Oh, boy..
I mentioned with the last installment that I was going to start focussing on the girls of the Ranmaverse as Kaguya's creations slowly (and, of course, inadvertently) reveal themselves for what they are. It looks like that's gonna haveta happen in another chapter, if it happens at all. I haveta confess, I have no idea where this thing's taking me anymore (although that's getting to
be a common occurance, ne?).
Anyway, I wanna thank those of you that have been patient enough to keep up with what's been going on, and interested (or should that be concerned?) enough to offer suggestions. I'd say you know who you are, but so much time has passed since the last installment that that's not always guaranteed.
***
A Ranma 1/2 fan fiction by Ukyou Kuonji
Ranma 1/2 and all characters therein are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, et al.
Rei Rei and all characters therein are the creations and property of Toshimitsu Shimizu, et al.
As usual, all characters are used without permission.
You know the drill.
***
Hikaru Gosunkugi emerged from the thicket of willows tentatively, yet triumphantly. Somehow, he knew that this time, his plans and magic had worked to perfection. He had gotten a whole lock of Ranma's hair -- directly from him, no less! -- and that should have served well to increase the efficacy of the spell. Ranma Saotome, by all rights, should be no more.
As he reached the courtyard where some of the other students were eating lunch, he stopped dead in his tracks. So how come that accursed fool is still here? And flirting with Akane, no less?
He dashed back to the willow grove. Sure enough, the effigy was still there, nailed to the mightiest tree. But as he looked over his shoulder, it was undeniable that Saotome was no worse off for the curse he had hoped to place upon him.
"Goddam voodoo doesn't bloody WORK!!" he growled as he yanked the straw man from the trunk of the tree. With all of his none-too-impressive might, he hurled it in the direction of the forest
preserve behind the school.
As the voodoo doll reached the apex of its arc, there was a glint of silver in the sun as the needle that had been nailed into it slipped out...
***
The goddess Kaguya started slightly as she heard footsteps approaching. She hadn't summoned Pipi, and although she was aware of her manservant's sixth sense of her needs, she could think of nothing that she was lacking, no call for his services that came to mind. All at once, a chill swept over her; much like the one she had felt as she and her manservant had approached Nerima. Unfinished business, perhaps?
The footsteps continued their approach. They were lighter, yet firmer, that Pipi's. Who else could possibly have found this place?
A figure emerged from the hallway shadows into the goddess' chamber. "Where am I, and what am I doing here?"
*****
RANMA 5/2, book three
FRAYING AT THE EDGES
*****
Muu-Muu-chan looked up from the soaking wet cot he was standing on, into the face of what was *supposed* to be his beloved Shampoo. His was the dubious distinction of being the first to understand -- more or less -- what was going on.
His real Shampoo would not sit by his bedside, wondering what had happened to him, worrying whether he would be all right. She would never run into his arms, as he had dreamed of, and then still be beside him when he awoke.
And most importantly at the moment, she would know by now to get him some hot water and turn him back into a human.
Obviously, what he had on his hands was an imposter. That goddess, or missionary, or whatever she was, had created a marvellous duplicate of Shampoo, but it was clearly not really her.
Oh well...
Pushing away the bucket that had been perched jauntily on his head, Muu-Muu-chan quacked loudly to get shin-Shampoo's attention. He succeeded in getting her attention, as well at that of every conscious person in the infirmary: a beaming Akari, a still-groggy Ryoga, and a perplexed shin-Ranma-chan standing by Kuno's bedside.
Akari aimed her smile at shin-Shampoo. "You might want to pour some hot water on him," she said, gesturing toward a shelf upon which a teakettle rested.
Shin-Shampoo blinked at Akari's strange suggestion, but dutifully reached for the teakettle, and filled it from the tap with hot water. Once the kettle was filled, she slowly drizzled the water on the duck, who had by now fluttered to the ground next to the cot. To no one's surprise save her own (and shin-Ranma-chan's), Mousse proceeded to stand up facing her. In more ways than one.
