Sorry for the delay. If anyone is waiting with bated breath, I apologize. I'll try to be faster on my updates.
Thanks again for the reviews!
As always, the disclaimer applies that I don't own them. If I did, I would be a very successful Japanese woman!
Distractions
Ch 3: The Cat Cafe
Outside the Cat Café both teens stood feeling rather awkward while staring at one another, neither wanting to be the first through the door.
"I dare you," said Akane, hoping it would actually work.
"You said that wasn't my style," Ranma smiled back. "Besides, ladies first."
She bit her lip realizing that any retort would only end in insulting herself and her femininity.
"You can at least get the door for me" she conceded.
"My pleasure" he said with a bow.
As he opened the door, however, Akane shoved him through ahead of herself.
Letting out a surprised yelp, he turned to glare at her.
"You shouldn't toy with a woman, Ranma," she grinned.
"Saotome?" questioned Mousse from nearby.
"That was dirty…woman," Ranma mumbled quietly to Akane.
Putting a hand on her back to be sure she would follow, they walked fully into the lion's den.
"Yes, Mousse. We were wondering if Cologne was here," Akane answered.
"I believe so, let me just check in the back" he said, readjusting his glasses.
Once he was gone, the pair noticed how quiet it was in the Café.
"I didn't know they had music playin'," said Ranma.
"Me neither" added Akane. "I guess it's a lot different when you're not being stalked or attacked!" They both smiled.
"Saotome Ranma, Tendo Akane," came Mousse's voice as he walked back to the front. "Grandmother Cologne will be out shortly…some tea while you wait?"
He motioned to a table in the corner, and then produced two teacups and a steaming pot from his sleeve. Once served, he moved away to give them privacy.
"This is weird, Ranma. It's been a long time since I was treated like a customer," Akane said quietly.
"Tell me about it! Well let's enjoy it 'cause I don't have too good a feelin' about what's coming…" Ranma trailed off as Cologne hopped out on her staff.
Under the table he nudged Akane's foot to emphasize his point. She stifled a laugh with her teacup.
Cologne, however, looked all too serious.
"Akane" she began, bowing her head slightly and setting Akane on edge. "Shampoo's actions in China are a stain on our honor, and for that I am truly sorry."
"It wasn't her fault," Akane interrupted, "It was the eggs! You don't need to apologize." Cologne held up a hand for silence.
"Please hear me to the end, Tendo-san."
Ranma choked on his tea, he'd never heard Cologne show respect to anyone before. Akane leaned across the table, laying her hands in front of the elder woman.
"Please…don't call me that." She felt horrible to be the cause of such humility in someone so proud.
"There is still the matter of a debt to be paid, I cannot ignore that. I know that you wish to be a stronger fighter, Akane. I would like to train you."
Akane blinked, then blinked again. This certainly was a day for unexpected news, all of it feeding her ego. Slowly, she leaned back in her chair.
"Really?" she almost whispered, a smile like the sunrise lighting her face. Under the table Ranma's foot was nudging hers furiously, obviously showing his disapproval.
Not even sparing him a glance, Akane kicked him back, hard.
"Yow!" Ranma yelped, jumping to his feet. "Look" he said, not missing a beat. "This sounds real great an' all, but we've gotta get Ryoga before…well, what, exactly?"
Cologne looked up with a small smile. "You always were too impatient."
"Yah, I'm hearin' a lot about my shortcomings lately, Old Ghoul. But we ain't got the time ta waste on that. Ya gotta tell us what you know about the scroll."
"Very well," Cologne said with a waive of her hand, " just sit back down a moment."
He didn't.
Sighing, she went on. "It's an ancient scroll, from before my time even. It was acquired from a neighboring village but was quickly deemed too dangerous for use. Because of that, it has been locked away for centuries. Unfortunately, very little is known about it past that it uses one's Ki."
Cologne then turned solely to Akane, "Do you still have the Battle Dougi?"
Akane was more than a little confused at the sudden change in topic, but quickly replied, "Well, yes, I still have it…"
"Good. If Ryoga's already used the scroll, be sure to get the Dougi and return here. You may need our assistance."
Akane sat confused for a bit longer before Ranma began to tug at her elbow. "Is that all ya know?" he asked impatiently.
Cologne nodded.
"C'mon then, let's get moving."
"O-OK," Akane said, rising to her feet. Bowing to the older woman she said "Thank you so much."
"Enough a that!" Ranma said, guiding her toward the door. Once she was through, he turned to point a finger at Cologne.
"If you're trickin' us in any way, an she get's hurt…"
"It's not a deception, Son-in…I suppose it's just Ranma, now," she ended calmly.
"It was always just Ranma," he shot back as the door swung shut.
"Keep yourself together, Tomboy. She's never been too generous without some sorta pay-off. And her change in attitude gives my teeth chills!" Ranma said as they headed toward the school.
"I know," mumbled Akane, her dreams of greatness taken down a peg. "It would be great, though, wouldn't it?"
She had such a lovely smile that Ranma couldn't resist an insult. It was his way of complimenting her, after all.
"Y'know, I knew there was a reason that you got picked over my obviously superior skills. That stupid 'Do-Chan' just keeps haunting me. First choosing your thick-wasted body, and now this!"
"Oh come off it!" she scolded, smacking him in the back of the head. Then she grew thoughtful.
"I wonder what the connection is though. It seems awfully strange that the Dougi and scroll would be linked."
"How'd she know about the Dougi anyway?" asked Ranma, rubbing his head.
Akane paused.
"How does she? Did you tell Shampoo?"
"In case ya hadn't noticed, I don't have deep conversations with Shampoo. It's more like dodging proposals and running for my life!"
"Do you think she knows about what Cologne just said to me, about the training?"
Ranma shrugged. "Maybe she don't like it and that's why she wasn't there just now."
"Good point," Akane smiled.
They came to a stop, the wall around the school grounds looming all too familiar in front of them. Akane noticed a ribbon of smoke, as Ranma had said, winding its way into the sky.
"Guess this is it. Just let me talk to him first, OK?" Akane said, being sure to catch Ranma's eyes. Despite the warm weather, Akane's shoulders shook with a sudden chill. She couldn't help but feel something bad was about to happen.
"Sure," he said, nonchalantly shrugging. Then, looking away, gave her shoulder a squeeze.
"Goosebumps?" he asked, his hand still on her skin.
"Just a feeling, but, do think something very wrong is over this wall?"
Feeling his hand begin to withdraw she quickly laid hers on top, suddenly needing him close.
Eyebrows mere centimeters from his hairline, Ranma stared at his hand. For all his boasting, he cursed how inexperienced with girls he actually was.
Feeling him freeze-up, Akane smiled. Lacing their fingers together she pulled him through the gate.
Next chapter: Here's Ryoga! But it's not what you'd expect, so hold on tight!
A/N: For anyone who was unsure, the Battle Dougi is from the manga. It makes Akane stronger than Ranma, and that leads to a fun situation. It's one of my favorite stories too, so if you haven't read it, you should!