Ranma and Ryoga tilted their heads to the side; this was certainly one thick headed moron. How would they know if Kuno would actually follow through with this double date deal and leave them alone? The latter of the two was the first to address the matter.
The eternally lost boy stood from his seated position and crossed his arms. "Don't give me that crap..." He commented; narrowing his eyes and glaring. His battle aura ignited with a red hot fury; to be dragged into rigmarole all for Kuno to just deny any sort of deals and return to challenge him to another idiotic thing would just push him past his limit! He was tired of this stupid song and dance!
Kuno placed his hands into his large sleeves; a pleasant smile across his face. "I'll admit that I'm..." the bokken user paused, "romantically passionate about the Pigtailed girl."
Said pigtailed girl felt a twitching vein throb on her forehead. "More like obsessed," she corrected. Ranma shook her head from side to side and was glad that Ryoga hadn't exposed that they weren't actually dating; maybe Ryoga wanted to be rid of Kuno just as much as her, which was a club that just about anyone could join.
Nabiki watched nearby from the shadows; which in actuality were just to the side of the dojo; all she had to do was wait for her partner to come into play and she'd be making double what she had planned on earning. Not to mention she drew in another pawn. To think that Shampoo would join in this ruse, it was as if she was the puppet master and the others were doing as she pleased.
"I assure you, though..." Kuno stated. "I'll leave you alone and promise to pay for everything that you may need on our double date, I only wish to confirm your..." Kuno paused, "LOVE." once again venom dripped from his tone. "I suggest that the foul Saotome... be nowhere near our location while we go on this engagement," he stated. The bokken wielder leaned his head down slightly and allowed himself a soft smile. 'Ah... to believe that I shall be gaining my beloved pigtailed girl's affection, and all with the clever plan I've devised! With some minor assistance from Nabiki Tendo, of course! I must say that magic does work its wonders!, Which has me wondering a bit what magical skills Nabiki will use to help my pigtailed girl see me in a different light, but more importantly though how she shall see the foul sorcerer's accomplice for what he truly is.' Kuno internally raved unabashedly for several long moments.
In the intermit, Ranma stood up and quickly placed her hand on Ryoga's shoulder; she could already tell that he was going to violently lash out at the bokken wielder and make speaking near impossible for him. "Look..." she whispered between her teeth."If he doesn't leave after this, I'll break it off and never bug you about it ever again and he'll go back to being my problem..."
Ryoga turned his head to Ranma with an expression that seemed to question Ranma's sane mind. "What proof do we ha-"
"We don't!" Ranma hushed him. "I promise on my honor as a martial artist that I'll stop asking you to play along if you just do this once more, and if you play well, we can score some free food and get on with our lives."
Now it was Ryoga's turn to feel the vein throbbing on his head. The tensed teen clenched his hand out in front of him and gritted his teeth, this was the time where he was presented with freedom from the torture his life had become. Whenever a martial artist promises or their honor, then, Ranma had no choice but to grant him his wish of being out of this charade; to be back to the way he used to be; to be back to traveling and camping out in the woods or empty lots; to be alone in his own world and continue with his path of figuring out the riddle of getting Akane to be his woman now and forever.
"Fine," Ryoga agreed reluctantly.
Ranma though became slightly distracted as she spotted Shampoo, and started wondering what exactly she had been doing in order to try and gain her affections once again. For a moment, she questioned why she had come into this at all, but Ranma figured it had more to do with her freaky Amazon mumbo jumbo; so, she decided to pass it off as long as Shampoo didn't try anything with her.
Shampoo sighed and watched as Kuno kept thinking and gloating to himself, which he seemed to do for a rather large amount of time.
"So, will you two date with us?" the blue thunder asked. His eyes instantly traveling to Ranma, hoping she would be the one to reply to him if only to hear her agree.
"We accept," Ryoga replied; his serious tone taking over his rage filled one.
"I suggest we make preparations soon... I think I have the perfect area in which we may date," Kuno remarked while holding his arms out in an over the top way to emphasize how extravagant this was going to be. He believed that he was tricking the pig tailed girl and the foul accomplice in joining him for a double date when in fact he was going to use this to try and split the two apart. Ryoga was the enemy and him being near his pigtailed girl was simply inexcusable.
