Mousse

The formerly white feathered duck had gathered his clothes and was uncertain where to go. He knew that Shampoo had to be somewhere else than Saotome's home. What it all boiled down to was... did he want to make a heroic entrance with stunning eyes such as his or did he want to free Shampoo from Ranma or Kuno while looking like he can from a Sci-Fi convention? He knew that Shampoo was most important but when it came to Shampoo he knew that she liked to be dazzled by cliches and romantic sayings that anyone with a book of poems could use. It wouldn't be as simple as that, sadly, he knew that he'd probably still have to defeat Shampoo. His skills were showing that he couldn't accomplish that task.

"Shampoo! What do I have to do to get you to love me!" he asked, screaming to the sky while throwing his arms out to the side like someone was in a Dragon Ball Z power-up scene. From there he turned to the glasses in his hands, the tool that could get him to any place he needed. The instrument which would allow him safe passage to any house without having to backtrack his way everywhere. It was then that a clever idea arose in his head. He could use it to get them there and then remove them at the last second.

"Watch out Kuno... I'm coming for you," he stated, adorning his trademark glasses. The master of hidden weapons smirked as he jumped to the roof of a nearby the house.

Happosai

It was always an amazing site to see such relics could withstand the test of time... and Happosai was certainly an amazing relic of the past. Underestimating him could prove to be rather unwise of anyone, even his stealth skills were of an aged martial artist. He appeared outside the home of the blue thunder before looking over his shoulder and spotting a brown haired girl wearing a splinter cell outfit. She even had the night vision goggles over her head, ready to find anything and use it to her advantage. The belt around her waist contained many small devices which would aid her in her proof of romantic interest between Ranma and Ryoga.

"Huh... gotta' say... that there get-up makes you look, good."

"Shut up. I'm only wearing this tight fitting outfit to take pictures of them... so, don't focus on me, remember, your job is illusions," Nabiki stated.

"I see... want that we get outta' these bushes and inside, I wanna' get my model before I get some sleep tonight," Happosai commented, smiling as a small blush came to his face;drool leaking from the side of his bottom lip.

The middle Tendo sister rolled her eyes. "Just get in there... I'll get in my own way soon enough."

"Whatever you say Nabiki, whatever you say..." Happosai chuckled, jumping over to the house and evading any obstacle that came in his way. Not that the Kuno home was well guarded, except by the huge reptilian creature that lurked near the koi ponds.

Now it was time to get inside and make the plan a reality. With this in mind, Nabiki reached her belt and grabbed what appeared to be a grappling hook. "Never thought I'd need to play the spy... but yen is worth it sometimes."

Kuno Manor

The table had been set up and the sitting order in the dining room was as follows. Ranma and Ryoga were seated across from Shampoo and Kuno. Though the sitting arrangements were that Kuno was across from Ranma and Shampoo was across from Ryoga. Much to Ranma displeasure, she had accepted to sit like that. Though Ryoga was still technically sitting next to her, so, playing the romantic couple would still be easy.

"My... isn't this excellent?" Kuno asked. His eyes slowly landed on the music in the background, obviously a classical Japanese flute song. To anyone this might have been a perfect setting for anyone in any date... that was Japanese and unoriginal.

"This looks like what Japanese restaurants might look like in America," Ranma commented, noticing the decor in the room.

"Shampoo agree," the purple haired amazon said.

"Same here," Ryoga added.

"I suppose it requires it a certain taste to appreciate such marvelous accommodations."

It was clearly ignored as everyone turned to the teapot that had been set by Sasuke. The blue thunder chuckled to himself and picked up the teapot, from there he reached for a cup and filled it. He extended his hand to Ranma, he noticed there was some pause in Ranma's posture. She seemed to be contemplating whether or not she should take the cup. "I assure you... this is high-quality tea, brewed in the most exotic of foreign lands."

Ranma considered the possibility that Kuno was trying to slip a pill in it, but, after further consideration. Ranma figured that something like that was far too stupid to do at a moment like this, Ryoga was around, so, if she had in fact been slipped a pill it would mean that Ryoga would jump in and save her from anything Kuno had in store. Though... why was she so hopeful that Ryoga would jump in at the right moment? If she thought about it... Ryoga could simply leave her and get on with his life.

"No is worrying Ranma... Shampoo taste first," Shampoo offered, from there she took the cup from Kuno's hands and sipped from it. She then turned to the others; realizing that she had probably annoyed Kuno by taking away his moment with the pigtailed girl.

"How could you think I'd try anything such as-" he never got to finish as Ryoga took the teapot from Kuno and grabbed a cup. He grunted as he poured a cup for Ranma. He didn't seem all too happy to do so since his eyes were closed while he looked away from the red headed girl.

"Here," Ryoga said, holding the cup out to the red haired girl.

"Oh... thanks, Ryoga," Ranma smiled before taking the cup. This was certainly a pleasant turn of events, Ryoga wouldn't slip her a pill right now. Since she was pretty sure Ryoga didn't really view Ranma that way, not to mention Ryoga was like a clumsy Romeo.

Though unbeknown to them, a certain someone was in the room, using his famous skill known simply as "Now you see me. Now you don't!" technique. During that skill, Happosai faded into existence and shoot out a small glowing blue pill. The time in which all this happened, no one was even able to sense the battle aura of the aged martial artist.

The pill had been so small that Ranma didn't even notice it as she calmly sipped it. "Not bad really..." Ranma said.

"I'm glad... I do hope Sasuke doesn't take much longer to have our meals ready," Tatewaki Kuno said, looking in the direction of the kitchen. Next thing he knew, the door opened and in came the goofy looking ninja.

Ryoga poured himself a cup and then placed the teapot down. He eyed the trays before they were placed down in front of them, what really caught Ryoga's attention was the presentation that Sasuke was giving. Sasuke quickly reached out and took the tops of every tray, revealing the meals that they'd all be given. He was surprised to see that everyone had their own individual meals, it was as if Sasuke had been spying on them and knew what they liked... well... all except for Ryoga's dish. It happened to be a pork steak.

