Chapter 14: Trouble brews
Nodoka smiled with satisfaction from how well the meal went, as she set her utensils down, thus signaling to everyone else that she was done eating. Kalu who had finished earlier, sipped contently on a glass of wine, before putting the glass down. There was nothing like finishing off a good meal with a glass of wine, she thought as she smiled back at her friend.
"You know Nodoka, it's been awhile since we've seen each other, and it's been way too long since we went out together for a friendly stroll. How about we go on a stroll for old times sake, while we leave the children here to bond?" She asked, hoping to spend some quality time with her best friend and learn some of the more juicy details about the two girls.
"What a splendid idea Kalu! Ranka, Ranko ... you two wouldn't mind, now would you?"
Ranma forced herself to smile and shook her head yes, "Oh no mom, we don't mind. Right Ranka?"
'Oh this is just great! This just gotta be another lousy attempt by Auntie Kalu to set us up with Kuno," Ranma thought bitterly, thinking that while she liked Kalu, the lady's constant attempts of setting her up with Kuno were really starting to get annoying.
Ranka nodded and smiled at Nodoka, "Yeah we don't mind, mother."
'A stroll sounds nice. I don't see why we can't come along, instead of having to stay here with that stupid idiot,' she grumbled internally.
Nodoka smiled proudly at the two cheerful looking girls, as she admired them. She could tell that they were holding back something, but she being who she was knew she would get to the bottom of it later. It was best to let them think that she was unaware that something was askew.
"Now you must tell me," Kalu said as she put her hand on Nodoka's shoulder, as they vacated the Saotome home, "who's older, your girls or your boy?"
Ranma wiped the smile off her face, as soon as she saw her mother leave with Kalu, and flopped down onto the couch, sighing. Ranka went over to where Ranma was and leaned against the arm of the couch.
"Now, I thought you were going to tell her the truth?" She chided, "What happened, Ranma?"
Ranma clenched her fist and began to glow, remembering how she chickened out at the last moment. It was hardly manly, she thought. Upset with herself, she bit down on her lip, before speaking.
"I don't know. I was all set to and I really wanted to, but then ... I guess I got scared," she admitted, hanging her head down as her aura became green and then dissipated. She then became embarrassed, realizing what she admitted and started to blush profusely. She wanted to kick herself for being so damn stupid.
Ranka tilted her head from side to side, curious and a bit confused by her twins awkwardness. She didn't think of looking deep within herself, to find how much Ranma hated to admit to fear. She didn't remember all those times that Genma teased her sister about being nothing more than a weak pathetic girl, causing Ranma to gain a complex about her manliness which was worsened by her curse and her mother.
Ranma meanwhile calmed herself down, and looked up lovingly into Ranka's eyes and smiled.
"Ah well, at least one of us got to tell her the truth, and you'll be able to be there and comfort her, while I'm not gonna be able to," Ranma said, thinking that she would have to abandon her mother again, knowing full well that it was next to impossible to keep hidden. Well, she thought, she did manage to hide it from everybody at school, if it wasn't for that damn panda, it would probably still be a secret. Then again, it was for the best, the panda had saved Akane's reputation.
'Thank you, pops,' she thought sincerely, as Ranka gave her a stern look, while resting her hands on her hips.
"Now look Ranma, you do know you'll have to tell her eventually, or she's gonna find out on her own? She's a very smart woman, you know. You might think she's is clueless, but she's not.
"Look I already know what I should've done, and I know all about what's honorable and not. The thing is it is hard to do the right thing, when doing it can lose ya your head, over something your not to blame for in the first place. You know, I've heard her. She'll do it outta honor, if she don't find me manly enough."
Ranka stepped back out of surprise. "And, you ... you actually think that I would let her hurt you?"
"Well that's just it. I don't want you and mom fighting on the account of me," Ranma grumbled right before kuno started to come to, "Oh that's just great," she huffed, crossing her arms before angrily turning her back on him.
Ranka frowned, noticing Kuno waking up as well, which meant that the conversation was over.
"Well hopefully mom will be back soon ... but in the meantime you'll just have to grin and bare it," she added unhappily.
Kuno opened his eyes and looked around, in a confused daze, till he set his sights on the two pigtailed twins talking to each other.
'Yes! It wasn't just a dream. It was really real! I really am destined to be blessed to have two pigtailed goddesses,' he thought while looking from one girl to the other, his heart pounding heavily as he studied them intently, trying to pick out the differences between the two.
"Excuse me, but which one of you is my pigtailed goddess?" He asked, causing Ranma to shiver at the possessiveness of the 'my' in the statement.
Ranma grumbled, clenching her fist as she got up from her spot on the couch, walking over to Kuno before whacking him on the head, intent on knocking him out again.