"Just go and name the time and place!" Ranma barked; determination in her eyes. This was where the beginning of the end was going to start, the path to a grope-free school time and a slightly less chaotic social life were quick to come.
"I say than follow me to my manor in approximately thirty minutes and a cab shall drive us to our destination, which shall have the most splendorous romantic atmosphere that I promise will also be quiet and divine, much like your beauty my fair Pigtailed girl..." Kuno bowed and then turned to Shampoo; she nodded her head once and turned to jump to the next roof. The blue thunder stared at her and before just jumping down to the street below the fence; a flowery vortex forming once again.
Akane had been listening in while stirring something lethal, to Akane's side was the brown haired Tendo sister. The two had been listening and wondering what was going on, the two were completely stunned to hear that Ranma and Ryoga were going through with Kuno's offer. Though they could see why they would agree to this, the opportunity to finally be rid of Kuno was even tempting for Akane; it only meant that Ranma would have to likely kiss Ryoga again. Her voice got caught in her throat, she was able to accept that Ryoga was being forced into something... but now her concern laid in Ranma kissing someone. The blue haired girl's eye widened and she knew that Genma and Soun were possibly seeing this and were as outraged as her.
Sadly she was greeted with Genma and Soun too occupied with battling one another with their Gameboys in the battle area section of the GameBoys. She didn't even know that they came with a linkable wire.
----------------------------------------
Ranma and Ryoga
Ranma and Ryoga exchanged looks, the two agreed with what they were going to go through with. "This is the last time, right Saotome?"
Ranma simply nodded in return. This hadn't been what they usually did as friends slash rivals, it was better than the unpleasant air they had a moment earlier; too bad for them, more unpleasant moments were to come.
This was the moment of determination for both of them and they planned on making this as short and as painless as possible... if that at all was manageable.
"Ranma!" Akane shouted, running to the porch; having abandoned whatever concoction she had been working on, which Kasumi made sure to throw away and replace with one of her own.
"Oh great..." Ranma sighed, slapping her forehead.
----------------------------------------
Nabiki & Happosai
"Brilliant" was the word used to describe anything the brown haired Tendo did. The limitless possibilities that she could achieve even impressed her, because to her the world and its wealth was her playing grounds and whichever beneficial event happened she would take it and mold it in her design. With Happosai using illusion techniques and special powders she was a shoe-in to win. To think even Kuno had helped her formulate a plan.
-flash back-
Nabiki stepped her room and picked up the nearby phone; dialing the number to the Kuno residence. The headset rang for a while until someone finally answered;she was greeted by a nasal filled voice.
"Hello...?" Sasuke answered.
"This is Nabiki Tendo... is Kuno-baby home?" Nabiki asked, passively twirling the phone cord with one hand to her hip.
Sasuke placed his hand over the phone and turned to the living room where Kuno was currently seated; obviously deep in thought. From the looks of his strained face; he made a quick mental note to later ask him if he was having constipation troubles."Master, master..."
The blue thunder had chosen to go home and consider an idea, some way of using Shampoo to his advantage in his seemingly never-ending quest to tame Ranma's girl side. All he had done was simply say that he'd call Shampoo whenever he'd need her help, but he figured that he'd either need a break or use Shampoo to help him defeat Ryoga so that he would no longer be a threat. It just didn't look good for someone so rich to kill someone so dishonorably... mostly because his image was at stake. He wasn't his sister.
"Master!" Sasuke shouted.
"What is it Sasuke?" Tatewaki Kuno demanded.
"It's Ms. Nabiki sir," Sasuke replied, sounding a bit fearful now that his lord's raised his voice.
Quickly raising to his feet the brown haired egomaniac rushed over to the phone and picked up. "I see Nabiki Tendo... you're calling to assist in my capture of the Pigtailed girl's heart?" he asked; leaning into the phone as closely as he could.
