here it is! white wolf wrapped it for me and sent it to me. now i
can send it to you. isn't that special? i hope you like it!
KEIKO THE GAIJIN
By Usagi No Onna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hiya! This story is actually a cross-over, but it's a long story,
so let's just call it a RANMA AND, ok? If you want a picture of da Gaijin
herself, let me know. I gots one.
NOTE: *....* Indicates thoughts. <....> Indicates another
language, i.e. Chinese or English.
Thanks to Liz Lampen, Aubrey "Setsuko" Hebda-Bolduc, Conrad Chang,
Davin Chitra, and Mousse Ai Lee. :)
If you like/don't like/whatever, please mail to: nhunt@jagat.com.
I like mail. ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PART ONE
*CHAPTER 1*
8:00 AM Thursday
"...our exchange student, Keiko Nishida."
"Hi." said Keiko, following the teacher's introduction. Keiko
scanned the classroom with false confidence. Maintaining a semblance of
togetherness, she figured she could endure her first day smoothly.
"Hi, Keiko!"
"Hey."
"Welcome." said the students. Keiko continued to scan the
classroom with a nervous grin.
"Please have a seat." said the teacher. "Oh, one more thing,
Keiko," she said.
"Huh?" Keiko looked back at her.
"Tomorrow, please show up in uniform." All the other girls, she
noticed, had on a collared blouse and a sort of blue jumper.
Keiko looked down at her worn, baggy cords. "Heheheheheheh.
Sorry." she laughed nervously, her face turning pink. A few girls
snickered. Ignoring them, she sat down. The teacher began writing on the
board. Keiko opened her notebook and uncapped her pen. Her embarrassment
passed as the students averted their attention. It was the regular school
scene, the desks, the chairs, the blackboard, the smell of the chalk dust.
*Sure I can make it here. School has the same feel in any country.* she
thought. Glancing up at the Hiragana chart on the wall, she realized also
how different it was. *I just gotta remember how formal it is 'n all, and
I'll be fine. Take off your shoes, call the teacher 'sensei', oh what
else.....* her feeling of well being yeilded once again to apprehension.
She tapped her pencil on the desk. *Can't show it!* Keiko put down the
pencil and put her hands in her lap. *Everything's cool...*
Looking forward, she noticed the boy sitting in front of her.
Obviously out of dress code, she thought, her first impression. He wore,
what, a red Mandarin shirt while all the others wore a plain white dress
shirt? That wasn't all that was different about this boy. Keiko then
noticed his hair. *A braid? A _pigtail_?! How weird...something I'd
_never_ seen on a guy stateside...* she thought. *Oh, well. It's just
probably the fashion here*. Another sigh, she shifted her attention to
the blackboard and began to write.
***11:30 AM Thursday***
Out of nowhere, a bell rang, jolting Keiko out of her academic stupor.
"Alright! Lunch!" said a student, as they filed out the door.
"L-lunch?" said Keiko, unconsciously slumping in her chair.
Lunch, the unforseen obstacle. Tragedy...who was she going to eat with?!
Keiko, lunch bag firmly in hand, walked slowly down the stone
steps in the front of the school. *I can eat alone. Sure. Why not.* The
students were beginning to coagulate into groups of various sizes, under
trees, in the sun, on the steps, Keiko was certain everyone ELSE had a
group to which they belonged...*Damn.*
"Hey! Keiko!"
"Huh?" what's this? *Must be some other Keiko here. This is
Japan, you know.* And yet, she did make the effort to search for the owner
of the voice.
"Keiko!" said the voice.
Keiko found the source. *Oh! She's looking at me!* she thought.
"Come sit with us!" said a short-haired girl is a blue jumper at
the bottom of the stairs. She was in fact looking at Keiko, and smiling
quite invitingly, to her relief.
"Heheheheheheh. Sure!" said Keiko, her free hand behind her
head. *What an incredible relief!* she thought as she bounded down the
stone steps to join the girl on the grass. "So, what's your name?" she
asked.
"I'm Akane. You're the American exchange student, aren't you?"
"Yeah. That'd be me." said Keiko.
"Hmm! Good to meet you. Well, come on, aren't you hungry? Let's
go!" said Akane, and began to walk. Keiko looked down at her stationery
feet.
"Oh yeah." Keiko ran after Akane.
"We're sitting over there under that tree by the fence." she
said, pointing to three other girls in a shady spot.
"Alright." said Keiko, smiling for the girls.
***12:00 NOON Thursday***
Keiko walked silently through the crowded, noisy halls of Furinkan
High, contentedly ignoring the sounds and sights around her, oblivious to
the laughing, screaming, bouncing, chattering, pushing, tripping students.
She was like a piece of cake under an umbrella in a rain storm, distracted
by thought of her thus far successful first day.
*Hey Keiko,*
*Yeah, Akane?*
*You wanna sleep over tomorrow night?*
*Sure!*
"Hmmmmm." Keiko beamed. Her first day and she'd already made
friends. She went on smiling as she walked up the switch back staircase
back to her classroom. Her mood abruptly changed to wariness as she heard
screaming from somewhere downstairs; fighting; then the voices grew
coherent...
"SAOTOMEEEE!" said a boy.
"FAST BREAK!"
"COWARD!!!"
Footsteps raced toward the stairs. *I gotta get outta the way!*
she thought. Keiko spun around toward to top of the stairs. It was
completely blocked by a clot of chatting upperclassmen. "I..." Keiko
started to address the coagulation...it was too late! "<Shit!>" said
Keiko, in English. The footsteps suddenly almost upon her, she flattened
herself against the wall opposite the lower half of the staircase.
Suddenly, a figure sprung up the middle of the divider of the switch back
stair case and landed on the next wall...
"EEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!"
*CHAPTER 2*
1:14 PM Thursday
KEIKO opened her eyes. "<What the hell...>" she said in English.
Then she noticed the throbbing pain in hear head..."Ahh!"
"Y-yo...you OK?" said a voice. Keiko looked to her left. It was
the out of dress code boy with the pig-tail in a near by chair, tapping
his feet.
"Huh?" Keiko sat up. She looked around at what she decided must
be the school nurse's office.
"I'm Ranma Saotome...sorry about this." said the boy.
"I'm Keiko Nishida...what the hell happened?!" Keiko asked.
"I jumped over the divider on the staircase; I guess I ran into
you." an apologetic sigh. "I...I guess I slammed you against the wall
pretty hard, didn't I?"
"Guess so." said Keiko; smiled.
"Ehehehehh..." Ranma smiled back. At this time he seemed to be
intrigued by his feet. Keiko looked at hers. A moment of silence
followed. A door slammed. "Huh?"
