SMST 5B: Journey to Adventure! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 17
Meanwhile…
Ranma and the strange, bouncy girl exit a local restaurant.
"That was SO good!" Musabi says with glee. "I can't believe I ate SO much, Minato!"
Ranma looks at his empty wallet, recalling how much the girl devoured.
"No kidding," Ranma says with a smirk. Hw was just glad that he had access to cash…
Musabi turns to Ranma.
"Minato, let me fix dinner for us tonight." Musabi says.
Ranma turns to face the girl. He blinks.
"Really."
"Alright, I suppose we can eat at home for once."
"Great!" Musabi says with a smile. "I can make my favorite dish."
"Cool. Let me get some money from the bank, and you can go to that market near my place. I have an account there."
"Okay," Musabi says, as she turns to leave. "See you in a bit…"
And with that, the girl takes off.
"Man, the things I do for nice people," Ranma grumbled, as he heads in the direction of the local branch of his bank…
Meanwhile…
"So someone sent Moka a threatening letter?" Usagi says, as she listens to the concerns of the journalism club. Since she had a background in photojournalism, being a former reporter of both the Daily Star and the Daily Planet in America, the school asked Usagi to take up the chores of sponsoring the club during Miss Nekonome's absence.
"It's true, Miss Rantsu," Tsukune says. "It's awful that people would stoop so low as to take someone's life."
"There has to be a reason," Yukari says. "Why would anyone want to take Moka's life?"
"Maybe it's an enemy from before Moka came to Youkai Academy?" Kurumu offered.
"Let me see the note," Usagi says.
"Um, sure," Tsukune says, as he hands the note over to his teacher.
Usagi looks at the note. It had come in a bat-shape envelope. The writing seemed practiced…
"What are we going to do, Miss Rantsu?" Moka wailed.
"Okay, like any investigation, we only have clues," Usagi says, as she gets up to the chalkboard.
"Clues?" Kurumu asked.
"Yes, clues."
Usagi draws up a numbering system.
"Name one…Tsukune."
"Well, we know that this person is new," Tsukune says.
"Good," Usagi says, as she writes down the information.
"This person knows Moka intimately," Kurumu says.
"Very good indeed," Usagi replied.
"And this person has to be a stalker," Mizore says, as she chews on her lollipop. "I know the type."
Everyone turns to stare at Mizore.
"…"
"What?"
"Well, that's it," Usagi says.
"Well, we don't have much to go by, Miss Rantsu," Tsukune says.
"Actually, we have a lot," Usagi says. "First, we narrow down our suspect to first-year students. Then we narrow down those students with similar backgrounds to Moka here. Then, we get someone who can trail Moka, as she goes about her business, without being noticed, who will be in the position to spot someone who doesn't belong."
"We can do that," Tsukune says, as the group nod their collective heads.
"I just wish that Gin was here to help for a change," Kurumu says.
"'Gin'?"
"The peeper we told you about earlier."
"Ah."
Usagi turns to Yukari.
"Yukari, do you know how to perform a 'Object Read' spell?"
"'Object Read'?" Tsukune asked.
"It's a spell that allows a spell caster to determined the nature of the objects previous owner," Yukari says. "However, the level of information is based upon how long the object has been in the hands of previous owner."
Yukari turns to Usagi.
"Problem is, letters are notorious for having very little to glean from."
"But we can get the psychic impressions," Usagi says.
"True."
"And that's the thing. You're going to assist me in building a talisman that can pick up the same psychic impressions that the letter emits."
"Okay."
Usagi then looks at the assembled group.
"Okay, get going."
"Right!" the club members yell in unison.
Meanwhile…
Ranma was casually walking down the street, grumbling along the way, when he hears some noise.
"Hmm?" Ranma says, as he looks up.
"Donomon Restaurants have just opened up a branch here in town!" says one girl, who was dressed in a purple, sexy waitress uniform.
"Here's a free coupon for a meal with every purchase!" says another girl, who was dressed in a burgundy, sexy waitress uniform.
Ranma takes one look at them.
"It's the leather twins!" Ranma exclaims.
"Hmm?" says the girl in the purple outfit, as she turns to see a familiar face. "Wait, you're the guy who was with Musabi earlier!"
"Where is the other Sekirei anyway?" demanded the girl in the burgundy outfit.
