Chapter Sixteen
"Alright Shampoo, the first rule of Rhythmic Gymnastics is that no bare attacks are allowed. Every strike you make has to be with a weapon." Akane started.
"No problem for Shampoo." The Chinese girl stated, staying in human form for the duration of training.
"Good. Now, the basic weapons to use are these clubs, ribbons, and hoops, but others can be allowed too. Heck you can even throw a live person at your opponent if you can make it happen."
"Seriously?" Ranma asked, skeptical while he twirled a club in his hands to avoid boredom.
Akane nodded. "Yeah, in my dream Kodachi grabbed her brother with her ribbon and threw him at you. The judges considered it a valid move."
"What do they consider invalid then? Throwing a septic tank?"
Akane shrugged. "I don't know, and I hope we don't have to find out."
Shampoo inspected the approved weapons. "No look like much."
"It's all in how you use them. Besides, your goal is to beat into submission or knock out of the ring, not maim or anything like that. And you have to look dazzling and graceful like a gymnast while doing it. Though your opponent certainly won't have any problems making you bleed."
"For now let's focus on using them. Remember put less power in them then you do your chui or sword." Cologne advised.
"You know anything about this fighting style?" Akane wondered.
"I've seen a lot in my 300 years. This sport wasn't invented yesterday you know. There's even a form of it in China too. I never participated in it myself because let's face it, no one wants to see this old lady in a leotard." Cologne replied. All three teenagers looked grossed out by the mental image of Cologne dressed in such wear. "But I understand the gist of it all and will help as I can. Doesn't mean finding out the official rules and strategies is inappropriate though for either of us."
Akane nodded. "Good point, but tonight let's focus on Shampoo. Remember this isn't just about the fight itself, you need to put on a show for the audience and move like a gymnast in the process. If you fight like normal you might be disqualified."
"Gotcha." Shampoo said with a nod. "So how use weapons?"
Akane grabbed some clubs. "I'll spar with you for a bit tonight. Not the best but this should at least get you familiar with them."
Shampoo took some clubs too. Akane held her clubs over her head Shampoo resorted to holding them like when she had two chui on her. Akane came at her and Shampoo did the same, with Akane first attacking with a club strike. Shampoo deflected with one of her own and followed up with her free club to strike back, which Akane also blocked. Instinct took over and Shampoo kneed Akane in the stomach, knocking the wind out of the Japanese girl.
"Stop! Penalty!" Cologne cried, getting between the girls. "Remember Shampoo, such an attack is unallowed. Use the tools, not your body."
"Sorry Great-Grandmother, hard to remember in battle."
Akane struggled to catch her breath. "Alright... maybe Ranma should fight her... in my place."
"One hit and you're ready to call it quits? Are you sure you're really a martial artist?" Cologne challenged.
It worked. Akane's fire was relit. "I am a martial artist. So yeah, I can keep going."
After two hours of practice they called it a night. Akane was sore and tired, but she felt better about herself for not giving up once. Though she felt even better after relaxing in a warm bath. Cologne went back to the cafe but Shampoo insisted on staying over.
"Crazy girl might show up. Shampoo want around in case."
Akane didn't argue, but she did ask that Shampoo at least sleep in her fox form for the night unless disturbed. 'I'm trying to be nice to her but I'm still a little territorial regarding Ranma.' Akane told herself as she went into her room after drying off and putting on some yellow pajamas. 'Now, what night did Kodachi originally ambush me again? I can't remember for sure.'
She laid on her bed and got her answer when she saw the aforementioned leotard-wearing girl on her ceiling, with a black rose in her mouth and a wooden mallet on her back. 'Oh right, this night.'
"Akane Tendo prepare to die!"
'Is she somehow related to Ryoga?' The youngest Tendo immediately jumped off her bed just moments before Kodachi came down with a hammer attack. Akane landed and took up her stance, hoping her level was enough to at least fend off her assailant. "Who are you?" She asked as a token gesture.
"Kodachi the Black Rose, of St. Hebereke's gymnastic team."
"And that's supposed to mean something to me?" Akane taunted.
