Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ One-Half a Wing and a Prayer ❯ Madness of the Black Rose ( Chapter 11 )

Author’s Note: Ranma’s world was dreamed up by Rumiko Takahashi, produced by Kitty in Japan, and was licensed in the U.S. by Viz Communications, I’m just going to borrow them for a while to tell another story. This isn’t for money, just for fun. This story also contains adult themes, like sex and violence so be warned. Then again, if you like sex and violence, come on down.
P.S.: still and always for Janice.


Nabiki was beginning to wonder about her sometimes boyfriend, currently girlfriend. Ranma had pulled out all the stops today, donning a Maoist style dark green outfit that made her look just this side of unbearably cute. The big smile she flashed the counter worker at Nabiki’s favorite snack shop hadn’t hurt either, and had gotten the redhead an extra large piece of cake that quickly disappeared into her seemingly bottomless stomach.

“How you eat like that, and never put on a pound is beyond me,” she said, a little jealous at Ranma’s ability to pack away sweets.

Ranma smiled, “I can’t help it. Sweets taste so much better when I’m a girl. Besides, it takes a lot of calories to fight like I do.”

“And here I thought you got your energy from a different kind of meal,” Nabiki teased. She watched as Ranma blushed, and was about to make another innuendo when high pitched cries of pain reached their ears.

Ranma reacted instantly, jumping up on top of a wall in the direction of the yell and searching for danger. In the lot below, she saw three heavily bandaged forms surrounding a tall, lean black haired girl. A fourth bandaged attacker was on the ground nearby, holding its arm which seemed to be cut.

The three remaining attackers charged, and Ranma was about to leap down when the girl gave an evil smirk and whipped out her arm. A ribbon of some kind snaked out and lashed at the attackers. Whirling around the girl’s body, it cut each bandaged foe in turn, forcing them all back with more cuts on their arms and bodies.

Ranma saw that it was over, and the attackers had given up, but the strange girl continued to twirl her ribbon, letting it snake out to strike again and again. She leaped down between the ribbon girl and the helpless wounded, and let her own arm flash out, channeling the tiniest amount of energy into it.

The girl looked surprised when Ranma easily caught her ribbon and let it wrap around her arm. She gave an experimental tug, and found that the redhead was far stronger then she looked.

Calmly Ranma spoke up, “Don’t you think that’s enough? You won a while ago.”

Ignoring the question, the girl turned her head to look Ranma in the eye, showing her hair had been done in an off center ponytail. She quietly spoke, “You are not ordinary girl to have stopped my ribbon so easily.”

“You have no idea,” Ranma chuckled.

The black haired girl dropped the ribbon handle and flipped her hand behind her back, “Good, then I need not treat you with ordinary courtesy.” With that she shot forward, pulling a small club out from behind her to strike at Ranma. Ranma ducked low fast, and executed a leg sweep, but the attacking girl vaulted over her, spinning in air to land a short distance away. Ranma simply turned and adjusted her stance to face the girl in a defensive pose.

The girl smirked again and spoke, “My, you are entertaining.” She pulled out a flower and tossed it to Ranma, “I am Kodachi, The Black Rose. Remember that name.” With that, she lightly jumped away, landing atop the wall, then jumped again to a nearby rooftop. As she receded into the distance, Ranma heard laughter, the kind that sent shivers down her spine threatening it to jump out and walk away, and the demonic side of Ranma felt it was like the shrieking of a hundred souls bound for oblivion.

To say the least, it was a little creepy.


One Half a Wing and a Prayer
By Seth

Chapter 11
Madness of the Black Rose


The attackers turned out to be girls from the Furinkan High gymnastics team, and Nabiki had brought them back to the dojo for a meeting with Akane. Ranma sat in on the powwow, still in girl form, and listened as the heavily injured girls explained their plight.

“Every member of the team has been taken out,” Akane asked, startled.

One of the members nodded and explained, “Kodachi does it all the time, she takes out a school’s team before any match, and the challenge is forfeited to her school. Any that survive to the match never last more then a few minutes against her. That’s why we need you, Akane.”

“Why me?”

