This is the revised version, thanks to KyLewin. That'll teach me to edit these things late at night, and post without my beta. She YELLED at me…! OO;;
Ki Cutters: 24
The Possibilities IV
Akane ignored the tapping on her window for a long time, but eventually relented and opened it to admit her fiancé. "Talk fast, Ranma." She released Kiku and sat down pensively on her bed.
"I guess it's a matter of where to start." Ranma perched on the desk.
"Those two perverts were in a love motel with four ninja girls."
"That's true enough, as far as it goes."
"Grrr-r-r."
"Of course that doesn't say anything about Kogara or the fifth ninja in this mess, Senrigan."
"Huh? Where do they fit in?"
"They ran the video camera."
"So, those perverts roped them in?"
"Those perverts didn't know about anything."
"Hah!" Akane huffed and turned her back on him. Kiku decided not to remain in the middle of the spat and jumped to the floor. An instant later, she was using her claws to climb up Ranma's leg. He performed as expected and reached down to retrieve her before the claws found his hide instead of the weave of his pants.
"Akane…" Ranma positioned the kitten and began to stroke. "They didn't know. I got this straight from Senrigan, herself. Korasu set them up and roped them in. You know how pretty she is."
"So she's pretty?"
"Arrrgh! Not to my taste, but yeah!" Ranma looked like he wanted to tear his hair out." "Once there, the ninja ambushed them and… 'collected genetic material', I think is how Senrigan put it."
"She said what?" Akane turned, her face a picture of confusion. There was no way Ranma would use language like that about sex. Of course, getting him to discuss the subject at all was as difficult as it was easy to get him to cuddle these days. "Where have you been?"
"Over at the Temple." He sat down on the corner of her bed and gave Akane a summary of the action at the love motel. "According to Korasu, she pretended to be a nervous virgin who wanted their help; It's some gag that's part of the stories in their magazines, I think. Trouble was, once they had her tied down, they got nervous. Fantasy didn't match reality. She was a person to them, not some… plastic doll to play with. On top of that, they didn't want to betray Yuka and Sayuri. They dithered around and apologized to Korasu and were probably going to leave, but the other ninja came in and closed the trap."
Akane gaped, stuttered and tried to make sense of what she'd heard. She just couldn't take it in. Girls didn't… It was the guys who… "Whom are you trying to fool, Ranma?" she shouted. She faltered, as he didn't react even though the cat vacated his lap abruptly. "That's not everything, though?"
"Nope."
"Well?" When he didn't answer she got angry again. "I bet you were just sitting around somewhere watching that tape."
Ranma glanced over at her. "Will ya quit sellin' yerself short, tomboy?" he said irritably and sighed. "Senrigan and two other girls paid a terrible price. Their natural forms have reverted to rats. With cold water, they're full sized humans, but with hot water they become rats instead of those chibi girls they were." As Akane gaped, he added, "They may never regain those chibi forms again, Akane. And the more often they revert to rats, the more of their humanity they'll lose. Baradandya said that if they cannot reclaim their humanity, they'd get more and more vicious…"
"…" Akane felt as if a chasm had opened up to swallow her.
"They'll have to imprison them or kill them. They would have their ninja skills with no discretion beyond immediate need."
Akane swallowed, sick. Imprison them, beat them, punish them, yes; but this? "What about the other two?"
"Korasu and a girl named Odorai kept their human forms. I didn't talk to Odorai, but Korasu said that when the water poured on her, all she could think about was that, maybe she carried the potential of a child within her. She found it was all she could think about and in a flash it would be over… gone."
Akane's eyes were wide in horror.
"Baradandya thinks they still have a chance at conceiving." Ranma gave a deep sigh. "Korasu hopes that it's Hiroshi's. He impressed her for some reason."
Akane gulped and tried to figure out why she felt like crying. Defensively, she recalled something he said earlier. "What did you mean about 'selling myself short'?"
Ranma turned and let his lip quirk up gently. "Why would I ever waste my time on some stupid tape when you're here?" He dropped down beside her on the bed and gathered her in his arms as she choked and began to cry. "The ninja are going to call on Hiroshi, Daisuke, Sayuri and Yuka tomorrow, separately if they can, and try to apologize and repair some of the harm they've done." He stroked her shoulders and when she raised her head up, kissed her, savoring her scent and the way she molded herself to him. Cloth fell like autumn leaves to drift in colorful heaps on the floor. Skin felt so good against skin. Lips to lips to skin to…
Ranma suddenly realized the trap they were in. Akane was 'in season', again. He was so far gone right now he almost didn't care. Akane was so soft and her hands were…
(SPLOOSH!)
"Aiya!" Shampoo crouched in the window. "Where your brains, Ranma? Even if nose not working, can count days."
Ranma knelt gasping against Akane's shoulder. Her red hair was standing on end from the combination of icy water, frustration and the location of Akane's hands. Akane's eyes were wide in shock, the icy water and transformation bringing her out of her hormonal daze.
"You okay now?" the Amazon inquired. "You want keep going, Shampoo get hot water and join in. Only fair." Her hand rose to the neck of her blouse, a faint smile on her face.
Ranma's hand snapped to her nose. "We're okay now, Shampoo," she gasped.
"You sure? Look like fun!"
"Shampoo!" Akane screeched. She trembled in anger, frustration and horrible embarrassment. "How…?"
"Shampoo check up on Ranma and Akane every night since we pledge, heart-sister. It good to see you together. It better to know honor keep you from crossing line. I love you, Akane, and know you try to keep Shampoo's honor, but… Aiya! Nekoken very strong! This time Shampoo keep you from mistake that would make us enemies again."
