Ranma ran to where Kodachi was, Cologne following. Ranma hadn't actually seen the elder in battle, but got the feeling she was a tough opponent. Not only was she keeping up with Ranma's fastest pace, she was also using a stick to do it, and quite comfortably too. Ranma always found she was one step ahead of him, and it looked more like she was leading him there. Not that it matters. Speed might be important, but that old hag doesn't look like she could do any damage at all. Without power, you'll just tire yourself out. Although she is surprisingly resilient…
Ranma came to a halt where he had seen Kodachi before. He looked around, unsure of what to do as Kodachi wasn't there, when Cologne took off.
"Come on son-in-law" She said "This way."
Ranma followed Cologne quickly, and her pace obviously slowed to let Ranma catch up. Damn she's fast. I have got to do some speed training.
Ranma heard Kodachi's voice quite suddenly. She was still angrily challenging the bird, which seemed to now be dead. Ranma tried to approach the girl gone mad, but she suddenly threw herself off the rooftop, the bird still caught in her ribbon. The carcass was pulled down with her.
"Kodachi!" Ranma yelled, trying to grab the girl. But she was too late.
For a moment they fell, and then Kodachi hit the ground, followed by the bird. Kodachi's expression crumpled from one of extreme rage to one of manic depression. She started talking to herself quietly, and Ranma jumped down to hear what she was saying. Cologne seemed not to care, and stayed watching on the roof. Her expression was slightly amused.
"I'm a failure…" Kodachi sobbed into her hands. "I couldn't even beat a stupid bird." She saw Ranma and her mood suddenly shifted "Why!?" She shrieked, directing her scream at Ranma "Why was I beaten by a stupid dumb animal!?"
She dropped her ribbon and ran toward the river "I'm not worthy of living anymore!" She shouted to no-one in particular. The bird was silent.
Ranma tried to chase after Kodachi, but tripped.
"What the…?" Ranma said to himself. He found his legs tied up in string. He strained his legs, and after a few moments, the string snapped from around his legs.
"Very impressive Ranma Saotome" Mousse said. "Those legs of yours are exceedingly strong to break my strings."
"Mousse?" Ranma asked "Look, there's no time for this. She's-" Ranma started to point at Kodachi, but she had gone. Ranma looked around wildly, and started to try and follow her.
"You're not getting away!" Mousse shouted "I'm going to kill you and take back my Shampoo!"
"There's Shampoo in there! It won't cost ya much" Ranma shouted annoyed, pointing to a shop "I don't even remember stealin' nothing! Just go in there and get some!"
"Shampoo's in there?" Mousse asked excitedly "Please Ranma, what will it cost me? I'll do anything for the sake of my Shampoo!"
What a creepy guy… "It'll only cost like 600 yen." Ranma shouted in reply "Can I go now?"
"Yes yes." Mousse took off his glasses hurriedly and tried to smooth down his hair. "OK…" He muttered to himself. "Ok…"
Ranma watched, bewildered for a second, then yelped and ran at full speed in the direction Kodachi was heading. He jumped up onto the rooftops for a better view, only to see Kodachi heading towards the river.
He jumped down in front of Kodachi and tried to block her. Kodachi snapped her ribbon at Ranma in a blind fury, so unexpectedly fast Ranma didn't have time to block it. Ranma winced and recoiled slightly, and Kodachi ran past. Ranma ran after her, and managed to lock her arms on the bridge.
Ranma found himself in a very uncomfortable position with Kodachi. She was struggling wildly, angrily spouting nonsense about needing to kill herself.
"Cologne, couldn't you help a little bit?" Shouted Ranma "She's gonna kill herself!"
He had just finished his sentence when Mousse reappeared, firing multiple weapons at him. Ranma dropped Kodachi's arms and sent the weapons ricocheting. They smashed into the water, sending up a variety of splashes.
"How dare you trick me!" He shouted, almost steaming with fury "You told me Shampoo was in that shop! All I got was this!" He held up a bottle of Shampoo
"That's what you wanted isn't it!" Ranma yelled "You asked for Shampoo!"
Kodachi, now free, jumped off the bridge. Mousse spotted her diving, and recognised the face. He's killing her? He looked aghast, and jumped down. Ranma shielded himself from what looked like an attack, and found Mousse motoring down to Kodachi. He grabbed the girl and shielded her from the impact of the water. Then he saw the coming water, and panicked. He grabbed Kodachi's ribbon and flung it desperately at the rope support on the bridge. It snagged, and Mousse began to pull himself and Kodachi up.
Kodachi blinked slowly, and her thoughts began to come back to her. She couldn't remember anything, and her head hurt like fury. She looked around, and found herself being pulled up by her beloved Mousse darling. Mousse was hanging onto her ribbon, which was being dragged up by a boy she didn't recognise. She hugged Mousse happily, and let herself be pulled up. She felt like she was in heaven. Mouse saved me…
The boy managed to pull the two of them up somehow, and dropped down exhausted. Mousse ignored him, and focused on Kodachi. He put Kodachi on her feet, and Kodachi grabbed onto him.
"Can't you stand?" Mousse asked in concern Ranma must've been really harsh on her…
"Carry me Mousse darling…" She mumbled. Mousse consented, and saying a quick sorry prayer to Shampoo, his one and only love of his life, carried Kodachi back to where he was staying. I'll have to train her up a bit. Ranma doesn't even seem to have any wounds except one. This girl has potential. I'll train her in the hidden weapons, and we'll defeat Ranma together.
1,016 words
Sorry this is so short. I'll get a longer one done next week.
Kodachi and Mousse seem to be going well. Removing one obstacle to ShampooxRanma, and introducing an entirely new pairing. I noticed their forms of Martial Arts are very compatable, both use weapons, and both use a lot of them
Mousse now hates Ranma in more ways than one (For 'trying to kill Kodachi') So that'll be interesting. Maybe some other characters will get in on the main plot. Comment any suggestions, ideas, critcisms, etc… I hope you liked the chapter, and look forward to my next update!
Tha Master