Author note: Yet another chapter prepared and ready for launch my second one this round I'll try for a third before the weekend is out but no promises since An Ultimatum Ranko's newest chapter is quite huge this round and yet still needs some finishing touches before I can launch it.
I hope everyone is having a great week going into the weekend so far for the time being good bye and see you next round hope you like this I really enjoyed writing this piece. -Zeltronica
C.H.A. Chapter: 7
After the surprise reveal of his curse, Ranma and Akane had decided to call their match a draw and Kasumi had offered for him to stay the night however he declined to stay saying he had to return to the home and that it was far too late to call and make arrangements.
Everyone inside the Tendo home had turned in for the night with exception of Nabiki who sat at her desk on her computer having got a crystal image the Ranma's female half thanks to the camera surveillance system her father had installed in the home.
Her curiosity was peaked deciding to do an image search which yielded very few results none of which looked to have anything to do with the wayward red-head. She then did a detailed image search including facial recognition software using a password given to her by a C.C.G. official that was a family friend.
Having access gave Nabiki an early warning should she or her Elder sister ever wind up noticed by the C.C.G. And were being actively hunted or not. Though neither herself nor her sister ever used their ghoul abilities nor hunted humans so their profile had remained quite low and had lead relatively peaceful lives among humans thus far.
She rocked her head side to side waiting patiently as several images graced her monitor eventually settling on one wearing an orange jump suit.
"Beijing Butcher?" Nabiki wondered aloud to herself.
Reading further down she noted the red-head in the picture was listed as deceased, the further she read the more intrigued she got. 'Are the two related or did Ranma simply take on the body of this ghoul?' she inwardly wondered to herself though as she looked at the picture of Ranma's male half she noticed if the two were standing side by side they would be twins despite the hair color and height differences.
Scrolling down further she became further intrigued, 'Well well well Ranma-baby you may not know what kind of ghoul your girl-half is but I do and quite the combination for a Chimera ghoul.' she inwardly noted to herself just as a notification box opened up in the right hand corner of her screen.
This notification read as follows:
?:Tendo-san may I inquire why you are looking at this file?
Na-su: We had an interesting house guest arrive earlier you may wish to hear about I ordinarily wouldn't say anything but this you will want to hear about.
?: I would like to know more but not here lets meet tomorrow the usual place.
Na-su: Sounds good.
With that finished her computer automatically shut itself down without her so much as trying to shut it down as if it were remotely done. Of course Nabiki already knew what she would find upon restarting her computer that all contents of the conversation and her search history would be completely wiped.
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Reverse whirlwind
Ranma barely made it in time as he entered the home through the front door quickly heading for the check-in window he picked up a pen off the counter proceeding to sign the check-in paperwork not bothering to look at the glass which was splattered with blood that streaked the glass.
He then continued further not yet noticing his surroundings as he reached the boys side of the dorm, reaching for the handle observing it wouldn't turn.
'Locked huh?' he inwardly questioned as he looked to the window observing someone on the other side but they barely could be seen as if they were peaking to see who was on the other side.
He then heard a hushed voice from the other side, "Yo run get out of here and go get help!"
"Hey whats going on open the door?" Ranma questioned looking to the individual on the other side of the glass observing it was one of the teens that stayed on his side of the dorm.
"Man run and go get help this door is the only thing keeping us safe." the boy called, as he gained a look of fear to his features.
Ranma noting the look on his friends face turned just in time to dodge and roll out of the way as a file cabinet slammed against the door where he once was standing blocking the only view the teens inside had to the corridor.
Scrambling back to his feet Ranma looked for what had thrown the file cabinet observing a woman standing just in the doorway of the receptionist office recognizing the woman as the sweet and kind lady that typically was always nice to him.
"Miss Yoiko-sama?" he inquired observing a reddish tail-like appendage that wagged from the woman's lower back which wasn't much different than his girlfriend's but only a single one.
Ranma also observed from his vantage point behind her was the bodies of the other staff members of the home along with a young female resident he had seen from time to time at the home from the female side of the dorm room.
The woman known to Ranma as Yoiko-sama the kind receptionist of the home gained a saddened expression shrugging her shoulders at him, "So sorry Saoto-kun its nothing personal but you and the rest of them are all going to have to die you understand right?"
"Why Yoiko-sama would you do this?" Ranma inquired curiously, a slight frown also to his features as he slowly opened the flap on his school bag.
Yoiko shrugged her shoulders, "Unfortunately they found out and threatened to report me so I had to deal with them..." she explained trailing observing the raven-haired boy retrieving something that shined in the light of the hallway from his schoolbag.
