As/N: Hello, dear readers. Here we are, back after a long holiday. Please don't forget to send us reviews, because we only publish for people who read and we won't know if we have any readers if you guys don't review us. Not only that, but we also want to improve our writing. Your comments and ideas will help us do this.

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Well, it doesn't matter! On with the show!


Chapter Two- Agreement

Akane glanced at Shampoo to see the older woman's expression. She looks so relieved and happy, Akane thought wistfully. She's so unlike me. At that moment, Akane remembered her sisters' death and fresh tears coated her eyes.

It should have been me. They should have had more opportunities to enjoy life. It should have been me.

Akane shook her head to clear the memories. She didn't like the unpleasant feeling of loss she felt when she was reminded about her sisters. To take her mind off her sisters' death she looked at Shampoo. The woman was sitting down with her head in her arms and sighing.

"Madam Shampoo?" she whispered. Shampoo's head jerked up.

"Shi?" she responded. Akane stared at her. "I sorry," Shampoo laughed, trying to cover up her mistake. "I think Chinese again. I mean, yes?"

"I was wondering if you were okay," Akane explained.

Shampoo's lips curved up in a beautiful smile. "I am very fine. You no need worry about Shampoo. Shampoo only wanting you knows that Ranma offering job at dojo."

Akane bit on her bottom lip, a bad habit she was never able to break despite her sisters' teasing. "You mean I should go over there when I can?"

Shampoo nodded approvingly. "Yes. I advise Akane train and check skill first. Ranma be very fussy."

Akane looked down at her lap.

It's wrong, Akane. Don't do it.

You need the money. This is justice.

The warring voices in her head were giving her a headache. Akane sighed and looked up to face Shampoo. "Yes, ma'am."

I like her submissive nature, Shampoo thought in her native language. The heady feeling of power that attacked her when Akane called her 'Madam' pleased her indeed. She will be easy to control. My warrior instinct senses this and it is always right.

"I go now," Shampoo said standing up. Akane bowed her head and showed Shampoo out.

Why do I have the feeling that I'm doing something very wrong?


Ranma shook his head and groaned. So many people were out there, hoping to be chosen for the prestigious job of teaching in the honored Saotome Ranma's dojo, but none of them even knew how to spar properly. He covered his face with his hands and groaned again.

Were there no good ninjas left in Japan?

He ducked to avoid being hit on the head with a bokken.

Apparently not.

"Forget it, Ryoga," he announced, standing up as soon as he heard footsteps entering the training room. "I absolutely refuse to interview another ninja!"

"I'm sorry, sir," a soft, lilting voice answered. "I'm not Ryoga." Ranma stared at the doorway in shock. Instead of the handsome idiot Ryoga, a beautiful brunette was standing in front of him.

She had exquisite chocolate eyes, large and expressive, and her petite body was a little curvy and delicate. Her hair just reached her chin and it was kept in a simple, yet tasteful and low maintenance, style. She had carefully secured the short dark curls with a lovely barrette. She was dressed in a plain white cotton shirt and jogging pants. The lovely lady smiled at him sweetly.

"Good afternoon, sir."

"I'm sorry," he stammered. "Are you my secretary?" Ranma felt idiotic right after he spoke. He didn't have a secretary.

The lady's mouth fell open. However, she recovered quickly. "No, I'm afraid not," she replied whimsically. "I'm here to see if I'm suitable for the job."

Ranma continued staring.

Whadda? Did she just speak?

"Which job?" he burst out, realizing that she spoke.

"Uh, something about teaching ninjutsu in this dojo." There was a question in her voice.

"You? Teach ninjutsu?" Ranma couldn't help it. He knew it sounded sexist but he just couldn't imagine the beautiful lady in front of him as the fighting type. She looked too delicate.

The lady drew herself up indignantly and she stood with her arms akimbo at her side. "Well, do you have a problem with me teaching?"

"Of course not!" Ranma winced. "It's just that you don't seem the type." As soon as the words left his mouth, Ranma realized that he made a very big mistake.

Score one for the lovely lady.

"I assure you that I am completely capable of teaching martial arts! And, I demand to know what exactly the fighting type is!"

"Fine, fine. You have a point there. I'm Ran-chan," Ranma said, flinching from her direct verbal hit. Score two for the lady. "What's your name, then?"

"I'm Tendo Akane."

Ranma's eyes opened wide in shock. Tendo Akane? The woman was famous among ninjas! The youngest ever 5th Dan ninja, Tendo Akane was. Nobody heard much about her but Ranma had assumed that she was an ugly woman with no life to be so crazy about her ninjutsu.

