Robotech Nibunoichi: Chapter Eight
By Valkryie01 ()
[Legal Stuff: Ranma 1/2 is created by Rumiko Takahashi and
is distributed in the US by Viz. Communications. Robotech is
the property of Harmony Gold with the novels written by Jack
McKinney and published by Del-Rey. I'm only borrowing these
characters.]
****(Notes before you begin: The events in the Ranma 1/2
Anime/ Manga takes place in 2010-2012 in this story to
maintain continuity with the Robotech storyline.)*****
December 2014...
Ukyo Kounji awoke drenched in sweat. She looked over at the alarm clock next to her bed.
"Four-twenty-three. Damn, why do nightmares always wake me up so early?" said Ukyo to nobody as she climbed out of bed. She made her way to the bathroom of her little apartment in the dark she tripped over an errant shoe and fell flat on her face.
"Dammit!" she swore as she got up and made continued on.
She got undressed and climbed into the shower to wash the sweat from her body. She closed her eyes as the hot water washed over her body releasing the tension from her muscles.
She saw again the images that had awoken her. Shampoo, Kuno, and Mousse all dead after a Zentraedi had stepped on them. The giant had then began to chase her down Macross Blvd. As she ran she was throwing spatulas at its feet, but they only bounced off. She turned to look up at the face of the monster, and was shocked to see Akane's face!
"Ranma is mine, you shall never have him," bellowed the Akane/Zentraedi monster. It was then that she noticed Ranma was sitting on the shoulder of Akane. Konatsu (Ukyo thinks, "He's just a friend.") then grabbed her and said," Let her have him, I'll always be here for you."
She proceeded to whack him over the head with her spatula and Konatsu disintegrated. Akane's foot then started to come down towards her... (1)
Ukyo awoke with a start again. She'd fallen asleep standing in the shower and had the nightmare again. She climbed out of the shower put on her robe and walked out to the kitchen of her small apartment to make some breakfast.
Ukyo had moved out of the White Dragon shortly before the
Saotomes and the Tendos. Her apartment was very small and she was living off a part time job that she'd gotten in a music shop. She'd taken that job because she just couldn't stand the idea of opening a restaurant and competing with the Lynn's. Also, running a restaurant would drag up too many memories of her life back in Nerima.
The success of the new Saotome training hall had brought Ranma and Akane even closer together than they had been before. Ukyo couldn't stand to be near them now, because it caused too much pain for her and trying to win Ranma now would just hurt both Ranma and Akane who had been friends with her when she'd needed them the most.
Ukyo finished cooking her eggs and slipped them onto a plate. She next grabbed the toast while she flipped on her TV. It was still only about five-thirty in the morning and she had some time to kill before work in the morning.
After eating breakfast and doing the dishes it was still early and she was bored. She had stopped practicing her arts to concentrate on school. She looked over at the wall where her spatula hung. She lifted it off the wall and decided to head over to Macross Park and work out some stress.
Shampoo was also up early for her morning practice with her great grandmother. She was running through the park with the tiny amazon's matriarch on her back.(2)
"Jump and flip over the stream," commanded Cologne.
Shampoo's only reply was to turn left and launch her-self into a forward flip and land on the other side. She had to stop short, just barely making it over the stream, to avoid colliding with somebody.
Ukyo was startled by the sudden appearance of the two Amazons in her midst. She didn't expect anybody to be up this early, with the exception of Ranma (and he has a dojo to practice in), Ukyo swung around into a defensive stance knowing that she stood no chance if they both attacked. Ukyo could hold her own against Shampoo, but she was no match for Cologne and she knew it.
Shampoo was also startled to find the Kounji girl up as well.
"What are you doing here Ukyo?" inquired Shampoo.
"Practicing," answered Ukyo tensely.
Cologne spoke next," Calm down Ms. Kounji. We have no intention of attacking you. Shampoo and my-self were exercising."
Ukyo relaxed upon hearing this.
Cologne continued, "Would you care to join us. Shampoo could use a sparring partner that's on her level?"
"I guess so. I could use the practice," replied Ukyo.
The trio walked over to a nearby clearing. Shampoo took a position on one side while Ukyo took one on the other.
"Begin," yelled Cologne.
Ukyo started off with a brace of mini-spatulas from her Bandoleer. Shampoo jumped up and over these, landing about ten feet in front Ukyo. Shampoo charged Ukyo, leaping into a vicious kick from the left aimed at Ukyo's head. Ukyo ducked, letting Shampoo's foot miss her by less than an inch. Ukyo then brought her spatula up into Shampoo's stomach, flipping the Amazon over her and slamming her into the ground.
