Grumbling irritably as he limped his way back towards the Tendo Dojo, all Ranma could see was red. He wasn’t one to let rage control his emotions—pride and determination were so much more effective—but at the moment, he felt he had earned the right to dabble in the fiery red power of hate.
For him, this was the very last straw. For years, he had to put up with Akane defending the little porker ever since she decided to adopt Ryoga’s pig form and name him, ‘P-Chan’, all the while somehow remaining completely unaware of not only his dual-identity but also the fact that pork-butt had become utterly enamored with her.
You’d think she’d have at least gotten a clue concerning the first gripe he had! How many people wore that stupid, ugly polka-dotted yellow bandana anyway!?
But no, as always, that uncute tomboy of a fiancée had to pull a classic ‘Kuno’: reject all reality and substitute it with her own. In her eyes, the cursed Jusenkyo victim was simply a cute piglet and Ranma was just a bully for picking on, ‘poor, defenseless P-Chan’! It made him want to scream and smash his head into a wall at not only how thick-skulled she was, but how once again, honor was being used to hold him back from doing the right thing!
Hell, honor was holding him back twice over in this regard. Ranma knew how very hard he tried to be considerate regarding Ryoga’s curse due to not only a combination of being the one who caused it and sheer sympathy, but also because of that damned “warrior’s code” vow he made to the dog that he initially thought was Ryoga. While more than willing to threaten to expose Ryoga’s secret to Akane, it was just an empty threat. Ranma knew if he actually did such, he would be going back on his word, thereby smudging his honor, the one thing he actually cherished... which meant he had to bite his lip and silently fume as Akane would be overjoyed whenever the pig showed up: snuggling him like a teddy bear and kissing him on his snout.
The second aspect of honor being a sheer bitch was that he would have thought Ryoga would return the consideration the pigtailed martial artist took to keep the secret and not take advantage of the situation... well, fat chance! And since Ranma couldn’t bring himself to outright tell Akane what was going on, it was up to him to give bacon-breath a ‘friendly reminder’ now and then. While he wasn’t so keen on the idea of marrying Akane, the fact was that he was honor-bound to be wed to her! So while the teenage youth didn’t want to go through with it, his personal code demanded that he at least make sure others respected the situation and understood that the youngest Tendo and him were engaged!
It especially didn’t help matters when the damned lost pig would start to attack him first for a snide remark or two Ranma would make towards the pig, in an effort to drop a hint to Ryoga that he was taking the ‘P-Chan’ act too far. Surely, the others would understand him having to result to counter-attacks: he had to defend himself.
Nope! Again, in Akane’s eyes, the damned neo-black piglet could do no wrong. Obviously, it was his own fault for egging the little porker on and so he should have stood still and take his punishment, just as Akane felt he should just make himself a target for her rage whenever someone did something to piss her off—usually either himself or one of his erstwhile fiancées.
Admittedly, Ranma felt he’d done a good job of going with the flow and letting people pile their shit on him, but today took the damned cake—an Akane-made horror, not one of Kasumi’s delicious confectionary masterpieces—when he came back into the Tendo home after a fight with the old freak to protect HER underwear... and found Akane had already fed the porker HIS lunch! Kami-damn it! Those were HIS sweet-fish! Ayu were only available for a month or so, as they only migrated in Japanese waters around June. They were a seasonal delicacy and were considered the national sign that summer has arrived. Simply salted and being char-grilled made that tender-fleshed fish a really tasty albeit simple delicacy.
So not only had everyone eaten all the ayu, but HIS portion got fed to that ungrateful pork-butted bastard! Sure, he could have gotten more but anyone with a brain knew that once the first batches were caught and sold, it was damn near impossible to find, even when a few more boats came in with them. And Akane had given his portion of delicious, tender and savory sweetness to her kami-damned faux-pig!!
The few seconds he got to enjoy of kicking the neo-pig across the room like a soccer ball were moments in time he would treasure into his twilight years. The sounds of P-Chan squealing as he ricocheted off the walls a few times before land outside, only to start drowning in the koi pond were sheer music to his ears.
And then the youngest decided to punish him for bullying P-Chan; Mallet-Sama Airlines punching him a one-way ticket to the Juuban prefecture. Yet, this time was different. The clarity afforded to him by the tableau he felt from personally kicking the rotten porker’s ass helped him come to a realization: Akane caused this.