"You killed them you don't need to kill the rest of us. I won't say anything if you leave right now?" Ranma offered in hopes she would do that though that hope was dashed as the woman gained a look in her eyes he didn't like.
Taking a couple steps into the corridor Yoiko shook her head negatively, "Tsk tsk tsk... Saoto-kun sorry but I cannot trust you, after all, you and the rest of them are all potential witnesses and we can't have that!" she exclaimed.
With that she rushed forward lashing out with her Kagune, only to the last second observe the object in the boys hand came to life into the blade of a katana revealing it to be a quinque, she tried to duck but the boy in a fluid motion brought the blade into reverse whirlwind with an upward arc.
The last thing Yoiko observed was her body continuing forward as her vision seemed to be rolling backward as she observed she was somehow now facing the floor before face planted on it with a dull thudding sound as her last thoughts being, 'A ghoul investigator? So unfair' as her vision faded to black.
Blood from the slice splattered the walls, Ranma let a sigh escape his lips tilting his head back and to the right observing the ghoul's body was now just standing there he then with his left leg kicked his foot against the back of the corpse sending it to the floor with a thud as its kagune was in the process of dissipating.
He then pressed the button allowing the blade of his quinque to dissipate before replacing it back into his school bag as he considered his next steps.
He glanced around observing the girls dormitory door was wide open but no one was inside meaning they must have fled or ran into the boys side. He then looked to the door observing the file cabinet that nearly crushed him noting it was blocking the window.
He felt relief since nobody would have seen him slay the ghoul, he slowly made his way to the office proceeding to carefully step around the corpses he retrieved some purple latex gloves from a nearby shelf putting them on before reaching up he removed a false air vent cover to reveal inside were several recording devices that were used to monitor the home in case of intruders.
He quickly removed the video recording tapes before heading for the exit of the home doing a quick look around deciding to remove the sign-in sheet he had signed off the clipboard before finally leaving the building heading a good distance away stopping briefly to toss the tapes and sign in sheet on the ground before hitting them with a ki blast destroying them completely.
He then headed for a payphone making a call to the local authorities about a ghoul sighting at the home he stayed in though he didn't give them his name and hung up before anymore questions could be asked.
He then wandered eventually arriving at a park proceeding to sit on a bench that was near a vending machine, he sat his school bag down at his feet before leaning back staring up at the night sky as he came to a realization he had in fact taken a life even if it was a ghoul.
A sinking feeling overtaking him as he felt sick to his stomach his features a shade of pale. Even if it was in defense and to protect his peers he still felt quite ill over the affair since it was someone he had come to think of as a friend.
He sat for a long while as storm clouds started to roll in and rain started to pour he felt a tingling sensation as his body transformed the redhead's sapphire now crimson-eyed gaze still rested on the sky above his now her clothes soaking in the moister of the rain.
She deep down wondered if anything could get worse would Ryoga happen into the park to find out about the curse? Though after some time had passed she sat up reaching down grabbing her bag up off the ground proceeding to stand deciding to walk in the direction of a nearby bathhouse that she frequented and she had got to know the elder who ran the place pretty well.
As she walked she could hear the sounds of sirens in the distance back towards the home, she then observed several police vehicles rush by as she continued walking avoiding the splashing the tires the cars that passed made.
Her eyes still crimson though much due to the weather there was no one out and about but the passing motorist who due to the poor visibility wouldn't notice. The longer time passed her crimson-eyed gaze turned to her normal sapphire as she reigned in her emotions.
Eventually Ranma found the bathhouse it was tended by a short elderly lady who looked like she could die any day now but seemed to move around with the speed of someone in her early twenties.
Approaching the counter Ranma called out, "Excuse me Miss how much?" she inquired.
"Two-thousand yen young lady as usual the price hasn't changed since you were last here." the elder woman called as she approached the counter hopping up on a stool to give her a better vantage point.
Fishing out the yen she would need Ranma placed it on the counter, the woman gaining a pleased expression as she indicated a clipboard, "Please sign here and proceed to the bath if you wish your clothes washed that will be another one-thousand yen."
"Sure," Ranma said as she fished out one-thousand yen extra placing them on the desk with the other cash she had placed, picking up a pen signing the documents.
With that done Ranma walked to the changing room the elder woman following her closely, once entered Ranma slowly pealed off her soaked clothing tossing them into a basket, the elder woman took the basket in hand.
"I'll get these washed up for you." the elder woman called as she started heading for the doorway.
Ranma looked to the elder woman, "Arigato." she said in thanks as she watched the woman leave with her clothes, though this wasn't the first time she had visited this particular bath.
