Merchants of Vengeance
Part 11 of "Much Ado about Ranma"
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic by HK Miller
6 November 1999 - FFML draft
23 November 1999 - RAAC version; Ukyou detective scene rewrite
& tweaks
Major characters copyright Rumiko Takahashi and licensees:
Shogakukan in Japan and Viz Communications in the USA.
No disrespect is intended by my unlicensed usage.
Mild lime warning: adult themes suggested.
Frustration warning: cliffhanger ending.
The earlier stories in this series are are posted at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/5058
A summary follows this story.
Conventions: telepathy is delimited > <
Time: Christmas season, a few months after Part 10.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In a shadowed office somewhere in Shinjuku, Mitsutomo
Trading Corporation's wily Tsugawa met with the gaijin Mr. Jason.
"The next three shipments are on schedule. How is distribution
coming?" Jason asked, his eyes probing.
Tsugawa frowned momentarily. "Fine. The northwest wards
are doing particularly well." Tsugawa hesitated, then continued.
"As you requested, we're dumping the stuff into Nerima ward at
close to cost. May one ask...?"
"A personal matter. Keeping a promise, if you will."
Tsugawa was silent another moment. "This isn't what I expected.
You said it was harmless. Good business. Challenging."
"Did I now?" Jason openly mocked. "I don't remember you asking
very many questions when we reached our agreement. The profits to
be made from such an addictive product must have driven the
thought from your mind. Or maybe you had your eyes on a
promotion."
"A.C.P. was on the television news last night. High schoolers,
the same age as my own children, dead of an overdose."
"Second thoughts can be SO tiresome."
"I know I can't back out of this now." Tsugawa hesitated. "I
just need a bit more sake to get to sleep each night."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I still think it sucks, working on the Emperor's Birthday,"
Ranma commented, as he fired a Mouko Takabisha while upside
down, at the top of the arc of his somersaulting leap.
"It's not a holiday here in Singapore, Ranma-sama," replied
Kodachi as she pranced from head to head, posing on each
just long enough to distract the lumbering, misshapen monsters.
Dozens of the ten-foot-tall, baked-mud creatures, no two alike,
stomped through the street, upsetting cars and shattering
windows.
"Careful, Ranchan! You almost destroyed a corner of Raffles'
Hotel," noted Ukyou as she clove a monster in two with her
battle spatula, only to see each half become a separate
monster.
"Tell the monsters to be careful! They're the ones trashin'
every car on the street!"
"I think Ukyou-san means to suggest that we don't have to
add to the gratuitous destruction they are causing."
"Well, we still gotta figure out a way to attack these things'
weak flank. Either 'o you got any ideas? What're they made of?"
"They would seem to be the guardians of the legendary
Borobudur artifacts we were sent here to acquire."
"Brilliant, sugar!" replied Ukyou sarcastically. "What was
your first clue?"
"The legend which led the Japanese archaeologists to the
artifacts' resting place in Java says that they were created
by one of the Buddha's closest disciples, at Sarnath, out of
fire and earth. We should try exposing these monsters to
air and water, the opposing elements."
"Oh! Ranchan can just use a Hiryuu Shoten Ha, and aim all
the monsters into the harbor!"
"Well, I got news for ya! I've tried a Hiryuu Shoten Ha on
these things already, and it ain't workin'! Either they
ain't giving out hot ki, or we're too close to the equator
for a whirlwind to form, or both."
The three ran across the cricket field in front of
City Hall, monsters in hot pursuit, while they debated their
next move. Cars honked, skidded, and stopped; pedestrians
stared, open-mouthed. Two children wearing "Typical
Uninteresting Officeladies" tee-shirts provided commentary.
"That's definitely U-ko! She's my favorite!" The Malayan boy
said approvingly, in English.
"A-ko's not here," pouted the Chinese girl. "I'd much rather
see A-ko than U-ko."
Meanwhile, Ranma had an idea. "Let's lead them to the docks.
They got those big cranes here, for loadin' cargo containers.
You two go run two 'o the cranes, and pick the monsters up
and drop them inta the ocean. I'll stay below ta distract
them and make sure they get hooked."
"Ranchan, I can't run a crane like that!"
"I can, Ranma-sama, and your plan is sound, except that Ukyou-san
needs to stay down with you. You may need the extra distraction,
and she, unlike myself, is strong and fast enough to stay out of
the monsters' clutches."
Ranma looked unhappy, but nodded his acquiesence to the revised
plan. "Okay, we just gotta lead 'em through Chinatown, then.
Go slow so they can keep up."
At the docks, Kodachi gained the cab of a crane in short order
and began work. Ranma dodged monsters and made sure Kodachi's
hooks were properly affixed, while Ukyou watched Ranma's back.
Slowly the number of monsters diminished.
>What's wrong, Ranchan? Still don't trust Kodachi-chan
completely?<
>Well, no, though I don't wanna hurt her feelings by comin' out
and sayin' it.<
>Ranchan, she doesn't need a rensu to be able to tell that you
don't trust her. She'd feel better if you _did_ come out and
say it.<
>It ain't that she's tried to hurt any of us, cause she hasn't.
She just keeps springin' these surprises on us. First she lets
Mom try to engage you and her, same deal where I gotta father
her children.<
>Mother didn't need any help from Kodachi-chan to come up with
that idea. And I still haven't rejected the idea, remember.<
>Then she just shows up on the first day of Spy School last
fall with that stupid smirk of hers, without tellin' us she
was gonna be in our class. We trained with her two days
before, but she hadda keep it a secret and surprise us.<
>She didn't keep any secrets from us during the class, and it
lasted for eight weeks.<
Ranma snorted. >She didn't have much chance. They kept us
busy at least sixteen hours a day, 'cept for the day that weird
giant marshmallow monster came outta nowhere and attacked the
building. But what about the ki recharge technique?<
>What do you mean? That she could learn it? That you could use
it with all four of us at once? She learned those things at the
same time we did.<
>But Akane still acts like it's my fault!<
>She'll get over it. Look, Ranchan, Kodachi-chan may be a bit
theatrical for my tastes too, but she's part of the team now,
officially, whether we like it or not. You have to start trusting
her. _I_ trust her.<
Ranma snorted, weakly, but thought nothing.
>I know you don't want me to marry her, Ranchan, and I won't,
as long as you feel that way. But you know I don't have
any objections myself, and neither does Shampoo; we're
both pretty resigned to this by now.<
>And what am I, a brood stallion?<
Ukyou giggled. >Exactly. A wild one, too.<
>Hmmmph.<
Eventually all the monsters got dropped into the harbor,
where they conveniently dissolved. The next day, the three
flew home, carrying the legendary Buddha's Teacups, on
indefinite loan to the National Museum of Japan.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Oh, Ranma, it's horrible!" bawled Akane, throwing herself at
Ranma in a tight hug and crying on his shoulder.