Another team member chimed in, “You’re the best female fighter in the school.” Ranma bit her tongue to keep back a scathing criticism of Akane’s position as top fighter and let the girls continue.

“So you need me to protect you until the match,” Akane asked.

The girls all shock their heads, “We need you to compete, and it is Combat Gymnastics after all.”

Ranma had to ask, “Combat Gymnastics?”

“It’s just like regular Rhythmic Gymnastics, but the two competitors fight each other using the tools,” another girl explained, “and the match is next week. You’re the only one who can help us, Akane.”

Nabiki and Ranma both winced as they saw a competitive fire light up in Akane’s eyes.

She reached out and grasped the hands of her schoolmates and declared, “For the pride of our school and the honor of this dojo, I’ll gladly accept.” The girls all broke down into tears of joy and hugged Akane. Ranma tried not to gag.

“So the girl you fought back there was the opposition for this mess,” Nabiki quietly asked Ranma.

“Yep.”

“And you know how Akane fights, right?”

“Yep.”

“Is this Kodachi person any good?”

“Yep.”

Finally Nabiki asked the big question, “Do you think Akane can beat her?”

Ranma considered this, and then answered, “Nope.”

The next day, Akane was hard at work learning the techniques needed in Gymnastics, and Ranma, once again in male form, was patiently watching. She had finished warming up and was about to begin with the clubs, when a small squeak could be heard from the door. Ranma and Akane both turned to see a small black piglet stumble into the dojo.

Akane instantly rushed over with a cry of, “P-Chan!” She pulled the pig in close and gave him a hug. Ranma said nothing, but shot a glower of hate that was not missed in the least by its small, pork target. Akane walked back to the center of the dojo and placed Ryoga down on the floor.

“Mommy has to work out now, so you stay out of the way,” she chirped, “Ranma, look out for him, ok?” With that she moved back to start with the gymnastics tools again as Ryoga wandered over to sit next to Ranma.

Ranma leaned in and whispered, “You still haven’t told her? God, P-Chan, what are you thinking?” The piglet could only sit and blush as Akane began to move, his eyes fixated on her. Ranma sighed, thinking about turning the little guy into a barbeque, but remembered his promise not to interfere just yet.

For the next half hour, Akane tried to use the tools in their proper form, but every time she attempted a basic move, she wound up miscuing and breaking something. Each time, Ranma forced himself from snapping off a sarcastic remark, and tried to give helpful tips to the girl.

When she tossed her clubs up and hit her head with them, “Think of the clubs like fighting sticks.”

When she got wrapped tightly in her ribbon, “You need to keep the momentum up to keep from getting tangled up.”

When she shattered a hoop, “Don’t try and roll through a small hoop like that.”

Finally she screamed at him, “Mind your own business, jerk!” Ranma could only shake his head as she continued to try and make the tools work for her, as opposed to working with the tools.

Kasumi came in to the dojo to retrieve the teens for lunch, and saw Akane’s lack of progress. She gave a cheerful smile and said, “If you like I can help you, Akane.”

“No thanks,” Akane said dismissively, “This is for Combat Gymnastics. I need to be strong to beat this Kodachi girl.”

Akane left to have lunch, and Kasumi stopped Ranma before he exited the dojo.

“What is going on, Ranma?”

With an exasperated smirk, Ranma explained about the upcoming challenge, and Akane’s refusal of his help. Then he asked, “Why did you offer to help?”

“I used to be captain of the Furinkan gymnastics team before I graduated,” she said, retrieving one of the clubs and tossing it lightly from one hand to another. “Tell me about this girl Akane is facing, maybe I’ve heard of her from the junior teams.”

“She seems to be a decent fighter, better then Akane at the acrobatic stuff anyway,” Ranma said, “She calls herself the Black Rose.” The club in Kasumi’s hands clattered to the floor at this.

A look of surprise crossed her face, and slowly dropped to a light frown, “Black Rose? Are you sure?”

Ranma grimaced, “Yeah. Is something wrong?”

Slowly, Kasumi turned and closed the dojo door, and in a lowered voice said, “The Black Rose is not an original name. It used to be my title when I was competing, but only in certain circles. Was there anything remarkable about her style?”

