JennyDracos
Eccentric Hugging Lady
- Location
- Chicago
Glad to see it back!
Vegas Rules (Ranma 1/2)
- Thread starter Strawberry
- Start date
- Mature
Chapter 16 - Dumb Schoolyard Challenges
Strawberry
Dessert Faerie
- Location
- Derbyshire, UK
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Haaaa, well, that certainly was a year. Lost the job I loved, ended up in one that causes me the kind of frustration that leads to anxiety, meltdowns and just not being able to focus. Normally when I get sad I write more but it appears frustrated and anxious just leads to sitting in my room in the dark.
Still, chapter 16:
Chapter 16 - Dumb Schoolyard Challenges
Ranko found herself sitting next to Sawako later on that afternoon. Nabiki was in front of them with a booklet. The others had gone home, Rei and Kippei both panting and sweaty, but Nabiki had wanted to keep her two models for other purposes.
"Karaoke?" Ranko asked. Nabiki nodded.
"I know you have a good voice. We can probably get you trained up a bit, but you already sing well. This is mostly to get you used to it – same for you, Sawako, though this is more to gauge your skills."
Sawako nodded.
"Why?" Ranko asked.
"The more bases we cover, the more money we can make." Nabiki shrugged. "It's a good way to branch out. With your generally cute looks we might be able to get you into the idol business. Sort of."
Ranko shrugged. "Works for me."
Nabiki grinned and held the microphone out. "I'll queue up some songs then."
Himeko sat heavily on the cushion in her home's family room with a long sigh and rested her head on the low table in a rarely undignified heap.
"A tough day?" Nodoka asked, bringing in some tea.
Himeko nodded, sitting up more politely. "Yes, Auntie." She said. "Nabiki-chan is an exacting manager. But effective, I have to admit. She knows what she is doing."
Nodoka nodded and poured the two of them a cup each. Himeko took hers with a nod of thanks.
"How goes the modelling?" Nodoka asked.
Himeko pondered how best to answer that. It had been a month or two since they had started the project to make money, and so far it had been a success according to Nabiki. She'd made sure not to have anything overly local where Ranko was concerned, though she certainly marketed Himeko and Sawako locally, though very low-key.
"…It goes well, Auntie. Nabiki-chan is singularly skilled. She says we're already approaching making a profit from our initial offset costs. I suspect my cousin would enjoy the work, though I think once our goals are met I will personally retire."
Nodoka nodded. "I am glad to hear. A lady needs her own income."
Himeko smiled. "Judging by Nabiki-chan's ecstatic expressions, we will certainly have that. The singing is a little embarrassing, but it certainly sells well."
Nodoka smiled at Himeko and they moved to other forms of discussion.
Later in the bath, Ranko leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. "I swear, Ma, Nabs is such a slavedriver. But we're doin' good. Nabs's got her heart set on a cruise." She shook her head. "She wants to leave from England of all places for it. Apparently it's to stop us from being tracked by the local whackjobs."
Nodoka nodded. "I see. Well, good luck, daughter. Though didn't you have things to do before you met up with her? And remember, this is contingent on you graduating smartly. Speaking of, how is school?"
"School's… alright. Himeko likes it. I'm… learnin' better, myself, honestly. Easier to do without my education bein' sabotaged by wackos all the time."
"Good. Keep the good grades up, dear, and we'll be fine."
Ranko made a face but eventually nodded.
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror after the bath had finished but she hadn't left to become Himeko again yet, Ranko looked herself over.
She'd not gained any height despite the lengthy amount of time she'd spent in this form now. Muscle, though… She'd certainly changed in shape, a little. Her girl body had always been a little behind her boy body, but now the toning that Nabiki had pushed her through to look better for the camera had paid dividends. She'd also started to lose the 'baby fat' from her face, and she could see more of what she'd look like when she was full-grown now.
She smiled into the mirror, running a hand through her now-very-long hair. If there was one thing she adored above everything else it was those red curls. She felt like an idiot for having it in a single pigtail for so long and had, with the help of trims and growing it out, managed to have all her hair the same length now, though she suspected Nabiki was going to take her for a proper styling given her recent comments about having a different look.
She thought about the plan that was still forming, that Nabiki and she had constructed. It wasn't finished and relied on a few too many external factors at the moment, but it excited her to try to find herself.
Trapped here in Nerima, she'd only ever found who she wasn't. Not who she was. She'd been introspective, but part of her had itchy feet and she needed to travel again. She'd have a chance when she travelled to China to ask Herb for the Chiisuiton, but that would mostly be a quick trek across the wilderness and then on to a nearby airport to head for the cruise. Maybe stop by Jusenkyo once she was locked fully.
Thinking about Jusenkyo made her think about Ryouga and the plan and she realised something about that, her spirits falling.
Quite done with the train of thought, Ranko concentrated, changing into Himeko, then tied the towel more primly around herself and headed to her room to get dressed in her bedclothes.
She had another singing appointment with Nabiki on the morrow, never minding it was a Saturday.
Kyouko tore into the taiyaki with vicious relish as Ryouga stared at her. "Pardon me, Kyouko-san, but you don't seem the type to be singing."
"Nah." Kyouko leaned back, arm across the back of the seat she'd sat in after they'd finished running through the arcade.
Ryouga had been introduced to several games, one of which included dancing by putting your feet on specific arrows.
He learned that his sense of direction was just as bad with stationary directions as with travelling, so they'd quickly moved away from that particular game, to the pouting of the redhead devouring food in an even more unhinged way than Ranko usually did herself.
"That was Himeko and Ranko. Same difference. I could sing, but I'm a gal who prefers eating. Kinda an escape person, you know?" She grinned, tearing into her ninth taiyaki. Where she'd got them from on a boat out of England he didn't know but likely she probably had had them delivered special through one of her alter-egos.
One of many, it seemed.
Ryouga nodded.
"Anyway," Kyouko continued brightly, "next bit's mostly school and boring, so I'll skip over a lot of it. Except the time Himeko got herself kidnapped."