"Welcome home, Ranma, Ukyou," said Kasumi, smiling. "Akane
is upset about your school friends."
Ranma held Akane tight as she continued crying. Nabiki explained,
"Seems Hiroshi and Sayuri have been experimenting a bit much.
They're in the hospital from a drug overdose. We just got word
earlier today."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
On Christmas Day, Ranma, Akane, Ukyou, Daisuke, and Yuka stood in
a hospital, watching Hiroshi and Sayuri through a glass window as
they underwent drug detoxification therapy. Hiroshi and Sayuri's
faces looked pale and troubled as they slept, while a maze of
plastic tubes kept them alive. Contaminated blood dripped slowly
out of their arms, to be replaced by clean blood. An antiseptic
nurse wearing a breath mask kept watch in one corner of the room.
Ranma kept one arm around Akane.
Yuka pleaded, her eyes teary, "I tried to talk them out of it.
But this new drug is so cheap. A lot of our old classmates are
saying they want to just try it once. Then they can't stop
taking it!"
"It's hard... seeing our Nerima friends being destroyed like
this," whispered Akane.
Ranma gave a start. "Nerima will be destroyed," he quoted,
staring into space at nothing.
"What?"
"Da Wa's words, at the Musk's Spiral Path. Maybe this is what he
meant. Maybe the Kagema are behind this new drug."
"What does A.C.P. stand for, anyway?" wondered Akane.
Yuka blushed, then muttered, "Addictive candy panties. Guys
get high by eating them, girls by wearing them. It gets absorbed
through the skin."
Behind the four teenagers, two aged eyes peeked out from behind
a decorative vase. Happosai smiled.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In a luxury penthouse apartment near Mitsutomo's offices, Nabiki
and Jason sat together on a sofa.
"Really? You've actually seen magic? Artifacts with curses or
enchantments?" asked Jason as he nuzzled Nabiki's neck.
"Umm... Keep doing that," Nabiki said throatily. "Well, I don't
expect you to believe me, of course..."
Jason chuckled. "You could always convince me by showing me one
of these magic items. Do you own any personally?"
Nabiki thought about her possessions. For some reason, the cheap
medallion with the dragon motif which Genma sold her came to mind,
but she dismissed it. She thought of Kasumi's transformation
amulet, and the rensus.
"I don't own anything like that myself, but both my sisters, and
my brothers-in-law, own charms with interesting properties."
Jason's fingers slid over Nabiki's back and sides, stroking her
exactly where she liked it. She felt his warm breath on the back
of her neck. Jason nibbled her ear, causing her to shiver.
"It would be really interesting to see such a thing. Think you
could arrange it?" Jason whispered.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
On his nightly rounds, Happosai, a nearly-full bag on his back,
carefully plucked the bras and panties from a clothesline
hanging outside a twentieth-story apartment. The sliding door
slid open; a frightened woman, clad only in panties, shrank back
in fear.
"My, my, my dear, you look almost... edible." In the blink of an
eye the woman was clad in nothing at all. Happosai sniffed the
panties, then carefully tasted them. His face lit up beatifically
and he devoured the panties almost instantaneously.
"Mmmmmm...." Happosai wrapped both arms around himself clockwise.
"MMMMMM...." Happosai re-wrapped his arms around himself counter-
clockwise.
"MMMMMMMMM!" Happosai lept into the air and floated gently down,
horizontally, radiating sheer bliss.
As he landed, "More! More!" he pleaded, on his knees.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That night, Nabiki tossed in her sleep. Her hand, reaching
restlessly, encountered the dragon medallion. She quieted in her
sleep as her hand grasped the medallion firmly.
Nabiki found herself standing naked next to a large lake,
at night. A half moon lit the lake and the steep, forested
mountains surrounding it. A chill breeze blew through her
hair and across her skin, raising goosebumps.
Somewhere a wolf howled, but the sound did not frighten
her. Something within her felt like responding with a
howl of her own. She smiled, showing teeth.
Something large surfaced in the lake, moonlight glinting
off the rivulets which flowed over the reptilian skin.
A pair of eyes, each larger than her head, gazed at
her, assessingly.
Nabiki became aware that she was holding something: a
knife. Kasumi, helpless, lay bound before her, staring
at Nabiki in terror. Nabiki felt a thrill that
she could inspire such fear. Kasumi abruptly shimmered
and was replaced by Akane, also cringing in fear.
Nabiki smiled as she raised the knife,
...only to awaken suddenly, in bed at home, drenched in sweat.
"Oh, good, it was only a dream..." Nabiki muttered, clutching
the dragon medallion to her chest without noticing. As her
heart stilled, she lay back down. A wry smile crept onto her
features. "Still, to be that much better than Akane..."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next day Shampoo entered the Nekohanten wearing a discouraged
expression.
"Great-grandmother, do you know why Husband's other wives act so
strange?"
"What do you mean, child?"
"Akane usually treats me like a friend, fellow wife, and teammate,
but other times like a housekeeper, an employee. And Ukyou always
acts the same as Akane."
"Have you asked them about it?"
"Yes. They say that the law in Japan forbids Ranma from having
multiple wives. But then why do they accept the situation at
all?"
"I believe I understand, child," Cologne thought for a moment.
"Your co-wives and husband are Japanese, and accept, without
thinking about it, customs and ways of thought which are alien to
you. They cannot explain themselves, since these ways seem
natural to them. But you must learn how they think about these
matters. More, you must learn how to learn for yourself, when
future misunderstandings occur."
Shampoo looked at Cologne blankly. "How? Unless they can
explain, how can I learn?"
"Japan is your home now, Shampoo. You have no choice but to do
the best you can to fit in. And you have the means: your little
trinket there," Cologne noted, pointing at the wrist where Shampoo
wore her rensu.
As Shampoo raised her bracelet and its gleaming jewel to her eyes,
Cologne continued. "Go upstairs and lie down, child. Close your
eyes and think about your fellow wives, specifically Ukyou.
Instead of speaking to her with your mind, just listen to her
thoughts. Let your thoughts flow with hers, until you can
perceive her feelings, and the fleeting images which pass through
her mind when words and ideas occur to her. Then suggest to her
the dichotomy 'honne' and 'tatemae', real feelings and official
position..."
A six-year old Ukyou being told that she was now a boy,
and she'd better start behaving like one. Ukyou wondering
when the place between her legs would change.
At seven, Ukyou gradually understanding that her body
would remain a girl's forever, but that she must be a boy
in public at all times.
