The Liz: Hey yall! Well I finally made my evil lair all nice and pretty (and comfortable, that place can get hot in the summer). I wrote the majority of this chapter in said lair and was very happy indeed. I've been having a bit of writer's block so please forgive the long pause between chapters. This chapter was rather difficult for me to write cause it was so visual and I was being lazy (sorry bout that) By the way, expect this entire chapter to be littered with movie quotes among other things. Because yes I am uncreative and cannot come up with other lines for him. I'm also making the Mask side of Ranma a bit of a playboy. I have a feeling that Ranma is a regular guy despite popular belief, and regular guys that are surrounded and chased by attractive women would defiantly flirt it up a bit. And since he does have a bit of an ego...

Kuno sat on his bed pondering what he should do regarding Akane Tendo. It was so much easier for him when both his loves were held captive by only one person, but now that there were two; that required some thought.
"The only honorable thing to do is to fight this Hibiki scoundrel!" Kuno yelled as he jumped up from his bed. "I, Kuno the Blue Thunder will free the beauteous Akane Tendo from the grasp of this wretch!"

#####

"Nabiki, I don't think Ryouga's coming," Akane said to her sister while they were watching a young blonde sing about how she dumped her ex- boyfriend.
"Aww, don't worry Akane," Nabiki said taking a sip of her champagne. "It's only nine. There's still an hour or so left. You won't get stood up."
"To get stood up I would've had to been on a date," Akane said tiredly.
"Whatever you say," Nabiki said.
Akane sighed and took a sip of her water. "I just hope he's alright."

#####

Somewhere in Tokyo...
"Excuse me, where is Nermia?" Ryouga asked an old man on the street.
"Huh? What'd ya say?"

#####

Ranma threw a punch for the thousandth time that evening. Keep working; just keep your mind off... An image ran through Ranma's head of Ryouga and Akane dancing in the middle of a dance floor, Ryouga whirling Akane around, Akane smiling and laughing. "This is so much more fun than it would be with Ranma!" Akane said. "I told you he was no good," Ryouga said.
"GAHH! Get out of my head!" Ranma yelled, pounding his head. I just need to relax, that's all. I'll go take a bath, yeah that's it. A bath is what I need.
Ranma stalked out of the dojo angrily. This is stupid. Akane said it herself it's not a ... The image of Ryouga dancing with Akane resurfaced in his mind. Not a date! Ryouga dipped Akane at the end of the song and at the last note leaned in and...
"NO!" Ranma yelled. He ran into his room and threw open the door. "That's not gonna happen! It's just not!"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something glint green in the moonlight. He turned slowly towards a pile of dirty clothes, resting on it was the wooden mask. But I thought I got rid of that thing.

Put it on. It can help.

Ranma walked towards the mask, feeling himself being pulled towards it, not completely involuntarily. Bending over, he picked it up carefully as though afraid it might break. This is so stupid. I wouldn't be able to do anything with this on anyway.

That's a lie. It can help, you know it can.

Ranma shook his head. No, this thing has already gotten me in enough trouble as it is. There's no way... The image of Akane dancing happily with Ryouga filled his head again.

Put it on! two voices in his head yelled at him, both his own and the mask's.

And Ranma obeyed.

#####

Kasumi hummed a tune to herself as she folded the laundry in the family room. Soun Tendo and the panda sat in a corner playing a game of Go, the panda losing badly.
Suddenly, they heard screaming and thunder coming from the guest room down the hall.
Kasumi dropped the shirt she was folding in her lap with a worried look on her face. "Oh my."
The two older men looked at each other seriously for a minute then shrugged and went back to their game. It wasn't uncommon for someone to be screaming in their house.

