This was perfect. Shampoo was out making a delivery and the old crone had left him minding the store. Actually, it was an impromptu stall they'd set up on the beach since they were on the floating isle of Togenkyo and, since they'd be leaving by the end of the week, they saw no reason to keep it. Still, one week in the middle of an island paradise was too good to be true... and an opportunity that was too good to let go to waste.
So there he was, hard at work concocting what he thought was a sure fire plan: a batch of the now infamous lust dust (cue ominous echo)! Yes, with this miraculous powder, his dreams of being with his beloved Shampoo would finally be realized. Mousse paused for a moment and blinked. That's odd. It almost feels like I've done this before.... Had he? A moment later he smiled and waved it off, Nah. Back to work.
Unbeknownst to him, he had already committed his first critical error. During his momentary laps, a light breeze blown through the window and turned the page he was reading to the one containing the passion spice recipe. Mousse failed to notice and resumed where he thought he'd left off which was somewhere halfway down the page.
So what do you get when you mix half of one and bit of the other?
It didn't matter, they'd find out soon enough. Mousse could hardly contain himself, giggling (yes, you read that right, giggling) with excitement as he began filling multiple packets with whatever it was he had created. Seems the boy was thinking ahead by taking his poor eyesight into account by preparing more than one dose in case he missed or hit the wrong target. Done with his work, he wiped his brow with the back of his hand, taking a proud moment to behold what his hands had created. Heh, eat your heart out, Kodachi Kuno.
No time to waste. He scooped them up in his arms, careful not to drop any. As he stumbled toward the door, he deftly caught one on the instep of his barefoot as it feel. Then, with a light flick of his ankle, sent it back into his arms with the rest.
Maybe he'd overdone it.
Toting them would have been a cinch if he'd been wearing his robes, but it was too hot for that. Besides, what else would one expect in a tropical island setting? So all he had on was a simple white hoodie, which bore the same diamond patterned emblem as his robe emblazed on its front, and a pair of blue swim trunks.
The stall wouldn't see any customers again until late in the afternoon, around sunset; more than enough time to set his plan in motion. So he flipped the sign to "closed" and merrily went on his way.
While it was a relative small island, Togenkyo still offered a lot of ground to cover; especially if you were looking for one person. But he remained undaunted. Mousse knew he'd find Shampoo hanging around Ranma, if not attached to his arm. Just the thought of it made him sick with envy. Well he'd put a stop to that. Today. As soon as he found them, her days of chasing after Ranma would be over.
Problem was, they could be anywhere. He hadn't found them down by the beach liked he'd hoped. Damn it all, where were they? He'd been looking for almost half an hour and still hadn't found them. Argh! If Ranma was doing anything with his Shampoo then... then... No! Mousse didn't event want to think about it! He was running out of time. Cologne would be getting back any minute now, and if she found him gone, she'd kill him! Think. He had to think.
You could always ask around, his inner self offered helpfully.
"I know that," Mousse replied, sounding slightly annoyed. "I was..." Oh yeah. It would have made sense to do that from the start, wouldn't it? Now where was he? And what was that smell? No wait, that aroma. Let's see, oil, fried batter, meat cutlet, and vegetables, highlighted by the unmistakable scent of soy sauce.
Following his nose, he looked toward the cove and found its source; not that it was hard to figure out since there was only one other chef on the island. Ever the entrepreneur, Ukyo had set up a cart of her own, much like the one Genma had run off with. The sassy brunette could barely be seen with all the customers piling up for helping upon helping of her trademark dish: okinomiyaki.
"Order up," she said whilst expertly flipping one off the grill and onto a waiting plate.
Hands moving with practiced ease, she quickly poured the batter for several more in succession, flipping them in turn as the undersides browned. Then added the toppings in midair and finally applied the sauce and trimmings as they landed; each one a masterpiece as pleasing to the eye as they were the pallette. They'd never seen anything like it, or her. She was a vision, a goddess of the culinary arts!
Ukyo took a bow amidst applause, "Thank you, thank you. It was nothing really." Beside her, Ryoga made a face yet couldn't help smirking seconds later.
Show off.
Pushing and shoving, Mousse eventually made his way to the front of the crowd. Now he could see them clearly, and saw that the food wasn't the only thing they'd come for. Clad in only a lavender apron (the one from 'Nihao My Concubine'), and an indigo string bikini, it was no wonder they were so eager.
Whereas Kasumi had grace, and Nabiki sex appeal, Ukyo possessed a sort of tomboyish charm. You know, in that down-to-earth-girl-next-door sort of way. It showed in the way she looked, the way she acted, and her manner of speech. Her figure also reflected this, being that hers was more athletic as hints of feminine muscle could be seen throughout; particularly around her thighs and calves. But she was a far cry from a jock, having a comely well proportioned form.
