Chapter 44 The Evil Returns
Later that morning, the family had gone their separate ways. Nabiki had done what she had proposed at breakfast, and had gone to the Chinese Embassy to assist in the interrogation of Happosai. She had successfully browbeaten her brother-in-law Tofu into going with her but to their surprise, Hinako had also volunteered to go as well. There was an uncommon look on her face as she made that announcement, the look of a warrior that was oddly placed on the face of a young, barely teenage girl.
Since it was a Sunday, Ranma had allowed himself to relax and play a few games of shogi with Soun. He had come to enjoy playing the game with his father-in-law, and hoped that it would somehow help ease the pain that he saw in Soun's eyes every time he looked at the board. Akane was teasing him, by performing katas by the koi pond, dressed in her shortest pair of shorts and a halter-top that might have had enough material in it to make a good bandage. Even with that distraction, Ranma was still holding his own in the game, though the sweat running down from his forehead indicated that she was affecting him.
Ukyo had dragged Ryoga off to the furoba for a long soak in the furo, loudly proclaiming that she couldn't trust him out of her sight since otherwise he would wander off and get lost again. Everyone had pretended to believe that explanation.
Nodoka had left to catch a train. She had begun amusing herself by randomly showing up in whatever town her ex-husband was currently staying in and tracking her down. Nodoka never did anything once she found her, except make sure that Genma had seen her. The look on Genma's face when she saw Nodoka standing there with her katana blade was always priceless. When Akane finally had asked why she was doing it, Nodoka had simply said, "Everyone needs a hobby, dear."
Shampoo had decided to play domestic and was helping Kasumi with the laundry. The two of them were busy hanging the current load of wash out on the clothesline to dry in the warm morning sun.
In other words, it was a quiet, peaceful morning in Nerima.
Cologne, Tofu, Hinako and Nabiki were standing in a secured room in the basement of the Chinese Embassy. Facing them was the diminutive figure of the man once known as Happosai. He was wrapped in chains securely fastened to large steel posts sunk deep into the concrete floor, with his eyes covered by a blindfold. Cologne said, "Thank you, Savant, for allowing us to do this. Again, I apologize for the indignity that we must put you through, but we must know what happened twenty years ago."
"I understand, Elder. Do what you must with my blessing, only promise me that he won't escape again," the old man said, "The evil that he can do must never be allowed to happen again."
Cologne nodded grimly and one of the guards approached the old man with a syringe. She injected him with the contents and then stepped back. After waiting for a few moments, the old man said, "It's beginning to take affect, Elder. I think it's safe."
A different guard approached with a bucket of warm water and poured it on the old man. Instantly his countenance changed as the saintly old man was replaced by a leering Happosai.
Happosai asked drowsily, "Where am I? Why have you blindfolded me?"
"You're where we can keep you secured, old man," Cologne replied, "And we want to ask you some questions."
"Tell us what you know of the valley of Jusenkyo," Nabiki began.
"Jusenkyo, hm. It is a training ground filled with many cursed springs. I've only been there once, because when I heard about the legend, I had to see it for myself. I couldn't believe that such a training ground actually existed," Happosai said.
"What happened when you were there?" Tofu asked.
A melancholy expression appeared on the face of the old man. "When I got to the valley, I found a young woman very close to giving birth. There was no else around for some reason, though there was a small hut. I helped her to the hut and placed her on the bed in there and helped her through her delivery of her son. That's when I found out about the nature of the curses."
"Why, what did you do?" Cologne asked.
"The baby boy needed to be cleaned of course, so I used one of the pools to wash him. That's when I discovered the nature of the springs. The cute baby boy I had helped deliver turned into a very small flying minotaur. The pool I had used was Niuhoomanmaorenniichuan, the spring of drowned yeti holding an eel and crane riding an ox. Fortunately, by that time the guide had returned from wherever he had been, and helped me change him back using hot water," Happosai replied.
Nabiki said, "So he's probably after you for revenge for getting him cursed. What were you doing there, anyway?"
Happosai leered and said, "I went there on my way to visit the legendary Amazon village. I had heard that there were many beautiful women there, with great martial art techniques, as well as many magical treasures."
"Where are the treasures you stole old man?" Cologne demanded.
Happosai chuckled dryly and replied, "Still harping about those treasures, eh Cologne? I've told you before they must have fallen out of the sack I had with me while your warriors were chasing me. Face it old woman, they're lost forever."
"I've got a different question, old man," Hinako began, "Why did you turn me into a chi vampire?"
Happosai's face grew calm as he replied, "Little Hinako, is that you? Of course, you're the one that drained me and allowed me to be taken. You're one of the few good things I've done in my life. What I did allowed you to live longer, but the ability you have was never supposed to be forever. I meant to remove it from you once you got your strength back, but unfortunately I ran afoul of the Amazons. You do need to have the process reversed now that you are an adult."
One of the guards said, "The sedative is beginning to wear off, Elder. We should change him back." At her nod, the guard threw a bucket of cold water over the diminutive gnome, and the saintly old man was returned to them.
