Part 7: Chinese Customs are Greek to Cats
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Oh great, Ken thought to himself. He'd been splashed with cold water and was now an official Very Big Cat. To make matters worse, he could see Ranma coming around the corner, although Ranma had yet to see him. And he knew that he didn't want to see Ranma go cat personally. That once in front of Omi and the entire school was enough for him. He dashed off, knocking a few people over in the process.
Letting out a sigh as Ranma ran past, leading Ryoga home again, he looked out of the alley entrance to make sure that he hadn't caused any accidental damage. Unfortunately, Shampoo had been knocked unconscious when he barreled into her in his haste to avoid Ranma while she had been rushing towards him. With a mental sigh, he worked her onto his back and carried her to the Cat Café.
Cologne gave him some hot water and a spare set of clothes, then somehow managed to wake Shampoo up. Nodding at Ken, she said, He defeated you.
Shampoo looked upset for a bit, then steeled herself. With a not-obviously-false expression of adoration, she cried, You I love! and glomped him.
Ken shrank back and gently disengaged himself. Sorry, Shampoo, but I'm already married.
To who? she asked. It looked like she'd have to kill someone after all.
That would be me, a new voice at the doorway said. She strode into the room, the sword at her side clanking slightly. My name is Jiita Akugumi. I'm a mercenary specializing in assassination.
Do you have children? Cologne asked cautiously.
Jiita shook her head. I can't. I made sure of that after my first husband.
Shampoo looked at Cologne. The elder nodded almost imperceptibly. Jiita, I kill! she cried, charging forward with her bonbori.
The next thing she knew, she was face first in the wall with a cold blade at her neck. This is a warning, Jiita said coldly. You only get one. Next time, I will not stop at your neck. For now, she pulled back and sheathed the katana, then bent down to pick something up off the floor. Be grateful I keep your hair as my trophy and not your head.
You realize that, having defeated a member of the Amazons, you must now die, regardless of your relationship with Ken. Cologne stated.
Jiita only looked at her. And that is reason enough to attack a master of both the Hiten Mitsurigi Ryuu and the Tennen Rishin Ryuu?
The Amazons—
Keep in mind that Ken will avenge me if I am killed.
—can overcome—
Not to mention my friends and partners. They include two telepaths, a precognitive, a telekinetic, and Lucifer's daughter.
—any odds. We are—
And Himitsu.
—the greatest – oh. Would she really?
Jiita smiled. I do not know. She might if her children asked, though. They are the two telepaths.
What just happened? Ken asked. I don't know much Chinese.
I was explaining that it would not be a good idea to kill me, Jiita said, calm as ever. Do you think Himitsu would avenge me?
Jiita is not scheduled to die until long after I have left this plane, Himitsu said, suddenly there. Nor is Xian Pu meant to marry Ken Hidaka. But, by all means, try if you wish. It will be amusing either way.
Cologne nodded. Very well. Then Jiita will meet me in lot number twenty-six three days hence. If she can defeat me, I will accept her as an Ally of the Amazons, and as such, both the Kiss of Marriage and the Kiss of Death will be annulled.
Jiita bowed and pulled Ken out of the restaurant.
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Kimberly said, suddenly staring out into space. Wonder what that was. Do you know, Bryn?
You should ask Mama, Bryn said quietly. She'll be coming in the door by the time I finish speaking.
True to the prediction, D'arcy opened the door just before Bryn finished the last word. she said cheerfully. Kerry-sama— ahem! Lady Himitsu sent word again. Here's what's been going on.
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In lot number twenty-six (coded thus so as to insure privacy), Cologne hopped down from her staff as Jiita appeared.
It is useless to go against the lady Himitsu's predictions, she said. As such, let us not bother with this fight, Honored Ally.
As you will, Cologne, Jiita said. I would regret your death as surely as I would my own. I bear you no ill will, and I was not paid to kill you, thus it would have been a waste. May you double your lifespan before you die. She bowed and walked off.
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Wow! So you're an Ally of the Amazons now?
That's great! Maki cried, glomping Jiita. They don't like me.
That's because they know who you are.
Maki cocked her head to the side in apparent thought, but then smiled again. That same compelling smile sent small shivers through Jiita, but they were ignored through long practice. Oh well. How's Ken?
Very tired. Jiita grinned in memory.
Maki giggled. Do you know where Aya is?
Oh. Thanks anyway. She skipped off to bother someone with more patience and less intelligence.
