Dancing in the Dark
Shadow Knight
Chapter 9: Chahut
Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi. . . that's all I'm gonna say.
~
Sorry, I haven't updated in forever. I've been really busy lately and have had little time to write. I've certainly had some time to contemplate though, so hopefully these will be good. Hope you readers enjoy. ^_^
~
"Mousse? Mousse? Where is that stupid duck boy?"
With a frustrated huff, she tugged at the ends of her violet hair. Gathering up another plate upon her stack, a dark expression started to grow on her face as she approached the kitchen.
"Damn duck boy get beating when Shampoo done with too too many dishes _he_ supposed to do." The plates trembled in her hands.
As she stepped closer to the kitchen, her frown started to slip as curiosity set in. Who was that? Someone was talking on the phone. Carefully, she crept closer, her free hand curling the kitchen flaps away.
Her eyes narrowed as a dangerous growl grew in her throat.
"Yes, I think today should be fine. I've got quite a few more free hours from work. Overtime sure does pay for things like these. . . .Yes. . .I'll be over there soon. Mm-hm. No, Akane. . . that's alright go ahead and change, I'll be over there soon to start. . . . Alright see you soon. Bye."
Shampoo watched as the boy hung up the phone and walked upstairs. Her lips were thinned out as she watched him walk up the stairs quickly. The plates clattered roughly and bounced in her arms.
"Oooh. . . . . So. . . Mousse talking on phone all this time? And with that kitchen destroyer?! Wait until I-" Her lips paused in her ranting.
A sudden thought spread like a weed through her mind. What if. . . what if he was going to see Akane for something. . . .something different? What if. . .
"No!" Shampoo breathed out harshly. She only then realized she had been holding her breath.
With her knowledge of what hormones bring on during any teenagers life, she felt an angry shiver tremble down her spine. She let the plates clatter into the sink. Her knuckles cracked as an evil chuckle sputtered from her mouth.
"Oh yes. . ," she mumbled, her knuckles cracking as she watched the stairs to their rooms, "Mousse. . . Shampoo will show you pain. . ."
~
"A-choo!"
Reaching a finger to his nose, the boy rubbed at his nostrils. "Someone must be talking about me."
He suddenly shivered. "And thinking threatening thoughts toward me. . . hmm. . . wonder who it could be?"
Shaking off his absent thoughts, he reached to knock on the door when suddenly it slid open roughly. A hand jerked out from the darkness and latched onto his shirt. With a small yelp, the Amazon male was yanked into the Tendo household, the door slamming shut behind him.
Before he could utter another word, a voice questioned him coldly, "What the heck are ya doing here, you four-eyed freak?"
Mousse adjusted his glasses and saw that it was who he had thought it was.
"Why . . . didn't Akane tell you? I'm here to see her. Does that bother you? After all you were the one who always said that you didn't like h-."
"Shut up!" Ranma hissed tossing the Amazon down, "Just because I say that doesn't mean you can just get all 'friendly' with my fiancée!"
"Why. . . Ranma. . I never knew you cared," a sarcastic voice issued from behind Ranma.
Ranma's face turned a deep red. Whipping around to face Akane, he was about to make a cynical remark when he stopped frozen.
"Uh. . . . Ranma? Are you okay? You in there?" Akane questioned, emphasizing the point by knocking lightly on his head.
The cursed boy was transfixed with the sight before him. Here was the tomboy he had known for so long, standing in a blue gown, elegant yet simple. It looked as if she were getting ready to go to a dance. He found himself mumbling incoherently and uncontrollably.
". .a. . .Akane. . . y. . .wh. . . you. . .look really. . c. . .cute. . ."
Ranma bit down on his tongue as he realized his thoughts had slipped to his lips. A flush streaked across Akane's own face as she heard his words. She brought her hand up to her cheek, stunned.
I've got to get out of here! Ranma screamed in his mind. "Um. . . yeah. . . See ya."
With that he took off up the stairs. Akane turned toward the grinning Mousse, sitting on his position from the floor where Ranma had left him. "Looks like you've hooked him. It's really amazing how a simple alteration like that can change him so quickly, eh?"
Akane nodded deafly, still stunned at Ranma's words. After a few moments, she recovered from the shock and turned to Mousse as he slipped off his shoes and stepped towards her. "You think he really meant it. . . I mean. . . do you really think that he. . . . . he-"
Mousse patted her shoulder. "I know he did Akane. Did you see his face? He was almost as red as you."
With a smile, Akane smoothed out her dress absently, her thoughts in a dream like daze. "Well. . . Mousse let's get started shall we? Kasumi's in the dojo waiting for us. And since you changed into your dressing clothes we can start now. Let's go."
~
Unfortunately a certain pig-tailed boy wasn't exactly in such a happy mood. With a frown on his face, he laid on the futon, staring evenly at the ceiling, arms folded beneath his head.
"Damn it," he muttered, "What's up with those two? With that stupid tomboy. . . that really cute tomboy-"
His hands clamped over his mouth, stopping the words. His eyes wild, he couldn't believe what he had just said. Why am I suddenly acting all stupid over that dumb tomboy anyways?
