Poisoned Honor
A RANMA 1/2 FAN FICTION
BY WILLIAM O'HALLORAN
AKA Nuki Mouse
Authors notes: This is a story based on characters owned and copy righted by Takahashi Rumiko and VIZ Communications. I wrote this story for entertainment purposes only and have not received any money for it, nor will I attempt to.
Encloses the thoughts of the character.
" " Enclose the spoken words of a character.
CHAPTER FOUR: AFTERNOON CONFESSIONS
Ranma-chan was on the rooftops, making use of her own private highway as she leapt from building to building. She was running flat out at her top speed, her only goal to get as far away from Akane and the other Tendo sisters in the shortest time possible. 'Air Ranma' was by far the fastest way to travel by foot in Nerima and was starting to become quite popular among those who could bridge the gaps between rooftops.
She wasn't thinking, didn't WANT to think! She just kept going on auto-pilot, letting the rooftops fly by, her mind numb and her eyes unfocused, White Line Fever…..
Ryouga was ready to make his peace with Ranma. Ever since the last failed wedding attempt he had come to realize that Ranma did truly love Akane, and since then P-Chan had not made a visit to the Tendo home and Ryouga was spending more time with Akira, whenever he found her. He had spent many a long, lonely night recently, soul search while camped out in the wilds and was now on his way to the Tendo Dojo to beg Ranma's forgiveness for all his pig headed actions. The last person Ryouga had talk to confirmed that he was not only in Japan, but in the outskirts of Tokyo, only a few miles from Nerima itself! With any luck he knew he would be at the Tendos by... next Tuesday.
Some instinct caused Ryouga to looked up and he spied Ramna in her female form up on the rooftops. Those must be Akane's. he thought as he recognized the Tendo mon embroidered on the back of the haori Ranma-chan was wearing over the yukata. Ranma is in woman's clothing? She must be in disguise again! She's up to something! He remembered all the times he fell for Ranma's cheesy disguises, like when he… er… she had dressed in a wig and yellow dress and tried to disrupt his one 'true' date with Akane, or the time she had claimed to be his girlfriend, or how about times she splashed… RRRanmmaaa! He mentally growled out, as a wave of anger and depression filled himand his body began to glow with his battle aura. You never gave me a chance with her! You made my life a living hell, you don't deserve her…! ran through his mind, all thoughts of making peace forgotten, his depression fueling his Chi as he readied himself to battle Ranma yet again.
"RANMA! PREPARE TO DIE!" Ryouga yelled out his customary cry, as he launch himself in a flying kick, umbrella streamed out behind him. He carefully watched Ranma-chan, looking for those minor muscle movements and body language that would tell him not only which way Ranma would dodge, but also what countermove she would employ. Ranma is getting really good at masking her intended …? Ryouga thoughts ended in surprise, as he realized that Ranma-chan didn't even know he was there. The blow caught Ranma high on her shoulder, knocking her head over heels off the roof to the ground below.
Ryouga glanced over the eaves and spied the limp form of Ranma-chan 20 feet below, lying in a flowerbed. OhMyKami! I really done it! This time I'VE KILLED RANMA! he thought as remorse filled his heart. Please don't be dead, please don't be dead, please don't be dead, please don …. ran over and over in his head, as he leapt down next to the still form.
Ranma-chan was lying on her side in a 6-inch deep depression, caused by her impact in the soft soil. Ryouga gently rolled her onto her back and cradled her head and shoulders in his arms. "Ranma" he quietly called to her, recalling the times they fought, not as enemies but side by side, to rescue Akane, or defeat a mutual foe. He knew that it was Ranma that had made him the great martial artist he was, that with out him to beat or better, he would have never achieve a tenth of his skill. Most of all he knew Ranma thought of him as a friend, and kept his secrets Would I have kept his if HE was P-chan and I was Akane's fiancée? he wondered, and finally had he decided he wanted to return that friendship. Ryouga continued to cradle Ranma-chan, as he check her pulse Thank you, Kami-sami, she's alive!
"…Ryouga..?" Ranma murmured, as her eyes fluttered open, then going wide and staring deep into his. "Ryouga!" she cried out this again, and her arms wrapped tightly around his back.
