9: Win Or Loose?

Midnight, Chardin residence

The mansion was dark and quiet while the corridors were empty. Everyone has gone to sleep except for a patrol of night guards that wandered the manor from time to time. Suddenly, a silhouette slipped into the house unnoticed by them. It carefully made its way down the corridors until it finally reached its destiny, the library.

Kurama sneaked into the library like a ghost. Nobody heard him or saw him at all. He adjusted himself in the darkness promptly and looked around him. The place was huge and full of books.

He went to the cabinet closest to him and knocked on it softly.

Tuk-tuk.

It was solid. He continued to knock on the other cabinets.

Tuk-tuk.

Tuk-tuk.

Tuk-tuk.

Tok-tok.

This one was hollow. He stopped at the cabinet and searched for any lever or switch. He finally found a switch and carefully turned it on. An inaudible click was heard and the cabinet swung open silently.

Kurama entered through the secret door and looked around the dim room. He lit his diminutive torchlight and went to a bookshelf.

There were a few dusty old books on it.

Kurama dusted a book and read the cover. "The Chardin Family Techniques of Martial Arts Dinner".

"This one looks like a good book." Youko muttered silently.

Kurama nodded wordlessly then noticed a mantelpiece near him. He moved towards it. He reached out his hand and took a big heavy book. "The Chardin Family Chart." It read.

Kurama smirked to himself. "This one might help." He thought.

He took the two books and swiftly made his way out of the secret room. He closed the gap noiselessly and easily made his way out of the mansion.

"This place has the worst security I've ever seen in my life. Ningens are so dense!" Youko said grunting.

Kurama nodded. 'I have to agree with you.'

'Agree with what?' a feminine voice echoed quietly in the dark.

Kurama turned around to face Ranma-chan.

'Sorry, I was talking to myself.' He murmured. Ranma-chan knew a little about him and Youko. She only knew that he has another spirit inside him and that he was a thief.

'Oh. So, did you get some useful books that Resha wanted?' Ranma-chan asked.

Kurama nodded and showed him the two books.

Ranma inspected the books. 'It looks good enough! Let's go to the dojo. We can read it there.'

Kurama shook his head. 'I can't. I have to get home. There is still school tomorrow. I guess I'll see you tomorrow evening, after school.'

Ranma-chan nodded. 'I'll take it home then. Well, see ya tomorrow.' She waved and ran to a direction.

Kurama watched her smiling. She's really like Resha, one way or another. He shrugged the thoughts off and went off the opposite direction.

The Chardin mansion was left still and quiet. Nobody in there knew or noticed about the thieving… except Resha –who was sleeping unenthusiastically.


'ARGHHHH! Stop forcing that thing into my mouth! Mpfhh…' Resha yelled but was muffled as another watermelon was stuffed into her mouth, not that it succeeded!

'You must try, mademoiselle Resha.' Picolette uttered in French, brushing some of his shining blond hair from his face.

"I'm so going to die……' Resha thought as she frantically pushed the watermelon away.

That evening, Resha walked into her room to find the butler and the maid reading some books.

'So… did you find anything?' Resha asked them sweatdropping.

'Nope, I found nothing. Although there are Japanese translations in it, I still hate reading!' Ranma-chan uttered crossed.

Resha and Kurama just smiled.

'What books did you found actually, Kurama?' Resha asked, looking at the cover of the book Ranma was reading.

'Two books. "The Chardin Family Techniques of Martial Arts Dinner" that Ranma is reading and "The Chardin Family Chart". I found some interesting things in here.' He said.

Resha and Ranma sat around him.

'Look at these pictures. The Chardin ancestors had big mouths and long tongues, like Resha had said before. But this one, Chaud Chardin I, doesn't have either one. He was normal.' Kurama informed.

They looked at the pictures. Some of it had big sloppy mouths; others had their tongues wrapped around their faces. There was only one picture that was normal. He had small ordinary mouth, and his name written under it.

'There's a description under it. I can't read it, it's French.' Kurama said.

'Chaud Chardin I, …born on etc, etc. …died on etc, etc. …have won…match…never loose…no long…tongue…mouth…use…technique…deadly…gourmet de foie gras. That's all I can tell.' Resha uttered difficultly.

'You just have to be better than me, don't you?' Ranma-chan pouted, not being serious.

'Don't feel bad, bro!' Resha grinned.

Ranma-chan rolled her eyes then a thoughtful look hit her. 'The last line…what was it? Gourmet de…something, I think I just read that.'

She opened through the pages until she suddenly stop. 'Here it is, Gourmet De Foie Gras Technique.'

