Ranma ½
A Scary Thought:
What happen last time: Shampoo and Ranma's battle with Rippa and Kitsui ended in a draw. Meanwhile Usagi and Seiya had an encounter.
Chapter 44
XXXXX
The relative silence of the morning at the San Cheng-Huang was broken by the insistent double ring of the phone. This particular ring tone was distinctive of the new intercom function of the phones. However, any response to it was slow.
Three rings later, finally Kasumi began blindly reaching out for the receiver. At the five ring mark she finally grabbed it and brought it to her ear, upside down. A quick correction and Kasumi finally answered. "Um... yes?"
"Kasumi, Ranko is here," Makoto reply came.
"Oh... um... right..." Kasumi said as she craned her neck around to look at a wall clock. "Is it that late already?" she asked absently.
"Are you still in bed?" Makoto asked in surprise.
Kasumi blushed as she considered her reply, looking down.
XXXXX
On the other end of the line, Makoto waited for a reply. She could hear some muffled voices, obviously Kasumi speaking with Shampoo, before finally Kasumi came back on. "We'll be... down in a while."
Makoto blinked, then blushed when she caught a laugh mixed with Shampoo's name from Kasumi just before she hung up. She considered for a long moment before returning to the dining room where Ranko was waiting with Cologne.
"They're... going to be a while," Makoto said, unable to stop herself from blushing once again.
Cologne chuckled. "I told you just to leave them be," she said with a grin that only caused Makoto to blush that much more.
"Okay, this is entirely too much information," Ranko commented before changing topics. "Still no word from this... ah... Siren?"
Cologne shook her head. "No, but I expect her to appear soon."
"And how about our ghostly friend?"
Makoto took a seat and likewise shook her head. "No luck there either."
Ranko nodded, but frowned. It had been an eventful, yet strangely dull week since the duel. It had started with an incident at the school with Shampoo. Two days after the duel, while back at school, Shampoo was approached by a boy from another class. Word around school about Shampoo's marital status was still rather mixed, so this particular boy had been put up to ask Shampoo out by his friends as either a joke, or perhaps a means of getting to the truth.
This little incident resulted in Shampoo readily agreeing to the date. As one would expect, that was confusing to many, but became even worse when said boy's friends quickly tossed him aside to ask themselves, and likewise found Shampoo agreeing. A bit of a scuffle resulted between the boys, but more worrisome was Shampoo passing out.
After no one could seem to revive her at the school, they brought her to Dr. Tofu's. It didn't take long for Frost to discover that Shampoo was under a spell that compulsively made her agree to these requests for dates. However, unable to resolve all the competing requests, her mind had simply shut down, that is until they got Ranko to come and disrupt the magic. That solved the immediate problem, but the underlying spell was still in place.
Frost felt it too risky to mess with the magic, as such spells often had booby traps, at least according to her, so Cologne decided it best to wait for the reappearance of Siren, the Amazon Village's Arch mage. In the meantime Ranko was escorting Shampoo everywhere just in case.
While interesting, it had largely petered out as a source of concern. Besides the modest inconvenience to Shampoo and Ranko. Much was the same with Kogane.
Thanks to some research from their class snoop and conspiracy nut, Kitsune, they had learned that Kogane was a student at Furinkan nearly 20 years prior. She had died in a car accident along with her parents shortly after leaving school one day. Again while interesting, it turned out to be of no importance. Kogane showed no interest in her death, her parents, or anything else they knew of the incident. And, while Ranko knew she had encountered Kogane before, once more the details of such were eluding her. So, the ghost girl continued her haunting, appearing at Furinkan, the San Cheng-Huang or the Tendos' as the mood suited her.
Back in the present, Ranko could only nod sympathetically. "It has to be something to do with that song she sings all the time."
"I would tend to agree," Cologne said. "However, the meaning of it is lost on us."
"And I even tried taking her back to the school yesterday," Makoto added. "Tried talking to that old man at that creepy school store... nothing."
"Nothing?" Ranko echoed.