Akane was the one who fed the Jusekyo cursed Ryoga his food, causing him to retaliate, which merely allowed her to hit him. He hadn’t been looking to punish the porker for once; he was tired from having the chase Happosai around to get the girls’ goods back and just wanted to sit down and enjoy some nice, delicious ayu. Instead, his anger overtook him for a moment at being denied his sweet-fish—which he felt he deserved for all the hard work he put in that day thank you very much—and was simply once more pounded by his uncute fiancée’s favorite weapon.
It was clear to him now. He didn’t know if Akane realized the truth about Ryoga’s curse or not but one thing was certain: she cared about that damn pig more than she did him. Everything he’d done for her, protect her from dangers, fight for her honor, rescue her from deranged kidnappers, from herself... and what did he get for it? Just more grief, distrust, and aggravation.
Sure, he wasn’t an angel in that regard; but damn it, respect goes both ways! If she’s not gonna give it, she sure as hell shouldn’t expect it! And to see her just dot on a damned pig more than the man who their father’s insisted she was supposed to marry.
It... hurt. Surprisingly so. He didn’t think he’d care but the realization he made while walking back from where he landed was eating at him. She could care so much more for—from what he figured was her perspective—an animal than she would a human being. And not just any guy but her fiancé!
Damn, who would’ve thought I actually gave a rat’s ass about being engaged to the uncute tomboy... Ranma mentally griped. But the more he thought about it, the more such made sense. That was why he was so protective. Whether it was due to honor or genuine affection, the fact of the matter was he cared...
And she didn’t.
Stopping in his tracks, Ranma growled as he clenched his fists; a miasma of red starting to spring up around him as his chi began to leak through his anger. “If she’s going to treat a damned pet better than she does me, then fine! TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME!” he shouted as he rose his right fist high towards the heavens. “LET’S SEE HOW SHE LIKES IT WHEN I TREAT A PET OF MY OWN BETTER THAN HER!”
The red glow soon began to turn purple before phasing into a true blue. His pride once more shone through, head filled with determination as new strength coursed through his veins. The pigtailed martial artist would find an animal and then dote on it like Akane did her ‘precious P-Chan’. “Let’s see how much she liked the taste of her own medicine when she’s ignored in favor of a pet!” the cursed male cackled in delight.
Slowly, the aura faded around Ranma, the pigtailed youth calming as he made yet another realization. “But first... I gotta find one.” Sure, he could go purchase a pet... but with what money!? The Yen Vampire of the Tendo Dojo sucked everything she could from his wallet while his old man stole all the scraps. He only had the small stash he kept within Hyperspace thanks to the ‘Hidden Weapons’ technique he copied from Mousse and that was for emergencies—let alone the fact he was certain he didn’t have enough to purchase an animal... maybe a goldfish but how could one dote on those Dimwits of the Seas?
Fact of the matter was, if Ranma was going to get a pet, he was going to have to pick up a stray. Shouldn’t be too difficult; hell anything with rabies would have a better temperament than either the porker or his fiancée, so he wasn’t too worried. Which meant he’d need to start checking alleyways and abandoned buildings...
“Well... speak of the devil!” the heir of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts quipped as he spotted one huge space of wreckage near him. Walking up to what remained of the former multi-story building, Ranma paused so he could read the sign that hung on an angle upon the portion of perimeter wall that still stood. “Mugen Gakuen?” he asked aloud, trying to remember where he heard of such a thing before; it sounded awfully familiar.
And then it clicked: the prestigious Infinity Academy was a large and VERY elite school founded by Professor Souichi Tomoe. He’d heard Nabiki drone on and on about it now and then for the longest while, looking towards that place as a possible ‘out’ of the dead-end Furinkan High, only stifled by the fact that tuition for a semester would cost more than she could scam out of people in an entire year. The school ran classes from kindergarten all the way to the end of high school and proudly toted the fact that its graduates had a ninety-eight percent acceptance rate into Tokyo University. Obviously, it was the school of the well-to-do and future leaders of Japan...
“Ain’t lookin’ so high and mighty now, is it?” he mumbled as he kicked an errant stone. Geeze! From what he’d heard about Juuban’s contractors, this place should’ve been repaired within twenty-four hours. Were they getting lazy or did this just happen and none of the usual crews arrived on the scene yet?
