Dating Duel
Thom Keehn
zinyadel@hotmail.com


Exclusive rights to all Ranma1/2 characters and places belong to
Rumiko Takahashi and are used herein without permission.  This
material is not to be used for commercial gain or in any other way
that is profitable.

Before reading this... please read the Replaced, Desperation, Doing
What's Right and Go Home.  This story simply does not stand on its
own in the slightest.  Tsubasa is back for a final showdown to
determine Ukyou's fate....

Ooooo.  Yea, I have too much fun writing this stuff.  Oh, beware of
a small crossover.  I couldn't resist connecting this short series
of post wedding stories to my nearly defunct Cas series.

Cameo Warning<<

Reading the Cas series is not neccessary.  The character plays a
minor role in this story.

-----

The young figure paced the run-down hotel room anxiously.  The paint
on the walls was chipped and flaking from neglect.  The light bulb
hanging from the center of the room flickered every now and then,
strobing the small room from darkness to light and back again.  The
girl grunted and sat down at the edge of the mildewy mat that served
as bedding, clenching her fists.

"What to do?" the occupant demanded of the empty room.  "I can't stay
here forever."

The figure sighed, gazing about the room.  The door was wired shut as
the sliding rails were pinched, preventing the door from closing of
its own accord.  The floor was covered in an untastely carpet that was
stained so badly it was hard to discern what color the material was
supposed to be.  It also reeked of smells that would have made the
poor soul hurl if she hadn't already spent nearly a week here.

"I can only afford a couple more days," the person complained.  "How
am I going to win Ukyou over in such little time?  Think, Tsubasa.
Think"

Tsubasa got up from the bed and approached the cracked, grimy dresser,
the only other furniture in the room.  He opened the top drawer, the
thing rolling out unevenly and catching, preventing it from being
opened any further.  Retrieving a small compact from inside, Tsubasa
flipped it open and sighed at the reflection.

Gazing back was a young girl with a slender face, rich brown hair and
intense, blue eyes.  Tsubasa pulled the mirror further away to get a
fuller look of himself.  The reflection had its hair pulled back in a
white bow, a few bangs flowing freely to better frame his face.

The crossdresser was wearing a dress that bared his shoulders and hung
on him by two slender straps.  The cerulean blue dress displayed a
cute pattern of yellowish kittens rolling about with white balls of
yarn.  It hung down past his knees, though he did not bother wearing
stockings with the ensemble feeling the dress was quite enough with a
simple pair of white sandals.

Tsubasa grimaced a little, wishing he had better light.  He leaned
over to grab his purse next to the dresser and opened it, slipping the
compact inside.  He hated having to do his makeup outside but he
didn't dare do it in this poor excuse for lighting.

Shouldering his purse, the would-be lover sighed.  "Two days," he
repeated.  "What more do I have to do for you to realize I'm the only
one for you?"

Tsubasa unraveled the wiring that held the door closed and slid it
with some difficulty open.  He glanced back into the room, his
suitcase containing his wardrobe being all that was of any worth to
him that he was leaving behind.  He shut the door having to do a
similar thing to keep it somewhat closed though if anybody really
wanted to take his stuff there was little he could do to prevent it.

Walking down the dark hallway, Tsubasa plotted what he would do today.
He ignored the departing come-ons from the hotel owner and stepped out
into the streets of Tokyo.  He wandered his way for some time, needing
to leave the shady district to find a peaceful park in that he could
dare do his makeup without interruption.

Once he had found one with a large fountain, he sat down on a vacant
bench.  The girl look-alike rummaged through the purse for the
compact.  He pulled it forth, flipping open the mirror and smiled
faintly into it.

Sighing, Tsubasa found the base in his bag and began smoothing it over
his fair complexion.  "What am I going to do?" he muttered.  "The
challenge only got me a sound pounding, and from Ukyou no less.  There
has to be a way to win her from this misery.  How can Ranma have such
a hold on her after all he's put her through?"

Content with his progress, Tsubasa tightened the cap back on the base
and searched his bag for his eyeshadow.  He pulled it out and sighed
at the selection of colors he had.  None of it really went well with
the blue contacts he was wearing.

Selecting a shade of pink that he hoped wouldn't look too horrifying,
Tsubasa closed an eye and brushed it softly onto the eyelid.  "Am I
going to have to dye my hair red?" he grumbled, knowing that wouldn't
really solve the problem.  The contacts were no big deal, as he had
needed them for reading anyways but his hair was a different matter
entirely.  He was afraid dying it would make it less healthy and he
didn't want that to happen after all the trouble it was to get it to
grow out this long.

Once finished with both eyes, he took the cushion from his compact and
powdered his face a little.  "Not bad," he murmured appreciatively to
the mirror.  He peered into his bag, looking for a lipstick that was
red but not too red.  Finding it, he took off the cap, twisted the
bottom and pursed his lips.

The crossdresser fished a napkin out of his bag and blotted the excess
onto it, examining his work.  Satisfied he put away the lipstick and
seized the eyeliner.

"I need an idea," he stated, carefully keeping his eye still.
"There's no way I'm going to win her over if she stays here in Nerima.
I have to convince her to come back to Osaka with me, but how?"

Keeping his eyes open to allow the liner to dry, the crossdresser
sighed.  "I can try challenging Ranma or Konatsu into an 'Ukyou must
leave Nerima' match, but how would I ever get her to accept the
terms?"  He sweatdropped in remembrance of his terms of the last
challenge.  Challenging Konatsu for her hand had proven not to be a
good idea.  Tsubasa put away the eyeliner and blinked.

Tsubasa grimaced as a thought came over him.  "Of course," he sighed.
"Promise to leave Nerima if I lose.  She would jump in a heartbeat to
that."  He growled in annoyance, wishing his words weren't true but
knowing otherwise.

"I don't know why," he admitted, shaking his head.  "She's perfect for
me and I, her, in this world that utterly rejects people like us.  Why
can't she see that?"

The would-be lover stood up, shouldering the purse.  "But can I really
hold my end in a fight?" he wondered to himself.  "I stand no chance
in a fight against a practiced, martial artist like Ranma and I don't
know enough about Konatsu to make a judgment on his fighting prowess.
He did vault that grill as if it were nothing."

"Well... hi there!" a voice called to him from nearby, pulling him out
of his reverie.

Tsubasa blinked at a pair of familiar boys regarding him.  One was
making warding and silencing gestures at the darker haired one.  Both
were dressed in black slacks and white buttoned up, short-sleeved
shirts.  "Um ... hello," he offered.

"Kurenai isn't it?" the darker haired boy asked.  "Fancy meeting ya
again."

The crossdresser skimmed through his memory to attach a name to the
face but nothing came forth.  "Yes, it is," he said, feeling a bit
uncomfortable.  "Is your friend ok?"

The darker haired boy turned to witness his friend wheezing and
grabbing onto him like life demanded it.  The boy blinked and turned
his attention back to Tsubasa.  "He's just shy 'round girls," the boy
offered.