Damn, she must have been faking to lure me close… HUH? Ryouga went in shock as Ranma-chan Frenched kissed him, deeply. Ranma-chan's legs wrapped around him, and her hug turned in to a very passionate embrace. On a scale of 1 to 10, it was a 12, it made Shampoo's most ardent glomp of Ranma look like a kiss on the cheek by your matronly aunt. Ryouga overcame his initial shock, and tried valiantly to free himself but his efforts only cause Ranma-chan to further rub against him in a most provocative manner. WHAT IS GOING ON! RANMA CAN'T… ISN'T… THIS MUST BE… AAGGGHHH! Ryouga mentally screamed as blood burst forth from his nose, and he felt his body respond to Ranma-chan's caresses, hardening…
* * * * * * * * * *
The old lady open the door of her apartment house, intent on watering the small garden she had planted just this last spring, only to find a young couple high school? she thought, lying in the middle of garden, passionately making out and rolling all over HER flowers!
How dare they do that in PUBLIC! she thought and screamed out loud "LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO MY FLOWERS! TAKE YOUR WOMAN TO A RABU HOTERU, YOU HENTAI BASTARD!" as she the swung the watering pail to drench the amorous couple, further yelling "THIS SHOULD COOL YOU OFF, YOU HENTAI PERVERTS!" The old lady blinked her eyes in surprise and shook her head, not believing what she had just saw. What the h%#$…? He… disappeared? as she looked for the dark haired boy, before confronting the young redhead girl, who for some inexplicable reason was now holding a squealing piglet and a small pile of men's clothes.
The girl looked as bewildered as the old lady as she glanced around her surroundings in bafflement. She finally seemed to notice the old lady and her pail, and blushed bright red, mumbling out "Shitsuree shimasu, Obaa-san" as she ran off down a nearby alley, still clutching the piglet.
NOO! NOO! NOO! …Not Again! ...Not Ryouga too! Ranma-chan thought as she ran through the alley. At the far end she managed to scramble up onto the rooftops once more, and again started leaping from roof to roof.
"bweeeep bweep BWWEEEEEPPP!" sounded from the struggling thing in her arm, and for the first time she noticed that she was still holding P-chan.
She stopped on the top ridge of an old shrine, next to a roof ordainment, and sat down holding the piglet by his bandanna. "I'm sorry… so sorry… Ryouga! I… I ddinn'tt... MEAN ta! Ugh…" she tried to tell him as she burst into tears. I so wanted ta, how I could have… with RYOUGA? I felt him respond, he WANTED IT, too… it would have been good, all I need is hot water, then me and Ryouga CAN…! WHAT AM I THINKING OF! I'm no sex maniac, I'm still a VIRGIN! Ranma-chan's thoughts broke off in guilt and shame and she realized that she almost betrayed her true love again....at least I use to not be a manic... "BUT AKANE! I want you... I COULD change back, I LOVE YOU! I KNOW YOU WANT TA!" Ranma-chan yelled out as she thought of Akane once more I kn-kn-know you want to maaake love TOOO! …NO! NO! NO! ...I MUST STOP! I can't RAPE Akane!
"Ry-Ry- Ryouga! You don't understand, I don't understand! I mustn't be near, n-no one safe, not Nabiki, or Ka-Kasumi, or… e-- e- e-even... YOU!" Ranma-chan stuttered out to P-chan, tears streaming from her face, as she pause to wipe her eyes with her forearm.
"Ryouga, take... care of Akane, protect her from ...bad... people, always. Protect her from ME!" Ranma-chan said to P-chan as she sobbed. "I g-- g- gooin' away…, I w- wwooont be ba-bacckk! Tell Akane that I din't mmmean too, Din't want ta ...rape her! Or Na-Nabiki! I just w-w-wanted to show my lloove, ta share my llo-loove…" she broke off her confession as a new wave of confused passions reeled forth in her mind AKANE! I LOOVVE YOU! I ..w-w-want ta make LOOVVEE ta you! .. I could change back, .. I could love you, ...you love me! You must want to … "NNOOO!" Ranma-chan screamed in anguish and she tried to regain some mental control.