At eight, learning in history class that real rulers never
hold the title. Couriers pay lip service to an Emperor
while obeying a Chancellor or a Retired Emperor or a Shogun.
Relating the gap between fact and word to her own situation.
At nine, being admonished to hide her feelings in public.
Being told that "the nail that sticks out is hammered down".
Deciding to stick out anyway. Being repeatedly admonished
never to show displeasure outright to the person with whom
she was displeased; rather to hint at it to mutual friends.
At eleven, watching her father go out of his way to please
a houseguest he actually detested.
At fourteen, Ukyou's routine of dressing as a boy starting
to become onerous. The feeling of her chest being flattened.
At sixteen, finding Ranma again. Being horrified to realize
that he thought her a boy at six, and is still fooled by her
clothes and manner. Her feelings when this handsome boy
smiled at her and called her 'cute'. Fears of losing Ranma to
Akane; that maybe she'd already lost. Fears that she would be
unable to legally marry Ranma if she won.
At seventeen, Nodoka reminding Ukyou that she is legally and
socially male. Resuming her male dress on more occasions.
Knowing that she may have to marry another woman for
appearance' sake.
Being out with Ranma, Akane, and Shampoo. Thinking of and
treating Akane and Shampoo as fellow wives, close friends, and
teammates. Introducing themselves as man, brother, sister-in-
law, and foreign housemaid to a stranger, without giving any
conscious thought to the matter. Expecting Shampoo to act her
part; being embarrassed when she does not.
Nodoka proposing that Ukyou marry Kodachi. Thoughts of how
she could expand her business with Kodachi's dowry, of owning
the biggest restaurant chain in Tokyo. Dismissing concerns
about sharing Ranma with yet another woman. Fleeting
comparisons of Kodachi's body to her own; satisfaction and
conviction that she'll hold her own in Ranma's esteem.
>Shampoo? Are you all right? You feel troubled. Are... are
you crying?<
>Sorry, Ukyou. I am just having a little trouble adjusting to
life in Japan. Could we... could we talk, sometime?<
>(concern, worry, affection) Sure, Sugar. Anytime.<
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Downstairs in the Nekohanten, Cologne abruptly looked out the
door, alarmed. With a word to Shampoo's father to watch the
restaurant, she darted out the front door.
On a rooftop, she confronted Happosai. "Old fool, what are you
doing?"
"Panties..." Happosai looked cross-eyed as he devoured dozens
of pairs of A.C.P. faster than the eye could blink.
"Happi," Cologne said, a touch of urgency in her voice, "you
have to stop. Don't do this to yourself. Not even your system
can cope."
"Lil Cologne," Happosai smiled, stopped eating. He looked down
at what he held and shuddered. A cocky smile started to cross his
face, but a fit of shivers took him. Sweat started to pour off his
body.
Abruptly Happosai darted away. "PANTIES!"
"That old fool! Never could resist temptation worth a damn. I
just hope son-in-law is up to stopping him, or Happi'll destroy
most of Nerima."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In the Tendo Dojo, Ranma was training with Akane and Kodachi
when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Whirling, he saw Cologne,
about to tap him again with her staff.
"Son-in-Law, you have to stop Happosai. The old fool is out of
control."
The three sat cross-legged on the Dojo floor; Cologne stood as
she explained.
"That old lecher is stealin' those addictive panties from all over
Nerima and eatin' them?"
"Dozens? Or even hundreds?" Akane asked, horrified.
"Even one pair has hospitalized normal teenagers," observed
Kodachi.
"He must be stopped, almost certainly by force, Son-in-Law. You
are the only one with a hope of accomplishing it."
Abruptly Soun burst into the Dojo and fell to his knees in front
of Ranma. "No, Ranma, I beg you. Let the Evil Master die of an
overdose. We'll be free of him at last!"
Cologne whapped him with her staff, knocking him out. "Oh, he
might die, all right, Son-In-Law, but not before taking most of
Nerima with him."
Ranma looked grim. "Right. What's my mission objective? Umm...
that means: tell me what I gotta do. Capture him? Injure him?"
Cologne nodded, smilng approval. "Happi must remain utterly
immobilized for at least five minutes so that I have free access
to his nerve centers and shiatsu points. Given this, I can keep
him paralyzed for long enough to help him over the withdrawal
symptoms. But you must do it _now_."
"You got it," noted Ranma as he lept to his feet and dashed out
of the Dojo. Akane and Kodachi followed, leaping to the rooftops.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ranma, Akane, and Kodachi caught up with Happosai in the ruins of
an illicit warehouse, formerly stacked floor to ceiling with
crates of A.C.P. Dozens of thugs lay strewn around the grounds.
"Kodachi, check 'em and get ridda any guns."
"Certainly, Ranma-sama. You will not need the distraction."
>Does she always have to agree with and explain your orders? Why
doesn't she just follow them like we do?<
Ranma and Akane leapt towards where Happosai menaced the sole
conscious guard.
"I GOT NO IDEA WHERE THE STUFF COMES FROM, I TELL YA!"
"Happosai. Let him go," commanded Ranma, sternly.
"Ranma..." Happosai turned. "No, you're not wearing them... I
need more..." His eyes seem to glow with a dim red light.
"Ya gotta stop, now, old goat. Ya want more, ya gotta go through
me."
"As you wish," sneered Happosai, who hunched his shoulders. A
swirl of hot ki immediately surrounded him, rose into the air,
assuming the shape of a ghostly dragon. It then swooped at Ranma,
ripping up the concrete floor.
"I've seen this attack before, old man," commented Ranma calmly.
>Get outta the way, Akane. Ya can't help with this.<
Akane retreated quickly. Ranma, icily calm, simply punched the
apparition as it reached him, giving a slight twist to his wrist.
The ki dragon dispersed around him into swirling dust devils.
"Try a taste of your own medicine." Ranma hunched his own
shoulders, duplicating Happosai's attack. Happosai's eyes widened
as a ghostly dragon swooped towards him. Happosai countered with
another Dragon Fist of his own. The two collided and vanished.
"How could you?! Using an attack like that on an old man!"
"Can it, old man. None 'o your tricks are workin' this time."
Off to one side, Akane mimed opening her shirt. >I can distract
him for you,< she sent, with a mixture of hope and disgust.
>Ain't necessary, Akane. 'Preciate it.<
"Wanna try more 'o those?" sneered Ranma.
"You snot-nosed punk! Show some respect to your master!"
Happosai performed a quick, one-handed gesture, and a gleaming
bolt leapt towards Ranma. The steel pillar behind where Ranma had
been standing crumpled.
Happosai hunched his shoulders again. This time, two swirling
pillars of dragon essence formed above him. Ranma watched
carefully, then pointed past Happosai.