Kasumi looked up from her laundry to see the young man from early this morning standing there at the back gate. "Hello, again, Taro-san," Kasumi greeted, "Father is playing shogi with my brother-in-law. Can I take you to him?"
"That would be nice, Miss," Taro replied.
Kasumi led him around the front of the house to the side yard, where Taro stopped for a second looking at the idyllic scene in front of him. An attractive blue-black haired girl was performing a kata, while a lavender-haired beauty was carrying a tray of lemonade out from the house. A young couple was sitting on the steps, holding hands, and talking to each other, while a young man and an older man were sitting on the floor playing shogi.
The lavender-haired girl walked over and stared at Taro.
Taro stared back and asked, "What the hell are you looking at?"
"Why do ya have a belt made out of pantyhose?" she replied.
Taro began to bristle, and said, angrily, "None of your business, girlie! I came here to talk to the men anyway, not some barely literate girl!" Ranma looked up to see the beginning of the altercation and stood up.
Ranma began, "You must be Taro. What can we do for you?"
When suddenly, he was interrupted by an irate Shampoo. "You can't talk to me like that, male, DIE!" screamed Shampoo. She charged the young man, swinging her bonborri. Taro jumped out of the way, and as she ran past, hit her first in the stomach, and then in the side of the head, knocking her out. "Sorry, girl," he gasped.
Ukyo yelled, "Hey, you panty-hosed bastard, you can't hurt my friends like that!" She stood up and threw several of her spatulas at Taro, who dodged all but one.
Ranma flexed his fingers in anticipation of the fight to come. He smiled and said, "The Amazons warned us you might come. I've been waiting for you. I'm different from the sparring partners you've had until now. You won't beat me up so easily." Ranma rushed forward and tackled him away from Shampoo. His rush knocked the two of them into the koi pond. 'At least I'll be faster!' she thought as she finished the transformation. Then to her shock, she saw Taro transform into a minotaur with wings.
Ranma exploded out of the water, and screamed, "Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken," and began pummeling the minotaur, avoiding the blows from the beast. Ukyo kept slamming the monster on the other side with her battle spatula, while Ryoga was punching the minotaur in the face. Akane started pulling Shampoo out of the way to keep her from getting trampled by the fighters.
Taro struggled out of the way of the blows from the red-haired girl. He felt something give in his side and realized that there were just too many fighters for him to take on all at once. With his forepaw, he slammed the fighter in front of him into the wall of the compound, where he slowly slid down, unconscious. The red-haired girl he knocked back into the pond. He grabbed the purple-haired girl that he had knocked out and used her as a shield, slowly launching himself into the air as he did so.
Ranma cursed to herself as she saw Taro slowly fly off with Shampoo in his clutches. Ranma jumped out of the pond, and caught the cell phone with GPS that Akane tossed her. Akane yelled, "Go, we'll catch up as quick as we can, Ranma!" Ranma started running as fast as she could, trying to keep the flying beast in her sight. The beast was obviously in some pain, as he couldn't fly very fast.
Ukyo ran over to Ryoga to find him unconscious, and barely breathing. "Ryoga needs help; somebody call an ambulance." She fell to her knees beside him and said, fervently, "Ryoga, don't you dare leave me! I need you, our baby needs you!" Suddenly she paled as she realized everyone had gone quiet around her. "Oops!" she said.
Shampoo slowly woke up to find herself tied up with pantyhose against a post in some sort of building with windows on every side that she could see, and a high-pitched roof, supported by many posts. Turning her head slightly, she could see the boy who had knocked her out and carried her off, sitting there pensively looking out one of the windows, talking to himself. Shampoo strained her ears to listen and hear what he was saying. Feh, that went real well, idiot. I can't believe I let my temper run away on me like that. Just because that cute girl asked about my sash. They could have been allies if I'd only not overreacted, Taro said in a Chinese dialect that was similar enough to Shampoo's that she could mostly understand it. He continued, and said, Then on top of all of that, I had to kidnap this girl. Just what was I thinking? I should have left her there!
With a hint of amusement in her voice, Shampoo said softly, It wouldn't have mattered if you left me behind, husband. I would have followed you.
Taro turned to stare at Shampoo and then groaned. Don't tell me you're from Joketsuzoku! And I beat you in combat too, didn't I!
Shampoo giggled at the expression of dismay on his face. Yes, husband, I am. My name is Xian Pu from Joketsuzoku. You beat me in fair combat and are an outsider to our village, so according to our traditions, I must give you the kiss of marriage. She sighed and then continued, At least you're cute and somewhere near my age.
Taro blushed and squirmed nervously. He asked, bashfully, Why are you being so nice to me?
"Because, baka, I like ya," Shampoo replied seriously. Then her eyes narrowed as she saw the rough bandage on his side. "Do ya need me ta take a look at that wound? That bandage doesn't look like it's working," she asked.
