Chapter 26: Did you miss me?
After getting back to the house and relaxing for awhile before the match. Nodoka had sent them upstairs to do any homework they had, before they could go to the match. Ranka was writing things out with her pen. "Surprising that Kodachi challenged you again, or did she forget she lost?" Ranma-chan hehed. " She's just a sore loser, that's all." Ranka nodded in agreement as she finished up her work. "I don't know about you, but I'm changing before we go. The changing room is likely set up." Ranma-chan finished hers as well, balancing her pen back and forth like a see saw on her nose. " Ugh yeah.. I mean why not, she's just been trying to poison and attack us, ALL damned week!" She sighed trying to calm herself down. " Yeah we don't need that." Ranka finished putting her school stuff away. " Save the anger for kicking Kodachi's ass." Ranma-chan nodded but smirked some as she patted Ranka on the back. " Oh cmon you're gonna kick her ass too." Ranka smiled a tad, as she wasn't looking forward to all the unwanted attention that'd be on her. It wouldn't be so bad if the outfit wasn't so revealing, but hopefully the skirt would help some. She still couldn't believe that Ranma wasn't getting it, but then figured that must be the difference with how they think at times.
Once they had changed into their leotards under their normal clothes, they all walked off towards St Heberke school. Nodoka walked with them until they split off to go off to the changing room, they were assigned. Ranma-chan took a peek by opening the door some, they both grimaced at seeing a huge bouquet of black roses on the table. Ranma-chan threw a pebble she had picked up earlier off into the room, to hit the flowers, before shutting the door really fast as the sleeping spray set off all over the room. "Yep you were right about the room being "set up."
Not much later Kodachi made her entrance into the ring, keeping it simple in that way, but as usual she had the spotlight and praise. Ranka and Ranma-chan were introduced in a set up way, as the announcer, announced them as "the vile twins" Ranma-chan tightened her fist and yelled at Kodachi. " Hey! What kinda introduction is that?!" Kodachi snickered. " A true one." There was a lot of boo ing from the crowd, mainly from guys, along with Kuno. Also Nodoka was glaring daggers at Kodachi intently from her seat in the stands, thinking how dare she address her girls in such a crude manner. She had no right to, especially not after her actions towards Ranka. She settled herself down as the announcer was given a signal by Kodachi, and then re introduced the twins by name. Of course Ranma-chan wasn't completely satisfied. " Shouldn't you address how I beat you before." Kodachi smirked looking angry. " Is it not enough that I had to address my un broken record as now being broken." She laughed some. " We shall see."
She focused her attention on Ranka, letting her guard down on thinking that she wasn't a threat like the pigtailed girl, as she launched and attack at her with one of the clubs, to which she countered back with her own club. Ranma-chan tried to interrupt Kodachi's attack by attacking with the ribbon tool, to which Kodachi fended off, using her other hand to counter the attack back with her own ribbon attack.
Kodachi jumped away from the twins, getting some distance between them as she tossed up a ball, leaping up into the air and smacking it so it was hurling towards them. Ranka tossed a club like a projectile off into the air that hit into the ball, knocking it back some as it exploded and showered paralysis powder down. Both of them sensing that, jumped away in opposite directions to avoid it. Kodachi laughed as she attacked at both of them with a ribbon swirl attack. Ranka grabbed up a hoop from the side, with tools, tossing it off at Kodachi's feet. Being distracted she stops her attack and jumps back a ways to narrowly avoid being hit by it.
Kodachi grabbed up another ball, jumping up and smacking it down. She smirked as the pigtailed girl countered by throwing a club at it, as it exploded and a bunch of bugs rained down and snakes. Ranka yelped and jumped away, as she leaped up on top of the post to the side line, looking grossed out. Kodachi snickered at her handy work as she took out her next weapon in the form of a flower that she tossed up into the air, that landed on top of Ranma-chan's head. She then whistled, as a bunch of her team mates took out pet carriers that they set on the side of the ring, that they opened up in sync.
Kodachi chuckled to herself. "So a "little bird" told me that you may or may not like cats." Ranma-chan tensed up as a bunch of cats were released onto the ring and more so seeing that they were coming after her, making her run around fwailing her arms about in a panic. Kuno watched on from the audience feeling torn as he spouted nonsense to himself. " Aah pigtailed girl, it pains me to see you in such a plight, but at the same time I must commend my twisted sister."
From where she was standing on top of the post, when Ranma-chan ran by with the horde of cats after her, Ranka had caught on to why, as she snatched the cat nip laced flower from her twins head, then tossing it off like an arrow, directed at Kuno, who stupidly catches it. Kuno exhales deeply and smells it. " Aah goddess Ranka, I will cherish it forever." The group of cats stop chasing Ranma and leave the ring, heading in Kuno's direction. Kodachi realizes that her plan has been sabotaged and waves her arms about to her brother. " Brother dear, get rid of that flower, if you know what's good for you."
Akane was in the audience and had P-chan with her, who was in her death grip, along with Ukyou and Sayuri. P-chan bristled at hearing the kendoist. Nodoka sighed at what she had heard from the young man. Kuno yelled as he was engulfed by a frenzy of felines.
Back in the ring Ranma-chan bristled at realizing what had happened. Kodachi started to laugh her hideous laugh, before launching into an attack with her ribbon at Ranma-chan, that is until a ball smacked her right into her face, making her stagger backwards. She yanked it off from her face, looking furiously between the two vile twins, as she glared back at Ranka, seeing that it was "her" who had blatantly attacked her. "I call foul!" Ranka gave her a smug smirk. " It's legal, I used a tool." She hopped down from the post, back down into the ring. The referee nodded in agreement. Ranma-chan snickered at that as she thought to herself as she fended off against Kodachi. It wasn't so smart of her to challenge both her and Ranka at the same time and sure she went all out with the first one between her and Kodachi, but kept it the minimum. Ranka on the other hand, had no qualms about being vicious. Kodachi grabbed up a hoop and threw it off at Ranka. " How dare you harm my beautiful face!" Ranka smacked the razor hoop away with a club, sending it back at Kodachi, who leapt away just fast enough that she got grazed. She then fended off Ranma-chan's ribbon attacks, with them both going at it back and forth feverishly. Kodachi yelped as she felt something tightened around her ankle and pull, making her loose her balance and fall back onto her butt on the ring.
Ranka gave her a smirk as she released the hold on her ankle with her ribbon. Kodachi "pretzeled" herself as she bent herself back and flipped back up to standing. She couldn't believe this girl was the same one that she had so easily gotten the better of before. It made her wonder if the twins were pretending to be the other one, as she just couldn't believe it. She was also furious at the girl as she grabbed up her special club and launched an attack at her with the spikes, only to be countered back.
Kodachi launched an attack with her ribbon, as she twirled it around, lashing at Ranka, who blocked by attacking back with her own ribbon lashing. Kodachi curled her lip as she went to get another club. Ranma-chan who was doing a head stand on her arms as she had done before, seized the moment she tried to reach with her arm, grabbing her by her arm as she hooked her feet on each side of her arm. She lifted with her feet and legs, as well as her arms as she pushed off against the ring's bottom, her legs pulling Kodachi off her feet as she tossed her off high into the air and outside the ring. Kodachi's eyes widened as she hadn't taken measures so seriously, so there was no girl power under neath the ring this time as she landed outside the ring onto the ground . She had underestimated the twins, and been over confident that she would win against both of them.
The ref ended things as she announced the twins as the winners, with the crowd cheering loudly. Un like the last time, where she hadn't slept before the match, this time she was fully rested and awake as showed off as the winner. Kodachi got up from the ground with angry tears in her eyes. " I have.. once again been defeated.." She hung her head as she bit down on her lip all upset as she ran off.
