Disclaimer: Don’t own the animes I write about.

A/N: Nothing much to say here. Except that it picks up right after the last chapter. Akane might be a bit OOC here since I’m changing her character. (Which was bound to happen eventually) And she refers to the YYH girls simply as ‘the girls’ BTW.

And since it’s in Akane’s P.O.V; I’m basically writing her thoughts. So I’ve made it as realistic to a normal thought process as possible. Hence the inclusion of random sentences/comments here and there that, make no sense whatsoever, seem too broken, don’t fit into the situation, or seem too wtf are completely intentional, since that’s how a human’s normal thought process goes. (You know like when you’re thinking of something, and something very unrelated comes to mind and leaves in a flash.) Also they add comic effect. At least I think they do.

Scratches head. All right I’m confused now. So I’ll just let you read the story. And damn this A/N is long! Sorry ’bout that.

Chapter 6 (Akane’s P.O.V.)

This just goes to show how chaotic Nerima is thanks to the NWC. And also how the Gods love messing up my life beyond belief, after I finally manage to get some semblance back into it.

When I made my way back to school after lunch, accompanied by the girls ten minutes ago, everything was fine and dandy…… Genkai had gotten pissed off at something midway through the meal and left as usual. She did it on the regular so no hard feelings there. And Atsuko had to get back to work, so she’d left as well……

The girls and I were just chatting by the school gate to kill some time till the bell for class rung. It was the usual stuff; Hairdos, shopping, music, books, anime, mangas, fandoms, movies, parties, youkai cleanups, Makkai politics, Koenma actually acting his age instead of being like a four hundred year old overgrown baby, yada, yada, yada, etc. Mostly it was trying to finish our (what seemed to be) eternal rushed catch-up with each other, Mukuro and Natsumi especially, considering we rarely met those two. Well now-a-days we rarely met Natsumi, thanks to fact whenever she dropped by Chuu would steal her from us…… Stupid drunk! And she’s my favourite female sparring partner too! ……

Mukuro had become became a familiar face to us now; since she had to keep travelling back and forth between Makkai, Ningenkai, and Rekkai constantly for various reasons, ranging from inter-dimensional politics to chasing after Hiei to give him something he left behind…… Really those two were such an adorable couple. Especially since Hiei had a tendency to blush whenever she spoke to him – even though he denied it vehemently…… And if he was that bad before when Mukuro still had her acid burns; after Genkai and Yukina healed them we didn’t know what to do with our poor Forbidden Child…… Though the guys and some of the girls settled for laughing themselves to kingdom come about it…… Yukina and me, just tried to stop ourselves from losing our composure and screaming “Kawaii!!” like obsessed fan-girls when he did that. But it was hard. Really how many times did you get to see Hiei – Hiei of all people! – blush like a schoolgirl in love? ……

But we didn’t blame our little Pyro-pixie. No we didn’t. We couldn’t! After all no one could deny it. Mukuro was a bombshell. Naturally soft rust-brown hair, ocean blue eyes, angular features…… Those features itself can start the drool factor. Don’t get me started on the body.

Hmm I think I’ve drifted off from my original thoughts. I tend to do that a lot now-a-days. What was I thinking about? …… Oh yeah about the Nerima chaos. Wow my train of thought sure is funny…… and disturbing. Nerima chaos and NWC to Mukuro’s good looks? Add that as another point for insanity to the tabulation of my non-existent mental stability…… Have I added talking to myself yet? …… I think I have…… But I’m not too sure…… Oh what the hell, I’ll add it again!

So anyway…… where was I? …… oh yes…… The girls and I were catching up, as we’d been damned to eternally do it seems, when suddenly who should rush past us in a haste to cause mayhem laughing insanely like she always does? Kuno Kodachi of course! Gymnast ensemble, ribbons, batons and all…… And wow Fluorescent green really kills the eyes…… Of all the colours, why that one for Kami’s sake?! …… Is she in Rock Lee / Maito Gai Otaku mode? …… No wait they don’t wear that colour either.

And of course since, just like misery, I’ve learned that chaos too loves company, the rest of the NWC followed. I of course; sticking to my resolution to not get involved with this madness, and avoiding the entire NWC altogether for the sake of whatever little shreds that have been left of my sanity; squeaked and yanked Shizuru – our resident ‘I will murder you with glares alone if you piss me off’ brunette – in front of my as human barriers of vision. Mukuro put up an invisibility barrier around us girls as soon as I did that.