"I ain't nobody's pigtailed goddess, especially your's. You got that, jerk?" She yelled. Unfortunately for Ranma, Kuno had developed an immunity to lighter blows to his head and was still conscious, bemoaningly rubbing the newly formed bump on his head.
"It really is you, my pigtailed love," Kuno said with love dripping out of his voice, as he gently rubbed the knot on his head away, before springing up to his feet with renewed vigor.
"Boy, you really do need a good psychiatrist," Ranka said, while anticipating a good stomping as she watched Kuno fade out of existence and reappear in front of Ranma, hugging tightly onto her legs. Ranka paused for a second, wondering if it would be a good time to go and search for the yellow pages to look up a shrink, instead she decided to remedy the situation by cutting the piece of cake her mother had left for the boy, then gently setting it on the table.
"Here, mother saved you a piece of cake," she offered politely, hoping that that would get him off of her sister.
Kuno suddenly jumped up, freeing Ranma's legs before reappearing in front of Ranka, gently holding her hands between his, and starring passionately into her eyes. Ranka gulped, looking very surprised, nervously sweating, as she started to grow increasingly annoyed at the insane kendoist.
"Oh my love, to save me a piece of cake that you no doubt spent countless hours on, slaving over a hot stove, just to express your undying love to me," he started, feeling very touched.
"Uhm, I think you misunderstood," Ranka said nervously, desperately wanting to treat the guest like her mother wanted them to, but she was starting to get angry. He just wouldn't stop; He was like that damn annoying energizer bunny; He just wouldn't stop, no matter what she did.
"Fret not my love, for thou need'st not hide thy true feelings from I. The same shall hold true for thy heavenly twin. For I shall sacrifice myself and bare the responsibility on myself to bring happiness to each, never to neglect the other and," Kuno got started and would not have stopped either, if it had not been for one thing.
"Why don't you sacrifice this,"Ranma yelled, as she appeared beside him faster than lightning, before smacking his perceived filthy hands off her sister. She then placed herself in front of him, bravely blocking him off from Ranka, all the while glaring at him, warning him that if he moved any closer that he was going to get it.
Kuno was saddened. The thoughts of his pigtailed goddess being jealous of his affections to her sister was just too unbearable to bear. A single tear escaped his eye, as he felt guilty for neglecting his other love. Intent on rectifying the situation, he gathered up all his strength. He was going to reassure his second love that he loved her just as much as his third, or first for that matter.
"Oh my poor pigtail girl, I see now that I have unintentionally wounded thee. But, fear not for my love for thee burns as deep as my love for thy sister and my love for the fierce tigress Akane. Let us all join together with desire and passion and express our eternal love so that the gods themselves may smile upon us," he said, surrounded by an aura of lust.
Kuno then lunged himself at Ranma, ready to embrace his goddess. Ranma's eyebrow was twitching, as Ranka kept clenching and opening her fists. As Kuno got within reaching distance, Ranma grabbed the plate with the cake on it and smashed it on his face. She then twisting it a few times, smearing the cake on his face, before letting go and watching Kuno hit the floor with an air of satisfaction.
"Damn, stupid pervert stay away from my sister," she said, while forming a battle aura.
"Yeah," agreed Ranka, before both girls proceeded to stomp him vigorously, as the plate slid off his face, smearing cake on the side of his face and getting it in his hair. A fight cloud soon formed as both girls lost control.
Ranka rubbed at her wrist slightly as she grew nervous. She then gave her sister a distressed look.
"Ranma..." She expressed worriedly, causing Ranma to give her a different look, trying to reassure her.
"Oh come on Sis, we sorta did what mom asked for. I mean he did get his piece of cake. Right?" She asked smirking, causing Ranka to nod, unable to resist the temptation to laugh.
"Yeah, you sure made sure that he got his piece of cake, all right. I'm just glad that mom wasn't around to see how unladylike you were," she said, while giggling from how she imagined it would be like. Ranma smirked and laughed too, resisting the urge to giggle herself.
"Aw come on, it might of made her laugh too ya know. But, I probably would have got it afterwardseither way, for being unladylike. Which sucks, cause I ain't ah lady and don't wanna act like one either. I'm a guy damn it!" She yelled, which caused Ranka to giggle some more. Even though she could feel her sister's pain, there was just something funny about her passionately proclaiming that she was a guy while in her girl form.
"Ah what am I gonna do now? I can't just keep doing this," she said, upset. Ranma grabbed her head in frustration and unconsciously started ruffling her hair up, in despair. She started to imagine her mother putting her through training to insure that she would become a proper lady. In fact, she imagined that her mother wouldn't be satisfied until she would become the best lady that there ever was.
Ranka sighed at seeing Ranma in such a distressed state. She wasn't sure if anything she would say would help make her sister feel better. But, she had to try at least.
