"Err, my name is Urashima Keitaro," Keitaro said. "And who are you?" It was at this point that Ranma noticed Shinobu crying and clutching to the guy's chest.
There were two options that presented themselves. Perhaps this guy had made her cry. He doubted that, however, seriously. The most likely reason was that she was thinking about that again.
He sighed and wished that he could talk her out of feeling guilty. But then again, he didn't want her to stop feeling guilty. That would mean she'd start to enjoy it.
"A wise man once told me," another man said, apparently young. He had long red hair, and a pair of scars in an x pattern on his face. "That the moment one ceases to fear the harm one can do, that is the moment you should stop fighting. Guilt is good thing, it means you're still human."
"How did you...?" Shinobu started to ask as all the small gathering looked to him.
"I recognize the expression in your face," the man said. "So does the young warrior. We've both seen it from the same perspective you are seeing it now. And, unless I miss my guess, those two as well." His gaze took in Fuujin and Millia across the room.
"You've...killed, Ranma?" Shinobu asked, awed.
"Once," Ranma said. "But he was a phoenix, so he came back."
"Oh," Shinobu said, nodding. Both Kenshin and Ranma knew that he hadn't known that would happen before hand, however.
****
Across the room, Nabiki was surreptitiously trying to sneak some of the alcoholic breverages out from under the eyes of her chaperones. She was failing miserably and having to settle for punch.
Her adaptation to this new situation was still far from complete, though having Ranma and Kasumi along for the ride made it easier to bare.
She turned away from the table and bumped into somebody.
"Excuse me," the frightened voice said almost immediately.
"I was the one moving," Nabiki said, turning around. It sounded like a college aged girl. What she saw was out of one of those Lovecraft stories she had read once. Nabiki blinked and then waved it off. "Sorry about bumping into you. I didn't hurt you did I? I've gotten a lot stronger than I'm used to being."
Megumi, surprised at the younger girl not instantly fleeing in terror or else striking out, blinked and then shook her head.
"No, I'm fine," Megumi said. "But it looks like we've spilled our punch, should we get some more?"
"Say," Nabiki said conspiratorally. "Could you get something a little stronger from the refreshments...I haven't seemed to be able to get any out from under certain eyes."
Megumi blinked and then smiled faintly.
"Yeah," she said. "I could use a good stiff drink."
****
Ranma was trying to work his way to Nabiki and see how she was doing.
"Watch out," a young man next to him said.
"Ehh?" Ranma asked, turning his head. Then IT happened.
Inevitably, someone bumped into him and SHE was covered in punch.
"Ahh, man," Ranma complained.
It had been awhile since she had hated her female form...in fact she took a weird sort of pride in it...but she didn't prefer it...and she certainly hated being wet in public. Especially any sort of sugary fruit drink. She'd be getting sticky really soon if she didn't correct it.
"You too?" the girl that had bumped into him asked, forgetting in her shock the desire to apologize.
"Me too, what?" Ranma asked.
"Your mutant power is to turn into different people?" Masahiko asked. Ranma snorted.
"I wish, if this were a power then I could control it," Ranma said. "I got this because my pop decided to take me and train at a cursed spring. My powers have to do with light and darkness."
Miki, the young man who had warned Ranma, raised an eyebrow at this talk of magic.
"Ohh," Masahiko said. "So how long have you been turning into a girl?"
"You want some advice...don't you?" Ranma said.
"He's certainly come to the right person to give it," Miki said with a smile.
****
"That is a very handy power," Millia said.
"Indeed," Fuujin agreed. "There are many times when I would have liked to be able to heal myself at an enemy's expense."
Keiichi winced.
"Or heal someone else," Millia said. "Even at my expense."
And at that word, Keiichi appeared to think, while Belldandy began to worry.
"Could I do that?" Keiichi asked.
"I do not know Keiichi," Belldandy demurred.
"So, are you a student as well, what's your power?" Fuujin asked.
"Oh, I'm just Keiichi's girlfriend," Belldandy said. "And I've had all my training in using my powers."
"So you are a mutant then?" Millia asked.
"Oh no," Belldandy said. "I'm a goddess, 1st Class, Unlimited license."
The two girls stared at her in surprise for a moment while Keiichi sighed. He looked around and found Megumi talking to some other girl, and felt very relieved. Apparently Megumi had found a friend after all.
See other episodes by Thrythlind
(Posted Sun, 15 Dec 2002 16:09)
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