The others could only stare as the small snow fae formerly known as Nabiki Tendo continued to lock lips with Ranma.
“That is highly improper, Nabiki,” admonished Kasumi.
“At last,” shouted Genma, “the schools will be joined!”
“WAH!” cried Soun. He wasn’t sure whether he was happy that one of his daughters were finally showing undeniable interest in Ranma, or upset that he was cheating on Akane.
“How long are we going to let her keep doing that to Ranchan?” growled out Ukyo, wanting desperately to assault the now properly named Ice Queen.
“Until she relents,” said Cologne, waving her staff slightly. “It would be best if we do not attack those of our own party. We need to save our energy for Happosai, should he follow us. At this point, any petty jealousy will have to be put on hold.”
“Owie!”
The group turned—except for Ranma and Nabiki, both otherwise still occupied—to spot the source of the noise.
Before them was Akane ... or to be more precise, had been Akane at one time. Her stature had shrunk slightly, making her former proper sized garments start to look baggy. Her hair was now lighter, more of a dark blond than the former dark blue it had been.
And what more, she was rubbing an injured hand, the frying pan sitting on the forest floor ... and slightly smoking from the handgrip.
“Please tell me you did not eat anything, child?” asked Cologne.
“Of course not!” yelled Akane. “I was just looking for that stupid pan, before it burned me!”
Cologne hopped over to her, examining both the hand, as well as the arm, and spotted a small prick in the skin. “It would seem even the thorns on this island can change those who they infect.”
“Aiyah!” cried Shampoo. “Pervert girl become like bloody letch?”
Akane paled a bit, the insult forgotten as her fears began to rise.
“It would not appear so,” said Cologne. “I’m not really certain what she is changing into, but it seems to be going much slower. It would appear the thorns take longer than if one were to eat the food. The burn isn’t too bad, but have your sister dress it.”
“O...kay,” she muttered, the fact she was no longer human beginning to set in.
“I can breathe!” sighed Ranma, as Nabiki removed her tongue from his lips.
The others turned back, including the stunned Akane, to see Ranma was panting slightly, the neo-snow fae smiling. Her clothes had changed into a short loose dress, white with blue highlights that both seemed to enhance and contrast to her skin tone. Her wings slowly beat, as if merely stretching their spans.
“Thank you for helping me, fair stranger,” said Nabiki, her voice even seeming to take on a slight musical quality.
“Uh ... no problem, Nabiki,” fumbled the slightly flush martial artist.
“Nabiki?” she asked, as if testing the name.
“It is your name, child,” said Cologne, hopping over, as Kasumi started to wrap Akane’s hand, the pan now hidden in Cologne’s robes. “What do you recall?”
Nabiki paused, as if testing her memories for the first time. “There are memories of you, but they seemed veiled by a deep fog.”
“It is as I feared,” said Cologne, “the transformation makes one seem to lose contact with their core mind. She may recall given time, but for all she can say at the moment, she is as she has always been.”
“So what does this mean for me?” Nabiki asked, turning to Ranma. “Do we know each other, save for the moment we met when you saved me?”
“Um ... you used to be Nabiki Tendo, a human.”
Nabiki paused as she thought. “I cannot recall such a life, nor you. But I will not let that stop me from journeying with you, fair mortal. For helping me, I can do no less than assist you.”
“Assist him in what, sugar?” asked Ukyo, trying to sound as unoffending as possible.
Cologne staff could really hurt. It wasn’t as funny when it happened to her.
“For saving my life, by Oberon’s law, I must either grant him a wish, become his slave, or become his servant,” said Nabiki.
“NO WISHES!” yelled Ranma, the Wishing Sword memories coming quickly to mind.
“YOU WILL NOT MAKE MY DAUGHTR A SLAVE, SON!” yelled Soun, falling into his Demon-Head technique.
“OKAY!” gasped Ranma.
“Then I shall be your servant,” said Nabiki, as she fluttered from his arms, his grip loosened when Soun had scared him. “Should you need my assistance in anything,” she purred, remembering the kiss, “let me know.”
“Okay,” mumbled Ranma, as the snow fae nodded, and hugged him. Unlike other hugs he had received, Ranma felt this one was ... warmer ... that the usual glomps he had usually received, despite the cold feeling of Nabiki’s skin.
“Stop flirting with my sister, Ranma!” growled Akane, the other fiancées nodding in agreement. The only thing keeping her from going after him was Kasumi’s kind hand still holding her injured hand.
“Now, we must move on,” said Cologne, ignoring the glares among the girls. “If we are lucky, we may find other fae on the island who may assist us. But until I state otherwise, trust none we shall meet. There are those who will disguise tricks with good intentions.”
See other episodes by The Demented Redhead
(Posted Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:40)
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