Story: Ran's Craving

 

Ran paced across the metallic floor of her spaceship, her heels clicking with a sharp, rhythmic beat. She wore a sheer, lace-trimmed robe that billowed behind her like a royal cape. Beside her, Shinobu stood in a state of perpetual readiness, her posture was stiff, her eyes were tracking Ran's every last movement with a hunger that bordered on the feral.

"The timing must be precise, Shinobu. We can't just walk up to Sakura and ask her to join our little club," Ran said, in a voice that had a melodic chime, that in turn masked a jagged edge.

Shinobu shifted her weight, her fingers twitching against her thighs. "But... do we really have to do the drowning thing? It seems... extreme."

Ran stopped abruptly and leaned in, her face inches from Shinobu's. "Extreme? My dear, we are dealing with the most disciplined woman in school. Sakura doesn't just 'fall' for things. She needs to be pushed into a situation where her instincts override her propriety."

"I just don't want her to actually kill us," Shinobu whispered.

Ran laughed, a high, girlish sound that didn't reach her eyes. "She won't. Not once she tastes the Sugar. Now, tell me-how is the 'battery' doing?"

"Ataru?" Shinobu swallowed hard. "He's... he's waiting by the river. He thinks he's going on a triple date."

"Perfect. He's so predictably simple. Give him a hint of a girl's touch and he'll provide enough energy to power a small moon." Ran turned back to the viewport, gazing down at the lush greenery of the Japanese countryside. "The plan is simple. I 'accidentally' slip into the current. You scream. Sakura, being the dutiful nurse and moral compass, will dive in to save me. In the chaos, under the water, I'll secure the first connection. Then, once we're on the bank, you'll help me 'stabilize' her."

"And then you'll give her the hit," Shinobu murmured, her voice trailing off as she stared at Ran's lips.

Ran noticed. A slow, predatory smile spread across her face. She reached out and pinched Shinobu's cheek, hard. "Patience, my little pet. If you're a good girl and help me secure Sakura, I might give you a double dose tonight. Maybe even a few 'extra' sessions with Darling."

Shinobu's breath hitched. Her pupils dilated until her eyes were almost entirely black. "I'll do whatever you want. Just... please."

"That's the spirit! Now, let's go. The river waits for no one, and neither does Ataru's libido."

====

Around the riverbank was a symphony of cicadas and rushing water. Ataru sat on a flat rock, wearing a loud, tropical shirt that screamed for attention. He was humming a tune, though his gaze was fixed on the path leading from the school so he wasn't paying too much attention to what he was singing.

"Is she coming yet?" Ataru asked, glancing back at Shinobu.

Shinobu stood a few feet away, looking uncomfortable in a sundress that Ran had insisted she wear-one with a neckline that dipped precariously low. "She should be here any minute, Ataru. Just... try to stay calm."

"Calm? Shinobu, this is a strategic masterpiece! Ran, you, and me. The Holy Trinity of Beauty!" Ataru stood up, throwing his arms wide. "I can already feel the energy in the air! The tension! The imminent possibility of a stray breeze lifting a skirt!"

"You are genuinely disgusting," Shinobu sighed, though there was no heat in it. The craving for Pink Sugar had dampened her moral outrage, replacing it with a hazy, floating sensation that she could hardly talk on the subject.

"There she is!" Ataru shouted, pointing toward the trail.

Sakura approached with a measured stride, her long black hair tied back in a practical ponytail. She wore a simple, modest dress, but her presence commanded the space around her. Her eyes narrowed the moment she saw Ataru.

"Moroboshi. Why on earth did Ran invite me to a riverbank with you present?" Sakura asked, her voice a cool blade.

"Now, now, Sakura! Don't be so cold!" Ataru leaped from the rock, landing inches from her. "We're just enjoying nature! The wind! The water! The sheer, unadulterated joy of being in the presence of three gorgeous women!"

Sakura stepped back, her expression one of profound distaste. "I am only here because Ran seemed distressed in her message. She mentioned a 'spiritual crisis' regarding her heritage. I thought as a friend and a practitioner of healing, it was my duty to assist."

"Spiritual crisis! Right! That's the one!" Ataru grinned, his eyes roaming.

"Where is she?" Sakura asked, looking around.

As if on cue, a splash erupted from the deeper part of the river. A flash of pink hair appeared, followed by a frantic wave of a hand and a muffled shriek.

"Help! I can't - the current! It's too strong!" Ran's voice drifted across the water, sounding genuinely terrified.

Sakura didn't hesitate. She didn't even take off her shoes. She sprinted toward the bank and dove into the water with a clean, professional plunge.

