Dancing in the Dark
Shadow Knight
Chapter 7: Quickstep
Disclaimer: You know the drill
~
NOTE: Sorry, it took me so long to update. Please forgive me. :P
~
"Just wait out here, okay, Akane?"
"All right, Mousse, please hurry up though. It's really getting cold out here!" Akane shivered slightly as she clutched her coat tighter around her frame.
Mousse smiled crookedly back at her. With a deep breath, Mousse stepped up to the door. Looking up he could see the painted characters reading, "Neko Haten" posted above the door of the restaurant.
Could he really do this?
He and Akane had planned that, after eating, they would go and see a movie to extend the "flirtation" mood. Knowing Ranma, both knew that he would be likely to follow once he heard they were going. Now they were on step two.
Turning back to Akane with a slight frown on his face, he saw Akane grin and give a thumbs up. "You can do it!"
Nodding, he opened the door and stepped in.
~
As the longhaired Amazon set foot within the restaurant, he felt a cold shiver run icy fingers down his spine.
He wasn't alone.
"Welcome back, Mousse"
With a shaky smile on his lips, he bowed deeply to the diminutive figure before him. His ebony hair forming a curtain for his face, he mumbled, "Greetings, Honored Elder Cologne."
Pressing her fingers to form a fleshly arch, Cologne regarded the boy with cool, gray eyes. He was up to something. . . She could smell it off his nervous form. "Stand up, boy. Good. Now tell me. . . where have you been?"
Mousse strained to keep the calm smile on his face. "Out."
A slim eyebrow was raised in response. "Oh really, and would you mind telling me where you think you are going now?"
Hearing the stern voice, Mousse felt his innards twist in a knot. But he had to do this. "I'm going on a date."
BANG!
Both Amazons turned their attentions to the loud clattering coming clearly from the kitchen. And since Cologne and Mousse were present that meant it had to be-
"Stupid duck boy has date?! Shampoo feel bad for anyone who dates you."
Flicking a strand of violet hair back, Shampoo nimbly made her way toward them, snorting a bit as she stepped over a few fallen pots and pans. Mousse and Cologne watched her quietly as she stomped toward them. The angry sneer on her face did make Mousse a little nervous, but the crimson flush that wiped her face lightly made him wonder.
"So," she said with a sudden huff, something underlying in her voice he couldn't detect, "who would date a blind boy like you?"
Adverting his eyes quickly off the striking look of Shampoo's face, the male Amazon let a small, wistful grin play upon his lips. "Why," he said with a bit of flair as he held his hands to his heart, "None other than the lovely, Ms. Tendo."
He added a longing sigh for good measure. Looking back at Shampoo, he thought it vaguely disturbing and pleasant as her eyes narrowed coldly. Grinning wickedly in his mind, he thought to Akane, "It's working. . ."
"Tendo?! Akane Tendo?! The kitchen destroyer?!" Shampoo half shrieked. With ecstasy or anger, Cologne wasn't too sure.
Mousse's face instantly changed at the girl's nickname. A cold frown burrowed itself upon his lips, his eyes flashed dangerously through the thick glasses. He let a cold wave cover him. "I would appreciate it if you didn't call her by such vulgar names," he said evenly.
Turning to Cologne, he bowed, "I believe, if you check my working schedule, you'll see that I have done overtime for many days and this break I have taken and shall take should be covered. May I be excused Elder Cologne?"
Cologne, her tongue numb in her aged mouth, nodded her head slightly and waved him off with her hand. As he grabbed a coat from a hook on the wall, she focused on Shampoo. Was there. . . sadness in her face?
"I bade you good-night. I shall be back soon," Mousse called as he slipped on his jacket and opened the door.
Through the small crack opened to the outside by the door, Shampoo's hearing detected a soft giggling that came from the other side. Craning over a bit, Shampoo suddenly saw red. There, giggling and smiling cutely up at Mousse was the Tendo girl. The last thing she saw before Mousse left was his arm wrapped lightly around her waist and her head leaning on chest.
Then the door slammed shut coldly.