"It's not like she's cute or anything. . . ," Ranma bit his tongue lightly. Damn it, he knew he was lying. . . .but she really was cute in that d-
"Ni hao, Ranma!" came a cheerful voice from his window.
Jumping to his feet, Ranma backed away toward the wall nervously. Gulping he replied, "H. . Hey Shampoo. How are ya?"
Shampoo's face twitched lightly at the question, Ranma noticed. Her normally sugary sweet smile broke for just a second. "Shampoo is fine now she here with you. . ."
Ranma noticed the lack of sweetness in her tone, but said nothing of it. Weird things were going on and he really didn't want to be caught up in it. "Right. . . well, Shampoo, I kinda want to be alone right now, kay? Something's going on with Akane and uh. . . well. . .," he stumbled over his words, not wanting to actually admit that the duck boy was going o. . . going ou. . .going out with-
"You mean violent kitchen destroyer getting too too friendly with stupid Mousse?"
Ranma flinched a bit at the "too too friendly" bit. "Yes," he sighed, but quickly looked up at her defiantly, "But that doesn't mean I'm jealous or anything!"
"Right!" Shampoo yelled beside him, "Shampoo no jealous!"
They laughed loudly and falsely, wondering in their minds why they were acting so stupid.
"Mousse I'm so excited. . . You know. . . this _is_ my first time."
Ranma and Shampoo's laughter was instantly cut off as they heard a familiar voice. Their jaws opened in mid laugh, both froze.
"Well, Akane. . . We'll just have to take this slow and make sure we do it right."
"Your right Mousse. . you know maybe we should. . . . . . . . . "
As the voices slipped from their hearing, the wheels in martial artist's head began turning. Both turned down a negative path and thought of course the worst possible scenario for the words "first time," and "take this slow."
Turning toward one another, azure met violet, and they both understood what had to be done. Shuffling off their feet quickly, they ran downstairs toward the dojo at full speed, knocking over the Go board in their attempt to get down to the dojo quickly.
"Well Saotome," Soun muttered, his left eye twitching, "I guess no one won now, eh?"
The large panda turned toward him with slit eyes. Grabbing a sign, he flashed it at Soun, "Look who's talking. It was your move, so I win."
His face growing dark, Soun looked like he was going to blow his top. . . . . before he suddenly broke down in tears. Genma sighed, and patted the bawling man on the back, praying that he wouldn't flood the house again.
~
"Akane. Mousse. I'm glad to see that you two were able to show up to today's lesson."
Both bowed in thanks. "Thank you for using your time to do this with us, Kasumi," Akane smiled.
"Oh, no," Kasumi mumbled in a blush of appreciation, "No problem at all. Now, let's get started, shall we?"
"Alright, guys, let's start with the waltz. It's one of the most classic dances and actually not that difficult either. Okay. Men usually lead, so Mousse, face Akane and put your right hand underneath Akane's left arm.
Yes, like that. And Akane? Put your left hand on his right shoulder. Now, all you need to do is, Mousse, extend your left arm and grasp Akane's hand, holding away from the both of you. Yes. . . like that. Now you guys are in the right position."
"Alright. . . now for the dance steps."
~
"Shampoo can no see, Ranma. Move your head."
"Shh. . . . I can't hear what their saying. Just wait one sec. I'll move."
Hanging over the ledge of the house, the two teenagers were trying to get the best view inside the dojo without falling off the roof.
Shuffling over, Ranma grunted and leaned himself further downward. As he saw inside, he was startled. "Why are Akane and Mousse-
-so close?" Shampoo finished with a frown.
"Yeah." Ranma muttered.
Ranma's eyes suddenly caught sight of Kasumi. Cupping a free hand to his ear, Ranma tried to hear what she was saying, but he only heard dull slivers of what she was saying.
"Crap. I can't hear what they're saying. Can you Shampoo?"
"Nu-uh."
Sighing, Ranma trained his eyes on the two figures _inconceivably_ close to each other. "Stupid, freaking, four-eyed, blind, duck boy. . . ."
As Shampoo watched the two, she felt her face darken. "Shampoo going to hurt that kitchen destroyer if she move one more inch near Mousse. . . ," she muttered coolly.
Both suddenly stopped, their eyes wide. Turning toward one another, they smiled crookedly and laughed awkwardly.
"You didn't hear that," They spoke simultaneously.
"Oh my!"
Shampoo and Ranma peered over the edge intently.
Both for once were lost for words. Losing the feeling in their limbs, from shock, they slipped off the roof. (People seem to be doing this more often, no?)
"AAGGGHHHH!"
~
"Oh my!"
"Better watch out for our feet next time, eh Mousse?"
Coughing a bit, Mousse smiled, "Yes, . . ah. . . I do agree, Akane."
Akane laughed as she picked herself off Mousse. Grabbing one of his hands, she quickly helped him up off the floor. While dusting themselves off, Akane whispered to Mousse with a secret smile, "You think they saw us, Mousse?"
Mousse grinned, "I think that yell from the window confirmed that."
Meanwhile, Kasumi was inspecting the noise she had heard from the window. . . .
~
Leaning over the edge, Kasumi gasped as she saw the source of the commotion.