Ranma had been too absorbed with anticipation when her meal was presented, much to her shock. It was octopus puffs laid out in a masterful way. They had been stacked much like a pyramid in ancient Egypt and some small leafs laid out to the sides;much like they would do when presenting chicken or small french meals. "Wow..."

"I do believe you'll enjoy this meal, I had it specially made for you, pig-tailed girl," Kuno said. He hadn't even noticed that Ranma had begun eating, not once taking the time to hear Kuno. That was made completely obvious by the fact that Ranma was literally scarfing down any bit of food she could.

"Ah... such zest and speed, all beautiful qualities worthy of someone such as you, Pigtailed girl," Kuno commented, hoping that his compliments would set up the magic he knew that Nabiki was supposed to be supplying.

"You mind actually starting a conversation, without you hitting on my girl?" Ryoga asked, once again proving that he was romantically indirect. In the way this was going, Kuno would forever remain bound to Ranma. And the sooner Kuno got the message the sooner Ryoga could put this entire thing behind him.

"I assure you, it's merely pleasant dinner conversation, nothing to get defensive about," Kuno stated, then leaned forward ever so slightly and tried to lock eyes with the beauty with a mouth as huge as a garbage disposal.

Ranma heard enough to confirm that Kuno and Ryoga's chat was centered around her. Although she still didn't appear interested with a puff still half way in the process of being eaten by her. She looked between Kuno and Ryoga and then looked down. "Hm..." she pondered before moving the puff into her mouth and chewing it. A thick atmosphere hung in the air before Ranma spoke.

"Meh... let him talk, I'm with you anyways, Ryoga," Ranma replied before awkwardly looking to the side and leaning over to Ryoga. Their shoulders touching for the briefest moments, which admittedly felt good but she wasn't so sure on Ryoga's side.

The lost boy sighed before reaching his arm up and bringing Ranma in closer, this was like holding your little brother to Ryoga. It was there that Ranma felt something overtake her and change the flow of her ki, it was slow acting but something she could completely confirm. It seemed to overtake her mind, as if, a pressure were trying to move through her mental defenses. She displayed this procedure by squinting her eyes tightly and blushing lightly. Ryoga's senses picked up on something wrong, though, that suspicion was dismissed when he turned to Ranma and found her stunning blue eyes glued to him. It, of course, made the situation more awkward.

Nabiki

Little did they know that someone from a ceiling window was watching the entire display. Nabiki smirked with her camera in hand as she took several incriminating photos of the phony couple. It was true that she believed they could, in fact, make a decent couple. But one other person came to mind and that was her sister, she didn't want to see her suffer the loss of her precious Ranma. Although money was sometimes something that needed to be placed above family needs... not to mention she only needed evidence of interest between them.

Ranma & Ryoga

"You know I'd never cheat on you, right, darling?" Ranma asked, this time with true emotion.

"Uh... uh... o-of course, Ranma..." Ryoga gulped, feeling as though this had taken a far too serious air. 'W-what the hell are you thinking Saotome? Isn't this a little too...' looking away with his mouth hanging open and the corner of his lips twitching he attempted to collect his wits.

"Ah... don't be that way!" Ranma fussed, moving over to the lost boy and crawling onto his lap. In this state of mind, she wasn't responding or even trying to fool Kuno. All sense of Ranma had vanished and was no replaced with an altered Ranma. This one had put aside the differences between genders and viewed herself to be in fact in love with Ryoga.

"They is too, too in love..." Shampoo commented;blinking in total shock. This wasn't a simple game of cat and mouse anymore, this was something far more adult to consider it something as pity as that. To be honest she wasn't sure what to say at this display of affection. It almost seemed like Ranma always sat on Ryoga's lap. Like that was her home, her sanctuary from the world, where she could be protected and or defend anything that threatened what was her's.

"R-Ranma... n-not in front of everyone!" Ryoga cried. That was until he was silenced by an annoyed looking Ranma, who figured that Ryoga's lips would be in better use if she had her's pressed up against his.

The blue thunder rose to his feet and unsheathed his bokken "Blast! I hadn't counted on the magical capabilities of Saotome's accomplice! In my haste, I must have forgotten that single most important fact!" "How dare you spark your magical control over my-" was all he was able to scream before Ranma rose to her feet and kicked the shouting fool in the chest. The way Ranma struck Kuno would baffle most, simply because it was done in such a hurried manner. That meant that someone was stupid enough to mess in Ranma's affairs.

"Look pal... try that again and I'll make sure you live to regret it, got that?" Ranma demanded as she saw Kuno slide down the wall. His rear thumping as his head was downcasted. From there Ranma wasted no time in going back to what she had been wanting to do for a long time(which is actually ten whole seconds), make out with her top notch boyfriend. Ranma was aware that she wasn't really a woman, but, the magic pill that had been slipped to her caused her to ignore the big details.

"Ungh..." Kuno's fangs were bared the moment he saw that Ranma was going back to an ungrateful insect such as Ryoga Hibiki. He was undeserving of such strength and power, such focus and beauty that even made him weep at one point, sure, it was to play a dramatic line he only envisioned in his head, but, it stung all the same now that he was losing sight of his target. The one that was about to kiss a seemingly passed out lost boy with a bleeding nose.

"R-Ranma... so-so bold..." Shampoo commented.

Ryoga had fallen back when Ranma went to kick Kuno, but, that hadn't stopped his face from overheating and causing his system to pause and take a rewind on what was going on. What Ryoga's brain could piece together was that Ranma had finally lost it and was now openly interested in dating him and wanted to drive the relationship further than ever... something Ryoga wasn't prepared to do. He wanted nothing to do with Ranma! Then there was another idea, which meant that Ranma really wanted to leave and figured that this would be the best method. The rest his wasn't able to further contemplate because someone had begun to move on his chest like a purring cat. Shaking his head, he opened his eyes to find that he had accidentally met Ranma's blue eyes again.

Shampoo blushed and figured that maybe her losing interest in Ranma was a positive thing and would prove to be good advice to herself. With that in mind, she turned to Kuno and went to help him up. The blue thunder had no choice but to allow Shampoo assist him. "You is okay...?"