I love Mukuro…… I really do…… I’m going to build a little shrine for her and worship her for this…… I’ll turn it into a religion too, and gather followers, and then funds. And then it’ll become a world-wide phenomenon……

And hence now invisible to everyone else, and therefore me being out of danger of involvement, we began to watch the mayhem unfold……

Apparently Kodachi had baked cookies for Ranma during her lunch break. And hence she came to feed said freshly baked cookies to him…… Insert la Sarcasm right here…… And Ukyo – who’d already latched onto Ranma – was trying to tear Ranma from the ‘Black Witch’s’ grasp as Shampoo puts it…… I was going over the final cuts on my mental list of what drug could possibly be in those cookies, when another NWC showed up.

Maybe it was because I was so amusedly engrossed in trying to figure out what Kodachi’s cookies had been drugged with, that I hadn’t noticed the new havoc wreaker before they’d disappeared from my line of vision. But I didn’t have to wonder who it was for long. After there’s only one girl in Nerima who speaks broken Japanese mixed with bits of Mandarin, or calls Ranma ‘Airen’…… and manages to destroy property while doing that.

Speaking of property, there went another of our favourite campus trees. The school needs to start planting more of them…… Oh and I guess that’s good-bye to our new gym-wall too…… What replacement number are we one now?

Considering Shampoo had already joined the fray, Mousse was bound to follow. And sure enough he came. Glasses askew, arms flailing as he tried to keep his balance, running at full speed, weapons consisting of everything – kitchen sink inclusive – flying out left, right, and centre, while yelling threats to Ranma. And look, he brought Ryouga and Konatsu along with him…… how nice of him…… Konatsu’s new hairdo looks cool. I’ll ask him about it later. It’ll go well on Yukina…… And ow! Poor Ryouga. He didn’t even do anything yet……

Ah that’s another pothole on the grounds…… Wonder what that can be used for? It’s rather deep…… Maybe we could bury Happosai in there alive, and he’ll choke for lack of air and die? …… Hmm that sounds like a nice idea. Definitely has it’s merits…… I’ll tell dad later…… No wait Taro’s a better option.

Hmm, seems like Nabiki has started taking bets already. Atta Girl! …… Oh wait she might be involving me in that…… If she has I swear I won’t be responsible for the dead lizards she’ll find in her cupboard tonight…… or the rotting rats in her food…… or the horribly mutilated youkai obtained courtesy of Hiei in her bath…… I like the last one. I think I’ll try it out…… If not Nabiki, there’s always someone else…… Like Ranma…… I wonder if I’m turning evil? ……

Hey damnit I liked that! …… Mousse really deserves to rot in hell at times…… He has glasses for a reason! To wear them so that he isn’t blind! Why can’t he use them damnit?! …… And I really like that grounds centrepiece statue too…… That’s it, he’s gonna have dead rats in his food tonight…… Wait he’s blind most of the time. He might actually eat them…… Eww! Gross! Must think happy thoughts! Must think happy thoughts now! …… Wait why did Mukuro dissolve the barrier? …… Oh poor thing’s too stunned to notice. Never mind then. The NWC hasn’t noticed me anyway…… yet.

Well since Ranma’s main ‘adversaries’ had shown up, the Blue Thunder of Furnikan was bound to come as well, for the sole purpose of not being left out. And there came the wannabe Shakespearean Samurai, all fired up in all his self fed glory…… Ouch! That fall must’ve really hurt. Kuno-senpai should really pay attention to where he goes sometimes. It’ll help him in the long-run…… Hell it might even help him get himself a date if he stopped tripping over his own two feet in excitement. Though I’d never date him ever. He’s just not my type……

That’s another hole to be patched up for our school main hall…… Wonder which poor soul will be roped into doing it this time? I sure as hell won’t……

Kuno siblings, Konatsu, Ryouga, Mousse, Ukyo, Shampoo, Ranma, I mentally ticked off…… wait where was Pantyhose Taro and Happosai? …… Ah there they were! Pantyhose chasing the little old man who had a bundle full off women’s undergarments as usual…… I can’t understand why Happosai just doesn’t change Taro’s name properly. But in a way I don’t care. Ever since Taro became a permanent resident of Nerima as of three months ago, Happosai isn’t able to steal that much lingerie any more. Taro apparently is a very staunch feminist, even though he hides it, and hence sees Happosai as a nuisance to women – which the old pervert so totally is. So now along with having Happosai change his name from Pantyhose Taro to something more mundane and acceptable to normal decent society, Taro also took it upon himself to try his best and keep Happosai in check. Along with being one of Ranma’s latest adversaries…… As to why I have absolutely no clue……

