Chapter Three
"Hey Ukyo." Ranma
"Ranma honey." Ukyo "and Ryoga."
"I have something I need to ask you." Ranma
"You've come to ask me to marry you. You know I'll say yes." Ukyo
"That's not why I came by." Ranma
"Then you want food don't you. Alright one okinamiyaki special coming up." Ukyo
"No! I'm not hungry." Ranma
"What? But you're always hungry. Are you feeling alright?" Ukyo
"I feel fine but I need to talk to you." Ranma
"Okay so what is so important." Ukyo
"Do you know how much your okinamiyaki cart was? As in how much it cost." Ranma
"More than you have?" Ukyo
" How much. And add up all the meals that I've had for free also." Ranma
"Your serious aren't you?" Ukyo
"Yes." Ranma
"I'll go get my notebook." Ukyo said and went into the back. She returned later with her accounts notebook.
"Well lets see shall we?" Ukyo "here we go, this would be the amount that you and your father are in debt to me." Ukyo said as she slide the notebook to Ranma.
"Oh man that's more than I owed Nabiki." Ranma
"And that wasn't a small sum." Ryoga
"Like I said its more than you have." Ukyo
"Wait." Ranma said and started counting out the money that he owed Ukyo.
Ukyo watched as the stack of money grew and she started to fear what this would mean.
"Ranma I cant take this. This is a lot of money. And besides its your father that owes me not you." Ukyo
"If you wait for pop to pay you back you aren't going to get paid back. Take the money." Ranma
Ukyo took the money and put it in her box that she takes to the bank.
"Now I don't owe you." Ranma
"What? What do you mean?" Ukyo
"The deal our parents made is off." Ranma
"What? If that's the way this deal works you can have the money back. I would rather have you." Ukyo
"You want me to marry you just because our parents arranged it. I don't want that. I would rather it be for the right reasons. And now you don't have to feel obligated towards me." Ranma
"But I love you Ranma." Ukyo.
"You're my best friend and I just wanted to make things right." Ranma
"Then why wont you marry me?" Ukyo
"Because I don't love you." Ranma
Ukyo fell silent
"We should be leaving." Ranma said and started to leave but before he left he said "I'm truly sorry."
Then he and Ryoga were gone.
Ranma and Ryoga were on there way to see shampoo when Mousse sneak attacked them. He threw a barrage of weapons at Ranma and Ryoga. Ranma dodged them with ease once he saw where they were coming from. Ryoga however took several hits not that they did anything other than irritate him. Mousse stopped his attack at where Ranma had been and Ryoga still was. He started following Ranma's moves and throwing various things at him. This went on for a while and then Ranma said "man Mousse you've thrown everything at me except the kitchen sink. Hash!" Ranma ducked an unusually large object and Ranma said "correction you have thrown everything at me including the kitchen sink. Now what is this about?"
Mousse stopped throwing objects and said "the same thing as usual. I'm here to defeat you and marry shampoo."
"Mousse you know that you will never defeat me. Have you ever thought about defeating shampoo instead." Ranma
"What? I couldn't hurt shampoo." Mousse
"Well I could never hurt a....I couldn't hurt a girl either but I can defeat them. I didn't hurt shampoo that time I defeated her. You could do the same thing." Ranma
"But shampoo is so much better than I Am." mousse
"Not really." Ranma
"But she always beats me." Mousse
"She always cheats." Ranma
"She does not and even if she was you still win." Ranma
"First, if you know the other person is cheating then you are more likely to avoid the cheat then to fall for it. And two you need to think that she would do anything to keep from losing because she would. If it wasn't me she would even go to lethal extremes. She wont against you because you're her friend. She doesn't against any of my friends because she knows I would never forgive her for something like that." Ranma
"You're saying that she is holding back? And yet I still lose to her. What makes you think that I could win?" mousse
"Because you are holding back also. And you should want to win this fight if you really love her." Ranma
"I don't see how it would work." mousse
"Ok. Challenge her to a fight and do it as quickly as possible once you have issued the challenge that way cologne wont have time to make it harder for you than it is already going to be. Also use a lot of nets and chains and ropes. Use things that will impede her movements instead of harming her. And one of the most important things is, wear your glasses." Ranma
"Do you think it will really work?" mousse
"I don't know. It will be a close fight. If you lose then come see me. I'll help you train and then you can fight her better." Ranma
"Well looks like I'll be going by the Tendo dojo tonight then." mousse
"Uhh.... I wont be there." Ranma
"Well then I'll tell Ukyo to have you come find Me." mousse
"That's not a good idea either." Ranma
"What? Well then how do I find you?" mousse
"Hmm... good question. Looks like I will be coming along to watch the fight." Ranma
"You mean we don't you?" Ryoga
"Ryoga you should go back to the dojo." Ranma
"Well so should you." Ryoga
"I don't have anything there." Ranma
"Well I'm not going back unless you do." Ryoga
"Ryoga you idiot. This is what you've always wanted." Ranma
"I've wanted you to lose so I could have a chance with Akane but if you leave this way it wont be possible. It wouldn't be fair." Ryoga
"Since when has fair been a priority with you when it came to Akane?" Ranma
"Since we made that deal." Ryoga
"What?" Ranma
"You deserve things to be fair now. Before you didn't." Ryoga
"Uhhh." Ranma
"Well lets go watch this fight and then go back home." Ryoga
Ranma, Ryoga and Mousse started back on the way to the restaurant that shampoo's great grandmother runs. When they got there Ranma and Ryoga sat down at a table. And moose headed into the back. Shampoo came out and said "Ranma take shampoo on date now?"
"No." Ranma
"Then no free food for you." Shampoo
"That's fine. I just want..." Ranma was interrupted by Mousse
"Shampoo! I challenge you!" Mousse
"Stupid Mousse shampoo over here." Shampoo said and then she turned around and realized that Mousse was looking right at here for once.
