Chapter Fourteen When pigs attack...
Chi walked to the door. He was a little upset that Akane's training, which was suppose to start this morning, would be put off until later. It couldn't be helped. More important matters were being handled right now. Chi stopped at her door and then brought his hand up to knock. He took a deep breath, and rapped on Akane's bedroom door.
It took a minute of knocking before Akane opened the door, but only a crack. "Yes? Do you need something Chi?" Akane looked a bit of a mess. Her hair was wild. She had barely hidden bruises and bite marks. Her nightshirt, a red chinese silk shirt, was inside out. She was blushing horribly. She was absolutely glowing, literally.
Chi said a silent congrats for his brother and tried to keep the smile off his face. "Kasumi says breakfast is in an hour if you two wanna go get cleaned up." Akane's eyes widened and her blush got redder as she nodded and closed her door.
"All night? And I thought you called me a hentai." Ranma chuckled at his woman. He had made her such last night.
Akane stopped blushing when she saw the same glow she had around Ranma as well. "We still have an hour Airen."
Nerima Medical Hospital
Dr Yamata walked up to the distressed parents. He took a deep breath. He really hated things like this. But it could have been worse.
"Mr ans Mrs Gosunkugi? I am Dr Yamata. I'm your son's surgeon. He's out of surgery, he's alive." Dr yamata watched as the parents started crying again and start thanking the gods for their prayers being answered. He really didn't want to tell them the next part.
"Dr Yamata, can we see our son now?"
Dr Yamata looked into the fathers eyes before he spoke. "You son is alive but there are complications."
"What do you mean?"
"Your son is in a coma. He's alive, but he's stable. We have no idea when he'll wake up. It's not like any coma we've ever seen before. You son's mind is working faster than we've ever seen. By all accounts he should be awake right now."
"What should we do?"
"Be patient. You can see him right now, but don't be disappointed if there is no response."
Dr Yamata lead the parents to Hikaru's room. The mother had remained silent and went to her son's side when she saw him. She took his hand and held it.
"Mr Gosunkugi, a word please?" Dr Yamata lead the father to a private room. "Mr Gosunkugi, I know what kind of wound that was, just as you do. I understand that some young lovers feel like this at this time in their lives, but I was hoping you would talk to me. Do you know what made your son do this?"
Mr Gosukugi looked the doctor in the eye and took a moment to gather his thoughts. "I'm not completely sure actually. Unless you have anything else to say, I have something very important to do." So saying Mr Gosunkugi left the room.
At Miyo's house
Miyo woke up slowly, she was annoyed. She could still feel whatever spell it was she felt last night, but it was only barely touching her. Her dreams last night had not provided any now information.
There was nothing to do about it. Hikkaru Gosunkugi was appearently the focus of the spell. She needed his help.
She was scared.
She could still feel his kisses she had felt during the visions she had lived through. She could still feel as she had felt in them as well. It was true that appearently Hikaru was a latent natural magic user. He also had a great deal of potential, magical and otherwise.
"Miyo! Telephone!"
Huh? Was it Hikaru? She was very nervous as she approached her phone.
"Hello? Miyo speaking."
"Hello Miss Miyo. This is Mr Gosunkugi, Hikaru's father. I'd.. I'd hate to ask this, but could you come down here to Nerima Medical Hospital? Something happened to Hikaru last night. He's alive but.."
"I'll be right there." Miyo hung up. She only now just noticed the chill in her gut that had been bothering her since she woke up. She ran to her clothes and changed quickly. She started running to the front door when she was stopped by her mother.
"I'll drive Miyo. Besides, I wanna meet my future son-in-law. He'll be fine dear."
"Huh? What are you talking about? How did you know?"
Miyo's Mother guided them to the car and started driving.
"How do I know? Miyo, you never bring boys home. When you brought that young man home last night, I did a reading. I saw love, tragedy, joy, and marriage. I know this will be painful, but he's a strong young man. He'll get through this and be all the stronger for it. I also found out about his mystic potential. When he gets through this, he starts getting training, from me."
Miyo looked at her mother as they pulled into the hospital parking lot. It didn't take long to locate Hikaru's room. Introductions were made between Miyo's mother and Hikaru's parents. Mrs Gosunkugi glanced at Miyo and got a dark look in her eye.
Mr Gosunkugi looked between his wife and Miyo. He decided that it was time. He pulled Miyo outside of the room. "I'm sorry to be rude, but my wife is blaming you for what Hikaru did. I don't think she is completely wrong. Hikaru left this for you."
