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The characters of the Ranma 1/2 universe are the creation and possession of the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi and her licensees (Shogakukan Inc., Kitty-Fuji TV, Viz Communications Inc.)
No copyright infringement is intended.
A sea of Furinkan uniform blue swept away under the lunchtime tide, occasionally breaking as flows separated toward the school lunch counters, vending machines, and outside freedom. One girl whom deftly maneuvered the rapids found herself envious of a certain martial artist who habitually took his quicker route. She would never call jumping from the third floor the easier route.
At the bottom of the stairs, she felt a hand brush her bottom. On her next step, she went up on the toes of her right foot and immediately spun to her left. Before the idiot boy realized what was happening, she captured his wrist in her right hand and twisted it away from his body, just as she had been taught. The boy let out a yelp while his eyes widened in panic.
"I- I- I-," the boy sputtered.
"Just what makes you think any girl appreciates being groped!?" Yuka exclaimed as she glared at him contemptuously.
The boy just sat there as the crowd around them snickered at his predicament.
Yuka opened her mouth to say something more, but drew a blank. Humiliation and anger raged within her. She just wasn't use to being in this type of situation. Finally, she shook her head at the pitiful boy and just walked off.
Once upon a time, Yuka despaired of ever finding a boyfriend as the boys were too afraid to approach her; now they felt they could just freely grope her in the halls. Just because she and Akane weren't talking, the boys seemed to think that meant open season. She may not hold the same interest in martial arts as Akane, but that didn't mean she hadn't learned a thing or two.
Speaking of Akane, Yuka thought something seemed off today between her and Ranma. Granted, it was only a day after that night, so she might have been reading more into it than there was, but she wasn't sure.
Yuka reached the main school yard and looked around for some place to eat. Her usual spot was out, because of how things were between Akane, Sayuri, and herself. She noticed that Akane and Sayuri seemed to be avoiding each other this morning, but she didn't know what to make of that.
Her life felt like it was turning into some manga story. She just wasn't sure which kind of manga yet. She could certainly sympathize with Akane more, she thought with a warily smile.
Ahead, she spotted Hiroshi with Ranma and Daisuke walking off somewhere. A large thump beat within her chest while her stomach twisted in to knots. After she caught her breath but before she thought her actions through, she ran to catch up, hoping join them for lunch.
= = = = = = = = = =
"Nabiki-sempai?" a timid voice broached into the said girl's lunch time discussions.
"Yes?" Nabiki said slowly, as she sized up the girl now standing before her.
The girl stood about average height and build. Like most girls, she wore little cute baubles from the obvious yet not too conspicuous locations of her school uniform. The usual attempt to set herself apart by copying everyone else. Nabiki noticed a smudge of red on her collar that others might have mistaken for some lured lesbian making-out, but the middle Tendou girl knew better. Myako, member of the acting club and the most gifted make-up artist in the school.
"Uh, I heard that you stopped selling pictures this morning," Myako said hesitantly.
"That's right," Nabiki answered then winced internally. She had forgotten about that.
"I thought we had a deal," Myako stated weakly.
"We did," Nabiki responded. "And still do."
"Sir?" Junko, the girl Nabiki was speaking with and trusted second, asked.
Nabiki took a deep breath, then slowly released it. She glanced around, despite knowing nobody dared approach them during lunch unless they needed something.
"Have a seat, Myako," Nabiki said.
Myako paled a little, but took the proffered seat.
Nabiki glanced at Junko, who immediately started watching for anyone who might approach, before turning her gaze fully on now very frightened girl.
"You came to me, because you trusted my judgement and ability to get what you wanted, right?" Nabiki asked.
Myako nodded.
"I know quality, as well as understand the market here. I know how much everyone would be willing to pay, and just how to get the most out of my products."
Nabiki paused.
"You have a very good product. Although, a full shot of Ranma in that white shirt would have paired very well with your close-ups.
Myako's eyes flickered away while Junko glanced curiously at Nabiki before returning to her vigil.
"So trust me when I say it is not in your best interests to sell these or any other photos right now," Nabiki concluded.
"Why?" Myako replied somewhat hotly, her unspoken accusation in her eyes.
Nabiki resented the implication that she wasn't being honest in her opinion.
"Before you go off on your own, you should know just what your getting yourself into," Nabiki replied, equally hotly.
"A threat?" Myako sneered, but quickly bit it back.
Nabiki ignored her and went on.
"First off, you're going to have to deal with Kunou before you can sale any of your pictures, or he'll go ballistic."
Myako blinked, that wasn't the response she expected from Nabiki.
"Second, after you sell, you'll have to put up with everyone of them when they come back for more, and trust me, they wont believe you if say you don't have any."
Nabiki leaned toward Myako.