After going off and getting changed and dressed out of the leotards, they met up with their mother and the others. Nodoka beamed in pride at her two girls as she congratulated them, and so did the others.
Nabiki was also there as she wasn't about to miss out on such a grand opportunity. She had taken lots of pictures as well as video recorded the whole thing. It'd all be making her lots of money.
Once they had gotten back home after finishing dinner and cleaning up, there was a knock on the door. Nodoka answered the door at hearing it was Genma, to see him bowing down on the ground with his head down. "Nodoka dear, I've given what you've said some thought and I'd like to be a family again." Nodoka had a stern gaze on him. "Genma, where is Ranma?" Genma bowed further with his head down. " He's still away." Ranma-chan rolled her eyes at hearing that. Nodoka sighed heavily. " Is that all you came to say to me then?" Genma got up from ground and bowed his head. "I'd like to try to make amends, starting with Ranka." Nodoka's eyes sparkled at hearing that. "So you'll apologize to her then?" Genma kept his head bowed for a minute before replying. " I will and I'd like to do that by taking her out tomorrow, just me and her, for some father and daughter bonding time." He said with a smile. Nodoka put her hands to her mouth in joy, as her eyes started to tear up. " Oh Genma." She turned to Ranka with a smile on her face. " You see Ranka dear, he really want's to try, why not hear him out." Ranka sighed at seeing how hopeful her mothers eyes were, knowing how happy it'd make her.
Genma bowed his head to Ranka. " Please Ranka, come out with me for the day and let me apologize properly." Ranka accepted, much to her mother's happiness. Genma bowed his head again and said he'd come back in the morning, as he took his leave. Nodoka shut the door after he was done and locked it up for the night. She ushered Ranka off upstairs to take a bath and get a good nights rest for her big day tomorrow. Ranma-chan had been deep in her thoughts, until Nodoka talking to her snapped her out from them. Nodoka was beaming with happiness. " Isn't it wonderful Ranko dear?" Ranma-chan sweat dropped. " Ah yeah." Nodoka took her hands in hers with a slightly concerned look. "Ranko dear I hope your not feeling left out. If you'd like to tomorrow, you can go visit the Tendo's for awhile." Ranma-chan blinked before replying. " Yeah I'd like that." Nodoka smiled at her and patted her on the head.
By the time Ranma-chan had gotten upstairs and all ready for bed, Ranka was already in bed. Laying back in her own bed as she stretched out. "So, that was something else huh?" She said referring to Genma having actually shown up at the least. "You sure your okay with dealing with him tomorrow?" Ranka played with her hair as she thought for a moment. "It really was. You saw how happy mom was, so I kinda have to try, anyways.." Ranma-chan pulled out a manga to read. " Yeah just don't let him sell you." She said jokingly. Ranka smiled a bit for a second as she joked back. " Don't worry, I'll sell him first." She said good night as she rolled over and pulled the blankets over her head.
After getting up, she was fussing over what she should wear, eventually settling on a dress because no less would be tolerated from her mother. Once she got changed, she decided on a hoodie sweatshirt jacket as well and went back and forth about boots. She wanted to wear them but settled on sneakers, as that was the best compromise. Then she made her way downstairs, where her mother greeted her.
Nodoka fussed some to herself about Ranka's outfit choices, but at least she was wearing a nice dress and not her boots at the very least. She finished up with cooking breakfast as she served up a plate to her daughter, with a smile on her face. " Now, I want you to try to be on your best behavior today Ranka. I also expect the same from my husband." Ranka nodded in understanding.
At the Tendo's, Genma was getting finished getting ready. He had met with Ivory and Satan the other day, being instructed on what he needed to do and how to do it. Such as faking thru how he really felt about the girl, but if faking it got rid of her faster, than so be it. His fear of repricusion was gone as Satan had assured him he would not die. He made his way downstairs to the dining table as he took his seat at the table, while he was humming happily. Akane was holding P-chan as she was getting ready to feed him some of her food from her plate and wondered why Genma was so happy. " Mr Saotome you're really in a good mood today, do you have special plans today?" Kasumi nodded in agreement. " Even more so than when you came back last night." Genma took a break from shoveling food in his mouth. " That I do Akane dear, I'm going to resolve things with Ranka today." Soun nodded from his seat at the table. " I'm proud of you Saotome." Akane and Kasumi nodded in agreement as they and their father all thought he had meant he was going to drop his grudge with her. P-chan gave a slight glare in the direction of Genma.
Once breakfast was done, P-chan managed to squirm out of Akane's hold as he ran off. He eventually found the bathroom and the tub, as he as usual just blindly jumped into the hot water to change back. Nabiki enjoyed the show as she watched the lost boy wander off and reminded herself to try to remember to have a camera handy next time she was taking a bath.
By the time Ranma-chan had gotten up and downstairs to eat breakfast, Genma had already came by and left with Ranka for the day. After finishing and saying good bye to her mom she went off to the Tendo's.
Kasumi smiled as not much soon after she greeted Ranma-chan as she came in. "Oh hello Ranma, if your looking for your father he left awhile ago." Ranma-chan shook her head as she greeted her back. " That's okay Kasumi, I'm not, he's out with Ranka today, so my mom said I could come visit." Akane came downstairs at hearing Ranma. " Hey, are you staying the night?" Ranma-chan shook her head. " No, just the day." Akane was a little disappointed but still happy that Ranma was there for the day at least. " So I guess you heard how your dad's going to resolve things with Ranka today huh." Ranma-chan blinked at the wording " Well more or less, anyways I'll be back" She greeted Soun as she walked off to the baths.
Elsewhere as they walked down the street, with some space between them, until Ranka stopped for a minute. "So what happened to telling your wife the truth hmm? Or was that just a lie too." She had her arms crossed not looking too pleased. Genma stopped walking as well. " First things first and that's you Ranka my dear, but I promise if you humor me for the day, when we go back I'll tell Nodoka the truth." Ranka mulled over what he said for a minute. " You'd better then, if you know what's good for you old man." Genma smiled and hammed it up with her as he complimented her on her outfit and other things as they took a stroll at the near by park.
Eventually making their way to the shopping plaza further down in town. Once they were around the food vendors, Genma started to put the plan in motion as he had been instructed to. He started to rub his belly as he smelled all the different smells. " I don't know about you Ranka dear, but I'm suddenly hungry. Is there a certain place you'd like food from, it'll be your fathers treat. Oh but first could you go to the yakisoba one for me? It's such a long line though, and while your doing that for me, I'll get you something too." He smiled and handed her off the money. Ranka sweat dropped at his lazy ness but keeping in mind she had to be on her best behavior, if she wanted to make her mother happy. "Taiyaki and Takoyaki then." She then went off to get on the line for the yakisoba.
Genma nodded in reply with a smile as he went off and got those two items and a drink. Going out of view further as he pulled out the two vials, as he went about to tampering with the food items with the paralysis powder and sleeping powder he had gotten from Kodachi. Putting the rest back away after he was done. Satan had given him plenty of money for him to spend freely today. He went back into view and met back up with Ranka not much later.
Not too far off Ryouga had tried to keep tabs on them but kept getting side tracked every so often. He had spotted them as they started walking off. He ended up taking the wrong turn, realizing he had walked into a store. He was worried about Ranka, as far as he knew that she had told him how she wasn't fond of Genma. The further concern was what he had heard and how it was said by Genma, leading him to believe he was likely up to no good. He was surprised that his rival didn't seem to be worried. Then he also found himself thinking if maybe he was thinking too much on it, but still decided he would try to shadow them.