Tsubasa sweatdropped.  "Shy?" he echoed.  "Looks more like an allergic
reaction or a seizure to me.  I'm sorry, I don't believe I caught your
name last time we met.  I was intent on talking with Ukyou."

The darker haired boy blinked.  "Propose was the word you used," the
boy corrected.  "But yea.  I wasn't able to give ya my name.  My
friends call me Daisuke."

The crossdresser sighed.  "Yes, well.  I'm experiencing a small delay
in my plans but Ukyou will see things my way," Tsubasa said
reassuringly.

Daisuke cupped his chin thoughtfully.  "Well, Ukyou has been a bit
moody ever since Ranma attempted to marry Akane," he stated.
"Jealousy is a powerful thing."

Tsubasa pounded his fist into his palm.  "That's it!" he declared.
"If I term a challenge that can make Ukyou jealous, maybe I'll win her
heart."

Daisuke blinked.  "I don't quite follow ya logic," he admitted.  "I
wasn't aware that Ukyou had 'nother lover besides Ranma."

"No, silly," Tsubasa quipped, waving a hand limply at him in
dismissal.  "Ranma isn't part of this equation.  Ukyou said so
herself.  I'm trying to break Konatsu and Ukyou up and jealousy is
just the thing to do it."  The girl look-alike stepped up to the
darker haired boy, grabbing his collar.  "It's like this.  I challenge
Konatsu to a date and I want you two to judge our performance.  I will
find a date and Konatsu will have to do the same.  Ukyou will be so
peeved that even if I do lose the match she won't want anything to do
with Konatsu again."

"B-but what if Konatsu dates Ukyou?" Daisuke stammered in protest.

"All part of the terms," the crossdresser explained.  "If I lose, I
leave Nerima.  If Konatsu loses, Ukyou must leave Nerima.  And in
order to get Ukyou to entertain this for me I'll simply say that since
I can't date her neither can Konatsu."

"I don't understand," Daisuke whimpered.

"You don't have to," Tsubasa returned curtly.  "All you have to do is
grade our performance.  Don't tell me too fine, young men like
yourselves would pass up the chance to watch some girl-girl dating."

The lighter haired boy convulsing sat up suddenly.  "You're joking,
right?" the boy asked.

Shaking his head, Tsubasa claimed, "Why would I joke about this?  I
need a neutral party to serve as judges.  Are you two in, or not?"

The two hopped away a few paces, conspiring in a huddle.  Tsubasa
blinked at the torn cloth in his hand from Daisuke's collar due to the
sudden movement of his captive.  The two turned and appeared before
him, their heads bobbing eagerly in acceptance.

"Ya can count on us!" Daisuke declared.

"Sure thing, Kurenai-san!" the other added.

Tsubasa held up his hands in warding, the torn cloth fluttering down
to the ground, his eyes closed as he smiled nervously at them.
"Great," he said simply.

After they calmed down a little, the crossdresser opened his eyes and
leaned towards them.  "Tell me Daisuke-san," Tsubasa began.  "Does
Ranma have any love interests besides Akane and Ukyou?"

Daisuke blinked.  "Um... I thought you said this has nothing to do
with Ranma," he replied, confused.  His friend nodded in agreement.

Tsubasa smiled.  "No, no, you got me wrong," he said.  "I'm just going
off of what I know.  Ranma is a very attractive man, and a damn fine
looking girl too.  He's bound to have admirers."

The other boy frowned.  "Well ... now that ya mention it," the boy
began.  "There is Kunou and his sister."

"Sister?" Tsubasa echoed.  "I'm certainly interested in meeting her.
Tell me more."

The other boy folded his arms behind his head and leaned back, pawing
at the ground with his foot.  "She's Kunou's little sister," the boy
repeated.  "She chases after Ranma though he doesn't really seem to
like it that much. She's really cute but a bit too crazy for my
tastes."

Tsubasa shook his head, annoyed.  "Yes, yes, that's all nice but do
you have any relevant information about her?" he asked.  "Like where
she lives or where she goes to school?"

Daisuke nods.  "She attends St. Herebereke's, an all-girl highschool
in the area," he said helpfully.  "I can give ya directions to her
mansion if ya want."

"Mansion?" Tsubasa said, blinking.  He rolled the thoughts over in his
head.  "An all-girl's school does sound promising.  Please,
Daisuke-san.  I would much appreciate directions to her mansion."

"Sure!" Daisuke declared, a pen and paper appearing in his hands.  He
quickly scratched out a map and handed it to the crossdresser.

"Thanks!" Tsubasa returned, beaming with eyes closed.  "I'll need your
phone number too so I can call you."

Daisuke's eyes welled up with tears as he produced another paper and
quickly scribbled on it.  He handed it over, tears trickling down his
cheeks.

"Thanks again!" Tsubasa said cheerfully.  "It's been a pleasure
meeting you again, Daisuke-san and," he fumbled as he looked at the
other boy.  "Um ... whoever you are.  Bai."

The other boy's face met the paved walk as Tsubasa giggled and trotted
off towards the location on the map.

*****

"Ya a'right, Hi?" Daisuke asked of his friend.

Hiroshi groaned in response.

"See, I told ya it was only a matter of time," Daisuke said offering a
hand.

Hiroshi got to his feet, rubbing his nose.  "You do understand that
she only needs your number to call us for the judging?" he asked.

Daisuke crossed his arms over his chest.  "A technicality," he
muttered.  "The point is, a girl will be calling my household."  He
grinned and poked Hiroshi in the chest.  "Ha!  She didn't even catch
your name."

Hiroshi sighed.  "Let's just get going," he suggested.  "I'm starved."

Daisuke clapped Hiroshi on the back.  "Ha!  Sure change the subject,"
Daisuke jibed.  "But the grub's on you buddy.  I need to save my money
for a date."

"Whatever," Hiroshi muttered.

*****

A young girl cupped her ponytail in one hand, stretching the other arm
out wide, yawning.  She slipped out of her warm, canopy bed, shrugging
off the heavy blankets.  She opened her eyes lazily to regard the
poster of her beloved on the wall.

He stood there in a striking pose, feet apart in a defiant stance and
arms out with hands clenched in fists.  The figure wore a red, almost
sleeveless, chinese shirt and black slacks held up by a thin line
encircling his waist.

The girl sighed.  "Ranma-sama," she said.  "How long will you make me
wait?"

Kodachi sighed again, standing up from her bed and wandering the room,
yawning again.  She paused at a full-length mirror, posing for
herself.  A smooth, white chemise hung loosely to her body, supported
by two thin straps around her shoulders.  It reached down to her
mid-thigh, her smooth, supple legs exposed.

'Perfection,' she thought absently to herself.  'I have money and good
looks.  What more could he want?'

"Mistress?" a voice called, opening her bedroom door.

Kodachi grabbed a paperweight shaped like a lion off her desk and
hurled it at the servant.  He grunted as she whirled on him angrily.

"Sasuke!" she growled.  "Knock before you enter my room!"

"Yes, mistress," the servant whimpered pathetically.

Kodachi oooed in annoyance, approaching the runt with her hands
clenched at her sides.  "For what purpose do you find reason in
disturbing me?" she demanded.