Nobody told him that she would be a desirable woman.

Especially one with such a beautiful smile.

Score three for Akane/ the lady.

"What the hell?" he burst out. "You should have told me earlier! You could have saved me a lot of embarrassment and trouble!"

What trouble? Akane thought. As far as she knew, she hadn't given him any trouble. Embarrassment, yes. Trouble? Nah.

But he is a great looking man. The forbidden thought entered her mind like a thief stealing into a house.

Score one for the fella.

"So…" Ranma was at a loss for words. As far as he knew, when he was growing up, Interviewing Beautiful Ninjas wasn't squished between Interracial Conflicts and Japanese. "Just grab that bokken there and show me how you use it."

And Akane wins hands down and tied behind her back.

A handsome man stepped out of the shadows. His messy dark brown hair was kept in place with a yellow bandana. He smiled at Akane charmingly and she noticed his fangs. Cute, she thought. "Here you go," he said, handing her a bokken. She smiled her thanks and without warning a man jumped from the ceiling and hurled himself at her.

(Akane had always prided herself on her instinct but she hadn't noticed the man earlier. It must have been Ran-chan's fault because she was checking him out the entire time they were talking.)

Her eyes widened for the fraction of a second and she quickly twisted the bokken and successfully deflected the dagger the man was holding. As soon as the man landed she thrust her bokken into his stomach, effectively pressing a pressure point there. He yelped in pain, distracting Akane, and he managed to nick her index finger.

Now knowing that the man she was facing seemed highly skilled, she defended herself at all times. She did this by making sure all her pressure points were covered. The man groaned and reached into a pocket, his hand moving so fast it was almost a blur.

Shuriken!

Akane automatically fell to the floor and rolled forwards, hitting the man in a very painful spot with her legs. He gripped his middle to double up in his agony (but not before he dropped his shuriken, of course) and Akane immediately seized the opportunity to lunge at his knees.

Using all her weight, she pushed him off balance, thus making him fall down, and captured his arm in a lock. She jabbed at a pressure point behind his ears with her thumbs and he groaned with pain. Akane grimaced and pressed harder. The man yelled and the cute bandanna guy (as Akane had taken to calling him in her mind) winced.

"Now, that had gotta hurt!" the bandanna guy exclaimed.

"Stop!" Ranma barked. Akane loosened her grip and the man stood up, bowed to her respectfully and left the room limping. She remained seated on the ground, stunned. The cute guy with the bandanna rolled his eyes and helped her up. "You okay?" he asked. She nodded. "It was quite a shock, though," she murmured. Only goodness knew how her heart skipped a beat when the man jumped off the ceiling.

"That was pretty good," he complimented. "You were the only one who passed both tests." Akane stared at him. "Both?" she said slowly. "The first was to see how good you were with the bokken and the second was to see how you'd react in a life threatening situation," he explained. "I'm Hibiki Ryoga, by the way." He coupled the sentence with a flirty grin. Akane's startled gaze slipped to Ranma's face.

Ryoga, eh?

Ranma cleared his throat loudly. "Ryoga was right," he said grudgingly. "You were great. In fact, you were the only one who was good enough to go through the attack." Oh. Akane shrugged. Her hair, which she had pulled back with a tortoise shell clip, was now hanging off her face limply. Her clothes were a different case. They were all messy and crumpled. Great, she thought.


Ranma frowned. Akane's hair was hanging down, with a few dark strands framing her face seductively. Her face was beautifully flushed and her cheeks were delightfully rosy. He shifted uncomfortably. He noticed that Ryoga was staring at her in the same way.

Idiot.

He caught Ryoga's gaze and shook his head imperceptibly. She's mine. Ryoga glared at him and looked away. Ranma looked away, too.

"Guys?" Akane called. For some reason, the guys were looking at each other in a strange way…

"You start on Monday," Ranma replied, barricading through her thoughts. "Wear your gi."

Akane's jaw dropped. "Thanks so much!" she cried, joyfully.

Ranma smiled at her enthusiasm. "Just be on time. The first class starts at eight and ends at nine…"


Shampoo growled impatiently. "What's wrong, great granddaughter?" Cologne asked. The pair was seated in the living room and Shampoo was sprawled on the couch. She huffed.

"I is wanting see Akane," she explained, her voice a touch impatient. "I want know if she get in interview."

Cologne nodded understandingly. "I know you are impatient, child," she said. "But please, remember that patience should be displayed at all times." Shampoo gave off an irritating whine.