He frowned as he caught sight of a couple of cobwebs amongst exposed building pieces. Nope, it had to be due to laziness. Honestly, shouldn’t someone have come by to tow away this garbage at the very least? It was a bigger eyesore than anything he could do when he tussled with one of his rivals.
Further thoughts about the work-ethic and combat were derailed when the pigtailed warrior heard a whimper; an almost inhuman cry from further within the wreckage. “That... that sounds like a wounded animal...” he perked up. “Hello, new pet! Don’t worry!” he called out as he started to walk over concrete and exposed rebar. “Daddy’s coming!”
Following the sounds of the fain cries, Ranma pushed aside slabs of concrete, kicked over broken chairs and tables, carefully stepped over broken glass, and overall did his best not to hurt himself all while keeping in mind that he couldn’t disturb much; the wrong displacement of wreckage could bring the whole place tumbling down as he went further and deeper down into the disaster area. He stopped when he came to a door still on its hinges, the cry once more sounding and letting him know this was where it was originating. “Don’t worry, baby!” he called out to the trapped animal as he carefully pushed the door open. “I’m here now!”
Ranma froze on the spot; his heart jumping into his chest at the sight before him. On the floor was a purple-furred woman in stained white clothes with black and orange spots. She looked up at him with blazing red eyes; black triangular ears rising high above her black hair as she stared at him. She hissed in a disturbingly accurate feline manner as she tensed up, cracks prevalent all over her body. “Nerrruuu...” she growled warningly, raising her clawed right hand forward in a defensive gesture.
Looking over the being that looked like she were coming apart like a jigsaw puzzle—seriously, her left leg and half her tail were detached and the breaks had the classic puzzle piece outline—Ranma visibly relaxed. “Oh thank the Kami! It’s not a cat, it’ just a Youma!” he cried out in absolute relief. Demons from hell trying to take his very soul he could handle, but a cat was a whole other story!!
Yep. Furry creatures from the darkest pits of Hell, these were to be avoided at all costs.
Youma? Well, it all depended on the circumstances. The occasional one that landed in Nerima either worked for the meal they wanted... or did something stupid and caused the creation of something called the Meta-Darwin-Award.
The award was given to an other-worldly life form that had entered the Ward and did something so monumentally stupid, their deaths became the stuff of barroom jokes. The current record holder was a ram-type demon that had tried to disturb a Martial Arts Tea Ceremony.
Rumors had it you could still see the outline of where it had finally landed and dispersed... after getting close to a million tea stirrers up the back exit.
Smiling, the pigtailed martial artist too a step closer, offering her outstretched claw his hand. “Come on, pretty... er... Youma... I’m here to take you home. You’ll like it there: plenty of fighting and good food, and plenty of pandas to use as a scratching post...”
“NEKONNERU!” the creature cried out in anger as she struck at Ranma. Sadly, in her fragile state, her right claw just broke apart into more purple jigsaw puzzle pieces, leaving her to stare incredulously at the stump of her forearm. She wanted to cry... was this what it had come to? First she had existed as but a mere shade in Beryl’s court, only to have the place blown to hell when Metal’la went nuclear... the time spent barely surviving, just sucking on ambient energy... and when finally, the chance came to take a physical form upon finding a puzzle that possessed a very similar dark nature, she couldn’t even keep it together!
“Awww... poor girl...” Ranma cooed as he reached his hand out further, gently patting the purple cat-lady’s head. “You’re just going to pieces, ain’t you?”
“NERU!!” the feline Youma/Daimon pedigree hissed.
The pigtailed martial artist just nodded his head in understanding. Yep, acting like an injured, unloved pet would. She was distrustful of humans, in pain, and lashing out. Worse, she was also extremely fragile, so he couldn’t just hold her until she calmed down—she might shatter.
So, he tried the Saotome Method. “Hungry?” he asked, holding out a hand, palm up, and creating a ball of chi.
“...Neko?” asked the now-salivating Youma. Such... a bountiful feast before her! Even in the good ole days—before they were stuck spending ten thousand years playing, ‘I spy with one of my many little eyes...’—it would take many humans to equal what was before her now.
And he was offering it to her...
You didn’t need to be a Star Wars fan to have the voice of Admiral Akbar in your head now, warning you that it was a trap, at least in her mind.