"Don't worry Ranma, one day things will turn out differently for you," she tried, which caused Ranma to take her hands off her head and look at her twin. She blinked. She really wanted to believe what Ranka had just said, but somehow it just sounded way too far fetched, considering how chaotic her life was. She didn't think that she would ever get rid of the chaos, that seemed to follow her.
"Yeah," was all she said, as she tried to sound happy and flopped down onto the couch, turning on the television, while leaning back and flipping between channels.
Ranka meanwhile tried not to laugh at the messed up state Ranma's hair was in from the ruffling of earlier. She tried to keep a straight face and focused in on the television, but her eyes kept shifting back to the hair. Ranma soon picked up on her sister's behavior and became agitated, wanting an answer since her sister kept chuckling under her breath.
"Hey! What's so funny? Huh? Ya better just spill it already," she asked impatiently, while tapping her foot in anticipation over the answer. Ranka just giggled and then pointed to Ranma's hair.
"Your hair's all messed up," she blurted out, before falling over in a fit of laughter.
Ranma grumbled and started trying to undo the bun her mother gave her, but wasn't too successful, knowing nothing about girl hairstyles. As Ranma grew more and more frustrated, Ranka smirked defiantly, sensing her sister's plight.
"So, you gonna admit that there is something that the great Ranma Saotome can't do and ask for help? Or, are you going to go through the rest of your days with that messy bun of yours?" She joked.
Ranma started to panic, imaging herself in her guy form being laughed at by Ryoga, Mousse, Genma, the old freak and everybody at school for having a girl's hairstyle. She then quirked her eyebrows at her sister, not liking how she was being treated at the moment. She gulped. swallowing her pride, wanting to get rid of that dreaded bun and spoke.
"Alright, fine then, I admit it. I need help. Happy now? So stop being such an ass about it already, and help me out," Ranma complained.
Ranka smirked and shook her head. She started to undo the bun gently, making sure not to pull or tangle her sister's hair. Then after Ranma's hair was loose, she fluffed it out, and smoothed it down as best as she could.
"Now we need a hairbrush, I'll go get one," She said, getting up from the couch and swiftly made her way upstairs, disappearing into the darkness of the hallway.
Ranma meanwhile wondered how her sister knew so much of that girly stuff, considering that she only had existed for a little while now. She figured that Satan must have fed in such things into her sister along with her own memories. Ranma just shrugged.
She then sank deep into her own thoughts, trying to make sense of things. She sat there there contemplating how well the Soul of Ice technique had worked on her mother. While it had temporarily saved the day, it wasn't a complete success. Her mother was still suspicion; She could sense it in her aura.
Her mother's suspicions weren't her only problems, she realized. She let out a breath of air, and thought about the current situation she had placed herself in. How was she going to get out of it? She had no idea on how she would explain things to the Tendo's or worst yet her father. What if she wouldn't be able to leave and would have to remain a girl for the sake of keeping her mother happy?
She frowned thinking about what Akane's reaction would be to all this. She just couldn't deal with that tomboy right now, so she decided she rather not think about it. There seemed no way out of this mess. She couldn't run away, since it would obviously break her mother heart. She knew she sure was in a pickle this time, and sighed thinking that maybe Ranka would have better luck thinking of a way out for her.
Still, she felt a happiness she had never felt before, from being able to spend more time with her mother, despite the fact that it would probably end up getting her killed. The rational part of her mind screamed that it was too danger. All it would take is one slip of the hand and one spilled cup and it would all be over. There would be no going back, honor dictating what to do next. She sighed once more, leaning back into the comfort of her cushion, looking up and studying the ceiling intently, as if the answers to all her problems was written there somewhere. She blinked, trying to clear her head, while at the same time trying to ignore the pounding of her heart.
Ranka came down the stairs, just as swiftly as she had gone up, armed with a brush and some detangler solution. She skipped into the room where Ranma was and showed off the supplies to her sister. She giggled.
"Just in case. So, are you ready, already?" She smiled softly, happy to be able to spend some time with Ranma, while getting to tease her at the same time. Ranma came out of her daze, and looked at her sister, snapping out of her thoughts. She frowned seeing the bottle, knowing that this wasn't going to be a good thing since it had girly moment written all over it.
"Yeah I guess so," she grumbled as she kicked the floor.
Ranka took a seat next to Ranma on the couch and started brushing out her hair gently. She then spritzed some of the detangler onto the hair and brushed the same spot out slowly.
"Hey stop struggling already and don't fuss about it. The detangler is real good for messy and unruly hair, such as your's. I guarantee that you'll like your hair better after I'm done with it. Okay?" Ranka said, trying to calm a nervous Ranma down. Ranma shrugged her shoulders and decided to trust her sister's guarantee.