"Yeah... that's it, I don't think I could do much for you now Kuno, you already know a lot, but maybe I could do some tricks with a little magic to help get things started?" Nabiki asked on the other side. "Try getting them to agree to follow them on a date and I'll have a FRIEND do his stuff and by the end of the day, you'll realize which girl you're really meant to be with."
"Hm... if your 'friend'," Kuno said, emphasizing the point with his fingers, "is using magic, couldn't he simply release the Pigtailed girl from the foul sorcerer's clutches?"
"No, because he's only an illusion expert, not some sort of "grand wizard", or anything." The snark in her voice was palpable.
"I perhaps have an idea... I have this one strange purple haired maiden at my disposal, mayhaps false theatrical antics shall bring the green eyed monster of envy to my beloved pigtailed girl... and from there her natural love of me shall set her free!" Kuno proclaimed; slapping a closed fist over his heart while the other was holding the phone.
All that was heard was the sound of the phone's dial tone.
"Uh... yeah. Maybe, his magic is even strong enough to counter her love for you, so, I don't think that idea would work... if only you could use that girl and I don't know..." Nabiki mumbled, on her side she was sitting on her bed while holding the phone and looking to the side. "Somehow date all at the same time but be grouped with someone else..."
"A double date!" Kuno proclaimed, tilting his head upwards.
"Wow... you're such a clever boy..." Nabiki commented, smirking on her side.
"The fair maiden and I shall pretend to date while your accomplice does his illusions; perhaps ones that help enlighten her on her affection for me!" Kuno exclaimed; not entirely considering every factor and ignoring some rather obvious holes in his plan.
"Would this girl happen to be named Shampoo?" Nabiki asked.
"Why yes, I believe so..." came Kuno's nodded.
"Perfect, but make sure to do it today, there isn't much time left. So, have them come to your house and do a traditional date, the kind I know you're very good at," Nabiki commanded.
"Ah... yes, playing on familiar territory, excellent idea, Nabiki Tendo," Kuno finished before hanging up and picking up the phone once more, planning on calling his purple haired Amazonian assistant, though as he had gotten himself prepared to call, he paused as he realized that he hadn't written Shampoo's phone number down or even have bothered to ask for it. The dial tone continued as Kuno sighed, then an idea formed in his head and he began pushing random numbers.
"Remember... you must dial one or zero, plus your area code-" The phone operator said as it was interrupted.
"I'm extremely wealthy and shall pay you for getting me the number of a girl named Shampoo in the district of Nerima," Kuno stated, noticing that there was a pause as the dial tone continued to make it's ever annoying sound.
"Remember... please send money to my residence via money order or a check," the operator actually replied as a smirk formed on Kuno's face. This had been one of those rare moments where money could do the impossible.
-end of flashback-
From there Happosai reappeared from having used his "Now you see me now you don't" martial arts skill. It could be used for more purposes but Nabiki had suggested that Happosai, use it for spying purposes.
"Ah," Happosai stated, smiling and rubbing his chin. "So, this is the situation you're in."
"Yup," Nabiki nodded, then turning to Happosai. "Think you could teach me that skill, gramps?"
Happosai smirked and shook his head, "Sorry dear, you're a hundred years too late to learn this move but thank ya' for taking an interest."
Nabiki shrugged, "I guess it's the hard way for me when it comes to spying." she said, then decided she should get ready to spy on the double date. Things like this required proper preparation time and she wasn't a martial artist like Ranma; so, she would have to resort to using more modern tactics, camouflage, night vision goggles, etc.
"Welp... I better get some things ready too, I'll keep my eyes on Ranma boy and that Ryoga feller!" the ancient master proclaimed before jumping into the air and vanishing.
----------------------------------------
Akane, Ranma & Ryoga
Ranma and Ryoga were stuck in one of those moments where the two had to explain themselves to Akane. They barely got past the last one, but what really perplexed the youngest Tendo was that Ryoga had agreed to go through with her plan. Though she was infuriated with Ranma; like always. How dare he go and accept what could likely be a trap.