"Thank you, Shampoo," Akane said, humbled. "Maybe we shouldn't tempt fate like this."
"Hey!" Ranma complained. She shivered. The wind coming in the window was cold, but the idea of not being with Akane was an agony.
There was a knock on the door followed by its opening.
Akane sat under the covers, her top neatly buttoned. Shampoo sat at the foot of the bed and looked startled. Hinako started then frowned at the sight of Akane's guest. "Shampoo, this is a school night. I'm afraid I must insist that sleepovers be restricted to weekends."
"I sorry, Tendo-sensei. I just stop to talk. Very sad about Hiroshi and Daisuke."
"I thought I told you I would tolerate no speculation…"
"Tendo-sensei lose respect if ask impossible," Shampoo warned. "I know; politics very important in my family. Is better to find story that tells enough truth to quiet rumors while preserve those you would protect. Never say nothing and remember rumor almost always worse than truth."
Hinako sighed and nodded. "Speed is of the essence, too. Ranma, come out from under the bed, please."
The girls blushed and froze. There was a long-suffering sigh and Ranma wriggled out from under the bed. "Howdja know?"
"Should I mention the shouting or the warm glow you two give off when you're together?" She smiled. "I am a ki-vampire. I'd be a very poor one if I couldn't sense ki, especially a source as strong as yours." She shrugged. "I'm not blind either and I can understand Soun's logic. You're old enough to make your own decisions."
"Ya want my opinion?" Ranma said dryly.
"I'm going to get it anyway."
"Yeah." Ranma shifted and grimaced. "It took mosta today, but I got the whole story. Senrigan and her hand of ninja really…" He fumbled for a term that didn't have sexual overtones. "Anyway, Hiro and Dai don't want the cops and want to put this behind them. I think they feel they made some mistakes and paid for them and what's done is done."
"What about the other ninja girls?" Hinako growled. "That video tape Kogara sold around did not show anyone in a good light. And people will expect them to be punished."
"You already kicked out the ones that were involved," Ranma pointed out.
"How can I be expected to run a school where a bunch of… nympho-maniacal ninja are ready to accost my students?"
Ranma scowled. "It wasn't that long ago that a certain horny kendoist was stalking the halls trying to accost Akane and me!" He crossed his arms and glared. "No one said anything then."
"I wasn't the principal, then, and I won't put up with such nonsense!" Hinako glared right back.
Ranma grumbled to himself for a moment. There's gotta be some way to fix things without messin' Hi and Dai up any worse than that tape already has."
Hinako, Ranma, Akane and Shampoo exchanged glances, hoping an idea would form. Akane blushed and coughed into her hand. "How bad is it, really, Ranma?"
Ranma grimaced. "Everbody's seen the damn thing; shows everything. Great sound. Kinky as hell. Five well-built pretty girls tyin' up two guys and helpin' themselves…" As he spoke, Akane, Hinako and Shampoo began to scowl. He glanced up, saw his fate written in their eyes and hurridly added, "…or so I'm told!"
"Ranma…" Akane's voice was warning.
"Really! I'm sure Shampoo could tell you more about what went on than I could!"
"Stupid Ranma! You think Shampoo and Akane have nothing better to do than watch low-grade porn film?"
"Howdja know it was low-grade?" Ranma countered.
"Uhhh…" Shampoo blushed. "Hey! This Hiro and Dai we talking about! What else could be?"
"I'm sure they'll be glad for your vote of confidence," Akane said dryly.
"But this is, sorta, what I'm talking about. If this isn't handled right, they'll be the laughing stock of the school."
"Why do I feel I'm going to regret this?" Hinako groaned, rubbing her temples.
oOo
Students were clustered thick about the gates of Furinkan. Rumors were flying fast and furious since the previous day. Copies of the videotape were still being clandestinely passed around as well, guys smirking as the little black cassettes changed hands. The girls wandered in groups, tense and furious. Two of their number had met with betrayal by their boyfriends and the way the guys were acting, it was going to be a cold day in hell before any of them got a warm glance after today.
As it approached time for the bell, a thunderous rumble swept the street that led to the gates. A dust cloud rose and soon two figures could be seen racing ahead of an excited mob.
"Is it Ranma?" someone yelled.
"Maybe Ryoga?" suggested another.
"What about Happosai?"
"Aw, crap! It's the perverts!" A guy who climbed the gates yelled down to the crowd. "And they've got a horde of girls after them!"
"Serves them right! I'll bet they're going to get pounded like the old freak was," harrumphed a girl.
Hiro and Dai ran through the gates and broke left. Behind them the horde came on. To the astonishment of the spectators, the girls were not screaming imprecations and brandishing weapons. They were screaming, but their words sounded like, "Yoo-hoo! Hiro! Come back, you manly thing!" and "Daisuke, please don't leave me unsatisfied, my little stud-muffin!" Some thirty girls thundered through the quad, some of them in the uniforms of Furinkan students, others in regular street clothes or ninja garb.
Numerous students' jaws hit the ground only seconds before they did, as observers face-faulted or froze in shock. Hiro and Dai rounded the corner of the building and vanished, the horde in full cry after them.
"What… What…" was an example of the more intelligent of statements from the student body.
"What's going on out here?" the commanding voice of Tendo-sensei caused everyone to duck and cover.
From somewhere, a voice spoke up quavering, "It's those ninja girls! They're chasing Hiroshi and Daisuke!"
"We'll see about… that…" Her eyes bugged out as the perverted pair rounded the building, pursuers close behind. She hadn't expected the whole clan! One ninja, smirking, let loose an artful bola toss.
Hiroshi, glancing behind, yelled, "Jump!" Daisuke and Hiroshi cleared the whirring weapon and raced on.
