REN Side Story - No Alucard

[LawOhki]

In the apartment above the Nekohanten, Cologne sat relaxing before bed, her pipe drifting up a small stream of smoke towards the ceiling. It had been nearly three weeks now since she had found out from the Tendo girl that Ranma was alive. She was hesitant to take action on this news, keeping Shampoo occupied during the day, and inside at night.

When first learning of Ranma’s disappearance, she had been furious with the Tendos and Saotomes for missing the signs. But once she had calmed down, she realized that it was unfair to assume they would have realized what was going on. She chose not to tell them what may have happened to him. Cologne had seen the news reports about missing girls. Either Ranma was dead or worse than dead. But she still held out hope that Ranma was just missing.

Taking a long drag from her pipe, there was movement in the shadow behind her television, and she blew the smoke out slowly. “You should come out.” She informed the intruder, debating on whether or not to grab her staff.

The figure that rose from the shadow was both expected yet not. It was Ranma in female form, her red hair still braided in a pigtail, and wearing a variation of her normal clothing that fit her form. Her skin was pale and two intense teal eyes looked at Cologne, reminding her of a beaten dog.

“I’m not sure if I should be happy or sad to see you still moving.” Cologne tried to look nonchalant by continuing to smoke casually.

“It’d be nice if I had a choice, but I can’t take my life.” A small smile appeared on the red heads face. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you know, it’s why I came.”

“If you wish, I could assist in that.” Cologne wouldn’t have offered if Ranma didn’t look so beaten. It was like back when that monster Happosai had applied the weakness moxibustion on the teenager.

“How would you do it? I don’t know how a vampire can die.”

“I had heard that there were rules and guidelines for vampires on turning another. I would think, things that will kill you, would be required information. Right, Son in law?”

“Don’t call me that.” Ranma snapped.

“So you were turned as a girl then?”

“I can’t remember what I looked like.” The red head’s voice was shaky. “He took it from me.”

“And you wish to kill him for it?”

“And more.” Ranma glanced down at the cushion next to Cologne and Shampoo’s dining table, and she nodded. The vampire took a seat while Cologne put out her pipe, no longer having the option of looking carefree. A distressed vampire was a dangerous and unpredictable one. “You acted like you knew, how do you kill a vampire?”

“There are many ways and some do not work all the time.” Grabbing her staff, she hopped over to a large trunk she had in the corner. “Decapitation isn’t a sure thing. Fire can do the job if they aren’t able to put it out. Silver, especially something blessed properly will burn worse than fire, but it must penetrate their heart to kill them. But the simplest way is to take a wooden stake and run it through their heart.”

“He has a silver wakizashi.” Ranma mumbled to herself.

“That would explain why the news report said the victims were missing and not dead by blood loss. A good way for a vampire to cover their tracks. Let any authorities solve a mystery they are incapable of solving.” Digging through the trunk, she looked for the right artifact to give to Shampoo for protection. “Is that the only reason you came here?”

“I needed to tell you that you have to leave.”

“Oh?” Finding the pendant, she put it in her pocket, and turned back to Ranma. “I’m running a business and can’t simply pack everything up and leave on short notice.”

“My Master mentioned Shampoo the other night.”

“I take it that it wasn’t just casual conversation.” Cologne looked towards the entrance of the room and briefly wondered if Shampoo was still sleeping peacefully.

“He joked about having the whole set.” Ranma squeezed her eyes closed and bowed her head almost to the table. “Please protect Akane and Ukyo.”

“I can make no promises.” This was very bad indeed. The pendent would be able to protect Shampoo but she didn’t have anything else. She had ways of fighting a vampire, however she couldn’t be everywhere at once, or on watch all the time. This was also a huge request, while bearing no ill will towards either girl; she had no reason to put her life on the line of them.

“One more thing.” Ranma straightened up. “Do you know how a vampire is freed from their master?”

“The Joketsuzoku know more on how to destroy them not how they live, but I was told drinking the masters blood.”

“Thanks for your help.” Ranma rose to her feet and backed up towards the shadow again.

“Son-- I mean Ranma. Where are you going?”

“If I stay away too long he might get suspicious about where I went.”

“I see.”

“Cologne-- I wanted to thank you-- for helping.”

“You were my Shampoo’s betrothed, think of it as a last request.”

“It may be.” Ranma shook her head. “If he finds out about this-- I’m sorry if I do anything.” The red head fell into a shadow and vanished.

[frice2000]

Very nice. The wanting the whole set is quite interesting. Would be awesome if Ranma's master forced her to try and (edit: help turn forgot that little bit of lore) turn his old fiancees would be so very brutal. Very nice dark story you're spinning it's a little sad that it's moving this fast but I know it's only a side story one shot so I guess I should've expected that (though the Twilight one did seem to move slightly slower).