“Go on...” Ranma told her, offering the purple feline-esque creature some of his chi. “Go on. Take it.”
Supporting herself on her left hand and right thigh, the Youma pulled herself towards the human’s gift. “Nekonneru...” the creature practically whispered before sticking her tongue out. She started lapping at the energy like a cat with a platter of milk.
Although Ranma nervously trembled at the similarities, he was able to keep his cool. After all, this was merely a feminine creature from beyond the blackness of time and space, not a demented furry creature of concentrated pure evil. She was more akin to an abandoned pet than anything else. So he merely watched as he allowed her to lap at the glowing ball of chi.
As the Youma/Daimon mix took in more and more energy, the martial artist was, admittedly, surprised by how much... well... HEALTHIER she looked as she partook of his chi. Already the cracks of a puzzle pattern that made up her skin were sealing into a smooth surface and her fur took on a darker shade of purple. Hell, pieces of the puzzle were already floating back up and fitting themselves into place, reforming the creature once more into a whole being.
He then yelped as she grabbed his wrist within her grasp and then started lapping directly at the palm of his hand when she was eating the energy faster than he could phase it into a visible state. “H-hey!” the pigtailed teenager gasped out with a snicker. “C-cut it out! That tickles!”
If the hybrid heard him, she neither gave any indication nor slowed down. Frankly, she was feasting! Like anything starved nearly to death, it was focused on ‘un-starving’, thus the Youma was trying to take in as much food as possible.
Unlike a human, the cat-like creature wasn’t going to throw up afterwards from the shock of solid mass within her stomach. It was a creature of magic... and she didn’t have what would pass for a stomach, though the feline monster did have a hollow place within its magical form to store solid material... or hold captured magical girls.
So, the Youma/Daimon hybrid gorged itself, repairing damage, strengthening itself, and falling into the base instinct of feeding its hunger.
Although, considering what it was, this wasn’t exactly a drive across town to reach that state... more like turning to the other page next to the one you were reading.
Ranma allowed the purple-furred animal-girl to continue to feast a bit more, just watching in fascination. “Oh? So you really enjoy it that much, do you?” he grinned, feeling his pride well up within. “Then how about some of THIS!”
“NEKO!!” the monster shrieked in delight at the sudden surge that rushed through her; her tail flailing behind her wildly. This wasn’t just a meal. This! Was! ENERGY!
Seeing her body tremble with delight, the heir of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts reached his left hand up, ruffling her hair. “So, you like it, huh? Yeah. If you want, you can come home with me and you can have it whenever you need.”
Eyes opening wide and ears perking up at the words, the Youma/Daimon paused for a moment in hear gorging. She then looked up at him, eyes shimmering like rubies. “NERU!!”
“ So... you agree to be my pet and help me infuriate uncute tomboys and black piglets?” Ranma asked of her.
Now, while satiated, some of the hybrid’s... well, higher functions, came online.
He wanted her to be his pet.
The Dark Generals had made similar propositions to get them to align with them. Well, their propositions were more, “You, come here now!”, or you got vaporized if they were in... well... any mood, really.
The human before didn’t seem to have that same aura of slimy ickiness about him. Plus, he gave her a meal that Beryl would have done things for no Youma ever felt comfortable imaging the Queen even being capable of doing.
The Dark Generals... gave orders, pain, and occasional fashion tips.
The human... was wa~aaaaay better than her last boss! If he wanted her as a pet, then call her a pet! And if he just so happened to live far, far away from any magical girls who hurt your ears with speeches, all the better!
“NERU!” the Youma/Daimon fusion cried out with joy as she pounced the human food dispenser.
Gasping out air knocked from his lungs as the monster tackled him, Ranma trembled a little bit. Not from the fear of her attacking him, but that she was PURRING. “Er... right... um... good...” he blinked his eyes once, twice. “You got a name?”
“Nekonneru!” the infernal catgirl called out before licking the human’s face.
“Right...” the pigtailed martial artist said. “Well, Nekonneru if you let go, I’ll take you home with me...” he looked around them at the wreckage and added, “I don’t think it’s too safe to stick around here for much longer.”
Nodding her head in agreement, Nekonneru decided, yes, it was time to leave the district filled to the brim with foul, magical girls. “Neko!” she cried as she merely crawled off her new Master, moving around him on her hands and knees, nuzzling her face against him.