Shampoo got up, put her fist into the palm of her hand in the classic kung-fu gesture signaling the beginning (or in this case) the end of a fight.
Ukyo nodded to the gesture of honor and turned to Cologne.
"Shampoo was being kind. I could tell that she was holding back," Ukyo told Cologne.
"Well, you are out of practice child. That's all. All of your skills are still great; they have just become dull from lack of usage. We'll soon correct that if you would like,"
Cologne answered.
"I'll think about it."
Ukyo started to walk towards home to change for work.
Shampoo followed after her, quickly catching up.
"Ukyo, I want to ask if you would help me with something at the Christmas party next week end?" (3)
"What is that Shampoo?"
"I can't tell you unless you agree first, but I can tell you it will be extremely fun, and it may get Ranma to leave Akane" explained Shampoo.
"Okay, I guess I'm game," replied Ukyo.
"Good, here's what were going to do..." Shampoo started.
Akane was looking forward to the Christmas party, even if the fool had left her wondering where he was for over a month earlier this fall. She'd had already forgiven him for his absence just not for telling her where he went and what he was doing. He still apologized to her repeatedly and she was still egging him about it. It pleased Akane to no end that for once she got to tease Ranma but it also bothered her that he wouldn't talk about it.
The nightmares that Ranma had after he returned bothered her too. He must have done something terrible or seen something atrocious to cause him to lose sleep. She wished that he would talk to her about it.
Akane had to remind herself to get her mind back on what she was doing. The success of the dojo was giving her money to spare in looking for a gift for him. She was walking along Macross Blvd. window shopping with Nodoka. She looked up and saw Lisa walking down the street towards them.
"Good morning Akane, Mrs. Saotome," said Lisa.
"Morning' Captain Hayes," replied Akane.
"Where are you headed this morning," asked Lisa
"Nowhere in particular. I'm just out looking for a Christmas present for my baka fiancée'," replied Akane.
"Would you care to join us for lunch?" asked Nodoka.
"Not today, I've got a meeting with Admiral Gloval in a little bit," Lisa answered, "But, thank you for the offer."
"Speaking of Henry, how is he doing?" inquired Nodoka.
"He is under a lot of stress lately," said Lisa, "Would you like me to pass a message onto him for you?"
"Yes, please tell him that it would please me greatly if he would come by and see me again," Nodoka informed Lisa.
Akane chose this moment to interrupt, "You and Rick are coming to the party next week aren't you?"
"We'll see," stated Lisa.
"Lisa, can I ask you something else? It's about Ranma,"inquired Akane.
"Sure, come by my quarter's later, say around six?" replied
Lisa.
"That'll be good. See you later then." answered Akane.
Akane and Nodoka kept on shopping. Akane eventually settled on a present for Ranma. Nodoka also selected something that Akane wasn't all that sure that Ranma would like. She supposed that's the way a mother would think.
Akane walked up to Lisa Hayes's quarters slowly. She wanted answers to why Ranma was acting the way he was and also wanted to know what could be causing the nightmares. She knocked on the door.
Lisa answered," Come on in Akane."
Akane came in and saw that Claudia Grant and the Sterling's were there as well.
"I'm sorry for intruding on your private party," apologized Akane.
"You're not intruding hon," replied Claudia, "Lisa just asked us over for coffee."
"Akane, could your follow me please?" asked Lisa as she headed off into the kitchen. Akane followed.
"Now what did you want to ask me about?" inquired Lisa
Akane started, "Ranma's been having nightmares lately.
According to Auntie Saotome, Ranma went with you and Rick somewhere while I was gone. I just want to know if there is something I should know about?"
"I should have known that this would happen. I need to make a phone call and I'll be right back," Lisa answered.
Lisa walked out to the living room and grabbed the phone.
She punched in the code for a secure line to Admiral Gloval's quarters.
Admiral Henry Gloval was unusually jittery. The man that had commanded the SDF-1 through the darkest times was having trouble selecting a tie for a date. Nodoka Saotome was a traditional Japanese woman and would expect a suitor to be properly attired. He almost jumped when the phone in his quarters rang. He walked over and lifted the receiver.
"Sir, I have an incoming call from Cap'n Hayes," supplied the yeoman.
"Put her through, yeoman Makabi," Gloval replied.
"Admiral, I have a young woman here asking about Ranma having nightmares. I know the mission was classified, but I think that Ms. Tendo should be told."
"Lisa, I'm leaving it up to you what to tell the young lady about said mission. Does that satisfy you Mrs. Hayes?" replied Gloval.
