CHAPTER FOUR

	The trip to the market was, for Ranma at least, a nervous one.  He
couldn't keep himself from scanning the rooftops and alleys for certain
telltale signs.   *Oh, man... if any of 'em find out, I'm a goner...* 
	"Is something wrong, Ranma-kun?"
	"Aaaaah! Uh, I mean, no, nothing's wrong.  Really."
	Nuku Nuku went back to walking silently beside him.  She may have been
a bit unclear on certain aspects of human behaviour, but she'd always
been good at reading emotions, and she knew worry when she saw it.  It'd
be okay, though - she'd protect him against whatever it was. 
	Ranma continued his paranoid search for a while, then forced himself to
relax.  *Okay, no big deal.  I just gotta go to the market, pick up a
few things, and go home.  An hour, maybe 90 minutes tops.  There's no
chance that they'll find me in such short a...* 
	"SAOTOMEEEEE!"
	From out of a shadow a blue-clad figure leapt at Ranma, sword flashing
.  Before Nuku Nuku could react, they were both gone, disappearing down
an alleyway. 
	"Ranma-kun!"  The cat-girl rushed to follow, when suddenly she was
surrounded by a shower of... of... 
	She caught one and sniffed it.  "Black rose petals?"
	A long, slightly insane peal of laughter filled the air, and Nuku Nuku
looked around eagerly.  That sounded like Mama-san!  Or maybe Arisa.  Or
even... 
	"Up here, foolish girl!"
	A young woman in a green gymnastics outfit, her raven-dark hair caught
up in a long braid over her shoulder, stood on a nearby rooftop.  She
twirled a ribbon over her head - this, for some reason, was the source
of the petals. 
	She laughed again.  "I knew my feeble-minded brother would lead me
right to you, insolent child.  I feel it only fair that I give you a
warning - trifle not with my dear, sweet Ranma, or face the wrath of the
rising star of high school martial arts gymnastics, Kuno "the Black
Rose" Kodachi!" 
	Nuku Nuku waved.  "Konnichiwa!  Are you going to the market, too?" 
	Kodachi stared at her, a large sweatdrop rolling down her temple.  "Is
it possible you do not fully comprehend the mortal peril you are in?!" 
She gestured fiercely with her ribbon.  "I shall brook no interference!
Ranma-sweetums is mine, do you hear me? Mine! Mine! Mine!" 
	The cat-girl watched for a moment as Kodachi emitted another peal of
maniacal laughter.  "Ano... I have to go help Ranma-kun now.  Bai-bai!" 
	It took Kodachi a moment to realize her enemy was leaving, and a moment
longer to force herself to stop laughing.  "Oh, I don't think so,
child.  You have only two options, I'm afraid - stay away from
Ranma..."  She leapt off the rooftop and dived toward Nuku Nuku.  "...or
DIE!" 


	If one watched from a distance, the symmetry was beautiful to behold. 
Both Kuno and Kodachi left street level at the exact same time, tumbling
over the streets in a course that, inevitably, caused them to collide. 
Unconscious, the siblings fell into a rather large tree, and were never
heard from again - at least, not for a few chapters. 

	Ranma walked back to where Kuno had ambushed him, rubbing his jaw
absently - Kuno had gotten in a lucky shot before Ranma had decked him. 
*I hope Nuku Nuku's all right,*  he thought to himself.  *What's Kuno's
problem, anyway?* 
	Fortunately Nuku Nuku seemed to be fine when he returned - he hated to
think what might happen if the girls caught her.  (The manner in which
she had saved his life had, typically, been forgotten.)  She looked at
him in concern.  "Ranma-kun, daijobu?" 
	"Ah, no problem.  He does that all the time."
	"Okay."
	They started walking again.
	"He seems to know you, though."
	"Mmm.  Mama-san took me to meet his family last week." 