"Oh my goodness. . . Ranma. . . Shampoo. . . I. . . I. . .I didn't know that. . . that. . . . .that you were such dedicated gardeners!"
"Yes. . . . We LOVE gardening, Kasumi!" Ranma said behind a huge toothy smile, sweat drops trailing down his face.
Both were on the ground, picking at the grass with sweat drops running down their face, praying that wouldn't realize the truth.
"Shampoo too too love . . . watching grass grow?" Shampoo concurred, smiling crookedly at the idea.
"Ah, that's nice. I'm sure father will be very happy that we have loving gardeners who care for our yard as much as we do. Thank you, you two," Kasumi smiled warmly.
Both sighed with relief at the believed lie.
"Well, I would talk to you longer, but I'm afraid I have some things I have to do with Akane and Mousse," she waved and walked back to the two in the dojo, shaking from contained laughter.
~
"Alright you two! I think you've got it down! Let me see you guys do this one more time. Wait one second and I'll start the music," Kasumi exclaimed enthusiastically, popping in the cassette.
As the music began, Akane and Mousse started moving. They danced across the dojo floorboards with graceful gestures. After the last note of the tape played, Mousse tipped Akane back, her hair reaching for the ground, a light smile on her face.
"Oh you two were beautiful!" Kasumi clapped her hands in excitement.
Pulling Akane back to her feet, Mousse grinned. "It's all thanks to you, Kasumi. Thanks again for helping us."
Akane nodded. "He's right, Kasumi. Thank you."
"Oh. . .it's quite alright," Kasumi giggled, blushing, "Just be back tomorrow and I'll teach you two how to. . . hmm. . .well, what would you two like to learn?"
~
"Shampoo so. . . .so. . . . . confused," the young Amazon huffed, a sad, bewildered expression on her face, "She no understand why stupid Mousse go and. . . . ."
"I know what ya mean," Ranma mumbled to himself, scratching at his head.
Picking at the roof tile beneath him, Ranma tried to run through his thoughts. What could the two of them really be doing? Sure, they were. . . dancing. . . but why? What suddenly made the two do that. Not unless they were. . .dati-
"Ranma!"
His thoughts were suddenly cut off by Shampoo's hands latching on Ranma's collar and thrashing him about.
"Ranma, you listening to Shampoo?!"
"Please-let-me-go-Shampoo-I-am-listen-ing-to-you!" Ranma cried out shaking back and forth under her thrashing, teeth rattling in his mouth.
Shampoo suddenly stopped and released his collar, resulting in him falling back to the roof roughly. "Oh," she giggled, embarrassed, "Shampoo sorry."
"Ouch! It's, okay, Shampoo," Ranma replied nursing the bump on his head, "But we've got to figure out why those two are so. . . close. . . .all of a sudden. . .Not that I'm jealous or anything! No freaking way am I jealous over that tomboy! . . . . Well. . . anyway . . you keep a close eye on the tomboy, if I try, she'll think I'm some pervert. And I'll keep a watch out for Mousse, kay?"
"Okay," she replied seriously, before looking at her watch and nearly screaming, "Ai yah! Shampoo forgot she need to be back at Neko Haten! Busy hour now happening! Buy Ranma! Be back soon!"
"Alright," Ranma waved, before jumping down to the front, "See ya later."
She ran to jump off the roof, but as fate would have it, the tile that Ranma had been playing with earlier was now loosened, and twisted her foot in her attempt to jump.
"Oh no! Shampoo is falliiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnngggg!" she screamed.
Suddenly, she was caught in a pair of sturdy arms. She instantly hushed and looked at her rescuer. A pair of concerned eyes looked at her from a pair of thick lens.
"Are you okay, Shampoo?"
Shampoo, caught up in the pair of soft green eyes peering down at her, struggled to control her tongue. "A.. . ah. . . . Sh. . . M. . . Mousse. . .ah," she stuttered.
Mousse smiled and set her down on her feet. "Well, I'll see you back at the restaurant, Shampoo. I've got some hours I need to fill in at work. See you later."
With that he leaped onto the Tendo roof and started heading toward the Neko Haten. Shampoo felt her heart flutter for a moment before she realized she was blushing. Reaching her hands up to her face, she scrubbed at her cheeks quickly. "Shampoo no blush over silly duck boy! No, no no!"
"Oh my. . . .he is handsome, isn't he?"
Shampoo felt her cheeks grow warm as she sighed and nodded with the statement. There was no denying that he did look awfully handsome when he- Wait a second!
Flipping around, Shampoo turned to the voice. "Shampoo no like stupid duck! Mousse is all for you kitchen destroyer! He not handsome at all!"
Akane grinned. "Well, I'm glad to see that you're not interested in him. I thought you were for a second after he left. After all, with you _blushing_ and all. . . ."
"SHAMPOO WAS NOT BLUSHING!" she screeched, waving around her balled fist in the air frantically.
Folding her arms behind her head, Akane sighed. "That's nice to hear. . . . . I'm just happy he's all mine then. . . ."
Shampoo veins turned cold, as she glared at Akane. "_What_you_say_?"
"_He's_all_mine_." Akane repeated, adding a blissful sigh after the sentence.
