All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz Communications.
A Different Viewpoint: Curses and Demons:
Chapter 34
It wasn't until late that night that either Johnathon or Misty really regained the power of speech, raw emotion and need having kept them far too overwhelmed with one another for rational thought until both were nearing exhaustion.
"I love you." Johnathon said very softly into Misty's ear sometime late that night. They had been making love almost nonstop for hours, although Johnathon had no real explanation to how they had managed to keep going quite so long. "I don't tell you that enough, you know that?"
Misty shook her head just slightly in denial, not wanting to have to move too much, but not wanting her husband to think he in any way neglected her. "I know, Johnathon. You tell me that every day."
Johnathon held his wife just a bit tighter. "I should tell you more, that's all." He sighed. "I'm sorry... I just... I couldn't seem to stop myself once we got started... I should have been more careful."
Misty giggled softly. "Don't be silly, husband! Even if you could have stopped, I certainly wouldn't have wanted you too! I thought I'd never get enough... I felt insatiable." She snuggled into his side with a contented sigh. "But you... completed me. Thank you."
Johnathon sighed as well, allowing himself a slightly smug smile. "I'm glad. I was... worried. I never... I've never been so... out of control...."
Misty purred softly, the sound sending pleasant vibrations though Johnathon's belly. "I don't believe that. You were gentle, even at the peak... you moderated your strength. I know you're strong enough to have hurt me... but you never will. Never. I know that I'll always be safe in your arms."
Johnathon was silent for several long moments before he responded. "For as long as I live... I will protect you. Even from myself, if need be."
Misty giggled again. "You'll never need to protect me from yourself, Johnathon."
Johnathon hesitated, then shrugged. "I don't know...." He said ightly. You're pretty darn sexy... even when you're not... you know." He ran a hand along her belly slowly, his voice light. "One of these days I may not be able to resist, even if you're not in the mood." He hesitated again, becoming more somber. "Seriously, I hadn't really thought about it... but you can't have been as... excited the last couple nights as Kasumi and I were.... Cats only feel the... the need every once in a while... like tonight." He sighed. "Why didn't you say anything?"
Misty shook her head. "There wasn't anything TO say, Johnathon. Don't tell me you don't... that you don't feel anything when you're half-cat. I know you can become excited without my being in heat. It's the same for me... just not as strong." She shook her head, giggling again. "I don't think I could SURVIVE doing this every night. What we had the last few nights is just fine... better than just fine in fact. If I ever am... uninterested... well, I'll tell you, although I can't picture that happening any time soon."
Johnathon nodded, smiling and closing his eyes. "I don't know why I worry.... Kasumi would have told me if you were unhappy, even if you might not have." He opened his eyes and looked into her golden irises. "Sorry. I do worry. I know being like this can't be easy... but I'll try not to let it worry me too much."
Misty sighed, then hugged him. "Please. I don't like it when you worry, even if it is about me. You and Kasumi take good care of me, the best... but I would be happiest if we could all just take care of each other."
Johnathon stroked her head lightly. "Then that's what we'll do then... we'll all take care of each other." He frowned lightly. "Kasumi... she hasn't come to bed yet."
Misty frowned as well, glancing at the clock. "I wish she would have come in earlier... although I suppose she might have looked in and decided not to disturb us... I doubt I'd have noticed if the whole family had stopped in to watch... at least for most of it."
Johnathon laughed wryly. "I know what you mean... I don't think I would have noticed catching on fire." He groaned slightly. "I don't want to leave you... but shouldn't I get her?"
Misty hesitated, then nodded. "I'll do it. There certainly can't be enough beds in the house for everyone... she's probably still awake downstairs somewhere."
Johnathon started to rise himself, pulling Misty up with him. "We can find her together... I don't feel like going far from your side right now."
Misty nuzzled his neck and nodded. "Good. I feel the same. Let's go find Kasumi together."
The two half-cat's dressed quietly, Johnathon only taking the time to pull on his boxers, and Misty throwing a light robe over her shoulders but not bothering to belt it up before they exited the room together. As they had half expected, they found Kasumi sitting in the living room and slowly sipping a cup of tea while watching a late-night movie.