Ryouga was dumbfounded, Did Ranma raped AKANE!!, I WILL KILL YOU, RANMA!! and he emitted a long, low, menacing guttural growl (or as much of one that a 10-lb piglet could make) as he tried to BITE Ranma HARD!
"Yeoch" Ranma cried out and swung the piglet away from his arm. "Ryouga, I din't want to hurt her, I t-t-tr-triiied, DAM! ...I t-triied to ra-rape her! I a-a-attacked Na-Nabiki! I... AKANE, I LOVE… NO! DAM!, DAM! DAM!" she cried out and violently shook herself, still trying to drive out the emotions tormenting her. "Na-- Na- Nabikieee, sheee stop'd ME! I DON'T WANT TO BE A RAPIST!" she screamed out and dropped P-chan, covering her face in shame and a muffled "Wait, Ryouga, please... don't leave! I... I need yoouur HELP! I dinna mean ta, I must end this!" was heard from behind her hands.
Ryouga was now totally confused He tried to rape Akane?, and NABIKI? Stopped HIM! but how …? as he scrambled out of Ranma-chan's arm reach, then spun around to glare back at her in anger.
"Don't look at me like that!!" Ranma-chan yelled at the pig "I dinna mean to …" she started but I wanted to echoed in her mind. "I need your help… I w- wa- want ta... ta ch-ch- changed you BACK!, s-s-soo you c-can help KILL ME!"
"BBBWEEEEEEEPPPP?" KILL YOU? Cried out a startled P-chan Gladly! If that would make Akane happy… If you DID rape her! but there's something wrong, Ranma seems disorientated, confused, almost insane? Ryouga thought as he sat on his tail, and stared questionably into Ranma-chan's eyes. I WILL kill you, if you HAVE hurt Akane, but I must know, be sure of it, FIRST! he tried to convey in his stare.
"Don't look at me like that!" Ranma screamed at the pig. "I'm becomin' a rapist, I deserve ta die! I can't live like this! I tried, I can't... stop IT. I wanted to screw Akane! She wants it, I know IT... DAM! DAM! DAM! …I know these thoughts were wrong, that I was forcin' myself, but I din't care! I couldn't… wouldn't… din't want ta STOP!" Ranma-chan confessed to P-chan. "I… uh… CAN resist her somewhat, as a- a... girl, but when I was ME... MALE... I COULDN'T… not just AKANE! ...but... Na-- Nabikiee, Sa- ah-- Sahammpoo… e-e-even .. Ka-Ka- KaSUMIeee! I thought… staying a girl, BUT THEN I WANTED TA SCREW YOU! I felt you RESPOND! YOU WANTED TA… WE still could, I WANT ta…. DAM! " Ranma-chan continued with tears of shame running down her face, too upset to talk.
She wants Me? But... I'm a guy! Not at girl... Ranma isn't, can't BE gay? He LIKES girls! the confused piglet thought. But maybe, SHE Likes BOYS?, is that why SHE can resist girls, but SHE can't resist me? I mean men! Ryouga decided She … certainly made it apparent that she ...um... LIKED me! And I felt myself respond! but WHY? Is it the curse? He... she's had her curse longer… will I lose control too, like Ranma? Is that why I … responded? worried Ryouga. Or was it just that the sexiest 'girl' I know glomped on me? I don't feel like I want to force someone, not rape…? , is that because I'm a pig? But I do ...um... notice girls, while I'm a piglet, as well as when human.
"I can't... live this way..." Ranma-chan finally began talking again "Ka- Kasumi, she'll t-tell... my mother! I don't want ta d-d-die... but, mother will k-k-killl mee! the promise! She mustn't know, I can't let her do it! I mustn't burden her with the guilt! I must... do the right thing! ...I must do it, do it MYSELF!! t-t-tell'em... t-t-tell'em all that I'm S-S- SORRY! Tell Akane that I... I think I really loved her, I... NO! NO! DAM! um... I want ta tell her BEFORE this, …I w-wish that t-t-today never ha-ha-happen! Tell her that I don't... din't m-make loovve ta Sa-Shampooo! She just snuck in my room, today, l-l-like b-b-before! My body just re-re-responded ta her… but I, in my mind, I din't want it ta, din't want HER! I did t-t-try ta stop in t-t-time! S-she, Akane, was just standing there! I KNEW then, it was HER I wanted THAT I STILL WANT! AKANE! that's why I went ta her ...uh... tell her that!" Ranma stated. "P-P-P-chan, uh... Ryouga! I -w-w-wanta take ya ta the b-b-bridge, ta our ssspeecial spot, where I.... I first saw how ka-ka-kaWAII she was... I'd like ya ta- ta change back... HUMAN... ta second me! Ta hheelp me... in s-s-seppuku..." the distraught girl's voice trailed off to silence.