	Ranma snorted.  "The whole family's nuts, if ya ask me."  Nuku Nuku,
who thought they seemed normal compared to her family, refrained from
comment.  "What's your aunt talkin' to them about, anyway?" 
	"Something about donating a bunch of money to the school." She giggled
a bit, embarrassed.  "I don't understand it, really." 
	"Hmm... so Nabiki was right."  He looked at her.  "I kinda doubted that
some multibillionaire lady would shack up in our dojo just to get free
room and board." 
	Nuku Nuku looked down at the ground as they walked.  "Gomen ne..." 
	"Huh?"
	"Mama-san does things like that sometimes.  She really doesn't mean to
be rude." 
	"Hey, it's no problem.  With all the characters mooching off us, two
more won't really make a difference."  He considered.  "Um, that really
didn't come out the way I intended..." 
	She looked at him for a moment, then giggled.  He couldn't help but
join in, and soon they were laughing together as they walked. 
	This lasted all of five seconds.
	"So glad you're having fun, Ranma," a voice announced.  Nuku Nuku
looked around, then saw a figure step out from behind a lamppost.  It
was the boy that lived in the Tendo's bathroom! 
	"Don't you start again!"  Ranma growled.  "I toldja, you got the wrong
idea!" 
	"Shut up, Ranma!  I'm tired of watching you break Akane's heart! 
Either do the right thing, or stop leading her on!" 
	Ranma clenched his fists.  "Oh, like I need YOUR advice on women!" 
	Ryoga smirked, and hefted a bucket.  "I wonder how your new friend will
feel when she finds out about..." 
	"You wouldn't dare!"
	"Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn't.  Just keep walking, and we'll find
out.  Do you feel lucky?"  With a laugh, Ryoga leapt to the nearest
rooftop and disappeared. 
	Ranma cursed.  *Can't let that idiot wander free with that bucket...* 
He turned to Nuku Nuku.  "Wait here - I'll be right back." 
	"Oh.  Okay, Ranma-kun."
	As Ranma left in pursuit of Ryoga, a figure watched from a nearby
doorway.  *Well, well, well.  I guess Fang-boy was right.  Looks like
I'll need to scare her off a little before things get too far.  And
that'll be easier to do with Ranma-honey distracted like that...* 
	Nuku Nuku sat down on a bench and waited.  She'd wanted to follow
Ranma, in case he was going to play with that other boy again, but he
told her to wait.  She sighed.  It was so much more quiet here than
where she lived - not much traffic, not as many people, and nobody to
play with.  Though it was fun talking to Ranma and the others, she was
starting to miss her own family a little.  Still, Kodachi had been fun,
as long as it had lasted.  She wondered if... 
	A glint of metal caught her attention, and she instinctively bounded to
one side as a brace of razor-sharp spatulas thunked into the wooden
bench.  Landing gracefully on her feet (of course), she peered around
until she saw the young woman standing in front of a doorway labelled
"U-chan's". 
	"Ano... you should be more careful with those,"  Nuku Nuku offered. 
"They look sharp." 
	Ukyo stepped forward, watching her opponent cautiously.  "Look, whoever
you are, I don't want to have to hurt you, but I'd better warn you -
stay away from Ranma, or I won't be responsible for what happens, you...
you homewrecker!" 
	Nuku Nuku blinked.  While she was, technically, a homewrecker - though
only in self defense, and it had been rebuilt pretty quickly - she
didn't see how this girl knew about it.  "But... I have to see him
again.  After all, I am sleeping in his room..." 
	"WHAT?!"
	"Well, his father insisted and all, so..."
	Ukyo clenched her fist.  The only other person who could get her *this*
mad was Shampoo - who did this hussy think she was?!  And as for
Ranma... "That rotten, two timing... no, FIVE timing creep!  I'll fix
him!"  She pointed at the cat girl.  "But first, I'll take care of you! 
You're not going to muscle in on my territory that easily!"  Unlimbering
her giant spatula, Ukyo charged at Nuku Nuku, screaming in rage. 