"Well, nothing useful. He started babbling on about Waterloo where Furinkan soldiers were supposedly involved in the battle. I think he's delusional," Makoto said, shaking her head.
"No argument here," Ranko replied, then turned as she noticed Shampoo and Kasumi enter. "Sleeping in?"
"Ah..." is all Kasumi could respond with. Shampoo was not so reserved, brimming with a smile. "We should get going, it is getting late," Kasumi quickly said to change the topic. Ranko merely shook her head and stood up in compliance with the suggestion.
Cologne watched as the girls departed, likewise shaking her head in amusement as they left. Just a few more interviews for staff today and we should be ready to reopen, she thought as she organized her schedule in her mind. A full twenty minutes went by as she prepared for the first potential employee when a guest of an entirely different, yet not unexpected origin came in the front door.
"Cologne."
"Siren," Cologne greeted, coming out from the kitchen at the sound of the door. "I was wondering how much longer..." she started to say before noticing another follow Siren inside. The arrival of the new party was enough to shift Cologne's mood.
"Matriarch," the newcomer greeted.
"So Pu," Cologne replied with a frown as yet more visitors entered. The pattern that resulted was all too plain, and Cologne let out a heavy sigh.
XXXXX
Across town, Shampoo was currently listening as Kitsui steadily repeated, "In, out... In with the good, out with the bad... oneness with the universe..."
"You trying to teach or put her to sleep," Ranko commented after a several minutes of this.
"Mastering the art of martial arts dance, manipulation discipline is all about inner focus, calmness, and general serenity," Kitsui replied easily. "One can not hope to override the control of another person when one is off balance themselves."
"Yeah, like I haven't heard that from dozens of different sources," Ranko said, leaning on her hand in boredom.
The threesome was currently at the dance hall, Ranko seated at a folding table off to the side, while Shampoo sat in a meditative pose at the floor center. It was only yesterday that Shampoo had come to Kitsui seeking to learn some of her techniques, and of course, Ranko being her effective chaperone meant that Ranko had to agree to come along as well.
In truth, Ranko did have some interest in this style. Having seen Kitsui in action, it was probably the first time she had ever encountered a style she could not make any sense of. Desiring some explanation for how it exactly worked, she had observed the process of Kitsui's instruction very closely. However, she was already becoming impatient with the teaching method.
Kitsui seemed little concerned by Ranko's attitude and just gave the redhead a smile. "And you'll hear it a lot more," she said, only causing Ranko to roll her eyes.
"You two done?" Shampoo asked without opening her eyes. "I try concentrate and you no help," she complained.
"This isn't about concentration, it is about relaxation. Relax. Think about the best things in life," Kitsui directed.
"Try do that if you would be quiet!" Shampoo replied in irritation.
Raising her hands in submission, Kitsui walked over and pulled up a seat next to Ranko at the table. After a minute of silence, Kitsui mirrored Ranko's posture and asked in a low voice, "Does something seem different about her?" Ranko shrugged, but Kitsui persisted. "Yeah, definitely something different. Her inner beat is much... truer."
"Really? Hadn't noticed a thing," Ranko commented dismissively.
Kitsui nodded to herself, and after several more seconds concluded, "she's getting some."
Ranko could not help herself and fell off her hand, planting her face on the table before recovering. "You got a sick mind, you know that?" she asked as she reset herself.
"Sex is not sick. Sick people don't think about sex," Kitsui answered. "Of course, too much of it on the mind isn't good for you either, but I think I strike a good balance," she continued, then looked hard at Ranko. "You seem a bit excessively jumpy on the topic."
"I'm not jumpy," Ranko quickly retorted, but Kitsui look did not waiver.
"Girlfriend, I read peoples' beats like books. It is written all over you."
Ranko cringed, but quickly reset her cool and looked away. "Whatever," she said.
"Shampoo can hear you," Shampoo said with more annoyance.
Kitsui leaned in closer to Ranko. "You know, if you're looking to get a little... experience..."