Part of me laments that you didn't go this route with the Eternal Nights main story and just had Alucard show up more or less in the middle of Hellsing cannon kill Ranma's master after all these dark turns and then see what had developed. I think that might have been slightly more interesting then what Eternal Night is but then I've always been a fan of a newly turned Vampire learning the ropes (one of my favorite examples being the movies Subspecies 2 and 3) and Ranma learned quite quickly so my favorite part of a Vampire storyline went by so fast there but is so nicely described here. That's not to say I don't enjoy Eternal Night but this strikes me as better somehow. Though I guess i'll reserve judgement till I see what Cologne does in the main line.

Now on to my two other minor concerns. You've got Cologne suspecting that Ranma is a vampire of unknown strength and motivation. She's probably slightly releived after this conversation that Ranma still has her ethics. Regardless, if she has an artifact capable of defending against Vampires why wouldn't she have already given it to Shampoo after Akane reported that Ranma was still alive? It seemed pretty obvious to her what Ranma was now so I'm kind of wondering why she didn't prepare a little better. Of course it could've been self-delusion and optimism but I buy her as more of a pragmatist.

Secondly this whole forgot her male forms old appearance thing...It's nicely done and quite traumatic so I applaud you on that. However, is there a specific reason she couldn't snag a photograph and remember his appearance that way? I mean sure he hasn't had much opportunity to do so and if her master found out bad things would happen, but later after her Master is dead which I'm almost positive is coming down the pipe stealing/asking for a photo and being able to get it back that way? I wonder exactly how much of the compulsions stick when she becomes a Master Vampire too.

Anyway very nice story. Love the well done dark bits.

[LawOhki]

Very nice. The wanting the whole set is quite interesting. Would be awesome if Ranma's master forced her to try and (edit: help turn forgot that little bit of lore) turn his old fiancees would be so very brutal. Very nice dark story you're spinning it's a little sad that it's moving this fast but I know it's only a side story one shot so I guess I should've expected that (though the Twilight one did seem to move slightly slower).

It's hard to slow down and take things slowly with this one since it would mostly be rehashing things that were already done in the main story.

The wanting the whole set thing is basically the Master vampire finding a new way to mess with Ranma. She's gotten somewhat used to jabs about remaking her, so he needs a new way to play with his toy.

Now on to my two other minor concerns. You've got Cologne suspecting that Ranma is a vampire of unknown strength and motivation. She's probably slightly releived after this conversation that Ranma still has her ethics. Regardless, if she has an artifact capable of defending against Vampires why wouldn't she have already given it to Shampoo after Akane reported that Ranma was still alive? It seemed pretty obvious to her what Ranma was now so I'm kind of wondering why she didn't prepare a little better. Of course it could've been self-delusion and optimism but I buy her as more of a pragmatist.

Hmm, I'll have to revise that. I could also explain that it needs to be exposed to the type of vampire it will protect against.

Secondly this whole forgot her male forms old appearance thing...It's nicely done and quite traumatic so I applaud you on that. However, is there a specific reason she couldn't snag a photograph and remember his appearance that way? I mean sure he hasn't had much opportunity to do so and if her master found out bad things would happen, but later after her Master is dead which I'm almost positive is coming down the pipe stealing/asking for a photo and being able to get it back that way? I wonder exactly how much of the compulsions stick when she becomes a Master Vampire too.

Actually I already planned to write up Ranma finding a picture and basically not believing that it's really him.

If something is "rewritten" it won't go away.

[Tuisto]

I've finally had a minute to read this sidestory, and I must say that I like where this is going. Though I do think frice is more right about how Alucard would react to the situations as painted.
Later, I'll send more comments by PM.

Thanks for sharing.

[LawOhki]

Moaning softly on the floor, Ranma struggled to get over the latest mental attack by her Master. Inching herself away from him, he kicked her in the stomach, making her flop on to her back. His foot slammed down on her chest, breaking her ribs, and crushing several organs. Unable to cry out in pain or remove his foot, she whimpered ineffectually in pain.

“Why must you disappoint me?” He asked with his eyes closed. “Asking a human how to kill us? What side are you on?” Lifting up his foot, he kicked her in the side again, sending her sprawling into the side of a chair. Clutching at her destroyed chest, she felt the damage immediately begin to heal itself.

“Do you really think they care about you?” He knelt down next to her. “You’re a vampire, given the chance they would kill you without a second thought.” Grabbing both sides of her head, he hauled her up to look directly in his face. “And here I thought I was being so generous-- offering to make a little sister just for you.”

