Chapter Five: Testing Theories and Group Gatherings

Kasumi stared at the group in surprise as they entered the Tendo household this evening.

"Oh my. Will you all be staying for dinner tonight?" she said a little worried.

"Don't worry big sister Kasumi" Ranma replied with a sweet smile, "I invited them, so I will handle the preparations for making their dinner."

"Oh I see. Well thank you Ranma. Please come in" she bowed her head, "Shampoo, Mousse, and grandmother."

"Thank you dear" Cologne bowed her head back appreciatively.

"It is an honor" Mousse nodded as Shampoo smiled back happily.

Akane was the only one who was silent as Ranma departed for the kitchen with Shampoo while Kasumi escorted Mousse into the sitting room where Soun and Genma were engrossed in another game of Shogi. Cologne moved closer to Akane and whispered in her ear.

"Now that Ranma is preoccupied in the kitchen making dinner" she said, "Let's go take a look at that incense pot."

"Good idea" Akane agreed leading the way upstairs to Ranma's room.

When they arrived at Ranma's room, Akane could hear shuffling inside and immediately the two of them took their fighting stance as they flung open the door. Inside they saw that Happosai was looking around Ranma's bed.

"Grandfather Happosai?" Akane replied, "What are you doing in Ranma's room?" she asked with an accusing frown.

"I was" he stammered as he stared back at their angry stares, "I was just looking to see if Ranma left her bra in here."

"I thought so" Akane said clenching her fist, "You'd better get out of here before I get really mad" she shouted.

"And what are the two of you doing here?" he asked pointing an accusing finger at them.

"What Akane and I are up to is none of your business Happy" Cologne replied waving her staff at him, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself sneaking into a young girl's room like this."

"Hah! Hah!" he laughed as he ran from the room and the possibility of Akane's blow to the head.

"Honestly" Akane shook her head, "I swear he gets worse every year."

"Never mind him Akane" Cologne replied, "Now let's find that incense pot" they moved into the room.

Akane looked around Ranma's futon and was about to give up when her foot almost hit the pot that was lying near the head of his pillow.

"Here it is" she picked it up and handed it to Cologne who began to examine it.

"Hmm?" Cologne frowned slightly, "It doesn't look like it's ever been lit before. And I can see why male Ranma would never admit to having something like this in his room. It's way to girly for the likes of him."

"No kidding" Akane nodded kneeling down, "It's got too many pretty flowers on it and it's purple in color. To tell you the truth I wouldn't buy anything that girly ,especially if it's purple."

"Perhaps we should ask Ranma after dinner to light the pot for us" Cologne suggested when Kasumi called them.

"Okay" Akane agreed and then the two of them carrying the incense pot left the room and walked back downstairs for Ranma's dinner.

(Next Scene)

When Akane and Cologne arrived in the sitting room they were surprised to see that Ryoga was also sitting at the table as Ranma placed everyone's food in front of them.

"Look Akane" Ranma said happily, "Ryoga came back over for dinner."

"I can see that" Akane smiled a little as she sat next to Nabiki, "So Ryoga. What brings you back here?"

"Well I" Ryoga blushed slightly and then laughed nervously, "I can't tell her that I got lost again" he thought bitterly as Ranma took her seat next to him and Akane.

"Well I hope you all enjoy the meal" Ranma replied with a smile and then she glanced down at her plate nervously as Ryoga looked at her briefly.

Shampoo and Mousse saw this reaction and the Amazon at once became suspicious and frowned at the red head.

"Ranma what you think you doing?" she demanded.

"Huh?" Ranma looked at her, "Why whatever do you mean Shampoo?" she said honestly.

"Why you" Shampoo began but she didn't know what to say for Akane was glaring at her, "Never mind."

"Shampoo?" Mousse looked at her steaming expression, "Oh I get it. Ranma you don't have a thing for Ryoga do you?"

"Huh?" Ranma went pink as Ryoga suddenly stood up.

"What? What? What are you saying you quack head!" Ryoga shouted getting all nervous, "Have you lost your senses?"

To this response Ranma immediately lowered her head and ate silently as Ryoga returned to his seat since everyone was staring at him.

"I'm sorry" Ryoga said quickly, "I must remember my manners."

Everyone was silent during the remainder of dinner until Kasumi went to get the door. It turned out to be Ukyo who had come over for a visit.

"Hello everyone!" she said cheerfully, "Ranma honey. I brought you some okinomiyaki" she sat down next to the girl.

"Why thank you U-chan!" Ranma replied cheering up at once surprising Ukyo at once with her attitude, "I'll go put it in the kitchen and eat it later. Besides I need to go and get dessert" she stood up, "I'll be right back. Please make yourself at home" she moved to the kitchen along with Kasumi who offered to help carry in some of the dishes.

