Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns all rights to Ranma 1/2. I'm just borrowing her wonderful creations for this wacky story.
Okay, I know it's been a loooong time since I updated this, but I was just concentrating on getting my other fic "Into the Light" finished. Now that it is I can devote more time to this story. For those of you who have urged me to continue it, this chapter is for you. So MERRY CHRISTMAS! ^_^
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Tatewaki gritted his teeth in anger. He had been unable to shake the rage that had settled over him the night before, when yet another of his men had failed to return Akane to him.
He wasn't used to not getting what he wanted and it infuriated him. Not only had Makoto failed, but he had come back spewing the same nonsense that Takeshi had. A man he considered tough as nails, one who wouldn't think twice about committing murder, whose conscience was never heard from had come back a blubbering mess, mumbling things about glowing eyes, and men who moved at the speed of light.
"Nonsense," he muttered to himself. Was everyone in his employ going nuts? He shook his head angrily. He hoped Takada, a man he trusted to do his job would come through, although he was beginning to wonder. All he knew was that if he failed not only would heads roll, but he wouldn't resort to sending anyone else after her. He'd do it himself. He smiled at the thought, a slick evil smile full of malice. He'd show her what happened to people who disobeyed him. He would show her but good.
He felt some of the tension leave him at the thought of Akane begging him for mercy. And she would beg him. He would see to that.
"You look like cat that ate canary."
Tatewaki turned at the sound of Shampoo's voice as she entered the room. He frowned slightly. He didn't appreciate her smug indifference to his authority. It unnerved him. Maybe Akane wasn't the only one he'd have to teach a lesson to.
"Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"
"Amazon no need permission," she replied tersely. He gritted his teeth, trying to control his urge to hit her. If he didn't need her for his upcoming deal…
"Enough Shampoo," he growled. "How are the preparations coming?"
"They coming along fine," she replied, irritation evident in her voice. She still wasn't used to having to report to a man. She knew it was what her great-grandmother had wanted. With the amount of money Kuno was paying their tribe for the elixir, she had no choice but to obey him.
The formulation was tricky, derived from a special plant found only near her village. It was usually used as a form of anesthesia, but with the right modifications it would become the most potent narcotic to ever hit the streets of Tokyo.
"When will the final product be ready?"
Shampoo frowned. She felt her temper begin to rise at his demanding tone.
"If you no had me spying on stupid girl, get done a lot faster," she spat unable to help herself.
It was Kuno's turn to frown.
"That is my business Shampoo, you're not being paid for your comments so I suggest you keep them to yourself," he retorted, his anger simmering just below the surface. "Now I'll ask you again, when will the product be ready for distribution?"
Shampoo wanted snap back but she wisely held her tongue. "Take Shampoo few more weeks."
"Good," he replied . "I want it done as quickly as possible. I have a buyer eager to close the deal."
Shampoo nodded tersely, realizing she was being dismissed. She turned to leave when Kuno called out to her once more.
"I expect your utmost discretion, understand?"
There it was again, that authority laced tone she had come to despise. She couldn't wait for this job to be over and done with. She was sick of taking orders from men.
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Inside his closet Ranma's eyes flew open instantly, jarring him from a deep sleep. Something was wrong. He could feel it churning within him and knew without a doubt who it was that was in trouble.
Akane.
The thought was instantaneous. He had tasted her, and now she moved within him, calling silently out to him.
Ranma was on his feet in a flash. Of course he knew instantly he had a problem when he spotted the rays of sunlight trying to peek in through the blinds.
Akane's complex wasn't far from here, he knew he could probably get there pretty quickly without sustaining too much damage as long as he covered up. The problem was he wouldn't have much time once he got there.
I need to borrow some ki, he thought, rushing toward the refrigerator. He threw open the door, grabbing one of Ryoga's stocked bottles of blood and drinking deeply. He felt instantly energized as the human blood coursed through him, filling him. He held out his hand, concentrating, as a pool of orange light began to emanate from him. It would have to do. Covering himself as best he could he stood in the doorway and braced himself.
Here goes nothing, he thought before rushing out into the morning light.
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"Let go of me!!" Akane screamed, trying to wrench her arm free from the burly man who had grabbed hold of her. Unfortunately for Akane, she had come around the back way to her apartment so she couldn't be seen from the street where help might have been available.
The man took no notice of her struggles as his grip remained steadfast. He began to drag her toward the car he'd parked in the back alley.
Akane, aware of the acute danger she was in should he get her inside the car began to fight for her life. She struck out with her foot, connecting it solidly with the man's shin. He grunted in pain but his grip never loosened. He simply began to drag her more firmly towards the car. Again Akane lashed out, bringing up her leg for better leverage and more power as she once again connected with the man's leg. It slowed him only slightly as he then tightened his grip and angrily yanked her forward.
