Author notes: Okay so I am on a rapid-fire release tonight it would seem. This chapter is right where I want it to be though I regret not adding a few more tidbits towards the end, I will save those for the next chapter.
This is more a filler chapter, but a get a new spin of a familiar scene from the Ranma1/2 canon.
With all that said on with the show! -Zeltronica
C.H.A. Chapter: 6
Laying upon his bed Ranma stared up to the ceiling of the dorm he shared with the other teens under the watchful care of the state, the lights all turned off snoring could be heard from some of the teens, along with the rustling of covers.
Everyone in the room was completely asleep with exception of himself a great many things were on his mind, one of the many things on his mind was his near brush with death down in the tunnels and how he had swallowed the flesh of his own arm which caused him to feel sick to his stomach.
His thoughts then drifted to his friend and rival realizing they both still had unfinished business that would need to be attended to since they still had a duel to finish all that was necessary was to arrange the proper time and place.
'I should never have allowed that ghoul to catch me like that... I should have been stronger than that I have grown lax in my training never again will I allow such to happen again.' he promised himself he would train harder and keep his senses ever-sharper still realizing just how close his brush with death was.
His thoughts then drifted from one thing to another eventually giving way to a slightly troubled sleep which would be rather short-lived since only three hours he would get before the school day would start.
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Elsewhere in Nerima at a small camp located in a vacant lot just behind the Hibiki residence was Ryoga who was in the process of eating the contents from a small leather pouch sitting on a small log to his left, sitting in his lap was a clipboard with a worksheet, in his hand a pencil writing down answers to the various questions.
He hadn't a clue where he was currently half wondering if he was in Okinawa the temperature was just right, though he could smell rain in the air meaning a storm was on the way, though he figured he had time to finish his meal and his homework assignment before he would have to retire to his tent for shelter from the incoming rain.
After a time he had finished his homework, eventually retiring to his tent laying down upon his sleeping bag he stared up to the ceiling as he thought back on the previous fight on top of the school which leads into the swimming pool.
The vision of the red-haired ghoul with her piercing eyes that stared into his soul, the fury in those eyes while they did not scare him at that moment seeing them in his mind's eye he had shivers run up and down his spine.
'Whoever that was he or she could have killed me and I wouldn't have been able to stop it.' he thought to himself with a slight nod, going on to think. 'I still don't understand there was no one in the pool when I looked, and I jumped down right after him and swear I even saw him splash down... is Ranma also a ghoul like me?'
He wondered his thought then causing him to laugh, as he then thought. 'No, the hair color was much different that and it was definitely a girl then so that means Ranma is that fast and must have swung into the window like he said there is no way he is a ghoul.' he thought to himself with finality before finally falling into a deep but troubled sleep.
His thoughts still on the red-haired ghoul that could have ended his life in a moment's notice, but instead had fled the scene without harming him any more than he or she did when the red-head and slammed him down and planted a foot on his face leaping away.
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The following morning had been riddled with storms as it seemed the end was nowhere in sight, the school was in session, most the students were busying themselves with school work, whereas Ranma himself was sleeping dressed in a red-n-black Chinese outfit unlike the uniforms of his peers, sat in front of him on his desk was a test paper that had been completely filled out. On the desk of the teacher was a timer that was ticking its rapid ticks the needle inching to the point of no return where it would ring signaling the end of the test and time to turn their papers in.
Eventually, the timer ended ringing out loud piercing the silence of the room, students sat their pencils down as the Teacher told them to, Ranma awoke due to the timer he let out a slight yawn stretching his arms and arcing his back feeling slight pops that were faintly audible.
He looked to his right observing an empty desk briefly before he looked out the window to watch the rainfall before his attention was drawn forward as someone reached over taking his paper up observing it was Akane she was gathering the test papers up to turn them in. Their eyes met briefly before both of them looked away, the blue-haired Teen quickly moved away to gather the rest of the papers of her fellow classmates.
