New Tomboy

Part Ten

By Philip Weigel

The Disclaimer is in the first two parts.

_______________________________________________________________________

"Okay," Moshia signed to Lydia. "How much longer do we have to, like, stay here?"

"Shhh," Lydia responded. "We don't want to say anything yet. Let's get this trial over with and then out of here with Rome's new girl. Then we explain how rats and cats just can't get along. It's just like cats and dogs. It just won't happen."

"She won't like that," Romeo answered with his hands.

"Well, she'll just have to deal, won't she?" Lydia asked. "Look at all the #@#$@% trying to lure us into complacency before pouncing. Just like a #$%@ cat pretending to be asleep."

"Ewww," Moshia responded. "Like...don't talk about it, chwa! It's bad enough as it is."

"I wonder what's with all the sign language over there," Ranma said scratching his head as he watched the rats "talk." Julia glanced in that direction, also noting the flurry of sign and frowned.

"Where are the Mages with their comprehension spells when you need them?" Julia asked.

********

Theo sneezed.

Considering he was in skull-of-flaming-not-so-nice-death mode, Thropan and Ryan could be forgiven for responding by screaming like a pair of grade school girls.

********

"Lyds, like everyone is looking," Moshia said pointing.

"Right, let's take it outside," Lydia agreed. The three rats started wandering out side and nearly tripped over a black box that had some how ended up outside the Tendo door. "What the #$@#"

Okay, Lydia didn't quite avoid tripping.

"Hey, our names are on this," Romeo said, feeling nervous all of a sudden.

"Oh $#$%!" Lydia said.

"Like, I wonder what's...."

"NOOOO!" Lydia shouted.

********

The next sound was of three terrified Wererats as the box contained three severed rat heads...

(----)

Naturally, the sound of the screaming Wererats filling the air was more than enough to get the attention of everyone inside the Tendo household. The rush to the backyard where the Wererats were was quite a sight, as most everyone was getting squished together trying to get through the door at the same time.

Managing to literally climb over everyone else, Akane fell outside onto the porch, landing on her butt. Standing back up, she ran over to the three scared-shitless Wererats. "Romeo, what's wrong?"

All three Wererats pointed shaking hands towards the black box that was on the ground, the lid to one side. Picking up the lid, she saw a message written in red on the inside.

I AM NOT PLEASED...

Shaking her head, Akane put the lid down. Turning back to the Wererats, she saw they were still scared, staring wide-eyed at the box. Walking over to the box, Akane bent over and looked down into it.

And jumped back in shock. "W, what the hell is that!?"

The other, having finally worked their way out of the doorframe, made their way over to the fearful Wererats. Julia, having made it over to the box, looked down to see what was in it, and raised an eyebrow. "Quite a message..."

"What is it?" Britanny asked, her curiosity perked, as to what would scare the Wererats.

Julia picked up the box with one hand, and then picked up the lid. Everyone could see what was written on the lid easily enough. It was in big, bold lettering. When they looked into the box, some people were disgusted, while others were surprised.

The box was filled with blood on the bottom, and three severed rat heads were floating in it.

"Oh, that is gross..." Sheila commented.

"I take it this isn't a good sign for the rats?" Ranma asked Julia.

Julia nodded her head. "That would be my guess... But what it exactly means, I think only the rats can tell us..." Julia turned to look at the three shaking Wererats. "Well?"

Lydia looked at Julia. "You ever seen the #@$&ing scene in the 'Godfather' where the guy woke up in bed with his #@$%ing horse's head at his feet?"

Britanny, Brianna, and Gina nodded their heads. All three of them had scene it a couple of times.

Nabiki nodded her head. She had to watch it once for English Class.

Moshia gulped and said, "This is, like, a thousand times worse."

Romeo looked at Akane. "Akane, we have to go back. Lord High Elder Gothwrain knew we were here, and he more than likely DOESN'T like the fact we've been hanging out here with the Werecats."

Akane blinked her eyes, "Lord High Elder Gothwrain?"

"YEAH! He's the $#%@ing clan leader! We have to do as he says... Or #@$&ing else!!!" Lydia was holding onto the sides of her head. She was more scared than she'd ever been. It was one thing when she was afraid of a Werecheetah. She could try to run. But when it came to Gothwrain, there was no real hope. His eyes and ear were everywhere!

Whimpering, Moshia said, "This bums me out. I never got to, like, enjoy Akane fully, u' know?"

