Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Third Chances ❯ Fallen Angels ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 7
Fallen Angels
 
 
Disclaimer: I don't own this series or any other series. I am just floating an idea. I am making no money, nor plan to, off this venture. If you think of suing me over this, then grow up.
 
I would like to first personally thank all of those reviewing my stories. I enjoy reading your comments, and try to correct the grammatical errors I miss with my final read-through as well as my spell checkers. The suggestions you all make will help make this story better for everyone to enjoy, as well as allow my to fix some plot holes I may unintentionally leave. If you find any, let me know, and I will correct them and repost the chapters.
 
I find that if I let thinks sit for a while in my head; I can play them out farther. Plus by trying and keeping my chapters between 2500 and 3000+ words, it helps keep me from making the story slide out of control, turning a diamond to a pile of shit.
 
Please feel free to review, and make comments. If you find a spelling or wordage mistake, feel free to let me know. Thank you.
 
Also, please check out my other stories. I try to keep a constant level of dedication to all of them.
 
Thanks again to Howard Russell, the best damn pre-reader out there and the main reason my latest stuff is so damn good.
 
)))))))))))))
 
Cologne panned her eyes downward, looking at an area on Nabiki that the girl had been trying to hide for the past week. “But it would appear you have already gotten a jumpstart on the competition.”
 
Nabiki froze in terror, fear creeping through every neuron in her head, blowing away all of the stress. SHE KNOWS!
 
“Oh, don't worry, child. While a large part of me is grateful that son-in-law can actually...perform his husbandly duties, I can no more do anything to you now than before his mother made her proclamation.” Cologne was truthful in her words, but they obviously were doing nothing to calm down the middle Tendo. “You are with child, Nabiki. Our tribe would not touch you, now or ever.”
 
“R-r-r-right. Like after all that's happened, I'm supposed to believe that no Amazon will take a shot at me!”
 
Cologne let out a stressed breath, shaking her head. “Child, in case you've forgotten, if anything happens to you, everyone loses. Realize, we could have killed your sister at any time, but we chose not to. Not because she wasn't a threat in the slightest. Not because she has zero cooking talent, no patience, and a temper that would set off a master of Zen. It was clear when I arrived, just as it's clear now, that all you Tendo girls are very special to Ranma. He will never join our tribe if we incur his hatred. Additionally, we most certainly do not kill those with child, so calm yourself. This much stress will not be good for your child.”
 
That sentence alone forced Nabiki to try and calm her frayed nerves. Slowly, her breathing came under control. She stared at the powerful and ancient Amazon. If what she said was true, she might be able to still contain the situation. “Even if, say, the father has no idea he is to be a father?”
 
Very few things in this world had every surprised Cologne.
 
This was one of them. “Are you telling me son-in-law hasn't considered the consequences of his actions? Oh, that's rich!”
 
Hold nothing back. “I'll tell you the full story so long as you do not use this information in any way, shape, or form to gain favor with Ranma, outside of what you would have done without this knowledge.”
 
Now this is getting interesting. “I swear on the honor of myself and the Amazons.”
 
Steadying herself, Nabiki made her way back to the bed, inviting the Elder to sit beside her, and told her story.
 
By the time she was done, Cologne was on the floor, laughing. “Oh, that's rich. He had the experience of his life and can't remember it. That fits with his life. Oh my god, my sides are hurting! And you had to trust Nodoka, oh…it hurts!”
 
Nabiki only sat on her bed, arms folded under her chest, staring at Cologne as she saw the Elder roll around on the floor, the laughter not looking to end any time soon. Great, this just keeps getting better and better.
 
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Ukyo was walking back to Ucchan's. She hadn't stayed long after Nodoka made her statements. It wasn't like she hadn't expected something like this. She had thought of such a situation when she had heard how many people Ranma had been engaged to. As much as she hated even considering the possibility that Ranma might be forced to choose someone else, these thoughts had plagued her.
 
She knew Ranma was honorable, and believed with all her heart that she could win him. After all, unlike the Tendos, her entire honor, gender identity, and family name were on the line. Added to the fact that she was “the cute fiancée”, she expected she would win Ranma in the end, as he would go to the girl who had the most to lose if he didn't wed them.
 
