Shampoo didn't understand the Japanese. They seemed to value the exact opposite of all she had been taught to value back home in China. And they also had this problem with nudity. It tended to make them nervous or upset. She had already discovered that when she first tried to bathe with her Airen back home in Joketsuzoku and then when she wanted to sleep with him naked and in the same bed. Both of which seemed like all too simple wants in Shampoo's opinion. After all, Ranma was her Airen. Why shouldn't she bathe and sleep with him? But Ranma saw things differently. Because he was Japanese. It was entirely frustrating for Shampoo but she had eventually accepted that she couldn't bathe with him. She also had to accept that she could sleep next to him but not with him. The most annoying thing she had to accept was the fact that she couldn't sleep in the nude anymore. But Shampoo had accepted all the things she couldn't do because Ranma was Japanese and very slowly moved on. Through her grumbling acceptance Shampoo was considered a friend by Ranma. And Shampoo soon learned that for her to be considered his friend was a truly great thing. There were very few people that Ranma trusted and now she was one of them. And that was a good enough place for her to start in her opinion. For now. But apparently Akane didn't understand their friendship because when she opened up the door to the guest room and saw Shampoo sleeping next to Ranma she had taken it rather badly. Well, perhaps loudly would be a better description because of the volume of Akane's scream. Yes, Akane had taken it very loudly. Or at least her lungs had. Being woken up by Akane screaming her head off and calling her Airen a pervert wasn't pleasant for Shampoo. No, it wasn't pleasant at all. But the entire experience had taught Shampoo something very important though. She still didn't understand the Japanese. --- "I hate school," Ranma muttered under his breath. It was a statement that he held as an absolute truth deep in his heart. Saotome Ranma truly did hate school. And why did he hate school so much? Well, for one very simple reason. Every time he went to school it always caused him trouble. There hadn't been one time in Ranma's entire life that him attending school hadn't led to trouble. It was like school and Ranma together equaled trouble. It was all written in the stars or in his genetics or in something like that. Either way, it was written. Ranma + School = Trouble. He knew this to be true. It had already started. Ranma had been splashed with water on the way to school by a little old lady and when they went to some clinic Akane knew of to get him some hot water, Ranma had been scared half to death by the clinic's doctor and his pet skeleton. And what was that guy's name anyway? It was doctor something about food... Doctor Twinkie? Hell, he didn't know. All Ranma knew was that the doctor had scared the crap out of him. So school was trouble for Ranma. At least that's what he thought as he slowly made his way to Furinkan High with the usually quiet Akane and Shampoo. He was a bit surprised that Shampoo was so eager to attend school. Ranma figured that she would want to do it but mainly to just be with him. Her reaction this morning had proved him wrong though. Shampoo seemed excited about the prospect of attending school. Saying that it was a good chance for her to learn about what she called, "The much strange and stupid Japanese ways of thinking." It sort of disturbed Ranma that Shampoo was so happy to go to school. He couldn't understand it. Akane he could understand a little bit more. Even if Akane was a violent girl who overreacted about strangest things she at least was just as unenthusiastic as he was about going to school. Ranma could relate to that and therefore he found himself relating to Akane. Granted, Ranma was only relating to her on a small microscopic level but he was still relating to her. And if their fathers knew about it they'd probably burst into tears of pure happiness on finding out about this minimal connection. Of course, they tended to overreact just a bit. Especially Soun, whom Ranma felt was responsible at least partially for Akane's overly violent tendencies. It seemed to him that Soun cried just as much as Akane acted violent so there had to be a connection there. Like father, like daughter but skewered in their particular reactions to certain things maybe? Either way, they both overreacted about things. Ranma figured that it had to be genetic. "Aiyaah," Shampoo breathed in shocked tones. "Why big mob of much strange Japanese boys run this way?" Snapping out of his musings, Ranma followed the direction of Shampoo's gaze and his eyes widened at what he saw ahead. It was indeed a big mob of boys that were both Japanese and strange