My Life's Stranger Than Yours
(A/N: I don't really have anything witty to say this time other than FINALLY! This story hit 100 Favs! My personal goal has been reached! Like I said in the first Chapter, I've been wanting to do a Ranma/Dragon Ball crossover since my humble beginnings on FF, and the fact that the feedback to this one has been so positive is really flattering. Keep enjoying the story and I'll keep writing it. With that said, let's get to it)
Return to Nerima; Dealings in the Cat Cafe
In the skies of Satan City, if one looked, a familiar masked man could be seen jetting through the clouds, approaching Orange Star High. Once The Great Saiyaman made his landing and changed back into his street clothes, Gohan zipped through the roof entrance and dashed down the stairs. Once Gohan made his way down the steps and into the school, he ran into none other than Videl who was chatting with Erasa.
"Hey!" Gohan called out to them.
"Oh! Good morning Gohan," the two girls greeted him.
"I'll leave you two alone for now," Erasa said dismissing herself. "See you both in class."
Once the pair was alone, they began to chat about future plans as they headed towards their lockers.
"So Videl," Gohan began. "You still have a decent amount of time before your match with that Ryoga guy, so if you want, you can come train at my placce again...and this time it'll be just the two of us."
Though her expression briefly became one of discord, Videl flashed him a warm smile. "Thanks for the offer Gohan, but Akane offered the same thing first, so for the time being, I think I'll train with her.."
Small traces of surprise could be found on Gohan's face. He hadn't expected her to turn down his offer to train together.
"Really? Well maybe I can join you again and see if I can help?" he offered.
"Thanks Gohan, but after all the crap that happened yesterday, I think I'd like a nice casual training session with someone on my own level." said Videl.
"Oh, I get it. You're taking it easy, but still want to try and make some progress, right?" Gohan replied.
"Yeah, pretty much," Videl confirmed. "And before you ask, Ranma's not invited either, so don't feel too bad about it."
"Oh no worries, I completely understand where your coming from. Heck, back when Dad and I were training for Cell, he made us take a few days of rest in between the week before the big fight," Gohan replied.
"That reminds me, you still haven't told me the full story about that," Videl noted.
"Uhhhh...well...you-"
"Gohan, I swear, if you say, 'Well you never asked,' I'm going to get mad," Videl warned.
Before Gohan could reply the warning bell went off with a loud RRRRRRIIIIIIING!
"Saved by the bell. See ya in class!" Gohan called darting off.
Videl stood still for a moment, a mixed look of concern and confliction on her face. While she hadn't lied to Gohan, she did conveniently leave out one pretty major detail, and she couldn't help but feel a shred of guilt at hiding something from him, especially after all the trouble she gave him for having secrets.
'I wonder if I should tell Gohan that it won't just be me and Akane...' Videl thought. Before she could fully mull it over, the bell rang again, signaling the start of the school day.
'No time to dwell on that now, gotta get to class!' With a huff, Videl zoomed down the hallway to her first period class.
[Meanwhile, later that same day]
It had been a rather uneventful day at Furinkan High, mostly due to the absence of a certain kendoist, and believe it or not, Ranma was actually upset that Kuno HADN'T shown up today.
"Jeeze, the ONE time I want that moron to come after me, and he's absent for the day," Female Ranma lamented.
Raising an eyebrow, Akane asked, "Ranma, why do want to see Kuno so bad anyway?"
A vein popped on her forehead "Let's just say...I was really lookin' forward to havin' somethin' to take my frustration out on!" Ranma replied clenching her fist.
Akane sweatdropped. 'Looks like he's still upset about his match with Goten.'
"Ya know, speaking of 'frustration', I forgot to ask, what were you yellin' about last night?" Ranma asked.
A worried look sprang on Akane's face. 'That's right, I forgot I haven't told Ranma about my plan to take Videl to see Cologne.'
"Y-you should already know you pervert!" Akane snapped back in an attempt to dissolve the question.
Ranma flinhed, remembering the 'incident' from last night before letting out an exasperated sigh. "Ahh forget it. I'm already transformed so I think I'll try and score some free ice-cream at the shop."
"Hmph, fine," Akane dismissed walking off.
"Hmph, tomboy." Ranma muttered. Turning the opposite direction, Ranma leapt onto the lowest rooftop she could find and bounded off to the ice-cream parlor.
'Maybe I'll stop by Ucchan's place first,' Ranma thought.
Once Ranma was out of eyeshot, Akane began sprinting as fast as she could for home. She couldn't help but feel a shred of guilt at almost starting a fight for no reason, but she really needed Ranma out of the way, especially if Videl was coming straight to the dojo after school. With Ranma off looking for...'comfort food', this was the perfect chance. All she had to do now was get home in time to meet Videl.