But then again this is Ranma…… and this is the NWC…… Safe to say everything rational and logic went out of the window, over the rooftops, and flew all the way to the Bermuda Triangle where they’re enjoying a nice vacation when it came to these people…… And did I just think of ‘Rational thought’ and ‘Logic’ as entities? …… Wow this proves that being close the NWC in mayhem mode kill brain-cells and sanity.

Oh Taro spotted me. He’s winking…… Yeah hey to you too Taro. Don’t tell anyone I’m here though…… I like Taro. We get along well. He’s nice to me…… We have this weird friendship/sibling thing going on…… We talked when he kidnapped me. He wasn’t gentle but he wasn’t rude either. Just determined…… We now flirt with each other playfully for the heck of it, just like I do with Yusuke, Jin, Kurama, and some of the other guys…… He generally helps me avoid the NWC, or distracts them when I’m around. Keeps me company in the train ride to and fro from Nerima, since he works outside the town. Makes sure no one gropes me. Gets all over protective big brotherly-like when someone does, and kicks their ass for me, so that I can study. Buys me mangas along with Kazuma, Yusuke, and Kurama…… I buy him ice-cream in return. Give him Happosai’s whereabouts. Help him with his studies. Help him clean his apartment once a week. Be his annoying little sister for the heck of it and tease him with random girls who we see on the train. Cook for him when he’s too busy chasing Happosai or Ranma…… Yes I can cook now. It’s edible. And according to the gang (Rekkai Tantei and co.) and Taro rather tasty.

Ooh! And there goes our new bench-swings…… Damn I used to like them. Comfy for lunch. Wonder what the couples will do now? …… And is that Gosunkugi in that little dark corner sitting on the skulls and chanting curses? Haven’t seen him in a while…… Ah it is!! …… Wow he’s put on some weight now. Good for him! He doesn’t look so much like a skeleton anymore.

Hey that’s Hinako-sensei! She looks fired up today. Ooh! Energy draining time! …… And here she comes into the fray…… And there goes Kodachi’s cookies……. And there goes Hinako-sensei too…… Well that was productive……

And the entire process from Kodachi entering Furinkan to Hinako-sensei chasing after the cookies, took a grand total of six minutes. It was terribly impressive.

Ooh the girls looked freaked out…… Yes, yes this happens almost everyday…… duck the lamppost headed our way…… Yup, I’ve borne up with all of this…… Nice uppercut Ryouga! You get more kick-ass every time I see you…… Yes Mukuro this is what happens in my life in Nerima. Probably why I have youkai slaughter tendencies like Hiei…… Ooh Kodachi got kicked in the ribs by Ukyo and Shampoo! Nice! …… Yeah Yukina I can understand. No matter how many times you’ve heard about it, it’s really surreal when you see it with your own eyes ne? …… Ooh! Bitch-fest! Yay! …… No Shizuru, Natsumi, I’m perfectly fine. Thank you for asking…… There goes the school’s new drinking water fountain. That was the pretty one too…… Yes Keiko. There, there now. I can understand. It’s pretty traumatising isn’t it? …… That’s another of the new drinking water fountains. The management will have a heart attack in the evening…… No Botan I don’t need a hug…… Think Hiei does though. Actually he could do with a slew of them. Hey don’t glare at me like that Mukuro! It was a joke……

Anyway it’s almost time for the bell, so I think I should head back inside the main school building. Actually sneak back into the building. I signalled the girls to tell them I was leaving. Said good-byes to all of them. They seemed really worried, and traumatised. I didn’t blame them. Compared to this all the other madness we faced concerning Rekkai and Makkai seemed much more easier on the mental health. Because in all their madness, youkai are still much more saner than this. As contradictory as that it.

I slipped into the campus and began to sneak my way into the school building. I had almost made it, when I was taken by surprise by someone sweeping me into a bear-hold. Rather trying to sweep me into a bear hold. I, luckily and thankfully, dodged on instinct, before kicking my attacker rather hard in the stomach.

“Oh Akane my sweet, you’re still a fireball of energy!”