“Please.” Ranma wheezed. “Don’t.”

“Because of you, they’ve learned of us.” He let her go and Ranma’s head bounced off the floor. “I suppose I need to fix you since you’re not smart enough to do as I say.” Eyes wide with fright, Ranma ignored her injured body, and backed away from the master vampire.

“Such little trust you have for me.” He easily kept pace with her backward movement. Ranma had to pause as her organs suddenly healed themselves, her ribs soon joining them. Taking several deep, unneeded breaths out of reflex, she was unprepared for the pain that assaulted her.

X x x x x x

Ranma’s eyes snapped open and she sat up in a flash. She couldn’t remember the mental attack stopping, only finally being disconnected from the pain, and then nothing. Rubbing at her eyes, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. All around her was nothing but blackness. She could see nothing, not an outline of an object, not even what she was sitting on. The only thing she could see was her unclothed self which strangely she could make out normally. Ever since becoming a vampire, she could see clearly in a room where no light could enter, being in a place where she could see nothing felt so alien and wrong.

Getting to her feet, she wondered where her clothes had gone but waved that concern away to shout into the darkness. “Hello!” There was no echo or response. “Anybody!” She tried again while walking forward. Bouncing off an invisible wall, she felt around looking for a seam, and found that she was enclosed within a box. Jumping upwards, her head painfully hit a ceiling the same height as the box was wide.

Finding a corner, she sat down with her back to the wall, and pulled her knees up to her chest to stare into the black world around her. The last thing she remembered was her Sire attacking her mentally. Had he killed her? Was this where vampires went when they died? Ranma started to cry softly, overwhelmed by her new circumstance. Her life had been stolen by a vampire and now he had condemned her to this?

How much time passed, Ranma couldn’t tell, her mind was playing tricks on her, but finally she heard something. It sounded like someone was shifting around a bathtub. The dark around her vanished in an instant and she was back in the place she had woke up every night since becoming a vampire.

“Hey!” She got to her feet and looked around. No matter where her eyes turned, the same vision from someone else’s eyes was all she saw. The world twisted and the person sighed contentedly while stretching. Looking down as they stepped out of the tub, Ranma now knew the person was female, and that it was her when they looked into a mirror over a sink.

Watching, the doppelganger appraised herself in the mirror, poking at her face, and prodding at her hair until she untied the pigtail to let her long red hair free. Digging in a drawer, the girl grabbed a brush and sat down on the edge of the tub to run it through her hair.

“What’s going on?” Ranma wondered, trying to figure out why she was watching herself do this, and feeling her own hair pop out of it’s pigtail.

The other Ranma seemed satisfied with her work, returning the brush to the drawer, and stepping out into the main room of the apartment. Her Sire was waiting, reclining on the couch with his feet kicked up on to the cushions. “How do you feel?” He asked smugly.

“Oh I feel wonderful Master.” Ranma’s own voice echoed around her, the girl running up to stand before the master vampire. “What ever can I do to thank you for all that you’ve done?”

Ranma gagged at the girl’s actions. Banging futilely on her invisible prison, she couldn’t help but watch the girl be pulled down to sit on his lap. Ranma shivered in disgust as her Master lightly played with her hair.

“I can think of-- many things.” He gave the other Ranma a knowing smile, seeming to look to Ranma’s prison. “But don’t you want me to make a sister for you?”

“Really?” The other Ranma exclaimed happily. “Oh thank you Master!” She gushed, hugging the elder vampire.

“No!” Ranma shouted, throwing her fists against her prison. “No no no!” She screamed.

“Go get changed.” The master vampire waved a hand dismissively towards the bathroom. “You want to look your best when you meet your new sister don’t you?”

[Konsaki]

And I must scream...

[LawOhki]

Ukyo leaned on the counter watching the entrance to her shop. Business had been slow tonight and Konatsu was cleaning the sink for the third time. The male kunoichi was always busy with something and it tired Ukyo out just watching him. Her day had been highlighted by Shampoo coming by to say Cologne wanted to see her about something urgent. Ukyo wasn’t interested in what the old crone wanted so she had ignored Shampoo to deal with the few customers that had come in.

Akane had been by about a week ago and told her that Ranma was still alive but was hiding out for some reason. That answered the question that had been hanging over their heads for months now. Ranma would come back when he was done with whatever it was he was doing, and if not, then she would just track him down again.

“Hey Konatsu.” She called into the back.

“Yes Ukyo-sama?” The pretty head of her gender confused waiter appeared in the doorway.

“It’s getting late, I’m going to close up.”