Now they were stuck waiting for Akane to scold them as she paced around in the kitchen, her hands behind her back. Akane knew exactly where to begin with her lecture on how stupid going through this would be, "Are you two insane?" Akane asked, demanding an answer with the icy stare she was giving. Thank goodness for Kasumi she decided to leave the kitchen and that the food had already been finished being made. Although she had heard and figured she would save some leftovers for Ranma and Ryoga since they were attending a fake double date with Kuno. Akane's food... she dumped it in the trash and would later say that it was eaten by some stray dog that barged into the house... that or P-chan, whatever thing she could say to spare her sister's feelings about her cooking.
"Look Kane'-" Ranma said, trying to defend herself.
"Look nothing'!" The girl shot back, then turned to Ryoga. "And Ryoga... why... why are you goin' through this? I already told Ranma not to tell the girl you like that you want to confess to her," she said, thinking it was perhaps Akari that Ryoga meant to tell.
"Akane..." Ryoga responded, meeting her gaze. "It's just something I have to do, as much as I don't want to... Ranma still helped me... uh... practice," he said, lying to the blue haired Tendo.
Akane blushed when he mentioned practice, she didn't know if that meant confessing to his dream girl or Ranma having helped him practice kissing. She was within all reason to think what she thought and by the way, Ranma blushed, the two were on the same wavelength; except Ryoga who turned to the two and scratched the side of his head in confusion. Since the lost boy only meant the confessing part of Ranma and Ryoga's little lie.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
"N-not like that Akane... he means confessing," Ranma said, putting Akane's worries to rest.
Ryoga still hadn't gotten the message and shrugged it off as nothing all too important. It was still confusing to see what had Akane so frustrated.
"B-but how can you even do this Ranma!" the youngest of the Tendo sisters asked. "I mean... you're not a girl and Ryoga's a guy and Kuno's a..." Akane paused, clenching her hands to the sides of her face. "Where's your honor?" she demanded, really the only other thing she could think of at that the moment. It was true that she was distressed with the idea that Ranma would kiss someone; although she didn't have a reason as to why.
Ranma narrowed her eyes and was all too certain she didn't have much honor left after all she had gone through to finally be rid of Kuno. True she had done many underhanded things and wore dresses and all sorts of tactics for defeating her enemies, but this was with a great purpose. "I know what you're saying Akane, but, some things in this world are more important than honor..." Ranma sighed, leaning against the counter directly behind her.
"I can see why people fight for freedom... and that's what I want, I want freedom from that idiot," Ranma said and turned to the blue haired Tendo; that flare of determination emerging from her eyes. From there she placed her hand on the counter and shot her hand out, pointing her finger at the blue haired girl.
"And when I'm done with him, I'll get him to leave you alone too!" Ranma announced, stunning Akane dead in her tracks.
Akane was now dumbfounded with Ranma's plans; she had intended to free her from Kuno's annoying clutches as well? The idea of going through her high school life without being tortured or having proclamations of love from a dimwitted kendoist with an odd flowery speech pattern almost seemed too good, like a fairy tale waiting to happen.
Akane stared at the ground for a moment a small blush gracing her face, a transcendent feeling in her chest as she felt a better world without Kuno trying to get her to date with him. Letting out a shuttering breath, she closed her eyes and rose her head. "Good luck Ranma..."
Ryoga for his part only watched as it seemed that Ranma had once again stolen the show, of course, he could never entirely get used to seeing Ranma and Akane sharing a moment. It was just something he found all too sad about his life, but, he had gotten caught in the middle of this and now his inner voice was starting to reach him, trying to explain every situation to him. Help him find his solutions and know where he stood in this strange world.
"I guess we should get ready..." Ryoga stated, crossing his arms and preparing for the strangest time of his life.
----------------------------------------
Shampoo & Kuno
Considering everything Shampoo had to go through with her life, this had to have been one of the difficult moments she had dealt with. She stood before Ranma while being called to a double date with some fortunate man who managed to defeat her in battle. Not only that she noticed that Ranma didn't seem all to concerned about her current predicament, which made her wonder if Ranma had ever truly even viewed her in the same light as she had seen him. Apparently that wasn't true because Ranma had chosen to court another man with her female curse, that hadn't been all too much of a turn off for her when it came to Ranma, she believed she loved him enough to accept everything about him, but in truth, she knew that she only loved him for her honor bound Amazon ways. Then there was Ranma's female curse, which she detested with all her being and she knew to some degree Ranma was disgusted with it just as much as she was... but once again her views on life were challenged when Ryoga came into the picture.
