Disclaimer: Ranma ½ and all it’s characters and quoted events are property of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz video. This story is intended for free distribution amongst its fans.

 

 

Hip-Hop Streets

Chapter Three

By Michael Fetter

 

 

 

      His smile had affected her since the first day they had met. Ranma was cocky, arrogant, chauvinistic, and perverted, but every time he sent her one of those lop-sided grins of his it made her legs wanted to crumble like brittle paper.

      Outside of the house, draped in the low light of the porch, Akane felt warmest in his arms, staring into blue wild eyes, like a raging sea that swept her away.

      The taste of Ranma’s lips lingered a bit longer than their kiss and Akane ran her tongue over her own lips. Somewhere in their embrace she had been pulled against his body, her arms wrapped about his waist. There had been many times in the clubs where she found herself in the same position, but now it felt different. They truly were the only ones around and the only heat was that that they shared together.

      “I guess some boys aren’t so bad.” Akane whispered as though she were intoxicated by a fine wine with hands running through her hair. “The ones who turn into real men later.”

      Ranma-kun smirked and dragged his fingers through the loose blue locks of Akane’s hair. She had the scent of sweat, strawberries, and fresh suede leather. He felt her body tense beneath his hands, but was not irritation as would so often turn to rage. Her breath quickened, their bodies remained locked in place, as anticipation surged through the other’s veins.

      “We just had to see beyond appearances, Akane.” Ranma whispered back.

      He was so right. Akane felt embarrassment for her younger self that did not have the privilege to know this wonderful man. How many times had she simply looked at a boy and proclaimed him a pervert? Some became the perverts, sectioned with the hentai crowd at school, but was that their destiny or had she created them? And vice-versa; how many of those same boys saw Akane, not the challenge made by Kuno? Was she in love just because Kuno was trying to form the appearance? No.

      “Kiss me again, Ranma.” Akane breathed, her lips brushing his as she spoke. His head descended upon her again. This longer embrace made her feel bold; Akane pressed her tongue between his and explored the ridges of his mouth.

      Akane closed her eyes to focus on the sensation. Slippery and hot, sensual and overlaying some great bridge that had formed suddenly in her life. It was unexpected and wonderful at the same time. Where did she go from here, Akane wondered.

      “Are ya gonna invite me up?”

      The pleasant feelings were quickly washed away by the whimsical voice that rose an octave too high to be male. Ranma-chan smirked at Akane’s shocked look and pressed her greater bust against Akane. She could feel the redhead’s nipples harden as the adorable face closed in on her mouth again.

      “Wha-What?!” Akane lost her grip and fell backwards onto the porch, bouncing once off her butt.

      Ranma-chan looked a bit surprised as well and watched Akane in confusion for a moment until a thought occurred to her. The cute look fell apart to be replaced with an angry scowl. Ranma’s eyes burned with a light that made Akane think of a jungle predator stalking its prey. She could only stare back like a dear caught in the headlights of an oncoming train.

 

~

 

      They were some of the worst dreams she’d had in a long time. Nabiki had been deluding herself to believing that she could do no wrong. What Ranma did was not kind, but it was necessary. Something no one else could have done. Ripping the shutters of house from the very foundation let in a painful glare from the sun and she had cowered. Nabiki Tendou had never felt so small before.

      Thoughts came like a cold upon her body, weakening a her carefully laid barriers that set her apart from the others, the thing that burned cold. Layers of ice yet remained, but a door had been opened she’d not thought of in a long time. As much as she had abused her sisters, Nabiki found she had been slowly burying herself alive in the ice. Her head was barely above the frost as it was, but she wanted to change; she just needed some help.

      Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Who said that, Nabiki had wondered as her semi-lucid eyes sparkled against the fire from her waste basket. A certain mercenary persona was working against her this time. It showed her memories of shady deals, back stabs, and far-reaching racketeering schemes of the past. Nothing to topple governments, but an impressive workload for a little girl fighting off the depression her mother’s loss had created.

      Ask nothing you are not prepared to do yourself. Revenge was a time old tactic, but when it came as a result of karma the pain is a bit closer to home. This was not revenge if you looked at it as a balance of powers. Nabiki could have so much good luck in business, but even she had to pay the piper sometime.

      Rumpled clothes and the lingering smell of burning eurythane, Nabiki had eventually wandered out of her room. The hall rolled on its heels to pitch her back and forth along the floor. This would be harder if she still had tears to shed. When Nabiki came upon the duck nailed to Akane’s room she could feel her knees weakening and a grip about her heart that warned her she may not be welcome any longer.

 

~

 

      The world returned to her with a fog over her mind. The nights were becoming shorter she thought as she sought to regain control of her body. Akane’s muscles still sang of the soreness from the first night out, but it was getting easier, that or she was going numb.

      “Oh.” Was her first, depressing sound of the morning. Memories were returning to her and she wondered if she had done the right thing. Ranma had kissed her, and it had been nice, but when she realized what she had done things became muddled.

      After they had kissed, Akane had looked down into the eyes of the little girl in her arms to wonder why she felt so wonderful. Could it be love? Ranma was nice, but they had only known each other a few days. Of course, if her father had his way they might already be married. Still it was too soon to get those kinds of feelings for someone, especially for Akane whose hatred for boys ran rather deep.

      “This night doesn’t have to end yet, Spunky.” Ranma-chan told her in a husky voice that vibrated where Akane and she touched.

      Akane had smiled and looked down on the girl with half-lidded eyes then rested her head on Ranma’s shoulder. It took another moment before Akane could piece together what she had been told. She wished she hadn’t later.

      A fist connected and Ranma-chan was thrown into the street followed by a scream of “Pervert!”

      Akane shook, hands balled, and let herself into the house and quickly found her bedroom. She was still breathing hard when light footfalls paced unsteadily outside her door before turning away quickly.

      A clock on her desk ticked away the seconds as Akane’s anger bled away to leave her feeling cold all over again. Under the covers, her legs pulled in closely, Akane wondered how she could feel so cold. Ranma had been so warm.

      Sighing again, Akane opened her eyes slowly to see daylight calling her to the world again.