"Is everything alright in here?" said the nurse.
"Yeah, she's fine." said Ranma, smiling. He turned to Keiko.
"A-aren't you?" he said quietly.
"I'm OK." she said, smiling at him. "Heheheheheh..."
"Wahahahahh..." Ranma smiled, one hand behind his head. Then his
face dropped. "Jeez, I'm sorry 'bout this." he said, looking at the
floor.
She leaned in toward him. "I'm alright, really, it's OK." she
said, almost whispered, not smiling this time.
"So, we're cool, then?" he asked.
"Yeah." said Keiko.
"Alright. Heheheheh. Ja ne, Kei-san!" said Ranma. Cracking his
knuckles, he got up and left. Keiko silently watched him leave.
*Kei-san.* she thought. *Hmm. Cute.*
*CHAPTER 3*
5:30 PM Friday
"We're hoooooome!" Akane called as she and Keiko arrived at the
Tendo training hall. "Hi Kasumi." she said to her oldest sister, who was
sweeping the floor.
"Welcome home, Akane. Oh, my! Who's your friend?" said Kasumi,
looking up. Never to assume, Kasumi was accustomed to any sort of visitor
arriving at the Tendo dojo. With a simple "Oh my!" she seemed to take all
the strangeness in stride. She couldn't help but wonder, though, exactly
what kind of 'friend' Akane was bringing home...
"This is Keiko, the American exchange student at Furinkan." Akane
said.
"Hi." said Keiko, taking off her shoes.
"Hello, there." said Kasumi. "Are you two hungry?"
"Not me." said Akane.
"I'm not too hungry either, but after volleyball, I'm kinda
sweaty." said Keiko.
"Oh. The bath is right down the hall, to your right." said
Kasumi, pointing to the hall.
"Thanks, don't worry, I'll make it quick." said Keiko, walking
toward it.
"Ok!" said Akane, waving.
Keiko headed down the hall. She reached a wooden door that said,
"Bathroom". *This must be it.* she thought.
She entered a small, square fore chamber. She looked around as
she undressed. There was a towel rack, a door leading into the bath, and
a bin to put your clothes in, she guessed. "Hmmm." Out of paranoia, she
quickly wrapped up in a towel before entering the bath. Keiko opened the
second door.
Steam swirled about her as she stood in the doorway. When the
steam cleared, she walked silently inside and was about to drop her towel
when she heard a small splash.
*Whazzat?!* She thought, quickly gathering her towel about
herself. She began to slowly back toward the door when she heard another,
substantially larger splash. *Oh crap! There's someone in here!* she
thought. Whoever was in the bath was about to get out.
Keiko whirled around and hurriedly opened the door a crack. Still
facing the bath, she could see the outline of the person in the bath.
Keiko grimaced...it was a man. His head was facing down, she noticed with
relief. Keiko silently whirled around and tried to slip through the door
when the hinges loudly creaked. The man looked up, startled.
"What the...?" Keiko froze at the sound of his voice. She slowly
turned around. Her devastation showed faintly on her face as she realized
it was Ranma! Keiko sensed and shared Ranma's horror as she stared at his
shocked face. Ranma remained motionless as Keiko backed out the door.
"<Omygodomygodomygodomygod...>" she said in disbelief under her
breath as she hastily dressed herself. *How could this happen?!* Her
humiliation acute, she bolted out the other door and into the hall. Hoping
she would die. Hoping Ranma would stay in the bath until she was safely
back in America. Wishing he wouldn't be in her class ALL YEAR. Trying to
control her anxiety and not to run. Keiko bustled toward the kitchen,
praying to find Akane or Kasumi there. She reached the kitchen door. To
her relief, there was Kasumi, setting the table.
"Oh! Hello, Keiko! That _was_ a very quick bath." Kasumi said
with a warm smile.
"Oh, yeah, b-but y'know, I, ah, was looking for A-a-akane." said
Keiko, forcing a smile.
"Her room is that way. You can't miss it, there's a cute little
sign on her door." said Kasumi.
"OK. Thanks." Keiko hurried back down the hall, shuddering and
quickening her pace as she passed the accursed bathroom. Sure enough,
down the hall there was a little wooden duck sign with AKANE stenciled on
it. Keiko knocked. "Akane?"
"Come in..." Keiko opened the door. Akane was sitting on her
bed. "Wow, that was a quick bath." Keiko jumped into the room and
slammed the door.
"Akane, listen, n-never mind that...there's a pervert in the
bathroom!" said Keiko, standing against the door as if to secure it.
"A pervert?!" Akane stood up, looking ferocious, and suddenly
whipped out a huge wooden mallet. "IN THE BATHROOM??!!!" she ran out the
door.
"Eep!" said Keiko, running into the hall. "Akane! Wait! I..."
Akane burst through the bathroom door.
"HENTAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIII!!!!!!" she roared.
"WAIT! AKANE!" yelled Keiko. *If she had just let me finish!*
But it was too late.
"HAAAA!" from the hall Keiko could hear Akane strike him down
with the mallet in the fore chamber. Keiko cringed as she heard the
distinctly crunchy splat. Keiko ran into the fore chamber.
"He won't bother you anymore." said Akane, one hand on her hip,
propped up by the mallet.
".....iteeeeeeeeee...." Keiko looked down at the twisted form
writhing on the floor.
Completely forgetting her humiliation, "Ranma!" she said, her
hands flying to her face. Ranma had been flattened on impact, in a
ridiculous and extremely uncomfortable looking pose.
"You...know him?!" said Akane, letting the mallet drop.
"Yes, we...met at school, but, but what is he doing _here_?!"
asked Keiko, pointing down at him.
"I was wondering the same about you." said Ranma. Keiko whirled
around to see him standing up.
Akane marched right up into his face. "She's an _invited_ guest!"
"You know her?" asked Ranma, pointing a thumb in her direction.
"_You_ know her?!" said Akane.
"....." Ranma looked at his feet.
"....." Akane looked at her feet.
"Ranma?" Keiko broke the silence.
"?" They looked at her, surprised. Under their gaze, her
embarrassment returned and she looked at her feet.
"Do...do you live here?" she asked, almost whispered.
"Uh........uh huh." he said flatly.
"Oh!" said Keiko, smiling shyly "You're Akane's brother!"
"NO!" said Ranma and Akane. Keiko balked.
"I mean..." Ranma looked back down at his feet.
"He's my..." Akane's voice trailed off.
"Your..." taking a step toward them, Keiko couldn't imagine what
they weren't telling her.
"F-fiancee." said Ranma. "She's my fiancee."
