Ranma ½

Love Note

Usual disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, any resemblance to Ranma ½ or Death Note is purely intentional, and the rest of that jazz.

For the purposes of this story, any text within single quotes like 'this' is considered a thought.

Chapter 10


It was a typical day in the domain of the love goddesses. It was bright and cheery, and just the perfect temperature. The trees and flowers were in full bloom. It was the perfectly ideal picture. That meant of course it was uninteresting, dull, and in all ways boring since that is exactly the way it was every day. That was not to say however that most actually cared at all. Interesting and exciting generally meant something had gone horribly wrong. The various love goddesses were more than capable of amusing themselves and were much more inclined to seek out said amusement than hoping for it to be thrust on them.

"Full house!" One particular love goddess announced as she laid out her cards on the ground proudly. Those gathered around her tossed their cards to the ground in disgust. "Alright, pay up!" she demanded and was promptly tossed several pieces of clothing.

Coming up on this scene was one particular love goddesses. Unlike those participating in the little game, whose appearance was not particularly notable, at least among love goddess who all seemed to be blessed with great beauty and youth, this particular love goddess looked like she was pushing into her fifties with graying hair and even her wings drooped unusually. "Are you bunch playing strip poker again?" she asked as she approached.

"Yeah," one of the losers replied as she covered herself with crossed arms. "I'm sure she's cheating somehow."

The old one shook her head. "Have you bunch seen Trista abouts lately?"

"Nope," one replied.

"Can't say I have," another said.

"I think I saw her in one of the windows a few days back," a third answered.

"Windows? You mean she's on Earth?" the old one asked.

Smiling, the recent winner turned to the old one. "Didn't you hear? That bubble brain dropped her note and didn't figure out for nearly a week. A human got her hands on it. Been quite the laugh for a while, but it's gotten kinda boring lately as they stopped using it."

"Figures," the old one said with another shake of her head.

"Oh, Sira, one of the bosses was by earlier looking for you," another of the love goddesses said suddenly as she remembered. "No idea what it was about."

"Me?" Sira, the elder love goddesses said with a frown of confusion. "I haven't done anything against the rules lately. Why are they always picking on me?"

"You're easy to pick on?" another suggested in jest.

Yet another laughed. "Yeah, but you have to admit, after what you were doing, it's no surprise they pick on you."

Sighing, Sira turned away. "I better go and check what they want before they decide to make whatever it is worse for me."

The others watched her leave only briefly before returning to their game.


Back on Earth, just outside the Nekohanten, Maho steadied herself and took a moment to check herself out in her reflect in the glass. Today was the day she was to get herself hired at the Nekohanten. However, she really did not think her chances were good. 'I have no waitress experience and they probably have a few dozen applicants. Don't see how L thinks this is going to go off without a hitch,' she thought before heading inside.

Being a slow part of the day, Maho entered to find the restaurant empty. She quickly caught the voices of two people in the back. Curious, she made her way closer to try and catch the conversation.

"...is still in no mood to have you hanging about, and I need work to get done now," one voice said. Maho recognized it from some of the surveillance tapes as that of Cologne.

"She can't still believe I'm Cupid?" another voice, this time male, asked in shock.

"No, but she is nonetheless still very angry with you. You are fortunate that she is out on a delivery, but I would not advise you be around when she returns," Cologne answered. "Speaking of which, what of your search for Cupid? Have you learned anything?"

There was silence for a moment before the boy responded. "Nothing. I still think Ranma is involved somehow."

"Surprisingly, I must agree, but not for the reasons you no doubt think," Cologne replied. "Son-in-law is as much a victim in this as Shampoo. In fact, given current circumstances, you should be grateful to Son-in-law. So long as he lives and is capable of marrying Shampoo, Amazon law demands that she marry him and no other. With her feelings being as they are..." Cologne hinted, causing the boy to sigh.

"Life isn't fair!" he explained suddenly.