as all of them held various weapons which they were waving around in the air. "What the heck?" asked Ranma softly. Before he could say anything more on the matter, Akane went barreling forward as she gave another one of her loud screams while she trounced the mob of boys. Ranma and Shampoo watched this go on as they stood frozen in the front entrance to Furinkan High. "Airen," said Shampoo after a long moment. "Is this special Japanese martial arts training?" "Eh... I dunno," Ranma said vaguely as he scratched the back of his head. "But whatever it is, it sure is weird." "Akane more skilled that Shampoo thought," said Shampoo who was watching the fight closely now. Akane had already defeated over half of her mob opponents and barely a minute had passed. "Is impressive." "Yeah," Ranma murmured. "Sure is. But why in the world is she fighting all of these guys anyway?" Shampoo shrugged in way of reply and adjusted her backpack as she said, "Maybe is like Amazon laws? They defeat Akane in battle to go on date?" "Yeah, right," snorted Ranma. "I don't think that's it, Shampoo. We do things a lot differently here in Japan." "Shampoo know this," said Shampoo in annoyance. "You is doing things the stupid way here in Japan." "Aw man, Shampoo," Ranma said wearily. "Y'know that I didn't mean it like that. Why do you gotta be so--" "Ranma! Shampoo!" Blinking at this sudden interruption, Ranma averted his eyes to look at Nabiki who was waving from one of the third story windows inside the school. "You two better just go inside," advised Nabiki as her husky voice sailed across the campus. "Akane does this every morning. You'll just be late if you wait for her to finish." "She look finish to Shampoo," called Shampoo in dry tones as she pointed to Akane who was breathing heavily and stood surrounded by a pile of unconscious boys. Walking forward, Ranma gave a small smile as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. "Hey Akane," he began slowly. "That was pretty good." "What?" Akane asked as she turned around. She pushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes and said, "Oh it's you, Ranma. Why didn't you just go inside?" "I wanted to watch the fight," said Ranma with a shrug. "You sure showed those guys, but what was it about?" Akane was about to reply when suddenly a low voice interrupted, "You there! Who are you that would dare speak to Tendo Akane without permission?" Ranma turned to look at a tall and handsome boy who had a bokken pointed at him. Blinking at this, Ranma opened his mouth to reply when the boy cut him off. "Wait!" the boy announced. "Is it not proper to give one's name first? Very well, I shall. I am Kuno Tatewaki, age seventeen, and undefeated Captain of the Kendo club. Also known to many as the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!" As if on cue, the sound of thunder and a lone streak of lightning crossed the sky as it darkened considerably. Shampoo looked up at this and immediately pulled out the umbrella that she always carried for Ranma's sake. Besides, the umbrella did make a decent weapon at times. "Uhm... okay..." said Ranma slowly. He rubbed the back of his head and said, "And I'm Saotome Ranma of the Anything Goes school of martial arts. Nice to meet you...?" Kuno narrowed his eyes at this and lowered his bokken and said, "You still have not told me why you're being so familiar with Akane." "Kuno," said Akane with exasperation. "We're going to be late for class. Can't we do this another time?" Ignoring Akane's words, Kuno shifted his lidded gaze to Shampoo who was leaning against the umbrella. "And who might you be, fair maiden?" he asked in low tones. "Name is Shampoo," replied Shampoo with a smile as she neared Ranma to hang slightly on his arm. Watching this motion, Kuno's eyes narrowed and he said, "Very well, Akane. We shall settle this another time. I do not wish for you to be late for class." With that, Kuno turned on his heel to walk into the school as a crash of thunder sounded. Shampoo immediately pulled away from Ranma to open the umbrella and hold it over his head. Looking at Akane, she smiled and said, "Not want get wet, join us under umbrella, Akane." "Yeah, okay," said Akane quietly as she moved closer to Shampoo as the three walked into the school as it started to rain. Looking at Shampoo, she finally said, "How did you manage to do that?" "Do what?" asked Shampoo. "Get Kuno to leave us alone," Akane elaborated. "I can normally never get that baka to stop bugging me." "Is too easy," said Shampoo. "Stupid boy obviously is thinking Ranma liking Akane so Shampoo show him different by giving affection to Airen. Now Ranma no is threat." "Man," Ranma grumbled slightly. "You didn't need to do that, Shampoo. I could've beat that guy easy." "I don't know, Ranma," said