"Um....I....oh," said Keiko. *ENGAGED?! Akane? And...Ranma?!*
"Uh...cool!" she said, trying to conceal her shock.
"Eheheheheh." Ranma and Akane smiled.
***6:35 PM Friday***
"Oh! Kasumi, this is delicious!" said Keiko.
"Thank you!" said Kasumi, sitting down with Keiko, Akane, Ranma,
Nabiki, Mr. Tendo, and a cute and cuddly panda. Kasumi was apparently the
only one in the family with any significant culinary skill, unlike her
younger sister, quite at the other end of the scale.
"So, Keiko, who are you staying with?" asked Nabiki.
"I'm staying with a girl my age and her great-grandmother.
They're really nice." said Keiko, setting down her chopsticks.
"Oh! How lovely." said Kasumi.
"Hmmm....." Akane scowled warily as she chewed.
"And that's not all!" said Keiko. "They've got a restaurant, and
they gave me a waitressing job there!"
"HMMMFFFFF?!" said Ranma through a mouthful of rice, his eyebrows
raised. Everyone stopped eating suddenly.
"Wha....huh?" *What did I say?!* she thought. Nabiki regained
her composure.
"Tell me...what's the name of this restaurant?" she asked
scrutinizingly, subtly leaning in toward her.
"I think it was called...the Nekohanten." said Keiko cautiously,
wondering what had got them all so upset.
"MmMmMMF!" Ranma toppled over backwards.
"What?! What is it?!" asked Keiko, looking wildly from face to
face. They were silent.
"And...the girl?" said Akane, her eyes bugging out.
"The girl..." Keiko gazed into her eyes, as if to discover the
reason for their shock.
"Her name..." said Akane.
"Her name..." said Keiko.
"Is it..."
"It's..."
"What?" she asked.
"Shampoo." said Keiko.
"SHAMPOO?!!?!" said Akane.
"Oh! Little Shampoo." said Kasumi.
"(Shampoo?!)" said a wooden sign.
"Mmpfff?!" said Ranma, suddenly sitting up straight.
"IS THIS TRUE?!" screeched Soun.
"Uh...y-yeah." said Keiko. "Why? You know her?"
"She's a friend of the family." said Kasumi.
A resounding "AARGH!" was heard from the others.
***9:28 PM Friday***
"A monkey! Can you believe it?" Akane and Keiko sat chatting in
her room in their pj's.
"Uso! No way. You've gotta be kidding." Keiko laughed.
"It's true! And he was gonna MARRY her! And Ranma fought-"
"He're the PIG!" bellowed a topless girl as she slammed open
Akane's door.
"Ranma?" said Keiko. Ranma was holding up a small black pig by
what seemed to be a black and yellow bandanna around its neck. The pig
squirmed.
"Bu-kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!" said the pig, trying to bite Ranma.
"Ranma! Put my little P-Chan down!" said Akane, standing up from
her bed. Ranma tossed the small black pig at Akane.
"Here. Sleep well, piggy." she said disdainfully. Akane stuck
her tongue out at Ranma-chan.
"Naaaaaaah! Baka! Jealous of a sweet little pig. Hmf." she
said, petting P-Chan, who snuggled up to her tightly.
"Keiko, this is P-..." Akane turned around. "Where'd she go?"
"YAAAAAAH! HOT!" screamed Ranma, his voice suddenly male.
"Hey! That's really neat!" Keiko grinned, holding a kettle and a
pitcher.
"Oh. There you are, Kei-san." said Ranma.
"That's right." Keiko poured the pitcher of Ranma's head. Ranma
crossed her arms.
"You done?" She asked, an annoyed look tainting her cute face.
"....." Keiko scowled back, then glanced down at ranma's
breasts... "Hentai." she said, pouring the rest of the hot water on
Ranma's head as she walked back to the kitchen, hearing Ranma scream.
*1:46 AM Saturday*
Keiko sighed, turning over again. Akane and Ranma sure had
interesting lives here. She wondered why two people so obviously
attractive to so many others weren't attracted to each other? She
wondered what it must be like to fight off legions of smitten boys every
single morning. And poor Ranma! To be constantly fought by people who
were after his fiancee, and even people who weren't after his fiancee. No
wonder he was such a good martial artist: he was almost always practicing
on someone....or some thing. With so many wackos in the immediate area,
Keiko wondered what she was getting herself into......
*CHAPTER 4*
2:34 PM Sunday
KEIKO sat with her back against the wall, near the entrance to the
back room of the Nekohanten counting her tips. Suddenly there appeared a
vertical wooden staff at her feet. Keiko looked up. Perched atop the
staff was Shampoo's shriveled great grandmother, Cologne.
"Slow day." she said.
"Hmm." said Keiko. Cologne hopped away. "Where's Shampoo?" she
asked.
"Delivery." said Cologne.
It was a slow day. No one had been into the Cat Cafe for hours,
it seemed. Even the deliveries were few and far between. Shampoo was out
at the moment, but who knew what she was doing besides delivering?
Keiko's attention was jerked away from her money as the front door
of the Nekohanten crashed open. Keiko was surprised it was still on it's
hinges. Through the bright sunlight a silhouette was visible in the
doorway.
"Shampoo!" it said.
"She's out." said Keiko, wary of the urgency in his tone.
"Anything I can help you with?" she asked with bravado, standing up. The
silhouette rushed into the middle of the room.
"Where is she?!" a long-haired young man in a long white robe
demanded of her, his eyes wide.
"May...may I ask what the problem is? You wanna leave a message
with me, or something?" she asked. His head dropped.
"Oh where is my dear Shampoo..." he said in despair, his voice
cracking.
Keiko looked on silently. "If you..." she uttered cautiously. He
looked up at her hopefully. "If you don't wanna leave a message, you can
wait here until she gets back. She's just making a delivery." she said
quietly, her hands behind her back.
"I bear news that can _only_ be delivered personally!" he said
dramatically, collapsing into a booth, crying his eyes out.
*Oh my God! Somebody must have died* she thought. "Hehh......"
Keiko fidgeted awkwardly in the middle of the empty restaurant. Finally
she came to a decision, and sat across from him in the booth. She stared
at the collapsed pile of robe and long, black hair across from her. Seeing
that her presence went unnoticed, she draped herself across the table and
tapped him. He abruptly stopped crying. Seeing this, Keiko sat on the
end of the seat he was in.
"Hey..." she said. (Gulp.) He was silent. Keiko said nothing.
Then he sat up and faced her, his face streaked.
"Yes?" (Sniff.) he said with perfect composure. *Oh! He's
gorgeous...* Caught off guard as his striking appearance suddenly dawned
on her, Keiko smiled nervously and produced a small package of kleenex
from her pocket. She held it in front of her face, never taking her eyes
off of him. Slowly he took it from her. "Thank you," he said.