"But still be boring here."

Ah. So that was her true reason for her fidgeting. Cologne rubbed her head. "Shampoo," she said patiently. "It is not a question of boredom. It is one of honor. We were honored with this mission and so we shall fulfill it." She took a deep breath and forged ahead. "We have to meet up to, or exceed, the expectations of the tribe. Our honor and well being rests upon this mission, Shampoo. Remember that." Shampoo shrugged and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

"I no care," Shampoo confessed. "As long as Shampoo get Ranma, Shampoo no care."

Cologne nodded slowly. "I understand, great granddaughter. It's puppy love."

Shampoo scowled. "No! It not like that!" she snapped. "It much more!"

Cologne, who abhorred such declarations of love (especially one with such obvious grammatical mistakes), snorted loudly. Plus she was major pissed that Shampoo was being so rude... "Shampoo!" she shouted. "You are an Amazon! Remember your roots and please, do not ever behave in that manner again!"

Shampoo immediately looked contrite. "I is sorry," she mumbled. "I no know what happened to me." She hung her head in shame. An Amazon who was rude to an Elder was of the same status as a Non-Amazon. It was the ultimate humiliation being an Outcast Amazon and Shampoo had no wish to be thrown out of the tribe. She had to get the jewel.

No matter what it cost her.

She gritted her teeth. "We have need back up," she announced.

"You're right, Shampoo," Cologne sighed. "I'll think of something tonight."

Shampoo frowned and changed the subject abruptly. "She must finish interview by now." She glanced at the clock. The interview started at eleven so Akane's had to start by twelve. It was almost three. Surely that stupid girl had ample time to let them know whether she passed.

Noticing her great granddaughter's bad mood, Cologne rolled her eyes and hopped out on her cane as quick as she could. "I'll just go out and eat at that restaurant nearby, Shampoo." Despite her love for Shampoo, Cologne would hate to be stuck with Shampoo in a bad mood. Shampoo was like a wet cat when she was grumpy.

A few moments later, the phone rang.

Shampoo snarled and snatched it up.

"Hello?" she snapped.

And when she heard the voice on the line, she dropped the phone like as though it had bitten her.


Akane dragged herself across her room to throw herself onto her bed. She had an exhausting day. First, Ran-chan had insisted upon her staying back to show him her techniques. Then, he wanted to watch her spar with Ryoga (whom she drew with because she was feeling lazy). After that, he still wasn't satisfied so she was forced to spar with him. And if that wasn't enough, Ran-chan was an excellent sparring partner and she had to give him all she had. Even then, she could only manage to draw with him. At the end of their session, both of them were breathing hard and neither of them could stand straight.

Ryoga had laughed like hell.

They had glared at him and told him that he had better shut up if he did not want to face both of them.

At the same time.

He had only laughed harder and he replied that seeing the state they were in, he could face both of them and beat them up.

The pair decided to stop talking to him. He had a very good point, after all.

Akane smiled. Ran-chan had inspired an intense feeling in her- a sort of tenderness. She had come to care for him despite knowing him for less than a day. She rolled over in her bed and hugged the pillow.

I'm so sorry, sisters, she prayed. I'm happy and I'm supposed to be mourning for you. Akane shook her head when she realized that she was being very silly. Her sisters would love her to be happy, especially at this moment.

After all, it's not everyday a woman falls in love.


Shampoo's breathing grew labored with alarm and fear.

It couldn't be! It couldn't be!

The thought replayed in her mind along with the sound of the voice on the phone.

"Hello, Shampoo. I highly doubt you have forgotten me."

The deep voice held no hint of an accent and the words were spoken smoothly, although with the slight trace of a smug smirk. It had taken a few seconds for the familiarity of the voice to sink in and Shampoo had been shocked when she finally recognized it.

There could be no doubt. The voice could only belong to one person.

And God help her, Shampoo was afraid.


Ranma choked on his beer.

"Surely you're joking," he spluttered. Ryoga grinned. He had just remarked that Ranma couldn't keep his eyes off that girl, Akane.

"Well, why did you give her that idiotic nickname to call you, then?" Ryoga countered. "Eh, Ran-chan?"

"I dunno," Ranma answered, shrugging. "I just had a Feeling."

Feeling with a capital F, Ryoga thought. And when Ranma says Feeling, you know something's wrong.

Ranma frowned and what he said next interrupted Ryoga's thoughts. "Well, but she is beautiful…"

And it was Ryoga's turn to choke.

