Fruits Basket Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Neko's Healing ❯ Curses ( Chapter 13 )

Disclaimer: ::sulking:: No, I still don't own any of them! ::stalks off, grumbling::

 

::pops back for a moment:: Gee...Xian Pu gets dressed in this chapter! <eg!> ::runs away very quickly, snickering::

 

Enjoy!

13 - Curses

 

Xian Pu looked at the ground, deep in thought, after Kyo had finished speaking. The Neko-cursed young man stood still, quietly watching her even as the others did.

 

Several things stood out in her mind, both good and bad. She appreciated his candor...and his willingness to not involve her, if she didn't wish it. She also understood, at least intellectually, some of the emotional scars he bore. She glanced for a moment at Sohma Yuki, the Nezumi no Jyuunishi; then Sohma Shigure, the Inu no Jyuunishi. Then she looked back at the Neko no Jyuunishi.

 

Her neko, if she wished...hers, and hers alone. Her body certainly approved of him, the almost magnetic attraction pulling strongly at her; and her honor found no fault with him. Something about him also seemed to call out to her heart, as no other ever had--even as her mind admired what he'd managed to do, to protect those he cared about. Such cunning, at such a young age; and for such good purpose, spoke well to the Amazon of his intellect.

 

She realized that her choice had already been made. Out of respect for his desire that she know everything before committing, she took a single step towards him, arms outstretched, asking permission with her eyes. She hadn't seen his neko form yet, after all--or his bakemono form.

 

Kyo swallowed and nodded, hesitantly. Xian Pu stepped the rest of the way into hugging him, restraining herself from a full Amazon GlompTM with some difficulty.

 

There followed a mildly startling <poof!> of orange smoke, and she suddenly found herself holding an orange neko, caught in the T-shirt Kyo had been wearing. The rest of his clothing dropped to a pile on the floor. His neko form seemed to be somewhat larger than her own, though it was hard for Xian Pu to tell.

 

The neko kept still in her arms, looking up at her through the neck-hole of his shirt with a mix of resignation and apprehension--and a flicker of hope, that Xian Pu did not miss. She absently shifted the neko about to a more comfortable position, deftly slipping him out of the shirt, knowing from her own cursed form how to best hold him comfortably.

 

She also realized that most normal teen-aged Japanese males, the well-mannered ones at least, would be distinctly embarrassed about being pressed so tightly against her ample bosom. As adorable as his neko-form was, the Amazon restrained herself from snuggling.

 

Until after the Marriage Challenge was completed, anyway. After that, she'd get right to work on that annoying shyness Japanese culture seemed to instill in many of their young males!

 

Xian Pu found herself wishing to treat this warrior with more respect than she'd ever shown to a male before, at least partially because he had already demonstrated it towards her. Also...she could sense the deep sadness in this young man; and the loneliness. The sad, grim, and ashamed looks she'd noted on the faces of his three cousins as he told her of the Jyuunishi curse--the eldest of whom was also his foster-father, she remembered--told her that any acceptance he had now, was likely recent...and very hard-won.

 

She couldn't imagine growing up shunned by her own closest family! And what his so-called mother had done--!

 

His...other cursed form...must be truly nasty; maybe even worse than Taro's. And the abuse from his evil Clan Head...! Xian Pu was perceptive enough to have figured out that Kyo was understating what that evil one had done to him. It seemed to be his nature, as with true nekos, to hide his own pain.

 

Pure anger towards that one burned close beneath the surface of Xian Pu's mind. If she ever came face-to-face with Sohma Akito, Kyo had best be around to restrain her from killing him; no one else would be able to stop her.

 

She stared down into the orange neko's slightly worried red eyes, feeling the new bond she'd already formed towards him. Her gaze softened somewhat.

 

“Hug change you to this...that not so bad.” She raised an eyebrow as she craned her neck a little bit to glance beyond him, to the clothing on the floor. “Naked when change back, no?”