"She got-" Ryouga was interrupted by Kyouko snickering.
"That she did, as if she weren't enough of a prim princess. Not that she would have escaped, she had an appearance to maintain, even if it had been cemented she knew fighting at least by tying up the hentai horde."
Ryouga blinked. "Hentai horde?"
"Oh yeah, before your time wasn't it? Was a bunch of idiots," she clenched her free fist and bit into the next pastry with a savagery she hadn't before, "back when Ranma showed up that were attacking Akane daily in an attempt to date her because of Kunou. Tatewaki, that is. Asshole." She shook her head. "Anyway, I put a stop to that pretty quick. But they figured with 'Ranma' gone, that they musta had another chance or somethin'…"
Himeko walked demurely along the road to school, bag held at her front as she took measured steps. The road was relatively clear this early, though she did spot a crowd outside of the school.
Stopping to the side, she frowned at the various sports clubs.
"This again." She said quietly to herself, looking angry. Schooling her features, she walked up to what seemed to be the leader of the group. "What is going on?" She asked, looking down her nose at him.
"Nayotake-san!" The boy squeaked, making her even more disappointed. "I… we…"
"Is this that barbaric event you were apparently doing before my cousin came, where you attempt to beat a date out of Tendou Akane?" Himeko asked, her words sharp.
"Well, you see, now that Ranma's gone, we-"
"You thought you could go right back to being terrible? Are there not other girls in this school?" Himeko asked. "Did Tendou-san ever agree to this nonsense?"
"W-well, Kunou-senpai a-a-always said-"
"Kunou Tatewaki-san is not here." Himeko replied. "And if he has instituted this again, I'll have words with his sister, my friend, to control him better. Clan Tendou is an ally of Clan Saotome, and by extension so is Clan Nayotake. We take honour seriously, and this dishonourable display is just about the worst I have seen. You should all be ashamed of yourselves."
Her words were delivered in a voice that could strip a tree of its bark, an acid tone that brooked no argument. "I can understand why Tendou-san has such issues with the boys here if they are all like you. What would your mothers think, hm? Perhaps I should tell them."
Most of the boys paled and scattered after that, but a hardcore few remained, staring defiantly at the upper class, copper-haired girl.
"So, you are decided to do this?" She asked. "Then allow a student of the Path of the Silken Breeze to admonish you on behalf of all of the ladies here."
She undid her sash and muttered to herself as she brought the wooden crescent blade and short sword from her ki space, swinging the sash until she threw it up into the air and to a nearby tree. Then she pulled and concentrated her ki, sending tendrils of the sash out above the boys that picked each of them up by one leg and dangled them where they were. Most of them yelled out in shock and struggled, but all they managed was to set themselves swinging.
Akane walked up and blinked at the trussed-up hanging boys, five of them, and a Nayotake Himeko with a frown on her face, tapping her feet.
"Are you going to apologise to Tendou-san?" She asked acidly.
There were several nods and a chorus of apologies. Himeko let them down to land on their heads, where all knelt in dogeza. "We're sorry, Tendou-sama!" They exclaimed at once.
Himeko's sash slithered back around her waist and she put away her sword and blade, the girl setting her hair back to perfect. "Thank you. Don't let me find this again. I abhor pointless violence, but I am willing to use my Path to defend those who need it. Gokigenyou, Tendou-san." She smiled and bowed shallowly to Akane. "My apologies for the uncouth display."
"F-forgiven." Akane replied, bewildered. "What was that all about?"
Himeko frowned, falling into step alongside Akane. "The boys thought they would recreate the deplorable display I had heard my cousin stopped. I simply taught them the error of their assumption that you were no longer with allies willing to defend your honour."
"O-oh." Akane blushed. "Thanks."
Himeko marvelled internally. Just a few years ago, Akane would have demanded to defend herself, that she could take care of herself.
"You're welcome. I just hope they don't have the stupidity to think they can attempt anything like that awfulness with myself."
Akane shook her head. "The boys here are stupid, but they're also leaderless without Kunou. And you somehow defanged him."
Himeko tittered. "I rather did, didn't I?"
The next day she walked along the road to school and stopped near the gates, where once again a group of boys was standing. She folded her arms. "I am reasonably sure I told you all the price of such uncouth behaviour before." She said imperiously in her best 'rich girl' voice.
They stood firm until she pulled her cellphone from her pocket and took several photographs. Then she dialled a number. "Nabiki-chan, gokigenyou." She said politely, staring coldly at the group who started to sweat when they heard the name. "No, I'm fine. I do not know if your dear sister has mentioned, but there is a horde of boys trying to attack her in the mornings again. Yes. No. Yes, I'm quite sure. They do not seem to understand my threats are not idle. No. I will send you the photograph. If you would please send me the data, then I can make the calls I need. No. Thank you. Gokigenyou."
She flipped the phone closed and put it away, still staring. They looked defiantly back. Then she undid her sash, sending it behind them, tripping them and hanging them all once again from the air, upside-down. "I will repeat this as necessary, but this is your last warning. Do not push me too far, else I will make sure to bring all of my clan to bear. Now we shall wait for Tendou-san so you may apologise, once again, for your transgressions."
Himeko waited politely on a nearby bench, reading her textbook, while the boys from the sports club hung there. Eventually Akane made her way over. "Again?" She asked. Himeko stood up and bowed.
"Gokigenyou, Tendou-san. I present to you today's crop of imbeciles. I've given them a last warning for harassing you. I will not tolerate such uncouth behaviour, even here in Fuurinkan."
Akane blushed and looked away. "…You remind me a little of your cousin, here." She said. Himeko smiled gently.
"In a good way, I hope."
Akane nodded. "He didn't like the fights either. Thought they were dishonourable."
"They are."
Himeko dropped the boys to the ground unceremoniously and a similar apology-grovelling came as before, though Himeko could tell it was insincere. Very well.
