Ranma of St. Bacchus, Chapter 30

by Chaos Orchid

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When 'Ran' came out of the dressing room wearing "the last thing" Kodachi would pay for at Harajuku, (she) was rushed out of the store still wearing…

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Nabiki and the Two Pervs

The Black Rose saw a certain pig with a yellow bandana and ordered it be run over! And the limo did run over it. And, reversing, did it again. And still the undercarriage went over the little thing. Ordered to follow it, the ninja runt who could barely see past the steering wheel soon lost both the pig and his way…

CRASH. But 'Ran' had already jumped out of the limo's sunroof! (She) landed – squish, bounce, jiggle – without breaking (her) pump's heels, but both white stockings snapped loose from the bodysuit garters' rear clips. (She) started to reach under the hem of the cherry-and-leaves print dress. But decided to leave everything as they were for now. (She) ran (her) hands down to unwrinkle the green apron and dress as (she) casually walked away from the accident. "Let Kodachi explain things to the cops."

And she had to. First to the cop who had to leap out of his kōban, the officer's neighborhood office, just before she hit it. Second to the policewomen on traffic patrol. The awkwardly driven limousine didn't look like it belonged in the warren of one-lane streets barely wide enough room for it and a pedestrian. So typical of Japan.

And typical of these mazes, there were no street signs, no addresses. 'Ran' had no idea where (she) was. It was no comfort knowing even experienced taxi drivers could become confused. How (she) knew that, (she) didn't know.

And (she) didn't know if there were there maps in bus or train stations. Maybe (she) hadn't used them in her past life? Anyway, (she) didn't know how to find one, either.

Well, (her) body had outstanding skills; it would show (her) the way. Right?

As (she) surveyed the roofs, (she) reached under the dress with the loose (smock) folds and undid a stocking still in their clips. (She) lifted her foot out of its green pump and lifted (her) knee as (she) took the white stocking off. (She) brought (her) bare foot down onto the ground.

(She) didn't mind the concrete and grit on (her) sole. But (she) did mind the thought of failing a challenge. Even the one the Black Rose had given (her). Something about gowns and bodyguard wives. (A wife, (her)? The thought disturbed (her(?))!) But it did make some stupid sense to train to fight in the stupid shoes if women were stupidly expected to wear them. (She) wiped her foot and slipped it back into the shoe with the 7.5cm, 3" heel.

That didn't mean (she) had to wear long things that (she) couldn't count on staying in place. (She) slipped out of the second pump and raised her knee….

(Her) senses told (her) (she) was being watched.

Not just watched, but photographed. There at the end of the block was a bob-haired camerawoman in a red tie, yellow shirt, blue slacks and white sneakers.

And she wasn't alone, "How much are you going to charge for that, Nabiki?" The guy in white slacks and blue shirt was to her side. The slightly taller guy in jeans and red-gray sweater was to her side was looking over the girl's shoulder. But he was more interested in her bust.

"I thought you weren't interested in gravure, Hiroshi. This doesn't even qualify."

"But she's cute! Right, Daisuke?"

Daisuke went from Nabiki's rack to the redhead's. "A shortstack without pudge(!)"

He yelped and stumbled backwards when the object of his crude remark landed in front of them in one leap, her fists holding her stockings. Only the girl called Nabiki didn't react to the feat. 'Ran' said, "Can you tell me how to get to Kodaire?"

"You are far from home. This is Kabukichō. Agree to pose for me and I'll show you the way to the train to Kodaire."

"Pose?"

"Nothing too risque."

"Nothing she wouldn't have her sister show," Hiroshi smiled.

Nabiki frowned at him, "Enough. We don't need to tell a stranger our business. And, remember, if you tell Akane why we came here, you'll regret it. Do you understand me?" Apparently they did as looked thoroughly intimidated.

Turning on a saleswoman's charm, she said to the refugee from a bygone era, "I have been looking for a live model I can practice on."

"A model? Like in art class? Do you want me naturist, too?"

"Yes!" Daisuke cried out.

Hiroshi said softly, "Nabiki, you wouldn't let us get any nudie mag."

"Because lewd is not part of my agenda."

She turned to the French braided girl, "Ignore these perverts, uh…?"

" 'Ran', 'Yamada Ran'." Only then did (she) think to bow.

"I am Tendō Nabiki," she said politely, bowing to the proper degree.

"And I'm Daisuke…" , "...Hiroshi–" , "Perverts," their boss(?) interrupted. "That's all you need to know about them. Harmless and sometimes useful, but still perverts."

"We're not always perverts," Hiroshi said in a weak defense. "...or submissives," was Daisuke's.

"Okay," 'Ran' said. Pervert seemed to have little meaning to (her). "Show me the way to the train–

"Aw, man! I just thought – I don't have the money for it." And, of course, her stomach growled at that moment.

"And now you want me to pay your fare. You would owe me and I never lend money to somebody I can't get a return from. With interest. Where could I find you in Kodaire?"

"St. Hebereke."

"Kunō's sister's school(!)?"

"You know those two?" 'Ran' was now wary!

"Only by business. Kunō is in my class. I haven't been exactly introduced to Kodachi. My sister has, but seems to have forgotten."

"She has memory problems, too?" The redhead frowned. It was too suspicious that somebody else who knew the Black Rose forgot things. …Except there was a whole school and gymnastics team that didn't have that problem. Or were there others?