 

Red eyes met red; and if a neko could blush, the one in Xian Pu's arms would have been redder than his eyes. She was a bit surprised when he spoke an affirmative with his own, human voice; Jusenkyo curses didn't allow victims to keep their voices!

 

Her lips twitched as she suppressed a giggle. She was certain he saw the humor dancing in her eyes, as his widened. “Is not so bad, avoiding hugs; are ways to--compensate.” Xian Pu licked her lips, smiling down at him; watching the little orange neko swallow. Hard. She then gave him a rueful smile. “Should try having to avoid cold water! It everywhere--Ranma call Jusenkyo-cursed `water magnets;' seen water turn right angle in midair, hit Jusenkyo-cursed! Xian Pu show you her curse next, yes?”

 

“Ah...o-okay...” The little orange neko blink-blinked at her, still looking a bit--shocked. Xian Pu gave up and let her giggle out--not the inane, high-pitched giggle that inspired gritted teeth and violence in other women; but her true-humor giggle, more of a light, bubbling laugh. Mu Tse and Kho Lon both started at the sound; they hadn't heard her laugh like that since before Ranma first defeated her.

 

Mu Tse's tense gaze on her softened a bit, almost against his will, though no one else noticed. He'd found himself unwillingly sympathetic to the Neko-cursed Sohma...and his assessment of the young man wasn't far off from Xian Pu's, minus of course the distinct attraction she so obviously felt. He'd long known he'd never be the one to marry the proud Tribal Champion; but he'd also known in his bones that Ranma wasn't right for her, either--especially as anybody with working senses could tell the pig-tailed martial artist was head over heels in mutual love with Tendo Akane, deny it as they both would.

 

An imperceptible sigh escaped him as he fought a small smile at that pair's having finally figured out their own feelings for each other. Maybe he wouldn't have to get himself beaten to a pulp on such a regular basis any more, by both Ranma and Xian Pu, trying to keep them apart.

 

Xian Pu knelt and gently set Kyo-neko on the floor, holding his shirt so he could poke his head back through the neck. Honda Tohru and Akane hastily turned their backs, to respect his modesty. Kyo's cousins and Mu Tse casually turned their heads away, also.

 

Kho Lon watched with amused interest, as did Xian Pu, as a moment later another <poof!> of orange smoke heralded the return of Kyo's human form. The young man blushed furiously under their scrutiny, as he put his clothes on with remarkably Amaguriken-like speed. He was fast enough to cause the two almost-leering female Amazons to sigh in disappointment.

 

Kyo's indignant glare as he nervously straightened his shirt and pants, trying not to spread his hands to cover that particular bit of his anatomy that she'd found so interesting, made Xian Pu giggle softly again as her bright red eyes crinkled with amusement. She couldn't resist asking, “Why soon-Airen embarrassed? Xian Pu see nothing for him be ashamed of!”

 

Kho Lon nearly fell off her staff laughing at the fire-engine-red blush that suddenly burned so brightly on a mortified Kyo's face. Everyone else but a madly snickering Shigure and an amused-looking Kazuma was also blushing furiously.

 

Xian Pu and Kho Lon exchanged amused looks at the body-modesty of these Japanese males, and their amazing susceptibility to teasing.

 

A few deep, calming breaths later, Kyo had himself under control again. His right hand nervously moved to cover the bracelet of black and white beads about his left wrist as he looked to the windows, and the water still dripping down them. The rain had not yet stopped.

 

Xian Pu saw the bracelet, and the direction of his now-haunted gaze. She remembered what he'd said about his so-called `true form'. She watched as he glanced at the others to see if any of them would leave, and saw his surprised relief when everyone settled where they were.

 

Kho Lon, having seen this reaction once already, wondered that Kyo's surprise had not lessened a bit after their first demonstration of support. The Matriarch made a careful mental note to speak with her great-granddaughter at length about being very careful of this young man's self-esteem, as regards his curse. She was fairly certain Xian Pu was perceptive enough that she had already picked up on that, but she wanted to be very sure.