But Nodoka had removed all of those threats. Her father's careless words came back to haunt them, as all Nodoka needed to do was offer Ukyo formal adoption into her clan.
 
The deal that Nodoka offered also would invalidate any previous claims offered on Saotome women for the next three generations should she be adopted into the Saotome clan. In effect, she wouldn't have to worry about promises made by Genma coming back to haunt her. The Kami forbid that she should choose the adoption option and end up being married off because of some other promise Genma made for more free food and booze.
 
But that meant giving up any hope that Ranchan would pick her.
 
True, Akane had always been the best possibility. Ranma had killed for her. He had been willing to marry her. Hell, he had lived with her. All he did was come to Ukyo with problems and a hunger for free food.
 
Now, she would have to strive to get him to see her as something besides a sister, or worse, as a brother. Nodoka had said Ranma would be moving to her house, so each girl would have a chance; no single one would have a home-field advantage. She couldn't use the threat of banishment from her clan, her ten-year voyage of revenge, or her changed status to male by her father, to make him pick her. She would have to win his heart.
 
For the moment, he had three official fiancées. And each had the same shot at winning him.
 
She didn't even want to think of what would happen when the Kunos found out. Tatewaki might leave him alone since he wasn't engaged to Akane. On the other hand, he might still bother him over his “pig-tailed girl”, though it was doubtful he would press the issue harder than before. She didn't even want to consider what psychosis Kodachi would jump into for being disqualified from the meeting. She undoubtedly would jump Ranma the next chance she got to demand a reason why “Auntie” would ditch her like that.
 
Hell, even Ryoga might leave him alone unless Akane played the “Ranma made me cry” card. But given enough time, it was likely P-chan would hear something and attack again. She knew why Ranma didn't reveal Ryoga's secret. And with all the clues he left, it was obvious how blind Akane had to be to miss it. She had kept the secret herself as an inside joke. It wasn't her place to reveal how clueless the Violent Tomboy was. In the end, it would only get Ranma beaten. And if the two fathers weren't going to reveal it, then who was she to worry about what little honor Akane had left.
 
So what do I do now? I can hope I can make Ranma realize how much in love with me he is, but that's all I can do. His mother removed all the ammo I could use to persuade him to choose me. And I'm already behind because he sees me as a brother. That means I have to go three hundred percent feminine. I can't stop being the friend, but I have to convince him I can be more.
 
She had much to think about. Ranma would be difficult, to say the least. She would have to get him on a…date. Her only chance was to get him to see her not only as a woman, but also as someone whom he could love and as a possible wife. She would have to pull out all the stops. That meant borrowing some clothes from Konatsu, and perhaps getting his advice on how to approach males, ways to act, as well as how to appear more feminine.
 
Kind of odd she was asking a cross dresser for advice on how to obtain men.
 
It was so much simpler when I was the cute fiancée.
 
But then Shampoo had to throw a monkey wrench into her dreams. The bubbly Amazon had asked her one question before she had left the Tendo Dojo: “Do you think Ranma be happy running restaurant for rest of life when he love martial arts most?”
 
How was she supposed to answer that? All of her dreams of Ranma had entailed him helping to run Ucchan's and raising their kids. Now she was being asked to consider the possibility that if they did get married—she had to fight hard for a moment not to head into dream land with that issue—that Ranma might not want to work in the restaurant.

Did Ranma really want to do something else for the rest of his life?
 
Did she really know so little of the real Ranma?
 
She decided to head back to her restaurant and think of this later. She needed to open back up, and ask Konatsu some questions about looking “girlish”. Forcing back a shiver that idea sent through her, she decided one thing more. She needed to set up a date with Ranma as soon as possible. She needed to know exactly who it was she was chasing, and which of her dreams for the future were wrong.
 
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Shampoo had stood before the main entrance to the dojo, watching as the man she loved was pushing his energy into an intense kata. She could feel the emotions trying to flow out of him: anger at again being placed in a situation with no out, being forced to decide something he still felt he should have more control over, and the possibility he would be forced to hurt someone's feelings by not choosing them.
 
Now I see, Airen. It is obvious this one was truly as blind as Mu Tzu when it came to what you wanted. Can this one repair all of the damage my actions have caused? Can you find it in your heart to love me as much as this one loves you?
 
