The only response she received from her servent was a low moan, so Shan Pu moved towards the door as she heard more voices from downstairs.
"<Well then, you best get yourself straighten out before coming down, my pet, and do make sure you bring that document with you. I think its time to add the other Tendou to service.>"
Nodding slowly, Nabiki finally stood up and watched her owner leave, then started to clean herself up quickly while removing certain objects.
Downstairs in the Kitchen, Shan Pu was right now facing an angry Tomboy.
"O.k Shampoo, where is my sister? I'm sure I heard her voice coming from here!"
"Hmmm, Shampoo not know what Violent Akane problem, she only doing business with Na-bi-ki-chan." Smiling sweetly at the dark-haired girl, Shan Pu commented, "Where Ranma? Shampoo think he be near, yes?"
"That pervert? he's off seeing Ukyo right now, but thats not what I want to talk about," glaring at the Amazon, she said, "Where is my *sister*!"
"I'm right here, Akane-chan," Nabiki's voice floated from the Kitchen entrance, "What's the problem? I'm surprised to see you here by yourself."
Turning around with a now red face, Akane looked at her older sister, seeing her dressed in her school clothes with that cool and calm expression on her face, regarding her with an odd look in her eyes.
"Well, err, just was going for a walk and, well, heard and..." She trailed off, seeinng her sister shake her head.
"Sister, sister, sister, don't you think I can handle myself around Shampoo? I've been coming here for quite some time now and whatever happens here is none of anyone's busy," glancing at Shan Pu for a moment, her lips curled up into smirk as she added, "Anyways, I have a business contract with her, I need to pay visits so I get that big paycheck."
Blinking, Akane glanced back at Shan Pu, who nodded with that smug look spread across her pretty features. Looking back to Nabiki, Akane asked, "What ARE you doing anyways, that noise I heard sure wasn't something I would hear from you."
"Sorry little sis, that information cannot be shared currently."
"Unless Tomboy Akane sign contract like Nabiki."
"Huh? contract?"
"Yes," said Nabiki, "I have a deal with Shan Pu. She gives me a large sum of money each month, while in exchange I...well I can't say what that part is in what I'm doing with Shampoo..."
"Yes, that part of contract not to be known til later for anyone sign." Added Shan Pu, who was still smiling at Akane in a disturbing way.
"Hmph, like I would do anything like that, and besides, what could you offer me since I don't care all that much for money like Nabiki."
"Oh Shampoo know what Akane want, she want be strong fighter, yes?" She walked up to the girl, moving right into Akane's personal space making the Japanese girl start to feel nervous.
"Well..." Akane thought for a moment before saying, "I do want more practice in Martial Arts but-"
Shan Pu cut her off by saying, "Ramna-Airen no train weak girl like you, and Father no train you seriously..." she trailed off that sentence, seeing the fire in Akane's eyes flare up.
"Shut up, so what? I don't need your silly training methods!"
"Oh? so Akane want to always be weak girl, yes? so very sad." Shan Pu stepped back, and turned to Nabiki, "Guess your sister no what oontract that will give Akane skills to defend self, Nabiki can put contract away."
"Shame really, would have been nice..."
Seeing both girls leaving, Akane suddenly called out, "Wait!" which surprised herself.
"Hmmm, Akane want something?"
"Err, so you would really train me?" Akane asked nervously, glancing briefly at Nabiki who seemed pleased for some reason for her stopping them.
"Yes, Shampoo will train and teach Akane Shampoo Language so can making training easier."
"Language lessons?" blinked Akane.
"Yes, Mandarin in fact," Nabiki added, "and though Shampoo's methods are unusual, after awhile you start to... enjoy them."
Eyeing her sister strangely, Akane wondered what that comment suggested at.
"And Shampoo will not tease Akane outside of training, not call weak and slow." Shan Pu stated, "its all on contract."
Hearing all this, Akane battled with herself on what to do. If she signed this 'Contract', she would get training that noone else was willing to offer, with language lessons included. On the other hand, she wouldn't know what her part of the deal would be til some time later when Shampoo decided to reveal it.
It can't be that bad, she thought, seeing how Nabiki seemed in good shape and she suspected that they might even be friends now. Well, whatever I have to do, if Nabiki can do it, so can I.
"Hmph, I accept you challenge." Stated Akane with her chin raised high, not noticing the sad shake of the head from Nabiki.
Bringing out the contract that Nabiki had handed her earlier, Shampoo handed Akane a pen.
"Sign at bottom, and no worry since Nabiki helped Shampoo write contract for you." Shan Pu added, knowing that Akane wouldn't trust her if only she was involved writing it.
Nodding, Akane took the pen and looked at the paper on the kitchen bench which was written in Shampoo's language. Looking one more time at Nabiki who was leaning on another bench looking casual, Akane's mind firmed up and signed her name while missing the devilish smile on Shan Pu's lips.
Soon as she was finished, Shan Pu's hand retrieved the paper and turned to Akane.
"Akane start tomorrow afternoon when school finish, first start with training then special language lesson."
Nodding, Akane strolled out of the restaurant not knowing what she had just got herself into...
Read the comments on this episode
(Posted Sat, 14 Jun 2003 07:22)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.