 

A soft snort of amusement nearly escaped before Kho Lon caught herself, at the thought that at least this one did not over-compensate with the kind of annoyingly huge ego that Ranma hid his massive insecurities behind! Sohma Kyo seemed much more like his curse animal--prone to go off and suffer in silence.

 

Tendo Akane, meanwhile, quickly looked over to where Ranma's silhouette was visible through the glass, then questioningly back at Kyo. He nodded, and Xian Pu's now-former rival darted over to call her fiancé back inside, now that the neko transformations were done.

 

Sobriety settled over everyone after Ranma returned, as Kyo moved to stand in the middle of the room, facing Xian Pu. He looked hesitantly at the bracelet--his seal; then at Yuki, who nodded solemnly. Kyo then deliberately took off his shirt once more, laying it carefully over the back of a nearby chair; then his shoes and socks. He looked somberly into Xian Pu's eyes.

 

“This--what I'm about to show you...” His eyes drifted down for a moment. They were haunted by past pain when they returned to Xian Pu's. “Be warned--it...smells, really badly. It only comes out with the rain...and this bracelet is the only thing that seals it away.”

 

He closed his eyes and in one swift move, the bracelet was off, tossed unerringly towards Yuki's waiting hands.

 

-.-.-.-

 

There was silence in the Nekohanten as the purple-haired Amazon stared at the hideous shape that had replaced the handsome young man she had been so obviously attracted to. Everyone saw the shock that briefly crossed her face before she frowned, staring intently at the mutated, crouched form. She slowly stepped towards it, never taking her eyes off of it, even as her petite nose involuntarily wrinkled a bit at the stench.

 

Yuki watched, nerves strung taught, a surge of hope breaking against the fear of crushing disappointment within him. Judging by Matriarch Kho Lon's reaction earlier, these Chinese Amazons just might be able to accept Kyo's curse. If they could--if Xian Pu accepted Kyo as her `Airen'--!

 

That meant--whether a cure for the Jyuunishi curse was ever found, or not--at least Kyo would not be locked away for the rest of his life. Yuki sent prayers to all the kamis that it would be so, for Kyo's sake. Even without all the life-altering revelations the nezumi had been through since that tree fell on him, he'd never have wished such a fate on the neko!

 

So far, no one could possibly have any doubt that this Xian Pu was...interested...in Kyo. Yuki nearly snorted to himself; it was a miracle the young woman hadn't activated the neko's curse, the way she was all over him in that first `inspection' of hers! The nezumi had stood frozen with stunned disbelief as she came so close to rubbing her whole body against his highly distracted cousin. It had been quite obvious there hadn't been a thought of his curse in Kyo's head at the time; Yuki would have taken bets the neko had completely forgotten his own name, for a couple seconds there.

 

The nezumi had almost forgotten his own, and he'd just been a spectator!! He could hardly blame his cousin for the lapse. It was a miracle the neko had managed to stay conscious, and on his feet--not to mention avoiding a major nose-bleed! Yuki was fairly certain that if it had been him on the receiving end of that kind of over-intense of female attention, he'd have had a hard time not running straight out the door!

 

Yuki flicked a quick glance at the inu, where he sat on the floor, intently watching events unfold. Shigure had decided to stay down, likely in case Yuki got violent towards him again. His expression just then was as serious as the nezumi had ever seen it; Yuki was almost certain the inu was holding his breath.

 

That reminded him to take a breath of his own, before he started getting light-headed. He hadn't realized he'd also stopped breathing with nervous anticipation.

 

The purple-haired Amazon stopped directly in front of Kyo, cocking her head to the side as she closely studied his altered form. A slight frown of concentration was on her strikingly beautiful face. There was no trace of fear in her bright red eyes; and no repugnance, either--though there was a touch of what might be slight disappointment.

 

Then again...it might be a touch of compassion. It was hard to tell, for sure.