"Hell, man!" Ryoga exploded. "That's an understatement if I ever heard one!"

"And I'm sure you've heard quite a few in your lifetime," Ranma returned. Then he turned the mug of beer over in his hands to study the pattern on it. "She really is beautiful, though. Very delicate and elegant looking. But she is very tough." He continued studying the pattern then he looked up at Ryoga. "And you know what part of her appeal is?"

"What?" Ryoga asked, knowing that an answer was expected of him.

"She doesn't know that she's beautiful. I mean, so many beautiful women know that guys turn to look at them but she doesn't bother."

"And this shocks you?" Ryoga asked a dark brow raised in condescension.

Ranma shook his head to clear it. "Yes, it rather does." He smiled and continued. "For example, there's that Shampoo. She's absolutely lovely and she knows it. I hate that."

"Ranma, it's just that you've lived interacting with so many cynics," Ryoga remarked. "You have to meet a few good people for once." He smirked. "And I don't mean a mistress."

"I don't know why I bother talking to you, Ryoga," Ranma commented, shaking his head.

"Well, I do," Ryoga cut in. "I'm one of those great, uncynical people."

"Uncynical's not a word," Ranma groaned, exasperated by his friend's unusual behavior.

"Well, now it is."

"I'd better go now, anyway. I have an appointment with Shampoo," Ranma said, ignoring his friend.

Ryoga snorted and lifted his mug of beer in a mock toast.

"Good luck, mate."


And to his everlasting despair, Ranma discovered that Shampoo had cancelled their 'appointment'. He had arrived at her house only to discover that she wasn't in.

Apparently she had a 'famly thin to attd to'.

Or at least, that's what she said in her note.

Ranma sighed and walked away from the Chinese girl's home. What should he do?

And then a wicked thought occurred to him.

It must have been the beer or Ryoga's company.

Whatever it was, he desired Akane more than Shampoo at that moment.

Ranma grinned and walked into his car.


Ryoga discovered the wonders of the pattern on the beer mugs that had so entranced Ranma earlier. He was very 'in-the-mood' cough horny cough and not a woman had approached him.

Do I look like a drunk? After all, I'm a pretty good lookin', strappin' fella. Surely some lady would've hit on me by now.

He looked around his dreary surroundings and dissected the women carefully.

Nothing interesting. Unless…

Ryoga smiled.

Unless that pretty brunette there was counted.

She was wearing a mini skirt and clutching an adorable pet… PIG???

Ryoga groaned.

Just his luck. The only beautiful lady around him was a lunatic.


Akane rubbed her eyes. Whoever could be calling at such an hour? It was almost one in the morning and Akane had been sleeping rather when the doorbell suddenly rang.

She slipped on a wine red bathrobe over her silk nightgown and yawned. Then, she shuffled to the door.

"Who is it?" she mumbled, her hand on the door handle. When she heard the reply on the other side of the door, she nearly slipped on the hem of her oversized bathrobe.

"Ran-chan?" she repeated disbelievingly while unlocking the door. "What are you doing here?"

She looked breathlessly at the handsome man at her doorstep. He had an almost mystical appearance under the moonlight and it took Akane's breath away to look at him. He looked like one of those Greek gods. His gray-blue eyes were heavy lidded with desire and a thrill of fear of unknown desires ran through her body.

"You could say that my sudden appearance…" He grinned and leaned in closer to Akane. "Well, well, Akane. You smell like roses."

Akane lurched backwards. "I say, you aren't drunk, are you?"

"No, I'm not, sweetheart," Ranma answered. "If I were, at least I'd be able to bring up some courage to do what I want to."

Akane looked at him closely. "What exactly do you mean by that?" She touched his face gently and rubbed her thumb over his stubble-roughened cheek. She shuddered at the cold air of the night and Ranma grabbed her hand.

"We'd better get in, darling," he whispered softly, dragging her in. "You wouldn't want to get cold, would you?" He shut the door behind them and all of a sudden, faster than Akane's drugged senses allowed to her react, he jammed his lips to hers and kissed her.

Akane gasped at the intimacy. Her skin grew warm and she tentatively reached out and laid her fingers against his jaw. His tongue probed into her mouth and he explored her thoroughly and feverishly with his hands and tongue. Akane clung to him and moaned as he cupped her derrière.

"Ran…"

That was all that got out of her mouth, for he dragged his mouth from hers and stared into her eyes. "God, I've never had a kiss like that," he whispered reverently.

"Feel what you do to me." He pulled her closer to him and she felt the evidence of his desire for her.

