"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma ½ or Yu Yu Hakusho

Chapter 11 The Calm Before the Storm……Sort Of

It had been about two weeks since Kyle came to live with the Amazons. Just as Yusuke had promised, he had been keeping in touch with him through a communicator that Botan brought him. Unfortunately, it was in a shape of a compact. Kyle didn't like that and tried to get Botan to change it, but with no success. Kyle sighed as he walked to the Nekohaten. It had been another tough day at school. Actually everyday had been getting more hectic since he arrived, especially with Happosai around. One day when Ranma was walking to school, someone splashed him with cold water. That someone turned out to be Happosai. Of course, Ranma was less than pleased to have Happosai rubbing his breasts. A fight broke out when Kuno showed up to defend the Pig-tailed girl. Ranma booted them into the stratosphere. Happosai had found out from Nabiki that Kyle was going to cure Ranma's curse and got upset. Happosai must have paid a good amount of money for that information. So began Happosai's vendetta against the young Spirit Detective. He though things couldn't get any worse, but he was wrong.

Mousse had made it a habit to attack him. Kyle was on constant alert for the blind Amazon's attacks. Ranma also had it tough because Kuno was told the pig-tailed girl would leave because of Ranma. You can only guess where he got this information. He immediately went after Ranma for an explanation which consisted of accusations. Then today at lunch, Kuno once again tried to beat Ranma up. Of course, it wasn't a hard fight for Ranma. Mousse had also shown up for a fight. To make matters more hectic, Ryoga showed up to fight Ranma. Kyle wondered how Ryoga got to the school without getting lost. However, he didn't have time to think about it with Mousse attacking. The two fights somehow got merged into one big free for all when the Principle, and Happosai (who also showed up out of nowhere) joined in. Kyle wasn't even sure who had won because Happosai let loose a barrage of Hapo bombs which sent everyone flying in different directions….again.

Kyle entered the Nekohaten and looked around. He had noticed the crowd was more diverse now. Instead of a lot of male customers there was also more female customers. A week ago Cologne had told him he would be serving tables from then on. The catch was he could only serve tables that were occupied by girls. That's when Kyle realized why Cologne had been having him sweep in front of the café. To get girls to come and eat there as well. That's why Shampoo didn't bother to do anything when girls stopped to talk to him after his first day there. He had been a little upset when he had figured it out. Kyle didn't like the fact that he had been used as some sort of advertisement to entice girls to eat there. Then again he couldn't deny the fact that Cologne was a smart business woman.

After it was time to close, Ranma, Ryoga, and Akane showed up. Kyle was surprised that Akane still came even after what he had done to her. However, he didn't really care as long as she didn't interfere.

"Hey guys. Have a seat. I'll be done cleaning up in a bit." Kyle said as he was wiping off a table. Shampoo was also busy cleaning. Cologne was at a table tallying up the days earnings. Mousse came out of the kitchen and sat down for a break. Ranma, Ryoga, and Akane grabbed their chairs and sat at Cologne's table.

"That was some fight today, huh Kyle?"

"Yeah. It was going well up until Happosai unleashed his bombs."

"I had you Ookami. You should feel lucky that Happosai blew everyone up." Mousse added.

"Whatever."

Kyle finished and walked over to the table. "So what were your earnings today Son-in-law?" That nickname was difficult to get use to, but he had learned to tolerate it. Fang-boy he could live with, but son-in-law was too much. It was a constant reminder of his pending wedding with Shampoo. However, he had resigned himself to that name. It pointless to get mad every time she called him that.

"I don't know. I haven't checked." he stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills and some coins. He placed it on the table to separate them. That's when he noticed several pieces of paper mixed in with the bills. He was going to grab them when Ranma beat him to it. Kyle's eyebrow twitched, but said nothing. Ranma grinned at him.

"Well, well, it looks like you got some admirers." he said with a smirk. "All these girls left you their numbers. You gonna call them?"

Kyle was going to snatch them out of Ranma's hand when Shampoo beat him to it. She glared at him as she went to throw them away. He could have sworn she said 'stupid Fan-boy'.