“Ranma, is okay?” She tried to sound as concerned as possible. In truth, she was. But Ranma might not be ready yet to accept the possibility that she was being honest with him or that she cared about how he felt.
 
He stopped the kata soon after she interrupted. “I don't know, Shampoo. I really don't know. Why can't anything be simple in my life? Why's everyone making decisions for me and not asking what I want first? I mean, I expect this sort of thing from Pops; he never was one to think about others. But my own mother…” Shaking his head, he tried to move beyond the depression. “I ain't ready for marriage! I ain't ready to be that! Why can't they just let me be Ranma? Why can't the just let me grow up before shoving these responsibilities on me?” The anger had been steadily rising is his voice, but not in the volume. “How the hell can I get married? I ain't even eighteen yet! How the hell am I supposed to support my wife—my family—when I ain't even out of school yet? Now I gotta get a tutor, I gotta try and look for a college so I can get a degree, I gotta figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life!”
 
Breathing deeply he tried to reign in his emotions. “Sorry about that, Shampoo. I didn't mean to blow up at ya like that.”
 
“Is okay, Ranma. Shampoo understand. She think same things lately since “Auntie” come see her. Shampoo know Ranma no want to go back to village. So Shampoo ask self what she do then. Will Shampoo stay and run Nekohanten? Does Shampoo want that? Maybe Shampoo be healer like Tofu? Shampoo too too good with stuff like that from practice with Airen!” She finished that up with a large smile, to which grew slightly when she heard Ranma laughing.
 
“Yeah, the tomboy sure gave you a lot of practice with that.”
 
Shampoo walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder, fighting her instinct to latch onto him and never let go, to hold onto the dream that they would be together. But such dreams would only last for another two months. “Shampoo think these things because Shampoo want to make own path. She hope Ranma in path with her, but understand her path may not be Airen's path.” His smile at that made her heart jump. He was truly seeing a side of her few saw and Shampoo was glad it made him happy. People often thought she was stupid, merely because she didn't speak and understand Japanese perfectly. But Ranma was different. “Shampoo also want to say is too too sorry for how she treat Ranma before. You no pick because you no want others to have dishonor, right? Shampoo understand. That why all womens want Airen, because he like that. Shampoo hope you give her fair chance to win Airen's heart.”
 
“Uh, thanks, Shampoo. I'll give you a shot. I mean, I know you probably had something bad waitin' for you if I didn't come back. I just hope if I choose you, you'll be okay staying here for a while.”
 
She smiled; it was a start. “Shampoo too too happy Airen forgive her. But she be happy if Ranma pick option he like most.” But her playful nature struck again. “She okay if Ranma choose all three.”
 
His eyes shot open wide. “W-w-w-what?”
 
“Aiyah, we need to get bigger bed for all four to sleep in! Wonder how things work out in…honeymoon? Yes, honeymoon. Shampoo wonder how all three girls get happy at same time.”
 
She moved quickly to catch him as he passed out from the naughty thoughts Shampoo had placed in his head. Lowering both of them to the dojo floor, she rested his head on her lap. “Shampoo sorry, Airen, but you is too too easy to tease.” Looking around, she bent quickly and placed a small kiss on his forehead. “Shampoo just hope everyone happy with how this ends.”
 
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“Are you quite done yet, Elder?”
 
Cologne had been literally laughing her ass off for the last ten minutes. Every time she had gotten close to composing herself, she would break into a fit of giggles after looking at Nabiki for a few seconds. Currently, she was using some tissue to wipe the tears from her eyes. “Oh, yes, child. Forgive an old woman, but I haven't laughed that hard since my old rival, Bii Da, fell into the Spring of Drowned Man. Oh, oh, I almost have myself under control, child. Give me a minute more.”
 
It took five minutes for Cologne to fully compose herself, still rubbing her sides and cheeks from their overexertion. “Okay, child. So let me get this straight. Son-in-law was actually able to relax on your trip to visit that college. You got him drunk, used him to keep four rude males—whom, by the way, deserve to be sold to the Musk as new brides—away from you, and you both ended up falling into the roles so deeply, that you had wild, passionate sex. Of which, only you recall what happened. You found out you were carrying his child, decided to keep it, and after looking over all the possible people with whom you could seek help from, you decided that his mother was your best option. Is this all true?”
 
“Yes, it is true.”
 