Eventually, upon gathering the last test paper Akane made her way towards the teacher's desk, her chocolate brown eyes glanced down at the papers observing Ranma's paper and while she could read the name he had written down she couldn't read a word of his test answers. 'What language is that Chinese?' she inwardly wondered.
Time wore on the clock nearing the strike of the bell that would sound to end the class which would in turn give in to another class for which the current teacher would leave and another would take his place. In the meantime, the current teacher was currently reading over one of the many test papers of his students.
Every so often he would look up from the sheet peering at the raven-haired martial-artist who was currently napping as he had been most of the time his students were taking their test, he was amazed that the boy had written anything, but yet the worksheet was completely filled out which meant the boy had finished the test paper some time at the start of the test period.
"Absolutely fascinating," he said in a mere whisper having observed not a single answer was wrong, but what was most fascinating he thought was the language it was written in. He then chose to speak up which caught the attention of all the students.
"Saoto-Kun could you interrupt your nap and come up here please?" he requested in a tone that was more of a command to which the raven-haired martial-artist opened his eyes looking to the man who had spoken proceeding to stand and stretch before making his way up to his teachers' desk.
Eventually, he stood in front of his teacher's desk observing the man was reading over his own test paper he gained a perplexed expression. "Have I forgotten to fill something out Mr. Yoshi?" he queried.
The teacher revealed to be named Mr. Yoshi reached up taking his glasses off, proceeding to look from the paper up to his student with a blank expression, cracking a brief amused smile. "No you filled out everything on your test paper Saoto-kun, from what I can tell you passed the test with flying colors." he paused briefly before speaking once more.
"Though what I must ask is that next time please write your answers in our mother language. Your grasp on Cantonese is fascinating to be sure. Saoto-kun do you also speak and write Mandarin as well?" he queried with a curious brow raised, setting the test paper in his free hand down on the desk.
Shrugging his shoulders Ranma gained a feeling of relief though inwardly slapped himself for not realizing he had written his answers in Cantonese, going on to explain "While I was in China I stayed in a village and the Great Elder of the tribe had taught me their language and customs so yes I can speak and write both though I won't say they were easy to learn but for the martial arts training they gave me I would learn a third and a fourth language if I had to." he finished with a look of confidence to his features.
"What of the English language have you learned it as well?" Mr. Yoshi inquired of the raven-haired martial-artist who shrugged his shoulders in return the confident mask he held slipped.
Shaking his head negatively Ranma with a wistful sigh. "I only know very little," he explained to which Mr. Yoshi chuckled slightly.
"Well I while I cannot offer you training in the martial arts I do hope that you will consider learning the English language since I believe you have the aptitude for it," he explained to which Ranma gained a thoughtful expression giving an agreeing nod.
He then with a chuckle of his own. "I will give it some thought thank you Mr. Yoshi may I go sit down now?" he asked of his teacher while with his right hand thumbing in the direction of his desk.
"Yes, of course, you may go sit down." came Mr. Yoshi's reply, the raven-haired martial-artist quickly returned to his desk to finish napping the rest of the class away.
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Due to the constant storms that seemed to have no end in sight, Ranma found he had to take his lunch at his desk in the classroom, other students were there as well grouped up with one another chit-chatting among themselves.
Though at his desk it was just him by the window seal, Ryoga hadn't come to school meaning he had either gotten lost or just wasn't coming in that day, Daisuke and Hiroshi were both off with another group of boys no doubt talking about girl's and cars of that Ranma had no doubt.
However, being alone had its perks which meant he could think to himself without being disturbed, though he observed the gaze of none other than Tendo Akane who was looking off in his direction he inwardly muttered realizing what was coming.
As he predicted the girl had got up from her desk leaving her group of friends eventually taking a seat in the empty desk to his right that usually Ryoga sat in she turned slightly in her seat placing her hands in her lap.