"So...what's your name? Are you.....Shampoo's friend?" Keiko
asked with a nervous grin.
"I am Mousse." he said.
Keiko's eyes widened. *He's Mousse?* she thought. The way Akane
and Ranma described him, she had expected someone much more sadistic,
tougher, colder, and well.....uglier.
"I'm Keiko. I'm an American exchange student. Shampoo's my
host." said Keiko, feeling more relaxed as a smile brightened Mousse's
tortured expression.
"Oh! So, you must have heard all about me!" said Mousse.
"Ahh....yeah!" said Keiko, returning the bright smile. Mousse
looked even happier.
"Oh, my dearest Shampoo, you do care for me..." Mousse fell over
onto her in his ecstasy.
"Well...." Keiko's face fell, looking down at the face in her
lap. Mousse ignored her.
"...as I care for you, which is why..." Again his face contorted
in despair. "That is why I must...tell you...oooh my poor darling
Shampoo!!" he sat up and clamped onto Keiko.
"Chotto!" He was getting her uniform wet! No response. She
grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him off. Mousse plopped onto the
floor. For a moment they glared at each other.
Keiko sighed, her face falling back into place. "So what is it
that you have to tell Shampoo?" she asked softly. Mousse moved into the
other side of the booth.
"I have received word that the man she loves has been unfaithful."
he said solemnly, his hands folded on the table. Keiko's eyes bugged out.
"You mean....Ranma Saotome?" said Keiko. Just then, the door of
the empty Nekohanten flew open.
"Nihao, Keiko!" Shampoo said brightly, smiling at Keiko.
Mousse jumped out of the booth. "Shampoo!" he yelled.
"Wha....?" Shampoo caught sight of Mousse. She crossed her arms,
looking very annoyed. "What you want." Mousse ran up to her and took her
hands in his.
"I have tragic news for you, Shampoo."
"What?" Shampoo asked, suddenly interested.
Mousse recalled exactly what he had been told.
*I would pay anything, Nabiki Tendo!*
*Excellent. 5000 yen, please.*
*Uh....*
*Do you want Shampoo or not?!*
*Here....anything for Shampoo.*
*Thanks. Here's the dirt. Couple days ago Ranma kun was caught
in the bath with _another_ girl.*
"Shampoo, I was told that on Friday, Ranma Saotome was bathing
with another woman." said Mousse.
Keiko nearly dropped dead of shock. "WHO TOLD YOU THAT?!" she
hollered before she could stop herself. *Oops.* she thought. Mousse and
Shampoo looked at her, surprised.
"I was sold this information by Nabiki Tendo." said Mousse.
"Aiya...." Shampoo looked like she was going to cry.
"Well I....I...." Keiko flopped back into the booth.
"You what?" said Mousse.
"Huh? What Keiko know?" Keiko withdrew slightly into the seat as
they looked at her expectantly.
"Me? Uh, nothing." she said. "Shampoo? Are you OK?" she
asked, suddenly noticing the tears about to run down Shampoo's face.
"Shampoo fine." She began to walk out the door of the Nekohanten.
Mousse jumped in front of her and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Shampoo. Ranma Saotome is undeserving of your affections. I
would never treat you in such a way." he said, gazing into her dark eyes.
"Shampoo! I love you! Marry me!" He said suddenly, much louder.
"Woah!" said Keiko.
"You in Shampoo's way." Shampoo planted her fist in his face and
pushed past him.
"Iteeeeeeee..............." said Mousse, falling to the floor.
"That was harsh." Keiko said to nobody in particular. She walked
over to where Mousse was lying motionless on the floor. She nudged him
with her toe. No response. Keiko sighed. "<Oy vay.>" she said, picking
him up, carrying him up the stairs and into the living quarters of the
building.
***3:15 PM Sunday***
Shampoo sped down the streets of Nerima on her delivery bike, down
the route she knew so well...the way to the Tendo Dojo, tears streaming
down her face. As soon as the dojo was in sight, she tripled her speed.
Once in front of it she jumped off the bike and ran into the Tendo
Dojo....through the wall. She found herself in the kitchen. Akane spat
tea across the table in surprise.
"Shampoo!" said Ranma, jumping to his feet from the table where
he had been snacking.
"We DO have a door..." Nabiki said nonchalantly.
"Ranma! Why you in bath with other girl?" she sobbed.
"In b-b-b-bath?!" He screeched.
"Ranma no love Shampoo?" she said, walking toward him.
"Ranma no baka........." Akane growled, also advancing on him.
"WHO TOLD YOU I WAS IN THE BATH WITH A GIRL??!!!" Ranma yelled in
dismay.
"Was you in bath with other girl or not!?" Shampoo demanded, her
hands on her hips.
"Hey Ranma-kun, could she be talking about Akane's friend?" said
Nabiki.
"WHO IS FRIEND??!?!?!" Shampoo seethed at Akane.
"What?!" said Akane.
"Who, you mean Keiko?" said Ranma.
"KEIKO IS AKANE'S FRIEND IN BATH WITH RANMA?!?!" Shampoo
bellowed.
"Oops...." Ranma looked sheepish.
"RANMA NO BAKA!" Akane promptly flattened him with her
ever-present mallet.
"YeeeeEEEEeEEee... " said Ranma.
"Oohhh, look at the time. I gotta go." said Nabiki, exiting the
kitchen. Shampoo, meanwhile, stormed out of the dojo, creating ANOTHER
hole.
"I KILL!" She roared.
"Ranma! DO something!" Akane wailed at the pancake. Ranma
stirred, then stood up with difficulty, staring at the gaping hole in the
kitchen wall.
"I gotta do something, or Kei-san's history!"
*CHAPTER 5*
Also 3:15 PM Sunday
"Owww," Mousse slowly sat up, a bag of frozen snow peas sliding
off of his face. "?" he looked around. He was on a futon in the spare
room in the Nekohanten where Keiko was staying. He touched his
cheek....he could tell it would be purple soon.
The room still didn't look lived in, the white walls bare, with
two small windows and a solitary chair on the wooden floor. There was a
backpack, an open, empty suitcase, some school books, a shirt draped over
the chair, and a guitar leaning against one of the barren walls. There
was, however, no Keiko. Mousse got up off of the futon and walked into
the doorway, looking down the hall. No one was there. "Hm."
Mousse almost jumped through the roof as he heard a loud crash, as
if the building was being demolished. And then he heard his dear
Shampoo's normally sweet voice...
"KILL!"
"YAAAAAA!" and Keiko's.