“Yeah,” Ranma said, unnerved by the serious tone of Kasumi’s voice, “She was able to cut through clothes with her ribbon. That’s not something you can normally do.” She saw the pensive look that Kasumi wore and stated, “You know what it is, don’t you.”

Kasumi nodded lightly and said, “Since she won’t let me teach her, you will have to make sure she is ready for this, Ranma. If she fails, the cost could be more then school pride.” With that, she once more schooled her expression into a peaceful smile and opened the dojo door to head back to the house. Ranma was left standing at the door, wondering what had just happened.

Unseen by both, the small form of Ryoga was under the steps, and had heard the severity in Kasumi’s voice. To Ryoga there was nothing greater then his pride, so the idea that Akane, the loving girl that had opened her arms to him, was putting even more then that on the line disturbed him greatly. He began a long and dangerous trek into the Tendo house to find the most important thing he could find at the moment, the bathroom.

Back in the house, Ranma and Nabiki sat in Nabiki’s room, having a lunch together and doing homework. As he completely failed to understand algebra, he told Nabiki about the strange encounter with Kasumi.

Nabiki considered his words and said, “I was two years behind her in school, so we didn’t hang out much, but I do know that there were some things going on that she didn’t want Daddy to find out about. As for the Black Rose, Kodachi is the first I’ve heard of to use the name.”

“Kasumi seemed pretty sure about this,” Ranma told her as he reached for another sandwich, “But it seemed like it was some kind of secret.”

Nabiki frowned and pulled a binder out from under her bed. Seeing the questioning look on Ranma’s face, she explained, “My personal notes from that year. I used to keep track of all the little rumors floating around out there, looking for any way to make a few quick yen on the side.” She spent the next several minutes thumbing through it as Ranma finished eating.

“Well, I better get back down there and make sure your sister is ready, whatever that means,” he said and began to leave.

Nabiki grabbed his leg, almost tripping him, and said, “Forgetting something?”

It took him a moment to understand, and Nabiki had to pucker her lips to help get the message across, but finally he leaned down and gave her the kiss she wanted. When he stood back up, both teens were smiling from the contact.

“Good to see you kiss well as a boy too,” Nabiki teased and patted his behind when he turned to leave, causing him to jump slightly. Blushing, he left Nabiki to her research and headed down to the dojo. Heading in, he heard the sounds of Akane’s movements, but they were heavier then he was used to, and when he looked in he saw Ryoga in human form, using the clubs to strike at a practice dummy from a distance.

“What’s going on here?”

Akane smiled and said, “Ryoga heard about my fight. He’s agreed to train me in weapon styles, isn’t that great?”

“Really,” growled Ranma, “can I speak to you for a moment in private, oh wandering master?”

“Um, sure,” Ryoga stammered out when he saw the look of anger in Ranma’s eyes. The two boys went back outside as Akane picked up the clubs and attempted to imitate Ryoga’s throwing technique. Ranma pulled him around the corner of the house and placed a vice grip on Ryoga’s arm, preventing the Lost Boy from retreating.

“I thought you were going to tell her about your curse, not give free lessons to the terminally clumsy,” Ranma said in a low voice.

Ryoga forced himself to relax and looked Ranma in the eye, “Maybe you don’t take pride seriously, but I do. Out of the two of us, I’m the one who uses weapons, so that makes me ideal to train her. Besides, this is part of my plan. Once she knows the real me, I can tell her about the curse.”

Ranma frowned, “That almost sounds like a plan, but not a really good one.” He let go of Ryoga and leaned against the side of the building. “The only downside I see to her training with you is she’ll get better with that damn mallet of hers.”

Ryoga gave an evil smile, “Then there’s no downside at all.” With that he locked eyes on the dojo door and marched with all his will in a straight line back in, making it on the second try. Grumbling about life in general, Ranma followed and sat back down to watch the new training.

Over the next several hours, Ryoga worked Akane hard. The clubs, hoop, ball, and ribbon each got a turn, and Ranma had to admit that Ryoga seemed to be a competent teacher. Unfortunately, Akane did not seem to be an apt student. It was long after the sun had set, and she was once again squirming on the floor, wrapped up in her own ribbon.