      “Oh.”

      Something felt very strange all of a sudden.

      “Who-?” Akane reached down beneath her covers and came upon someone’s arm draped across her stomach and something larger, their head, falling just beneath her breasts. Dark images of Ranma sneaking into her room late at night and taking advantage of her helped her blood pressure rise.

      Baring her teeth and balling up a fist, Akane clenched an edge of the blankets. “Ranma.” She growled and flung the covers aside.

      Nabiki shifted in her sleep, nuzzling her face, unconsciously, further into Akane’s cleavage. This was certainly not the comfiest of pillows, she groaned before snoring softly.

      Wide-eyed, Akane could not cope with what she was seeing at the moment. She’d expected Ranma (not an entirely unpleasant idea given this new possibility) or some perverted boy that didn’t change sexes with water. Maybe she was still asleep, Akane wondered blissfully and tried to fall asleep again.

      When Akane tried to wake up again, Nabiki was still there, hanging onto her waist and resting her head between Akane’s breasts.

 

~

 

      “EEEYAHH!”

      Genma was so startled he missed fending off Ranma’s next attack and fell to the water. His son was always so tired in the mornings that fights were usually one sided, but not like this. Upset, Genma growfed from his position in the koi pond and held up a sign. ‘What was that?’

      Sneering, Ranma-chan, still dripping from previous dunkings, wiped some of the pond water from her face, dragging a few strands of red hair from her face. “Who the fuck cares, oyagi?”

      ‘That might’ve been Akane. Shouldn’t you go check?’

      Ranma-chan didn’t see; she was already at the door entrance and heading for the guest room to pick up some clothes before heading for the furo.

 

~

 

      Sitting up in her bed Akane stared at her older sister, blushing beet red and staring at her knees. She was confused, of course, after all it wasn’t every day you woke up with your sister in your bed.

      Suddenly uncomfortable with the clothing she was wearing, Akane fidgeted and tried to make sure the buttons of her top were held securely. “So, uh, what are you doing in here?” Akane really wanted to believe her sister had some good reason and not what she was thinking.

      Nabiki felt stupid for a lot of reasons; she had been weak and she hated being weak. Breathing deeply, she tried to banish the embarrassment and return to normal. When she was ready, Nabiki looked up to stare her sister in the eyes, ready with a smart remark to hide her blunder. The words fell dead in her lips before they could be uttered.

      Akane shifted uneasily again. Nabiki was crying and it was the strangest thing she’d seen in a long time. The Ice Queen could cry after all. It softened Akane up enough to help her reach for Nabiki’s arm and ask the right questions.

      “I . . I’m sorry, Akane.” Nabiki sobbed into Akane’s shoulder. Her grip was almost uncomfortably tight, but Akane kept quiet, still unused to the emotional display.

      After a few minutes, the crying dried up and Nabiki just held her. Akane started to fidget again, thoughts of the way she had discovered her sister returning. “You should go get dressed before we’re late for school, Nabiki.”

      Nabiki nodded and wiped the back of her hand over her eyes.

      Concerned, Akane followed Nabiki out. The hallway smelled of breakfast that was waiting for them downstairs. They were probably running late already and Ranma and Genma were no doubt devouring everything. Akane sighed as she thought of Ranma, but pushed it aside for now.

      “Room is a bit of a mess.” Nabiki admitted.

      Akane turned at the words and found the door open and the room upturned. She had to wipe at the air as a layer of smoke rested over the room like a morning mist. The bed was untouched, but the drawers to Nabiki’s desk were emptied and lying on the ground with scattered pieces of paper and pens. Near the door was a trash can filled with soot. A ring at the carpet left a crop circle impression when the pail was moved out of the way.

      Akane watched Nabiki shuffle into the room and head for the closet to pull out an outfit and return to her side. She jumped when her sister’s arm closed about her own. Swallowing, Akane led them out of the room, headed for the furo.

 

~

 

      The furo door slid open.

      Ranma raised an eyebrow as he watched two naked girls with only a towel walk into the room. “You trying to apologize?” he asked with a jocular smile.

      “R-R-Ranma!” Akane attempted to cover herself with the towel, but it was hard with Nabiki holding onto her, unresponsive. Worried, Akane checked on her sister then followed Nabiki’s gaze back to . . Her cheeks burned red. Ranma really had no modesty, guy or girl.

      Sputtering back to life, Akane balled up her fists and glared at the pigtailed boy. “What the hell do you think you’re doing in here, you pervert!”

      “I left the occupied sign up.” Ranma continued to dress, unmindful of Nabiki’s rapt attention. “Didn’t you see it?”

      “I, uh, wasn’t thinking straight I guess.” Akane admitted then looked scornfully at her sister.

      Nodding to Nabiki, Ranma smirked. “An interestin’ choice a words, Spunky.” He continued passed the two, now dressed in pants and Chinese shirt. “You gonna apologize or what?”

      Anger returning, Akane found a handy bucket to throw. “And why should I apologize to a hentai like you?!”

      Batting away the bucket, Ranma scowled and turned. “Fine, have it that way then.” He left the room with some parting words. “There are plenty of fish in the sea.”

 

~

 

      “Ranma, where is Akane and Nabiki?” Soun asked behind a cup of tea Kasumi had set before him.

      Snorting, Ranma-kun let a careless remark slip. “Who cares what the tomboy does with her sister. I ain’t one ta judge.”

      The two fathers sat in confusion as Ranma continued out of the room. Kasumi seemed to come to the conclusion her father eventually did and covered her mouth in surprise.

      Blinking, Soun suddenly jumped to his feet and rushed up the stairs, intent on stopping this sinful behavior. What would Kimiko think if she were still alive?!

      “I never thought Nabiki was like that.” Said Kasumi absently as she wiped up the tea her father had dropped in his haste.

      “At least there is no real problem.” Genma spoke; Kasumi just stared at him bewildered. “My son has odd tastes as well.”

      For some reason that comment had filled Kasumi with dread and she rushed after her father.

      From around the corner Ranma smirked, pleased with his quick work, and left for school with a bit more bounce in his step.