Shampoo now had to accept that her current mission was to get Kuno to become a decent and powerful martial artist if only to bring her some honor back. Although it had been her honor itself that had brought her all this confusion and pain, it was the only other thing she could cling onto at the moment. Not only had it brought her pain and suffering but it also brought her to an insane moron's house while dressed in an ancient traditional Japanese white kimono, while sitting in Kuno's dining room.
Across from said dining area, she saw Kuno donned in a kimono as well, but his was a blue variant of hers rather, with white trimmings and a black undershirt. "Ah... the time approaches," Kuno said; eyeing the clock at the corner of the room.
"Shampoo know what you is trying to do. Shampoo say you is stupid for even trying this plan," a small pout formed itself on her face, as she looked away bemusedly from the bokken user.
"Nonsense!" Kuno replied, slapping his hand down onto the floor and glaring at the purple haired girl. "What would someone such as you know about the complexities of a well-concocted strategy?" He questioned; his voice roaring. "Someone as fair skinned and elegant looking as you, should not question the methods of someone such as the great Tatewaki Kuno!"
Shampoo's eyes twitched for a scant moment when she heard the oddly and angrily blunt the way he complimented her on her appearance; granted he had told her to button her yap, but he still called her beauteous and elegant. That was something Ranma had never said to her, but still, she found herself shaking her head. She wasn't about to fall for her breeding tool, she knew he hadn't won honorably. Shampoo had now been aware of what caused her to lose against him, which her great-grandmother had already explained to her. And to think she thought she'd never have to do anything for Kuno...
-Flashback-
Shampoo and Cologne watched as Kuno left the store, for some strange reason a flowery vortex had started and then quickly faded away as soon as he took his leave. The two sighed and Shampoo knew that she was the one who was going to have to clean the store up. Though when she turned to see her great-grandmother, she saw a stern look on her visage and knew that she was either in for scolding or be questioned about several things; it was difficult to tell with how wrinkled Cologne was, but she knew those narrowed eyes were never a positive sign.
"Child, I need to ask you a few things; matters pertaining to your loss, I know that he couldn't have defeated you that easily..." Cologne remarked; having second-guessed herself. The way the boy's body was built implied differently than what she had first guessed. Cologne had lost herself in the sorrow of defeat, but that was only momentary and now she was able to conduct a much more thorough examination.
"What you need to know great-grandmother?" Shampoo asked, blinking in question.
"What were the events in which lead to you losing to that Kuno boy?" Cologne asked.
Shampoo sighed, she hadn't wanted to revisit those thoughts, but once her great-grandmother had asked it, and she had no choice but to reply in the best way she could. "When great grandmother ask Shampoo to go deliver food, she see that Ranma and stupid lost boy kissing, Shampoo then used bike to stop Ryoga from kissing Ranma..." She paused and turned to her great-grandmother.
The wrinkled sage found herself scratching her chin with her boney hand, "Odd... I never pictured future son-in-law to be interested in men," that to her would explain why he was so resistant towards Shampoo's advancements. "Hm... continue child."
"When Ranma stop Shampoo from hurting him, Ranma telling Shampoo that he like Ryoga and Shampoo no wanted to get in Ranma's way, so, Shampoo decide help Ranma to keep crazy Kuno boy from hurting Ryoga... Shampoo beat him, no trying," she once again paused but only received a nod from Cologne.
"When me beat stupid Kuno boy... me leave to try and do job, knowing dat I help Ranma," Shampoo said, then sighed once again. "Shampoo try doing job but lately it so hard because Shampoo feel sad that Ranma no can be marrying Shampoo and when me going through last delivery me see him trying to get to Ranma again and stop her from being Ryoga, so, Shampoo challenge him one more time, but he put in everything when he fight me and Shampoo fall before Kuno," Shampoo finished.
