Neko Love 22. A Storm is Brewing

Author:

Disclaimer: I don’t own Ranma!

Chapter 22

A Storm is brewing

The Kuno’s were completely unaware of the danger they where in. Akane glared at both of them a cold blue aura blazed around her, thunder could be heard in the distant mountains. All Ranma could do was watch in a mixture of fear and awe. He had never seen her get as mad as this towards him. Sure she’d gotten close to it a few times but this was a new level. It was almost on the same as Cologne or even Happosai. But it seemed more like a smaller version of his old man’s aura when he battled Happosai.

“Wench, what do you possible think you could do against the combined might of the Kuno’s,” Kodachi sneered.

“Indeed my Tigress, though it is an impressive display of why I love you so, I am still going to have to kill you to release your innocent soul,” Takewaki Kuno added.

Akane only curled her lip and let out a low growl. It made Ranma shudder as he was reminded of an angry feline.

‘Please don’t tell me she’s gone Neko,’ he sweated.

But Akane stood on her two feet her hands raised in her usual karate stance, there was no sign of the feral Neko stance that he had come to fear from her.

“You wish to die first my fierce tigress,” Kuno purred. “I shall grant your wish.” He threw back his cloak that flapped in the whirling wind revealing his long katana. He had brought out his real sword instead of the wooden practice one. Akane flipped backwards out of the way, the sword swooped down onto the ground leaving a gust of debris in its trail.

Ranma held up his guard, he had been warned by Akane not to interfere but that didn’t mean he couldn’t stay and back her up. It was at this point that Ranma would normally shout out something to Akane about how stupid she was being or pig headed. But she was far too terrifying for him to comment.

“Do you have any last words, Harlot?” Kodachi taunted, her ribbon snapped down on the ground where Akane stood. She grabbed the ribbon, it cut her hands instantly but the tomboy ignored the pain and pulled, hard. Kodachi was yanked back amazed that someone was handling her razor embedded ribbon. Takewaki saw his chance and ran in to take Akane out undefended. Ranma moved but Akane hissed at him.

He froze on the spot as he watched his real fiancée swing the ribbon round, it deflected the blow from Kuno. The blade scraped against the sharp ribbon’s surface, sparks beginning to fly.

“I know you always hold back on me,” Akane snarled, “You don’t seem to be treating me lightly today.”

Kuno was speechless as he noticed the fire in her eyes. He wanted to make 5000 word poetry about those eyes. To sing praise of the fury that could burn in a woman’s heart. That shone through her eyes like a bright jewelled star!

He didn’t get the chance. A swift kick to the head knocked all poetry out of his head as it connected to the ground. Kodachi cackled with delight at seeing her brother in pain. But the distraction had been enough for her to loosen her grip. Akane used the advantage to shoulder thrust the gymnast in the chest.

“Ugh, Barbarian!” Kodachi screeched as she felt the shoulder dig into her chest.

Akane let go of the ribbon, her eyes still not quite as human as Ranma liked. He kept on being reminded of her Neko-self and the glare that she would give anyone else. But Kodachi had recovered from the harsh shove and had revealed her clubs.

Akane grabbed the sword that Kuno had dropped and held it in a defence position.

“Ungrateful serf, you should bow down to your superiors!” the gymnast snarled.

But Akane didn’t answer her she just stayed silent watching her, breathing heavily. She was still angry and needed something to take her frustrations out on. Just now Kodachi was sitting with a large target around her. One of the clubs was thrown towards the tomboy but she parried it with the sword. Another was thrown, then another. All deflected and the heavy clubs where sent flying, some landing in windows others on top of the kendoist head.

“My Tigress star has fallen on me...” groaned Takewaki.

His cry was unheard the two girls where now running towards each other a sword and ball held aloft. Akane swung her sword and Kodachi spun her ball in the way of the blade. It sliced open the gymnastic prop letting loose the contents. Unfortunately because this was the trickster herself Kodachi the ball was not filled with simple air. A nauseous gas was released making Akane finally cry out in pain. Her hands where bloody and sore from handling the ribbon. Now the venomous gas was waking her out of her fury.

“Hohohohohohohoho!” Kodachi revealed her final twist to her attack. A hoop she had somehow kept hidden was flung at the stunned tomboy as she choked on the poisoned gas.

“Akane!” Ranma yelled as he ran into save her but his fiancée was already dodging the attack. She rolled onto the floor as the deadly prop embedded itself into a nearby wall.