"What...what Mousse doing? Mousse cant win against Amazon." Shampoo
"Then you don't have anything to worry about do you?" Mousse
"Mousse! What are you doing?" Cologne
"I'm challenging shampoo. If I win then she wont have to marry Ranma." Mousse
"Ha ha ha. You win against shampoo. Ha ha ha. This will be a short fight. Ok so when will this fight take place?" Cologne
"When would be fine with you shampoo?" Mousse
"Shampoo can fight Mousse anytime?" Shampoo
"Then you're ready to fight right now?" Mousse
"Shampoo ready." Shampoo
"Why the hurry? And what is son in law doing here. Have you finally decided to marry my shampoo and you are letting Mousse have one last chance?" Cologne
"No. I'm here for the food." Ranma
"Stubborn as always I see. But still what brought this on?" Cologne
"I told Mousse he would have a better chance of defeating shampoo than me." Ranma
Cologne fell silent and was thinking very hard.
"Shampoo you still need to train more." Cologne
"Too late old ghoul. She's already excepted the fight. I thought that you said it was going to be a short fight in favor of shampoo. What's wrong, a little nervous now?" Ranma
"You tricked shampoo. This isn't a fair fight." Cologne
"We didn't trick shampoo it was a simple challenge and she excepted it knowing what was at stake." Ranma
"Shampoo know what shampoo doing" shampoo
"And besides I did this to just get Mousse to stop fighting me. It solves one of my problems and causes one for you. But just because he is now fighting shampoo doesn't mean that he will win." Ranma
"I will win!" Mousse
"Stupid Mousse." Shampoo
"Well if you are going to fight you should fight outside." Cologne
Shampoo, Mousse, Ranma, Ryoga, and cologne all went outside behind the restaurant.
Ranma, Ryoga, and cologne stood off to the side.
Shampoo and Mousse faced off against one another.
They stood there for several minutes then shampoo said "is Mousse scared fight Amazon?"
"I was waiting for you to make the first move so that when you loose you cant say that you weren't ready." Mousse
Shampoo attacked when Mousse said that. She threw a punch which Mousse blocked but just barely. Shampoo then continued her assault which forced moose to be on the defensive. With every attack Mousse back up more and more.
Ranma said to Ryoga "he isn't going to win this fight."
"I know. I didn't think shampoo was this good. I knew that Mousse had a decent defense because he often avoids my attacks." Ryoga
"Ryoga, most of us can avoid you attacks. They aren't that hard to dodge. They are a pain to block if you ever get us in that position but avoiding them is pretty easy. I didn't think he would this hard of a time though. I thought it would be more even." Ranma
"Are my attacks really that easy to dodge?" Ryoga
"Yes" Ranma
"Huh. And here I thought I was a good fighter." Ryoga
"You are a good fighter. If you ever get a hit in you're going to do a lot of damage. And we cant defeat you easily because you're just so strong, you can take any hit that we throw at you." Ranma
"Thanks Ranma" Ryoga
"I mean I have to go all out to fight you." Ranma
"That's good to know." Ryoga
"I don't think Mousse will last more than another 2 minutes." Ranma
"I think your right." Ryoga
"I thought that the two of you were rooting for Mousse." cologne
"I'm just saying it like it is." Ranma
"And you seem to be doing a good job on it also. That's a very good quality to have son-in-law" cologne
Mousse took a punch in the gut and he doubled over.
"Maybe Mousse quit trying to defeat Ranma now. Mousse not even good enough to defeat shampoo." Shampoo
Mousse couldn't respond because he had had the wind knocked out of him.
"Now that that's over we need to get back to work. Come on shampoo. Mousse get back to work when you can get up." cologne
"Man Mousse you are going to need more training than I thought you would." Ranma
"Ranma you said it was going to be a close fight. It felt one sided to me." Mousse
"Well I didn't think she was holding back that much and I thought you were holding back more." Ranma
"Well that was me not holding back. I didn't even get a chance to throw anything at her. I was forced to block her attacks the whole time." Mousse
"Well we better get going. Ryoga why don't you help Mousse up." Ranma
"Ok" Ryoga
"Where are we going?" Mousse
"Somewhere where I trained before. Its not far. That way we can still go to classes and you can still work when you need to." Ranma
"So you are still going to go to Furinkan?" Ryoga
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?" Ranma
"Well I thought that because you left the Tendo's that you weren't going to go to Furinkan high anymore because Akane and Ukyo go there." Ryoga
"Well I need to go to school somewhere and Furinkan just as good as the next place." Ranma
"Ranma where were you planning on staying before we ran across Mousse. The same place where we are going now. The monks there told me that I could come back as long as I didn't bring my father with me. So I am going to take them up on there offer." Ranma
Ranma, Ryoga, and Mousse arrived at the temple and were meet by several monks.
"Mr.. Soatome, good to see you again. Your father isn't here with you is he?" Monk A
"No he's not." Ranma
All the monks sighed in relief
"So how may we help you?" Monk A
"Would it be possible for me to stay here for a while. I can pay to stay here." Ranma
"You can stay as long as you like. And you don't have to pay but if you really feel like you need to contribute then we could always use an extra hand with the work around the temple." Monk A
"I would be glad to help. And would it be a problem if my friend Mousse came by and I trained him in the martial arts?" Ranma
"Not at all. In fact it would be great if you could teach some of our members in the ways of martial arts." Monk A
"I'm not actually qualified to teach martial arts yet I was just going to help my friend with a problem he has." Ranma
"That's fine. I don't think anyone will mind if you don't have the credentials it takes to be a martial arts teacher." Monk A
"I thank you." Ranma
"It's not a problem. And what about your other friend?" Monk A
"He wont be staying." Ranma
"Says you." Ryoga
"You should go back to the Tendo dojo." Ranma
"I don't have any reason to be there either. And besides it was you that asked if I could stay there." Ryoga
"But you're paying rent. And there wasn't a reason for you to leave." Ranma
"There wasn't a reason for you to leave either." Ryoga
"I'm not paying rent and I'm engaged to ask..." Ranma was interrupted
"So will your friend be staying with us?" Monk A
Ranma said "no" at the same time Ryoga said "yes"
"Well, you are welcome to stay." Monk A
"Thank you." Ryoga
"If you will follow me I will take you to your room." Monk B
Ranma Ryoga and Mousse all followed Monk B
"This is your room." Monk B
"Thank you." Ranma and Ryoga chorused
"Breakfast is served at 6:00 and dinner is served at 5:00" Monk B
"Where are the meals served? Is it still in the kitchen?" Ranma
"No. This time you can join us in the dinning hall." Monk B
"Thank you." Ranma
The monk bowed and then left.