Meanwhile Genma lied further about going to another town to go to the aquarium and taking the train to get there. He had made sure to guilt the girl enough that she had eaten the food he had tampered with, and kept faking his way through his time with her, making small talk with her on the train. Ranka suddenly started to feel fuzzy and before she knew it she blacked out as the poisons took affect.
Ryouga had managed to find them again and shadow them onto the train from a far. He was locked on as he spotted Genma get up carrying an unconscious Ranka as they exited the last stop on the train.
Genma kept walking a ways carrying her in his arms, as he proceeded to the agreed meeting place in another town at a closed down warehouse at a fast pace. He couldn't wait to get rid of the girl and get his reward. He let himself in thru a back door that wasn't locked, making his way to the center of the room, looking around for the x mark on the floor, where he laid Ranka down on the floor as planned. Satan's voice filled the room as the ground shook some. " Well done Genma." Ranka's gem lit up brightly on her necklace that was hidden under her blue dress, as it heated up hot enough to shock her awake, as the ground trembled and cracked open some around her. While awake she communicated with the gem just enough as it helped heal her enough as the floor crumbled away from under her, making her grab onto the edge that was safe. She looked at Genma with angry and pained eyes. " Why..?" She managed to get out.
Genma smirked at her. " I told you why, you're a bad influence on Ranma and you're not supposed to be here, are you? It'll all work out now." Ranka cursed herself, before yelping as Satan grabbed her by her foot, trying to drag her down to him. Satan sneered at her from below, as he kept pulling. "Onna how dare YOU defy me! I hope you had fun being the highest traitor, because we'll be starting over from scratch. I'll be sure to wipe all your traitorous memories and we'll start over." Ranka looked horrified as she clawed at the edge, trying to keep from being pulled down. If she lost, she'd disappear forever as the current her and it'd hurt her family and make her break her promise.
Genma started to walk over, only to be blasted off across the area as a red ball of light sailed thru the air, knocking him out as he heard what sounded like the lost boy. " Shishi Hokodan!" Ryouga rushed over after and grabbed Ranka by both of her hands, pulling back, just as she was about to loose her grip. The devil kept his grip on her foot that he had though, with both of them almost playing tug a war. Ranka grimaced from the pain and gritted her teeth as she pushed through with help from the gem, trying to pull her foot away from his hold frantically. Satan cursed under his breath as he yelled out. " Stop defying me!" Ryouga put all his strength into his pull at the same time as Ranka was, as he gritted his teeth. " YOU can't have her!"
Ranka yelped as she went flying back into Ryouga, knocking them both over as he was able to pull her away from the devil. Satan screamed in rage as he was left with the girls sneaker, as the ground went back to normal. Having exerted herself, thru the healing process, she blacked out again.
Back at the Tendo's, Ranma had just been hanging around after he had his bath. They had watched some tv for awhile, before going to sit out on the porch a little later. Akane broke the silence suddenly with things she had on her mind. " I just find it a little strange how quickly your father changed his tune about Ranka and that he'd actually go with her alone for a whole day." Ranma munched on a rice cracked as he listened to what she had to say. "Yeah well my mom put an ultimatum on him, which part of it was to accept Ranka." Akane rubbed at her chin some thoughtfully. Happosai walked by munching on a rice cracker having heard the conversation. " So old Genma is out with Ranka huh. Well good, at least he's not hogging my sweet Ivory anymore." He started chuckling as he looked at the time. " Speaking of, I better be going." He disappeared around the corner.
Ranma and Akane both look grossed out and then bewildered at what he had said. Akane spoke her mind first. " Ranma.. did you know your father was hanging out with that girl? Why would he be doing that.." Ranma looked really upset as he started to piece it together, from hearing what Akane and the old pervert had said. Just hearing how his father was meeting up with Ivory, who hated Ranka, and just awhile ago he was hating on her too. Why hadn't he questioned it more, he cursed himself for that. Akane looked concerned for him. " Ranma, are you okay?" Ranma stood up from where he had been sitting. "No I've got a really bad feeling, I'm sorry Akane but I gotta go." He went off to the bathroom and came back a few minutes later changed back into a girl, before heading to the door in a rush, as she said goodbye to everyone. Akane ran after Ranma for awhile, trying to keep up with her speed. " Ranma, call me later and let me know what's going on!" She wasn't able to keep up but saw that she had been heard. She hoped that Ranka was okay, and that Mr Saotome hadn't gone too far.
As Ranma-chan ran down the street really fast in a blur to get back to her mother, she also tried to link up with Ranka and cursed at not getting anything, which meant a few possibilities, the biggest that she was too faraway. Another realization hit as she realized she had no idea where they had went, but hoped maybe her mother knew as she made her inside the house.
Nodoka looked up from the book she had been reading at hearing the door open and shut. " Oh my Ranko, you're back early." Ranma-chan caught her breath before replying. " Ah yeah, do you know where they went?" Nodoka blinked as she put a hand to her face. " I don't." Ranma-chan looked really upset at hearing that and Nodoka noticed. "Ranko dear, is everything okay?" Ranma-chan clenched her fists, looking angry. " No it's not mom.. I heard dad's been hanging out with Ivory.." Nodoka dropped the book, looking upset. They both looked over at the front door at hearing knocking, with Nodoka rushing up out of her seat from the couch and to the front door as she answered.
She looked more upset at seeing Genma, but not seeing Ranka with him. " Genma, where is Ranka?" Genma's memory was fuzzy from having being knocked out, so his mind went with the last thing he had seen and believed he had delivered the girl to Satan as promised, and that everyone's memories would be erased by tomorrow about her ever having existed. He was confident as he also knew he couldn't be killed, as he had kept his promise to the devil and determined to win his wife over with the facts and was sure that his son would follow. He took Nodoka's hands into his and hammed it up trying to look upset. " She's gone Nodoka, but it's okay because by tomorrow you'll feel differently." Nodoka pulled her hands away from him, as she staggered backwards at what she was hearing. "Genma.. how could you.." Her eyes teared up. "I trusted you.. but I should've known better to, like how I never should've trusted you with Ranma.." Tears were streaming down her face as she went on. Genma was about to try to say something but was cut off by a furious and pained look from Nodoka as she pulled out her sword from it's sheath. " Get out of my sight!" Genma's eyes bugged out as he fell backwards onto his butt onto the ground, managing to scramble away, making a run for it. Nodoka sheathed her sword back into it's hilt at her side.
Ranma-chan had been stewing in anger the whole time, listening to what her father had to say for his horrible actions. Finally the lid blew off with her anger as she went to run out the front door to go chase him down and tell him off, only to be held back by her mother and then embraced into a bear hug. Nodoka still had tears running down her face as she gave Ranko a pleading look, that made Ranma drop her anger. As much as she wanted to tear off after her father and beat him down, her mother needed her more. She couldn't believe it either that Ranka was gone, that was just what the old man had to say, and he was a damned liar.
Off in a different town in a random empty lot, Ryouga had carried Ranka off with him and set up camp with his traveling supplies and laid her down on top of his sleeping bag, while he went outside the tent, to heat up some water for some cup ramens for them. After a few minutes he came back into the tent to check on her, while he was waiting. Ranka suddenly woke up from having a night mare of the recent event, as she bolted up gasping, looking bewildered. Ryouga waved his hands about. " Hey it's okay, he's gone." Ranka teared up as she hid her face in his chest, acting on impulse as that's what she did with her mother and had gotten too used to it. Ryouga was bright red in the face with a stupid smile on his face as they sat like that for a few minutes, before she pulled away really fast and sheepishly. Ryouga laughed stupidly as he rubbed at the back of his head. " I uh got some ramen for us, i'll be right back." He said as he left the tent and went outside to grab the ramen cups.
