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 12
Shampoo was still fighting her little internal war with herself. It would be easy to simply call this whole thing off and head home. But, Tofu's advice had stuck and she had pushed aside those stubborn voices in her head trying to get her to declare defeat. Instead she was working out a new approach that she was already expecting would last all of five seconds if her success rate so far was anything to judge by. Unfortunately, she arrived at the market place to find Ranma had already left. Examining the damaged pavement briefly, she soon noticed the nearby fruit merchant, Jin Itsuki, lost in thought.
"You see where Ranma go?" Shampoo asked him.
"Ah, yeah," he responded. "He and Kasumi went off with that L guy to some restaurant to talk."
Shampoo sighed, realizing she was unlikely to get Ranma alone to speak now. Although the one voice in her head gave a triumphant cry, she did not really feel it. After a second though, the second bit of the answer registered. "L is here?" She asked in surprise.
"I'm still not sure," Itsuki replied. "He claimed he was L at least."
Shampoo blinked in shock and considered. 'Great grandmother will want more information if this person is truly L,' she thought and looked around. Her own task for the day got mentally shelved for the time being, and she rushed off to find which of the local restaurants they had headed.
Finally having a bit of luck, Shampoo found the threesome at her second stop, an open air cafe. However without revealing herself, she could not get into earshot. Thinking quickly she decided on a different approach. After a few minutes more to find some water and a safe spot for her clothes, Shampoo sneaked her way up to the group in cat form and began listening in.
"So, you think Cupid could really be in Nerima?" Kasumi asked.
L scooped three more spoonfuls of sugar into his coffee before taking a sip. "Yes, in fact I believe Cupid is very likely in this general area," L replied.
"I could have told you that," Ranma said dismissively.
"Then perhaps you have a suspect in mind?" L asked and once more sipped for his coffee.
Ranma watched L in annoyance, noting how the detective held the cup with just the tip of his fingers. "Not really," he reluctantly admitted.
"But, you would agree you have been one of Cupid's victims?" L continued.
Giving Kasumi an unnoticed nervous glance, Ranma frowned. "Uh... yeah," he answered. "I ain't the only one," he added.
L nodded and took another sip of his drink. "I am well aware. Yourself, Akane Tendo, Kodachi Kuno, Shan Pu, and Tofu Ono have all been affected," he said, surprising Ranma. "A particular set of victims, don't you think?" L commented, carefully watching Kasumi.
However, as with the rest the conversation, Kasumi seemed oblivious to any implied meaning to this. "Yes, it has been a rather exciting time lately," she said with a smile.
"Exciting... that is one way to look at it," Ranma said with a sigh. "Everybody is accusing everybody of being Cupid."
"Yes," Kasumi said sadly. "Nabiki said some suspected Shampoo," she noted, causing Shampoo to involuntarily tense.
"No way Shampoo did all this," Ranma declared. From her hiding spot, Shampoo brightened at this. However, it was a short lived lift in her spirits, as Ranma added, "If she had this kind of power, she'd just use it on me directly."
While Shampoo sunk into herself, L nodded. "That is likely true, but it would be folly to so casually dismiss a suspect."
"Do you have a suspect, Mr. Ryuzaki?" Kasumi asked curiously.
"Yes," he answered, looking at Kasumi intently, but as before she remained oblivious to his implied gesture. He debated briefly simply saying it straight out, but doubt had taken hold. "But," he continued after a second, "to reveal such at this time would be premature."
"Sure," Ranma said sarcastically. "If you're so smart, how is Cupid pulling this off, huh?"
"That is a question integral to this case," L replied. "I have learned much of this power, but the exact nature of it still is a matter to be determined," he admitted. "We have determined, however, that the power requires both a name and a face of the victim."
"A name and a face?" Ranma echoed in thought.
"Not just any name either. It was be the true name of the victim," L continued.
"Oh? What about the people that they fall in love with?" Kasumi asked curiously.
"There does not seem to be any requirement to know them," L replied. Oddly, Kasumi seemed puzzled by this. "Do you not agree?"