Sasuke cowered before her.  "There is a young woman at the door,
asking for you," the man replied in a small voice.

"Does this peasant have a name?" Kodachi asked.  Visitors were quite
uncommon, especially ones asking specifically for her.

"Kurenai Tsubasa, mistress," Sasuke yielded quickly.  "Shall I fetch
her to you?"

Kodachi crossed her arms over her chest.  The name wasn't the
slightest bit familiar.  "Wait," she said simply, turning from him and
stalking off to her desk.

Smoothing out her chemise, the gymnast sat down.  She opened a side
drawer pulling out her school yearbook.  She thumbed through the
pages, her eyes roaming over the names in an attempt to see if she
knew this girl or not.  Nothing.

Setting aside her yearbook, she pulled out her brother's, having
convinced him to buy at least two at the end of the schoolyear.  Again
she searched the names.  Again she found nothing.

"Intriguing," she noted.  "Either she lies about her name or she is
not from around here.  You may show her to my room."

"Yes, mistress," Sasuke responded, closing the door as he departed.

Moments passed as Kodachi contemplated the possible reasons that
someone would come to see her.  Perhaps it was a fan from another
school that she had beat soundly.  It certainly was possible, as after
her defeat to Furinken High, she had actually defeated the remaining
matches of the year without winning by forfeit.  She smiled wistfully,
remembering how the crowds had cheered those victories far more than
the forfeited ones.  She only wished Ranma had been there to see her
moments of triumph.  But she struck that possibility from her mind,
as the season had ended far too long ago for this to be some
starry-eyed fan.

She also considered the chance that this was some girl trying to go
through her to get to her brother.  She knew several girls from her
school that admired him, though she didn't have the slightest clue
why.  She vaguely remembered a certain cheerleader that had her heart
set on her brother.  She had her phone number somewhere in here in
case he ever changed his mind.

Kodachi sighed.  "Who could ever love a man as silly as my brother?"
she asked softly.  "The poor fool can't even choose between two
women."

"Mistress, your guest," Sasuke stated from the doorway.

Kodachi turned, the act flipping her ponytail over her bare shoulder.
The girl in the doorway was dressed in a soft dress, the color of the
sky with little kittens rolling about the material.  She noted the
girl had long, brown hair that was bound loosely with a white ribbon.

"You may leave," she said to Sasuke, though for a moment it looked
like the girl was going to leave, mistaking her intentions.

The girl wandered slightly into the room, the door closing quietly
behind her.  She smiled shyly and bowed at her.  "Hello, my name is
Kurenai Tsubasa," the girl said pleasantly.  "It is an honor to meet
with you."

Kodachi blinked, turning more in her seat, crossing her legs as she
did so.  "I admit you have me at a disadvantage," Kodachi stated.  "I
don't know you, nor how you know me."

"I come in concerns with one Saotome Ranma," the girl explained.  "I
understand you have affections for him."

Kodachi's heart skipped a bit.  "Be you some distant cousin of his,
bearing news that he has finally accepted me and is ready to bring my
dreams to fruition?" she implored.

Tsubasa sweatdropped.  "Um... no," the girl admitted.  "I come to ask
of your participation in a challenge that will remove Kuonji Ukyou
from Nerima permanently.  I understand she is a rival."

Kodachi's eye twitched in annoyance.  "That girl is no rival," she
declared.  "She stands as nothing compared to my beauty."

Her guest's fists clenched as a look of anger flashed across Tsubasa's
face.  "Aside from the insults," the girl began, "she is still a
rival.  I am offering you a chance to rid yourself of her and bring
you closer to Ranma.  It will cost you nothing."

"Nothing?" the girl repeated.  "What are the terms that you are
proposing?"

"A dating duel," Tsubasa declared.  "Konatsu and I will find dates and
we shall be judged on our performance.  If I win, Ukyou must leave
Nerima at once.  If I lose, I will leave Nerima without further
protest."

"Interesting," Kodachi admitted.  "I don't see how I fit into this.
Nor do I know who this Konatsu is."

"I need a place to stay and I need a date," the girl admitted.

"Fine, you may stay here until the end of your competition," Kodachi
admitted.  "I'll be more than glad to introduce you to my brother."

Tsubasa blinked.  "Why?"

"For your date of course," Kodachi returned.

"I intend to date with you," Tsubasa clarified.

Kodachi fell forward out of the chair, her face meeting the carpet
painfully as her legs stuck up in the air.  She sprung back to her
feet and rushed at the girl, hoisting the girl up by the collar of the
dress.

"I, Kodachi, date a girl!" she spat angrily.  "What kind of girl do
you think I am?!"

"Do you want Ukyou gone or not?" Tsubasa whimpered back, slightly off
the ground yet holding onto Kodachi's arms to prevent the dress from
tearing.

Kodachi growled, setting the girl back on her feet.  She noted Tsubasa
was only slightly taller than her as the girl fixed her dress.  'Late
bloomer,' she thought with a glance at the girl's chest.

"The problem is, I simply don't know if Konatsu will agree to any
other terms," the girl admitted.  "It'll be platonic, I promise."

Pacing the room, Kodachi grumbled angrily.  She stopped, pointing at
her guest.  "I will tolerate this nonsense only because I wish to be
rid of that girl," she declared.  "But she isn't so much the problem
in the first place, you must know.  It is that dread Akane that binds
him so deeply under her control.  Why not challenge Akane to a similar
match?"

Tsubasa sighed. "I can't, she lives here," the girl admitted.  "Ukyou
lives in my home town, Osaka.  Her family is there.  Forcing her out
of Nerima would be forcing her home.  Doing the same to Akane would
make her homeless."

"You speak as if I would care," Kodachi huffed.

"Please, Kodachi-san," Tsubasa begged.  "I can only do this much.  Is
that not worth your help?"

Kodachi crossed her arms over her chest, slumping back into her chair
at the desk.  "It will have to do," she admitted.  "You may go get
your things and see Sasuke for lodging.  If you fail in any way, I
will introduce you to Midorigame."

Tsubasa blinked.  "Um... ok," the girl said.  "Just remember that
this will be a grading of both our performances.  I'll keep my end up
if you do.  I have more to lose than you if this fails."

"Win or lose, I lose my integrity as a woman," Kodachi returned
evenly.  "In my opinion, we'd better win if I am to be humiliated as
such."

"I understand," Tsubasa returned, bowing respectfully.  "Thank you,
Kodachi-san, for your kindness."  The girl quietly left the room.

Kodachi sighed, lowering her chin into the crook of her elbow.  She
glanced at her poster of her beloved.  "Why must you be so shy,
Ranma-sama?" she asked.  "Tis the trait of a gentleman, for sure, but
you must know how much I love you.  What more do I have to do to prove
my love to you?  Am I not obvious enough?  Have I not made my desires
clear?  Or do you simply enjoy teasing me, denying me and taking
pleasure in knowing that I will do anything for you to fulfill the
passion that burns within my heart."

