[ff][Ranma] Martial Arts Marriage Ceremony ch.6

Ch. 6
The Opposition


     Something was up.  Ukyou was certain of it.  Ranma and
Akane had been much too friendly on the way to school.  They
had actually held hands!  They probably thought that no one
had noticed, but Ukyou had noticed.  She noticed everything.

     She'd tried all day to get close to him, to see if she
could find out what was going on, or at least take the
opportunity to show him how cute she was.  As usual, though,
he'd responded to her friendliness, but not to her romantic
advances.

     He could be so dense sometimes.

     Her attempts at school hadn't gone completely
unrewarded.  The look of rage on Akane's face when she'd
given him that hug had been priceless.  Of course, Akane had
started in on him as they'd begun to walk home.  That had
been good enough for the moment.  Surely Ranchan would
eventually see what a shrew that uncute fiance of his was.  

     Ukyou had gone straight home and made him something
special.  It was really an excuse to go by and lend him a
sympathetic ear.  She'd planned to ask a few leading
questions, get him to go off on his favorite topic (how
unfeminine Akane was) again, and then butter him up a
little.  Depending on his state of mind, she had anticipated
being able to talk him into a walk or a date even.

     Of course, when she'd gotten there, Nabiki had told her
that Ranma wasn't home.  She'd been about to do a little
snooping when that Chinese hussy had shown up.  The one
person Ukyou just couldn't tolerate was Shampoo.  It was
quite apparent that the feeling was mutual.  

     She felt a touch of regret for letting Shampoo taunt
her into fighting.  It wouldn't have happened if she hadn't
already been itching for a fight.  It had been a very long
day, and beating on Shampoo a little had been good for her
soul.

     Too bad about Mousse, though.  She'd always felt rather
sorry for that boy.  Still, if he was blind enough to have
feelings for that slippery, deceptive little cat girl, then
he deserved what he got.

     It wasn't that Ukyou was above a little deception every
now and then, but at least her motives were pure.  

     More or less.

     She sighed heavily.  Something had to be up.  As much
as she hated to admit it, she might need Shampoo's help.
Ranma was keeping something from her.  She just knew it. 
She was going to have to do something about it.

***

     "So far, so good." said Nabiki, trying harder than
usual to keep up her all business demeanor.  She was
thrilled from head to toe that things had gone well in the
dojo.  She hoped to get another chance to talk to Akane
soon.  If she didn't miss her guess, her little sister would
be glowing like a Christmas tree about now.  

     "It's your decision, of course, Ranma-kun but I think
that you should keep your plans a secret from Akane and the
others for now.  I sounded Daddy out a little this
afternoon.  When I mentioned 'Ranma', 'Akane', and 'wedding'
all in the same sentance, he got this hunted look in his
eyes and started whimpering.  I couldn't get another word
out of him for an hour.  He hasn't quite gotten over the
last one."

     "We can't do this alone." said Ranma, slightly
distressed.  "No priest or official is gonna marry a couple
of teen-agers without an adult's say so."

     "Yes, but it doesn't have to be daddy.  There's your
parents too.  I don't know how helpful uncle would be, but
what about your mother?"

     Ranma frowned in concentration.  All this rational
thinking stuff was new to him.  "I'll talk to her about it,
but as much's I hate to admit it, I'm not sure what she'll
think about it.  I mean, she might not think that it's
strictly honorable sneakin' around like this.  I'm never
sure how Mom's gonna feel about somethin'.  You're right
about dad, though.  We shouldn't tell him a thing.  His
intentions are good... usually, but he can't keep a secret."

     Nabiki's eyes glinted evily.  "Oh, I think that you
should tell him everything.  Starting with..."

***

     "What you want, spatula girl?"

     "The same thing you want.  To make sure that Ranma and
Akane get along just well enough to keep her from killing
him and no better.  Something is going on between those two,
and I need your help to stop it."

     "You too suspicious."

     "Am I now?  Did you see Ranma this morning?"

     "No... Shampoo busy with..."

     "Shampoo busy with what?"

     "Big order come in.  Shampoo work all morning.  When go
to deliver, is wrong address.  Spend much time looking for
customer.  Shampoo very angry.  No can meet Ranma before he
go to school.  Very strange."

     "Yeah, well *I* saw him.  He and Akane were *HOLDING
HANDS*!  Whatever's going on we have to stop *now*!"

     "Why Shampoo help?  Why Shampoo believe stupid spatula
girl?"

     "Are you *listening* to me, cat girl?  Ranma and Akane
are *up* to something!  If we don't do something *now*,
we're both going to loose him.  Is that what you want?"

     "Last time Shampoo and spatula girl try break up
husband and violent girl, husband very angry."

     "You'd rather have had him happily married to Akane
than a little annoyed with you?"

     "No... but not like make husband angry."

     "Fine.  I'll do it myself."

     "No.  You wait!"

     "I haven't got all day, sugar."

     "Shampoo help."

     "Well it's about time."

     "Something else strange happening."

     "What's that?"

     "Mousse acting very strange too.  This morning when
Shampoo come home from delivery, Mousse not all mushy mushy
about Shampoo.  Mousse very quiet.  Mousse know something
maybe."

     "Could be."

     "Then Mousse at dojo when Shampoo go to visit husband. 
Shampoo ask why, but spatula girl interfere."

     "Hey!"

     "Is true."

     "So, you think that Mousse is involved too?"

     "Is not first time Mousse help break up Shampoo's
plan."

     "Maybe.  So once Ran-chan and Akane are broken up once
and for all, it's every woman for herself.  Got it?"

     "Shampoo understand."

***