Cologne closed her eyes, forcing her breath to stay steady and her mind not to launch into another fit of laughter. “She not only helped you figure out how to save my great-granddaughter's honor—a fact I am grateful for—but also how to deal with Kodachi and eventually her insane brother. She then betrayed you, by not giving Ranma a way out where he would be single, but instead forcing him to choose a bride or brides in two months time, which will be when you start to show. Was there anything I missed? Oh wait, I forgot. You are now just as love-struck with him as the other two fiancées, but you will not force him into anything anymore, after learning to respect him after the calendars.”
 
Nabiki exhaled, feeling slightly agitated with how well this “meeting” was going. “Yes, that about sums it up, Elder.” Her voice was beginning to betray her stress at how Cologne was taking the situation. She knew the Elder was about one word of double-meaning away from another half hour laugh riot, and the hormones coursing through her blood were cracking her Ice Queen Mask.
 
Steadying herself, Cologne looked at Nabiki, noticing that the girl's aura showed her slowly dwindling control over her emotions. Ah, so she is beginning to know the joys of pregnancy. How fortunate that she hasn't chosen to share this information with Ranma. It would all but ensure her victory. Perhaps it would be best to steer Ranma towards the harem option. Any child of son-in-law's will have much potential, as well as secure for the Amazon Nation the techniques that the Elder Saotome has yet to teach her child. “So, child, what are your plans now? This is the last night young Ranma will be staying here before moving back with his mother.”
 
Nabiki's aura immediately shifted from barely contained anger to depression and doubt. “I just want him to be happy. I guess I will see if we can just hang out and watch some movies. He deserves some rest after that shit his mother pulled today. Plus, I was hoping you could take a look at Akane. She's been acting way too strange, even for her. I just want to make certain she isn't going to go crazy and start attacking everyone or find out if some old potion someone used is finally kicking in.”
 
Cologne had to admit that was strange as well. The girl had almost acted as if Ranma meant nothing to her anymore. This had been a far cry from how the girl was acting the last time the engagement was shifted to Nabiki, and it was doubtful that Akane had somehow discovered Nabiki's secret. “I agree, child. The woman who was present for this was definitely not acting like Akane. I will endeavor to discover why. Just be careful around her until I do. I do not wish to see anyone hurt, especially now.”
 
Nabiki nodded, unsure what to say to Cologne's proclamation. She had no idea what motives the old woman had for saying that, whether it was for her child's safety, or the fact Ranma would be unlikely to stop Akane from killing him, or that her death might delay Shampoo getting pregnant by him as well.
 
“I just have one more question for you, dear, and it is very important.”
 
“Okay, I'll try to answer it.”
 
“Does he fit his name?” Cologne looked at her with a perverted smile.
 
It took all of Nabiki's mental control not to slam down into the floor and perform the Ultimate Face-fault.
 
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Omake! By Howard
 
Mousse, Shampoo, Cologne, Nabiki, and Ranma entered the room where all of the Nerima regulars were gathered. Mousse and Shampoo went straight over to Akane and grabbed her by her arms. She started struggling but gave up after just a few seconds of futile effort.
 
The others reacted in shock and a cacophony of protests was heard. They slowly quieted down when Ranma raised his hands to get their attention.
 
Ranma addressed everyone, “When we first got here, it was clear that there was something not quite right about Akane.”
 
“Her sudden bursts of anger, her furtive demeanor, the glowing footprints,” Nabiki explained. “Not to mention her sudden three-pack-a-day habit.”
 
“But when we found the plans for the Nerima Wrecking Crew Amusement Park, we knew something was fishy.”
 
“We quickly discovered that someone else went missing at the same time that Akane's behavior changed.”
 
Ranma stepped up next to Akane. “And that person is...” He grabbed Akane by the chin and peeled off the mask revealing a weathered and withered old man. “The old caretaker.”
 
The assembled Neriminians collectively gasped. “Mr. Johnson!”
 
“I would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for you meddling kids!”
 
“Jinkies,” said Nabiki.
 
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If I messed anything up, then let me know including typos.
 
Any suggestions on how I should continue the story or improve it would also be accepted.
 
Also, if you have any suggestions for how this should go, let me know. My own imagination, while vast, always enjoys a new thought. Also, catch me if you don't think I am making the characters true to form, or a way to make them better.