The gymnast stood up and walked to the poster, caressing the flat
cheek with a hand.  "I can't take this, Ranma-sama," she whispered.
"This agony of waiting demands a patience I don't possess."  Tears
welled at her eyes as she slapped the cheek, hurting her hand.  "Take
me!" she cried, striking it again.  "Take me!  What more can you
possibly want?!"

She clenched her hand in a fist and punched a hole through the poster
and wall.  She sobbed, leaning against the wall, her hand stinging.

"What more do you want?" she sighed, the words bringing forth a vision
of Akane in her mind.  A vision of Akane and Ranma arguing.

*****

"A what?!" several voices sputtered at once.

"A challenge," Tsubasa reiterated.

"Look, Uuchan," Ranma began, pointing to the crossdresser who was
sporting a canary yellow, short-sleeved blouse with a large white
collar and a white skirt that fluffed out and down to his knees.  "I
can toss him out of here if you like."

Ukyou crossed her arms over her chest, wearing her usual okonomiyaki
outfit.  Her eyes narrowed as she screwed her face up in annoyance.
"And who's going to throw you out when you're finished?" she demanded.

Ranma held up his hands in warding.  He was wearing an orange shirt
today with blue pants.  "Hey!" he protested.  "I'm just trying to help
here."

"Exactly what part of trespassing is helping?" Tsubasa snickered.

Ukyou sighed, wishing she hadn't let that information slip when Ranma
had come in moments after Tsubasa came in.  She had noted certain
bruises on Ranma's neck but had restrained her impulse to ask why.
Then Tsubasa had the nerve to issue a second challenge to Konatsu.

Ranma hefted the crossdresser up by his collar, sandaled feet several
inches off the ground.  "You're not exactly wanted here, either," he
spat angrily at the girl look-alike.

"Wait, wait," Konatsu called out from behind the counter, waving the
challenge letter up.  "Let's at least read the terms before damaging
anything."

Ukyou grumbled but yielded to the logic, not wanting to pay any more
damages.  "What does it say?" she asked with a sigh.

"To Konatsu: I challenge you to a Dating Duel!  You must find a date
and defeat me in performance.  Judging will be determined by Daisuke
and his friend.  Permission to contest the judging if either judge is
found to be partial towards myself or you.  Submittals for alternate
judges will be reviewed.  The winner will be decided between the two
judges.  If Konatsu loses, Ukyou must leave Nerima, never to return,"
Konatsu declared, blinking at his own words.  "What?"

Ukyou growled.  "Keep reading," she ordered.

Nodding, Konatsu continued, "If I lose, I leave Nerima, never to
return.  Neither party is allowed to date either Ukyou or one Saotome
Ranma.  Any other women are allowed; men if Konatsu swings that way."

Konatsu blinked.

Tsubasa nodded.  "That's the deal, my Ukyou," he squeaked cheerily.
"Do you accept the terms?"

"Who are you dating?" Ukyou demanded.

"Why?  Jealous?" the crossdresser remarked with a smile.

"Jealous?" she echoed.  "Ha!  I just wanted to tell the guy he was
making a huge mistake."

Tsubasa growled taking a step forward.

"You ... you ... you freak!" Konatsu screamed, vaulting over the
grill, the kimono flowing up past his knees.

"Whoa," Ranma let out, positioning himself between the two.  He caught
the shorter boy in his arms, trying to hold his ground as Konatsu
struggled to get past him, arms reaching out towards the offender.

"Me?  A freak?" Tsubasa jeered at the struggling boy.  "I'm not the
one getting groped by Ranma."

Ranma flushed angrily at that comment, turning his head to yell a
rebuttal.  It was all the opening Konatsu needed to stomp down on his
instep and punch him hard in the kidney.

Ranma doubled over in pain.  His head was grabbed between too delicate
hands and then was rammed against another head.  He fell to the floor,
groaning in protest.

Ukyou blinked.  She had never seen Konatsu this... mad before.  Sure,
Ranma wasn't exactly trying to fight him else the results would have
been different but still, Konatsu had incapacitated the best martial
artist in Nerima in a matter of seconds.

Tsubasa eeped, turning and running for the door.  Konatsu snatched the
boy by his hair and yanked him back, causing the crossdresser to fall
down on his bottom.  Tsubasa crossed his arms in front of his face as
Konatsu leaned in with a fist ready.

"Konatsu stop!" Ukyou shouted.

Konatsu's fist hovered over Tsubasa for several moments.  The waitress
exhaled a breath slowly, releasing the hair and standing up and away
from the fallen crossdresser.

"I'll accept your terms," Ukyou declared.  "But even if you win, you
won't win me."

Tsubasa rolled up onto his knees and smiled.  "I understand," he
declared.  He got up and walked over to the door, shooting a glance
over his shoulder at the waitress.  "We'll settle this in three
nights."  With that said, Tsubasa exited the restaurant.

Konatsu sighed, his eyes glancing off to a distant corner of the room.
"Why did you accept?" he asked softly.

"Because I have faith that you'll win," Ukyou stated evenly, making
her way around the counter.

Ranma staggered up to his feet, groaning again.  "Geez," he muttered.
"Why am I having such a lousy week?"

Konatsu flushed, probably embarrassed at what he had done.  His blush
faded though as he turned his eyes on her.  "But I don't want to date
any other girls," he declared firmly.  "Dating is something special,
something pure.  It isn't to be tainted by such ... things.  It
shouldn't be a contest."

"Konatsu," Ukyou said firmly.  "I accepted the terms.  I want you to
do the same."

"Okay," he yielded.  "But who can I possibly date for this challenge?"

"Ranma will find someone," Ukyou suggested, turning to regard him.

"What?" the martial artist stated.  "Me?"

"You want to help, right?" she ventured.  "Find Konatsu a date.
Unless you don't care if I leave or not."

"Hey!  That's not..." Ranma began angrily.  "Why did you accept those
terms anyways?  Do you think he'll really leave you alone if he
loses?"

"You are the reason I made my decision," Ukyou returned simply.  "You
won't leave me alone when I want to be left alone.  If I lose, I'll go
home.  If I win, I'll stay here.  It's up to you Ranma.  How badly do
you want to torment me?"

Ranma growled, striking the counter with a fist.  "You are being so
unfair," he declared.  "I was only trying to help and this is what
happens.  Fine.  See if I care if you run back home."

Ukyou smiled and turned to Konatsu.  "There you have it," she said
softly.  "Don't bother, Konatsu.  Maybe it's best that I go home."

"But that's what he wants," Konatsu protested.  "Do you want that?"

Ukyou sighed.  "I don't know," she admitted.

"Can I go with you?" Konatsu asked, his voice trembling.

"No, Konatsu," she answered simply, gazing at him steadily.  "I'll
come back when I'm ready, banished or not."

With that said, she turned on her heel, making her way up to her
bedroom.  She trusted Konatsu would take care of things for the rest
of the day.

*****

Konatsu sighed and strolled over to a table, sitting down and crossing
his legs, folding his hands on his knee.