Akane as they entered the school. "Kuno's actually a pretty good fighter." Ranma merely snorted at this while Shampoo closed the umbrella and said, "Is true. Boy seemed like warrior." Giving a short shrug, Ranma headed up the stairs after Akane as he said, "Maybe. But I still could've beat him." "Is so," said Shampoo with a smile. --- "I swear Kuno baby," said Nabiki in her usual slow drawl. "You pick fights for the strangest reasons. Why would you want to fight Ranma because he was talking to Akane?" "I had thought the knave was attempting to put himself above the declaration I had made," said Kuno. "But it seems that he isn't interested in Akane's affections." "Oh? And why do you say that?" asked Nabiki. "Because of the way he allowed the purple haired beauty to embrace him lovingly," Kuno said with satisfaction. "You mean Shampoo?" said Nabiki. "Of course he would, she's engaged to Ranma." "Engaged?" Kuno raised an eyebrow. "Well now, that proves my point. If this Ranma character was after Akane he wouldn't allow such a thing." "Maybe," Nabiki allowed. She studied Kuno with lidded eyes before a mischievous smile crossed her features and she said, "But he's also engaged to Akane." There was a moment of silence before Kuno slowly turned towards Nabiki in a mechanical movement. "HE'S WHAT?!" His loud shout echoed throughout the entire school and mere seconds later, Kuno found himself kicked out of his homeroom once again. But none of that mattered to Kuno. Especially not when he had his mind set on a mission. And his mind was set and his mission was clear. He must punish Saotome Ranma. Because after all, if anyone deserved to be with two such lovely girls as Akane and Shampoo, it was he Kuno Tatewaki and not that scoundrel Saotome Ranma. Then again, Kuno's logic was somewhat warped. --- "Class meet Saotome Ranma and Shampoo..." said Sensei Maeda, who trailed off as he looked at information sheet. "Just Shampoo," said Ranma helpfully. Laughing slightly, Maeda said, "Just Shampoo it is. They've recently returned from China and--" Before Maeda could say anything more, Kuno burst into the room and shouted, "Saotome Ranma! How dare you engage yourself to both Akane and Shampoo! What sort of man does such a thing?!" Ranma only had time to blink in confusion before Kuno hurled a bucket of cold water at him. Unfortunately for Ranma, he didn't have enough time or wits about him to dodge it and the reaction was instant as Ranma changed from a handsome black haired pigtailed boy into a kawaii red haired pigtailed girl. Staring at the transformed Ranma in certain shock, Kuno finally regained what little sense he had about him and pointing his bokken at Ranma, he shouted, "It's as I thought! You're undeserving of both Akane and Shampoo! You're not even a man, Saotome! You're a crossdresser!" "What?!" Ranma shouted in outrage. "I'm not a crossdresser, you stupid idiot! I'm under a curse!" "Hmmph," Kuno sniffed. "As many say but you cannot hide your perversion, Saotome. I shall rescue Akane and Shampoo from your treacherous grasp!" Scowling at this, Ranma moved forward and looked Kuno straight in the eye as she said, "You wanna fight? We'll fight but not right here, Kuno. We go outside." "Very well," said Kuno. "Then outside it shall be." With that, Ranma stalked out of the room with Kuno on her heels while the rest of the class stared at them. "Aiyaah," Shampoo said after a long pause. "This not good first day for Airen, I'm thinking." She then dashed out of the door to the classroom leaving everyone else behind. Akane, who was still in shock from the current events, finally came out of it and growled, "That baka Kuno! I'm not his property! He's not going to get away with this!" Then like Shampoo before her, Akane dashed out of the room to leave her classmates behind. Several seconds later those same classmates followed her out the door to leave a stunned Maeda alone. "It seems that my students," began Maeda with a sigh. "Are getting stranger each day." --- By the time that Shampoo and Akane arrived on the scene a large group of students had already gathered outside and Akane saw the familiar sight of Nabiki taking bets from all of the various observers. "Nabiki," said Akane in slow almost dangerous tones as she approached her sister. "You're behind this, aren't you?" "Moi? Would I do such a thing?" asked Nabiki in innocent tones as she pressed a hand to her chest. For a reply Akane merely glared at her and Nabiki shrugged then said, "So what if I did? Kuno baby was bound to find out about your engagement sooner or later. What's the harm in me making some money off it in the process?" Groaning at this, Akane rubbed her forehead and said, "The harm is that Kuno splashed Ranma in class! Now the whole school will know that I'm engaged to