“I’ll clean the griddle.” He chirped happily and she didn’t have the heart to tell him that it was already clean.

Ukyo stopped on her way out from behind the counter when a short girl came inside. “Welcome to Ucchans”. She greeted before recognizing the red head in front of her. “Ranchan!” She cried out happily, running up and gathering the smaller girl in a hug.

That her fiancé was wearing a black halter top with spaghetti straps that was showing off a large amount of cleavage and fitting capri blue jeans didn’t register for a moment. But she quickly wrote it off as Ranma out to scam someone. What was important was that he was back.

“Where have you been?” She demanded, pulling Ranma over to the counter.

“That’s actually why I’m here.” The red head said in a way that made the hairs on the back of Ukyo’s neck stand up. Ranma usually made an effort to sound more masculine as a girl, but now she was using feminine language, and seemed completely relaxed with how her voice sounded.

“Really?” Ukyo took a seat next to Ranma. “I’d ask if you wanted some hot water but I don’t think you could pull off that look as a guy.” She joked, noticing strange differences in her childhood friend. The eyes were an unnerving shade of teal, not for the color, but the person behind them didn’t feel right.

“Hello Ranma-sama.” Konatsu greeted as he came out to clean the grill.

“Hello Konatsu.” Ranma returned enthusiastically.

Ranma’s skin was very pale, something Ukyo didn’t think possible with how much time he spent outdoors. Sure it was almost summer and the winter had been cold, but she didn’t think a person could get that pale naturally unless they were shut up in a dark room all their lives. When the redhead smiled at her, Ukyo saw that she had long sharp fangs.

“Are you alright?” Ukyo asked, wondering what the cursed boy had been through. The shorter girl didn’t look bad, in fact she seemed a little more attractive than before.

“Oh I couldn’t be better.” Ranma answered in a bubbly voice. “I’ve never felt better in my life.” She added a half beat later.

“You mind telling me what you did to make yourself feel so good? I’ve been worried sick about you and it’d be nice to relax. Hey, how about we take a trip to the beach, just the two of us?” The weather was warm enough now. Well the water wouldn’t be all that warm but being out on the beach in the sun would feel nice.

“The beach-- can’t do that. But do you really want too?” Ranma asked hopefully.

Ukyo didn’t have a chance to respond before the enthusiastic red head grabbed her by the wrist and started to pull her towards the doorway. “Ranchan wait I have to close up before I go anywhere, I can’t trust Konatsu with the money.” She protested, struggling to pull herself free from Ranma’s iron grip.

“But Master is waiting.” Ranma stopped to turn back to her, a confused expression on her face as if the cursed boy couldn’t figure out what to do now.

Ukyo winced as Ranma’s confusion turned to frustration and she started to squeeze her fist. “Ranchan-- you’re hurting me.”

“Is he now?” Cologne hopped into the store on her cane. “Evening Ranma.” The elderly woman greeted.

“Hello.” Ranma seemed to finally be back on track and became bubbly again as she loosened her grip. “I’m sorry you can’t be turned.” She said sadly. “But I’ll miss you when you’re gone.”

“There’s a few years of life left in this old bones.” Cologne reached into her sleeve and pulled out what looked like a jar of peanuts. “I did get something for you.”

“Really?” Ranma released Ukyo’s wrist and grabbed the jar from Cologne. Rubbing at where a bruise was already forming, Ukyo watched Ranma puzzle over the gift. “I can’t eat these though.”

“Oh it’s not food.” The Chinese woman answered. “You’ll just have to open and find out what it is.”

“Okay!” Ranma chirped, unscrewing the lid, and looking directly inside. With a heavy poof, a white cloud exploded from the chair to hang around Ranma. Ukyo found herself thrown across the room by Cologne as Ranma looked around at the glittering dust cloud. Konatsu appeared at her side and checking to make sure that she was unhurt.

“What is this?” She asked, her eyes crossing, and her noise twitching like she had something in it. The red head’s breath caught and she started to choke and gag.

“Mousse.” Cologne ordered and the blind boy jumped into the room. “The chains.” The old woman added.

“Yea yea.” He threw his arms forwards and chains show from his sleeves to wrap up a chair.

“Put your glasses on you blind fool!” Cologne shook her head, keeping an on Ranma as she staggered over to lean on the counter, clutching at her chest and clawing at her throat.

“What are you doing?!” Ukyo shouted, torn between helping Ranma, and finding out what was Cologne’s purpose. Mousse was retrieving his chains rather than pull out new ones.

“Saving your life.” Cologne answered calmly. “Hurry up before she can recover.” She told Mousse.