"What the hell are you implying?!" Ranko shot back in a whisper.
"Oh, you like guys then?"
"Of course not!" Ranko hastily answered, too late realizing the trap Kitsui had made. The other girl responded with a smile, one quite reminiscent to the one she had been giving Shampoo at the duel. "Now look here, just because I... just because I'm that way doesn't mean I'm interested in you."
Kitsui leaned back. "I hear you. You got your own plans I'm sure. I was just offering a bit of assistance."
"Assistance?!" Ranko echoed in shock, but any further talk on the subject got derailed as Ranko reached her limit. "That's it. I'll be outside if you need me."
Kitsui continued to smile and gave Ranko a playful wave goodbye before noticing Shampoo approach, annoyed beyond her tolerance point.
"Shampoo no come here so you can seduce new girlfriend," she accused as she walked over. "You teach or not?"
"I teach," Kitsui replied, still smiling. She stood up and returned to the center of the room. "So then, let's get serious then," she said, and turned sharply on Shampoo, her smile gone, replaced with a commanding look. "For starters you can explain to me why exactly you challenged us."
The unexpected order caught Shampoo off guard. For an instant, she was about to dodge the question, but stopped herself. After another few seconds, Shampoo nodded, and explained. "Not long ago, Kasumi taken. They try make her use very dangerous technique. When she no use it, they take Shampoo too."
Kitsui looked surprised. "And they used you to get to her? Seriously?" she asked, and Shampoo replied with a nod. "Well, classic villainy isn't dead I see," she joked, gaining a frown from Shampoo. "No offense," she quickly added before beginning to pace. "So, you got it in your head that if you could beat us, that would prove that sort of thing wouldn't happen again."
Shampoo hesitated for a second, but nodded in answer. "Yes."
"Hmh, well then," Kitsui replied, turning once more to Shampoo. "Let's do this then."
"Do what?" Shampoo asked in slight confusion.
"Rematch. Right now. No time limits. No silly rules. Just last person standing wins," Kitsui explained, setting herself for combat.
The sudden challenge once more left Shampoo in a state of shock for several seconds. Then, determined, she too entered a fighting posture, but only for a moment. Breaking the pose, she shook her head. "No."
"No?"
"No, would be meaningless," the amazon replied.
Kitsui followed Shampoo's lead, and returned to a casual posture. "That's because you already have your answer, you just don't like it." Shampoo thought on this, then nodded. "And what is that?"
Shampoo looked away for a second to collect the right words before answering, "that no matter how hard Shampoo try, it may happen again."
"Sounds about right," Kitsui responded, giving Shampoo a sympathetic nod.
"Why Shampoo feel... better then?"
"Well, I would have thought the sex-"
"It no that!" Shampoo exclaimed, but under Kitsu's gaze could not hold long. "Not completely," she conceded, with a smile of her own.
Kitsui grinned and walked over. "Let me tell you a little tale about myself," she began, getting a dry look from Shampoo. "I know, I know, I'm sure you've heard this kind of thing before, but bear with me.
"You see, about 3 years ago I started... you know. Of course for me it was a bit different. All my friends are noticing the boys, and I'm looking at them. Rippa accepted his sexuality real easy if you ask me. Me on the other hand, major denial. Went out with half a dozen guys, always telling myself the last one just wasn't the right sort for me. I was absolutely determined to find the right guy, and I was totally miserable!
"You know why that was?" Kitsui finally asked, but Shampoo shrugged. "It was because I had set myself an impossible goal, and in my heart I knew it. I was putting all my effort into something I knew I'd never succeed at, and I'm betting it was the same for you," Kitsui suggested, getting only confusion from Shampoo. "You said it yourself that you'd never let something like that happen again, but in truth you knew that was not something you could ensure. Despite that you persisted, and you were unhappy because it."
"And now that Shampoo accept that no can be done is happier?" Shampoo said in conclusion, but still did not understanding the logic.