"It ah better be or you'll owe me something," Ranma joked, "By the way Sis, I don't think I've ever seen you so happy before. It's kinda nice really. I think you should smile and giggle like that more often," she continued, before reaching out and poking her sister's nose with her finger.
Ranka blushed, as her eyes widen at Ranma's comment. She kept working on her sister's hair, trying to keep her focus despite feeling somewhat self-conscious now.
"Well I ..." she paused, knowing that she didn't smile a lot, because she knew that Satan would eventually make an appearance again, "I guess, I really should," she finished lamely but positive, making sure that Ranma didn't read anything into it.
Ranma felt satisfied with the answer, and wasn't going to probe any further into it for the moment. So, she gave a nod in reply. Ranka found herself smiling again as she finished untangling and brushing out Ranma's hair. She then ran her fingers down the now silky hair, filled with pride and satisfaction.
"There you go. All done."
Ranma couldn't help but run her fingers through her hair, out of curiosity. She blinked in surprise when she realized how silky and smooth it had become. It really paid off having a sister who knew about these sorta things, she figured. Ranma smiled, thinking about what a good job Ranka did.
"Wow, what do ya know, you were right. It is so much better than before. Heh and to think I would've never of known if you hadn't shown me. Hmm, wonder if my hair's smoother than Akane's now," She smirked, seeing an image of Ranma-chan proudly standing in front of Akane, with her chin up high and hair unbound, while her smooth silky strands gently blew in the wind. Her smirk grew wider with satisfaction, as her highly competitive ego found yet another way to one-up her fiancée, while at the same time not taking into account the feminine aspect of the whole thing.
'Just ya wait Akane,' Ranma chuckled to herself, as a blue aura began to surround her. Ranka was about to comment on her weird sister's behavior, when the front door slid open.
"... and then I showed that devil lady a thing or two," Nodoka said, recounting her fight with Alley.
"Oh dear, I hope you didn't sully your Kimono, demons can be so inconsiderate at times," replied Kalu, as the pair entered the house.
As Nodoka slid the door shut, the pitter-patter of rain started coming from outside. Nodoka, set her sights on her daughters, then looked around until she found Kuno laying unconsciously on the floor. He had a plate leaning on his face and cake smeared on across his cheek. Ranka blushed as Nodoka looked at the gnaw marks on Kuno's arm that Ranka left when she lost control earlier in that fight cloud. Nodoka gave both girl's a stern look. She could tell what happened by looking at the crime scene, and she disapproved of what she saw.
Kalu shook her head and went over to her nephew, and knelled down. She then positioned her head next to his ears, before bursting out into to her hysteric, satanic laughter. Kuno snapped back into consciousness almost instantaneouslyand jumped up into the air, fearing that his twisted sister was about to do something evil. Ignoring the slight cringes everyone else had from the laughter, he scowled at his aunt, for playing such a horrid prank on him.
"Must you do that? I thought I was toss into the bowels of hell, only to be tortured for an eternity by my wicket sister," he said, recalling one of his greatest reoccurring nightmares.
"Yes I must. Now come along Tatchi, we really should be leaving now. It is getting late, and we can always visit the Saotomes another day," She said, as she grabbed him by the ear and started dragging him off. Ranka frowned as she heard Kalu mention another visit involving Kuno, but gladly watched them say their goodbye's before reaching the door.
Nodoka felt that she was being a bad hostess. She knew it was raining outside, and she didn't want her guest to feel like they had to be put out into bad weather. No, it just was not proper, at all.
"Kalu, you don't have to leave so soon, you know. It is raining outside..." Nodoka said before being cutoff.
"Nonsense dear. It is just a little rain, Nodoka darling. We'll be just fine. A little rain rain never hurt anyone," she said, noting a slight wince from Ranma. Kalu appreciated her friends concern, but there was no way that she would impose.
Nodoka hung her head in shame, knowing that there wasn't much she could do for her friend. But, she would do what little she could. She grabbed one of her umbrellas from the holder, and offered it to Kalu.
"Please, at least take this. You can return it the next time you visit," she offered, causing Kalu to smile and take the umbrella gratefully.
"If you insist my dear friend, then I shall take it until I return," she bowed, as did her nephew.
Nodoka bid her guest's farewell, as she showed them out and slid the doors shut. She sighed happily. The dinner party had gone well enough, despite some disturbances. With that thought, she turned her attention to the twins, causing them both to gulp. There was much to discuss and now seemed to be the perfect time.
Her top priority was Ranko, since Ranka had already agreed to stay with her. Ranko on the other hand was staying with the Tendo's, which did not seem all that promising like it once did. For one thing, the way Genma was raising the girl caused her to be very unladylike. She had come to realize that Genma was a bad influence on her daughter from the stories that she had heard. She also didn't want to separate the twins. They seemed to get along too well.