"Ah... emotions can sometimes be the biggest factor during combat," Cologne stated, turning to see a surprised Shampoo. "It wasn't because his skills and your skills can be evenly matched, it's because you've been feeling down about son-in-law's recent change in interest, when you told me you helped them I assumed you were trying to be happy for them, trying to convince yourself that it was all for the benefit of having future-" she said, stopping to correct herself. "Ranma's happiness, that time you were perfectly in denial about not feeling hurt, but as time went on your resolve withered and you came to accept your rejection, causing your skills to diminish, ergo the reason why you lost to such an untalented boy..."
Shampoo's eyes widened, there was reasoning in Cologne's voice. "S-so... Shampoo no fight so bad?"
"Not at all great-granddaughter, not at all," Cologne smiled; glad she was able to analyze all that information. "Now that you're aware, find a new drive... the drive to prove your actual strength to our my new future-son-in-law."
Shampoo clenched her hands to her sides and tilted her head upwards, "Yes!"
Suddenly the phone in the store rang and the elderly martial artist turned her head in its direction. "I wonder who that could be..." Cologne said, hopping over to the phone and reaching out to grab it.
"I'm in need of the purple haired one's assistance..." Kuno said on the other line. "Have her meet me at the Tendo's home."
"Great-granddaughter... you're needed, go to Akane's home."
-End Flashback-
There was a fine line between love and hate, and this wasn't one of those moments for Shampoo, this was one of those moments where you saw reality for what it really was, and her reality involved watching as Kuno slowly turning to her and smirking. The face he made seemed suggestive but also one of a man who knew what he was doing.
"I must ask that you pretend to be deeply in love with me during this whole charade..." Kuno took a second to close his eyes and look to the side, his hair jolting in the same direction as his head. Though he seemed to be doing it in the same way a fashion model would. "I must say that I wouldn't blame you for falling for someone of my caliber but as we've seen you're unworthy to date me," Kuno claimed, the opening his eyes to smile at her.
"Then again who can really say no, to me?' Kuno finished.
The purple haired Amazon's left eye twitched every millisecond; she now had another drive, to get to her and Kuno's rematch. To shorten her waiting time she knew that she would have to play along as best as she could; she'd let him have his ego for this time because she was certainly glad that she would enjoy beating it out of him with her fists.
"Shampoo too too agree!" she nodded, showing that Ranma wasn't the only one with acting skills. "Shampoo need bathroom, where is?"
The blue thunder pointed to the hall, "At the end of the hall to the left I believe..."
Shampoo clasped her hands together and nodded her head once, "Okays!" she said, thanking him and standing up in an adorable manner; her hands out to her sides and her eyes closed.
This was one of the stranger moments in Kuno's life... or what he considered being strange in his sadistic mind. Though he found himself staring at her and closed his eyes, crossing his arms. "I'm already well aware of how much of a temptress this girl can be... but my heart belongs to strong proud warriors such as Akane Tendo and the Pigtailed girl," he stubbornly stated; clinging to his dream girls.
Shampoo once out of sight sighed and slapped her forehead; she just needed to calm down. She wondered how Ranma was able to act without lashing out, the purple haired Amazonian would certainly have to praise Ranma for having such a strong will. Shampoo planned to just pretend to use the bathroom and calm her already wrecked nerves. Once she had taken the time to check her surrounding area she saw that the Kuno mansion was rather expensive looking. The Shakespearean warrior wannabe certainly knew how to keep appearances with how his extensive collection of ancient Japanese furniture, granted it was that of a feudal lord it was still very classy in Shampoo's eyes. Even a strange book cover with many photo albums placed on them, that caught Shampoo's eyes and she smirked, her curiosity rising.
Maybe she could use it to blackmail the bokken user or even make him rematch her right then and there. Embarrassing photos of him as a child would completely and utterly hold Kuno to her control or that's what Shampoo figured. Inching her hand ever closer she paused to look around the room and when she saw that the coast was clear the purple haired girl proceeded with her recon mission and pulled out what she believed was a family album which contained several pictures of Kuno's most inappropriate childhood moments.