Cologne watched the emotions dance across her great granddaughter's features, wildly erratic. At first she thought she detected sadness, but she must have been mistaken. For then a seed of anger burned deeply inside her as a furious frown marked her face. But now. . . . shock seemed apparent. The girl's violet eyes were wide and her mouth was slightly a gap.
Probably just at Mousse's talking back, she consoled her worries. Yes. . . I'll have to have a talk with that boy later. Such rudeness toward my great granddaughter will not be tolerated. With the explanation for the younger Amazon's feelings in mind, Cologne hopped upstairs on her cane, feeling strangely false in her security.
~
She could not believe this. . .
What did that idiot boy think he was up to?! Leaving her here all distraught and- Wait. . .distraught? Hardly, she huffed.
Yet. . .
Then why did she feel so cold inside to discover that the duck boy was dating the kitch- Akane? Wait! Why did she refuse to call her kitchen destroyer? Was it. . was it because. . . she cared? Cared about what Mousse wanted?
"Feh. . no way. Shampoo no care!" She swatted her hand as if to bash the thought from her mind.
"But. . ." Shampoo looked toward the door where they left.
Suddenly in her mind she saw Akane and Mousse embracing, sharing a passionate ki- "No!" Shampoo shrieked furiously. Grabbing her coat from the hook on the wall, she snatched some money from the counter and threw open the door. Stomping out, she muttered to herself.
"Shampoo no know what's going on, but she no like it! And she stop it now!"
~
Further down the street, the two trickster teens sneezed. Rubbing her nose, Akane mumbled out loud, "Someone must be talking about us."
Mousse rubbed his nose also. "Yeah. . ."
"Oy! That was beautiful display Mousse! You really had her going! Truly wonderful." Akane grinned slyly suddenly. "Oh. . Mousse. . . Am I truly that lovely?"
"Eh?" Mousse began to blush as Akane rubbed her head against his arm. "Akane, what are you doing?!"
Akane stopped and hit him lightly. "I'm just playing, you silly. But you definitely had her going. You think she'll come?"
"We'll, what do you think?"
"Of course! Who knows what may happen when Ranma or Shampoo isn't there to supervise us?" Akane grinned, laughing.
"Who knows?" Mousse replied with a grin as he clutched Akane's shoulders and pulled her close. It was Akane's turn to fluster. Mousse laughed and rustled her hair lightly. "You're so gullible."
"Yeah, and you're not?" She asked with hooded eyes.
Mousse puffed out his chest. "Of course not. An Amazon is never gullib- Akane!"
"Uh-huh." Akane remarked as she stopped purring from her place on his arm. With a laugh she pulled away and punched him lightly on the arm. "Now we're even."
"Hey you started it!" Mousse exclaimed, exasperated at her sense of justice, "I jus-"
As the Amazon boy stopped, Akane looked at her friend with curiosity. "What's wrong Mou-"
"Be quiet," he whispered lightly, "We have company. Someone's watching us." Looking down at her he grinned. "Let's start, shall we?"
She smiled and latched herself to his arm once again. "Let's" Continuing walking as so, they began to initiate their plan.
Akane began to shiver a bit and removed herself from Mousse, stopping their pace. "Brr," she shook, rubbing her arms lightly with her hands, "Oh dear. . . It's getting cold."
Mousse placed on his mask of concern. "Akane-chan, you're cold? Here, take this," he said smoothly as he removed his jacket and placed it about her shoulders. Reaching his hands to her shoulders, he massaged them lightly.
Akane nearly laughed at her next act.
As he massaged her shoulders a bit more, she closed her eyes, and moaned softly, "Oh Mousse. . ." If she didn't stop then, she would have bust out with an exploding giggle.
"I'm guessing that you feel better?" Mousse felt Akane's frame shaking under his fingers. Oh please don't let her laugh. . Please don't let her laugh. . Please don't let her laugh. He repeated the quite plea. For he knew that if she started he would bust soon after.
"Oh quite," Akane said softly, "Thank you Mousse." She sighed and stood beside him. Then, faking a small blush, she slipped her small hand in his larger one and clasped it nervously. Mousse smiled down at her as he squeezed hers back tensely also.
With feigned blushes adorning their cheeks, the "couple" walked on, both feeling the angry, pulsating waves behind them.