"I've had better days... oh... how I've had better days..." Kuno said.

"All you need is to say yes," Shampoo replied, rolling her eyes.

The blue thunder paused for a moment and shook his head, being caught lost in the eyes of an unworthy female was nothing like the amazing Kuno had made himself out to believe he was. "Please... remove me from this unsightly... sight..." Kuno grunted. He was running out of annoying poetic cliches to say.

Ryoga looked to the side and hoped that Kuno would actually interrupt, but, that proved to be an impossible miracle seeing as Kuno had been too weak to even get up from Ranma's kick. He was instead greeted with Ranma towering over him, a devious gleam in her eye as her fingers dug into the fabric of Ryoga's shirt. It was as if Ranma was making herself out to be the dominant one of the two as she leaned down and gently pressed her lips to Ryoga's neck;heaving out a calm breath if only to excite Ryoga's more primitive side.

"O-oh..." Ryoga moaned, gritting his teeth and trying to deny his body it's natural instinctive needs. Fighting with all the control Ryoga could muster, he reached out and placed his hands on Ranma's shoulder, sadly he found the strength to push her away just wasn't possible now.

Shampoo gasped and decided to leave, this wasn't her house and she knew that she'd probably meet the same fate as Kuno if she stuck around and tried to keep Ranma and Ryoga apart. "When you two is done... let Shampoo know!" she exclaimed before she was completely out of their field of vision.

Ranma paused for a moment to look to where Shampoo had been, she hadn't even taken the time to hear Ryoga's sigh of relief and panting face;looking emotionally drained. That wasn't enough to stop Ranma, she was determined to get the lost boy to make out with her. She had to be very coy about it and tease him, this, would serve to further place doubt in Ryoga's feelings towards her. Because at the very moment, Ranma's warped mind believed that deep down in her heart, she held an attraction to Ryoga.

"Come on Ryoga... just stop your squirming, kay?" Ranma shyly pleaded, but the lustful smile on her spoke enough to let Ryoga know that she was trying to get something out of him. "Do you really wanna' get me off ya'? I mean... come on... look at me, you'd have to be pretty damn messed up in the head not to like how I look right now," she stated, while her finger trailed on his chest, the light touch from her finger's piercing through Ryoga's clothing and tingling his senses.

The lost boy took another shuttering breath. This had to stop.

"I mean... you don't really have a girl, right?" she asked but received no response. "If ya' did, you'd leave Kane' alone, wouldn't ya? Yeah... yeah... I know your life story Ryoga buddy, so, does getting with me sound all that bad, huh?" she purred, her mental infiltration going well. Now she just had to drive it home, and by the way, Ryoga was shocked into a comatose state, she knew that some of her words must have peeked Ryoga's interest.

"So... I take it you wanna' try it out?" Ranma said, softening her gaze. "Knew you'd be all over me-"

"No Saotome... you're not yourself," Ryoga stated, narrowing his eyes and finding his strength returning. The sudden burst came, when it came to him thinking about the real Ranma, there was clearly something wrong with her, as if she'd give up being with Akane for him. He knew if he was in that position, he wouldn't have.

"What're you tal-" Ranma tried to reason, but, was bopped on the top of her head. "AH! What the hell was that for you stupid pig?" Ranma demanded, then noticed that she was practically mounting the Lost boy. "D-did Kuno see this?" she asked.

"Yeah... but how the hell can't you know that?" Ryoga asked.

"I don't know... the last thing I remember is..." the red headed girl tried to recover her memory. Her efforts proved futile when she came to the realization that nothing came up.

Ryoga sighed and knew something must have been done, but, he wasn't able to connect anything. There were candidates for this case... except who would have the motive to get Ranma into a kinky moment with Ryoga? It made no sense to either of them. "Look Saotome... I think we're done here, Kuno left and I don't think he's coming back anytime soon."

"Really? Like... never come after me again, done?"

Ryoga simply nodded his head as the two were able to sit up. "But you should know what happened... something made you... weird..."

"Huh? How weird?" she asked, almost afraid to push the question forward. She hadn't thought about it enough, but, the position of their's was far too suggestive not to keep people from pointing fingers.

"You started making out with me..." the lost boy said.

Ranma groaned and slapped her forehead. "Damn it... why is it always guys!" she cried, her hands cradling her face while she rocked her head back and forth. The lost boy shook his head and stood up, this had already been resolved and it was time for him to make like a wandering martial artist and get lost. The lost boy turned in the direction that Shampoo had taken Kuno and nodded his head once.

"Saotome... I think we're done here," Ryoga commented, but, he noticed that Ranma didn't give any response. Then he looked over his shoulder and saw that Ranma was still in shock about kissing him. Though what it brought out in him was a little confusing. "Will you stop that!" he demanded.

Ranma bolted her head out of her hands and stared at him. "Wha?"

"Damn it! It can't be that bad to kiss me!" he exclaimed and paused for a moment.

Ranma gawked at Ryoga for a second, had he just implied that kissing with him wasn't so bad? This wasn't like the Ryoga she had always known. Now that she thought about, he hadn't been exactly like his old self. When Ranma had proclaimed to free Akane from Kuno's romantic gripe, Ryoga hadn't tried to one up Ranma at all. It resulted much differently than she had expected... as if that wasn't enough to tip her off, it was the fact that he had agreed to do this other double date without having to be threatened.

"Get that damn look off your face..." Ryoga said, "I-It's not like I wanted you to enjoy them..."

"Oh... okay, uh... let's just go."

"Not unless you tell me you're not going to bother me about this," Ryoga reminded her. He certainly wasn't going to return of Ranma was going to threaten him with telling his secret, Ryoga made sure to tell Akane about his curse when he was good and ready, and that time was nowhere near this current time. Although, he wasn't sure he'd ever give himself that chance anymore.

"Don't worry... I gave ya' my word, didn't I?" she asked then stood up and rubbed the back of her neck. "Guess we should go, huh?"