"Okay" Ukyo said as she took Ranma's seat, "Anyone want to tell me what's going on?"

(Next Scene)

It took Akane a few moments to explain the situation with Ranma for the past few weeks. When she had finished Ukyo nodded her head in understanding.

"I thought he was acting weirder then usual" she replied.

"What you mean Ukyo?" Shampoo asked a little irritated that she had shown up.

"The other day I saw Ranma in the market place. He was in his girl form. But when I called out to him he just waved sweetly and continued with his shopping. So" she paused, "Ranma honey really was sick then?" she asked Akane.

"Uh huh" Akane nodded, "And that's where it all started."

"Well how are we going to snap Ranma back to his senses?"

"I don't know. But Cologne thinks maybe we might have found the source. The only problem is we have to find out for sure."

"Oh I certainly hope so" Genma cried, "I want my son back. It's been so lonely without him around here."

"What he means" Nabiki interrupted, "Is that it's been too quiet. This new Ranma is much more mannered. We haven't had a piece of our house fall off in about a week and it has been rather pleasant."

"Nabiki what are you saying?" Soun said worried, "We all want the old Ranma back."

"Not me" Happosai spoke up as he finished up his rice, "Girls are much more fun."

"But master" the two of them protested as Ranma and Kasumi returned with the dessert, "Oh you're back" Soun smiled straightening up.

"Mhm" Ranma nodded, "Here we go everyone" she started to hand out their dessert and they all thanked her.

Ranma took a seat next to her father as they all began to eat their desserts and she glanced at Ryoga briefly until he saw her staring at him, then she averted her eyes. Ukyo saw the passing of their glances while Mousse watched amused.

"Umm" Ukyo said, "Did I miss something?"

Shampoo grumbled while her grandmother patted her hand.

"Oh it's nothing" Mousse spoke up practically glowing, "Ranma's just got a little crush on Ryoga that's all."

"Mousse!" Ryoga shouted standing up again with his fists raised.

"Oh really?" Ukyo replied surprised, "Is that true Ranma honey?" she asked.

"Well I" Ranma said nervously.

"Of course not" Ryoga interrupted, "He's making it up! He's lying! It's an absolute lie!"

Ryoga stopped screaming and saw that they were all staring at him minus Ranma who had her head bent low once more, her hair falling over her eyes. He took one step back and then dashed out of the room his face completely red while Mousse was getting splashed by Shampoo with a bucket of water.

"You so stupid Mousse" she replied angrily as he quacked at her side.

"What in the world?" Ukyo said scratching her head then she looked at Ranma at the same time as Akane and saw the tears falling down her face, "Ranma honey?"

"I should probably clean up" Ranma replied not even lifting up her head as she picked up each dessert dish, "I guess Ryoga will finish his dessert later."

"Oh Ranma" Shampoo said sadly as she picked up the tray, "Don't need to be so sad."

"I'm not sad. I guess, I'm just disappointed. I guess Ryoga doesn't like me" she chuckled halfheartedly as she left the room, "Why would he? I'm too ordinary."

"Ranma" Akane replied slowly and then stood up, "Ranma wait" she followed her out of the room.

"I never thought that I would see the day" Genma said, "When I would see Ranma cry like that. Oh my son" he cried in his sleeve, "What has become of you?"

Ukyo meanwhile wasn't saying anything. In one instant she stood up with her spatula and determinedly walked out into the backyard.

"Now where she going?" Shampoo wondered aloud.

(Next Scene)

In the back Ryoga was hiding from everyone near the dojo holding his head in shame.

"I can't believe Akane saw me like that," he thought, "But that was so embarrassing. That stupid Mousse. I am going to kill him."

"Ryoga!" Ukyo called, "Are you over here?"

"Huh?" he looked over his shoulder and then stood up, "Ukyo?"

"I thought I'd find you here."

"What do you want?"

"Just how insensitive are you, you jackass!" she insulted.

"What are you talking about?"

"You hurt Ranma's feelings."

"I what?" You got to be kidding me?"

"Mnm" she shook her head, "After you left, Ranma was crying."

"Ranma was crying? Because of what I said?"

"Mhm."

"But that's crazy" he shook his head, "Ranma doesn't cry."

"Ryoga you're such an idiot. I thought you would have figured it out, but Ranma is a girl right now."

"What's your point? He's been a girl before."

"It's different. He's a real girl therefore you have to treat him like one. Honestly he thinks you hate him."

"What?"

"That's what he said before he left the room in tears."