~
The source of the angry waves came from a certain tree (Same one as last time. What a coincidence, eh?). Deep inside the leaves, a familiar martial artist shook fiercely, his azure eyes following the two walking up the street. He grabbed his raven pigtail and chewed on it tersely, trying to stop himself from hitting the duck boy and giving the tomboy a good lecture or two.
He suddenly paused in his chewing as he felt something. There it was. . . an angry aura. . .
But it wasn't his. . .
Shifting lightly I his cramped spot in the tree, the boy turned to see where the aura source was coming from.
Two violet eyes stared curiously in his.
"AGGGGGGHHHHH!!!"
~
"AGGGGGGHHHHH!!!"
"I see that they discovered each other." Akane commented as she looked back.
Mousse grinned. "Indeed. This should be fun."
~
Continuing from the scream. . .
Both people in the tree clamped their respective hands to their mouths. Looking at one another, they quickly recognized the other.
"What are you doing here?!" They shouted in unison.
Holding their fingers to their respective lips, they shushed the other loudly, again in sync.
The boy sighed. Whispering he asked, "Shampoo what are you doing here?"
The Amazon shook her head and pointed at him. "Shampoo could ask you the same thing, Ranma."
Suddenly, before Ranma could retort, they both shut up when they heard Akane's voice pierce into the night.
"What was that?"
"I don't know," they heard Mousse reply, "Probably just an animal. . ."
Akane sighed in the distance. "I suppose. Well, we get going or we'll miss the movie."
"You're right, let's go," Mousse said, "And I know how we can there fast."
"How?" They heard Akane ask.
Both Ranma and Shampoo parted the leaves and leaned further out the tree to see.
~
Mousse grinned and slid an arm behind her back. "Like this," he said smoothly as he tipped her back lightly.
Akane gasped a bit before she fell back onto his arm, his other suddenly grasping blow her knees. As he straightened upwards, he lifted her off the ground.
"Wow, Mousse," she whispered coyly, a laugh bubbling in her chest, "You're very strong. ."
"Just hold on tight so you won't fall, my dear Akane-chan." Mousse had a slick grin on his lips as a laugh threatened to burst.
"Oh Mousse, you're so nice," Akane whispered lightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"And you're the most beautiful girl I know," Mousse whispered back, another fake blush spread across his cheeks. Clutching her frame lightly, he began to sprint toward the movie theater.
Shampoo and Ranma stared in shock at where the two wandered off. Neither said a word to one another as they sat, frozen in their perches in the trees.
"Shampoo, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Ranma said suddenly without turning.
"Yes," Shampoo hissed lowly, her eyes narrowing thinly, "Let's go."
They both leaped out of the tree and ran after the two.
~
HA! A LONG, LONG CHAPTER FOR ALL! Oh man. . . this was such a long chapter. Well, not really, this is nothing compared with Broken, but still. Ah well. Sorry again that it took me so long to update. -_-* I know I should do better. I'm already starting to format the next chapter in my mind. As for Broken, that one's definitely going to be next after this update. So, for those of you who read that piece of crap, there's some hopefully good news for you. ^_^ I know it's not that comforting knowing how long it took me to update this one alone. Ah well. . . -_-
Once again, THANK YOU ALL! For those of you who reviewed. I hope that most of you got to see your suggestions used. I liked all of them! If I didn't use them in this chapter, you can bet they're gonna be in the next ones. And for those of you are worried this may lead to an Akane/Mousse pairing and Shampoo/Ranma, CRUSH YOUR WORRIES! I'm STICKING to the normal Akane/Ranma and Shampoo/Mousse pairing. :P
Oy! And Ace, I believe that was it. I can't check because I'm not on the internet at the moment. But as for you suggestions. Well, yes, I'm being a bit mean to Ranma and Shampoo. But I hope you'll be satisfied with the ending. *Wink, wink, Hint, hint*. Well, you'll see. ^_^ Thanks for being concerned though.
As for the rest of ya'll, THANKS AGAIN! And if you want to add more "flirtation" situation I can put Akane and Mousse into to get Ranma and Shampoo mad, tell me please!
