Steel Hearts

Chapter Three:

Refinement

Disclaimer: No, I still don't own Ranma ½, and only the original characters, whom may, or may not appear in this fiction, are mine. Are you actually reading this? Seriously? Don't you have a guild to pester, or some random digital village to raid, instead of reading disclaimers? Seriously, just jump ahead here. You're still here? If you don't skip to the story here I'm going to fill in some space with random statements full of inanity. Okay, you asked for it! I'm just gonna take this time to comment about the blah, blah blah blah blah? Blah blah blah blah! Blah blah blah…

Much to Akane's (outward) disappointment (and internal relief), Kasumi had assured her that there was no date going on, or in the planning stage. She went on to inform Akane that whether or not such events were or were not in the works was the sole business of her and whomever it may or may not be that she was or was not planning said events with, thankyouverymuch.

In short, she told Akane to step off and mind her own business.

Akane was more than a little rattled at this, and got even more so when Nabiki joined in and began double-teaming her alongside Kasumi.

She was informed, in no uncertain terms, that while her so-called protection was sweet, it was not only unwarranted, it was unwanted and unnecessary. They were both mature, grown women in command of their facilities and able to make decisions for themselves with regard to who it was they wanted to do whatever with.

"But Kasumi, Nabiki," Akane protested, the world really is full of perverts, and they could-"

"What they could do, Akane," Nabiki cut in, "is the exact same thing they could do whether or not you're there. They could pull a gun on us, they could gang up on us, any number of things, and your presence, reputation, or 'declaration of protection' won't matter in the slightest then. Truthfully, not even Ranma could prevent anything from happening if they had a gun. Even he's not bullet-proof."

"Nabiki's right, Akane." Ranma went on. "I'm not invulnerable and I can't dodge bullets yet, so I'd only be able to stop the average thug or would-be molester. As fast as I am, bullets are still faster. You're good, Akane, make no mistake. And against a normal thug or the average drunk you're great. But you can't be everywhere, and you can't stop your sisters from living their lives. Otherwise, they end up like me."

THAT got all three girl's attention.

"What do you mean, Ranma-baby?" Nabiki asked.

"All my life, right up to the time we arrived here, and even most of that, my life was the martial arts. It was all I knew, all I understood, and all I lived for. It was only recently that I figured out that it was because that was all I was allowed to know. Any and everything else was a distraction from the martial arts; school, friends, girls, family, all of it. And then we get here, and after almost two years, I began to see that there was something outside the martial arts, something better."

"Oh, my, what was it, Ranma-kun?" Kasumi asked, as entranced by his explanation as her sisters were.

"Life, Kasumi. Life is better than martial arts, but infinitely more complicated. Life isn't just living, it's planning, loving, being loved, caring and nurturing; whether a child, a garden, or a career. Life is so much better than martial arts, and I missed out on it for almost eighteen years. By forcing them into your ideas of proper and right, Akane, you deprive them of the chance to live their own lives."

Akane looked a little disturbed at the thought, while Nabiki was finding herself growing even more smitten with this new, more intellectual Ranma. Kasumi, for her part, was simply beaming at the way Ranma handled the situation.

"Call it food for thought, Akane." Ranma continued, "At any rate, Nabiki and I still need to go over the photos for the calendar and decide which ones to use. Nabiki, shall we?" and in a somewhat grandiose gesture, he offered the middle Tendo his arm, which she gigglingly looped hers through, and escorted her inside.

"You know, Akane," Kasumi began, "Ranma is correct. Your anti-male attitude is the reason for a lot of trouble we have. Granted, Kuno-san has done a lot to promote it, but Nabiki and I haven't really done much to fix it either."

"What do you mean, Kasumi? All boys are perverts, and the only reason Ranma MIGHT not be is his curse!"

"Akane, it is perfectly natural for boys to be interested in girls, and vice-versa, but you've been the target of a delusional moron's obsession, and it's altered what you perceive as right. You NEED to let go of the anger and realize that while, yes, the boys DO want to get into you panties-"

"SEE! YOU JUST SAID IT!" Akane interrupted.

"They're not going to force it on you. Also, think about things from their perspective. You're a very cute girl who's all sweetness and light until they manage to work up the nerve to ask you out, and then it's violent maniac time. So, it's no wonder that all of the boy's are after you, you're a challenge, and boys are very, very competitive at this age. Not only that, but have you ever even thought of accepting a date? No, because you think that as soon as you touch his hand, he's going to attack you, and force himself on you."

Akane looked like she'd been slapped. Kasumi moved in for the kill.

"YOU are half of the problem here, Akane, and you know it. Don't let Kuno and Father's idiocies keep you from a happy and loved life, Akane."

Kasumi turned on her toe and walked inside, leaving Akane where she stood.

Akane's whole point of view had taken a severe beating today, and it left her feeling confused and a little afraid. To her perspective, her sister's had just decided to turn on her and attack one of her founding viewpoints, being that all boys of a certain age group were perverts and needed to be beaten down in order to keep herself safe.

