There\'s a New Girl in Town

Ranma didn’t know what the mysterious girl wanted of him....or what to wear for dinner. Despite having so many fiancées, he had little experience with women. His fiancées would all turn against another woman if they thought he liked her, making it impossible for him to date. In fact he really hadn’t been on a real date in his life for the same reason. There had been only the one girl.......which hadn’t worked out.

He had to be careful not to tip them off that he’d accepted Ryoko’s challenge and was in fact, going to face her. He pondered over his clothes and wondered what to wear. Did she want to spar with him? Seduce him. Ranma got a nosebleed over this idea. He finally selected a plain black shirt that matched his pants, it had white braiding and frogs, nice but causal and old enough that he didn’t worry if it got damaged. He combed out his damp hair and then put it back into his customary pigtail.

He then pondered what to bring: it was rude to show up empty handed when invited to dinner. He thought about wine, but what if she didn’t drink? Flowers were out of the question because if one of the fiancées spotted him, they would think that they were for them and chaos would ensue as they battled over them. Finally Ranma went to a bakery and picked up some decadent looking chocolate pastries for dessert. Then keeping to the shadows and wearing a black trench coat with his pigtail tucked down the back and sunglasses, he made his way over to her address. He congratulated himself for managing to slip out without being followed, not seeing the small pink cat stalking his every move.

He presently reached the converted warehouse where she resided and buzzed for entry. He mused that her name was Ryoko Gisou; Gisou meaning disguise. “Who is it?” her smoky/sultry voice purred in his ear and caused him to shiver.

“Ranma” he called with a challenge in his voice.

There was a slight giggle and then she answered, “come on up” as the grating sound of a buzzer started up. Ranma caught the door and felt a little excited that he was going to see her again, she’d impressed him a little more then he cared to admit.

He took the freight elevator and walked down the stark white painted hallways until he reached her door and knocked on it. It cracked open to reveal one cooper eye, part of her kissable lips and a curl or two of her glossy hair, swooped behind one shell-like ear. Her lips curved into a smile and the door was opened the rest of the way. She wore a pair of light blue skinny jeans and a bright blue t-shirt that did wonders for her skin tone. She was barefoot, and somehow that seemed slight erotic to Ranma. “So you came? I was sure you would. You never can resist a challenge” she said with a smirk in her voice that was just friendly enough not to mock him.

“What do you want?” he demanded, shocked by how her appearance affected him. He looked around and noticed that her place, although a huge open concept studio, was sparsely furnished. One corner held an expensive looking computer set up; another was set up as a gym. There was also a loveseat, coffee table, entertainment unit with flat screen TV, a table with two chairs and futon made up the rest. She clearly wasn’t a fan of walls.

“To have dinner silly” she said.

“Do I know you?” he asked her with narrowed eyes.

She shrugged “as well as you know anybody I suppose. We technically have never met before yesterday, but I was told about your superior martial arts skill and thought we should be friends. I’m new to the area and don’t know anyone” she explained.

“What makes you think I want to be your friend?” he asked.

“Why not, I’m a friendly person and I think you’ll find we have much in common” she replied, giving him a wide eye guileless look.

Ranma pondered this “I can’t really be friends with a female, it tends to be hazardous to their health” he explained.

“Ah the famous fiancées” she replied, rolling her eyes. At his questioning look, she answered. “It’s not that big a school and people love to gossip when asked the right questions” she explained.

“Why were you asking about my marital status?” he asked her.

“Well I had to make sure I wasn’t getting some poor girl jealous by making her think I was coming onto her boyfriend or husband, which I’m not” she added. “When I found out you have four of them, I thought ‘well then, why worry?’”

Ranma looked pained “they’re a long story” he said.

“You might be quite the ladies man” she said, leading him over to the kitchen area and pouring him some wine.

“I’m not, my father got me engaged to two of them, I accidently married one and the last one is sort of tag-along” he summed it up as briefly as he could.

“Well I hope you don’t mind if I don’t wish to join their ranks” Kyoko said, giving him a teasing smile while she tasted her stew. She decided that comfort food would be best for their first encounter. Anything too fussy would make it look like she was trying to prove she had designs on him, so savoury beef stew with hunks of crusty homemade white bread it was.

“You don’t want me?” Ranma said in a stunned voice. He wasn’t used to a female inviting him places without trying to trap him into marriage.

“Sorry hot shot, no offense, but you’re hardly my type and I have this” she said indicating to her ring. To lull Ranma into a false sense of security, Ryoga had joined the school’s sexual purity league and had the ring to prove it.

“Oh” he said with a blush.

Ryoko served up their food and placed it on the table, “come on, your dinner’s getting cold” she said in amusement. “Bring the wine” she commanded him.

Ranma found himself watching her while she ate with dainty bites....... there was just something about those lips..........He cleared his throat. “So your ring, does that mean.....?” he flushed when he realized what he was asking her.