 

~

 

      “All right Ranma. I guess we’re even now.” Akane commented hopefully. It had been pretty embarrassing to have her father break in on her and Nabiki and demand they stop ‘soiling’ their honor. He had actually said it with more graphic detail, but Akane had trouble thinking about it without losing control of her gag reflex. After what she did to Ranma the night before, this was certainly getting even.

Ranma shrugged and continued walking along the fence.

Yawning, Akane covered her mouth with her free hand, the other used to guide Nabiki along. She still hadn’t gotten much out of her except more of the same apologies. It was nice having Nabiki feel guilty for something, but she’d like to know what it was. “I didn’t get much sleep last night so do you mind if we stay in tonight.”

      Ranma shrugged again. “Whatever.”

      The school finally came into sight, and as usual there was a crowd of boys waiting for Akane. “Great.” She snorted and gripped her book bag tighter. “Can’t they take a day off?”

Ranma didn’t stop with them, but headed off to one corner of the courtyard by himself. “Ranma? Where are you going?”

      Nabiki too decided to leave her sister, but she cut straight for the crowd. “Stay here Akane.”

      “Nabiki?” Akane watched in bewildered silence as Nabiki strolled up to the pack of boys and began to lecture them quietly. Each boy strained to hear what she was saying then paled as the message got through. Within moments the courtyard was empty of the hentai horde.

“What did you say to them?” Akane asked with amazement in her voice.

Nabiki smiled and shook her head.

      Slightly damp, Ranma-chan returned to face Nabiki with an approving smile. “I guess you did learn something. There may be hope for you yet.”

      Akane blinked. “What is that supposed to mean?”

      The redhead shook her head at Akane and turned for the door. “Nothin to ya.” She ended up missing most of Kuno’s speech as he finally stepped away from his tree. Probably a fortunate thing all considering. Ranma-chan did find the last part rather interesting.

      “Let me embrace thee and we shall date!” Kuno charged with his arms open.

      Out of the blue, a hand struck out to meet Kuno’s nose. “Stay away from my sister, you delusional moron!” Nabiki shouted. The punch hurt only because her wrist was not strong enough or Kuno’s face had become used to Akane’s blows. Either way, all it did was stop Kuno in his tracks to look at Nabiki shocked.

      “You, an unskilled fighter, attempted to strike Kuno, Blue Thunder of Fur-urkh!”

      Nabiki smiled and collapsed her baton back down so that it fit in her pocket completely. A little wave, she skipped into the school. “Later, little sister.”

 

~

 

      Smiling as she went about her usual morning chores, Kasumi poured a little more tea into Genma’s empty cup. The room had been very tense this morning as Ranma left for school, but after things were cleared up it was understood that Ranma had been playing a trick on them. Soun had gotten a good laugh, though he did eye Akane and Nabiki one last time before leaving them.

      That Ranma was quite a character, Kasumi thought. He was a little more spice than she was used to in life, but his antics were harmless so she tried to find the humor in the things he did.

      “Has Ranma-kun been in many relationships, Uncle?” Kasumi asked as she finished clearing the table.

      Genma paused to look over his memories. This actually took a little while. “Uh, maybe a few.”

      Quirking an eye, Soun studied his old friend carefully. “What is a few?”

      Genma drained his cup and held it up. “Well, uh, can I have a little more tea?” He started to think over the sheer numbers. That was a little too much to tell his old friend so he took out the ones that didn’t really count like those he’d engaged Ranma to. “Maybe a . . a dozen.” I stopped counting after that, Genma thought silently. “We moved around a lot so . . uh . .” He fidgeted, playing with the bridge of his glasses then straightening them on his nose. “Anyway, they couldn’t have been too serious, hahaha!”

      “Of course, he was young then!” Soun quickly agreed, laughing heartily.

Actually the last one was Chinese. A girl Ranma had met while they were running from some crazy Amazon warrior.

Still chuckling, Soun gabbed Genma in the side with his elbow. “And I do remember a pair of lady’s men by the name of Genma and Soun when they were that age!”

      Genma smiled, sweating softly. “Oh, yes Tendou! Quite right!” There couldn’t be anything further from the truth in his mind. He and Soun had been pretty good with the ladies, but Ranma had passed them by together when he was only fourteen. FOURTEEN!

      The first, Genma recalled, he had engaged Ranma to with the hope of receiving a sizable dowry, like a nice, fully-stocked yatai.

 

~

 

      ten years ago . . .

 

      A little girl in a chef’s outfit hopped through the forest, her hand clamped around a delivery case for her father’s okonomiyaki. Smiling, she looked back over her shoulder and shouted. “hahahaha! Never catch me!”

      “Will too! You just watch it!” Came the reply from above. Ukyou barely missed Ranma descending upon her with arms ready to grapple her about the waist. He was really quite the acrobat. Ranma had tried explaining the training he’d done before, but she thought it was a joke. Imagine, learning to fight by dancing.

      “Missed me! You missed me!” Ukyou shrilled with laughter as she bound off for another direction.

      Ranma easily rolled out of the fall and hopped back to his feet. “I hope you’re not ticklish!” he called out, flexing his fingers tauntingly.

      Ukyou screamed with laughter and ran harder. She loved her friend Ranma and the sparring matches they had, but the chase made everything more exciting.

      Bouncing off of a tree in front of Ukyou, Ranma caught the girl by surprise and tackled her to the ground, taking special care to set the delivery box down on the ground with his foot. Ukyou hardly noticed as she was too busy squirming beneath his active fingers.

      “No! No stop! Hehehahah!” Ukyou cried, laughter forcing tears out of her eyes. “HAHAHAHAHA!”

      Ranma kept at it for another minute until he was certain Ukyou couldn’t run off again if she wanted to. She was still convulsing as he sat back to observe his handy work. “I win again, hey Ucchan?”

      “You always do, Ranchan? Well?” Ukyou breathed deeply between convulsions. Rolling over a bit, she found the box with the okonomiyaki inside and set it down before Ranma. “Here’s your prize.”

      Ranma tore into the meal quickly, devouring even the juice left behind on his fingers. When he finished, he set his head in Ukyou’s lap and smiled up at her. “Thanks Ucchan. That was great.”