"Hey, old lech! Check 'em out!"
Happosai whirled to see Kodachi, grimacing, stripped to the waist
and posing. Unnoticed, Akane stared in shock.
"Hotcha!" Happosai prepared to leap, but Ranma was faster,
circling him in a blur.
"HIRYUU SHOTEN HA!"
Happosai, caught in the whirlwind, flailed helplessly for a
moment, then smiled nastily and concentrated. His twin Dragon
Fists, about to fade out, reformed, circled, and approached Ranma
from opposite sides.
Ranma, again icily calm, judged his moment, adopted a curious,
one-bent-leg pose, and then seemed to vanish.
"The umisen-ken!" exclaimed Akane. "The dragons must be
attracted to Ranma's ki! If it's masked, they don't hit you!"
The two ghostly dragons criss-crossed where Ranma had been, then
swirled back into the sky. Ranma reappeared in the same place,
then aimed each hand at points on opposite sides of the whirlwind,
right next to Happosai.
"MOUKO TAKABISHA REVISED: TWIN ICE TIGER STORM!"
Two icy balls of solid air shot from Ranma's hands. Happosai's
dragon swirls, attracted by Ranma's ki, followed. Each pair of
attacks collided with the whirlwind on opposite sides of Happosai.
Twin mid-air explosions dispersed the whirlwind. Happosai began
to fall. Ranma was waiting when Happosai landed.
"Twin compound fractures," Ranma noted. Happosai, grimacing in
pain, tried to stand and actually began to succeed. His fractures
began to visibly heal.
"I don't like doin' this, old goat, but you gotta stay down
longer'n this. BAKUSAI TENKETSU REVISED!" Ranma touched each
of Happosai's exposed thigh bones with a single finger. Both
shattered, except for the central marrow. Happosai went down and
stayed down.
"Well done, Son-In-Law," approved Cologne, suddenly standing next
to Ranma. As Akane and Kodachi approached, Cologne continued,
"I can handle Happi's detoxification from here. Even Happosai
will be wheelchair-bound for weeks, with injuries this extensive.
You, Son-In-Law, must turn your attention to another matter. It
would appear that your elder wife is not completely pleased with
you."
"Huh?" Ranma turned to see an apparently meek Akane.
"Ranma, you were wonderful... utterly magnificent. And thank
you for being so concerned about my safety. Now..." Akane
abruptly raised her head, which held an angry expression, and
grabbed one of Ranma's ear by the thumb and forefinger. Akane
hauled a squawking Ranma off. "HOW COULD YOU!? Using Kodachi's
chest as a distraction after turning down mine!"
"Hey, ain't my fault she's got a bigger pair than you..." Ranma
trailed off as Akane hauled him away.
"Ranma-sama will never learn," muttered Kodachi, then suddenly
smiled, blushed, and held her hands to the side of her head as
she gazed at the departing pair. "But at least he noticed."
"Son-In-Law always did know the wrong thing to say to Akane."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That evening Nabiki and Jason strode through the Ginza, looking at
the Christmas decorations on the department stores and holding
hands.
"I heard that in America, everyone would have finished shopping
two days ago," Nabiki mentioned. "And yesterday was a holiday
there."
"Ummm-hmmm," nodded Jason absently. He released Nabiki's hand and
put his arm around her, giving her a one-armed hug.
"Tell me: is it true that Americans don't give gifts to each
other on New Year's, only on Christmas?"
Jason turned to Nabiki and smiled, looking into her eyes. She
felt a thrill run up and down her spine.
"Now, let's not talk about life in America. I'm more curious
about Japan, and about you. What was it we were talking about
last night? Oh, yes, magic items. That your family owns some."
Nabiki smiled cunningly. "I brought two items with me. One, my
older sister's," Nabiki fleetingly hoped Kasumi wouldn't miss the
brooch, "is certainly very powerful. I've seen it. I also
brought an old Medallion I happened upon. I wouldn't swear to
anything about it, though."
Jason smiled approvingly. "Interesting. We'll take a look when
we get back to my apartment."
In the penthouse, Jason and Nabiki sat together on a sofa. Nabiki
pulled the items out of her purse, then handed Kasumi's brooch to
Jason.
"Hmmm..." Jason frowned, turning it over. "Doesn't seem like
much." He ran one hand over it slowly, feeling it carefully.
"I've seen it transform Oneechan's clothes instantly."
Jason chuckled. "Like on one of your Magical Girl shows? That
doesn't take magic; good holography could do that. What can your
older sister do when transformed?"
Nabiki frowned. "...I'm not sure. Maybe nothing. The one thing
I thought I saw her do... maybe it was the transformation itself.
Since then I haven't seen her try anything."
"What about the other item you brought?"
Nabiki slowly handed over the dragon medallion. It left her hand
with a curious, almost reluctant, sensation.
The moment his finger touched the medallion, Jason smiled. "Oh,
now this piece is really, really interesting." Jason ran both
hands over the medallion slowly, feeling it and wincing
occasionally.
"Really?" Nabiki smiled back. She clutched his arm, smiling
inwardly. "Why so? I don't know for a fact that it's magic at
all."
"Oh, it's magical enough. Can't you tell from the workmanship of
the dragon relief? A craftsman capable of making this has his own
kind of magic."
"I'm glad you're happy. I just _love_ satisfying you..." Nabiki
purred.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That night, still in the penthouse, Nabiki rolled over restlessly
in her sleep, reaching for her lover. Jason smirked as he
slightly altered the positions of his fingers, holding the
Medallion to her head.
Nabiki found herself swinging her hips enticingly as she
strode through a crowded Ginza street, clad in provocative
black leather. A collar, studded with sharp points, adorned
her neck. She preened in the glory of the leash leading to
to the hand of her handsome lover, who strode along ahead of
her, smoking a cigar and smiling cruelly.
Abruptly she found herself, kimono-clad, pointing a finger at
Kunou-chan, clad in his usual ridiculous samurai attire. Fire
shot from her finger and devoured him. She smiled in delight,
then turned to see Kodachi, also in a kimono, cowering in fear
and despair.
Rising into the sky, her clothes disappeared. Nabiki flew
through the sky, feeling the wind caress her bare skin,
reveling in her newfound freedom. She flapped her wings,
gazing below her at the foolish humans who dared think her
kind extinct.
She saw herself, wings curled up around her body, itself
happily curled up around a pile of gold.
In her sleep, Nabiki smiled.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Next morning, Ranma stood, pacing, in the Dojo. Akane, Ukyou,
Shampoo, and Kodachi knelt in a semi-circle before him.