Then there was also the fact that she wanted to get the girls away from the demonic influences in their lives. It was bad enough that their parents were demons, but she had on occasion seen Tendo-san use a demon head attack on poor Ranko. It was obvious, that the demon heritage ran deep within the Tendo bloodline, and she had to protect her girls from their influence. So, with a heavy heart she called them both over.
Ranma and Ranka both seated themselves next to Nodoka, after she called them over. Ranma looked nervous; she was sweating. She had a gut feeling that her mother was going to be focused in on her, rather than Ranka. To confirm her suspicion, Nodoka looked towards her and nodded her head slightly, letting her know it was her turn to be spoken to.
"Ranko, I know of your current living arrangements with your uncle Soun, and that my husband has been raised you. However, knowing what I now know, I can't in good faith allow you to continue living over there. Instead, I want you to move in with your sister and myself. It just isn't right for a young lady such as yourself to live like you've been living, young lady," Nodoka let her know, causing all hope to diminish in Ranma for an argument.
"Now, I understand that the Tendo girl's are over there and that Nabiki and Akane are like sisters to you. Kasumi is a good mother figure, I admit, but there are some unfavorable influences in that household over which she has no say over. Don't worry Ranko. You can still visit your uncle and the Tendos, anytime that you want. I just feel responsible for some of the bad habits you have picked off of my husband. I feel very strongly that it is my duty to undo what my Husband has done to you," she said, bowing her head in shame, hoping that Ranko would understand.
Ranma was in shock. Even thought she knew that it was coming, she still wasn't prepared to handle it. She wasn't as well versed in expressing herself as her mother was, and felt unable to make a convincing argument to change her mother's mind. It all was set in stone now. She wouldn't be allowed to go back and live at the Tendo's. She wouldn't be allowed to be Ranma, anymore. Instead, she had to be Ranko, a young lady in training, being trained by the grandmaster of ladies herself, Nodoka.
She felt ashamed, she would have to continue living her lie, and even worst become the lie itself. She knew better than to go against her mother given the current situation. All she could do was bow her head back and agree to what had been said, since Nodoka was the adult and she the child. She had obviously no say in the matter, especially since she respected her mother, unlike her father.
Nodoka's eyes teared up as she smiled and embraced her daughter tightly, glad that the girl understood that she only wanted what was best for her. What surprised her though, was that Ranko suddenly pulled away from her and out of the embrace. Ranma stood up and bowed back to her mother respectfully, before making her way out of the room.
"I'm sorry mother, but I think I'll be going to bed early, tonight," Ranma said, forgetting about her bad grammar, as she tried to find a way out, if only for a little while.
Nodoka got up and followed after Ranko, as did Ranka.
"Wait Ranko, I am sorry, but you and Ranka will have to be sharing a room. I hope that won't be a problem. It will give you two an opportunity for some girl talk," she said trying to encourage Ranma of the idea, while being embarrassed of the fact that her house did not have enough rooms for each to have their own room.
"Uhm err ... yeah. That'll be fine," Ranma said, hiding her face, not wanting to show them any sign of weakness. Nodoka clasped her hands together, thankful that the girl was being so understanding.
"Alright then, well I think you two should both go to bed now. Since, I have a full day planned for tomorrow," she informed them, before leading both girls upstairs and into their room.
Ranka you can handle the rest right? It's just I'm also feeling tired and i'm going to go lay down with a nice book before bed."
Ranka nodded her head understanding, that the conversation between her and Ranma had taken it's toll on her. "Sure leave it to me mother, you go and rest." She gently pushed Nodoka off in the direction of her own room, to make sure that she would go their first.
Then she went into their room, to the closet and slid open the door, pulling out the extra futon and the sheets and set it down onto the floor. She stretched out her arms towards the ceiling and yawned, before walking out of the room and off to the bathroom, leaving ranma alone for the moment.
Ranma let out an exhausted sigh and flopped down onto the futon face first, she was just glad to be alone for awhile. It was too much for her to be sharing a room with a girl, if it were a guy she wouldn't have to feel like she had pins and needles in her back all the time. It felt very uncomfortable to her, since she was really a he. 'Oh well atleast it's just my sister, and we both think alike so it shouldn't be so bad.' She fixed the futon up properly and then laid her head down on the pillow.
Ranka came back into the room humming, and just randomly undid the sash from the kimono, and slid the kimono down, letting it slide off her and then tossed it into the laundry basket for the time being. She stretched and walked over to the dresser and started looking through one of the drawers.
Meanwhile Ranma's face was bright red, and her mouth was wide open in shock at how her sister just stripped like that. Now she was really uncomfortable, seeing a half nude girl was getting to her.
