[Episode 24644] [Episode 24644]"Hey, what's happening down there?", said a young lady kneeling behind the windowsill with her head propped up on it. It was apparent that she was the one that had whistled.
After a few words, someone pointed out that Kimiko might not want to converse from outside the house, especially wearing so little, and it was mutually decided that everyone would move to the living-room, so they could discuss what happened in comfort. Ranma carefully picked up Soun's body. Kimiko was somewhat surprised to see how easily the redheaded youth handled Soun's weight.
As Kimiko was opening the door, she stumbled a bit. She recovered automatically as she fumbled the lamp just a tiny bit. She must still be just a bit clumsy in this unfamiliar body. If she was stuck in this body, she'd be doing a lot of training. From what little she'd seen, it looked like a pretty nice body that just needed breaking in. In more ways than one. She glanced at her unconscious husband a little wistfully. Then she remembered it might be Happosai and shuddered.
The encumbered redhead gently set down Soun. Others were settling down in the living room now. Kimiko noticed one more young lady for the first time. She stood out in this crowd because she was dressed. The new youth's face reminded Kimiko of her seven-year old middle daughter, Nabiki. Come to think of it, the one who'd whistled now reminded her somewhat of her six-year old Akane. And then the tall young lady in a halter with long brown hair tied off to one side reminded Kimiko of her nine year-old Kasumi. Another glimpse at an underlying structure was forming. But something more important needed to be dealt with.
"If you're right and that is Happosai, I'd hate for him to wake up again.", Kimiko said to the redhead.
"Yes, ma'am. It'd be bad, but really bad for you especially. Better call Dr. Tofu to hit his sleep points, so he stays out a good while.", the young redhead suggested.
Why would it be so bad for me especially?", Kimiko homed in and queried in reply.
The redhead answered, "Happosai wished that the ladies and half the guys were sexy - umm, outside and inside, couldn't wear much, and were cute and submissive to all guys. Nabiki, umm, the genie, caught Happosai in that wish too. Nabiki was pretty annoyed and twisted the wish all she could on Happosai. The body you're in, ma'am, is what the genie did to Happosai. Nabiki told me she made that body 'completely' submissive. I only had to tell Happosai to freeze, and in that body she gave me no hassle at all, even though I could tell she was all mad about it. Soun got swapped into that body for just a bit, and was pretty worked up about it. That's why I thought you were Soun. I don't know what he or Nabiki wished, but you must've been part of it."
This statement made quite a stir among the assembled ladies. Some unladylike language could be discerned.
'Kasumi' asked Kimiko, "Why are you carrying the sugar bowl?"
Kimiko looked down at the sugar bowl. During the brief journey inside, the lamp had turned into a sugar bowl.
The younger redhead started a bit, and said, "Where's Genma?"
Nodoka said, "I haven't seen - uh., Her, since sometime in the middle of the fight. He uh, She should be here now. Why, Ranma?"
Kimiko remembered Nodoka's husband's name was Genma. A total good-for-nothing. With all the magic that'd been flying around this was probably him.
The younger redhead said, "Mother, forgive my suspicions, but I think pops just stole the lamp right out of Kimiko's hands just now. I should'a expected it. I just know he's gonna do something stupid that'll cause a whole lot of trouble again."
Nodoka looked at her son with some alarm. "It was in her hands. Wouldn't she notice and draw attention?"
"Mother, respectfully, my father is quite a good martial artist, and a greedy thief. That's a lotta the reason we moved around so much when I was training. He tried to keep it from me, but I know he's picked a few pockets in his time. He's also got an invisibility technique he calls 'the quiet thief'.", Ranma said. Bowing, she continued, "With your permission, I need to look for him."
Nodoka said, "Your assertions sadden my heart, Ranma. You will apologize if you are far wrong. But find him. He has much to answer for if even part of what you said is true. We will look for him here inside the Tendo grounds, while you check outside."
A respectful bow, and Ranma was already almost out the door.
Nodoka turned to face the just assembled gathering. "Apologies, but we ask your assistance in finding my possibly wayward spouse. And keep your eye out for the lamp. Kasumi, would you and Akane please check upstairs? Nabiki, since you're dressed, would you please check the outside grounds, just to be thorough?"
******
Ranma was in a hurry, 'she' hadn't gone far when she discovered that she couldn't even bring herself to roof-hopping anymore. Not 'respectful' she somehow sensed. It was bad enough she was in a dress and found herself talking like a girl, but now this. She soon remembered about her wish-granted knowledge of how to escape curses. Her spirits briefly soared, but it didn't take much to determine that finding that lamp was really her easiest route. Unfortunately, Ranma didn't find Genma anywhere near the Tendo grounds.
Ranma knew that Genma couldn't keep that invisibility stuff up for long. The way Nodoka used 'she' on Genma made it clear he'd got caught in Happi's wishes too. She was now a sexy lady that couldn't wear enough to be decent on the street. She was even submissive to guys. How far could she get?
Ranma didn't know, but was sure it added up to more trouble for them all.
(Posted Sun, 26 Jan 2003 05:20)
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