Cats and Dogs: Inuyasha Nibunnoichi
By Bruce Cougar
Disclaimer: These characters, settings, and events are the works of Rumiko Takahashi, not me. I am merely borrowing them for this story so don't sue me please. Note: This is an AU story so events might be a little different, or really diferent, or not happen at all. If this makes you unhappy that this isn't like the anime or manga THEN READ OR WATCH RANMA 1/2 AND DON'T COMPLAIN! Thank you and I hope you enjoy my story
"Indicates spoken words"
'Indicates internal thought'
Indicates Chinese
-Part 6-
Reunion Part 1
Legato sighed in contentment, allowing his body to sink further into the spring. The hot water felt good against his body. Hard to imagine three weeks had gone by so fast, considering so much had happened.
To begin with, both Legato and Shampoo had completed their training. Legato endured the grueling Bakusai Tenketsu training while Shampoo learned a less traumtizing version of the Neko Ken. The results were very positive for the two martial artists. After a week of being bashed into boulders, Legato mastered the Breaking Point. This came with an unexpected bonus. Now not only did he have the ability to blow-up rocks, walls, and the ground; He was now incredibly resistent to impact. Normal punches didn't even hurt anymore. Even harder punches thrown by Colonge and Shampoo hurt considerably less.
Shampoo's training finished around the same time. Foundation's pressure points had done wonders to enhance the purple-haired girl's abilities. By ingraining cat qualities into her human form, Shampoo became stronger, faster, and had better reflexes. She was now able to use chi claw attacks similar to his. She wasn't his equal by any means, she still had aways to go before she could match his power. But, at least she closed the gap. Due to using pressure points on her subconscious, Shampoo picked up some interesting behaviors. Legato saw her sometimes licking her hands, cleaning them like a cat would. She also purred in her sleep.
The next two weeks was spent practicing and honing their skills against each other. He'd never really had a sparring partner that could keep up with him. It amazed him how a person his own age could be so conditioned and skilled. Although, even though Shampoo had gone through the same Breaking Point training as him, he still couldn't come close to using full strength. That would be very harmful or even fatal for the bouncy Amazon.
The lavender-haired beauty was another thing on his mind. Ever since that night were she saw him as a human, something had changed inside him. He knew that by her tribal laws she was required to marry him. In the beginning, he thought that was the reason for her affectionate nature. But after that night, he saw the real reason behind her actions. Shampoo had been just lonely as he was.
From then on, they were always by each other's side. They spent whatever free time they had together. Getting to know each other. Shampoo told him about her life, how lonely she had been growing up. When she asked about his past, Legato was reluctant at first. But with gentle coaxing on Shampoo's part, Legato told his tale. It wasn't easy for him to recall all those painful memories. By the time he was done; Legato fighting hard to keep the tears from escaping. Shampoo's heart went out to the dog eared boy. She embraced him, told him things were going to be okay. That she was here now, and that neither of them had to be lonely again.
Things changed after that, Legato couldn't get the girl out of his mind. It was odd, he was feeling something he'd never really felt before. This emotion was new to him and he couldn't quite place it. He always seemed to be happier whenever she was around. Now instead of blushing at any physical contact, he enjoyed it and even resiprocated the attention. He had a hard time picturing his life without the cheerful warrior maiden. Speaking of which...
His thoughts were cut short as his canine senses were picking up something coming towards him. He imediately recognized the scent as Shampoo's. He also knew from the scent that she was in her cat form. His ears heard the unmistakable noise of four tiny, padded feet working their way to him.
A grin spread across the demon boy's face. 'Trying to sneak up on me are you Shampoo?'
"If you're trying to sneak up on me then I'm hurt. You should know by now my ears do more than make me look cute." He called out.
From the bushes Shampoo-cat emerged and made a beeline for the pool. Moving as fast as her little legs could carry her, she made a graceful leap into the air. She dove into the water, making a tiny splash. Seconds later from the watery depths rose the glistening figure of Shampoo.
"Nihao." She said sweetly as she waded over to him.
"Hey how's it going Shampoo? Great-Grandmother let you out early?"
Shampoo nodded as she snuggled up beside him. "Great-Grandmother say Shampoo have rest of day off. Say she need to be refreshed for tomorrow annual tournament."
Legato draped his arm around the purple-haired girl and pulled her close. "I'm sure you'll do just fine. The way you are now, I doubt anybodies going to beat you,"
She gave a seductive smile as she traced her finger over his chest. "It too too bad tournament only for womans. Airen might of got second Kiss of Marriage from Shampoo."
Legato chuckled. "I think to whole village know we're together... well everyone except that blind idiot! Man, I swear, all that guy does is eat, sleep, and attack me! The guy's delusional! He keeps going on about me possesing you. I may have a ton of power as a half-demon, but mind control isn't one of them."