"Oh no! She's drowning!" Ataru yelled, though he looked more excited than worried. "Quick, Shinobu! Do something!"

"I'm... I'm coming!" Shinobu stepped toward the water, her eyes locked on the spot where Sakura had disappeared. She had to be ready to step in, just in case this stupid plan went horribly wrong!

======

Under the surface, the world turned a murky, shimmering green. Sakura gripped Ran's waist, pulling the smaller girl toward the shore with powerful, disciplined strokes. Ran, however, wasn't fighting the current. She was clinging to Sakura like a limpet, her arms wrapped tightly around the nurse's neck.

As Sakura fought to bring them both to the surface, Ran shifted. She pressed her lips firmly against Sakura's.

Sakura's eyes widened. Bubbles escaped her mouth in a frantic stream. She tried to push Ran away, but the alien's grip was supernatural. Through the kiss, Ran didn't drain; instead, she acted as a conduit. She reached out with her mind, bridging the gap to the "battery" waiting on the shore.

On the bank, Ataru felt a sudden, sharp tug in his lower abdomen. He gasped, his back arching. He didn't know why, but he felt a rush of warmth flowing out of him, a sensation of profound release that had nothing to do with physical contact.

"Whoa," Ataru mumbled, leaning against a tree. "I feel... light. Really light."

Underwater, the energy hit Sakura like a bolt of lightning. It was a chemical invasion more than it was a mere kiss. The Pink Sugar surged from Ran into Sakura's system, bypassing every mental and physical defense. The cold river water suddenly felt like warm silk. The struggle to breathe vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of euphoria that made Sakura's muscles go limp.

For a moment, Sakura stopped swimming. She leaned into the kiss, her heart hammering against her ribs. The world above the surface ceased to exist. There was only the taste of Ran-sweet, electric, and quite literally addictive. Ran finally broke the contact, allowing Sakura to kick them both back toward the shallow water.

They collapsed onto the sandy bank in a heap of tangled limbs and soaking wet fabric. Sakura lay on her back, staring up at the canopy of trees. Her chest heaved, but not from exhaustion.

"Are you okay?" Ataru asked, hovering over them. "Sakura? You look... Like you need a breast massage!"

Sakura didn't answer. She felt as if her blood had been replaced with liquid diamonds. Every nerve ending was firing at once. The simple act of the wind touching her wet skin felt like a thousand tiny, pleasurable electric shocks.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Ran gasped, rolling over and clinging to Sakura's arm. "I thought I was a goner! Sakura, you saved me! You're a hero!"

Sakura turned her head slowly. She looked at Ran, then at Ataru. For the first time in her life, the sight of Ataru Moroboshi didn't evoke disgust. Instead, she felt a strange, pulsing curiosity. She looked at his lap, and a sudden, violent heat flared in her gut.

"I... I feel strange," Sakura whispered. Her voice was husky, stripped of its usual authority.

Shinobu knelt beside them, her expression one of knowing pity. "It's just the adrenaline, Sakura. You're probably in shock. Here, let me help you up."

As Shinobu touched her, Sakura shivered. The energy was settling, leaving behind a void-a craving that felt like a physical hole in her chest. The high was fading, and in its place was a desperate, gnawing need for more.

"What was that?" Sakura asked, her voice trembling. "That feeling... when we were underwater... what did you do to me?"

Ran smiled, a small, secret thing. She leaned in and whispered into Sakura's ear, "It's a gift, Sakura. A little taste of something the world isn't ready for. Don't you want to feel it again?"

Sakura's eyes locked onto Ran's. The discipline, the engagement, the years of repressed emotion-it all crumbled under the weight of the addiction. "Yes," she breathed. "Please. I need it."

Ataru beamed, oblivious to the supernatural drug trade happening in front of him. "See! I told you this trip would be great! Now that everyone's awake, who wants to go get ice cream?"

"Not now, Ataru," Ran said, her voice dripping with honey. "Sakura and I need to have a private 'recovery' session. Shinobu, would you mind keeping Darling occupied for a few minutes?"

"Of course," Shinobu said, her voice flat. She grabbed Ataru's arm and began dragging him toward a cluster of trees. "Come on, Ataru. Let's talk about... your 'contributions' to the group."

"Wait! Ice cream first!" Ataru yelled, but he didn't fight the pull.

Once they were out of earshot, Ran sat up and looked at Sakura. The nurse was still trembling, her modesty forgotten as she clung to the sand.

"Wha-" Sakura blinked slowly. She put her fingers against her lips and slowly trailed them across. "What in the world was that...?"

"I'll fill you in later on~" Ran chirped happily. "Come along now, Miss Sakura. Let's have some ice cream, shall we~?"