The lost boy simply responded with a nod of his head.

Shampoo & Kuno

The two left and had known that Ranma and Ryoga would take their leave soon. Kuno wanted to do much more and perhaps see this through, but, the kick that Ranma gave Kuno had aimed for the edge of his rib cage. The pressure was subtle but it was enough to cripple Kuno from moving his chest and body around. It would most likely result in him being in agonizing pain. Now Kuno was in his bedroom and on his bed while Shampoo sat near him with on leg crossed over the other and her arms were crossed.

"I must thank you..." the blue thunder said.

"Hm?" Shampoo wondered, tilting her head to the side with an adorably confused expression on her face. "Why you thank Shampoo?"

"You've assisted me when all I've done is mock you... I must say even someone such as I am undeserving when it comes to treatment such as this..." Kuno said, apologizing. If this girl would do him a favor such as this even though it as out of her way, she must have been a kind woman. It came to him as a bit of a shock that he could have treated her in such a way, wasn't he supposed to be the man to charm any woman? But with Shampoo he had shown nothing but rejection.

"Is okay..." Shampoo replied, looking to the side. Her intentions were of course only meant to keep him in shape enough for her rematch, but, seeing that he felt some remorse for all his actions she considered second guessing herself on this entire situation. "Shampoo make tea... you get hit in chest and Shampoo know tea too, too good for healing bones."

He watched in awe as it seemed that her personality had done a complete one-eighty in a split second. She must have been fickle, but, a little too forgiving he thought. There was no reason for her to plot against him, except for maybe revenge for when he defeated her with such grace and dexterity. "Thank... you...?"

Shampoo

When Shampoo had entered the Kuno kitchen to make the blue thunder tea, she thought she'd muse over her thoughts that centered around her situation with Kuno. She was now convinced that a shred of humanity still existed in her future husband. He remained as one of the most idiotic and weakest of males. There was potential, at least, she hoped there was some potential in him. And maybe... just maybe she wasn't looking forward to thrashing him in their rematch. She was still going through with it... she just didn't plan on going all out now that her confidence had been restored.

Once she had come to understand the workings of the Kunokitchen... and with help from the residential ninja. She was able to acquire all that was necessary for the tea she planned on making for the blue thunder of Furinkan High. The purple haired girl smiled as she poured the herbal tea in Kuno's cup and prepared a tray for him and her to enjoy.

Kuno

When Shampoo left that gave Kuno ample time to consider his thoughts. He at first was enraged that Nabiki's magic had completely turned the pig-tailed girl against him and even further into the delusion of loving Saotome's accomplice. As time went on his thoughts drifted and he became a little more aware of what was happening. He figured out that he had not been true to his word like a true hero, he had allowed himself to disgrace the image of a gentleman... and that was from breaking his word. The word of such a noble man should not be taken lightly and he has outright ignored them. Then he argued that love was more important than any honor! Oh... that soothed his tired mind. For all of five seconds until the realization dawned on him, what proof did he have that the pig-tailed girl was under the control of Ranma or his accomplice? Was he blindly pointing his finger at anyone who ruined his romantic image of dating a powerful woman? And hadn't he even turned his back to that when he claimed to never fall for Shampoo? She had defeated him once and they technically came to a draw in their last battle. What sense of honor did he have? Where did he stand in this chaotic world filled with people fighting over their love? He came to the conclusion that maybe he should think things out more thoroughly before he attempted to mean anything to anyone at this point. For the moment, he'd stick to being with no one and perhaps fighting that Shampoo girl.

His attention was caught by Shampoo who entered the room and handed him her a cup of tea before taking her seat from Kuno's futon. From there she grabbed her own cup and poured some tea into it, then she calmly took a sip of her tea.

"My... such manners... and here I believed you were uncivilized," Kuno said. Then sat up on his futon with a grunt and took the cup of tea.

"Shampoo no is caveman," Shampoo responded with a pout and a blush;cause she knew she couldn't blame him. "Shampoo no speak Japanese too good."

"I suppose I was already aware of that, but, choose to mind my own business and love affairs whenever we've made previous encounters," Kuno responded, raising his cup to his lips and blowing some steam off before taking a gentle sip.

"Because you no bother to talk to Shampoo," Shampoo added. "But Shampoo busy when chasing Ranma, so, Shampoo no think she take time to talk to you..."

The blue thunder felt a vein throb on his forehead. "The foul Saotome... what is your obsession with that shameless fool?"

Shampoo's reaction was anything but pleasant, with what Kuno said, she had a reason to be upset. "Why is you so into Akane, she is tomboy!" the purple haired girl shot back.

Kuno glared before turning away from her, damn, this brought his back to those questions he wasn't willing to deal with yet. He had brought this on himself. "Fine... I believe her to be my first true love, but, I also believed the red headed girl to be my true love, which, is quite a problem."

"How is you having two loves?" she asked, now curious instead of enraged.

"It's an indecision, I have yet to decide which is more worthy to court... I've wondered on several occasion if it's possible that we all date, but, neither confirms this or even acknowledges my requests, say for perhaps Akane, I think she might be having a change of heart," Kuno said, trying to think things out by talking them out to someone. Now that he had someone willing to listen to him, it gave him a more clear image of how things actually were. Let's say he wasn't all too pleased with these new thoughts bombarding his mind.

Shampoo shook her head, maybe trying to talk to him about these things wasn't going to work out all too well. His mind was only barely coming out of his fantasy world and she wasn't sure she was qualified to be a therapist. "Just drink... you is going to fight Shampoo tomorrow," she announced before taking a sip of her tea.

The blue thunder nodded his head and felt that maybe Shampoo had gotten bored with the conversation and was now just enjoying the tea. That sounded like a good idea.