a weirdo!" "Splashed him in class, huh?" Nabiki murmured rather thoughtfully. Turning back to face the crowd, she produced a pile of booklets out of nowhere and shouted, "Anyone who wants to know the story behind Saotome's curse can buy the official Jusenkyo explanation guides here!" While Akane turned red faced at this, the crowd around Nabiki grew larger. Stalking away from her sister who was occupied with business, Akane rejoined Shampoo who was watching Ranma trying to explain her curse to Kuno. "Listen, you blockhead," Ranma was saying. "I'm not a crossdresser. I got this curse that changes me into a girl when I'm splashed with cold water. It ain't my fault!" "So you're insane as well as a crossdresser," Kuno said in disgusted tones. "It's plain to see that I must eradicate both you and your foul ways before they sully the beauteous Tendo Akane and fair Shampoo." He then slashed his bokken through the air and said, "Prepare yourself, crossdresser!" At this point, Ranma was more than a little bit tired of constantly hearing pervert and crossdresser remarks. The battle with Kuno took approximately ten seconds as Ranma didn't even allow the other boy to start his attack as she proceeded to punch him a hundred and three times with a speed so quick that her arms seemed blurred. Two seconds later, Kuno collapsed with a loud thud. "Huh," Ranma snorted as she dusted off her hands. "He wasn't a challenge at all. Mousse is better than this guy." "Airen!" Shampoo called happily as she sidled up to Ranma and clutched to her arm. "You beat stupid sword boy too too easy with Amaguriken. Great Grandmother be very proud of you if she could be seeing this." "Yeah," said Ranma with a grin. "She would, wouldn't she? That technique is sure useful, Shampoo." "How did you do that?" asked Akane as she neared them while staring at the unconscious Kuno who had imprints of Ranma's fist all over his body. "It was no big deal," Ranma dismissed. "Just a technique that Shampoo's Great Grandmother taught me called the Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken. It's a speed based maneuver that helps accelerate your attacks. I bet that you could master it if you wanted to, Akane." "Really?" asked Akane. "Is it hard?" "Nah," said Ranma as she walked towards the main building to Furinkan High with Shampoo and Akane at her sides. "It's easy to master once you get used to the fire." Pausing at the entrance as Ranma and Shampoo entered the school, Akane repeated dimly, "Fire?" --- The wind blew across the empty yard to Furinkan High. Well, the somewhat empty yard since it had the figure of Kuno Tatewaki sprawled out in the middle of it staring up at the sky above with a blank expression. "How did that crossdresser Saotome manage to defeat me so easily?" Kuno mused. "The Blue Thunder has never been bested before this instance." Furrowing his brow, Kuno thought long and hard. As long and hard as Kuno could think anyway. Pushing himself up and into a sitting position, Kuno exclaimed, "I have it! That fiend Saotome is not only what you call a crossdresser but is also an evil sorcerer! Only with the aid of black magic could he defeat Kuno Tatewaki!" And so, Kuno's delusions continued to live on. --- Akane watched Ranma and Shampoo balance the buckets of cold water on their heads and decided that both of them were weirdos instead of just Ranma. "How can you two be so happy?" Akane groused. "We got into trouble for causing the whole class to leave the room and watch that fight of yours, Ranma." Turning to look at Ranma she said, "And I don't need your help with Kuno. I can handle him fine on my own." "I bet," said Ranma with a snort. "And I wasn't fighting him for you. I was fighting him for insulting me." Akane frowned at this, and sensing another fight upcoming, Shampoo intervened with, "Why stupid sword boy so upset over Airen, anyway? You no with him, is you?" "Me and Kuno?" Akane sounded horrified. "No way! He's the one who caused all of my problems with boys!" "Oh yeah?" asked Ranma curiously. "How's that?" "He made this stupid speech," began Akane with a grimace. "And told everyone in the school that the only way they could go out with me was to defeat me in battle." "Ha! Shampoo was right!" Ranma and Akane slowly turned their attention to the lavender haired Amazon who looked sheepish. "Sorry," said Shampoo. "But Shampoo was right. Is like Amazon laws." "Yeah, I guess so," said Akane before she shook her head. "Anyway, he told the entire school during this big assembly and now it's like a contest. They all want to defeat me just to be the one who does it." She paused then muttered, "That's why I hate boys." There was a moment of silence before Ranma said, "Bakas. No wonder you think guys are perverts." Blinking at this, Akane said, "What?" "Those