That and the elder woman while she didn't understand the specifics of her curse she didn't mind that she transformed into a boy at all so long as she didn't cause problems for her other customers and given the time Ranma would show up there were very few customers if any anyways.
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Meanwhile back at the home...
The authorities arrived as well as several news agencies all trying to make sense of the scene found in the home though the journalists were being kept far from the scene didn't stop them from spinning their ideas of what may have occurred though the authorities hadn't made a statement as of yet.
Regular police had taped off the scene, while C.C.G. Investigators were inspecting the carnage inside though the teens alive all described how the deceased ghoul had been one of the kindest women they all knew and until the brutal murder of the other staff members nobody knew the woman was a ghoul.
A few surviving staff members that happened to not be at home due to it not being their shift had arrived and started caring after the teenagers and kids their facility took care of.
One of the investigators at the scene was Hisako, another being Hoji as well as a third investigator standing at four-foot-nine was a very beautiful sapphire-blue-eyed Japanese woman with a petite figure wearing a dark black flowered Kimono with red obi sash, her hair dark auburn worn in a bun with decorative sinbun needles
She carried in her right hand the attache case most investigators did, hung over her right shoulder by a black shoulder strap was a violet silk-wrapped bundle the length revealing it most likely a weapon of some type.
"This is a dreadful scene." the woman said as she soaked in the scene.
Hisako nodded her head in agreement, "Yes the secretaries look as if they were frightened so they knew what was coming before they were killed."
"There killer was this woman over here according to the teens, One of the boys claims someone had arrived late and they told them to run and get help he probably placed the emergency call we are looking for him now as we speak but will be hard since the teen doesn't remember anything other than the individual had black hair," Hoji added in as he bent down over the deceased ghoul observing the cut at the neck.
He then added another tidbit, "Clean cut almost as if a surgical strike it was a single blow."
"Obviously not a Kagune of another ghoul but a quinque has any investigator come forward reporting downing a ghoul?" Hisako inquired in curiosity.
The unnamed investigator walked over kneeling down observing the cut for herself saying, "None that I know of but the night is still young but most would report this right away and not be absent from the scene."
"In either case it is obviously a cut made most likely by one of our weapons a detailed analysis should help us narrow it down due in part to RC cells." Hoji offered, as he retrieved his cellphone placing a call calling a forensics team.
Hisako then approached the office, looking to the air vent cover laying on the ground, then up to the recording equipment she carefully stepped around the bodies take care not to disturb the scene and with a pen she was holding poked the tape flap observing no tape was in the device.
"Saotome-san looks like the recording tapes are all gone," she called to the auburn-haired woman.
The woman revealed to be Saotome-san stood up not at all surprised by this development, "Too bad I bet that footage would have been most helpful. She then observed the clipboard with the sign-in sheets was also missing."
"Well, whoever killed our murderous ghoul over here didn't want us knowing their identity. Perhaps our missing boy can shine some light since this mystery investigator must have intervened allowing his escape.
Hisako then inquired as she walked back into the corridor, "I see so very little details to go by?"
"Seems that way but there was one teen unaccounted for he supposedly went out with a friend and is late getting back his name is Saoto Ranma." Hoji explained coolly.
The auburn-haired investigator seemed to gain a far away look momentarily which Hoji noticed going on to ask of his coworker, "Something wrong Saotome-san?"
"No nothing really. Let us focus on the investigation at hand." The auburn-haired investigator said as she glanced around for potential clues.
Hoji then went on to say, "Either this was one of ours or someone with a quinque. Never seen this ghoul before now. However in our database DNA results should be able to identify her if she is in the database at all." he paused momentarily going on to say,
"Though and its highly doubtful the individual that cut this ghoul down could have been the Beijing Butcher it should be noted she was wielding a quinque down in the trafficker's den and she is somewhere loose here in Japan." he finished.
Hisako pondered on her superiors words, "In theory if it was this Beijing Butcher why get involved with this homicidal ghoul who just got done killing her fellow staff members. After killing her why didn't she break that door down and kill the teens inside to silence any possible witnesses?" she inquired.
"Well, the same question could be posed of why did she spare you we know for fact she is the one that brought you to that hospital saving your life Hisako-san?" The auburn-haired investigator inquired.
Hisako shook her head negatively, "I am not understanding that ghoul at all she is defying everything I know about ghouls if, in fact, this was her." she stated.