Nabiki & Happosai

This was certainly a treasure cove of evidence for Nabiki's mission. She hadn't gotten the two together, but, all she needed was some evidence. Though she did think that the two would make an interesting couple. Although she wasn't one for same-sex couples she knew when she saw a cute looking couple;exactly what she thought when she saw the tension between Ranma and her sister, Akane. What also made Nabiki wonder... would Ranma ever seek out other options? Nabiki blamed it on Genma's inability to accept everything as something that could be holding Ranma back. Not to mention his mother probably wouldn't be all too helpful with her traditional ways. She would uphold the right to make Ranma and Genma commit Seppuku. The sadist thing of all was... she was still a little more accepting than Genma.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Though Nabiki had little time to ponder these things, right now she needed to get her photo's developed and show them to her group of gamblers.

"This is some good proof... too bad those two aren't really getting together, sad almost," Nabiki commented as she sat on the roof of the Kuno manor.

"I'm guessing you liked my handy work," Happosai said, appearing behind Nabiki Tendo. His eyes wondering to her tight fitting spy clothing.

Nabiki was so absorbed in her victory that she didn't even care that Happosai was staring. "What did you use anyways? I couldn't even see what you did... for a minute I thought those two were really making out."

"Yeah... turns out I had one of them there love pills left over, to be honest, it could have been a pill that causes mass stupidity for thirty years," Happosai chuckled, his eyes closed and his hands to his hips. "Glad it was the right one!"

Nabiki rolled her eyes, figures someone as arrogant as Happosai would not take the time to figure out a magical pills abilities.

"So... when do I get my model?" Happosai asked, once again admiring the body of the middle sister.

"Heh... as soon as I get my money from my fellow classmates... and a few other contacts."

Mousse

The nearly blind martial artist stood before the Kuno mansion and knew that he had taken awhile to find the place. At first, he found himself confident and made himself think that he could get there without his glasses, but, that proved to be too great of an error when he saw that he had exited Nermia for a bit and had to wear his glasses and take the long way back to the Kuno's home. Not to mention he had to prepare a few of his hidden weapons for the battle to come. Standing on the fence of the Kuno manor while having his arms tucked in his sleeves, the cursed duck boy seemed to be building dramatic tension.

"Let's do this!"

Kuno & Shampoo

The two opposites already began having more of a pleasant conversation. To think that Kuno wanted to chat with her was a little out of his character, but, when all you could do was lay around, you might as well strike up a conversation with an attractive girl; granted she spoke in broken Japanese. It was still very soothing.

"So... you're telling me that you're honor bound to marry any gentlemen outsider that happens to defeat you?" Kuno asked, finishing his tea.

"Is true, we marry those who defeat us... is meant to breed strong babies," Shampoo responded. "Is why Shampoo chase Ranma, he defeat Shampoo and Shampoo love him because he strong and nice..." she said, suddenly becoming a bit timid. She knew deep down in her very core that Ranma was only nice because he didn't want to hurt her or anyone else's feelings. The only time he'd actually show some amount of kindness was when he'd need something. She's, of course, try to get him to go on a date with her or even marry her for that fact. The ending was always the same in her little story, she'd lose or be tricked.

"Is something the matter... miss... Shampoo was it?" he asked, forgetting that Shampoo always mentioned her name on a constant basis.

"Is nothing..." she said, looking off to the side with a pout.

"With how you spoke... I believe Saotome has been playing around with your affection and treating it as if it were but a mere child's plaything he can discard at any moment," Kuno commented.

Shampoo was going to raise her voice, until, she stopped herself. There was too much truth in his words to actually question that claim. "Shampoo love Ranma... so... Shampoo let Ranma be with who he want," she stated, sighing and finishing her cup as well.

The blue thunder stopped to stare at the moment, she was really adorable. Her image was almost angelic to him, the way her bangs hung from her head would sometimes cover her eyes in a beautiful way. If adding mystery to her already stunning looks. The lighting in the room was normal, but, even then it managed to hit her at the right angle... only making her glow in his eyes. "I believe I've defeated you once, does that mean you have to marry me as well?"

Shampoo's eyes widened when Kuno had asked that, she was about to respond.

"Halt you vile fiend!" Mousse exclaimed, entering the room;without his glasses.

The two turned their eyes in his direction to stare awkwardly at the long haired martial artist. "Is this the right room?" he asked, reaching into his sleeves and pulling out his trademark lenses. "Ah, yes." with that he removed his glasses once more and decided to go on about how he was going to make Kuno pay.

The two only stared some more.

"I'm here to save you Shampoo!" Mousse exclaimed. "This Kuno jerk isn't gonna' marry you!"

"Mousse!" Shampoo shouted. "You is leaving him alone, he hurt!"

"I don't care!" Mousse shouted, thinking it'd make the challenge all the more entertaining... if only to see his opponent even easier to defeat than before.

"You dare challenge me!" Kuno exclaimed, grunting and reaching for his bokken nearby. Though the blue thunder cringed when he felt his rib cage ache. "Argh!" he groaned, placing one hand on his chest as he squinted his eyes shut. "T-this is a private estate..."

"Ranma use chi attack... make Kuno no move too, too good..." Shampoo thought.

"I told you already I don't care! I'm here for Shampoo!" Mousse exclaimed and brought out his glasses. This one he was willing to take with as much seriousness as possible. He wanted Shampoo and that meant that he'd have to resort to looking like a fool with his silly looking glasses.

She snapped out of her thoughts and decided that she'd have to play coy and neutralize the threat that was Mousse. Though she didn't want to use any real force. That's when she came up with a brilliant idea. "Wait!" she exclaimed, then grabbed her cup which was almost entirely empty. "Mousse have tea before battle! Is make him strong!" she smiled, holding the cup out to him.

Mousse stopped for a moment to see that Shampoo had been offering a token of love, his heart felt as if it'd swelled to burst. "T-thank you Shampoo... I knew you'd love me!" he said, wiping his tears with his oversized sleeves.

Kuno was know fearing for his life, he was going to call his faithful servant Sasuke until he saw that Shampoo threw her cup of tea at the white-robed martial artist. And before his eyes, he saw that Mousse had changed into a... duck?

"Quack!" Mousse cried, flapping his arms around while in the air. From there he saw Shampoo pull her arm back and strike the flocking bird, slamming him against the wall and falling down in the same manner he had seen from before.