Resha looked at it. 'I'm not so sure what it means, something like goose…liver…dish…? Open the next page Ranma, and let us see what it says.'

'I seen it already, it's not there.' Ranma said quietly.

'What do you mean it's not there?' Resha yelled, too flabbergasted.

Ranma opened the next page and they saw that it was eaten by termites and the French one was too dirty to be read. They became quiet and Resha dropped onto her bed, sighing and mumbling something that sounded seriously like …don't wanna marry…gonna die…

'Maybe you could just ask Picolette about it, Resha.' Kurama suggested.

'Seriously!' Resha uttered rolling her eyes.

'Of course! Use your charm, Resha.' Ranma-chan grinned.

Resha got up promptly. 'That sounds like a good idea. But first, Kurama, you better go and put the books back at its place. Now please, while I go and talk to Picolette.'

'Sure.' He nodded. "Not like I'm going to be caught in this place!" he thought.


Several hours later, after dinner

'Monsieur Picolette, would you mind taking a stroll with me in the garden?' Resha murmured in her demurest tone.

'Certainly, mademoiselle Resha. I would be delighted.' Picolette answered back courteously.

They went to the garden, walking side by side. Picolette chitchat with her in French.

'Damn it, they are speaking in French, I can't understand a word they're saying.' Ranma-chan whispered irritated to Kurama who was also spying with him in a nearby bush.

After a while, Picolette suddenly said in Japanese, 'Your French is getting truly well, mademoiselle Resha, I'm delighted.'

Resha, seeing this as a chance, uttered. 'It's not that good. There are a few words I don't know yet.' She answered humbly, blushing.

'I hate it sometimes when she acts cute. Too perfect!' Ranma whispered rolling her eyes. Kurama nodded in agreement –along with Youko of course!

'I heard once of these words, gourmet de foie gras, have you ever heard it?' she asked cutely.

To Resha, Ranma and Kurama's shock, Picolette abruptly turned crazy! His jaw dropped almost to the ground, his eyes almost popped out, he put his hands at each side of his head and screamed like a mad man. Then he suddenly turned back normal and uttered politely,

'No, I've never heard about it.' He acted innocently.

Ranma almost made a face fault, Kurama had an enormous sweatdrop at the back of his head and a huge vein popped at the side of Resha's head.

'Don't pretend to me, idiot! That was the stupidest act I've ever seen in my life!' she yelled as she sent him flying to the night sky.

'Now what do we do?' Ranma-chan said as she and Kurama came out from their hiding place.

Resha grunted, not astounded by their sudden present.

The three of them went inside. As they passed by a room, they heard whispers. No need to tell, the three eavesdropped on the conversation, which happened to be Madame Sainte-Paul and Picolette –he's back from the flying.

'Madame Sainte-Paul, just now mademoiselle Resha had asked me of…of "gourmet de foie gras",' his voice dropped at the last words.

Like Picolette, Madame Sainte-Paul also turned crazy. When she recovered from the shock, she said, 'How did she know about that secret technique? We mustn't let her know or master that technique no matter what!'

The three eavesdroppers quietly went to Resha's room.

"What is this technique the Chardin fear so much?" Resha thought.

The other two were pondering the same thing.

'I'm going to the kitchen for a while. Don't go anywhere till I'm back.' Resha muttered suddenly and got out. When she got into the kitchen, she went to the old chef that she was now fond of.

'Monsieur Chef, do you know what gourmet de foie gras is?' she asked politely.

'Why, the goose-liver dish? Do you want it? I'll send the dish in a few minutes. Run along now, girl.' He pushed her lightly to the door.

"The goose-liver dish? That was what it means?" Resha thought oddly.

She told the two when she got back. Eventually the dish was delivered to the room. The trio sat around it and took a bite.

They were thunderstruck!

'I…' Kurama muttered.

'…never…' Resha continued.

'…taste anything like this! It is so good!' Ranma finished, taking another one. The others followed her lead.

'It's so soft.' Kurama commented.

'It's so-absolutely-out-of-this-world good!' Ranma-chan said again.

'It felt like…like nothing I've ever eaten in my life!' Resha remarked.

"What is so special about it?" Resha pondered looking thoughtful.

'Hey, that is mine. Ranma, give it back.' Kurama frowned and tried to reclaim his food. Ranma-chan dodged his fork away, it was worth fighting for. Kurama tried again and Ranma swiftly put the food in her mouth before Kurama could even move!

Kurama was disappointed. All the food was gone, Ranma ate most of it!

Resha watching the scene suddenly got the clue.

"Of course! Now I know what it is!" Slowly, a smirk formed on her lips. "It's actually a foul technique, but you cannot tell it! No wonder the Chardin were so scared. Nevertheless, I'm going to use this technique… by hook or by crook!"

