Chapter 18

It was a tense three days within the Tendo household. Everyone was walking on egg shells, even Akane. Ranma would avoid his father, often missing breakfast and dinner, so that there would be no conflict within the house. It was something that Kasumi, Nabiki and Soun appreciated. He would spend his afternoons with Kodachi, Shampoo or working with Dr. Tofu just to release some tension. He would continue to train with the other masters of different styles and continued to get better at them. It didn't affect his studies as he was still a little above average.

Genma was held in check by Soun as he didn't wish to face the wrath of his daughters. After that night, he made a comment about Ranma's disrespect to his father. Kasumi, in a rare show of anger, tore into him, saying that it was his friend's fault. She made the case that Genma should be proud of his son for improving his style. Nabiki chimed in and made a nasty comment about his making Kasumi give up her dream because he was too weak to move on. It was a slap in the face and it hurt to hear it come from his daughter's mouth. They both told him to talk to his friend or forever lose their respect. Soun did just that but he did it in such a way that Genma thought that he could get his son under control. He would come to regret that sooner or later.

Genma was still angry at his child. He would mutter about how much of a disappointment he was but he would do that with either Soun or out of the house as the last time, Kasumi refused to feed him. He really didn't want to understand why his son was doing this. All he really cared about was his retirement and the boy was ruining it. He had to get him back under his control. If he didn't, them he could kiss his dreams good-bye. He wasn't about to let that happen. He was thinking of way to do just that.

Saturday came and Ranma was in his training clothes. He had spoken with Cologne earlier and she told him to come in some comfortable clothes. She also told him to get some burn cream as he would need a lot of it by the end of the day. He didn't know why he would need it but he complied and made his way to where Cologne told him to go.

XXX

Ranma looked at the place and the piece of paper that he wrote the answer on. He didn't know why he was so surprise as Shampoo told him that she was a waitress. He looked up at the sign and groaned.

"Nekohanten (Cat Café), it's like she's making fun of me." Ranma said. He entered the place and was surprised by how busy it was. Of course, the three very beautiful waitresses in very tight Chinese clothing would attract any type of business. He recognized two of them as girls from the Rhythmic Gymnastics team. Cologne did have a nose for business and talent.

Shampoo saw Ranma and smiled.

"Ah, Ranma, you made it." Shampoo greeted.

"Yeah, I see that your business is doing well. You've made some friends as well." Ranma said.

"Oh, I'm actually helping them. They came to me one day and asked me to help them improve since they seem to think that you're helping their competition." Shampoo said with a smile.

"I don't know why they think that. I've explained several times that I'm not helping Kodachi's team. They are helping me learn how to teach stretching exercises should I take up teaching the martial arts." Ranma explained. Shampoo giggled but mentally remembered the name Kodachi. She would need to do some research on who this girl was. They were interrupted when Shampoo was struck in the head with a wooden cane. She rubbed her head and pouted at her great-grandmother.

"Get back to work child. You can seduce the boy later." Cologne said. Shampoo blushed but got back to work. Ranma just looked at Cologne.

"You're never going to let that go, are you?" Ranma asked. Cologne just smirked and led him toward the back of the café. When he got there, he noticed at camp fire and a crate of chestnuts. He was confused and Cologne decided to demonstrate. She took a hand full of chestnuts and threw them into the fire. After a few moments, Cologne's arms were a blur and Cologne was holding the chestnuts without any type of burns. Ranma was very impressive. "How?"

"This is an exercise to increase a person's hand speed. I figured that this would give you a great advantage with your Boxing, a very unfair advantage however." Cologne said with a chuckle.

"I remember Shampoo calling this the Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken (Imperial Roasting Chestnuts in the Fire Fist)." Ranma said.

"She named it? That's surprising as it doesn't really have a name. It's an exercise not a technique." Cologne said.

"Wait a minute, I thought that you were going to teach me a technique?!" Ranma exclaimed.

"I am but I want your hand speed to be up to par. So, learn this first and I will show you a technique. Fair?" Cologne asked

"Alright, I can deal with that. So what do I have to do?" Ranma asked.

"It's simple. Take a hand full of chestnuts, throwing it in the fire and grab them without getting burnt." Cologne said. She brought out two buckets of ice water and a thermos. "I'll be back inside and I'll come and check on your progress in an hour." She walked back into the café, leaving Ranma alone. He rolled up his sleeves and prepared himself. He began to wonder about how bad this could be.

XXX

Ranma groaned in pain as Kasumi wrapped his hands and forearms. Akane found it very funny as did Nabiki. Soun and Genma kept quiet but listened in to the conversation.

"So, the great Ranma can't handle a little painful exercise?" Akane mocked.

"At least I train to better myself. An average white belt can beat you." Ranma spat at Akane. Her smile felt and she growled a little.

"Okay, cut it out Akane." Nabiki said. She turned to Ranma with a smile. "So, you're going back for more?"

"Yeah, I'm going next Saturday. I'm going to practice a day out of the week. Oh man, my hands feel much better. Where did you get that burn cream Kasumi?" Ranma asked.

"I made it with the herbs I grew. You shouldn't do anything tomorrow and rest." Kasumi said.

"Yes, Dr. Tendo." Ranma joked. He sat up and made his way to his room. He hoped that he could get this down fast. He was really curious as to what Cologne would teach him.

XXX

Kodachi entered the Nekohanten with an intention. One part was curiosity and the other part was a scouting mission. She wanted to see this 'Shampoo' that was a little too close to her Ranma-sama. Normally, she would just cause mass destruction and sneak attack anyone that threatened to take what was hers but she had mellowed out since meeting Ranma. With him, she was treated as a girl, not as a loon who needed to be locked up. He was interested in her and her hobbies. He listened to her and was unafraid. It was because of his treatment that she began to mellow out around her classmates and people in general. There were even rumors that her pervious behavior was her brother's fault, which was just delightful.