"What is wrong with her?" Ranma demanded angrily, stalking towards
him.  "What is wrong with everybody around here?  Shampoo shows up
four nights ago and nearly kills me and you suddenly beat the hell out
of me trying to get at Tsubasa.  What on earth did he say that set you
off like that?"

"He questioned my preference in partners," Konatsu stated simply,
staring off at a corner of the restaurant.  "How would you respond if
you were told you liked dating men?"

Ranma paused.  "I suppose I was caught in the wrong place, wrong
time," he said and sighed.  "Story of my life."  Ranma sat down across
the table from the waitress.

"Ukyou-sama received a letter from her father today," Konatsu shared.
"Seems he wants her to go back home.  She disregarded it but I think
this incident and your presence has fully changed her mind."

"Hey!" Ranma protested, but seeing Konatsu's vacant glance elsewhere,
he decided not to press the issue.  "Well... I really don't know how
Ukyou thinks I'll be able to help you.  I don't have the money for
Nabiki's help and I'm not sure if I want Kasumi involved."

Konatsu nodded.  "I understand," he said simply.  "Your other admirers
are probably not valid choices either."

"I could probably get Akane to, but if she finds out it's for Ukyou
who knows what she'll do to me," Ranma admitted, followed with a
deeper sigh.  "I'm afraid to ask Shampoo after I think we just made
peace."

"Do you think she'd do it for me if I asked her?" Konatsu ventured.

Ranma shook his head.  "I'll have to ask her," he said firmly.  "You
just keep an eye on Ukyou."

"I will," Konatsu said as his companion stood up.  "I will tell her
that you're sorry."

Ranma nodded.  "Thanks, Konatsu," he replied.  "Somehow I doubt it
will make a difference."  The martial artist left the shop.

*****

She watched him approach her, a mixed feeling of dread and joy
sweeping through her.  She slipped her bandaged hands beneath the
counter, studying him as he sat down across from her.

"Hiya!" he greeted nervously.

Just yesterday they had spoken, yet it seemed like ages.  She felt his
eyes on her, stirring her heart painfully.  She remembered a time,
sleeping next to him, the warmth of his body and the beat of his
heart.

"I need a favor to ask," he began.

"Yes, Shan Pu marry you," Shan Pu returned, half-heartedly.

Still it sent the poor man on end hearing her say that.  "Um...
n-n-no, that's not what I was going to ask," he declared.

"Shan Pu know," she admitted, offering a faint smile.  "Shan Pu joke."

"I was wondering if you can go on a date with Konatsu," he stated
quickly.

Her head hit the table painfully as she pitched forward in shock.
Shan Pu lifted her head back up, her hands coming up to grip the
table.  The effort of holding the table was only a distant pain and
reminder of what she had done to Ranma and Akane earlier this week.
"What for?" she asked.  "Hardly know silly waitress."

"I know, I know, keep your voice down," he hushed her, sinking into
the bench conspiratorially.  "I don't need Mousse killing me for
asking you this.  You see, this person from out of town challenged
Konatsu to a dating match but won't let Konatsu date Ukyou so Konatsu
needs a date to compete."

Shan Pu relaxed back into the booth.  "Why ask Shan Pu?" she demanded.
"Why not Akane?  Why not man?"

"Because she'll kill me if she finds out I'm doing this for Ukyou and
because Konatsu likes girls," Ranma declared.  "Ukyou has to leave
Nerima if Konatsu loses."

"Why care if spatula girl leave?" Shan Pu asked, rolling her eyes.
"Least she have home go to."

Ranma sighed.  "Please, Shampoo," he begged.  "Do it for me because
we're friends.  Please."

She wanted so badly to hug him for asking for her help.  She also
wanted to throttle him for the exact same reason.  She sighed and
nodded.  "Shan Pu help," she conceded.  "But Shan Pu is too injured to
help."  She rested her bandaged wrists back atop the table to
accentuate her point.

Ranma waved his hands at her, dismissing her worry.  "I don't believe
it's that kind of date," he told her.  "It'll be judged upon...
well... I don't really know."

Shan Pu sweatdropped.  "Don't know?" she repeated.

"My two friends Daisuke and Hiroshi are judging the dates, at least I
think they are," he added.  "I don't know of any other Daisukes in
town.  So I guess you have to please them in performance or something
like that."

"These boys your age," she ventured to which he nodded.  "Shan Pu
worry what boys want in performance."

Ranma's head smacked the table.  Shan Pu blinked as he sat back up
quickly.

"Hey!  My friends are not like that!" he protested.

Shan Pu smiled.  "You can go now," she declared.  "Not want Akane find
you here and get angry at us being friends."

Ranma nodded a bit too happily as he got up and quickly made his way
out the cafe.

Shan Pu sighed and stared down at her hands.  She wondered if friends
really went on dates for their friends.

*****

Konatsu opened the door slightly, peering into the darkness beyond.

"Go away, Konatsu," her voice called out to him.  "I need to be
alone."  There was a soft click in the darkness but nothing more.

"But today's the day of the contest," he protested.  "It's been three
days since you came down."

Nothing answered him.  He sighed, deciding it was best to leave her
with her thoughts.  He shut the door and made his way back down the
stairs.

"Ah, so you have come," Tsubasa declared, as Konatsu stepped into the
restaurant from the backroom.  "Will Ukyou be gracing us with our
presence beforehand?"

Konatsu regarded the strange crossdresser, who had decided today to
defile a stunning, red sequined dress that bared the slender boy's
shoulders by hanging down on two slender straps.  The dress fell only
down to mid-thigh, hugging tightly at the boy's hips.  Whatever the
boy was using for bust simply wasn't enough to do justice to the
dress.  Still, it seemed the judges didn't mind.

"No," he answered after his long scrutiny.  "She wants to be alone."

Tsubasa nodded.  "Probably bawling her eyes out, knowing how terribly
dressed you are for this occasion," the crossdresser smirked
confidently.

Konatsu glanced down at his kimono, a swirl of blues and yellows.  "I
like to wear what I wear," he returned simply.  "I do not try to get
unwanted attention."

"Which is exactly why you are going to lose," Tsubasa warbled.
Tsubasa turned on the judges, two young men dressed in dark jump suits
to help them blend in with the darkness, probably meant to allow the
competitors the feeling of privacy.

Tsubasa pointed to the darker haired of the pair.  "Daisuke will come
with me to where I will pick up my date and you..." the crossdresser
paused still not knowing the name.

The other boy sweatdropped.  "Hiroshi," he offered.

"Whatever, will accompany Konatsu," the girl look-alike declared.
"Let the dating begin."

Tsubasa strutted out of the restaurant, stumbling once in his high
heels.  Daisuke followed close behind.

Konatsu rolled his eyes in distaste.  He hoped Ukyou would be willing
to talk to him after this was over.  He smiled at the other judge.

"I'm sorry you were dragged into this, Hiroshi-sama," he said
apologetically.

The boy scratched the back of his head.  "I gave in," Hiroshi
admitted.  "Guess there's no turning back now."

Konatsu nodded in agreement.  He walked purposefully towards the door.