They were now at the car and the man was reaching for the door so he could haul her inside. Akane felt the first fissions of real fear settle upon her, as she began to lash out blindly with her feet. She then tried planting herself, using all her brute strength to resist being thrown inside the car.
Slowly she started to lose the battle and began to realize the end result would be inevitable.
Before she could fully panic she saw a sudden burst of orange light. It came toward them at alarming speed, hitting the burly man square in the chest and throwing him backward. At the same time a sudden rush of air burst forward, pushing her sideways and tearing her out of the burly man's grip. She hit the ground with a hard thud, wincing at the bolt of pain that ran fully up her side.
When she finally regained her wits and was able to look around she was astounded by what she saw.
Her eyes were immediately drawn to the smoking figure before her.
Ranma…
The thought was instantaneous.
Then her eyes met his, as he staggered towards her. She watched him stumble and fall, could smell the acrid scent of burned flesh, every inch of his exposed skin beginning to ignite and blister.
As she looked on in sheer horror it was Ukyo's words that suddenly came back to her.
…if this were some sort of horror movie Ranma could play the vampire.
Vampire.
The word echoed off her shocked brain, which was trying desperately to rationalize what she was seeing.
It was his strangled cry that brought her back to the present. He had saved her life. She had to help him.
Ignoring the burly man who now lay motionless in the alleyway, the dark mark across his chest still smoldering, she moved toward Ranma who seemed to be trying to crawl out of the sunlight. Reaching down she grasped his arm and hauled it around her shoulder, pulling him into a standing position. From there she hurried him toward the back door of her apartment.
Once inside the smoke seemed to subside much to her relief. She led him up the stairs and into her apartment, settling him gently on the oversized sofa. Quickly she went and drew down all the shades, bathing the room in shadows.
She stared down at him, her mind torn between what she was seeing and what she had always rationed to be true. There were no such things as vampires, yet here he lay before her, his skin burned from the mere touch of sunlight.
How is this possible? Her mind reeled. Was she going crazy?
Before she could fully decide he let out a low and painful moan. It made her heart ache to hear it. He had risked himself to save her, his instinct to protect her overshadowing the danger to himself, she could feel it, the surety of it resting somewhere deep within herself, down to a place where only he had touched.
She felt her eyes begin to brim with tears as she tried to hold her emotion back. She knew he was somehow a part of her now. She could feel him inside of her, his pain, his anguish. The smell of his burnt flesh was enough to make her stomach roll.
She felt a sort of desperation settle over her. She had to help him.
Suddenly she felt a compulsion come over her and she knew what she had to do.
Going against all rational thought she ran to the kitchen and grabbed up one of her small paring knives. Racing back to his side she knelt down and raising her hand made a small slice across the palm. The skin parted instantly allowing the blood to flow freely.
Before she could think twice about it she quickly placed the wound to his lips.
The reaction was instantaneous.
His eyes flew open as he felt the first drops touch his lips, the blood red pupils making Akane gasp slightly.
Instantly he began to drink.
The feeling it gave her was eerily familiar. All at once she felt her whole body begin to tingle, as if he were touching off every nerve ending in her body. She gasped at the overwhelming sensation as it rose steadily inside her.
The feeling was incredible even with the slight dizziness she was beginning to experience. She threw her head back and moaned unable to control herself any longer.
It was this sound that pulled Ranma back to his surroundings. With all the strength and resistance he could muster he pulled her hand away from his lips, breaking the contact before it was too late.
He watched as the disappointed look crossed her face, even as she fainted back across the floor. He sprang up quickly, his burns now all but healed from her generous offering. Placing her gently on the couch he went in search of something to stop the bleeding. Coming back from the bathroom he kneeled down beside her and began to gently wrap her wound, stanching the flow instantly.
It took all of his will, the smell of blood, her blood, almost seemed to call out to him. He closed his eyes and with all of his stubborn might, pulled back the beast within him.
Moments later he heard her begin to stir. When he opened his eyes they were once again their natural gray-blue color.
She sat up slowly. Her gaze going instantly to his, their eyes locking, hers swimming with amazement, his with relief.
Slowly she reached out to gently touch his face, the burns now nothing more than angry red streaks, and even those were fading fast.
"How…?"
He reached up, affectionately covering her hand with his. Knowing he could no longer hide what he was he gave a deep and resigned sigh…
"It's a long story."
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There you go! Hope you liked it! Feel free to let me know! ^_^