't you come inside and meet Akari. We can talk in greater comfort there." He leapt lightly down and turned to wait for them. Katsunishiki was waiting as well, sitting on his haunches and looking up curiously.
"Could you ask your pig to leave?" Hikari asked hopefully.
"How about I ask him to help you down?" Konatsu nodded to the huge porker. "Up, Katsunishiki!" The pig rose on its haunches, then up on its hind legs until his nose was even with the roof edge. Kodama's face was a mask but Hikari was in a funk. Those jaws might snap a person in two. Kodama's foot stepped smoothly out to stand lightly on the up-turned nose. She was lowered swiftly to the ground. The pig stood up again and waited patiently. Nervously, Hikari stepped off to let herself be lowered, but she jumped when still meters from the ground to land and dodge behind Kodama and Konatsu. Hikari quickly darted into the house as Konatsu open the door for them. He gently admonished Katsunishiki. "Oh, no! You stay out here," he said. "And don't lean on the house!"
The pig gave a grunt of disappointment and wandered over to a gate. As they watched, he lifted the latch with his snout and let himself into the enclosure, trotting off toward white boulders, actually other pigs, which rose from the ground.
"Oh, my!" Kodama said, amused. "That's why we met him outside, isn't it?"
"He's very bright," admitted Konatsu. "Akari! Our guests are here."
Akari made her appearance. Kodama evaluated the girl. Sweet, strong and either not too bright or deeply controlled. She seemed to make no attempt to understand why they were there. "I'll just get you something to drink. Here, try these cookies! I'm sure you'll like them." The cookies were pig-shaped and Kodama bit into one in a sort of silent revenge to her pre-human family of long ago. "If you need me, Kenna, just call." She left the room.
"Kenna?" inquired Kodama.
"A childhood name," Konatsu offered. "I grew up on the farm next to this one."
"How did you become a ninja, Konatsu?" asked Hikari.
Konatsu smiled sadly. "I simply am. Things that take a committed martial artist months or years to learn come to me in seconds, sometimes simply by picking up a weapon or seeing a tool. Ranma's the same way with unarmed skills." His face went from sad to grim. "Ranma, among others, saved me from my own foolishness. I would have lived and died a slave to my stepmother had they not intervened. Ukyo," he added, clenching his fist, "taught me to be a man!" The ninja face-faulted and Akari dropped a tray as she came in. Konatsu reviewed his words and sweated. "Uhhh… Let me rephrase that. My stepmother raised me as a girl. I didn't realize what I was until after I left my hideous family. Ukyo let me work for her while I gathered my wits and understood my identity. She also borrowed books from Kasumi-sama about anatomy which helped me realize I had been lied to all those years."
"Oh…" The ninja reseated themselves and Akari apologized for the dropped tray. "Konatsu, how do you know the secret signs?" Kodama asked.
Konatsu sighed. "I don't know. Maybe it's the same as the other ninjitsu I use — instinctive."
"I don't think so. I know a little of several other secret languages. I've tried them all on you and you haven't even twitched. But you aren't even aware that you're using the Kotatoo language right now."
Konatsu flinched and looked at his hands.
"I think it's a reasonably simple assumption to know what clan you were associated with," Kodama smirked.
"Sure thing," Grandpa said coming into the room. "Got it right here in the family records. Kenna's family name is Tetsuan."
Kodama grinned. "That clinches it. Tetsuan was one of the hidden names for the Kotatoo. Iron idea equals final answer." She motioned to Hikari. "Bow down, girl, and give honor to the one true Jonin of Kotatoo. Konatsu Tetsuan, born Jonin of Kotatoo of the Koga." They went down on one knee, head bowed. "By your leave, lord," Kodama said silkily, "You are needed by your clan."
"Ah?" Konatsu said intelligently.
oOo
"Ranma!" Akane said. "Get out of the way!" She stood angry and tense before her fiancé. He in turn had his arms outstretched, blocking her path across the schoolyard.
"No." The words came out simple enough. "Yer jumping to conclusions."
"I'm what?" she screeched.
"I'll be blunt. Yer makin' a mistake. Maybe they do deserve a thumping, but not from you. If Yuka and Sayuri want to have a go at them, I won't stand in their way." He watched her closely in case she tried to go around him.
"Ranma, I…"
"Trust me, Akane. Now is not the time." His face was grim and suddenly, Akane was just slightly afraid of him. "They're pretty miserable all by themselves," he added, "but ya notice, they're still in school." He let that comment sink in.
Akane slowly straightened out of her stance. "You better be right, Ranma," she warned, turning on her heel. She stalked away.
"We're sorry, Ranma," Daisuke mumbled, his face tense. He had half expected Akane to put Ranma in orbit then run them down. "We really screwed up."