He pulled out the sealed letter his son had addressed to this girl and handed it to her. He then left her alone to read it. Miyo just looked at the envelope for a minute or two before she slowly opened it and read:
"Dearest Miyo,
I am sorry. I have never known the happiness or joy like I felt last night. Whatever that was, be it a vision of the future or an illusion of some kind, I was there. I felt what I did while at your side.
I was there at our senior prom when I gave you my first kiss. I was there at you side then I married you. I was there at your side when you gave me my first and only daughter. And I was there to raise her after your death.
I love you Miyo, after being with you through the happiest moments of my life. I don't care what they were, but I know one thing: You are the greatest woman I have ever met. But the fates have decided that we will not be able to be together. Although you would have provided me a wonderful child that I love and will miss, I can not allow you to die.
I make this choice. You will have a long and happy life. I am sorry that I will not be there to be by your side. I wish that there was another way, I love you.
Hikaru."
Miyo reread the letter three times. Her tears fell silently. Eventually she walked back to Hikaru's room. She gave the letter to Hikaru's mother. When Mrs Gosunkugi finished reading, her eyes held a softer look as she glanced at Miyo.
Miyo was leaning over Hikaru. Mrs Gosunkugi heard as Miyo spoke to her son softly.
"I love you too, Hikaru. Come back to me, please."
Uttchan's Okonomiyaki
Ukyo entered her resturaunt and started making breakfast. She still couldn't believe what was happening to her. She was in love, and it was to someone other than her Ranchan. Ryouga of all people.
Too bad it wasn't going to be a fairey tale story. He had problems and he had made a lot of mistakes. But the thing that worried Ukyo most was Akari. Akari had learned many of Ryouga's faults and still accepted him. She loved him, and Ukyo was going to take Ryouga away. Could he really love Ukyo more?
Ryouga walked in with his eyes closed. He seemed to be sniffing the air. Ukyo looked at him with amusement in her eyes. He had slept in the spare room last night.
"What are you doing Ryouga?"
Ryouga opened his eyes and smiled at Ukyo. Her heart skipped a beat. "I figured that if I looked for the resturuant I'd get lost, so I decided to follow my nose to the best smelling thing here."
Ryouga walks up to Ukyo and puts his arms around her. He buries his nose deep into her neck and takes a deep breath. He then kisses her neck causing her to lose concentration on breakfast. "Here it is." He says into her neck as he begins to nibble. They both stop when they smell the burning food.
"I thought you were shy."
"I know you love me, and I love you. I just wanna hold you." Ryouga squeezed tighter for a moment to emphasise his point.
Before Ukyo could stop herself, she was feeding Ryouga and he was feeding her. This felt so right, but Ukyo's thoughts turned back to Akari. What was she going to do.
Konatsu watched as Ukyo and Ryouga enjoyed a private moment. He didn't mean to be intruding. It was just his time to be at work. Konatsu was upset. He loved Ukyo and had hoped that he would prove to be the one for Ukyo. Konatsu looked at the two of them and he could see their love that was there. Konatsu loved Ukyo, but Ukyo and Ryouga loved each other. He wouldn't do anything to get between them. He knew that they both deserved to be happy and together.
Konatsu knew that they couldn't sense him. He was, after all, a genius kunoichi. The only one in a century they say. Konatsu backed out of the room and then came back in as if he had just arrived. "Good Morning Ukyosama."
Ukyo looked at her waiter and remembered what she was doing. "Good Morning Konatsu. There's something I wanted to tell you last night, but you were already asleep when I got home. Ryouga's going to be staying around for a while, and um... we're kinda dating."
"I'm so happy for you Ukyosama. Should I get the store ready for while you're at school?"
Ukyo was a little surprised at the lack of reaction to the news. Then a thought acured, maybe Konatsu had already known. Ukyo was glad that Konatsu wasn't going to make a scene. She really did owe him. Ukyo decided to find a way to repay Konatsu, somehow.
"Sure, but Ryouga's gonna be here as well. He's going to be studying for the entrance exam for Furinken while it's slow, otherwise he's going to be working with you."
Ryouga looked at his girlfriend. He was always wandering or training. To actually be working at a real job was unexplored teritory, but his girlfriend had been working her entire life when she wasn't training. She deserved Ryouga to do her best.
Ryouga looked at Konatsu as he promised to teach Ryouga well about working here. Ryouga knew about Konatsu's feelings and was a little confused, but he figured he'd ask about it later when they were alone.
Breakfast finished without much fuss and soon Ukyo was off to school.