Kasumi shut off the TV as soon as she noticed them and stood up, going to them immediately for a three-way hug. "I love you." She whispered to them both, burying her face between their furred chests and holding them both tightly. They hugged her tightly back, not saying a word, and it was Kasumi who spoke again first, pulling slightly back to look them both in the face. "Would you two like something to eat? You both must be hungry after using up so much energy."
"What we want," Johnathon said firmly, "is for you to come to bed with us."
Misty nodded in affirmation. "It's late. Please come to bed."
Kasumi nodded with a calm smile. "Alright." She let Johnathon and Misty guide her up the stairs, holding on to them tightly as they went. She giggled a bit as they both started to undress her on the way up the stairs, but didn't say anything. She was beaming happily as they lifted her off her feet and carried her into their bedroom, not resisting in the slightest as they stripped her naked and laid her down on the bed. Kasumi gasped in delight as Johnathon started to make his way down her body. "Oh... oh my!" She took a deep breath. "Aren't you two tired?" She finally asked curiously as he moved between her legs. "We are." Misty admitted. "But we're still a bit excited as well... and we wanted to share at least part of that with you... dear, dear sister... we love you, of course!"
Kasumi blinked, then let her eyes roll back. "Oh.... OH!" She stroked her feline twin's head at the same time as she did her husband's. "Oh. I'm sorry for making you come and get me." She apologized sincerely between deeper and deeper breaths. "I won't make you wait for me again."
Misty's eyes were alight. "I most certainly hope not!"
*************
Urd lay panting underneath Happosai as he entered her for what had to be the fifth time that afternoon. He had taken her in the bath, then moved into the closest bedroom for times two through five. He had considerably more endurance than she had expected, and even her limits were close to being reached after three hours of his constant attention. Urd did her best to respond to his movements but she was starting to get extremely tired, while Happosai showed no signs of fatigue.
"What are you made of, Stud?" She asked him humorously after he had finally finished. "You're like a machine. Don't you ever get tired?"
Happosai winked down at her knowingly. "It took me most of eighty years to perfect the technique, and I thought it was wasted... until I picked up this wonderful curse." He told her cheerfully. "Some people think Jusenkyo is evil... but I just think it likes to have a little fun. The curses can be a real blast if you know what you're doing. They don't have to be the end of the world." He rolled his eyes. "That moron, Ranma. He had the power to turn into the sweetest little thing I'd ever seen, and he wastes it. He could sneak into every hot spring, public bath, and girl's gym in existence, any time he wanted to, but he never wised up. Now he's lost his "curse" and all I can say is good riddance. He never deserved such fortune." Happosai chortled. "Besides, that leaves sweet little Ranko-chan. No more turning into a guy, just girl sweet girl, twenty four seven." Happosai rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "I can't wait to get a hold of her, so I can show her what a Jusenkyo curse is really for."
Urd did her best not to gag at the youthful appearing pervert's obsession. "What do you need with a little girl like that when you have someone like me, lover?" She asked Happosai coyly, running a hand over his chest enticingly. "Do you think she could satisfy you as well as a real woman like me?"
Happosai turned over to straddle her again, ready to go once more and grinning cheek to cheek. "You're a real woman alright, Urd-chan, and you never have to worry. I'll always come back to you." He fondled her breasts happily as he readied himself for another go. "Oh yes...." He moaned lustily. "You'll always be one of my favorites."
**********************
An hour later, Happosai walked cheerfully from the bedroom nearest the baths, wearing his purple gi again and nearly skipping in glee. "What a hottie!" He chortled happily as he walked down the hall. "Two or three more like that and even I won't want any more!" He shook his head ruefully, glancing back at the bedroom where he had left Urd sleeping. "Sorry girl, but just one woman will never be enough for me. I'm far too much man for just one... even one as much fun as you were."
Happosai sauntered down the hall, stretching out his arms and legs a bit as he went, peering into each open door he passed.
