SMST 5B: Journey to Adventure! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 19
Meanwhile…
"HAHAHAHA!" Nabiki laughed over the phone.
"Hey, it ain't THAT funny, you know!" Ranma replied. "You're not the one who has a girl hanging around your neck."
"No, but it is interesting that no matter what, your personal harem continues to grow," Nabiki replied. "Just be sure to let this new girl where you stand on that issue."
"How about this: I make sure she can protect herself, while I investigate that MBI outfit you're so keen on?"
"Which is exactly what you are doing, so why complain?"
"Grrr!"
"Honestly, by now, you're just the 'wild horse' every girl want to ride…PUN intended. So why not just enjoy yourself? The All-Mother doesn't mind."
"Yeah, but I do, and, especially, Akane DOES. Look, I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror, and NOT think I'm some womanizer."
"Well, look at the situation in another way: you have something in common with Grandfather Happosai."
"You have GOT to be kidding. I have NOTHING in common with him…her…whatever."
"But his is your great-grandfather, right?"
"Um, right…"
"And, other than the hermit master types, name ONE ancient martial arts master that isn't a bit of a pervert."
"Oh, god," Ranma said, as he slap his forehead. "I've become another Happosai…"
"Well, I wouldn't go THAT far, but, consciously or not, you do have an appetite for young maidens. However, unlike Grandfather Happosai, you actually care about them."
"Well, it's not making me feel any better. I mean, I was hoping that I could have comfort in just marrying Akane and Usagi, since I consider them the loves of my life…in THIS life."
"And deprive the other girls of a chance to be with you? Don't be so selfish, Ranma."
"Okay, just let me ask you this: why do we, well, you know…"
"Hook up from time to time?" Nabiki asked. "First of all, we shared a life together, albeit a virtual one. Secondly, why not? Officially, I'm with Tatewaki now, but, as Lokidis, can dip into the pool of chaos that is Prince Ran, since, technically speaking, 'Nabiki Kuno' and 'Lokidis' are two separate people."
"Yeah, on a technicality…"
"But, enough about us. What are you going to do about this Musubi girl?"
"I don't know," Ranma said. "For some reason, the records for 'Minato Sahashi' went missing, when I was trying to register for classes via the Internet, and my bank accounts been frozen."
"Well, it looks like someone is on to you, Ranma," Nabiki said. "I'll send you some cash, and set you up as a construction worker at one of Mishima Zaibastu's construction companies in town."
"Well, it's better than nothing," Ranma said. "Oh, and can I get a little extra cash? Musabi has only the clothes on her back, and, those, well…let's just say she need some."
"So your little friend is walking around in the buff, eh?"
"No, she's wearing some of my clothes."
"Oh. Okay, I send you some more money."
"Oh, okay."
"And by the way, remember your friend Kari?"
"Yes?"
"Well, I told her what's going on, but, well…"
"Well, WHAT?"
"For some reason, she insists that you and her made a promise to be together."
"But that's was when I saved her from Devimon-!"
"I guess you made a formidable impression after all. But anyway, she left something for you, and hope to see you again."
"Fine," Ranma said with a sigh. "Just send THAT to me along with the other stuff."
"Will do. And Ranma?"
"Yeah?"
"Behave yourself. Buh-bye!"
CLICK!
Ranma growls, as he hangs up his phone. He then turns to see Musabi, who was cooking dinner in one of his Chinese shirts…
Musabi hears Ranma growling, and turns towards Ranma.
"Mianto, is everything okay?" Musabi asked.
"Eh, my…sister-in-law told me about a situation concerning an old girlfriend of mine," Ranma said. "You okay?"
"Oh, yes," Musabi said with a smile. "Dinner will be ready shortly."
"Thank goodness," Ranma said, as he stomach growls. He could condition himself to go without food for months if necessary, but he loves the taste of food…
"Now, all I need now is some peace and quiet-"
"TA-DA!" said the television set behind Ranma.
"Huh?" Ranma and Musabi said, as they both turn to see a silver-haired man with glasses and an elaborate get-up.
"Congratulations on obtaining your first Seikirei!" said the man.
"Oh, great," Ranma said, as he reaches for the remote. "Now the TV is busted up…"
"No, wait!" the man said.
"Oh, that's the professor!" Musabi said cheerfully.
"You know this nerd?" Ranma said.
"I happen to know that you are NOT who you want others to believe…'Wild Horse'. So watch it there, buddy. NYAH!"
Ranma rolls his eyes.
"Nevertheless, you are now a participant in the Sekirei Plan, where you, as the Ashikabi, are destined to link with gifted humans."
"For what purpose?"
"THAT would be telling."
"…"
"For now, Masubi is your first Sekirei, so be sure to take care of her and train her well."
"I'll do anything for Minato to be the best, sir," Musabi said.
"Good," the Director of MBI said. "So…'Minato', as a part of this 'plan', you are to NOT divulge your knowledge of the plan to the public. If you do, I automatically get control over the Rantsu Foundation."
"You WHAT?" Ranma yells. "On whose authority?"
"Heihachi Mishima and whoever represents the interests of Ranshin Rantsu."
"Grrrr!" Ranma growled. He knew right away who represents the interests of "Ranshin Rantsu" at the Mishima Zaibatsu…
"Nevertheless, I wish you well as you collect you Sekirei," the man smiles pleasantly. "And Musabi, good luck."