"You promise not to escape?" Taro asked.
Shampoo shrugged her shoulders and replied, "Of course. Why would I want to escape anyway? My brother is leading our friends and they will be here soon. Once that happens we can talk ta him and straighten out this mess. He doesn't like the old pervert anymore than you do, so there's no need for us ta fight."
Taro's shoulders sagged as he said, "So I did overreact, didn't I? Alright, Shampoo, I'll come untie you." Taro walked over and undid the knots in the pantyhose securing her to the post.
She smiled and kissed him, full on the mouth, saying, "Wo ni Airen. There, now we've got that out of the way." She snickered at the sight of the blood trickling out of Taro's nose. She began to unwrap the bandage from his side, tsking as she did so, her mouth in a frown of concentration. Once she got the wound exposed, she relaxed, and said, "It's not as bad as I thought it would be. But it looks like Ranma did get in a few good hits." She carefully pressed a couple of soft spots and continued, "You may have a cracked rib here as well, Airen." Getting some water, she carefully cleaned the wound and then bound it up in a clean bandage, wrapping it around his chest, tying it tightly. Taro winced at the pain, causing Shampoo to giggle. "Big, tough, martial artist, huh?" she said lightly. Then she grew serious again and asked, "What do ya want with Happosai? And why did me asking about that sash set ya off like it did?"
Taro looked down and said, nervously, "Because that old man ruined my life and I want him to fix it. When I was born, my mother needed help and he provided it. She went into labor in the valley of Juesnkyo, while the old freak was visiting. He took pity on her and helped her with the delivery. That's also how I got my cursed form. He washed me in one of the pools of water that were in the valley, not knowing that it was Niuhoomanmaorenniichuan, the spring of drowned yeti holding an eel and crane riding an ox. In gratitude for his help, she gave him the honor of picking my name. After three days of intensive thinking, he selected the name he gave me, one so horrible that I wear this sash as a reminder. According to the laws and traditions of my people, only Happosai can change my name to something else, unless he is dead."
Shampoo exclaimed, "That's it? Ya just want him ta change your name! You're not upset about the curse?"
"No, actually, I kind of like my cursed form. I think it's really cool to be able to fly," Taro said, his eyes taking on a distant look, "Plus, becoming a giant flying minotaur allows me to fight off most anything that wants to attack me. Yeah, all I really want is for the old freak to take away my name and give me a new one that I like."
Ranma followed the flying beast until she saw it land on a small promontory overlooking the ocean. A fast-flowing river was on one side of her, cutting a path through the forest, until it fell to the water far below. On top of the headland, she saw the remains of a large temple, with windows on all of the walls visible. Ranma used the cell phone, and called Akane. "Dear, I'm west of Nerima, almost to the ocean. He followed the river, until it joined the sea. It looks like he's holed up in an old, abandoned temple. How far behind me are you?"
She listened for a while and replied, "Good, sounds like you'll be here in a couple of hours. I'll set up camp here and wait for you to join me. Luv ya, bye." She hung up the phone, and began setting up a fire pit and getting firewood in a clearing that allowed her to see the temple. She lit a fire in the fire pit.
About four hours later, Akane, Ukyo and Ryoga came staggering in, carrying three backpacks. Ranma was glad to see Ryoga; the last thing she remembered seeing was the crash that Ryoga had made into the stone wall around the Tendo home. "How are you doing, Ryoga? You had me worried," she said. Ranma took the backpack from Akane and began to pull their tent out of the backpack.
"The baka is in pain. He refused to go to the hospital, and he wouldn't let me come here by myself," Ukyo said in disgust.
"You shouldn't be here, anyway," Akane said heatedly, "Not in your condition."
Ranma stopped in setting up the tent and asked, "What condition?"
"She's pregnant," Ryoga said, "We just found out." Ranma face-faulted.
Ukyo replied, adamantly, "I had to come, Shampoo is my friend as well. You came and you've got at least some bruised ribs."
Ranma sighed in exasperation, and said, "Neither one of you should be here. Promise me you'll try to stay of of close combat, Ucchan. You as well, Ryoga. I don't want to lose any of you." Then he deliberately changed the subject, and said, "Congratulations, both of you. If you need any help, you can count on us. When did you get married?"
Ukyo and Ryoga blushed. Ryoga replied, "Uh, last week we went down to the town hall."
"And you didn't tell anyone?" Akane asked, "I think I'm hurt. By the way, Ranma, I reminded Tofu about Hinako. He promised that they would make sure they gave her the treatment for her condition."
"Ucchan, can you and Akane whip up some dinner, while Ryoga and I get the tents up?" Ranma asked.
"Sure thing, sugar," Ukyo replied, "I'll get some water on to boil as well." The two girls started to prepare dinner, while Ranma and Ryoga set up the tents. Ranma took a short break to change back into her male form once the water was warm enough.
The four friends ate their dinner. "Morning will be here soon enough, we need to get some sleep," Akane said. They cleanedup and then separated to their two tents.