"More like less miserable," Kitsui replied. "Hey, like I said, it isn't an answer you like, but it's the truth, and it's a truth you can work with. You can't work with the impossible."
Finally, after nearly a minute of thought, Shampoo nodded her head in agreement. "Shampoo understand."
"Good, now that that is out of the way, shall we move on?" Kitsui asked. "After all, just because you can't ensure it won't happen again, doesn't mean we can't make it highly unlikely."
To that Shampoo smiled and nodded.
XXXXX
"It'll never work," Rippa declared at the Tendo dojo.
"That's all you have been talking about practically all morning," Ranma complained across from him. "We're supposed to be training, not discussing my love life."
"It needs discussing," Rippa argued as he looked over at Ranma who was currently sitting with his hand touching the floor. "Getting a feel for it yet?" he asked, in a swing of topic that was becoming all too common.
"Honestly, no," Ranma replied. "I get the principle that the planet has a beat that you can use in place of the music, but I ain't feeling it."
"It's there, trust me," Rippa replied, and once more switched topics. "Three girls, one who is in love with another, and another is hostile to that same one. This is just... way unstable."
"It wasn't my idea," Ranma said.
"I know that, but you're going along with it. Tell me you at least like these girls?"
Ranma shook his head, not in denial but rather annoyance. "I like them just fine. Whether I want to marry them though... it is those stupid laws, and this is our parents' idea. I'm just along for the ride."
Rippa looked at Ranma suspiciously. "I seem to recall similar talk about Akane, but you weren't so easy going about that situation."
Ranma sighed. "The idea of being with Akane felt... different. It would be like marrying my sister or something. Just did not feel right, and Akane agreed."
"So, in other words, you're okay with marrying Kasumi," Rippa concluded, gaining a glare from Ranma.
"I didn't say that!" he complained.
Rippa shrugged. "Usual Saotome denial I see," he teased and thought for a moment. "So, you taken them out at least."
Ranma hesitated. "Well, I've been out with Kasumi once and Ukyo once. Haven't really been out with Shampoo."
"Nono, I mean as a group, and obviously the answer is no."
Shocked by the suggestion, Ranma jumped to his feet. "Are you nuts? You honestly expect me to take all three out at the same time?"
"Why not? You're the one with the four way... three way? Whatever, you know what I mean, you're the one with this goofed up marriage happening here. If you honestly are interested in the least in letting it go forward, I'd think the least you could do is get the whole group together."
That makes a disturbing amount of sense, Ranma admitted in thought, before shaking his head. "No way, Ukyo and Kasumi don't get along... well, more Ukyo than Kasumi."
Rippa persisted. "Never know unless you try. Speaking of Ms. Kuonji, you talk with her?"
"Tried. Didn't get much out of her," Ranma answered. "I don't want to push too much," he quickly added before Rippa could suggest anything, and he nodded in agreement before looking at his watch.
"It's getting late, and I have to get back to set up for afternoon classes. Hey, you should come over. I could introduce you to my boyfriend-"
"No thanks," Ranma quickly interrupted to say.
"You'd think potentially marrying a girl who changes to a guy would relax you a little, Saotome," Rippa teased as he headed for the door. "By the way, Saotome, you better start acting fast. Your competition seems a lot more eager to me," he said, motioning to the house.
"Herb?" Ranma asked with a frown. "No way Kasumi is marrying that jerk. He's totally full of himself."
"Yeah, sounds like someone I know," Rippa once more teased, but departed before Ranma could respond. "Later Saotome, and keep up the practice," he called out.
Once more, Ranma shook his head. However, despite his outward confidence, inwardly he was not so sure. Herb had been steadily changing the scenario. After Shampoo's admission that she currently held the prince as her preferred choice for the moment, Ranma had been keeping a more careful eye on Herb, and he was not liking what he saw.
The prince's approach had definitely changed. The most obvious example was his aiding Shampoo in her recent training. He had almost completely dropped the antagonism with her while at the same time appearing to study her. Ranma did not like that one bit. He had made his own progress with the Amazon, but he was not convinced he had actually gained any ground relative to Herb.