Coming back in, he held the other cup out to her. " Here." Ranka shook her head and looked off the other way. " Thanks but I'm not hungry.." She was feeling sick to her stomach and really out of it as she looked down at the ground. " You shouldn't have done that.. but thank you.." Ryouga finished up his cup of ramen noodles before replying with a nervous laugh, as he wasn't sure how to reply, he was really bad at talking to girls. She had her head down now looking really upset. " You.. really shouldn't have done that.." Ryouga got a really serious look on his face. " I wasn't going to let him take you." Ranka teared up some again and wiped away at them defiantly. "Your on his list now though.. you'll be targeted.." Ryouga clenched his fist. " That's fine by me!" Ranka looked up at him with wide eyes. " You'd defy the devil.." Ryouga nodded with a serious look. " I'll keep doing it too, because I.." Ranka cut him off there. " Do you.. know where we are by any chance?"
Ryouga rubbed at the back of his head looking nervous. " Uh sorry I don't.. I was lucky enough to manage following you guys." Ranka's eyes went wide again for a minute, before she looked off the other way. "Sounds like it.. well.. I don't know where we are either, but I need to get back home.." Ryouga tried to offer her the other ramen cup once more, which she turned down again, so he finished it off. He still had other ones, so if she was still hungry later he could offer her another one again. Ranka had her head down on her knee's as she thought about what she could do. Her gem was the master mind with the magic and guided her on it, as she remembered how it had taught her teleportation that other time, but that was small range. Then another thought hit her, she might be able to link up the gems as an access point. Though she wasn't sure about going back, afraid to, to a point. She had her eyes shut as she was deep in her thoughts.
No, she knew she had to go back, even if by chance that lousy bastard had brain washed them or blamed her. She wouldn't put it past him, with everything that he had pulled on her today. The other possibility was that her mother and sibling were hurting, thinking the worst had happened to her, and it almost had. She wasn't sure if Ryouga was aware that she could use magic thru her gem or not, but he should know since she couldn't leave him there, after he had gone so far to save her. She sighed as she opened her eyes and held onto her red gem on her necklace. "Ryouga, I'm not sure if I told you before, but I can use magic with my gem. So, I'm going to try to use a teleportation spell to get us back.." She also knew if she didn't bring him with her, she'd never hear the end from her mother, it'd upset Ranma some but couldn't be helped. Ryouga just nodded dumb founded. Ranka got up and left the tent, standing outside as she noted the sun was starting to set, she was annoyed that she had been gone so long and wanted to get back as soon as possible. "Hurry up and pack it up then."
She shut her eyes and let the wind blow her hair about, as she still wasn't fully recovered. Whatever Genma had used on her, was in a high dose and potent and the gem was still healing her. A few minutes later Ryouga had everything all packed up and his back pack on his back. "So uh how do we do this?" Ranka opened her eyes and got a bit flustered, knowing she'd have to hold his hand, if she wanted to make sure he was teleported as well. "I um.. think we have to hold hands.." Ryouga got a goofy look on his face as he laughed nervously. Ranka gave him an annoyed look as she held out her hand to him. " It's for the spell.." Ryouga nodded stupidly and took hold of her hand, falling into a dream like state. She was flustered as she put her other hand to her gem and communicated with it, the circle with a star appearing under neath them, as she worked with the gem and recited the spell in her mind, the gem glowing as it synced up with the magic circle and the other gem, teleporting them back to Nerima not too far from the house.
Ranka staggered backwards at having used too much power in her weakened state, with Ryouga catching her before she fell. Ryouga looked startled. " Are you okay, Ranka?" Ranka nodded red in the face. " Yeah, it was just a bit much for me." She steadied herself as she tried to walk, but winched with her foot that Satan had his relentless grip on. Ryouga stepped in and hooked his arms around so she could use him as a crutch. Ranka was bright red in the face an annoyed but if it helped her get back faster, she'd deal with it.
Back at the house Ranma-chan had been busy comforting her mother the best that she could. Nodoka started sobbing more as she noted it was getting dark outside. Ranma-chan sighed as she tried her best to calm her mother down again, suddenly stopping as she felt like she could suddenly sense Ranka. "It's okay mom, I think she's okay." Nodoka dabbed at her eyes with her hand towel and was about to say something, until she heard a knock on the door, that sent them both running to the door, with Nodoka throwing it open and tearing up all over again at seeing Ranka. " Ranka!" She grabbed her up and embraced her tightly, with Ranma-chan doing the same at the same time, both relieved to see her. Ranma had only done so for a short time, where Nodoka was still hugging up on her, her attention was locked on Ryouga. It annoyed her that he was there once again and with his sister and likely that he was the one who saved her like the last time.
Ryouga and Ranma were locked in a glaring match, while Nodoka kept Ranka in a tight embrace for awhile. Ranka hid her face in her mother's chest. "I'm sorry mom.." Nodoka lightened up her hold and looked down at her with tears in her eyes. " You have nothing to be sorry about.. it's me who is sorry, for trusting him with you.. I thought we'd lost you." Ranka had her head down. " I'm sorry.. I couldn't get a long with him.." Nodoka shook her head. " No Ranka dear, I'm sorry.." She tried to calm herself down as realized the same boy that had saved her daughter before was there, as she recalled his name. "Ryouga was it? Did you save my Ranka again?" Ranma-chan looked off the other way, so her mom didn't see them glaring each other down. Ryouga got all flustered as he twiddled his fingers about nervously. " Ah yes mam." Nodoka grabbed him up in an embrace making him more flustered. " Oh thank you." She let go suddenly realizing she let her emotions take her. " Please Ryouga, come in and join us for dinner."
Ranma-chan grumbled to herself as her rival was welcomed inside and tried to stick close to her mother. " Are you sure you wanna cook? You were really upset." Nodoka smiled at Ranko and patted her on the head. " I feel much better now dear, thank you for your concern. Don't worry I won't go over board."
Nodoka fussed over Ranka some more before having Ryouga take a seat on the couch, where she put some rice crackers out on the table, before going off into the kitchen to fix up a nice and easy dinner for them. Ranma-chan made sure to sit in the middle, so that she kept Ryouga away from her sister, as she crossed her arms. Ryouga was annoyed that Ranma was as usual blocking off his sister from him, but more so at the fact that he let this happen to her. "I'm surprised at you Ran.." He was about to say Ranma, but got a glare from Ranka, that made him fix it fast. " Ranko, that you let that old man of yours get away with things so easily, that it didn't occur to you that he was up to no good." Ranma-chan clenched her fist looking pissed as hell at him. " You don't think that I don't know that…" She gritted her teeth. "It's bad enough that I have to thank you.. for saving Ranka.." Ranka was quiet as the rivals bickered back and forth, as she was out of it. Ranma-chan clenched her fist tighter with a pissy smile. " I still have to " thank you" for being all friendly with my mom.."
Nodoka broke it up not much later as she announced dinner was ready, which prompted Ranma-chan to break away from her bickering and set up the table, before taking a seat. Nodoka served up omelette rice to everyone before taking her seat. "Please eat as much as you'd like Ryouga." Ryouga nodded and gave his thanks as he ate. Ranma-chan grumbled as she ate. Ranka picked at her food, still not feeling well. She didn't want to eat at all, but her mother wouldn't let her get away with that, so she ate slowly and just enough. After they were done she excused herself, stating she wasn't feeling well and was going to bed, which Nodoka allowed. She served up some shaved ice for dessert, before she started working on making some rice balls, as she knew from other times with Ranka when she wasn't feeling well, she could get her to eat those.