"Damn!" exclaimed Hikari, pulling another bola from her belt. "They're really not bad."
Choochoo flung a net, but had it foiled by a hurled trashcan as a counter. Hiroshi and Daisuke turned and ducked through a side door into the school. The ninja were getting a little too close. It was a good move as the available entrances limited their pursuit.
"Now that's going too far!" snapped Tendo-sensei, turning and marching back into the school. She had a good idea were their paths would lead them. She came quickly to a crossing and stood poised and waiting.
Hiroshi and Daisuke burst past her. "Happo-go-ju-en-satsu revised!" As she started to shrink, one hand was planted against a metal locker. Hinako demonstrated the ki drain revised to protect her pregnant state. Lightning flickered along the metal as ki was released as a static electrical charge. Students unfortunate enough to be touching metal suddenly sported Afros. About a dozen of the ninja dropped. The rest pulled back into doorways and cross-halls to regroup.
"I want you people out of here right now!" Tendo-sensei called using a drill instructor tone. "This is my school and I won't put up with this nonsense!"
There was muttering in the shadows, then, "What the hell is going on around here?" Kodama marched down the hall, stopping warily as Hinako swiveled to point the fifty-yen piece in her direction. She glanced at her slumped ninja and restrained a smile. "Tendo-sensei, your reputation almost doesn't do you justice."
"You would be Kodama-Jonin?"
"Yes, Tendo-sensei."
"I want to know what excuse your ninja have for chasing Hiroshi and Daisuke again?"
"I'm a little curious, myself. They were supposed to be apologizing for the inexcusable violation of their privacy. Hikari?" she called. "Hikari!"
A locker banged then disgorged a girl, who neatly rolled out and up to a standing position. "Damn, those things are small. Even with my speed, I nearly didn't get out of the way," Hikari admitted. She fell to her knees before Kodama and called out "Kenzanin!"
"Hikari, what happened to the apology?" Kodama demanded.
"Forgive us, Jonin. We approached Hiroshi and Daisuke with the intention of extending our apologies and our services in correcting the errors of judgment our ninja involved them in. They were understandably nervous about meeting the five erring ninja, but I think things would have gone well had they not noticed several others watching them from surrounding cover."
"How did we end up with the entire clan chasing them?" Kodama demanded sternly.
"When the boys noticed the others, they decided they were in a trap and bolted." Hikari looked embarrassed. "We hadn't finished apologizing and didn't want them to get the wrong idea, so…" She shrugged eloquently.
"Even I got the wrong idea when you idiots went roaring past." The Jonin looked disapproving. "Why was everyone else after them?"
"Excuse me, please, Jonin." Korasu knelt down, asking permission to speak.
"Korasu! Weren't you expelled?" snapped Tendo-sensei.
"Yes," she replied, head low. "You were quite justified. What I did wronged Hiroshi and Daisuke, and hurt them and people they cared for as well. I want to atone for that. You already know, sensei, that I led them to the love motel. I had researched the magazines they read and deduced a lure to stir their lust and coated it with an icing of honorability. I desperately wanted a child, for myself and for my clan."
"What is this about?" Tendo-sensei asked, turning to Kodama.
"Until recently, our clan was cursed. For the past five years we have had no men of our own, nor could we approach any outside our clan. We feared our clan would die out and this weighed heavily on many of our ninja," she admitted. "Fortunately, Ranma and his friends managed to point a way to circumvent the curse. With that disability out of the way, I'm afraid some of our girls got a little too enthusiastic."
Korasu sighed at the description. "That, too, is my fault. Once I got them to the room, they became doubtful. They did not wish to sadden their girlfriends, but my words were a challenge to their manhood. They are not martial artists and four of us were stronger and better trained. Seeing that we would not be dissuaded, they reluctantly accepted their roles." She sighed again. "They were not very happy with us, though." Korasu looked up then to her superiors. "I admit to feelings for them. They did the best they could under the circumstances and they did not know they were being taped. I did not know till after…" She swallowed at Kodama's expression and ducked her head low again. "I spoke of them to my sisters and they must have gotten curious."
"And maybe even a little jealous?" Kodama glared. There were more mutters from the shadows.
"Why haven't they gone after Ranma or Ryoga?" snapped Sayuri, stepping out of the crowd.
"We did approach them, very formally, because our first choice is children from top martial artists," Kodama admitted. "Unfortunately, Ryoga's directional sense is genetic and a dominant trait in the Hibiki line. A lost ninja wouldn't do anyone any good. Ranma is betrothed to Akane and they have honor considerations involving Shampoo, the Amazon. Ranma will not consider even acting as a donor until after the honor situation is resolved and the first Saotome child born. As for pressuring them?" Kodama laughed without mirth. "We wouldn't dare."
"Then why my Hiroshi?" Sayuri demanded.
Behind her, Hiroshi blushed. Hers?
"He's not yours," Kodama replied bluntly. "You're not betrothed or even promised. Besides, our clan needs a wide genetic selection to stay healthy. As for their methods… Punishment has been meted out."
"Exactly what punishment?" Yuka stepped forward, dragging Daisuke by the arm. "How have they suffered?"
"That's our business, little girl," Kodama said coldly. "Isn't it enough that those responsible will no longer attend your school?"
"No!"
"Yuka, Sayuri…" The girls stepped back as Mrs. Morisato slid through the crowd. "Will you take my word that they have indeed been punished? And possibly received worse punishment than any convicted rapist?" The two girls glanced down at the crouching Korasu, then back at their teacher.
"It needs demonstrated, Jonin," announced a voice husky with emotion.
"Senrigan," warned Kodama.
"My responsibility, Jonin. I was Chonin to these girls and I participated with Kogara-san."