Kodachi immediately swung her weapon but she missed. "I'm your opponent in next week's tournament."
'Oh, she still thinks I'm the one facing her in the match?' Akane realized while Kodachi kept swinging the mallet, then smiled. 'Perfect, if she keeps thinking that, she can't prepare for Shampoo instead.'
"Does this amuse you?" Kodachi asked, misinterpreting Akane's smile.
"Oh I just realized something, you're a coward." Akane taunted again.
Kodachi froze and her expression held a mixture of bewilderment and outrage, like she couldn't believe someone would say such a thing to her face. "What did you call me?"
"A coward. You attacked the official gymnastics teams before the official match to make them unfit for the fight and now you're attacking their replacement for the same reason. What, is victory by forfeit the only way you can win?"
Now Kodachi looked pissed. "I am no coward. I firmly believe in fighting in all fairness-"
"Let me guess, before the fight itself?" Akane interrupted.
Kodachi paused for a moment. "Why yes. So you understand me then in some way."
"Oh I understand. I understand you're a coward who's terrified of losing in front of an audience so you resort to fighting your opponents when no one's watching and ensure they never can make it to the real fight, which means you win by default to the audience."
Kodachi's grip tightened on her mallet. "Victory by default is better than defeat."
"Words of someone who knows she can't win any other way." Akane stated smugly.
Kodachi was out of patience and jumped to attack again. Only to get hit flat in the face by the door opening in front of her, knocking her on her ass.
"Hey Akane, something wrong?" Shampoo asked.
"Sort of, but why are you wearing nothing but your underwear right now?" Akane asked, seeing Shampoo wear a set of hot pink bra and panties.
"Fox self in heat, too too in mood for fun with Airen." Shampoo explained.
Before the conversation could continue Kodachi got back on her feet and away from the door, hand over her nose. "Reinforcements? I was not prepared for this. I'll get you next time Akane Tendo." She then twirled her ribbon and a swarm of black rose petals filled the room, making it hard to see anything else. Kodachi slipped out of the window and escaped.
"Great, this mess again." Akane groaned at seeing her room. "But at least this time she didn't see Ranma." She paused and looked at Shampoo. "Ranma's not outside is he?"
Shampoo froze. "Not know. Shampoo go look." She went out the window to go find the boy.
"Better get started on cleaning up." Akane said before she went to go get the vacuum. Halfway there she suddenly realized something. 'Wait, Shampoo was in human form tonight. So her fox form can't be affecting her right now.'
Fortunately Ranma was downstairs and not outside so Kodachi never encountered him on the roof. And much to Akane's chagrin Shampoo still didn't fully explain her choice in late-night attire. While she knew Shampoo was less inhibited than she was, it was still hard to get used to.
The next day the trio headed to school as normal, which plans to get in touch with the gymnastics team for proper instructions for Shampoo.
"Good morning Akane." Yuka and Sayuri greeted.
"Good morning." She greeted back, stopping in place to do so.
"I heard that you'll be in the gymnastics contest." Sayuri said.
"Sort of." Akane replied.
"Sort of?" Sayuri repeated, confused.
"I'm assisting the one who will be competing, but don't let that get out to the competition." Akane clarified.
"Why?" Yuka asked.
Akane's danger sense went off. 'Someone's after me.'
"Akane Tendo prepare to die!" Kodachi shouted jumping out of a tree armed with a shinai, this time wearing her school uniform of a white blouse and beige dress-skirt. Akane managed to catch the bamboo training sword with one hand.
'I wonder if this is how Ranma felt all those times Ryoga harassed him. And why does this family settle for training swords when they fight someone? You'd think they'd use real ones if they actually wanted to hurt someone.'
"That's why." Akane told her friends.
"Kodachi?" Ranma said, hoping she didn't choose now of all times to fall in love with him instead of last night. He was glad they managed to avoid that but now he realized it could possibly just happen again at another point in time.
"You've got some nerve ambushing me before school. Maybe I should do to you what I did to everyone else who thought that was a good idea." Akane threatened.
"Sun Tzu said it is advantageous to attack when the enemy is unaware." Kodachi simply replied.
