When they arrived, Cologne was serving some customers, her hands moving faster than Ranma had ever seen anyone moving, while still managing to balance on that stupid stick. The plates all skidded to a halt perfectly before the delighted customers, with the chopsticks still resting easily on the dish. There were a few loud whistles as Shampoo and Ranma entered, but mostly the people concentrated on their food.

"Ah Shampoo, son-in-law." Cologne greeted them, "I assume you've told him the news Shampoo?"

"Yes Great-Grandmother" replied Shampoo happily, taking over the serving - although she had to serve the customers like you would expect. While Shampoo was hurrying around serving the food, Cologne led a excited but slightly mystified Ranma out. She was starting to get suspicious of Cologne teaching her the technique. His Pops may not have taught him much, but she did learn from him a few things, such as that nothing is free. Unless, of course, you steal it.

"Now then son-in-law." Cologne said. Ranma fought back the urge to give the elder a wallop on the head. Her fist was shaking in the air, but she controlled herself. If I want the ghoul to teach me, I have ta put up with it. "I will teach you the one of the secrets of the Amazon tribe, the Chestnuts roasting on an open fire technique, or Katchu Tenshin Amaguriken."

Still wary, Ranma asked "What do I have to do?"

"You are still uneasy about marrying Shampoo, correct?" Cologne asked. Ranma nodded, more worried that she showed, while Cologne continued, "I am not asking you to marry Shampoo in return for the technique. I prefer to make things... a little more interesting."

Ranma, her uneasiness gone, brashly asked "So what do I have to do then? As long as I'm not being forced to... marry" Ranma paused at that word, a strange expression on her face, "anyone, then I'll do whatever."

"I'll let you choose." Cologne said, "Either you can fight me once you've learnt the technique, and if I win then you marry Shampoo, or you go on a proper date with Shampoo"

Her impulsiveness taking over, Ranma immediately fell right into Cologne's trap. "I'll fight ya then. What do I get if I win?"

Cologne had the sense not to show it, but she felt she had achieved a great victory. Letting Ranma choose made it seem like Cologne wasn't forcing her into it, so she had immediately agreed. "If you win..." Cologne pondered "I'll let you decide that." She was sure Ranma wasn't going to win, technique or no technique. "So are we agreed?"

"I'll learn that technique in a week!" Ranma vowed.

"You can try" smirked Cologne. "It took my Shampoo two weeks just to speed up her punches with chi energy, which is a lot easier."

She hopped outside, leading Ranma to a small outside area, where she lit a fire. The fire crackled into life like a phoenix rising from the ashes, spreading high it's wings of flames. Cologne took some chestnuts from an inside pocket, and threw them in.

"Watch carefully now son-in-law." Cologne said. In an instant, her hands were moving in blurs, just like they had when Ranma had first entered the restaurant. In a matter of milliseconds, the chestnuts were in Cologne's hand. She showed her hand to Ranma, not burnt, and the chestnuts still sizzling merrily in her palm. "Now you try" She said.

"Piece of cake" Ranma said confidently, going up to the fire as Cologne threw in the chestnuts. She waited until the chestnuts had fallen, and lunged at them with all the speed she could muster. Moments later, she was plunging her hands into a bucket of cold water - Cologne had been prepared for this.

"I'll get those chestnuts..." Ranma promised no-one in particular.

Akane was worried about her friend. Ever since the Chinese girl had come round five days ago, Ranma had been skipping school and staying out all day, coming back late, in a bad mood, with badly burnt hands. She had been refusing to talk to Akane much, although she would give a short but polite answer if Akane tried to get her to talk, but never further than that. All she had found out was that the girl was called Shampoo, and Ranma had been trying to learn a new technique. What kind of technique Ranma was trying to learn was a mystery to Akane. What kind of technique would need you to burn your hands that badly...?

Akane finished preparing the dinner she had been making with a very generous sweep of paprika. She hoped Ranma would like the chicken bone and vinegar stew she had made. She had even added a bit of ketchup for flavour. If Ranma was training hard, she needed a good meal to help her get along. The rest of the family had been easily persuaded to leave so Ranma could have a quiet dinner - a bit too keen actually... But Akane didn't mind

Ranma arrived home for the sixth day in a row much earlier than Akane had expected, and her attitude was completely different now. Instead of the grim mood she had expected, Ranma was absolutely jubilant. The door was slammed shut and Ranma, for the first time in almost a week, didn't go straight upstairs. She gave Kasumi a happy greeting as she entered the kitchen, then paused. The scene was very different from what she had been expecting. Instead of a tidy kitchen giving off the pleasant smells of Kasumi's cooking, she found a wreckage in the kitchen. Pots and pans were everywhere, and the surfaces were mostly covered with half empty jars.

"Hi Ranma" Akane said pleasantly, glad to see the girl. "I made supper for you as you seemed so depressed recently."

Ranma was in too good a mood for it to be ruined by a simple mess in the kitchen. "Hey Akane!" She crowed, "I managed to learn the technique. You shoulda seen that old ghoul's face when I pulled it off!"

"By the way, what's for supper? I'm starving!" She added hungrily, looking around for something edible.

Akane gestured to her stew. "I made this today." She said proudly, "Because you seemed depressed." She reminded Ranma as she looked slightly confused. Obviously Ranma hadn't been listening to what Akane had been saying before.

"Great!" Ranma said enthusiastically, going back to the dining room. "Thanks for the food!" She said, before shoving a huge mouthful in. Akane hadn't even had time to sit down before Ranma's face turned a nasty shade of green.

"What's wrong Ranma?" Akane cried as Ranma doubled over, grabbing his stomach. "Is the the training?"

"No..." Croaked Ranma.

"It's your cooking!"

1,159 words

There's the next chapter I promised! Review please, it's always greatly appreciated and I need to hear from you! A word of to Keeper of Worlds for following and reviewing often, thanks for the support!

Ranma has discovered two things: Akane's cooking and a new technique. But what about Cologne? What will he do now?

Nabiki doesn't seem to be moving much, but anything can happen...

Thanks again for all the support :D Please keep reviewing, and keep up the follows and favourites.

I'll try to update earlier this time!

Tha Master