"Well it is possible this individual didn't go after the potential witnesses because he or possibly she was interrupted by this boy that was on the other side of the door and the individual that said a peer went for help couldn't make out the person on the other side of the door so its either this Saoto Ranma or another individual maybe even the person or ghoul that killed our girl on the floor there," Hoji stated as that was a possible conclusion he had considered.
The auburn-haired investigator shrugged her shoulders, "Assuming it played out that way at all. after all, there may not be three people involved at all for instance what if this peer interrupted our ghoul here the teen witnesses saw what he thought was a peer, and this individual they told to run had a quinque and cut the ghoul down?" she offered.
"So this individual cuts our ghoul here down. Then proceeds to remove anything that can identify them leaves the scene and places the call." Hisako finished.
Hoji pondered on this a thoughtful expression to his features, "Very plausible... Could this Ranma have arrived and be in possession of one of our weapons." he offered.
"In theory it wouldn't the the first time one got misplaced however we won't know until we find him and if in fact he is in possession of one its a misdemeanor offense and he could be facing quite the amount of charges. Though some leniency could be called for on the heroic save of the survivors." Hisako stated dully, as at this point all they could do is wait.
Hoji shrugged his shoulders, "If it is him we could hire him this was a flawless kill."
A few minutes went by as the Forensics team arrived, a the auburn-haired investigators cell rang as she accepted the call bringing the receiver to her ear. "Oh, you found him uh huh... I see well it is good he was found but that is a lead scratched off the list thank you." she dully stated as she ended the call replacing the cellphone back into the fold of her Kimono inside a pocket.
"A lead scratched off the list Saotome-san?" Hoji inquired of the auburn-haired investigator.
Saotome looked to her companion, "Well they found Saoto Ranma at a bathhouse not far from here according to the lady that runs it he had been there all night helping her with some cleaning." she explained.
"Well then I guess we are back to square one we still have some dead secretaries and a dead ghoul and no lead on our mystery savior," Hoji stated a thoughtful expression to his features.
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Back at the bath house...
Ranma looked to the elder woman who was talking with a couple of Police officers who eventually left the bath house, at which she started walking towards him.
"I don't know why you lied for me but..." he started to say trailing off as he observed the elder woman hold up her left hand palm out.
The elder woman spoke up, "It is no trouble honestly with that curse of yours I can only imagine the trouble you must have to take to avoid being found out and so long as you are not trying to eat me or anyone at my bath house you are always welcome here."
"Well, I honestly am not a cannibal I-" Ranma started to say finding himself interrupted.
The elder gave him a piercing gaze, "Maybe not one as a human but that ghoul you become is definitely a cannibal and as much as you keep her hand stayed she will always be hungry. The trick for you is making sure she doesn't starve or you won't be able to hold her back."
She then gained a wan smile on her lips, "You know I once knew a woman that looked very much as your curse does for the life of me I am trying to remember her name she was a teenager when I knew her but she was a ghoul investigator I remember that much. That and well looking at you your features and eyes remind me of her."
"Oh, what was her name?" Ranma inquired of the woman as his curiosity was peaked.
The elder woman then replied, "Her name hmm her name?" She paused in thought the spoke, "I remember her name it was Saotome Nodoka."
"That is my Mom's name," Ranma said aloud without meaning to, his expression one of wonderment.
Hearing the raven-haired martial-artists words the elder then said, "Perhaps you could contact the C.C.G. To get in contact with this woman... but I should warn you should your curse be revealed they won't hesitate to cut you down where you stand."
Ranma nodded his head in understanding, "I get it... is a chance its not my Mom and just happens to have the same sir name." he offered.
"Well maybe maybe not you won't know until you contact her." the elder said softly, as she then added, "I had figured Saoto to be an odd sir name, and well it's short for Saotome which I must say young man it is a pleasure to finally know you the real you Saotome Ranma." she finished with a wan expression.
Ranma then went on to apologies in an explanation, "Sorry for the deception Elder its just when I got deported back to Japan I had my reasons for not giving them my full sir name."
"It's perfectly okay Deary given the nature of the curse I can understand the deception. From now on no secrets between us going forward eh Saotome?." the elder offered.
Ranma nodded his head in agreement, "Understood no secrets between us."
With that Ranma grabbed up his school bag proceeding to exit the bathhouse walking over to the parked police car as an officer opened the door he got in, then the officers got in driving towards the place he called home.
By the time Ranma had returned to the home courtesy of Tokyo's finest the investigation into the rampage at the home had ended, as the ghoul investigators were in the process of wrapping things up and leaving.
He noted three investigators heading for a black sedan, one of which auburn-haired women who seemed to look his way briefly though she was afar he swore he saw a faint smile to her lips but due to the darkness of the night he couldn't tell for sure.