"YeEEEeee!" Mousse ran down the stairs into the Nekohanten to
find Shampoo, bonbori in hand, menacingly stepping toward a rather
confused Keiko. "Shampoo!" he yelled.
"Mousse go away!" Shampoo growled. "KILL!" she said, turning
back to Keiko.
"Sh-Sh-Shampoo, what are you doing?" Keiko asked, backing away.
Shampoo had her backed up against the counter, and was slowly coming
closer.
"Keiko try to steal my Ranma away!"
"WHAT?!" said Mousse and Keiko.
"DIE!" Shampoo swung one of her bonbori.
"EEK!" Keiko jumped over the counter. Shampoo's bonbori met with
the counter top, severely denting it. Standing up and viewing the damage,
Keiko said, "Shampoo! Calm down!"
Shampoo jumped to the top of the counter. "YOU NO HAVE RANMA!"
she screamed, swinging her bonbori. Keiko back flipped out of the way,
cringing as she heard plates shatter.
"Why would I want Ranma?" Keiko yelled back.
"You in bath, no?!" Shampoo swung at her again. Catching the
bonbori with her foot, Keiko flew into the air, landing on a table on the
other side of the small Chinese restaurant.
"Keiko hold still!" Shampoo screamed, charging at her.
"Shampoo! Stop!" Mousse yelled ineffectively.
"We were NOT in the bath together!" said Keiko, jumping over
Shampoo. "Mousse! A little help!" she said to Mousse, who was fidgeting
by the staircase.
"Shampoo! Please calm down!" Mousse ran to her side as she stood
ready to attack.
"None of Mousse business!" Shampoo said, hitting him in the head.
"Eep...." he squawked, falling on the floor. Then the door burst
open.
"Shampoo!" Ranma hollered. "Stop!"
"Keiko!" said Akane. They rushed into the room.
"Wou ai ni!" said Shampoo, clamping onto Ranma.
"Ranma! Akane!" said Keiko.
"Keiko, are you alright?" asked Ranma, peeking around the
ecstatic Amazon.
"Just peachy." Keiko said, her arms crossed.
"Ranma forget Gaijin. Shampoo all yours!" Shampoo squeezed him.
"Gakkk...." said Ranma. "Let go..."
"Hmf. Who're _you_ calling 'Gaijin'?!" Keiko said, peeling
Mousse off of the floor.
*Hm. Rigor mortis already?* she thought. "Hey Mousse," she
said, shaking him. Mousse came back to life, putting on his glasses.
"Yes?" he said. Keiko put him down.
"Keiko! She didn't hurt you, I hope!" said Akane, running over
to her. "I'm real sorry about this. This is all RANMA'S FAULT!" she
said, turning to glare at Ranma, who was turning blue.
"Yeah. I just can't wait to hear the whole story. Shampoo's got
this CRAZY idea that I was taking a bath with Ranma, or something, and she
screamed 'KILL!' and the rest is history." said Keiko, taking off her
waitress apron.
"That's right...." said Shampoo, letting go of Ranma.
"I.......can breathe.....!" he said.
"KILL!" Shampoo screamed, brandishing her bonbori.
"Listen to me, dammit!" Keiko yelled. But Shampoo did not
listen. She swung at Keiko again. Keiko neatly back-hand-springed out of
harm's way.
"RANMA MINE!" said Shampoo.
"I don't particularly want him!" Keiko said.
"Why isn't Keiko trying to hit her?" Akane asked Ranma.
"Dunno, but she seems to be doing fine just running away." he
said.
Shampoo continued to swing at Keiko. Keiko continued to jump out
of the way.
"If you would just listen ....(flip)....you'd figure
out....(duck)....that I only.....(jump)...WALKED IN ON HIM!!!!" Keiko
said.
"That not what Ranma say!"
Keiko turned and looked at Ranma. "Yeah? What DID Ranma say?"
she growled. Ranma gasped.
"Ranma say you two take BATH!" yelled Shampoo. At this, Keiko
froze. The bonbori hit her in the shoulder, and she went flying across
the room. Flying right into........... Ranma's arms.
Staring at each other for a moment, they suddenly noticed everyone
glaring at them. Ranma put Keiko down.
"Explain yourself, Saotome." said Mousse.
"Tell truth now, gaijin!" said Shampoo.
"Ranma........" Akane glowed blue again.
"It's true.....what she says. She walked in on me. We didn't
take a bath together or nothin'. That's all there is to it." he said.
"Shampoo still can not believe. What happen after gaijin walk in
on Ranma?" She asked.
"I left. Promptly." said Keiko. *Who's a gaijin?!* she thought.
"Yeah. Real promptly." said Ranma, scratching his head.
"That's right....." said Akane. "Keiko came running into my
room."
"With clothes on?" asked Shampoo, still wary of the 'other
woman'.
"YES, WITH CLOTHES ON!" said Keiko.
Silence.
"Is true, Akane?" asked Shampoo, sounding slightly upset.
"Yes." said Akane, not sounding angry.
"Ranma?" Shampoo said.
"That's what happened." he said.
"Aiya....I sorry Keiko!" said Shampoo, dropping her weapons.
"It's OK. Just talk to me next time before you attack." said
Keiko.
"OK." said Shampoo. Then Keiko's watch beeped.
"My shift's over." she said. "Your turn, Shampoo."
"Keiko," said Akane.
"Yeah?"
"You wanna come over for dinner?"
"Sure, Akane." she smiled at Ranma. "Heheheheheh."
"Wahahahahah." said Ranma.
*CHAPTER 6*
6:30 PM Sunday
"Kei-san," Ranma-chan said through a mouthful of eel teriyaki.
"Yeah Ranma?" she said, picking up her chopsticks.
"That was some nice defense you had, (gulp) especially against
Shampoo!" she said.
"Thanks!" Keiko said, grinning.
"But why didn't you hit her?" asked Akane.
"Yeah," said Ranma, the end of her chopsticks in her mouth.
"Believe me, I would have liked to a couple of times, but I
wouldn't know how." she said.
"Wha? Then how come you can dodge like that?!" said Ranma.
"I'm a gymnast." said Keiko.
"Coooool." said Ranma, removing her chopsticks from her mouth.
"I see you met Mousse." said Akane.
"Yup." said Keiko.
"You know, he's a duck." said Ranma.
"Beh...?" said Keiko.
"It's his cursed form. A duck," said Akane.
"Really? Damn. Poor guy. A _duck_?!" said Keiko, shaking her
head. "How did you all end up going to that remote little training ground
in China?" Ranma-chan shrugged. "Hm." said Keiko, and went on eating.