“I think that’s enough special drilling for today,” Ryoga said, “You are coming along nicely, and your ranged attacks are improving quite a bit.”

“Thank you Sensei,” Akane smiled up at him, and a heavy blush appeared on his face. Ryoga helped her out of the ribbon, and Ranma kept his mouth shut, waiting until Akane had gone back into the house to give Ryoga a piece of his mind.

“That was embarrassing to watch,” Ranma told him bluntly, “And you, buttering her up like that. She’s so far in over her head, but you could care less as long as you get close to her.”

“I’m simply a loyal friend,” Ryoga stated, his nose turned to the air, “You shouldn’t be jealous.”

Ranma closed his eyes and counted to ten, “I’m not jealous; I promised Nabiki that I’d look out for her sister. And here you are setting her up to fail.” He heard a splash, and opened his eyes to see P-Chan trotting into the house. “Oh no you don’t,” he snarled and hopped after the piglet.

Inside, Akane had finished a quick soak in the tub to let her muscles relax after the prolonged workout. Flopping down on her bed form pure exhaustion, she considered the intense training she committed herself to.

“That was the toughest workout I’ve ever had,” she mumbled into her pillow. She rolled onto her back, luxuriating in the softness of her bed, and opened her eyes. Her gaze sharpened instantly as she spotted a dark haired girl clinging to the ceiling above her bed decked out in a leotard, and holding a black rose in her mouth. Without a word the girl dropped the rose and pulled a large mace out from behind her, dropping from the ceiling to attack.

The girl yelled out, “Die, Furinkan harlot!” and swung the mace into Akane’s bed. Fortunately, training with Ryoga had increased her reflexes, and she rolled out of the way and onto the floor. In an instant, she stood in a combat ready stance and glared at her attacker.

“Who are you,” she asked, eyeing the girl’s indecent looking outfit and getting ready to strike.

The girl bowed with a flourish and answered, “I am Kodachi, the Black Rose, and your opponent for the upcoming competition. I felt it appropriate to introduce myself and wish you a good match in the spirit of fair play.”

Akane’s jaw dropped and she yelled, “What’s fair about attacking someone before a match?”

Kodachi chuckled, “I believe in a fair match, until then you are prey, nothing more.”

”That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard,” Growled Akane, and was about to punch the girl’s lights out, when her door slammed open and pinned Kodachi to the wall, and P-Chan bounded into the room with Ranma hot on his heels, a look of rage on the pigtailed boy’s face.

The two of them bounced around the room, heedless of the chaos and destruction that followed in their wake. For a minute, Ranma and P-Chan played a game of high speed pinball in Akane’s room, until they ran back out the door, leaving a frazzled looking Akane in their dust.

“Ranma,” she yelled after him, “Stop picking on my pet pig!” She was about to give chase when Kodachi took the moment to resume her attack. Acting on instinct, Akane grabbed her desk chair off the floor and blocked the mace swing, spinning the chair to dislodge Kodachi’s weapon and send in crashing to the floor.

Kodachi smiled at the effort and gave another little bow, “Impressive, Akane Tendo. Perhaps you may even be able to entertain me slightly in our match next week. For now, however, I bit you good evening.” With another flick of her wrist, Kodachi pulled a ribbon from behind her and started it twirling in a large spiral, while simultaneously releasing a dozen black petal roses. The ribbon and roses came into contact, and an explosion of petals filled the room, blocking Akane’s vision.

When the petal storm finally ended, most of her room had a black coating, and Kodachi had vanished through her open window into the night.

“Who,” Akane stammered in rage, “Who’s going to clean up this mess?!”

Outside on the roof, Kodachi chuckled at her own antics. Psyching out her opponent was half the fun to her. It was almost as good as breaking her opponent’s spirit during the match.

She turned to hop away, when a black pig leaped out of the darkness and used her head as a springboard. This dazed her slightly and left her off balance when another form sped by her, holding what appeared to be a kettle. It felt like a kettle too, as it crashed into her forehead.

Ranma had been chasing Ryoga relentlessly to get a straight answer out of the boy, but Ryoga knew that he had no answers, so he continued to avoid any attempt by Ranma to revert him back to his human form. They had reached the high point of the roof, when Ranma felt something bounce off the kettle of hot water he was holding. Looking back into the night, he saw a female form dropping headfirst towards the ground.