However, Kasumi, whom Akane knew to be a virtual paragon of honesty and propriety, had just told her that while it was not her fault that the boy's were interested in her like that, it was her fault they became obsessed. This, of course shocked the little princess more than she cared to admit. If Kasumi, of all people, was stating that something was her fault, than what else might actually be her fault? The fighting with Ranma, maybe? Some of the chaos at the school? What else, then?

While Akane was lost in introspection, Nabiki and Ranma were reviewing the photos for the calendar and idly chatting about plans and hopes. In short, being normal teenagers.

Shocking, isn't it?

"Okay, the red racing bikini for June, and that blue one what looked like a spider web for July, which do you think for August, Nabs?" Ranma said.

Nabiki, for her part, was still drooling over the photos. There were a combination of factors for this, one of which being greed (the calendar would make them a fortune!), another of which being lust (Ranma was a total hottie in both forms), and the third being the fact that her door was locked and said hottie was currently half-draped along her backside with a hand making little circles on her tailbone.

"Mmmm…" she said, relishing in the feelings Ranma was evoking from her body, "August? I think the violet ring-topped bikini, with the jade green tankini for September…" The feelings were getting stronger, as well as the vague sense of hunger for the young man on and behind her.

"Yeah," he agreed, "the orange and black tiger-striped one-piece for October and the red and white candy-striped one for December, but what about November?" He squirmed a little while talking; thoroughly enjoying the feeling of Nabiki's toned body beneath him, and savoring the scent of her hair.

The discussion went on for a few moments longer before they decided that it was a good place to stop for the night. Besides, temptation was growing and an angry tomboy could come charging through the door at any moment. Before they parted for the night, however, Nabiki decided that one more risk was to be ventured, and looked at Ranma, now standing by the door and adjusting himself for modesty.

"Ranma-baby, would you be upset if I came to visit your room before I went to bed?"

Ranma was a little surprised, to be honest. His surprise swiftly melted into a warm, caring smile and he shook his head in the negative.

"I would love that, Nabs. Just be careful, I think that the Panda might try and slip away from Mom's tonight, and Kami only know when Akane might decide to bust down my door. See you soon, sweety." And with that he unlocked her door and stepped out, right into a fuming Akane.

"Sweety? And just what were you planning with my sister, Ranma? Something perverted, no doubt!" she snarled.

Ranma stared at her with cool, almost frosted glare.

"What Nabiki and I were discussing was a way to improve the finances of this home, something you have yet to attempt. As for what I called her, that is between her and myself, and is no concern of yours. Also, since when is it acceptable behavior to eavesdrop on other people's conversations, Akane?"

Akane stared at him for a moment, before giving in to the rage and attempting to "correct" his behavior via her mallet.

Attempted, because as soon as she grabbed it, so did Ranma, and the very short tug-of-war that ensued left her sitting on the floor with the shattered remains of her mallet in front of her.

"I told you that I wasn't putting up with your nonsense anymore, Akane. Maybe this will remind you. Oh, by the way, you have four days remaining." And he went into his room and shut the door.

After a few deep breaths, and some silent thanks to his mother for "kidnapping" his father for the night, Ranma turned his attention to his purchase from the Bazaar a few days previous. The simple box sat, shining slightly in the moon's glow, almost inviting him to unravel its secrets. The youth lifted the box and shook it slightly, hearing the slightly muffled sound of a few small items shifting inside.

'Well, whatever it is, there's more than one of it.' He thought.

Ranma studied the faces of the box, searching with a critical eye for any hidden seams, buttons, panels, etc, anything at all that might give a clue as to how to open the box. He finally held the box on both hands, by the ends, when the top simply popped open, slightly startling him.

Ranma peered inside the box and found something amazing. The inside was lined with thickly padded velvet, colored a rich midnight blue. Nestled within the velvet were four ampoules of a shimmery green liquid, a small book bound in leather, and four small heart-shaped bits of metal. Curiosity rose within him, and Ranma reached out for the book.

When he opened it, the letters of the pages swam for a moment before re-forming into a somewhat archaic form of Japanese writing.

Herein, though shalt find the methodology by which one might craft a Poppet. Harken ye unto these words, and be ever-mindful of this fact: Thine Poppet is as a child, and must be taught as such, lest the power within overwhelm it and turn thine creation against ye!

This, of course, knocked Ranma for a loop! The old guy at the Bazaar was true to his word, after all! He really could "make" a friend! A split second later, Ranma chuckled to himself at his unwitting pun. Intrigued, and more than a little eager, Ranma read on, and felt a flush embarrassment moments later.

To begin, though must first acquire a clear glass container large enough for both the solution, and the heart thou shalt utilize. Upon obtaining this vessel, thou must empty the contents of one ampoule, and no more than one, into the vessel and mix into it a measure of pure water. More than that, and the solution shalt be too thin, and without enough the solution shalt be thick as porridge. Into the solution shalt thee then add a sampling of all thine fluids, save excrement, and stir the solution widdershins for a slow counting of five.