[Elsewhere]
A certain blue-eyed, black haired girl, could be seen gliding through the clear Nerima skies. As soon as school let out, Videl had said her goodbyes to Gohan and their friends and instantly jetted over to Nerima. She was honestly quite excited to meet...whoever Akane was going to introduce her to, but she still couldn't shake a feeling of uneasiness at the whole thing. Partially from guilt at not telling Gohan about this, the other part from not knowing what to expect from Akane.
As Videl slowly made her way over to the Tendo Dojo, she couldn't help but take in the view of the city from above. Since she was flying herself, as opposed to in the plane, she was really able to enjoy the scenery from this high up.
'Maybe once we're done training, Akane can give me a tour of the city,' Videl thought. While she picked up the pace, she quickly paused in midair when she spied a familiar character.
"Is that...?"
A smile rising on her face, Videl called out her familiar friend's name as she hastily descended.
"AKANE!"
The Nerima native paused at the sound of her name and hastily turned around scanning her surroundings for the one who called her.
"Up here!"
Raising her view, Akane smiled as Videl descended before her, touching ground.
"Videl. When'd you make it to town?" Akane greeted.
"Not too long ago," Videl replied.
"Regardless, this makes things much easier. I was going to wait for you at home, but since you're here, we can just head straight to the Nekohanten."
"The Neko-what?" Videl raised an eyebrow.
"Just...follow me."
On that note, Akane jogged away in the direction of the Cat Cafe, Videl in hot pursuit, still wondering just what to expect of this trip.
A short moment later, the two girls came across a place that, to Videl, looked like a restaurant.
"Well, this is the place," Akane proclaimed.
"Cat Cafe?" she read the sign on the door.
Videl turned to Akane who had a surprisingly serious expression on her face.
'Part of me really thinks this is bad idea, but if anyone can help Videl prepare for a fight with Ryoga, it's Cologne.'
Akane let out a breath before stepping through the curtains, Videl right behind her. Videl looked around and from the looks of it, it seemed like a normal enough restaura-...
"Shampoo, you've finally returned!"
Videl shrieked as she was glomped on by a boy with long, black, hair clad in white robes.
"Get...off of me you creep!"
Videl harshly kicked the strange boy off of her, forcibly knocking him onto the floor. Once he recovered, the boy turned back to Videl.
"Mousse, put your glasses on," Akane ordered.
Mousse pulled out his swirly glasses and set his focus back on Videl and Akane. "Two Akane Tendoes!?"
The two girls paused at Mousse's statement and gave each other a pair of strained looks.
"We don't look alike, do we?" asked Videl.
"We may have a lot in common, but we don't LOOK the same," Akane replied.
"What's all the commotion out here."
The three teenagers turned to the counter to see a small, wrinkled, shriveled, creepy looking figure with the resembalance of a mummy, wielding a wooden-
KATHONK!
(A/N: OW!)
"Eeeeek!"
Videl instinctively took a step backwards and crossed her arms over her chest at the sight of the small elder.
"It's him again? With a wig!?" she shrieked.
"Actually...she's a woman," Akane corrected.
"Huh!?"
The elderly lady hopped off the counter onto a table close to the trio and began to introduce herself.
"Yes, I am. I assume you were mistaken me for that old perv Happosai, but I can assure you I am not him. My name is Cologne.
Videl let out a relieved sigh as the introductions continued.
"That's Mousse, who I hope I need not remind should be returning to work," Cologne said narrowing her eyes.
Adjusting his glasses, Mousse cleared his throat and retreated to the rear of the restaurant.
Once Mousse was gone, the two girls sat at the table Cologne was standing on and began their chat.
"I must say, I wasn't expecting this visit Ms. Tendo. I assume you're not here for the after school rush," Cologne began.
"Sadly, you're right," Akane replied.
"What's Son-in-Law gotten himself into this time, and am I to also assume this young lady is involved in some way?" she asked pointing her staff at Videl.
'Who's 'Son-in-law'?' Videl thought.
"Actually...this doesn't involve Ranma at all," Akane answered.
"Oh?"
'Wait, Ranma's related to this lady?' Videl thought. 'If they're related in some way, does that mean she's the one who trained Ranma? Is that why Akane brought me here?'
Akane noted the contemplative look on Videl's face and gave her a subtle signal that she'd explain later. Focusing her attention back to Cologne, Akane began explaining.
"I'll just cut to the chase. My friend here has a duel with Ryoga in a few...well...whenever he gets back to town, and we were hoping you could help her prepare for it."
There was a pregnant pause between the three women. Cologne took a good long look at Videl. seemingly inspecting her before hopping off the table in a dismissive manner.
