Author's Note: Dear God! Could it be?! A fanfic NOT for Kenshin?!!!!!! What is the world coming to?!!!
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In the Blood
By Silver Miko
Chapter 1: Return
Kuang-shi
A Chinese vampyre, caused by the demonic posession of a recently deceased corpse. Said to have
a terrifying apperance, as it matures it gains new skills with the older among them rumoured
to have the ability to fly.
Despite the slight breeze that wafted through the streets of Nerima, it was otherwise a stifling humid day that had Ukyo once more wiping sweat from her forehead as she flipped an okonomiyaki onto a plate and handed it to Ranma.
"Here ya go Ran-chan. Sheesh it's really a hot one today." she mumbled, tightening her ponytail more securely as she watched Ranma bite into his food.
"You're telling me! Pops and Tendo-san have practically permanently moved to the public pool until this heat wave ends."
"You got AC over at the dojo?" she asked, pouring more batter onto the grill.
"In the girls' rooms there is. I pretty much had to bribe Akane to let me crash on her floor until the weather is more tolerable."
"Aa...I see." Ukyo said softly, and went to make more batter.
Despite that they weren't sixteen anymore, and she had finally gotten over her love for Ranma, it was none-the-less a sore subject. It wasn't until she had turned nineteen that she finally opened her eyes and saw reality: Ranma would only ever see her as his best buddy, and that he despite protest, really did love Akane. But love blinds a person and she had spent three years denying it.
She was surprisingly glad she had gotten over him, something that made her feel slightly mortified with embarrassment. Looking back on her foolish behavior she winced. Now they were all twenty-one and Akane and Ranma were really and honestly engaged at their own will. The wedding was in six months and Ukyo was looking forward to it. Since having matured, she and Akane had gotten to be much better friends and Ukyo even watched out for Akane when it came to Shampoo and Kodachi. The two still hadn't given up on Ranma, though Ukyo had a sneaking suspicion that Shampoo's affections were waning as Mousse had finally earned enough money for contact lenses. Kodachi being a Kuno however, was persistent as always.
It seemed like things had become both more calm and more hectic in the past five years. Ranma and Akane were getting married, Kasumi and Tofu-sensei were dating, Ryoga was wandering somewhere probably lost, and even most oddly enough: Kuno and Nabiki were dating.
It was probably as big of a shock as Akane and Ranma's impeding nuptials as Kuno and Nabiki were well known to be some what of enemies. Kuno had always verbally stated his dislike for the middle Tendo sister and she was known to manipulate frequently. When both began college at Toudai however, things changed. Kuno's interest in Akane and the pigtail girl seemed to lessen as he and Nabiki spent more time together. Nabiki had toned down her mastermind scheming and money-grubbing ways and actually found herself liking Kuno more and more. The rest was inevitable.
"Say Ran-chan, you think Ryoga-kun's fairing well in this weather? Last time I heard, he was in China looking for Jusenkyo and said it was hot there as well. Though he said in his postcard he was coming home...though that was last month."
Ranma put his chopsticks down and arched an eyebrow.
"You two seem to really keep in touch a lot, eh?"
"Well since he doesn't have anywhere to live but a tent I let him stay here. I keep in touch so I know when to get room ready for him. Also, he's like my third best friend next to you and Akane."
"That's true. How is the porkchop handling the news about the wedding?"
Ukyo sighed.
"I think he's still moping a lot. He still has feelings for Akane and you two, while having vastly improved on not breaking things when near, are still somewhat rivals in his eyes. I'm sure he'll get over it soon enough. If not I'll just try to find him some other girl."
"What about you?"
"Me?" she said blinking, and Ranma didn't miss the blush on her cheeks.
"Yeah you. Since you're over me, why not be a pal and give good ol bacon boy a whirl."
"You must be joking, Ran-chan!!! Ryoga is completely not my type!!!" she said, whacking his hand with a small spatula.
"Ow! I was kidding!!"
"ANYWAYS....I got to make sure Shampoo and that gymnastic twit don't ruin things for Akane."