guys are bakas," Ranma continued. She folded her arms across her chest and said, "And tomorrow I'm gonna help you beat the crap out of them, Akane. Maybe if we team up on them we can beat them up so good they'll back off." "I don't need your help," said Akane stubbornly as she turned her away from Ranma. "I've done fine on my own." "Aw, man," said Ranma with a groan. "You're just like Shampoo. Too damn stubborn." A moment later, Akane heard a loud thud and turned to look at Ranma who had a bonbori resting on the top of her head. "What'd you do that for Shampoo?" Ranma complained. "You just as stubborn as Shampoo or even more," Shampoo said with a sniff. "Akane," said Shampoo as she tucked her bonbori back into wherever it came from. "Airen say it wrong but was right. Shampoo help and we all beat up on annoying boys. Is good idea?" Giving them a careful stare, Akane observed their easy and honest expressions in certain shock. When was the last time anyone was this nice to her? Years, maybe. "Well," said Akane slowly. "Okay, I guess." She would give Ranma and Shampoo a chance but she was still going to keep a close eye on them. Just in case they really were perverts. --- Nabiki was very happy. This was because she was doing her most favorite thing in the entire world. She was counting her profits for the day. Profits that had tripled since Saotome Ranma arrived at Furinkan High this morning. It was safe to say that even if Akane wasn't happy about her engagement to Ranma, it pleased Nabiki to no end. Now all she had to do was get some semi-risque pictures of Ranma and Shampoo to sell around the school. Already the pair were developing a fan following as many students were intrigued by both their personalities, past, and the fact that Ranma changed genders. If she managed to get some good pictures of them along with Akane she was sure her profits would quadruple. Today was turning out to be a good day for Nabiki and she was sure that with Ranma sticking around it could only get better. Better for her profits, that is. --- Frowning as she looked around the attic, Shampoo turned to Ranma and said, "Explain again why Shampoo have to stay in empty place like this instead of with Airen?" "Aw, c'mon Shampoo," Ranma said as he rubbed the back of his head. "I already told you, it wouldn't be good for us to stay in the same room. They'd get the wrong idea. And this is a really nice place. It just needs some stuff in it." "So," Shampoo sniffed. "You no want Shampoo to stay with you? You is tired of me already?" "It's not like that," said Ranma with a sigh. "I'm just doing what's easier for everybody. You don't want Akane mad and yelling at us every morning do you? I figure the best way to get through this is to become friends with her." Frowning at this, Shampoo slowly looked at Ranma and said, "Shampoo agree for Airen's sake but I not like it, Ranma. You be remembering this, won't you?" "You bet I'll remember," said Ranma as he gave a nervous smile and scratched his cheek. After Shampoo left the attic he said to himself, "No way you'd let me forget." "I hear that, Airen!" Wincing at this, Ranma said lowly, "Oops." --- Akane felt confused. Was Ranma a pervert or wasn't he a pervert? He had run into her room naked that first day and that was perverted but the other boy had been chasing him. Then again, he hadn't done anything like that since then. He had insulted her though and that was a somewhat mean thing to do but it wasn't perverted. And he had offered to help her beat up those guys in the morning and seemed to understand about her plight. That certainly wasn't perverted. In fact, it was very nice of him. So what was Ranma? Was he like all of the other boys or was he different? Pondering this, Akane stared out at the koi pond and murmured, "I just can't figure him out." "Nihao." Akane looked up to see Shampoo hovering over her wearing a charming smile. "Shampoo," greeted Akane. "Airen off training with stupid panda father," said Shampoo as she sat next to Akane on the porch. "And that give Shampoo perfect chance to talk with you, Akane." "Why do you want to talk with me?" asked Akane. "Too simple," Shampoo said as her scarlet eyes grew lidded. "Shampoo want to ask you stop insult Airen. He hear what you calling him today. What is word again? Weirdo?" Narrowing her eyes, Akane said, "He is a weirdo though. Do you know anyone else who changes into a girl?" "Curse not Airen's fault," Shampoo reasoned. "And Ranma not like it either. He try for many weeks to find cure back home in Joketsuzoku before discovering there not one he be able to use. It take him long time to adjust to changing into girl and he not like but Shampoo tell him is all right to be both such a cute boy and girl." "What?" said Akane in clear surprise. "You mean