Thanks for the third time. :P
Until next time,
Ciao. ^_~
Shadow Knight
Chapter 7: Quickstep
Disclaimer: You know the drill
~
NOTE: Sorry, it took me so long to update. Please forgive me. :P
~
"Just wait out here, okay, Akane?"
"All right, Mousse, please hurry up though. It's really getting cold out here!" Akane shivered slightly as she clutched her coat tighter around her frame.
Mousse smiled crookedly back at her. With a deep breath, Mousse stepped up to the door. Looking up he could see the painted characters reading, "Neko Haten" posted above the door of the restaurant.
Could he really do this?
He and Akane had planned that, after eating, they would go and see a movie to extend the "flirtation" mood. Knowing Ranma, both knew that he would be likely to follow once he heard they were going. Now they were on step two.
Turning back to Akane with a slight frown on his face, he saw Akane grin and give a thumbs up. "You can do it!"
Nodding, he opened the door and stepped in.
~
As the longhaired Amazon set foot within the restaurant, he felt a cold shiver run icy fingers down his spine.
He wasn't alone.
"Welcome back, Mousse"
With a shaky smile on his lips, he bowed deeply to the diminutive figure before him. His ebony hair forming a curtain for his face, he mumbled, "Greetings, Honored Elder Cologne."
Pressing her fingers to form a fleshly arch, Cologne regarded the boy with cool, gray eyes. He was up to something. . . She could smell it off his nervous form. "Stand up, boy. Good. Now tell me. . . where have you been?"
Mousse strained to keep the calm smile on his face. "Out."
A slim eyebrow was raised in response. "Oh really, and would you mind telling me where you think you are going now?"
Hearing the stern voice, Mousse felt his innards twist in a knot. But he had to do this. "I'm going on a date."
BANG!
Both Amazons turned their attentions to the loud clattering coming clearly from the kitchen. And since Cologne and Mousse were present that meant it had to be-
"Stupid duck boy has date?! Shampoo feel bad for anyone who dates you."
Flicking a strand of violet hair back, Shampoo nimbly made her way toward them, snorting a bit as she stepped over a few fallen pots and pans. Mousse and Cologne watched her quietly as she stomped toward them. The angry sneer on her face did make Mousse a little nervous, but the crimson flush that wiped her face lightly made him wonder.
"So," she said with a sudden huff, something underlying in her voice he couldn't detect, "who would date a blind boy like you?"
Adverting his eyes quickly off the striking look of Shampoo's face, the male Amazon let a small, wistful grin play upon his lips. "Why," he said with a bit of flair as he held his hands to his heart, "None other than the lovely, Ms. Tendo."
He added a longing sigh for good measure. Looking back at Shampoo, he thought it vaguely disturbing and pleasant as her eyes narrowed coldly. Grinning wickedly in his mind, he thought to Akane, "It's working. . ."
"Tendo?! Akane Tendo?! The kitchen destroyer?!" Shampoo half shrieked. With ecstasy or anger, Cologne wasn't too sure.
Mousse's face instantly changed at the girl's nickname. A cold frown burrowed itself upon his lips, his eyes flashed dangerously through the thick glasses. He let a cold wave cover him. "I would appreciate it if you didn't call her by such vulgar names," he said evenly.
Turning to Cologne, he bowed, "I believe, if you check my working schedule, you'll see that I have done overtime for many days and this break I have taken and shall take should be covered. May I be excused Elder Cologne?"
Cologne, her tongue numb in her aged mouth, nodded her head slightly and waved him off with her hand. As he grabbed a coat from a hook on the wall, she focused on Shampoo. Was there. . . sadness in her face?
"I bade you good-night. I shall be back soon," Mousse called as he slipped on his jacket and opened the door.
Through the small crack opened to the outside by the door, Shampoo's hearing detected a soft giggling that came from the other side. Craning over a bit, Shampoo suddenly saw red. There, giggling and smiling cutely up at Mousse was the Tendo girl. The last thing she saw before Mousse left was his arm wrapped lightly around her waist and her head leaning on chest.
Then the door slammed shut coldly.