Her face, darkening this time from anger, was red. "Why you!-"
"Oh, Shampoo, aren't you going to be late to work?"
"Ai yah! You right! Shampoo be back to finish this soon! You can bet on that," she declared as she ran toward the Neko Haten.
As soon as she was out of eye sight, Akane giggled quietly and walked toward the dojo.
~
Meanwhile, Ranma was walking back toward the house, his thoughts blinding his vision. Unfortunately, someone else was walking back in the opposite direction, also blinded.
The laws of gravity were enacted.
BAM
"Ouch!" Ranma reached up and rubbed his forehead. "I'm getting hit in the head too much today. . ."
"Ow. . . .," a voice hissed.
Turning, Ranma glanced down at ground before him. With a sudden flush, he grinned crookedly. "Ah. . . Hey Akane," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head in a flustered gesture.
"Hey Ranma," she smiled back, "could you help me up?"
"Oh yea! Oh sure sure. . . ," he reached out a hand and slipped it into hers, surprised by the softness of her hand.
Gently he helped her up. As they stood, he was still holding her hand, staring at her, lost in staring deftly. Akane herself felt her cheeks grow warm at his stare. A silly smile began growing on her face in giddy joy.
"Um. . . Ranma. . .I need my hand back," Akane whispered, somewhat reluctant to get it back alone.
"Hahaha. . . yeah, whoops," he laughed awkwardly and jerked his hand back to himself.
Akane's face saddened for a second and Ranma noticed its appearance. Yet, he doubted if what he saw was correct for as quickly as she had allowed the expression to show, it disappeared.
"We better head inside for dinner Ranma, or else your father will eat it all," she smiled lightly.
"Oh crap! You're right. See you in there!" Ranma dashed inside.
As she watched him run off inside, Akane could only smile.
~
"Elder Cologne?"
"Yes, Mousse," Cologne answered, lazily rolling her eyes toward the long- haired Amazon.
"Would it be alright if I was to stay a little longer on tonight's shift to clean up?"
Cologne looked at him with some surprise. "You're serious? You want to _clean_up_?"
"Yes, if that's alright, please," Mousse bowed.
"Sure," she said, surprised, waving her hand, "Go on."
"Thank you." With that, he was off.
As Mousse went out and started to clean off the tables and clear out the final customers, Shampoo started out for the tables.
"No need to do that my dear," Cologne stated to Shampoo before she went out.
"Why Shampoo no need to clean up," she asked curious.
"Because Mousse is covering it."
"Oh. ."
"I'm going to bed, Shampoo. Make sure that you lock up. I know that stupid boy might forget something," her voice started fading as she hopped up the stairs.
Shampoo nodded and quietly left the kitchen. Her eyes immediately found Mousse. Gathering the plates in a pile, he lifted his sleeves to wipe the table down. She watched in fascination as his muscles rippled smoothly in his arms. Shampoo had never known that . . . Mousse. . .had such large muscles. . .
"Hello, Shampoo. . . can I help you?"
Shampoo was surprised by his voice. "Ah. . no. . . Shampoo alright. . . Just making sure you do job right! That's all!"
"Okay," Mousse smiled.
Needing to busy herself, Shampoo went to the door to lock it. Facing the door, she felt her cheeks grow hot for a moment. What was wrong with her? An Amazon warrior such as herself didn't allow her emotions to show so easily!
She turned and looked at Mousse. "Ah. . . Mousse?"
"Yes?"
She twiddled her thumbs a bit. "Um. . . .Good night."
He gave her a hearty smile, "Good night, Shampoo."
As she saw his grin, Shampoo's cheeks flushed for a moment. Mousse, seeing this, was bewildered for a moment and found his heart beat faster. Shampoo's lips grew into a crooked, but small smile. She didn't understand why seeing Mousse look at her like that was making her happy, but she didn't want to let herself slip up anymore.
"Shampoo must go to bed, good-night!" She dashed up the steps, her skin on fire.
"Sweet dreams," he whispered lightly before mumbling to himself, "I better get to bed soon. I know Akane would hate to have a bad tango dance partner tomorrow. . ."
~
OH MY FREAKING GOODNESS! THAT TOOK FOREVER! . . . AND A HALF! I hope you guys enjoyed that. I made it EXTRA long because I haven't been updating for so long. Sorry. ^_^ Anywho, I hope I cleared up some confusion about the relationships in the story. This IS for the LAST AND FINAL TIME: Ranma/Akane and Shampoo/Mousse. I know it may seem like it is the other way around sometimes, but that's how they are trying to trick Ranma and Shampoo. And sometimes, they do get nervous like any teenagers. Plus you know, it's a friendship. :P
Well, now that the dance lessons have begun, the story is going to end soon. Mind you, I'm not going to go into detail on the actual process of learning all the dances. So if you really wanted to learn how, sorry. ^_^*
If I made some mistakes, sorry, but I tried to get this out as quickly as I could.
Ciao. ^_~
P.S. There will be more Shampoo and Mousse interactions next chap. AND NEXT IS THE TANGO. :P
P.P.S. THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO REVIEWED. . . and some who threatened me to get me going. . hmm. . .ANYWHO, thanks a bunch and if you have any input, go right ahead and tell me. Thanx.