"Looks like someone's jealous." Akane said.

"You should know the feeling sister."

They turned their attention towards the door. There stood Nabiki, Kasumi, Soun, and Genma.

"I don't know what your talking about Nabiki." Akane said turning her head away from her sister.

"Shampoo not jealous." she said walking back towards Kyle.

"Could have fooled me. You get completely jealous anytime a girl eyes Kyle."

"Can we not talk about that anymore?" Kyle asked. He was starting to get embarrassed with this particular topic. The reason was because Shampoo had been sending him mixed messages since the week before. Some times she was friendly towards him, but then she would go into this 'I hate Fang-boy' mode. He wasn't sure they were friends, much less boyfriend-girlfriend. He knew they had agreed to try to be friends, but Shampoo wasn't holding up her end of the deal. "What are you doing here anyway?" he said trying to change the subject. Nabiki of course caught it.

"No trying to change the subject, but if you must know we came to see Ranma's new technique he's been bragging about. Now back to the topic at hand."

"Let's not and say we did." Kyle said. He grabbed his money and headed up the stairs. "I'll meet you guys outside."

The others nodded and headed out. Shampoo however followed him. Kyle reached his room. Shadow was sleeping on Shampoo's bed.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to sleep on her bed. I don't want to get in trouble for some thing you did."

"Why you get in trouble?"

Kyle nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned around to see Shampoo standing in the door way. "Umm, well…."

Shadow jumped off Shampoo's bed and happily ran to Shampoo. It wagged it's tail as she picked him up. "I tell Shadow it okay to sleep on Shampoo's bed."

Kyle walked to his drawer and put his money in a small box. "Try using 'I' instead of referring to yourself in third person Shampoo."

"Shampoo is…..I trying best."

Kyle smiled at her. "I know it must be hard for you. I've only been teaching you for a week and the lessons aren't really that long, but I'm glad your trying."

Despite her current mood, Shampoo smiled. He was always nice to her even when she went into her 'I hate Fang-boy' mode. "So, why'd you follow me?"

Shampoo shook her head. "It nothing."

"Are you sure?"

Shampoo nodded. "Well, okay. We better go out then."

The three of them went outside. The others patiently waiting for their arrival. Nabiki smirked evilly at them.

"So what did you two do up there?"

Kyle and Shampoo blushed knowing what she was referring to. "We didn't do anything." Kyle said trying to remain calm.

"Rrrriiiiight."

Kyle growled slightly. "Whatever. Lets get started already."

Shampoo let Shadow down and followed Kyle. Ranma, Ryoga and Mousse joined them in the middle of the yard.

"Okay, I've been training you guys for a while now. You guys now have enough spirit energy to use more than one. Three days ago I let you guys start coming up with your own attacks. Now your going to show me what you came up with."

"Umm, how are we going to do that?" Ryoga asked.

"Simple. Your going to use your attacks on me."

"Are you sure that's a good idea." Ranma said. He was a bit concerned about Kyle's safety. Kyle however, just waved it off.

"Don't worry about it. Just do it. Who wants to go first?"

"Oohh, pick me! Pick me!" Ranma said as he jumped up and down with a smile. The others sweat dropped.

"Okay Ranma, go ahead. Everyone else step back."

Ranma got into a fighting stance and so did Kyle. Ranma's body began to give off his spirit energy. It engulfed his body like some sort of armor except it looked liked flames.

"Spirit Flames!"

A wave of spirit energy flew at Kyle. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, Shampoo was worried about Kyle's safety. She clenched her fists and watched. Kyle held his hands out and erected a wall of spirit energy. The flames smashed into the shield. Kyle was having a hard time keeping the flames from going around his wall of spirit energy. If he didn't do something, he was going to get barbequed. So he with one hand still keeping up the spirit wall, he aimed at the ground.

"Spirit gun!"

Kyle went flying into the air and away from the flames. The flames died once his spirit wall disappeared. He landed and smirked at Ranma. "Well Ranma, you have impressed me. That definitely took me by surprise. Who's next?"