Tendo Dojo
Kurumi was in heaven. Her new mother was helping her study for the Furinken entrace exam, as well as her new brother Chi. She thought what Chi had done at breakfast was cruel, but he made up for it by running interference while Ranma and Akane ran for school.
Chi had called up to them one last time that breakfast was ready. Everyone was waiting for the young couple to come down.
Kurumi looked at the father's playing shogi and remembered them demanding that Ranma marry Akane immedeatly because of their activities last night. They had shut up when Ranma said yes. Akane had been mad. She wasn't about to let enyone, not even the man she loved, dictate her life. She had then said that they would discuss it after school.
The two Amazon boys had been put through the wringer be Happosai's training. He had stepped in for the day when Ranma failed to show.
Kurumi had seen Chi talk with Wing earlier. She had wanted to know what they were talking about, but knew that it was none of her bussiness.
She was still amused that even though Chi had gone to school yesterday, the school had called and told him not to return until he had passed the exam.
Oh well, back to the books.
Natsume watched her little sister study. Natsume still couldn't believe that it was over. They had a home and a family now.
Natsume continued to help with the housework while Kasumi was absent. No one had even noticed that she was missing with everyone that was still here. Natsume had cooked breakfast, then had Chi get everyone claiminmg the message was from Kasumi. Natsumi smirked to herself for providing the girl some cover.
Natsume had to admit that when she had thought of herself as a Tendo she had been afraid of having to confront Kasumi about taking care of the household, about whose right it was. Now she felt slightly ashamed and hoped that they could be best friends. They were the same age and both part of martial arts families that were closely conected.
But for now it was time for tea. She just hoped Kasumi enjoyed her time with that nice doctor.
At the Tofu clinic
People were terrified. There was a note on the doctor's door that had even the bravest running in terror. It said "I'm here. Kasumi" It was even signed with little hearts. People could recognize her handwriting because of fliers she would write for people if they needed help of lost a pet.
No one would be going in there today.
Inside the clinic Tofu looked at Kasumi as she started to feed him again. She was happy as an angel right now. He was glad that he had been able to help her, but he still felt a little ashamed even though it had been Kasumi who started it.
Kasumi had wanted to leave when she saw how crowded it had gotten. Tofu had started to walk with her but soon realised that she was leading him to his clinic. She had let herself in with a key that he had forgoten he had once given her, in case of emergencies.
Kasumi had just made tea for them, but eventually they had started to talk. Tofu had been shocked by what Kasumi told him, both about Chi's future and why it had hit her so hard.
Kasumi had always believed that Ranma and Akane had all the time in the world to discover their feeling for each other. To learn that Akane would be killed like their mother had died, and that Ranma would then kill off an entire people in revenge. It had been more than she could take. She had always believed that there was always more time, that their was always tommorrow.
She explain that it was why she had been putting off her own life lately. Kasumi no longer had to hold the household together, there were now others who would willingly help. Nodoka being the most willing. Nodoka had lived without a family and would have loved the chance to take care of the Tendo as well as her own family.
Kasumi could now work on her future. She told Tofu of her dreams to become a nurse and care for people. She explained that it was one reason why she was always borrowing his books. But it wasn't the only reason. Kasumi had been stalking Tofu.
She admitted to using the key she had at night to watch him as he slept. She had been reading his journal as well. She knew about Tofu falling in love with her while she was only eleven. He had known it was wrong to love a girl so young. He had written of his pain over the years as she grew into the most perfect woman in the world. She had read about how he could never bring himself to talk to her, and how he would always lose control around her.
Kasumi told him that she had fallen in love years ago with the kind man who took care of her family's wounds. She had brought him lunch made with love. SHe had watched him from a distance as he danced with Betty. She had even borrowed his books as an excuse to see him. Her dream had been to work here with Tofu at her side.
But she had always been afraid. She would put off her dreams and used the excuses that her family needed her and that there was always tommorrow. That was yesterday. Kasumi had learned that there was not always a tommorrow.
Kasumi had decided last night to take the moment and never live with regrets. She had revieled her true self to the man she loved and then gave him the one gift she had always known was meant for him. She was now a woman, and in love. Kasumi had awoken this morning to find an engagement ring on her finger and a nervous lover watching her. Kasumi's answer was... well, breakfast had been late, very late.
In a dark hut in the amazon village
"So, there is a danger to our people and our home." An old woman in shadow opened her eyes as she came out of her trance and put the artifact she had been using away. It was a necklace that allowed one to see images of the future. These images were always brief and weren't controlled by the user. The nacklace showed what needed to be shown, not what the wearer wanted to see.