Sitting up, the martial artist began to gently scratch his new pet beneath her chin. Man, he couldn’t wait to shove THIS in Akane’s face!
“I’M HO~OOOOOME!” Ranma called out as he opened the door to the Tendo home, grinning wide. He was ever so anxious to begin his master plan of revenge!
Fortunately for him—as most of his ‘master plans’ blew up in his face at step one—it was Kasumi who was the first to greet him. “Welcome back, Ranma!” the polite eldest daughter of Soun called out cheerily. “I was hoping you’d return! I’m sorry to say but there’s no more ayu; I even went back to the market after Akane sent you through the roof to see if they had any left. Still, they sold me a nice piece of salmon that I was... sure... you...... what?” she managed to recover from her surprise as she looked towards the purple catgirl kneeling at Ranma’s side and nuzzling her left cheek against the right side of his hip.
“Hey, Kasumi!” Ranma greeted rather cheerily. “What do you think of my new pet?”
Understandably, Kasumi stated the first thing that usually came to her mind. “Are you sure it’s not a fiancée, Ranma?” she asked curiously.
It was midday, when the latest ‘Scammed by Genma’ victim usually arrived.
“Nope!” Ranma chirped, petting the smiling humanoid. “It’s my new pet, saved her from a wrecked building and everything.
“...Well, that was nice of you,” the eldest Tendo daughter offered. It was a kind person who rescued any animal from a dangerous dwelling. Besides, the only rule Father had about pets was that hamsters were not allowed—something about them dancing in the yard...
Father was so funny when he was shit-faced.
“Well, is there anything I can get your pet? Would she like to share your salmon?” Kasumi asked. She then leaned over and looked towards the violet kitty lady. “Would you like that? Would you like some salmon?”
Blinking her eyes once, twice, the Youma/Daimon Fusion stared credulously at the female human. “Neko?” she inquired curiously.
The raven-haired martial artist considered that for a moment. “Actually, Kasumi...” the pigtailed martial artist spoke up. “I don’t know if Nekonneru can eat physical food: she’s a Youma. They mostly exist on energy and making girls in mini-skirts scream.”
Ears flattening back in annoyance, the demonic feline woman pouted at her master. “Neko...” oh, like HELL she could subsist on mini-skirted bitches.
“Ah, her name’s Nekonneru?” the eldest Tendo daughter questioned. “Such a cute name...” she reached a hand down and began to pet the creature’s head, smiling as the kitty-monster bega to purr. “Oh, such soft fur! It’ll be nice to have something cat-like around. Ever since you came to live with us, Mr. Nya-Chan from across the street hasn’t been able to come by.”
“Uh... right, yeah,” Ranma chuckled nervously. He was sure it didn’t have anything to do with a certain non-water-filled balloon he had tossed at sad cat... or an owl that been ‘moved to a farm’ by the local animal control after it started to go after the local cat population.
They owed him anyway for constantly signing his Old Man out, before he ate out their budget.
Besides, Shampoo was the most upset by the missing owl—she had used it as a great sparring partner for her cursed form.
“Well, I’ll still prepare some for her,” Kasumi replied, continuing to rub the demonic creature on its head. “Better to be safe than sorry.”
“Neko...” the infernal fusion of Youma and Daimon replied as it looked towards the human woman's retreating form. She had a nice energy... it was rather soothing, almost akin to how humans might feel after a bag of potato chips.
Licking her lips as the girl disappeared into the kitchen, Nekonneru decided that, yes, that woman was ‘comfort food’.
Watching his pet lap at her chops, the pigtailed martial artist leaned in and told her, “Don’t worry! Kasumi is an awesome cook! You might need energy for your diet but trust me when I sat that she makes AWESOME food!” Indeed, if he could have merely moved into the Tendo home minus 3/4 of the family and no old man, this could have been a pretty sweet life!
Oh well; nice to dream, he thought to himself, as he led his new pet into the dining area. If he was lucky, Kasumi would not be watching anything—it always felt wrong to even think of asking her to change the channel for some reason.
And besides, it wasn’t like anyone who entered believed him when he said he wasn’t the one who changed the TV to True Blood! Why would he want to see people who exploded but never really did anything interesting?
That was his story and he was sticking to it!
...