"I dunno about you guys, but I made up my mind. I even called in
sick for my Sapporo trip today. So we better NOT make the evening
news this time, at least not with me in my guy form."
Three pairs of eyes looked at Akane, who spoke firmly. "I agree,
Ranma. More of our friends are at risk. Our home, Nerima, is at
risk. We need to track down the source of this drug and eliminate
it."
Ukyou punched the air. "YES! Let's do it!"
"I agree with Husband and elder wives."
Ranma looked at Kodachi. "Being part 'o the team don't mean ya
gotta do this, Kodachi. This ain't official."
"Nevertheless, I agree, Ranma-sama, out of friendship if nothing
else. Now, the only thing that remains is to formulate our
plans."
Ranma rubbed the back of his neck. "We should just start looking
for leads; we don't got any right now. 'Cept whoever sold that
crap to Hiroshi 'n Sayuri; think you can handle that, Akane?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Yuka fingered the guy for me. Good kid, Yuka; hated seeing her
mixed up in this. I wrapped my trenchcoat a bit tighter around
me and pulled my fedora down lower. Typical; a big job comes up
in the winter. Just my luck.
I called up a couple of people I knew, high-school classmates, to
get the guy's address. Hopped a cab to get there. Almost tipped
the driver, then remembered I wasn't in an American movie.
Felt silly.
The suspect's mother answered the door. Looked just like him,
from what I could remember. "Hello, I'm sorry for disturbing
you. My name is Tendo Akane; is Hikaru-kun in? I'm a classmate
of his from high school." Always pays to butter up anyone who
might be able to answer a few questions.
"Hikaru? Oh, you must be the Akane Hikaru used to speak about so
much."
I raised an eyebrow. Try as I might, I could barely remember the
guy. Oh yeah, Ranma picked on him once or twice.
"Anyway, Hikaru's not here. You might try the coffee shop across
from the train station; I think he stops in there sometimes on his
way home."
I bowed. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Gosunkugi." She bowed back.
That's detective work for you, I reflected as I cabbed it to the
train station. A lot of leg work for a few answers. Still, it's
a hobby.
Paid the cabbie off at the station. Glanced around; you never
know, sometimes you do get lucky. Not this time. Went into the
coffee shop, picked a table in a corner where I could see
everything. Drank my coffee slowly. Looked at my saucer; isn't
something missing? Oh yeah, the lit cigarette. I reached over
to a just vacated table and snitched one, placing it on my
saucer at _just_ the right angle.
"Akane? Hi! I haven't seen you in ages? What're you doing?"
It was one of my high school friends; realized it had been a few
months. Gestured at the seat across from me and caught up.
About the time my friend left, I saw my suspect walk in,
Gosunkugi Hikaru in the flesh. He looked around, walked over to
another table and sat down across from a stranger. The two put
their heads down low. The booth behind them was empty. I put
down the money for my coffee and headed for the washroom, then
ducked into the empty booth.
I was pretty sure my suspect couldn't have recognized me. Picking
up a water glass, I held it against the booth seat and put my ear
against it. I tried concentrating on my rensu too; maybe it'd
help me pick up the conversation.
"But she's the love of my life!" I heard Gosunkugi-kun
protesting. "I've got to follow her!" I wondered who he was
talking about.
"Not now, kid, we got business. We gave you the shipment; did
you distribute the stuff yet?"
"Please..." Gosunkugi moaned. "All right, yes; I did. I've got
the money here in my pocket. Where and when do I pick up the next
one?" I could almost feel the poor guy fidget; must have it real
bad for this girl. Hoped he'd take good care of her.
"Tomorrow, anytime after 11. The usual locker, across the
street. Be careful that the cops don't suspect you; the stuff's
starting to get enough publicity that they'll be out looking in
force."
Jackpot. I smiled. Just follow this guy, get an ID. As my
suspect left, I snuck out of the booth and made my way past
Gosunkugi-kun, pretending to be just coming back from the
washrooms.
"Oh, aren't you Gosunkugi Hikaru?" I asked, trying to sound
surprised.
At that moment, the sun broke through the clouds and shone
through the window beside Gosunkugi-kun, highlighting his face.
Guy got this weird beatific look on his face. Funny that a
little sunshine could have that effect.
"A-a-a-kane-san," he stuttered. I frowned. Was he a stutterer
before? I couldn't remember one way or the other.
"I noticed you were here with your friend, Gosunkugi-kun. Do you
know him from work?"
He looked momentarily shocked, but recovered quickly. I knew his
type though, and could read him like a book. I waited
expectantly.
"Ummm... ummm... insurance. That's it, I was buying life
insurance. He's not really my friend; he's an agent for a big
life insurance company."
"You sure are thinking of the future, Gosunkugi-kun. That's a
really mature move for someone our age."
"Well... if my plans work out..." he blushed and looked down. I
frowned. This didn't seem quite right. "...I may get married
soon. I just need... to earn some money... to get rid of my
rival."
"Oh, don't bother with that, Gosunkugi-kun," I smiled at him. "If
you really love this girl, just tell her. You won't need any
money; she's sure to be won over by your dedication alone!"
I waved as I left, still smiling. Nice to do a good deed once in
a while. Maybe he'll even listen to me. I knew this girl,
whoever she was, could win him away from a life of crime.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ranma, disguised as a rough 'n tumble hardhat construction worker,
followed Akane's contact into a derelict bar near the Yokohama
waterfront, patronized by many foreign sailors. He strode
aggressively up to the bar and stood next to his quarry, then
fixed the bartender with a steely gaze. "Gimme a can 'a
pineapple Natchan."
Sipping his drink, Ranma turned casually to watch the A.C.P.
middleman. Just then, the man behind him, falling down drunk,
knocked a mug of beer over onto Ranma's head with his elbow.
"Whatta ya do that for!?" the now female Ranma yelled.
"Hey, lady," said the bartender. "No offense, but this bar
really doesn't cater to ladies like yourself." He leered.
"And that outfit really doesn't do you justice," he noted,
pointing at the very ill-fitting construction clothes.
Ranma grabbed the bartender's collar with one hand and hauled him
over the bar, glaring at him nose-to-nose. "And who's gonna make
me leave? You?"
Another drunken voice was raised, "Hey, lookit the chickie!
Think's she's tough! Let's throw her outta here, guys!"
Five broad-shoulders sailors strode over to her. Ranma's target,
nervous, started to leave. Ranma dodged two hands and vaulted
over a sailor's head, trying to keep her target in sight. Behind
her, a sailor punched a construction worker. A chair came
crashing down on someone's head. Ranma absently dodged a broken
whisky bottle, then sidestepped a vicious kick, turning her head
this way and that, trying to see her target over the crowd.