*****

Nabiki paced her room anxiously, aware that a contest was going on
that she simply couldn't make any money off of.  Nobody knew Tsubasa
or Konatsu well enough to chance a bet on either of them.  It bothered
her to no end that neither of the 'dates' was going to be revealed
until they were escorted.  She hoped the 'dates' would be important
enough to spark some interest from the gambling pool.

Her phone rang.  She flipped open her cell and pressed the button.
"Talk to me!" she demanded.

"Ok," a voice cried cheerily on the other end.  "I simply loved that
last Jackie Chan movie!  It was so hilarious and the fighting scenes
were unique!"

Nabiki blinked.  The voice was not a familiar one.  "Who are you?" she
demanded.

"Kakuheki Kiten," the voice returned merrily.  "Most call me Kiten."

"How'd you get this number?" Nabiki pressed.

"Ukyou gave it to me," the girl replied nonplussed.

"How'd Ukyou get this number?" Nabiki interrogated.

The girl giggled on the other end.  "After she beat the crap out of
some guy named Gosunkugi for spying on her," she returned.

Nabiki frowned.  That would explain why Gos hadn't reported to her in
two days.  "Why are you calling me?" she ventured, arching an eyebrow.

"Kurenai," the girl explained simply.  "His parents are like dying to
know where he is.  Ukyou said if anybody would know where he was
staying, you would so I gave you a ring.  I'm sure they'd at least
treat you to dinner if you helped them find him.  Here, I'll give you
the mobile number for them.  Just keep Kurenai busy long enough for
them to get there.  They are in the area as I told them where he was
but I wasn't able to give them an exact location.  I'm hoping you can
find him for them.  Just say Kiten gave you the number if they ask.
I'm a family friend."

Nabiki grabbed a pen and paper as the girl continued babbling on about
her relations with Kurenai and Kuonji, most of which she didn't really
feel like listening to at the moment.  Osaka was Osaka.  Gossip about
Ukyou's past, though valuable, could wait until a later time.

"Sure, sure," Nabiki said.  "Just give me the number and yours while
you're at it."

"Really?" Kiten quipped.  "I don't know what my parents would think
about a girl calling me up.  Probably worry that I'm chasing after
girls again."

Nabiki slipped, grinding her face into the floor.  She groaned.

"Oops, sorry, surprised you didn't I," the voice cheered out merrily.

Nabiki got back up and started jotting down the two numbers as they
were given.  "Kiten?" she spoke into the phone as she stuffed the
paper in her pocket.

"Yes?" the voice drawled.

"You're a friend of Ukyou's and you are a girl, right?" she asked.

"Yes," Kiten drawled again.

Nabiki sweatdropped.  "Why would your parents think you're chasing
after girls?" she pressed.

There was a short silence over the phone.  "Call me another time and
I'll tell you all about it," the girl offered.  "I don't want to tie
up your line any longer."

"Collect call ok?" Nabiki asked with a grin.

"Sure, I'll collect call then," Kiten warbled, hanging up.

"No!" Nabiki protested to the silence.  She growled in annoyance as
she got out the paper and considered calling up the girl to straighten
things out.  The last thing she wanted was a collect call to her cell
from Osaka.

Sighing, Nabiki decided it wasn't time for that.  She held her phone
ready, waiting for a call to tell her where Tsubasa was.  Now she had
another number to call once she did, and hopefully she'd get a nice
dinner too.

*****

Tsubasa gazed at the girl waiting patiently at the gates of the
mansion.  A pastel green dress of simple cotton covered her body, cut
conservatively with short sleeves.  In her white-gloved hands she held
a yellow parasol, swinging it absently as she waited.  Simple brown
sandals adorned her feet, making him feel much the idiot for dressing
so rashly.

"Kodachi-san," he said breathlessly, waving at her.  He stepped closer
as she turned at the sound of her voice.

Kodachi blinked.  She then scowled as she offered him her arm.  "I was
trying to avoid attention," she grumbled at him.

"I'm sorry," Tsubasa returned.  "Do I look good?"

Kodachi's eyes roamed over him for a second.  "You should stuff your
bra a little more evenly, girl," she huffed.  "It looks decent but a
little too forced if you ask me."

"I'm sorry," Tsubasa returned meekly.  "I don't have much of my own."

"You should dress more to fit your body," Kodachi suggested.  "Don't
wear things that will demand more than what you have to give."

"I'll keep that in mind," Tsubasa assured her meekly.  He took her arm
in his and walked down the street.  "So where would you like to go?"

"Someplace you can afford," Kodachi answered quickly.

"I can't afford anything expensive," Tsubasa informed her, sulking.
His whole plan of impressing the judge was falling apart if she wasn't
going to pay for the date.  He simply didn't have the money to do more
than eat and maybe see a cheap movie.

"Good," she commented.  "I don't want to run the risk of anybody I
know seeing me."

"If we're going to win we have to impress the judge," he hissed.

"Sasuke is taking care of that," Kodachi replied, nonchalantly.

*****

Daisuke leaned in, trying to hear what the two were whispering about
when a face appeared in front of him.

"Gah!" he screamed, falling backwards.

"I am Sasuke," the servant declared.  "By order of mistress Kodachi, I
am to show you a good time around Tokyo."

"B-b-b-but what about the contest?" Daisuke stammered in protest.

A wad of money was stuffed in his mouth.  "Silence fool," Sasuke
declared.  "We are going to go on a little spree."

Daisuke could only blink as he was hefted up off his feet by the
diminutive servant and carried off into the shadows.

*****

"Hello?" Nabiki asked.

"Tsubasa is taking out Kodachi of all people," a familiar voice
declared.  "I can't believe it."

"Gos?" Nabiki stated.  "Where the hell have you been?"

"Behind the restaurant, groaning for help for the last two days," he
muttered.  "I was lucky that Ryouga guy came around looking for Ranma.
Was angry about something along the lines of Ranma having wrecked the
wedding with his inability to make a commitment."

Nabiki's eye twitched.  "I can't believe it!" she cried out in
frustration.

"Don't worry," Gos declared.  "He went the wrong way."

The middle Tendou sighed.  "Well... it's good to hear you're doing
fine," she admitted.  "Do you think you can keep your eye on those
two?  I'm going to make some money off of this somehow, or at least
get a free meal."

"Sure, but I think I just saw Sasuke abduct the judge," Gosunkugi
remarked.  "You want pictures."

Nabiki grinned at the thought of ruining Kodachi once and for all.
"Definitely," she barked.  "Little Kodachi is going to pay for
interfering with my sister's love life."

The spy chuckled.  "You are vicious," he stated.  "And completely an
enigma to me.  One day you support the relationship and the next you
tear it down as they are not right for each other."

The middle Tendou daughter grimaced sourly.  "My reasons are my own."

"Ukyou went home by the way."

"She what?!" Nabiki cried into the phone.  "When did this happen!"

"Two days ago," he responded.  "She beat some information out of me,
if you cared to know how I was left in an alley for two days, before
she took off."

"You gave her my cell number," Nabiki growled.

"I would have given her your bank account number if I had known it,"
Gos quipped.  "She was very adamant about knowing certain things."