"Aiyah!" she exclaimed in delight, and proceeded to doff her own cheongsam to match his nakedness. She leapt into his arms, straddling his member. Unprepared for her reaction, Mousse lost his balance and fell backwards onto the cot.
***
Akari's eyes widened at the exchange unfolding before her. She was aware of Shampoo's reputation of being overly affectionate, but this was far more than she'd ever known her to do. And with Mousse? Whoa. Once again, she could feel that warm, itchy sensation building up between her legs. She turned to face Ryoga...
...who, fortunately for him, had maintained consciousness as he watched shin-Shampoo strip. Akari's smile took on a rueful aspect as she noted the blood seeping from Ryoga's nose. She stood up and pulled the curtain closed around Mousse's cot. "In any case, Ryoga-sama..." Ryoga blinked, sat up, and wiped his nose with one of his bandannas. His eyes bugged in amazement as Akari began to unbutton her blouse, very slowly. "...why watch *her*? I'm here for you." He could hear the squeaking of the cot behind the curtain, and suddenly, it struck him as a very good idea indeed...
Now, if only he could do something about this nosebleed...
***
Mousse heard the shk-k-k of the curtain around him and... whoever this girl was... being drawn, and was grateful. Somehow, he felt as if he were betraying his Shampoo by letting this girl seduce him. He didn't relish the idea of the real Shampoo showing up and seeing this...
On the other hand, the real Shampoo wouldn't care what he did with this girl. And this girl seemed so much like Shampoo that it really wasn't like he was being unfaithful, was it?
On the other hand, maybe it would bother Shampoo to see how happy this girl was, as she tended to him. Maybe she would see how good things could be for her with him.
On the other hand... ohhh...
The blood rushed away from his brain as shin-Shampoo began her ministrations in earnest. This was no time to be thinking. This was a time to just enjoy the sensation.
***
Somewhere in the ether, Kaguya forced herself to ignore the pleasant warmth emanating from the two lovers in order to concentrate on the young man that had entered her chambers. She was, after all, most unaccustomed to visitors. Dealing with people was something she always thought she did extremely well. But never on her home turf. After all, what mortal could penetrate the ethereal realm, anyway?
She decided to use the direct method to find out. "Who are you?"
The young man shrugged. "I'm Ranma Saotome, fiance of Akane Tendo." Uh-oh.
Well, that explained how he could be here. Her magical creation had for some reason returned to her. "How did you get here?"
Another shrug, and a look of how-should-I-know from the phantom. "I was wandering around inside the school when all at once, everything goes black. Next thing I know, I'm in the hallway outside your room. Say, did you know this Ranma fellow's got *male* admirers, too?"
Kaguya blinked. Somehow, she wasn't prepared for that one. It suddenly struck her that the jealous rages of Ranma's four antagonists might be for completely different reasons that she suspected. Maybe her creation could enlighten her. She waved her hand over her head, and shimmering images of Kuno, Ryoga, Mousse and Tsubasa filled the air around her. "Male admirers? Any of these boys, perhaps?"
Shin-Ranma hesitated before pointing at Tsubasa. "Uh... that one's a girl, ma'am." The goddess shook her head. "No? You're kiddin'." He turned his attention back to the images. "Nope. None of these guys. He was shorter, baggy-eyed, and kinda..."
Kaguya held up her hand to silence her creation. She stood up, and the images faded. Placing her hands on shin-Ranma's temples, she conjured up the image of... Gosunkugi. Shin-Ranma's eyes
widened in amazement.
"Yeah, that's the kid. He asked me for a lock of my hair."
Kaguya's eyes narrowed. "A lock of your hair? And you gave it to him?"
"Well... yeah." shin-Ranma's face was a mask of confusion. "Did I do something wrong?"
***
As had become his afternoon ritual, Sasuke was in the courtyard of the Kuno estate, hanging his straw bedding out to dry. He shook his head dejectedly. As a ninja, Sasuke was eminently capable of waking up at the slightest sound, should the need arise. So why couldn't he wake himself up when he needed to use the toilet?
The hairs on the back of his neck began to rise as he heard the laughter, and it grew louder as Kodachi, as yet unseen within the compound, approached.