Senrigan stepped out in her dark gray ninja garb to bow to the girls, to Hiroshi and Daisuke, and to the teachers. She produced a flask and upended it over her head. There was a muffled scream from Yuka as she stepped away. Senrigan the rat squirmed free of her enveloping clothes and chittered mournfully. She was that way for only an instant, then water splashed and a naked young woman replaced the rat. She glanced up gratefully at a white-faced girl-type Ranma who had carried cold water from the nearby fountain to activate the curse. Silently, she dressed herself. There was no comment from the young men around her. She bowed to Ranma and disappeared back into the ranks of ninja.
Hinako Tendo had been informed that discipline had been served those ninja not under her jurisdiction as principal, but had not been told what form it took. Nor had she heard Ranma and Akane's discussion of the punishment the night before. She dropped her coin in shock at Senrigan's transformation and made no move to replace it.
Kodama nodded grimly. A single gesture and the ninja disappeared into the shadows, carrying their disabled comrades with them. "The bell is about to ring. They will trouble no one else."
Tendo-sensei regained some of her equilibrium. "Kodama, I would like to speak with you in my office. You, too, Ranma!" she snapped. The redhead gulped and nodded. The principal turned and stalked away.
"Hinako?" Baradandya called, "I would be there as well." She took note of the other's nod and turned to the stunned students. "Come now, you heard your principal. Off to class with you all! Shoo!"
Students slowly dispersed. Exceptions were Hiroshi, Daisuke, Sayuri and Yuka. They stood, their eyes on the floor before moving off in mixed pairs, shoulders not quite touching.
oOo
"Is everyone here?" asked Baradandya Morisato, sticking her head in the door.
Ranma, nervous and female, jittered on one of the big leather chairs. Kodama, outwardly at ease, stood to one side waiting patiently. Hinako sat behind her desk; fingers tapping a drum beat on the hard wooden surface. "All right, Ranma; it looks like your bizarre little plan has borne fruit. I think your friends will be celebrities, if anything, and their girlfriends know for certain they did not betray them willingly." She fixed Baradandya with a glare. "Mrs. Morisato, I have to say I am not pleased with the way the past few days have gone. Their actions have not reflected well on you, who sponsored them."
Baradandya bowed her head in acknowledgement, tears threatening the corners of her eyes. Kodama growled from where she perched on her chair.
"Don't make things worse, Jonin," Hinako snapped. Kodama flinched, however, not from her words, but from Baradandya's hurt look.
There was a general slumping of shoulders.
"Cheer up!" Ranma chipped in cheerfully. "Things worked out! I thought the chase and the apology were great. Felt like old times, ya know?"
"So you think this solves everything, Ranma?" Akane's stepmother dryly inquired.
"Sure," the redhead insisted. "Like ya said, Hiro and Dai now have a reputation as being impressive to the ladies, yet Yuka and Sayuri know this love motel business wasn't entirely their fault. Kodama's ninja aren't scary lurk–in–the–dark killers to the guys – they're girls – maybe a little easy, but girls." Ranma shrugged. "Nobody minded the violence before, and no one ended up in the hospital. Everyone's happy…"
"What about the girls who become rats, Ranma!" snapped Hinako.
"It was rash of Senrigan to display that," agreed Kodama, "but it helped those girls feel that some justice was served."
"Justice?" Hinako sprang to her feet. "That wasn't justice! That was horror! I must demand you rescind this punishment immediately or face expulsion of all of your people in the school."
"Miya," Baradandya spoke up. "Kodama did not cause Senrigan's condition. Their own actions caused their conditions." Sighing, she continued, "Of the five girls who…" Baradandya grimaced, "…misbehaved, three become rats with hot water. The other two girls know that this could have been their fate if their hearts were in the wrong place."
"This isn't a Jusenkyo curse?" Hinako demanded.
"It only appears that way and while it is superficially similar… Well, it really was their attitudes that made the difference. Kodama, do you mind? Miya always keeps some tea in here…"
Kodama reached for the kettle, then bowed to Ranma who got there first. Ranma poured. Moments later, Kodama peered up at them from the collar of her blouse. Hinako swallowed hard. "I'm never going to get used to shape-changing curses." Ranma poured cold water. Kodama managed to reinsert herself into her clothes as she grew.
"In case you didn't notice, that was my natural form," Kodama said. "Togenkyo Island was suggested to us by Ranma, and it gave us the means to become wholly human."
"…" Hinako shook her head. "You… you're not really human, then?"
"By the grace of the kami, we are human," Kodama whispered. "But if we fall from grace we lose that which we have been gifted with."
"Don't sell 'em short, uh… Tendo-sensei," Ranma chirped, deciding politeness might be a good idea in this tense situation. "They're really good people, mostly. Even Senrigan isn't bad — just a bloody-minded, closet man-hater. Sort of a female Vegeta, if ya know what I mean."
"Since I got married, I'm sorry to say I do," muttered the principal, remembering some squabbles over the TV set. She was amazed that this martial artist, known for his swift and decisive action, should enjoy a verbose, animated soap opera.
"Yeah. Well, she'll come around," Ranma said with some confidence. "Maybe once she figures out what she's doin' wrong, she'll get her chibi form back."
Hinako slumped. "God! What a mess. Will Hiroshi and Daisuke really be all right?"
"Hey! They're my friends. I'll keep an eye on 'em."
"Who will keep an eye on you?" Kodama laughed.
"Akane," Ranma smirked, pleased she had a ready and reliable answer for a change.