"So Saoto-kun your not just a martial artist, but bilingual as well? She queried perking a curious brow already sure of the answer she would receive to which the boy didn't say anything other than to give a slight affirming nod of his head as he slowly ate his meal in silence.
Ranma looked to his food reaching over taking the thermos that sat on his desk in hand proceeding to open it then using the cap he poured some of the contents into his cup, once finished pouring he replaced the cap proceeding to partake of the cup's contents.
He then after a few moments of deliberation decided to break his silence "Its nothing special to be honest Tendo-san. While I was in China I had to learn the language of the tribe I was living with Chinese is just second nature to me much like the art I practice." he explained nonchalantly not really feeling it was anything special.
Glancing to the raven-haired martial artist feeling slightly satisfied with his answer Akane then posed yet another question. "The art style where did you learn it I assume the tribe you were staying with or perhaps your family?" she queried.
Considering how to best answer her question he decided on a slight truth. "Some of it was learned from the tribe I was staying with, but before then I learned most of my art style from my father we were on a martial-arts training journey before we became separated... Look I rather not go into detail right now it brings up bad memories when it comes to my family," he said in a mere whisper at the end.
Akane looked to the raven-haired martial-artist giving an apologetic bow. "I am sorry if I brought up a sore subject for you."
Shaking his head negatively "Oh no you have nothing to apologize for it was a valid question. I just back in China I was separated from my father I don't even know if he is still alive that is why its kind of a sore subject for me for the time being." Ranma explained in order to assure the girl he had not been offended.
"Oh okay, no problem with that. If you ever want someone to talk to feel free I am a good listener." Akane offered, she had taken a liking to the raven-haired boy for some reason he didn't seem as bad as the other boys at the school she dealt with on a daily basis.
No from what she could tell there was an intelligence behind those sapphire orbs, though she hadn't initially been pleased with the boy initially over his interference in her fight that lead to both of them being late to class and being punished.
She was definitely starting to warm up to the boy, she wondered to herself if he felt the same of her though she dared not ask him not wishing to push matters as of yet not wishing to rock the boat so to speak.
She then decided on another subject one more to her interest and perhaps to the interest of the boy so she hoped going on to speak her mind. "I am wondering if you would be interested in sparring with me?" she requested.
Ranma looked at the girl briefly closing his eyes considering a reply. "No I am sorry Tendo-san but I must decline your request due to the fact I do not believe that would be proper since you are no Amazon warrior and well you are a girl I wouldn't wish to bring harm to you."
"Do not underestimate me I am sure I can take whatever you dish out at least give me a chance?" Akane requested grimacing at the raven-haired martial-artist. 'Does he think he is better than me?' she inwardly wondered, though part of her knew due to how easily he defeated Kuno it may have been possible, she wasn't going to admit so until proven one way or another.
Ranma looked to the girl observing determination in the girls' eyes, however, he wasn't about to relent as he had sworn to only fight the strong and protect the weak, no if the girl expected him to spar with her she would have to prove to him she was a worthy opponent.
A battle in a schoolyard with a horde of boys proved little while the girl was strong her art style seemed to him no better than the common brawler in a schoolyard fight, whereas he himself had been trained for war with some of the toughest warriors the Amazon tribe had to offer.
Course he realized there was no way the girl could prove anything with nothing to test her strength, he tilted his head down slightly peering at her with a lopsided gaze, took a breath before letting it out straightening his posture proceeding to speak hesitantly.
"I- 'er I will grant your spar Tendo-san name the place and time and I will meet you there. He said with a resigned sigh that escaped his lips since he knew if he refused she would continue to request a spar no matter how many times he said no that much the girl's gaze he felt held true, that and he didn't wish to make her angrier than she was becoming though she was doing her best to hide it from him her best was not enough.
No, it was best to avoid any unnecessary drama if he can help it since currently, he felt he had enough drama and enemies since two were enough to have for the time being though one said enemy was more a friend, what he felt was his strongest rival Ryoga, and the other a delusional fool but strong in his own right upperclassmen Kuno Tatawaki.
