Chapter 7: The Game

The dojo was actually composed of several decent sized sparring rooms. Two of the rooms were already in use; one by Shiran and a companion, the other by Mausu and another companion. The group of six (the third girl was named Noa) took one of the larger rooms. As soon as Rika closed the door, Noa attacked Ranko, who dodged easily.

"It's customary to bow to your opponent," Ranko scolded.

"The only rule in this room is that everyone has to be able to heal in a few days, and it's honorable to acknowledge would-be fatal strikes," Noa said as she launched a rib-smasher at Ranko.

Again, Ranko was not there. "Provided a would-be fatal strike could actually be made," Ranko taunted with a smirk. Noa's face became grim.

Ayaka casually tossed a bo staff to Ryoga who dodged it. The staff exploded in a shower of sparks when it hit the ground (although it left no mark). Mousse made a bo staff appear and tossed it to Ryoga. "Never trust a weapon your opponent gives you," Ryoga said with aplomb. Ayaka laughed and attacked.

Rika looked at Mousse and asked: "Shall we dance?"

Mousse responded by producing four fans and tossing two to Rika. She dodged as the fans shattered. "Ah, yes. She can be taught," Mousse said with mock delight.

Rika laughed and grabbed two fans off the wall while saying: "I'll make you pay for that, China boy."

The three fights went on for about twenty minutes. Every now and then, the young women would try and gang up on each other's opponent, but this left them open to their own adversary, so they eventually had to give that tactic up. Noa became increasingly frustrated by Ranko's refusal to attack (although she would block), so every now and then, the women switched opponents. It soon became very obvious that the Kunoichi were out-classed. Ranko was a Master, and Ryoga was damn close in ability. Mousse was behind his brothers in unarmed combat, but he could match them with sword, knife, or rod, and even surpass them occasionally using more non-traditional weaponry (plates, chairs, kitchen sinks, snakes-in-cans, etc.).

Finally, Rika (who had rotated to Ryoga) looked at Ryoga and said: "Enough. I'll admit I'm impressed, but it's time to end this."

"Are you conceding defeat then?" Ryoga asked (already doubting a positive answer).

"Nope. You will and I'll dictate the terms of surrender," she answered. She put a hand to the neckline of her dress and ripped downward. She was soon clad only in very feminine negligee. She put a hand behind her neck and looked coyly at Ryoga. He became very aware she was an attractive young woman and became very conscious of her perfume. She then stretched up with her other hand removed the tie from her hair letting it flow down her back.

"Oh crap," Ryoga said out loud. "Guys, I have a problem!" he called out while breaking out in a sweat.

When he said that, Ayaka raised a hand to her dress and ripped down as well. "Endgame," she told Mousse while wearing a silk nightie.

As the sensations hit Mousse, he recognized that the young woman was deliberately projecting sex appeal as a technique – enough to put him in a great deal of trouble. "Ranma, you may be immune to this right now, but we're not. We may have to bow out." Ranma was busy dodging a combination attack from Noa and couldn't answer immediately.

"Oh no," Rika answered instead while advancing slyly on Ryoga. "Those are not the terms of surrender. I do guarantee this will not hurt, although it might take you a day to recover."

Ranko surveyed the scene quickly and came up with an appropriate response by yelling: "Anything Goes Secret Technique!"

"Right!" Ryoga yelled. He leaped over Rika and then launched himself feet first at the door. As the door shattered he yelled: "RUN AWAY!" Rika ran after the fleeing man.

Ayaka grinned coyly at Mousse. She had him trapped in a corner and was between him and the door. "One touch and you're mine," she whispered at him, the whisper causing him to shiver. His brain was starting to short out as the scantily-clad woman approached him.

Ranko dodged another attack from Noa. As the red-head rolled to her feet, she yelled at her brother: "Hey, duck-boy! MOVE!"

The familiar term of affection cut through Mousse's thoughts and he whipped out a bottle of water. "Bye!" he called out as he dumped it over himself.

"No!" Ayaka cried as she dived for the white duck, but Mousse's smaller form easily dodged her and then flew out the door. Ayaka gave a scream of rage and chased after him.