"Kuso!" Ranma muttered. She jumped for and clung to the ceiling,
looking about. Below her, fists flew and knives flickered.
Upside down, Ranma crawled along the ceiling, twisting her head
back and forth. "Ah, there he is."
Ranma hopped down next to her quarry, ducking a blackjack as she
landed. She pulled her hands out of her pockets and clasped her
hands together under her chin, smiled widely, and opened her eyes
wide. "Excuse me, sir, but this doesn't seem like a good place
for a salaryman like you."
The middleman clutched his briefcase to his chest and sweated.
"You're telling me! How do I get out of here?"
Ranma shrugged. "Well, you could just wait for the fight to end,
I suppose..." Ranma caught a fist hurtling toward her head and
redirected it into the wall next to her as she spoke. "Better
duck."
Hands in pockets, Ranma dropped to the floor as a table came
flying their way. Her target was a bit slow, however, and got
caught in the face. He went down, and out. His briefcase flew
open. A name card drifted out, to be snared by Ranma.
Ranma examined the name card as she hopped over struggling
bodies towards the door. "Hmmm... Itsuwaru Dakatsu. Sales
Agent. Meijichi Life. Guess Gosunkugi wasn't completely lying.
Now that I think about it, selling insurance might make a good
cover; guy can talk with anyone, anywhere, without arousing
suspicion."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I leaped down to the street from a nearby roof and strolled over
to the scene of the crime, ignoring the cops who grimaced at my
approach. Trust the professional police to be annoyed at the
brilliant amateur sleuth. I imagined myself wearing a houndstooth
cap and clenching a pipe between my teeth. Hmmm... maybe a
slightly-lame Ranchan eagerly scribbling down my exploits? I
smiled at the thought of Ranchan and I as world-famous companions.
"All the A.C.P. still here?" I asked. "How's the driver?"
One cop muttered to another, "IHA agent. Ignore her." The
inspector in charge, a short, grizzled veteran in an overcoat,
turned to me. "Yes, as far as we know. What are you doing here?"
I smiled. Clearly the inspector was struggling to contain his
astonishment at my deduction. No problem; I could imagine the
rest of the conversation: "Elementary, my dear Inspector. The
radio news separately announced a major traffic accident involving
a large truck, and a drug bust at the same location."
"Oh, of course," he grimaced in frustration. "I should have
thought of that myself."
I turned to examine the large truck, which lay on its side astride
a major motorway through Tokyo.
"The driver is shaken up but unhurt," I heard one policeman say to
another. "He won't make any statement. I'm not sure he speaks
Japanese."
"Anything in his pockets?" The inspector asked.
"Nothing unusual. A few coins, a matchbook, cigarettes. No name
cards."
I smiled. "Let me talk to him a moment."
I glanced at the items from the driver's pockets and nodded
knowingly, then strolled over to where the driver was being held
between two patrolmen. Ranma, limping, followed me closely.
I opened my mouth and spoke to the prisoner. To my surprise I
realized the language I was now speaking was Korean. The prisoner
looked surprised too.
I turned to Ranchan, next to and slightly behind me, and assumed
a smug expression. "Born in east Seoul, by my guess. I'd say he
came to Japan at between eight and twelve years of age, probably
to Osaka."
Ranchan's jaw dropped. "How can you possibly know that?" I just
smiled.
The inspector grunted. "Korean. Maybe you're good for something
after all. Translate this: who do you work for?" I repeated
the inspector's words to the prisoner.
The driver replied, "Look, I just drive. I don't know nothing.
I didn't know what my cargo was." I repeated it to the inspector.
One of the other policemen handed a fax to the inspector, who
glanced at it, then stared at the prisoner. "Your truck may not be
traceable, but we know you are from Pusan, that you came to Japan
last year, and that you work for Osokatta Shipping." As he spoke,
he fingered the matchbook cover from the prisoner's pocket.
As I repeated the inspector's words for the prisoner, Ranchan,
astonished, asked me how I'd known that. I gave Ranchan my best
superior smile while I thought of something. "Elementary,
Ranchan; the matchbook cover in his pocket is from a bar right
next door to the offices of Osokatta Shipping. A good detective
must have a complete mental map of Tokyo at all times." Ranchan
limped forward a few steps, brow furrowed, still writing down
everything I said.
I turned to the inspector. "You of course realize that nobody
higher up at Osokatta will officially know anything about this."
The inspector sighed and gazed at the sky pleadingly. "You may
leave the rest to us. We official police have a way of getting
information out of people."
"You've got it. I was never here; you cracked this yourself.
Happy to be of service." I waved goodbye as I disappeared over
the rooftops.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"You are sure this is the real thing?" asked Shampoo, holding up
a pair of panties suspiciously.
"Shh! Not so loud!" replied the man in sunglasses. "Maybe you
should just try them on," he added sarcastically, gesturing at
the crowds surrounding them in a park.
"Good idea; I will."
Shampoo ignored the seller's sudden panic as she shrugged out of
her Chinese dress and changed into the A.C.P. Posing, she spread
her arms wide and twirled, clad only in the A.C.P. "They fit
well, but I feel no stimulation."
The seller, mortified, alternated between waving his hands at the
crowd and trying to get Shampoo back into her dress. Finally he
gave up. "Look, lady, just take 'em and try 'em out. Okay?
I gotta go!"
Shampoo frowned, looking down at herself as she raised and lowered
her arms. Studying a nearby statue, she raised herself up on her
toes and lowered herself repeatedly, waiting. Finally...
(Ah. There; I can feel the addictive feeling trying to take hold.
These _are_ the real thing. Now I can remove them, heal myself
up, and take these to Kodachi.)
Shampoo stood and changed her clothes back, ignoring the gawking
boys of all ages. (What are these stupid Japanese staring at?
This statue doesn't look _that_ special.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In the lab in one corner of her greenhouse at the Kunou-ke,
Kodachi spoke into her cellphone as she finished up her lab
work.
"That's right, Ranma-sama. My chemical analysis of the A.C.P.
Shampoo provided suggests that A.C.P. is imported, not made here
in Japan. One of the ingredients, a trace element, but apparently
a very active one, is completely unknown to me. What is more
interesting, however, is that two of the other ingredients are
known to me, but rare enough in industrial usage that the police
could find and close the lab down in short order. A third
ingredient is not made in Japan at all."
"But couldn't the ingredients be imported, and the A.C.P.
manufactured here?" Ranma asked.
"You're right, Ranma-sama, but the problem of importation exists
either way. The police can easily duplicate my work, and I
would assume they have done so. They should have traced the
imported ingredients."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Well, get back over here. I
wanna run what we found so far past Nabiki; see if she's got
any ideas."