No last thing he needed was the blue-haired tomboyish girl mad at him not only bringing her wrath down on his head, but her friends would also be angry with him.
Akane's grimace gave way to an expression of contentment gone was the anger he had seen in her eyes. "Oh cool then let us meet after school in the park we can spar there, or if you prefer a dojo setting you could come with me to my families dojo?" she offered.
Considering the girls' offer of a dojo setting sounded appealing to Ranma even if he wasn't completely thrilled at the prospect of sparring with the girl it would provide a setting they wouldn't be disturbed in.
With hesitation he finally went on to say, "Fine your families dojo will suffice I'll walk you home after school." he said giving an agreeing nod of his head.
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The Tendo Dojo-
An Invitation...
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School had let out all of the students were in the process of heading home either by foot, bike, or even car. Just standing outside the gate stood Ranma who waited for his apparent spar partner which he wasn't looking forward to sparring with her, and he was having second thoughts about going to her home due in part to a bad feeling that had started to creep over him.
Eventually, after a few minutes both Akane and her older sister, Nabiki came walking up from the mass crowd of students that were on they're way off the school grounds. "Sorry, we're a little behind I had to stay and help clean the classroom. Which to be frank Saoto-kun you ducked out rather quickly you should have stayed to help." the blue-haired teen called to him as she walked up.
Ranma reached up nervously scratching the back of his neck, her gaze locked briefly with the elder Tendo sister before he diverted his gaze, a nervous grin to his lips.
"Oh sorry about that Tendo-san I was kind of in a hurry to get out when I heard the Bell ring, long day you know?" he offered.
Akane looked to the raven-haired martial-artist a sly grin to her lips, though her eyes held a certain element of contempt. "From here on Saoto-kun don't rush off all students are expected to clean the classroom before they leave the school for the day. You are not the exception to the rules." she chided.
"Hai! You are right Tendo-san I am sorry I avoided my responsibilities." Ranma humbly apologized, giving an apologetic bow of his head.
Akane looked to the raven-haired martial-artist seeming satisfied with his apology, gestured to her older sister going on to introduce her. "Saoto-kun this is my elder sister Tendo Nabiki," she said, then gesturing to the raven-haired martial-artist. "Sis' this is Saoto Ranma." she finished her introduction.
"Nice to meet you." Both Nabiki and Ranma said in almost perfect unison, for his part he seemed rather nervous as he glanced at the brown-haired girl who he had heard a lot about from both Daisuke and Hiroshi.
Nabiki looked to the raven-haired martial artist with both interest and intrigue, though she held a blank mask to her features. "Saoto-kun it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I have been wanting to meet you and thank you for helping my little sister not have to deal with Tatawaki Kuno," she said with a ghost of a smile to her lips.
"Oh, it was nothing really. I just did what any martial-artist would do had they been in my shoes." Ranma casually explained.
Akane feeling flustered and embarrassed at her sister and the martial-artists words, she spoke up. "Stop that I didn't nee-" she found herself interrupted by her elder sister.
"So Saoto-kun tell me your style of martial-arts I after having watched you fight twice now even though brief they were what is your style in the art?" Nabiki inquired out of curiosity, looking to the raven-haired martial-artist expectantly.
Ranma feeling like he was being grilled for information, but kept a calm exterior considered on how best to answer the question decided on a half-truth. "Its just a simple defense style of martial-arts called basic Kempo." he offered in hopes the girl would be satisfied.
"I see basic Kempo is something seen with beginner students, but what I observed between you and Tatawaki was almost pure perfection of how easily you defeated him. Which I would dare say you are not a beginner that much is obvious." Nabiki observed, giving the raven-haired martial-artist both a piercing and scrutinizing gaze.
Ranma once again feeling nervous, instinctively scratched the back of his neck. "That obvious was it?" he inquired.