*10:15 PM Sunday*
"So, tell me more about this guy Mousse." said Keiko, kicking at
a pebble in the road.
"Huh? Mousse?" said Akane. She groaned. "He's a pain."
"Yeah?" said Keiko.
"Uh-huh. Always fighting Ranma for Shampoo, when Ranma is
perfectly willing to give her up."
"Yeah. I noticed how much Mousse likes her."
"Hmmm. You were chatting?"
"He came in looking for Shampoo and she wasn't there, so he waited
for her with me. Uhhh, you know the rest."
"He's ALWAYS chasing Shampoo. He even captured me once and
threatened to turn me into a duck so Ranma would give her up."
"Wow..." Keiko muttered, stopping in front of the door of the
Nekohanten. "Well, see ya, Akane. Thanks for walking me back."
"No problem! Bye Keiko!" said Akane, walking back down the
street.
"Bye!" Keiko called as she opened the door. Inside the empty,
dark Nekohanten was Cologne, perched atop her wooden staff.
"I see you've met my son-in-law." said Cologne.
"Who? Ranma? Yeah." said Keiko, smiling.
"Ohohohohohoho! My advice to you, girl, is not to let young
Shampoo catch wind of anymore of those rumors!" said Cologne. "She is
the pride of the Joketsuzoku village!"
"Oh! Hehe. Yes, I noticed! She is quite good." said Keiko.
"Did you also notice, girl, that you held your own against my
finest amazon warrior?"
"Well, I mean, uh," Keiko scratched her head.
"Hmmm?" Cologne gurgled. *Ho ho ho, this girl could be more
useful to me than I thought.....* thought Cologne.
"Actually, I dunno how to fight at all." she said.
"Ohohohohohohoh.........." Cologne cackled as she whizzed up the
stairs.
"Brbrbrbrbrbr...." Keiko shuddered. "Creepy."
*CHAPTER 7*
5:00 PM, Next Friday
"Hurry, Shampoo!" Keiko called through the double doors of the
kitchen.
"Aiya! Friday crowd is too much for Keiko and Shampoo!" she
said, balancing a tray on each hand as she bounced into the restaurant.
"Too true!" said Keiko, following her out of the kitchen with two
more orders. "Here you are!" she said hurriedly, setting the plates down
in front of two hungry patrons.
<BLEEP> Keiko looked at her watch. Her shift was over.
"Ah! Thank god!" said Keiko, whipping off her apron and running
outside. Keiko leaned up against the building. Sighing, she sunk down to
the pavement. The pavement was cool. Keiko closed her eyes. "Hmmmm."
she smiled as a cool breeze swept over her.
"Keiko Nishida."
"Wha?!" Keiko opened her eyes. Feet? She looked up. "Oh, it's
you. Better not go in there, Mousse." she said, pointing into the
restaurant.
"Hm." he said. "I'll take my chances, thank you." and walked
into the restaurant. Keiko listened. Nothing. Keiko waited.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Keiko was nearly blown away as Mousse flew
through the front windows.
"AISHITERUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" he screamed as he flew over Nerima.
Picking shrapnel out of her hair, Keiko entered the Nekohanten, minus one
wall.
"Shampoo!" said Keiko disapprovingly. "Why'd you do that?!"
"Mousse pain!" she said heatedly. "He never give up. Just can't
remember Ranma and Shampoo together! Stupid Mousse." Shampoo walked back
into the kitchen, as frightened customers slinked out the door.
Shampoo returned with two more orders, then noticed all of her
patrons were gone. "Oh! Friday rush over so soon? Too too weird..."
*6:00 PM Friday*
Keiko hung the sign on the remains of the door: "CLOSED FOR
REPAIRS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE". Keiko was about to go back inside when she
heard that familiar voice behind her again.
"Keiko Nishida."
"Hi." she said, not bothering to turn around. "Shampoo's
upstairs."
"Oh." he said.
"But I wouldn't go near her. She's in a bad mood."
"Still?"
"It's only been an hour, Mousse." Keiko said, facing him.
Amazingly, he remained perfectly intact after his flight.
"Every waking moment away from my Shampoo seems like forever." he
said, staring at her, his hands in his sleeves.
"So, you like her, huh?" said Keiko, walking into the restaurant.
"I love her. I have pursued her for sixteen years." he said,
following. "It is an honor just being in her restaurant."
"I know. She's told me everything." said Keiko, sitting at a
table.
"So. Then you would know about her affection for the cursed one,
Ranma Saotome." Mousse growled.
"Uh...yeah." said Keiko. "All about him, too."
"Why does she reject me?"
"I...I really couldn't tell you."
"Why?" he asked, pulling up a chair.
"Because I really don't understand her amazon laws. If she loves
Ranma regardless of her obligation to marry him, then that could be why.
But that still wouldn't explain why she's so...." Keiko glanced at the
missing wall. "violent."
"True. My thoughts have not strayed from this puzzle since the
day Ranma defeated her.....and me."
"Yes. I heard about that too." Keiko said quietly.
Silence.
The Keiko giggled. "But you do kinda look similar. I bet you
could even braid your hair and dress up like him and who knows? Might
even fool Shampoo. Hehe." Keiko smiled.
Mousse smiled back. "Hmmmm!"
"Ahh....." Keiko stopped smiling. *He's not taking me seriously,
is he?!* she thought.
"Well, I gotta go now." said Mousse, standing up suddenly. "Tell
Shampoo I stopped by."
"Umm....Ok. Bye, Mousse."
*1:27 AM Saturday*
Walking silently through the deserted streets of Nerima, the
insomniac stopped suddenly in front of a store window. He gazed at his
reflection for a moment, wondering if what Keiko had said was true. He
could think of nothing else. He tied his hair back from his face, noting
the horrifying, and yet useful resemblance to the satanic Ranma Saotome.
Smiling to himself, Mousse walked back the way he had come, wondering if
he had any red mandarin shirts.
***
"Chikusho...." he muttered as he neared the end of his closet.
He could swear he had one. White robe, white robe, white robe, red....red
what? Mousse removed the hanger. It was a red mandarin shirt. Just like
Ranma wore. All he would have to do was show up at the Nekohanten, and
surely Shampoo would take it from there with his cooperation. Mousse
tingled with anticipation. His purple-haired goddess would finally be
his...
***
Mousse looked in the mirror. It fit perfectly. At long last, she
was within his reach. His hands shook as he braided his long, black hair.
He smiled. He could see her now...running into his arms,
"<Wo de ai ren...>"
He snapped back into reality, a pang of guilt hitting him like a
ton of bricks. How could he do such a thing to the woman he loved? If he
went through with it, he knew he could never forgive himself. And
Shampoo, he couldn't imagine what she would do to him, and what he would
do to himself, if she found him out.