      They continued to smile at each other, Ukyou running her hand through Ranma’s hair as they watched the sky. These were the best days of their lives. The peace and quiet, and only each other for company.

      The underbrush rustled as a large man picked his way through the foliage. “Oh, Ranma. There you are.”

      Ranma sat up and waved to his father. “Hiya, pops. ‘Sup?”

      Genma looked confused only briefly then waved his son over. “Ah, yes, well I’d like to ask you something.” He placed both of his hands on Ranma’s shoulders. “Now, Ranma, this is important so I want you to tell me which you prefer, Ukyou or okonomiyaki?”

      Cocking his head, Ranma looked at Ukyou then back to his father. “What do ya mean?”

      “Which one do you like better?”

      “Oh, I like Ukyou!” Ranma smiled brightly. The answer should have been obvious. Food was good, but his girlfriend was better cause she could make food and play with him when they weren’t training.

      Surprised, Genma stumbled over his words. “Y-You do?!”

      “You bet!” Ranma cheered.

      “No, foolish boy! That’s the wrong answer! You like okonomiyaki!” Genma finally barked out, strengthening his grip on Ranma. The boy rotated his body to loosen the hold and slip through the gap between his father’s arms and body. “Stand still, boy!” Genma demanded, giving chase to his son.

      Ranma picked Ukyou up into his arms and began the usual game of keep away with his father. This was one of his favorites. Get pops angry and he’d chase him for hours sometimes, but it was all in fun.

      Genma was getting very mad as he tried to follow his son through the forest. Ranma’s training had only begun a month ago, but already there was a major difference in the boy’s abilities. He had a feeling that Ranma was beginning to use his ki already.

      Finally catching up, Genma nearly had his hand around Ranma’s collar when a hand yanked his arm away.

      “Isn’t it wonderful, Saotome! Our children are already so close.” Ukyou’s father cheered, pulling the balding martial artist into a happy jig. “Come and share a bottle of sake with me!”

      It ended up being a long night. He’d lost track of Ranma and Ukyou after being distracted for two hours with sake. Never one to pass up such a treat, Genma started making cheers to just about everything he could think of for another drink. Ukyou’s father seemed only too happy to oblige.

      So Genma wasn’t exactly in the best of conditions when someone nudged his arm late at night. He opened his eyes to peer blearily at the young boy in a white gi.

      Ranma shook his father again. “Pops.” He hissed. “C’mon you lazy old man, wake up.”

      “Ran-“ Genma’s slurred speech was cut off with Ranma’s hand.

      “Shh. You wanna wake everyone up?” Ranma asked, looking about the room cautiously.

      In a much more hushed tone, Genma tried again. “Ranma, what are you-“

      Ranma hiked up his pack a little more then pointed to the other set pack by Genma’s bed. “Well? Ain’t we got trainin to do?”

 

~

 

      “Well, Ranma certainly has experience, doesn’t he?” Kasumi’s smile was ever so slightly dropping in the corners.

      “Of course!” Soun clapped a fist into his palm. “That’s why he is such a hit with my baby girl! Oh, my little girl is falling in love! They are probably holding hands right now!” The waterworks followed soon after.

      “More than just holding hands, I think.” Genma muttered. He’d heard the sounds of two girls in Akane’s room late at night and he was certain Ranma had not returned to the guest room. Hopefully they would continue to be discreet or Soun might get worried and end the pact.

 

~

 

      The first half of the day went by rather normally. After the incident this morning, Kuno hadn’t shown up to challenge Ranma or Akane in any way. Ranma went through the day in a mood, silently watching the world occur without reacting. Guys came up to her to hit on her, Ranma-chan brushed them off since she wasn’t in the mood at the moment. Girls were quickly run off by Akane, who most now thought was either insane (Kuno’s fault) or a lesbian.

      So it was probably one of the quietest days of Ranma’s life. Not even chatting up with Akane who had been growing on him since the first day. He led the way to the courtyard once lunch time rolled around, Akane following nervously. She’d been getting worse throughout the day as he maintained the silent treatment; her punishment had already been planned.

      Akane continued to fidget with her lunch while following the short redhead. Weren’t things okay now? A look at Ranma told her they weren’t. She’d really screwed up last night. Akane barely noticed where they were going until Ranma acknowledged someone sitting by themselves beneath a tree. It was usually where Akane sat with friends, but her sister seemed to have scared them off. “What are you doing here Nabiki?”

      “What? Can’t I eat lunch with my sister?” Nabiki asked wryly, having felt better since knocking Kuno with her baton.

      Flustered, Akane waved her hand, but remained wary of he sister’s presence. Despite the ‘crisis’ when Akane woke up with Nabiki in her bed, Nabiki was still known as a mercenary around the school. Akane was half-certain that the real person responsible for Kuno’s morning attacks was Nabiki. “Yes, of course, it’s just that . . nevermind.”

      “Ranma has been awful short with you today. Is she all right?” Nabiki eyed the redhead who had taken a seat beside her, ignoring Akane completely and nodding her head to some private concert.

      Akane acted as she normally would when discussing her heart in public. “Who cares?! She’s just a perverted baka anyway!”

      Ranma-chan tossed her bento across the courtyard, smashing against a wall then falling into a waste bin. The smile on her lips slipped some more and she leaned back against the tree, eyes closed, and returned to the internal music.

      Swallowing, Akane looked down to her own lunch and suddenly felt terrible, losing her appetite completely.

      Nabiki frowned and looked between the two. Something had gone on last night while they were out because things had been fine all up until they left for the clubs. By the looks of it, Nabiki noted Akane’s rare moment of sullen guilt, Ranma had been the one hurt.

      “Hey there.”

      All three girls looked up to see two young men, seniors in the school. Both had short black hair, slightly worn out uniforms, and rather plain faces. Nothing too special except the one in back owed Nabiki two thousand yen that she’d have to collect before he graduated and left Nerima.

      Akane glared at them from where she sat. “What do you want?!”

