Interesting Times

By socchan

Chapter Ten: If You Give a Mousse a Wish…

Saturday afternoon, Nabiki was sitting across from Kuno in an ice cream parlor, sipping occasionally from a mint chocolate shake. "So that's what happens if we don't find the book, and if I don't get the rest of the Wishes taken care of." She said, finishing her explanation of the previous day's events.

Kuno frowned. "Well, the book thing sounds pretty cryptic if you ask me, so if I were you, I'd focus on trying to find more of the people you need to give Wishes to."

"Yeah, but I've run out of obvious people." Nabiki said, dejectedly. "Ranma was easy to figure out; I was too, sort-of. But I never would have guessed you'd need one. I know the rest of them aren't going to make it easy on me, but you'd figure I'd at least know where to look!"

"That's easy. Take a glance around Nerima, and you'll probably see at least ten people who could use one."

"Yeah, well, the Wishes probably need a bit more than just a glance to decide."

"Well, if you're going to be pessimistic about it, we might as well talk about the book."

Nabiki sighed; Kuno sounded annoyed. "You're right. I should stop focusing on the negative aspects. If there's any place that the Wishes will be of use, it's Nerima. There are probably more people with curses here every square kilometer than just about anywhere else in the world! Hell, just between Ranma's rivals and fiancées, there's more than enough to take care of the Wishes!" A thoughtful look crossed her face. "Y'know, that's a good place to start. If anyone needs a Cat's Wish more than one of Ranma's rivals, I'll—I'll extort people for half price for a whole day! Now it's just a matter of finding out who gets what." She grinned at Kuno, and leaned over to give his cheek a peck. "Thanks for the great idea. I always knew you brought out the best in me."

A silly grin plastered itself to Kuno's face. "Look who's talking."

"Anyhow, now that you've helped me decide on a course of action where the Wishes are concerned, let's move on the book."

The pair brooded in silence for a while, occasionally taking a sip of a milkshake. "Did you ask Carmella for the clues she already has?" Kuno asked, suddenly. Nabiki smacked her forehead, and Kuno lifted an eyebrow. "I'll take that as a 'no'…"

"If I knew you were going to be smarter than me, I never would've given you that Wish…" Nabiki grumbled.

Kuno grinned. "Sure you would have. After all, it's no fun having a clueless moron for a significant other. Your sister already knows that pretty well."

"Oh, shut up." A thought dawned on Nabiki. "Say…" she said, "didn't you say that Kodachi put all those curses on you from a book?"

"Yes…"

"Well, you don't know where it came from, and she found a lot of spells in there, so do you think it could be the one?"

Understanding made itself known on Kuno's face. "You just might be right. And even if it isn't the book we're looking for, it should at least have some good stuff in it. Maybe it'll even have some stuff Carmella doesn't know in it…"

Nabiki snorted. "I doubt it. Still, either way, it'll be good to have around." A smug grin took the place of the cynical expression. "Now who's the smart one?" she teased.

Kuno made a face. "Ha-ha, very funny. Stop by my place tomorrow, say, one-ish so we can dig up the book?"

Nabiki drained her milkshake and reached for her wallet. "It's a date." She promised with a wink and a grin.

Kuno stopped her hand. "For a little extra sugar, I'll take care of the bill." His eyes twinkled.

"Kuno, what do you—oh." Nabiki leaned over and planted a kiss on his lips. "Happy now?"

Kuno dropped a thousand-yen bill on the table, and led Nabiki out the door. "Quite,"

Nabiki's eyes glowed with amusement she didn't allow to show on her face. "I should hope so, because—" Nabiki was interrupted by the sight of Shampoo speeding by on her bicycle in the direction of the Tendo Dojo, followed close behind by Mousse. "Crap…" she muttered, feeling a tug, then started running after. Confused, Kuno watched for a moment, then realization dawned. Quickly, he followed Nabiki.

Nabiki raced down the street after Shampoo, praying to any Kami listening to avoid any confrontation. If Shampoo found out where Ranma really was… Nabiki gritted her teeth and sped up. Kuno lengthened his stride, barely keeping up with her. "You're pretty fast for someone who doesn't actively practice the Art," he commented.

"Sometimes… it pays… to be fast." Nabiki panted out. "More so… since Ranma came…"

"Make some people angry in your past?"

Nabiki glared at him. "Drastic times… call for drastic… measures. Stop… making me talk… Takes air away… from breathing."

Kuno raised an eyebrow. "You really don't do this a lot, do you?" Nabiki's glare worsened. "Alright, no need to get defensive. I won't make you talk."

Nabiki turned her focus back to the road in front of her. "There it is!" she suddenly gasped out, and added what little speed she had left, hoping against hope she could stop the Amazons before hey caused too much property damage, but already knowing she wouldn't beat them. Every sprinter knows it's the beginning of the race that makes the difference in the outcome, unless you're someone like Ranma, who can pull a win out of a hat. Nabiki was not, but damned if she wasn't going to try.

"Nabiki, wait up!" Kuno called out, fruitlessly. "Damn… Now she's making me out of breath…" He smirked a bit. "Not that that's a bad thing. Just tiring…" Kuno sucked in another breath, and leaned into the run.

Nabiki knew she had lost when she heard the cry of "Where Ranma?!" from the backyard. Gritting her teeth, she allowed herself to slow down, and hid behind a hole in the wall, peering through to watch. Kuno came to a stop behind her, breathing hard.

"Finally…" he muttered.

"Shh!" Nabiki hissed. "I'm listening for my entrance!"

Kuno frowned. "You've got this down to a science, haven't you?"

"Ranma you coward!" came Mousse's yell. "Come out and fight!"