Kodachi seemed annoyed that her plan on decapitating Akane hadn’t work. “Foul wench, how dare you avoid my strike!”

The tomboy replied with a grunt and stood back up getting back into an offensive position.

Ranma went in front of his fiancée, “enough already, both of you just stop it!”

“Glad you see you’ve seen sense Ranma darling!” Kodachi said with glee.

Ranma sighed annoyed that it had come this far. Akane was hurt but he could tell by the stubborn look on her face she wasn’t about to back down. He felt he had to step in. Though now he had he was dawning on him how the warped views of Kodachi could make this worse. He wasn’t about to say ‘leave Akane alone,’ that would mean admitting he preferred her over Kodachi. Sure he did prefer Akane over the insane gymnast but he wasn’t going to actually say it.

“Butt out Ranma,” Akane growled as she saw him getting flustered. He was being made to choose again and he never did say what he felt. Why couldn’t he just tell the truth? His countless stuttering and uncertainties where far more hurtful.

“Hold fast demons,” Takewaki Kuno had awoken from getting knocked out by one of his sister’s clubs.

“Sister, I thought we where going to destroy the demons together,” he growled.

“Hohohoho, brother I can’t help it if you get in the way. I’m about to dispose of the hussy.”

“You’ll do no such thing!” Came a cry from behind both Ranma and Akane. Ryoga had walked out of the restaurant and was angry at himself for letting the two escape his notice. ‘Akane and Ranma could have gone Neko while I was busy arguing with Ukyo!’

“Ryoga!” Akane gasped, she was starting to really feel the pain now. She struggled to stay upright the only thing keeping her standing was her pig headed pride.

“Curses to all of you,” Kodachi hissed, she could tell she was now outnumbered. The element of surprise which she loved was now ruined. She grabbed her brother and jumped onto the rooftops.

“I bid adieu to you my darling,” she said to Ranma, “I will have to free you another time.”

Takewaki struggled out of his sister’s hold, “I am not that injured my insane sister,” he growled, “but I agree, we are outnumbered it is best if we continue this another time.”

“How about you don’t come back at all?” Ranma suggested.

Both Kuno’s ignored this, Takewaki wrapped his cloak out of his hands and around his shoulders letting it billow in the breeze dramatically. “Nay, I will return to bring my vengeance upon thee demons, till then know I will strike when least expected.”

His sister released a gas pellet and as the three coughed the Kuno’s made their escape in a shower of red and black petals.

“No, you always show up when you’re least wanted,” Ranma growled.

“Akane!” Ryoga cried out as the girl finally gave into the fatigue and collapsed on the street. Both Ranma and Ryoga rushed to hold her up. They glared at each other for a second until they both relented and took Akane inside the restaurant.

Ukyo glanced up from packing her backpack, “What the heck was going on out there?”

“The Kuno’s,” Ranma explained, “They’ve set aside their differences and teamed up.”

“What?” Ukyo gasped, she then saw the state of Akane. All of the girl’s previous anger was gone and she leaned limply in between Ryoga and Ranma as they supported her.

“Put Akane down on the floor, I’ll go get some bandages,” Ukyo said.

“Ranma, I wanted to tell you something and, and they interrupted,” Akane stuttered, “I shouldn’t have gotten so angry, I’m sorry.”

“Ah don’t sweat it Akane, you can tell me later,” Ranma laughed while the back of his mind began buzzing. ‘What did Akane want to tell me that she got so worked up about?’

“The better we get out of this place the better,” Ryoga spat, “I can’t believe you let Akane take those two on alone Ranma!”

“Hey lay off Ryoga, there wasn’t anything I could have done!” Ranma shouted back. “That Tomboy was being so pig headed she reject any help from me.”

“It still wasn’t right Ranma, what kind of man are you?” Ryoga yelled then he lowered his voice as he spoke to Akane. “Please be okay Akane, you shouldn’t have to fight Ranma’s battles.”

“No, it was my fight as well,” Akane sighed. ‘Why do those two always have to argue, Ryoga treats me like I’m some fragile flower.’

Ukyo came back in with her medicine box and sat down next to Akane. “Geez, you guys should all calm down.”

“Heh, it’s not like the Tomboy needed my help,” Ranma huffed. He went across to sit at the counter. He pulled up his bag that Kasumi had brought and began checking through it.