...Besides, his girl-form’s breasts were way better than any of those actresses!
However, before he could finish considering the joys of his girl form having bigger breasts than half the planet’s female population—and over eighty-five percent of the male population—a shiver went up his spine, his danger sense warning him of something.
Even Nekonneru tensed, her ears perking up, her tail raised and swaying back and forth defensively; the tightening of her muscles causing the bells she wore to ring and tingle.
Coming down to the bottom of the stairs was Nabiki Tendo. The girl with a pageboy haircut was looking over her laptop as she moved about on reflex and muscle memory. “Hey, Ranma! Good timing!” she said all too cheerily. “I was looking at the damage you caused when Akane hit you through the roof, and you merely dislodged a portion of it rather than having blown things apart like you usually do! Repairs will be super cheap so you only owe me just another twelve-thousand Yen more on... your... tab...”
She paused as she looked down at the purple feline catgirl on her hands and knees. Raising an eyebrow, the middle Tendo daughter looked up at the pigtailed martial artist. “Care to explain?”
Ranma puffed up his chest in pride—something he couldn’t do as a girl since it caused a massive pileup on the roads near Furinkan the last time—as he placed an arm around Nekonneru. “Well, I rescued a stray animal today, befriended it, and now have the greatest pet in the world!”
“...You were near Minato Ward, weren’t you?” Nabiki growled. Thing didn’t look like a local demon.
The pigtailed teenager huffed. “I fail to see how that has anything to do with me adopting Nekonneru here,” he replied firmly.
Sighing, Nabiki rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Saotome; do I need to remind you of what I said you would have to do if magic girls attacked me again?”
“And yet you still do bad things,” Ranma murmured. Magical cleansing, his ass...
Nabiki glared. “Ranma, do you know what it's like to be hit with one of those ‘Moon Heart Spiral Ace’ things? It hurts like a MOTHER-FUCKER!” the woman snarled as her eyes practically bore into the pigtailed martial artist’s soul. “IT FELT LIKE I GO RUN OVER BY A MACK-TRUCK DOING ONE-EIGHTY IN A THIRTY-FIVE ZONE!” Her lips set in a firm frown, she gave the pigtailed fool the ultimatum. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kick that thing out right this instant!”
Her fur standing on end, Nekonneru HISSED at the woman. Oh yes, this one had ‘Dark General’ written all over her! She might as well drop whatever illusion she was using, there was no denying it!
Considering his thoughts carefully for a moment, Ranma was quick to reply, “Um... OH! She comes from Mugen Gakuen!”
“...She hardly looks like a student,” Nabiki spoke. Granted, as such a top-level school, she certainly hoped their classes were better monitored than Furinkan.
People were still looking for that escaped experiment that resembled a Pikachu.
“Nah, found her injured in the wreckage,” Ranma replied, trying to calm his pet—who seemed agitated at Nabiki for obvious some reason. “Kind of surprised that they hadn’t cleared that rubble yet.”
“Of course,” Nabiki sighed. “They’re waiting on an investigative team, something about it might be the tomb of the principal...”
Surprisingly, the Youma/Daimon nodded her head rapidly at that, even though her red eyes were still focused on the Dark General. Obviously, this fiend knew what was going on and was merely trying to seem out of the loop. Well, she didn’t fool Nekonneru! The feline monster promised herself she would do whatever it took to protect her food-dispensing master from her!
The pigtailed martial artist looked at the Yen vampire with a half-lidded gaze. “I still think they’re just being lazy,” Ranma retorted. “I checked that place out. There was rust and cob-webs at places. Mugen looks like it’s been that way for awhile. No clue why. Even an investigation wouldn’t take long enough for rust to start happening, right?”
To that, Nabiki gave an uncaring shrug. Not like it mattered to her—even if they rebuilt the school, she would have graduated by then. And it wasn’t like anyone would go looking for the buried records to deny her claim that she had attended.
In fact, the longer the investigation and reconstruction took, the better for her. Hopefully, they wouldn’t find that office until she had graduated from college and was convincing some wealthy patron to wed her and then go sailing... drunk... during a typhoon.
She was lucky, though. Sailor Pluto had stopped any investigation, wanting the Senshi to first ensure nothing of the former lab of Professor Tomoe survived, and if so, give them plenty of time to dust it.
Her current estimate was sometime around the return of Halley’s Comet.