Huh?! Fireball of energy? Only Kuno-senpai spoke like that. Oops it was him! Great now I’ve been spotted. I’ll have to get into school before anyone notices me.

Ducking the baton headed my way I realised that it was too late. There was no escape today. At least that’s what the girls charging at me seemed to portray. Wonder what I’m gonna do now? Genkai forbade me from fighting with these guys. I’m still a bit injured from our last youkai sweep, which was more dangerous than it should’ve been. My poor leg! And I don’t feel like getting into this madness anyway. The youkai sweeping business is enough. And considering doing that you never know when you’re needed, I do have to conserve my energy. Even though I wouldn’t mind some practice…… But then considering this is the NWC, if they even realise a tiny bit I’ve improved all hell will break loose. I sighed.

And the day had started out on such perfect note too. The sun had been shining; the birds were singing; and all that other stuff that generally happens on a good day. To think it would’ve led to this: Me spotted, cornered, and about to be attacked, when I’m injured, forbidden from fighting, and totally not in the mood. Well even if I was in the mood and not injured I’m still forbidden from fighting. And I’m in no mood to go up against Genkai. That woman sure is terrifying and too all-knowing for her own good…… For such a beautiful morning to lead to this…… Such a truly terrible thing.

Well I guess I’ve been backed into a corner. Avoiding them like I usually do, failed miserably…… And it had been working so well up till now too…… They’re not going to listen to reason. I’m forbidden from fighting. Blasting them to the other end of Nerima is a definite ‘no-no’ since Genkai’s forbidden me from doing that too. And ignoring their existence, pretending this didn’t happen, and walking away right now has a snowballs chance in hell of working…… And whatever I’m going to do I have to do it soon…… Damn! I guess I have no other option. I hope this works, and Taro spots my bluff in time to help me. Sighing again I crouch down to where Kuno-senpai is sprawled on the ground…… I really hope that I won’t go to hell for what I’m about to do. Or die from the consequences and repercussions of the aftermath of this, in disgust and revulsion. Here goes nothing.

“Kuno-senpai.” I whisper softly, making it sound like a purr, and wait for it. Just like expected he perks up immediately, just like how guys do for Botan. I’m glad he’s such an idiot, and the fact that the girls would get distracted by each other for long enough to pull this off. Too bad it wouldn’t be long enough for me to escape. That would’ve been so much better…… But Kuno’s fairly easy to hypnotise. And he’ll buy me enough time to make my escape from here. I don’t think this will clear up in two minutes. Or that school will restart.

“You know how you keep calling yourself the ‘Blue Thunder of Furinkan’ right? Now’s your time to prove it. Won’t you be my brave and handsome knight and save me from those wretched evil witches? Please Kuno-senpai? There’s a reward in it for you too.” I purr giving him a little wink. Coy, playful, and yet innocent and shy. And he – being the absolute lust-struck idiot that he is – falls hook, line, and sinker for it.

“Of course, my dear Akane!” he declares in his usual dramatic way, clutching my hands in his. “I shall banish these evil witches for you my darling. And then we shall ride off into the sunset!”

O…….kay……! What crack is he smoking seriously?! It must be pretty good considering the fantasy world he’s created for himself…… Oh well, what the hell anyway? It’s not like I’m actually bothered. I just want to escape this place…… I give him my best ‘admiring awestruck princess’ looks, which he buys. Much to my twisted amusement. And now I have this horrible urge to laugh out loudly…… The looks Taro is sending me isn’t really helping either…… But then again I guess it must be equally funny for him. And at least he’s caught on to my act and knows I’m up to something. Which means he’ll help me get out of here……

And people wonder why I say Taro is my best friend in the Nerima district.

So now I’ve set the plan into motion. All I need is for it to work. And for that I need Kuno and Taro to do the rest. Which they will, since Kuno’s an idiot too in love with me, and Taro is just Taro and he’s nice that way. So three… two… one… here we go……

I laugh as we soared through the air. Taro’s being nice and giving me a piggy-back, as he jumps from rooftop to rooftop, taking me home. He knows about my leg. Doesn’t know how I got it, but he knows that I shouldn’t be doing anything heavy-duty with it. Though I don’t think walking counts as heavy-duty, I’m not going to complain. It’s nice getting a piggy-back. I can hear Taro laughing too.

“What did you tell the idiot?” he asks finally as we begin slowing down. We’re near the dojo so it makes sense to do so.

