'The Art of War'
"So in war, the way to avoid what is strong is to attack what is weak
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Nabiki walked into the kitchen to find Kasumi grumbling to herself. As amusing and novel as the sight was, she had other plans. Without a word, and ensuring her sister was too preoccupied with herself, as she krept to the cabinet where their father's surplus sake was kept, opened it, and quietly pulled a bottle out. With a silent chuckle, Nabiki began to sneak out of the kitchen.
"Old maid?!? NABIKI!"
"ACK!!!" Nabiki quickly spun around, holding the bottle behind her back, "Y-yes, sis?"
"I don't look that old, right? You've seen me in the bath, I'm not sagging or anything, am I?"
Nabiki blinked, and rapidly shook her head, "Nope, sis, not a sign of it, excusemegotta go!"
Kasumi nodded and turned away as her sister rushed from the kitchen. She still had her youthful beauty, so maybe she would just have to work harder at making Ranma notice it? He did seem quite a bit on the dense side, after all.
Nabiki walked into the guest room, finding Ranma standing on his head, reading one of her older mangas. The middle Tendou sister twitched, not recalling ever giving him permission to do so, but shrugged her irritation off; it was game time. Strolling into the guestroom as casually as possible, while holding two small sake cups and the bottle of ricewine at waist level before her, "What are you up to, Ranma-kun?"
"HAH?" Ranma quickly grabbed the manga, putting it behind himself, "Ah... n-nutt'n. Just meditat'n."
"Of course," Nabiki replied, sitting next to the inverted pigtailed boy, and setting a sake cup in front of them.
Ranma stared at the glass with slightly crossed eyes, "What's this for?"
"Help me celebrate, Saotome," Nabiki replied, pouring him a shot of alcohol, "It's been a good month, and I didn't feel like indulging on my own."
Ranma passed the alcohol a wary glance, "Ah, no thanks. Why don't you ask Kasumi?"
"Because Kasumi's busy," Nabiki replied, "And since you're the only one home, you get to be lucky winner number two." Nabiki took a gulp of her own pouring, which was signifigantly smaller than Ranma's, before turning a glance in the pigtailed boy's collection, "Problem, Saotome?"
"Ah, I'll pass," Ranma replied, shoving the small cup away from himself.
"Understandable," Nabiki replied, casually, "I mean, I guess it would be pretty embarrassing ending up being drunk under the table by a gal like me, huh?"
"What?" Ranma shifted his eyes towards Nabiki, who shrugged at the glare.
"I mean, it is pretty common knowledge your ability to hold your liquer is... less than adequate. Don't worry, though, I'm pretty sure there's a few others out there that have the same problem." Nabiki calmly poured herself another shot, and drank.
Ranma's brows furrowed, "I ain't inadequate at anything. I just ain't in the mood, that's all."
"If that's your excuse, I won't argue against it," Nabiki replied, pouring herself another shot.
Ranma's eyes narrowed, as he turned himself rightside up. Sitting in lotus position, Ranma snatched the sake cup off the ground, and downed it in one shot. He turned a proud expression to Nabiki, who didn't even look at him as she poured him another full glass. Ranma's victorious expression turned into an incredulous one. With a growl of determination, Ranma downed that one also, before coughing slightly at the burning sensation.
Nabiki smiled inwardly, having recalled the Romeo and Juliet play. Ranma's alcohol intolerance was well documented, as Kuno quickly got his pigtailed feminine obsession drunk rather quickly. As long as she kept her shots short and his tall, she was sure he'd be way too over the bend to put up any ample resistance, and well suceptable to anything she demanded.
She had to admit, though, whatever cologne he was wearing, was beccoming more than a slight turn-on...
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Ranma carried Nabiki to her room, and gently placed her on her bed. He had to fight her a bit, as she refused to let go of him, attempting to pull him down as her tongue waggled out of her mouth, hoping to lick any part of the pigtailed martial artist that came close.
Once he had pried the girl from his person, he sighed. It wasn't like Nabiki to be pawing all over him like that, she knew full well how Akane would react to that. Then again, she wouldn't have been the one in danger, he would be.
Ranma snorted, before turning, and leaving Nabiki's room. The girl had absolutely no tolerance for alcohol. Him, on the other hand, heh, it took a whole bottle of Shoyu sake of %20 proof downed in less than five seconds to even turn him tipsy. Damn Kuno...
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"He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain."
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Ranma walked downstairs, just as Akane arrived home with a shopping bag. She didn't even announce her presence, and walked right by Ranma only to pause to give him an evil glare. After that, she sped up the stairs, before slamming the door to her room.