"Indeed. My father is a martial-arts master though he doesn't practice the art much anymore I been around a few martial-artists enough to know a layman from an expert." Nabiki explained coolly, looking to the raven-haired martial-artist expectantly once more.
Ranma let a sigh escape his lips, considering what to say. After a moment of deliberation, he decided on what to say that he was sure would satisfy the elder Tendo sister. "To be honest back in China during my time with the Amazons I learned a great deal of martial-arts techniques and even helped train other martial-artists. I am considered a master of the arts," he explained.
"So near grandmaster level Saoto-kun?" Akane interjected, her curiosity peaked.
Shaking his head negatively. "As wonderful as that would be to claim Tendo-san no I am nowhere near Grand-master status. I still have a long way to go in my training before I can make that claim, but thank you for the vote of confidence." Ranma explained truthfully as currently his training was stalled until he could return to the village or find someone with techniques they would be willing to teach to him.
'Saoto... Saoto? Is that short for Saotome? Could he be Uncle Saotome's lost eldest son?' Nabiki inwardly wondered, and while she could see similarities between the boy and her family's closest friend she couldn't be sure and decided to hold her thoughts to herself for the time being.
"Well we should probably get going Kasumi will be serving dinner soon, I am sure she wouldn't mind if you joined us for dinner before our spar?" Akane offered, to which Ranma just nodded his head to which Nabiki took the lead heading in the direction of her home with both her little sister and Ranma in tow.
The trio eventually arrived at the Tendo estate, Ranma paused in his step to observe indeed there not only was a large house of feudal era design past a white picket fence with a lattes archway just over the concrete walkway they were standing on, not far down was a challenge entrance leading to a dojo.
Both girls continued on towards the entrance of the Tendo home, the blue-haired teen looking back both calling and waving the raven-haired teen forward to which he did so following them inside.
"Were home!" both girl's called out, kicking their shoes off. Upon entering Ranma slid the door shut behind him removing his shoes and placing his school bag by the wall whilst observing the wall had a light blue paint scheme, the floor was that of a traditional Japanese home which he rarely had the luxury of seeing since the home he currently stayed in was more modern.
Just a few feet past the entrance was the doorway to the kitchen, walking out to greet them was Tendo Kasumi the eldest daughter of the Tendo family, she had long brown hair tied back by a large white bow, eyes of dark brown wearing a floral print dress, a white frilly apron.
"Welcome home. Oh, you brought a guest!" she exclaimed as it wasn't usual she had visitors over right before a meal was about to be served.
Akane nodded her head going on to say, "Yes we did I hope you won't mind Kasumi I figured he could eat with us before our spar match in the dojo."
"Oh, that will be fine Akane since I made a little too much anyway," Kasumi said cheerily, a pleasant smile to her lips.
Nabiki then gestured to her eldest sister saying, "Ranma this is Kasumi our eldest sister." she then gestured to the raven-haired martial-artist, "Kasumi this is Saoto Ranma" she introduced.
"Hello pleased to make your acquaintance Tendo-san." Ranma curtly said with a respectful bow.
Kasumi kept her cheery demeanor, giving a bow of her head with a bright smile, "Pleased to meet you Saoto-kun." she then raised her head going on to say, "Father had to go out so he will not be joining us for dinner, so please go get washed up dinner will be served soon." she called turning and heading back into the kitchen.
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Eventually, Ranma, found himself sitting at the left side of the dinner table in the homes dining room which was typically furnished with an oak table, low to the ground an older television stood on a stand just past this, on the floor just beneath the table was a red floral print rug.
Akane sat just to Ranma's right, while Nabiki sat on the other side of the table along with her sister Kasumi, on the table sat several dishes with a variety of foods.
The small group said a small prayer before divvying portions, and partaking of the contents of the table, Ranma found himself at a loss for words as this was the best food he had in a very long time, not since his time with the Amazons.