"So Mousse are you going to be able to find me here?" Ranma
"I should be able to. It was pretty simple for how to get here." Mousse
"Good. Do you want your first lesson today or shall we wait till tomorrow?" Ranma
"We might as well start now." Mousse
"Ok. Lets go outside." Ranma
Ranma Ryoga and Mousse all went outside and Ranma squared off with Mousse
"First, unload all your hidden weapons." Ranma
"All?!" Mousse
"Yes." Ranma
"Why." Mousse
"You have to learn to not depend on your weapons. Make them an advantage instead of a matching attack." Ranma
"Ok." Mousse then started unloading all his weapons from his robe
As the pile grew Ranma wondered how Mousse was able to walk around with all that in his robe and then Mousse pulled out another kitchen sink and Ranma wondered how it all fit.
"Mousse?" Ranma
"Yes?" Mousse
"How much more do you have in there?" Ranma
"About 3 times this amount why?" Mousse
"Uh. Are you able to just take the robe off and it would be done?" Ranma
"I could do that if you want to do it the easy way." Mousse
"Why don't you do that." Ranma
"Ok. But do you mind if I put everything back first?" Mousse
"Go ahead." Ranma
Mousse proceeded to put all his weapons back into his robe and when he was done he slipped out of it.
"Man that's a load off my shoulders" Mousse
"I bet." Ranma
Ranma and Mousse both assumed a ready stance and then Ranma attacked. Ranma attacked at about the speed at which shampoo did. Mousse was again put on the defensive.
After about an hour of training Ranma called it quits for the day since he had school the next day. Mousse put his robe back on and headed back towards cologne's restaurant
Ranma headed for the baths and Ryoga followed. When they finished they headed up to there room and they both passed out on their beds as soon as they hit them.
The next morning Ranma and Ryoga were both awaken earlier than what they were use to and they headed to the dinning hall for breakfast.
"Did the two of you sleep well?" Monk A
"Yes." The two chorused
"That's good to hear." Monk A
Food was brought in and all the monks and Ranma and Ryoga all ate a quiet breakfast.
Ranma and Ryoga then headed off to school early.
"Ranma, what are you doing here?" Nabiki
"I do have classes. Remember?" Ranma
"Well its just that since you left yesterday I didn't think you would be here at school and especially not early." Nabiki
"Were I'm staying if I want to eat I have to get up early." Ranma
"I see. Free loading off someone else now are you. Let me guess its Ukyo isn't it?" Nabiki
"No its not. In fact after I paid you back I went and paid Ukyo back for pop stealing her okinamiyaki cart." Ranma
"What? How could you afford that?" Nabiki
"Well I had enough but things are tight now." Ranma
"Yeah I can imagine. After dishing out that kind of money. But I bet Ukyo would be willing to let you stay with her and I'm sure she would feed you for free." Nabiki
"I don't know. If I asked I'm sure she would but I'm not going to and besides after what I said yesterday I don't think she will be to happy to see me." Ranma
"Oh. Do tell." Nabiki
"I don't think so." Ranma
"I'll find out." Nabiki
"I know. But not from me." Ranma
"You're right. Ryoga what did he say." Nabiki
"Oh. he said that now that he paid her back for his father stealing her okinamiyaki cart that the deal that their parents made is now off and that now she doesn't have to feel obligated to him or something like that." Ryoga
"Gee, thanks Ryoga." Ranma
"Ranma that was cruel." Nabiki
"It had to be done." Ranma
"You could have done it differently." Nabiki
"Believe me, if something else would have worked I would have done it." Ranma
"I see. So since you aren't marrying Akane or Ukyo that leaves shampoo. But if you've chosen shampoo then why are you still here? Or have you convinced cologne to stay here till you've finished high school?" Nabiki
"You're wrong again. I have no intention of marrying shampoo. In fact I am working on making it so that she cant marry me." Ranma
"You've got to be kidding me. You've chosen Kodachi?" Nabiki
"Shah. Not so loud. She might get that idea in her head and that's the last thing I need." Ranma
"Ok so its not Kodachi. Then is it some other person that is pulling you away from my little sister?" Nabiki
"I'm not being pulled away. She pushed me away and so did you and Kasumi but not in the same way. There was no reason for me to stay." Ranma
"Ranma you idiot. Akane loves you. Isn't that reason enough?" Nabiki
"Nabiki. Maybe you haven't noticed but she doesn't. I tried to be nice to her and that only made things worse. Its like if I show her any kindness she gets more angry. She always tells me that she hates me and when I was nice to her she did it more than usual." Ranma
"Ranma, both of you have been saying that you don't like each other from the very start. The main reason being our parents. You just didn't want to be forced into marriage. That is no reason for you to leave." Nabiki
"Well maybe not for you but it is for me. I've been ready to leave since I first arrived. I just stuck around because I thought it would get better. Well it hasn't. In fact it's gotten worse and I got tired of it. That's why I left." Ranma
"I always wondered why he always had his pack ready." Nabiki whispered
"Well if we're through then I'm going to head on to class." Ranma
"One last thing. You may be good at readying peoples moves but not there thoughts. You don't know what goes through Akane's mind. She may say that she hates you but she really does love you. And I think that you should come back to the dojo." Nabiki
"I wont come back unless there's a reason to." Ranma
Nabiki sighed and walked off
"I didn't know it was like that I can see why you left." Ryoga
"I really think that you should go back to the dojo. I wont be going back. You'll be happier there." Ranma
"What makes you think I would be any happier there?" Ryoga
"Akane's there. That's why." Ranma
"Shouldn't that be enough reason for you to be there?" Ryoga
"Look I'm not going back. You can't convince me. If you want to be there then you should just go on instead of waiting for me. And this is the last time I am going to suggest this course of action." Ranma
Ryoga gave this some thought and he came to the conclusion that Ranma was right. He wasn't going to be able to get Ranma to go back and there was no real reason for him to stay with Ranma
"I think I'll take a shower before class starts." Ranma
"Sounds like a good idea." Ryoga
When they finished they headed towards there first period class.