Outside the thunder rumbled again.

“Huh, I thought it was just Kuno’s stupid drama effects,” Ranma said as he saw the dark clouds outside. “Looks like there really is a storm coming,”

“I’m sure we’ll manage,” Ukyo said she glared at Ryoga who had gone to collect his umbrella. “We’ll go as soon as Akane’s bandaged up. We don’t want the Kuno’s coming back or even worse Shampoo.”

At the mention of her name Ranma cringed. The Amazon was the reason after all they had to leave Nerima. He just hoped the Chinese beauty would stay as far away from him as possible.

***

Up in the mountains the rain had already begun lashing down. A small animal struggled up an abandoned path. The lightening illuminating its eyes so it seemed like a small demon. It stopped in front of some temple gates the rain pattering down around it and streaming down the mountainside. Another bolt of lightening crashed down lighting the area. The eyes of the creature shone in the light. It was as if it was reading the kanji that was put up on the gate. As the light from the electricity faded the gloom of the morning rain returned and the animal carried on towards the temple.

***

The four teenagers had gathered their bags and procession and where ready to depart. Akane’s hands where now bandaged up and though she was still hurting was trying to put a brave face on. Ukyo held up the map that Ryoga had gotten from Akari.

“So this area in the mountains is suppose to be good this time of year?” She asked Ryoga.

“I think I’ve been there, it had a lot of hot springs and was surrounded by a forest,” he said. “Plus I remember there were a few abandoned buildings, a ghost town.”

“This must be it then,” Ukyo said tapping the point on the map. “There’s an old village that hasn’t been occupied since the war. No-one wants to go back there I guess.”

“It’s a bit strange,” Akane said, “You would have thought some people would want to live there.”

“Maybe, I dunno.” Ukyo shrugged, “but it will give us something to look at when we’ve set up camp.”

“So long as there’s no strays it should be okay.” Ranma said, “now let’s get going. The sooner we move we can get there before sundown.”

“Okay Ranma!” Ukyo said happily. ‘And if everything goes as I plan I can get you to forget about Akane and commit yourself to me!’

Ryoga opened his umbrella as they stepped outside.

“Ryoga, it isn’t even raining yet,” Akane said. She had put on the raincoat that Kasumi had packed for her. “Shouldn’t you wait till it rains?”

“I like to be prepared,” Ryoga said, ‘it’s not like I can let myself turn into a pig in front of you Akane.’

The sky rumbled again as the dark clouds in the mountain the flashes of lightening could be seen.

“I guess it looks like this is going to be a wet camping trip,” Akane groaned.

“Ah, don’t worry Akane; me an’ Pops have camped in worse conditions. I can put up a tent in seconds if I have to,” Ranma assured her.

“It’s not that,” Akane said softly, “I just can’t help shaking the feeling that there’s more than just this storm brewing.”

“Never took you for the romantic type,” Ukyo chuckled, “c’mon lets get going you guys.”

Akane blushed and followed as Ranma and Ukyo lead the way. She was still slightly embarrassed at how she had gone so completely out of control. Any other time she had used Ranma aggravating her as an excuse for her temper. Or if it was at school just from being aggressive towards the perverts at school. It seemed like the more frustrated she got the easier it was for her to loose control. She had drawn out telling Ranma for too long. It was getting harder to say the words.

What if Ranma rejected her? She was unfit to be a bride now. Even if he had been the one to deflower her. It wasn’t as if he remembered it. The Neko side seemed to have a mind of its own. Akane never really saw any connection between how Ranma reacted normally or when he was in the spell of the Neko-Ken. He acted like a different person; therefore it was a different person she had sex with.

‘Even when I go under the Neko-Ken I’m so different,’ Akane thought, ‘how can anyone want someone with such an affliction?’

She watched Ranma as he talked to Ukyo. They where best friends, maybe she would be better for Ranma. Akane choked down the jealousy she felt as she thought about it.

“Are you alright Akane?” Ryoga asked.

“Yeah, Akane you’re being quiet for once what’s up?” Ranma chipped in. He stopped and let Akane walk up to him.

“Nothing...” Akane whispered.

“Sheesh, you’re acting weirder than usual,” Ranma muttered but walked beside her.

Ukyo looked back slightly hurt and relented to being beside Ryoga who was glaring behind him at the couple.