Ryoko raised her eyes on him “yep, I’m a virgin if that’s what you want to know” she replied with a smile in her voice. “I’m not catholic or anything like that, nor do I really believe in no sex before marriage. I just think that people should save themselves for someone they really love. So you see; you’re perfectly safe from me” she teased. “How about you, are you a virgin?”

Ranma blushed at how forward she was being and surprised himself by answering her. “No, there was someone, but it didn’t work out” he replied.

Ryoga was so surprised that her hand tightened on her wineglass until it broke and a piece was embedded itself in her palm. ‘Surely he didn’t mean Akane? There was no way she would have sex before marriage, not sweet, kind, virtuous Akane. No, it had to have been someone else. Ranma had cheated on her!’ raced through her mind. She barely registered when gentle fingers took her hand and she looked up into Ranma’s concerned face.

“Are you okay? You’re hurt!” he exclaimed as he examined her hand. Ryoga’s first impulse was to punch him for how he’d cheated on Akane, but the concern on his face stopped her.....and confused her. Ranma was a boorish swine who thought only of himself, then why he was acting like this about a girl he barely knew?

“It’s nothing; it’s just a small piece. I just need to take it out and put on a bandage” she said dismissively.

“Nonsense, I demand on helping. Where’s your washroom?” he asked her.

“It’s right there” Ryoga said, indicating where he’d put up the large sign for his own convenience. The hand lettered sign gave Ranma pause, but over her protests, he went into her medicine cabinet. He gently removed the glass with tweezers, washed the cut, treated it and bandaged it. This confused Ryoga some more, she wasn’t used to being fussed over, nor touched so tenderly.

“Are you okay now?” Ranma softly asked.

“I’m fine, I was just a little startled to learn you weren’t a virgin I guess” she said.

“Not everyone wears a ring” he said in an amused voice. “It was a while ago and I really can’t tell you more than that. It wouldn’t be fair to discuss this with someone without her permission” he explained.

“So you’re a gentleman?” Ryoga asked, regaining her composure.

“I try to be” he said with a grin. They both cleaned up the mess and resumed eating. Once they were done, they sat on the loveseat to finish the bottle of wine.

“You’re quite the woman of mystery” Ranma commented.

“Nah, I hold no secrets, ask me anything” she said, she wasn’t used to drinking in her female form and was getting a little tipsy.

“You could explain why your dog keeps on looking at you whenever you say my name” Ranma observed, glancing at the golden retriever.

“Her name is Ran........Ran-Ran” Ryoko said, realizing she couldn’t say that her bitch was named after Ranma himself. “I guess that sounds close to Ranma” she finished lamely. “She’s my directional guide dog”

“Directional guide dog?” he asked her.

“I have a rare genetic conditional called DD or Directional Displacement. If I get lost, I could end up anywhere in the world. I have a GPS bracelet that allows me to type in an address and it will lead me there, but I often go left rather then right and vice versa. Ran-Ran hears the commands and takes me to correct way. There are people all over the world like me, we even have a website and chat forum” she explained.

Ranma looked thoughtful, “I think I once knew someone who had your condition” he mused.

“I suppose you mocked him for it” she said with venom in her voice.

Ranma looked a little unsettled at that anger in her voice. “I liked to bug him, but never about that. I thought his condition was horrible. He must have been so confused all the time. It must be frightening to be surrounded by people who give you directions that you can’t follow or to buy a map that takes you nowhere” he mused.

Ryoga was confused that Ranma had this much insight into his condition. “I suppose you tried to help him?” she asked sarcastically.

“I did, his name was Ryoga Hibiki and he was once the closest I ever had to a brother and best friend. I used to lead him to school and back when we were younger, but we had a disagreement and he decided I was his enemy. It made me sad quite honestly. I would try and help him but he didn’t want it. I used to worry about him and would make enquiries when he was gone too long. I even anonymously sent him a cell phone with his Nerima friend’s phone numbers programmed into it, to his parent’s place. I doubt he got it” Ranma supplied.

Ryoko’s eyes went wide, she’d been touched by the thoughtful gift she’d received when she moved home and hadn’t known who to thank for it. “So you actually liked this Ryoga?” she said.

“He was a great guy, both kind and noble, but what a temper. Still he was as stubborn as a mule and so much fun to bug” Ranma said.

“Doesn’t sound like you were much of a friend to him” she pointed out.

“I guess I was a bit of a jerk. I honestly wish I could find him. I always thought we would become friends again. Have you ever encountered him on your forum?” Ranma asked her.

“No the name doesn’t ring a bell” she lied.

“If you ever encounter him, could you ask him to contact me?” Ranma asked. The earnest in his voice gave Ryoga pause. Had Ranma really liked him that much? It was hard to believe, seeing how he was the most popular guy around.

“I will” she said hesitantly.

“Thanks I’d appreciate that” Ranma said with a warm smile.