"Oh, don't worry about Kodachi. I pulled a favor with Nabiki and she convinced Kuno to persuade Kodachi to go on this semester at sea thing. She agreed somehow and I really don't want to know why."
"Ah...so how much you owe Nabiki?"
"20,000 yen."
"Wow! She went discount on you!!!"
"She said it was a 'family discount'. Kuno's got his work cut out with her, but as long as he's out of my hair too, whatever."
Ukyo laughed and brushed her bangs behind her ears.
"Whatever, this better be a good wedding since I'm wearing a dress for it."
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The lone figure walked slowly down the sidewalk, eyes obscured by sunglasses as his long black coat flailed. People stared at him, wondering why anyone would wear a coat in this weather. He merely ignored them, his mind focused on other things.
He could smell the okonomiyaki from Uc-chan's down the street and smirked. She would welcome and shelter him, never suspecting any change in him and that was the first step in his plan.
He was going to have Tendo Akane as his own, one way or another. Grinning, a slight hint of fangs were shown and he continued down to Ukyo's restaurant until he was at the doorway and walked in, his eyes narrowing as he saw Ranma seated at a stool.
Ukyo looked up, her eyes widening.
"Ryoga-kun?!"
She ran from behind the counter and gave him a friendly hug, which he returned as he took off his glasses and looked down at her.
"What's up, Ukyo-chan?"
"Nothing! Why didn't you tell me you were going to be here today?" she asked, her hand then tugging on his coat.
"Ryoga-kun, it's a thousand degrees out, why are you wearing a coat?"
"I dunno. Felt like it." he replied calmly and smirked in bemusement as she frowned.
"Hey Ryoga, welcome home." Ranma said, waving from his stool and Ryoga merely nodded, a cold glint in his brown eyes.
"Ranma..." Ryoga said, walking towards him and then shook his hands. "Congratulations."
Ranma nodded tensely.
"Thanks."
And pulled his hand away. Ryoga's skin felt cold and for some reason that bothered Ranma, Ryoga gave him the chills.
"Ryoga-kun! SIT! I want to hear all about China!"
He obliged Ukyo, as she began whipping up Ryoga's favorite okonomiyaki. She always made a habit of learning as many faves as she could of her customers. As she moved her hands in the familiar motions she averted her gaze up every now and then as Ryoga talked about visiting the Forbidden City and seeing the Great Wall. Flipping the okonomiyaki onto a plate, she pushed it towards Ryoga who accepted and ate it slowly.
"Eating so slowly? Did you eat poorly in your travels?" Ranma asked as he finished his meal.
"More like a change of diet."
"Don't tell me you're going all monk on us, pig boy. Though it would give you an excuse to be spared from Akane's poison."
"I never minded her cooking much." Ryoga said, with an almost cold tone.
"Riight. Well it was good catching up. Thanks for the food Ukyo-chan!"
"No problem, Ran-chan! Catch ya later!"
"Bye you two."
As Ryoga ate, Ranma made hand motions silently that Ukyo complete understood.
'Go for Ryoga!'
Rolling her eyes, she cleaned up her grill and set her spatulas down. Grabbing some cold coffee from the fridge, she gulped it down and sighed.
"Heat getting to you Ukyo-chan?" Ryoga asked.
"Of course. I still don't see how it's not bugging you."
"I don't really feel it."
"I see. Well, I'm going to quickly fix you up a room so guard the fort for me and I'll be back in a few."
"Yes, mistress." he said with a teasing smirk, which really through Ukyo off. Usually he argued or begrudgingly agreed. But to comply in such a way...
"You know, you're different somehow. More confident. China must've been good to you."
He merely smiled in a strange, detached manner.
"It was somewhat life-changing."
She snorted.
"Did you become Buddhist for real?"
"Not at all. I'm still quite carnivorous." he said with a small grin.
It almost gave her shivers.
'Get a grip! It's Ryoga for God' sake. He's the most harmless person you know!!! Well...next to Kasumi-san.'