“Don’t worry Sugar, we’ll get to the secluded spot and keep the two of you out of trouble,” Ukyo said.

“I just hope you’re right,” Akane said looking back at Nerima. If things got any worse then there was no way she could go back home.

***

Mousse barged into the Nekohanten, Cologne frowned at his brash entrance.

“What time do you call this I have a business to run,” she said to the boy.

“Is Shampoo here?” He asked.

“No, but she should be working like you!” The old Amazon threw an apron to Mousse. He caught it but threw it back onto the floor.

“I don’t care I think Shampoo may be doing something stupid!”

“Indeed what has she done?” Cologne said warily.

“Apart from trying to kill female Ranma she couldn’t do it so...” Mousse paused trying to get his thoughts together. He was only wearing a towel he had stolen from someone’s washing line. He was still thinking like a duck and wanted to flap and make loud noises to tell the old woman how worried he was.

“So I think she might be trying some dark magic,” he said eventually. As if to add extra drama to his words the thunder rumbled on cue.

“What makes you think that?” Cologne was obviously sweating the out of season storm was an ominous omen at best.

“She was turned into a cat and instead of letting me follow she attacked!” Mousse said, “she was heading for somewhere in the mountains but she managed to escape.”

“The mountains you say?” Cologne tapped her chin, “I think I know what she might be up to, yes she would have to do it alone, you would only interfere.”

“I was trying to help her!”

“Enough boy!” Cologne snapped, “If this is true and Shampoo really has gone to a certain part of the mountains then I hope for all our sakes she isn’t going to do it!”

“Do what?” Mousse demanded, he hated it when the old woman hid things like this from him.

“Never you mind!” Cologne barked, “get yourself dressed we’re going to have to track her and try to stop it.”

Mousse bowed to his Elder, he was glad he had come back here. Even though the old woman wasn’t his most favourite of people he still had to show her some respect and come to her for guidance when he needed it. The painful twist in his gut told him that his beloved was doing something that would be five times worst than Ranma’s death. This wasn’t time to dwell on petty grudges. He had to help to save Shampoo whatever insane thing she thought would aid her in killing Ranma, it had obviously upset Cologne far too much to really argue with her.

“I’m afraid the Nekohanten is closed for the next few days,” Cologne announced to her customers, “please take these coupons and have a free meal on us when we reopen again.”

The small crowd that was in the restaurant obeyed and took their leave. Cologne bowed and said goodbye to each one handing the coupon she had agreed on.

‘I do hope we will reopen again,’ Cologne thought as she gave false smiles and comments to her leaving guests.

******

Author’s Notes: Oh dear, looks like Shampoo is up to something incredibly bad that it has even Cologne upset. You’ll have to wait till next chapter to find out what that is.

I recently got asked in a review (thanks by the way Yeldarb) about the birth control pill and how can Akane can be ovulating when the birth control pill stops this process? My answer is that Akane is on what can commonly be called a Mini-Pill. It is like the full pill but only contains progesterone. It is not as 100% effective as the full pill (which has two hormones), and sometimes ovulation can occur. You have to take this pill everyday to ensure that it is effective. In all honesty I wasn’t wanting to go into the main details of which pill Akane was taking and why because it would most likely drag down the flow of the story (I guess that’s why we have author’s notes.), but here’s the science bit anyway!

‘The Mini-Pill affects the mucus around the cervix and makes it harder for sperm to enter the uterus. It also affects the transport of the egg through the fallopian tubes. In these ways, the Mini-Pill prevents fertilization. Mini-Pills are more than 95% effective, slightly less than regular birth control pills.’ -quote from a web page that makes it more scientific. (Yeah like I’d know all that off by heart. xp)

I was using this pill because that is the one that I’m on and because it is not 100% effective a condom is always needed to help ensure you don’t get pregnant. Saying that birth control pills don’t stop you from catching any STD’s so I’d advise using a condom anyway. Understand I’m not saying this is what you should do this is just what I think and if you have your own beliefs, stick to them. The world would be a very boring place if we all thought the same way. ;)

Now on a less serious note I’d like to thank everyone for their reviews, I know I’m not the fastest writer out there but I do have a real life which unfortunately comes first. So thanks again and keep the feedback coming, it’s always nice to know my stories are being read. I don’t mind criticism in fact I like people taking the time to write more than a few sentences. Although saying that the randomness from some people is funny! Thanks to everyone!

Next chapter should be along in another month or so.