      “Yeah, whatever.” The lead boy looked at Akane oddly then faced Ranma-chan. “You’re Ranma right?”

      Cocking her head to the left, Ranma-chan started looking the two over. “That’s me. Do somethin for ya?”

      “Well, my buddy and me danced with you last night. You probably don’t remember, but I’m Hiiro and this is Kaneda.” Hiiro coughed nervously, a smile that fluctuated to sometimes display white teeth.

      Ranma-chan looked more closely. Hiiro had brown eyes and short hair that was brushed forward. He was not what Ranma would consider athletic material, but not unhealthy. The other, Kaneda, was a little more shaggy on the sides. He also had a curiously high turtleneck on though it was a warm day. If Ranma-chan remembered right, there would be a wavy line pattern that started beneath Kaneda’s ear and extended down his left arm. “I remember you two. You’re both seniors here, right?”

      “That’s right.” Hiiro nodded, his smile steadying as he received some validation from the red-haired beauty. “Well, we were wondering if maybe you weren’t busy this evening?”

      “Not really.” Ranma made a small smile, cutting Akane off before she could speak. This wasn’t exactly as she planned it, but it would work. These two boys saved her some work. She could see Akane and Nabiki staring at her out of the corner of her eye.

      Emboldened by Ranma’s ‘interest’ Kaneda spoke up, displaying a gleam of metal from within his mouth, a stud most likely. “Then how about some dinner and dancing. You really heat up the clubs.” He and his friend grinned, looking over Ranma’s body lustfully.

      Ranma’s smile brightened, almost eager now. Something occurred to her then. “Wait a minute.” She looked between the two. “You both want to take me out at the same time?”

      Hiiro laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. “Uh, yeah. That way there is a backup standby in the club . . . just in case.”

      “That’s disgusting!” Akane shot out.

      Ranma agreed only because she was the girl in this date and knew exactly the kind of things she would be fantasizing about in the boys’ positions. They definitely weren’t going to get that lucky. “I get to pick the restaurant.”

      “Sure! I got a car so wherever you want to eat-“ Hiiro began excitedly.

      Akane jumped to her feet and stood before Ranma-chan. She hadn’t thought Ranma would actually date guys, but then there were the stories he’d told her last night. “Forget it! She’s staying in to-“

      “Pick me up at six, Tendou dojo.” Ranma interrupted again.

      The two boys nodded and moved off quickly before anyone could change their minds. “Seeya then!”

      “. . .” Akane and Nabiki stared in the direction of the boys then down to Ranma who was picking at Akane’s bento.

      Ranma-chan picked up on their surprised looks and munched on a pickle. “Hey, I ain’t cheap.”

      “. . .” Nabiki and Akane exchanged looks then retreated to themselves.

 

~

 

      Kasumi was lost.

In thought at least. She couldn’t figure out if what she had learned was good or not. Father certainly seemed to think so, but someone with that much experience with dating might be too much for her little sister to handle. What if he tries to go too fast?

Kasumi kicked herself mentally and laughed. Too fast? With ‘I hate boys’ Akane? Think again.

“Oh!” Kasumi lost her smile as she ran into someone and fell over. The groceries in her bag were still securely held in her arms at least. This was the first time someone didn’t step aside as she walked.

      “My bad. Ya’ight, baby cakes?”

      Blinking, Kasumi looked up to see a young man in a yellow and brown set of clothing that reminded her a bit of Ranma’s clothing. The pants didn’t taper off at the legs, loose around the waist, and the shirt was tight to his big chest. She took his offered hand and stood up. “Uh, fine. Thank you.”

      The boy looked her over, grinning lop-sidedly to show off an overly developed canine. “Girl, you are slammin with that dress boxin’ ya up. I might need a shock when weya through.” He pat his chest with both hands in fists. “Ya know, zap.”

      Kasumi thought a moment, gave up on trying to figure it out and put on a pleasant smile that said she had no idea what he was talking about. “Well, that’s nice. Excuse me.”

      He held up his hand to stop her. “Hold up, baby cakes. Ya gotta directionalize me fo a second. Which way to the kiddie-bangers?”

      “ . . ?” People were beginning to take notice and stopped to listen in on the conversation. Kasumi didn’t want to make the boy look foolish so she guessed. “The high school? Furinkan?”

      “Yeah, that’s it.”

      “That way.” She pointed in its general direction.

      “Knew you could.” Checking over his shoulder, he sighed and began to run in the wrong direction. “Check ya later, baby cakes!”

      The full effect of the strange encounter didn’t register for a few moments with Kasumi. What a strange fellow he was. It was silly of her to think Ranma was unique like that. There must be at least a dozen people in this crude subculture. Finally shrugging, Kasumi carried on with a smile and forgot about the whole thing entirely.

 

~

 

      “RANMA SAOTOME! PREPARE TO DIE!” A figure descended from the sky, a large heavy object in their hands aimed straight for Ranma’s head.

 

~

 

      Growling in disgust, Ryouga looked about the forest that was somehow placed in downtown Nerima. This wouldn’t have happened if the ho he’d been following had waited for him once they got directions. “Damn, where the fuck that bitch go?”

 

~

 

      Sensing the danger before the scream, Ranma put an arm around both girls at his side and jumped a few meters back. The spot he’d been standing in blew up in a cloud of dust. “Haven’t heard that one in a while.” Ranma smiled wryly, dropping the Tendou’s out of harm’s way.

      Nabiki asked stoically, “You get that a lot?”

      Ranma nodded. “A buddy a mine, Ryouga Hibiki, used to say stuff like that till we became friends.”

      “Still running I see Ranma.” The figure left the dust cloud and stood before the crowd. She was tall for a Japanese girl. Holding herself up proudly and wielding a nine foot, two diameter, steel bar that was chromed over. What the crowd saw, however, were the barely contained assets of a beautiful girl dressed in skimpy, gloss leather. Short shorts hugged her skin robbing any need of an imagination while a zip up halter top created enough cleavage to make some think of trains entering a mountain tunnel. Her feet were covered up to mid thigh with zip up stiletto boots and her hands wore fingerless gloves. You couldn’t be more blunt if you put up a flashing neon sign that said ‘Sex Machine’ with an arrow pointing right at her.