'That must be Mousse,' Maho concluded finally. 'Sounds like he at least believes Shampoo was affected legitimately. Cologne could too, but she might also just be playing along,' she thought then quickly moved back as she heard the pair move for the restaurant area.

Cologne entered first, followed by a sulking Mousse. Both immediately noticed Maho. "My apologies. I was in the back," Cologne said. "Please, take any seat and-"

"Actually," Maho interrupted, "I'm here about the waitress position."

"Waitress? Oh yes," Cologne replied.

On mention of the word, Mousse immediately tensed. However, whatever argument he was about to make was quickly silenced with a look from the elder. As if defeated, Mousse's shoulders quickly sagged, and muttering something Maho could not quite catch, he left the restaurant. "Is he going to be alright?" Maho asked as she watched the boy leave.

"He's fine," Cologne answered. "Now then, a waitress you say. I must warn you, I am not easy on my employees. In fact, you're the first applicant."

"I am?" Maho said in shock. 'So, that's how L knew I had a good shot... wait, not easy... what's exactly does that mean?' "Um... not easy?"

Cologne merely smiled, and if her general improbably old appearance was not enough to make a person feel uncomfortable, the smile would certainly have done the trick. "I think you'll manage. You seem to have had a bit of martial arts training if I am correct."

"Ah... yeah, Capoeira actually. How did you-"

"Capoeira, interesting," Cologne cut off Maho to say, ignoring the question. "That will do. Now, as to pay..."

'I got a real bad feeling about this,' Maho thought as Cologne began detailing the job further.


Shortly after the school day came to a close, Ukyo arrived home to her restaurant to prepare for her evening opening. Of late she was finding this particular task very annoying. Not so much because of the work involved. No, she could appreciate that. The real annoyance was that like many other things in her life, it was just another bit of time to try and win Ranma's heart lost. Unfortunately, paying the bills took precedence.

This lost time with Ranma was particularly worrisome given her fiance's new interest in the eldest Tendo sister. With Akane, Ukyo felt she had the advantage. With Kasumi, Ukyo was not so sure. Unlike Akane, Kasumi was well skilled in many areas, particularly those that many seemed to value in a wife. It did not help matters that whenever she decided to display it, Kasumi was also quite attractive to the opposite sex. That was more than enough reason to be nervous.

Putting such thoughts aside for the moment, Ukyo went to her grill, and retrieved some cooking implements from below. As she stood back upright, she nearly jumped out of her skin at seeing Kodachi beaming a smile at her, sitting at one of the stools adjacent the grill.

"I thought I banished you from my restaurant!" Ukyo nearly yelled, taking an involuntary step back to give herself more room.

"I thought that was a joke," Kodachi said, still smiling.

"No it wasn't!" Ukyo replied. 'Where the hell is Mousse when I need him,' she thought, although she already knew that Mousse had already mentioned attempting to get his old job back today. "Out!" she finally ordered, pointing to the door.

Kodachi ignored the command. "You're so cute when you're mad," she said, but the complement served only to disgust Ukyo.

"Quit that!" Ukyo ordered. "And stop stalking me!"

"Stalking?! You wound me," Kodachi replied, looking off to the side as if hurt by the label, but received a quick whack to the head with Ukyo's battle spatula. "Ow!" Kodachi exclaimed as she withdrew a safe distance.

Ukyo pointed her weapon threateningly at Kodachi. "Don't pull that sympathetic game with me. I'm not Ranma. I don't fall for that BS. Besides, don't you realize that this is all just due to Cupid? You're just being manipulated."

To Ukyo's surprise, Kodachi nodded. "Of course I realize that my Goddess Cupid is the cause. I'm no fool. But, I have never felt feelings like this before, and even now I know this is my true path to happiness," Kodachi replied, her smile returning. "In fact, I'm glad she did it. I could well have been living out my life in denial."

"Denial?" Ukyo repeated in confusion. "What the heck are you babbling about? What do you mean you never felt like this before? Weren't you in love with Ranma?"

Kodachi looked thoughtful. "I thought I was, but I was wrong. He was amusing enough, but to be perfectly truthful I never felt this way towards him."