Cologne watched the emotions dance across her great granddaughter's features, wildly erratic. At first she thought she detected sadness, but she must have been mistaken. For then a seed of anger burned deeply inside her as a furious frown marked her face. But now. . . . shock seemed apparent. The girl's violet eyes were wide and her mouth was slightly a gap.
Probably just at Mousse's talking back, she consoled her worries. Yes. . . I'll have to have a talk with that boy later. Such rudeness toward my great granddaughter will not be tolerated. With the explanation for the younger Amazon's feelings in mind, Cologne hopped upstairs on her cane, feeling strangely false in her security.
~
She could not believe this. . .
What did that idiot boy think he was up to?! Leaving her here all distraught and- Wait. . .distraught? Hardly, she huffed.
Yet. . .
Then why did she feel so cold inside to discover that the duck boy was dating the kitch- Akane? Wait! Why did she refuse to call her kitchen destroyer? Was it. . was it because. . . she cared? Cared about what Mousse wanted?
"Feh. . no way. Shampoo no care!" She swatted her hand as if to bash the thought from her mind.
"But. . ." Shampoo looked toward the door where they left.
Suddenly in her mind she saw Akane and Mousse embracing, sharing a passionate ki- "No!" Shampoo shrieked furiously. Grabbing her coat from the hook on the wall, she snatched some money from the counter and threw open the door. Stomping out, she muttered to herself.
"Shampoo no know what's going on, but she no like it! And she stop it now!"
~
Further down the street, the two trickster teens sneezed. Rubbing her nose, Akane mumbled out loud, "Someone must be talking about us."
Mousse rubbed his nose also. "Yeah. . ."
"Oy! That was beautiful display Mousse! You really had her going! Truly wonderful." Akane grinned slyly suddenly. "Oh. . Mousse. . . Am I truly that lovely?"
"Eh?" Mousse began to blush as Akane rubbed her head against his arm. "Akane, what are you doing?!"
Akane stopped and hit him lightly. "I'm just playing, you silly. But you definitely had her going. You think she'll come?"
"We'll, what do you think?"
"Of course! Who knows what may happen when Ranma or Shampoo isn't there to supervise us?" Akane grinned, laughing.
"Who knows?" Mousse replied with a grin as he clutched Akane's shoulders and pulled her close. It was Akane's turn to fluster. Mousse laughed and rustled her hair lightly. "You're so gullible."
"Yeah, and you're not?" She asked with hooded eyes.
Mousse puffed out his chest. "Of course not. An Amazon is never gullib- Akane!"
"Uh-huh." Akane remarked as she stopped purring from her place on his arm. With a laugh she pulled away and punched him lightly on the arm. "Now we're even."
"Hey you started it!" Mousse exclaimed, exasperated at her sense of justice, "I jus-"
As the Amazon boy stopped, Akane looked at her friend with curiosity. "What's wrong Mou-"
"Be quiet," he whispered lightly, "We have company. Someone's watching us." Looking down at her he grinned. "Let's start, shall we?"
She smiled and latched herself to his arm once again. "Let's" Continuing walking as so, they began to initiate their plan.
Akane began to shiver a bit and removed herself from Mousse, stopping their pace. "Brr," she shook, rubbing her arms lightly with her hands, "Oh dear. . . It's getting cold."
Mousse placed on his mask of concern. "Akane-chan, you're cold? Here, take this," he said smoothly as he removed his jacket and placed it about her shoulders. Reaching his hands to her shoulders, he massaged them lightly.
Akane nearly laughed at her next act.
As he massaged her shoulders a bit more, she closed her eyes, and moaned softly, "Oh Mousse. . ." If she didn't stop then, she would have bust out with an exploding giggle.
"I'm guessing that you feel better?" Mousse felt Akane's frame shaking under his fingers. Oh please don't let her laugh. . Please don't let her laugh. . Please don't let her laugh. He repeated the quite plea. For he knew that if she started he would bust soon after.
"Oh quite," Akane said softly, "Thank you Mousse." She sighed and stood beside him. Then, faking a small blush, she slipped her small hand in his larger one and clasped it nervously. Mousse smiled down at her as he squeezed hers back tensely also.
With feigned blushes adorning their cheeks, the "couple" walked on, both feeling the angry, pulsating waves behind them.
