What a difference two decades makes. The overall layout of Furinkan had changed precious little, though there were new buildings raised and others fallen. Ellanora stalked through these streets with her head held high, knowing full well where she was going, knowing that those foolish mortals gazing as she passed were blessed that she deigned to let them bask in their presence, yet also unfortunate that she had other matters to attend to and hence could not feed upon them, nor turn them into her willing minions.
Of course, it was important to note that she was not retreating from her pursuit of Genma Saotome. Just because he was married to that woman, and she'd bore him a (less handsome) son who was himself married to Soun Tendo's spawn... That meant nothing at all! She merely had to convince him to let her turn him into a vampire slave, and then the two of them would, quite literally, be happy ever after!
As such, she had no rush. All she was doing now was heading back to her home, so that she could kick out this Kuno family that had taken up residence. From what she could gleam they seemed like simple minded fools, so it should not be trouble at all for one of her calibre to kick them out.
Here she stood, and - oh what had they done to the place? It had lost all of its charm, there was nary a trace of its gothic appeal! It was more like a modern Japanese fortress! Oh, how dreadful, she would have to teach them a sense of taste as well, it seemed.
Unfortunately this did create a new problem. This was not her home anymore. Vampires like herself were not allowed to enter another's home unless invited in by a resident or guest. It didn't matter if it was by hook or by crook, so long as she was permitted entry then all was well.
She tugged gingerly on the rope hanging outside the front door and stepped back, head held high. After a moment, a young girl in a kimono - a slender waif with a piercing gaze and long black hair tied in a ponytail - answered.
"Greetings," Ellanora said, diving right into the false charm without missing a beat. "I beg your pardon, my name is Ellanora, and I have business with your family. May I please enter."
The young girl bowed politely in turn. "I beg your pardon, madame. Please wait one moment while I prepare for an honoured guest."
"Of course." A little frustrating to have to wait, but understandable. That young woman had looked at her with keen, evaluating eyes and had quite obviously recognised her importance. She was under the illusion that this house was hers, and so it would most certainly not do to introduce such a guest into an unkempt or unprepared place.
It only took thirty seconds or so for this young woman to return. With a wreath of garlic hanging around her neck like a scarf, a cross in both hands and a stake in between her death.
"Eeeeeek!" Ellanora screeched, the stench of garlic alone making her want to vomit. Not because vampires are put off by the supposedly purifying aroma, this was actually entirely a personal matter that she could not stand the stuff!
Incidentally there is a high probability that this part of the vampiric myth came about because those infected with rabies tended to have a hyperactive response to olfactory sensation. Meaning that to them, garlic would be especially stinky.
Ellanora immediately turned into bats and flew off down the street, while that girl laughed a chilling, insane laugh that rattled this ancient vampire's core.
"Now, now miss abomination! I thought you wanted to come inside? Not that you're invited! Ohohohohoho!"
She reformed around the corner, on her knees, panting for breath. That girl had recognised that she was a vampire, and came at her with the classical weaknesses! How frightening! That intensity, those eyes, but especially that laugh! It chilled her to hear that laugh! It reminded her of - Of herself if she was being perfectly honest. Right at the moment a so-called vampire hunter thought they had cornered her, but actually fell into her cunning trap.
"I'm out of practise," Ellanora said. She peered around the corner. No sign of the girl. She must be out searching, or else lurking inside where she couldn't get to her. "That is all it is. With a bit more attention, I should be able to retain my natural talent and power."
"Pardon me," said a new voice from behind her. Oh! She'd been so focused that she had not even noticed his approach! Ellanora turned around and found herself looking at a boy. Tall, sort of handsome but also pretty dumb looking. He looked like a wannabe samura, carrying around a kendo stick. "You appear to be gazing at the entrance to my home with some intensity. Is there anything that I, Tatewaki Kuno, Blue Thunder of Furinkan, can assist you with?"
This was a sort she knew all too well. The wannabe honourable warrior, who was truthfully driven more by his lust than his supposedly noble soul. Those were the types that were the easiest to manipulate, because they were not true to themselves or what motivates them.
"Oh, kind sir!" she swooned into him. Resisting the urge to feed for the time being. She needed him to give permission to access his home of his own volition, and feeding on him now would prohibit that. "I am unwell, please, let me rest a while in your parlour, so that I may recover my strength."
A time honoured ploy, that always wound this sort around her finger. Look at him now, evaluating her beauty, deciding that he could woo her easily by showing this favour. He's the sort that does not see women as people, but rather prizes to be won. Therefore blind to the idea that he might be manipulated by the fairer sex.
"Please, lie down," he instructed. "If I am to carry you, that shall make it easier for me."
She did exactly that, though had already decided to punish him for making her lie on this filthy ground. So long as it got her inside, where she could properly punish that wicked girl... Why was he raising his bokken into the air?