I should do something, Ranma thought, deciding to end his training for the time being and headed into the house. After getting a drink of water, he headed to the common room and watched the remainder of a sparring session between Kasumi and Genma. It might just work, Ranma continued to ponder as he watched. Guess I won't know till I try, he thought as Kasumi and Genma broke for the day.
"Rippa already head home?" Kasumi asked as she sat down at the table, while Genma headed off for the bath.
"Yeah," Ranma answered, taking a seat opposite her. "I wonder how Shampoo's training is going?"
"Hmm," Kasumi mumbled as her appearance hardened slightly, causing Ranma to smile in amusement.
"You don't need to worry, Kasumi. She isn't interested in Shampoo anymore."
Kasumi started, then sighed. "Is it really that obvious?" she asked, but did not wait for a reply. "I'm beginning to believe Cologne may have been right, that there may have been some longer lasting side effects from all that happened."
"Maybe, but a little jealousy is kinda natural. I wouldn't worry about it," Ranma replied, but changed topics. "Um, Kasumi, how would... do you... um..." Ranma hesitated before shaking his head and frowning at his own nervousness. "Would you like to go out? On a date I mean."
Kasumi blinked in surprise then considered. "I... Yes, I would like that, although I'd have to ask Shampoo-"
"Actually, I wanted her to come to, and Ukyo probably too" Ranma quickly amended. "I know it sounds crazy, but-"
"No. I think it is a good idea," Kasumi said, much to Ranma's surprise. "I'm not sure how Ukyo is going to take it, but I think I can convince Shampoo to come along. She's actually been talking a bit more about the matter lately, and about you."
"Really?" Ranma asked, still in some disbelief how easy it was going, and gained a nod from Kasumi. Any optimism he felt on the topic, however, was quickly doused when Herb, in female form, entered the room and sat down. The two exchanged glares.
"You think you can take Kasumi on a date?" Herb asked in challenge.
"Yeah I do," Ranma replied. "Don't be such a sore loser because I proposed it first."
"Now, now, you two," Kasumi cautioned with upraised hands.
"Don't worry, Kasumi," Herb replied, not breaking her look from Ranma.
"Yeah, we're not going to fight," Ranma likewise said. "Are we?"
"Of course not," Herb answered.
Kasumi could only smile nervously as the two continued their silent stare off. After a minute it was finally ended when Soun entered the room.
"Ah, Kasumi, Genma tells me you're back to your old self," her father said as he sat down, causing Herb and Ranma to find other things of interest to look at.
"Oh, yes father. I'm much better now."
Soun nodded in approval. "Good, good. And the restaurant?"
"It's nearly ready to reopen. Cologne was just going to finish some final interviews today for the remaining staff."
"Remaining staff?" Soun echoed in some confusion.
"Well, it is a lot larger than it was," Kasumi pointed out, just as Nodoka entered the room, laid out a tray with tea prepared and sat next to her. "Thank you, Aunty," she said before quickly turning back to her father. "It is a bit too much, even for us."
"Yes, yes, of course," Soun said. "That reminds me, I haven't really had a chance to fully see the place yet."
"You're welcome to come over at any time, father," Kasumi said with a smile.
Soun once more nodded. "Yes, perhaps I'll head over there this afternoon."
After tea, and Genma finishing his own bath, Kasumi cleaned up, and was preparing to leave when she found Nodoka waiting outside the bathroom. "Yes Aunty?"
"I'm curious. Have you told your father, yet, about your current relationship with Shampoo?" Nodoka asked.
Kasumi paused, and smiled nervously. "I was... getting around to it."
"I see."
"I'm sure he's probably figured it out by now," Kasumi said. "I mean, we were practically sleeping together over here, and Shampoo isn't exactly subtle."
"Yes," Nodoka said in mock agreement.
"He doesn't know, does he?"
"No. However, I suspect once he learns of your sleeping arrangements at home he's going to have many questions."