"Oh, no, I do. I was just thinking that it is strange. Don't you find it odd that it seems like those people who are affected where Cupid would know both people's names seem to not last as long?" Kasumi asked, giving L pause. "I just noticed that a great deal from the shows I watch and have heard about," she explained
L hesitated, quickly running through his memories. In shock he could not mask, he saw the very pattern that Kasumi was eluding to. "I... had not considered that," he reluctantly admitted.
Ranma scoffed at hearing this. "Come on, Kasumi, we should get going home," he prompted.
"I suppose so. I should get these groceries put away," Kasumi said as the pair got up. "I wish you luck in your search, Mr. Ryuzaki," she said with a parting bow.
L acknowledged this with a simple nod, exchanged goodbyes and watched the pair as they headed off. Once out of sight, he began tapping his lips in contemplation. After a minute, he too stood up, pulled a cellphone out and called a number. "Yes, Watari, I'm done here... no... not as expected at all... very good," he said before returning the phone to his pocket and walking off.
From her hiding spot, Shampoo debated what to do. Although this man was odd in both appearance and mannerism, her instincts were telling her he was the real deal. With Ranma now in Kasumi's company, there was no further point in trying to speak to him today, and this was definitely something she needed to pass on. Decided, Shampoo rushed off to recover her clothes and transform back before heading home.
XXXXX
At Ukyo's restaurant, Akane finished applying a bandage to Mousse's head and sat back. The boy's anger had given way to remorse and he held his head low. Despite the nature of the circumstances, Akane could not help but see this as just a little amusing. Ranma rarely if ever seemed contrite, while Mousse was the quite the opposite. 'Of course, it could just be Cupid's power making me think that,' Akane thought, but could not help but feel that Ranma could use a bit of Mousse's attitude.
"I'm sorry, Akane. I let Ranma get to me," Mousse said after a moment.
"He's good at that," Akane said with a frown.
Mousse nodded. "It's just... seeing him with Shampoo..." he tried to explain, tensing as he did.
Akane waved off the explanation and tried to smile reassuringly. "Don't worry. After all, it... sorta worked, didn't it?"
Mousse frowned as he considered but finally nodded. "I guess so," he conceded and seemed to regain some spirit. "But we need more. We can't stop now. We have to keep the pressure on."
"Keep the pressure on?" Akane repeated anxiously.
Mousse nodded. "Yes. We should go out every weekend."
Akane tensed at considering this. "I don't-" Akane started to say but Mousse interrupted.
"Ranma will certainly challenge me for you," Mousse analyzed. "It is just a matter of time."
'I'm not sure that is how it works,' Akane replied on thought, but kept this to herself. 'What am I doing?' she asked herself as Mousse started laying out his plans which Akane only vaguely paid attention to. 'This whole plan is just bound to backfire, and then what?'
As Akane considered that, her mind drifted back and she remembered what Ranma had said to her many days earlier. 'Accept it,' Akane repeated in thought with a frown. She still did not know what to make of the statement. 'Did he mean to try it out and see what happens? Yeah right, first thing he does is mess in things. Does he think it is only supposed to apply to him? Jerk,' she thought with growing anger.
'Maybe Dr. Tofu is right. Does Ranma really have the qualities I want? I mean sure, sometimes he can be brave and such, but so can Mousse. Unless my life turns into an unending stream of craziness... Maybe he'd be better off with Kasumi.'
Finally noticing Akane's inattention and worsening mood, Mousse said, "Hey, Akane, what's wrong?"
Akane shook herself out of her thoughts. "Nothing, I'm fine," she said.
"So... do you think that will work?"
"Uh... sure," she replied, hiding her nervousness over missing what he said. "It sounds great."
"Really?" Mousse asked in uncertainty. "I actually thought it might be a bit of a stretch."
"Well... maybe, but I'm sure you'll work it out," Akane said. 'I really hope I'm not agreeing with something really stupid,' she added in thought. Changing topics, Akane asked, "No luck with Shampoo?"
"That was the first time I've seen her in a week," Mousse answered with a sigh.
Akane gave him a weak smile. "At least she didn't try to kill you like she promised," she lamely offered, but it only further depressed the boy. She wanted to say more to cheer him up, but in truth, she could no longer believe in the words. Perhaps it was simply her own feelings clouding her judgment or simply a revelation from recent events, but whatever the cause, Akane could no longer see the two Amazons as a couple.