Just then a distress call came from her computer. “Hello is anyone there? I’m trapped in my bathroom” a disembodied voice cried out.

“Sorry duty calls” she said and put on her headset, glad that she’d talked most of her fellow suffers into putting webcams in every room. She managed to pinpoint that it was Frank, who had just returned from his honeymoon. She stared into her own webcam and saw Frank’s wide, Caucasian features staring back at her.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“Let’s just say I loved your present” Ryoga replied and winked.

“Holy shit Ryoga, you’re hot” Frank said, his troubles temporarily forgotten.

“I’m Ryoko” she said with a wide, friendly smile as she pulled up his house plan. She knew a smattering of languages from being lost on her travels and could speak English fairly competently. “You’re in your washroom, you need to make a left at the door, no your other left” she chided. “Good now go straight down the hall and turn right, yes good. Now have a seat on your couch and wait for Annie. Why didn’t you follow your signs?”

“We had the place repainted while we were away and they didn’t put them back up” he moaned.

“And your dog?” Ryoga inquired.

“Annie just went to get her from the kennel she’s being boarded at” he explained.

“She shouldn’t be long then. I have to go as I have a guest; I’ll chat with you later. Send me copies of your honeymoon photos” Ryoga said.

“Thank you. I love your new look by the way” Frank offered.

“Hopefully my guest does too” she said and with a final wink, took off her headset. Ranma was watching the exchange and had no clue what was going on.

“Sorry about that, crisis averted. A friend was trapped in his washroom” she explained.

“That must be horrible” Ranma sympathized.

“It used to happen to me quite a bit until I got my dog and bracelet that allow me to lead a normal life. I used to get lost all the time. You kind of get used to it” she said with a shrug.

“Your parents must have worried about you when you were gone. I can’t imagine how it must be for an attractive woman being lost on her own” Ranma said.

She frowned at this “they have the same problem; they insisted that I learn to defend myself early on in life. That’s how I got start with martial arts” she said. “I like to think I’m pretty good. I kicked your ass didn’t I?” she purred.

She was surprised when Ranma laughed good naturedly at this. “It was just luck; I won’t go so easy on you the next time”

“So there will be a next time?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

“I can’t be friend with a woman as I explained” Ranma said hesitantly.

“So why don’t we be secret friends? Here’s the keys to my place, call me when you want to hang out” she purred, dangling them like a carrot of temptation before his face. Ranma hesitated; there was just something about her that intrigued him. He finally took them from her. “Would you like to come for coffee tomorrow?” she suggested.

“I’m in class until four and then I have to go to work at five” he replied.

“Come over for a quickie at 4:15 then” she said with a grin.

“You’re on” he replied. He blushed when she hugged him.

“Relax, friends can hug you know” she said, laughing at his reaction.

“I guess I’m not used to be hugged by a girl unless she intends to marry me” he said and surprised himself by hugging her back. Her slim but curvy body seemed to fit perfectly against his own.

“I promise not to marry you” she said and slapped him on the back before closing the door. She leaned against it and frowned when she felt a stab to guilt. She’d forgotten how nice Ranma could be when he wasn’t being a braggart. Ranma when they were alone together had been a nice companion and friendly guy.

She looked down at the hand he’d bandaged, his touch had been so gentle, not at all like she’d pictured. She wondered if going ahead with her plan was a good idea.......and pushed her doubts aside.

It didn’t matter that Ranma seemed to have grown up and matured. Ryoga was a much better man for Akane. He would love her unconditionally and not string her along with three other girls. He had a generous income that could help in rebuilding her father’s business. With the proper advertising and website, he could make her family’s dojo thrive. Yes Dr. Tofu was the current owner, but once he saw Ryoga’s business proposal, he was sure to accept it. Ranma could even come on board as instructor..........and work for Ryoga. Ryoga grinned at the idea of having Ranma work for him. That would be so sweet! The ultimate revenge would be that Ryoga would live in the house as Akane’s husband while Ranma would have to rent a room somewhere. She frowned when she heard a knock on the door and wondered if Ranma had forgotten something. She opened it and almost called out in greeting to the three amazons that were glowering at her, until she caught herself.

“May I help you?” she asked them innocently while she studied them. Cologne looked pretty much the same, Shampoo had gotten taller and her already lush body seemed to have blossomed a bit. Mousse had undergone the most changes. He still wore the same baggy outfit, but absent were his goofy glasses. His eyes were large and bright green in colour. He was pretty cute Ryoga decided. Apparently regular sex agreed with the Chinese martial artist.

“You hussy, you try and make whoopee with my airen!” Shampoo cried. She grew even more irritated when the other girl started laughing.

“Hello Xian Pu, Mu Tzu and Elder Ko Lun” she said in perfect Mandarin. They looked startled at this. “I suggest that you come inside while we determine just who your airen is” she purred and opened the door for them. Her smile was a cat-like as her voice. She was happy that she would be able to eliminate part her competition so soon.