      Ranma saw someone insanely strong who hid it well.

      Blinking in rapid succession and coughing a bit, Akane turned bright red. “Do you know this girl, Ranma?” she squeaked.

      Ranma rocked on his feet and looked the girl over. “Hmm, she seems familiar.”

      “Hang out in a lot of strip joints do you, Ranma?” Nabiki teased though it too sounded nervous.

      “Every now and then.” Ranma nodded.

      “. . .”

      “So what’s your name, baby?”

      The girl pulled the poll from the ground and wielded it like it weighed nothing. “You abandon me in a strange place and dare to forget my name?! For that I shall destroy your happiness, Ranma!” She declared and rushed the pigtailed boy with a swipe of her metal staff.

      Ranma easily flipped over the attack and landed on the other side of the crater. “Sure you can handle that? I can spread a lot of joy.” Many of the girls swooned as he cast them all a smile.

      “I’d burn you to a crisp if I had my grill!”

      This seemed familiar to Ranma and his eyes brightened while he side-stepped and ducked more attacks. “I remember you now! You’re Ukyou Kounji! Our dads engaged us when we were six!”

      “And you ditched out on me late at night, bastard!” Ukyou roared.

      “Hey, we were six and pops was gonna take off anyway!” Ranma protested. Ukyou spun her staff and let it fly in his direction. Dodging it was easy, but it kept Ranma on the ground for too long.

      Ukyou charged with her follow up move. “Well, you won’t be running now!” And slapped something onto his wrist.

      “Huh?” Ranma looked down to find Ukyou’s choker binding their wrists together.

      Off on the sidelines, a few students went over to examine the metal staff. One squatted and tried to lift it up. “Oh, wow this is heavy!”

      “I couldn’t even budge it.” Another agreed after trying himself.

      Akane heard and walked over, certain Ranma could care for himself. “Let me try.” She took a wide stance and lifted with her legs and moved it . . about an inch. “And she lifted this with one hand?” Akane looked on in shocked amazement. “Ranma! Be careful! She’s as strong as a monster!”

      “Stay out of it, Spunky!” Ranma shouted back, having barely dodged a punch that cut his cheek Ukyou had to take a wider stance to deliver. Smirking, Ranma went down on her.

      Coming up between her legs on the other side. Ukyou followed her hand, face meeting the ground and butt in the air with Ranma right behind her.

      “You’re going to burst a blood vessel if you don’t look away, little sister.” Nabiki stated as she watched her little sister turn red to purple as her blood pressure rose.

      Ukyou shifted a hand beneath herself. “Damn you, Ranma! Don’t attempt to humiliate me again!” She shouted and pushed off sending them both a dozen feet into the air.

      “Wow, she did that one handed!” Students ‘oohed’ and ‘awed’.

      Performing his usual aerial routines, Ranma dodged out of the way of one of Ukyou’s sidekicks. “Sorry, Ucchan. Too slow.” His hand slipped from the collar and he pushed off of her chest to separate them.

      Landing on her feet, Ukyou took a fingerless glove in each hand. “Dodge this, Ranchan! Strip Tease!” Ranma dodged out of the way of the incoming cloth projectiles and over the school wall. Ukyou picked up her staff and followed, removing another article of clothing as she went.

      Ranma continued to jump until a stiletto shoe hit the fountain. “Damn it! Watch where you’re throwing those things!”

      Ukyou through in a see-through rain slicker that she pulled out of nowhere, she held up a hand to see through the falling water. On the other side she came across a cute redhead with the same baggy clothing her nemesis had been wearing. “Ranma?”

      Soaked and fastening her slacks, Ranma-chan nodded. “Yeah, it’s me, Ucchan. Go ahead and laugh if ya want.”

      Ukyou blinked and looked over the petite, healthy, and vibrant body. “You’re upset? Because you have such a womanly body?” Her face contorted into rage. “I’LL KILL YOU!”

      Akane came running in from the other direction. “Ranma!”

      Ranma saw her coming and then Ukyou’s cap and last shoe from the other direction. “Stupid tomboy! Ain’t ya got enough brains to stay out of the way?!” She scooped Akane up in her arms and took for the rooftops to avoid the sharp clothing, kicking the staff to deflect the rest.

      “Let go of me you pervert!” Akane shouted in Ranma’s grasp.

      Dumping her on the roof, Ranma-chan yelled back. “Not like I wanted to lug around your fat ass anyway!”

      Ukyou shouted from below, knocking over the roof support with her belt. “Pay attention, baka!”

      Ranma grabbed Akane again and jumped for the ground. “Knock it off already, Ucchan!” She turned to find her nude except for a bra and thong underwear. Ranma blinked.

      “Fine, I’m leaving!” Akane announced.

      Ranma turned and held out his hand. “No! Akane don’t move!”

      Turning on her heel, Akane glared at the cursed boy. “Why should I listen to anything you say, Ran-“ Her anger was cut short along with her hair as Ukyou’s shorts landed on the ground behind her.

      “. . .”

      “Oh, that’s a bad cut.” One student commented.

      Ukyou ran up and grabbed Akane by the elbow to look into her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that! Are you okay?”

      “Of course not.” Another female student replied for the silent Akane. “Look at her. She just got her hair chopped off!”

      Firming her jaw, Ranma-chan stood before Akane. “You can hit me if it’ll make you feel better, Spunky.”

      “Yes, you can hit me too.” Ukyou lined up right beside Ranma.

      Akane left two girls staring off to the right with their left checks bruised with the impression of a hand.

      Neither had been able to reset themselves when Ukyou spoke up. “Agreeable girl, isn’t she?”

      Ranma-chan nodded.

 

~

 

      By six Ranma’s bruised cheek had healed over and she was back to her sexy self, especially after taking her bath and changing into a girl. Returning home, Ranma had been male and went around talking to Kasumi and Nabiki, pointedly ignoring Akane.

      Akane had gotten plenty mad but couldn’t figure out how to make Ranma stop. The last time she called him names or tried to hurt him, Ranma just stepped out of the way and refused to speak with her. Honestly, he could be so childish.