She took a breath and spun on heels, walking up the stairs and towards the extra room she had, pulling out the black blanket and pillows and went to work making up a bed for him.
Walking to the window, she threw the curtains open and her eyes fluttered at the sunlight pouring in. Despite the humidity, it really was a bright and happy looking day. Reaching up, she pulled off her elastic and let her long brown hair fly free. She didn't like how uncomfortably sweaty she felt and so she came to a decision.
Jogging down the stairs, she went to the door and put up the closed sign and gave Ryoga a quick smile.
"Closing early! Let's go out and do something since you're back. Honestly, I'd rather not be cooped up behind this grill in this weather too."
"Sounds good to me. But you have to wear a dress."
"Excuse me? I don't even ow.."
"Yes you do. You have a red velvet dress."
Ukyo's eyes widened.
"How did you know about that?"
"Laundry duty. Saw your closet."
Ukyo blushed.
"You know my secret, now you must die." she said jokingly, but faltered at the serious look on his face.
"I have." he said softly, closing his eyes and in that moment he almost looked it. He seemed so pale...
He smiled softly.
"Just kidding."
Ukyo smacked him on the arm and ran back upstairs to take a shower. From the restaurant Ryoga could hear the water of the shower running as he closed his eyes. He could almost picture Ukyo's lithe form under the water, having over the past years seen her accidentally naked on a few occasions. Accidental nudity seemed rather common in Nerima.
He could faintly smell her ginger shampoo and sighed. Ukyo always used ginger shampoo, and Akane used floral shampoo. For some reason he always found the ginger more appealing.
In the past, if he had ever stumbled upon a clothing deficient Ukyo, he would of blushed or suffered a nosebleed. But now...he felt a strange desire to see every inch of her pale flesh...to taste it.
He loved Akane yes, but he wasn't blind to the fact that Ukyo did have a more desirable figure. A certain beauty that wasn't delicate like Akari or tough like Akane. It was a warm, strong beauty. And whereas in the past he might have denied it bashfully, he now found it quite appealing.
His lips curled into an almost evil smirk.
She would be the key to his plans...and perhaps sate the hunger that was growing inside of him the minute he stepped foot back in Japan. Yes, she would look so perfect in that velvet dress. She would put her hair up in some casual style, wear perhaps simple earrings, maybe some make up.
She wasn't one to dressing up, but when she did...it was wonderful. He remembered when she had dressed more feminine in high school, to catch Ranma's eye. He was such a waste of her affections.
He got up and walked up the stairs to his room, wincing at the sunlight. Stalking over to the window, he yanked the curtains shut and looked over to the corner where Ukyo had put his bags. He grabbed it and put it on his bed, taking out his clothes and looking for the right outfit.
"Ryoga-kun, where do you want to go tonight?" Ukyo said, appearing in the doorway wearing a green robe and patting her hair dry with a towel.
"I was thinking a club...then maybe a bite to eat."
"Sounds good." she said and continued walking to her room.
Something Ryoga quickly got adjusted to was that Ukyo was a normal girl despite her attitude. Meaning she tended to run around in robes or towels sometimes and quickly they had get over modesty.
After years of staying with her on again and off again, they had a comfortable routine so he no longer was shy around her.
Peeling off his clothes, his cool skin seemed slightly paler...a more muted tan. Pulling on leather pants and a tight sleeveless faded black shirt that had the words 'Bite Me' on it. He took off his black and yellow bandanna and set it down.
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"Ranma, what's with you? You've been acting weird since you came back from Ukyo-chan's." Akane prodded, furrowing her brows at him as they sat together on the back porch drinking tea.
"It's nothing, Akane. Oh, Ryoga's back."
"Oh? I'm sure I'll run into him eventually. Is that why you're acting so odd?"
"No...I'm just having an off day I guess." he murmured back, blowing at his tea.
He didn't want to admit that he had been shaken. That Ryoga of all people, someone he'd defeated many times in combat, had chilled him so much.
'What the hell happened in China? It's like he's a different person. Darn, I hope he didn't get put under some strange spell.'