Hiroshi's lit up, "The golden ball worked! Nabiki wished for an unexpected score! That has to be Ran!"

Daisuke agreed, "I'm going back and win a wish! Then I can have a girlfriend like Ran!" Hiroshi joined him. "Maybe Ran!"

"What?" 'Ran' asked!

"You know the game where you show the receipt of something you've bought at a shopping street and have the chance to spin a cage to win with the golden ball?"

"No."

Nabiki put her hand on the shorter girl and walked her in the same direction, "How well do you know Kunō?"

"We're gonna have match at that school of his. Your school, I guess."

"Ah! You're another girl Kunō thinks could possibly defeat him. In that case, I'll give you the money to buy something so you can spin for good luck."

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Off to the side but still in the street of the nearby and almost hidden shopping street was an overweight man in a cheap suit, hat and tie. On his unfolded table was a "bingo" cage. There were about the same number of balls in it, but only one was painted gold. Hiroshi and Daisuke was already there, presenting the man with their receipts. They had each bought thick anthology manga from a nearby book shop. By their covers, they were hentai. The man accepted the proof of purchases and told them, "Spin the cage! If a number under ten drops into the catch, you win another chance to win! The gold ball will grant you a wish!"

"You believed that?" 'Ran' asked Nabiki.

"I didn't have to believe it. Look under his table. He sells shoulder bags and he had one that was perfect for my camera equipment. If you are buying something anyway, there is no reason not to play the game. You don't win but you also don't lose."

"A camera bag?" (she) saw none her shoulder was holding. And, come to think of it, (she) didn't see her camera, now.

"Here." She gave the cute and zaftig martial artist two ¥1,000 notes. "You'll pay me back by being my model."

"Why do I want a bag? I just wanna get back to the dorm."

"One thing at a time. I won't lend you that money until after you've modeled for me."

'Ran' was pushed forward. (Her) skirt swishing. (She) was disappointed (her) martial arts skills weren't activated. This Nabiki seemed to know where the borderline was.

While Daisuke won a respin with a 9 and then another, 9 again, 'Ran' thought about having a bag to lug about. But (she) had a memory of wanting to buy food and finding out the school uniform didn't have pockets. This dress, the little black dress, full gown and even the "Camo Chic" ensemble didn't have pockets. Having a purse when out of uniform may be a good idea. Purses would fit in with those kind of clothes Kodachi wanted (her) to wear. Another of the perfect bodyguard wives….

The thought of being more feminine turned (her) away from the man and his bags.

But (her) eyes fell on the many women around (her) with shoulder bags and handbags. (Her) stomach growled…and their Reservoir ki had her turn back. And put the money down, semi-decisively. Kodachi had called them accessories. Women liked their accessories! Kodachi just hadn't found the ones among the chūko shops she thought were fashionably right for 'Ran'.

But the man was certain he knew what her shoulder bag should be, "This is the perfect one for you, young lady!"

The "perfect" one was blue-green leather with a simple, silver-colored rim.

Feeling it was too feminine (even though not pink), (she) squatted down to look into the cardboard boxes of bags. (She) grabbed the one that seemed 'tomboy' to (her).

It wouldn't come out. And neither did the one next to it. Nor any from another box. (She) rose up to confront the man.

The salesman said, "I sell magic bags. They decide. This is the bag right for you, Fortunate Young Lady. Put it on and try it!"

"Magic?(!)" The word gave (her) bad feelings.

Nabiki, "This makes me more interested in you than before. Here," and she took the bag and placed it over the skitterish shortstack. "See? This is a crossbody bag. Its long strap goes around to the hip of the other side."

'Ran' didn't really like how the strap went over a boob to go between them, made more noticeable when it swung while (she) moved.

Of course, Hiroshi and Daisuke liked how it brought their attention to her top-tier assets.

"How is it magic?" Nabiki asked the salesman. "Is it like the one you sold me?" And she pulled a camera from out of the invisible bag. *Smirk* It startled the girl. Her model had obviously been too distracted to notice she had placed it back into her new cameraspace.

"Yes, indeed, Valued customer! It gives you the one category of items that you…and you, as well, Pretty Young Lady, will find most useful.

"Sorry, only one category to a customer."

Nabiki, "So? What would be most useful to you, Ran-san?" She was still holding her camera, ready to snap.

Despite (her) uncomfortableness with magic, (she) was still curious. What would (she) want to have with her? The hinged metal rims of the opening were magnetic. Pulling them apart, (she) reached in and pulled out –

Nabiki, "A bottle of water?"

Hiroshi and Daisuke, "Wet t-shirt!"

Nabiki, "Idiots. She's not wearing a t-shirt." Yet.

'Ran' blinked, confused. But only for a moment. (She) then smiled. Of course this was the most useful thing for her! If (she) could always get cold water from it, (she) wouldn't have to worry about being a boy!

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NOTES:

Genma was worried about Ranma escaping him – as he did in this story. He didn't want his star pupil to know how to find his own way. It helped that, as much as possible, Genma kept them out of places with train and bus maps. And if he couldn't? Distract the boy even more than usual!

Why was Nabiki with Hiroshi and Daisuke in a part of Greater Tokyo noted for its "adult-oriented" entertainments? Research. They were her advisors. If Ran(ma) hadn't shown up, Nabiki was preparing to have the unsuspecting Akane be Kunō's gravure idol. Now she had a stranger who seemed alright with being nude.

And, yes, they were all brought together by magic. Or a curse.