He looked at the clock....2:15 AM. He looked toward the empty
bed. There was no use trying to sleep. Mousse looked back into the
mirror, seeing his most hated enemy, and loving every minute of it.
*CHAPTER 8*
5:45 PM Saturday
Keiko smiled down at her reflection, proud of her polishing job.
The counter was spotless, as was the rest of the restaurant. Keiko put
the rag on top of the counter and hopped up on it, glad to sit down.
Suddenly the door swung open to the empty, immaculately clean Nekohanten.
"Welcome to the Nekohanten!" Keiko said brightly.
"Keiko Nishida." said a voice. The owner of the voice stepped
into the room.
"Ranma?" said Keiko. *Why would he come here of his own free
will?* she thought to herself. Ranma looked somehow different. More
solemn than usual, and to call her 'Keiko Nishida' when he would normally
say, 'Yo, Kei-san'. His appearance also seemed somewhat altered. He
seemed to her more composed, and somehow less....unkempt. She couldn't
help but notice his resemblance to Mousse.........suddenly a thought
struck her. "No!" she hollered, jumping off the counter.
Mousse balked. "Huh?" Keiko marched up to him.
"I can't let you do it!" she quietly seethed.
"Awww, Kei-san, what're you talkin' about?" Mousse crossed his
arms.
"Stop it! Stop it Mousse, I know it's you. And Shampoo's not
stupid." Keiko said. Mousse slumped. "And you know she'd never forgive
you for it. Never. You'll ruin any remote chance you ever had, and then
what'll you do? What'll you do?" she repeated.
"I would never forgive myself." he said quietly, blushing.
Keiko stared at him.
"I would....I don't know what....I couldn't live with myself,
I...have never done without her." he said, fidgeting. "I don't know what
would become of me."
"Mousse," said Keiko.
"Yes?" he said, looking up at her sheepishly.
"I think you should get out of here, like now, before Shampoo sees
you like this. Go home and she will never have to know."
"Keiko,"
"Quickly. Haul your ass out before she....." Keiko saw Mousse's
eyes widen in horror. "What?" Keiko asked.
"AIYA!"
Keiko was blinded by a flurry of purple hair
"Ranma come to Nekohanten to see Shampoo! Ureshii! Come now, eat
Shampoo's cooking!" Shampoo said, clamped tightly onto Mousse. Keiko
looked on in horror as Mousse hesitantly wrapped his arms around Shampoo's
body. Keiko panicked. Fearing for Mousses life, and for hers, she
quickly grabbed her bucket of cold, soapy water and splashed it on
Shampoo. "EEEE! ......yow?" there in Shampoo's place was a cute little
kitty licking her paws.
"Ehehehehehh.....Sorry about that, Shampoo, I uh, tripped."
"Meeew." said the cat, hopping up the stairs. Keiko and Mousse
watched her go.
"Keiko...." said Mousse. "Thank you."
"Mousse," said Keiko.
"I...lost control. I couldn't help it, she was....she was so soft
and warm. I was completely out of line; I'm sorry." he said. "If you
hadn't been there, I don't know how far it would have gone."
"Just be glad she didn't look up at your face." said Keiko. and
dumped the remaining water over Mousse.
"Kei........" a small white duck shook his wet feathers. "Wak."
They heard rapid footsteps upstairs. "Go!" said Keiko.
"Wak!" the duck picked up his clothes in his beak and flew out
the door.
"I back!" said Shampoo, in human form. "Keiko, where Ranma go
to?" Keiko shrugged.
"Yo, Shampoo! Kei-san!" said Ranma, bouncing in the open door
and seating himself. "I'm starved." he said, feet on the table top.
"Aren't the Tendo's feeding you?" asked Keiko, whipping out her
pad and pen.
"They tried, but I escaped! Jeez, you don't know what it's like
having your fiancee test out her toxic waste on you."
"Right! Shampoo much, much better cook than Akane!" said
Shampoo. "Keiko put pad away! Shampoo know what husband like...."
Shampoo said, unveiling a huge masterpiece entree. Keiko and Ranma's eyes
bugged out.
"<Oy vay....>" said Keiko.
"Yo, Kei-san, help me out with this thing, it's enorm--MMMF!"
Shampoo shoved a piece of food into his mouth.
"Ranma forget gaijin. Just eat cooking and look at Shampoo!" she
said, grinning.
"Gaijin. Hah!" Keiko said to herself. "<Like that chick could
call anyone else a gaijin>." she said in English. Shampoo giggled madly
as Ranma gobbled her delicious (and abundant) cooking.
"SHAMPOO!" A figure stood in the doorway.
"Yuck." said Shampoo, glancing up from Ranma. "Go way." The
figure was Mousse, in his normal clothes again: a white robe with God
knows what in the sleeves.
"Mousse!" said Ranma. "Whadda you wa--MmMM?!" Shampoo shoved
more food into his mouth.
"Forget stupid Mousse. Just look Shampoo! Teeheehee!" Shampoo
smiled. Mousse would not be ignored. He picked up Ranma by his shirt.
"SAOTOME! I challenge you for the hand of the lovely Shampoo!"
he said.
"Ha. Any time, any place." Ranma said, smirking. Mousse
suddenly threw Ranma across the room upon seeing Keiko.
"Keiko!" he said, taking her hands, "I have seen the error of my
ways! Thanks to you, I now know what I have to do: I must win Shampoo's
heart the honorable way!" he yelled. "Arigato!"
"Yeeeee!" Keiko screeched. "Wha-wha-what are you talking
about!?! I never...I never said ANYTHING about...."
"You will have a place of honor at our wedding! We shall always
remember you, Keiko Nishida!"
"What wedding?" said Shampoo. "Only wedding Shampoo in is
Shampoo's wedding to Ranma. <Wou ai ni!>" she said, hugging Ranma.
"Nnnnnngggggg....." Mousse's eyes bugged out. "SAOTOME! PREPARE
YOURSELF!" he screamed, shooting half a dozen ceremonial knives in his
direction.
"Yeeeee!" Ranma sprung out of his chair, carrying Shampoo with
him.
"Ureshii! Ranma protect wife!" she said, kissing him.
"Can't see!" said Ranma, trying to pry her off of his face. A
bowling ball hit him in the head. "Eep..."
Cologne appeared by the stairs. "Would you boys please take this
outside?"
"Hehehehehe! Certainly, ghoul!" Mousse picked him up off the
floor and threw him cleanly out the open door and onto the sidewalk.