"Sometimes it doesn't take much," Ranma muttered.
"What now?" Hiroshi asked.
"I'm gonna go talk to some ninja."
oOo
Senrigan and the four ninja stood nervously. Before them, Beldandy, also known as Baradandya Morisato, sat knitting a baby afghan for the expected addition to their family. "Senrigan, dear, what time is it?" Beldandy asked.
Senrigan jerked. She peered at the clock. "It's, ahhh…" She wondered why Beldandy, a goddess, would need to have someone tell her the time. "Keiichi is home already, so… Are you expecting someone?" She hesitated as Beldandy acted as if she hadn't heard her. "It's 7:50 P.M. ma'am," she said finally, defeated.
"Oh, good! Kodama and Hikari will be back in three minutes."
"What?" The five ninja exclaimed in horror. The next three minutes were an eternity.
"Good evening, Beldandy! I thought I could talk to you about… Senrigan, what are you doing here?" Kodama went from ebullient to annoyed in seconds. "And why are these ninja here with you?" She eyed Beldandy's quiet form and the way she sat by the table. "Never mind. We go out and you get into trouble. What is it this time?"
Senrigan tightened her lips and looked down. In retrospect, their 'joke' was far less than funny. The legality or lack thereof went totally over her head. Clinically, she explained what they had done. "Korasu told me about these little boys. These disgusting little boys that played at their perversions and viewed any girl around them as a potential toy! I interviewed their classmates and confirmed their observation. Kogara Daibunmasatsu in particular was critical in my decision."
"Tell her all of it," Beldandy cautioned gently.
Senrigan flinched. "The original plan was that Korasu was to tease them into restraining her then having sex with her. But they spent so much time arguing with each other about whether they should go and do it, that I sent the girls in early."
"And…" Beldandy said.
Senrigan flinched again. "Ah… They tied the guys up and, ah… obtained a diversity of genetic material."
"You are joking…" Kodama said, eyes widening. "You girls… raped two of Ranma's classmates? Ranma's best friends, in fact?"
"Finish it, Senrigan," Beldandy added, behind them.
"We also videotaped it. Kogara and I… we were, ah… collecting genetic material as well, in a room that let you watch the action. And, uh… the tape got… passed around, sort of."
Kodama's cheek was twitching and Hikari began edging away. Kodama was perfectly capable of going into berserker rages. It looked like one was coming on.
"Kodama, dear," Beldandy interjected. "Perhaps before you yell and scream at them — and I'm sure they deserve it — you should perhaps see something."
Kodama swallowed down her rage. "What is it, Beldandy?"
"When you were remade by Marller, she used a special magic. It normally would have been quite temporary." Beldandy continued to knit. "It has been your adherence to the humanity you earned that has sustained you. Even as the black ninja, your humanity resisted the darkness in which you had been born. When you carelessly harm someone, you lose this brightness in your soul. You are in danger of becoming what you once were. Once that happens," Beldandy looked up and they could see tears in her eyes. "Once that happens, you may once more become rats as you were born."
Senrigan swallowed and looked at the other girls. "We're still all right, mistress. We haven't changed."
"Dear Senrigan, you are in your Togenkyo-cursed forms. Those, I admit, you can retain. It is your natural form that will be affected. In turn, it may eventually affect your cursed form."
Senrigan and the others gulped. Kodama grimly got water. Seconds later four ninja shrank back in horror. Senrigan screamed in rage and pain from the floor, black and furry with glaring red eyes. Hot water splashed and Senrigan crouched, still screaming in horror over what she had become.
"I'm afraid, Senrigan, that you may no longer be a guardian of the Temple," Kodama said coldly. The tears in her eyes echoed her own personal horror. This fate could await any of them. "Stand over there." Senrigan stumbled to one side of the room. "Next!"
One by one, the erring ninja discovered their fate. Two others transformed into rats like Senrigan. Two gasped as hot water made them only wet. The two who failed went over with Senrigan. Kodama glanced briefly at the two tiny human figures who knelt in puddles of water. She nodded then walked over to the other three who had failed the test. They immediately knelt, misery clouding their faces and expecting the worst.
Kodama knelt and gathered them in hugging them fiercely. "You made a bad mistake. But you are my sisters. I've learned that nothing will ever change that." She lifted them shaking, to their feet. "We will get you some of that waterproof soap and you will go and help open our business offices. One day…" She paused as they raised their tear clouded faces. "One day, you will win your humanity back, I promise." Behind them, Beldandy smiled slightly. "You are going to have to apologize to the two boys in a way that doesn't do them any more harm," Kodama eyed them hard. "That goes for you two as well. And to Ranma for abusing his trust."
"That's good," Beldandy said. "Because Ranma's here." A shadow appeared in the doorway. Needless to say, the tension of the room went up tenfold.