'Great, she's a full blown lesbian,' Ukyo thought with a cringe, but quickly shook her head to banish the thought, and the imagery it was bringing up. "Fine, fine, never mind that! It doesn't matter anyway. I'm not your girlfriend, and I'm not going to be your girlfriend, so get over it already!"

"Yes, you still seem to be interested in Ranma, despite how poorly he treats you."

Ukyo darkened. "Look, sugar, you're already well past my tolerance point, don't make it worse. Ranma and I are going to be married some day. It's just a matter of time," Ukyo said, but Kodachi only shook her head sadly. "What?"

"It seems denial is not a trait limited to me," Kodachi replied, only further angering Ukyo. However, before Ukyo started considering an all out brawl, which would no doubt cause considerable damage to the facilities, Kodachi changed approaches. "Let's try something else. I'll prove my worth to you. Unlike that lout Ranma, ask anything of me and it will be done."

"Get lost!"

"Anything but that," Kodachi quickly amended. Ukyo sighed. "Come now, Ukyo, be reasonable."

Her patience used up, Ukyo jumped over the grill and closed in on Kodachi. In turn Kodachi retreated, putting a table between herself and Ukyo. After several attempts to close on her, and Kodachi dodging away to another spot, Ukyo growled. "You're really getting on my nerves, you know that," Ukyo said as she reconsidered her battle plan.

"All I ask is that you make a request. A genuine one," Kodachi said. "Just allow me the chance to prove myself."

Ukyo paused and sighed out her frustrations. "Fine, but it won't change a thing." Ukyo considered for a moment, then smiled. "Okay, I got the perfect thing."

"What is it?" Kodachi asked eagerly.

"Seek therapy," Ukyo replied with a smile of her own.

Kodachi withdrew. "What?"

"You heard me. Go find yourself a good psychiatrist. You're in serious need of it."

Kodachi smiled and waved off the suggestion. "Nonsense, I'm perfectly fine."

"You're nuts!" Ukyo exclaimed, causing Kodachi to cringe, but Ukyo didn't relent. "Crazy! Loony! Completely off your rocker and playing with half a deck if that! Frankly, even a good doctor probably can't help, but it certainly couldn't hurt." Finished with her outburst, Ukyo noticed that Kodachi seemed honestly deflated a bit. 'I suppose I could have been a little less blunt, but-'

"Alright," Kodachi said suddenly, cutting off Ukyo's thought.

"What?" Ukyo asked in surprise.

Kodachi rebuilt her demeanor and looked at Ukyo with determination. "I said alright. I'll do as you request. It will only prove that I'm perfectly fine, but if that's what you want, then I'll do it."

Ukyo was momentarily surprised, but quickly replaced the feeling with suspicion. "Yeah right, sugar. I'll believe it when I see it. I know how you try to dodge your promises, and twist the rules to your liking. That won't work with me."

"That was the past," Kodachi said in dismissal and finally started moving to the door. "For you, I will do this, however pointless it might be." With those final words, Kodachi left, and Ukyo could finally let out a huge sigh of relief.

'Maybe if I'm really lucky they'll commit her,' Ukyo thought and then, after taking a few moments to reset her calm, returned to the work.


'How could things have gotten this bad?' Mousse asked himself as he trudged through the streets of Nerima. Just a short few weeks previous he was in heaven. Shampoo had returned from a delivery, and suddenly dragged Mousse into the backroom where she had kissed him. Pure bliss is the only way Mousse knew how to describe it. After having experienced it, Mousse knew for sure that something was wrong with Ranma. No man could possibly not want Shampoo after being the recipient of her kiss. In fact, it was so heavenly that Mousse could think of little else. She had said something to him at the time, but he was still so lost in the moment that he completely missed it.