She walked beside Akane, who looked interestedly at the sash around Himeko's waist, tied behind her into a bow. "Your techniques are really interesting, Himeko-chan."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I'd love to have a spar sometime. I bet you'd be fun to." Himeko tittered, and Akane's face flushed in anger. "Are you… Are you laughing at me?"
Himeko waved her off. "My apologies, Akane-chan, but no I am not laughing at you. I'm laughing at the fact that, in a straight fight, you would likely put me into the dirt, and rather quickly. The Path of the Silken Breeze is, in part, related heavily to ninjutsu and other kunoichi techniques. As such it is mainly an infiltration and asymmetrical-war-based art. Certainly a practitioner can fight well, but…" She flipped her hands and she was wielding the sash, blade and sword. "It is designed to win and kill through misdirection and overwhelming force of sashes when caught so as to escape. It is a very dualistic art in that regard."
She put the weaponry away. "It isn't a fair spar if I don't use my weapons, and if I do it wouldn't be fair to you as I would have too much advantage. Though I do know some Tai Chi and Kenpo forms, so I suppose if we stuck to those… But alas, I fear you would beat me. I do not use ki to enhance my musculature anywhere near the amount that you do in those forms, so you would have a serious advantage." Akane looked at her classmate, who smiled gently at her. "Still, we can try, I suppose." Himeko mused.
Akane nodded and they proceeded into the room.
Himeko's display wasn't without consequences. She was asked to the office and queried about her fights, and then again at lunch by Sayuri and Yuka, but she made it very clear she more or less cheated with her sash and the element of surprise.
"As I have explained to Akane-chan: in a straight fight, I would have lost." She said, taking dainty bites of her rice. "However, one rather learns to take advantage of surprise and other weapons in my path when one does not have the same strength others around here do." She chewed a moment, swallowed and smiled around. "I wouldn't expect such displays to be common. I detest random brawling in the street, and besides, if someone with sufficient strength and mobility to dodge my sash came at me in my current level of training, I would certainly not prevail."
Though she was hoping that the idiots would have learned their lessons earlier, that evening, Himeko placed a number of calls using the information that Nabiki had given her, just in case, though.
And that was the end of that, or so she'd hoped.
Unfortunately, as she'd expected, it wasn't.
Next morning, the crowd, watching as Himeko walked up with both Nabiki (who had the day off from university and had been interested in seeing what happened) and Akane to the waiting boys.
"This again." Himeko said softly, acid in her tone. Akane ground her teeth next to her and Nabiki looked at one of her former lieutenants who shrugged and made a 'call me' sign at her, wincing. Nabiki's eyebrow rose, but she figured that Noriko had already tried to stop it and failed.
The boys yelled out that they would date Tendou Akane and rushed forwards, only to be stopped by a myriad of angry female and male voices. But not from behind – from the sides. They stopped their blinkered charge and looked around, confused. Their parents – all of their parents – were coming out of the woodwork and none of them looked happy. Himeko smiled coldly to herself as Akane gaped.
Thick ears and rumps sore from being swatted by their own sports equipment were in abundance that morning, as was angry yelling about decency. Every parent made their children stop in front of Akane, bow in full dogeza and apologise profusely, promising to never do it again and this time there was desperate, panicked sincerity in their voices.
All of the parents thanked Himeko for the calls she had made, and she inclined her head with a faint smile and told them they were welcome.
"Wow." Akane muttered as they walked into their classroom.
"I did warn them, but their apologies yesterday were less than sincere. So, I merely gave their parents a heads-up as I doubted they would approve. Such is the way of things I do." Himeko said, with a slight giggle. "I wasn't quite expecting the spankings with a hockey stick, but I suspect they were most instructive, especially when given in public by their parents."
Akane smiled at Himeko. "Thank you for sorting that out."
Himeko smiled back. "Thank your sister, mostly. I simply refuse to be a bystander in such atrocious events." She sighed. "I do hope that is the last time I deal with strange martial arts things directly."
"I'm willing to bet that that wasn't the last time you dealt with strange martial arts things directly." Ryouga mused aloud.
Kyouko snickered and grinned at Ryouga as she finished her final bowl of soup, dragging him back across the deck, pulling her hoodie off and tying it around her waist as between decks she shimmered and changed to Ranko.
"Alright, some more sunbathing, then dinner."
"You want to eat more?" Ryouga blinked.
"Uh, yeah. Still a human black hole for food here, Ryouga." Ranko commented. "Some stuff ain't changed, and me lovin' food's one'a them."
Leading him to a deck chair, she sat him down and then lay on one next to his, pulling her tank top off to show off her bikini top and slipping out of her shorts. Ryouga rather quickly looked away but settled back eventually onto his chair.
"So… is this what you do on a cruise?" He asked after a few minutes of relaxing. Ranko pushed her sunglasses up from her face onto her forehead and stared at him.
"What else would we do?"
"I don't know. Don't they have casinos and bars and stuff, and we're just sunbathing? Didn't you pay a lot for this cruise ship thing?"
Ranko shrugged. "Sure I did. But I did it to have a holiday away from even the lesser madness that crept up on me. So I'm doing what I like, and I like sunbathing. If you do wanna do somethin' though, holler up. We've got a week or two left here, even if I'd like to get started on stuff."
"Which is?"
"In good time." Ranko settled back down, smiling as he averted his eyes after catching himself watching her bounce slightly with the movement. "Yanno, I don't mind you lookin', Ryouga." She said. He flushed.
"It's not polite." He replied, leaning back and looking away.
"Eh, you know me. I ain't that polite. Besides, cute boys I like oglin' me's a real confidence boost. Even with all our history you still like whatcha see, right?"
He flushed further but managed a nod.
"So don't worry, I know how hypnotic a nice rack is. I mean, goddamn, have you seen Shampers when she's in one of her barely-an-outfits? Gal's got boobs for days."
Ryouga flushed even more if that was possible. He shook his head.
"Well, your loss. Might not like the bitch much, but can't deny she's attractive." She laughed ruefully. "I suppose that's what people look at me like, too."