After finishing them up and cleaning up she went out to the living room, taking a seat on the couch next to Ryouga, much to Ranma-chan dismay. Nodoka smiled at him. "I hope you enjoyed dinner, I'm sorry that Ranka had to excuse herself, but please tell me what happened." She had her own dismayed look on her face. Ranma-chan leaned back with her arms crossed. Ryouga looked nervous. " I uh well you see, I saw them in the shopping plaza and they got food and then I saw them get on a train, and then I saw him carry her off inside a warehouse." Nodoka started to get upset, more so angry, but she wasn't angry with the boy, she was angry with her husband. " And did he sell my daughter off.." Ryouga got nervous again at the older woman's intensity. "To the devil, yeah.." Nodoka clenched her fist in anger as she cursed Genma. How dare he try to take another child from her. Ranma-chan was as equally pissed as she too was cursing her father, in her minds eye and at some point she was going to give him a royal beat down and a piece of her mind, for trying to get rid of her sister.
Nodoka took Ryouga's hands into hers with a warm smile. " I cannot begin to thank you enough Ryouga for saving Ranka. Please let me know whatever you'd like and feel free to come by again. You can stay the night if you need to." Ranma-chan gave him a quick glare and a clenched fist as a warning. Ryouga laughed nervously as he took his hands from hers. " Thank you Mrs. Saotome, you're too kind. I will. Oh no, you've done so much already. I better be going." Nodoka nodded and walked with him off to the front door to see him off and thank him again.
She went back to sitting down on the couch with Ranko, letting out a deep sigh, mixed with relief and worry. Ranma-chan picked up on it immediately. " You're worried about Ranka, huh." Nodoka pat her on the head. " I am, but I'm sure you are too dear. I worry she might slip into that mind less state again.." Ranma-chan couldn't help but agree with her mother, as she could tell that her sister's chi was showing depression. Nodoka sighed again. " Well we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I'm just so glad she's okay.." She started to tear up again some. "I think I'm going to retire for the night, it's been a very hectic evening. I don't want to hear any rough housing with your sister, alright?" Ranma-chan nodded, Nodoka smiled back as they said good night to each other, before she headed up to bed first.
Ranma-chan snapped her fingers at remembering she had told Akane she would call her and let her know when she knew things. She went off and got the phone as she dialed the Tendo's number. At first Soun answered the phone, but Akane took it over quickly. " Ranma, is everything okay?" Ranma-chan went back over to the couch with the phone. " Well Ranka's safe now anyways.." Akane could hear the tone in Ranma's voice. " Is she okay?" Ranma-chan bit her lip some. " Okay enough I guess, but.. also not okay.." She changed the subject. " Did that bastard old man of mine come back?" Akane thought about it for a second. " Actually no he hasn't yet. Did he.. do something bad to Ranka?" Ranma-chan clenched her fist. " He.. tried to get rid of her.. Akane.." Akane gasped. " No.. he wouldn't do that." Ranma-chan replied back in anger. " Well he did, so yeah he did. There's a reason why Ranka hates him, okay." Akane got all quiet for a minute. " I'm sorry Ranma.." Ranma-chan sighed. " Yeah me too, I'll tell you more when I know okay." Akane got quiet again before replying. " Do you think I could come by tomorrow to see Ranka?" Ranma-chan sighed back. " I think you should call my mom and ask that tomorrow. Well I'm gonna go, good night Akane." Akane said good night and then they both hung up.
After getting ready for bed, Ranma-chan went off to the room and to her bed. She could tell that Ranka wasn't asleep, but also certain she was in a bad mood. That being the case, she was still going to try to get her to talk. "Hey, you okay? What did that bastard pull?" Ranka sighed from under her blankets, she hated when she got nagged to death like this, and more so that it wouldn't stop if she didn't answer back. "I'm here aren't I.. He was working with Satan.." Ranma-chan could tell she was annoyed but pressed on. "And.. Ryouga saved you.. " She cursed her father a loud this time. Ranka sighed again. " Yeah.." Ranma-chan was a bit annoyed at how she said it. " And?" Ranka clamped up. " I.. don't want to talk about it, just look if you want.." Ranma-chan grumbled. I'd rather you'd just tell me." Ranka got upset as she tensed up with a really upset tone to her voice. " I don't want to talk about any of it.." Ranma-chan laid off on trying to push any further and linked up to see what had happened.
After having seen everything, she was furious with her father even more so. More so though she understood why Ranka didn't want to talk about any of it all. She was also really pissed off at the devil, that he would've erased all her sisters memories. While she knew she was upset and didn't want to talk, she still wanted to let her know she was there. Like she had done before, she went over and gave the blanket a quick hug. "You know I love you Ranka." She rubbed at her arm nervously some. " I was really worried about you, and so was mom. So.. I'm really glad you're okay. That's all I wanted to say." She went back over to her bed after saying good night.
Elsewhere at Ivory's place was Genma. He was eagerly awaiting his reward. "So, where is my reward as promised?" Ivory stood by as Satan's face appeared on the mirror on the wall, looking furious. "Reward? You failed Genma." Genma was starting to get annoyed himself. " What are you talking about, I brought the girl to the agreed location and spot." Ivory interrupted him. " And then you got knocked out, and the boy saved her." Satan nodded in agreement from the mirror. " She got away, so the deal was not made and I there for owe you NOTHING!" Genma sweating nervously as the boom from his voice shook the ground some. "What if I try again?" Satan has his arms crossed as he laughed at the pathetic man before him. " Everyone knows of your betrayal now Genma, you messed up big time, so there's no way you would be able to get away with it again. So we're done here." The image in the mirror disappeared, as it went back to normal. Genma scoffed at the mirror. " Hey! That's not fair we made a deal!" Ivory shook her head at him. " Didn't you hear him, you failed and are of no use to him any longer. Now, get out." She gave him a sneer as she shoved him out the front door.
Genma cursed to himself as he made his way back to the Tendo dojo, making sure he was quiet as he made his way inside and upstairs to his room, where he still had his futon bed set up. He laid down and got comfy under the covers. He really was in a mess now that the plan had been foiled and his insurance of no one remembering was gone as well. Maybe he could bow and scrape his way out of it, he thought to himself as he started to fall asleep.
The next morning at the Saotomes, Nodoka greeted Ranko as she had come down stairs for breakfast. She waited awhile, but her other daughter didn't show up and everyone was done with breakfast. She sighed as she cleaned up, then going off to answer the phone as it started ringing. After a few minutes she finished with the call, hanging up the phone. " That was Akane, she's going to come visit in a bout an hour. Since she is, we should all go out together and have a nice day." Ranma-chan sweat dropped from where she was sitting on the couch, having a bad feeling about what her mother was going to say next. Nodoka was pacing back and forth. " Oh, we can all go to the spa, as I have a feeling it will be needed. Oh and then we can go shopping for some nice clothes. Oh you'll love the spa Ranko."
Ranma-chan sweating as she blurted out an escape. "I just remembered I have a date today, sorry I can't mom, I gotta get going. I'll be back later." She was already dressed, so she said good bye and took her leave before her mom could say otherwise. She felt bad for having to duck out, but there was no way she was going there. Now she could go find that bastard old man and give him a beat down.
Nodoka blinked at how fast Ranko had taken off and I was a little upset, but pushed it aside as she focused her efforts on her other daughter. She wouldn't let her slip into a mindless state or get too depressed again, even if that meant being a bit mean. Though she had let her slept in a bit more, but now it was time she get up. She made her way upstairs and into the room as she tried to get her to wake up. " Ranko dear, it's time to get up now." She then made sure the sun was shining right in, before she took her leave for a few minutes, before coming back in and trying to wake her up again. Once that didn't work she went a bit stricter like she had the other time, pulling the covers off her. "Ranka, it's time to get up, we're going out soon." Ranka groaned in reply, as she got herself up. Nodoka patted her on her head. "I want you downstairs in 5 minutes and no later, or I'll be back." She said with a stern smile. " And for every minute your late, that will be an hour of katana training." She then took her leave, going off downstairs. Ranka grumbled as she got up and went off to the bathroom to start getting ready.