"The boys are much stronger than they look," Baradandya said. "I'm sure they'll be fine."
oOo
Kilometers away, a well-dressed man stared at the information on his computer and grimaced. He had experienced a huge loss recently and had no idea how much longer he could keep juggling finances before his world came crashing down. He had begun stashing cash in low denomination bills toward the eventuality that he might have to flee his creditors. He looked up as a small slender woman entered his office.
"Dear," she said. "There is someone here to see you." She stood elegantly, her hands folded delicately before her, her short hair styled in a simple but fetching manner.
"Will you call me Aoshima-sama?" Aoshima snapped from his seated position behind the desk. "I'm an important man, Sora. I must keep up appearances!"
"I'm your wife, Toshi," she said. "Isn't it a wife's duty to…"
"If I were some piddling little managerial wannabe, yes!" her husband snarled. She flinched and took a step back. "You will play your role here! You are my personal assistant, nothing more, when guests are present." He leaned back. "Perhaps especially when the guests are unannounced and unexpected."
"Is something wrong…"
"You will address me as Aoshima-sama!" he screamed at her.
She cowered. "Yes, Aoshima-sama."
"Or did you already tell them you were my wife?" Her silence and downcast eyes told him what he expected. "Idiot!" He ground his teeth. "Make a mistake like this again and I'll send the children away. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Aoshima-sama." She trembled and a tear leaked down her face.
"And wipe your face," he added. "So… Who did these people say they were?"
"They… they handed me this card." Sora shivered as she passed the tiny square of cardboard to the man across the desk. "A man – gaijin – and two women. I think they are his assistants."
"Use the tray next time," he critiqued. "The one by the door. That's what it's there for." He examined the card. Senbei Ichioni? Why did that ring a bell? Who the hell would have a last name of 'Number One Demon'? He snapped his fingers at a resurgent memory.
Back when they had been at Nekomi Tech, his cousin Sayoko had been hostess to one Marller Ichioni. Sayoko was a disgustingly happy housewife these days with three drooling little monsters of her own. He even imposed on her from time to time to try to get close to Baradandya, with whom she had a standing invitation. It was something that annoyed her to no end. But, back then, she had mentioned that Marller was a demon, a real demon.
Aoshima considered this card, which possessed an unusual warmth. He pursed his lips. What the hell! "Show them in, Hasegawa-san," he said with an arrogant sneer.
oOo
"Hey guys!" Ranma waved and moved to sit down at the table in the cafeteria with his friends. Sayuri scowled at him, but Hiroshi and Daisuke gave him faint smiles. Shampoo nodded and winked. Ukyo leaned back against Ryoga's shoulder and traded bites of a large okonomiyaki. Akane looked at him warmly causing a faint blush on his cheeks. He busied himself with snarfing down his lunch.
He had snuck back in, as a she for safety's sake, the night before, after Hinako had returned to bed and Shampoo left. Akane insisted on snuggling anyway, which had made Ranma uncomfortable. The way his fiancée explained it, he was her fiancé and she expected some attention no matter what form he was in. His real problem was that his girl-form had been aroused anyway and he didn't know how to handle it. Per his usual habit for personal things he didn't understand, he kept it to himself. It was embarrassing and he didn't know how Akane would take such information.
"Did you guys make up?" he asked, glancing between the pairs in question.
Akane grimaced. "Ranma," she snapped, "leave them alone! You're as bad as our fathers."
"What?" he asked hurt.
"Let's just say we're thinking about it," snipped Sayuri. "It's pretty rotten to have your boyfriend simply walk off with some floozy…"
"You said yesterday we were half an hour late," Yuka pointed out.
"What does that have to do with it?" snapped Sayuri.
"It wasn't their fault," Yuka suggested.
"Bullshit!"
"It was our fault," Hiroshi said, perhaps unwisely. "I almost wish I'd never seen one of those skin-rags." Daisuke nodded in agreement.
"Almost?" Sayuri flamed, scandalized. She subsided into sullen anger as yet another classmate approached. Tek stopped some distance away, assessing the angry looks on the girls.
"I'm sorry for what happened," she offered, approaching.
"Sorry you weren't in on it?" Sayuri growled.
"It wasn't my hand… my sub-group of the clan, I mean. Besides, I'm not ready for a baby yet." She motioned to an empty chair. "May I sit down?"
Sayuri huffed but made no further protest.
"I just wanted to apologize for everyone running after you like that. We're a pretty insensitive bunch." Tek opened her lunch and delicately began to eat a fairly simple bento of curried rice. "When you suddenly shot off like that and Senrigan shouted 'Hey! Come back here'…" She shrugged and kept her eyes on her food.
"Well, what would you have done?" grumbled Daisuke.
Tek froze and considered. "I would never have given my attackers the chance to explain themselves," she decided. She went back to eating. "Some of my sisters would have been plotting how to kill or maim their attackers… painfully." She looked up, a sad look on her face. "Like I said, we're an insensitive bunch."
"Insensitive," grunted Sayuri.
"It was pretty stupid," Tek admitted. "Korasu got ticked because she noticed you guys looking at her when you were reading your magazines. Never mind that even Ranma here watches her from time to time. She's very pretty and moves well."
"Ranma?" Akane growled.
"Hey! I ain't watchin' her!" Ranma leaned away nervously.
"Boys watch girls. Can't help it," Shampoo suggested with a lack of concern.
"Even Mousse?" Akane suggested sweetly.
"Nice try. Mousse lucky to see end of nose."
Tek grinned. She had met the Amazon male at the Nekohanten, and had seen how thick his glasses were. "You guys may not remember it, but you ogled her at the mall before Christmas and made a very unfavorable impression."
"Huh?" It was obvious their brains were trying to cope with the recollection. "Omigod! Hiro! Remember the girl we thought was a mannequin?"