The woman began making preparations. It would take time to get there, but Nerima would never know what hit them.
Furenkin High
Nabiki looked out into the school yard from her class room window. She was depressed. Her boyfriend had not shown up for school today. In fact neither had his father, the principal. Nabiki vaugely remembered Chi giving a medicine to Tatchichan, her new pet name for Kuno, and Tatchichan ordering Sasuke to give it to Kuno's father.
Nabiki's eyes light up as she saw her boyfriend enter the school yard. It was already third period, but Nabiki didn't care. She started running to the door and then down the stairs. When she exited the building at a run, she slowed when she noticed that Kuno wasn't alone. Kodachi was on his right and what appeared to be their father in a suit was behind them.
The one that really got a shock out of Nabiki was the woman wearing a suit. She was wearing an expensive looking custom job. The look was altered by the fact that she was holding a strange wrapped bundle strangly similar to Nodoka's family honor blade. The woman was also in a wheelchair being pushed by Sasuke. Before Nabiki had time to ask any questions, the woman caught her eye and began to stare Nabiki down.
Nabiki knew a challenge when she saw one. Nabiki set her shoulders and walked up to them as if she owned the school. Her eyes never left the woman's.
"Hello Tatawakii. You seem to be a little late for school."
"My appologises dear Nabiki, but pressing family matters arrived this morning."
At this the woman spoke for the first time."Yes, I don't get to see my children often because of work and other important matters."
Nabiki narrowed her eyes slightly. "And what do you do that you find more important than Tatchichan and Kodachi-chan." It had only been a breif pause as Nabiki decided to use the honorific to show her newfound friendship to Kodachi. If Nabiki had looked at Kodachi, she would have seen Kodachi's smile get warmer as she wiped a quick tear of joy.
The woman refused to back down, but kept her voice controlled. "I am a Doctor. I am Dr Sakura Kuno, and I believe that we haven't been properly introduced. I believe that you wish to date my son. No."
Nabiki was the Ice Queen. She had spent years building a wall of ice around her heart. That all changed last night. Her Tachichan had not only melted her heart, he had found a place inside and then had given her his heart in trade. Later that same night Kodachi, once the craziest girl in Nerima, had also found a place in Nabiki's heart for a different reason. And now Nabiki was being told no.
"By what right do you have to refuse my dating Tatchichan? You haven't been apart of his life in years. I love him, you have no say in that."
"I am only looking out for what is best in my families interests. The Kuno family name holds great honor, as well as the family wealth itself. With Tatawaki as the eldest son, he and his family stands to inherit it all. I will not allow some money grabbing con woman to threaten my family."
By now Nabiki had started to form a battle aura. Nabiki was so involved in this battle of wills that she didn't notice that she was raising her voice now, or that Ranma and Akane were now standing behind her in suport. "Money! Honor! FAMILY! Do you even know what those words mean you BITCH! Tatchichan, Kodachichan, we're leaving."
"And just what do you think you're doing?"
"I'm taking my soon to be husband and sister in law to have them put on the Tendo Family Roster. Screw you and your deluded sense of honor."
Nabiki never saw the sword being drawn. Ranma had even been caught off guard. The Katana's blade was lightly pressed against Nabiki's neck.
"Look closely at this blade. You are a member of a martial artists family, so look at the aura of this blade. It holds the names of all who have ever guarded the honor of the Kuno family, as wife. My name was at the top."
Nabiki couldn't help but to turn her head slightly and look as she had been told. She could feel the power coming off the blade. Nabiki started to see the name written in chi and followed the names to the end. The last names were 'Sakura Kusanagi' and 'Nabiki Tendo'.
Nabiki dropped open her mouth slightly in shock. "What is this?"
"This blde is given before marriage and holds the names of all the women who have joined the Kuno clan. I'm sorry to act like such a bitch, but I wanted to test you myself. I can see why my son loves you so and why Kodachi was praising your name when she learned why I was here. Welcome to our family, Daughter."
Nabiki turned back to the woman, but instead of seeing a cold face staring at her, she saw the smile that became one of her Tatchi's best features. It was shocking to see such a happy, joyous face.
"Congrats Nabiki."
"Congratulations Nibiki, better you and Kuno than me."
Nabiki turned around and saw her sister sticking her tounge out at Nabiki. Akane and Ranma continued to wish them well as everyone entered the school.
When Nabiki and Kuno entered the classroom, it was oddly quiet. Nabiki was confused until she saw one of her associates hold up a rather large sum of money. So, everyone wanted to know, but weren't stupid enough to bother her directly. This was good.
