No buts about it. Ranma and Peorth were going to have to have a talk with the 'fiancee brigade'.
(------)
The first stop was the Kuno Estate, since Peorth thought it would be easiest to stop the girl whom didn't even have that valid a claim on him. As to be expected, when Ranma stepped foot on Kuno grounds, Tatewaki was up in arms, ready to destroy the 'foul sorceror' whom had made Nerima into a living hell. Ranma easilly trounced the 'True Blunder' and they made their way inside to find Kodachi.
Talking to Kodachi was an easier a task than both Ranma and Peorth thought it would be. It seems that Kodachi had given up on Ranma, (much to the relief of the pig-tailed martial artist and the rose goddess). But now Kodachi unhealthily devoted to Akane! (Apparently, being a slave to Akane for awhile had given Kodachi a fascination with the youngest Tendo daughter)
"Uh... Kodachi..." Ranma asked, "Where'd you get all these pictures of Akane? I mean, I think you have more than your brother owns!"
"OH HOHOHOHOHOHOHOOOOOOO!" Kodachi laughed. "It was all to easy sir Ranma. Nabiki was more than willing to sell me her stock. And soon, soon my darling Akane-sama and I shall be wed! OH HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Ranma sighed. Well, at least Nabiki would still be making money for her family.
With her left eye twitching a few times, Peorth then smiled. "Well Kodachi, I hope you have a lovely life with your soon to be 'wife' Akane." And before Ranma could ask what his fiancee meant, Peorth grabbed his hand and the two ran off of the Kuno Estate as fast as humanly possible. After all, they still had others to visit.
(------)
Ukyo was a bit harder to deal with. It's not that she wasn't purposely listening when Ranma tried to talk to her, it's just that she was still be the semi-catatonic state of being. As far as she knew, she had failed Ranma. She had come so close. She had even kissed him. But because she was not of 'royal lineage' she could do nothing to save Ranma, the one whom she wanted to pledge her life to.
"Ucchan, are you listening to me?" Ranma asked his oldest friend. It hurt Ranma deeply as he watched Ukyo working in an almost 'automatic' state of being as she served up okonomiyaki to her customers. "Ucchan, when you feel like talking, give me a call or something, okay? Heck, stop by the Dojo if you want to."
Still, Ranma recieved no answer or even acknowledgement from the okonomiyaki chef. Ranma then noticed that Peorth had placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Don't feel bad, Ranma." She said. "Your friend is just still a bit upset. I would be too if I was stuck as a portable grill for a couple of days."
Ranma sighed. That sounded like a logical explanation, but to Ranma it felt like something more was wrong with his buddy. He would have to find out later. "Let's go for now Peorth. We still have to visit the Nekohanten. I don't think Shampoo will give up easilly."
And so, Ranma and Peorth left the Ucchan's. Konatsu watched the two leave and frowned. He woul dget back at Ranma for this, he swore he would!
(------)
Dealing with Shampoo was a bit tricky for Ranma and Peorth. The two sat at one of the tables together, with Cologne and Shampoo sitting across from them. "I take it you are here to talk about your engagement to Shampoo, Ranma?"
Nodding his head, Ranma spoke. "Cologne. I know about your laws. I know damn well because of all the trouble I've gone through. Like when you locked me in my cursed form and I had to learn the Katchu Tenshim Amaguriken training so I could get the Phoenix Pill. Or the time you started teaching Ryoga the Bakusei Tenketsu, so that he would become strong enough to challenge me, and take Akane." Ranma then took on a serious look to his face. "I know that getting me married to Shampoo is very important to you, but it cannot be. I am in love with Peorth. We intend to marry. I do not do this out of disrespect to you, but I cannot be with Shampoo."
"And I for one will not give up on Ranma either." Peorth added. "I know he loves me, and I love him in return. You might say that it was because of that whole, 'Sleeping Prince' ordeal, but as we've spent time together, we realize that we do like each other. We can be very happy together, and hopefully we will be."
After a few moments, Cologne looked around. She saw the determination on both Ranma and the goddess's face. She could see her great-granddaughter was seething in rage, he teeth clenched and her fingers digging into the counter-top of the table. COlogne let out a long sigh and spoke.
"Son-in..." Cologne shook her head, "Sorry. Ranma, I will say this. While I am sorry you will not be able to marry my great-granddaughter, I must say it has been an honor being able to teach you. I would wish to extend an offer to make you and your bride-to-be honorary members of the Joketsuzoku Chinese Amazons."
"NO!" Shampoo screamed as she stood up. She slammed her fists on the table and glared hatefully at Peorth. "RANMA BELONG TO SHAMPOO! ALWAYS RANMA BELONG SHAMPOO! RANMA DEFEAT SHAMPOO IN COMBAT AND MUST BECOME HUSBAND OF SHAMPOO!"
"SHAMPOO!" Cologne said sternly, making Shampoo stop in her tirade.
"But great-grandmother." Shampoo began. "Airen defeat Shampoo. According to Amazon Law, Ranma belong to Shampoo."
"And I'd say the laws of the heavens are of far higher authority than our people, Shampoo." Cologne said sternly. "I would have loved to have seen you bear a family with Ranma, but that just cannot be now. Ranma is to be married to a goddess. It has been ordained as such by god himself. That is it."
But great-grandmother!" Shampoo began, only to be cut-off by Cologne glare.
"Shampoo, it is over. We will b going back to China soon, as we have nothing else to do here" Cologne said. Turning back to Ranma, she then said, "I am sorry for the troubles my great-granddaughter and I have caused you these past years."
Ranma smiled. "No problem elder. I wish you a safe journey home."
"NO! Shampoo screamed as she flipped teh table across the room. Shampoo then stormed out of the restaurant in a huff. She wasn't going to give up. She would go against her great-grandmother and try to go after Ranma anyway! He was HERS! From the moment he defeated her in combat HE WAS HERS!!!
Cologne shook her head sadly. She had not expected this intense a reaction from Shampoo. But she should have realized Shampoo would not take her decision well. Ranma was quite a catch, and it was a damn shame Shampoo would have to give up on Ranma.
(------)
Ranma and Peorth sat down at a pack bench. Ranma sighed as Peorth placed her hand on his lap. "Are you okay, darling?" Peorth asked, genuinely worried about Ranma.
Sighing, Ranma said, "I'll be fine Peorth-chan. Don't worry about me." Ranma then couldn't help but smile as Peorth leaned forward on the bench and kissed him on the cheek. A small smile appeared on Peorth's face as she said, "Ranma, how would you like to:
"More?"
See other episodes by Red Priest of the 17th Order
(Posted Mon, 09 Dec 2002 19:22)
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