"I… I'm not sure." Ryouga managed. Ranko blinked. "I… It's like… Look, you've always been kind of an asshole." Ranko flushed but didn't say anything, merely nodding. "I'm not saying you are so much now. I mean you're still you, you just don't seem to have that… that huge chip on your shoulder you always had."
"Pot. Kettle." Ranko muttered, just loud enough for him to hear. He sighed.
"Yeah. I know. But… Well, we've both kind of grown up a lot, haven't we?"
"Well, you shot up, yeah, I'm still fun size except for my rack." Ranko grumbled.
"Whatever. I mean mentally and emotionally, right? I've… put away some of my anger and… I met these monks who taught me ways to handle some of the depression. Gave me new eyes, really, to look out at stuff. And you've… Well, there was always something that was bugging you. I guess you figured it out."
Ranko smiled at him. "I guess so."
"But… even before, you were kind of… I guess magnetic. Even when we were all fighting, it was all about you. And apart from a couple of odd ones out, you tended to leave with friends rather than enemies." He shrugged. "Even when we hated your guts we still liked you, if that makes sense?"
Ranko blushed slightly and looked to the side. "I… guess?" She answered, shrugging. Ryouga grinned.
"Making you blush is a turnaround. Still, I did mean it."
"Shut up."
"No, really." He laughed softly and she joined in a moment later. "Anyway, you were talking about weird martial arts things?"
Ranko eyed him, then looked up at the sky thoughtfully, shaking her head. "Yeah, thinkin' that weird shit wouldn't follow me was kind of a dumb thought…" She trailed off for a moment then sighed. "Honestly," she said, "School weren't that interestin'. Just sitting on the outside of everything happening. I'd watch fights and I did get challenged once or twice but it was rarely and only against other girls."
Nabiki, who'd turned up at some point and was sunbathing herself, though she also had her phone and was tapping away on it, spoke up. "There were the times that asshole Taro grabbed you."
"Yeah," Ranko waved Nabiki off. "But he ain't worth talkin' about, the transphobic prick."
"Pantyhose Taro kidnapped you? How?" Ryouga looked bemused. "Why?"
"Couldn't give away who I really was, could I? Anyway, Akane really came through for me the few times it happened."
Ryouga nodded. "I guess you're right there. Sounds like you had fun."
"I did. Learning the new art I practice, the new life. And it was calm. I can't tell ya how rare that'd been before but now I could actually think."
Nabiki grinned. "And you got a real conscience."
Ranko made a face. "Yeah."
Of course, Himeko's hope that that would be the end of weird martial arts things happening directly to her was derailed the next Monday morning. As she walked along the road towards school, tightening the teal jacket of her winter uniform against the cold, a shadow loomed over her.
She looked up and adjusted her jacket, only to see a huge minotaur standing over her, looking down. It poured hot water on itself and changed into a Chinese boy that she recognised, though she kept that fact to herself.
"Oh, my." She said, feigning shock. "I admit, I've seen people change but that was very impressive."
The idiot in front of her preened, but then he went serious. "Are you called Himeko?"
Himeko looked askance at him, adjusting her glasses again. At least he'd upgraded to asking about the people he kidnapped these days. She sighed internally at the humiliation of being a kidnappee. Still, it would definitely cement her status as not strong enough, so perhaps this was useful. Plus, she could always simply escape later. "I am Nayotake Himeko. How may I help you?"
"You're the-" He used several insulting adjectives including a few slurs for good measure. Himeko's face darkened with every word. "Known as Ranma's cousin, that Himeko?"
"You should wash your mouth out with soap, sir. Those words were all horrible and not for decent people to speak or hear." She admonished. "My cousin Ranma may be cursed to turn into a girl, but that is no reason to speak such language."
Taro's eyes narrowed but he smirked. "Fine." He said, "But you'll do as bait. I need him to get the old pervert to change my name and since no one's seen him..."
Himeko dodged back. She had to show some skills. "Oh, you are the one my cousin's iinazuke spoke of!" She said brightly, sounding a little airheaded. "Pantyhose Taro!"
He growled and lunged again as she moved to the side. "Don't call me that!" He exclaimed.
"But it is your name, isn't it, Pantyhose-kun?" She answered, looking down her nose, her copper curls bouncing. "Someone as uncouth as you isn't even due the regard shown by honorifics, but I am nothing if not polite."
She drew her main sash and wooden sword. "And I detest this random brawling in the street. If you make a formal challenge, fine, but this is neither decent nor honourable." She whacked his nose and tripped him.
She moved around until he had the measure of her most basic moves, and then he stepped into a puddle. Himeko looked up and sighed internally even as she pasted a look of fear on her face. She looked behind her and saw Akane running towards them, anger on her face, before Taro flew up and dragged her away.
Akane ran up to where the short fight had been and picked up Himeko's wooden sword. Yuka and Sayuri came up to her.
"Oh no! Poor Himeko-chan!" Yuka said, aghast. "What an awful boy!"
"She wasn't lying about a straight fight, was she?" Sayuri mumbled. "She was trying, but once he had the strength from his monster form he had her."
"I have to go and get her!" Akane stood up. Her best friends looked at her.
"But Akane-chan!" Yuka protested. "He could beat Ranma sometimes!"
Akane smiled at her friends. "Yeah, he could, but I'm strong enough to hit Ranma hard enough he hurts. And I have secret weapons."
"Oh?"
"My sister." Akane said. "Ranma fought smart, but Nabiki's been teaching me to fight smart and strategically. And she's the best weapon. I can't fight Taro unless I find him."
"That's a good point!" Sayuri nodded. Akane waved as she ran towards home.
"Let the teacher know what happened to Himeko and that I'm going to rescue her!"
The two watched their friend run off. "She's changed since Ranma-kun left." Yuka commented.
Sayuri kissed her cheek. "Yeah. A lot for the better. Maybe he did it on purpose, to give them both space to grow?"