Hiro groaned and banged his head on the table. Yuka and Sayuri looked on with the tight expression that expects unpleasant news. "We had finished our shopping early," Hiro groaned from the tabletop. "We saw what we thought was a mannequin just outside a store. You know how some places put displays right at the door? She just stood there, hands on her hips, head up and a smile on her face. We were feeling pretty excited with the holiday and shopping and all and the clerk was right there, so we put our arms through hers, spun her around and asked the clerk, 'How much for this one? She'd look good in my room. Do you have any more? You can even have the clothes back.' Then we realized she didn't feel like a mannequin." Hiroshi groaned and blushed.
"We were too busy with our joke to even really see her and she nailed us both at the same time. Put us right on our butts. Gosh, was that embarrassing," Dai agreed.
Sayuri looked disgusted at the ceiling. Yuka tried to follow her example, but snickered instead.
"Her chonin, Senrigan, is a real man-hater, even though she's one of the loudest about wanting children of her own. Her specialty is espionage. That's why she's called the 'Peeping Tomboy'."
"Tomboy?" Akane glowered.
"Well, she can't be a 'Peeping Tom', Akane," Ranma snickered, "Not unless we got some Nanniichuan."
"Baka!"
"Jackass," Ryoga and Ukyo joined in together, chuckling.
"Would you apologize to Korasu for us, Tek?" Hiroshi groaned miserably. "If we hadn't been such jerks…"
"Apologize?" Sayuri rose to her feet outraged. "You just want to get in the sack with her again!"
Hiroshi groaned and hit his head on the table. "You think it was fun? It scared the hell outa me. Korasu and that other girl… What was her name, Dai?"
Dai rubbed his wrists, in silent memory. Dai grimaced. "Odorai, I think. Yeah… I think they were having as many second thoughts as we were, but they weren't in charge."
"I don't believe this!" yelled Sayuri, her face distorting with her anger. "What did you guys do? Take their names for your little black books?"
"Sit!" Tek said suddenly. Sayuri's mouth went dry. She sat. Tek was normally as placid as Kasumi, but she was tall and had a commanding presence at the moment. "None of my sisters will bother any of you again. It was a mistake to begin with. In addition, you must know that we cannot possibly marry unless we can guarantee bringing our husband into the clan. That would take remarkable trust and he would have to void all claims except to the clan." She eyed the girls. "None of my sisters are going to be chasing after your boyfriends, even if they wanted to."
"Why were you making eyes at Ryoga, then?" Ukyo asked.
"Ukyo, he's cute. Very cute. And he's a nice guy," Tek said easily. "I never said I wanted to marry him." She winked at Ryoga who blushed and shifted nervously. "So is Hiro, actually."
"You people are… are…" Sayuri glared at Tek.
"Available?" Tek suggested leering.
"Oooh!" Sayuri jumped to her feet and stomped away. Hiroshi jumped up and followed her, murmuring protests. Yuka watched the ninja girl with some trepidation.
"Sorry about that," Tek said, putting her head on her hand.
"Are you all on the make?" Yuka exclaimed in dismay.
"Of course not." Tek grinned and stretched. "Only about half of the girls are seriously looking to have babies. Like I said, I'm not at this time." She stood up again. "Sayuri needed someone to be mad at. I figured I would do so she could forgive Hiroshi and get on with her life." She smiled at Yuka. "I can see that you've already forgiven Daisuke, or at least are willing to give him a chance, or I would've made eyes at him, too."
Ukyo blinked. "You're not interested in Hiro… or Ryoga?"
"Well…" Tek glanced at Ryoga. "No more so than any girl who doesn't have a sweetheart. I can see he's taken, Ukyo. And I won't poach on my friends."
"You guys seemed awful interested down in the tunnels, Tek," Akane reminded her. "What's changed?"
"Well, back then we didn't have any options at all, Akane. Ranma and Ryoga were like manna from heaven. Males, but small like us. It meant we could have children and the clan would continue. You might say that back then we were rather single-minded." Her smile grew broader and she swept her arms out. "Now, there are… what, at least two billion choices?" She laughed out loud. "I think my chances are good enough without poaching my friends' guys. See ya!" She stood and walked away.
Yuka turned to Daisuke. "You guys better keep away from those stupid magazines after this," she said sternly.
"I think we can manage," Dai replied.
"What are the chances of those two staying out of trouble," Akane whispered to Ranma.
Her fiancé snorted. "Even without skin-rags and ninja, they'll find something to irritate everyone around."
"We've been talking about getting Ranma to teach us martial arts," Daisuke admitted. Yuka looked doubtful. The martial artists groaned. With that as a starting point, they could just imagine the possibilities.
oOo
"Aoshima-san," murmured the silky smooth voice of his guest. "I be called Senbei. A close associate of mine was houseguest to your cousin a few years ago."
"Would that be Marller?" Aoshima took in the tall gaijin and tried to decide if he could use him.
"Yes. You have a very good memory, you do," Senbei smiled while Urami and Urayami smirked with him. For a brief moment, Aoshima felt a touch of fear. "In fact, I was t'inkin' that maybe you not mind a few houseguests for de near future."
"Really? Did my cousin send you? Perhaps I should give her a call."
"Yo little cousin, she a bit busy right about now, I t'ink," Senbei replied easily. "Besides, she outa da loop now she turn to de goddesses and live de righteous and boring life, yah."
"Goddesses?" Aoshima asked easily. He knew the answer, but the fact that this person might know as well would indicate he was the real thing.
"Beldandy, Urd, and Skuld dey be. Dey call demselves Baradandya, Urudu and Sakurida here and now. T'ree lovely ladies yo hab de hots fo, fo a long, long time." He smirked, and for a moment, his eyes seemed red. "Especiality, Beldandy… She who marry dat Kei-boy."
