Chapter 16
Mousse stumbled back after Ranma tagged him with another jab. He tried to strike him but Ranma just bobbed and weaved around his attacks. She caught him with another jab and followed with a hook to his jaw. She continued with a knee to his ribs, a cross to the body and finished with an overhand punch to the other side of his face. Mousse tripped up but managed to stand on his feet. He turned to face Ranma who was bouncing on the ball of her feet. This made him even angrier.
He just couldn't understand why he was losing so badly. His pride had been shattered by this half man. He thought that he would have been able to defeat and humiliation him but it had not gone the way he had expected. Even with the few weapons he had, he was easily disarmed by her and she made him pay for his blunders. He even tried to rip all her clothes off but he failed at that as well. He wasn't expected this from him. Sure he had to be strong to defeat his Shampoo but he was not expecting him to be this good.
Mousse glared at him as Ranma egged him on. Mousse stood and charged at him.
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"Wow, I can't believe how good Ranma is. He's really taking this plan of his seriously and he might succeed. I've never seen daddy fight quite like this." Nabiki commented.
"He is certainly on the right path. Look at how many people are into the fight. He is promoting his style of the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū (Anything Goes Martial Arts). I wouldn't be surprised if he gets some people asking to learn." Dr. Tofu Ono said. He was Ranma's boss and teacher. He gave him a part-time job and at his spare time, he taught Ranma about medicine. He didn't mind as he was doing it for his future students. He also enjoyed his company and the two would sometimes spar. He found Ranma to be a very skilled individual.
Akane said nothing and continued to watch the fight with a glare. At the beginning, she was in awe at Ranma's skills. Even in his girl form, he was still a force to be reckoned with. It slowly changed when she heard the words of her schoolmates. They were talking about how strong he was, how much of a better martial artist he was, how he was stronger than her and the most infuriating thing, that he was the true heir of the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū. That pissed her off more than anything. She was an heir of the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū too. Why was Ranma the only one getting praise? She just kept glaring at Ranma, hoping that she would make a mistake.
Hidden away, Cologne and Shampoo watched the fight. Cologne couldn't help but be impressed with the skills of the young martial artist. Mousse was no slouch when it came to the Hidden Weapons Style. He was pretty foolish to discard his robes and played right into Ranma's hands. Shampoo just had a smirk on her face.
"I have chosen well great-grandmother." Shampoo said.
"That you have. Are you sure that we can't do this another way? It does not seem proper for someone of my station to do this." Cologne said.
"I would not do it either but it is a weakness that we can exploit. Besides, he will not ignore us as a piece of us will be a part of his Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū." Shampoo explained.
"Very well, we will do this your way." Cologne said. The two Amazons watched the fight as it looked like it was about to come to an end.
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Mousse hit the ground again after another combo from Ranma. The teen struggled to stand to his feet. Ranma was a little impressed with his resilience.
"Man, I watched one of the trainers use that combination and the guy was on the canvas for a while. Look, this fight isn't getting you anywhere. Just stop this and it will all be over." Ranma said.
"Are you scared that you will fail half man?" Mousse taunted.
"Fail at what? This fight has been one-sided since you stupidly threw away your cloak. I'm much faster than you in this form and I do pack quite a punch. You assumed that in this form I am weak. Who's the failure now?" Ranma returned. This angered the teen and he threw several smoke bombs at Ranma. Blinded, Ranma searched for an exit. When she did, she saw a shadow from above. She looked but couldn't see clearly as Mousse had attacked her with the sun at his back.
"Michi Inchua Chuan (Raking Hawk's Talon)!" Mousse roared and descended down with a dive kick. Ranma caught the gleam of blades at the toes of his feet. Thinking quickly, Ranma waited at the last second before using what Kodachi taught him. She dislodged several joints and was able to bend at an impossible angle, which saved her from being stomped and stabbed. She quickly popped her joints back in place and rushed Mousse. She was moving so fast that Mousse thought he saw several images of her. Ranma then unleashed a barraged of punches with amazing speed. Mousse's head bobbed like a speed bag. Ranma ended the barrage with an uppercut that sent Mousse flying from the ring. He landed in a heap on the ground.
Ranma looked over and saw that he was not moving. A closer inspection showed that he was out cold. With this confirmed, Ranma was declared winner. Everyone cheered for the good fight that he had. Ranma looked pleased with himself/herself. While it was one-sided fight, his/her training with other styles was bearing a lot of fruit. He was on his/her way to gaining his own style.
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A big dinner was made by Kasumi. She told everyone it was for Ranma's victory. Nabiki was also celebrating Ranma's win as she had made a killing from the bets. The only person who was not celebrating was Akane. She didn't like the fact that everyone was gushing over Ranma's victory. If that stupid guy with the glasses had just kept his robe on, he might have taken Ranma down a peg or two. Ranma himself was happy but at the same time annoyed. He was still confined to his girl form. He still had some issues with it and didn't like being in this form for so long. He was going to find that old hag and force her to give him something to unlock this form.
The doorbell rang and Kasumi went to get the door. She returned a few seconds later with Shampoo and Cologne. Ranma saw Cologne and growled. Before she could speak, Shampoo held her hand up.
"I know Ranma is upset but my great-grandmother has something to tell you." Shampoo said. Ranma looked at the old crone who stared right back. After a tense moment, Cologne threw something at Ranma. She caught it and read the writing on the case.