"It's ok, Gos," she sighed.  "I'll think of some way for you to make
it up to me."

"Gee... thanks," he replied.  "Well with Kodachi blackmailed into
silence, Ukyou gone and Shampoo... well with what happened with
Shampoo I say you've cleared Ranma's slate."

"I haven't done nothing," Nabiki huffed.  "The slate cleared itself.
Ranma's a little stubborn though in letting it go.  I hear he's been
talking to Shampoo."

Gosunkugi sighed.  "You can lead a horse to the trough but you can't
make him drink," he returned sagely.  "Oh, got to go.  They're going
inside the Mika Cafe."

"Thanks, Gos," Nabiki said, ending the call.  She quickly dialed up
the first number on her paper.

"Yes, Mrs. Kurenai?" she began.  "This is Tendou Nabiki, I'm calling
on behalf of a Kakuheki Kiten.  I've located your son.  Come pick me
up."  She continued giving them the address to her house.

*****

Konatsu blinked at the lavender-haired beauty before him.  A short
magenta and blue dress hugged around her body, exposing most of her
arms and legs.  His eyes were drawn across the supple skin of her legs
down to her small black slippers.

"What waitress stare at?" she demanded, crossing her arms over her
chest.

Noting that the wrists were bandaged, Konatsu blinked.  "What happened
to your wrists?" he asked shyly, blushing.

"Shan Pu had an accident," another voice explained, a tall man with
thick glasses appearing behind the longhaired girl.  The man had long
dark hair and wore a concealing white robe with black trim and a blue
and yellow chinese design on the front.

"Mu Tsu," Shampoo started.  "This is Konatsu.  My date for the
evening."

Mousse nodded once.  "She's rather cute," he remarked offhandedly.  "I
suppose those rumors about Ukyou must be true then."

Konatsu blinked, unaware of any rumors.

"Anyways, Shan Pu go now," Shampoo declared, stepping away from
Mousse.  "Be back soon."

Shampoo hooked his arm with an elbow, tugging him along.  He waved a
quick farewell to Mousse, wondering if this was a good idea after all.

*****

They sat together in the back of a dark movie theater, the sickly
sweet smell of popcorn and candy wafting from the floor.  He paid no
attention to the movie, his eyes often turning slightly to glance at
his companion.  She sipped at a soda they were sharing, eyes front.

His heart beat nervously as he wondered what he should do.  Nobody was
watching.  The judge was gone.  Nobody would know except her if he did
anything.  And he would never know if she wanted it if he didn't try.

Gulping down his anxiety, he slipped an arm around her back, resting
his hand on her far shoulder.  Her eyes glanced over at him,
questioningly.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I was actually wondering, why did you even bother coming out with me
at all if you were going to take care of the judge like that?" Tsubasa
inquired.

"I don't like people watching me," she explained simply.  "And I
despise staying in my house with nothing better to do."

"Oh," he replied, letting his arm slowly move back to his lap.  "I
thought you might like me."

"Poor dear, you're confused," she declared.  "You should find yourself
a boyfriend if you desire the touch of another."

Tsubasa growled, angry at her ignorance and at himself for not
confiding the truth to her in the first place.  "Can't girls like
girls?" he asked, glumly.

"Well... yes," Kodachi admitted.  "I suppose this atmosphere is a
suitable place to entertain such notions as same gender sexuality but
I'm normally not inclined that way.  Have you ever been with a man?"

Tsubasa gritted his teeth angrily.  "Have you?" he shot back.

"No," she admitted.  "I take it from the tone of your voice you don't
like men very much.  Are you wanting to talk about it?"

"Not really," he curtly replied.

"What happened?" she pried.  "You say you've never been with a man yet
bear such a grudge.  It can't stem from nothing."

"I don't want to talk about it," Tsubasa muttered, trying to sink into
his seat.

"Daddy abuse you at a young age?" she continued.

That was it.  He simply couldn't take anymore and turned away, tears
rolling down his cheeks.  He let out a strangled sob as he tried to
hold it back.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry," Kodachi said, sounding genuinely concerned as
she patted him on the back gently.  "If it makes you feel any better,
I can relate.  And if you doubt me, simply know that servants are
invisible, not deaf."

Tsubasa turned around and slapped the girl on the cheek.  He then got
up and made his way up the ramp, disregarding the loss of his heels on
his way out.

*****

Konatsu smiled as he escorted his happy companion out of the dance
hall they had spent the last three hours at.  There was still enough
time to catch a desert if she so desired.

"Shampoo?" he asked quietly.  "If you'd like ice cream, there might be
a place open."

She smiled and reached out to tousle his hair but stopped short.  The
night had been full of similar moments where she moved to touch him
only to quickly change her mind.  He decided it was the damage to her
wrists that caused this.

"You such nice person," she commented.

Konatsu glanced up at the tree that bore a shadowy figure without
making it obvious.  "You should take Mousse here sometime," he
suggested amiably.

Shampoo stuck her tongue out at him.  "Why do that?  Better with
friend and stranger than admirer," she declared.  "Much fun girl
girl."

"I'm a boy," Konatsu admitted.

Shampoo blinked and two figures in the shadows fell flat on their
faces with audible thuds.  Shampoo walked up to him and poked him in
the chest, wincing in pain at her attempt.  She gritted her teeth as
she made a quick pull at the folds of his kimono, baring his chest.

Konatsu blushed and quickly covered himself back up, glancing about
worried that somebody saw him.

"You are man!" Shampoo declared.  She then sweatdropped at his
reaction to the exposure.  "You are silly man."

"I'm sorry," he sighed.  "I understand if you want to end the date
now."

Shampoo shook her head.  "Nonsense," she declared.  "Silly waitress
boy owe Shan Pu ice cream for that."

Konatsu smiled shyly.  "Okay."

*****

"He's at Shikyouko's Ice Cream Parlor," Gos told her quickly.  "I'm
not sure what happened but Kodachi got him upset or something.  He
slapped her and careened out of there."

"This certainly has been a weird night," she muttered back.  "Thanks."

"Who was that?" a woman asked of her.

"A friend," Nabiki answered from the back seat.  "Turn right at the
next intersection.  I think we'll have your son soon."

*****

"Well, what do we 'ave 'ere?" a gruff voice cut through the darkness.
"Two lil girls wandering da streets afta 'ours."

Konatsu whirled upon the voice, the folds of his kimono trailing in an
arc.  Shampoo merely turned, folding her arms across her chest
disinterested.

"Ooooo," the man jeered at them, stepping slightly into the light.  He
had to be over a foot taller than either of them.  "Looks like da
girls want t'play rough, fellas."

Several voices snickered, the sound bouncing against the walls of the
narrow alleyway.  Konatsu narrowed his eyes, concentrating on the
sounds to estimate the number of thugs.

A shadow stepped out of the darkness.  "I will not allow you to harm
these two," the dark figure declared solemnly.  "I will fight you if I
must."

Raucous laughter greeted the dark figure's proclamation.  Konatsu
sighed, recognizing the voice of his judge.  Still, if the guy could
hold his own in a fight, their odds were improving.