“Shut up you old mummy.” He answered, putting on his glasses, and wrapping Ranma in the chains.

Ukyo covered her ears at Ranma’s scream of pain, the small girl falling to the floor, smoke erupting from where the chains touched her skin. “Stop it!” Ukyo ran up to free Ranma but found herself falling flat on her face, Cologne’s staff having caught her legs.

“Do not hurt Ukyo-sama again.” Konatsu stepped between Ukyo and Cologne. Ranma’s screams came to an end, replaced by pained whimpers that were muffled when Mousse gagged her with some cloth.

“I’m saving her life.” Cologne narrowed her eyes at the male kunoichi, sensing something off about his feminine appearance but being unable to pinpoint what. “If you had come to see me earlier you would have known that Ranma has become a creature of the night, a vampire. We’ve wasted enough time and we need to get to a secure location before the master vampire realizes what’s going on.”

[frice2000]

Pretty sure Konatsu would take exception to them hurting Ranma as well though he would likely be more concerned with Ukyo true.

This has taken a long jump from where I expected it to go. Really dark turn with this new personality I hope it's reversible or Ranma is put out of her misery. I suspect that Ranma's master will reverse the personality change when he realizes how ineffective she now is with this neutered personality, or merely to gloat at what the original personality thinks of whoever will be kidnapped and turned. Very nice. I would've liked to see some Dracula homages with the whole visiting the target multiple times thing with Ranma covering for her master but this works too.

[LawOhki]

“I’m going to have to burn these clothes because all this garlic is NOT coming out.” Nabiki sat on a chair in the main room of the Nekohanten, her arms crossed, watching impassively as Cologne went about doing some final preparations to keep the other vampire out, and Ranma in.

Ranma was bound in the center of the room to a chair, looking like the most miserable thing in existence. Some of her skin was still smoking from the chains, and it looked like she was having a severe allergic reaction to all the garlic Cologne had strung up. Every so often Ranma would have a coughing fit, her skin had splotchy red patches all over, and she wouldn’t stop moaning in pain.

“What can we do for my son?” Nodoka asked Cologne worriedly. All of Nabiki’s family was here as well as the other two Saotome’s. Ukyo and Konatsu had tagged along after Ranma had apparently tried to drag Ukyo off, and Shampoo and Mousse lived here. Nobody had bothered to tell Kodachi, but Nabiki figured that no one in their right mind would want to make her a vampire.

“Not much I’m afraid, vampirism doesn’t have a cure.” The old woman sighed, finally taking a seat on the cash register counter. “If Ranma was still himself I would have suggested getting some of the master vampires blood to free him. That way he could help us defeat him. But-- not now.”

“Why not?” Nodoka demanded.

“Because as Ranma feared, his master has done things to his mind.” Cologne pointed a small finger at Ukyo. “Did that seem like Ranma to you?”

“No.” Ukyo answered, having a perpetual frown since she got here. “That’s not Ranchan.”

“So then what are going to do?” Akane asked.

“Use Ranma as bait.” Cologne answered. “And then-- we end his suffering.” The old woman’s gaze swept over them, before pausing. “Where is your eldest?” She asked Soun.

“Oh she said she was going to go grab a book if we were going to be here a while.” Nabiki’s father answered.

“Kitchen destroyer’s father no too smart.” Shampoo commented.

“Come with me.” Cologne pointed to Shampoo, Genma, Soun, and Mousse as she hopped out of the store front. Akane didn’t seem to like the idea of being left behind while their elder sister was possibly being attacked by a vampire capable of taking Ranma out, so she followed too. Nabiki didn’t move, figuring that the stench of garlic was preferable to being put in mortal peril.

Now that Cologne was no longer here to stop her, Nodoka grabbed a damp rag from the kitchen and began to wipe at Ranma’s face. Ranma said a few muffled words into the cloth gag that Nabiki couldn’t make out. The Saotome woman reach behind Ranma’s head and undid the gag.

“Mom, please let me go.” Ranma started another coughing fit that sounded like she was going to hack up her lungs.

“I want to but you’re-- not right in the head.” Nodoka answered slowly.

“Not to mention that you drink blood and live at night.” Nabiki pointed out, picking up her chair to move it closer to the red head before sitting back down. “So do you actually burst into flames?”

“Nabiki this is no time to be combative.” Nodoka chastised her.

“You’re not curious at all?” She shrugged. “How often do you have a vampire sitting in front of you?”

“The sun doesn’t do anything, we just don’t like it.” Ranma answered her earlier question with a slight cough at the end.

“Why were you trying to drag me out of my shop?” Ukyo butted in.