Ranka had no idea that she was making Ranma uncomfortable with her body, finally finding a long t-shirt with a chibi lum on it, she pulled it on over her head and stretched the ends of the shirt so that it fell down past her butt covering some of her legs. Then she flopped down onto her futon and snuggled her face into the pillow. She stopped as she finally noticed how red Ranma's face was, and it worried her. She crawled over to her sisters futon and pressed her forehead up against Ranma's, kneeling down her boobs touching ranma's. "Do you have a fever Ranma? Your face is so red.."
Ranma felt herself getting hotter by the moment, feeling her sisters breasts pressing into hers and her face so close to her that she gulped. Right now she was actually glad that she was a girl, if she was a guy well it'd be very difficult and many problems would've arisen. She managed to squeak out an answer, hoping that her sister would move so that she wasn't pressing into her anymore. "No..I'm just uh.." She scratched her head nervously trying to figure out what to say.
Ranka tilted her head to one side and moved away from Ranma, going back over to her futon and flopping back down onto it realizing why ranma was so red in the face. "I'm sorry i shouldn't have just stripped like that, that's why your so red in the face.."
Ranma let out a sigh of relief and felt the heat from her face going away slowly,but right now she just needed some air and stood up stretching. "I'll be back.." She quickly exited the room and walked fast paced to the bathroom where she splashed her face with ice cold water over and over again till she felt better.
Ranka eventually dozed off waiting for Ranma to return, her body curled up and her arms hugging her pillow with her face buried into the fluffiness. While Ranma after having gotten ready for bed, had gone out onto the rooftop where she just gazed at the town and the sky. After awhile she came back inside, after closing the window and making her way back to her room where her sister was. She was hesitant though, not wanting Ranka to see how embarrassed she was about before, she flopped back down onto the futon and sprawled out before closing her eyes.
Ranka tossed and turned in her sleep, as she was dreaming of something that was troubling her. An image of a somewhat familiar face was distant and was calling out her name. 'Onna..' She backed away frightened as the floating face came closer and closer to her and called out her name louder and louder. Then there was a bright flash of light and she stood in her school, and someone was running up to her and kept coming closer and calling her name. Her eyes widened as she slowly started to remember who it was, and she smiled and called out to the person. "Ivory!" Ivory smiled back at her but then screamed as a circle of fire entangled around her and blocked her from Onna and swallowed her whole. Tears streamed forth from Onna's eyes and wouldn't stop, she found herself jolted from her sleep suddenly and gasped looking around the room before wiping the tears out of her eyes. She calmed herself down and decided that she would try to go see Ivory tomorrow and apologize for not calling her, for now she concentrated on getting back to sleep, and closed her eyes slowly letting herself sink back into dream land.
Ranma on the other hand was having a different dream, it wasn't necessarily a good one though. She found herself at the Tendo's and her father was yelling at her about random things, and akane came out and started yelling at her and was crying, Soun came out as well and had a monster like head and was screaming at her. Ranma grabbed her head and fell down to the ground on her knee's. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it to end up like this!" All the tendo's and her father encircled her and kept screaming at her, she held her head and tried to hold back the tears from coming. Suddenly her eyes shot open and she looked around the room, wiping some sweat off her forehead looking around relieved, that she had woken up from her nightmare. She starred out the window at the sun that was slowly rising and stretched, before getting up and quietly making her way towards the washroom. She was very sweaty and distressed, and needed to refresh herself with a nice relaxing bath.
A little later on into the morning Nodoka awoke and prepared herself for the day with a new kimono, and brushed out her hair before pinning it up in her usual style. Then she made her way downstairs into the kitchen and started looking through the ingredients and setting the items out onto the counter top, while she went to the sink and washed her hands before she tampering with the items. Then she started on the recipes steps, one by one and hummed a tune to herself while she worked.
Ranma laid in the bathtub with his head against the wall and his eyes were closed, as he was enjoying the warm water before he had to rinse off with the cold water and return to being Ranko. He kept starring at the door, just in case someone happened to open it he would have to run the cold water quickly.
Meanwhile Ranka finally woke up and yawned, as she looked around noticing that Ranma had woken up before her. She rubbed her eyes and starred up at the ceiling, as she remembered the dream that she had last night. It was about her friend Ivory Sanchez that she had met at Asadaiba High. What she realized was that she never had a chance to tell Ivory anything, and knew she should go and visit her today no matter what. She couldn't push back that nagging feeling that she sensed something horrible would happen if she didn't straighten things up with her one and only friend. She couldn't bear to lose her first friend over something so stupid. She pushed herself up out from the covers and stood up stretching, and walked over to the closet and looked through the assorted clothing till she pulled out a light yellow sundress with purple butterflies on it, she figured that dressing nicely would also show Ivory that she was sincere about apologizing. She grabbed her brush off the top of the dresser and started to get ready for the day ahead of her.