Oh, no... she was still here; she hadn't left for school. He cursed inwardly. Not that it was a surprise to discover her truancy; after what he'd seen in the monitor, it was more of a surprise that she was even bothering to go out of her bedroom.
No matter; Sasuke always dreaded dealing with Kodachi. Between her inevitably unreasonable demands on him and her blackmailing him regarding... he looked at his drying bedding... he just wished that someday she would just go away for good. He had hoped to fob her off onto Ranma Saotome (despite his master's distaste of the young martial artist) just to get her out of his minimal hair. And now that they were together, it was apparent that the ninja was not losing a headache, so much as gaining a master-in-law. Still, he brightened somewhat as he considered the possibility of his mistress in a rare good mood.
Actually, she didn't look all that different from any other day she decided to play hooky. Always dressed in a proper apron, looking the proper hausfrau. Always with that not-so-proper smirk on her face. "Well, well, well... still watering the lawn, are we, Sasuke?" Whatever else could be said about her, it was clear that getting laid did not improve her disposition toward him. Well, then... might as well repay her in the same coin, ne?
"Mistress..." Sasuke began, but was waved off.
"Worry not, my little man. I have not come to order you to go and ensnare my darling Ranma. All your feeble attempts thus far have failed in any case." She mada a beckoning motion toward the compound, and her shin-Ranma stepped into view. "As you can see, he had come to me on his own. He has tasted of my womanly arts to the utmost degree, and I believe he is here to stay." This actually came as no surprise to the little ninja, of course, but as long as Kodachi was unaware of his spying upon her, the less said about it, the better. Indeed, it would be wise for him to act surprised at it all.
Sasuke sighed inwardly. There went his hopes of blackmailing his mistress in return. He decided to reach for a straw: "Y-young Saotome? Here? B-but... what would Master Tatewaki say of this? You *know* of his hatred for the boy! What if he were to find out?"
That hair-raising laughter spang forth from her lips once again. "Ah, Sasuke, do you not remember? Brother dear long ago gave his blessing to our union." She pinched her smile off momentarily. "He has ulterior motive, I know. Something to do with the Tendo girl and that pig-tailed wench. But..." the smile returned, and so did the laugh. "I have my Ranma-sama, and he is satisfied. What care I for more?" She wrapped her arms around shin-Ranma's waist and together they wandered back into the compound.
***
Ranma was still confused at the reactions of the three girls around him; why was Akane still lookin' at him all moon-eyed, anyway? For that matter, Yuka and Sayuri were staring at him, too. What was the deal here?
"Uh... Akane... you feeling all right?"
If there was any confusion behind those eyes at his surprisingly uncertain reaction, it was drowned out by her pleasant smile, the one he never could ague with, the one that even he had to admit she looked cute wearing. "Everything's perfect, Ranma. I'm fine."
Out of the corner of his eye, Ranma noticed a yellow shift enter his line of vision. Miss Hinako! Dammit! She was *still* following him. Well, he'd asked for it, hadn't he? Just because he had been proven blameless for this morning's altercation didn't mean something else might not happen. He was convinced that whatever might occur, it wasn't likely to be his fault, but it looked as if Ms. Ninomiya was insistent upon proving that to herself. It looked like he'd better behave.
***
"You can stop following us, Teach."
"That's Miss Hinako to you, buster." The little girl pointed an accusing finger at him, but she was smiling all the same.
"Oh... so you're in a good mood now, ne?"
She shrugged. "I figured as long as I'd been shadowing you all day, I might as well pay a visit to my dear Soun-sama!" Her voice rose to almost a squeak by the time she mentioned Mr. Tendo's name.
For the first time all day, Akane showed a measure of irritation. "Will you stop calling my Dad 'Soun-sama!' And he's *not* yours... don't you forget it!"
"Hey, calm down, Akane. It's not like she's about to marry him or nothin'. Your dad's a big boy these days, and Miss Hinako's..." he turned to look at her, "well, most of the time, anyway, she's a big girl. Anyway, they're both adults. If they wanna go out together and have some fun, what harm?"