	The cat-girl dodged, landing on top of the bench, while the spatula cut
straight through a lamppost.  "Hold still, damn you!  Stand there and
fight!" 
	"You should stop now - Nuku Nuku doesn't want to hurt you!" 
	This infuriated Ukyo, who ran at her opponent and swung her spatula
wildly.  Nuku Nuku leapt over the master cook, and turned around to face
her.  "Please, stop..."  She found herself backing up as Ukyo swung
again and again and again.  "I don't want..."  She was cut off as her
next step backwards caused her to tumble into Ukyo's okonomiaki
restaurant.  The patrons stared as the cute pink-haired girl stumbled
into their midst, then scattered as Ukyo appeared in the doorway. 
	"Get out of my store,you hussy!" she snarled, the mere tone of her
voice causing her customers to bolt for safety. 
	Nuku Nuku glanced around, noticing the pronouced lack of exits. 
"But... you're in the way.  Will you leave Nuku Nuku alone if she
leaves?" 
	Ukyo smirked.  Surely she couldn't be this naive?  "Sure, I'll leave
you alone.  Go ahead." 
	"Okay!"  Nuku Nuku, convinced that their differences had been settled,
traipsed happily toward the door... only to be met by Ukyo's spatula. 
She fell back, temporarily stunned. 
	"Oops.  My hand slipped."  She spun the giant spatula around in her
hand, then skillfully slipped it under the dazed cat-girl.  "And now,
for the coup de gras!"  Muscles tensing, Ukyo lifted the spatula in a
giant overhead arc, bringing it down toward the hot okonomiaki stove. 
	The spatula stopped with a jolt.
	"Huh?"  Without letting up on the pressure, Ukyo peered under the
blade.  Nuku Nuku had gotten her hands above - or rather, below - her
head in time, and was grimacing in strain as she struggled to keep from
being squashed. 
	Ukyo grinned.  Nice try, but she wouldn't last long.  The stove was
nice and hot, and... and... 
	Nuku Nuku's hands didn't seem to be burning.  Even her hair was only
smouldering a bit. 
	The young cook stared.  *What is she?!  She has to be feeling
something!  Maybe she's a lot tougher than I thought.* 
	Her train of thought cut off as Nuku Nuku locked her legs around the
spatula's handle.  *No way.  She couldn't possibly...* 
	"HAH!"  With a cry of effort, the cat-girl did a flip, pulling the
spatula around and underneath her.  Ukyo was taken by surprise, and
couldn't let go of the handle in time to prevent herself from being
launched, screaming, into the restaurant's storeroom.  Nuku Nuku hopped
off the stove and peered through the doorway.  "I'm sorry... are you all
right?"  A faint moan was her only reply. 
	"Nuku Nuku? Where'd ya go?"
	She looked up and smiled.  "Ranma-kun!"  She bounded out the door, her
recent battle all but forgotten. 
	Outside the restaurant,  Ranma peered about.  *How could I have been so
stupid as to leave her alone? What if...* 
	"Ranma-kun!"
	He turned around and saw the pink-haired girl leave... U-chan's?! 
	"Did you and that boy fight again, Ranma-kun?" she asked politely. 
"Did... huh?!"  She stopped in mid-sentence as Ranma grabbed her wrist
and sprinted off down the street pulling her behind him. 
	*Oh, man!  I just hope Ukyo wasn't around!  I got so caught up with
Ryoga I didn't realize we were so close to her place!* 
	Nuku Nuku was swept along as Ranma dragged her along the street, while
the people of Nerima watched yet another example of the younger
Saotome's womanizing habits and shook their heads in disgust. 

	"But, Shampoooo!  Why won't you go out with me?"
	Shampoo ignored Mousse and walked along the sidewalk, delivery box in
hand.  The circus performer followed behind her like an overeager puppy
that had just been swatted with a newspaper. 
	"Do you really hate me that much, Shampoo?"