~
The source of the angry waves came from a certain tree (Same one as last time. What a coincidence, eh?). Deep inside the leaves, a familiar martial artist shook fiercely, his azure eyes following the two walking up the street. He grabbed his raven pigtail and chewed on it tersely, trying to stop himself from hitting the duck boy and giving the tomboy a good lecture or two.
He suddenly paused in his chewing as he felt something. There it was. . . an angry aura. . .
But it wasn't his. . .
Shifting lightly I his cramped spot in the tree, the boy turned to see where the aura source was coming from.
Two violet eyes stared curiously in his.
"AGGGGGGHHHHH!!!"
~
"AGGGGGGHHHHH!!!"
"I see that they discovered each other." Akane commented as she looked back.
Mousse grinned. "Indeed. This should be fun."
~
Continuing from the scream. . .
Both people in the tree clamped their respective hands to their mouths. Looking at one another, they quickly recognized the other.
"What are you doing here?!" They shouted in unison.
Holding their fingers to their respective lips, they shushed the other loudly, again in sync.
The boy sighed. Whispering he asked, "Shampoo what are you doing here?"
The Amazon shook her head and pointed at him. "Shampoo could ask you the same thing, Ranma."
Suddenly, before Ranma could retort, they both shut up when they heard Akane's voice pierce into the night.
"What was that?"
"I don't know," they heard Mousse reply, "Probably just an animal. . ."
Akane sighed in the distance. "I suppose. Well, we get going or we'll miss the movie."
"You're right, let's go," Mousse said, "And I know how we can there fast."
"How?" They heard Akane ask.
Both Ranma and Shampoo parted the leaves and leaned further out the tree to see.
~
Mousse grinned and slid an arm behind her back. "Like this," he said smoothly as he tipped her back lightly.
Akane gasped a bit before she fell back onto his arm, his other suddenly grasping blow her knees. As he straightened upwards, he lifted her off the ground.
"Wow, Mousse," she whispered coyly, a laugh bubbling in her chest, "You're very strong. ."
"Just hold on tight so you won't fall, my dear Akane-chan." Mousse had a slick grin on his lips as a laugh threatened to burst.
"Oh Mousse, you're so nice," Akane whispered lightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"And you're the most beautiful girl I know," Mousse whispered back, another fake blush spread across his cheeks. Clutching her frame lightly, he began to sprint toward the movie theater.
Shampoo and Ranma stared in shock at where the two wandered off. Neither said a word to one another as they sat, frozen in their perches in the trees.
"Shampoo, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Ranma said suddenly without turning.
"Yes," Shampoo hissed lowly, her eyes narrowing thinly, "Let's go."
They both leaped out of the tree and ran after the two.
~
HA! A LONG, LONG CHAPTER FOR ALL! Oh man. . . this was such a long chapter. Well, not really, this is nothing compared with Broken, but still. Ah well. Sorry again that it took me so long to update. -_-* I know I should do better. I'm already starting to format the next chapter in my mind. As for Broken, that one's definitely going to be next after this update. So, for those of you who read that piece of crap, there's some hopefully good news for you. ^_^ I know it's not that comforting knowing how long it took me to update this one alone. Ah well. . . -_-
Once again, THANK YOU ALL! For those of you who reviewed. I hope that most of you got to see your suggestions used. I liked all of them! If I didn't use them in this chapter, you can bet they're gonna be in the next ones. And for those of you are worried this may lead to an Akane/Mousse pairing and Shampoo/Ranma, CRUSH YOUR WORRIES! I'm STICKING to the normal Akane/Ranma and Shampoo/Mousse pairing. :P
Oy! And Ace, I believe that was it. I can't check because I'm not on the internet at the moment. But as for you suggestions. Well, yes, I'm being a bit mean to Ranma and Shampoo. But I hope you'll be satisfied with the ending. *Wink, wink, Hint, hint*. Well, you'll see. ^_^ Thanks for being concerned though.
As for the rest of ya'll, THANKS AGAIN! And if you want to add more "flirtation" situation I can put Akane and Mousse into to get Ranma and Shampoo mad, tell me please!
Thanks for the third time. :P
Until next time,
Ciao. ^_~