"BBWWEEEP!" SUICIDE! Ryouga was stunned! He... err... she can't mean that…! P-chan thought, but as he really LOOKED in her face and eyes, he saw the fear and depression there, and the already dead look in her eyes. I'm always been depressed! But never like that, she's serious! But I thought Ranma would never give up… he... she'd fight ANYTHING! What caused... this? She so despondent, incoherent, it's hard to tell exactly what happen, it's almost like she was drunk, or drugged? That must be it... his honor, he can't face what he did... uggh. He thinks he's a rapist or might be, or will be. IF YOU HAVE HURT AKANE I WILL HELP YOU! Ryouga cried out in his mind. But he said he had stopped, that he really didn't rape Akane or Shampoo… Shampoo… SHAMPOO! In his ROOM! just TODAY! …but if she was there, she might have done... something, a pressure point or drug...!" Ryouga started to panic, If SHE DID, then Ranma isn't a rapist, he's a victim! He's sick and needs my help, not to die, but... to LIVE! I must stop this! Ryouga decided, and knew he had to try to comunicate this, somehow, to Ranma-chan.
"Bweep, bwep, bbwweeeeepp!!" Ranma! You can't, don't do this! You need HELP! Ryouga tried to say Damn Curse! I wish I could make her understand, maybe if she followed me, I could get down where I can write in the dirt! With this decision made, P-chan darted forward and bite Ranma again on the hand, then retreated out of her reach. Ryouga spun around to face her. "Bweepweepweepweep" Ryouga squealed in as mocking a manner he could and managed to stick out his tongue, then jumped from the roof to a patch of bare earth. Please Kami, make her follow me!
"Why you Litt'l bastard, I'll … I'll…." Ranma-chan started to follow, then stopped and burst into fresh tears. "I... I gueesss you've ..ma-mmaade .. your ch-ch-choice. I .. c-c- caan't blame yoou!" and with that she spun around and took off across the roofs again, too fast for 4 little pig feet to even try to follow.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Ono was trying to comfort the despondent Cologne, who had suddenly started to weep over the form of Neko-Shampoo again, which was lying on Ramna's futon covered by a white pillowcase. Unlike other Doctors, he didn't believe in leaving grieving family members alone with their departed loved ones, and he was trying to convince her to accompany him while he checked on Akane. It will do her good to get her away from the body, give her something to do besides morn, perhaps helping Akane will do that. Not only that, I just may need her help with Akane, especially if there really is Amazon potions involve. Ono thought as he managed to lead Cologne to the door…
"Oh my! …. OH! MY! ….. OH! MY! ...ONO!" Cried out Kasumi, staring at the futon with a look of disbelief on her face.
Ono spun around and looked at Kasumi, who was just standing their staring at her bed, bewilderment written all over her face. Oh no? What's wrong now, my Beloved? Oh! she meant Ono! Me! She calling ME, MY Kasumi! She wants Me! but then he saw where she was looking. There on the futon was the body of a nude girl with purple hair, lying face down, her lower torso covered by the pillowcase. Even without the hair, it was obvious it was Shampoo.
Dr Toufu rushed to Shampoo's body, grabbing a wrist to check for vitals, while rolling her over on her back. Where's my Stethoscope…? He thought as he felt around with his free hand.