"Why should I tell YOU anything?" Ranma replied. However-
"Minato!" Musabi yells, as she comes running up. "I forgot to ask you what you want-"
Musabi sees the twins.
Ranma glances over towards his new friend, then back towards the leather twins and then back towards his friend.
"Musabi, get out of here!" Ranma yelled.
"Mmm?" Musabi replied.
"Pity that you have to show up," says Hikari, as sparks ran up and down her arm.
"Pity for YOU, Musabi," says Hibiki, as she performed the same trick.
And with that, that the twins launched a double-lightning attack at Musabi.
"Ah-!" Musabi yelps, as she braced for the blow…
ZARK!
"Hmmm?" say the twins in unison, as they realized that Ranma had caught the attack.
Ranma narrows his eyes, as the electrical energy coalesced around his right forearm.
"I see you like picking on someone who obviously doesn't want to fight," Ranma says.
"How…is he doing this?" asked Hikari.
"Is he another Sekirei?" asked Hibiki.
"I don't know what 'sekirei' is, but I'm not going to let you attack my friend."
Musabi looks at Ranma with awe.
'Could Mianto be my Ashikabi after all?' Musabi thought to herself.
"Whatever you are, you can't protect her from US forever," says Hikari.
"No, but I can make a good run of it," Ranma says, as he sends the energy back at the twins, though towards their feet.
CHOOM!
BOOM!
"Ah!" the twins yell in unison, as they are knocked off their feet by the blast.
"Come on," Ranma says, as he grabs Musabi's hand.
As the two take off running, Musabi looks back. Was she allowing her new friend to fight her battles? Was it even fair to do so?
Meanwhile…
"So let me get this straight," Trevor begins to say. "You're saying the Earth is HALLOW?"
"Yes," Ranma says.
"But Dad is alive?" Sean the nephew says.
"It's possible," Usagi says. "I sense him."
"Look, I don't want to be a party pooper, but I don't believe ANY of this," Hannah says. "The world is solid, and Mrs. Rantsu cannot sense someone in these rocks."
"So you don't believe in paranormal activity?"
Hannah looks at Usagi.
"No, I do not."
Usagi sighs. She then turns to Brittany.
"Brittany?"
"Why do I have to demonstrate anything like a trained animal?" Brittany scoffs.
"Please?" Brianna asked.
"Fine…"
SHOOP!
"Holy crap!" Hannah yelled, as she sees Brittany's were-cheetah form while stepping back.
"Sean, stay back!" Trevor says, as he raises his pickaxe.
"But uncle, that's SO cool!" Sean says.
"And this is the thanks I get," Brittany says with a smirk.
"Trevor, don't," says Gina. "My sister is not going to bite."
"Sister?" Hannah yells. "Are all of you monsters?"
"I'm the only were-cat here," Brittany says.
"She's adopted," Gina says.
Ranma turns to Hannah.
"Look, we'll find the exit and let you out, but a man could be in trouble," Ranma says. "I can use your expertise in this expedition."
Hannah muses for a moment…
"Triple my pay, and you have a deal," Hannah says warily.
"Deal."
"If that's settled, let's go find my brother," Trevor says. "THIS way…"
A few minutes later, Trevor comes back.
"Um where?"
Ranma shakes his head.
"Follow me…"
And with that, the journey to the center of the Earth begins.
Meanwhile…
"We should be safe back here in this alley," Ranma says.
"But they'll be back, won't they?" Musabi asked.
"Why worry about such things?" Ranma says. "I'll protect ya."
Musabi places a hand on Ranma's face.
"I really appreciate your efforts, but I don't want you to risk yourself for me."
"But there's got to be something I can do."
"There…is," Musabi says. "I've been searching for someone to be my Ashikabi…my soulmate."
"Er…"
"For the Sekirei, the only way we can be stronger is if we find someone that can complete us. Otherwise…we're less than nothing."
"Musabi, don't say that," Ranma says. "You're special."
Musabi smiles. Ever since Ranma had touched her heart, her connection to him has gotten stronger. It was as if it was meant to be so…
"Thanks-"
"There you are," Hikari says, as she landed on one end of the alley.
"You two are trapped like mice," says Hibiki as closed off the entrance.