“Master.” Ranma stopped, looking like she wanted to throw up. “Master said he would share his gift with whoever I brought to him.”

“You wanted to turn me into a vampire?” Ukyo all but screeched. “You really aren’t Ranchan.”

“Ucchan.” Ranma pleaded. “It’s so wonderful being a vampire, I just wanted you to be like me.” Nabiki caught Nodoka’s hard look at she stepped back away from Ranma.

“And would it have mattered if I said no?” Ukyo pressed.

“I didn’t say yes when I was turned, you would have understood afterwards.” Ranma answered.

“So what’s so wonderful about being a vampire?” Nabiki decided to ask. She knew that this Ranma was off mentally, but it was better than sitting in silence.

“Everything.” Ranma replied, slumping a bit in her chair at a happy memory. “I’m stronger, faster, I can change my shape at will, I’m immortal, and blood.” The girl purred. “When you’re done eating it’s like your body is on fire. It’s all you can do not to-- hmm- touch yourself, and when you do.” Ranma trailed off with a rather perverted smile on her face.

‘Wow, am I happy that Akane isn’t here right now.’ Nabiki thought, noticing that Ukyo was as surprised as she was by Ranma’s comment.

“I do not think anything that this vampire has done to you could be described as wonderful.” Nodoka walked away from Ranma, clearly disturbed by the admission of sexuality from her son turned daughter. “It will be good when this stain on our honor is over with.”

Nabiki shared a look with Ukyo and Konatsu, the male kunoichi blushing furiously. Nabiki did have other concerns on her mind than the cook and her male waitress. “So if it’s so great to be a vampire-- why did your master play with your head.”

“He didn’t do anything to me.” Ranma answered as if Nabiki was an idiot. “Cologne is just angry that I’m happy and I have more money than I know what to do with.” Nabiki’s left eyebrow rose briefly. “It’s not like the humans I eat will need it.”

“You kill people and steal their money?” Ukyo asked angrily. “You’re a monster.”

‘Not all that monstrous.’ Nabiki considered. She took people’s money enough to know that leaving them broke wasn’t the nicest thing to do. Honestly Nabiki wondered about this vampire thing. Getting horny after eating sounded like an inconvenience, but she did always enjoy the night life. Immortality, freedom from responsibilities, power, and money those things spoke to her. Maybe she was looking at things the wrong way.

[LawOhki]

Ranma wiped at her eyes with the back of her forearm, Resting against a corner of her prison, she could feel that the walls had become weak and spongy, but after an hour of beating on them she had given up. Her mother’s comment had been a factor. As much as Ranma wanted to end her life, to hear such a callous declaration that she was a stain on the family honor was another matter. She had no choice in becoming a vampire and had no control over ending it.

Kasumi turned out to be alright, which improved Ranma’s mood. That the person who had replaced her was manipulating Nabiki removed that improvement. The longer she remained in control, the more competent she seemed to get.

Looking down at her wrists, she saw the angry burns from the chains keeping her to the chair in the real world. Thinking about it, the draining influence of the silver was likely what was weakening the prison. Maybe if she was held long enough she would be able to get free. This led her to another question, what would happen if she did? Would there be a battle for supremacy? Some kind of melding? Would it even change anything? Leading to her floating around in this world where she could only watch the outside world.

A feeling of dread crept over her, it had only been a short time now in this mental prison, if she had to be in here for years she would go insane. Could she even go insane was a scarier thought. Outside, daylight was starting to appear through the covered windows at the front of the shop. She had never seen the sun since becoming a vampire and the light quickly grew so intense that the outside Ranma had to close her eyes and turn away from it.

Ranma knew that the sun wouldn’t hurt her unless she was out in direct sunlight, and even then it would be at most a bad sunburn. The personality in control of her body begged and pleaded enough that Cologne had Shampoo drag her into a back room where it was darker. The other Ranma still couldn’t sleep and Ranma smiled that if she had to suffer then so did her body snatcher.

She could hear voices discussing plans for the next night, but for the day they would go about a slightly normal routine, and then meet back here before sundown. Ranma was happy that she knew someone capable of doing this. If Cologne wasn’t around, then there would be little any of them could have done to protect themselves.

Distracted as she was, she missed Nabiki removing the lock holding the chains on her body, but when the burning suddenly stopped, she noticed. “What’s she doing?” Ranma stood up in her prison.

“Come on, we have to go before they notice.” Nabiki told the Ranma outside. Inside, Ranma could feel that her body was weak from the silver exposure, and would be too weak to take on Cologne if she noticed. But that was still more than enough for everyone else. The two didn’t remain in the shop, quickly running out the back door before the other personality picked up Nabiki and started to sprint across rooftops.

