Chapter Five-Mousse's Master Plan

"Give her back!" Ryoga was at the Tendo residence early the next morning. "I have to take her to school!"

"School?" Ranma blinked. "You know the bet's only for a week,don't you?" He stepped outside with Siri. "Do you want to go with Ryoga to school?"

"Uh huh." Siri reached her free hand out to Ryoga. "We go?"

Ryoga refrained from smirking at Ranma. "Sure!" He picked her up. "Now....which way...." He walked off muttering.

"What was that all about?" Akane asked as Ranma came inside.

Ranma shook his head. "Feh. Just Ryoga picking Siri up for school. Can you believe him?"

Akane smiled. "Aww. That's so sweet. So,it looks as though your bet's turned into a competition."

Ranma growled. "Come on. We're going to be late." He left without another word. "And if it is, I'm still going to become the winner."

Mousse sighed. He'd planned to snatch the girl Siri in order to coax Ranma into a rematch. But now, the girl seemed to be with Ryoga. He wondered if he could still get away with his plan. Ranma did seem to be getting attached to the girl. He thought of the little kimono he'd made for Siri. He could give it to her if he managed to get her alone. He stood up, and followed Ryoga at a safe distance. If I can convince Ryoga to..No no. That's no way to go about this....I have to be smooth about it. "Hey,Ryoga!"

Ryoga turned around with Siri in his arms. "Mousse? What are you doing here?" He studied the near-sighted martial artist closely.

"I was wondering if I might have a word with little Siri for a moment.." Mousse said slowly. "I have a gift for her."

"A gift....?" Ryoga blinked. "Sure...I guess. But make it quick. We're running late as it is." He set Siri down,and watched in slight amusement.

Mousse squatted to Siri's level,and smiled. "Hi there again. How is your back doing?"

"I doing good......" Siri replied. She had her head tilted slightly. "Why talking to the telphone poles?"

Mousse blinked, then slid his glasses back down. "Oh......sorry,Siri-chan." He held out his arms. "I got something for you."

"A pwize?" Siri grinned in delight. "I wikes pwizes."

"I thought you might." Mousse scooped her up. "We're going to have to go back to my house to get it though."

"Can this wait? She has to get to school. You don't want her to be late on her first day,do you?"

"Hmm......" Mousse frowned. "I suppose not." He put Siri down,patting her head. "Say,Ryoga...."

Ryoga took Siri's little hand,and looked over at him. "Yeah?"

"Want me to pick her up for you?" Mousse asked. That'd be the perfect chance to hide her away from Ranma! Mousse refrained from smirking as he awaited Ryoga's reply.

"Well......I don't see why not. She seems to like you. Just make sure you bring her right home." He smiled gently. "Let's go,Siri. You can see Uncle Mousse later,okay?"

"Hold on a minute! I'm no one's uncle!" Mousse's protest went unheard,as Ryoga and the little girl left him standing there. Oh well. At least now she'll be mine. Mousse turned around,heading to his house. He wanted to make sure she had a proper place to sleep,and good food to eat as well.