Okay! Fourth Chapter up! I'm so sorry this one took so long! I tried, and it's not as long, but here it is. I've had so much stuff going on.

Don't expect the next chapter to be up for a little while, next week is tech week and I've got drama practice every day after school as well as the play next Friday, plus homework, projects, possibly finals, graduation, and sports.

But believe me, I will try my hardest.

Ooh and I got a Wii. Gotta love the Wii.

I've decided not to redo the part about Ranma cooking. It confused me too much. I'll just say now that he can cook something, though it may not be edible, but the stove is broken, because that is now a part of my plot.

This is the chapter when most will be revealed.

MWAHAHAHA.

Read on people, read on. :D

Oh and just to warn you, my "r" key sometimes sticks, Word doesn't catch it, I don't catch it, and it ends up here. Oh and don't bother telling me about the on-screen keyboard, I've tried it and it's really hard and awful.

"Alright already! I'll find some food! Although it would've been a lot easier if you hadn't shown up."

A figure dressed in a white robe raised an eyebrow. The colorful shapes on his robe wrinkled as he listened to the conversation between the boy and pig.

Scribbling it down, he scurried back up to the roof. There sat a bulky machine of a large size. It had countless knobs and buttons, and the many dials were turning furiously in every direction.

Adjusting his glasses, the man turned a dial labeled "Rain". A shadow fell over him, and rain pelted down around the house, soaking everywhere but the spot he stood.

With a satisfied nod, the man scrambled off the roof.

His time was limited.

&&&

Soun scratched his beard. He was in a puzzling situation. Leaning forward, he scrunched up his face, contorting it viciously. Suddenly, it came to him. His eyes lit up, and with a yelp he snatched the opportunity.

"CHECKMATE!"

Sliding the piece over, the dark-haired man leaned back in his chair, grinning. "I win this time! Pay up Saotome!" He held out his hand, waiting for money to be placed into it.

Grumbling, an overweight, black and white panda placed a small wad of cash into his opponent's hand.

With a smile, Soun grabbed hold of the money and flipped through it, counting his winnings. "Hey…" he muttered, after recounting it several times. "This isn't right. We agreed to double of this! Saotome you cheapskate! Pay up!"

Unfortunately, he was speaking to nobody. The black and white creature had snuck away during the man's recognition.

Positively boiling with anger, the fairly old man stood, veins ready to pop.

"Daddy, please don't."

Kasumi entered the room though the double doors, hands on her hips.

"First you make us leave, then you set up this awful plan, and now you're fighting with Mr. Saotome! Not to mention gambling! You're getting to be like Nabiki!"

Right on cue, the money-love made her entrance.

"Did somebody say money?"

"Nabiki, has Mousse returned yet?" asked her father, completely ignoring the question that had seemed to become her catchphrase.

"I can tell you for five bucks." Came the reply.

Muttering under his breath, the man pulled a fiver out of the money he had just received and handed it to his daughter.

Snatching it up, Nabiki answered, "No, not yet. But for only five more, I can tell you when he does."

Kasumi narrowed her eyebrows.

"I'll make sure to tell you when he comes, Daddy." She said, tuning and exiting the room.

There came a crash, and the sound of pots and pans bumbling about.

"I'd tell you that Mousse it here, but I wasn't paid."

The old man sighed.

Mousse came tumbling into the room, long black hair tied in a ponytail and sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

"All set." He reported, taking a seat.

"Good, good. And the kids?"

"Well.." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the small pad of paper that he had been writing on earlier and slid it across the table.

Picking it up, Soun scanned the pages of scribbles. "So…Akane's unconscious!? What? Is she alright?"

Mousse nodded. "She looks to be okay, just maybe fainted from shock. She practically had her head in the microwave you should know."

The dark haired father cocked an eyebrow, but dismissed the comment and continued.

"Sounds alright I suppose. And how's the machine?"

"The machine?" repeated the bespectacled teen. "It's doing fine. I've got it set to rain and some sleet mixed in."

He glanced out the window. The sun was streaming through the glass, flashing on the table and across the floor. Also reflected on the floor were the words "Cat Café" in different colors.

"Good, good…and we'll turn it off this Saturday when we return. And…how's Shampoo taking it?"

Mousse crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back. A sly grin crossed his face.

"I'd say she's doing just fine. Shampoo!"