'Not like she deserves him anyway,' Akane thought in annoyance. 'She treats him like a doormat... Doesn't care a lick about his feelings... Practically treated him like a slave before... She's absolutely no good for him. I can't believe I ever tried to get them together. I guess I didn't really know any better at the time.' As Akane considered this some more, she began to come to one conclusion. 'Maybe I should make him see that there is something better out there for him.'
As that through began to take hold, Ukyo came up the stairs in a rush. She entered the room, came to an abrupt stop, stepped back into the stairwell and out of sight and asked, "Are you two...?"
"We aren't doing anything, Ukyo," Mousse replied in mild annoyance.
"And why not?" the chef asked as she reentered the room. Akane scowled at this, but before she could comment, Ukyo shook her head and said, "Never mind that. I just heard L was in the market today."
"What?" both Akane and Mousse said in surprise.
"You sure it was the real L?" Akane asked.
Ukyo shook her head. "Just repeating what I was told. We have to get over there and start asking questions," she said.
Mousse jumped to his feet. "Right, we can finally strike back at Cupid," he said.
Akane nodded her agreement and likewise got to her feet. "Let's go."
XXXXX
At the Nekohanten, Maho was in the midst of delivering 6 bowls of hot ramen to a waiting table of customers. Unfortunately for the undercover FBI agent, she was not afforded a delivery tray and thus was forced to balance the bowls on her arms, one in each hand, one on each forearm, and one at each elbow. It was taking all her concentration and balance to manage the act. It did not help matters that she was near exhaustion at this late point in the day.
'That old woman is trying to kill me, I swear,' Maho thought as she cautiously inched her way to the table.
This delicate situation was upset when Shampoo suddenly rushed in. The Amazon girl dodged by Maho, not touching her but the prospect of a sudden impact caused the agent to tense just slightly, enough to upset her load. As she desperately fought to regain control, Shampoo stopped at the back counter.
"Great grandmother, Shampoo see L!"
'L?!' Maho repeated in thought and tensed just a bit more. That was enough to doom her, as the two bowls on her right arm began to tip. She recovered the one at her elbow, but the other was already sliding free. Cringing, she prepared for the inevitable, but in flash, Shampoo appeared next to her and snatched the bowl as it came free. "Uh, thanks," Maho said in some relief.
"No be so clumsy," Shampoo admonished, and placed the bowl on Maho's head.
"Yeah, sure," Maho replied weakly as she found herself in an even worse situation.
"Don't be so harsh, Shampoo. She's still in training, but she's making excellent progress," Cologne said, taking a buff from a pipe. "Now, what is this about L?"
Shampoo, apparently either unaware or unconcerned about Maho's tension at her ever more precarious position, returned to the back. "Yes, Shampoo see L talk with Ranma and Kasumi at restaurant."
Cologne nodded and motioned for Shampoo to follow her into the back. Maho in the meantime, through considerable effort, managed to finally deliver her dishes to the applause of the customers.
After dismissing herself, Maho hurried to bus a table and go to the backroom to listen in on what she could.
"...I think there is little to worry about," Cologne said. "If this L is half the detective his reputation implies, you will be excluded as a suspect. After all, you aren't Cupid, now are you?"
"Of course not," Shampoo protested before noticing Maho. After Maho gave her an innocent smile, Shampoo seemed to lose interest and returned her attention to Cologne. "Shampoo no have anything do with Cupid."
Maho moved over to the sink to drop off the dishes while continuing to listen.
"Exactly," Cologne replied with a smile. "No doubt this L will deduce the truth and you have nothing to worry about... at least from him. And what of your task for the day that the doctor sent you on?"
"You know..." Shampoo started to say, but stopped short, apparently realizing the answer. "Shampoo... no do it yet."
Cologne nodded and hopped to the door. "I leave said matter to you. It is an usual approach, I must admit, but it seems Ranma is in need of a different approach." Shampoo reluctantly nodded in agreement as Cologne headed back into the dining room.