Back at Ucchans Restaurant, Ryouga had thought about things so much that he had fallen asleep and stayed at Ukyou's again for the night. He woke up suddenly from his dream that he had been having, to the smell of okonomiyaki and his stomach grumbling. He yawned and looked at the time and at where he was, not knowing that he had fallen a sleep after being lost in his thoughts for hours, and Ukyou had carried him upstairs last night. He had done it again..taking advantage of Ukyou and just free loading off of her, well he wouldn't do it again. He had to go and thank her for putting up with him and then leave quickly. Today he had to decide if he was going to talk to akane, or to talk to Onna, regardless he had alot more thinking to do. He pushed himself out from under the covers and stood up stretching, ready to make his way downstairs to Ukyou.
Ukyou was busy frying up some okonomiyaki, knowing that Ryouga would be hungry after he woke up, plus she just wanted to attract customers with the smell. She looked up after flipping the dough over, to see Ryouga standing there looking embarrassed. Instinctively she knew by how he was acting and that since she had known him, that he was abit shy. "Don't worry about last night, alright sugar, besides you helped me out alot yesterday. So as i see it, i owed you, so sit down and have some breakfast."
Ryouga smiled and nodded, not wanting to make Ukyou mad by saying no to her generosity. He waited patiently till Ukyou served him his okonomiyaki, then he devoured it in a matter of seconds. He was in a hurry, otherwise he would've eaten slower, plus he hadn't had any dinner last night so he was very hungry. He set his chopsticks down and got up off the stool, standing up and bowed his head. "Thank you for your hospitality Ukyou, but i have to be going now." He ran out of the restaurant through the back door, his face bright red as he headed off in a random direction.
Ukyou shrugged her shoulders at how impulsive Ryouga always was, when he wanted to leave. Plus it was nice having some company for awhile, she hoped that perhaps they could do that more often. She started cleaning up the spot where Ryouga had been eating, and went back to cooking on the grill with a smile on her face.
Meanwhile back at the Saotome's Ranka had finished getting ready and came down the stairs wearing her light yellow sundress and she wore her hair loose, she figured since it was the weekend and that the dinner party was over, that she could go back to wearing her casual clothes. She made her way towards the smell of her mom's morning cooking till she found herself in the kitchen and spotted her mother cooking random things.
Nodoka looked up as she heard someone approaching and smiled as she noticed that it was Ranka. She noticed that she was dressed casually and wondered what her daughter planned to do today. "Good morning Ranka dear, your up abit earlier then yesterday. May i ask what your plans for today are?"
Ranka looked at her outfit and then back at her mother. "Well i was hoping that i could go and visit one of my friends for a little while. If um that's ok with you?"
Nodoka noted how Ranka was shuffling her feet nervously, that her new daughter was abit hesitant to ask to do things. This worried her abit, but she could work on it later. "I don't see why not, but don't take all day Ranka. I have a full schedule planned for today."
Ranka smiled happily, at how well her mother had taken her request, and was too excited to mind her manners at the moment and took off out the front door after saying goodbye. "Thanks mom, I'll be back in awhile!"
Nodoka was quite miffed at how unmannered Ranka was and how fast she had taken off without waiting for her to finish or eating any breakfast. "Wait Ranka, don't you want someone to go with you..." She sighed as she knew her daughter was too far away to hear her anymore.
While some were happy, elsewhere a familiar acquaintance of Onna's wasn't so happy. Ivory stared blankly at the caller id on her phone, as she kept pushing the button to search through the calls. It had been awhile since she had heard from her new friend, and she was beginning to worry about her. After all the last time she saw her was when they had been separated at Furikan High School, and she thought that by now Onna would've called her and told her what was up. Another thing that was bothering her, was that she had to cover up for her friend and she had been punished by the teacher for lying. As she remembered she became angry, and clenched her tiny fist and slammed her hand down on her desk suddenly. It wouldn't be so bad if her so called friend called her and apologized for all the trouble that she had to go through for her. But no she couldn't even be bothered to do that! "What kind of friend does that ONNA!" She found herself suddenly blurting out the name in anger.
Meanwhile Satan watched thru his crystal ball, and pinpointed someone saying the name Onna and searched until the image of girl appeared to him. He smirked sinisterly as he remembered this particular girl, the one that Onna had been so close to. He thought to himself, what better way to get back at the girl for betraying him, then to use her only friend against her. He quickly set about to manipulating Ivory while she was full of hate and tempting her till she was in his hold, he then appeared before her in a ghostly image to further intrapt her mind.