"I cannot." she added.
"What? Why not?" Videl exclaimed.
"I haven't the faintest idea what grudge you have with Ryoga, but I can tell you now, any attempt to fight him would just be a waste of time, and quite possibly life threatening for you."
Videl sighed dejectedly. "I get it. I've heard the whole, 'You can't win' stuff from Ranma and Akane already, and I'll admit it; I KNOW I'm outmatched, but still. That blockhead trashed my father's dojo. I can't just let him go like that!" she said firmly.
"You're father's dojo eh?" Cologne hopped back onto the table and looked Videl straight in the eye. "Tell me girl, what is your name."
"It's Videl. Videl Satan."
Cologne's eyes widened. "Satan? As in Mr. Satan the so called 'World Martial Arts Champion'?"
"Uh-huh," Videl said with a prideful tone.
Following a small pause, in the next moment, Cologne burst out laughing, rolling all over the table she was standing on.
"What's so funny?" Videl asked, her eyebrow twitching.
"Apologies. I just find it hilarious that the child of that showboating, buffoon of a fighter would show herself on my doorstep." Cologne chuckled wiping away tears from her eyes.
It was at that point where Akane chose to intervene. "Now wait a second Cologne, you can't just trash talk Mr. Satan like that!"
"Considering his slanderous accusations towards true martial artists, I'd say I have every right to hurl a few insults back."
"Slanderous?"
Cologne let out a sigh. "Satan may be the World Martial Arts Champion of this current day and age, but his so called 'skills' don't hold a candle to the champions of yester-years. Numerous fighters with skills and power that would take most others most of their lives to learn and yet this buffoon has the audacity to write off decades of hard work and discipline as cheap sleight of hand? Despicable, truly despicable!"
Videl couldn't help but avoid eye contact with Cologne, as she knew exactly what she was referring to; her father's numerous claims of Goku and the other's Ki abilities as nothing more than just cheap tricks. After meeting Ranma and Ryoga, she figured there may have been others on earth that may have the same kinds of abilities, and while Gohan and the other Z-Fighters just sort of...disdainfully let it go, it wasn't too farfetched to think that others would be less than willing to just write off what was essentially some random guy putting down their hard work and effort.
"Videl...what's she talking about?"
Videl remained silent, ignoring Akane. Both pairs of eyes were on Videl, who'd been suspiciously quiet the whole time. For a moment, everything stayed silent until suddenly, Videl finally spoke up.
"Look Ms. Cologne, I get it. You don't like my father, and you have every right not to, heck my boyfriend's mom isn't a big fan of him either."
'Wait, Chi-Chi hates ?' thought Akane.
"The fact is though, I'm NOT my father, nor am I LIKE him...at least in regards to how I am as a martial artist. Is it really fair for you to turn your disdain for him, on me?" Videl said sternly.
Cologne lightly narrowed her eyes. "The sins of the father shall be visited upon the son, or in this case the daughter," her expression then softened. "But I suppose you do have a point, which brings me to my next question; why exactly should I train you anyway. Even if you are a more respectable martial artist than your father, I don't see why I should waste my time in trying to help you win a pointless battle."
Videl slammed her palm down against the table, meeting Cologne's skeptical expression with a confident smirk. "Name your price grandma. You agree to train me, and I'll be sure to make it worth your while."
Cologne countered with her own grin. "You've got moxie girl, I'll give you that, and while I do like the idea of having your buffoon of a father's money in my pockets, I'm afraid that mere monetary compensation isn't what I'm looking for."
Videl's earlier hype died down as she shot Cologne her own skeptical look. "Well then, what are you looking for?"
'Oh great,' thought an irritated Akane. 'Now she's gonna try and get Videl to convince Ranma to go with Shampoo, I just KNOW it!'
Akane's fist clenched while Videl and Cologne appeared to be at some sort of stalemate as neither one had said a word for a brief moment until Cologne finally spoke up, "Believe me girl, you wouldn't be able to deliver me what I truly want."
Videl's confident smirk soon returned, "Well what if I told you I was well acquainted with some of those 'yester-year' fighters?" Videl replied.
"Is that so?" asked a disbelieving Cologne. "Well if you're sooo well acquainted with them, why not have them train you instead?"
'That is a very good point actually,' thought Akane.
"Because most of them have given up fighting, and the ones that haven't..." Videl trailed off. "...Let's just say, I still have a ways to go before I can try training with them for real."
Cologne had a skeptical look as she mulled over Videl's words. It wasn't too farfetched to think that the previous generation of martial artists may have hung up their uniforms after all these years, but she still had her suspicions. Her thoughts however, were interrupted by the sound of a bell dinging, followed by a high-pitched female voice.
"Nihao! Great Grandmother, I back!"