"I hope you have some shots of Ranma's male side to appease the all his iinazuke. They wont like someone taking advantage of him, but you might survive if you have something to offer them, and they prefer his male side."
Nabiki watched as Myako became even whiter.
"Both Ranma and Akane know who took these pictures, right?"
Nabiki watched the girl's trapped-in-a-corner look until she was sure she had the girl's attention again.
"You heard about the fight the other night?" Nabiki asked.
Myako gave a blank look at the apparent change of subject.
"Ranma once stopped a boy named Kenji when he attempted to mug your mother," Nabiki stated.
"Yes," Myako said, still obviously off balance.
"He was there, along with several dozen of his friends."
"You're not saying..."
"No, but Ranma, Akane, and the others have helped a lot of people. Enough so, they sought to take it out on a certain pig-tailed girl."
Myako sat back while her eyes lost focus.
"Ranma was not alone," Nabiki stated, then paused while Myako asked the question with her eyes.
"He, or rather she, was escorting a couple of girls home that night."
Myako's eyes fluttered before she closed them. Opening them once again, she asked, "Was anyone hurt?"
Nabiki winced. She walked right into that question.
"The only ones that I know of that went to the hospital were those that deserved it," Nabiki stated.
"Now, while they may be tied up for a while, I don't think it would be appropriate to release your, or any other pictures at this time.
Myako nodded slowly.
"Those who don't know about Ranma's curse would just be more bothersome. Those that do know, and still ignore Ranma's ranting about being a guy, regardless of form would look at those pictures as proof that they were right all along."
Myako twitched.
Nabiki leaned back, purposely taking a less aggressive stance.
"What was more important to you: the money or your portfolio?"
Myako started incredulously at that question.
"My portfolio."
"Then I might have an alternative solution."
"Oh?"
= = = = = = = = = =
"Is sorry, but no can take order today," Shampoo repeated for the thirty-second time that day. "Is closed and no open again."
The young warrior closed her eyes while counting slowly to ten.
"Yes, is very-very sorry, but..."
Shampoo turned and slammed the phone down, cracking the handle but not quite breaking it.
Most of the callers had been polite and understanding, but she was at the end of her patience, and that jerk was neither.
Before the phone could ring again, she disconnected the cord. The Cat Cafe had closed their doors for the last time, so answering the phone didn't much matter anymore.
Listlessly, Shampoo walked over and sank down into one of the booths.
Upstairs, her great-grandmother was busy packing. Which is were she should have been, but the phone ringing had offered a distraction that she welcomed at first.
The proud teen cast a wondering gaze across empty the room.
Over by the door, memories of greeting Ranma danced across her vision: herself pressed against his warm strong chest; his tight muscles flexing silkily against her embracing arms; his hot breath flowing across her ear and neck; Akane standing behind them, glowering with jealousy.
A shiver of pleasure worked its way up until she was shaking her head against the memory.
She took a deep calming breath, then wiped away a tear. She couldn't do that anymore. Ranma was beyond her reach, but that didn't stop her heart from aching.
She turned her thoughts back to home. She missed the stars and clean air. She missed her friends and the fun times. Soon, she would she the forests and mountains that she grew-up with, but not just yet.
Her thoughts turned back to Akane, her one time rival. She could not leave now. There was too much she needed to do.
"Shampoo, catch."
Shampoo startled out of her thoughts and obediently caught the small object.
"It's called a soul stone," Cologne said in answer to her great-granddaughter's questioning look.
"What it do?" Shampoo asked while examining the small tear shaped object.
At the wide end, a bright violet seemed to flow across the stone blending into a light blue.
"Hmm, just like your mother, I see," Cologne replied teasingly as she gazed at the stone.
"What mean? Shampoo no understand," Shampoo replied.
"The two colors represent your parents. If you had been intimate with anyone, it would have disrupted the pattern," Cologne explained.
Shampoo blinked then blushed.
"Oh," Shampoo stated. "What great-grandmother need with stone?"
"With that stone, I can prove ancestry," Cologne said.
"Shampoo thought great-grandmother already believe ai- Ranma," Shampoo replied as she closed her fingers around the stone.
"I know the boy, but the rest of the council does not. Besides, you never know how such knowledge could come in handy," Cologne said, as she pogoed over Shampoo.
"Great-grandmother know who father is?" Shampoo asked. She could feel the apprehension and anger flow from her, but couldn't keep it out of her voice.
"I have a thought, as do you,' Cologne stated, locking eyes with Shampoo. "But no, I don't know. And without proof, neither do you."
Shampoo nodded.
"Ranma did not give a description when Mousse was listening, and I did not ask."
"Why?" Shampoo returned.
"This is a delicate situation, and you know that. If it is who we think it is..."
"Then Shampoo..." Shampoo interjected.
"Will do nothing," Cologne finished for her.