No more than 4 minutes later was she dressed and downstairs, sitting at the table. Nodoka smiled at her. " That's my girl. Now eat something for breakfast, Akane will be here soon and we'll be going out. Your sister.. bailed on us but I'll be giving her a talking later on." Ranka looked a tad annoyed about having to go out, much less being awake as she hadn't been able to get to sleep very easily. She also really wasn't hungry, but there was no getting past her mother on the matter. Nodoka let her settle on having the rice balls, satisfied that she had eaten something.
Not much later Akane arrived and they set out. Nodoka smiled at her. " We're so happy that you're coming a long Akane, aren't we Ranka?" Ranka sweat dropped " Yeah, so happy." She smiled really fast. Akane noted Ranko wasn't around and realized why as she arrived at the spa. Ranka was kind of out of it, until she realized after awhile, after they had changed and they were standing in front of the dreaded "hyrdo room." Nodoka had a stern smile on her face as she took Ranka by the hand and took her off into the room, before coming back, after shutting the door behind her. " Oh Akane dear have you ever tried this treatment before? It's so relaxing." Akane sweat dropped. " I uh can't say that I have.."
Ranka teared up and tensed up as the water cannon lined up to target her. Oh god no, not this evil thing again, she thought to herself. The timer started to count down for the room, and it was quiet till Akane heard yelling. "Ah auntie Saotome is.. Ranka okay?" Nodoka smiled. "She's relaxing dear." After a few minutes a drenched Ranka came out from the room, shuddering. Nodoka patted her on the head smiling. " Now we feel better, right dear?" Ranka sweat dropped and nodded really fast. Nodoka smiled more. "Oh Akane, would you like to go next?" Akane waved her hands about. " Ah no you can go first auntie Saotome." Nodoka nodded and went off into the room.
Akane gave Ranka a concerned look. " Are you okay, Ranka? I see why.. Ranko ran off.." Ranka grimaced for a second. " Yeah.." Nodoka came out after finishing and ushered a nervous Akane in. " You'll love it dear." Ranka sweated nervously as the count down began and she heard Akane yelp. After a few minutes she came out all wide eyed. Nodoka patted her on her shoulder. " You get used to it after a few tries, and it is very good for the skin and relaxing. Alright how about we get a nice massage now."
At the Tendo's, Ranma-chan came in and greeted everyone that was there, before going off to the baths. Coming back a few minutes later after having changed back into a guy. Kasumi was sitting at the ground table sipping her tea. "I thought you were going out with Akane and your mother and sister today." Ranma sweat dropped. " I might've if they weren't going to a spa.. anyways has my dad come back?" Kasumi took another sip of her tea before replying. " He might've but I don't think he's gotten up yet. Is it true.. did he.." Ranma looked upset as he nodded. Kasumi shook her head, putting her hand to her mouth. Nabiki happened to be present this time and not off somewhere. " Ranma, I'll help you hold him down for his beating, free of charge this time, since he tried to take my money maker away." Ranma almost face faulted but caught himself. " Gee thanks a lot Nabiki, no I'll handle it myself." Soun was reading his newspaper as he put in his two cents, while he cared about his friend, he couldn't look the other way at what he had tried to do. As well as being a father of girls himself, it didn't sit well with him and upset him more, because of how upset Akane was at hearing what had happened with Ranka. " Don't go easy on him son, but also take it outside." Ranma nodded in reply as he went off upstairs to go lay the smack down on his dad.
After entering their room, he grabbed his old man up by his shirt and flung him off into the air, out the window and followed after him. Genma had snapped awake before he hit the ground, as she slid back on his legs taking the impact. " What's wrong with you, boy!" Ranma jumped down onto the ground and cracked his knuckles, looking pissed. " Don't play dumb, you damn well know what you tried to do!" Genma got into a fighting stance but also tried to reason with his son. " Now listen Ranma, I was doing it for your own well being." Ranma launched a punch at him. " Shut up!"
Soun sipped his tea as he turned the page on his newspaper. Kasumi sipped hers as well. " I do hope Ranma doesn't kill Mr. Saotome.." Nabiki munched on a rice cracker. " It's not like he doesn't deserve it Kasumi, besides I think he'll only half kill him, so it'll be fine." Kasumi put a hand to her face. " Oh my.. but I can't help but agree, Mr Saotome did a horribly awful thing.."
After doing a few different spa treatments they were sitting and relaxing in the jacuzzi, which Ranka actually liked. Nodoka smiled. " After this we'll go shopping." After a few minutes she excused herself as she went off to the hydo room for another round. Akane looked over at Ranka who seemed in a better mood. " Are you sure your okay? Ranko told me what happened.." Ranka had her eyes shut enjoying the warmth. "I'd better be or.. I'll get thrown in that accursed hydro room again.." The thought made her shudder. Akane shuddered a bit as well. "It was pretty intense.." Ranka grumbled. " I want to break it.." Akane laughed some. " You know you can't do that." Ranka groaned. "It's not that I can't, it's.. I'd better know better not to.. or I'll make my mom really mad.." Akane sighed. "I'm sorry Mr. Saotome did what he did to you.. Ranka.. I guess, you won't accept him." Ranka opened her eyes and looked off the other way. "I hate him more now.." She then turned her attention to Akane. "You don't need to be sorry for his actions, okay." Akane shook her head. " No I am sorry I was.." Ranka cut her off, putting her hand up. "That's in the past, so let's not talk about it anymore, okay." Akane sighed. "Do you.. still hate me?" Ranka looked off some. " It's not that I hate you, you just do things that I don't like at times. It was different then.. I didn't know who I was.." Akane looked thoughtful at what she said. " That's true, you didn't.. and I didn't know if you were that demon like evil girl side from before." Ranka had a dull look on her face. " Well.. I am a creation from evil." Akane shook her head and got annoyed. " You're not, your not evil Ranka." Ranka gave her a look. " No I am, I'm the evilest of traitors in his book." She looked off the other way. " For.. defying him.."
Akane acted impulsively as she gave her a hug, forgetting that they were only in towels. "Well that's what he gets. You defied him from day one, so that shows your not evil." Ranka got all flustered for a second. "Yeah.." Akane went on. "So he's just mad that he shot himself in the foot." Ranka couldn't help but laugh some at that, which made Akane smile and laugh as she splashed some water at Ranka. Ranka gave her a smug look as she gave her a splash back. Nodoka put an end to it as she came back and they went off to another pool for awhile, before they got changed back into their clothes and went on to the next spot.
They stopped off at a cafe for a bite to eat, before going to the department store to the clothing area. Nodoka was looking at some things herself as the girls were looking as well. Akane was fussing over some dresses, until Ranka set her mind at ease, reinforcing they looked cute. Akane got flustered as she put the fancier one back. Ranka gave her a look. " You don't want it?" Akane shuffled her feet about. "It's uh kinda a bit out of my price range." Ranka grabbed it off the rack and put it in Akane's arms. " Just shut up and get it, if you want it. How much are you short?" Akane blushed some. " It's fine, I like this other one a lot more." Nodoka came over at hearing the fussing. " Is something wrong girls?" Akane got more flustered. " Um no auntie Saotome, it's nothing." Nodoka then looked over at Ranka who looked annoyed. "Is it?" Ranka rolled her eyes. " She wants that dress but being difficult about it." Nodoka smiled and took the dress from Akane. " Consider it a gift from me Akane dear. Now no more fighting. Ranka dear have you picked something out yet?" Ranka sweat dropped. " I'm uh.. still looking." Nodoka smiled and went back over to things she was looking at.