	"Sure do," she replied instantly, without looking back.  "You too
stupid.  Shampoo only love Ranma." 
	He sighed.  "What can I do to change your mind?  I'll do anything! I'd
cook your food, I'd paint your house, I'd..." 
	Shampoo tuned out his inane blather - something had caught her eye. 
Her beloved husband had just raced through the crossroads ahead of her,
pulling a tall girl with pink hair along behind him.  *Eh? 
Ranma-darling with new girl?  Guess rumor Shampoo hear was right!  Ranma
trying get new fiancee!  Shampoo not let him get away with - have to
make sure him never see her again.*  She smiled slightly.  *And womans
who interfere is for killing.* 
	She stopped and carefully set the box down on the sidewalk.  Mousse's
monologue ground to a halt as she turned to face him.  "Shampoo tired of
listening to you.  Shampoo go on date with Ranma now." 
	"Wha... you can't do that!"
	"You no can stop me.  But maybe if you beat Ranma, Shampoo think about
go with you, instead." 
	Mousse straightened up, his glasses shining heroically in the sun.  "If
it means having a date with you, I'll rip his arms off!" 
	"Shampoo think he beat you up good anyway."  She leaned closer to him;
he swallowed nervously.  "But just to be sure..."  Her hand moved in a
blur, snatching his pop-bottle glasses from his face. 
	"H-hey! Shampoooo!  That's not fair!"
	She laughed and grabbed her delivery box.  "All fair in love and war! 
You beat Ranma, we talk again!"  She leapt, and vanished over the
rooftops. 
	"Love?  So you really do love me!"  He clenched his fists.  "All right,
then! I'll prove my love to you, even without the glasses!" 

	A few blocks away, Ranma lay panting against a wall while Nuku Nuku
watched him in concern.  "Okay... okay... I think we're safe now." 
	She blinked in confusion, then looked around.  "Are we close to the
market yet?" 
	He stared up at her incredulously.  *I guess she didn't realize the
danger she was in...  come to think of it, she doesn't even look
winded.*  "Um, it's not too far." 
	She paused for a moment, gazing up at the clouds.  "You don't have to
worry, Ranma-kun." 
	"Huh?"
	"Whatever's after you, I'll protect you.  I'm good at that." 
	He bit back his initial urge to reject the idea of being protected by a
girl.  "Uh, well, ya see, it's not that I'm afraid or nothin'..." 
	She turned around and smiled at him.  "Daijobu!  I won't let anyone
hurt you.  Nuku Nuku likes helping her friends!"  She giggled happily. 
	Ranma blinked.  *She's kinda cute, but weird.  And she reminds me of...
someone...* 
	Without warning, a steel chain dropped from above and wrapped itself
around Ranma.  "What the..." His speech was cut off as an unseen force
yanked him up to the rooftops. 
	"Ranma-kun!"  Nuku Nuku prepared to leap up to the roof herself, but a
fierce battle cry made her turn around. 
	(From above, a pair of voices were joined in arguement.  "Ranma!  How
dare you go on a date with Shampoo behind my back!") 
	A swift pink-and-purple blur exploded from behind a nearby tree and
charged at the cat-girl, a pair of mace-like weapons held in its hands. 
	("What are you talkin' about?!  I haven't been anywhere near Shampoo!") 
	Shampoo leapt at her rival, who seemed to be just standing there. 
Ranma would never miss this one - he liked strong girls.  She moved in
for the kill... 
	("Don't lie, Ranma.  You were standing right next to her!") 
	Nuku Nuku blinked, and raised her hands in what seemed like a pathetic
attempt to defend herself. 
	("That wasn't Shampoo, you nearsighted moron!  Even without your
glasses, you should be able to tell the difference!") 
	The bonbori closed in on Nuku Nuku, who moved her hands slightly to
catch them... 
	("Yeah, right! Prepare to die, Saotome!")