"I wonder what that was all about?" Ranma wondered aloud, before shrugging, and walking into the kitchen. "Hey, Kasumi, what's for dinner?"
Kasumi's head snapped up at his voice, before she quickly turned on the waterworks; if Ranma was operating on a misconception, perhaps it was to her advantage.
Ranma's eyes went wide, startled at Kasumi suddenly crying, "ACK! WHATEVER IT IS I'M SORRY!"
"Oh... R-Ranma-kun..." Kasumi whimpered, before turning a tear-stained face (actually quick dabs of vinager trailing down her cheeks) towards him. Her kimono was dishevaled, as if she had been posessed in misery, "I... I don't understand..."
"Understand what?" Ranma replied, concerned as to whatever could bring the eldest Tendou sister to tears.
"Wh-why don't men find me attractive?" Kasumi wiped a tear from her face, and sniffled, "I-i'm sorry to trouble you like this, Ranma-kun."
"Hey! Lots of guys find you attractive!" Ranma retorted, hoping to appease the crying girl. He leapt back, when Kasumi was suddenly invading his personal space.
"R-really?" Kasumi enquired, her reddened eyes (made so by slicing whole onions and holding them close to her face) glistening with tears (also the onions) and hope, "Could you name them?"
"Ah..." Ranma paused, "Well... there's Hiroshi and Daisuke..."
Kasumi frowned, "But didn't you say they would probably find Bes attractive, as lecherous as they act?"
"Uh, yeah... but that's still two guys who find you attractive!" Ranma retorted, nervously, "And Dr. Tofu..."
Kasumi raised an eyebrow, Dr. Tofu found her attractive? "B-but, then why didn't he ever ask me out?"
Ranma gave Kasumi a cracked smile, "Um... you made him nervous, ya know?"
Finding the opening she needed, Kasumi threw herself into Ranma's arms, sobbing loudly, "H-hold me, R-R-Ranma-kun!"
"ACK!" the pigtailed martial artist was forced to catch the girl, before freezing at the feeling of mature, firm, supple breats pressing into his chest. He looked down, finding the front of Kasumi's kimono had opened up to a revealing sight; impressive what she managed to hide in those frumpy dresses she tended to wear.
"I don't know what to do, Ranma!" Kasumi sobbed, "I'm so lonely, Ranma. I could be the perfect wife for any man... *any* man... fulfilling their every desire..." Kasumi got a good wiff, suddenly feeling more emboldened, "Akane could never appreciate you, the way a true woman could."
"Kasumi... chan..." The older girl looked up, was she finally getting to him? Ranma encircled his arms tighter around her, "Don't cry, it's not the end of the world. Know that if you never find a man you truly want as your husband, I'm here for you."
"Oh, Ranma!" Kasumi felt an uncharactoristic bout of elation at Ranma's proclamation, "But it's you-"
"Shhh, shhhh," Ranma consoled, rocking Kasumi back and forth, as he patted her head against his shoulder, "You're like a big sis to me, I hate seeing you like this."
Kasumi's sobs stopped, "Hmm?"
Before answering, Ranma sat Kasumi down in a nearby chair, "I'll tell ya what, I'll do my best to find you a good man, alright?"
"But... but what about you?" Kasumi quickly pleaded, desperately.
Ranma waved her off, "Don't worry about me, it's a martial artist's duty to help others in need. Don't worry about me giving up my time for you, it's the least I can do!"
"B-but... but..."
"Cheer up, Kasumi, there's hope yet!" Ranma proclaimed with a smirk, before walking from the kitchen. Kasumi blinked several times after Ranma's departure, before slamming her head into the table in aggrivation.
Ranma took a deep breath to clear himself, and turned his nose, "Man, now I smell like that crap Kodachi was wearing, and now onions and vinager on top of that!" At the consideration, Ranma decided that he needed a bath. He entered the bathing room after turning the 'occupied' sign out, and casually shucked his clothes. Grabbing a towel, he entered the main bathing room, just in time to see a long, tone, and slender leg extend from the furo.
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"What is this?" the blonde man enquired in German. He furiously displayed the anomaly to the ironsmith.
The burly brunette man looked at it, and his eyebrows raised in surprise, "I... it's a chink in the armor! Forgive me, I'll get on rectifying this right away..."
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Nodoka leaned around the doorframe, wondering who ran off screaming, "Oh dear, I believe I forgot to put out the 'occupied' sign..."