"You see that girl never cared about you, she just used you. Now wouldn't you want to get back at her, for abandoning you like that?"
Ivory was full of anger and sadness and many other emotions that flowed through her mind at that moment. She knew that the ghostly image of the devil before her, was an evil being but she didn't seem to care. She'd do anything to get back at that girl she had called a friend, even if it were the devil himself that offered her that power.
"Yes I'll do anything, regardless of the consequences involved in dealing with a being like you."
Satan chuckled to himself, and pulled out the dark purple gem necklace the deep black aurora pouring out from it. It was much more powerful then Onna's red gem necklace, he had made it awhile ago hoping to use it on her. But this was even better, he would have complete control of someone very dear to her. He sent the dark purple gem necklace through the crystal ball to Ivorys location, and waited patiently.
Ivory picked up the dark purple gem necklace her eyes sparkled with greedy awe at how beautiful it was, as she pulled it on around her neck, feeling the darkness that engulfed her body everywhere, her eyes flashed bright red and she fell down to the floor screaming in agony as she began transforming body and mind. She thrashed around as her skin began to burn bright red, and ivory horns sprouted from her head on each side, ripping through her flesh as they formed, and the tail that ripped out from her back as it burned bright red and lashed about rapidly.
Satan appeared before the girl and watched in delight as her soul screamed in agnony as she fully transformed into a she devil servant. The whole Sanchez house was full of red light for a brief moment, but no one else was at home to see it and the morning sun shined so brightly that no one passing by would be able to see it as well.
As suddenly as the light had appeared, it disappeared just as quickly leaving the house full of darkness. The only light that shined in the house unvisable from the windows, was the eerie dark purple glow from the gem around Ivory's neck. Satan greeted his new servant as she slowly overcame the pain from the transformation.
"Well how do you feel my dear?" He smiled sinisterly and stroked his beard.
Ivory lifted up her head slightly and her eyes flashed bright purple for a moment till they returned to her normal color. She felt the new strength and powers that were now part of her, and smirked knowing that she had been granted her request. "I feel wonderful, I feel so strong and free!" She twirled around happily, not noticing how her looks had changed till she came across a mirror that was hanging on the wall. She stopped twirling and starred at the devil girl that starred back at her with a dazed expression on her face, and put her hand to her mouth in shock as she realized the consequence that she had received.
Satan noticed how she was acting and knew very well from his past experiences with other humans, how the girl was feeling and what she wanted to know. But lying to the girl and tainting her with more hatred would fit into his plan perfectly. He wasn't one to tell people the truth anyways, that wasn't his way.
"Ivory i know how your feeling, but you did say that you'd do anything regardless of the consequences..and well when you picked up that gem you took on Onna's burden."
Ivory had a blank expression on her face, not really understanding what he was saying. "What do you mean by her burden? What does me looking like this, have to do with her?" She starred back into the mirror at her red skin, and the horns protruding from her head.
Satan frowned, putting on a fake expression as he fibbed some more.
"Well she is my creation, so you see she's really a She Devil, and that is what you have become. Ivory you work for me now, in place of your so called friend Onna."
Ivory looked horrified as she heard what he said. "So because of her, I'm like this!" She fell to the floor and gritted her fangs together, it wasn't enough that she took the blame for her at school, but now she had to become a monster in place of her so called friend. "I'll get you for this Onna!"
Satan chuckled silently to himself, at how well his plan was going. He had corrupted the girl far quicker then he had planned for, but that was even better.
"Don't despair Ivory,with the new power that you have gained you can pay Onna back for what she has put you through. But you are now my servant, do not forget that. I feel so bad for you my dear, that i will let you appear like you were before while your taking out your revenge. He snapped his fingers and Ivory looked human once again.
Ivory starred into the mirror and smiled happy to see herself normal for the time being, and that she could still feel the new strength coursing through her body. She frowned slightly, knowing all too well that this wasn't going to be a permanent thing, that eventually she would look like a monster once again. She would enjoy her normal appearance for as long as she could, and embrace this new strength that she gained.
"I understand master..tell me what must be done.." She bowed her head obiently to demon before her.
Satan smiled at how obient his new servant was, plus the fact that she was quite attractive in both forms. If she performed her duties as well as she obeyed him, then he might have to make her his leading lady.
"Don't worry i will, but right now all i want you to focus on is your revenge against Onna. You'll have that chance very soon, since she's going to be around this area very soon."
Ivory clenched her fist together, knowing that her revenge would be fulfilled today. That she didn't have to wait very long, she would be able to show her friend how she felt. "I can't wait..."
I do not own Ranma 1/2 or any of it's characters, the great and powerful Rumiko Takahashi does, and Kitty, Viz Video, Shogukan and any others i forgot.