Akane, Romeo, and quite a few others just stared at the bubbly, whimpering Moshia.

"So, what should we do, Romeo?" Akane asked Romeo.

Sighing, Romeo said, "This was a warning. Those were just rats." Gulping, he said, "The next time, that's gonna be Moshia, Lydia, and my heads in there."

Akane blanched. "W, what?"

Romeo nodded his head. "Lord High Elder Gothwrain demands absolute loyalty. We've been away too long. We've got to head back."

After a moment, Romeo said, "Akane. I want you to stay here. Gothwrain only had three Wererats heads in there. He obviously doesn't care about you. Please stay here. I don't want you to get hurt should you return with us. Please, stay here."

"HELL NO!" Akane yelled. "I am NOT leaving the father of my child/ren to go groveling back to some asshole!"

The Wererat trio blinked as they stared at Akane. She had some guts to talk about Gothwrain like that.

"Listen you three, I agree with Akane, this Gothwrain guy sounds too dangerous, and if he's sending THIS as a 'get your Asses back home' message, then I'd consider a new line of work." Ranma said crossing his arms and growling lowly, this Gothwrain sounded like a bully who had power to make others do as he wanted or they suffered.

"But-but that’s like...Ya'know suicide!" Moshia whimpered.

"If the bastard wants ya let him come I'll kick his ass, claw it off and shove it down his throat." Ranma retorted. "One thing my bastard father taught me that I uphold is that a Martial Artist's duty is to protect the oppressed, and I'll be damned if I let some jerk who's high off his position and power think he can send death threats to people, he's got an overdue ass kickin' coming!"

"Ranma's right, you can't go back to him!" Akane said in agreement, giving Romeo a light shoulder squeeze. " If you go back, there’s no guarantee he'll not hurt you, if not kill you anyway."

"Considering Gothwrain's reputation they are both right. You three stay with us under our protection. I think its high time anyway that Gothwrain gets what he's had coming to him since the day he was born." Julia said with a near snarl at the thought of the Wererat elder.

"DAMN STRAIGHT! Wait'll I get my hands on him I'll tear his head off!" Britanny did snarl angrily. Gothwrain helped Brendan kill off her people when she was a baby, and she wanted a piece of him!

"You'd seriously help us?" Romeo asked in genuine surprise.

Cologne, who was standing by the ex-fiancées, nodded, "Of course child."

"By your antics and amateur skills, its not hard to see you were more or less bullied into your line of work." Sheila said, feeling a small twang of pity for the Wererats.

Suddenly they heard two familiar cries, and the sounds of a bloody beat-down. Turning their heads, they see Genma & Soun laying on the ground in a heap, with Onoli, Gar & Tirga standing over them.

"Hey they tried to escape." Gar shrugged his shoulders.

Julia shook her head, "Take them back into the Dojo, and tie them with chains if you must." She turned to the Rats. "We'll discuss our problem with Gothwrain after we put the two buffoons on trial."

The Rats nodded, and followed them back into the Dojo.

********

Taro continued to fly through Nerima air space. Not only was Happosai nowhere to be found, but also he had not seen any of the 'usuals' around anywhere either. The school, the Ucchan's, Nekohanten, all seemed quiet for once in the usually chaotic Tokyo prefecture of Nerima.

It was enough to annoy the hell out of Pantyhose. With an angry 'moo' of displeasure, he couldn't believe that he could not find any of the 'usual gang of idiots'. Damn it! He wanted to find Happosai, get his name changed, and then head out to defeat Fem-boy!

And that's when a thought came to Pantyhose like a slap to the face. Of course! He should be looking for Fem-boy! Everything in this whole damned city revolves around that cross-dresser! All he has to do is find Ranma and he'll find the Lecher!

And so, Pantyhose turned his direction of flight and made a beeline for the Tendo Dojo.

*ZARK*! "MOOOOOOO!!!"

Or would have, had he was not shot out of the sky by a particle cannon...

Lowering said particle canon, Zelda had a smug look on her face. "Heh. I got one!"

Link rolled her eyes. "Whoop-di-do."

Smirking, Zelda said, "You're just jealous I bagged the bigger creature here."

"Big whoop!" Link said. "I still caught the myopic idiot with all the hidden weapons!"

Zelda shook her head. "Whatever. Now, let's go and collect that living piece of 'surf and turf'. Pee Wee will pay us a bundle for it!"

And thus, Pantyhose found himself 'side-tracked' from his quest for the moment.