"So in war, the way to avoid what is strong is to attack what is weak
_______________
_______________
Nabiki walked into the kitchen to find Kasumi grumbling to herself. As amusing and novel as the sight was, she had other plans. Without a word, and ensuring her sister was too preoccupied with herself, as she krept to the cabinet where their father's surplus sake was kept, opened it, and quietly pulled a bottle out. With a silent chuckle, Nabiki began to sneak out of the kitchen.
"Old maid?!? NABIKI!"
"ACK!!!" Nabiki quickly spun around, holding the bottle behind her back, "Y-yes, sis?"
"I don't look that old, right? You've seen me in the bath, I'm not sagging or anything, am I?"
Nabiki blinked, and rapidly shook her head, "Nope, sis, not a sign of it, excusemegotta go!"
Kasumi nodded and turned away as her sister rushed from the kitchen. She still had her youthful beauty, so maybe she would just have to work harder at making Ranma notice it? He did seem quite a bit on the dense side, after all.
Nabiki walked into the guest room, finding Ranma standing on his head, reading one of her older mangas. The middle Tendou sister twitched, not recalling ever giving him permission to do so, but shrugged her irritation off; it was game time. Strolling into the guestroom as casually as possible, while holding two small sake cups and the bottle of ricewine at waist level before her, "What are you up to, Ranma-kun?"
"HAH?" Ranma quickly grabbed the manga, putting it behind himself, "Ah... n-nutt'n. Just meditat'n."
"Of course," Nabiki replied, sitting next to the inverted pigtailed boy, and setting a sake cup in front of them.
Ranma stared at the glass with slightly crossed eyes, "What's this for?"
"Help me celebrate, Saotome," Nabiki replied, pouring him a shot of alcohol, "It's been a good month, and I didn't feel like indulging on my own."
Ranma passed the alcohol a wary glance, "Ah, no thanks. Why don't you ask Kasumi?"
"Because Kasumi's busy," Nabiki replied, "And since you're the only one home, you get to be lucky winner number two." Nabiki took a gulp of her own pouring, which was signifigantly smaller than Ranma's, before turning a glance in the pigtailed boy's collection, "Problem, Saotome?"
"Ah, I'll pass," Ranma replied, shoving the small cup away from himself.
"Understandable," Nabiki replied, casually, "I mean, I guess it would be pretty embarrassing ending up being drunk under the table by a gal like me, huh?"
"What?" Ranma shifted his eyes towards Nabiki, who shrugged at the glare.
"I mean, it is pretty common knowledge your ability to hold your liquer is... less than adequate. Don't worry, though, I'm pretty sure there's a few others out there that have the same problem." Nabiki calmly poured herself another shot, and drank.
Ranma's brows furrowed, "I ain't inadequate at anything. I just ain't in the mood, that's all."
"If that's your excuse, I won't argue against it," Nabiki replied, pouring herself another shot.
Ranma's eyes narrowed, as he turned himself rightside up. Sitting in lotus position, Ranma snatched the sake cup off the ground, and downed it in one shot. He turned a proud expression to Nabiki, who didn't even look at him as she poured him another full glass. Ranma's victorious expression turned into an incredulous one. With a growl of determination, Ranma downed that one also, before coughing slightly at the burning sensation.
Nabiki smiled inwardly, having recalled the Romeo and Juliet play. Ranma's alcohol intolerance was well documented, as Kuno quickly got his pigtailed feminine obsession drunk rather quickly. As long as she kept her shots short and his tall, she was sure he'd be way too over the bend to put up any ample resistance, and well suceptable to anything she demanded.
She had to admit, though, whatever cologne he was wearing, was beccoming more than a slight turn-on...
_______________
Ranma carried Nabiki to her room, and gently placed her on her bed. He had to fight her a bit, as she refused to let go of him, attempting to pull him down as her tongue waggled out of her mouth, hoping to lick any part of the pigtailed martial artist that came close.
Once he had pried the girl from his person, he sighed. It wasn't like Nabiki to be pawing all over him like that, she knew full well how Akane would react to that. Then again, she wouldn't have been the one in danger, he would be.
Ranma snorted, before turning, and leaving Nabiki's room. The girl had absolutely no tolerance for alcohol. Him, on the other hand, heh, it took a whole bottle of Shoyu sake of %20 proof downed in less than five seconds to even turn him tipsy. Damn Kuno...
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"He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain."
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Ranma walked downstairs, just as Akane arrived home with a shopping bag. She didn't even announce her presence, and walked right by Ranma only to pause to give him an evil glare. After that, she sped up the stairs, before slamming the door to her room.