A little confused, Maho decided to take a little risk as Shampoo lingered in the kitchen. "Uh... not to pry, but what does that mean?"
Shampoo frowned, casting Maho a quick glance, seeming irritated. However, a second of consideration, Shampoo's air shifted. "Is... Shampoo supposed to marry Ranma, but he..." Shampoo started but failed to find the words.
"I've been around long enough to piece that part together," Maho replied with a reassuring smile.
Shampoo hesitated then turned fully to address Maho. "Doctor think if Shampoo want Ranma like her, need... apologize," she explained, saying the final word with extreme disgust. Before Maho could respond, Shampoo continued, "Is... Why Shampoo have to apologize? Shampoo no one who steal prize at village! Shampoo no one who lie and say is girl!" Her outburst complete, Shampoo hung her head suddenly. "Shampoo have apologize anyway."
'She didn't come right out and say it, but that pretty much confirms she doesn't love the doctor,' Maho concluded before replying, "Sometimes you have to swallow your pride, as they say."
Shampoo nodded. "No taste very good," she replied in a mild joke before giving Maho a polite nod of thanks and walking off.
Maho remained behind in thought for a moment. 'So L talked to Kasumi? Hmm...'
"That's enough of a break, Miss Part Time!" Cologne called out, causing Maho to cringe.
"Coming, coming!" she blurted out. 'She really is going to kill me.'
XXXXX
"What a freak," Ranma as he came in the front door of the Tendo home.
Just behind him Kasumi smiled. "Yes, wasn't he just fascinating?" she said enthusiastically.
Ranma hesitated, then responded, "That is one way of putting it."
At that moment, Nabiki came up the hall followed by Trista. "So what you two been up to?" she asked with a sly look.
"We met L," Kasumi said a bright smile.
"He claims he is L," Ranma amended.
"You met L?" Nabiki asked to confirm, her face already draining of color.
Taking notice of this, Kasumi laid her palm on Nabiki's forehead. "Are you alright, Nabiki? You look a little pale."
"Uh... maybe a touch of a cold," Nabiki lied, glancing at Ranma but he seemed oblivious. "So, uh, what did you talk about with this L?"
"Nothing important," Ranma said dismissively.
"He was very interesting though," Kasumi added.
Ranma huffed and headed off without another word. Kasumi, by contrast, continued to smile.
Deciding she was unlikely to learn anything more useful without drawing extra unwanted attention, Nabiki turned away and headed up the stairs. "I think I'll just take a nap."
"Okay. I'll call when dinner is ready," Kasumi replied and headed off to the kitchen with her groceries.
Behind Nabiki, Trista commented, "Gee, Kasumi sure is lucky."
'Lucky doesn't even begin to describe this,' Nabiki thought in a mix of irritation and worry. Entering her room and closing the door, she finally let her expression shift to reveal her true anxiety. "I knew it! I knew it!" she said as she dropped onto her bed. "I just... I can't believe it."
"Kasumi really dodged a bullet, didn't she? Can you imagine if she ran into L when she had her memory?" Trista commented in amusement.
"I don't care about Kasumi! I'm the one holding the bag now!" Nabiki complained. "I just don't believe this guy. How does he do it? I may have to take more drastic measures," she continued and began to think. "Half my self control..." she pondered aloud.
"Oh, want the eyes now?" Trista asked. "If he did show himself again you get his name."
'And he wouldn't be expecting it...' Nabiki added in thought but then shook her head. "No, I can't be sure it is the real L. It wouldn't surprise me at all that this L is just a stand in. No, it's too risky. Need something else." Nabiki went deep into nervous thought. 'Just got to think things through.'
XXXXX
Hours later, while rumors of L's appearance at the market were continuing to circulate, the man himself was deep in thought in his hotel room. Already half way through his watermelon purchased earlier, he hardly took notice when the door opened and Maho rushed in.
"You met with Kasumi?" she asked urgently as she came into the room.
"Yes," L replied simply.
Maho frowned and took a seat on the couch. "A little more warning would have been nice," she commented.
"I told you such was coming," L replied.
Maho nodded in acceptance of the point before asking, "Well, how did it go?"