Kodachi idlely twirled a test-tube a bit longer, watching the
liquid swirl. (Interesting to see what effect a little of this
in Oniisama's dinner would have. Ah, well, Ranma-sama wouldn't
like it if I did that.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Let me get this straight," Nabiki stared. "You're saying
you know Meijichi Life and Osokatta Shipping are involved,
and you know that some of the ingredients are imported, and
you're asking me if I have any ideas?"
"Uh, yeah." Ranma frowned. "I mean, I know it's not a lot
to go on, but we just thought we'd ask."
"Not a lot to go on?" Nabiki laughed. "You've pinpointed
the company!"
Nabiki turned to her computer. "Look. You know how Meijichi
and Osokatta are linked, right?" The other five looked at
each other and shrugged. Nabiki looked exasperated. "Oh,
for heaven's sake. They're both members of the Mitsutomo
keiretsu! Osokatta is partly owned by Mitsutomo Bank and
partly by Mitsutomo Shipping. Meijichi is owned by Mitsutomo
Bank, Mitsutomo Heavy Industries, and Toyosan Motors. And
of course Mitsutomo Bank is the majority shareholder in both
of the latter two companies."
Ranma, Akane, and Ukyou looked confused. Shampoo looked bored.
Kodachi looked interested. "And the imports would then be
handled by..."
"Exactly!" Nabiki interrupted. "Mitsutomo Trading, which I
just happen to have spent last summer interning with. I can
get into their computer systems easily." Nabiki typed away
at her computer keyboard as she spoke. "Ah, unusually
positive cash flow this quarter... imports up at Yokohama
over seasonally-adjusted averages... positive correlations
between the arrival of certain ships and overdose reports
from area hospitals. Yes, Mitsutomo is certainly involved.
But finding their factory means rifling their physical files;
they'd never leave that kind of data online. And of course
none of this will stand up in court."
"Right." Ranma clenched his jaw. "Ya happen to know where
those files would be?"
"Of course!" Ukyou clapped her hands and smiled. "We'll just
take Nabiki with us and burgle their offices tomorrow night!"
Nabiki blanched, then clenched her fist. (Damn that Ukyou!
I thought I was through with this nonsense! She's trying to
rope me into risking my neck again. I'd like to put my fist
right through her smug face. And I would, too, if only I
were wearing the Medallion... Wait, what am I thinking?
I couldn't even hit Ukyou, let alone hurt her, in a million
years! Why would that cheap piece of junk change anything?)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That night, Kodachi, in her astral body, stuck her head down
through the ceiling of Ranma and Akane's bedroom. She
watched the two of them sleeping there for a long time, without
moving. Nonmaterial teardrops formed and flowed down her
cheeks. (Ranma-sama looks so happy lying there with Akane,
happier even than when he's with Ukyou or Shampoo. I might
force my way into his harem or seduce him in a moment of
weakness; I know I could. But would he ever be this happy with
me? No, he would not; I know that now.)
She pulled her head back up and drifted over to peer into
Ukyou's, Nodoka's, and Shampoo's room, where all three were
asleep, Nodoka whispering endearments to imaginary
grandchildren. (Ranma-sama was very upset with me when we came
back from Hawaii and his mother proposed that Ukyou and I marry.
He had forgotten about it the next day, but I can't forget the
sight of his displeasure. I'm less lonely now than I've ever
been in my life; I don't want to lose that.)
Kodachi returned to gaze on Ranma again. (He's just so...
perfect, so handsome. And when he smiles at me... How can
I go through life without having him for my very own? Without
ever running my hands over his chest or legs?)
(Snap out of it! I have his friendship, and that's enough.
He has three women already. I don't need to caress him,
and I won't.) Kodachi flew back up through the roof and
headed home to her own bed. (I should break off the marriage
proposal with Ukyou, too, and let Ranma-sama stop worrying
about me. He's happy with Akane and the others.)
Below her, Ranma opened one eye and sighed in relief.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next day, Ranma, Akane, Ukyou, Shampoo, and Kodachi gathered
in the dojo, all wearing loose black tracksuits. A moment later,
Nabiki entered, wearing a maroon tracksuit trimmed in yellow.
"Sorry, guys. This is the closest item in my wardrobe to gumshoe
attire."
"Right," Ranma noted. "It'll have to do. Let's go."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
At midnight, the six were in Shinjuku, on the thirtieth floor of
the Mitsutomo Trading building. Nabiki used a penlight and a
stethoscope to open a safe while everyone else kept watch.
Nabiki carefully examined the documents. "This confirms it," she
whispered. "And the person in charge... Oh my god!"
"Someone's coming!" Akane hissed from the door. Ranma, Akane,
Ukyou, Shampoo, and Kodachi instantly faded into the woodwork;
Nabiki blinked helplessly as the door opened and the overhead
light flicked on. In walked Tsugawa.
"Tendo-kun?"
"Tsugawa-kachou?"
Tsugawa smirked. "And what are you doing here at such an hour?
You're no longer an employee; obviously here with criminal intent,
I imagine."
Nabiki smiled back and held up a hand to forestall Akane, behind
Tsugawa, from taking action. "Perhaps. But you now have more to
explain than I. These papers say quite a bit about your recent
activities, Tsugawa-kachou. Illicit distribution of illegal
substances... And I, unlike you, have allies present."
Tsugawa blinked, looked around. The hidden five emerged from
invisibility. Tsugawa looked around at the faces and figures
around him, then nodded knowingly. "Common ruffians..."
A bit impatiently, Nabiki replied, "Not at all. Let me introduce
you to the top agents in the Japanese government." She tried
humming the theme-song from 'Typical Uninteresting Officeladies';
Tsugawa just looked at her, puzzled. "The agents who saved the
Chinese premier's life last year? The Minister of Construction's
life six months ago?" Tsugawa shrugged, hands upturned.
Kodachi produced her Imperial Household Agency badge and flashed
it. Tsugawa abruptly crumpled. Kneeling, he put his face in his
hands. "You have me. I have shamed my family, my employer, and
myself. I confess to everything: I built up and controlled
A.C.P. distribution. No-one above me at Mitsutomo was involved in
any way. Please, take me away; maybe I will be able to sleep
again at last."
"You handled distribution? Where'd the stuff come from? Who
makes it, or ships it to you?" Ranma asked.
"Who? Why..."
"Me, of course." Everyone spun around. Jason stood at the door,
coolly smiling. He posed just long enough for his presence to
register, then snapped his fingers. Nabiki abruptly went rigid;
her eyes blank. The incriminating papers fluttered away from her
fingers as she slowly walked over to stand beside Jason, facing
her friends and relatives.
"Oneechan?"