He abandoned his pursuit of Ryoga and leapt to intercept the girl before she passed the porch overhang. Rebounding up, he landed lightly on the second floor roof with the girl cradled in his arms. Looking closer, he was surprised to discover Kodachi in a very revealing outfit.

He asked the girl, “Are you ok?”

She nodded and he set her down on the roof. She seemed to be giving him the once over, and he returned the favor. The high cut leotard showed of a great deal more of her figure then the conservative school uniform he had seen her in earlier, and clung to her athletic build very well showing off her long legs nicely.

He was distracted from being distracted by her body when she threw herself onto him, sobbing suddenly, “Oh, I was so frightened. Thank you for your timely rescue. May I ask your name, gallant sir?”

Remembering that Kodachi did not know about his curse, he scratched the back of his head and said, “Um, Ranma Saotome.”

She bowed to him, and with a flourish produced a small bouquet of black flowers, “Here, kind sir, a token of my gratitude for your brave rescue.” With that she held the flowers in Ranma’s face, and he was about to politely refuse them when he saw the look in Kodachi’s eyes.

It was the look of a hunter about to pounce, and he knew it well as he had seen it on the face of his dark reflection when he had dove into his own mind to battle his demonic nature. This girl was a predator.

Before he could pull away, Kodachi pulled a string at the bottom of the bouquet causing a cloud of dark, aromatic smoke to shoot into Ranma’s face. He quickly knocked the flowers away, but could already feel a tingle running through his body. He took one step back and his knees collapsed. Kodachi watched him sink to the roof and advanced on him slowly.

“A small dose of paralysis potion, brave sir,” She said, kneeling beside him. “Its effects are temporary, but effective.” She examined his form again and placed a hand on his chest, “To think that one such as you exists. So graceful in action, and strong of form. I must say, I regret my decision to cloister myself in an all female school, for it has denied me this most carnal of delights.”

As she spoke, her hands were busy finding the detail of his form, following the contours of his muscled chest, and finally resting on the waistband of his pants. With a sure tug, she pulled them down to reveal his boxers, and beneath them, his semi-rigid member. She lowered herself down; pressing her spandex covered breasts into him, and with one hand firmly grasped his phallus.

Unable to move, Ranma let out a small ‘Eep’ and in his mind began to chant, Nabiki help, Nabiki help, Nabiki help…”

It began to be hard for him to focus on this chant however, as Kodachi began to massage him in a most erotic manner. He found it difficult to ignore the sensations of an almost nude girl glomping him and giving him a hand job even without his demon side. After all, he was still male. He tried to fight, but every muscle in his body felt like a hundred tons of lead.

He began to sweat when she slid down his body and gasped, “Such a fine manhood. I will make it mine to use forever.” She began to lower her head and open her mouth to claim him, when a sharp whistle pierced the night.

Nabiki stood on the roof a few meters away, having rapidly climbed a ladder in only a robe when she heard the desperate plea for help from Ranma. She stood with the moon behind her, forming a halo around her hair as a seemingly nonexistent wind gently blew it about.

“Don’t you think it’s a little impolite to do that,” Nabiki asked the kneeling girl. Kodachi was about to answer with a flippant remark, when an unseen force rammed into her, sending her flying across the roof. Nabiki’s eyes were locked on the girl, and the wind around her seemed to pick up, “Now get lost!”

Again, a force slammed into the Black Rose, this time smacking her high into the air on a path to land outside the Tendo compound. A loud crash was heard, and Nabiki visibly relaxed, the air around her once again still, and dropped to the roof next to Ranma, breathing hard.

“That’s still hard to do,” she panted out.

Ranma grunted, “What…took…you…”

Nabiki chuckled and looked at him, “I can’t fly, Remember? I had to climb up here on a ladder. Why didn’t you just fight her off, Mr. Martial Artist?”

“Can’t…move…”

Nabiki sat up and poked Ranma in the side eliciting a grunt, but not even a flinch from the prone boy. Next she tried to lift one of his arms, and found no resistance at all, and dropped it with a thud back to the roof.