***
Itsu mo,
Ucchan ^_^
I mentioned with the last installment that I was going to start focussing on the girls of the Ranmaverse as Kaguya's creations slowly (and, of course, inadvertently) reveal themselves for what they are. It looks like that's gonna haveta happen in another chapter, if it happens at all. I haveta confess, I have no idea where this thing's taking me anymore (although that's getting to
be a common occurance, ne?).
Anyway, I wanna thank those of you that have been patient enough to keep up with what's been going on, and interested (or should that be concerned?) enough to offer suggestions. I'd say you know who you are, but so much time has passed since the last installment that that's not always guaranteed.
***
A Ranma 1/2 fan fiction by Ukyou Kuonji
Ranma 1/2 and all characters therein are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, et al.
Rei Rei and all characters therein are the creations and property of Toshimitsu Shimizu, et al.
As usual, all characters are used without permission.
You know the drill.
***
Hikaru Gosunkugi emerged from the thicket of willows tentatively, yet triumphantly. Somehow, he knew that this time, his plans and magic had worked to perfection. He had gotten a whole lock of Ranma's hair -- directly from him, no less! -- and that should have served well to increase the efficacy of the spell. Ranma Saotome, by all rights, should be no more.
As he reached the courtyard where some of the other students were eating lunch, he stopped dead in his tracks. So how come that accursed fool is still here? And flirting with Akane, no less?
He dashed back to the willow grove. Sure enough, the effigy was still there, nailed to the mightiest tree. But as he looked over his shoulder, it was undeniable that Saotome was no worse off for the curse he had hoped to place upon him.
"Goddam voodoo doesn't bloody WORK!!" he growled as he yanked the straw man from the trunk of the tree. With all of his none-too-impressive might, he hurled it in the direction of the forest
preserve behind the school.
As the voodoo doll reached the apex of its arc, there was a glint of silver in the sun as the needle that had been nailed into it slipped out...
***
The goddess Kaguya started slightly as she heard footsteps approaching. She hadn't summoned Pipi, and although she was aware of her manservant's sixth sense of her needs, she could think of nothing that she was lacking, no call for his services that came to mind. All at once, a chill swept over her; much like the one she had felt as she and her manservant had approached Nerima. Unfinished business, perhaps?
The footsteps continued their approach. They were lighter, yet firmer, that Pipi's. Who else could possibly have found this place?
A figure emerged from the hallway shadows into the goddess' chamber. "Where am I, and what am I doing here?"
*****
RANMA 5/2, book three
FRAYING AT THE EDGES
*****
Muu-Muu-chan looked up from the soaking wet cot he was standing on, into the face of what was *supposed* to be his beloved Shampoo. His was the dubious distinction of being the first to understand -- more or less -- what was going on.
His real Shampoo would not sit by his bedside, wondering what had happened to him, worrying whether he would be all right. She would never run into his arms, as he had dreamed of, and then still be beside him when he awoke.
And most importantly at the moment, she would know by now to get him some hot water and turn him back into a human.
Obviously, what he had on his hands was an imposter. That goddess, or missionary, or whatever she was, had created a marvellous duplicate of Shampoo, but it was clearly not really her.
Oh well...
Pushing away the bucket that had been perched jauntily on his head, Muu-Muu-chan quacked loudly to get shin-Shampoo's attention. He succeeded in getting her attention, as well at that of every conscious person in the infirmary: a beaming Akari, a still-groggy Ryoga, and a perplexed shin-Ranma-chan standing by Kuno's bedside.
Akari aimed her smile at shin-Shampoo. "You might want to pour some hot water on him," she said, gesturing toward a shelf upon which a teakettle rested.
Shin-Shampoo blinked at Akari's strange suggestion, but dutifully reached for the teakettle, and filled it from the tap with hot water. Once the kettle was filled, she slowly drizzled the water on the duck, who had by now fluttered to the ground next to the cot. To no one's surprise save her own (and shin-Ranma-chan's), Mousse proceeded to stand up facing her. In more ways than one.
"Aiyah!" she exclaimed in delight, and proceeded to doff her own cheongsam to match his nakedness. She leapt into his arms, straddling his member. Unprepared for her reaction, Mousse lost his balance and fell backwards onto the cot.