Shadow Knight
Chapter 9: Chahut
Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi. . . that's all I'm gonna say.
~
Sorry, I haven't updated in forever. I've been really busy lately and have had little time to write. I've certainly had some time to contemplate though, so hopefully these will be good. Hope you readers enjoy. ^_^
~
"Mousse? Mousse? Where is that stupid duck boy?"
With a frustrated huff, she tugged at the ends of her violet hair. Gathering up another plate upon her stack, a dark expression started to grow on her face as she approached the kitchen.
"Damn duck boy get beating when Shampoo done with too too many dishes _he_ supposed to do." The plates trembled in her hands.
As she stepped closer to the kitchen, her frown started to slip as curiosity set in. Who was that? Someone was talking on the phone. Carefully, she crept closer, her free hand curling the kitchen flaps away.
Her eyes narrowed as a dangerous growl grew in her throat.
"Yes, I think today should be fine. I've got quite a few more free hours from work. Overtime sure does pay for things like these. . . .Yes. . .I'll be over there soon. Mm-hm. No, Akane. . . that's alright go ahead and change, I'll be over there soon to start. . . . Alright see you soon. Bye."
Shampoo watched as the boy hung up the phone and walked upstairs. Her lips were thinned out as she watched him walk up the stairs quickly. The plates clattered roughly and bounced in her arms.
"Oooh. . . . . So. . . Mousse talking on phone all this time? And with that kitchen destroyer?! Wait until I-" Her lips paused in her ranting.
A sudden thought spread like a weed through her mind. What if. . . what if he was going to see Akane for something. . . .something different? What if. . .
"No!" Shampoo breathed out harshly. She only then realized she had been holding her breath.
With her knowledge of what hormones bring on during any teenagers life, she felt an angry shiver tremble down her spine. She let the plates clatter into the sink. Her knuckles cracked as an evil chuckle sputtered from her mouth.
"Oh yes. . ," she mumbled, her knuckles cracking as she watched the stairs to their rooms, "Mousse. . . Shampoo will show you pain. . ."
~
"A-choo!"
Reaching a finger to his nose, the boy rubbed at his nostrils. "Someone must be talking about me."
He suddenly shivered. "And thinking threatening thoughts toward me. . . hmm. . . wonder who it could be?"
Shaking off his absent thoughts, he reached to knock on the door when suddenly it slid open roughly. A hand jerked out from the darkness and latched onto his shirt. With a small yelp, the Amazon male was yanked into the Tendo household, the door slamming shut behind him.
Before he could utter another word, a voice questioned him coldly, "What the heck are ya doing here, you four-eyed freak?"
Mousse adjusted his glasses and saw that it was who he had thought it was.
"Why . . . didn't Akane tell you? I'm here to see her. Does that bother you? After all you were the one who always said that you didn't like h-."
"Shut up!" Ranma hissed tossing the Amazon down, "Just because I say that doesn't mean you can just get all 'friendly' with my fiancée!"
"Why. . . Ranma. . I never knew you cared," a sarcastic voice issued from behind Ranma.
Ranma's face turned a deep red. Whipping around to face Akane, he was about to make a cynical remark when he stopped frozen.
"Uh. . . . Ranma? Are you okay? You in there?" Akane questioned, emphasizing the point by knocking lightly on his head.
The cursed boy was transfixed with the sight before him. Here was the tomboy he had known for so long, standing in a blue gown, elegant yet simple. It looked as if she were getting ready to go to a dance. He found himself mumbling incoherently and uncontrollably.
". .a. . .Akane. . . y. . .wh. . . you. . .look really. . c. . .cute. . ."
Ranma bit down on his tongue as he realized his thoughts had slipped to his lips. A flush streaked across Akane's own face as she heard his words. She brought her hand up to her cheek, stunned.
I've got to get out of here! Ranma screamed in his mind. "Um. . . yeah. . . See ya."
With that he took off up the stairs. Akane turned toward the grinning Mousse, sitting on his position from the floor where Ranma had left him. "Looks like you've hooked him. It's really amazing how a simple alteration like that can change him so quickly, eh?"
Akane nodded deafly, still stunned at Ranma's words. After a few moments, she recovered from the shock and turned to Mousse as he slipped off his shoes and stepped towards her. "You think he really meant it. . . I mean. . . do you really think that he. . . . . he-"
Mousse patted her shoulder. "I know he did Akane. Did you see his face? He was almost as red as you."
With a smile, Akane smoothed out her dress absently, her thoughts in a dream like daze. "Well. . . Mousse let's get started shall we? Kasumi's in the dojo waiting for us. And since you changed into your dressing clothes we can start now. Let's go."
~
Unfortunately a certain pig-tailed boy wasn't exactly in such a happy mood. With a frown on his face, he laid on the futon, staring evenly at the ceiling, arms folded beneath his head.
"Damn it," he muttered, "What's up with those two? With that stupid tomboy. . . that really cute tomboy-"
His hands clamped over his mouth, stopping the words. His eyes wild, he couldn't believe what he had just said. Why am I suddenly acting all stupid over that dumb tomboy anyways?
