Martial Arts Mix
Chapter 28
"YOU," Shampoo said flatly as she faced the newcomer.
"Greetings, cousin," Con-Ditionah said mildly, the tall, busty blonde drawing all the young men's attention.
"Oh! You're cousins?' Kasumi smiled, having lead Conditioner there.
"Yes," Conditioner agreed.
Cologne studied the younger woman and asked, "You're not here to cause trouble, are you?"
"Probably some," Conditioner shrugged.
"At least you honest," Shampoo sighed.
"I should get the shopping home, have a nice day," Kasumi waved.
"Thank you for your help," Conditioner bowed.
"So, why you here?" Shampoo demanded once the three went inside and closed the cafe for the afternoon.
"Amazon Elders sent me," Conditioner shrugged as she explained, "They decide Sumika need Amazon bride."
Both Cologne and Shampoo looked amused.
"What?" Conditioner asked.
"Woman who helped you find us is Sumika's girlfriend," Cologne noted, amused, "AND member of Tendo family."
Conditioner blinked a moment, "Oh." That was an unexpected twist... she mused aloud, "Rivals are for killing?"
"Not good idea," Shampoo noted, "you end up with Tendo Dojo, Saotome Dojo AND Sumika all angry at you."
Having heard the various rumours about the martial artists here, Conditioner could see that was not a good idea.
"Just use your feminine wiles," Cologne suggested.
Conditioner looked even less confident, surprisingly.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"There's ANOTHER Chinese Amazon?!"
"AND SHE'S GORGEOUS!"
"Do NOT screw with her though. She THREW Toshi right out of the Cat Cafe."
"But Toshi does SUMO."
"I know! And she made it look easy!"
"I want her to throw me out too."
"Or yell at me..."
Nabiki Tendo smiled faintly as she heard the rumours swirling about. She had already gotten several requests to sell photos of the newcomer, though she was being cautious. She didn't want to risk being caught by her...
"So when would the job offer start?" Akane asked her sister as they walked home from school together.
"After graduation," Nabiki nodded.
"So why not accept the offer?" Akane suggested. "Isn't the company Tomoe Hachisuka belongs to huge?" she asked.
"Massive," Nabiki admitted. "It's just...," she hesitated.
Akane looked at her sister thoughtfully, "Here, you're a big fish in a small pond. There, you'll be the little fish."
Nabiki made a face, "Pretty much."
"Just imagine where you'd be in a year or two though," Akane teased.
"Hmm, maybe," Nabiki conceded.
"And I think you said she's visiting, again?" Akane checked.
"In a few days," Nabiki agreed, "her and some of Sumika's friends."
"I wonder why...?' Akane mused.
Nabiki looked a bit sheepish.
"What?" Akane frowned.
"They may have learned that Sumika and Kasumi are officially dating and are coming out because of that," Nabiki admitted.
"NABIKI...," Akane groaned, shaking her head. "Do you think there's going to be trouble?" she asked her.
"That Ushio girl seemed pretty possessive of Sumika, when they visited last," Nabiki admitted, "she might not be happy."
"Oh joy, drama," Akane sighed.
"At least she's not as crazy as Kodachi Kuno," Nabiki offered.
"Still," Akane sighed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Not far away, Kodachi Kuno sneezed.
"Catching a cold?" her minion, Himeko Kurusugawa asked.
"Or someone's talking about you," Yumi Lukuzawa offered.
"Hmph," Kodachi sighed. "I need you to go to the Cate Cafe, again," she ordered.
"Yes ma'am?" Yumi asked. Not that she MINDED as she and Himeko had had a nice date, last time they did that...
"Uhm, why?" Himeko added.
"There's ANOTHER of those damn Chinese Amazons now," Kodachi said, "I want you to assess if she's a rival for Sumika."
"Oh, of course," Yumi agreed dryly.
Himeko elbowed her in a reminder to be respectful to Miss Kuno.
"We'll get right on it," Yumi quickly added.
"And bring back photos," Kodachi added.
As they hurried off Himeko whispered to Yumi, "Yay, date night."
"Do you think Miss Kuno knows we're dating?" Yumi wondered quietly.
"Nah," both chorused.
Meanwhile, Kodachi sighed, "They DO make a cute couple. Wonder if I should tell them they can stop sneaking around?"
"..."
"Sasuke, are you lurking again?" Kodachi asked.
The family ninja popped up, bowing, "Mistress."
Kodachi nodded, "WHY do you have to do that?"
"It's a ninja thing..."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Sumika!" Kasumi smiled, "welcome home."
"What are we, chopped liver?" Ranma joked as Kasumi smiled tenderly at Sumika.
"Aww. I think they're cute," Akane noted.
"It's good to be home," Sumika added, ignoring the commentary.
"You know, has father discussed if you two should move in together?" Akane teased.
"EH?!" Sumika yelped.
"I mean, you could start sharing a room all the time," Ranma agreed. He grinned, "Just keep the noise down."
"We haven't.. I mean," Kasumi blushed.
"YOU HAVEN'T YET?" both chorused.
Sumika AND Kasumi were blushing.
"Hello all," Nabiki sauntered in just after. She smirked as she said, "Of course they haven't, we'd hear them."
"Nabiki," Kasumi groaned.
"I could suggest a love hotel in town," Nabiki added impishly.
"How do you know about...?" Ranma had to ask.
Nabiki shrugged, "I'm sort of a silent partner. Long story."
Akane looked at her then decided, "I do NOT want to know."
"Probably a good idea," Ranma agreed.
"And don't bring that up with Father," Kasumi added, sighing.
"Or you don't eat," Sumika added.
"We won't," all three chorused.
To be continued...