"I wonder what that was all about?" Ranma wondered aloud, before shrugging, and walking into the kitchen. "Hey, Kasumi, what's for dinner?"
Kasumi's head snapped up at his voice, before she quickly turned on the waterworks; if Ranma was operating on a misconception, perhaps it was to her advantage.
Ranma's eyes went wide, startled at Kasumi suddenly crying, "ACK! WHATEVER IT IS I'M SORRY!"
"Oh... R-Ranma-kun..." Kasumi whimpered, before turning a tear-stained face (actually quick dabs of vinager trailing down her cheeks) towards him. Her kimono was dishevaled, as if she had been posessed in misery, "I... I don't understand..."
"Understand what?" Ranma replied, concerned as to whatever could bring the eldest Tendou sister to tears.
"Wh-why don't men find me attractive?" Kasumi wiped a tear from her face, and sniffled, "I-i'm sorry to trouble you like this, Ranma-kun."
"Hey! Lots of guys find you attractive!" Ranma retorted, hoping to appease the crying girl. He leapt back, when Kasumi was suddenly invading his personal space.
"R-really?" Kasumi enquired, her reddened eyes (made so by slicing whole onions and holding them close to her face) glistening with tears (also the onions) and hope, "Could you name them?"
"Ah..." Ranma paused, "Well... there's Hiroshi and Daisuke..."
Kasumi frowned, "But didn't you say they would probably find Bes attractive, as lecherous as they act?"
"Uh, yeah... but that's still two guys who find you attractive!" Ranma retorted, nervously, "And Dr. Tofu..."
Kasumi raised an eyebrow, Dr. Tofu found her attractive? "B-but, then why didn't he ever ask me out?"
Ranma gave Kasumi a cracked smile, "Um... you made him nervous, ya know?"
Finding the opening she needed, Kasumi threw herself into Ranma's arms, sobbing loudly, "H-hold me, R-R-Ranma-kun!"
"ACK!" the pigtailed martial artist was forced to catch the girl, before freezing at the feeling of mature, firm, supple breats pressing into his chest. He looked down, finding the front of Kasumi's kimono had opened up to a revealing sight; impressive what she managed to hide in those frumpy dresses she tended to wear.
"I don't know what to do, Ranma!" Kasumi sobbed, "I'm so lonely, Ranma. I could be the perfect wife for any man... *any* man... fulfilling their every desire..." Kasumi got a good wiff, suddenly feeling more emboldened, "Akane could never appreciate you, the way a true woman could."
"Kasumi... chan..." The older girl looked up, was she finally getting to him? Ranma encircled his arms tighter around her, "Don't cry, it's not the end of the world. Know that if you never find a man you truly want as your husband, I'm here for you."
"Oh, Ranma!" Kasumi felt an uncharactoristic bout of elation at Ranma's proclamation, "But it's you-"
"Shhh, shhhh," Ranma consoled, rocking Kasumi back and forth, as he patted her head against his shoulder, "You're like a big sis to me, I hate seeing you like this."
Kasumi's sobs stopped, "Hmm?"
Before answering, Ranma sat Kasumi down in a nearby chair, "I'll tell ya what, I'll do my best to find you a good man, alright?"
"But... but what about you?" Kasumi quickly pleaded, desperately.
Ranma waved her off, "Don't worry about me, it's a martial artist's duty to help others in need. Don't worry about me giving up my time for you, it's the least I can do!"
"B-but... but..."
"Cheer up, Kasumi, there's hope yet!" Ranma proclaimed with a smirk, before walking from the kitchen. Kasumi blinked several times after Ranma's departure, before slamming her head into the table in aggrivation.
Ranma took a deep breath to clear himself, and turned his nose, "Man, now I smell like that crap Kodachi was wearing, and now onions and vinager on top of that!" At the consideration, Ranma decided that he needed a bath. He entered the bathing room after turning the 'occupied' sign out, and casually shucked his clothes. Grabbing a towel, he entered the main bathing room, just in time to see a long, tone, and slender leg extend from the furo.
_______________
"What is this?" the blonde man enquired in German. He furiously displayed the anomaly to the ironsmith.
The burly brunette man looked at it, and his eyebrows raised in surprise, "I... it's a chink in the armor! Forgive me, I'll get on rectifying this right away..."
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Nodoka leaned around the doorframe, wondering who ran off screaming, "Oh dear, I believe I forgot to put out the 'occupied' sign..."