Though when she did she was assaulted with photos of Ranma's girl side all half naked or doing things that would seem normal for a man but disgusting for a woman, such as eating watermelon with her foot and in boxers or yelling at what appeared to be Genma in Panda form stealing one of Ranma's pork buns, once again half naked and only in male's underwear. With a horrified look, she flipped through the page and saw another set of chooses girl photos and these weren't any else disturbing than the ones before. In this page, there were several photos of Ranma's girl side, but what the photo intended to catch was the side of his female side's breasts.
Shampoo blushed and slapped the book closed; she hadn't counted on Kuno's Pigtailed girl senses.
"What're you doing in my photo den?" Kuno demanded. He then noticed that she had just closed an album and was blushing brightly. "Huh!" Kuno gasped and ran over to her, snatching the album and glaring at her. "Unhand my treasured albums; they're not for unworthy eyes!"
"You is knowing Ranma boy, right?' she asked.
"Don't speak such nonsense!" Kuno exclaimed, "Such a wondrous beauty cannot be marked as one of the male variety!"
Before Kuno could go on reciting any of his Pigtailed girl poems, Sasuke happened to have appeared in the photo den as well; kneeling with a bow. "Master Kuno sir... the Pigtailed girl and Ryoga Hibiki are here."
"Ah... what timing does my beloved Pigtailed girl have," Kuno commented, then turning to Shampoo. "I'm sure you know your parts, correct?" Kuno inquired.
Shampoo sighed and nodded her head; instantly switching over from depressed to hyper and fun loving. That was confirmed when she shot her head back up and clasped her hands together. "Mmm-hmm!"
----------------------------------------
Ranma & Ryoga
Neither Ranma nor Ryoga had chosen to wear anything too extravagant for Kuno's strange double date. The second they finished putting on a new set of their same clothing they went to walk out the door; that though was until a mother-like figure called out to Ranma.
"Wait Ranma!" Kasumi said, running over to the girl who had just stepped off the porch.
"Huh?" Ranma wondered before Kasumi reached out and placed a white tiger lily on the side of Ranma's head, adding a lovely image to the usually baggy pants for a girl and too big of a male shirt on her small frame.
"This should make you look much better," Kasumi complimented before turning around and walking back inside the Tendo home.
Ryoga stared at Ranma for a moment before averting his eyes and snickering.
Ranma blushed in embarrassment and then formed her own devious smirk, "Yeah laugh it up bacon breath... you're the one who's going on a date with me," Ranma said, seizing Ryoga's laughter.
"Shut it Saotome..." Ryoga commented and walked forward.
Walking in silence was usually the opposite of whatever Ranma and Ryoga did when around each other. Ryoga stuck to placing his hands in his pockets and Ranma choose to shrug her hands behind her back.
"Hey... thanks for doing this and all, means a lot," Ranma commented.
"Huh?" Ryoga wondered, lost in thought the moment Ranma spoke to him. "Oh, that... well, I guess being free from that idiot is worth a little more," he knew that once he had been gone long enough that Kuno would probably chase Ranma once again, but not after sulking for such a long time. That would give him plenty of time to not be around and get back to his usual lifestyle; being lost. Though he didn't like being alone he figured that it was better than sticking around and having his emotions and sexuality come into too much questioning.
"Yeah... so, whatcha gonna' do after all this?" Ranma asked, leaning forward a bit and looking towards Ryoga.
The lost boy nonchalantly shrugged before drafting his gaze away from the red headed girl. "Don't know... just go back to what I was doing before, getting ready to defeat you and taking Akane as mine..." he said, not as enthusiastic as he normally was.
Ranma rolled her eyes; typical Ryoga one-on-one for you. "Yeah, guess I shouldn't have expected anything different from you..."
"What were you hoping for Saotome?" Ryoga questioned, giving Ranma a questioning look before easing his questioning look into one a curious smirk. "Were you hoping I'd stick around and be your boyfriend?"
"W-wha?" Ranma shouted and stopped, watching as Ryoga continued moving towards Kuno's mansion and stopping a few feet behind him.
"Consider that payback," Ryoga said, smiling and going forward.
"That's so not cool pig-brain..." Ranma added, following him. Not admitting to herself that she had the exact same thing to Ryoga, but what really caught her by surprise was that Ryoga even had it in him to launch a counter-prank back at her.