Shampoo watched them leave. Then turned to Keiko. "Idiot Mousse
never give up. Always fight for Shampoo." she sighed. "Just can't seem
to grasp concept that Shampoo marrying Ranma! Stupid Mousse."
"HIRIYU SHOTEN HA!" they heard.
"Wha....?" Keiko looked out the door.
"Oh well, always fun to watch!" Shampoo smiled, running out the
door. Keiko followed, just in time to see Mousse land hard on the cement.
Ranma walked up to them, casually dusting off his pants. "You girls
missed the party." he said. Shampoo crossed her arms.
"Pooh. No fun. He not hurt ai ren, did he?"
"Hurt me? Ha! Not even close. Thanks for the exercise, Mousse."
"Heh." Mousse painfully dragged himself up. "Your time will
come, Saotome." He said. Shampoo deftly turned a (conveniently located)
hose on him. "Wak!" said a white duck, shaking droplets of water off his
feathers.
"Ranma finish Shampoo's cooking!" she said, dragging him back into
the restaurant.
***
In her room, Keiko changed into a tank top and jeans, throwing her
apron and uniform over the chair. Over it, she threw on her favorite over
sized button down shirt and opened the door to leave.
"Keiko," said Cologe, appearing in the doorway.
"YEEEEE!!!!" said Keiko. "Oh. Hello.
"You too could learn the hiriyu shoten ha, and many other secret
techniques from me. All you have to do is say the word. Do think about
it." said Cologne. *Heh. And once you learn, I'll put those techniques
to good use.* she thought.
"I'll think about it." said Keiko.
"Good girl." said Cologne, hopping away. *Keiko will make the
perfect wife to keep that idiot Mousse in line. Having Mousse out of the
way will make my job just that much easier!* she thought.
"HOHOHOHOHOHO!!!!" she cackled.
"Creepy old snail," Keiko muttered to herself as she walked down
the stairs. Suddenly, the bathroom door swung open behind her. Keiko
turned around to see Mousse, human and wearing his pants, storm down the
stairs and out of the Nekohanten
Keiko sighed, and decided to follow Mousse.
7:30 PM Saturday
Mousse continued down the sidewalk as Keiko silently watched from
the doorway. Before he could dissappear into the twilight, Keiko set off
after him.
Keiko followed the path she had seen Mousse take as quietly as
possible, finding Mousse sitting on the end of a cliff by the ocean.
"Mousse," she said.
" ! " He froze at the unexpected voice, then slowly turned
around. It was Keiko. He hurriedly turned back around. *How did she
find me?!* he thought.
"Did..........did he hurt you?" she asked, barely audibly,
standing about ten feet away.
"Not at all!" he said loudly, turning to glare at her; enough to
make Keiko step away. Mousse turned back around and stared at the ground.
There was a moment of awkward silence, Mousse sounding too forbidding for
Keiko to come any closer. "So you.....saw the fight?" he asked, softer
this time.
"Uh huh." said Keiko. *Maybe I should go,* she thought.
"Well I...." he bellowed, then paused. Keiko turned and began to
walk away. *Huh?* hearing her footsteps, he turned around. "Uh, Keiko!
W-wait...I......didn't mean............" Keiko turned her head around,
then stopped, facing the path. She sighed, the turned and walked back
toward Mousse, who turned back around. "Uh.....sorry. No, he didn't hurt
me." he said, looking at the ground.
Keiko walked up behind him, noticing the bruise on his shoulder.
"Hmmm...didn't hurt you...whazzis?"
Mousse jumped. "...itai......." he squeaked. He glared at her
again.
"Hmf." Keiko's eyes narrowed. They stared at each other for a
moment, then Keiko sat down next to him. She picked at the dirt. Mousse
just sat with his head in his hands, staring out at the open sea.
It was a beautiful seascape. It was high tide, and the sky was
deepening to a charcoal grey with incoming storm clouds. Her long, blonde
hair blown back from her face by the increasingly strong wind, Keiko
looked out at the crashing waves. Her mind began to wander...
"Tell me, Keiko,"
"Huh?" Keiko snapped out of her trance.
"What......what does Shampoo really think of me?" Mousse asked
sheepishly, wary of her potentially devistating response. Keiko looked at
him, understanding, and sighed. She pushed away the hair blown into her
face.
"Mousse....." she said, averting her eyes.
"What does she think?" he repeated. Keiko looked up at him
again.
"Keiko." he repeated.
"I know, I know. I'm just not sure I should say is all......."
she said, then dropped her head suddenly. Then she felt two hands firmly
on her shoulders. "Huh?" She bolted upright, staring at him nervously.
Mousse was staring her down. "I can take it." he said firmly.
Seeing Keiko's shock, he let go of her, putting his hands in his lap.
Keiko's eyes remained fixated on him.
"The truth is, Mousse, Shampoo really does love Ranma." she
almost whispered.
Mousse's hands fidgeted. Then suddenly one lashed out.
"USOTSUKI!!!!" the hand was halted. PLAP; a foot connected with Mousse's
face, as if automatically.
Mousse remained still in the position Keiko's foot had left him
in. Keiko could not see his face, but she could feel the hand she still
held, inches from her face, trembling.
"Mousse?" she said quietly. Mousse turned to look at her,
looking as if he were about to cry.
"Keiko...." he whispered, "I'm...........sorry....."
"You really love her, don't you."
"Yes," he said quietly. "Yes, I love her more than anything."
Lightning flashed over the open sea. The wind whipped Keiko's
hair around her face as she buttoned up her shirt, hiding her tank top.
Mousse reached for his shirt and glasses. Just then, thunder crashed
loudly as the rain clouds above drained themselves. The deluge came just
as mousse was putting on his glasses.
Keiko stood up. "Let's go, Mousse." she said. Hearing no
response, she turned around to see something writhing in his wet robe.
Reaching into the white robe, she pulled out a frazzled duck. The duck
shook his feathers back into place and looked up at Keiko.
"Wak." he said.
"Hmmm." said Keiko, staring at the duck in her hands.
"Ak."
***
Leaning out the door under the awning of the Nekohanten, Baba-san
cackled to herself as she watched the wet blonde girl carrying the white
duck approach. "Ohohohohoh. Maybe the girl won't need my help catching
that idiot Mousse after all...." she said.
~To Be Continued...~
END OF PART ONE
-hope ya had fun with this, kids! Part 2 coming soon.
.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.
PH C*
() ()
-'.'- USAGI NO ONNA
~Portia Hunt~
Lowly freshman ;_;
"If I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?"
"HELP! HELP! I'm being repressed!"
"Your mother was a hamster, and you father smelled of ELDERBERRIES!"
RED SPEEDO!!
.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.