He recognized the male investigator being the one in China that had taken his information down for their investigation of the trafficker's den, and he noticed the green-haired investigator that he had saved.
'Oh wow not sure who she is but those two... Small world we live in.' Ranma inwardly observed to himself realizing it was quite the coincidence but he wasn't about to go over and say hello anytime soon especially to the unnamed green-haired investigator he had saved.
Hoji as he opened the passenger door for the Auburn-haired woman to step in looked over observing the boy he recognized from China, 'Saoto Ranma huh we meet again.' he inwardly thought to himself as he watched the boy approach a staff member who was holding a clipboard with paperwork on it.
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The following days were rather somber for both the staff members and teens living within the home, pictures of the deceased were set up as a memorial just in front of the office which was currently closed off as it was undergoing maintenance.
Ranma sat on his bed looking at the floor whilst in his mind the scene played right up to the point he cut the ghoul down her sad expression forever ingrained in his memory.
"I can't believe she was a ghoul all this time..." Daisuke said from his spot sitting on the floor leaning against his own bed.
Hiroshi shrugged his shoulders, "Yoiko-san seemed so nice I still can't believe she was a ghoul all this time... She worked with most the staff for five years how could they not have known?" he inquired.
"Maybe she was really good at hiding it and one of the staff finally found out?" a individual with blonde-hair offered as he was walking by.
Hiroshi considered his words saying, "Tobi you got a point especially since on the outside they look just like us."
The boy revealed to be Tobi nodded as he picked up a broom proceeding to sweep the floor going on to say as he did so, "Yep they are perfect predators able to blend in with us. Anyways cute or not that Monster got what she deserved. I wish I could find the guy on the other side of the door and thank him if not for whoever he was we would all be dead right now."
Half listening to the conversation Ranma felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, 'Did she get what she deserved? She was just trying to survive in a cruel world and I took that from her.' he inwardly thought depression weighing on his shoulders.
"Ranma your awfully quiet what do you think?" Daisuke inquired of his friend.
Ranma shrugged his shoulders, "I haven't much to say other than it sucks I kinda liked her." he said dully in almost a murmur.
"Oh you had the hots for Yoiko-san huh Saoto?" Hiroshi jested, though he put his hand up in warding as the raven-haired martial artist gave him a dark expression.
He then went on to say, "Easy man I was kidding I know its a poor joke."
"Not a funny joke at all." Ranma drawled, still glaring at his friend.
Daisuke then added in his two cents, "That joke was a bit in poor taste Hiroshi. No but it does suck she was very helpful and even excused my being late getting back here after curfew since it could have got me kicked out."
"Well without her being here to cover for us Dai' I guess we better get here on time then from now on huh guys?" Tobi nonchalantly said as he continued to sweep the floor.
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Ranma sat in class seeming to tap his pencil lightly on the top of his desk lightly before laying it down looking out the window, not at all aware of the boy beside him looking his way, eventually, he felt a tap on his shoulder turning to observed the fang-toothed martial-artist was the culprit.
"Hey Ryoga what's up?" he inquired.
Ryoga looked to his friend and rival, "I have been waiting to finish our match I have been holding off since you haven't been yourself as of late but think we could finish this today?" he inquired.
"Sure that is fine after school I'll walk with you to wherever it is you wish to finish our fight. 'sides I could use it to take my mind off some things," Ranma stated since he figured it was time to finish the fight he had been avoiding mainly due to his head not being in the right place.
Ryoga turned his attention forward just as he heard his friend/rival speak once more, "Still brief it was we went to school together I am surprised you would remembered me but I digress I am glad we could meet again."
"Likewise Ranma." he simply stated.
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School finally let out Ranma ensured his opponent would not get lost by patiently waiting even as Ryoga was tutoring a fellow student for an hour after school was out. Eventually the session ended as it always did the student being a girl was quite grateful for his help bowing before leaving the class as he and Ranma watched on.
"Dang, you got a way with the girls Dontcha?" Ranma inquired though it wasn't lost on the fang-toothed martial artist he was being prodded going on to retort, "Oh shut up let's get going the tracking field should suffice for our fight."
Ranma nodded his head saying, "Sure I'll lead the way wouldn't wantcha getting' lost 'n all."
With that, the duo made their way out of the school and out onto the desired battlefield that was surrounded by a dirt track with white chalk to create lanes for the runners though currently, they were the only two beings in the area it would seem they would have no witnesses to their fight which suited both of them mutually well.