L considered for a moment then answered, "Not as I was expecting."
Maho frowned in disappointment. "So she isn't Cupid?"
"I cannot eliminate her at this time, but her responses were not as I anticipated," he replied before turning to Maho. "She was completely unconcerned with my presence. She even offered up information that is potentiality incriminating. Even her interest in Ranma seemed minimal. I have either grossly misjudged her, or..." he said before trailing off.
Maho nodded in understanding. "So now what?"
"I assume word of my presence in Nerima is already spreading?" L asked.
"Yes. Lots of people are talking about it. Shampoo was apparently eavesdropping on your little talk as well," Maho replied.
"Oh?" L said curiously. "How was her reaction?"
"Definitely... concerned I'd say. She talked to Cologne in the back, but they didn't seem convinced you would find Shampoo was not Cupid. However, I'm very confident we were right, she isn't in love with the doctor. She still has her sights on Ranma."
"I see, but that still leaves us the unanswered question of why the act," L commented as he rubbed his lower lip in thought. "You should practice even more caution in their company from now on. They may suspect you already."
The warning gave Maho pause. "You think they might try something?"
L considered for several seconds before answering, "It is only a slight possibility. Perhaps... hmm..."
"What?" Maho asked curiously.
"Kasumi brought up something that I have overlooked. I have to give it much deeper analysis which will take me a least a few days."
"Can I help?" Maho asked.
L thought then shook his head. "Not at this time. I would prefer to keep you neutrally minded at this time."
'Neutrally minded?' Maho repeated mentally in confusion. "Uh... right."
"As to Shan Pu, I may need you to take more... direct measures."
"Direct... You want me to come right out and ask them?"Maho asked
"It may be necessary, but I'll leave it to you to choose your exact approach," he replied. "Also, my appearance has stirred things up. Keep a look out."
"Right," Maho acknowledged.
Without further conversation, L turned to his computer and beginning to work. Maho took that as her cue to head out. After making her way to her own room, she paused in thought. 'If Kasumi and Shampoo are out, then we're out of suspects. Or, maybe we just seriously underestimated them?'
XXXXX
Inside a local office building, a female secretary was typing at her computer, working on the day's paper work. Just across from her, sitting and waiting was Kodachi. Dressed in a white blouse and black dress, she sat impatiently, every few moments shifting her stance slightly.
"This is totally unnecessary," she said openly, to which the secretary merely nodded. "I'm just doing this as proof I am quite in control of my faculties."
"Of course," the secretary replied without looking.
Kodachi eyed the secretary suspiciously. "You don't believe me."
"I'm not the doctor. What I believe is irrelevant," she pointed out in response, giving no hints of feeling either way.
"Yes," Kodachi replied confidently. "And I am certain the doctor will agree with me."
The secretary did not respond, instead continuing with her work. After a minute of silence a young man exited the room next to the secretary, followed shortly after by an older man.
"Next week we'll talk about that," the older man said to the younger, who nodded. "Good. Rimiko can you make sure to set him up for next week?"
"Of course, doctor," the secretary replied. "Same time good?" she asked the young man who nodded. "Very well, we'll call you the day before just to confirm as usual."
"Thanks," he replied and waved his goodbye as he departed.
The doctor turned to Kodachi. "Ah, Miss Kuno, come right in," he said, gesturing for her to follow.
"Bout time," Kodachi complained as she stood up. "Although I won't be here long. Ten... fifteen minutes at most," she said as she followed the doctor into his office and closed the door behind her.
Unconcerned about this, the secretary returned to her work. Ten minutes passed, then fifteen. At the half hour mark the intercom on her telephone rang, prompting her to pick it up. "Yes? Yes... umhmm... weekly? Oh, every other day... yes, I think we can manage it... Umhmm, yes I can clear the rest of the afternoon. Okay then," she said and finally hung up the phone and set back to work.
EndChapter 12
Actually had this one finished for a few weeks, just hadn't gotten around to a few fixes.
As I noted in chapter one, all input is welcome here particular now, as my solid ideas pretty much end here. I have a few sketchy things in mind, but probably will be a while before I can turn them into something solid.