Aoshima flushed with rage, his mask forgotten. "How could she possibly want that nobody?" He stopped and tried to regain control. His eyes rose to meet Senbei's.
"Yah, I be like a fine wine, when I wanna be. Now, Aoshima-kun," the demon went on with insulting familiarity, "I don' espect yo to let me stay fo nothin'! No, sirree! That'd be bad business! Oh, yah…! No, I jus' might be able to help yo. Maybe wit' de finances… Maybe wit' bigger t'ings…"
"Yes!" The exclamation came out in a throaty snarl, shocking Aoshima. He had to regain control. "Why should I need help with finances?" he said coolly.
Senbei snapped his fingers. Urayami smiled evilly and opened a folder she had carried under her arm. "Your casino took the biggest hit last month, a house-wide winning spree cost you twenty-one billion yen. You kept it open by propping it, illegally, with funds from banking interests your family controls. Unfortunately, your house percentage hasn't met expectations. In addition, recent reverses in the stock market have driven your other holdings to the edge and you owe a fair amount of money on stocks and investments. On paper, you are worth in the neighborhood of fifty billion yen. In fact, you are nearly half that in the red, and sinking fast." Urayami smirked. "At noon tomorrow, a special committee will be meeting to investigate the realities of your accounting. If they do, you will most likely be arrested in another twenty-four hours for embezzlement, money laundering and bank fraud." Her smirk turned evil as the blood drained out of his face. "Prison is so much fun," she gloated.
"Or…" Senbei drew out the word, savoring it. "I guarantee dey vote to put off de examination one week. In dat week, I tell yo which stocks to buy or sell short, as well as make sure yo casino get boost to house percentage. Yo be rollin' in money den… and jus' fo lettin' t'ree little frens stay fo an extensive visit."
Aoshima smashed his hand down on the desktop. "Deal!" he grinned. "And if you can do that, when you want anything else, anything at all, it's yours."
"Oh, I can t'ink of a few t'ings, but dat's fo later. Shall we celebrate?" Senbei and his demonesses smirked.
Aoshima hit the intercom. "Sora! Get the saké, the good stuff, and bring saucers for four." He laughed. "It's going to be a great New Year!"
oOo
Kodachi, Taro, Tatewaki and Sasuke walked up the steps to the Temple that was home to Mrs. Morisato and her sisters. "Hello? Is anyone home?" There was no answer at first, then, a whirring sound preceded the flowing movements of a jolly looking robot striding around the corner of the grounds. "Oh, hello, Banpei," Kodachi said. "Are the Morisato's home? I want to speak with them about my wedding."
The odd little machine seemed to pause and then nod and blink, motioning them to follow as it turned. There were some whistles from a low wall and high-pitched calls. A number of tiny figures ran along the flat surface, waving.
Tatewaki smiled and extended a hand to one, who scampered up his arm and perched on his shoulder. "Good afternoon, Nabiki-san."
Sasuke, in his natural form, leaned closer, trying to identify some of the others. He was mobbed by five small figures, which perched on his head and shoulders. He looked terribly embarrassed by the attention and Taro chuckled unkindly, a rolling of his eyebrows informing the short ninja that he knew what was going on and thought it was a great joke. To make matters worse, one grabbed Sasuke's earlobe to whisper into his ear. Soon, he was blushing furiously to the giggles of his burden.
They found the Morisatos working on an engine hung from a tripod in the shop behind the Temple. Kei was using a tool to carefully size a cylinder, while Baradandya polished away at a surface with one hand while holding a lubricating solution in the other. The metal gleamed in the artificial lights necessary for work this time of year. Nearby, a space heater roared sullenly, providing heat to the interior. The Morisatos immediately suspended operations to greet their guests.
"I'm terribly sorry, Kodachi," Mrs. Morisato apologized. "I didn't realize you wanted a formal meeting."
"It's my fault, please," Kodachi apologized back. "We weren't planning anything special and my brother and Sasuke came along for the ride." She glanced over her shoulder. Tatewaki stood, one hand extended as a stage for the tiny Nabiki to stand on while they talked. Sasuke's eyes were flickering back and forth as five ninja girls seemed to be trying to outdo one another in embarrassing him. Her eyes softened. She never in her wildest imagination expected to see a gentle smile on her brother's face again. "I…" She refocused on her teacher. "I'm sorry." She was embarrassed by her distraction. "Tomorrow, Taro and I are going to the registrar's office to get married."
Mrs. Morisato's eyes crinkled. "I'm so happy for you."
"I wanted to know if you could marry us as well."
Mrs. Morisato blinked and gazed at her with a degree of surprise. "I'm honored, but why me? I don't think my credentials are exactly recognized by Japan."
"I don't care. I… we both would like you to… to at least bless our marriage." Her thoughts came out in a rush now. "It feels right. I would be happier if you would."
"Then I will. In fact, I would appreciate it if you included all of us." She watched Kodachi make a face. "I know you're not sure of Urudu — who is — but she means well."
Kodachi felt Taro's hand on her shoulder. "Let's put the past behind us, Dachi," he murmured.
They looked at Baradandya as she gasped slightly. "I see. I could not refuse your request now," she said enigmatically. "I would like Keiichi to stand with us as well, Kodachi."
"What?" Keiichi apparently hadn't a clue that she was going to ask that. His head came up so fast it clipped the side of the engine. "Ouch!" His wife was immediately at his side to see if he was all right. He endured her attention with embarrassed protests, completely overcome by her fluttering.
Once she was satisfied Kei wasn't about to keel over dead, Baradandya turned back to them with a smile. "What time?" she asked.