"What part of 'save it for the real contest' do you not understand?" Akane said before swinging the shinai and by default Kodachi over her head in an impressive display of strength. Using the momentum Kodachi performed a somersault in the air and landed safely on her feet, and right in front of Ranma of all places. Though before she could notice that Shampoo made him and her switch places.
Kodachi looked right at Shampoo, unaware of the switch that had just occurred. "Hey, I recognize you. You were that purple-haired girl who was in nothing but her unmentionables in Akane's room last night."
Akane turned beet red at the accusation and right away the students watching this current morning spectacle began to whisper.
"Did she say Shampoo was naked in Akane's room last night?"
"No, in just her underwear."
"So Akane is lesbian, that explains a lot."
"She looks more bi to me, but you've got a point."
"ENOUGH!" Akane shouted, silencing the whispers. "Kodachi, why don'y you explain why you were even in my room last night to begin with?"
The whispers started again, this time mostly people realizing she had a point.
"I did no wrong, I was merely scoping out my opponent." Kodachi stated.
"You mean trying to take me out before I can compete. You were trying to eliminate the competition." Akane challenged.
Right about now Kuno decided he needed to make an entrance. "Akane Tendo my love please accept my-" He stopped when he saw his sister at his school. "What is going on here?"
"Kuno, did you know that your sister was trying to beat me up?" Akane asked, hoping to take advantage of his affection for once.
The kendoist was surprised, as were a good portion of the crowd at the revelation that Akane's would-be assailant was his sister, something no one knew he had. Getting into stern brother mode, he approached the ponytailed gymnast. "Sister, is this true?"
"It is part of my sport dear brother. She is my opponent in my next fight. That means I'm required to fight her with or without your approval."
"Actually Kodachi, I never actually said I was your opponent." Akane pointed out.
Kodachi spun around to face the Tendo. "What?"
Akane nodded. "I was offered the role, but I declined. Whoever told you I was participating was misinformed. I don't know who you are facing, but if you have any honor at all, you'll wait until the match to find out. Or are you truly a coward who refuses to play by the same rules as everyone else?"
With so many witnesses, Kodachi felt trapped. 'Drat, if I continue my normal means I will bring shame to the house of Kuno. My only option is to give this school privacy until the match and take the advantage there.' "Fine, I will show you that the Black Rose is no coward. Attend the mach and see for yourself."
She started twirling her ribbon and from out of nowhere black rose petals began filling the air. Rather than disappear in them she merely jumped over the wall surrounding the school and went on her way, laughing her trademark laugh as she did.
"I'm really starting to dislike roses." Akane muttered. "Ranma, if you ever bring me flowers, make it anything but roses."
Ranma just shrugged, not imagining a time when he would need to do such a thing.
"Shampoo no mind, but make them red. Not black." Shampoo added, pulling a few petals out of her hair. "How you get black rose anyway? Blue Shampoo can see, but black?"
Kuno approached Akane. "Akane, are you fighting her in competition soon?"
Akane looked at him sourly. "Do you ever listen to a word I say? No, I'm not."
Kuno looked relieved. "Good. I'd worry for you. I may be her brother, but I am not naive about my sister's behavior. She is sly, sneaky, and bad tempered. However, she is also by nature a twisted soul. So I am glad to know that you will not be another one of her victims Akane."
"Nope, I'm just one of your victims Kuno." Akane replied.
The upperclassmen appeared to filter this out as if she had said nothing. "Though I do admit I will regret not seeing your elegance and grace in a leotard."
Akane kicked him right over the school. "Pervert!"
Ranma shout up both hands. "It's good! Touchdown!" The mood now lightened, Akane and Shampoo shared a good-natured laugh with him.
After school Shampoo stayed late to receive extra help from the gymnastics team. The more able-bodied tried their best while they still could so the teacher had to do the most of it.
Night came and she showed up at the dojo, wiping sweat off her forehead but otherwise looking fine. Though she was wearing a trenchcoat for some reason.
"Something wrong?" Akane asked.