"I was surprised there was hot water." Ranma
"Why's that?" Ryoga
"With our luck I was expecting it to be cold." Ranma
"Your right. I wonder if that means that its going to be a good day." Ryoga
"I wish you hadn't said that." Ranma
-Splash-
"What'd yaw do that for?" Ranma
"Because you're a jackass" Ukyo said
Ranma just glared at Ukyo but didn't say anything else because in his gut he felt he deserved it
"I feel a lot better. No wonder Akane always does that." Ukyo said as she headed to her first period
Ranma stopped in a bathroom and changed back to a guy. When he came out he and Ryoga walked to there first period class.
When Ranma walked in he noticed that Ukyo was sitting in a different seat than usual. In fact she was sitting in Akane's which was three seats forward from Ukyo's seat which was right next to Ranma. Ranma took his seat and so did Ryoga which was now next to Ukyo. When Akane walked in she wasn't to happy to find Ukyo in her seat.
"What are you doing in my seat?" Akane
"I switched with you. You can sit next to Ranma." Ukyo
"Why don't you sit next to Ranma. Aren't the two of you living together now. Or that is what I would expect since he left the dojo." Akane
Ukyo was surprised by this "what do you mean with me. I thought that he cut off our engagement so he could be with you."
"He ended the engagement with you too." Akane
"Yes. Wait. What do you mean too?" Ukyo
"He ended our engagement after he beat his father in a fight." Akane
They both stood in silence and then they both walked to the front of the classroom where several buckets of water was kept to punish those that disrupted the class. They each grabbed a bucket and walked towards Ranma.
"Hey come on you two there's no reason to do that." Ranma
"So you broke off the engagement with both of us?" Akane said in a very threatening tone
"I broke it off with Ukyo yes. But you broke it with me because I said if you didn't want me then it would be broken off. And I am also trying to get shampoo off my back. That's going to take more time." Ranma
"You have the audacity to say it so casually!" Ukyo
"How dare you blame this on me!" Akane
Ukyo and Akane both then threw the water at Ranma who didn't even try to dodge the water.
Akane then went to sit in her seat and Ukyo took a empty desk near the front of the room as far from Ranma as possible.
The first three periods went by uneventfully and then it was time for lunch
Ranma went to get lunch from the lunch window. Ryoga stayed in the classroom because he didn't want to get lost. Ukyo got up and left with the rest of the class to go eat outside and Akane walked over to Ryoga and asked "do you have your lunch?"
"N...n..no." Ryoga
"I didn't think you did. Here. Kasumi wanted me to bring some extra food incase I saw you or Ranma." Akane
"Thank you." Ryoga
"No problem" Akane said as she got up and started to head outside "aren't you going to come eat outside."
"Actually I was going to stay here." Ryoga
"Why? Its such a nice day." Akane
"I don't want to get lost." Ryoga said
"Oh. Okay. Well are you going to be coming back to the dojo?" Akane
"I was planning on coming later today if that's alright." Ryoga
"Of course its alright. After all you're paying rent, something that Ranma never did. Why are you going to wait till later instead of right after school?" Akane
"I need to get my pack from the temple that Ranma and I stayed at." Ryoga
"A temple?" Akane said to herself
"I'm going to have Mousse bring me back after he and Ranma finish there training session." Ryoga
"Why don't you have Ranma bring you over?" Akane
"I couldn't do that to him. He wouldn't even if I asked him." Ryoga
"That jerk!" Akane
"I'm sorry Akane." Ryoga
"Sorry? Sorry about what?" Akane
"I'm sorry that I wont be able to bring Ranma back with me." Ryoga
"That's alright. Well I'm going to go eat outside." Akane
"Ok" Ryoga
Akane then went outside to eat her lunch.
Ranma returned to the classroom and ate his lunch there because he didn't feel like being bothered that day.
When Akane got outside several girls came up to her and asked if it were true about Ranma having broken off the engagement. Akane told them that it had never been there idea in the first place. Once Akane confirmed this rumor the news spread like wild fire. When lunch ended everyone returned to there classes. The following two classes seemed longer than the first 3 for some reason. Then it was time for 6th period. Ranma escorted Ryoga to his 6th class and then went on to his class. He found that the girls in there were acting differently today. They seemed more eager to help him when he asked them questions. After class Ranma went to get Ryoga and they headed to the temple.
When they got there Mousse was waiting for them.
"Looks like your ready." Ranma
"Yes." Mousse
"Alright then lets go." Ranma said and attacked at a slightly faster pace then they fought the previous day. The speed was so miniscule that Mousse didn't notice. He did notice he was having a hard time keeping up and he attributed it to the fight and the workout the previous day.
Ryoga asked one of the monks to lead him to his room so that he could get his pack and then he had the monk take him back to where Ranma and Mousse were training.
Ranma and Mousse continued to fight for three hours and when they finished Ryoga asked Mousse to take him to the Tendo dojo. Ryoga left with Mousse and then Ranma joined the monks for dinner.
When Ryoga got to the dojo he walked in and said "hello"
"Oh Ryoga is Ranma with you? Akane said that you were going to bring him back." Kasumi
"I'm sorry, no." Ryoga
"I see. Well you can stay in his room with Mr.. Soatome." Kasumi
"Thank you." Ryoga
A new routine was established. Ryoga would get up and eat breakfast with the Tendo's and then he would go to school with Akane and Nabiki. Ranma would arrive and Ukyo would splash Ranma with water. Ranma would then go get some hot water and she would change back. They would all sit through the first 3 periods and then everyone would go eat lunch. Ryoga and Ranma would eat together and Ranma would tell Ryoga how Mousse was doing. They would all sit through the next 2 period and then Ranma would take Ryoga to his 6th period class and Ranma would head to his. Ranma started doing exceptionally well in his classes because he would stay and get help with his homework and Akane would stop by and get Ryoga. Ryoga, Akane, and Nabiki would then go back to the Tendo dojo. Ranma would finish with his homework and then he would head back to the temple and then he would train with Mousse. Mousse would head back to cologne's restaurant and do his chores. Ranma would help the monks around the temple and he started teaching self defense in the evenings which was making him some money. Ranma would then go to sleep. He would then wake up and do it all over again. This went on for 3 weeks and then it was time for a change.