Noa launched a series of attacks that placed her between Ranko and the door. Then she ripped her break-away dress off and looked smoldering at Ranko.

Ranko smirked. "Sorry, I don't have the requisite parts right now," she gloated.

"Oh, but you do, Ranma of Nerima. I know exactly who you are," Noa breathed at her. "Your Yang side is always dominant no matter what form you wear. You see, you're always attracted to women. Now, as for me, I'm not as particular – that's why I made sure to end with you." Ranko gulped at the look from Noa. "I've been looking forward to this for a long time and I was delighted to learn you were coming here," Noa continued. "You probably will not want to mention this night to Akane Tendo though."

Ranko immediately learned that she was not immune to the Kunoichi technique as her own brain began to misfire. With a savage internal effort, she concentrated and invoked the Umisen-Ken. "Damn!" Noa yelled lunging forward. Ranko spun and made for the door, but the move was too obvious as Noa leaped in her path (Ranko was still having trouble thinking). Noa threw some powder about the room and then yelled "Ah ha!" while diving at Ranko.

Ranko leaped up and bounced off the ceiling . As soon as she landed, Noa made another grab for her, just missing. "What the hell?" Ranko wondered while rolling away. "The Umisen-Ken is having an effect. She's not able to focus the sex appeal at me, but she's still tracking me somehow!" Ranko laid on the floor while studying her opponent. Noa was not moving – instead she was looking for something on the floor. Then Ranko saw it – there were glowing foot prints on the floor! "Crap, that powder must have done something."

Ranko began walking on her hands towards the door. "No good, Ranma! I can see your handprints!" Noa called running after her. "That powder will allow me to track you for the next few hours. This game will be mine!"

"It ain't over 'til it's over," Ranko thought clearing the door and running for dear life.

Tofu, Jakaro, Ciren, and Ojima, still sat with Lady Hoshi and Lady Yasuko alone in the Tea Room. Akio had left with Lady Hana for a tour. As they spoke, there was an explosion in the distance. "Oh dear," Lady Hoshi said. "It seems like some of the children are playing."

Tofu exchanged a quick glance with Lord Jakaro. "I know you're worried, but give away nothing," Jakaro's voice sounded in his head.

"I was pretty sure some amount of playing would occur," Tofu said with only slightly raised eyebrows. "Would it be impertinent to ask would the boundaries of the Game are."

"Of course not, dear fellow," Hoshi answered. "If you leave the room, your part of the Game. No permanent damage is allowed. Everyone must be completely healed within three days."

Ciren looked around at the empty room. "I see," she commented. "And if they make it back to the room?"

"They are still part of the Game until sunrise," Lady Yasuko answered firmly.

A cover popped off a ceiling vent about seven meters overhead and hit the floor. Mausu stuck his head out of the uncovered vent. "Oh sure," he drawled. "Now you tell us the Rules."

The apprentice Kunoichi Izumi stalked through the through the halls annoyed as she carried a plate of sandwiches towards the Tea Room. "I should have been allowed in the Game," she thought. "I'm ready!"

Suddenly, one of the players – a 1st level by the name of Hina – ran around the corner and almost ploughed into Izumi. Hina grabbed the plate and then handed it back to Izumi once Izumi had regained her balance. "Sorry!" Hina exclaimed. "I'm in a hurry!" With that, Hina took off again.

Izumi huffed: "Sure – they let her play, but not me!" She started on her way again, but after travelling twenty or so meters, she saw Hina running toward her again. "Hina?" Izumi questioned in surprise.

"Did you see a tall dark-skinned man pass this way?" Hina demanded.

"W…W…What?" Izumi stuttered. Then she pulled herself together. "No, but I just saw you running by here a few seconds ago."

"What?!" Hina said loudly.

"I just saw someone who looked exactly like you run by here," Izumi clarified.

"Were they wearing the same clothing?" Hina asked insistently.

"Yes, but she had on a black headband too," Izumi answered.

Hina slumped a little. "Oh gods," she moaned. "My target's a shape-stealer."