A new set of hands garbed his free one and firmly placed the stethoscope in it, almost as if reading his mind. He checked her heart and lungs No pulse, no respiration, no signs of life.., but it's only been, um.. 3 minutes sense her heart must have STOPPED!. The other set of hands had already tilted back the head, placing a cushion under Shampoo's neck to keep her throat open and had expertly clear her airways
It's a good thing Cologne knows CPR! Ono thought, allowing him to concentrate on Shampoo, blotting out everything else. Ono started a cardiac massage and could feel Shampoo's chest swell as his assistant started mouth to mouth. After about 30 seconds, he stopped and so did the other, while he again checked for vitals. Damn! No response… as they restarted CPR. Once more he stopped to check her vitals, Still nothing! and glance around for his bag.
"My bag! I need It! I need to stimulate her heart…" Ono called out as he tried to re-start Shampoo's heart by direct blunt stimulation, which meant he beat on her ribcage, mostly in frustration at not having his bag handy!
Dr Ono Toufu could hear his helper fumbling with his bag! "No! No! bring it here…" His voice barked out in frustration. He could feel the presence at his side, but instead of his bag, she handed him a syringe and a small vial from his bag. What? this is my vial of epinephrine! and he saw that the syringe had a cardiac needle on it! I should have known Cologne would also know about modern medicines!
Ono quickly filled the syringe and injected the drug directly into Shampoo's heart. Once more they gave Shampoo CPR and still there was no response. There's only one thing left to try! I don't think I have the skill, yet, or the energy! But I still have to TRY! Ono instinctively knew.
He stopped his massage and laid his hands upon Shampoo's chest, directly above her heart. Summoning his healing ability, he channeled it and his Chi into his hands, which blazed with a blue aura. He could feel his Chi energy enter Shampoo's body as he tried to use his own life force to "jump start" Shampoo's heart. But although he had the ability his energy was not enough. Just when he was ready to give up all hope, another set of hands appeared over his and after a few seconds these too were glowing with Chi energy, a bright white tinged with gold! Ono momentarily felt a slight stirring in Shampoo's heart... but then nothing more. The two auras were fighting each other as much as helping, unable to effectively combine or work together, much like oil and water.
Suddenly the end of a gnarled wood staff laid on top of the two pairs of hands, and it briefly flared red. Ono could feel something HAPPEN inside him and he felt the barriers against the golden white aura fall away. He felt the strange aura flow up and into his own body as his own blue-green aura retreated from Shampoo's body to flow into the other's. Then the auras merged and he could feel his mind and heart fill to overflowing with peace, calm and tranquility, and an almost intoxicating feeling of love, much like an extravagantly rich and sweet dessert. This feeling of love, it must be Cologne's love for Shampoo ... went through Ono's mind.
He could feel the two auras flare and then something GAVE, and the two auras became one. Ono knew the auras were forever changed, not blue or gold-white anymore, but emerald green. It sped back down his arms, not twice, thrice, or even four times as strong, but many many times, and it again entered Shampoo body. He could feel Shampoo's heart start, and life return to her body. His new aura flowed everywhere in Shampoo's body and he could feel himself adjust her metabolism, raise blood pressure here, cleansing toxins there, and increasing blood flow everywhere, almost like tuning a car or piano. Finally when he was satisfied with her condition, he allowed his aura to recede. this power is almost intoxicating! he thought as the feeling of power receded, melting away and he wondered if anything that magical will ever happen to him again
As he opened his mind to other thoughts than Shampoo's health, he could SEE the health returning to his patent with his own eyes. . He could feel the mind of the other, still holding his hands, linked to his and filling him with a giddy happiness. "It's alive! It's alive!" ran through his brain. I always wanted to say that! he thought, and got the shock of his life when a familiar voice empathetically answered him in his mind
Oh Ono! Keep control, (giggle!)
He looked down at the lovely pair of hands resting on his, his eyes traveled up her slender arms and beheld her beautiful face, not that of Cologne like he had assumed, but instead he glazed onto the eyes of his beloved Kasumi.
END PART FOUR
A.N.: Here I go with the movie reference, from "Frankenstein" and/or "Young Frankenstein" (Your choice!)
PS: I couldn't help getting a little WAFFish at the end of part four. Ono and Kasumi are my favorite pair of unrequited lovers in the Ranma-verse, and I couldn't help but put them together.