"Hey Ukyo." Ranma
"Ranma honey." Ukyo "and Ryoga."
"I have something I need to ask you." Ranma
"You've come to ask me to marry you. You know I'll say yes." Ukyo
"That's not why I came by." Ranma
"Then you want food don't you. Alright one okinamiyaki special coming up." Ukyo
"No! I'm not hungry." Ranma
"What? But you're always hungry. Are you feeling alright?" Ukyo
"I feel fine but I need to talk to you." Ranma
"Okay so what is so important." Ukyo
"Do you know how much your okinamiyaki cart was? As in how much it cost." Ranma
"More than you have?" Ukyo
" How much. And add up all the meals that I've had for free also." Ranma
"Your serious aren't you?" Ukyo
"Yes." Ranma
"I'll go get my notebook." Ukyo said and went into the back. She returned later with her accounts notebook.
"Well lets see shall we?" Ukyo "here we go, this would be the amount that you and your father are in debt to me." Ukyo said as she slide the notebook to Ranma.
"Oh man that's more than I owed Nabiki." Ranma
"And that wasn't a small sum." Ryoga
"Like I said its more than you have." Ukyo
"Wait." Ranma said and started counting out the money that he owed Ukyo.
Ukyo watched as the stack of money grew and she started to fear what this would mean.
"Ranma I cant take this. This is a lot of money. And besides its your father that owes me not you." Ukyo
"If you wait for pop to pay you back you aren't going to get paid back. Take the money." Ranma
Ukyo took the money and put it in her box that she takes to the bank.
"Now I don't owe you." Ranma
"What? What do you mean?" Ukyo
"The deal our parents made is off." Ranma
"What? If that's the way this deal works you can have the money back. I would rather have you." Ukyo
"You want me to marry you just because our parents arranged it. I don't want that. I would rather it be for the right reasons. And now you don't have to feel obligated towards me." Ranma
"But I love you Ranma." Ukyo.
"You're my best friend and I just wanted to make things right." Ranma
"Then why wont you marry me?" Ukyo
"Because I don't love you." Ranma
Ukyo fell silent
"We should be leaving." Ranma said and started to leave but before he left he said "I'm truly sorry."
Then he and Ryoga were gone.
Ranma and Ryoga were on there way to see shampoo when Mousse sneak attacked them. He threw a barrage of weapons at Ranma and Ryoga. Ranma dodged them with ease once he saw where they were coming from. Ryoga however took several hits not that they did anything other than irritate him. Mousse stopped his attack at where Ranma had been and Ryoga still was. He started following Ranma's moves and throwing various things at him. This went on for a while and then Ranma said "man Mousse you've thrown everything at me except the kitchen sink. Hash!" Ranma ducked an unusually large object and Ranma said "correction you have thrown everything at me including the kitchen sink. Now what is this about?"
Mousse stopped throwing objects and said "the same thing as usual. I'm here to defeat you and marry shampoo."
"Mousse you know that you will never defeat me. Have you ever thought about defeating shampoo instead." Ranma
"What? I couldn't hurt shampoo." Mousse
"Well I could never hurt a....I couldn't hurt a girl either but I can defeat them. I didn't hurt shampoo that time I defeated her. You could do the same thing." Ranma
"But shampoo is so much better than I Am." mousse
"Not really." Ranma
"But she always beats me." Mousse
"She always cheats." Ranma
"She does not and even if she was you still win." Ranma
"First, if you know the other person is cheating then you are more likely to avoid the cheat then to fall for it. And two you need to think that she would do anything to keep from losing because she would. If it wasn't me she would even go to lethal extremes. She wont against you because you're her friend. She doesn't against any of my friends because she knows I would never forgive her for something like that." Ranma
"You're saying that she is holding back? And yet I still lose to her. What makes you think that I could win?" mousse
"Because you are holding back also. And you should want to win this fight if you really love her." Ranma
"I don't see how it would work." mousse
"Ok. Challenge her to a fight and do it as quickly as possible once you have issued the challenge that way cologne wont have time to make it harder for you than it is already going to be. Also use a lot of nets and chains and ropes. Use things that will impede her movements instead of harming her. And one of the most important things is, wear your glasses." Ranma
"Do you think it will really work?" mousse
"I don't know. It will be a close fight. If you lose then come see me. I'll help you train and then you can fight her better." Ranma
"Well looks like I'll be going by the Tendo dojo tonight then." mousse
"Uhh.... I wont be there." Ranma
"Well then I'll tell Ukyo to have you come find Me." mousse
"That's not a good idea either." Ranma
"What? Well then how do I find you?" mousse
"Hmm... good question. Looks like I will be coming along to watch the fight." Ranma
"You mean we don't you?" Ryoga
"Ryoga you should go back to the dojo." Ranma
"Well so should you." Ryoga
"I don't have anything there." Ranma
"Well I'm not going back unless you do." Ryoga
"Ryoga you idiot. This is what you've always wanted." Ranma
"I've wanted you to lose so I could have a chance with Akane but if you leave this way it wont be possible. It wouldn't be fair." Ryoga
"Since when has fair been a priority with you when it came to Akane?" Ranma
"Since we made that deal." Ryoga
"What?" Ranma
"You deserve things to be fair now. Before you didn't." Ryoga
"Uhhh." Ranma
"Well lets go watch this fight and then go back home." Ryoga
Ranma, Ryoga and Mousse started back on the way to the restaurant that shampoo's great grandmother runs. When they got there Ranma and Ryoga sat down at a table. And moose headed into the back. Shampoo came out and said "Ranma take shampoo on date now?"
"No." Ranma
"Then no free food for you." Shampoo
"That's fine. I just want..." Ranma was interrupted by Mousse
"Shampoo! I challenge you!" Mousse
"Stupid Mousse shampoo over here." Shampoo said and then she turned around and realized that Mousse was looking right at here for once.