"Well, well." He noted thoughtfully. "Looks like the ladies have been exploring while I've been busy with Urd-chan." He whistled cheerfully to himself as he spotted the other goddesses and Senshi in the main bedroom. "Ah, there they are! Best not to keep the ladies waiting." Sauntering into the room with a distinctive swing in his step, Happosai waved at the girls as they all turned to face him, noting the cards in they had been playing with with a grin.
"Playing cards, were we, girls?" Happosai asked with a leer. "Mind if I play?"
"Where's my sister?" Skuld demanded angrily. "Where's Urd?"
"Your sister's just find, my dear." Happosai said placatingly. "She's sleeping it off in the first bedroom past the bath, if you'd care to check on her. She's just a bit tired, is all. I was just too much for the poor lass, I'm afraid." He winked at Haruka knowingly. "Perhaps you'll have a bit more pep, what do you think? You seemed to have plenty of energy earlier...."
Haruka started to rise but Michiru put a hand calmingly on her leg, keeping her sitting. "If you wish to join us, Happosai-san, please have a seat." Michiru said politely, indicating a cushion between herself and Setsuna. "We were playing spades. Do you know the game?"
Happosai shrugged disinterestedly. "I suppose I've played it once or twice." He plopped down on the cushion Michiru had indicated and glanced from girl to girl slyly. "I know one or two more entertaining games we can play with cards though."
Michiru, Haruka and Setsuna exchanged wary glances and Setsuna nodded subtly. "Perhaps you and I could play a more private game, Happosai-san, if you'd like." The oldest of the Senshi gathered the cards together and began shuffling them expertly. "Something for stakes, perhaps?"
Happosai raised an eyebrow at her in interest. "Well now... that does sound interesting... but why don't we all play?" He plucked the cards from Setsuna's hands and started to shuffle himself. "I insist. It'll be tons of fun."
Hotaru looked curious. "What game will we be playing, Happosai-san?"
"What else?" Happosai said, sounding surprised that she needed to ask. "Strip poker, of course." Michiru, Haruka and Setsuna had mouthed the words "Strip poker" along with him and exchanged another look, this one resigned.
Belldandy blinked several times. "I've played poker before, Happosai-san, but I don't believe I know that version." Haruka raised her eyes to the ceiling and tried not to groan, and Happosai turned to her cheerfully. "It's really quite simple my dear. Let me explain." He started dealing cards, five to each player, whipping them out at high speed like a professional dealer. "You see it's just like poker, except instead of playing for chips, or for money, you play for clothing."
"Clothing?" Belldandy repeated before blushing. "Oh my. You mean the clothing we're wearing?"
Happosai nodded cheerfully. "You've got the idea." He glanced at his cards before placing his hand face down in front of him. "I suppose it would help if we did have a few chips though, or this will be a very short game." Happosai glanced at Belldandy appraisingly. "Well, I have been wanting to try this out... and this is as good a time as any." He rubbed his hands together. "OK, Belldandy, I wish for a pile of poker chips." Belldandy felt her powers being accessed, and found herself rising slightly into the air as she cast a simple spell, summoning the nearest set of poker chips to appear right next to Happosai. They appeared with a slight outrush of air and Happosai clapped his hands gleefully. "Very good, Belldandy-chan! I can tell I'm really going to enjoy having you around."
Happosai took a handful of chips. "Now then, we'll say that an article of clothing is worth ten chips. The minimum bid is one chip, and the maximum bid is, oh... ten chips at once, alright?"
Belldandy nodded slowly. "I believe I understand. So, other than that it's just like poker?"
"Yup!" He glanced over at Setsuna expectantly. "Well then, as I dealt, I believe it's your bid."
Setsuna glanced at her cards. "Alright. Nothing wild this time?"
Happosai winked at her. "Not unless you mean me, honey."
"Fine then." Setsuna agreed. "I suppose I will bid one chip to open."
Happosai grinned at her. "Well then, as you don't have any chips to bid, I suppose I should sell you some." He winked at her. "I'll be the banker, so we don't get confused, alright?"