“That sick little tart,” Nabiki exclaimed, “She was going to jump you like this?” She considered Ranma for a moment and stood, “Well we can’t leave you out here like this, but there’s no way I can carry you back down.” She thought for a moment, and then began to concentrate once again, trying to lift Ranma’s immobile form with her mental powers. After only a few moments, she sat back down, gasping for air.

“Ok, that won’t work,” she said, “I used up a lot of energy getting rid of the slut in the spandex.”

“Now…what…?”

Nabi ki thought for a moment, “I guess I’ll go get some blankets and we can try and spend the night up here.” She went back to the ladder, and minutes later returned with a large bundle under one arm. She laid out a futon mat on the roof and used a stapler to pin it in place on the tiles, then rolled Ranma onto it so he would be more comfortable. She joined him on the mat and pulled a large blanket over the two of them, cuddling up close.

As she positioned herself, her hand brushed over his still exposed privates. She giggled at the realization that she hadn’t pulled her fiancé’s pants back up and cooed into his ear.

“Little Ranma sad about being interrupted?”

“Not…with…crazy….girl& #8230;”

Nabiki chuckled again and brushed Ranma’s member, “And me?

Ranma grunted and said, “Better…if…I…could…move…”

Nabiki kissed him and said, “Then let me do the work for now.”

She began simply by giving Ranma’s shaft a long stroke, cupping the balls at the end. After a moment, her hand worked its way back up his length and wrapped around his lower head to give it a slight squeeze. Nabiki began a slow, steady rhythm, pumping his penis as he gave an appreciative moan. She smiled as she felt it swell in her hand, becoming erect.

Wow, she thought to herself, Wild Horse indeed.

She snuggled under the blankets, moving to straddle Ranma’s legs and opened her robe, letting her full breasts hang out. She then lowered her body to engulf Ranma’s member in her cleavage and started slowly sliding back and forth.

For Ranma it felt like soft pillows had surrounded his cock, and it sent a little shiver up his immobile spine. Then Nabiki disappeared further under the blankets and Ranma shuddered as he felt her wet mouth surround his tip. She began drawing him in, savoring the simple and slightly salty taste of his skin. She managed to get a considerable length in before she felt her gag reflex kick in, and knew the limit she could handle.

She began to pull away, letting Ranma’s penis emerge from between her lips, and felt Ranma twitch beneath her. Smiling around his shaft, she reversed direction and took him in again, setting a steady pace as a stuttered gasp echoed into the night.

Ranma lay still, unable to move in any way, so he directed all his focus to his crotch, where it felt like his very being was collected under Nabiki’s erotic ministrations. Then she sped up, and Ranma suddenly was struggling with the pleasure.

“Oh…God…so…good…”

Nabiki continued to bob her head up and down, using one hand to stimulate the lower section of the phallus. Slowly the taste in her mouth began to change as salty pre-cum began to emerge from Ranma. When she heard a long drawn out moan from her paralyzed partner, she knew she only had moments before he lost control.

Deciding quickly, she lowered her head once more, and sucked strongly on him, increasing the pressure considerably. A simple groan of warning came from the boy, and a jet of hot liquid entered her mouth. She swallowed as much as she could, savoring the unusual taste as it washed over her tongue.

After sever long pulses and a few final spurts, it was over, and Nabiki gave a few licks to clean off the target of her intentions before finally, lightly, pulling his boxers and pants back on. She crawled up from under the blanket to see Ranma’s reaction, and was not disappointed. His grin was wide, and eyes crossed from the orgasmic bliss he had just received.

When his eyes finally focused on her, he saw her once again haloed in moonlight, her robe dropped off her shoulders, an a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.

“You…are…so…wonderful…”< br>
Nabiki lay her head down on his chest and sighed with mock scorn, “You just saying that because I gave you an awesome blowjob.”

“There’s…that…too…&# 8221; he chuckled and enjoyed her closeness as they both drifted to sleep.

Across town the mood was not as light. Kodachi stormed into her private area of her family residence and began cursing loudly. Her attendant, one of the girls from her gymnastics team dressed in a tiny maid outfit, was waiting for her and bowed deeply.