It was later on that day when the school let out. Ranma barely said Bye to Ukyo as she ran off. Something about important bussiness. Ranma turned to Akane and took her hand. They waited until they saw Nabiki and Kuno leaving. Kuno was walking right behind Nabiki, but he had a hand on her shoulder as they walked. Nabiki eventually reached up and held that hand with a smile on her face.
Akane saw the happy couple and decided to be evil for a moment. "Oh by the way Kuno, you were right. It seems me and Nabiki's mom was an Amazon. That means I would have had to marry any of those perverts that had won. Same for Nabiki."
Nabiki stopped and got an evil look as she stared at her sister. "Akane, that was private business. Besides, did you really expect Tatchichan too..." Nabiki trailed off as she felt the tip of the boken in her back. Akane and Ranma turned aroud and nearly colapsed at the joyful look on Kuno's face as he won his Nabiki once again. "Tatchichan, point taken."
"Don't I even merit a famed Amazon Glomped?" Kuno never saw Nabiki move, he would have actually been afraid but he found that his wish had been granted. Nabiki actually giggled as she held her 'Airen'. She offered no resistance when Kuno decided that to continue this treatment required Nabiki to be carried. Nabiki felt like a princess as she was carried off by her prince.
Akane and Ranma just shaked their heads at this, then Akane found herself in Ranma's arms as well. "Shall we, Airen? We have training at home."
Akane giggled at Ranma's treatment, and glomped his just as Nabiki had Kuno. "Yes dear, lets go."
Uttchan's
Ukyo came inside at a run and ran up to change. When she got back downstairs, she was surprised to see Ryouga and Konatsu closing up. "What gives? I know I'm going to do something with Ryouga, but why are you closing down Konatsu?"
Ukyo was a little surprised when Ryouga asnwered instead. "He asked to come along. We both know how Konatsu feels and he wanted to make sure I was treating you right. I felt he deserved to know that I'm serious about you."
Ukyo looked for one man to the other and nodded. She turned to Konatsu and hugged him. "I'm sorry Konatsu. I didn't think about how hard this is on you."
"It's alright Ukyosama. If you can find love, maybe someone will appear for me as well." They both let go and left. Ukyo had gotten Akari's adress from Ryouga and took the lead.
Unryuu Family Pig Farm
Ukyo looked out as she saw the dojo where pigs were suposedly being trained to sumo wrestle. It was just strange to her.
Suddenly a girl ran up and put her arms around Ryouga. "Ryouga! What a pleasent surprise."
Akari stopped when she realised that one she was getting to returned affection from Ryouga, and two the other women were staring at her. The one with the big spatula seemed to be mad.
Akari slowly let go and then looked into Ryouga's eyes. "What's wrong Ryouga?"
Ryouga could feel the knife twisting in his heart. The only thing keeping him going right now was the thought that this was for Ukyo. "Akari, we have to talk." Ryouga stepped next to Ukyo and put his arm around her.
Akari screamed "NO!" and ran away. Ryouga started to give chase when he saw Katsunishiki charge toward Ukyo.
Ryouga stood before Ukyo to protect the girl he loved when suddenly Katsunishiki fell over. Ryouga saw Konatsu stand on the giant pig's back. Ryouga could see the pig was still breathing so he wasn't worried, but he was worried when he looked back over to Akari.
Akari was terrified. Her entire life had just come crashing down. Not only had her beloved Ryouga left her for another woman, but her darling Katsunishiki had just been defeated by a girl. Now what was she suppose to do? Akari couldn't take it. She started crying and ran inside her house. She ran to her bed and cried.
Ryouga watched as Akari ran away crying. He fell to his knees. Ukyo watched as the man she loved just tore a girl's heart in half for her. She realised that this was the reason Ranma had never made a choice before, he had been trying to spare her and the others this pain. She started crying as she kneeled down to hold her boyfriend.
"Ryouga?"
"Did I tell you she knew about my curse and accepted me for it? I never that I'd meet a girl as kind as her. I didn't deserve her, or to do this to her. I love you Ukyo, but was there another way?"
Ukyo just held her boyfriend for several minutes before she pulled the both of them up and lead the way home.
Days in Nerima started to pass quickly. Relationships grew and eventually all the new residents of Nerima started at Furinken High. Two surprising additions were the transfer of Kodachi Kuno, and the new School Nurse Dr Sakura Kuno.
Author's Notes: I'm sorry if the slight bit of darkness in my last chapter bothered some people, but I assure you it is for a good cause.
I am enjoying all the reviews I get lately and have decided to start answering your questions here if you have any. Until next time.