"Say what?" Izumi said in disbelief.

"I thought I had him," Hina said exasperatedly. "I only hit him lightly with the Technique and he seemed to be a pushover. He was flirting with me, and everything. Then he did a magic trick for me. He turned his handkerchief into a fedora. He playfully put it on my head, and pulled it off. I leaned in to give him a kiss and he took off. Now he's running around in my shape."

"Oh crap…" Izumi replied in a whisper. You better put the word out." Hina just nodded despairingly.

Daran ran around the corner wearing Hina's shape. "You're cute and all, but there's no way I'm admitting to the rest of the mercs that I was seduced by a mental attack like that," he thought.

After another turn and a long corridor, he found himself in the main kitchen. There were about ten young apprentices attending to the clean-up. Before they noticed, Hina's shape reached up and removed the headband. Daran now stood there holding a white handkerchief. He made the handkerchief vanish and called out: "Good evening, pretty ladies!" They turned to face him curiously. He walked forward saying: "Is there any way I can convince you to give me a soda in exchange for showing you a small magic trick?" As he made the handkerchief reappear, the young women began to giggle… (1)

Tofu looked up at Mausu looking down at him. "Are you all right?" Tofu asked.

"Of course I am. But, I have a very ambitious young lady trying to track me. She's a little offended that I managed to throw her, and she's looking for a different type of re-match," the little thief said.

"I didn't think this would bother you," Ciren teased.

"It doesn't," Mausu admitted. "But I have my pride to think of." With that, he pulled his head back in and vanished.

"I must protest," Jakaro said. "Three of your guests are underage." His protestation left a lot to be desired in terms of righteous anger.

"By the laws of the Kunoichi, eighteen is fair game," Lady Hoshi replied. "We also don't put as high an emphasis on monogamy. If your young men do, it's up to them to enforce it. Besides which, none of them are married yet. Neither are any of the mercenaries, and you Kitsunes certainly have no lifetime emphasis on monogamy – it could be argued that the majority of us humans do not either considering the divorce rate."

"I see," Tofu said thoughtfully.

"You look heartbroken," Ciren accused him.

"I have faith," Tofu answered. "Besides, coming here was their idea. Sometimes actions have consequences."

A small black pig went skating past the table on a rug. The little animal had a hoof raised at the doctor. Despite the lack of fingers, the message was conveyed quite clearly. "Come back here!" a scantily clad Kunoichi yelled as she ran into the room. The pig hopped off the rug and ran through the grating of a rather large wall vent, flattening the grating. The people at the table could clearly hear it scramble up the vent shaft.

Suddenly, another voice came from the shaft yelling: "Gang way! Coming through." Mausu shot out the vent head first, arms out holding the little pig. They bowled over the Kunoichi running toward the vent and slid further out into the room. Yet another Kunoichi slid out the vent after the pair. The first woman got up and followed the second. Mausu scrambled to his feet and ran a little ways, then snatched up Ryoga. With a mighty throw he tossed the little pig into the ceiling vent Mausu had opened, where the pig vanished. Still running, the thief pulled out a grappling hook gun and fired it through what had been a closed ceiling vent. He felt the hook lodge, pressed a button on the gun, and he shot up into the air. Shortly, he too vanished into the ceiling. The two Kunoichi pursuers immediately turned around and dove back in the wall vent.

"That's a marvelous gun," Hoshi said. "I wonder if he'd let me look at it after the Game is done."

Another ceiling vent popped out and hit the floor. Ranko followed it. "Man, it's getting crowded up there!" she said after she landed cleanly.

"Do you want hot water?" Ojima asked.

"Naw," the red-head answered. "I move faster as a female."

"Do you know you're leaving glowing blue footprints?" Tofu asked.

"Do you know they have their own counter to the Umisen-Ken, Mr. Actions-Have-Consequences?" Ranko shot back. "I'll remind you that we came along because you asked."

"And I am extremely grateful. You three are doing a wonderful job at keeping everyone distracted," Tofu replied. "Kasumi will be thrilled too!"