Kasumi laughed as her nervousness doubled. Maybe I can keep him away from the bedrooms, or simply not mention that Shampoo and I... Kasumi started plotting, but immediately knew any such deception would be painfully transparent with her attempting it.
"Well, you had best think about what you're going to tell him," Nodoka cautioned before heading off.
Kasumi pondered this for a minute before slowly making her way to the door. Had she not been so distracted, she might have noticed someone inadvertently eavesdropping on the conversation, then quickly retreating.
After Kasumi departed, Ranma stood on the outer walkway, thinking. Uncle Tendo isn't exactly the calmest sort, he thought. This could end up very messy.
"What you doing out here, boy," Genma suddenly appeared to ask.
Ranma jumped in surprise. "Geez, Pops, don't sneak up on me like that!" he complained before regaining his composure and a thought hit him. "Actually, Dad, let's talk."
XXXXX
Across town, at the girls' dorm, Makoto was gathered with Usagi, Ami and Minako, catching up on some back home work. However, she could not help but feel something was just a bit off with the situation and this was distracting her. After nearly an hour of trying to figure it out, she had finally reached a conclusion: it was Usagi.
It was subtle. She was still being her chatty, inattentive self, but not quite correct. Today, it seemed more like an act than her natural behavior. When she finally excused herself to go to the washroom, Makoto took the opportunity to get a second opinion.
"Do you think Usagi has been acting kinda weird?" Makoto asked, and to her surprise, without further clarification, both Ami and Minako nodded.
"Oh yeah, she's been like that all week," Minako replied, gaining a confirming nod from Ami. "It's probably to do with Seiya leaving."
Makoto nodded sadly. "Guess she's just trying to make out like nothing is wrong, but it's bugging her."
"That would seem to be a likely conclusion," Ami said. "However, so far she hasn't spoken on the matter."
Makoto thought on this. "Let's give her a few more days, and if she doesn't come around, we'll just have to ambush her and get her talking."
With a slightly amused smile, Minako nodded in agreement with the plan, and soon Ami did as well.
XXXXX
In the washroom, Usagi was washing her hands when she paused, and looked to the door. Secure that no one was entering, she turned to the mirror and spoke. "I think they are getting close to figuring me out."
In the mirror a new figure appeared, shadowed. "You shouldn't have to distract them much longer. The others will arrive in a little over a day."
"Good. I should be able to manage till then," Usagi replied. "About my request..."
"It has been granted. They will only be allowed to speak though. The decision still remains with us."
"I understand," Usagi said with a slight bow to the figure as she finished and dried her hands, the figure disappearing.
XXXXX
Walking together, Shampoo, Ranko, and Kasumi, who had met them at the dance hall, were heading to the San Cheng-Huang. Kasumi had already noticed a shift in Shampoo's demeanor. Being honest, part, although certainly not all, of the reason Kasumi had proceeded to the next level of their relationship had been as a distraction, and it had worked to some degree. However, Shampoo seemed that much brighter now. I wonder what happened? Kasumi pondered as they walked.
"You no have come with Shampoo next time," Shampoo said suddenly to Ranko.
"Oh forget it. I'm used to pushy... girls," Ranko said, verbally stumbling as she realized how open she was being.
"Oh, Kitsui is interested in you now, Ranko?" Kasumi asked.
Ranko nodded in annoyance. "Yeah. What's with that girl anyway?" she asked, but only received shrugs in reply.
Any further discussion on the topic came to an end when the restaurant came into view. To all three girls' surprise, they could see several dozen people in the restaurant.
"Aiyah, what Amazon do here?" Shampoo exclaimed at seeing the gathering.
"Those are other Amazons?" Kasumi asked to confirm, and Shampoo nodded. Taking a closer look herself, Kasumi noted that most were indeed female, although there were two males in the group as well. One girl in particular Kasumi did recognize, and she immediately winced. "That's... Tonic isn't it?" Kasumi said, pointing out the girl and Shampoo nodded in confirmation. "Oh dear."