And so, on 10 January 1992 at 4:00 P.M., immediately after school let out, an assembly of fellow students and well-wishers gathered at the Temple. The papers from the registrar's office in their suitcases, Taro and Kodachi were wed by Mrs. Morisato and her sisters. Keiichi acted as an acolyte; Urudu stood behind the couple. Baradandya stood before them and conducted the service and Sakurida stood behind her sister. While Baradandya officiated, chanted advice came from Urudu or Sakurida at odd moments.
"Here before the heavens and all time and space, in the presence of the Almighty and with His blessings stand two who would join their lives and live as one," chanted Baradandya. "The past stands behind you. Owe you responsibility to the past?
Kodachi and Taro started to answer no, then paused and looked at one another. The pause grew longer. Kodachi spoke quietly, "I have harmed many in my life and need yet to make amends in many cases…" Tears suddenly poured down her cheeks. Where did that come from?
"Bear you burdens that would prevent this union?" came Urudu's voice quietly.
Taro's hands gripped hers as she wept. "I accept her burdens as my own," he almost gasped out. "I, too, have responsibilities." He thought of Citrus, the monk who had guided him those years when Happosai had disappeared and thought of the village he had turned his back on. Had he been right in deserting them? He thought of what it had turned into, his old village, not far from Jusenkyo. Did he still owe them? "I was protector of a village. I…" He thought of his mother and tears stung his eyes. "I may yet have duties."
Kodachi's hands squeezed his hands back. "His duties I will share. I, and everything I bring with me. I will help him be strong."
"That is how it should be," said Urudu. "The past is behind you, but you are what you are because of it. Let it make you strong."
"The past is past," Baradandya said. "Let its rigors make you strong, but do not let your past burden you. Together, from this day forward, you are far stronger than the sum of who you are." She reached out and took from Kei a basin of water. Lightly she sprayed them with droplets from her fingertips, then she received a ball on a chain suspended from a light pole. She shook it above them and a sweet smelling smoke filtered down to dust them, adhering and mixing with the droplets. She smiled as she finished and Taro sneezed.
"The wood of the ash tree, consumed by fire, ground by stone, dispensed by metal, and retained by water," Baradandya said in explanation. She watched as the mixture ran traceries over their faces, then nodded and traded places with Sakurida.
The youngest sister grounded her ever-present mallet and examined the marks intently. "You are both warriors," she said. "I didn't need to say that," she muttered. "You have been alone so long, your habit will be to withdraw and try to protect your partner in times of trouble. Do not do it. Together you are strong. Trouble will come and only together can you hope to avoid losing what you most cherish." Kodachi and Taro looked into the dark, serious eyes of Sakurida and shuddered. Her words had grown powerful in timbre and seemed far larger than the bright pretty girl who voiced them. Suddenly she winked at them. "In other words, communicate and include. Don't keep secrets. Trust in one another or be prepared to be alone again." She suddenly stepped back and they faced Baradandya again. They swayed and leaned against each other, arms going out to hold and comfort. What had they gotten themselves into?
Baradandya's smile chased away some of their worries. "Neither should you fear what has not come to pass. We all live in the present and the present is what we shape. Regardless of the past, make your now joyful. Regardless of what is to come, you have now." She reached out and laid her hands on their heads. Her sisters moved until they flanked them to left and right, slightly behind their shoulders. "Almighty Father," Baradandya said with a voice full of love and compassion, "Bless this love and make it holy, help them find the very best in themselves that they may know joy. Help them be strong for those they love and to find answers for the trials life brings."
"May your love be eternal," the three intoned. They stepped away to points of some unseen triangle, leaving the couple alone except for Keiichi. Their voices lifted in a soaring song that was in an oddly familiar language that rejoiced in love and the cycle of life from generation to generation.
Keiichi entranced as the others by the song, looked almost self-conscious they finished and he became aware of his surroundings again. He stood near the pair, the staff and the bowl in his hands. "That's it, you two," he said gently. "I hope you have as happy a marriage as I have." He looked slightly embarrassed. "You may now… kiss, I guess."
"Thank you, Keiichi," Kodachi said. And they did.
Then their friends came forward to congratulate them.
Tatewaki stood with his new assistant, Nabiki. "Sister, I know I had planned to drive with you to the airport, but I think you two would rather be alone." He smiled mischievously. "And don't get too involved with one another back there. You don't want to miss your flight."
"Brother dear?"
"Yes, Dachi?"
"Don't get too distracted by your assistant." Her smile was arch.
"Now, how am I supposed to answer that?" he asked innocently. "My assistant is here to help me. Lovely though she is, if I say she will not distract me, would that not be an insult to her loveliness, and if I say she shall distract me, is that not an admission of a personal lack of control? Far better, I think, to leave it unsaid and merely let it be…"
"Just to remind you, sir, that there is business on your calendar. And Kodachi and Taro shouldn't be late for their flight. Perhaps you should continue this discussion another time?" Nabiki interrupted.
"Rather than go on and on? Perhaps you can teach me a ninja's brevity."
"A lot better than a samurai's verbosity," whispered Ranma to Akane. Her face contorted and she choked. That was probably because she couldn't decide whether to punish him or burst out laughing.
Later, Tatewaki called for a taxi and handed Nabiki in. "Where to?" the driver asked.
Kuno turned to his assistant. "Do you have any requests?"
Nabiki blinked. "Ahhh… No, sir… Tatewaki-sama, I mean. Just… home, I guess."
"Home?" he asked amused.
She gulped and flushed. She had seen Ranma bang his head on his desk and now understood the attraction of the activity. "To your home, I meant." She smiled though when he took her hand in his. Home? It was beginning to look like a possibility.