Setsuna raised an eyebrow at him then shrugged. "It's your game, Happosai." She started to pull off a high heeled shoe. "You'll give me ten chips for this then?"
Happosai nodded cheerfully. "Of course!" He counted out ten chips and handed them over, taking a Setsuna's shoe in exchange.
Setsuna took her ten chips and laid them down in front of her, pushing one of them to the approamate middle of the circle. "One chip." She glanced wryly over at Skuld. "It's your bid, Skuld-chan."
Skuld swallowed hard and hesitated, glancing over to her older sister, who nodded subtly. "O-one chip for me too." She said nervously, pulling off one of her boots. "I guess I get ten chips for my boot?" Happosai nodded and passed her the chips, taking her boot in exchange, and Skuld put her one chip out, getting a thoughtful look on her face as she made an inward count.
<This isn't so bad.> Skuld thought to herself. <With everything I'm wearing I'll be fine for the next... hundred turns... and that's if I lose every time.> The bidding passed around the circle coming back to Happosai, who cheerfully put out a chip of his own. Skuld blinked indignantly. "Hey, wait a second. How come you can just take a chip from the pile while the rest of us have to buy them from you?"
Happosai smiled indulgently at her. "Because I hold all the chips, my pretty young thing. Can't you tell?"
Skuld blinked twice. "Oh." Happosai looked at his cards twice before making his bid. "Alright. I'll ante one chip and raise the pot by five more. Any takers?" He pushed five more chips into the center of the circle and Skuld blinked again.
<Can he do that? Wait, that's right, he said that the maximum bid would be ten chips... that means, um.. that means....> Skuld tried to puzzle out how long her store of chips would last with this new factor added in, while Setsuna calmly pushed her five chips forward, saying that she would call Happosai's bet. The bidding reached her and she repeated Setsuna's words, pushing five more chips out reluctantly and glancing at her cards. <Let's see, if I factor in an average of five chips a hand, I'll only last... um... 20 hands before I... run out of clothing.> She frowned. <Not good.> She wrinkled her nose. <Well, if I win one game in seven, I should be able to keep going for quite a while, right?> Skuld watched as Belldandy, Haruka and Hotaru all folded their hands, apparently out of the dealing, and Michiru called the hand and raised two more. <Wait a second, that's right! If I don't have a good hand I can fold!> Skuld thought more cheerfully. <That way I can still last... 94 more hands before I'm out.>
Happosai grinned and put two more chips into the growing pile, then followed them with three more, causing Skuld to rearrange her figures once again. <Wait, you can raise the bid more than once? If that's the case, then one hand could go to... an infinite number, couldn't it?> She frowned in annoyance. <That's not very fair, is it?> She was still trying to puzzle out the new odds as Setsuna called the bet, removing her other shoe to get the chips she needed to do so.
"It's your bid, Skuld." Setsuna gently reminded her. "You need to bet five more to stay in."
Skuld hesitated for several seconds. <Five more? That's eleven, and this is just the first hand....> She glanced at the chips she had left and looked thoughtful. <I could... er... fold, and then I wouldn't have to risk any more... but then I'll lose the six I've already bid without any chance of winning them back!> She pushed her last four chips into the pile in the center and started tugging at her other boot. "OK, I'm in." She announced uncertainly.
It took three more hands, and both of Skuld's socks and her jacket before she finally caught on to the majority of the permutations of the game and started to hold her own, but she had gotten Belldandy and the others a bit worried before she finally stopped making beginner's errors. Happosai was enjoying himself tremendously, watching the girls strip off their clothing piece by piece without putting a very significant dent in his pile of chips. (Not that that would matter, really, as he could always wish for another pile of chips, but it would slow things down a bit.) Haruka and Skuld were the farthest behind at first, but all of the girls had lost several articles of clothing only five hands in, and by the seventh, things were starting to get serious.