'Resha, did you get what it means?' Ranma-chan asked, noticing her smirk.

'Yup!' she grinned evilly. 'And I ain't tellin' ya both! You will see it yourself on the day of the match!' she answered arrogantly.

'Here comes the evil Resha!' Ranma said bored. 'Common Kurama, we better get home!'

Kurama was still curious, but he knew he wasn't going to get the answers if he asked anyway. 'I'll see you both on Sunday, then.' He replied after a while.

The trio said their goodbyes after that.


The day of the match

'Wow! There are so many people here! And this place is huge not to mention grand!' Yuusuke uttered in amazement. He, Kuwabara, Kurama, even Hiei had just arrived at the mansion. They had worn their best tuxedo since they were told to do so. Hiei wasn't in his best mood, he hate wearing such formal outfit.

'Let's find Resha, she should be somewhere near.' Kuwabara suggested.

'Of course she's near. The match is going to start soon, why are you guys so late?' They turned around to find Ranma, also wearing a tuxedo.

'Sorry we are so late, portal problem.' Kurama replied.

After that, Ranma brought them to the match place. They saw Resha and a handsome blond, Picolette, sat confronting each other in front of a very long table, full of mouth-watering foods. Resha's eyes were fixed on the blond, a smirk playing on her lips.

Kurama noticed she looked much drained, she was hardly sitting straight!

'I don't know what she's been training to make her look so exhausted.' Ranma said quietly, concerned.

'I hope she wouldn't fall, she's hardly still.' Kurama replied.

'She won't. She's too stubborn and too determined to win. I bet she's hardly even noticed her own state!' Ranma said back.

'(Cough!) Attentions please, Messieurs and Mesdames! The Martial Arts Dinner Match is going to begin.' Madame Sainte-Paul uttered in her shrilly voice.

Everyone gathered around the contestant. The boys were lucky to be in front. They were standing alongside both contestants.

'Round one begins… NOW!' Madame Sainte-Paul exclaimed.

Almost at once, the two contestants started. Their moves were so fast, the boys hardly saw anything! Resha's hands were in a blur, Picolette's mouth hardly moved because of the speed. The only thing they can tell was that the foods disappeared one by one swiftly and the two was moving at the same pace.

'Ahh, now I get it!' Kurama suddenly claimed.

'What?' the other boys asked, averting their eyes from the match. They were getting a little dizzy.

'The Gourmet De Foie Gras Technique! I know what it is. But…isn't this foul play?' He answered their question without taking his eyes from the match.

'What!' they asked again, a little desperate.

'The technique…is to put in the foods into the rival's mouth, which means Picolette is the only one who is actually eating!' Kurama replied.

'Yes, it seems that mademoiselle Resha had found out the Chardin secret technique. I shouldn't have underestimated her.' Madame Sainte-Paul suddenly said from beside them, making them jumped and Kurama finally averted his eyes.

'Its legal then?' he asked.

'Yes. However, the person who uses the technique will become quickly tired, as she is now. She will loose. Besides, I already taught Master Picolette the technique to counterattack it.' She pointed.

They looked at Resha, and sure enough, she looked wearier each second.

The first match finished with a draw.

Resha was panting. "Drat it! This isn't good. If I can't win the next round, I'm going to die." She thought.

Hiei heard her thoughts and smirked. "Hngh! Then try to win, idiot!" he said in her mind.

Resha noted that was Hiei and smirked back mentally. "Oh, you came? I can hardly believe it." Her conversation was interrupted by Picolette.

'Mademoiselle Resha, let's not play in the next round, shall we?' He said calmly.

'What?' Resha uttered, shocked.

'You've been using the Gourmet De Foie Gras Technique, I can tell. Now, I will encounter your technique and win this match as well as you.' He finished.

The tables were served with another long amount of food. Picolette placed his head on the first plate of food as Madame Sainte-Paul shouted the second round. Resha didn't move since she was too surprised at his behavior.

'START!'

Picolette began sucking the foods with his who-knows-what, and the boys who were standing near were almost grossed out at the scene!

'Resha can't use the technique now!' Kurama said, looking at her. To his surprised, Resha's food plates were emptying and she was moving, still using the same technique!

'But…where did all the food goes?' he muttered turning around.

He sweatdropped.

Besides him, Yuusuke's mouth was stuffed with a turkey, Kuwabara had salads in his mouth, and Ranma in the other hand had well-twirled noodles in his mouth. Hiei was wiping his mouth, finishing his part, and the other guests opened their mouths readily.

'Their chef here is so good at making the foods!' one guest claimed.