"Ranma...RANMA!!"
"Ah, what?"
Akane scowled.
"Nevermind." she muttered and he could of sworn he heard her mutter 'baka'.
"You're such a.."
"If you even say it..."
"Cute tomboy."
Akane smiled.
"You're still a baka."
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As they walked into the dim club, Ukyo looked around and blinked. She looked at Ryoga, who put his arm around her waist and led her down to the dance floor.
"I didn't know you liked places like this." she yelled over the music.
"I didn't, but I started getting fond of them in my travels."
"Oh." she muttered, and fidgeted with her dress. She had done so on the walk over and Ryoga sighed.
"You look fine. In fact, I should make you wear dresses more often." he whispered into her ear.
She blushed and softly pushed him away.
"You're being so strange. What happened to you?"
"Hmm, I guess you could say I woke up to being a new person. Does my behavior bother you?" he asked, cocking his head to the side in a manner that Ukyo couldn't help but find sexy. It also didn't hurt that he was dressed as he was.
"Umm....I'll let you know." she muttered back, feeling her face flush.
At that he had to smile. If he didn't know any better, he'd almost think she was flirting.
"You know what I think?" he said.
"What?"
"I think I want to do dance with you."
"Ok."
She took his hand as they made their way through the sweating, dancing bodies and towards the middle as the lighting changed to red.
My knife it's sharp and chrome
Come see inside my bones
All of the fiends are on the block
I'm the new king
I taste the queen
In here we are all anemic
Ryoga pulled Ukyo close to him and enjoyed the startled look on her face. He began moving to the music and leading her as soon enough she loosened up. Soon enough she put her arms on his shoulders as they grinded to the music.
In here anemic and sweet
So go get your knife
And come in
So go get your knife
And lay down
So go get your knife now kiss me
I can float here forever
In this room we can't touch
The floor in here
We're all anemic
In here anemic and sweet so
She would be his.
It was all for Akane.
The lights turns to blue and violet as a slower song started. He supposed Ukyo had grown more comfortable with their closeness when she wrapped her arms around his neck. He heard her exhale softly and was quite thankful that there was always a relative comfortableness between them. He needed that. Needed to play upon that...but then again, he didn't trust anyone else with this part of his plan.
I get all...numb
When she sings it's over
Such a strange numb
And it brings my knees to the earth
"Ryoga...I think I kind of like you when you're not being so...bashful." she confessed softly.
"Hmmm..but I was never Ranma right?"
"No. No you aren't. But hey we're friends right? Anyways, he's always with Akane these days so I never...oh. Ouch, sorry. Sore subject."
"Hmm.. It's ok. I'm working on it."
"Well, forget Ranma and Akane. They aren't here so let's not let them ruin our fun, sugar."
"Shu-gur?"
"It's a...ah nevermind."
And God bless you all
For the song you saved us...
You're the same...numb
When you sing it's over
Such a strange numb
It could bring back peace to the earth
Ukyo never noticed that he had slowly led them towards the wall until she felt the brick against her back. She gasped and looked up at him as he stepped closer towards her and put one hand against the wall next to her head.
"Mmm...you really look very...tasty."
So God bless you all
For the song you saved us...oh...
For the hearts you break, everytime you moan...
"Ryo..." She couldn't finish as his lips slammed against hers in a hard but seductive
caress. He could feel her gasps dying as soon she responded, lips moving with his as she felt
his tongue delve into her mouth causing her to moan.
I get all...numb
We're the same numb
And it brings our knees to the earth
His lips trailed away from her mouth to her cheek, jaw, down her neck....until he
pressed wet, hot kisses against her pulse while his other hand moved down her hip and under
the hem of her dress and up her thigh which made her moans grow louder.
So God bless you all
For the song you saved us..oh...
For the hearts you break, everytime you moan
And God bless you all on the earth...
And then suddenly something pierced through the skin of her neck and she felt a
sting...then warmth throughout her body....every spun around her and the last thing she saw
was Ryoga lift his head away from her and lick a drop of blood off his lips as his fanged
smile.