It was Haruka's turn to bid. She had a really good hand this time, a full house, tens over sevens. On the negative side, Happosai seemed to have a pretty good hand as well, and the bidding was already up to eighteen chips. Just meeting the current bet would force her to take off her teeshirt and shorts at the same time, and only leave her with six chips left before she would have to bet either her bra or panties. Setsuna had stayed in with her this time, although the older Senshi wasn't quite as close to running out of clothing, having had a bit more luck earlier in the game. Hotaru, Michiru and Belldandy had dropped out right away, although Skuld had only dropped out when the betting threatened to make her bid either her own tee shirt or shorts. The thing was, this was the first really good hand she'd had for the whole game, and she was POSITIVE that it would be enough to win this time.
"I see your bet and raise... five chips." Haruka said firmly, looking at Happosai challengingly.
Happosai nodded with a smile and glanced down at her chips. "It looks like you don't have the chips to meet that bet. Want to sell me some more clothing?"
Haruka sighed and started to strip off her gym clothes, first the shirt, showing off the white bra she had picked out earlier, then her gym shorts, giving Happosai (and everyone else) a look at her panties as well. She handed the clothing to Happosai with noticeable reluctance and he leered appreciatively at her before handing her the twenty chips that bought her. Haruka pushed the twenty chips Happosai gave her and three out of the four she had sitting in front of her into the pile, leaving her with only the one chip left.
Happosai glanced at his cards, then pushed five more chips of his own into the pile to match Haruka's bet. "Hmm. Let me see...." He muttered to himself. He pushed two more chips into the pile and winked at Haruka. "I "see" you, Haruka-chan."
Haruka groaned and shook her head. <What have I gotten myself into?>l
"Too rich for my blood." Setsuna said calmly, placing her cards face down on the table. Haruka groaned again, knowing that it was her turn.
"Just two more to stay in, Haruka-chan." Happosai said with another leer. "And all you have to do is...."
"I know what I have to do, alright?" Haruka interrupted angrily. "Fine. I see your two. I call." Haruka reached back and unhooked her bra, tossing it to Happosai contemptuously. Not that Happosai cared, she could have soaked her bra in gasoline and lit it on fire and he still would have grabbed hold of it just as avidly as it flew towards him. The young/old pervert cradled the hard won undergarment fondly to his cheek and gave it a good sniff before lovingly placing it next to him on top of all the other clothes he had won.
"My chips?" Haruka demanded in annoyance, breaking his contemplation.
Not that he minded changing his focus back to her. "Here you go dear. Ten more chips for you." Happosai stared avidly at Haruka's newly revealed breasts despite having gotten to see them for a few moments several hours before. It wasn't quite the same somehow, and there they were, just barely out of reach, hanging like a pair of ripe apples waiting to be plucked... just waiting.... Happosai wiped the drool off his chin and paid attention to what Haruka was saying.
"I called, you old freak. Stop staring at my chest and show your hand already!" Haruka laid down her own cards and covered up her breasts with her hands, as she was getting tired of the pervert in front of her staring at them as if he was hungry for some milk. <Now that was a perverted image.> Haruka thought disgustedly, trying not to gag at the very thought. Happosai sighed dramatically and laid down his hand, a group of three queens, but not near enough to beat her full house. "You win, youngster. Well played."
Haruka crowed and raked in her chips eagerly, making sure to count them in piles of ten. "Hah!" She stacked thirty of her newly won chips and pushed them at Happosai in a bunch. "There. I'm buying back my bra, shirt and shorts, so hand them over." She hurriedly covered up her breasts with her hands when he looked up from the chips to stare at her inquisitively, but left the triumphant smirk on her face.
"Hmm?" Happosai looked puzzled. "What are you talking about? Did I ever say you could buy clothing with those chips?"
Haruka blinked three times incredulously before exploding at him. "What are you talking about you old freak! You've been selling us those chips for our clothes for this whole game!"
Happosai nodded. "Yes, but I never said that you could buy your clothing back with those chips, did I? I just said I would give you ten chips for each piece of clothing you gave me, not the other way around."
Haruka stared at him, her mouth hanging open, so flabbergasted and angry she forgot to keep her breasts covered. "No way.... NO WAY! You're selling me my clothes back or...!"