"Yeah, well I hope Akane is too when this is done!" Ranko retorted. "I thought they would just practice mock-poisoning us or stabbing us with rubber knives in the back."

"But you were expecting that, Lord Ranma," Hoshi replied. "And seduction is a lot more fun."

"Does it look like I'm having fun?" the girl said as she ran off again.

"Actually, it does," Hoshi murmured. "Some of us thrive on conflict, whether we will admit it or not."

"That's why he wants to marry Akane," Ojima said. Ciren dope-slapped him.

Yul and Othan stood on the roof of the Kunoichi's main building. "This is not quite the meeting of the minds I was hoping for," the Human commented as he watched two of the female ninjas start to silently scale the wall.

"Hey, I was just as hopeful," the Kitsune replied. "Still, you have to admit, it's very educational."

"We better do this before they get too high – They aren't trying to physically hurt us. We really should return the favor," Othan commented.

Yul handed Othan two very rotten eggs. "This will kill their amorous intentions. Bomb's away…"

Othan commented slyly: "Only two eggs?"

Yul made a shoo'ing motion at him. "I heard about your darts game with young Mousse," the Kitsune said with mock sternness. His tone returned to normal as he added: "You better hurry and do it - we need to see if any of the others need help."

Artel lay on the bed with a cuddly Kunoichi lady. Both of them were thoroughly exhausted. He smiled to himself as he thought: "I don't care how much I get my chops busted – this is so totally worth it…"

Wales reached the bottom of the stairs and found the wine cellar. He also found his buddy Banner drinking merrily in front of a large keg of beer mounted on its side. Lying on the keg was a snoring Kunoichi covered with some discarded sacks. Wales cocked an eyebrow at the scene.

"She's a pretty little thing, but she can't handle her alcohol," Banner explained blandly. "Where's yours?" he asked.

"Cutting herself out of a net. She should be free in five minutes. I want to grab a drink before that happens."

Banner burp and waved at the casks. "Help yourself." He tossed the Kunoichi's discarded tankard at Wales.

Wales sniffed the tankard suspiciously. "Did you drug her?"

"Of course not, I just introduced her to Boilermakers," Banner said innocently.

Now Wales raised both eyebrows: "Did you tell her that?"

"Might have slipped my mind," Banner admitted.

Wales took another sniff of the tankard. "I can't smell anything. Did you use whiskey?" he asked.

"Poteen. It's too bad they don't have any Guinness," Banner answered.

Wales rolled his eyes. "The stuff you brew? Good lord, the poor woman won't wake up for a week," he said.

"Naw, I didn't slip her that much. She'll be fine by tomorrow afternoon," Banner replied. "By the way, I think one of the girl ninjas was at the Hostess club. I saw that red head from the club running around here in a gi."

Wales walked over to the cask and started to pour a beer for himself. "No," he answered. "She's one of us."

"Are you sure?" Banner asked.

"Yeah, Tofu said she was along to help," Wales lied. "Don't worry about her."

Banner just shrugged. "If you say so."

Wales took a deep drink and thought to himself: "You're a good man, Banner, but you were never that bright. Honestly… the lad leaves and she shows up. Then she leaves and he's back again looking a little worse for the wear. We've seen Kitsunes shape change, including Tofu. And Daran has that damn hat. How much of a rocket scientist do you have to be to figure this out? It's a waste though - his other side is cute."

After Ranko left the Tea Room, a white duck flew through the room, in one door and out another. The bird seemed to be laughing. As everyone looked at one another, another Kunoichi stormed into the room wrapped in a silk robe and adorned with bits of wire and glass crystals. "How the hell can he use a screwdriver with his wings?" she burst out.

"What's wrong, Ayaka?" Hoshi asked.

"He dropped a chandelier on me!" Ayaka exploded.

"Well, thank heavens his aim was off," Jakaro said consolingly.

"No, it was dead on!" she raged. "He trapped me right in between all the major supports. It was like I was caught in a cage and a net for twenty minutes! Where did he go?"

"Sorry, dear. I cannot show any favoritism," Hoshi responded. The girl stormed off.