[frice2000]

Seriously Nabiki is stupid enough to do this? She's seen that Ranma's master has rewritten her entire personality and is no longer the same person in the least and she's stupid enough to embrace that? I suppose it makes a certain sense that she could be fooled into going along with it due to greed but it's a tough sell. Tougher then has thus far been described. Other then that nice work and nicely dark.

[LawOhki]

Nabiki being short sighted and greedy when someone is offering a way to make a lot of money very easily? No.....

And she doesn't know for sure that Ranma's different. Ukyo could be saying that because of some other reason. Cologne as well for that explanation that was given by the fake Ranma. The real Ranma even comments that Nabiki is being manipulated, they do have mental powers, and that the double is rapidly starting to adapt to the role so other than the desire to server her master, the doppleganger isn't that much different or easy to pick out.

[Nekomata-sensei]

Given that level of stupidity over money, I wouldn't be surprised if Nabiki turn out not to be a virgin (dating guys to mooch as much money off of them as possible, and occasionally putting out depending on the situation... before breaking off with them once they get too clingy or she drains their money dry or she finds a better prospect, or merely being self-indulgent enough to find some way to lose her virginity on a whim) and become a ghoul, and Ranma's master turn her into one just to torture the Ranma sealed within even more.

[LawOhki]

Nabiki was jostled around as Ranma made good time across the roof tops. She would have preferred to be held tight to a strong manly chest during this trip, but she would take what she could get. Feeling Ranma slip for a moment on a roof tile, she nearly cried out before the vampire recovered, and quickly dropped to the ground.

“Trouble?” Nabiki asked.

“I-- I just need to rest for a moment.” The red head leaned against the wall of a building, a hand cover her eyes.

“You said the sun didn’t do anything.”

“I’m just tired, that silver really drained me. That and it’s really bright.” She finished with a whine.

“I can see that.” Nabiki didn’t prod but she inspected the burn marks on Ranma’s skin that were slowly healing, and with how the red head was dressed, anybody would be able to see them. “How far are we from-- wherever?”

“Not too far.” Ranma replied, rubbing at the burns on her right shoulder.

“Well we can’t really have you walking looking like that.” Nabiki grabbed Ranma and pulled the vampire to where they were better hidden. “Let’s switch tops.” She suggested, unbuttoning her blouse which had long sleeves.

“Good idea.” Ranma nodded and they quickly switched clothing. Tugging on the bottom, Ranma’s top was one size too small, but nothing that would be seen as abnormal.

“So why are you a girl?” She adjusted her breasts to sit better. “And with a fashion sense?” Nabiki had checked out the tab and this was designer label clothing.

“I was turned as a girl, I’m not a guy anymore.” The red head answered casually.

“Woah, and you’re fine with that?” Nabiki could tell that Ranma had changed in the past few months, but she would still expect him to be freaking out over this, or at least having some difficulty admitting it.

“Oh, I wasn’t at first, but now I can’t imagine being a guy.”

Nabiki worried about how happy Ranma sounded about that, but looking into the red head’s teal eyes, she figured that it was something that had a proper story to it that explained it. “Do you think they followed us?”

“No way, humans can’t catch vampires.” Ranma boasted.

“Are all vampires as strong and fast as you?”

When Cologne had first explained that a vampire was targeting people around her, and had been able to defeat Ranma. She had been scared of that. Being a young attractive woman, while other young attractive women are going missing due to a vampire who can beat one of the strongest, most skilled people she knew, how could she not be scared? Being the predator was always better than the prey. The few times where she had been in a position of weakness were not times she wished to repeat.

“Master is stronger.” The vampire crossed her arms and nodded sagely. “And I am very skilled, but you would be very strong and fast. You’d be able to beat Shampoo I bet, maybe even Mousse or Ryoga. I haven’t had much of a chance to test myself.”

“So what’s the drawback? What’s the price for this?” She asked, pretty much having decided to go through with this.

“Drawback?” Ranma’s face scrunched up into a frustrated pout. “Humans don’t really like it if they find out.”

“No I mean more like physical stuff. You already said you get all hot and bothered after a meal, what else?” She already considered wearing sunglasses during the day a small price to pay.

“You can only die if someone stabs you in the heart with a wooden stake?”

“That would probably be a positive.”

“Um, you’ll be as you are now forever? Unless you decide to change what you look like.”

“Again, a positive.”

“No babies?”

“I won’t ever be pushing out a kid, so not much of a negative. How about that you kill people for food?” She asked, thinking that while she didn’t care much for other people that may be something that would cause her some distress.