Happosai's eyes twinkled. "Or what, dear?" Haruka started to rise, ignoring her state of undress, before both Setsuna and Michiru restrained her, pushing her firmly back to a sitting position. Happosai just laughed, enjoying the moment and watching with pleasure as the girls struggled with each other.
Haruka finally forced herself to calm down and started to methodically stack her chips. "So that's how the game is played, is it?" She muttered quietly. "I don't suppose I should really be surprised."
Setsuna glanced at Happosai and nodded at him. "Naturally, Haruka-chan. Obviously the game is only about getting undressed, not the other way around." She looked almost approvingly at Happosai. "What's the point, otherwise?"
Happosai looked surprised at her approval, but beamed anyways. "Exactly, Setsuna-chan! I'm glad at least you understand."
The poker game continued for quite a while after that, although it was now obvious that there was no real way for them to win. Slowly but surely the girls lost their clothing, piece by piece. Skuld had a firm grasp on the game's rules now, and it was easy for her to see where the other girls were making mistakes.
Hotaru had been playing extremely cautiously the whole game, bidding only when she had a very good hand, and not bidding much at all even then, and that tactic had not served her well. She had already lost everything but her shirt, bra and panties, and only a few hands later she had lost her shirt as well, pulling it off a huge blush. Skuld realised now that Hotaru would have been better off taking a few chances, as her caution left her no way to win, but rather doomed her to lose, although slowly.
Michiru lost her skirt and top in one badly played hand and continued playing in her underwear more cautiously, folding early and often. She had played rather well at first, but was now making the same mistake Hotaru was making, trying to draw out the game to save what remained of her clothing, when really all she was doing was delaying the inevitable.
Haruka, wearing only her panties and playing one handed, kept glaring at Happosai and betting wildly, running through her large pile of chips far too quickly. She seemed to bet on every mildly good hand she had in her anger, and was far too easy to read. Belldandy and Setsuna were both doing rather well, each having a moderate pile of chips in exchange for the clothing they had given away. They took risks occasionally, but won enough hands to stay barely ahead of the game... mostly.
Skuld herself was down to her tee shirt, shorts and panties, but her pile of chips had steadily continued to grow once she got a handle on the game. Betting the odds didn't always work, but she was winning more than she lost, although slowly.
Happosai was having a wonderful time, not caring if he won or lost it seemed, but rather just enjoying the game, and more that that enjoying watching as the girls had to strip. His casual playing, however, was an act. Skuld had watched him for long enough now to figure that he probably knew the game as well as any of them, and more so, had an seemingly infinite supply of chips to bet with, which game him a large advantage, especially whenever he got a halfway decent hand.
Skuld watched him put his advantage to play against her sister when Belldandy looked like she was about to win a large hand. Belldandy had been down to ten chips or so at that point, and had bet them all confidently. Setsuna had matched her bet, as had Haruka, but when Happosai raised ten more, both of them had dropped out. Belldandy, however, took his raise, even though she had to sell her blouse to do it. The goddess of the present had calmly unbuttoned her blouse and pulled it off, folding it neatly and handing it to Happosai, showing off her white silk bra.
Happosai leered at Belldandy, then glanced down at his cards. "Hmm... I'll bet... ten more." He said confidently.
Belldandy blinked twice. "Oh dear..." She hesitated, then glanced at Haruka. "Alright. Very well. I will call." She slipped out of her skirt and folded it handing it to Happosai. "Now may we finish the hand?"
Happosai grinned at her scantily clad form and nodded quickly, dealing himself two cards. "Two for me then.. and how many for you, Bell-chan?"
Belldandy shook her head. "None please. I'll stand on what I have."
Happosai shrugged and smiled at her. "Alright... well, I'll bet one more."
Belldandy hesitated again. "Oh dear... I don't have any chips left again...." She swallowed and slowly removed her bra. "Well... I will see your bet... and raise 5 more."
Happosai took Belldandy's bra reverently and happily pushed 4 chips to her and smiled. "I raise 5."