"Oh wow this is good Tendo-san," he called between bites, taking a cup of tea offered to him by a smiling Kasumi who was eating her meal at a much slower pace.
Beaming at the compliment, "I am glad you like it Saoto-kun."
"Sis' you outdid yourself this time," Nabiki commented, having taken a bite observing a noticeable difference from her sisters' usual concoctions. Akane also gave a nod and a thumbs-up, "Yes this is really good Kasumi thank you."
Kasumi felt great pride at her sister's words which meant her years of cooking for the family were starting to show itself, she only wished her mother was still alive to both witnesses and taste her culinary improvement.
After the meal was finished Kasumi began rounding up the various dishes, while Nabiki helped her, while both Akane and Ranma walked off in the direction of the dojo.
Once inside Ranma observed it was indeed a legitimate dojo built in traditional Japanese architecture, though it had some modernization being the lights, in the far corner of the dojo was a family shrine, above the hall entry towards the main house was a banner displaying the school motto, and name being: Tendo Martial arts school of Indiscriminate grappling.
The blue-haired Tendo after flipping the lights on excused herself to head to her room briefly, eventually returning dressed in a yellow gi with a plain red belt tied around her waist.
Ranma glanced around briefly before turning his attention to his soon-to-be opponent not exactly looking forward to the prospect of their spar, but he had given his word and he always did his best to honor his word.
"So Tendo-san you want to start or?" he offered, looking to the blue-haired girl.
Akane looked to the raven-haired martial artist tilting her head, "It is up to you Saoto-" she started to say finding herself interrupted, "Look just call me Ranma please no need for formalities in a spar." he offered.
"Oh okay Ranma, it is up to you." she offered, preceding to circle her now opponent who didn't move from his spot.
Ranma took a slight intake of breath, "You go first Akane." he offered as he put his hand in his pockets awaiting the girl's first initial attack.
He didn't have to wait long as she was already on the move closing the distance before throwing a series of palm strikes he easily bobbed and weaved around with ease that only caused the girl to gain a look of frustration to her features.
She then attempted a low and a high kick that her opponent easily avoided, as she continued her assault as he back-peddled towards the wall.
"Stop avoiding me and fight me!" she growled out proceeding to palm strike as Ranma leaped up and over and behind her spinning on the ball of his right heel as she put her hand through the wall a cracking sound was heard.
She then felt a tap of a finger on the back of the neck, she glanced over her shoulder observing the raven-haired martial artist standing behind her with a sly grin.
Akane sighed as she retracted her hand turning her gaze forward to observe the hole in the wall that would need to be repaired, she then turned to her opponent observing he back-peddled a few feet from her.
'This time for sure I have to get him.' She assured herself, proceeding to fall into a combat stance before lunging forward into a spinning leg kick finding herself once again easily avoided.
This lasted for a while as Ranma seemed to dance around Akane as if it were a game, whereas Akane was doing the best she could to get a hit in which only served to anger her since it would seem he wasn't about to take her serious nor fight her in any capacity.
She then rushed again putting as much effort as she could into her punches nearly hitting home only for Ranma to back-peddle and avoid each blow at the last second.
As this was going on Nabiki and Kasumi entered the dojo the latter carrying a tray of drinks all the while the battling duo continued on as Ranma then did a triple backflip to distance himself from his sparring partner not at all observing the pair entering the dojo.
"Ranma watch out!" Akane called but her warning came too late observing her sparring partner bump up against her elder sister who had thrown her hands up to protect herself sending the tray with the drinks into the air.
Ranma felt himself bump up against Kasumi who exclaimed, "Oh My!" as she waved her arms staring to fall backward, though he quickly turned and caught her while looking up with a wide-eyed expression muttering under his breath inaudibly as he observed the liquid contents from the now empty cups as it rained down on him rendering a change in gender and a significant height difference.