"Shampoo think Mousse have too many boo-boos to head."
"Nah, I think brain damage might actually help in his case." Shampoo giggled at that notion.
"Still, it be exciting day tomorrow!"
"Yeah, it definetly will be interesting."
"Shampoo agree! Very interesting!"
Little did either of them know how true their statements would turn out to be...
The day of the tournament the whole village seemed alive with activity. This day was about more than just competion, it was a celebration of the Amazon way of life. Legato walked in and out of the crowd, observing the festivities. Shampoo was busy getting warmed up for the pelimenaries. Mousse was still unconscious from their fight earlier. Legato had to admit that Mousse was a very persistent individual. Continuing to pick fights with the dog demon youth, even though he had no chance of winning. Of course that didn't make him any less of a pest.
Legato wore a red kimono for this special occasion. He approached the Challenge Log to get a good spot. The rounds were about to start and Shampoo was up first. He cheered on his Amazon wife as the fight began.
Meanwhile, not too far from the village...
"Got anymore bright ideas you old fool? Because the last one was just brilitant! What were you thinking, taking us to that dumb place? You can't even speak Chinese!" A cloaked figure said in an annoyed tone. This came as an odd statement considering there was no old man-just a panda.
"And did ya have to knock me in too ya stupid jackass!" Growled another person who turned out to be a girl with long brown hair.
You two were just saying you didn't mind! the sign held up by the panda read.
"You're right, I don't mind. Why would I? I'm more powerful now than I ever dreamed possible. Not that it really matters, that guide poured a whole kettle on me and nothing-no change." He patted the side of his cloak, where three long bulges where at. "Then there's these three. Must've been on whatever drowned in that spring. What's weird is I can't even touch one of them. The cloaked figure shrugs. "Oh well, at least Ucchan is back to normal."
"Yeah I don't think I could've taken another minute of that. It's just too... too... cheery, even for me.
"Are sure about that Ukyo?" The cloaked person asked amusingly. "I found you're new form to be quite 'heavenly.' I was expecting any second for you to pull out a harp. He snickered, Ukyo elbowed her companion in the ribs.
"Laugh it up jackass! You're the one with the pointy ears!"
"Come on Ucchan, I was only joking. Besides, it could be worse, you could turn into a pig or a duck or even a guy. Is what you have now really that bad?"
"Well... I guess not." The girl conceded. "The whole flying thing was kinda cool... But blonde is definelty not my color. These curse thing are definitely gonna take some getting used to sugar."
They all nodded in unison and continued on there way.
Some time later...
The crowd was now roaring with anticipation as the final match in the tournament was about to begin. Shampoo had easily worked her way through the ranks. Both Legato and Colonge watched from the front as the lavender-haired beauty faced off against the hulking brute Talcum. When the signal was given Talcum charged her opponent. Shampoo gracefully leapt over her combatant. Talcum never really stood a chance. In mere seconds she was ejected from the log. The villagers went wild as they witnessed their village champion reclaim the title.
Legato rushed over to embrace Shampoo. "You did it! You did it! I'm so proud of you, congradulations!"
"Shampoo do her best for Airen. Now we both get to enjoy too too delicious meal!" she bubbled.
She was refering to first place prize for winning the tournament. This banquet would've been theirs to enjoy, but most of it had already been devoured. They turned to see three strangers inhaling the food like they had been starving for weeks. Shampoo became furious at this and stomped over and started yelling at them in Chinese.
Both Legato and Colonge where frozen in place as they stared warily at the outsiders. It wasn't the girl who had what looked like a giant spatula strapped to her back; or the panda that was making them nervous. It was the cloaked stranger that was setting off their danger senses.
"Do you sense that Son-in-law?" Colonge asked, not taking her eyes off the person in question.
"Yes Great-Grandmother. He's... He's... like me..."
"No, not exactly child. You're a Half-demon, he on the other hand is a true demon, and a powerful one at that. Maybe... maybe even more powerful than you son-in-law."
"Well you better get over there, Shampoo looks like she's about to get violent."
Colonge hopped over on her cane and explained to the group that they had just eaten the prize for first place. The brown-haired girl commented that if one of them beat Shampoo, then she wouldn't have a problem.
Don't look at me, I'm just an innocent panda! The panda signed.
The cloaked boy gave a look of disgust. "I'll do it." In a graceful motion, he leapt onto the Challenge Log. Shampoo followed suit. The stranger stood in a casual stance while Shampoo gripped her bonbori tensely. The signal was given, Shampoo let out a battle cry as she charged her opponent. Before everyone's shocked eyes, the outsider sent Shampoo flying with a well timed kick. She crashed to the ground in un-ladylike fashion. Legato didn't know what to think. How could Shampoo be beaten so easily? Another thing popped into his mind as he remebered the laws.