"Stupid Mousse..." Shampoo mocked, before turning to Kuno.

Kuno's ego had certainly taken a hit when Shampoo had saved him. He was supposed to be unstoppable and uncontrollable when it came to combat situations, but, he was as helpless as a child when Mousse came running in. All because of the blow that had been dealt with him by his fair red-headed dream girl. Though if she hadn't have saved him, he probably would have been in an even worse condition than he already was. "Why must I be tortured so...?" he thought.

"Is good thing tea go cold!' Shampoo exclaimed and turned to Kuno. "Why you is sad?"

"I was saved by a damsel..."

That's when Shampoo had to make something clear about the type of woman she was. She was not going to stand there and allow Kuno to continue thinking of women as inferior beings when Ranma had defeated him on several occasions as well. She figured that Kuno thought there were only a few exceptional women. "Shampoo have much to teach..."

Ranma & Ryoga

The walk home had been quiet between Ranma and Ryoga. The two only stuck to keeping to their own sides and looking away from one another, it was as if someone had said they liked kittens and rainbows and that caused them to say nothing. In actuality, it was because Ranma and Ryoga hadn't felt up to any insults or had anything to mock each other about. Alright, they did, but it didn't feel right to do so after what had just happened.

"So... whatcha gonna' do now?" Ranma asked her hands in her pockets.

"I'm gonna' get my things, that's what," Ryoga replied, hands to his sides as he walked. His head looking down as if there was a rain cloud hovering above his head.

"Why?" Ranma asked.

"I'm gonna' go on a training trip..." Ryoga responded.

"Why can't you train here?" Ranma asked.

Ryoga sighed and shook his head, "Not as good as the outdoors, besides, I don't think I wanna' come here anymore."

"You kiss me and you don't wanna' be seen anymore?" Ranma blinked before shaking her head in disgust. "You can't let every single thing get you down you stupid pig-"

"Shut the hell up Saotome..." Ryoga said, though, his voice didn't hint towards any anger. "Just shut the hell up. It's not because of that, it's so many things that I don't even wanna' think about... soon as I get my things I plan on walking for the rest of my life, hell, maybe even visit Akari and her pig farm."

"Look... ya' don't always have to leave... I mean, why the hell can't you just stay?" Ranma asked.

"It's complicated," Ryoga responded. "I don't wanna' be here anymore, this city is just one big heartache."

"It's got something to do with Akane, huh?" Ranma asked, lowering her head a bit. It always went back to Akane, it always had to involve some romantic love interest. Why was everyone in Nermia so desperate for love? Why couldn't anyone just be good friends instead of wanting someone? It made no sense to Ranma... since he was forced to be a future husband for every girl that he ever meets.

"It's got something to do with her..." Ryoga sighed. "When I was with you and you talked to her, I wasn't able to see the girl I loved so much, at first I thought I was going crazy because whenever you kissed me as a girl, my breath would get caught in my throat and I didn't know what to think, then I thought of finally being free of your threat... but when I tried to make a run for it, Tofu pointed something out to me... why haven't you told Akane about my curse before? You could have done it at any time Saotome, why use it now? It's because you never had any intention of telling her, did you?" the lost boy asked, his face expressionless once again.

Ranma's eyes widened when Ryoga had caught her on her bluff. "Yeah, I wasn't ever going to tell her... it's your curse and ya' should tell Kane when you're ready."

"If that wasn't enough... I think I can see who Akane really likes and it's not me Saotome, I don't think it ever was..." Ryoga took a deep breath. "It's you Ranma Saotome... she loves you..." he said, feeling tears well up in his eyes. "I kept trying to deny it... I really have..." the lost boy shook his head

"How come it's always gotta' be about Akane, huh?" Ranma asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"Just leave me alone Saotome... go to Akane and live your life, let me live mine alone," Ryoga urged, avoiding eye contact with Ranma.

"You're only hurting yourself like this ya' jerk!" Ranma exclaimed, "The old ghoul told me that anyone who has masters the lion's roar shot would only end up hurting themselves, you're digging yourself into a damn pit! You gotta' get outta' it!" she shouted, now turning to him and placing her hands on his shoulders. She may have been small but when she looked up to Ryoga, he felt like the smallest person on earth.

"What other choice do I have?" Ryoga demanded. "I'm alone and that's all I'll ever be Saotome..."

"Why can't you stay around here and be my friend, huh? You and I could do everything! I've always wanted someone to hang around with, you know... someone to pal around with?" Ranma asked. Finding that she also saw the problem in Ryoga's situation. Ranma couldn't be a lover, because, she wasn't even certain when it came to romantic interest. Not to mention the whole not being a 'real' girl thing, was in the way.

"You don't get it Saotome..." Ryoga replied.

Ranma squinted her eyes shut, nothing was getting to him. This could be where she had someone to look out for her as a friend and someone to actually practice martial arts with. Someone she could be really close to, hell, Ryoga could probably be her best friend too. Though when it came down to it, Ryoga didn't want to make room for friends, there was only one option and she wasn't sure she'd like it. Was she willing to go with it? She already had practice doing this with him. Even accepting this as a possible option brought a blush to her face.

"Damn it! I'll be your pretend girlfriend!" Ranma announced, her blush deepening from even saying it.

Ryoga's eyes went wider than dinner plates. "W-what the hell are you talking about!" Ryoga asked, his stained eyes now clearing out;still a little red from his crying.

"You heard me!" Ranma exclaimed, pulling back and letting her arms hang to her sides. "You can kiss me and whatever you want... just... just stick around okay? Maybe with me help-" Ranma shook her head, not allowing herself to back out now. "Maybe with me helping you, you can finally get the guts to get a girlfriend or be with Akane!" Ranma started finding herself at a loss for words. The mentioning of Ryoga taking Akane was a little hard for her to say. Though losing the only person she actually viewed as a friend was worse... why was that? At one point in her life, she could have been perfectly fine with Ryoga leaving, it might have even come as a relief to not have to worry about him.

"W-why are you even offering this... Ranma?" Ryoga asked, his breath, taking a shuttering tone while blushing even more than before.