Ranma snarled, "I dunno what hold ya got over Nabiki, Mister, but
she's easily the weakest fighter here. Howdya think she's gonna
help ya?"
Jason simply smiled. Nabiki, still blank-faced, reached beneath
her shirt and produced the Dragon Medallion, fastened around her
neck.
"Tell our innocent young friends where you got your little
trinket, Nabiki."
In a monotone, Nabiki recited, "Saotome Genma sold it to me for
drinking money. I later learned that he stole it from some
yamabushi in Ushimachi."
Horrified, Akane exclaimed, "THAT is the temple treasure Uncle
Saotome stole?"
Kodachi added, "...and which legend says was made by the Dragon
King we met?"
Ranma signaled for everyone to spread out. "We heard about that
thing, Mister, but you still got another think comin' if you
think that Medallion can beat the five of us."
Ukyou stepped forward, grabbing for the Medallion with all her
speed. "Nabiki! It's me, Ukyou! Snap out of it!" As her hand
touched the Medallion, a bright flash occurred. Ukyou rocketed
back against the far wall and slumped to the floor, then slowly
stood, wiping blood from her mouth.
>Oneechan! Oneechan! Can you hear me? Please, throw it off and
come back to us!< Akane grabbed Ranma's hand. "Ranma! She can't
even hear me using the rensu! What'll we do?"
Nabiki saw none of this consciously. Her surroundings had
vanished, and once more...
Nabiki found herself standing naked next to a large lake,
at night. A half moon lit the lake and the steep, forested
mountains surrounding it. Something large surfaced in the
lake, moonlight glinting in the rivulets which flowed off
the reptilian skin. A pair of huge eyes assessed her.
"Mortal, none before you have dared accept the full power
which I offer. Do you accept?"
Nabiki smiled hungrily. "I do."
"So you are you, jerk? An agent of the Kagema, I bet!"
"An Agent?" Jason laughed. "You might say that, I suppose. We've
met before, Tendo Ranma. This, however, is the last time. Once
you're eliminated, Nerima _will_ be destroyed. I always keep my
promises."
As he spoke, Jason's shape shifted to that of Da Wa, the eight-
year-old Tibetan monk, then to Ayutsuru, the robe-clad cult head,
then back to the smirking gaijin businessman. Jason twirled his
moustache, then gestured.
"Nabiki. Kill them."
An orange, burning aura formed around Nabiki. She rose into the
air and hovered, her arms spread wide. Her tracksuit, formerly
loose, shrank to skin-tight. The Medallion altered to form an
emblem on her chest: a stylized dragon entwined around a Yen
sign.
"I am Fire, and Greed Incarnate! Now and Forever, I am NABIKI!"
Nabiki gestured, and the room exploded.
TO BE CONTINUED.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Notes:
Sorry about that. Couldn't help myself.
The 'rensu' is adapted from Dr. Edward E. Smith's "Lensmen"
series. Some of the scenes where the drug distribution network
is backtracked are loosely inspired by the fourth book of the
series.
Mitsutomo Trading Corporation, Tsugawa, and Toyosan Motors
are from "Japan Inc., an Introduction to Japanese Economics
(the Comic Book)," by Shoutarou Ishinomori. Meijichi Life's
name was formed in a similar fashion: merging syllables from
the names of existing companies in the same industry.
Mr. Jason and Nabiki's seduction are inspired by the original
"Dark Phoenix" storyline from the Marvel comic "X-Men." And yes,
this is "Aunt Nabiki's Esoteric Ordeal", the beginning of it,
anyway.
Happosai's 'Dragon Fist' attack is anime-only, although not
named there (I believe Skysaber invented the name). Re: the
Bakusai Tenketsu Revised; bone, except for the marrow, is not
alive.
Information on Japanese holiday practices can be found at:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2064.html
and
http://naio.kcc.hawaii.edu/bosp/Horizons/horizons96/12JNYr.html
The Emperor's Birthday, Ten'nou Tanjobi, a national holiday in
Japan, is (currently) December 23.
Information on "Honne" vs. "Tatemae" can be found at:
http://www.cc.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/~terasima/t9.html
http://www.relojournal.com/oct96/culture.htm
Situation at end of previous story:
Ranma, Akane, and Ukyou graduated from Furikan High School
about nine months previous to this story. None are in
university, but Nabiki is. Akane and Ranma are now married,
as Tendos. Ukyou is now an adopted Saotome son and Ranma's
mistress. Shampoo is a second mistress, but her own
description of the situation is that Ranma has three wives,
Akane the senior. Nodoka helped engineer this situation,
and is now conspiring to marry Ukyou to Kodachi. Kodachi is
torn by this: she fears losing the friendship she now enjoys
with Ranma, Akane, Ukyou, and Shampoo, and resuming her
previous state of loneliness, but she still wants Ranma.
Ranma, Akane, Ukyou, and Shampoo have all learned Happosai's
ki-recharge technique, involving intimate contact with the
opposite sex. This technique is known to be making long-term
biological modifications to all four, making them stronger,
faster, more impervious to harm than before.
Ranma, Akane, Ukyou, and Shampoo now each possess personal
'rensus', small magical jewels which glow when in contact with
them, but are dark otherwise, and painful for others to touch.
These allow the wearer to understand any language, spoken or
written, to speak to another person in that other person's
native language, and to converse telepathically. They may
possess other attributes, as yet undiscovered.
Ranma, Akane, Ukyou, and Shampoo have been working for well over
a year as security personnel, working for two agents of the
Imperial Household Agency's security division. Most of their
work has been guarding receptions and conferences disguised as
female caterers, but they've also been sent as couriers to
Hong Kong and as spies to Qinghai in China. Twice, their
fights at major events made the national TV news. Both times,
the government denied that the "officeladies" involved were
in any way unusual. Nabiki helped produce a popular anime
series, "Typical Uninteresting Officeladies", to cash in on
public interest.
During the spy mission to Qinghai, on which Nabiki involuntarily
accompanied Ranma, Akane, and Ukyou, they learned of the Kagema,
legendary winged demons, one of whom instigated widespread
destruction in Qinghai disguised as an eight-year-old Tibetan
monk named Da Wa. The Kagema have since been responsible for a
series of thefts of magical items in Japan, and Da Wa
personally, disguised as a cult leader named Ayatsuru, almost
succeeded in releasing a deadly virus in Tokyo.
Nabiki spent her sophomore summer break interning at Mitsutomo
Trading Corporation, where she met the gaijin Mr. Jason, whom
she later started dating. Ranma is now an advanced martial arts
instructor for the Self-Defence Forces, traveling from base to
base. Akane is a purchaser for the clothes department of a
large department store chain. Kasumi and Tofu-sensei are
engaged to be married.
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