"Hn! I have to agree with them." Hiei said to him.

Kurama sweatdropped some more, unable to utter a word.

Resha and Picolette were nearing their goal. Resha was at her last three plates while Picolette was left one!

'Matte!' Resha shouted and knocked his last plate.

The plate flew from the table like a boomerang.

Resha had lost all her energy by this time. "I can't…do…it…too starve………wait! That's it!" she suddenly woke up from her weak state.

Picolette awaited the flying food with his mouth wide open as it flew back to his direction. Just as it soared right in front of his opened mouth, Resha suddenly stopped the plate with her hand.

'Huh?' Picolette said looking at her.

'I have already finished my dishes, monsieur Picolette.' She said in her demurest voice, wiping her mouth with a hankie.

Everyone was quiet for a while before they cheered. Kurama and Ranma heaved a sigh in relief while Hiei grunted.

'Sad to say this, but you win mademoiselle Resha. You and the Tendo girls are off the engagement.' Madame Sainte-Paul uttered.

'Good…' she managed to whisper jadedly before falling to the ground, her energy finally gone completely.

'Resha!' Ranma, Kurama, and Picolette exclaimed, rushing to her side.

Ranma nursed her head in his lap. 'Oii sis? Talk to me!' he uttered, pulling her cheek lightly.

Resha didn't move. Her face was pale but in some way… relieved.

'She's just too exhausted. Take her to her room. The rest of the guests may start eating the cuisine prepared.' Madame Sainte-Paul exclaimed.

Ranma picked her up and went to her room, guided by Picolette –though he already knows where it is!

Kurama turned to face his friends. 'She'll be fine. Until then, go and eat something.' He turned away to leave when Yuusuke asked.

'Where are you going?'

'I'll wait with Ranma until she gets up.'


Half an hour later

Resha opened her eyes and sat up, yawning. 'Huh…is it breakfast already?' she asked.

Ranma and Kurama sweatdropped.

Resha came to her senses almost immediately and blinked. 'Oh, yes. I remember now. Still, I'm hungry. How long was I out?'

Ranma bashed her head angrily, shouting something that sounded like: "crazy girl…always made people worry…idiot" so Kurama answered her question.

'About half an hour. You recover quickly.' He smiled at the dizzy girl.

'Oww, that hurts! What is wrong with you, Ranma?'

Ranma only grumbled.

'Mademoiselle Resha, it is sad that we have to part this way, I was very intent to keep you here with me.' Picolette said sadly. 'Nevertheless, you should get up and eat before you leave.'

'No need to ask twice. I'm up!' she grinned and quickly made her way outside.

'Talk about food!' Ranma said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

'Hey guys, eating alone?'

Yuusuke, Kuwabara and Hiei turned their heads to see Resha grinning at them with a pile of foods in her plate. She sat down and ate with them, chatting happily. By the time she finished, Ranma and Kurama appeared.

'Done already? Man, you could at least wait for us!' Ranma groaned.

'Whatever! I was too hungry to wait. Ehh?' her eyes were fixed on something behind Kurama and Ranma as they both sat down. The boys followed her gaze.

'What are you lookin…?' Yuusuke didn't manage to finish his question when Resha suddenly got up and ran to the direction.

'So cute! What is its name?' Resha cried out in French to a woman who was sitting at a table near them. The French woman was holding a cute little young fox in her arms.

'Oh, it's Rouge, a male cub. Do you like foxes too?' she asked back, pleased by her interest.

'Yes, I really love it! May I hold him?' Resha extended her hands and released a tiny amount of her fox youkai chi from her body.

The little fox sensed it and instantaneously leaped into her arms. It licked her face and she hugged it. 'So cute!' she kept exclaiming.

The boys watched her in bewilderment except Ranma who was more annoyed. He grunted and the boys turned to look at him, as if expecting him to explain.

'Resha has a fetish towards foxes.' Ranma said bored. 'It has been like that ever since I could remember!'

'That is almost like Kuwabara and his fetish towards kittens/cats. Except, Resha is more…err…fetisher than him.' Yuusuke remarked.

'You like cats! Remind me never to go to your house!' Ranma said to Kuwabara shuddering.

Kuwabara gave a scowl. He couldn't understand people who don't love cats. They are so adorable!

Hiei frowned. 'Is she speaking French?'

'Yup! She learnt it when she was here. Typical of her! How many languages had she learn? French, Chinese, English. She speaks so fluent too!' Ranma told them.

They turned back their attention to Resha who continued to chat happily with the lady.

TBC

Author: I don't know what gourmet de foie gras actually meant, but it was something close to that. Hope ya like this one! Thank you ALL!