Swaggering through the door was a young but curvy, purple-haired girl wearing an outfit that, to Videl, wouldn't look out of place in Chi-Chi's closet.
"Who is that?" asked Videl.
"Oh Shampoo! You've returned for real!" From out of seemingly nowhere, Mousse sprang out of the backroom and latched on to the nearest living thing he could, which in this case, was a potted plant far out to Shampoo's side.
Videl couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed watching the male Chinese Amazon snuggling up to a plant. Her embarrassment turned to shock when she saw a notably irritated Shampoo pour a cup of water on the boy and he seemed to shrink out of his clothes.
QUACK!
Her surprise grew as a white duck wearing a familiar pair of glasses popped it's head out of the recently discarded garments. Shampoo proceeded to pick the bird up and casually toss him out of the window.
"What...what just happened...?" asked a dumbfounded Videl.
"Long story short, Mousse has a Jusenkyo curse too, just like Ranma." Akane answered. "He turns into a duck."
Videl took a moment to let that information register as Shampoo dusted off her hands and came to rejoin the other girls.
"Now that stupid duck boy gone, can Shampoo finally learn what going on here?" Shampoo asked.
"Yes of course. First let's get introductions out of the way," Colonge cleared her throat. "Videl, this is my great-granddaughter Shampoo," Cologne introduced. "Who couldn't have come at a better time."
"What that mean?" asked Shampoo.
"It means I would like for you two to fight each other," Cologne answered.
There was a brief pause between the quartet before the three young girls let out a simultaneous, "Ehhhhhh!?"
"Great Grandmother, why Shampoo have to fight new girl?"
"Shampoo, when you arrived, you asked why Akane brought her friend here. To answer that question, Akane brought young Ms. Videl here in hopes that I would train her for an upcoming duel with Ryoga." Cologne began.
"Aiyaa! New girl fight with Ryoga? It take more than Great-Grandmother training to battle him." said Shampoo.
'Geeze, even this girl's saying the same thing?' thought an annoyed looking Videl.
"Regardless, Videl's managed to pique my interest, and I wish to assess her fighting skills with my own eyes, and I think you'd be the perfect opponent for her, which brings me to my proposition."
Cologne turned her focus back to Videl and fiercely aimed her staff at the girl. "If you can win a match against my Shampoo, then I will at least consider prepping you for your fight with Ryoga. If you can at least manage that much, then you may have potential worth training after all. We can iron out the details of 'payment' later."
While Videl didn't take too kindly at that small jab at her martial arts skills, she was determined to make this old lady eat her words, about her and her father (despite the truth they held).
"So all I gotta do is win? No problem," said a confident Videl.
"Shampoo not know exactly why she has to get involved in violent girl's mess, but Shampoo won't lose to new girl, no matter what!" the young amazon fired back.
The two girls glared at each other, visions of victory already filling both of their minds. Meanwhile, off to the side, Akane viewed the event unfolding with traces of regret adorning her features. 'I knew this was a bad idea.'
[A few moments later]
All four women found themselves in a rather well known vacant lot, Akane and Cologne viewing the impending battle from the sidelines as the two combatants dropped into fighting stances and stared each other down.
"Tell me Akane, do you think your friend stands a chance against Shampoo?" asked Cologne.
"Of course she does. I know how good Shampoo is, but Videl can definitely hold her own." A smug grin found itself onto Akane's face. "Who knows, she might just find some way to surprise you."
Cologne made sure to take special notice of that line. 'Wonder what that's supposed to mean...aww forget it. I doubt that girl is capable of anything too impressive.'
"Shampoo still no see why she need fight you, but Shampoo do need workout after delivery run."
Videl's eyes narrowed. "Don't think you can just write me off like that. Even if you do beat me, it's not gonna be that easy, but I don't intend to let that happen!"
"Hmph, we will see."
The two combatative girls flashed each other their own determined glares before Cologne pogoed over on her staff and gave the okay.
"You may now begin!"
As soon as the words left Cologne's mouth, the two girls darted at each other, victory flashing in both of their eyes.
(A/N: Evil cliffhanger is evil. I kinda wanted to do some more funny things with Mousse, but I decided to stick to what he's good at: mistaking anything with a tangible form for Shampoo, but don't worry, he'll show up again sooner or later. So yup, Videl has to show what she's made of, by going toe-to with Shampoo before Cologne will even bother to hear her out. Speaking of, it seems Cologne's intrigued by Videl's 'acquaintances' as well as the surprise Akane mentioned. Who'll win this battle, will Cologne agree to train Videl, these questions will be answered and many more will be formed, next time)
PS: Next chapter may be delayed on account of Super Smash Br-I MEAN WORK!