	The two girls froze into a tableau for a moment as the maces struck,
looking into each other's eyes. 
	Shampoo tried not to show it, but she had received a serious physical
jolt when Nuku Nuku caught her weapons.  It had been like hitting a
brick wall - no, even a wall would have splintered under her assault. 
The pink-haired girl's arms had barely moved, only flexing a little to
absorb the force of the blow.  She glared at her rival, beads of sweat
from the exertion forming on her temples. 
	Nuku Nuku looked at her a moment, then grinned.  "Konnichiwa!" 
	Shampoo pulled her bonbori out of the cat-girl's grasp and backed up a
few steps, getting ready to attack again.  "What you doing with Ranma?" 
	Blink, blink.  "We're just going to the market.  Did you want to come
with us?" 
	"No, Shampoo does not want to go with!  Shampoo hate nasty girl who try
steal Ai Len." 
	Nuku Nuku, who didn't understand this,  decided to ignore it and looked
up at the rooftops.  "I hope Ranma-kun is okay." 
	"Poo.  You need worry about self more than worry about him.  Ranma beat
Mousse easy." 
	"Hmm?"  The cat-girl turned to look at her with a gleam in her eye. 
"Mouse?" 
	Shampoo scowled.  "Clean ears out!  Not say mouse, say Mousse!" 
	Nuku Nuku's reaction was unexpected to say the least.  A big smile
appeared on her face, and she bounced up and down in excitement. 
"Nezumi!"  She whirled around and leapt, climbing her way up to the roof
so she could play with the big mouse with Ranma-kun. 
	The amazon stared for a moment.  "Come back here!  Shampoo not through
with you yet!"  She hurled a bonbori at Nuku Nuku; it struck the wall
above her, causing the cat-girl to lose her grip.  She cried out in
surprise as she began to fall, but somehow managed to get her feet
beneath her when she landed. 
	"Why did you do that?"
	"Shampoo no let you get close to Ranma-darling again!"  She leapt
forward.  "I *kill*!" 
	Nuku Nuku started in surprise, then bounded to the right to evade the
blow.  Shampoo continued her assault, launching punch after punch, kick
after kick at the hapless cat-girl.  Her victim jumped and rolled,
dodging every attack the amazon sent at her. 
	"Hold still!"  Shampoo fired off a quick double-punch, which Nuku Nuku
evaded by rebounding off a nearby wall.  "Shampoo need kill quick, so
can go teach Ranma a lesson!" 
	"Eh?!  What are you going to do to Ranma-kun?"
	The amazon finally connected with a kick, sending Nuku Nuku falling
back against a tree.  "Him go after too many girls!  It time that
Shampoo make him remember who him love most, if have to beat it into
him!" 
	A change swept over the cat-girl.  So!  This is who Ranma-kun was
running from! 
	Shampoo moved forward to finish the job... then stared as the cat-girl
pulled the tree up by its roots.  "Nuku Nuku... won't... let you..." 
She grimaced with the effort, then swung the helpless tree toward the
amazon.  "...HURT RANMA!"  Shampoo froze, too stunned to dodge, and was
quickly buried in leafy green branches. 
	Nuku Nuku dusted off her hands, then remembered something.  She wanted
to help Ranma-kun against that mouse!  She bounded back up the wall with
a happy laugh, leaving a twisted pile of wood, leaves, and amazon behind
her. 
	When she got to the top, she saw Ranma standing over some stranger
wearing a white outfit with baggy sleeves.  This new person seemed to be
out cold.  Nuku Nuku didn't see any mice, though - she felt
disappointed. 
	Ranma, who had been massaging some feeling back into his shoulder after
the fight, turned around when the cat-girl called to him.  "Uh, hi, Nuku
Nuku.  How'd you get up here?"  She blinked at the question.  "Ah, never
mind.  It's no big deal.  C'mon - let's get to the market before
anything else happens." 
	She smiled and nodded.  "Mmm!"