***
Akari's eyes widened at the exchange unfolding before her. She was aware of Shampoo's reputation of being overly affectionate, but this was far more than she'd ever known her to do. And with Mousse? Whoa. Once again, she could feel that warm, itchy sensation building up between her legs. She turned to face Ryoga...
...who, fortunately for him, had maintained consciousness as he watched shin-Shampoo strip. Akari's smile took on a rueful aspect as she noted the blood seeping from Ryoga's nose. She stood up and pulled the curtain closed around Mousse's cot. "In any case, Ryoga-sama..." Ryoga blinked, sat up, and wiped his nose with one of his bandannas. His eyes bugged in amazement as Akari began to unbutton her blouse, very slowly. "...why watch *her*? I'm here for you." He could hear the squeaking of the cot behind the curtain, and suddenly, it struck him as a very good idea indeed...
Now, if only he could do something about this nosebleed...
***
Mousse heard the shk-k-k of the curtain around him and... whoever this girl was... being drawn, and was grateful. Somehow, he felt as if he were betraying his Shampoo by letting this girl seduce him. He didn't relish the idea of the real Shampoo showing up and seeing this...
On the other hand, the real Shampoo wouldn't care what he did with this girl. And this girl seemed so much like Shampoo that it really wasn't like he was being unfaithful, was it?
On the other hand, maybe it would bother Shampoo to see how happy this girl was, as she tended to him. Maybe she would see how good things could be for her with him.
On the other hand... ohhh...
The blood rushed away from his brain as shin-Shampoo began her ministrations in earnest. This was no time to be thinking. This was a time to just enjoy the sensation.
***
Somewhere in the ether, Kaguya forced herself to ignore the pleasant warmth emanating from the two lovers in order to concentrate on the young man that had entered her chambers. She was, after all, most unaccustomed to visitors. Dealing with people was something she always thought she did extremely well. But never on her home turf. After all, what mortal could penetrate the ethereal realm, anyway?
She decided to use the direct method to find out. "Who are you?"
The young man shrugged. "I'm Ranma Saotome, fiance of Akane Tendo." Uh-oh.
Well, that explained how he could be here. Her magical creation had for some reason returned to her. "How did you get here?"
Another shrug, and a look of how-should-I-know from the phantom. "I was wandering around inside the school when all at once, everything goes black. Next thing I know, I'm in the hallway outside your room. Say, did you know this Ranma fellow's got *male* admirers, too?"
Kaguya blinked. Somehow, she wasn't prepared for that one. It suddenly struck her that the jealous rages of Ranma's four antagonists might be for completely different reasons that she suspected. Maybe her creation could enlighten her. She waved her hand over her head, and shimmering images of Kuno, Ryoga, Mousse and Tsubasa filled the air around her. "Male admirers? Any of these boys, perhaps?"
Shin-Ranma hesitated before pointing at Tsubasa. "Uh... that one's a girl, ma'am." The goddess shook her head. "No? You're kiddin'." He turned his attention back to the images. "Nope. None of these guys. He was shorter, baggy-eyed, and kinda..."
Kaguya held up her hand to silence her creation. She stood up, and the images faded. Placing her hands on shin-Ranma's temples, she conjured up the image of... Gosunkugi. Shin-Ranma's eyes
widened in amazement.
"Yeah, that's the kid. He asked me for a lock of my hair."
Kaguya's eyes narrowed. "A lock of your hair? And you gave it to him?"
"Well... yeah." shin-Ranma's face was a mask of confusion. "Did I do something wrong?"
***
As had become his afternoon ritual, Sasuke was in the courtyard of the Kuno estate, hanging his straw bedding out to dry. He shook his head dejectedly. As a ninja, Sasuke was eminently capable of waking up at the slightest sound, should the need arise. So why couldn't he wake himself up when he needed to use the toilet?
The hairs on the back of his neck began to rise as he heard the laughter, and it grew louder as Kodachi, as yet unseen within the compound, approached.