"Phoenix Pill?" she asked.
"I was… hasty in my actions. I was only doing so because my great-granddaughter admired you so. I thought that I could force you to bend to our ways. I was wrong and that is my apology. The Phoenix Pill will undo the Cat's Tongue point I activated." Cologne said. Ranma didn't trust her so easily and it showed in his face. However, she decided to take the pill. After a few minutes, she pour warn water on herself and was changed back to his original form.
"Yes, I am back!" he cheered. He cheered for a little while longer before facing the Amazons. "Don't think that this squares us you old bat."
"I figured that you would say that, which is why I have something else to offer you. Consider it, a joining of skills." Cologne said.
"What are you getting at?" asked Nabiki.
"I was wondering if you remember your fight with Shampoo when she came after you. She used a technique on you that almost sealed her victory against you." Cologne said. Ranma thought about it and he did remember.
"Yeah, I believe that she called it the Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken. (Imperial Roasting Chestnuts in the Fire Fist)" Ranma said.
"It is an Amazon technique that many of our skilled warriors learn when they reach a certain level. Seeing that you don't have any special techniques, how would you like to learn this one?" Cologne asked. Ranma was shocked by what she was offering. He wouldn't lie and say that he wasn't interested in learning. Still, he had to make sure that it was on the up and up.
"What's the catch? I ain't going to lie and say that I'm not intrigued but there has to be a catch." Ranma said.
"You are smart for a male." Cologne said with amusement. "There are two catches. One, you will have to be in your female form in order for me to teach you. Secondly, you will have to waitress at our restaurant. I assure you that it is a part of your training in this technique."
"And the fact that Shampoo and I will be spending a little more time with each other doesn't factor in?" Ranma asked.
"Well, you two are friends and sparring partners? Maybe you should learn more about her than you already know." Cologne said with a smile. Ranma frowned at that smile but his need to learn a new technique was too overwhelming.
"Alright fine, you got a deal." Ranma said.
"Very good, I will inform you when the training shall start within the week. Congratulations on your victory boy. I can't wait to see what else you can do." Cologne crackles and leaves with Shampoo in tow. Ranma just sighs and wonders what is in store for him.
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Ranma laid in the dojo after his meditation. He was currently thinking about the deal he made with the Amazons. He wondered if it was a mistake to take that deal knowing what Cologne wanted. It wasn't that Shampoo wasn't attractive. She had the body of that any guy would want. He was just focused on his arts and creating his branch of the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū. He already had a manual at his side, writing down exercises, theories and techniques. The technique that Cologne was offering would be something that he would only teach his expert students.
Anyway, the dilemma wouldn't go away and he was considering backing off.
"Ranma, are you okay?" Kasumi voice came in. Ranma sat up and faced the elder of the Tendo sisters. She walked up and sat in front of him. "You've been out here for quite a while."
"I'm just thinking about this deal. I don't know if I should go through with it. I know what Cologne wants but that technique she is talking about is something great. I just know that she's going to make it impossible for me." Ranma said.
"You are being too hard on yourself Ranma. You are a martial artist. It is only natural that you wish to grow as one. Part of that is to face a dangerous situation to achieve a goal that you want." Kasumi said.
"Yeah, I understand that but I want to stay focused on my course. I'm not saying that Shampoo would distract me but I am a guy." Ranma said.
"Are you saying that you have the same problem when you train with Kodachi?" Kasumi asked with amusement.
"No! I mean, I'm in my female side most of the time." Ranma said. Kasumi only raised an eyebrow at him. "Okay, I may have stared at her legs and butt a couple of times but it was purely business after I did it." Kasumi chuckled at him, making him pout.
"Despite that, you and Kodachi have a working relationship. I'm sure that you and Shampoo can have the same type of relationship." Kasumi said.
"Thanks for that Kasumi. I'm glad that I can talk to you about this." Ranma said.
"That's why I'm here Ranma. Anyway, you should get ready for bed. It's getting late." Kasumi said.
"I will." Ranma said. Kasumi stood and began to walk out. Ranma stared at her back and a strange question came to him. "Hey Kasumi, when was the last time you ever went out?"
"I was out earlier today." She said.
"No, what I mean is, when was the last time you went out for you? You know, have a 'me' day?" he asked.
"Um… well… I… I really can't remember."
"How about for the advice you gave me, I clean the house and cook while you take a day off?"
"What? I-I can't do that." Kasumi exclaimed softly.
"Why not? You do a lot for everyone in this house, you deserve a day off. Come on, I promise not to move anything or disturb anything but I think that a good person like you deserves a day to herself. Hell, take Nabiki and Akane with you and enjoy the weekend." Ranma said.
"I really don't think…" Kasumi stared but Ranma decided to use something to win.
"Please?" Ranma said with puppy dog eyes.
"Oh that's not fair." Ranma continued his assault of her. Finally Kasumi broke under the cuteness. "Okay fine, I'll take a day." She looked at Ranma and gave him a happy smile. "Thank you Ranma." Ranma just grinned and gave her a 'thumbs up'. Kasumi bowed and left the dojo. As she walked, she couldn't help but get a small blush on her face. She never really had someone do such a thing for her. It filled her with happiness that someone was taking and interest in her needs. She went to sleep with a smile.
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