"Whatever..." Ryoga responded and saw that Ranma had run over to the front in order to better lead the lost boy; she wasn't about to end up in Europe all because she had forgotten to take the lead and get them to Kuno's home.
After a few minutes, they came across the Kuno manor; Ranma was the first to walk over to the speaker com and pressed the button to buzz them open. They waited until the doors to the manor slide open and Kuno and Shampoo were both waiting for them, eager faces as they saw them.
"Greetings... my flower," Kuno bowed, one of his hands placed over his heart.
Shampoo merely leaned down and bowed as well, seeming a little bothered with wearing such a silly outfit to a double date. Though she had to keep reminding herself to play by his rules until the time came, slowly, very slowly she would bide her time.
"Uh... yeah... hi," Ranma greeted; waving her hand once and turning to Ryoga; wrapping her arms around his arm.
At this point Ryoga figured that he had lost his mind and sighed, moving his hand away from Ranma's hold and moving it over to bring the red headed girl over to him; pressing her against him as he gazed into The Blue Thunder's eyes. "Listen once and hear me well you nonsense talking jackass... she's mine and whatever you have planned isn't going to stop her from belonging to me," Ryoga proclaimed, with such intensity as he spoke that nearly everyone watched him in awe.
Ranma's eyes widened when she heard him; those were some powerful acting skills; at least she hoped that was his acting skills. "Y-yeah... wh-what he said..."
Tatewaki Kuno crossed his arms as he felt a nerve in his head pulse, "No peasant should speak unless spoken to..." Kuno replied, once again demeaning Ryoga with his condescending tone.
"You two is too too in love!" Shampoo exclaimed, smiling and tilting her head to the side.
"Yes. Now please... enter, enter..." Kuno stated, stepping aside from the main entrance. His purple haired accomplice doing the same.
Ranma was about to pull away from Ryoga until he moved back himself and caught Ranma's hand in his own, once again leaving her speechless. She knew that she'd probably have to step up her game if Ryoga was taking the lead; which was odd since Ryoga wasn't one for being that forward in strange planned out events. So when presented with the idea of her holding his hand she displayed a fake smile and closed her eyes, turning to Ryoga.
"Ryoga darling... you're so forward," she complimented.
"Only because you're so..." Ryoga paused, unsure of what to say. "cute." he finished, finding himself lacking in the romance section. Though his expression was anything but confident, since he still hadn't gotten much practice in false flirting; since he was nowhere near Ranma's experience. He was excellent when it came to being serious, but when it came to being romantic indirectly he surpassed expectations.
This, of course, brought an annoyed expression on Kuno's face, he couldn't see that Ryoga's cutesy talk was, amateur at best. He had been so upset by that display that had hadn't even seen that Ranma and Ryoga had walked past him and inside the manor. Shampoo hadn't even bothered to take the time to tell him that they were entering since she found him stupid and therefore wasn't worth the time to actually tell him anything.
"Huh?" Kuno gasped, looking around until he saw that everyone had walked inside without him. "It's rude to enter without the host!" Kuno exclaimed, running inside.
----------------------------------------
Cat Cafe
Mousse, in duck-form, awoke from being slapped so harshly from Shampoo. He trotted around for a while and tried to recollect his thoughts enough to form a possible idea as to where Shampoo and Kuno had gone off to. It hadn't taken Mousse too much thought to put the pieces together if he knew anything, Shampoo was going to the Tendo's home in order to try and get with Ranma.
The duck turned to the kitchen and saw that no one was currently present; he decided to try and use this to his advantage. He rose his duck beak into the air and sniffed around for any possible smell of nearby ramen soup. The strongest scent was, of course, the one that was warmest, so, his duck mind hatched a plan to get himself wet with warm soup. He jumped in the air and flipped his wings enough to reach the stove, he then jumped into the pot and reemerged from the pot.
"AH!" Mousse shouted; his face the same color as a lobster. "T-that was a hotter than I thought!" he yelled, panting as his nude form covered his private area and traveled to upstairs to try and find himself some clothes.