"Who's Tonic?" Ranko asked.
"Oh... she's this girl..." Kasumi started to explain.
"Kasumi toss Tonic in water trough on wedding night," Shampoo said with a slightly amused smile.
Ranko shook her head, sharing the amusement, before asking the question all of them were thinking, "What are they all doing here?"
Shampoo shook her head, having no answer, and lead the way inside. Once inside, she looked around to see Siren already approaching. "Siren, what going on?"
"Just a bit of a gathering," Siren replied and looked to Ranko and Kasumi curiously. "From the messed up magic aura, I'm guessing you're Ranko, and you're Kasumi of course."
"And you must be elder Siren," Kasumi greeted, bowing.
"Just Siren if you please. I'm not on the council, and elder makes me feel old," she replied with grin. "As to what is going on, this lot here are the ones that have been observing you two."
"Really?" Kasumi asked in surprise, and peeked into the dining room to confirm the number of them. "I didn't think there would be so many."
"Yes, a bit of overkill if you ask me," Siren agreed as she too looked inside. "But, the good news is they won't be here much longer. They are all being recalled."
"Recalled?" Kasumi echoed in confusion. "Did we do something wrong?"
"No," Siren quickly replied. "But, the council has concluded that observing the situation is no longer necessary, or a good way to spend resources, or whatever. As soon as Frost is finished with the enchantment, they will be heading off," Siren explained. "Oh, speaking of which, some of the council is here as well. Cologne is speaking with them in private at the moment. They're here to observe as well."
"So, Frost is going to fix the Kaisuifu?" Kasumi asked.
"Yes, she has been cleared to proceed, which is something I should discuss with you," Siren answered. "You see, the enchantment of the Kaisuifu is rather advanced. In magus terms it is an eighth circle spell. It is the point where a magus is raised to the rank of arch-mage, like myself. That is not that dissimilar from graduating from university. Much like that event, it is a cause for gathering and celebration. Many other magi will wish to observe the final process, and they will need a place to gather. I was hoping we could use this restaurant for such."
"Gather?" Kasumi asked in confusion.
"They won't be staying here, although they may frequent the establishment. It is more a point to come to meet up. Of course, the choice is yours."
Kasumi considered for a moment. "There won't be any... excitement will there?"
"Excitement?" Siren repeated with a laugh, knowing exactly what Kasumi was hinting at. "Unlikely. Myself, the other arch-magi and the grand magus who comes to oversee the whole thing will see that it is kept peaceful, and I haven't heard of any such event getting messy."
"Grand magus? Who that?" Shampoo asked.
"It is magus rank immediately above arch-mage, signifying those who have completed eleventh circle spells or higher, essentially the most powerful magic users on the planet. They are the on the grand magus council, and all arch-magi report to them. Assuming Frost is successful, which I believe she will be, she will leave my instruction, and report instead to the grand magus that appears here. This grand magus will be the first to arrive and make final arrangements."
Kasumi once more considered, but nodded after only a few seconds. "I think that should be okay, so long as Shampoo and Makoto approve."
"Shampoo think is okay," Shampoo quickly added.
"Good, and Makoto?" Siren asked.
"She lives here and helps with the restaurant. She's over at the dormitory at the moment. I'll give her a call," Kasumi responded and headed off to the phone, but paused. "Oh, Siren, Shampoo-"
"Oh yes, the little matter of the spell on her. Cologne already told me. I'll take a look," Siren replied, gesturing Shampoo to follow her into the karaoke part of the building for some privacy.
A short time later, Kasumi returned to find Siren holding a mystical sphere like construct with symbols slowly spinning in circular patterns within. "Makoto said she would be okay with it," Kasumi said as she approached, looking at the sphere intently.
"Good, good, interesting isn't it," Siren said, showing the globe to Kasumi. "It is a model of the spell on Shampoo. It is a fairly simple one actually, only five circles, and no, it is not booby trapped."
Kasumi sighed in relief at hearing this. "That's good. So, you can remove it then?"
