Preparing to leave the shop, Ranma stopped mid-stride as he overheard a conversation at the register.
"Ah, sorry Miss Customer, is "Ah Leu Cha" brand, very high quality, so very high price. 16,750 yen is a bargain indeed."
Turning around and approaching the counter, Ranma recognized the tall brunette pleading with the attendant.
Ignoring the conversation as Ranma had already heard the important bit, Ranma stepped up to the counter. "Uhm, sorry, but excuse me a moment Makoto. Uh do you guys have another of those 'ah leu cha' things?"
Turning to Ranma, the register attendant bowed apologetically. "Sorry Mister Customer, but it is a rare item, we're lucky to have even one."
Frowning slightly in thought, the petite red-head considered the situation. "Uhm, well, if you can't afford it Makoto, do you mind if I buy it. Setsuna wants one, though I'm sure she'll lend it to you if you need it."
Blushing furiously, the tallest senshi waved him off in a panic. "da, tha that's okay."
Noting that the girl was also buying bras and obviously embarrassed to be interrupted while lingerie shopping, Ranma mistook the reason for her embarrassment. Shrugging and paying for the item, the red-head started griping, "Yeesh, and I thought it was going to be something to eat. I still don't know what the damn thing is, shouldn't the writing be in Japanese? I hope this thing was worth all the effort."
Usa unfortunately could read English as well as French, much to her own embarrassment. The device was a breast pump for lactating women, typically used by nursing mothers to store extra milk in bottles.
Of course, that raised the question of why Makoto and Setsuna both wanted one.
Worse yet, Ranma "Man Among Men" Saotome was buying it in female form and preparing to carry it home. That also didn't help quell her rampant imagination on why Setsuna wanted one.
It was a miracle she kept a mostly straight face and didn't fall over laughing her ass off.
Makoto just really didn't want anyone to know.
She would never live it down afterall.
They fought stupid Youma with surprising regularity, like possessed vending machines or even that one cotton candy machine.
Three days ago had been another weird but pathetic opponent.
There really hadn't been any way of knowing the terrible consequences, but Makoto had promised herself she was never ever fighting a demon-possessed dairy milker ever again.
At her height and size, gaining a few cups sizes was no big deal, no one had even noticed that.
Unfortunately, human nipples weren't designed to be milked by hand, a fact she had found out much to her chagrin. Other than natural suckling, the only real way to get milk out was with a breast pump, something she couldn't afford on her limited budget. Her own embarrassed attempts to drink her own milk were awkward at best, leaving her terribly tender in that area.
Shrugging it off, Ranma took her bag and headed for the door, a grimacing Usa in tow.
Still sporting a massive blush, Makoto was surprised to find the two waiting for her outside. "Hey, Mako-chan, wanna go with me and speak with Setsuna?"
Blushing furiously but feeling the ache in her chest, the tall girl shyly nodded her assent.
Later that night, Ranma finally found out what all the fuss was about when Setsuna unveiled her special treat.
Taking the steaming mug of hot chocolate in hand, Ranma marveled at the thick frothy foam on top and the rich aroma. Taking a sip, he was as pleasantly surprised as his wife was proud. "It's a special Hot Chocolate made with heavy cream and Aztec cocoa and peppers. My own little unique take on the original chocolate drink. I hope it's to your liking."
Nodding his head and smiling warmly, the pigtailed young man spoke up with enthusiasm. "I do like it, it's good. So that thing I got was like one of those cappuccino machines?"
Smirking, slightly, Setsuna decided not to rock Ranma's world just yet. "Close enough. That blend is a little too strong for most people, but I thought you might like it."
Nodding, Ranma had to wonder why everyone was staring at him. Usa and Setsuna were smirking about something, while Hotaru, Michiru and Haruka seemed to be a bit confused as to what was up. Makoto on the other hand, Ranma was wondering if that girl had messed up her make-up and put on too much blush. Now she apparently couldn't even meet his eyes, turning away with desperate shyness.
Smiling pleasantly at her young husband, Setsuna guided Makoto to the door. "I have enough fresh cream to make you another cup before bedtime dear. Right now though I'm going to walk Makoto home."
Walking through the park, Makoto surmised something was up when the older woman wanted to sit on a bench and talk.
"Mako-chan, do you like Ranma?"
"Ah, what makes you ask that?"
"Mhmm. I was just wondering...if you would like to live with us as a maid, and get to know Ranma better."
"Please don't take that the wrong way. I have a cute outfit in mind for you, and it would mostly be doing a few chores and a bit of cooking, things I believe you enjoy doing. Of course, having a bit of family might be nice too, not to mention a little illicit romance with the 'young Master', ne?"
"...but...Ranma's your husband. I...I wouldn't do that with him."
"Mako-chan, as long as you understand he's not yours alone, I don't care how well you get to know him. If you're happy and he's happy, I would be pleased no matter what form the relationship takes."
"...but...why?"
"Mhmm, well Mako-chan, my job is to safeguard the senshi. I've found in watching other worlds, that the next big nasty isn't what I should worry about, but your hearts. Our greatest strength is also our greatest weakness. When a senshi becomes lonely or heartbroken, she can potentially become lost. I don't want that happening to you, so instead of meddling in your life, I'm just giving you a choice."
"...ah...well, I couldn't. I can find a boyfriend, hehe, so don't worry about me."
"I'm afraid it's not that simple Mako-chan. You can never have a relationship with someone normal. If not a senshi, like Usagi and Mamoru or Haruka and Michiru, it might eventually be a demon that gets its hands on you."
"Wuh, wait. What about Ranma, he's not a senshi, and he's not a demon, right?"
"Correct, he's special. I've viewed many worlds and seen many possibilities, and Ranma features strongly into them. There are worlds where Rei and Usagi become lovers, and there are worlds where Rei betrays Usagi to have Mamoru, only to have Usagi fall in love with Ranma. There are worlds where I've tried to kill Ranma, and there are worlds where Ranma has saved us from some foul magic only to gain all of the senshi as his love-slaves."
"There are of course, worlds where you met him first, where you would already be in love. I've seen all of this, and decided to see for myself, so I met Ranma and came to understand why."
"I knew all of this, and so I knew he was your best chance at love. . . and that of Minako, Hotaru, myself and Ami in particular. I married him because I love him, but also to give all the senshi that need it in this world a fair chance at love and a lasting relationship."
"You don't have to decide now Mako-chan, but I do intend to share Ranma when the time is right. I fully expect Hotaru for instance to grow up loving him, because after seeing how that love could make someone like her blossom, there's no way I could deny it."
"Oh, and don't concern yourself with anything but your own heart. Ranma is like Usagi-chan, he would love us all wonderfully given the chance."
"As for me, trust me Mako-chan, I wouldn't mind you loving Ranma at all. You might not understand why now, but one day you will understand. Trust me though, I won't mind at all. All I ask is that you remember he's not yours alone, okay?"
"Hehe, you can tell me what you think tomorrow when you come to deliver the cream, okay Mako-chan?"
"ahh...okay. Tha-thank you Setsuna-san"
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(Posted Fri, 11 Aug 2006 18:43)
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