"What's with you bad-guy types and metaphors?" Ranma says.
"Doesn't matter," Hibiki says. "You can't protect your little friend forever…"
Ranma growled. He was supposed to be undercover, but it was becoming apparent that his options were limited. He'll have no choice but to reveal his true power.
"We'll see-"
"Minato," Masubi says. "It's time."
Ranma looks back at Masubi.
"Time for what?" Ranma asked.
"Time for our joining…"
"What-?"
"WHAT?" the twins yell in unison. "We have to stop them from joining-"
Too late…
As soon as Musabi kisses Ranma, the two an enveloped in a pink light that seems to get stronger with every moment. Ranma could feel his personal power flow into the girl that he had been protecting all this time. Feathery wings made from energy seemed to form on Musabi's back.
'Wait,' Ranma thought to himself. 'Why do I get the feeling that Jurai is involved in all this…?'
"How annoying," Hikari says, as she and her sister Hibiki walk up to the pair. "I guess we'll have to get serious."
"Indeed," says Hibiki.
When the light died down, Ranma could tell that her overall prowess had increased significantly.
"Masubi, you okay?" Ranma asked.
Masubi look up at Ranma.
"I feel…wonderful," Masubi says. And then she gets into a fighting stance.
"And feel like kicking butt and taking names, too!"
"NOW we're talking my kind of language!" Ranma says, as he gets into the Gentle Fist stance. He didn't like beating on girls, unless he was one himself.
The Gentle Fist Technique was a technique that Ranma had invented with the founder of the Hyuga Clan of Hinokuni Prefecture, Hokkaido (Japan). Although the Hyuga Clan would go on to perfect the technique, to the point of creating a special sealing technique to prevent the secrets of the technique from falling into the wrong hands, Ranma and Usagi are the only ones to know secrets of the Gentle Fist. This is because of their relationship with the head of the clan. Still, only the Hyuga Clan can utilize the greater techniques that exist within this potent martial arts style, primarily because of its association to the clans bloodline trait: the Bayakugan. However, the degree of difference between the Ranma and Usagi's expertise in the Gentle Fist and a Hyuga clan member's expertise is very slim.
Hopefully, Ranma hoped that the leather twins weren't that much of a threat, otherwise…
"You take burgundy wine, while I take purple rain," Ranma says.
"Right!" Masubi says.
"We'll see about that!" Hikari yells, as she delivers her attack.
"Yeah!" Hibiki replies likewise.
"Really?" Ranma says, as he suddenly grabs Masubi. "Have fun!"
"Ulp!" Masubi yelps, as she realized what Ranma was doing: a castling maneuver, which forces the other guy to be on guard by a surprising change of tactics.
"Oh, no you don't!" Hikari yells, as she brings up an electrical shield in place. "Defense!"
"Ha!" Masubi yells, as she delivers a solid punch into the shield.
CHOOM!
"Urgh!" Hikari says with a grunt, as she felt the strength of Musabi's blow.
"Hikari-!" Hibiki says, as she runs to her sister's aid.
THOOP!
Ranma merely sticks out his leg to trip the sister.
"Ah-!"
"Pay attention to you own fight, girl," Ranma says, as he caught the girl.
Hibiki looks up at Ranma, and sees a rather dashing man.
'No,' Hibiki thinks with a blush. 'I have to stay true to my ashikabi…'
"Sister, we got to get out of here!" Hikari yells, as she turns to leave the alley.
"Er, right!" Hibiki says, as she got free of Ranma and leaps to the roof. "Wait for me-!"
And with that, the leather twins run off.
"Huh," Ranma says. "I wonder if I'll see THOSE two again…"
"Ranma," says Masubi suddenly.
"Huh?" Ranma says, as he suddenly turns to face Masubi.
"For some reason, when we joined, that word came up," Masubi says. "Most curious…"
"Well, I am curious guy," Ranma says, as he tried to laugh off the situation.
"Well, I…I want to thank you for becoming my ashikabi, Minato," Masubi says with a slight bow. "And…I'm sorry for getting you into this mess."
"Eh, no problem. Come…let's go to the store to get something to eat."
"I know…I'm SO hungry!" Masubi says, as her stomach growls.
"Tell me about it," Ranma says, as he performs a sweat-drop technique…
Tbc.