"Yuri-chan!" Yuka squeaked. Then she giggled. "I don't know if he had the brains, but even I was seeing how weighed down Ranma-kun seemed before he went. Like something heavy was pressing on him. I hope he's OK…"
Sayuri giggled too. "I hope so, too. But until then we have the dashing knight Akane-chan, rescuing lost princesses like our Himeko-chan."
Still, chapter 16:
Chapter 16 - Dumb Schoolyard Challenges
Ranko found herself sitting next to Sawako later on that afternoon. Nabiki was in front of them with a booklet. The others had gone home, Rei and Kippei both panting and sweaty, but Nabiki had wanted to keep her two models for other purposes.
"Karaoke?" Ranko asked. Nabiki nodded.
"I know you have a good voice. We can probably get you trained up a bit, but you already sing well. This is mostly to get you used to it – same for you, Sawako, though this is more to gauge your skills."
Sawako nodded.
"Why?" Ranko asked.
"The more bases we cover, the more money we can make." Nabiki shrugged. "It's a good way to branch out. With your generally cute looks we might be able to get you into the idol business. Sort of."
Ranko shrugged. "Works for me."
Nabiki grinned and held the microphone out. "I'll queue up some songs then."
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Himeko sat heavily on the cushion in her home's family room with a long sigh and rested her head on the low table in a rarely undignified heap.
"A tough day?" Nodoka asked, bringing in some tea.
Himeko nodded, sitting up more politely. "Yes, Auntie." She said. "Nabiki-chan is an exacting manager. But effective, I have to admit. She knows what she is doing."
Nodoka nodded and poured the two of them a cup each. Himeko took hers with a nod of thanks.
"How goes the modelling?" Nodoka asked.
Himeko pondered how best to answer that. It had been a month or two since they had started the project to make money, and so far it had been a success according to Nabiki. She'd made sure not to have anything overly local where Ranko was concerned, though she certainly marketed Himeko and Sawako locally, though very low-key.
"…It goes well, Auntie. Nabiki-chan is singularly skilled. She says we're already approaching making a profit from our initial offset costs. I suspect my cousin would enjoy the work, though I think once our goals are met I will personally retire."
Nodoka nodded. "I am glad to hear. A lady needs her own income."
Himeko smiled. "Judging by Nabiki-chan's ecstatic expressions, we will certainly have that. The singing is a little embarrassing, but it certainly sells well."
Nodoka smiled at Himeko and they moved to other forms of discussion.
Later in the bath, Ranko leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. "I swear, Ma, Nabs is such a slavedriver. But we're doin' good. Nabs's got her heart set on a cruise." She shook her head. "She wants to leave from England of all places for it. Apparently it's to stop us from being tracked by the local whackjobs."
Nodoka nodded. "I see. Well, good luck, daughter. Though didn't you have things to do before you met up with her? And remember, this is contingent on you graduating smartly. Speaking of, how is school?"
"School's… alright. Himeko likes it. I'm… learnin' better, myself, honestly. Easier to do without my education bein' sabotaged by wackos all the time."
"Good. Keep the good grades up, dear, and we'll be fine."
Ranko made a face but eventually nodded.
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror after the bath had finished but she hadn't left to become Himeko again yet, Ranko looked herself over.
She'd not gained any height despite the lengthy amount of time she'd spent in this form now. Muscle, though… She'd certainly changed in shape, a little. Her girl body had always been a little behind her boy body, but now the toning that Nabiki had pushed her through to look better for the camera had paid dividends. She'd also started to lose the 'baby fat' from her face, and she could see more of what she'd look like when she was full-grown now.
She smiled into the mirror, running a hand through her now-very-long hair. If there was one thing she adored above everything else it was those red curls. She felt like an idiot for having it in a single pigtail for so long and had, with the help of trims and growing it out, managed to have all her hair the same length now, though she suspected Nabiki was going to take her for a proper styling given her recent comments about having a different look.
She thought about the plan that was still forming, that Nabiki and she had constructed. It wasn't finished and relied on a few too many external factors at the moment, but it excited her to try to find herself.
Trapped here in Nerima, she'd only ever found who she wasn't. Not who she was. She'd been introspective, but part of her had itchy feet and she needed to travel again. She'd have a chance when she travelled to China to ask Herb for the Chiisuiton, but that would mostly be a quick trek across the wilderness and then on to a nearby airport to head for the cruise. Maybe stop by Jusenkyo once she was locked fully.
Thinking about Jusenkyo made her think about Ryouga and the plan and she realised something about that, her spirits falling.
Quite done with the train of thought, Ranko concentrated, changing into Himeko, then tied the towel more primly around herself and headed to her room to get dressed in her bedclothes.
She had another singing appointment with Nabiki on the morrow, never minding it was a Saturday.
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Kyouko tore into the taiyaki with vicious relish as Ryouga stared at her. "Pardon me, Kyouko-san, but you don't seem the type to be singing."
"Nah." Kyouko leaned back, arm across the back of the seat she'd sat in after they'd finished running through the arcade.
Ryouga had been introduced to several games, one of which included dancing by putting your feet on specific arrows.
He learned that his sense of direction was just as bad with stationary directions as with travelling, so they'd quickly moved away from that particular game, to the pouting of the redhead devouring food in an even more unhinged way than Ranko usually did herself.
"That was Himeko and Ranko. Same difference. I could sing, but I'm a gal who prefers eating. Kinda an escape person, you know?" She grinned, tearing into her ninth taiyaki. Where she'd got them from on a boat out of England he didn't know but likely she probably had had them delivered special through one of her alter-egos.
One of many, it seemed.
Ryouga nodded.
"Anyway," Kyouko continued brightly, "next bit's mostly school and boring, so I'll skip over a lot of it. Except the time Himeko got herself kidnapped."
"She got-" Ryouga was interrupted by Kyouko snickering.
"That she did, as if she weren't enough of a prim princess. Not that she would have escaped, she had an appearance to maintain, even if it had been cemented she knew fighting at least by tying up the hentai horde."
Ryouga blinked. "Hentai horde?"