"Oh no." He groaned. Now what?
"Well that was easy. Is there anything else? Or can we be on our way?" He said coldly.
"Not yet. Normally my Great-Granddaughter would be giving you the Kiss of Marriage right now, but this is a special situation."
"Kiss of Marriage? What's she talking about Ranchan?" The girl asked. She definetly din't like the sound of that.
"I don't know Ukyo. Old woman, what do you mean by 'special situation?'"
"It's quite simple. Shampoo had been defeated by another outsider before you. Therefore, you must fight with the other to see who marries her."
Ukyo stepped foward. "And who says he wants ta marry her huh? My Ranchan is fine with the girl he already has." She said defensively. However, Ranma never turned down a challenge.
"Fine, I'm always up for a fight. Where is this outsider? They better not lose as fast as she did."
"I'm right here." Legato called out. The crowd split as the red kimono-wearing boy made his way to the group.
"And I assure you I won't be beaten so easily." His golden eyes glared at the cloaked figure. He would pay him back for what he did to Shampoo.
Ukyo gasped. "Ranma! Look, he's like you!"
"Yes Ucchan, it appears so." The figure undone his cloak, allowing Legato to get his first good look at his opponent. He wore a white kimono and stood a little taller than Legato. He had claws like Legato and had lighter skin. He had long silvery-white hair like Legato, but did not have dog ears on his head. Instead, his ears were pointed, he had a crecent moon on his forehead, and had two pairs of markings on each cheek. In his sash he carried three sword: two katanas and a long, double-edged, broad sword.
"Follow me." Legato said. Ranma complied, giving his two katanas to Ukyo and his broadsword to the panda.
"You're not going to use the Challenge Log Son-in-law?" Colonge called out. He turned his head to see Shampoo following not too far behind-along with most of the village. He could see the worry in her eyes, the fear she might end up with another.
"This is too important to leave to chance." He called back. He led them to a clearing outside the village.
"What's your name by the way?"
"Why do you ask?" The other boy replied.
Legato shrugged. "I just like to know the name of my opponent that's all."
"Fair enough, they called you Legato right? My name is Ranma. Ranma Saotome."
Ranma looked over to see the Legato stopped dead in his tracks. He saw a look of confusion and wide eyes.
"Something wrong?" Pertending like he cared.
"Sao...to...me, you're name is Saotome?"
"Yes my last name is Saotome, what of it?" Ranma asked slightly annoyed.
Legato barely summoned his voice. "You wouldn't happen to be related to... Genma Saotome... would you?" slight fear in his words. Ranma chuckled. "Unfortunately yes, I'm related to that fat furball. That panda over there, that's him. My father, not much of one, but I am his son.
'I don't believe it. He and I are...are...'
"If your done asking questions, I'd like to get started." Ranma said coldly.
"Yes, of course." He turned his gaze back to the panda standing next to the brown-haired girl called Ukyo. 'Couldn't keep your hands to yourself, could you?' His fists clenched in anger, his fangs appeared as he glared at the furry animal. He pointed his clawed finger at the object of his bitterness.
"And as for you Genma Saotome! Don't even think of leaving! My business with you isn't done!" Legato called out.
"What's that guy talking about? What did you do this time old man?" Ukyo asked with suspicion. She knew from experience what Ranma's father was capable of.
'What'd he do? My mom, that's what.' Legato bitterly thought. He took some breathes and supressed his emotions. He cleared his mind and focused on his target. As much as wanted to cave Genma's head in, beating Ranma and not losing Shampoo took presedence. He was a little shocked with himself. Was Shampoo really that important to him? She must be if he was willing to fight against someone; who is most likely just as fast and powerful as him.
"This match will determine who will marry my Great-Granddaughter. Win by knockout, surrender, or...death. No rules. No time limit. Anything goes. BEGIN!" Colonge shouted.
Ranma and Legato charged at each other. The battle had begun.
-END PART 6-
Coming Soon: (Insert evil laughter) Quite the cliffhanger? The battle is on. Who will win? What is Ukyo's curse. All will be answered in part 2. Till then.
Author's Notes: I know I know, I'm despicable for leaving it off like that, but it was either a two-parter or a really long chapter. Legato as Inuyasha and Ranma as Sesshomaru? Tetsusaiga, Tenseiga, and Tokijin Why? Because, #1 I can. #2 I wanted to try something new and I've read few other stories with something like this idea.
Ukyo traveling with Ranma? Hey it's an AU fic isn't? Anything can happen. Whenever I read a story about Ukyo getting cursed, she almost always turns into a guy. I guess some people figure since she pertended to be a boy, she might as well turn into one. Like I said, I'm trying something different. Hope to hear the reader. PLEASE REVIEW!