Belldandy's eyes went wide. "Oh my..." She glanced down at her hand, just to confirm what she had, then down at her four chips. "I don't have enough to cover that bet unless I sell you my panties."
Happosai's eyes twinkled. "Nope!" He winked. "Oh, did I forget to mention one final rule? You can only play strip poker if you have something to lose... so if you lose everything you're wearing you're out of the game." He winked at Belldandy cheerfully. "So what are you going to do?"
Belldandy sighed. "I suppose I fold...." She laid down her hand and pushed the cards face up to Happosai, showing her royal straight flush, the highest hand in the game. Skuld groaned and shook her head as Happosai gleefully raked in the chips, realising that he had been probably bluffing, but that it really didn't matter.
Happosai had apparently realized the same thing, and for the very next hand he immediately bet ten chips right off the bat. Everyone folded, and the cards were dealt again. Again Happosai bid ten chips immediately, forcing all the girls to fold. No one had enough chips to meet his bids, save Setsuna, who seemed to be biding her time. It was obvious he was bluffing, but from the way he was staring at Belldandys two remaining chips, it was obvious what he was after.
On the third round, Setsuna stepped in, betting ten chips of her own before Happosai could even speak. Happosai met her bet and raised ten chips, and Setsuna countered by raising again herself. Happosai grinned and the bidding war was on. In moments Setsuna had bid every chip in her pile, and was stripping off her remaining clothing piece by piece till she was down to her panties like Belldandy (who was now down to only one chip) and Haruka.
Happosai glanced at Setsuna's pile of chips, which was down to five, and her sole remaining article of clothing. "I'll bet 6 more." He said huskily, his eyes glittering.
Setsuna nodded with a small smile of her own. "Well, I see your bet, and raise ten more."
Happosai blinked. "Wait... you only have 5 chips, and your panties would bring that to 15... you can't cover that bet."
Setsuna raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How about this? I bet myself. I'll be yours for the night, to do anything you want with. That should be worth a chip or two, don't you think?"
Happosai swallowed before answering. "I could simply wish for the same thing..."
Setsuna nodded calmly, ignoring her lack of clothing. "You could... but wouldn't you prefer it if I was a willing participant, Happosai-san?"
There was a long pause as Happosai glanced at his cards. His face was an open book now, and it was obvious that while he was sorely tempted by Setsuna's offer, he had been bluffing the whole time.
The other girls all started to grin, expecting Happosai to fold, but instead he shrugged, looked up at Setsuna and nodded. "I call."
Setsuna pushed down her panties, tossed them to Happosai, and calmly laid down her hand. "Well then." She said coolly, unruffled by her nakedness. "Do you have the cards to beat that?" Everyone looked at her hand, and it was an impressive one, four of a kind, all Jacks.
Happosai whistled, looking impressed. "That's quite the hand, Setsuna-chan!" Setsuna smiled and nodded, starting to rake in the chips when Happosai shook his head, laying down four aces. "Not as impressive as this, but quite impressive." He rose and twitched a finger at Setsuna playfully. "Come along dear, and bring my winnings."
Setsuna rose to her full height, letting Happosai take a good long look at her in all her splendor before reaching down to scoop up the large bundle of clothing at his side. Happosai chuckled put out his hand, indicating that she lead the way out of the room and he followed close behind, giving her bare rear end a playful swat.
The other girls sat silently for several long moments before Micheru blinked. "Four aces? Wait a second?" She reached toward where she had discarded her hand earlier, having folded on the first bet, like the rest of them, and picked up her cards. With a disgusted snort she pulled an ace from her hand and held it out for the others to see. "That's what I thought. I pulled an ace on that hand as well... he cheated."
Haruka shot to her feet. "That bastard! I'm going to..." Micheru shook her head, rising to stand by her beloved and wrapping her arms around her from behind. "You can't do anything, Haruka, and you know it. Setsuna knows what she's doing."
Haruka sighed then nodded reluctantly. "I know.. I know.... I just... we're so powerless. He didn't have to play that stupid game... he's proven we can't do anything to stop him from doing what he wants...."