#####

Ranma brushed his sleeves off smartly then smiled. "Hold on suga! Daddy's got a sweet tooth tonight!" Lifting his arm as in salute, he suddenly made a face. "Ugh, can't beat a pig when you smell like one. I'd better freshin up."
He ran to the bathhouse and took a total of three seconds to get squeaky clean while singing rather badly. Taking a moment to dry his nonexistent hair and roll on some deodorant, he zipped back to his room.
"Now for some threads to impress," he said rather enthusiastically. Spinning around, he appeared in a Pikachu costume. "Pika-pi!"
Spinning around again, he appeared as Zorro, sword and all. "Too dangerous," he said tossing the sword over his shoulder before spinning around again.
This time, he wore a black pinstripe double breasted jacket over a red silk shirt that was tucked in. His tapered pants stopped at his midriff, and his long black and white dotted tie overlapped the pants just a little. On his head he wore a wide brimmed Fedora hat with a black band holding in a small feather. "Smooth!" he said, striking a pose.
He stuck his hands inside his pockets, his face falling. "No money, no fun. I'd better make a little stop," he said as he zipped out his room.

#####

Kasumi walked down the halls quietly, holding a basket to her hips. About to open the door to Akane's room, the door down the hall burst open with a bang. Kasumi looked up shocked at a man in a rather handsome Zoot suit with green skin that stood in the doorway to Nabiki's room. He carried a huge bag on his back, labeled "Picture Profits."
The man tipped his hat towards Kasumi before he spun off down the stairs and out the door.
Kasumi stood there frozen for a minute before setting down the basket and walking down the stairs to collect her broom and tell the fathers about the mysterious man.

######

The crowd at the Bouncy Panda was rather large, full of people still trying to get in for the concert. Word had spread that The Seatbelts were playing there and a lot of people were extremely eager to get in. The large man in front held the clipboard seriously, and two other very large men stood a little behind him.
Suddenly a trumpet sounds behind the crowd. Everyone turns their head towards the sound to see a large white stretch limo pull up to the red carpet. People crane their necks to see who it was in the passenger seat. The driver gets out from his car then jogs the end of the car, opening the door.
The people in the crowd gasp as they see a green skinned man in a handsome Zoot suit emerge. He gave them all an award winning smile. "Bon jour," he says with a wink, causing several females to either faint or fan themselves.

#######

"Excuse me miss," a young man said as he tapped Akane on the shoulder. "Would you like to dance?"
Akane blushed, a bit nervous about dancing in front of everyone, let alone with a stranger. "Oh, I don't know..."
Nabiki elbowed her sister. "Go on sis, have fun," she said.
Before Akane had any chance to react, the man grabbed her hand and led her onto the dance floor. "Hey!" Akane said as the man pulled her towards him.
"Relax my dear, there's nothing to worry about," the man said as he led her around the dance floor.
"Who are you?" she asked indignantly.
"My name is Kenji Shiro," the man said. "Now may I ask your name?"
"Well..."
"Are you afraid of me? Because I assure you that there really is no need," he said.
"No, it's just that," Akane stumbled over her words like she was afraid that she would stumble over her feet. Kenji wasn't that bad looking but Akane had a deeply rooted suspicion of men. At the same time though, Akane didn't want to seem rude. "I have a fiancée," she said.
"Well then where is he?" Kenji asked.
"Uh well, ya see," Akane said.
"Don't tell me he let such a beautiful girl go to a place like this by herself," he said.
He grabbed her hand and spun her from him gracefully and Akane was surprised that she hadn't tripped in her heels. Spinning her back to him, he continued his comment. "If you ask me, a man like that isn't worthy of your grace."
Akane looked at the young man that was holding her to him, feeling uncomfortable about her position. He's right though, Akane thought to herself. Ranma isn't here and I never really get the chance to do anything like this.
Nabiki watched her sister from the table, sipping her wine. Maybe there was hope for her sister after all. Good thing she brought her camera.