Oh, no... she was still here; she hadn't left for school. He cursed inwardly. Not that it was a surprise to discover her truancy; after what he'd seen in the monitor, it was more of a surprise that she was even bothering to go out of her bedroom.
No matter; Sasuke always dreaded dealing with Kodachi. Between her inevitably unreasonable demands on him and her blackmailing him regarding... he looked at his drying bedding... he just wished that someday she would just go away for good. He had hoped to fob her off onto Ranma Saotome (despite his master's distaste of the young martial artist) just to get her out of his minimal hair. And now that they were together, it was apparent that the ninja was not losing a headache, so much as gaining a master-in-law. Still, he brightened somewhat as he considered the possibility of his mistress in a rare good mood.
Actually, she didn't look all that different from any other day she decided to play hooky. Always dressed in a proper apron, looking the proper hausfrau. Always with that not-so-proper smirk on her face. "Well, well, well... still watering the lawn, are we, Sasuke?" Whatever else could be said about her, it was clear that getting laid did not improve her disposition toward him. Well, then... might as well repay her in the same coin, ne?
"Mistress..." Sasuke began, but was waved off.
"Worry not, my little man. I have not come to order you to go and ensnare my darling Ranma. All your feeble attempts thus far have failed in any case." She mada a beckoning motion toward the compound, and her shin-Ranma stepped into view. "As you can see, he had come to me on his own. He has tasted of my womanly arts to the utmost degree, and I believe he is here to stay." This actually came as no surprise to the little ninja, of course, but as long as Kodachi was unaware of his spying upon her, the less said about it, the better. Indeed, it would be wise for him to act surprised at it all.
Sasuke sighed inwardly. There went his hopes of blackmailing his mistress in return. He decided to reach for a straw: "Y-young Saotome? Here? B-but... what would Master Tatewaki say of this? You *know* of his hatred for the boy! What if he were to find out?"
That hair-raising laughter spang forth from her lips once again. "Ah, Sasuke, do you not remember? Brother dear long ago gave his blessing to our union." She pinched her smile off momentarily. "He has ulterior motive, I know. Something to do with the Tendo girl and that pig-tailed wench. But..." the smile returned, and so did the laugh. "I have my Ranma-sama, and he is satisfied. What care I for more?" She wrapped her arms around shin-Ranma's waist and together they wandered back into the compound.
***
Ranma was still confused at the reactions of the three girls around him; why was Akane still lookin' at him all moon-eyed, anyway? For that matter, Yuka and Sayuri were staring at him, too. What was the deal here?
"Uh... Akane... you feeling all right?"
If there was any confusion behind those eyes at his surprisingly uncertain reaction, it was drowned out by her pleasant smile, the one he never could ague with, the one that even he had to admit she looked cute wearing. "Everything's perfect, Ranma. I'm fine."
Out of the corner of his eye, Ranma noticed a yellow shift enter his line of vision. Miss Hinako! Dammit! She was *still* following him. Well, he'd asked for it, hadn't he? Just because he had been proven blameless for this morning's altercation didn't mean something else might not happen. He was convinced that whatever might occur, it wasn't likely to be his fault, but it looked as if Ms. Ninomiya was insistent upon proving that to herself. It looked like he'd better behave.
***
"You can stop following us, Teach."
"That's Miss Hinako to you, buster." The little girl pointed an accusing finger at him, but she was smiling all the same.
"Oh... so you're in a good mood now, ne?"
She shrugged. "I figured as long as I'd been shadowing you all day, I might as well pay a visit to my dear Soun-sama!" Her voice rose to almost a squeak by the time she mentioned Mr. Tendo's name.
For the first time all day, Akane showed a measure of irritation. "Will you stop calling my Dad 'Soun-sama!' And he's *not* yours... don't you forget it!"
"Hey, calm down, Akane. It's not like she's about to marry him or nothin'. Your dad's a big boy these days, and Miss Hinako's..." he turned to look at her, "well, most of the time, anyway, she's a big girl. Anyway, they're both adults. If they wanna go out together and have some fun, what harm?"
***
Itsu mo,
Ucchan ^_^