"What...what Mousse doing? Mousse cant win against Amazon." Shampoo
"Then you don't have anything to worry about do you?" Mousse
"Mousse! What are you doing?" Cologne
"I'm challenging shampoo. If I win then she wont have to marry Ranma." Mousse
"Ha ha ha. You win against shampoo. Ha ha ha. This will be a short fight. Ok so when will this fight take place?" Cologne
"When would be fine with you shampoo?" Mousse
"Shampoo can fight Mousse anytime?" Shampoo
"Then you're ready to fight right now?" Mousse
"Shampoo ready." Shampoo
"Why the hurry? And what is son in law doing here. Have you finally decided to marry my shampoo and you are letting Mousse have one last chance?" Cologne
"No. I'm here for the food." Ranma
"Stubborn as always I see. But still what brought this on?" Cologne
"I told Mousse he would have a better chance of defeating shampoo than me." Ranma
Cologne fell silent and was thinking very hard.
"Shampoo you still need to train more." Cologne
"Too late old ghoul. She's already excepted the fight. I thought that you said it was going to be a short fight in favor of shampoo. What's wrong, a little nervous now?" Ranma
"You tricked shampoo. This isn't a fair fight." Cologne
"We didn't trick shampoo it was a simple challenge and she excepted it knowing what was at stake." Ranma
"Shampoo know what shampoo doing" shampoo
"And besides I did this to just get Mousse to stop fighting me. It solves one of my problems and causes one for you. But just because he is now fighting shampoo doesn't mean that he will win." Ranma
"I will win!" Mousse
"Stupid Mousse." Shampoo
"Well if you are going to fight you should fight outside." Cologne
Shampoo, Mousse, Ranma, Ryoga, and cologne all went outside behind the restaurant.
Ranma, Ryoga, and cologne stood off to the side.
Shampoo and Mousse faced off against one another.
They stood there for several minutes then shampoo said "is Mousse scared fight Amazon?"
"I was waiting for you to make the first move so that when you loose you cant say that you weren't ready." Mousse
Shampoo attacked when Mousse said that. She threw a punch which Mousse blocked but just barely. Shampoo then continued her assault which forced moose to be on the defensive. With every attack Mousse back up more and more.
Ranma said to Ryoga "he isn't going to win this fight."
"I know. I didn't think shampoo was this good. I knew that Mousse had a decent defense because he often avoids my attacks." Ryoga
"Ryoga, most of us can avoid you attacks. They aren't that hard to dodge. They are a pain to block if you ever get us in that position but avoiding them is pretty easy. I didn't think he would this hard of a time though. I thought it would be more even." Ranma
"Are my attacks really that easy to dodge?" Ryoga
"Yes" Ranma
"Huh. And here I thought I was a good fighter." Ryoga
"You are a good fighter. If you ever get a hit in you're going to do a lot of damage. And we cant defeat you easily because you're just so strong, you can take any hit that we throw at you." Ranma
"Thanks Ranma" Ryoga
"I mean I have to go all out to fight you." Ranma
"That's good to know." Ryoga
"I don't think Mousse will last more than another 2 minutes." Ranma
"I think your right." Ryoga
"I thought that the two of you were rooting for Mousse." cologne
"I'm just saying it like it is." Ranma
"And you seem to be doing a good job on it also. That's a very good quality to have son-in-law" cologne
Mousse took a punch in the gut and he doubled over.
"Maybe Mousse quit trying to defeat Ranma now. Mousse not even good enough to defeat shampoo." Shampoo
Mousse couldn't respond because he had had the wind knocked out of him.
"Now that that's over we need to get back to work. Come on shampoo. Mousse get back to work when you can get up." cologne
"Man Mousse you are going to need more training than I thought you would." Ranma
"Ranma you said it was going to be a close fight. It felt one sided to me." Mousse
"Well I didn't think she was holding back that much and I thought you were holding back more." Ranma
"Well that was me not holding back. I didn't even get a chance to throw anything at her. I was forced to block her attacks the whole time." Mousse
"Well we better get going. Ryoga why don't you help Mousse up." Ranma
"Ok" Ryoga
"Where are we going?" Mousse
"Somewhere where I trained before. Its not far. That way we can still go to classes and you can still work when you need to." Ranma
"So you are still going to go to Furinkan?" Ryoga
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?" Ranma
"Well I thought that because you left the Tendo's that you weren't going to go to Furinkan high anymore because Akane and Ukyo go there." Ryoga
"Well I need to go to school somewhere and Furinkan just as good as the next place." Ranma
"Ranma where were you planning on staying before we ran across Mousse. The same place where we are going now. The monks there told me that I could come back as long as I didn't bring my father with me. So I am going to take them up on there offer." Ranma
Ranma, Ryoga, and Mousse arrived at the temple and were meet by several monks.
"Mr.. Soatome, good to see you again. Your father isn't here with you is he?" Monk A
"No he's not." Ranma
All the monks sighed in relief
"So how may we help you?" Monk A
"Would it be possible for me to stay here for a while. I can pay to stay here." Ranma
"You can stay as long as you like. And you don't have to pay but if you really feel like you need to contribute then we could always use an extra hand with the work around the temple." Monk A
"I would be glad to help. And would it be a problem if my friend Mousse came by and I trained him in the martial arts?" Ranma
"Not at all. In fact it would be great if you could teach some of our members in the ways of martial arts." Monk A
"I'm not actually qualified to teach martial arts yet I was just going to help my friend with a problem he has." Ranma
"That's fine. I don't think anyone will mind if you don't have the credentials it takes to be a martial arts teacher." Monk A
"I thank you." Ranma
"It's not a problem. And what about your other friend?" Monk A
"He wont be staying." Ranma
"Says you." Ryoga
"You should go back to the Tendo dojo." Ranma
"I don't have any reason to be there either. And besides it was you that asked if I could stay there." Ryoga
"But you're paying rent. And there wasn't a reason for you to leave." Ranma
"There wasn't a reason for you to leave either." Ryoga
"I'm not paying rent and I'm engaged to ask..." Ranma was interrupted
"So will your friend be staying with us?" Monk A
Ranma said "no" at the same time Ryoga said "yes"
"Well, you are welcome to stay." Monk A
"Thank you." Ryoga
"If you will follow me I will take you to your room." Monk B
Ranma Ryoga and Mousse all followed Monk B
"This is your room." Monk B
"Thank you." Ranma and Ryoga chorused
"Breakfast is served at 6:00 and dinner is served at 5:00" Monk B
"Where are the meals served? Is it still in the kitchen?" Ranma
"No. This time you can join us in the dinning hall." Monk B
"Thank you." Ranma
The monk bowed and then left.