that you like the fact that Ranma can change into a girl?" "Of course," said Shampoo easily. "Airen is too attractive as boy and girl. Is twice as good for Shampoo since she liking both in what you call the romantic sense." "You... that's..." Akane said slowly. Squinting her eyes she looked at Shampoo and shook her head. "Okay." "And why did you call Airen pervert?" asked Shampoo. "I look up that word and find out meaning. Ranma isn't pervert. He is too too shy. Shampoo no can get him to do things in boy or girl form. Is disappointing. He not even do things boys back home all too eager to do." "What things?" Akane asked suspiciously. "Nothing much," Shampoo shrugged. "Bathing together, sleep in same bed, and other romantic things. Airen no even show Shampoo his body. Once Shampoo sneak in on him when stay in hotel in Hong Kong but he find her hiding." Staring at Shampoo with wide eyes, Akane came to a silent and internal decision about Ranma. He probably wasn't a pervert. But Shampoo definitely wanted to make him into one. --- The Tendo house was being watched. Akane, Ranma, and Shampoo were all unaware of the attention on them as they sat on the porch playing some sort of board game because of the distance that was between them and the person observing them. This was good news for Nabiki as she finished off her first roll of film and tucked it into her jacket pocket. "Perfect," said Nabiki from where she was hidden in the large tree that was across the street. Giving a low and self satisfied chuckle Nabiki said, "I'm going to be so rich!" From below Nabiki, the couple that was walking along the street reminded themselves to stay away from the Tendo dojo and the people that were living there. --- "Today, I shall show Saotome the error of his crossdressing ways," said Kuno in muffled tones due to the fact that his face was covered in wrappings because of his all too short battle with Ranma yesterday. "I shall rescue both Akane and Shampoo from him." From behind Kuno, the various boys who battled for the honor of dating with Akane blinked at this statement. "Crossdresser? I thought Saotome had a curse." "He does, the booklet that Nabiki sold us said so." "Kuno's just too dumb to realize it." "The booklet also said Saotome is engaged to that girl Shampoo and she's some sorta Chinese Amazon." "He's engaged to her? What about Akane?!" "Saotome's engaged to Akane too." "Yeah, his dad and Akane's dad engaged them." The entire crowd of boys were silent for a long while before a boy named Katsuki Fuu said, "So basically Saotome has a miniature harem going on with them both." All the boys contemplated this for a moment before the expected reaction emerged in one loud monstrous shout. "CURSE YOU, SAOTOME!!" It was safe to say that the boys were feeling envious. --- Maeda was used to seeing strange things. Because after all, he was a teacher at Furinkan High. For the past few months he had taken to watching Akane fight her way through the mob of boys each morning before she rushed off to his homeroom class. Secretly, Maeda enjoyed watching his student beat up the Neanderthal minded boys who challenged her each day. This was because of his beliefs on feminism and the fact that he was a big martial arts fan. And often Akane's fights were more interesting than any Kung Fu movie that he could see. Today Maeda was greeted to a special surprise when the fight turned more mammoth than usual as not only Akane but Ranma and Shampoo fought off the morning horde. The fight was much shorter but just as interesting for the observing teacher as he watched as the various attacking boys went flying into the air only to land strewn all about the front yard to Furinkan High. Observing as Kuno fell back into almost the exact same position as he did yesterday, Maeda shook his head before he walked back into his classroom. If he was lucky, today Kuno would save all of his lofty challenges until after school. --- Kuno woke up to a splitting headache and Nabiki's smirking face staring at him in droll amusement. It wasn't a very pleasant way to wake up. "Tendo Nabiki," said Kuno in muffled tones while he pushed himself up from the cot that he was lying on. "What do you want from me on this occasion?" "It's not what I want but what you want," Nabiki replied smoothly. She paused to pull out a large stack of photos and said, "I figured since you can't have Akane and Shampoo with you in the flesh you'd be interested in having them with you in the photogenic sense." "What?" Kuno blinked before he sifted through the pile of photos that were in his lap. As he looked at each one of the pictures his eyes grew wider and wider. He finally met Nabiki's gaze and cried out, "I must have them!" "Ten thousand yen each," said Nabiki. "Ten thousand each?!" Kuno exclaimed. "But