Shampoo stepped forward, her arms still crossed.  "Suggest dumb boys
go home before get hurt," she remarked snidely.  "Not in habit of
harming weak but will make exception if you no go."

Laughter came in response.  The big man pointed at the small chinese
girl.  "Da broad can't even speak da language right," the man laughed.
"Perhaps we should give ha a good Japan welcoming."

Several figures charged, eliciting a squeal of terror from Hiroshi.
Shampoo kicked straight out to her side, nailing a guy in the chest.
Konatsu slipped up against their judge and punched out, catching an
assailant in the face.  The man fell away, choking on his teeth.

Hiroshi yelled out, "Hey!  I actually knocked somebody down."

Konatsu sweatdropped only for a moment, grabbing a fist that came out
of the darkness.  He pushed the arm down and vaulted up, kicking out
at where he estimated the head to be and connecting with both feet.
He touched down, his grip haven't not changed though the arm was now
being held up instead of down.  He let go and waited for his next
assailant.

"Too too easy," Shampoo commented, hoping aside from a lunge and
kicking up into the man's jaw.  Konatsu blinked, noting that the
chinese girl had her hands behind her back, deepening the insult on
how quickly she had downed her second opponent.

There was a grunt behind him and he heard a body collapse.  He turned
and kicked straight out over the fallen form of Hiroshi, catching the
target in the shoulder.  The man staggered as he switched his stance
quickly.

"Shan Pu!  Get out of here!" a new voice shouted, falling from the
stairwell into the fray.

A club was swung threateningly at him.  Konatsu leaned back, dodging
the attempt and swept back onto his hands, throwing his feet up to
wrap around the offending arm.  He twisted and swung his legs over,
lifting the attacker up off the ground and hurtling the man in a
crushing arc overhead.  Konatsu bobbed up on his feet ready for more.

Shampoo was hastily backing away yet easily avoiding the swings of a
thug wielding a knife.  She eventually rolled into one of his lunges,
his knife plunging behind her harmlessly as her elbow rose up to crush
his windpipe.  The man collapsed in a strangling wheeze.

Mousse grabbed the arm of the big man that had done all the talking
and kicked out the man's knee.  The man fell down and Mousse turned
about the arm, twisting it till there was a sickening pop.  "Call off
your men," the amazon boy ordered the whimpering thug.

The order was unnecessary, as most of the remaining thugs had taken
the initiative to run or were unconscious.  Konatsu relaxed slightly,
wandering over to check up on Hiroshi.

"That was stupid, Shan Pu!" Mousse yelled at the girl.  "They would
have killed you if you had messed up!"

"But didn't so mreh," Shampoo shot back, sticking out her tongue.

Konatsu felt the fallen boy's head, sighing.  Hiroshi was out cold but
nothing was bleeding thankfully.  He leaned over to make sure the boy
was still breathing.  Satisfied that Hiroshi was, he picked up the
judge and carried him over to the quarrelling pair.

"You are in no shape to handle so many," Mousse countered.  "You're
lucky Konatsu was here to help."

"Where duck boy at beginning fight?" Shampoo asked.

"Watching," he admitted with a sigh.

"Should have stay," she snarled.  "You know not butt in on fight.
Leave Shan Pu alone."

"He was only trying to help," Konatsu said softly.

"Dishonor me with help," she growled.  "They challenge us, not him.
Duck boy only afraid Shan Pu die so he no have way with her."

"You are so thick-headed," Mousse shot back.  "Can't you for one
second think that I may have genuine feelings for your safety?"

"This will have to wait," Konatsu meekly interrupted.  "Hiroshi may
need professional care."

Shampoo glanced at the fallen judge.  "Mu Tsu take boy to hospital,"
she ordered.

"I am not yours to order around," he snapped angrily.

"I'll take him," Konatsu offered.

"No, waitress boy finish date with Shan Pu," she said firmly.

"But it's my fault he got hurt," Konatsu pleaded.  "Please, Shampoo."

Shan Pu sighed, hanging her head.  "Fine," she yielded.  "Konatsu take
boy to hospital.  Duck boy come with Shan Pu for more yelling at."

Konatsu smiled wanly as he walked off with his burden.  The couple
continued in the other direction, yelling at each other in Chinese.
He cast a glance back over his shoulder, wondering if she had done
the same.

*****

Nabiki wandered into the parlor, immediately spotting the girl
look-alike in the red sequined dress.  She made her way directly to
the table and sat down, noting the crossdresser didn't even bother
looking up.  The poor guy was hovering over an unfinished banana
split, a crime indeed in Nabiki's opinion.

"Kurenai-san," she said softly.  Teary, blue eyes lifted up to regard
her.  "Hi.  I'm Tendou Nabiki."

The boy sniffled and nodded.  "You must be the sister of Akane," he
ventured.  "I'm sorry if I'm not presentable at the moment."

"That dress just isn't you," she offered.  She put a hand on the
banana split bowl.  "Don't mind if I?"

Tsubasa shook his head, pushing it towards her.  "I had to buy
something or they would have thrown me out," he sighed.  "How'd you
find me?"

"I have a network," she stated, taking a scoop into her mouth.  "A
Kakuheki Kiten called me.  Seems like Ukyou sold you out."

"What?" he asked softly.

"Ukyou went back to Osaka two days ago," she said simply.  "I doubt
even Konatsu knows that."

"Wow," he said thoughtfully.  "I went through all this crap for
nothing."

"Oh I wouldn't say that," Nabiki stated lightly.  "Your parents are
out front waiting for you.  They even paid me a finder's fee."

Tsubasa sighed.  "I figured as much if you've spoke with Kiten," he
admitted.  "I left my purse at the theater and my luggage at the
mansion."

"Do you want to go get them first?" Nabiki asked, spooning another
generous amount into her mouth.

Tsubasa sighed.  "No, it's not worth the trouble of running into her
again," he shared.

"That bad, huh?" Nabiki asked.

The crossdresser nodded.  "I think I'll just go home and see how
things work with Ukyou," he said, conceding defeat.  "I'm sure Konatsu
simply staying with his date would be a victory over mine."

"Won't be coming back then?" Nabiki pried.

The girl look-alike shrugged.  "I suppose not, though then again,
Kodachi screwed the contest entirely up," he declared.  "And Ukyou
didn't even stay to see the finish.  This is the most botched
competition I've ever heard of."

"It happens," Nabiki commented dryly, polishing off the rest of the
split.

"Thanks," Tsubasa said standing up and tossing some change on the
table.

Nabiki blinked.  "What's that for?" she asked pocketing the money.

"Because I don't have any pockets and I'm not interested stuffing it
back down my bra," Tsubasa admitted.  He then bowed politely to her
and walked off to the door.

Nabiki waited several moments, watching the car outside depart.  She
sighed, gathering her thoughts on things she needed to do.  Easily at
the top of the list was badgering Gos on what kind of photos he got on
Kodachi.  She smiled.  Her work was never done.

-----

This was a huge tie in storyline.  So much is going on.  I hope I
pulled it off well.

As always comments are welcome.

Ciaow



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