After Ranma, Ryoga went. He smirked and formed a ball of spirit energy in his hands. Kyle wasn't sure what was going to happen, but he was sure it was going to surprise him. Ryoga took his free hand and grabbed some of the spirit energy. He rapidly threw small disks of spirit energy at him. Kyle formed two spirit swords in his hands and began to slash away at the disks. After the onslaught of attacks they both smirked at each other.

"So what do you call that?"

"I call it my Spirit Disks."

"Not bad. I have been impressed again."

Shampoo went next. He thought they couldn't surprise him anymore, but Shampoo was about to change his mind.

"Fang-boy ready?"

"I'm more than ready. Bring it on 'honey'."

That little name made the Amazon see red. Shampoo's spirit energy gathered on her fingers and were shaped into claws. At the sight of those claws, Kyle began to regret calling her honey. She then sliced the air and several blades of energy went flying at him. Kyle quickly dodged rolled out of the blades way. He sat on the ground and watched as they hit a tree; reducing it to saw dust. Kyle just stared wide eyed at the saw dust. He turned towards Shampoo and smiled weakly.

"Umm, sorry about my comment."

Shampoo smiled evilly at him. "Next time Fang-boy think before speak or I use Spirit Claws on Fang-boy."

Kyle suddenly smiled. Shampoo looked confused at his sudden change of mood. "Why Fang-boy smile?"

"You said 'I' instead of referring yourself in third person. I guess I'm not such a bad teacher." he said still smiling warmly at her. Shampoo felt herself blush and looked at the ground.

Nabiki smirked at them. "Awww, the couple is having a moment."

"Oh Nabiki, don't tease them." Kasumi said to her young sister.

It was now Kyle's turn to blush. He stood up and dusted himself off. " Umm, whatever. Mousse you're up next."

Mousse was angry at Kyle. "I'll show you Kyle. I'll make you pay for flirting with my Shampoo!" he said to himself and broke out into a maniacal laugh. Of course he only thought he said it to himself. In fact he said it out loud.

"You know I can hear you."

"Huh?" Mousse turned towards the others. Everyone was looking at him.

"And I wasn't flirting with Shampoo."

"You could have fooled me! Now prepared to die!" Mousse suddenly stopped. "Great, now I'm starting to sound like Ryoga."

Ryoga ignored Mousse's comment and just watched. Mousse started off by throwing several knifes at him. It looked like this was going to be a sparing match. Mousse did not let up his attacks. Kyle dodged the knifes. He was a little pissed that Mousse turned the demonstration into a sparring match and now was turning it into a full out fight.

"What the hell do you think your doing! This isn't a fight!"

"Are you afraid to loose to me Ookami!"

"Well see who's afraid of what! Spirit Gun!"

Mousse jumped out of the way and smirked. "Take this! Spirit Daggers!"

Several dagger like energy beams flew down at Kyle. He proceeded to dodge them and get into a better position.

"You can't escape Ookami! Spirit Daggers!"

Kyle stood his ground and prepared his own attack. "Shot Gun!"

The spirit energy collided in a flash of light. The spectators and fighters covered their eyes. Once the light disappeared the fight continued. Kyle charged at Mousse and threw a series of punches. Mousse didn't hesitate to retaliate. Kyle just wanted to end this fight.

"Aren't you lucky Shampoo. To have two boys that like you fight over you?"

Kyle heard that and turned to Nabiki. "I don't……."

He didn't get to finish because Mousse kicked him across the yard. Kyle skidded to a stop. "That's it! This ends now!"

Both his fists glowed with red spirit energy. "Try and dodge this Mousse! Double Shot Gun!"

Many balls of energy went flying at Mousse. He tried to dodge, but Kyle just redirected his automatic Shot Gun in whatever direction Mousse went. Finally when he drew Mousse close enough to himself, he stopped shooting and tackle the blind Amazon. He pinned him down and held his spirit sword at Mousse's neck.

"I win." Kyle said.

Mousse just growled at him. Cologne broke up the two boys. "Alright that's enough you two."

Kyle and Mousse stood up. They glared at each other. The others joined them.

"That was quite impressive." Soun said.