the heavens themselves would weep at such a price." Shrugging at this, Nabiki said, "Then let the heavens weep but it's ten thousand each or no photos." Nabiki made a move to take the pictures back and seeing this, Kuno clasped her hand and shoved a large wad of yen into it as he said, "Your mercenary tactics have won this time, Tendo Nabiki, but know that I do this out of love for Akane and Shampoo." "Yeah, yeah," Nabiki dismissed as she counted the yen. "It doesn't matter to me why you buy the pictures." She then stood up and made her way out the nurses office but paused in the doorway. "I'd give up on trying to defeat Ranma if I were you. He's just too good for you to beat." With that, she left the nurses office to leave Kuno alone. Tucking the pictures safely into his pocket, Kuno then narrowed his eyes and said in muffled tones, "Saotome thinks he's too good for me does he? He will learn otherwise." Seconds later, Kuno started writing his official challenge letter to the crossdressing fiend, Saotome Ranma. Some would say that Kuno took being dense to an almost artistic level of consciousness. It's certain that Ranma would agree with that opinion. --- Ranma paused in the middle of inhaling his lunch to stare at the envelope that was being held in front of his face. Ranma looked up at Nabiki, swallowed the last of his lunch and asked, "That letter for me or something?" "Bingo," said Nabiki dryly. She then handed the envelope to Ranma who was gazing at the front of it which read: For the crossdressing fiend Saotome Ranma. "Aw, man," Ranma groaned. "This is from that Kuno jerk, isn't it? What's that guy's problem anyway?" "Kuno baby just hates to lose," Nabiki replied easily before she turned on her heel and walked away. "I'd be at the meeting place after school or he'll never stop bothering you." "Huh," snorted Ranma as he opened the envelope and began to read the letter. After a moment, he noticed that both Akane and Shampoo were peering over his shoulder. "It's just a challenge letter asking me to fight him after school," Ranma informed with almost dry humor as he looked up at them. Both the girls flushed slightly and Shampoo was the first to respond as she said, "Sword boy much stupid if he is thinking he can beat Airen. Why he no give up?" "Because Kuno's a baka, that's why," Akane said in annoyed tones as she crumpled up her lunch bag. She turned to toss in the nearby garbage can then looked at Ranma. "So are you going to fight him or not Ranma?" Staring at the letter thoughtfully, Ranma finally shook his head and tossed it into the same garbage can that Akane had thrown her lunch bag into. "I gotta," Ranma said in easy confident tones. "It's part of my duty as the Anything Goes heir to accept and meet challenges. Even if they're from a jerk like Kuno. Besides, there's no way that I'm gonna let him keep insulting me." After Ranma said this he formed a rather dangerous looking smirk and seeing it was enough to make Akane and Shampoo almost feel sorry for Kuno. Almost, but not quite. --- When school was over for the day a large group of students gathered outside of the front entrance to watch the much rumored second fight between Ranma and Kuno. And taking all of their bets was, of course, Nabiki. Scowling as she saw the amount of money passing through her sister's hands, Akane said, "I can't believe her." "Am thinking Nabiki like money, yes?" Shampoo commented as she watched Nabiki work. "You could say that," Akane said lowly before she turned towards Kuno was starting his usual challenge spiel. "Saotome!" Kuno announced as he tore off the large white bandage which had covered his face. "Now you shall be punished for your... eh?" Kuno paused in his speech to blink at Ranma who had broken out into a fit of laughter. Gazing at Kuno's face that was completely covered with the bruise marks from his battle with the Kendo Captain yesterday, Ranma couldn't hold back his laughter. Clutching his stomach, Ranma wheezed, "You sure that you wanna fight me, Kuno? You look pretty bad off." Scowling at this, Kuno rushed at Ranma with his bokken and shouted, "Fiend! No one mocks Kuno Tatewaki!" Ducking Kuno's would-be blow, Ranma groaned and said, "This is stupid, Kuno. Why don't we just stop this before you get yourself hurt even worse, huh?" "Crossdresser!" Kuno yelled as he moved his bokken to slash it at Ranma in a dangerous attack. It was a move that Ranma barely avoided but in the process several pictures slipped out from Kuno's shirt and floated towards the ground. Seeing the pictures fall, Ranma swiftly grabbed them and his eyes widened on seeing Akane and Shampoo in every single photo. Contemplating this, Ranma said softly to himself, "What's this nutball doing with these things anyway?" "You dare to ignore Kuno Tatewaki