"So Mousse are you going to be able to find me here?" Ranma
"I should be able to. It was pretty simple for how to get here." Mousse
"Good. Do you want your first lesson today or shall we wait till tomorrow?" Ranma
"We might as well start now." Mousse
"Ok. Lets go outside." Ranma
Ranma Ryoga and Mousse all went outside and Ranma squared off with Mousse
"First, unload all your hidden weapons." Ranma
"All?!" Mousse
"Yes." Ranma
"Why." Mousse
"You have to learn to not depend on your weapons. Make them an advantage instead of a matching attack." Ranma
"Ok." Mousse then started unloading all his weapons from his robe
As the pile grew Ranma wondered how Mousse was able to walk around with all that in his robe and then Mousse pulled out another kitchen sink and Ranma wondered how it all fit.
"Mousse?" Ranma
"Yes?" Mousse
"How much more do you have in there?" Ranma
"About 3 times this amount why?" Mousse
"Uh. Are you able to just take the robe off and it would be done?" Ranma
"I could do that if you want to do it the easy way." Mousse
"Why don't you do that." Ranma
"Ok. But do you mind if I put everything back first?" Mousse
"Go ahead." Ranma
Mousse proceeded to put all his weapons back into his robe and when he was done he slipped out of it.
"Man that's a load off my shoulders" Mousse
"I bet." Ranma
Ranma and Mousse both assumed a ready stance and then Ranma attacked. Ranma attacked at about the speed at which shampoo did. Mousse was again put on the defensive.
After about an hour of training Ranma called it quits for the day since he had school the next day. Mousse put his robe back on and headed back towards cologne's restaurant
Ranma headed for the baths and Ryoga followed. When they finished they headed up to there room and they both passed out on their beds as soon as they hit them.
The next morning Ranma and Ryoga were both awaken earlier than what they were use to and they headed to the dinning hall for breakfast.
"Did the two of you sleep well?" Monk A
"Yes." The two chorused
"That's good to hear." Monk A
Food was brought in and all the monks and Ranma and Ryoga all ate a quiet breakfast.
Ranma and Ryoga then headed off to school early.
"Ranma, what are you doing here?" Nabiki
"I do have classes. Remember?" Ranma
"Well its just that since you left yesterday I didn't think you would be here at school and especially not early." Nabiki
"Were I'm staying if I want to eat I have to get up early." Ranma
"I see. Free loading off someone else now are you. Let me guess its Ukyo isn't it?" Nabiki
"No its not. In fact after I paid you back I went and paid Ukyo back for pop stealing her okinamiyaki cart." Ranma
"What? How could you afford that?" Nabiki
"Well I had enough but things are tight now." Ranma
"Yeah I can imagine. After dishing out that kind of money. But I bet Ukyo would be willing to let you stay with her and I'm sure she would feed you for free." Nabiki
"I don't know. If I asked I'm sure she would but I'm not going to and besides after what I said yesterday I don't think she will be to happy to see me." Ranma
"Oh. Do tell." Nabiki
"I don't think so." Ranma
"I'll find out." Nabiki
"I know. But not from me." Ranma
"You're right. Ryoga what did he say." Nabiki
"Oh. he said that now that he paid her back for his father stealing her okinamiyaki cart that the deal that their parents made is now off and that now she doesn't have to feel obligated to him or something like that." Ryoga
"Gee, thanks Ryoga." Ranma
"Ranma that was cruel." Nabiki
"It had to be done." Ranma
"You could have done it differently." Nabiki
"Believe me, if something else would have worked I would have done it." Ranma
"I see. So since you aren't marrying Akane or Ukyo that leaves shampoo. But if you've chosen shampoo then why are you still here? Or have you convinced cologne to stay here till you've finished high school?" Nabiki
"You're wrong again. I have no intention of marrying shampoo. In fact I am working on making it so that she cant marry me." Ranma
"You've got to be kidding me. You've chosen Kodachi?" Nabiki
"Shah. Not so loud. She might get that idea in her head and that's the last thing I need." Ranma
"Ok so its not Kodachi. Then is it some other person that is pulling you away from my little sister?" Nabiki
"I'm not being pulled away. She pushed me away and so did you and Kasumi but not in the same way. There was no reason for me to stay." Ranma
"Ranma you idiot. Akane loves you. Isn't that reason enough?" Nabiki
"Nabiki. Maybe you haven't noticed but she doesn't. I tried to be nice to her and that only made things worse. Its like if I show her any kindness she gets more angry. She always tells me that she hates me and when I was nice to her she did it more than usual." Ranma
"Ranma, both of you have been saying that you don't like each other from the very start. The main reason being our parents. You just didn't want to be forced into marriage. That is no reason for you to leave." Nabiki
"Well maybe not for you but it is for me. I've been ready to leave since I first arrived. I just stuck around because I thought it would get better. Well it hasn't. In fact it's gotten worse and I got tired of it. That's why I left." Ranma
"I always wondered why he always had his pack ready." Nabiki whispered
"Well if we're through then I'm going to head on to class." Ranma
"One last thing. You may be good at readying peoples moves but not there thoughts. You don't know what goes through Akane's mind. She may say that she hates you but she really does love you. And I think that you should come back to the dojo." Nabiki
"I wont come back unless there's a reason to." Ranma
Nabiki sighed and walked off
"I didn't know it was like that I can see why you left." Ryoga
"I really think that you should go back to the dojo. I wont be going back. You'll be happier there." Ranma
"What makes you think I would be any happier there?" Ryoga
"Akane's there. That's why." Ranma
"Shouldn't that be enough reason for you to be there?" Ryoga
"Look I'm not going back. You can't convince me. If you want to be there then you should just go on instead of waiting for me. And this is the last time I am going to suggest this course of action." Ranma
Ryoga gave this some thought and he came to the conclusion that Ranma was right. He wasn't going to be able to get Ranma to go back and there was no real reason for him to stay with Ranma
"I think I'll take a shower before class starts." Ranma
"Sounds like a good idea." Ryoga
When they finished they headed towards there first period class.