######

Ranma strolled into the club like he owned it. The music was playing, the women were beautiful, nothing could ruin this night.
"Here's your menu sir," a beautiful woman in a rather reveling waitress outfit said. He took the menu from her and smiled causing her to blush drastically. Who cared if he had green skin, she had seen stranger. She was a resident of Nermia after all.
Ranma kicked back and put up his feet on the table set for one. "What to choose, what to choose," he said to himself, the waitress waiting breathlessly behind him. "I think I'll start off with a margarita, light squeeze of lemon and make sure that there are two olives," he said. "And how bout a glass of red wine?"
He turned around and winked at the waiter. "For you, you deserve a treat tonight," he said.
The waitress nodded, blushing up a storm. Weirdo or no, there was something about the young man.
Ranma smiled as the waitress walked away. Yep, nothing could ruin this night for him.
He turned his eye towards the dance floor, taping his foot to the light jazz music when something caught his eye. The only couple on the floor was a rather attractive girl was dancing quite uncomfortably with a young man. Ranma watched the girl intently, quite unaware of the stupid grin that was plastered over his face. She's hot! he thought.
At the very back of Ranma's brain, the real not Maskified Ranma was screaming and kicking himself. That's Akane! What is she doing with that guy? He's not even Ryouga! Where the hell is that pig brain anyway? The next time I see him...
 Shut up would you? God you're annoying. Ranma thought, quickly shutting up his insecurities. But you're right, a woman like that should be with someone more worthy.
Ranma watched the man twirl the young woman with ease, smirking. The song was coming to an end, and Ranma saw his chance. "Time for an intervention."

#####

Kenji dipped Akane at the very end of the song, letting her depend on his strength for a half note. Bringing her up while the others were clapping, he smiled. "See, now that wasn't so bad, now was it?" he asked.
Akane blushed, then looked back at her sister who was waving cheerfully. She did not over look the camera in her hands. "I better get back to my sister," Akane said.
"Aw come on, just one more..." Suddenly, Kenji was cut off by a green blur that knocked him to the nearest chair and made its way to the band.
Akane looked up to see a young man with green skin, smiling down at the crowd. "Let's rock this joint!" he yelled, then grabbed the drum player and spun him around. When he stopped, he was in a stylish black jacket and top hat. The drummer looked down and smiled. Raising his sticks, he began to beat out a fast swinger tune. The rest of the band caught on quickly, tapping their feet and waiting for their entrance.

Akane watched as the mysterious green man hopped down the stage, not knowing what he was doing when he took her in his arms and dipped her. The band took this as their cue, and the sax began playing along with the horns and the drums.
Akane could see her sister's camera flash behind her rapidly as the man brought her up and led her through the dance with ease. She was taken back by the movements that she was able to accomplish as the man grabbed her hand and jerked her around the floor. The lights shone in her eyes and he spun her out, not letting go of her hand just yet, then pulled her back to him just as fast.

Nabiki watched in wonder as her sister danced with the mysterious man as though she had been dancing all her life. There's something weird going on here, she thought as she snapped another picture of the man who was now spinning her sister off her feet around him. No way Akane's that good.

The man let Akane get back on her feet as he let her go. Surprisingly, she was able to remain standing, just long enough to catch her breath before the man slid towards her and caught her.

Ranma's going to pay big bucks for these pictures. Nabiki thought.

#####

Kuno look on the Bouncing Panda with animosity. "So this is where Akane is being held captive." He boldly walked up to the man at the doorway, his bokken in hand. "I demand entrance to your establishment," he stated matter of factly.

The man with the list looked up skeptically at him. "Are you on the list?" he asked.

Kuno laughed and brought down his bokken no more than three inches from the man's face. "I have no need for such things," he said.

The man's face had gone white. "Right, go on in."

#####

Akane laughed as the man took her hand and twirled her like a ballerina. This is fun! she thought before being hoisted in the air by the mysterious man's strong arms. She could feel her skirt hiking up from the air, and squeaked. The man brought her down, winding her body around his then bringing her through his legs with ease. She felt a little dizzy and her head spun as he hoisted her back up.