"It's not like she's cute or anything. . . ," Ranma bit his tongue lightly. Damn it, he knew he was lying. . . .but she really was cute in that d-
"Ni hao, Ranma!" came a cheerful voice from his window.
Jumping to his feet, Ranma backed away toward the wall nervously. Gulping he replied, "H. . Hey Shampoo. How are ya?"
Shampoo's face twitched lightly at the question, Ranma noticed. Her normally sugary sweet smile broke for just a second. "Shampoo is fine now she here with you. . ."
Ranma noticed the lack of sweetness in her tone, but said nothing of it. Weird things were going on and he really didn't want to be caught up in it. "Right. . . well, Shampoo, I kinda want to be alone right now, kay? Something's going on with Akane and uh. . . well. . .," he stumbled over his words, not wanting to actually admit that the duck boy was going o. . . going ou. . .going out with-
"You mean violent kitchen destroyer getting too too friendly with stupid Mousse?"
Ranma flinched a bit at the "too too friendly" bit. "Yes," he sighed, but quickly looked up at her defiantly, "But that doesn't mean I'm jealous or anything!"
"Right!" Shampoo yelled beside him, "Shampoo no jealous!"
They laughed loudly and falsely, wondering in their minds why they were acting so stupid.
"Mousse I'm so excited. . . You know. . . this _is_ my first time."
Ranma and Shampoo's laughter was instantly cut off as they heard a familiar voice. Their jaws opened in mid laugh, both froze.
"Well, Akane. . . We'll just have to take this slow and make sure we do it right."
"Your right Mousse. . you know maybe we should. . . . . . . . . "
As the voices slipped from their hearing, the wheels in martial artist's head began turning. Both turned down a negative path and thought of course the worst possible scenario for the words "first time," and "take this slow."
Turning toward one another, azure met violet, and they both understood what had to be done. Shuffling off their feet quickly, they ran downstairs toward the dojo at full speed, knocking over the Go board in their attempt to get down to the dojo quickly.
"Well Saotome," Soun muttered, his left eye twitching, "I guess no one won now, eh?"
The large panda turned toward him with slit eyes. Grabbing a sign, he flashed it at Soun, "Look who's talking. It was your move, so I win."
His face growing dark, Soun looked like he was going to blow his top. . . . . before he suddenly broke down in tears. Genma sighed, and patted the bawling man on the back, praying that he wouldn't flood the house again.
~
"Akane. Mousse. I'm glad to see that you two were able to show up to today's lesson."
Both bowed in thanks. "Thank you for using your time to do this with us, Kasumi," Akane smiled.
"Oh, no," Kasumi mumbled in a blush of appreciation, "No problem at all. Now, let's get started, shall we?"
"Alright, guys, let's start with the waltz. It's one of the most classic dances and actually not that difficult either. Okay. Men usually lead, so Mousse, face Akane and put your right hand underneath Akane's left arm.
Yes, like that. And Akane? Put your left hand on his right shoulder. Now, all you need to do is, Mousse, extend your left arm and grasp Akane's hand, holding away from the both of you. Yes. . . like that. Now you guys are in the right position."
"Alright. . . now for the dance steps."
~
"Shampoo can no see, Ranma. Move your head."
"Shh. . . . I can't hear what their saying. Just wait one sec. I'll move."
Hanging over the ledge of the house, the two teenagers were trying to get the best view inside the dojo without falling off the roof.
Shuffling over, Ranma grunted and leaned himself further downward. As he saw inside, he was startled. "Why are Akane and Mousse-
-so close?" Shampoo finished with a frown.
"Yeah." Ranma muttered.
Ranma's eyes suddenly caught sight of Kasumi. Cupping a free hand to his ear, Ranma tried to hear what she was saying, but he only heard dull slivers of what she was saying.
"Crap. I can't hear what they're saying. Can you Shampoo?"
"Nu-uh."
Sighing, Ranma trained his eyes on the two figures _inconceivably_ close to each other. "Stupid, freaking, four-eyed, blind, duck boy. . . ."
As Shampoo watched the two, she felt her face darken. "Shampoo going to hurt that kitchen destroyer if she move one more inch near Mousse. . . ," she muttered coolly.
Both suddenly stopped, their eyes wide. Turning toward one another, they smiled crookedly and laughed awkwardly.
"You didn't hear that," They spoke simultaneously.
"Oh my!"
Shampoo and Ranma peered over the edge intently.
Both for once were lost for words. Losing the feeling in their limbs, from shock, they slipped off the roof. (People seem to be doing this more often, no?)
"AAGGGHHHH!"
~
"Oh my!"
"Better watch out for our feet next time, eh Mousse?"
Coughing a bit, Mousse smiled, "Yes, . . ah. . . I do agree, Akane."
Akane laughed as she picked herself off Mousse. Grabbing one of his hands, she quickly helped him up off the floor. While dusting themselves off, Akane whispered to Mousse with a secret smile, "You think they saw us, Mousse?"
Mousse grinned, "I think that yell from the window confirmed that."
Meanwhile, Kasumi was inspecting the noise she had heard from the window. . . .
~
Leaning over the edge, Kasumi gasped as she saw the source of the commotion.