"Did you ever think it's because I wanna' be your friend! Did you ever think I didn't wanna' be your stupid enemy! Huh?" Ranma asked, glaring at him now.

Ryoga was unsure what to do, he figured he might like it. Did he like it? Was this a good deal? Wasn't it... taboo to do these things? The lost boy lowered his head, "It's as friends, right? No! It was still wrong! Ranma is really a boy! He's also a girl..."

Ranma knew this was getting her nowhere and decided to try something. "Look... one more..."

"Huh?"

"One more kiss, damn it!"

"S-stop this Saotome!"

"Come on! If you really hate it then you can leave forever and I'll never bother you again..." Ranma said, then narrowed her eyes. "I challenge you to do this! Are you gonna' let me win? And put this on your honor as a martial artist!"

"Damn it..." Ryoga groaned and knew that he wanted to do this. He was a man damn it! An attractive girl with fire-like red hair and stunning blue eyes was the very meaning of temptation. When would he ever be able to get another opportunity like this? But wasn't Ranma a boy... she didn't look like one right now, at least. "Fine Saotome... I accept your chall-"

Once again Ryoga found his lips locked with the red headed girl who swung her arms around his neck. This kiss was more intense than the previous one, this one had much more flare in it. It was almost begging for him to return the kiss with as much vigor as she was putting in. Ryoga closed his eyes and felt something odd, did Ranma just tilt her head to the side as she was kissing him? Though what shocked him the most was that Ranma managed to slip her tongue inside the lost boy's mouth. Even under the kiss Ryoga clenched his fists and grabbed Ranma, closing his eyes and bringing himself into the kiss now. Ryoga never once understood how anyone could get lost in someone else's embrace and the feeling of their lips.

Ranma had gone all out, she hadn't ever used tongue before. So, she had winged it, why had she done it? She wasn't even so sure herself. A part of her knew that maybe she did care deeply about Ryoga, as a friend, so deeply that she'd be willing to kiss him as a girl in order for him to continue coming around and maybe, just maybe, being his friend. Not to mention pretending to be his girlfriend when he really needed someone. A lot of it was going to be based on lies... it was just too much to lose someone she had gone through so much with. Not romantically... but... it'd be losing someone close to her. What brought her spirits up was that Ryoga wrapped his arms around her waist. Why was she so excited? Hadn't she technically given her cursed form to a guy? She shook that thought from her head and reminded herself that she was doing this for him.

The way Ranma's body was pressed up against him, Ryoga felt that maybe his chemistry might make its self-known if they continued this. "Okay! I'll stay, just stop!" Ryoga panted, having pulled away. His face was almost shining red. The same could be said for Ranma.

"Uh... just call that a practice kiss for when you really get a girl ta' love ya'..." Ranma said.

"W-whatever..."

Kuno & Shampoo

Shampoo spent an entire hour explaining the ways of her tribe and how the proud amazon woman impacted their ways of life. How the tribe was entirely controlled by woman and the men were seen as inferior compared to them. In terms of strength and ability, the women of the amazon tribe displayed the greatest amount of power. All while she was explaining, the blue thunder watched in with a perplexed demeanor.

"Such an odd culture... I wasn't aware of such a place..." Kuno commented, staring at his futon before looking over to Shampoo. "This is why you've been at my disposal, you wish to..." he gulped, blushing once more at the chance of passing on his genetics. "perhaps it's better if I don't say it, but, it's for your honor bound ways to marry the outsider that has defeated you and since you've chased Saotome once before, that could only mean that he's defeated you... but then came our battle and the tide has shifted to me, but tell me..."

Shampoo once again found herself wondering what Kuno had on his mind. "What is you want know?"

"Can someone contend me for your hand?" Kuno asked, looking over to the unconscious fowl nearby.

The purple haired girl seemed to contemplate a few things, what was her take on Mousse? She found it unmanly to fight another man when he was down. Mousse proved that his meaning of honor had changed over the time he's spent in Nermia, he was willing to have Ranma lose on purpose for he could marry Shampoo. In her tribe honor was most important and to discard, no, completely abandoned it was one of the worst acts anyone could ever do. Did she like Mousse? The purple haired girl turned her head to the fallen duck boy, why didn't she feel any remorse for her actions? Mousse was still a human;half the time.

"Is true... Mousse can fight you for Shampoo..." she said, still not looking directly at Kuno. The indecision on her face was about as obvious as a woodpecker, pecking wood.

"Maybe I'll ask something else... what manner of magic is this? He's become a duck." Kuno stated.

"Is no magic, is, curse..." Shampoo said, clarifying. "Shampoo have curse too..."

"One that changes you into a feathered fowl? Surely you jest...?" the blue thunder said, unable to imagine Shampoo changing into a duck as well. The idea came as a duck with purple hair and an odd quacking pattern that didn't match any other ducks, since, his mind figured that her quack would also be in a broken language.

"Shampoo no change to stupid duck!" Shampoo exclaimed, blushing in embarrassment she turned away, pouting.

The bue thunder wanted to burst out in laughter, but, held it in and smiled a bit. "I see you don't deny having one... what may I ask is your curse?"

Shampoo sighed and crossed her arms, "Shampoo no want you to laugh..." Shampoo said, hoping to skip this portion of them getting to know each other.

"I swear on my honor as a noble warrior, that I shall not make crude remarks about your unfortunate curse," Kuno stated, reaching out and placing his hand on her shoulder once. That seemed to spark a small smile on her face, she nodded her head once and grabbed the teapot nearby. She then commenced by moving away and then dumping the already cold tea on herself and beginning her sudden change into a small animal. Her clothes fell to the floor before a rustling was heard and a small cat popped her head out of the Shampoo's far too large clothes.

"Meow?" the cat seemed to saw, then strolled over to the blue thunder.

Her display was sadly rewarded with Kuno staring, suddenly his face began to give way and his eyes looked up to the ceiling in a rather goofy manner. Just then he slapped his forehead and arched his head back, there was no way he was able to contain his laughter. Shampoo had been chasing Ranma for a large percent of the time and the times that she must have come purring to him meant that he'd cower in fear of the adorable purple kitten. Though he didn't take the time to make his reason for laughing clear.