"Oh yeah, before your time wasn't it? Was a bunch of idiots," she clenched her free fist and bit into the next pastry with a savagery she hadn't before, "back when Ranma showed up that were attacking Akane daily in an attempt to date her because of Kunou. Tatewaki, that is. Asshole." She shook her head. "Anyway, I put a stop to that pretty quick. But they figured with 'Ranma' gone, that they musta had another chance or somethin'…"
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Himeko walked demurely along the road to school, bag held at her front as she took measured steps. The road was relatively clear this early, though she did spot a crowd outside of the school.
Stopping to the side, she frowned at the various sports clubs.
"This again." She said quietly to herself, looking angry. Schooling her features, she walked up to what seemed to be the leader of the group. "What is going on?" She asked, looking down her nose at him.
"Nayotake-san!" The boy squeaked, making her even more disappointed. "I… we…"
"Is this that barbaric event you were apparently doing before my cousin came, where you attempt to beat a date out of Tendou Akane?" Himeko asked, her words sharp.
"Well, you see, now that Ranma's gone, we-"
"You thought you could go right back to being terrible? Are there not other girls in this school?" Himeko asked. "Did Tendou-san ever agree to this nonsense?"
"W-well, Kunou-senpai a-a-always said-"
"Kunou Tatewaki-san is not here." Himeko replied. "And if he has instituted this again, I'll have words with his sister, my friend, to control him better. Clan Tendou is an ally of Clan Saotome, and by extension so is Clan Nayotake. We take honour seriously, and this dishonourable display is just about the worst I have seen. You should all be ashamed of yourselves."
Her words were delivered in a voice that could strip a tree of its bark, an acid tone that brooked no argument. "I can understand why Tendou-san has such issues with the boys here if they are all like you. What would your mothers think, hm? Perhaps I should tell them."
Most of the boys paled and scattered after that, but a hardcore few remained, staring defiantly at the upper class, copper-haired girl.
"So, you are decided to do this?" She asked. "Then allow a student of the Path of the Silken Breeze to admonish you on behalf of all of the ladies here."
She undid her sash and muttered to herself as she brought the wooden crescent blade and short sword from her ki space, swinging the sash until she threw it up into the air and to a nearby tree. Then she pulled and concentrated her ki, sending tendrils of the sash out above the boys that picked each of them up by one leg and dangled them where they were. Most of them yelled out in shock and struggled, but all they managed was to set themselves swinging.
Akane walked up and blinked at the trussed-up hanging boys, five of them, and a Nayotake Himeko with a frown on her face, tapping her feet.
"Are you going to apologise to Tendou-san?" She asked acidly.
There were several nods and a chorus of apologies. Himeko let them down to land on their heads, where all knelt in dogeza. "We're sorry, Tendou-sama!" They exclaimed at once.
Himeko's sash slithered back around her waist and she put away her sword and blade, the girl setting her hair back to perfect. "Thank you. Don't let me find this again. I abhor pointless violence, but I am willing to use my Path to defend those who need it. Gokigenyou, Tendou-san." She smiled and bowed shallowly to Akane. "My apologies for the uncouth display."
"F-forgiven." Akane replied, bewildered. "What was that all about?"
Himeko frowned, falling into step alongside Akane. "The boys thought they would recreate the deplorable display I had heard my cousin stopped. I simply taught them the error of their assumption that you were no longer with allies willing to defend your honour."
"O-oh." Akane blushed. "Thanks."
Himeko marvelled internally. Just a few years ago, Akane would have demanded to defend herself, that she could take care of herself.
"You're welcome. I just hope they don't have the stupidity to think they can attempt anything like that awfulness with myself."
Akane shook her head. "The boys here are stupid, but they're also leaderless without Kunou. And you somehow defanged him."
Himeko tittered. "I rather did, didn't I?"
The next day she walked along the road to school and stopped near the gates, where once again a group of boys was standing. She folded her arms. "I am reasonably sure I told you all the price of such uncouth behaviour before." She said imperiously in her best 'rich girl' voice.
They stood firm until she pulled her cellphone from her pocket and took several photographs. Then she dialled a number. "Nabiki-chan, gokigenyou." She said politely, staring coldly at the group who started to sweat when they heard the name. "No, I'm fine. I do not know if your dear sister has mentioned, but there is a horde of boys trying to attack her in the mornings again. Yes. No. Yes, I'm quite sure. They do not seem to understand my threats are not idle. No. I will send you the photograph. If you would please send me the data, then I can make the calls I need. No. Thank you. Gokigenyou."
She flipped the phone closed and put it away, still staring. They looked defiantly back. Then she undid her sash, sending it behind them, tripping them and hanging them all once again from the air, upside-down. "I will repeat this as necessary, but this is your last warning. Do not push me too far, else I will make sure to bring all of my clan to bear. Now we shall wait for Tendou-san so you may apologise, once again, for your transgressions."
Himeko waited politely on a nearby bench, reading her textbook, while the boys from the sports club hung there. Eventually Akane made her way over. "Again?" She asked. Himeko stood up and bowed.
"Gokigenyou, Tendou-san. I present to you today's crop of imbeciles. I've given them a last warning for harassing you. I will not tolerate such uncouth behaviour, even here in Fuurinkan."
Akane blushed and looked away. "…You remind me a little of your cousin, here." She said. Himeko smiled gently.
"In a good way, I hope."
Akane nodded. "He didn't like the fights either. Thought they were dishonourable."
"They are."
Himeko dropped the boys to the ground unceremoniously and a similar apology-grovelling came as before, though Himeko could tell it was insincere. Very well.
She walked beside Akane, who looked interestedly at the sash around Himeko's waist, tied behind her into a bow. "Your techniques are really interesting, Himeko-chan."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I'd love to have a spar sometime. I bet you'd be fun to." Himeko tittered, and Akane's face flushed in anger. "Are you… Are you laughing at me?"