Belldandy looked thoughtful. "And yet, up to the end, he played by the rules he set. Perhaps Happosai doesn't wish for a simple victory?"
Micheru nodded. "He wants us to fight back. Setsuna was right." Hotaru piped up quietly. "Well, Happosai was always picking on Ranma-sensei, wasn't he? More than anyone else? Maybe he likes girls that fight?"
Belldandy nodded with a smile. "That's very insightful, Hotaru-chan. Happosai does seem to prefer fighters. That's probably why he picked the Senshi to capture."
Haruka growled. "So we should just roll over and let him do anything he likes to us?"
Micheru shook her head. "I don't know if that's such a good idea either. I don't think we want to see what happens when our "Master" gets truly bored..."
Belldandy sighed. "He must have had a terrible life to be in such pain all the time."
Haruka whirled on her incredulously. "What are you...? I can't believe you're defending that little...." She trailed off, not having a word vile enough to suit her, at least none she could use in front of her daughter. "That pervert." She finished weakly. He's trapped us all here, bound us as Genies... and he's in the middle of doing... Kami knows what to Setsuna! How can you defend him?"
"I'm not." Belldandy said softly, looking very sad. "I just... I can tell he's hurting... he's so terribly sad, and what he's doing isn't going to make him feel any better."
Haruka shook her head in disgust. "Oh right... he's loving every minute of this. He's got us right were he wants us, and he'll keep playing with us forever. How much pain could he be in?"
Belldandy sighed. "Oh... he thinks this is what he wants... but it's just going to make things worse for him. I just... I wish I knew how to heal him... take away his pain... maybe he'd let us go then."
"Good luck!' Haruka said angrily, sitting down in a huff and covering her breasts with her arms. "I'm not planning on holding my breath."
Several minutes after Setsuna and Happosai had gone, Haruka got up to head over to the door. “Well….” She started. “I for one am getting some more clothing. That pervert will probably just end up taking them again… but that’s better than being naked…”
“I suppose…” Micheru hesitatingly agreed, getting up as well to follow her lover. When Haruka pulled at the door to open it, however, nothing happened. “What the…?” The blond Senshi yanked on the door knob with both hands, twisting and pulling for all she was worth, but to no avail. “Damn it!” She swore angrily. “Now he’s got us locked in!”
“I presume so we don’t disturb him or… or Setsuna.” Micheru decided wisely.
“Not to mention he gets to keep us half naked!” Haruka protested angrily, gesturing to her panties to illustrate her point” Belldandy sighed. “That is probably the reason, but there doesn’t seem to be much we can do about it at this point.”
Haruka growled, getting in a martial stance and preparing herself for a kick. “That’s what he thinks…”
Micheru put a restraining hand on her lover’s shoulder. “No, Haruka… don’t provoke him any more. He’ll just use it as an excuse to do something worse….”
“But…!” Haruka sighed and relaxed out of her stance. “Aww heck with it….”
Hotaru looked worried. “But Urd-sama hasn’t come back yet? What’s happened to her?”
Belldandy hesitated before answering. “She is probably just tired… losing her powers, on top of everything else that happened… I know I’m exhausted, and I haven’t had to….” She trailed off. “Perhaps we should all get some rest. Happosai will probably be gone for some time.”
Haruka frowned miserably. “Setsuna….”
Micheru went over to sit on the huge round bed. “Haruka… come and try and rest.”
Hotaru came up to the bed hesitantly. “Micheru-mama… can I sleep with you tonight?”
The aqua haired Senshi nodded with a gentle smile. “Of course, Hotaru-chan. There is room up here for all of us.”
Before long, Hotaru was laying between Haruka and Micheru on the bed, who where holding her gently between them. Belldandy and Skuld had moved in next to them, the older goddess holding the younger to her chest tightly as they all tried to get some sleep. Despite their fears and anxiety over what might happen next, it was late, and they were all exhausted, and in minutes they were all asleep.
End Chapter 34
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