“How did your meeting with the Tendo girl go, Mistress Black Rose?”

Kodachi snapped and backhanded the girl, knocking her to the floor, “She was skilled prey, but I am vexed by what happened afterwards.”

The girl stood up and began to help Kodachi remove hidden weapons.

“What transpired to place you in this temperament, Mistress,” She asked submissively. Kodachi strode away and the maid hurried to follow. They entered Kodachi’s private bath, and her maid helped her out of her leotard.

It was only when she was seated and her maid had begun to wash her that she responded, “I encountered a man,” she said, and the girl gave a soft whimper of disappointment, “Hush, you.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

Kodachi continued, “He appeared out of the night, his form that of a Greek god, yet he was light of step and touch.” She sighed in remembrance, “I was introducing myself to his considerable presence, when I was attacked by an apparition of some sort.”

“An apparition?”

Kodachi nodded and lifted her arms to be cleaned, “A woman in a long robe who seemed to control the very winds themselves. This demon woman forced me away from my gallant knight just as he was about to profess his love for me. She must be holding him hostage under some spell.”

After long experience with her Mistress, the young gymnast knew enough not to question her on this. Not unless she wanted to spend the night being whipped. And while a few of the other members of the team enjoyed that, she did not, so she simply nodded and kept washing Kodachi’s athletic form.

“This Ranma Saotome is a fine man. Perhaps he is even worthy to sit at my feet,” Kodachi mused, feeling her nipples harden at the thought.

Her maid quietly said, “I believe I have heard other servants in the house speak that name, Mistress. He seems to have caused quite the stir at the local public school.”

Kodachi nodded at this news, “Find out what you can from those worthless louts. I believe a visit to Furinkan is in order. First I will wish my opponent a good day…”

“The sledge hammer, Mistress?”

“No, I think I will use one of one of my brothers little toys,” Kodachi answered.

“I’ll retrieve it for you first thing in the morning.”

“Very good. Then I will pay my Ranma a visit, and return here to make sure his is appropriately trained to act as my consort.” She let loose with a long laugh. Her servant, having long ago gotten accustomed to the nerve shaking sound, simply finished her duty and rinsed off Kodachi. The Black Rose nodded in approval and stood, and started a sauntering walk to the large tub on the other side of the room.

“Join me,” she commended, “I will need your ministrations to ease myself until I encounter my Ranma again.” The young gymnast nodded and disrobed, following her Mistress into the tub.

Even further away then that, Shampoo had begun to track her prey to a port city on the coast of China. It had taken a great deal of persuasion and outright violence to some of the local fishermen, but she had learned that the demon, and apparently a pet panda, were here only a few weeks ago. She had thought the demon girl would have used a boat to escape Amazon justice, but it appeared that she had simply jumped into the sea and began swimming for the island nation of Japan.

She had to admire the tenacity of her prey, as the long swim would be a challenge worthy of an Amazon.

That stopped her for a moment. There was something about a challenge, but it seemed so distant. She dismissed the thought as a dream and focused on the task at hand. She remembered the words of the Chosen One. The girl she tracked was a threat to the entire tribe, and that had to mean that she would be a skilled warrior.

Shampoo considered following her prey’s example and using the swim as training, but she knew that swiftness was called for. After all, the sooner she could kill the demon and return to the Chosen One, the sooner the threat would be over.

It was then that she saw her opportunity. A ship was just leaving the port, and from her interrogation of a very frightened worker earlier that evening, she knew it was bound for Tokyo Bay.

She leapt into action, running with all her speed down the docks and jumping at the last second to grab the anchor chain. Moving fast, but quietly, she scaled the chain and moved from shadow to shadow, searching for a place to hide during the voyage.

In two weeks, she would be in Nerima, ready to kill.


To be continued.


Endnote: Ah, it’s good to be back after a short break. I’m ready to start the second arc now, with Kodachi (duh), the Golden Pair, and the Return of Shampoo and Enema. Be warned though, I just got a 360, Gears of War, and Oblivion, so there may still be delays while I obssess about those. I want to thank all my readers, old and new, for continuing to enjoy the story. I also thank my beloved fiancée, Janice, for acting as an editor. Until next time, fuzzy mugwomps.