"That's my cue!" Nabiki whispered, then stepped through the wall and into sight. The tug was getting stronger and more insistent. "Ranma's not here." Nabiki called, getting the attention of the two teen Amazons.

"You!" Shampoo said, pointing a bon bori at Nabiki. "Where airen?!"

"He's out, so I'll thank you kindly to stop wrecking out property." Nabiki said, cooly.

Shampoo looked startled a moment, then redoubled her efforts. "Shampoo not ask where Ranma not; ask where is."

Mentally, Nabiki rolled her eyes, but didn't let anything show through her business face. "That can be arranged… for a price."

Shampoo glared. "How much?"

"I'll settle for two thousand yen, and no more destruction of property for the rest of the stay, or when you leave."

Shampoo scowled. "Fine." She put on her cutest face, and turned to Mousse. "Mousse have two thousand yen Shampoo could borrow?" Mousse dumbly pulled a wad of cash from… somewhere, peeled two bills off of it, and handed them to Shampoo, tucking the rest back where it came from. Nabiki frowned inside. I wanted to make her pay… And where did Mousse get all that cash? Shampoo smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Mousse." She turned back to Nabiki and handed her the money. "Where Ranma?"

Nabiki took the paper, made a big show of making sure it wasn't counterfeit, then tucked it into a hidden pocket on her person. "Ranma left on a training trip this morning and didn't tell anyone where he was going. He said if anyone tried to follow him, he'd never speak to that person or those persons again. This is a trip for him to get stronger spiritually as well as physically."

Shampoo scowled at her, turning the information over in her head. "When he back?"

"He didn't say. Spiritual Evolution can take a while." Nabiki replied.

"Fine." With a final glare, Shampoo turned, stomped back out through the hole she'd come in, and biked off. Cautiously, Kuno entered.

"I can't believe you said all that with a straight face!" he said, honestly.

Nabiki shrugged. "It's a gift. Is he okay?" she asked, jerking her head in Mousse's direction. "It looks like he's in shock."

As if on cue, Mousse groaned and shook his head. "She did it again, didn't she?" he asked, not really needing an answer.

"Yup." Kuno replied.

It was hard to tell through those coke-bottle lenses, but Nabiki was relatively certain he blinked in surprise. "Kuno? When'd you get here? More importantly, when'd you start being comprehensive?"

Kuno shrugged. "About two minutes ago and two weeks ago respectively."

"Why don't you come in, Mousse?" Nabiki asked, paying careful attention to the Wish's pulse.

Mousse shook his head. "No, thanks. I should probably be heading back to the Nekohanten."

Nabiki frowned. "You sure? I'm sure Cologne would understand if I just… explained things to her. Besides, there's something I'd like to bargain with you for."

Mousse raised his eyebrows. "Okay, if you're sure…"

The three of them set around the kitchen table, and Nabiki got the teakettle that was always on (more for Mr. Saotome now than anyone else) and served them all a drink. "Where's Kasumi?" Kuno asked, casually.

"Probably out shopping." Nabiki replied, blowing gently on her tea.

"Ah," Kuno said, taking a tentative sip.

"So what is it that you wanted to bargain for?" Mousse asked, suspiciously.

"This," Nabiki said, pulling the green Wish from her pocket by its cord. "This is a charm that will make Shampoo stop taking advantage of your feelings for her. I can't promise it will make her like you," she enforced, firmly, "but it should make her respect you."

Mousse stared longingly at the cat's claw, then sighed. "How much?" he asked, reluctantly. Nabiki could all but read his thoughts: I'll never be able to afford it; she'll take all I've got, and then make me be her personal slave for two months. Still, for Shampoo's respect, I'd do almost anything… even make a deal with the devil. Same thing in this case.

Nabiki frowned to herself. Just because she could guess what others were thinking didn't mean she had to like it, especially in this case. Kuno reached over and patted her free hand, reassuringly. "It's okay," he whispered.

"Two thousand yen." Nabiki replied, making Mousse's gaze snap to hers in shock. She continued, unfaltering. "From my account."

Mousse's jaw practically hit the floor. "But… why?" he asked, incredulously.

Nabiki shrugged. "I don't like to see other people swindling my customers for money. That was a pretty damn nasty thing for Shampoo to do; even I have limits." She folded the two thousand yen Shampoo had given her around the Wish's cord. "Here; from one hopeless romantic to another."

Mousse frowned, taking it from her, and tucking the money away with speed born of long years of practice. "I never pictured you as a hopeless romantic. Unless…" He glanced from Kuno and Nabiki's joined hands to their faces, then slipped the Wish on and grinned.

"Unless I just needed to find the right person to be hopelessly romantic with?" Nabiki asked, allowing a small smile to grace her lips. "Could be…"

Mousse chuckled. "Congrats, Kuno; you have melted a heart of ice. May both I and Ranma do the same."

"I'll drink to that." Nabiki said. The three of them raised their cups and clinked them together, laughing.

=^-,-^=

I myself am rather proud of how well this chapter went, but I would still like to hear your opinions. Did I portray anyone too terribly out of character? Is there anything that needs clearing up? Does my story just suck in general? Or do you actually have high opinions of what I've done? Remember, here at Interesting Times Productions, we appreciate your honest opinion. Thank you for your time ^_^!

Disclaimer: Ranma ½ is property of Rumiko Takahashi, and therefore, not mine. I make no claim of it, and this piece of fan fiction is written purely for entertainment, not for money. The Cat's Wishes and Cursed Whisker powder are my concepts, and Carmella is my character, so you'd better ask before using them—or at least give me some credit. Thanks much!

--socchan