"I was surprised there was hot water." Ranma
"Why's that?" Ryoga
"With our luck I was expecting it to be cold." Ranma
"Your right. I wonder if that means that its going to be a good day." Ryoga
"I wish you hadn't said that." Ranma
-Splash-
"What'd yaw do that for?" Ranma
"Because you're a jackass" Ukyo said
Ranma just glared at Ukyo but didn't say anything else because in his gut he felt he deserved it
"I feel a lot better. No wonder Akane always does that." Ukyo said as she headed to her first period
Ranma stopped in a bathroom and changed back to a guy. When he came out he and Ryoga walked to there first period class.
When Ranma walked in he noticed that Ukyo was sitting in a different seat than usual. In fact she was sitting in Akane's which was three seats forward from Ukyo's seat which was right next to Ranma. Ranma took his seat and so did Ryoga which was now next to Ukyo. When Akane walked in she wasn't to happy to find Ukyo in her seat.
"What are you doing in my seat?" Akane
"I switched with you. You can sit next to Ranma." Ukyo
"Why don't you sit next to Ranma. Aren't the two of you living together now. Or that is what I would expect since he left the dojo." Akane
Ukyo was surprised by this "what do you mean with me. I thought that he cut off our engagement so he could be with you."
"He ended the engagement with you too." Akane
"Yes. Wait. What do you mean too?" Ukyo
"He ended our engagement after he beat his father in a fight." Akane
They both stood in silence and then they both walked to the front of the classroom where several buckets of water was kept to punish those that disrupted the class. They each grabbed a bucket and walked towards Ranma.
"Hey come on you two there's no reason to do that." Ranma
"So you broke off the engagement with both of us?" Akane said in a very threatening tone
"I broke it off with Ukyo yes. But you broke it with me because I said if you didn't want me then it would be broken off. And I am also trying to get shampoo off my back. That's going to take more time." Ranma
"You have the audacity to say it so casually!" Ukyo
"How dare you blame this on me!" Akane
Ukyo and Akane both then threw the water at Ranma who didn't even try to dodge the water.
Akane then went to sit in her seat and Ukyo took a empty desk near the front of the room as far from Ranma as possible.
The first three periods went by uneventfully and then it was time for lunch
Ranma went to get lunch from the lunch window. Ryoga stayed in the classroom because he didn't want to get lost. Ukyo got up and left with the rest of the class to go eat outside and Akane walked over to Ryoga and asked "do you have your lunch?"
"N...n..no." Ryoga
"I didn't think you did. Here. Kasumi wanted me to bring some extra food incase I saw you or Ranma." Akane
"Thank you." Ryoga
"No problem" Akane said as she got up and started to head outside "aren't you going to come eat outside."
"Actually I was going to stay here." Ryoga
"Why? Its such a nice day." Akane
"I don't want to get lost." Ryoga said
"Oh. Okay. Well are you going to be coming back to the dojo?" Akane
"I was planning on coming later today if that's alright." Ryoga
"Of course its alright. After all you're paying rent, something that Ranma never did. Why are you going to wait till later instead of right after school?" Akane
"I need to get my pack from the temple that Ranma and I stayed at." Ryoga
"A temple?" Akane said to herself
"I'm going to have Mousse bring me back after he and Ranma finish there training session." Ryoga
"Why don't you have Ranma bring you over?" Akane
"I couldn't do that to him. He wouldn't even if I asked him." Ryoga
"That jerk!" Akane
"I'm sorry Akane." Ryoga
"Sorry? Sorry about what?" Akane
"I'm sorry that I wont be able to bring Ranma back with me." Ryoga
"That's alright. Well I'm going to go eat outside." Akane
"Ok" Ryoga
Akane then went outside to eat her lunch.
Ranma returned to the classroom and ate his lunch there because he didn't feel like being bothered that day.
When Akane got outside several girls came up to her and asked if it were true about Ranma having broken off the engagement. Akane told them that it had never been there idea in the first place. Once Akane confirmed this rumor the news spread like wild fire. When lunch ended everyone returned to there classes. The following two classes seemed longer than the first 3 for some reason. Then it was time for 6th period. Ranma escorted Ryoga to his 6th class and then went on to his class. He found that the girls in there were acting differently today. They seemed more eager to help him when he asked them questions. After class Ranma went to get Ryoga and they headed to the temple.
When they got there Mousse was waiting for them.
"Looks like your ready." Ranma
"Yes." Mousse
"Alright then lets go." Ranma said and attacked at a slightly faster pace then they fought the previous day. The speed was so miniscule that Mousse didn't notice. He did notice he was having a hard time keeping up and he attributed it to the fight and the workout the previous day.
Ryoga asked one of the monks to lead him to his room so that he could get his pack and then he had the monk take him back to where Ranma and Mousse were training.
Ranma and Mousse continued to fight for three hours and when they finished Ryoga asked Mousse to take him to the Tendo dojo. Ryoga left with Mousse and then Ranma joined the monks for dinner.
When Ryoga got to the dojo he walked in and said "hello"
"Oh Ryoga is Ranma with you? Akane said that you were going to bring him back." Kasumi
"I'm sorry, no." Ryoga
"I see. Well you can stay in his room with Mr.. Soatome." Kasumi
"Thank you." Ryoga
A new routine was established. Ryoga would get up and eat breakfast with the Tendo's and then he would go to school with Akane and Nabiki. Ranma would arrive and Ukyo would splash Ranma with water. Ranma would then go get some hot water and she would change back. They would all sit through the first 3 periods and then everyone would go eat lunch. Ryoga and Ranma would eat together and Ranma would tell Ryoga how Mousse was doing. They would all sit through the next 2 period and then Ranma would take Ryoga to his 6th period class and Ranma would head to his. Ranma started doing exceptionally well in his classes because he would stay and get help with his homework and Akane would stop by and get Ryoga. Ryoga, Akane, and Nabiki would then go back to the Tendo dojo. Ranma would finish with his homework and then he would head back to the temple and then he would train with Mousse. Mousse would head back to cologne's restaurant and do his chores. Ranma would help the monks around the temple and he started teaching self defense in the evenings which was making him some money. Ranma would then go to sleep. He would then wake up and do it all over again. This went on for 3 weeks and then it was time for a change.