The remainder of her attire included a simple pair of pearl earrings, a floral anklet, and her hair ribbon.
Ryoga had settled for a black designer t-shirt, featuring 'Azumanga Daioh's' Kamineko, along with a pair of grey swim trunks that had a blue racing stripe down the sides. If Mousse had to guess, he'd say Ryoga was either helping out, or was there in case any of them got any ideas. In all honesty, Ukyo could fend for herself if need be. Still, it never hurt to have a little insurance. Though 'a little' in Ryoga's case amounted to having a compact buster cannon. Or a small nuke had she known about that other one....
"Hey, Mousse. Skipping ramen?" he asked the other boy while handing out two orders.
Mousse frowned indignantly. "As if," he said in reply, wrinkling his nose for effect. Betray Shampoo for some inferior-
"Shampoo ain't here you know," the chef said innocently.
That changed everything. "In that case, make mine a double, extra sauce, and don't skimp on the pork." That last bit having been added with a downright evil grin.
KER-SNAP!
Gotcha!
Ukyo heaved a sighed, seeing as she was out another pair of spatulas. Rather than crown him for what he'd done, she simply took out her notepad and added the cost of those to the others he ruined. She'd have to ask why he kept doing that anytime someone ordered pork. "Be with ya in a sec, hon."
"By the way, what's that all about?" Mousse asked him, indicating the string around Ryoga's ankle. Before he could answer, Mousse followed it back to where the other end was tied to Ukyo's cart. When Ryoga's face reddened, he knew he had his answer. "Man, that's just sad. Good thing Ukyo's looking out for you isn't it?"
Ryoga's eyes slid closed, fists clenched at his sides. "Don't you have anything better to do?"
"Easy. I was only joking." Then on a more note, "I don't suppose either of you have seen Shampoo, have you?"
"Figured as much," he heard Ukyo say. "Saw her and Ranchan headin' over to where his dad and Mr. Tendo put up. And you-know-who was with them."
"She has a name," Ryoga said stiffly.
Hand on her hip, Ukyo rolled her eyes. "Sor-RY. Akane was with them. Happy now?"
Ryoga said nothing, handing out the next order.
With precision timing, she diverted her attention back to the grill giving Mousse's order the finishing touch. "To go, right?"
"You got it."
The girl quickly folded the flat white cardboard container and slipped it in. It wasn't until she was handing it to him, that she noticed his arms were full. She and Ryoga exchange curious glances, the latter shrugging his shoulders. "So... what's all that?" she asked him.
Damn, he forgot that was supposed to be a secret. "Oh this? It's uh... nothing! Really! Don't mind me!" he laughed nervously. Mousse could tell they weren't entirely convinced, but he didn't give them the chance to press the matter either, all but snatching the tray from Ukyo's hands before scurrying off.
"What was that all about?"
"Who knows?" Ukyo sighed. "If you ask me, that whole bunch has issues. Anyway, we got work. And you still owe me for my equipment," she said sternly, jabbing her finger into his chest.
Ryoga brushed it aside. "Yeah, yeah." Adding, "slave driver" under his breath.
"What was that?" she asked archly.
Ryoga knew when not to push his luck. Now was one of those times. "Nothing."
Ukyo continued to stare until she finally cracked a smile, ending with laughter as she swatted him with a dishrag. "Get back to work, you." To which Ryoga mock saluted, earning him a second whap a round of laughter from their customers.
She was taking her place behind the grill again when she felt something bump against her foot. Looking down, she saw it was one of the packets Mousse had been carrying. Apparently, he had dropped one when he had run off. Ukyo held it up, examining it.
"You sure you oughta be messing with that?" Ryoga asked cautiously.
"Oh quit being such a worry wart," she chided him with that sass she was known for. "It's not like I opened it or anything, I'm just having a look. What's that smell?" Both of them sniffed, their eyes drawn to the grill where a forgotten okinomiyaki was burning.
"Shoot!"
In her haste to salvage it, the girl whipped out her spatulas to turn it over; having forgotten the sharpened edges. The packet fell from her hand and onto to the blades as Ukyo flicked them upward, slicing it in two, which sent the yellowish powder flying. Thankfully, the crowd had seen it coming in time to get out of harms way. Ukyo and Ryoga weren't so fortunate since the wind chose that moment to kick up, blowing it directly onto them. They hacked and coughed, trying to clear it from their lungs but were already to late as they were now firmly in its grasp.
So what happens when you confuse lust dust with passion spice and mix the two? Two individuals were about to find out....
See other episodes by Nyteflite
(Posted Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:30)
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