But as neither Ranma or Nabiki knew this, it was of no consequence to their discussion, so they carried on.
“Besides,” Nabiki continued. “Pets cost money,” the woman stated firmly. “And you don’t have a job! How are you going to afford her upkeep?”
“...Nabs, she’s a Youma and feeds on energy. I don’t gotta do much but make the occasional energy attack for her to eat and keep her groomed...” Ranma retorted. “Really, she’s more economical and WAY cooler than a pet rock, let alone a black piglet.”
Nekonneru gazed upon her new Lord and Master—hey, she could name him whatever she wanted—with eyes full of admiration. He treasured her so much, defended her from the Dark General in disguise, and rescued her from certain death!
He was totally leagues ahead of her old bosses. Everyone knew Metal’la didn’t give a damn—she’d as sooner eat a Youma as she would send it to gather energy for her!
Given a steady diet of what she was having now—assuming the Comfort Food was also enjoyable—soon, she would defend her Master against all threats!
Although fighting Magical Girls might have to wait though, at least until she had grown in power enough to become the Legendary Super Youma!
Besides, he’d be fine. He was a human male of what passed for an attractive standard. He had yet to display any tentacles, so they probably wouldn’t target him for attacks.
And even if they did, she’d just toss the Dark General in the way.
However, Nabiki kept on frowning. “I still feel you should be doing something with her to aide the Dojo’s upkeep.”
To that, Ranma just snorted. “Then what about Akane and P-Chan?” he asked firmly. “You have to feed that thing real food, like tasty and expensive ayu,” he stated firmly. “And clean up after him too! Do you have any idea where all that pig poop is!?”
Shaking her head, the middle Tendo daughter grinned and replied, “No, but once we get a whiff, that’s your job.”
“No way!” Ranma replied as he smirked right back. “I have my own pet to take care of. If Akane can’t clean up after her own pet, why should I?”
“Because your fiancée would cry if I was forced to take money from our food budget to pay for it to be professionally done and was forced to have Kasumi turn P-Chan into dinner.”
“...Meh,” the raven-haired teenager shrugged. Frankly, maybe it would scare the porker into finally confessing to Akane.
The woman frowned every so slightly at her little brother-in-law-to-be’s nonchalance. “...I take it the threat of turning P-Chan into sweet and delicious bacon doesn’t upset you?” the middle Tendo asked, an eyebrow raised in curiosity.
A devious smile spread across the pigtailed martial artist’s face. “Not at all! Because we’ve got a much better pet right here!” he reached over and stroked Nekonneru’s head, the infernal catgirl practically preening under his touch.
Raising her other eyebrow to match the other, Nabiki nodded her head before her free hand started to type on the keys of her laptop. Checking out a couple of things, she slyly added, “You know, there are ways to make sure your new... ‘pet’ is useful around the house... and perhaps even help put a dent in your debt.”
“Yep!” Ranma stated with a smile. “And as soon as you get P-Chan to do it too, I’ll consider them.” Like hell he was gonna let Nabiki hassle his nice pet! “Besides, I said I would take care of her, and I meant it.”
“What about room and board?” Nabiki asked with narrowed eyes.
“I feed her my energy, she stays with me,” the youth stated firmly.
Nabiki narrowed her eyes. “And who pays for you?”
“By law, that’s the Old Man’s job,” Ranma replied.
The Ice Queen of Furinkan High gave a smirk that made the Youma’s hair stand on end. Oh, how she loved it when they tried to fight back. But she was an expert at the carrot-and-stick approach.
Sadly, Kasumi had already done her gardening this morning, so she would first need to go elsewhere to find a stick…
Speaking of Kasumi...
“Ranma! Neko-Chan!” the eldest Tendo called out as she came out from behind the kitchen dividing curtain, carrying a plate with steaming hot food on it. “I finished your dinner! I know it’s not ayu, but I hope you still enjoy this grilled salmon!”
Suddenly feeling his taste-buds salivate as the aroma reached his nose, Ranma called out, “YOU BET I WILL!” he turned to his Youma and told her, “Come on, Nekonneru! Dinner!”
Grinning, the infernal catgirl replied, “NERU!” before she took off after the human. If she remembered human anatomy correctly, the more he ate meant the more SHE got to eat! It was win-win!
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(Posted Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:15)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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