Unfortunately, that startling turn of events quickly turned sour. Despite the pure desire expressed in that first kiss, it was as if someone had sucked all that desire out of Shampoo over the course of the coming days. Even by the end of the day she was avoiding him, and not much later Shampoo was ready to take his head. It was only natural to suspect Ranma was somehow involved and Mousse had retreated from the Nekohanten to the Tendos to get some answers, even if it meant beating Saotome to within an inch of his life. Sadly for Mousse, like usual, Ranma proved more than a match for him, and left Mousse beaten out in the yard to be cared for by Akane. Then came the next disaster.

He had not noticed the exact moment it happened, but instead of her usual friendly, but slightly disapproving air, Akane suddenly went all nervous and shy on him. Thinking her not quite well, or perhaps knowing something of what happened to Shampoo, Mousse had questioned her, and found her blushing at his attention. Mousse was no fool, and had started to wonder if he had somehow become afflicted with some love inducing magic. However, when he learned of Kodachi's sudden feelings for Ukyo it became clear that this mess extended well beyond him alone.

Now, the latest disaster to add to this was Shampoo's new, and mutually shared, interest in the doctor. When Mousse had found out, anger had overwhelmed him and he had confronted the doctor. His results were not much better than he had suffered at Ranma's hands, although the doctor was kind enough to just temporarily paralyze him. Even worse, despite over a week having gone by, there was none of the same signs of that love diminishing as Shampoo had shown with him. Plus, with Cologne hiring on a new waitress, his job at the Nekohanten was effectively gone, so he had no easy access to Shampoo.

'I have to find this Cupid and fast, before things get any worse!' Mousse thought with determination. 'Whoever he is, I'll make him undo this whole mess. Why couldn't he just stay out of it? Akane was surely going to get together with Ranma given time. And then, me and Shampoo... Now... ugh!' Mousse let out a mental and verbal sigh at the situation and paused to take in his surroundings before heading back over to Ukyo's. As he did so, he noticed a slightly familiar figure sitting on a bench nearby. Adjusting his glasses he realized said figure was Akane Tendo. Mousse checked the time, and looked back at Akane curiously. 'It's just after school. Akane usually goes home with Ranma, doesn't she? She couldn't have known I was going to be here, and besides she doesn't even seem to have noticed me.'

A combination of worry and curiosity getting the better of him, Mousse headed over. His approach did not go unnoticed, and Akane started at seeing him.

"Uh, Mousse, what are you doing here?" she asked, looking away suddenly.

Mousse sat down next to her. "I was just at the Nekohanten trying to get my job back, but someone else already got hired."

"So... Shampoo isn't-"

"No, she's still mad at me, but I had to try. What about you? Shouldn't you be home?"

Akane hung her head. "To be honest, I don't want to go home," she said somberly before switching to a more angry air. "That... jerk Ranma, I'm always seeing him and Kasumi... ooo, I know it's Cupid's fault, but I can't help but be angry." Akane paused and shook her head, before putting on a fake smile. "I'll be fine. How about you?"

Unlike Akane, Mousse made no attempt to mask his inner frustrations. "When I find Cupid, I'm going to kill him!"

"I want to give him a good thrashing myself," Akane unexpectedly added. "I guess you heard about Shampoo and Tofu?" Akane asked, and a low growl from Mousse was all the answer she needed. "Well, it's not like... I mean... oh forget it." Once more Akane paused, searching for a topic to fill the moment, and perhaps lighten Mousse's mood. "Why don't you challenge her to a fight?" Akane suddenly suggested, gaining Mousse's full attention. Before he could respond, Akane continued. "Now, I personally think you deserve far better, but if you really want to be with her... I'm sure you could beat her. Sure, she's pretty tough, but I've seen you fight Ranma and I bet if you tried hard-"

"No, I couldn't," Mousse said with a shake of his head.

"I know you like her, but if that's the only way to impress her-"

"You don't understand," Mousse cut in to say. Looking around quickly to confirm they were alone, and lowering his voice slightly, he explained. "I tried that already."

"And she beat you?" Akane asked but to her shock got a shake of the head in response. "You won?!"

Mousse quickly quieted Akane. "Yes, but don't go spreading that around. She was furious with me after that. She didn't talk to me for nearly six months."