Akane was annoyed and flustered. " Why did you have to go and rat me out.." Ranka shrugged as she looked thru the rack of dresses. " YOU ratted yourself out, Akane, it's beyond obvious you wanted it and if I can tell, you can bet my mom would know that even more, so deal with it." Akane grumbled as she looked thru a different rack. Ranka was looking between two different dresses. " You know what'd make you even cuter in that dress, if you grew your hair out a little." Akane ended up getting more flustered, as she kept in mind how Ranka and Ranma were in sync, and if that's how Ranma felt. She also couldn't help but be a little annoyed with Ranka, as she had thought before she wasn't as bad as Ranma with saying things, but she proved her wrong. It did also get her thinking about it though.
Nodoka came back over and looked thru a rack of clothes with them, picking out a cute dress. " I think I'll surprise Ranko." Akane sweat dropped, knowing Ranma would not want to wear that. Ranka did as well, but voiced that fact. " Mom you should know better by now." Nodoka sighed. " She won't like it, will she?" Ranka shook her head and picked out a stylyish light blue hooded sweatshirt jacket. " Something like this maybe." Nodoka smiled some as she took it. " Alright, I'll get that instead then. Now let's go look at some undergarments." She ushered them over to that section and fussed over trying to get Akane a nice set, citing how she was engaged. Akane politely declined, ten shades of red in her face. They finished up shopping shortly after, heading back home.
They split off after seeing Akane off close to her house. Kasumi poked her head out of the kitchen at hearing Akane come in. " Welcome back Akane." She promptly went back into the kitchen. Nabiki greeted her sister as well and was nosey as she took a peek at what she bought at the clothing store. " Wow Akane, I might have to borrow this one on you." Akane snatched it back from her and huffed. Nabiki munched another rice cracker. " While you were busy, Ranma's been giving his dad a royal beat down. I think their about done." Akane sweat dropped as she felt the ground shake some, and then spotted Ranma come in from outside, making her tense up as she was holding the new dress still and that he likely saw it. He went off into the kitchen and came back out with a drink, taking a seat at the ground table. While he had left the room, Akane had stuffed the dress back into the bag quickly. After finishing his drink, and changing back into a girl with some cold water, he said good bye to everyone as he took his leave.
Akane poked her head outside and yelped at seeing the state that Genma was in, running off to the kitchen, where she grabbed an ice pack from the freezer. She ran it out to him. "Oh Mr. Saotome are you okay?" Genma had it on his eye, one of which was black and blue and swollen, as well as his face, he was a mess all over as he cursed. " Damn that evil girl.." Akane gave him an upset look. " Ranka's not evil Mr. Saotome, did you.. really try to get rid of her?" She hoped that he'd say he hadn't. Genma winched in pain at his sides. "It was for the best Akane dear, you shouldn't fall for her tricks like Ranma does. Your smarter than that. I was only returning her to where she belongs, as she doesn't belong here." Akane looked shocked and upset at what she was hearing. Soun had also come over and heard what he had to say and had his arms crossed. While he loved his friend very much, hearing how he was upsetting his youngest daughter and also as a father, hearing him reject his own daughter angered him. "Saotome, we can't deal with your hatred, I think you should stay elsewhere for awhile and give yourself time to think about your actions." Genma looked up from where he was on the ground at his friend. "Tendo.. you don't mean that." Soun sighed. " I'm afraid I do Saotome, please leave after dinner."
Meanwhile Ranma-chan got back to her mother's house, as she took her shoes off at the door, before going inside letting her know she was back. Nodoka poked her head out from the kitchen and greeted her. " How was your date Ranko dear?" Ranma-chan sweat dropped, forgetting that she had used that as an excuse earlier. " It was okay." Nodoka smiled back. " I see, well dinner will be ready soon, so be a dear and set up the table." She stuck her head back into the kitchen, going back to what she was doing and mentoring Ranka with how she was cooking.
After a while they were all sitting at the table and having dinner. Nodoka sipped her tea after having some of the tempura mix. "Well your sister and I and Akane had a lovely day, didn't we Ranka dear?" Ranka nodded in reply. Nodoka put a hand to her face. " Though they were bickering a little bit, but then you also seem to butt heads with Akane as well." Ranma-chan sweat dropped as finished eating, she thought about saying something but held back not wanting to incite her mother's attention on her. After they finished dinner and cleaned up, they were all sitting on the couch. Nodoka handed off a bag to Ranko. " I wish you would've come with us, but I got you some things. I saw such a cute dress, but Ranka said you'd like that better." Ranma-chan pulled out the light blue stylish sweatshirt hoodie jacket, sweat dropping at hearing about a dress. "Yeah I like this much better, thanks." Nodoka sighed but smiled. "Well that's good dear." They went back to watched some tv before it was time to head upstairs and start getting ready for bed.
In their beds after they had gotten all ready for bed, each was doing their own thing while laying back. Ranma-chan was reading one of her manga's. " Thanks for the save. So what was Akane butting head's about?" Ranka was doodling in her sketch book. " Of course. Oh because I "ratted her out." about her being wishy washy about wanting a really fancy dress." Ranma-chan hmmed about that. " She's gets mad over nothing." Ranka nodded as she doodled. Ranma-chan mussed about it. " For awhile I was thinking if that was just a girl thing, but she seems to get a lot angrier than other girls and more often." Ranka laughed a little. " Oh, so your asking me, about girls hmm." Ranma-chan looked a little flustered. " Well yeah." Ranka smirked some for a second before replying. "It kinda is, but yeah Akane takes it to a whole new level." They talked a bit more before going to bed.
After the usual morning routine of stopping at Dr Tofu's, they made their way to school. Both groaning as Kuno was sadly there this time. Kuno carried on as usual, his eyes lightening up at seeing Ranka. " Ah, Ranka my goddess, my heart be still, I adore your admiration towards me." Ranka had an annoyed look on her face and sweat dropped at seeing he still had the catnip laced flower, seemingly keeping it on him at all times. More so as he tried shooing a few cats away. Ranma distanced himself by instinct at seeing cats. Kuno glared at the cats. " Shoo beasts, plague me no more, though you must be jealous of my admiration." He said referring to the flower. Ranka sweat dropped more. " Umm Kuno, you do know that has an insane amount of cat nip on it, right? I mean it attracts cats all the time, obviously.. Admiration? Is that what you think? No I just threw it off to you, so the cats would leave the ring."
Of course Kuno wasn't really listening and his mind processed it as the usual, being better to blame Ranma. " Ranma Satome, how dare you use your sorcery against the lovely goddess Ranka! You will pay!" He fwailed his hands about in anger. Ranka rolled her eyes and slammed her book bag down on top of his head, grabbing the flower from his sash and chucking it off over the wall to the street. The cats took off out the gate after it.
Kuno staggered back some from the blow to this head, in his mind he still blamed the evil Ranma Saotome for using an evil spell. Ranma was able to calm down seeing the cats had left and they went off inside to their class.
Thrista beamed as she greeted Ranka. " You were fantastic during that gymnastic match." Ranka sweat dropped at her. " Oh.. don't tell me you were there." Thrista smiled and went back to looking at her photo's of Ranka and Ranko from the match. Ranka blinked as noted how into whatever she was looking at and took a peek, almost falling out of her seat. " Where'd you.." Then she grumbled, knowing Nabiki was having a field day. Sayuri was beaming as well, until Akane caught her looking at the photo's. Akane gave her a frown. " Sayuri.. are these all pictures from the gymnastic match?" Sayuri got flustered as she put them away.