"Rawr!" the Shampoo version of a cat cried before slashing the blue thunder's face and landing on the ground as if she were a ninja. With a firm determination in her eyes, she raised her head and her tail upwards:with her eyes closed, before walking over to her clothes and dragging them out of the room with her sharp cat teeth.

Tatewaki Kuno grabbed his face and cringed from the burning sensation he was getting from being slashed across the face. When he leaned down to cradle his face in his hands, his chest responded and he screamed in pain. "AH!"

Ukyo

The brown haired girl was dressed as she was when she first met Ranma after all these years. Looking like a man with her schoolboy uniform while her hair was tied up. She seemed downtrodden as she walked with her spatula sheathed in her spatula sheath and her briefcase. To think that all her business plans for making her restaurant into a chain and expanding all different types of okonomiyaki to the entire district or maybe even all of Japan was ruined. The world was far too blind to see her genius, she only hoped she would be greeted with the site of her darling Ranma honey's handsome male face.

"All this time and no eye to eye time with my Ranma honey... such a cruel world this could be," the chief said while sighing, she noticed that the sun had been going down. That seemed like a positive sign, Ranma sometimes came in when Akane's cooking had been on the menu. It was always a delight, except maybe when Ranma became a girl. She could tell Ranma sometimes did that on purpose. In that trick to play Ukyo and get free food without having to pay and be pestered in marrying him, she would sometimes pour warm water on his head... that or really hot water. It depended on her mood at those moments.

Though what she saw really caught her eye. She couldn't believe what was happening before her. The brown haired girl made a mad dash towards some nearby bushes and hide in plain sight.

Ranma & Ryoga

Love was simply an astonishing thing, can leap any bounds to achieve it, yet. As unattainable and as deadly as eating a shark in some situations. In this one... was love supposed to be false and or uncertain? In the case of Ranma and Ryoga these two were completely uncertain. Ryoga was confused as to why Ranma had even gone as far as she did to make him stick around. Was really indulging him in his frustrated feelings? Was his lack of female contact so low that he would take an imitation rather than the real deal? Was this perverse or was he in the same league as Ranma seemed to be? All these thoughts lead to nothing. The biggest concern right now was the fact that Ranma was holding onto his arm again, which, felt almost too comfortable at this point.

The red headed girl was having some conflicting thoughts of her own while holding onto Ryoga 'This is just for Ryoga... don't get any weird thoughts... remember, if he's around he can help me have a less annoying life...' Ranma thought.

"Tell me Saotome, do you really need to... hold onto me?' the lost boy asked, this time, he wasn't as violent as before when asking this.

"If I let ya' go, you're just gonna' leave and if you leave you won't get to have a girlfriend..." Ranma stated, sighing and leaning on his a little. The reason she had done this was to comfort Ryoga and make him nervous, if only to confuse him further and enjoy the strange moment between them. She noticed that Ryoga seemed to flinch with her move and knew that her tactic had caused the desired effect.

Ryoga's eyes went wide and he looked away from Ranma, how come he wasn't too bothered with this contact? Then he remembered that he didn't need to really like Ranma, the entire point was that Ryoga would stick around. Could this maybe be Ranma's way of saying she was into Ryoga? Though she was actually a guy... but the bosom that occupied her chest spoke otherwise. "J-just so you know... I don't like any of this..."

"Yeah, yeah... whatever," Ranma replied, looking off to the side with a rather adorable look. "I'm just pretending and because you wanna' kiss girls, I'm gonna' give you that..."

"Does this mean you're my girlfriend?" Ryoga asked.

Ranma blushed for a moment before narrowing her eyes and glaring with her blush still making itself known. "Fake girlfriend! Fake!" Ranma exclaimed. "Just because I look like a girl and have everything like a girl doesn't mean I can be someone's girlfriend!"

Now it was Ryoga's turn to look away, what Ranma had accidently implied was that she would be a boyfriend to a guy rather than a girlfriend. "Wait! No! That came out wrong!"

"It's okay Saotome... let's just get the hell back, I need to change into P-chan and get some of this madness away with a different form..." Ryoga stated, taking a shuttering breath while Ranma held onto him.

"Yeah... speaking about that, I need some time back as the good old guy me, with everything that's been going on, I haven't had much time to be a guy or anything... I can't be a man amongst men if I don't keep my martial arts skills sharp!" Ranma stated, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

At that very moment a spark ignited in Ryoga, maybe this friendship could come with benefits. He could fight Ranma and possibly defeats her, granted he didn't have as much a purpose as he did before. Then his face softened, what was his purpose? What did Akane mean to him? How much did she mean to him now? How come he was questioning this! Akane was the golden ray of hope that gave him a reason to continue and search for a better life! And he was challenging that view because of his current confusion? Was he scared to cheat on his fake girlfriend?

Ranma had turned to see Ryoga's expression and even though she had been counting on him giving her a battle, she noticed the turmoil on his face. "Look... just because I'm your fake girlfriend doesn't mean we can't fight as friends."

"Nevermind that... I'm just having some problems, don't mind it," Ryoga stated. "I do plan on defeating you, though."

"Yeah is that before or after you try making out with me..." Ranma said, mocking him with a chuckle.

"Don't mess with me Saotome!" Ryoga warned, leaning over Ranma with his fangs bared.

Ranma leaned back and chuckled nervously before leaning back into him with her cute smile and cuddling up against him. When she felt him lean back and shiver, she smirked. "You're such a sucker for girls..." Ranma commented.

"D-damn you Saotome!" Ryoga said through his teeth, one of his hands up and twitching around while he tried to control himself.

Though the blood running down his nose made it clear that he liked it.

Ukyo

The brown haired girl rose from the bushes and stared at them for a moment before falling to her knees, her left eye twitching while she stared up at the sky. "Uh... uh... uh... uh..." she stuttered. Though she composed herself enough to say some tangible words.

"W-what happened while I was gone...?"