"Yes, but there is no point," Siren answered unexpectedly, confusing all gathered. "If I remove it, whoever put it on her would probably just do so again," she elaborated. "It has a distinctive design, undoubtedly the work of a natural magic user."
"What exactly is a natural magic user?" Ranko asked.
"Creatures of magic. They tend to form magical fields in a noticeably... organic way. Humans and other trained magic users tend to form more deliberate constructs. No, this is definitely the work of a natural magic user, which unfortunately means until we track down exactly what put the spell on her and why, very likely it will repeat the deed, or do something even more annoying," Siren explained, banishing the sphere. "I don't recognize this particular pattern, but fortunately, we have a large number of magi coming here. I'm sure one of them with recognize it and we can go discuss matters with this trouble maker."
Shampoo frowned. "Can no just see such creature?" she asked, anger clear in her tone.
"Unlikely," Siren said with a shake of her head. "In a big city like this, any such creature would undoubtedly be disguised as a human or in some other similar manner. Without knowing exactly what we're looking for, we are not likely to find it." Looking over at Shampoo, Siren smiled. "Besides, I don't think this creature meant you any harm, Shampoo. Any creature with this kind of power could have been a lot more direct if that had been its intent."
Shampoo reluctantly nodded, accepting the logic. "What happen now?" she asked after a moment.
"Now I send out a signal and the grand magus will show up whenever he or she feels like it..." Siren said with sigh and a smile. "Hopefully they'll be prompt. Hmm... there was something else..."
As Siren tried to recall, Shampoo noted two spirits approaching the room. She looked over and cringed at seeing them. Noting this, Siren also turned to look. "Ah, of course. Shampoo your parents are here too."
XXXXX
End Chapter 44
Quick little note. Some might be wondering why no one has figured out what Kogane wants when in the anime it was fairly quick. Well, Kasumi was originally the one to put them on the right track. However, in this world, having grown up elsewhere, she isn't familiar with the tale that is the inspiration of the song.
Next time in A Scary Thought: the San Cheng Huang plays host to a number of new visitors.
For those a bit confused on the crossovers: Usagi, Rei, Minako, Makoto, Ami, Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru, Setsuna, Luna, and Artemis are all from Sailor Moon. Kitsune has her ties to the X-files, but only in that she's a fanatic of similar interests rather than appearing in said show. Saki and Sampei are from Sukeban Deka. You may also notice Frost borrowing a spell from here or there; in particular Gargoyles and Illusionaries are two prime targets. Speaking of Gargoyles, if you're a fan of the series you may have already figured this out, but La Bac is Cabal spelt backwards. Also Gen-U-Tech is also a business from Gargoyles. Does that mean this is a Gargoyles cross over? Haven't decided, could just be me stealing ideas ^_^. Anyway, besides that we have Chun Li, Rose, Shadow Lady, Shadow, Gill and the previously shown Karin and Sakura which come from Street Fighter series (Rose, Karin and Sakura from Street Fighter Alpha 3, Shadow and Shadow Lady from Marvel vs Capcom, Chun Li from much of the Street Fighter series, and now Gill from Street Fighter III). As for Ranko, well she's from my other major fanfic, Most Unlikely of Friends, although you can largely consider her standard Ranma trapped in female form for most purposes. And lastly comes dear old Siren who is from Dreiser's story 'Black Rose Blue Thunder'. I won't be using her much but she fits a temporary need. Our newest cameos are Miku, Neru and Haku. Miku is an official vocaloid character (the first I believe), and Neru and Haku are fan-made vocaloid characters although they have been officially recognized by the company that owns vocaloid, making them semi-official I guess. I encountered them on the net while searching for various dances for a little inspiration so I figured I'd work them in for the dance match. Probably won't see them past this chapter though.
I'm so far behind on my websites that I don't even feel they're worth mentioning anymore. If you do head there, consider them seriously out of date, and essentially dead.
Well, that concludes things for this chapter. Later.