Himeko waved her off. "My apologies, Akane-chan, but no I am not laughing at you. I'm laughing at the fact that, in a straight fight, you would likely put me into the dirt, and rather quickly. The Path of the Silken Breeze is, in part, related heavily to ninjutsu and other kunoichi techniques. As such it is mainly an infiltration and asymmetrical-war-based art. Certainly a practitioner can fight well, but…" She flipped her hands and she was wielding the sash, blade and sword. "It is designed to win and kill through misdirection and overwhelming force of sashes when caught so as to escape. It is a very dualistic art in that regard."
She put the weaponry away. "It isn't a fair spar if I don't use my weapons, and if I do it wouldn't be fair to you as I would have too much advantage. Though I do know some Tai Chi and Kenpo forms, so I suppose if we stuck to those… But alas, I fear you would beat me. I do not use ki to enhance my musculature anywhere near the amount that you do in those forms, so you would have a serious advantage." Akane looked at her classmate, who smiled gently at her. "Still, we can try, I suppose." Himeko mused.
Akane nodded and they proceeded into the room.
Himeko's display wasn't without consequences. She was asked to the office and queried about her fights, and then again at lunch by Sayuri and Yuka, but she made it very clear she more or less cheated with her sash and the element of surprise.
"As I have explained to Akane-chan: in a straight fight, I would have lost." She said, taking dainty bites of her rice. "However, one rather learns to take advantage of surprise and other weapons in my path when one does not have the same strength others around here do." She chewed a moment, swallowed and smiled around. "I wouldn't expect such displays to be common. I detest random brawling in the street, and besides, if someone with sufficient strength and mobility to dodge my sash came at me in my current level of training, I would certainly not prevail."
Though she was hoping that the idiots would have learned their lessons earlier, that evening, Himeko placed a number of calls using the information that Nabiki had given her, just in case, though.
And that was the end of that, or so she'd hoped.
Unfortunately, as she'd expected, it wasn't.
Next morning, the crowd, watching as Himeko walked up with both Nabiki (who had the day off from university and had been interested in seeing what happened) and Akane to the waiting boys.
"This again." Himeko said softly, acid in her tone. Akane ground her teeth next to her and Nabiki looked at one of her former lieutenants who shrugged and made a 'call me' sign at her, wincing. Nabiki's eyebrow rose, but she figured that Noriko had already tried to stop it and failed.
The boys yelled out that they would date Tendou Akane and rushed forwards, only to be stopped by a myriad of angry female and male voices. But not from behind – from the sides. They stopped their blinkered charge and looked around, confused. Their parents – all of their parents – were coming out of the woodwork and none of them looked happy. Himeko smiled coldly to herself as Akane gaped.
Thick ears and rumps sore from being swatted by their own sports equipment were in abundance that morning, as was angry yelling about decency. Every parent made their children stop in front of Akane, bow in full dogeza and apologise profusely, promising to never do it again and this time there was desperate, panicked sincerity in their voices.
All of the parents thanked Himeko for the calls she had made, and she inclined her head with a faint smile and told them they were welcome.
"Wow." Akane muttered as they walked into their classroom.
"I did warn them, but their apologies yesterday were less than sincere. So, I merely gave their parents a heads-up as I doubted they would approve. Such is the way of things I do." Himeko said, with a slight giggle. "I wasn't quite expecting the spankings with a hockey stick, but I suspect they were most instructive, especially when given in public by their parents."
Akane smiled at Himeko. "Thank you for sorting that out."
Himeko smiled back. "Thank your sister, mostly. I simply refuse to be a bystander in such atrocious events." She sighed. "I do hope that is the last time I deal with strange martial arts things directly."
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"I'm willing to bet that that wasn't the last time you dealt with strange martial arts things directly." Ryouga mused aloud.
Kyouko snickered and grinned at Ryouga as she finished her final bowl of soup, dragging him back across the deck, pulling her hoodie off and tying it around her waist as between decks she shimmered and changed to Ranko.
"Alright, some more sunbathing, then dinner."
"You want to eat more?" Ryouga blinked.
"Uh, yeah. Still a human black hole for food here, Ryouga." Ranko commented. "Some stuff ain't changed, and me lovin' food's one'a them."
Leading him to a deck chair, she sat him down and then lay on one next to his, pulling her tank top off to show off her bikini top and slipping out of her shorts. Ryouga rather quickly looked away but settled back eventually onto his chair.
"So… is this what you do on a cruise?" He asked after a few minutes of relaxing. Ranko pushed her sunglasses up from her face onto her forehead and stared at him.
"What else would we do?"
"I don't know. Don't they have casinos and bars and stuff, and we're just sunbathing? Didn't you pay a lot for this cruise ship thing?"
Ranko shrugged. "Sure I did. But I did it to have a holiday away from even the lesser madness that crept up on me. So I'm doing what I like, and I like sunbathing. If you do wanna do somethin' though, holler up. We've got a week or two left here, even if I'd like to get started on stuff."
"Which is?"
"In good time." Ranko settled back down, smiling as he averted his eyes after catching himself watching her bounce slightly with the movement. "Yanno, I don't mind you lookin', Ryouga." She said. He flushed.
"It's not polite." He replied, leaning back and looking away.
"Eh, you know me. I ain't that polite. Besides, cute boys I like oglin' me's a real confidence boost. Even with all our history you still like whatcha see, right?"
He flushed further but managed a nod.
"So don't worry, I know how hypnotic a nice rack is. I mean, goddamn, have you seen Shampers when she's in one of her barely-an-outfits? Gal's got boobs for days."
Ryouga flushed even more if that was possible. He shook his head.
"Well, your loss. Might not like the bitch much, but can't deny she's attractive." She laughed ruefully. "I suppose that's what people look at me like, too."
"I… I'm not sure." Ryouga managed. Ranko blinked. "I… It's like… Look, you've always been kind of an asshole." Ranko flushed but didn't say anything, merely nodding. "I'm not saying you are so much now. I mean you're still you, you just don't seem to have that… that huge chip on your shoulder you always had."
"Pot. Kettle." Ranko muttered, just loud enough for him to hear. He sighed.
"Yeah. I know. But… Well, we've both kind of grown up a lot, haven't we?"