As she left, another ran in (also in a silk robe) and looked at the glowing footprints. "Ah ha!" she said triumphantly and began to track them out of the room.

"Oh good!" Lady Hoshi said enthusiastically. "Noa has admired Ranma from a far for nearly a year now. I am so happy she got to meet him!"

"You do know that if she blindly follows that trail, she'll walk into a trap?" Jakaro said. "Ranma is part Kitsune by adoption. He'll be very good at dodging the hounds."

"And Noa will have learned an excellent lesson," Hoshi replied. "That is sort of the point of the Game."

Hideo resisted rubbing his eyes in frustration. "This, I do not need," he thought.

Anna, the woman who had led the party to the Tea Room, was firmly attached to his arm leading him to a greenhouse attached to the main house. She was also emitting pheromones like a Vulcan in heat. Hideo was using all his self-discipline to not show any effects, but it was taking its toll.

"It takes her very little energy to maintain the attack," he thought again. "And she's a warrior – she moves faster than I can. I'm either going to need to yell for help, or figure out a counter for this thing fast."

Anna opened a door for him and a green scent filled his nostrils. "I understand Earth Mages love the scent of growing plants," she said. "It seems to elevate their senses, does it not?"

"Yes, it does," Hideo agreed with a smile as he looked around. This was not some well organized greenhouse they walked into – this was a veritable forest! His senses did open up and he did notice Anna's scent more (as well as her other attributes), but he felt the life in the plants and the power welling up from the raw earth even more. "You just made a strategic error," he thought silently. "Looks like I just found the help I needed."

Anna smiled back, unaware of his thoughts. As she led him further into the greenhouse, she was also unaware of the rustling in the underbrush of the garden…

The Tea Room party continued to chat until a tremendous grinding and tearing sound was heard from deep in the house. Ciren's eyes became wide. "Where did Olaf get to?" she asked.

"Two young ladies said they would show him a sauna large enough to hold four of him," Jakaro said. "Why? You look worried, my dear."

She looked at Tofu. "You never told him?" she asked.

"Ummm…I don't tell other people's secrets unless there is a reason," Tofu said. "That's more of a minor administrative detail."

"How is that minor?" she shot back.

Ojima looked at Ciren and decided that he better bite the bullet. "I sort of need to ask this – are you and Olaf related? You seem awful close."

She lost the concerned look for a minute and smirked: "We haven't had a first date yet and you're already jealous?"

"A little," he admitted. "But I suppose I really do know better. Is he your brother?"

"Not quite," she said. "I suppose the easiest way to say it is that we are related because we both have 'mythological' parents, and we have had each other's backs for a long time now – like since I was fourteen."

"Well, I know he is half-human," Ojima said choosing his words carefully. There was now a thumping sound echoing in the building. "But I can't figure out the other half."

Tofu chimed in: "He's half-human in the same way that Ranma is half-woman. Olaf was exposed to the Nanniichuan shortly after he was born. All his people are – either the Nanniichuan or the Nyanniichuan. They are also big fans of Jusenkyo soap. It allows them to move about the world, more or less unnoticed." The thumping was coming closer.

Ojima looked stunned. "What's his original birth species? Although I have a nasty feeling I know…" the inspector queried.

Lady Hoshi turned white. She asked: "And what would happen to any woman that tried to mate with him?" The thumping had now resolved itself into footsteps – large loud footsteps. There was also the sound of walls breaking.

"Let's just say that he doesn't allow that to happen," Ciren said. "There's a possibility that the results would not be pretty."

One of the doorways into the room instantly became wider and taller. Olaf strode in dominating everything. He was at least six meters tall and wearing several sheets he had fastened together to somehow form a toga. Except for the lace on the sheets, he looked like an escapee from Olympus, especially with his advance musculature. "I must protest, Lady Hoshi!" the literal Giant boomed. "The two young ladies who led me to the sauna abandon me there and took off with my clothes when I resumed my true shape. I insist my clothes be returned! I thought the Kunoichi were above such pranks!"

Tofu noted the smile playing about the Giant's lips. "But Earth Giants are not above such pranks," Tofu noted.