“I just played with his usual fantasies a bit to bully him into helping me.”

“Poor guy. Didn’t even figure out you were using him. Even though your acting is terrible. I had to stop myself from laughing like a madman. Especially since everyone else had no idea about what was going on.” He says laughing. I laugh too. I knew my acting is terrible. Extremely terrible. But Kuno is an idiot and too obsessed with me to notice.

“Yeah it was a miracle that I didn’t start laughing too. And I had this horrible urge to do so. I would’ve looked like a madwoman if I did.”

“True you would’ve. And then everything would’ve gone down the drain.”

“So… I know this is an absolutely useless question by now, but any progress on the ‘Happosai name change’ thing?” The two of us had been discussing on what Taro’s new name should be for a while.

“No. The old man needs to die a horrible death. By the way have you thought up any more good names? And I don’t want any names from manga characters you’re obsessed with.”

How rude! I’m a girl hence I’m allowed to be obsessed with manga characters! I made a big show of pouting when he said that. Till I realised that Taro couldn’t see my expression and gave up. “I’m thinking we should stick to Taro. It isn’t so bad. We should just change the Pantyhose part. I still think Fai sounds nice.”

“Yeah so do I. So then Fai Taro it is. Now we just have to get that stupid old man to actually change it.”

“Yeah. Sorry I’m not proving to be much help. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve spiked his sake by now. It just never works.”

“Nah no problem. It isn’t your fault. It’s not even your problem…… Stupid traditions! …… You’re helping me enough as it is. You even helped me find an affordable place to stay when I settled down here.”

“I wonder if we can drug him?” I asked vaguely as my thoughts drifted off to Kurama. He could probably brew up something that would help Taro if I asked him. Then I could’ve nearly smacked myself for not thinking of it sooner. Of course Kurama would definitely be able to brew up something to help. And if he didn’t know there was always Genkai, and Mukuro to ask for help. And to think I spent three months going bonkers trying to help Taro with useless things when the solution was just a phone call away. I’m such an idiot!

“We tried that before remember. The drug didn’t last long.” Taro said talking about that time I’d sneaked in some pretty strong hypnotising drug, which Taro had stolen from the Amazons since it had originally been for Ranma, into Happosai’s soup. Taro had managed to make it half-way to China before it’s effects wore off. And the dosage was pretty strong…… He obviously didn’t know what I was thinking about.

“Taro put me down for a bit. I need to make a call.” I said fidgeting.

“All right, all right. Stop squirming!” he replied setting me down gently on the ground mindful of my leg. I didn’t even bother thanking him, as my cell-phone was out and I was already calling Kurama. He picked up after three rings and I immediately went bonkers in excitement talking a mile a minute to him about what I needed.

“Kurei-kun. Could you please repeat that one again, a bit slower, and at a slightly lower volume? I didn’t understand a word.” And I sighed. I could actually picture his face.

“Um Sorry ‘bout that. Excuse me. I hope I’m not disturbing you” I said sobering up. My emotional outbursts have lessened but I’m still prone to one or two randomly.

“Not at all. I have a free lecture.” Kurama replied. He always sounded weird on the phone. I’d never get used to his voice when we spoke on the phone.

“That’s good. Anyway, I needed to know if you can get me something and how fast you can do it. It’s really important.”

“What do you need?”

“Something that can hypnotise someone. For about a month to two on a minimum, for someone with a high resistance to stuff like that, just to be on the safe side.” I could almost picture the eyebrow rising delicately, on the other end.

“I have a plant of that sort. But I’m very curious. Now why would you need something like that?” I heard him purr. No doubt his youko instincts came to the forefront. “Our Kurei isn’t planning on harbouring a love slave now is she?”

“Nothing of that sort! It’s for the sweet friend in Nerima I told you about. The one that always helps me out. He needs it to drug the old pervert I keep grumbling about.”

“Ah. All right. When do you need it?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Tonight then? I could bring it around. I’m supposed to help you with your Physics anyway.”

“That’ll be great. Tonight then. See you Kurama. And thanks a bunch.”

“No problem Kurei.” I smiled as I got off the phone and gave Taro a thumbs-up. Today would be the day that Taro would finally start the journey to having a normal life.

Now all we had to do, was wait for dinner to come.

A/N: There another chapter done. And about the last part, I can’t believe it myself. I swear Taro just wrote himself in.

Anyway leave me a note telling me if you guys like it or not.