To Ranma's dismay he caught his two friends with pictures from the match of Ranka and Ranko as well, giving them both an annoyed look. Hiroshi had a stupid grin on his face, as he and Daisuke put them away really fast.
Class started soon and the day went by and before long it was time to go home. After saying their goodbye's, they went off to Doctor Tofu's. Ranma didn't always remember to get on Ranka about coming inside, or not as much if he didn't sense danger and she wasn't going to remind him either. She waited outside the clinic against the wall, with her barrier up. A shadowy figure came into view, showing a tall and muscular gangster girl, who had the yaukuza look going, with the long hair as she tried to shove Ranka, only to get air. " Hey you! YOU hurt my little bro, didn't you?!" Ranka rubbed at her head with her finger trying to remember. " I don't know if I did or not." The elder girl pointed her black finger nails at her. " Don't play dumb "red hot", you beat up him and his gang, and now I'm gonna beat you down!" She launched a punch at Ranka.
Ranma sensed danger as she came out from Doctor Tofu's a few minutes later, taking in the scene at seeing a tall girl knocked out on the ground. Ranka sweat dropped and put her fist down, then pointing at the downed girl with her other hand. " She" started it.." Ranma-chan hmmed eyeing the knocked out girl. " Don't tell me she's with that gang you pissed off." Ranka nodded. " She's mad I beat up her brother who was the boss I guess. I wasn't really paying attention when I beat them up." Ranma-chan hmmed more before picking up the unconscious girl by her legs and dragging her off outside the door to the clinic. "Oh well, that's what happens when you start with people. You get your ass kicked." Ranka nodded in agreement and they took their leave.
Getting back to the house, they both jumped back as something dropped down from the sky. At feeling the ground shake some, Nodoka came running outside to see what was going on as she heard the girls. They all sweat dropped at seeing the soda vending machine, of just melon soda. Sasuke poked him head out from where he was sitting on top of the machine. "As promised my mistress Kodachi has delivered your prize." He jumped down onto the ground. Nodoka put a hand to her mouth. " Oh my.. Ranko, Ranka, is "this" what you two wanted as a prize?" Ranka shook her head. Ranma-chan sweat dropped. " All I said was she owed me another melon soda.. because she smacked mine out of my hand and onto the ground.. I didn't tell her to do this.." Sasuke rubbed at his head as he laughed nervously. " My mistress tends to go a bit over board." Ranka rolled her eyes. " Gee, you think?" She then changed her tune. " Hey Sausake since you're here, would you like a snack?" Nodoka nodded in agreement. " Please come in, you must be tired from bringing that machine all the way here.." Ranma-chan shrugged her shoulders and went off inside and upstairs to go get changed as fast as possible out of the school uniform.
Ranma-chan after coming back downstairs in casual wear, sat down at the table and had her snack. Sasuke teared up at the rice balls in front of him. " Are you sure I can have this much?" Nodoka smiled as she sipped her tea. " Have as much as you'd like." Ranka nodded in agreement. He was in pure bliss at being able to have this much rice and now he definitely knew that he could trust what was promised when he and Ranka had met before. Though he still feared repercussions from the Kuno siblings if he stayed away too long and thanked them as he went to take his leave. Ranka has an annoyed look on her face as she shoved the rest of the rice balls in a container into his hands. " Take them." Nodoka nodded. " Please do, we'd be offended if you didn't." Ranma-chan gave him a dull look. " You'd better take them." Sasuke teared up as he accepted them and took his leave, disappearing in a blur.
Nodoka started gathering up for what she needed to make for dinner, fussing as she kept looking for one of the ingredients. " I could've sworn that I had some.." Ranka poked her head into the kitchen, watching her mom fuss and muss as she looked about. " I can go to the store if your missing something." Nodoka sighed as she gave up, and started preparing a different part. "Only if you go with Ranko." She was a lot more hesitant to let Ranka go off alone, especially after the most recent event. After she made out a list and gave it to her, after making sure Ranko was going with her. She let them both know no messing around and to come straight back as she patted them both on their heads. "Since you two have to run out for me, be sure to get yourselves something you'd like."
Ranma-chan wasn't as bothered having to stay with her mother and in her girl form, since it helped that during school she could keep attending as a guy. Also how much better she was treated. They made their way into the super market store as they went and got the things on the list. Ranma-chan fussed as she tried to decide what treat she wanted to get, eventually settling on a pudding dessert cup, like Ranka had, with them also getting one for Nodoka.
In a near by vacant lot Genma had set up camp, as he had been kicked out temporarily from the Tendo's. It had been a rough night for him, even if it hadn't rained, he had been spoiled with living a good life with the Tendo's. Now he was in the dog house with them and his wife. He had figured out his deal with the devil was a kick in the pants and learned the hard way how the devil didn't stick to his word. Now he had everyone hating on him for trying to get rid of the girl. He also knew now there was no way back, unless he could get the hate on him to go away and for that he would have to suck it up and try to talk to the girl.
His eyes lit up as he spotted his son in his girl form and Ranka walking by, making him scramble over to them. Ranma-chan at spotting him, glared daggers with her arms crossed, blocking Ranka off from him. "Let me guess, Mr. Tendo kicked you out, huh old man. Serves you right, after the crap you pulled." Genma grumbled at her, before bowing his head down on the ground, trying to kiss up to Ranka. "Ranka, please forgive this foolish old man, I'm begging you…" Ranma-chan cracked her knuckles. " Knock it off, or do I gotta beat ya again?!"
Ranka had her arms crossed as well with a very serious look. "I'll forgive you, only if you keep your end of the promise, you NEVER completed.. "Forgive" just enough but I won't forget." Genma tried to play dumb. " Promise, what promise?" Ranma-chan whacked him over the head with her balled up fist. "Stop playing dumb." Ranka sighed still having a dead serious look on her face. " Tell your wife the truth about your curse, just yours. When you do that, I'll make you look good enough in the Tendo's eyes so you get out of the dog house, but not tonight." Genma bowed his head down to the ground, a bit grateful she was taking some pity on him, but it was still at a serious cost.
They took their leave as they hurried back to the house. Nodoka thanked them for saving dinner. Ranma-chan went off upstairs to go take a hot bath, knowing she wouldn't be disturbed, since her mother would be kept busy in the kitchen with her sister. After getting undressed and getting into the hot tub of water, laid back feeling the change. Relaxing a bit to himself and his thoughts, where he still wanted to be able to tell his mother about his curse, but that also meant destroying Ranko in a way. He was pretty sure that would upset his mother, as she already gotten extremely upset about how Ranka had posed as Ranko before.
Not much later after having dinner and their pudding desserts, the evening went by and it was already bed time. Ranma-chan was laying back and reading one of her manga's. "You don't feel bad for the old man, do you?" Ranka was working on some written homework, while sitting up in bed. "I don't, but I don't mind bailing him just "enough" to bait him to do what's right. It doesn't mean I forgive him, by far.. " Ranma-chan mussed. " You know who else can't be forgiven? That damn Nabiki…" Ranka grumbled as she kept working. "Yes but at least we'll get a cut of her pay off, it's Kodachi whose really at fault, making that stupid match into a huge event.. which gave Nabiki a golden opportunity.." They both groaned knowing full well that Kuno had pictures of them both from the match in their leotards. Ranma-chan realized her sister was doing homework and that she had forgotten about it. "Aww man we had homework, didn't we?" Ranka nodded as she finished up with hers. Ranma-chan put on big puppy eyes. "Can I copy yours, bestest sister ever." Ranka got up and handed it off to her twin. " Yeah just don't get caught and put it away for me after." She said good night as she went back over to her bed.