      Depressed, Akane watched her sisters blush in seemingly innocent conversations with the pigtailed boy. Her father and Saotome-san remained oblivious as they studied the Shogi board between them.

      An hour before dinner, Ranma disappeared upstairs, leaving Kasumi to her kitchen and Nabiki on the couch, each with a small private smile.

      “So what did he say?”

      Nabiki glanced up in her direction. “Nothing.” Her blush deepened.

      Nonplused, Akane frowned and sat down beside her sister. “The two of you were talking for at least an hour. Didn’t he say anything about me?”

      Nabiki scowled and crossed her arms. “You’re not always the center of attention, little sister.”

      “Then what did you talk about.”

      Smiling smugly, Nabiki looked her sister in the eyes and spoke clearly. “Me.”

      Kasumi had much the same to say upon Akane’s insistence. What was the pervert up to? Was he hitting on her sisters when they were supposed to be engaged?

      The doorbell rang.

      “Got it!” Ranma-chan’s voice sang out. Genma actually looked up to see what was going on and dropped his head into his hands. “Not again.”

      Soun glanced over his shoulder, almost certain his friend was making some sort of ploy to steal more of his stones from the board. He collapsed onto the ground a second later, face planted flatly on the floorboards. “W-What is this, Saotome?!”

      Ranma-chan was dressed in a simple black dress, simple in the terms of how little material it took to create. From a snap around her neck, the dress covered Ranma’s breasts and then tied off in the back with string, leaving her back and flat stomach exposed, along with the sides of her breasts that by all rights should slip out easily. The matching black skirt was light and smooth, reaching an inch or two below her butt.

      Akane was certain she’d seen more material come out of a dental floss container. Her face, and everyone else’s, which included the two boys standing at the door, burned red. Ranma, however, chose not to care.

      “Don’t wait up!”

      And Ranma-chan left. A moment of silence fell over the house.

      “THERE IS NO WAY I’M LETTING RANMA GO OUT LIKE THAT!!!” Akane roared, rushed up the stairs, changed, and ran back down, heading straight out the front door. “Back later, daddy!”

      “Oh shit.”

      Nabiki blinked and looked at her sister incredulously.

      Kasumi caught her sister’s gaze and blushed. “I mean, oh my.”

 

~

 

      Ryouga was lost again. He’d be lucky if he were still in Tokyo with his bad sense of direction. Fortunately he was lost in a dance club so that made things a little better.

      That afternoon, a pro that claimed she was an erotic dancer was guiding him through the Nerima district. They were both on a mission to find one Ranma Saotome, thought he was certain they were looking for different reasons.

      Ranma Saotome was a bud of his from Kyoto, his crib. Before Ranma, Ryouga’s life had been a real lousy shot in the gut. He got lost more than a blind man in a maze. The blind man would probably make his way out of a maze before Ryouga would find his way out of a closet. That and he couldn’t talk to a girl without suffering from fatal embarrassment. If the girl touched him in any way, he’d fall over backwards with a nose bleed. So Ryouga had remained to himself, angrily keeping people away, getting lost, and practicing the Art.

      Then, for three weeks in his last year in middle school, someone chose to steal his bread in the cafeteria and then beat him in a fight. The nerve of some people. Ryouga had been angry at first, challenging Ranma whenever he got the chance, even if it was when said boy was guiding him to school.

      On the soccer field, off to one side, Ryouga found himself lost again. He couldn’t even have been sure he was in the right school until he heard noises behind the equipment shed. There, kissing and half naked, were Ranma and a female student making out. The girl shrieked and grappled on her shirt as she ran for the school.

      When he had come to, Ryouga wiped away a little blood and saw Ranma smirking at him. Then the training began.

      “Sup, baby? Wanna slip’n’slide?” Ryouga said smoothly to a cute girl with short blue hair.

      The girl jumped, startled to see him there and looked back to another group of dancers a ways off. Biting her lip, she grabbed Ryouga by the hand and dragged him off a bit onto the floor.

      Just like the others, Ryouga thought. He was such a stud, and it was all thanks to his best friend’s unique training style.

 

~

 

      Whoever he was, he was strong. Akane was having trouble keeping an eye on Ranma and her dates with the guy guiding her around the room like she weighed nothing. When she didn’t move in the right direction, he pushed her in the right direction, very different from Ranma’s adaptation technique.

      Akane stumbled a bit when she went the wrong way again. “Damn.”

      “Hey, ain’t no thing.” The guy shouted over the noise of the band.

      This had seemed like a good way to get closer without raising Ranma’s suspicions, but dancing, staying hidden, and watching her wayward fiancé was really quite a juggling act.

      So far the ‘date’ had been okay. She’d heard Ranma name a restaurant not far from this club and did her best to follow. The car was too fast so by the time Akane arrived, Ranma and the two boys were already seated.

      From across the restaurant, Akane continued her surveillance, hiding behind a plant she cleverly placed on her table. She didn’t get any salad.

      From what she could see, Ranma was forced between the two guys in the booth and had to strain a smile all night as she talked about all their perverted dreams. Akane couldn’t really hear anything, but what else would guys talk about?

      They barely fed her apparently. Ranma was so hungry that she ended up sharing meals with the boys, even feeding them herself and wiping their mouths. It was disgusting how far men would go.

      As they finished and waited for the check, Ranma pretended to laugh at something as they practically fondled her with their eyes. Time to go, Ranma had to give each an arm and was dragged out of the restaurant, forced back into the ugly, rundown, ’99 Toyota Celica.

      Oh the painful humiliation Ranma must be going through!

      “Miss, please! Have you decided yet what you want to order?!”

      “Check please.” Akane requested, handing back her menu.

      The waiter blinked and shook his head. “On the house.”

      How nice.

      Akane left the restaurant where most of the male patrons were still slumped over their meals after their dates hit them over the head for drooling at the redhead.

      Someone tapped her on the shoulder.

      Akane woke up to reality and realized her partner had abandoned her, the band was taking five, and no one but her was dancing anymore. Blushing, she left the area to hide in the shadows again. She found Ranma over by the bar; her two dates were passed out at a table. Drunks, Akane snorted in disgust, missing the massive nosebleeds both men had gotten.