 

One deceptively delicate hand reached out and softly traced down the neko's broadened jaw; then rose to lightly smooth one extremely elongated earflap, that trembled visibly at her feather-light touch. There was no hesitation in her movements; to those watching, it didn't seem to occur to her that she should be at all afraid, or repulsed by the bakemono before her.

 

Yuki found himself holding his breath again, at the surge of hope that all but crashed into him. She had not rejected his cousin even yet!

 

-.-.-.-

 

Kyo slowly straightened as much as his altered spine would allow as Xian Pu circled about him, looking his bakemono form over carefully, just as she had with his human form. He turned his head to keep his purple eyes on her, feeling curiously like a slab of meat up for inspection. He wasn't used to the feeling--and certainly not in this form!! He wasn't sure how to deal with it.

 

A flicker of anger rose up from within. A slight shiver rippled across his pebbly hide as he turned it back on itself, to a chorus of approving, ghostly voices. He spared them an irritated mental glare, wishing the peanut gallery would step up for a change and give him a hand with--whatever-the-hell it was that was so angry! It wasn't going to stay distracted by Xian Pu's unexpected behavior for long.

 

The spirits could at least offer some helpful advice about the purple-haired beauty with the so-dangerous, graceful movements... Kyo had no idea how he was supposed to deal with her. Of course, considering the Neko's curse, it really wasn't surprising the previous nekos didn't have any advice for him; only a handful had managed to have a relationship with anyone, let alone marry, or--his mind stuttered on the thought--have children.

 

It was getting harder to keep his thoughts concentrated where he wanted them. To be more precise, it was getting harder to want to concentrate on anything, other that her. His talk with Tohru the night before came back to him. Oh, there was definitely a physical, er, yearning, towards this young woman!!

 

Kyo was suddenly, for the first time in his life, grateful for the distraction of the raging beast deep within his mind. He did not want to start thinking with his hormones, for the kamis' sakes! If things went well, he'd be married to this young woman--that was a life-long commitment! It wasn't something to start with just pure animal attraction!

 

Though it definitely helped...Kami-sama, but she was beautiful...! Kyo stifled a growl that was purely his own anger at his lack of self-control.

 

When she'd finished looking his bakemono form over, Xian Pu stood directly before the neko, her look contemplative. She held her elbow in one hand while stroking her chin with the other, staring deep into his odd, slitted purple eyes. Finally, she dropped her arms to her sides and declared with a great deal of conviction, “Is not so bad. Smell bad; but not helpless. Stronger than human form, yes? More powerful fighter?”

 

There were several face-faults about the room--namely, all of the Sohmas (including Kyo!) and Tohru. Ranma just slapped a hand over his face and lowered his head, shaking it, while Akane rolled her eyes to the ceiling and sighed. Kho Lon, of course, nodded approvingly at her great-granddaughter's assessment, that matched the Matriarch's own.

 

Kyo stared back at the young Amazon for a moment, stunned speechless. Then he shook his head to try and clear it of amazement, stuttering, “Ah...y-yeah. I'm--a--a lot stronger, like this.”

 

Xian Pu shrugged, noting absently the interesting, multi-tone change to his voice while in this form, and looked over at her Hiiba-chan. She gave a definitive nod, then looked back at Kyo, stating firmly, “Is not so bad. Xian Pu can deal with it, if Kyo-Airen can. Bracelet keep this form sealed, no? Only come out with rain?”

 

Kyo nodded mutely, purple eyes still wide with shock. Xian Pu nodded once more. “Is okay, then. Xian Pu show you Jusenkyo curse, now.”

 

Kho Lon hopped forward with a cup of water she'd gotten from--somewhere. Ranma let out a strangled “Eeep!!” and quickly turned around, eyes darting nervously as he tried hard not to turn back around. He'd much prefer to be back outside for this part! He gave Akane a somewhat disappointed glance--why'd she have to call him back in, when there was still gonna be another n--n-n--ne--another of them things popping up?!!