She was really into it now as she danced, matching the man's movements. He let her hands go and faced her for a few brief moments. She matched his every step, enjoying this challenge that he seemed to be presenting to her. He grabbed her hand again and slid her under his arm, then repeated the motion. She felt him wrap his arm around her waist as he led her in a tango movement, their faces pressed against each others.

Nabiki laughed as she took three pictures of this little movement, imagining her family's looks when they saw this.

Akane felt the man grab her leg and lift her onto his hip spinning her around for a second before placing her down on her feet. She tried to catch her breath as she watched the man wobble his legs as though they were made of rubber. Which happened to be true as she watched him wrap his legs together in a twist, and she noticed that her sister wasn't the only one taking pictures now.

The green man unraveled his legs and faced her. She spun into his arms which lifted her into the air momentarily, placing her on his opposite side. She tried to match his strange movements as he swung his arms in a freestyle motion. She twisted herself under him at the same time he moved over her. He grabbed her hand and with a wink began spinning her around him at an alarming rate.

Nabiki wrinkled her nose, smelling something burning when she realized it was her sister's shoes. She watched in awe as the man threw her sister up in the air. He stood there underneath a rapidly spinning Akane, looking bored when he looked up pretending to be shocked. He reached his arms out just as Akane began to drop and caught her. Not missing a beat, he spun her around his body, stopping just so that she rested in his arms, one arm supporting her back, the other her legs.

Akane looked up in amazement at the man. This is too surreal, was all she managed to think before she locked eyes with the green skinned man. He was smiling like an idiot and winked at her again. Having barely enough time to register his intentions Akane felt the man's lips on her own, kissing her passionately. She felt electricity pass through her body, not noticing the screams as a couple dodged her shoes which had shoot off her feet.

Kuno entered the club at just that moment to see his Akane in the arms of another.

######

Ryouga swore as he trudged down a dark ally way. "I can't believe my luck. Of all nights to get lost, why tonight?" he said. He faced the brick wall. "Curse you Ranma!" he yelled, breaking open the wall with one punch.

He heard a crowd of people screaming at the interruption and looked up timidly to see if he had hurt anyone by accident. What he saw was Akane in the arms of a strange green man, kissing him passionately, her sister taking thousands of pictures by the second.

Then he saw red.

#####

Ranma drew back from the kiss, looking down at Akane's face. She opened her eyes slowly, a look of bliss on her face. Suddenly, he felt a presence above his head. "SCOUNDREL!" Kuno yelled bokken raised high above his head.

Quickly, Ranma zipped under him and gently placed Akane in a chair next to her sister.

"Come on Akane, let's go," Nabiki said calmly, grabbing a dazed Akane's hand. "Things are about to get interesting." Akane gathered her bearings long enough to understand and ran out of the club with her sister.

The Liz: Oy Vae, this was an interesting chapter to write. I'm sorry for all the run on sentences, I got kinda carried away writing this. To explain the conversation between Mask Ranma and Non-Mask Ranma, Non-Mask Ranma is the real Ranma, insecurities and all. At the moment when he saw Akane, his reaction was strong enough to be heard by the Mask Ranma. And as for Akane's sudden amount of grace, I blame it on the Mask's powers.

Next Chapter: Ryouga and Kuno team up and Ranma has a VERY interesting day.

Review time!

To Alex Ultra: There is a sequel coming out either this year or the next called The Son of the Mask. Jim Carry's not even in it though, so I'm a bit skeptical about it. I vaguely remember watching the cartoon series; I was five when the movie came out so there ya go.

To avolare: Hehehe, the Green Goblin eh? Now that would be interesting. I can see it now, Ranma running around in a Spidey suit, dodging bombs from a very small and perverted Green Goblin... Creepy.

To Ariyah-Chan: Thanks although I'm hoping that's a good interesting.

To GATE: Yeah, I went on Google to look it up already. I put in The Mask 2 by the way and got the official site for the movie. To a: I wasn't aware there was a Mask comic. Was that what the movie was based off of?

To a: I wasn't aware there was a Mask comic. Is that what the movie was based off of?
Till next time!