"Feel my skin." He placed her hand on his throat, right where she could feel his pulse. His skin was overheated.

"Feel my heartbeat." He placed her hand over his heart and she felt it beat erratically.

Akane shivered. She couldn't help it- she was so young and the passion was far too much for her to control. She leaned against him and sighed.

"Where's your bedroom, Akane?" he asked impatiently. He was already unbuttoning his shirt.

Akane snapped out of her daze. She really loved Ran-chan, she knew, but is that truly a good enough foundation to sleep with him? He did return her love, didn't he? If not, he wouldn't have kissed her with such ardor, right? She turned to look at Ran-chan. He was gazing at her with a predatory gleam in his eyes. He looked almost…

Possessive.

Her mind made up, she turned to him and smiled almost provocatively. "Follow me." They made their way up the stairs and when they reached her bedroom, Ranma grabbed her and kissed her again. This time, the kiss was more passionate than the last and the passion created a thick haze in Akane's young mind.

What's that sound? Akane thought drowsily as Ranma's hand moved higher up her midriff. It sounds like ringing… it sounds like the...

Doorbell.

Ranma groaned and pulled away from her. "You'd better go down and answer the door," he said. "I'll wait for you here. Come up when you're done." Akane nodded, still a little confused, and ran down, her bathrobe still over her nightgown.

And when she arrived at the door, she did so only to see Shampoo standing outside. "I is here to know result of your interview," she declared without much panache. She made her way in quickly and Akane noticed that she kept looking backwards as if she were afraid of being followed.

"Good evening, ma'am," she greeted. "I passed and I'll be teaching my first class on Monday." Shampoo clapped her hands together. "Good!" she laughed happily.

"Akane, you done yet?" Ranma's voice called.

Shampoo frowned. That voice certainly is familiar… She narrowed her eyes and glared at Akane furiously. "That Ranma?" she asked angrily. "I no believe Akane sleep with him and only know him little?" Her grammar was slipping again, Akane noticed.

"No, ma'am," Akane sighed. "It's not him. It's a guy who works at his dojo, Ran-chan, they call him." Shampoo 'hmmphed' and looked away.

Ran-chan…? I've never heard of him before…

She looked at Akane sharply and only saw honesty. "Okay, Shampoo no want disturb." She gave Akane a sleek smile and she stalked out smoothly. Akane stared at her openmouthed and she saw an old lady on a cane waiting for Shampoo outside. As soon as Shampoo reached her, she began whispering hurriedly in Chinese.

Great, I'm sleeping with one boss and the other knows I'm up to naughty stuff.

Akane was tempted to hit her head on the wall. Life was getting increasingly frustrating for her. She turned and made her way to her room again. Ranma was sitting on her bed, his position strangely seductive. She felt her mouth grow dry.

"I'm sorry, Ran-chan," she said apologetically. "You have to go now."

Ranma got up angrily. "What the hell do you mean by that?"

Akane swallowed. "I can't sleep with you yet, Ran-chan. I don't know you that well." In her dismay, Akane didn't notice the emphasis she unwittingly placed on the word 'yet' but Ranma did, which is probably why he understood her feelings on their little tryst.

Ranma's brows drew together. Dammit, he was taking out his frustration on her. He immediately softened his voice. "You mean you don't exactly sleep with guys you're rather unfamiliar with?" When Akane nodded he forged ahead. "I can understand that. After all, we've only met today."

She smiled at him, relieved that he understood her. "Thanks for understanding me."

He shrugged. "No big deal." Then, recklessness glittered in his eyes as realization dawned upon him. "But I'll be there on Monday, love." With a sweeping bow, he said, "Till then, sweetheart."

He strode out of her room, his clothes in disarray and his hair in a mess (definitely not conforming to the latest style).

But Akane didn't really care.

Because she loved him.

Yes, even though she'd only known him for a day.

Silly, isn't it?

But, Dear Readers, that's how love works.


As/N: Well, that was a tiring chapter. We squeezed our brains dry there. Please don't forget that this fanfic is based on the wonderful Judith McNaught's 'Double Standards'. We may quote from the book from time to time.

Anyway, a very big thanks to those who reviewed:

Thereviewergirl: Thanks, girl! You rock! And please, oh please, continue your fic.

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XyoushaX: Thank you. Your review is so sweet. Don't worry. I'm not copying anything except the

plot, but even that is being changed a little.

crazy-foe-you: Hey, your nickname's so cute!!!! No, she's a bit of a bimbo here... Forgive us, Shampoo fans.

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