"Oh my goodness. . . Ranma. . . Shampoo. . . I. . . I. . .I didn't know that. . . that. . . . .that you were such dedicated gardeners!"
"Yes. . . . We LOVE gardening, Kasumi!" Ranma said behind a huge toothy smile, sweat drops trailing down his face.
Both were on the ground, picking at the grass with sweat drops running down their face, praying that wouldn't realize the truth.
"Shampoo too too love . . . watching grass grow?" Shampoo concurred, smiling crookedly at the idea.
"Ah, that's nice. I'm sure father will be very happy that we have loving gardeners who care for our yard as much as we do. Thank you, you two," Kasumi smiled warmly.
Both sighed with relief at the believed lie.
"Well, I would talk to you longer, but I'm afraid I have some things I have to do with Akane and Mousse," she waved and walked back to the two in the dojo, shaking from contained laughter.
~
"Alright you two! I think you've got it down! Let me see you guys do this one more time. Wait one second and I'll start the music," Kasumi exclaimed enthusiastically, popping in the cassette.
As the music began, Akane and Mousse started moving. They danced across the dojo floorboards with graceful gestures. After the last note of the tape played, Mousse tipped Akane back, her hair reaching for the ground, a light smile on her face.
"Oh you two were beautiful!" Kasumi clapped her hands in excitement.
Pulling Akane back to her feet, Mousse grinned. "It's all thanks to you, Kasumi. Thanks again for helping us."
Akane nodded. "He's right, Kasumi. Thank you."
"Oh. . .it's quite alright," Kasumi giggled, blushing, "Just be back tomorrow and I'll teach you two how to. . . hmm. . .well, what would you two like to learn?"
~
"Shampoo so. . . .so. . . . . confused," the young Amazon huffed, a sad, bewildered expression on her face, "She no understand why stupid Mousse go and. . . . ."
"I know what ya mean," Ranma mumbled to himself, scratching at his head.
Picking at the roof tile beneath him, Ranma tried to run through his thoughts. What could the two of them really be doing? Sure, they were. . . dancing. . . but why? What suddenly made the two do that. Not unless they were. . .dati-
"Ranma!"
His thoughts were suddenly cut off by Shampoo's hands latching on Ranma's collar and thrashing him about.
"Ranma, you listening to Shampoo?!"
"Please-let-me-go-Shampoo-I-am-listen-ing-to-you!" Ranma cried out shaking back and forth under her thrashing, teeth rattling in his mouth.
Shampoo suddenly stopped and released his collar, resulting in him falling back to the roof roughly. "Oh," she giggled, embarrassed, "Shampoo sorry."
"Ouch! It's, okay, Shampoo," Ranma replied nursing the bump on his head, "But we've got to figure out why those two are so. . . close. . . .all of a sudden. . .Not that I'm jealous or anything! No freaking way am I jealous over that tomboy! . . . . Well. . . anyway . . you keep a close eye on the tomboy, if I try, she'll think I'm some pervert. And I'll keep a watch out for Mousse, kay?"
"Okay," she replied seriously, before looking at her watch and nearly screaming, "Ai yah! Shampoo forgot she need to be back at Neko Haten! Busy hour now happening! Buy Ranma! Be back soon!"
"Alright," Ranma waved, before jumping down to the front, "See ya later."
She ran to jump off the roof, but as fate would have it, the tile that Ranma had been playing with earlier was now loosened, and twisted her foot in her attempt to jump.
"Oh no! Shampoo is falliiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnngggg!" she screamed.
Suddenly, she was caught in a pair of sturdy arms. She instantly hushed and looked at her rescuer. A pair of concerned eyes looked at her from a pair of thick lens.
"Are you okay, Shampoo?"
Shampoo, caught up in the pair of soft green eyes peering down at her, struggled to control her tongue. "A.. . ah. . . . Sh. . . M. . . Mousse. . .ah," she stuttered.
Mousse smiled and set her down on her feet. "Well, I'll see you back at the restaurant, Shampoo. I've got some hours I need to fill in at work. See you later."
With that he leaped onto the Tendo roof and started heading toward the Neko Haten. Shampoo felt her heart flutter for a moment before she realized she was blushing. Reaching her hands up to her face, she scrubbed at her cheeks quickly. "Shampoo no blush over silly duck boy! No, no no!"
"Oh my. . . .he is handsome, isn't he?"
Shampoo felt her cheeks grow warm as she sighed and nodded with the statement. There was no denying that he did look awfully handsome when he- Wait a second!
Flipping around, Shampoo turned to the voice. "Shampoo no like stupid duck! Mousse is all for you kitchen destroyer! He not handsome at all!"
Akane grinned. "Well, I'm glad to see that you're not interested in him. I thought you were for a second after he left. After all, with you _blushing_ and all. . . ."
"SHAMPOO WAS NOT BLUSHING!" she screeched, waving around her balled fist in the air frantically.
Folding her arms behind her head, Akane sighed. "That's nice to hear. . . . . I'm just happy he's all mine then. . . ."
Shampoo veins turned cold, as she glared at Akane. "_What_you_say_?"
"_He's_all_mine_." Akane repeated, adding a blissful sigh after the sentence.
Her face, darkening this time from anger, was red. "Why you!-"
"Oh, Shampoo, aren't you going to be late to work?"