“Oh no, that’s perfectly natural. Just like a human eating a fish.”

“So no lingering remorse about ending someone’s life?”

“If it’s someone that you like maybe.” Ranma cocked her head to one side. Nabiki caught the vampires eyes once again and she accepted the answer at face value.

[LawOhki]

Nabiki rode the elevator up to the top floor with Ranma. A doorman had greeted Ranma at the door to let them in. This was clearly a high scale place, with a large main lobby, and simple yet elegant decorations. ‘Oh yes, I can definitely see living in places like this.’ The apartment was in the corner and Ranma held her hand over the door knob briefly as a small click marked it unlocking.

‘Some weird mind powers too?’ Nabiki realized how good of a thief a vampire would be.

Inside, she couldn’t see anything once the door had closed behind her. Blackout curtains rather over all the walls, letting in only tiny slivers of light between them. ‘Shouldn’t I be nervous about this?’ She wondered, this whole situation should be directing her away from Ranma, not following her to the lair of a vampire.

“Sorry I’m late Master.” Ranma said from behind her.

As her eyes adjusted, she made out a tall figure sitting in a plush chair, who reached out to turn on a lamp to his side. The light revealed a man of mixed descent, with teal eyes like Ranma, and wearing black silk pajamas. “I was wondering why you took so long.”

As soon as the man spoke, something clicked in Nabiki, and she realized suddenly what she was doing. Squashing down the sudden urge to run, she knew that Ranma could easily stop her, and was positioned right next to the only exit. Glancing at the blissfully smiling red head, Nabiki gulped. ‘Weird mental powers.’ She had been tricked, manipulated, and now she was at the mercy of two beings who would have no qualms about eating her alive.

“Nabiki helped me out and wants to become a vampire. Isn’t that great Master?” Ranma chirped, clasping her hands in front of her chest.

“I uh-- could just let them torture you like that.” Nabiki couldn’t stop her voice from quivering. “But I think I want some more time to think about that vampire thing.” She added. ‘Okay, keep calm, you can get out of this.’

“You came all the way here.” The male vampire stood up and even from across the room he towered over her. “Please, sit.” He motioned towards a couch matching the chair.

“I’ve been up all night and I should really be finding a ride back home.” She took a single step back and a small hand found it’s way to the small of her back.

“Master wants you to sit.” The girl said flatly.

“I suppose that wouldn’t hurt.” She smiled nervously and went over to take a seat. “You have a nice penthouse.” She pointed out.

“It’s getting very small.” The master vampire took a seat very close to her. Ranma as well took a seat on the opposite side of her, making her the middle of a vampire sandwich. “We’ll have to move soon and find something with more rooms.”

“Maybe I could help you with that.” She spoke up. “As a human I mean.”

“Humans aren’t needed.” He told her, leaning in far too closely for her comfort.

“Shouldn’t vampires be sleeping during the day?” She tried a new tactic. “Wouldn’t you want to talk about things tonight?” If she could get them to go to sleep then she could get out of here and then beg Cologne for forgiveness.

“No, this is a fine time to do this, and you’ll wake with us tonight.” He leaned in closer.

“I changed my mind.” She tried to stand up but again she was stopped by a single hand on her shoulder that nearly crushed her into the cushions. “Please, I really don’t want to be a vampire.” Nabiki tried not to beg, to sound confident, and from a position to negotiate. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ranma suddenly clutch her head in pain.

“Something wrong?” The male vampire asked the red head.

“No, I’m fine.” Ranma answered.

“No more distractions.” The master vampire suddenly grabbed her far shoulder and twisted Nabiki to face him.

“I’ll scream.” She pushed her hands against his chest, trying to hold him off. “These walls can’t be that thick.”

“If you scream.” He easily overpowered her and pushed her hands to the side. “I’ll turn you into a ghoul, do you know what a ghoul is?” Nabiki shook her head side to side. “It’s a revolting corpse that craves human flesh. You would be conscious of all your actions and you would hate every part of your new existence. Scream-- and I rape you, then turn you into a ghoul.”

“Ranma help me, please.” She pleaded with the red head, tears blurring her vision. “Please help me.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be much happier as a vampire.” Ranma answered her plea with a Kasumi-like smile.

Nabiki didn’t have any more time to beg before the vampire sunk his teeth into her neck. Hissing in pain, she struggled to push him away but he didn’t budge. She could feel him sucking her blood out as she grew weaker and weaker. Soon enough she couldn’t even hold her head up, falling limply against the couch, the vampire shifting his position to stay biting her. Just before she lost consciousness, she felt something warm enter where she was being bitten, and it rapidly started to spread through her body.