Looking skyward the land had an orange hue about it but what caught his sapphire gaze was some dark storm clouds off in the distance moving in their direction though he felt the fight would be over before it reached them or so he hoped though he wasn't about to back out of a fight he had committed too.
No, he would finish this battle once and for all he was sure of it as he had already seen enough from the fang-toothed martial artist and had figured out his weaknesses and planned to exploit them to the fullest if given the chance.
"So here we are Ryoga all alone shall we lay down rules for this or anything goes?" Ranma inquired with a smirk followed by a thunderclap of the approaching storm.
Ryoga giving his umbrella a flourish struck a pose, "Anything goes why not that is your art style correct?" he returned receiving a nod from his opponent who took on what appeared to be a relaxed stance with his hands in his pockets.
"That's right let's make this quick, shall we? I don't want to be rained on if it can be helped." Ranma said proceeding to remove his right hand from his pocket proceeding to beckon his opponent to come at him with a back and forth motion of his fingers palm up.
Ryoga didn't need an invitation rushing in with his umbrella coming to bear as he attempted to strike his opponent who both fluidly avoided and danced around his attacks almost like Ranma could predict his movements before he even made them.
This went on for several seconds before the raven-haired martial artist let a yawn escape his lips as he then rushed in putting a flurry of a hundred palm strikes into Ryoga's gut before finally pivoting on his left foot proceeding to do a reverse roundhouse kick with his right sending the brown-haired boy flying backward and into the chain-link fence that surrounded the field bending it out of shape.
"Get up Ryoga this is getting boring stop toying with me and give me a real fight stop holding back you wanted this fight to defeat me remember?!" Ranma exclaimed proceeding to take on a Kempo stance as he waited patiently.
Ryoga stood up wiping some blood from his lower lip away with his right hand though the wound healed instantly though it appeared Ranma wasn't aware. Gaining a serious expression proceeding to brandish his umbrella, "Fine you arrogant bastard I won't go easy on you I am going all out." he then went on to think, 'This time for sure.'
"Come then show me what you can do then?" Ranma beckoned watching the fang-toothed martial-artist charge him with fury in his eyes proceeding to once again dodge one umbrella swing after another while placing precision punches to his opponents torso though it didn't look to him Ryoga was feeling it at all.
'Damn he sure is durable and strong!' he exclaimed in thought to himself just as Ryoga brought his right knee up managing to catch him off guard knocking the breath out of him and stunning him.
Ryoga observing this realizing this was his chance proceeding to round house kicking his opponent back into the same fence he himself had been sent into causing I to completely buckle and break as Ranma was sent flying a few feet back into a stone statue of an important figure of the school causing it to buckle and collapse.
Groaning as he attempted to get his breath back Ranma grimaced as he slowly forced himself up onto one knee as lightning crisscrossed the sky followed by a loud crack of thunder as the rain started to fall and the sky darkening even further casting a shadow over the combatants.
He muttered to him now herself as she felt her body tingle as the curse activated rendering a change of gender, her gaze crimson though she kept her gaze lowered to the ground closing her eyes realizing Ryoga now had to know her secret a thoughtful but worried expression to her features.
"Ranma prepare to die!" Ryoga shouted as he charged forth bringing his umbrella to bear his opponent still kneeling and making no attempt to evade him. 'Strange did he get smaller somehow?' he offhandedly wondered though he had no time to inquire on it since he was now committed and would soon finish the battle once and for all in his favor proving himself the better fighter or so it would seem.
Ranma listened to her opponent's footfalls that were rapid the splashing of raindrops on the grass below her, the sensation of her clothes absorbing the liquid of the falling rain. She listened as she heard the umbrella as it was cutting the wind by the sound she knew it was from above as the sounds of rapid footfalls went silent.
This meant Ryoga was now airborne meaning he had leaped up bringing his umbrella in a cleaving motion, she proceeded to instantly leap up her eyes still closed surprising Ryoga by the move as she met him in the air.
"Have some chestnuts roasting over an open fire!" She exclaimed proceeding to rapid-fire a hundred well placed punches in Ryoga's gut causing him to feel pain, though he barely registered Ranma's voice had changed.
Indeed the fang-toothed martial artist didn't register the change in his opponent even as he was Groaning from the pain. Ryoga clenched his teeth as he felt every impact, 'How is he hitting me this hard before he couldn't hit me like this?'
Realizing if he didn't do something soon his opponent would win Ryoga proceeded to kick with his right leg yet only to watch his opponent grab his leg using it to propel themselves above.
Ranma then proceeded to do a spin bringing her right heel down on Ryoga's back propelling him at a fast velocity causing him to strike the ground causing it to crater sending grassy mud flying where it plopped back to the ground moments later.