Nabiki stood stunned observing the boy who had just bumped into her sister had become shorter and now sported red hair, she blinked owlishly at this change since she wasn't quite expecting it nor could she comprehend how this had happened.
For her part, Akane was also feeling much the same, though as she looked to the red-head who turned her way observing she had her eyes closed seeming to sigh to herself with a slightly worried expression.
"Well, this sucks," Ranma muttered to herself, taking a breath attempting to calm her nerves as she opened her eyes observing the blue-haired Tendo sister was looking her up and down, and the elder sister who was now standing on her own two feet was looking to her in bewilderment.
She then observed Nabiki who had gotten closer and bent down, proceeding to grab both globes of flesh that were on her chest, "You're not a boy you're a girl!" she exclaimed.
Feeling the sensation of her breasts being fondled Ranma stammered, "Pleease ca-can you st-stop that?" as the brown-haired girl gave her a few more squeezes.
"You heard Him 'er Her Nabiki stop that," Akane called, as Nabiki ceased her action, stepping back bringing her right hand up to cup her chin whilst seeming to scrutinize every detail of the red-head that stood before her she also realized it was the girl she had seen from the school.
"I don't understand how did you get so short all the sudden and so? And well I thought you were a boy but you look nothing like you did when I first met you how did you?" she inquired in various questions as she couldn't quite wrap her brain around what she was seeing.
Ranma shrugged her shoulders, lifting her hands' palms up. "Its a very long story but the short of it is a curse I got while I was living in China," she explained.
"Oh my!" Kasumi said once again, while Akane frowned at the explanation, "But curses are just myth?" she questioned.
Ranma shrugged once again, speaking, "Well I am living proof that curses do exist since it should be apparent there is a drastic difference between this form and my male form."
She then turned to Kasumi, "Tendo-san would you please bring me some hot water."
"Of course Saoto-chan," Kasumi called proceeding to head back into the main house to get some hot water for the crimson-haired girl.
Nabiki had stepped away, though she was looking directly at the red-head wearing a blank mask as she caught a whiff of the girls sent upon the air. 'So not only are you a girl now but a ghoul at that, but how is that possible?'
She inwardly wondered since clearly before the transformation not only was the red-head a male but also was a human, for Nabiki she had a heightened sense of smell due in part to like her elder sister they were both half ghouls which is how she could tell the difference so easily between Ranma's two forms.
"Sis' would you go see if Sis' needs help with anything?" Nabiki called to her sibling, to which Akane gave her a look of suspicion, but nodded her head, "Sure..." she trailed proceeding to leave the room.
Once they were alone Ranma looked off in the direction of the dojo entrance, then turned back to the brown-haired mercenary girl, "So what is it you would like to ask me about?"
"So you say you got this curse in China, how long have you lived part of the time as a ghoul?" Nabiki queried, her curiosity peaked.
Ranma gained a shocked expression, she fidgeted briefly shrugging her shoulders, "Since I was nine, though I make an effort to not be a ghoul as much as possible for good reason."
She then posed a question of her own, "How did you know?" she queried.
"I don't look it but I am am a human hybrid ghoul 'or basically a half-ghoul." Nabiki simply stated.
Ranma considered this information as she hadn't met a half-ghoul yet, but here one stood or so she claimed, she proceeded to pose yet another question, "So Nabs you and your Sisters are all half ghouls?" she questioned.
Nabiki shook her head negatively, proceeding to answer, "I and my eldest sister are, but our little Sister Akane is human, and please don't say anything since she doesn't know."
"How can she not know you both are half ghouls you live under the same roof?" Ranma questioned since now he was curious since the food was really good and he had observed both the elder and middle sister eat without so much of a hint of it being an act.
Nabiki shrugged her shoulder's, "That is a strange tail our mother was a ghoul, and Father a human, and well apparently due to an experimental drug that was administered somehow had allowed Akane to be born completely human at least that is how Father explained it to me."