      Ranma looked exquisite, sitting down at the bar with her legs crossed at the knees and a light sheen of sweat making her skin glow. No way any of these perverts deserved her fiancé!

      Tired, hungry, and dehydrated, Akane made her way to the bar once Ranma left with another guy. She got herself a soda and nachos then sat down on the upper deck. From up here she could get a clear view of Ranma bringing out her skill in the Dancer’s Fist, something he had yet to explain to her. She saw the redhead smoothly flow along with the guy, the same one Akane had been dancing with!

      For the first time she noticed the guy was far better than Ranma’s dates, bigger, stronger, and much more handsome. He was dressed in wide leg, brown jeans, bright yellow shirt, silver chain around his neck, and a brown and yellow bandanna holding back his bangs. And the way he moved, he was almost as smooth as Ranma-chan herself.

      Slumping further in her chair, Akane finished the rest of her nachos. How could she ever compete with this new guy?

      It was late. Akane glanced away from the neon clock on the wall and headed for the door. There was nothing else she could do here. People were still dancing on the floor and mingling on the upper decks. Without a word, Akane began to push her way through. No matter which way she went there were more people blocking her way. She struggled harder, the tide washed her back.

      Lost in the confusion, Akane could feel the tears in her eyes swell and fall onto her cheeks. She wanted out. Away from this terrible place, a bad ending to a worse day. The sea was not so kind.

      “Mmmmm.”

      Akane looked up, brushing some tears from her eyes. Somehow she’d been directed around the room and stood before a couple locked in a passionate embrace. The guy had some girl pressed against a wall while one of her legs was wrapped about his torso.

      Akane blushed and tried to find an exit.

      “You’ve got fangs.” The girl commented curiously.

      The guys hands moved to her ass as he smiled down at the redhead. “You should know.”

      “Ranma?” Akane squeaked, her blood pressure rising.

      “Follow me, didja Spunky? Enjoyin the show?” Ranma scoffed, her hands still around the guy’s neck. Smiling maliciously, Ranma planted another deep kiss on the boy, clearly showing Akane her tongue playing with his.

      The guy looked confused for a second then fell into the kiss, his hands returning to Ranma’s ass, lifting the short skirt up slightly.

      That . . That! . . THAT PERVERT! “GET YOUR PERVERTED HANDS OFF MY FIANCEE!” Akane screamed. A mallet that glinted evilly in the clubs flashing lights, screamed through the air on a direct path for the jerk’s head.

      SMASH!

      Akane stood where the boy had been, chest heaving, the titanium mallet still in her clenched hand.

      Ranma looked over the hole in the club wall and the rolling dust that fell onto the guy’s prone form. “I hope ya don’t think that’s gonna win me over or somethin.”

      With determination in her eyes, Akane tossed the mallet away and grabbed Ranma-chan by the back of her head, twining her fingers through the red hair, then pulled the girl in. “Not that.” She breathed then latched her lips over Ranma’s, probing into the girl’s mouth with her tongue.

 

~

 

      Nabiki sat silently in the darkness of the living room, keeping herself awake with Kasumi’s tea into the late hours of the night, or was it early morning?

      The front door opened quietly, admitting the sound of footsteps an giggles interspersed with sounds of kissing.

      Stumbling into the room, arms holding the other, Ranma-kun held Akane’s lips with his own. He’d changed into the usual baggy black slacks and Chinese shirt that fit him well in his natural form.

      “We’re home.” Ranma whispered into Akane’s ear as she hung from his neck.

      Akane looked around the room in confusion then shrugged and kissed him again.

      Chuckling, Ranma kissed her back then straightened up. “We’ll have to continue this tomorrow. You look like you’re about to fall asleep any time now, Spunky.”

      Akane made a lazy grin, running her tongue over her lips for the taste of Ranma’s before nodding. She left him downstairs to make a slow journey to her bedroom where she would fall asleep with nothing but the most pleasant of dreams following her to unconsciousness.

      Standing in the living room and smiling, Ranma eventually pulled his eyes away from the stairwell and to the couch where Nabiki had thought to hide herself. “Morning.”

      “So it is morning.” Nabiki shook her head as her theory was confirmed. “How did you know I was here?”

      “Please.” Ranma stepped through the darkness and sat down beside her. “I was trained in dance clubs. They get plenty dark and confusing, but I can still sense where the good partners are.” He tapped her nose and smiled jocularly as Nabiki blushed.

      “Tell me, how did you get Akane to . . to get so close? This afternoon she was still calling you a pervert and hentai.”

      Ranma made a show of looking at his nails. “Famous Anything Goes Martial Arts Technique; Redirecting Focus.”

      “What?”

      “Akane is very focused on some things. Some good, some bad.”

      Nabiki chewed over his words for a minute. “So you made yourself look good. Something Akane would fight for. To make her see passed your being a perverted, hentai, jock?”

      “Ouch.” Ranma held his hand as if stung. “That hurts, Nabiki-chan. You forgot handsome.”

      Quirking a smile, Nabiki tapped Ranma on the shoulder and stood up. “You would make quite a businessman.”

      “Nah, I’d keep hitting on the competition.”

      Nabiki swatted him again and headed off for bed, chuckling all the way.

 

 

End Chapter Three

*     *      *

 

I like where this is going. This should be really interesting later on. Slowly I’m going to switch the roles between the traditional Akane and Ranma. Soon we will be getting Akane to come swooping down to ‘save’ Ranma from whoever. Given, Ranma probably won’t be lost in a fight, but there are plenty of other things for our new player.

What the hell is wrong with Ranma? He is used to short relationships that move quickly so he has learned to seduce people and run through the whole thing in a couple of days. So guess what kind of people he hates and has the most respect for. It’s subconscious people! If you guessed partners who take control pat yourself on the back.

      Now who do I turn into the dominatrix/dominator?

 

Let me know what you think. Send email to [email protected]

Or visit my website at: www.geocities.com/jehtek/

 

Ja ne.