Ryoga lying down in the muddy crater rolled over looked up to the sky above just past the hole that had been created more lightning flashed followed by thunder as a figure stepped to the edge peering down at him as he gazed up at her recognizing her from the pool the ghoul opened her eyes peering down at him those ember red pupils seemed to bore into his soul her expression that of sadness.
"Hey, you're the ghoul from the other day..." Ryoga trailed in a soft voice as he was worried not just for himself but what of his opponent he was just fighting did she just kill him and now was about to come after him? This thought plagued him.
Ranma continued to peer down at her opponent, "That's right Ryoga the ghoul from that day... So you know now my secret it is most regretful... I had started to like it here and started to think of you as a friend but it all will end today I suppose cause if I don't kill you the natural choice is for you to report me to the authorities. Or... Perhaps I can run but just where and you have seen my face?"
"Secret? Reporting just who are you and how do you know my name?" Ryoga inquired his expression one of confusion.
Ranma tilted her head a thoughtful expression to her features, 'Wait does he not know after all? Did he not see me change even up close in the fight?' she then went on to say, "Don't joke with me are you trying to buy time? There is nobody coming you know?"
Ryoga slowly sat up picking up his umbrella observing it laying next to him covered in mud proceeding to say shrugging his shoulders as he did so, "Honestly I don't know what you are talking about Lady besides I don't report fellow ghouls it would be kinda silly of me." he then lifted his umbrella pointing it at her.
"I get it from one ghoul to another the threat of our being outed but don't go threatening my life... Now where is Ranma what did you do to him?" he inquired.
Ranma continued to gaze at her opponent, 'Wait he just admitted to being a ghoul no shit!' she inwardly exclaimed in slight shock though sniffing the air though the rain dulled her senses she could tell what he had just said was the truth.
"I well no easy way of saying this but it's a long and complicated story but I'll explain it if you will listen." she offered.
Ryoga a look of curiosity about him saying, "Oh what you on about now. Where is Ranma?" he inquired once more.
"I am Ranma now shut up and follow me let's get out of this rain and I'll tell you everything." Ranma once again offered.
Ryoga feeling confused slowly climbed out of the hole, "How can you be Ranma he's human and-" He then found himself interrupted by Ranma saying, "I am a ghoul hmph, just follow me I'll explain and even prove it to you and no I don't care that you are a ghoul your secrets safe with me I swear on my honer as a martial-artist."
The duo collected their school bags proceeding to the nearest equipment shed entering it and shutting the door, Ranma then proceeded to retrieve a kettle from a nearby shelf proceeding over to a sink proceeding to fill it with water.
"Okay explain just how are you really Ranma I honestly find this hard to believe?" Ryoga questioned proceeding to learn against the wall as he watched Ranma walk over to a gas burner used for camping sitting the kettle atop its burner.
She then adjusted the gas throttle knob before using a lighter she retrieved from her pocket lighting flame to the gas which then went live heating the contents of the kettle.
With that done Ranma proceeded to sit down looking to the kettle, "I guess I'll start by saying I never believed in curses even when I was little not even the boogeyman." She paused with a long-drawn sigh escaping her lips.
She then continued, "Well my Pop's and nine year old me arrived at Jusenkyo a very cursed place unbeknownst to me and Pop's neither of us could read a single word of Chinese. Pop's said he heard the place was a very good training ground one that would help hone our areal combat skills which is a specialty of my art style."
"Go on I want to hear more," Ryoga stated as he was curious where this was going.
Ranma nodded her head continuing, "Well Jusenkyo is a very cursed place consisting of a thousand or so springs each with their very own bamboo shoot sticking up out of them approximately five feet up and well you would perch on then leaping from one to the next while attempting to knock your opponent into the water below."
She paused momentarily as she eyed the kettle observing light wafting of steam, saying, "I know it sounds silly but if falling in the spring simply got you wet like we are currently it would have been fine but those springs will turn you into things my Pop's turned into a giant panda and as for me... I turn into a girl and a ghoul one at that all thanks to my Pop's dumb idea to train at the springs... sure maybe I was also dumb for going with him but I was nine years old give me some leeway I didn't know any better."
"So that is the story your giving me but from where I am sitting you just made all of it up. If you told me you are Ranma's sister and were a half-ghoul I could believe it but it is obvious you are a full one-hundred percent ghoul." Ryoga stated giving her a look of disbelief.
Ranma nodded her head letting a soft sigh escape her lips, "I get it you think I am lying to you but I promise it's the truth I will demonstrate just as soon as the water is warm enough."