 

Akane gave him an apologetic look, and shrugged. She'd been a little--distracted, and had just plain forgotten that the Amazon hadn't demonstrated her own Jusenkyo curse, yet. The youngest Tendo daughter carefully caught Ranma's hand in her own, offering support as he almost desperately tried to think of anything that wasn't related to felines. The grateful squeeze he gave her hand made her smile softly.

 

Having already seen Ranma's curse, the gathered Sohmas and Tohru weren't surprised that there was no accompanying <poof!> of smoke as Xian Pu's form shrank and disappeared within her pantsuit, when the cold water hit. The adorable white and lavender neko, still wearing Xian Pu's hair ornaments, that poked its way out of the clothing drew a small coo from Tohru; the Amazon's feline form was absolutely adorable, after all. Xian Pu all but strutted over to rub the side of her face against Kyo's lower leg, nearly making the poor neko pass out from shock.

 

He was still in his bakemono form!! Kyo knew from experience that a neko's nose was much more sensitive than a human's. And she'd just deliberately marked him!! His eyes felt like they were going to fall out at any moment, they were so wide. The rage that lived beneath his mind outright splintered into sparking fragments of pure confusion, while the spirits let off a feeling of outright awe.

 

Xian Pu turned all the way around in front of him, keeping an eye on the frozen, monstrous shape that her new Airen was cursed with to be sure he was watching. Then she sauntered back over to her clothes, twitching her tail flirtatiously. She glanced at her Great-Grandmother, who understood she was ready for hot water. The little neko's red eyes stayed firmly on Kyo's as Kho Lon raised a tea kettle over her.

 

Xian Pu was obviously amused to note that Kyo's bakemono form was quite capable of blushing, if you were watching the rough, mud-colored hide carefully. A coy smile curled her lips as she watched him almost desperately trying to keep his eyes up on her face as she expanded into her fully human--and fully naked--female glory, right there directly in front of him.

 

The smile grew impish as she heard a sharp, fleshy <thwack!> and a yelp from Sohma Shigure; he'd been once more smacked by Yuki, who had stepped bodily to block the hentai author's view of his cousin's new iinazuke, carefully keeping his own back to her. The other men had also respectfully turned away.

 

There was an audible gulp from the frozen bakemono, as Xian Pu made an artful show of donning her clothing. Slowly. He hadn't been able to help his eyes flicking down from her face a couple times, right after she'd changed back...but he'd refused to turn away, sensing rightly that he was still being tested.

 

These Amazons obviously had different standards of modesty; and judging by the slow, almost teasing way the purple-haired young woman was putting her clothes back on, carefully snapping any possible wrinkles out and inspecting each article minutely for imaginary dust before donning it--seeming to purposefully be posing, each time--he had no doubt whatsoever that she fully expected him to look. Especially remembering how she'd checked out his own human form, earlier! He had the definite feeling she'd feel insulted, if he turned away.

 

Not that Kyo thought he'd be physically able to tear his eyes away, any time before that Amazon wanted him to...! Whoooo!!

 

Kyo swallowed a second time once she'd at least gotten her panties back on, took a deep breath--and purposefully let his eyes appraise her, once and slowly, from head to toe and back up to her amused red eyes. Trying very hard not to pass out from the accumulated shock of having such a--beautiful...! Kami-sama, she's so beautiful--

 

He didn't know where he got the self control to keep his gaze and body both even somewhat steady, but he was glad he'd managed it when he saw her smile deepen with real pleasure at his appraisal. It had apparently been what she'd wanted, all right; she quit procrastinating quite so much about getting dressed.

 

Kyo felt like his mind was nearing total mental shut-down. This beautiful young woman was interested in him--in the Bakemono of the Sohma family. Even knowing all of his curses.