"Yes sir"
Lisa hung up the receiver and turned to Max and Miriya, "I think you two should be in on this seeing as how you were there in person."
"In person for what?" asked Max
"The factory satellite mission," said Lisa. Lisa then stuck her head in the kitchen and asked Akane to join them in the living room.
"Akane what we are about to tell you cannot be discussed with anybody else okay?"
"I guess so," replied Akane, suddenly nervous.
Twenty minutes later Akane was shocked. She never thought that Ranma would have been halfway across the galaxy while he was gone.
"I owe him my life," Max stated.
"Why didn't he tell me?" asked Akane
"He couldn't. The mission was classified to the highest levels. If Ranma's involvement were known, him, and his family, would become a major target for the malcontents," answered
Claudia.
"Thank you for telling me. I hope I can help him overcome this. Now for a subject change. You guys are coming to the Dojo's
Christmas Party this Saturday aren't you? It's going to be at the dojo and all the students are invited."
"Sorry hun, I have duty Saturday night so that the Admiral can attend," answered Claudia.
"Maximillian and I will be there as long as Minmei's cousin will not be attending," replied Miriya," and if we can bring
Dana."
"Mousse will probably be there, Kyle is not invited," touted Akane.
"I can't stand that boozer," snapped Max.
"See you there then. I really have to be going, Ranma will probably be worried about where I am," stated Akane as she got up to leave.
That Saturday night...
Shampoo and Ukyo Kounji were having trouble containing their excitement. They would have some revenge on Akane Tendo tonight for monopolizing her time with their Fiancée/Airen for the last year.
Mousse and Konatsu were at the front door of the dojo greeting the guests as they arrived for the party. Mousse had only agreed to do this after much prodding by his mother to act like a young man. Konatsu was doing this because he was hoping to get to see
Ukyo when she arrived. Inside the party was already going strong.
Kasumi and Akane were dragging Tofu and Ranma across the floor greeting everybody. Rick, Lisa, the Sterling's, and the Grants were all sitting at a table on the left. Nodoka Saotome and
Henry Gloval was in the back part of the dojo sipping tea and discussing various things.
Sammie, Kim, and Vanessa had Rico, Bron and Konda out on the dance floor dancing to some techno beat. Ranma looked out there and saw his chance to get away from all this hobnobbing.
He turned to Akane and asked, " Wanna' dance?"
"In a second baka," replied Akane as she turned back to
Miriya, "So you put cooking oil in the coffeepot?"
"Nobody had said that I couldn't use it in there," snapped the former Quadronno. She was still suffering from post-partum depression. "Sorry Akane, I didn't mean to come across like that."
"That's okay," as Akane leaned in close to Miriya's ear and whispered, "This is a secret, but I can't cook very well either."
Two people wearing dark cloaks couldn't wait any longer.
One walked over to the breaker box and flipped the breaker off.
One then rejoined and the two and together they proceeded to sneak out onto the stage area of the dojo.
Ranma quickly located the box and flipped the power back on. When he returned to main room he found two people standing on the stage with cloaks covering their heads and clothes.
Two noticed Ranma reenter the room and nudged one. They whipped off their cloaks and it looked like "Akane" and "girl-Ranma" was up on stage.
"What's this?" asked the real Akane.
"Shut up Un-cute Tomboy!" replied the girl on stage in Shampoo's voice.
"Who are you calling Un-cute, you Pervert?" replied 'Akane' in Ukyo's voice.
"Uh-Oh," was uttered and 'girl-Ranma' backed up.
'Akane' pulled out a mallet and swung at 'girl-Ranma'
'Girl-Ranma' was knocked offstage and 'Akane followed her out of sight.
Everybody who knew the real Ranma and Akane were laughing their heads off. Ranma and Akane were still in shock. They didn't know quite how to handle this.
Ranma and Akane both thought, "Is that how I really am?"
They looked at each other and started to laugh themselves.
Rick and Lisa looked at the couple like they were crazy.
Everybody had a blast Christmas 2014
footnotes:
(1) Okay, Okay, This dream sequence is a modified version of one that Rick Hunter had while in the hospital after he was shot down.
(2) Remember Yoda riding on Luke Skywalker's back in Empire
Strikes Back (TM. Lucasfilm)
(3) Shampoo's English tutors have really paid off huh?
Sorry this one sooooooo long. I've actually been working on
this chapter since before Chapter Seven.
Also for those who don't yet know my webpage has moved to
.com/valcryie/
and my new e-mail is