Shampoo shook her head. "No, just not want walk around like this." She dropped the coat to reveal she was still wearing a leotard that properly fit her figure. A soft lavender one with red bordering around the legs and neck, and red short sleeves.
"I got to admit it suits you, but why not change out of it when you were done?"
"Too tired, just want come here and rest." Shampoo said before going to the furo room. After confirming no one was there she went inside.
'She's tired? How hard could this be on her?' Akane wondered.
She didn't get her answer that night, since Shampoo fell asleep in the tub and only awoke long enough to dry off and become a fox so she could be carried out.
"Hey did you hear from Haruna yet?" Akane asked Ranma as they sparred in the dojo the next night.
"Not a word." Ranma said when he blocked a kick of hers. "I wonder what's taking her so long."
"She does have a life of her own Ranma." Akane replied before throwing a fist that Ranma dodged. "Or maybe your mom just isn't available right now. I'll be honest, I have no idea just what she does all day long or for income. She might be busy."
The screen door slid open and in walked Shampoo, making them halt. Like yesterday, she was still dressed in her leotard and looked pretty tired. "Hi Airen, Akane."
"Shampoo, what's going on? I know from my dream that this sort of training cannot be all that's exhausting you." Akane questioned.
Shampoo leaned against the wall. "Schedule is rough now. School, some practice, then work at restaurant, then homework and practice more, then come here. Shampoo run ragged."
Akane quickly saw the problem. "Ah, I see. That does sound like you've got a lot to deal with. But at least the match is tomorrow." Shampoo slowly nodded. "Why not show us what you've got, if you're up to it that is."
After flexing her arms Shampoo stepped away from the wall, thankful that the necessary equipment was still there in the dojo. She picked up the clubs first and threw them spinning in the air before she caught them and continued spinning them in her hands, moving her arms a bit too in order to put on a bit more showmanship. She jumped forward like a dancer with one leg extended forward and the other backwards and the second she landed she threw the clubs at Ranma, who jumped over them to avoid a hit. The clubs hit the wall behind him and cracked the wall, embedding themselves in the wood.
"Sorry Airen." Shampoo apologized.
"That's okay." He waved it off.
Shampoo grabbed the ribbon next, a soft baby pink one in contrast to Kodachi's dark purple one, and twirled it around in front of her to build momentum before she used it like a whip to try and hit Ranma again. He jumped but she anticipated that and swung accordingly, required him to reposition himself in midair to avoid the hit.
'Why is she still attacking him?' Akane wondered.
This went on with Ranma jumping and dodging all over the room with Shampoo trying to hit him with the ribbon. It only stopped when Ranma got to the roof and held onto the rafters. "Why are you after me like this?" He asked.
"Shampoo sorry Airen, but Crazy Girl no going to stand there and let Shampoo hit her. Shampoo need more practice hitting moving target, and you dodge better than Akane."
"She's got a point." Akane said once she thought it over. "You're much more evasive than I am so she benefits more from practicing on you then someone else. If she had hit you, she stands a better chance at beating Kodachi tomorrow."
Shampoo yawned. "Shampoo have enough. Want bath and sleep."
Ranma dropped on the floor. "Better get some. You're going to need it."
The next day around noon a crowd was gathering at St. Hebereke School for the match against Furinkan High. While the audience was getting their seats and the teams from the schools were getting themselves ready, Kodachi decided now was a fair time to see who she would be facing.
"I just came by to be a good sport and wish my adversary luck in the upcoming match. But it has to be face to face, otherwise it would be insulting to her."
Akane didn't like this, but Kodachi wasn't wrong this time. But fortunately she was ready for and aware of most of Kodachi's tricks. "This girl will be your opponent."
"Nihao."
Kodachi looked her over. "You're the Chinese girl I saw the other morning. Well, I have heard marvelous things about legendary Chinese acrobats so this should prove to be an entertaining and challenging match. Let's put forth our best efforts today, shall we?"
She extended her hand for a seemingly friendly shake, but Akane was quick to grab the wrist. "Do you always carry tacks between your fingers?"
"My, how did those get there?" The ponytailed girl said in a poor pretense of innocence.