She took a seat and scoped out the restaurant. She noticed two girls who was a part of Furiken's Rhythmic Gymnastics team, so that would make the purple haired girl Shampoo. She analyzed her a bit and could see why most of the men in the café liked her. She was a budding young girl who flaunted it so well. Still, she knew from hanging with Ranma that he didn't care about the physical. If that was the case, then she would have had him already considering all the times he looked at her legs and butt.

She waited until the girl came up to her.

"Nihao, welcome to the Nekohanten! May I take your order?" Shampoo greeted excitedly.

"Yes, I heard that you make some great tea. I was hoping that you and I can talk while we drank some." Kodachi said.

"I'm sorry but I have tables to wait." Shampoo said.

"Oh but I insist. You and I have a lot to talk about concerning a certain pig-tail boy who can become a girl with cold water." Kodachi said with a smile. Shampoo's cheerfulness changed when she heard that. With a bow, she made her way toward the back. After a few moments, Shampoo returned with a teapot. She placed it between them and sat across from Kodachi. She poured two cups and the two sat in silence for a while. Kodachi took a sip and tasted it.

"That's pretty good." Kodachi said. "So, where do we begin?"

"Seeing that you searched me out, why don't you begin?" Shampoo asked.

"Very well, I'm not going to be like that dreadful Tendo girl. Telling you stay away from a boy I'm not even dating would be unwise. I do like him, a lot actually. So, I'm curious as to what to do. Normally, I would have juts gassed your place with a special blend I would have made and that would be that but I've decided to show restraint." Kodachi said.

"Well, I thank you for that as any type of attack would have resulted in consequences. I've heard about you from Ranma as well. I'm not thrilled that there is another person in my way. I do like him too, as a warrior and as a male. Where I come from, obstacles are for killing and you are an obstacle. However, I am trying to be diplomatic and I am not resorting to normal tactics to make him mine." Shampoo explained.

"A very wise choice, he doesn't like being manipulated. Just look at his father. So, what should we do about this? I would rather avoid a war." Kodachi said.

"As would I. That's why I propose that we continue as before, seeing that Ranma's focus is his art right now. If we have an opening to get him, we attempt to do so silently and professionally." Shampoo said.

"I agree. It would be better that way." Kodachi said. She took out her wallet and pulled out a few ryo. She put it on the table. "I thank you for the tea." She walked out of the café. Shampoo took the tray and went back into the kitchen where Cologne was waiting for her.

"So, will she be a problem?" Cologne asked.

"Oh, she's a problem, a very big problem." Shampoo said calmly.

"So, what are you going to do?" she asked.

"What am I going to do? Shampoo isn't going to kill. Shampoo is going to destroy." Shampoo said with an edge. She placed her apron on and walked back out to serve. Meanwhile, Kodachi returned home. She called Sasuke, the house servant and personal ninja.

"Lady Kodachi, what is it you desire?" Sasuke asked.

"I will need you to gather up my plants and experiments. Someone is making a move on something that I want and I must be prepared." Kodachi said.

"Yes, mistress." Sasuke said and disappeared quickly. He didn't know who this person was or what they were thinking but he knew that tone. Whoever they were, had better be prepared for the battle ahead. At the Tendo dojo, Ranma looked around the room and had this worried look on her face. Nabiki saw this and was curious.

"Something wrong?" Nabiki asked.

"I don't know. I just feel that something big is going to happen and I am going to feel untold amount of pain in the future." He then looked at Akane. "You're not planning to cook, are you?" Ranma asked. He dodged the mallet strike and dashed out of the door with Akane on his heels.

XXX

Ranma closed his books and let out a sigh. He had just finished his homework and this time, he didn't need to ask Nabiki for help. He really cursed the paperwork but he wanted to be educated teacher, not a dumb one. He had learned that he had to have a degree in order to run a dojo. He stood up to stretch his muscles when he heard some curse loudly. Curious, he looked out of his window and saw a campfire and Akane with her hands in the koi pond.

He couldn't believe the stupidity of the girl. It had been two weeks since he began the exercise and he wasn't even close to mastering it. Yeah, he improved a lot but he would still get burned every time. What the hell was this girl thinking, trying this exercise? He jumped down and landed on the ground. He made his way over to her. Akane looked up and faced him.

"You have got to be the most stubborn girl ever. So you believe that you have a better shot at getting this exercise than me?" Ranma asked.

"Well, it is an Amazon exercise. Maybe it isn't meant for men to learn." Akane mocked.

"What's your issue with me? I barely talk to you; you refuse my help and your refuse my advice. It's more than just me being a boy that has you so worked up. So why are you so hostile?" Ranma asked.

"That's none of your damn business!" Akane shouted. Ranma just looked at her before just sighing.

"You should see Kasumi about those burns." Ranma said and walked away. Akane just glared at him. She hated the fact that he was so smug and acted like he knew everything. He was nothing but a guy who just popular without doing much. All the girls liked him, most of the guys respected him and some of the teachers were impressed with him. She didn't see what was so special about him in the first place. He was a freak in her mind, someone who could change genders was not normal. Despite that, he had everyone eating out of his palm. It infuriated her how everyone could just fall for his charm.

Well, she wasn't going to fall for it. Sooner or later, he would slip up and then everyone would know that she was right. She stood and made her way inside to get some of that cream that Kasumi made.

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Authors' Notes – I made a last minute change and now I can rest easy knowing that the chapter is truly complete. Anyway, enjoy the chapter.