It struck down as fast as lightning right where her heart should have been, but by the time it had she had transformed into bats and swarmed onto the nearby rooftop. That bastard was trying to stake her!
"Dear brother, wonderful news!" the psycho girl from before said, prancing along towards the boy. She was now in a leotard, but still carrying around garlic around her neck like a scarf. "A vampire attempted to infiltrate our home!"
"I am aware of this, my twisted sister," Tatewaki replied. He sheathed his bokken and took a deep breath. "To think that our father was telling the truth when he claimed our home once belonged to a creature of the night."
"Those claims are what prompted our interest in vampire hunting, dear brother. Ohohohoho! Now, we have the opportunity to work together on a monster hunt!"
"Indeed!" Tatewaki declared with sickening triumphant heroism. "Though the two of us cannot stand each other's company, today we shall cooperate in eliminating a dangerous creature of the night! Let us rally forth!"
"Ohohohoho! Let us make it a friendly competition! Which of us shall find her first? Here, brother dearest, I have brought your garlic. That bloodsucker won't know what hit her!"
Ooh, how embarrassing! How humiliating! How - How was she going to get back into her home?! She had to get at her poster and photograph collection! Oh, yes, she could hardly wait to get back to it, she hoped those photographs hadn't faded from exposure. In particular, her favourite picture of Genma, that she could stare at for hours in sheer adoration. It was an image of him in the middle of a kata, his gi ever so slightly open to reveal his manly chest while his face was set in a grim handsome concentrated glare.
There was also a picture of that witch Nodoka right next to it, which she could also stare at for hours. In hatred. Yes, definitely hatred. She could see that image so clearly, sitting there in that kimono with her long flowing hair down, staring innocently at the camera while sniffing a rose. So delicate, ah, and the nape of her neck was showing as if she was begging for a nibble to be taken. Oh! She wanted a bite, a little taste of that tender flesh! Yes, it would be such a delicious feast, she could almost hear that woman moan from the ecstacy of the vampire's kiss!
What was she doing again?
"Ohohohoho! Found you!"
That's right she was running for her fucking life. "Aaaargh, no, keep that garlic away from me! I can't stand the smell!"
<hr>
Kasumi Tendo is often seen as the most innocent person in the world. Is that true? Well, maybe? She is a really nice person. As in, really really nice. Kind of a ditz as well, or at least gives that impression.
In any event, right now she was on her way home after a rare night out with her friends, smiling, oblivious to the newest absurdity to befall her household, though fully aware of Kodachi's maniacal laugh echoing across the night sky.
"Ah, she must be after Ranma again," Kasumi said to herself. "And... is that Tatewaki I see? Oh dear, I do hope he's not causing trouble for my new little brother."
Yes, she was quite happy with that outcome. It was obvious the way it would turn out in the end, and Kasumi was perfectly happy with that. If only certain other people had got the message, things would be -
"Guhuhuhuh, I just wanted my home baaaack!"
Oh dear! Oh dear, that was quite a pathetic whimper wasn't it? Kasumi looked around and found a woman, quite beautiful and pale, leaning against a wall, terrified out of her wits. The poor thing! What fiend, what utter monsters might have left her in such a state? Of course Kasumi would approach such a person, lay a hand upon their shoulder and tell them it was alright.
"Waaaah, everything's gone wrong!" the woman wailed. "The man I liked got married, my home's gone to some lunatics and I'm sooooo hungry and if I don't find a place to sleep I'll -"
"There, there," Kasumi said. "You can come to my home."
"You mean it?" the woman asked, teary eyed and brightly smiling. Gosh, were those fangs? Perhaps a relative of Ryoga? "You're not just saying that, and then going to stuff me into a room full of garlic are you?"
"No, nothing like that," Kasumi said. "Come on, we're not far."
"Thank you!" the woman sniffed. "That is much appreciated! You have no idea how much this simple act of kindness means to me right now."
Of course, of course. It sounds like the poor thing has had a rough time of it. Kasumi led her back to her home and through the front gate. Then, she seemed to topple a little bit, embracing Kasumi and making to cry into her shoulder.
"No feeding on my sister!" Akane suddenly yelled, bopping the guest on the head with a hammer that was bigger than she was.
"Akane!" Kasumi gasped.
"Waaaaah?! I'm back at the Tendo place?!" the guest wailed, rubbing a rather large bump on top of their head. "Noooo, how did I not notice that?! I should have taken a nibble while we were on our way!"
"Oh, I would not have recommended that at all," Kasumi said. "If you had taken the liberty, then you would have wound up drinking some of the holy water I drank right before meeting with you. Daddy always did warn me not to go out at night by myself without holy water, especially when such an obvious vampire is nearby."
What? She saw someone in desperate need of help and went to offer it. She's not actually a ditz, she just seems that way sometimes is all. Also Ellanora is not allowed any dignity at all. It is forbidden!
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