The amazon woman appeared at the door, an empty platter in her hands. She was clothed in a bright pink and blue outfit with puffed out sleeves and a tight middle. It reached down past her hips and curved into a point. The pants she wore also poofed out and were dotted with pale silver sparkles that glittered whenever she moved.

She bowed, and her shining blue hair toppled over her shoulders. Rising again, she stood up straight, waiting.

Soun looked shocked.

"Don't be so surprised. She's not doing this on her own. See that bead necklace around her neck? It makes the wearer do whatever the giver says with no protests." He grinned.

"And don't worry about Cologne. She's out of town and won't be back for a couple weeks."

Soun nodded. He wasn't about to ask how the gawky boy managed to get the jewelry on Shampoo in the first place. "I…see."

He flipped through the pages once more. "They're out of food? Already? I thought Kasumi went shopping the day before…" Scratching his chin, he called for the older girl.

"Why, no, I didn't. I was so busy packing my things that I must have forgotten! I'm sorry…"

Soun sighed, leaning his elbows on the wooden table. "What're we going to do? This plan is blowing back in my face!"

There was the sound of a snap, and Shampoo made her way over to the table. "Shampoo help?" she questioned, leaning down to meet his eyes.

"How? What could you possibly do?"

The young girl winked and disappeared behind the doors to the kitchen. There was much clanging and banging, and after what seemed like hours but were merely minutes, she retuned, three metal food boxes in her arms.

"Is good?"

Soun was so happy that he leapt out of his chair. "That's perfect! An excellent idea!"

Shampoo smiled.

Mousse stood, sighed, and pushed his chair in. "Now Shampoo, you're only delivering the food. Leave it at the door if you have to. Just DON'T stay. We don't want you interfering with our plan. Got it?"

Shampoo nodded and placed the boxes on the table. "Shampoo know, Mousse."

She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, quickly letting go after a second. It was a trait she had mysteriously picked up after receiving the necklace.

Soun ignored the scene and picked up the boxes. "Alright, alright, let's move it."

Shampoo nodded and took them. "Shampoo go now!" she turned and left the room, climbing onto her bike outside and turning around the corner.

By now Mousse was a bright shade of pink.

"I uh…guess I'll go um, take care of..um…something."

He hurriedly left the room through the double doors.

Soun smiled to himself. His plan just might work. Having Mousse help was a big plus, even if the kid only did it to get Shampoo. He had the constant hope that if Ranma were taken, she would turn to him next.

"That poor, poor child."

&&&

Digging through the cabinets and drawers, Ranma found nothing but dirt. By that time he had managed to wipe the mess off of the floor, but was too lazy and hungry to do anything else.

Slamming the last one shut, he sank to the floor.

P-Chan bit his leg once more.

"Ow! Hey!" he gave the pig a little whack in the stomach.

The pig retaliated with a swift whack of it's own to Ranma's kneecap.

Now thoroughly annoyed, the boy grabbed the pig by the tail and stuffed him in the trash bin. The pig protested violently, slamming into the sides. He was trapped by the remains of the microwave on top, and let out an angry squeak.

"Squeal all you want, loser. You ain't coming out."

With a wave to the trash, Ranma exited and went to sit down by the couch. Akane was still unconscious. With a sigh, Ranma made a trip to the kitchen sink, or what was left of it, and filled a bucket of water. Coming back, he dumped it on the girl's head.

"Wake up, idiot!"

Akane woke with a small start. "Awah!? Um?"

Ranma rolled his eyes.

"Ah! The microwave! It's…it's.." she trailed, off realizing that Ranma was mimicking her every move. Her fists curled so tight that her nails left marks on her palms.

"Raaaaaannnmmmaaaaa."

Ranma froze. "Um?"

Palm connected with cheek, and the sopping wet girl swiftly left the room, fuming.

Rubbing his face, Ranma watched her leave. "Sheesh. The least she could do was thank me for waking her up!"

While nursing his face, the doorbell rang.

"What complete fool would be out in this storm?"

Taking his own sweet time, the martial artist approached the door. Upon opening it he found three rectangular, metal boxes. Each had the words "Cat Café" printed on the side.

With a puzzled look, he scooped them up and took them inside, setting them on the table. He cautiously opened one, revealing a few days worth of food.

Not caring how it got there or where it came from, he instantly dug into some noodles.

When he had finished, he stuffed the rest in a basket in the refrigerator.

There was a squeak from the trash.

"Oh ha ha, Ryoga. No food for you!"