The text continued on, and Ranma valiantly tried not to think about what the instructions meant by "all his fluids, save excrement". If it meant what he thought it did, than he was about to have a cold-water experience after "handling his business", as it were.

However, this was obviously magic, and no magic had ever been good to Ranma. However, the chance to make a real friend was too good to pass up, and if magic had to be involved, than that was simply the price he'd have to pay.

A soft tapping on his door broke Ranma from his reverie, and drew his attention to the door.

"Yeah?" he called out softly.

"It's me, can I come in?" Nabiki's voice floated over to him.

"Just a sec!" he replied, standing and moving to unlock and open the door. There Nabiki stood; the oversized and long-sleeved shirt she wore to bed draped upon her frame and hanging off one shoulder, enticingly. She smiled up at him, her expression both shy and coy somehow.

"I just wanted to stop in and say goodnight before turning in, Ranma-baby." She said

Ranma smiled at her and stepped to the side of the door, inviting her inside. Nabiki cast a casual glance around and noted the lack of decorations in the room, and then her gaze fell on the box, and its contents.

"What's that, Ranma?" she asked, curiosity peaked.

Ranma briefly explained the box, it's origins, and what he had read, nervously tugging on his pigtailed-braid and blushing when speaking about the "fluids" he was required to mix in. Nabiki was blushing slightly as well, though her wonderfully analytical mind was already deciphering what it meant.

"Yeah, Ranma-baby, I think it does mean what you're thinking. Bodily fluids usually refer to sweat, tears, saliva, blood, and… um… reproductive fluids. If it doesn't specify it, then I think it probably means for both of your forms as well."

Ranma, by this time, was almost as red as his shirt by this time, as was Nabiki, and both of them found the floor incredibly interesting.

"Umm…" Nabiki began, "Does the book say why you need the fluids?"

Ranma glanced up and cleared his throat before responding.

"Yeah, it says it's to link the Poppet's control to the maker, in this case I'm guessing me. Although, the book mentions that it's like a kid and needs to be taught things, like how to behave and right from wrong, I'm guessing."

Nabiki was intrigued.

"Does the book say what will happen if more than one person adds their… fluids… to the mix?" she asked.

"Hmm… Let me check…" Ranma replied. He sat down on the floor and gestured to his lap for Nabiki to sit in before picking up the book. Nabiki, not one to miss out on some prime beefcake-cuddling time, quickly took his invitation and made herself comfortable against on his lap and against his chest and waited for him to find the relevant information. Ranma, while scanning the book and deciphering the archaic script, found himself rather distracted by the scent of Nabiki's hair and had to forcibly remind himself that no matter how much they might want to, neither of them were ready and there were still several days left before Akane's time limit expired. Further attempts to distract his self were halted as his eyes found the information requested.

"Here it is," he began, "it says: should more than one individual contribute their bodily fluids to the mixture, the Poppet's visage shalt reflect a mixture of the persons contributing. During the stage of infusion, should more than one individual contribute life-force, the Poppet shall defer to both individuals as a child to their elders. Guess it's like that store in the mall, only we're building a child instead. Or whatever the housing resembles, I guess."

Nabiki looked at him in confusion. "Housing?" she queried.

Ranma nodded. "Yeah, the book says that the heart absorbs the mixture when life-force is infused into it, and then needs to be placed in a facsimile, called the housing, in order to create the Poppet. Apparently, the housing has something to do with any abilities the Poppet might gain. Or so the book says, anyway." Ranma cleared his throat nervously. "At any rate, it's the 'bodily fluids' part that's throwing me off here, seeing as what all it involves."

Nabiki twisted around to regard him with an arch expression. "Is the great Ranma Saotome afraid of a little magic?" she teased.

Ranma smiled warmly at her. "Well, considering how my experiences with magic have gone, can you blame me? But no, The Great Ranma Saotome is not afraid of a little magic. What's got The Great Ranma Saotome nervous is the potential for a certain tomboy, or a random crazed suitor/rival/crazy person to bust in the door and interrupt the collection of said bodily fluids. Or interrupting the infusion process, or both, or destroying everything altogether! You know what my life is like, Nabs, and it's a foregone conclusion that someone or something will pop up and shoot everything straight to heck!"

She nodded with a touch of sadness, knowing how true his words were. She brightened up a moment later, having just had a deliciously naughty idea.

"Hang on for a sec, Ranma-Baby, I'll be right back." With that, she hopped up from his lap and dashed off. A few moments later, Nabiki returned with a clear glass mason jar. "Well collect our weat, saliva, and… um… 'happy juices' tonight, and worry about the blood and tears tomorrow, okay?"

Ranma nodded in a little bit of stunned amusement.

"How do you suggest we collect these 'happy juices', Nabiki?" he asked, a little nervously.

Nabiki blushed and fidgeted for a moment. "We'll just have to masturbate into the jar, in front of each other."

End chapter 3

Author's Notes: Not much action in this one, but it foreshadows what's going to happen in later chapters.