"Then while we wait." Ryoga said pausing momentarily as he considered his next words inquiring, "Tell me if you really are Ranma is Saoto really your real sir name it's been bugging me but I swear it was a bit longer?"
Shaking her head negatively explaining, "No-no it's not it's something I gave the doves when they found me in China in my male form its a shortened version of my sir name which is Saotome."
"Saotome school of anything-goes martial arts..." Ryoga lightly trailed bringing his left hand up cupping his chin as he gazed at the red-haired ghoul.
Ranma nodded saying, "So you know of my family? Do you know where I can find them?" she inquired in a hopeful expression.
"No I don't have that information I just know a friend who knows a guy that mentioned he is the patriarch of that school of martial-arts though the founder was some guy named Happosai nobody has seen that man in years so he may have died by now." Ryoga offhandedly explained.
Ranma gained a glum look to her features which the fang-toothed martial artist noticed Ryoga then spoke once more, "Well if you really are Ranma chin up I doubt it will be too hard for you to find them considering they live somewhere in Nerima and it is not a very big place after all. Heck just go to the police and ask them to look into it for you."
"No, I won't bother the police over this besides they may want to investigate why I gave this fake Sir name to the doves and they may get suspicious of me." Ranma dully explained as she looked to the kettle observing more wafting vapor meaning its contents were almost ready for use.
Ryoga glanced to the ceiling with a thoughtful expression, "Yea that is tough to be sure... Guess your only option is to search on your own." he said softly.
A few moments passed in silence as Ranma took the kettle in hand proceeding to demonstrate the curse to her now his friend and rival who stared at him for a few minutes before saying, "Well guess curses are real."
"Yep, unfortunately, they do." Ranma dully said as he now looked to the ceiling.
Ryoga then decided to pose a question, "So if I hadn't turned out to be a ghoul and was human would you-" he then found himself interrupted by Ranma questioned, "Killed you?
Gulping Ryoga nodded his head in which Ranma promptly stated, "I don't know I felt torn part of me wanted to run even if it meant you would report me to the doves but another part wanted to kill you since I was taught by my ghoul big sister to leave no witnesses. However with you admitting to being a ghoul and catching your scent upon the air I actually felt relieved that I wouldn't have to do either."
"I see you are not the first to have such philosophy many ghoul's I know usually kill leaving no witnesses though somehow I have been lucky to never been in such a situation I largely keep to myself and let others do the hunting though I can fight since if ever facing a dove I don't want to die defenseless," Ryoga explained, a somber expression to his features.
Ranma then posed a small question, "Say Ryoga are you familiar with the phrase Blooded warrior?"
"Kinda it is basically when a warrior or hunter attains their first successful kill though usually, they mark themselves with the blood of their enemies. Those who have not killed are considered un-blooded" Ryoga replied.
Ranma nodded his head saying, "Not all blooded warriors mark themselves instead a mark is left upon their soul or spirit like a scar that will never go away... Have you ever been forced to kill someone dear to you who you would call a close friend?"
"No no, I cannot say I have. Down in the sewers I killed one of the ghouls he wasn't my first in self-defense but I never actively hunt anyone or pick a fight with a plan to murder them I may say prepare to die but I mean in an ass-kicking kind of way." Ryoga explained to which his friend let a haggard sigh escape his lips.
He then went on to ask, "I am taking it Ranma by the line of questioning you have?"
Ranma nodded his head going on to explain "Ye-yes recently I have it is not the first human life I have taken of course the others were doves and it was in defense of my sisters especially my girl who is still in China somewhere." He paused momentarily in thought.
He then continued, "I digress this last kill it hurts one of our caregivers turned out to be a ghoul and I guess the other staff found out somehow and well she snapped and though it was in self-defense it was her or me and though I know if I allowed her to kill me she would have killed the rest of the children of the home and I cut her down without a moment of hesitation yet it feels so wrong somehow she was just trying to survive in a cruel world and I took that from her."
"However you might feel about it Ranma you did what was right had it been me in your position I would have done the same I couldn't allow children to be killed even by ghouls that were starving there are other places and ways to get a meal," Ryoga explained though he could see his words were hardly comforting to his friend and rival.
He then went on to say. "Well I would love to call it a draw but you clearly won our fight back there. However, I will want a rematch down the road Ranma."
"Sure sounds good to me anytime you feel you are ready." Ranma offered.
The duo then sat in silence waiting for the rain to stop falling while they did so eventually the duo fell into idle chit chat about likes and dislikes and generally getting to know one another.