"What?!" Akane exclaimed in confusion. "Wait, when did this happen? Doesn't the law say she has to marry you if you beat her?"

Mousse shook his head. "That law is only for outsiders. It doesn't apply to village men like me. She can choose to marry me, but the law doesn't matter in that case," he explained. "As for when, it was about two years ago."

"I still don't understand, I thought she liked strong men?" Akane asked and gained another shake of the head.

"I thought so too, but after that fight... which is why I'm sure Ranma has done something to her. There is no way she'd be this happy about him beating her when she was angry at me for doing the same thing. Something just doesn't add up."

Akane looked away. "Come to think of it, the way Ranma beat her the first time was rather... accidental," she thought aloud before going wide eyed as a disturbing conclusion hit her. "Maybe Ranma is right and Cupid has been doing this sort of thing all along."

"What?" Mousse said in surprise, gaining back Akane's attention. "Do you mean the reason Shampoo wants to marry Ranma is because of Cupid too?" he asked.

"Uh... well, I can't be sure of course."

Mousse stood up suddenly. "But you're right, it fits perfectly. That means if I do find this Cupid and get him to reverse all of this, Shampoo will finally see that womanizer Ranma for who he truly is!" Clenching his fist tightly in front of him, Mousse looked off at the horizon with new found determination. Unfortunately for him, it lasted only seconds before reality set back in. "But I have no idea how to find him," he said in sudden despair. Head slumped, Mousse dropped back onto the bench.

At his side, Akane could only give him a sympathetic nod. "Yeah. And even if we do eventually find him, the damage could be done."

"Hmh?" Mousse murmured, looking up at Akane.

"I mean... I'm sure Shampoo will..." Akane tried to say, but quickly gave up and hung her own head. "The way things are going, Ranma and I..." she alluded.

Mousse watched Akane for a moment, considering this. 'This could be very bad. Even if I do find Cupid and reverse all of this, if Ranma and Akane break up... And that stupid law is still in effect over Shampoo so even if she doesn't love Ranma she'll still have to marry him. If Akane is out of the picture... that's not good.' Regaining some of his spirit, Mousse sat up straight, pondering a plan. 'All isn't lost. All I need to do is get Akane and Ranma back together. Of course, that idiot is in love with Kasumi now, and Akane isn't exactly the romantic sort... how to... hmm... but Ranma is the jealous sort. He always comes running when Akane is involved.' Smiling briefly to himself, Mousse's plan was set. Startling Akane, he grabbed her by the shoulders to gain her attention. "Akane, I can help you!"

"Uh... what?" Akane blurt out, blushing furiously at the contact.

"It's simple. We'll do exactly what Cupid expects. We'll start seeing each other."

"What?" Akane once more exclaimed, even more red.

"Don't you see? You know how Ranma is. If you start seeing me, he'll have to take notice."

Akane looked away. "I'm not so sure..."

"Trust me, Akane Tendo. If there is one thing I know about Ranma Saotome is that he will never let someone take a girl from him."

Akane looked at Mousse in uncertainty, but after a few seconds of thought nodded. "I suppose that might work, but... but, aren't we forgetting about Cupid?" she asked in desperation to switch topics.

Finally releasing her, Mousse once more stood up. "I haven't forgotten about him," he said darkly. "But, right now it's all we can to do keep a look out for a clue. Ukyo and I are already pooling our efforts, so if you help too, maybe then we'll catch him in a slip up."

"Maybe we should try and find that L person. He might know something too," Akane suggested while hiding her face from view.

Mousse blinked at the suggestion and smiled. "Of course, why didn't I think of that? If we team up with L, we'll definitely find Cupid... Hmm, but how do we contact L? The police are off the case now and he hasn't said anything lately. He might not even be on the case anymore."

"We could still try contacting the police. They probably have some way of contacting him," Akane said, looking back at Mousse, having finally reset her composure.

Mousse nodded. "Right, that could work. It's decided then. I'll see you tomorrow after school, Akane."