"Thank you, director!"" Musabi said with a smile.
"Cha!"
CHIRP!
And, with that, the Director of MBI was gone.
"This CAN'T get any worse-"
BANG! BANG!
"Oh?" Musabi said, as she looks towards the door.
"Who is it?" Ranma called.
"It's the landlord!" came a voice. "I got a package for a GIRL that lives here!"
"Oh, boy…"
Ten minutes later, Ranma and Musabi were in the park.
"Man, this sucks," Ranma said, as rain began to fall. He then turns towards Musabi.
"Look, I'll help you find a place to stay, but I need to tell you something…"
"Oh?" Musabi said.
"Yes, there is something about me that you need to know."
"Like you changing into a girl?" Musabi asked.
"Huh?" Ranma-onna said, as she realized that she had changed without her knowledge. "Wait, how…?"
"I don't mind," Musabi said, as she takes Ranma-onna's hand, and placed it on her Musabi's ample chest.
"Er…"
"I felt your inner spirit, when we first bonded. Now, I feel you inner spirit, and it's the same."
"Er…"
Musabi looks up at the sky.
"Tonight, we're suppose to have a beautiful moonlight," Musabi said. She then looks at Ranma.
"It is as beautiful as you are."
"Er…"
"Come, let me take you to heaven," Musabi said, as she stands up while still holding Ranma-onna's hand.
"Well, you don't need to-"
SMOOCH!
Musabi kissed Ranma-onna squarely on the lips, as Musabi begins to glow.
"Now," Musabi said, as she broke the kiss. "Let's go!"
"Now, wait-!"
FWOOSH!
Suddenly, Musabi and Ranma-onna are caught up in a glorious rapture, as a tornado took them higher and higher, until they were above the clouds.
Meanwhile, on the top of MBI, the director produces a smile on his face.
"It looks the legends are true," the director said, as he adjusts his glasses. "Lord Ranshin IS the Inzangi."
The Moon Princess leans over the railing.
"Of course he is…I'm married to him, remember?" Usagi said. "Besides, you wanted proof; now, you have it. But the bet is still on."
"Right, and if Lord Ranshin wins, you will win a major share of MBI, and the road to Paradise will be opened, once more…with a new race of Japanese gods."
"Right, 'New Gods'," Usagi said. "And if YOU win, you get a major share of Mishima. And I'm sure that you can further your ends, even with a small portion."
"Indeed. The Sekirei represents the next stage of human evolution; I want to get on the ground for that."
"Right," Usagi said, as she steps onto the ledge. "Don't forget that Nabiki Kuno is my direct representative, which means she is off-limits."
"Understood."
"Good. I got to head back to the Youkai Academy to prepare for orientation tomorrow, so…be seeing you."
And, with that, Usagi steps off the ledge…and disappears.
"Still, it will be interesting to see what happens to all 108 Sekirei, and their Ashikabi masters, regardless of the outcome…"
For what seemed to be an eternity, Musabi and Ranma-onna floated under the light of the full Moon…
"Um, Minato?" Musabi asked.
"Um, yes?" Ranma-onna replied.
"I, uh, kind of NOT thought about how we were going to land," Musabi said with embarrassment.
"Oh. Huh-?"
And down Musabi and Ranma-onna goes.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh-!" Musabi cried out.
Ranma-onna kept her cool, as she held Musabi tight. She spotted a tall tree, as she began to slow down her and Musabi's descent-
Suddenly, Ranma-onna sees a translucent, young girl flying up to her.
"A tree spirit?" Ranma-onna said, as she realized that the tree she and Musabi were falling towards had doubled in size.
CRASH!
KTCH!
With Musabi in her arms, Ranma-onna lands on her feet.
"Man, that was…interesting," Ranma-onna said, as she stands up straight. She then turns towards Musabi, who was clutching Ranma-onna.
"Musabi, you okay?"
Musabi lifts her head up.
"I'm okay, I guess," Musabi said.
"Good," Ranma-onna replied, as she helps her friend to her feet.
"That fun, though," Musabi said, as she dusts herself.
"It was," Ranma-onna said with a smile. She then pulls out her hot kettle. For some reason, she can't feel any control over her cursed form, as if there was an energy field interfering with that control…
"By the way, I must ask you a favor," Ranma-onna said, as she pours the contents over her head.
"What is it?" Musabi asked, as Ranma-onna becomes Ranma. For some reason, she wasn't unfazed by Ranma's change…
"I must ask you to NOT tell anyone that you saw me changed."
"Why not, Minato-kun."
"Because I want to keep it a secret. Please?"
"Um, okay!" Musabi said with a smile. "I don't understand, but I will do as you ask-"
"What's going on here?" said a sweet voice.
Musabi and Ranma both turn to see an attractive, matronly young woman standing on her porch.
"Uh," Ranma said, as he wondered what to do. He didn't want to risk losing the Rantsu Foundation, since it had a lot of assets dedicated to charity around the world…
"We fell from the skies," Musabi said.
"Hey!" Ranma yelled.
"What?" Musabi said with innocence.
The young woman smiled and giggled, looking forward to what these strangers had to say…
Tbc.