"Hmmm…" Lady Hoshi said thoughtfully. "I don't think I really appreciated the reality of an Earth Giant. I think I may have made a miscalculation."

"Apparently so did your young ladies," Olaf laughed like thunder. "They took one look at me rising out of the bath and bolted. They ran down hallways I could not crawl through without bringing down the house. I dare say they are out of the Game for the night. But I would still like my clothes back. That suit cost me a pretty penny."

"I'll see what I can do," Hoshi told him.

"Here," Shiran said walking through another door wearing his Kitsune form. He handed Olaf his clothes.

"Where did you get those?" Olaf asked.

"I found them on the way to the lockdown room in the basement. There currently about ten young ladies hiding there," Shiran said. "They like anatomically correct dragons as much as giants."

"You cannot tell a male dragon from a female dragon," Tofu scolded. "Only they can."

"Yes, but the women don't know that," Shiran smirked. He looked over at Lady Hoshi and added: "By the way, they won't remember anything once the sun rises."

"That was kind," Lady Hoshi said. "Why?"

"Because I think psychological scarring is worse than physical scarring. Besides, I found these locked away," Shiran said. He held up three small balls of powder.

"I locked those away for a reason," Hoshi said.

"Demon paralysis powder?" Jakaro noted.

"It will only work on Akio and Ayumu – the rest of us are too strong," Shiran commented. "But they don't know that," he said nodding at Hoshi.

"High Lord Jakaro," Lady Hoshi started in a panic. "Please, do not take offense! Those are only for attackers and uninvited guests. As I said, I had the powder locked away! This is only a training exercise designed to show my ladies the limitations of certain techniques! I'm not out to start a war! My young ladies are no match for the weakest of your party. Any of the mercenaries could easily defeat my people. The ones that have been seduced allowed themselves to be seduced because they enjoyed it. Any of you could leave at any time! We cannot stop you!"

Jakaro smiled gently and said: "I'm aware." He raised his voice and shouted: "Tomo!"

"Yes, sir!" The little Kitsune called out as he materialized.

"How goes the battle?" Jakaro asked.

"No one has been caught who doesn't want to be caught, Sir. I'd yell out if that had happened," Tomo answered sharply.

"Tomo?" Shiran asked. "Do you know anything about some Scorpion Sauce? You smell a little like it."

"Later," Jakaro told him. "Tomo, go back to work."

"Yes, sir," Tomo said and vanished.

"There's a reason besides faith that Lord Tofu is not concerned about his younger brothers," Jakaro said. "He brought them in to help watch over everyone and defuse one person in particular – and they have done very well, but he has also appointed people to watch over them. And the watchers have watchers – so on and so forth. One of the best ways to keep mercenaries out of trouble is to give them a job. Same with Kitsunes."

Lady Hoshi let out a sigh of relief.

From the ceiling, Ryoga yelled out: "You're still a fink, big brother!"

"There you are!" a woman yelled out from somewhere above.

"Ah crap – gotta go!"

A round of laughter followed that from the people in the main room. Lord Jakaro finished: "We won't take offense, but I'm calling the Game in one hour. Your ladies will have to live with their disappointments. That's time enough to drive the point home." Lady Hoshi nodded her acceptance.

Jakaro lifted his face toward the ceiling and an image of him filled everyone's mind in the building. "Everyone is to be in the Tea Room in one hour! No exceptions! The Game ends then!" he mind-spoke to everyone.

Lord Jakaro turned to Shiran. "Can you speed up your spell and free the women in the lockdown room?"

"Of course, my lord," Shiran bowed.

Jakaro looked thoughtful for a second. "All right, do it and then bring them to us immediately. They'll still be jumpy even if they can't remember why, so let's get a couple of glasses of sake into them. I want to be sure they are all right before we leave." Shiran nodded.

Jakaro looked up at Olaf and said: "Come, my friend. Let's get you fixed up and not cause any relapses…"

Footnotes:

(1) Daran's hat was introduced in Chapter 9 of "The Date".

A/N: Next up - Endgame