"Ai yah! You right! Shampoo be back to finish this soon! You can bet on that," she declared as she ran toward the Neko Haten.
As soon as she was out of eye sight, Akane giggled quietly and walked toward the dojo.
~
Meanwhile, Ranma was walking back toward the house, his thoughts blinding his vision. Unfortunately, someone else was walking back in the opposite direction, also blinded.
The laws of gravity were enacted.
BAM
"Ouch!" Ranma reached up and rubbed his forehead. "I'm getting hit in the head too much today. . ."
"Ow. . . .," a voice hissed.
Turning, Ranma glanced down at ground before him. With a sudden flush, he grinned crookedly. "Ah. . . Hey Akane," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head in a flustered gesture.
"Hey Ranma," she smiled back, "could you help me up?"
"Oh yea! Oh sure sure. . . ," he reached out a hand and slipped it into hers, surprised by the softness of her hand.
Gently he helped her up. As they stood, he was still holding her hand, staring at her, lost in staring deftly. Akane herself felt her cheeks grow warm at his stare. A silly smile began growing on her face in giddy joy.
"Um. . . Ranma. . .I need my hand back," Akane whispered, somewhat reluctant to get it back alone.
"Hahaha. . . yeah, whoops," he laughed awkwardly and jerked his hand back to himself.
Akane's face saddened for a second and Ranma noticed its appearance. Yet, he doubted if what he saw was correct for as quickly as she had allowed the expression to show, it disappeared.
"We better head inside for dinner Ranma, or else your father will eat it all," she smiled lightly.
"Oh crap! You're right. See you in there!" Ranma dashed inside.
As she watched him run off inside, Akane could only smile.
~
"Elder Cologne?"
"Yes, Mousse," Cologne answered, lazily rolling her eyes toward the long- haired Amazon.
"Would it be alright if I was to stay a little longer on tonight's shift to clean up?"
Cologne looked at him with some surprise. "You're serious? You want to _clean_up_?"
"Yes, if that's alright, please," Mousse bowed.
"Sure," she said, surprised, waving her hand, "Go on."
"Thank you." With that, he was off.
As Mousse went out and started to clean off the tables and clear out the final customers, Shampoo started out for the tables.
"No need to do that my dear," Cologne stated to Shampoo before she went out.
"Why Shampoo no need to clean up," she asked curious.
"Because Mousse is covering it."
"Oh. ."
"I'm going to bed, Shampoo. Make sure that you lock up. I know that stupid boy might forget something," her voice started fading as she hopped up the stairs.
Shampoo nodded and quietly left the kitchen. Her eyes immediately found Mousse. Gathering the plates in a pile, he lifted his sleeves to wipe the table down. She watched in fascination as his muscles rippled smoothly in his arms. Shampoo had never known that . . . Mousse. . .had such large muscles. . .
"Hello, Shampoo. . . can I help you?"
Shampoo was surprised by his voice. "Ah. . no. . . Shampoo alright. . . Just making sure you do job right! That's all!"
"Okay," Mousse smiled.
Needing to busy herself, Shampoo went to the door to lock it. Facing the door, she felt her cheeks grow hot for a moment. What was wrong with her? An Amazon warrior such as herself didn't allow her emotions to show so easily!
She turned and looked at Mousse. "Ah. . . Mousse?"
"Yes?"
She twiddled her thumbs a bit. "Um. . . .Good night."
He gave her a hearty smile, "Good night, Shampoo."
As she saw his grin, Shampoo's cheeks flushed for a moment. Mousse, seeing this, was bewildered for a moment and found his heart beat faster. Shampoo's lips grew into a crooked, but small smile. She didn't understand why seeing Mousse look at her like that was making her happy, but she didn't want to let herself slip up anymore.
"Shampoo must go to bed, good-night!" She dashed up the steps, her skin on fire.
"Sweet dreams," he whispered lightly before mumbling to himself, "I better get to bed soon. I know Akane would hate to have a bad tango dance partner tomorrow. . ."
~
OH MY FREAKING GOODNESS! THAT TOOK FOREVER! . . . AND A HALF! I hope you guys enjoyed that. I made it EXTRA long because I haven't been updating for so long. Sorry. ^_^ Anywho, I hope I cleared up some confusion about the relationships in the story. This IS for the LAST AND FINAL TIME: Ranma/Akane and Shampoo/Mousse. I know it may seem like it is the other way around sometimes, but that's how they are trying to trick Ranma and Shampoo. And sometimes, they do get nervous like any teenagers. Plus you know, it's a friendship. :P
Well, now that the dance lessons have begun, the story is going to end soon. Mind you, I'm not going to go into detail on the actual process of learning all the dances. So if you really wanted to learn how, sorry. ^_^*
If I made some mistakes, sorry, but I tried to get this out as quickly as I could.
Ciao. ^_~
P.S. There will be more Shampoo and Mousse interactions next chap. AND NEXT IS THE TANGO. :P
P.P.S. THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO REVIEWED. . . and some who threatened me to get me going. . hmm. . .ANYWHO, thanks a bunch and if you have any input, go right ahead and tell me. Thanx.