during a battle?!" Kuno exclaimed as he moved forward to make another strong attack with his bokken. This time it was an attack that Ranma couldn't avoid and the bokken ended up striking him in the side. "Airen!" cried Shampoo worriedly. Holding his side, Ranma frowned at Kuno and tucking the pictures into the pocket of his pants he said, "You wanna play it rough, Kuno? Then we're gonna play it rough." With that, Ranma ducked into a crouched position before his arms moved in a blurring speed to strike at Kuno. Seconds later, Kuno collapsed unconscious onto the ground and moving into a standing position, Ranma sighed as he said, "Jerk. Maybe that'll teach him a lesson." "Aiyaah," Shampoo said when she arrived at Ranma's side and looked at Kuno's fallen figure. "Airen hit sword boy in exact same place as yesterday. No wonder he fall so fast." "Ouch," Akane winced. "That has to hurt." She turned to look at Ranma and asked, "But what distracted you in the middle of the fight like that? Kuno almost got you there." "Yes," said Shampoo as she leaned her head and started to lift up Ranma's shirt to better inspect his side. "And is you feeling okay?" "Hey, quit it!" Ranma exclaimed while he lightly batted Shampoo's hands away from his red silk shirt. "I'm feeling fine. That blow barely even hurt." He paused to retrieve the pictures from his pocket and said, "But this is what distracted me. Kuno dropped them during our fight." Akane took the pictures from Ranma and looking at them she turned bright red before she crumpled them in her fist and glared at Kuno's unconscious form. "Kuno," said Akane in threatening tones. "If that baka wasn't already knocked out... I'd... I'd..." "Hey, no problem, Akane," said Ranma easily as he offered her a smile. "You just wait for him to wake up and then you can do it to him. Good idea, huh?" "Do what?" Shampoo blinked as she looked at the crumpled pictures Akane had dropped. "Why Akane upset?" "Why am I...?" Akane trailed off in disbelief before she stomped over to Shampoo. "Don't tell me you don't mind that this baka had pictures of us! And in some of them we're hardly even dressed! Doesn't that make you mad?" "Well," said Shampoo thoughtfully while she continued to study the pictures with careful eyes. "Shampoo not like they not good pictures of her. Look at this one, it not even catch Shampoo's best profile. Is shoddy camera work." Snorting at this, Ranma gave the fallen Kuno a light kick in the side and murmured, "What gets me is wondering where this jerk got his hands on those pictures." "Is good point, Airen," Shampoo mused. "Shampoo no liking idea of someone besides Airen see her in such open positions. At least not without Shampoo's permission." While Ranma and Shampoo pondered this Akane's eyes narrowed as she vaguely caught side of Nabiki making an all too subtle exit from the scene of the battle. --- Hearing a knock at her door, Nabiki looked up from her personal computer and immediately knew who it was. "Yes, Akane?" The door to Nabiki's room opened and Akane walked in wearing a small frown on her pretty features. "Nabiki," began Akane slowly as she produced the crumpled pictures and slapped them onto her sister's desk. "I don't want you taking anymore of these. I didn't tell Ranma and Shampoo that you took them but if you do it again next time I won't keep your photography hobby a secret." "Oh?" asked Nabiki smoothly. She took the pictures and neatly put them in a stack like you would do with a deck of playing cards. "And why didn't you tell them now?" "Because you're my Oneechan," Akane said while she turned around and headed out the door. "And I don't want to see Shampoo do to you what Ranma did to Kuno." Before she shut the door to Nabiki's room, Akane said, "Remember what I said and don't take anymore pictures of us, Nabiki." Staring at the closed door to her room, Nabiki inspected the crumpled pictures and tucking them into the pocket of her pants she leaned back into her chair. "Well, now," Nabiki murmured as she looked up at the ceiling and formed a feline smile. "I'll just have to find another way to make some money, won't I? If Akane heard this statement it would've left her anything but reassured about her sister's activities. In fact, it would've made her more worried. ------------------------------------------------ All characters in this fanfiction are from Ranma 1/2. This fanfic was inspired by the works of the Rumiko Takahashi. I want to really thank Red Death who maintains my webpage for helping me with this series. I consider him the co-creator of this fanfic so please give him props. Chat with me on ICQ! My ICQ # is: 37674780 "I can get plenty of men but keeping them is the hard part, isn't it?" -Bette Midler; The Rose-
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