"You've got to be kidding me" Ryoga replied a bit faint.

"I'm not. And if you want to solve this problem, you are going to have to apologize to him."

"Me apologize to him? No way!"

"Ryoga" she man handled her weapon, "I'll give you a choice. Either you apologize to him and mean it or I am going to kick your ass."

Ryoga gulped as he stared at her formidable weapon and saw her steely gaze. He held his hands up in surrender.

"All right. All right. I'll go and apologize to him."

"Right now?" she insisted.

"Right now" he nodded.

"That's a good boy" she smiled as they both moved back towards the house.

Ranma had returned once more to the sitting room and lowered her eyes when she saw him approach.

"Ranma" Ukyo began, "Ryoga has something to say to you."

"Oh?" Ranma raised her head slightly.

"Ukyo?" Akane looked at her quizzically.

"Don't you Ryoga?" Ukyo said pushing him.

"Uh yes" he nodded, "Uh Ranma. I'm sorry for what I said earlier."

"Really?"

"Yes" he nodded again, "I didn't mean what I said, I just was a little embarrassed and I kind of well overreacted, I guess" he placed his hand behind his head, "I don't hate you if that's what you think."

"You don't?" Ranma said, "Really?" she clasped her hands together.

"Yes really" he nodded a third time nervously, "I promise I will be more careful next time with what I say from now on."

"Oh no that's okay Ryoga" Ranma shook her head, "I'm just glad that I didn't disappoint you."

"Huh?" he stared back at her stunned.

"I saved your dessert for you" she held it up.

"Uh thank you" he nodded again taking it gently from her and sitting down.

"Now that's much better," Ukyo grinned taking her seat next to Akane.

"Now that that's all settled" Cologne spoke up, "Ranma."

"Mhm" Ranma nodded, "What is it granny?"

"I was wondering if you could tell us a little more about your incense pot here" she held it up and handed it to her.

"I'd be happy to" Ranma nodded, "It sure is pretty isn't it?"

"It is" Shampoo agreed.

"What we were wondering is,if you could light it for us Ranma" Akane said.

"Oh? Light it? You know it's funny I haven't lit it since I brought it home."

"You haven't?" Akane asked surprised as she handed her the matches.

"Mnm. But I got to light it at the cart. Here it goes" she lit a match and placed it in the incense pot, "That's funny. It's not working."

"Is it broken?" Shampoo asked.

"I noticed that something was wrong upstairs when I examined it" Cologne replied, "It looked like it's not capable of being lit."

"Well that's strange. I know I lit it at the cart. Look I even have the stuff" she held up a packet and smelled the contents, "It smells so wonderful. Here smell it" she handed it Akane.

Akane sniffed the packet and her eyebrows furrowed.

"Uh" she handed it to Cologne and soon everyone at the table minus Kasumi, Nabiki, Genma, Soun, Happosai, and Genma had smelt the packet since they had departed some time earlier.

"Isn't it lovely?" Ranma asked.

Before anyone could answer Akane spoke up.

"Yea. It's great Ranma," she answered.

"Good. Well I think I'm gonna take this upstairs" she picked up the incense pot, "It's getting late. Thank you for coming over for dinner" she bowed her head, "Shampoo, Mr. Mousse, and granny. Oh and Ukyo I'll be sure to eat that okinomiyaki you made and let you know how good it tasted tomorrow."

"Okay Ranma honey" she nodded.

"Akane you'll be sure to see everyone out for me won't you?"

"Sure Ranma" Akane agreed.

"Goodnight, Ryoga" Ranma said hesitating making him turn red again as he turned his head slightly, "I'm glad you came over."

"Uh yea. Uh huh" he nodded keeping his face away from her as she moved from the room.

After she left Akane turned to the others.

"Well?" she asked them.

"I didn't smell anything" Ukyo replied.

"Shampoo neither."

"Not me" Mousse shook his head.

"Mnm" Ryoga agreed, "Nothing."

"How about you Cologne?" Akane asked.

"No" Cologne frowned, "Not a thing. Which means our theory about the incense pot might still be valid."

"Yea" Ukyo nodded, "Considering that Ranma honey was the only one who could smell the stuff."

"Well what do we do now?" Shampoo asked.

"It all lies with that incense pot" Cologne said, "I'm sure of it. We'rejust going to have to test our theory more" she replied and everyone around frowned curiously.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: See you all later!

Next Chapter: Mysterious Letter

Cologne and Akane set to test the incense pot while Ukyo sticks around the Tendo dojo to help. Meanwhile a strange letter arrives amongst all the mystery and adds even more suspicious events that involve Akane and Ranma's fathers. Find out what happens next time!