"Okay that explains that to a point, but why keep it a secret from your sister?" Ranma questioned out of curiosity as she didn't feel a family should keep secrets from one another.
Nabiki shrugged her shoulders once more, with a sigh escaping her lips, "Because the less she knows about us the better should we ever be found out. As you may or may not be aware given the fact you currently are a ghoul in that form as strange as it is should know that anyone aiding and harboring a ghoul can be subject to a death sentence."
"That makes sense, so tell me as half ghouls how is it you could so easily eat human food without getting sick?" Ranma queried, with a curious brow raised.
Nabiki then explained, "Well something about our nature as half ghouls allows us to consume human food, we also as you probably can tell by that heightened sense of smell of that body of yours we smell human as well."
"I see that is quite interesting," Ranma stated in satisfaction.
Nabiki then posed yet another question of her own, "So out of curiosity Ranma may I inquire to note that you consumed quite a bit of my Sisters cooking why are you not getting sick?" she questioned.
"To be honest the answer to that eludes me as well, but I am thankful since it has kept me from ever eating human meat, at least up until a recent incident." Ranma somberly stated, looking down at the wood floor.
Nabiki gained a curious expression, "You ate human meat how did it taste to you?" she queried since she hadn't really partaken in it herself.
"I honestly don't remember all the details from the incident in question, but No I didn't hunt and kill a human if that is what you are asking." Ranma dully explained, shifting uncomfortably.
Nabiki nodded her head, "If you say so Ranma." deciding to let the matter drop observing how uncomfortable the red-head looked.
"You are not going to tell anyone about my being a ghoul part of the time are you?" Ranma questioned, a serious expression to her features.
Shaking her head negatively, Nabiki quickly stated, "Goes without saying Ranma your secret is safe with me since you also know of mine and my elder sister's."
"Okay cool." Ranma simply said feeling relief, since she really didn't want to flee Nerima nor did she want to have to do something she would regret. Especially since she had taken a liking to the Tendo Sisters.
Nabiki posed yet another question to sate her curiosity, "So Ranma what kind of ghoul are you currently what is your kagune type?" she inquired.
"I honestly don't know Tendo-san I've never been able to manifest it, even at the prodding of my girlfriend, and also my Elder sister, well I call her a sister she isn't blood by any means but I have lived with them for a very long time within the Amazon tribe I stayed in," Ranma explained.
Nabiki looked to Ranma her curiosity peaked, "You have a girlfriend who is she can I meet her?" she inquired.
"That would be difficult to set up a meeting since she is as far as I know still in China." Ranma dully explained with a long sigh his thoughts on the girl that was far from his reach.
Nabiki decided to ask another question, "Are they by chance both ghouls or human?"
"They both are ghouls, and well they are really good people I think you would like them," Ranma replied, hoping that would be the end of the questions for the time being.
Nabiki started to pose yet another question when she heard the sound of a couple of sets of feet approaching the dojo from within the house, and in came both Akane and her elder sister Kasumi who was holding a kettle with steam wafting from the spout into the air.
"I hope this is not to hot for you Ranma-chan," Kasumi said as she held the kettle out for the red-head to take, to which she took the proffered kettle.
Ranma placing her left hand against the kettle gauging the heat within observing it felt just right with which she gave an agreeing nod, "Yes this should be perfect thank you."
She then proceeded to pour the contents atop her head rendering a change of gender back to her birth form demonstrating the curse to the three sisters who looked on.
"Wow, that is so strange," Akane noted, having observed the change which defied all logic.
'I guess magic and curses do exist, kind of freaky.' she inwardly noted.
Notes: So Nabiki has learned Ranma's secret, and in return explained her and her eldest sister's biggest secret as well, while revealing Akane is clueless as to her sibling's being half ghouls or so it seems.
I hope to have more soon in the future, Hope to see you around then. Feel free to leave a review or don't it is entirely up to you I really just enjoy writing stories and trying to entertain people with my ideas I put to document.