"Well, you shot up, yeah, I'm still fun size except for my rack." Ranko grumbled.
"Whatever. I mean mentally and emotionally, right? I've… put away some of my anger and… I met these monks who taught me ways to handle some of the depression. Gave me new eyes, really, to look out at stuff. And you've… Well, there was always something that was bugging you. I guess you figured it out."
Ranko smiled at him. "I guess so."
"But… even before, you were kind of… I guess magnetic. Even when we were all fighting, it was all about you. And apart from a couple of odd ones out, you tended to leave with friends rather than enemies." He shrugged. "Even when we hated your guts we still liked you, if that makes sense?"
Ranko blushed slightly and looked to the side. "I… guess?" She answered, shrugging. Ryouga grinned.
"Making you blush is a turnaround. Still, I did mean it."
"Shut up."
"No, really." He laughed softly and she joined in a moment later. "Anyway, you were talking about weird martial arts things?"
Ranko eyed him, then looked up at the sky thoughtfully, shaking her head. "Yeah, thinkin' that weird shit wouldn't follow me was kind of a dumb thought…" She trailed off for a moment then sighed. "Honestly," she said, "School weren't that interestin'. Just sitting on the outside of everything happening. I'd watch fights and I did get challenged once or twice but it was rarely and only against other girls."
Nabiki, who'd turned up at some point and was sunbathing herself, though she also had her phone and was tapping away on it, spoke up. "There were the times that asshole Taro grabbed you."
"Yeah," Ranko waved Nabiki off. "But he ain't worth talkin' about, the transphobic prick."
"Pantyhose Taro kidnapped you? How?" Ryouga looked bemused. "Why?"
"Couldn't give away who I really was, could I? Anyway, Akane really came through for me the few times it happened."
Ryouga nodded. "I guess you're right there. Sounds like you had fun."
"I did. Learning the new art I practice, the new life. And it was calm. I can't tell ya how rare that'd been before but now I could actually think."
Nabiki grinned. "And you got a real conscience."
Ranko made a face. "Yeah."
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Of course, Himeko's hope that that would be the end of weird martial arts things happening directly to her was derailed the next Monday morning. As she walked along the road towards school, tightening the teal jacket of her winter uniform against the cold, a shadow loomed over her.
She looked up and adjusted her jacket, only to see a huge minotaur standing over her, looking down. It poured hot water on itself and changed into a Chinese boy that she recognised, though she kept that fact to herself.
"Oh, my." She said, feigning shock. "I admit, I've seen people change but that was very impressive."
The idiot in front of her preened, but then he went serious. "Are you called Himeko?"
Himeko looked askance at him, adjusting her glasses again. At least he'd upgraded to asking about the people he kidnapped these days. She sighed internally at the humiliation of being a kidnappee. Still, it would definitely cement her status as not strong enough, so perhaps this was useful. Plus, she could always simply escape later. "I am Nayotake Himeko. How may I help you?"
"You're the-" He used several insulting adjectives including a few slurs for good measure. Himeko's face darkened with every word. "Known as Ranma's cousin, that Himeko?"
"You should wash your mouth out with soap, sir. Those words were all horrible and not for decent people to speak or hear." She admonished. "My cousin Ranma may be cursed to turn into a girl, but that is no reason to speak such language."
Taro's eyes narrowed but he smirked. "Fine." He said, "But you'll do as bait. I need him to get the old pervert to change my name and since no one's seen him..."
Himeko dodged back. She had to show some skills. "Oh, you are the one my cousin's iinazuke spoke of!" She said brightly, sounding a little airheaded. "Pantyhose Taro!"
He growled and lunged again as she moved to the side. "Don't call me that!" He exclaimed.
"But it is your name, isn't it, Pantyhose-kun?" She answered, looking down her nose, her copper curls bouncing. "Someone as uncouth as you isn't even due the regard shown by honorifics, but I am nothing if not polite."
She drew her main sash and wooden sword. "And I detest this random brawling in the street. If you make a formal challenge, fine, but this is neither decent nor honourable." She whacked his nose and tripped him.
She moved around until he had the measure of her most basic moves, and then he stepped into a puddle. Himeko looked up and sighed internally even as she pasted a look of fear on her face. She looked behind her and saw Akane running towards them, anger on her face, before Taro flew up and dragged her away.
Akane ran up to where the short fight had been and picked up Himeko's wooden sword. Yuka and Sayuri came up to her.
"Oh no! Poor Himeko-chan!" Yuka said, aghast. "What an awful boy!"
"She wasn't lying about a straight fight, was she?" Sayuri mumbled. "She was trying, but once he had the strength from his monster form he had her."
"I have to go and get her!" Akane stood up. Her best friends looked at her.
"But Akane-chan!" Yuka protested. "He could beat Ranma sometimes!"
Akane smiled at her friends. "Yeah, he could, but I'm strong enough to hit Ranma hard enough he hurts. And I have secret weapons."
"Oh?"
"My sister." Akane said. "Ranma fought smart, but Nabiki's been teaching me to fight smart and strategically. And she's the best weapon. I can't fight Taro unless I find him."
"That's a good point!" Sayuri nodded. Akane waved as she ran towards home.
"Let the teacher know what happened to Himeko and that I'm going to rescue her!"
The two watched their friend run off. "She's changed since Ranma-kun left." Yuka commented.
Sayuri kissed her cheek. "Yeah. A lot for the better. Maybe he did it on purpose, to give them both space to grow?"
"Yuri-chan!" Yuka squeaked. Then she giggled. "I don't know if he had the brains, but even I was seeing how weighed down Ranma-kun seemed before he went. Like something heavy was pressing on him. I hope he's OK…"
Sayuri giggled too. "I hope so, too. But until then we have the dashing knight Akane-chan, rescuing lost princesses like our Himeko-chan."
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JennyDracos
Eccentric Hugging Lady
- Location
- Chicago
Sorry to hear about the life changes. Hopefully you can change them again for the better. But very glad for the update!