Without further word, Mousse suddenly left, leaving Akane in a bit of a lurch. 'I guess he is right that Ranma does get jealous pretty easy, but is this really the best way...?' she asked herself, then frowned. 'Who cares! Ranma gets to see Kasumi all the time, and all I have been able to do is watch him. Well, no more! Fair is fair after all. Now he'll get to feel what it's like.' Nodding to herself, Akane finally stood up and headed home.


At the center of the love goddess domain was a great castle which acted as home for the Great Queen of Love, the ruler of all within the domain. Despite the prominence of the building and the person within, it was not a place of much activity. In fact, generally those called here were in big trouble. Sira knew this all too well, having been called here twice before, and neither time was a pleasant experience. Today, after having found one of the Queen's lieutenants, she had received her third summons.

'I haven't done anything wrong. This is not fair! She's just picking on me now,' Sira thought as she entered, measuring her pace to be as slow as possible without seeming as such. 'This can't be good.'

After several minutes past, Sira finally arrived at the great chamber at the center of the castle. Within a great bed of flowers and other plants, all surrounding a large throne. The Queen was not sitting, however, and was instead apparently tending to the flowers. Like all love goddess she was blessed with great beauty, but unlike the others, hers seemed to change depending on the person looking at her as everyone described her quite differently. To Sira her hair appeared to be made of sparkling golden threads, and skin was perfectly tanned. Unlike the others, the Queen felt no need for clothing, and displayed the fullness of her body for all to see, and as near as Sira could tell, it was just as perfect as her face. Even for a goddess of love, looking upon the Queen could be an overwhelming experience.

"Sira," the Queen greeted after a few seconds. "I've been looking for you."

Sira shook her head, and looked away from the Queen, trying to collect her thought. "I don't know what you've been told, but I haven't done anything. I've been following the rules to the-"

"Yes, I know," the Queen said calmly, still regarding her plants. "You're not in trouble. In fact, I have a task for you. Complete it well, and I may be inclined to reverse your previous punishments."

"What?" Sira asked with renewed interest, daring to look back.

"What I'm going to tell you cannot be said to anyone else. This is an issue of the absolutely highest importance, not just to us love goddesses, but to the entire pantheon. A note has failed."

"Failed?"

"Yes. Worse, no known rule was broken in the process. This means someone has found a loophole. That's very troubling for all of us."

Sira blinked as she considered this. "This has something to do with Trista, doesn't it?"

The Queen smiled. "Very astute. I need you to go to Earth and investigate. I'll give you all the necessary information, but you cannot speak of this to anyone. Simply find out what happened and return."

"But, your highness, we're not allowed on Earth."

"True, under normal circumstances, but this is critical. On my throne is a new love note. Take it, and ensure it gets into a human's hands. While they have it, you will be allowed to remain. It can't just be just any human though. It will have to be someone close to the issue."

"How am I supposed to pick one? If I deliberately-"

The Queen paused in thought, but then smiled as she looked at Sira. "You've proven to be a smart one, Sira, you'll think of something. However, I must ask that you not tell Trista anything of this as you're likely to run into her. If word of this got out, it could be disastrous. Oh, and I will be watching you. Don't think to abuse the power that you might discover either."

Sira quickly waved her hands in front of her defensively. "I won't, I won't."

"Good. Now then, as to the details. It seems a young woman on Earth by the name of Shan Pu has proven to be somehow resistant to the note's power. You have to find out why."

"Shan Pu?" Sira repeated in some shock, causing the Queen to smile.

"I'd thought that name would ring a bell."


End Chapter 10

Yeah, I know I'm slow. Gaming, work, but mostly general laziness on my part are to blame.

As I noted in chapter one, all input is welcome here. My ideas on this story are pretty sketchy right now meaning most my time is actually spent figuring out what to write rather than actually writing it, which is not the usual hold up for me. In particular, I'd like some suggestions as to who Sira can drop her note on. I'm not looking for just a name, as I can come up with lots of names, but ideas with that name. I got one person in mind, but ideas around said person are rather thin right now.