 

His raging hormones cooled, replaced by a deeper, stronger mix of emotions that he would never be able put into words. There was a great deal of gratitude in the mix, as well as outright wonder...and an amazingly strong sense of pure hope. His impression of this young warrior woman was that she was not subtle about expressing her feelings; if she appeared to be unafraid and accepting--then she was. There was still a thread of the fear of rejection running through his heart; but it was rapidly running to its end, the longer he was around her.

 

A sense of unreality wrapped about Kyo, as Xian Pu finally finished the last of the buttons on her shirt. He started when he felt a hand on his left wrist, his head whipping about to find Yuki right by him, a highly amused smirk on the nezumi's otherwise smug face; Kyo's bracelet-seal in his hand. The neko raised a shaky hand for Yuki to slip the beads back over his fingers, forcing the transformation back to his usual human self.

 

He didn't notice the slight, brief frown Xian Pu got when her sharp eyes noted how the reverse of the transformation also caused him considerable pain; he'd had to close his eyes briefly at the peak of the agony. He didn't cry out, and tried his best to mask the hurt--but he could tell that Xian Pu and Yuki both noticed, in spite of his best efforts; as did Kho Lon. Ranma had long known, but was still turned away from any possibility of seeing the Amazon's Jusenkyo-cursed form.

 

Kyo kept his eyes down as he slowly put his shirt back on, concentrating on getting his slightly ragged breathing back under complete control. He didn't want to show any weakness in front of these Amazons; his pride wouldn't allow it. Just in the short time since he'd met her, Xian Pu's opinion of him had come to mean a great deal to the neko. He could feel some sort of bond rapidly forming between them; something strong, and not just purely physical. Something he'd never even dreamed would happen to him, the Bakemono no Jyuunishi--the outcast of the Sohmas...the worthless one...

 

He suddenly realized that he could easily picture himself falling in love with this proud and honest warrior woman. She was not an air-head; he could see the intelligence in her bright red eyes. She was strong, and proud.

 

There was just one more thing he felt he had to say, before asking for her decision. The neko drew in a deep breath, red eyes locked to red. “It's because of the curse you just saw, that our Clan Head has decided--to lock me up, after graduation. That's--the main reason Ranma brought me here; he thinks your people could keep that from happening to me, as well as giving you a way to go back to your village with your honor intact.”

 

Kyo remembered the fire that had sprung to life in her eyes when he first told her about his `bet' with Akito. Kho Lon had also been furious with the Sohma Clan Head over that...as his own kin had not. A stab of angry resentment shot through his heart, that long habit quickly muffled.

 

The Amazon's eyes went to Ranma as Akane gently tugged his hand and had him turn back around. He nodded once at what Kyo had said. Xian Pu gave him a small half smile, and nodded her thanks for his consideration. Then her face clouded and her body tensed up, as if for a fight; a slight battle aura formed about her as fury built within her. Her hands fisted tightly at her sides, and her expression contorted as she seemed to look for words to express something.

 

Kyo frowned a bit in worry until she got herself under control, wondering why she'd suddenly gotten so worked up. She looked to the ground, briefly, lips pulled tight and eyes narrowed grimly. Then stared back up at him.

 

“Why you let that happen?! It no right! No honorable thing, that one want do to Kyo-Airen!”

 

Kyo's eyes went bleak. “Honor...” He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them, his face showing more than a trace of sadness. “And...to protect those he'd hurt, if I disobey him.”

 

-.-.-.-

 

I think this fic counts as a cross between an AU and a continuation. I've tinkered with perceptions and with the curse; and my timeline started after the anime ended. (Whoopsie--I never did mention that, did I? Gomen!)

 

::Ya-a-a-awning:: Boy, you can sure get punchy on a week straight of only four hours of sleep a night. ::wobbles right out of chair to fall sidewise on floor, just missing two cats that were sleeping there, and scaring the five draped over the nearby couch right out of the room::

 

Itai...!

 

That does it. Nap time! Crazy go nap now, yes? Yes! Before story goes really weird place, and Xian Pu forced to visit author with bonbori!

 

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...