"Yes. You even impressed me boy." Genma told Ranma.

"It doesn't take much to impress you pop cause I'm a better fighter."

That earned him a bonk on the head. They were about to leave, when Kyle held up Ranma. The Amazons had already gone in and left the two boys alone.

"So, how is Akane doing?"

Ranma scratched the back of his head. "Well, she's still her violent tomboyish self, but we're working on her temper."

"Have you let her hit you?"

"Not as often as before. She still smacks me, but if she brings out mallet-sama or any other object, I draw the line."

"Good. At least it's some progress. You'll see, one day she will be able to talk to you civilly. Who knows, you may even like her more than you do now."

Ranma looked at the ground embarrassed. "Is it that obvious?"

"It's obvious to everyone but you, Akane, Ryoga, and Ukyo."

"Just like it's obvious to everyone that you and Shampoo like each other?"

It was Kyle's turn to be embarrassed. "Hey now, we're talking about you not me."

Ranma chuckled, but then became serious. "I…..I know. I just can't tell her cause she will just end up calling me a pervert. Ukyo will get hurt too. What am I going to do?"

Kyle sighed. "Look Ranma, this isn't an easy decision. I can't tell you I know how you feel, but I can tell you what I think about the situation."

"What's that?"

"You should talk to Akane and tell her how you feel. She may not take it well at first, but don't give up on her. She's just as new at expressing her feelings as you are. As for Ukyo, she has a right to know. You have to let her know so she can hopefully move on with her life and yes, she may end up hating you. And yes she will be depressed, but as long as you try to help her out things will work out. However, she's going to be more hurt if she finds out through someone else other than you. If worse comes to worse I can help out too. Your not alone."

Kyle let his words sink in before continuing. "And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always here to listen."

Ranma smiled. "Thanks. You don't know how much that means to me. No one ever gave me a chance to explain myself, much less listen to me. Ever since you started helping me out that day, you've made a difference for me. You're like a big brother ya know?"

"Gee thanks man. Anyway it's getting late."

"See ya tomorrow."

"See ya."

Ranma jumped on the roof tops and headed home. That talk with Kyle had helped him make a decision about his situation with Akane. Hopefully this would solve some of his problems.

The next day at lunch, Kyle was sitting on the roof of the school. Suddenly he shot up. He felt it. She was here. He quickly ran down to the front of the school. Meanwhile, Ranma had taken Akane into the hall to talk. Not that he noticed Ukyo and his entire class watching them from their class room.

"What is it Ranma?"

"A-Akane I-I have to tell you something."

Akane just looked at him confused. Ranma never acted this…..nervous before. "Akane I…..I….."

That's when they saw Kyle run past them at full speed. They both looked at each other before they ran after him. Ukyo sensed something was wrong and ran after them as well. Kyle reached the exit and stopped in front of the building. There stood the girl with the cloak. Ranma, Akane, and Ukyo joined him shortly.

"Who's that?" Ranma asked Kyle.

"Our mission."

The girl smiled at him. "I'm so glad too see you again."

"Too bad the feeling isn't mutual." Kyle answered.

"The time has come for you to help our cause."

"Our?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Now you're going to come with me."

"You're not taking me anywhere." Kyle growled.

"Fine, we'll do this the hard way."

She summoned the same demon creatures from the first time they met. Kyle looked at Ranma. "I'm going to need your help. Akane, I need you to get Ryoga down here and Ukyo I need you to go get Shampoo and Mousse. Understand?"

They nodded. "Lets do this."

Ukyo and Akane left Ranma and Kyle to deal with the demons. They were able to take them out with no problem. Their attention turned towards the cloaked girl. They both attacked. She was anticipating their move and dodged them. She then fired glowing arrows at them. Ranma and Kyle split up. Ranma used his Spirit Flame and set the girls cloak on fire. That's when Kyle charged at the girl. She threw her cloak off and faced Kyle. He came to a screeching stop. He stared wide eyed at the girl in front of him.

"What's wrong!" Ranma yelled.

Kyle seemed to be ignoring Ranma and focusing solely on the girl. He whispered to himself, "Yumi….."