Disclaimer Stuff: Okay, I claim that Ranma 1/2 and all its characters are owned, body and soul, by Rumiko Takahashi and whoever else bought it up. Nicholas Blair is owned by Dan Curtis (no relation). Any other characters that appear are all my own, unless they're someone elses. This is my first fanfic. But, I can only hope, not my last. "I just split my leopard skin tights! That leopard will never be able to wear them again..." Mad Dan Eccles, the Goon Show AN AMERICAN CAT-GIRL IN NERIMA Chapter Two Morning. I woke up confused, looking around, until I remembered where I was. Shampoo's futon was empty, and I could hear movement and voices elsewhere in the house. I could also smell the aromas of cooking, the scents informing my stomach it was empty. I rose, threw on an old robe, and followed my nose into the kitchen. The old woman noticed me first. "Well, girl, about time you were up. Its 8:30 already, and we rise early in this house. Best be getting used to it..." "Grandmother! Trel not used to our ways yet, and she have long and tiring trip to get here!", Shampoo chided. She busied herself around a pot of something, ladling some of it into a bowl and offered it to me. "Is congee, yes? Good Chinese food, your first breakfast here. Is good, and good for you!" I took the bowl and a spoon and sat at a low table. I studied the contents briefly, the mentally shrugged and dug in. When in Japan, I thought...I was just going to have to get used to no breakfast cereals. Maybe I could look for some when shopping sometime, but for now...I ate, and Shampoo was right, it was good. I was about half finished when I heard movement behind me. It was just a slightest whisper of motion, but enough to alert my feline ears. The scent that wafted to me was new, too...I didn't recognize it. I was about to turn when... "Oh, Shampoo! You look so radiant in the morning!...", and I felt arms wrap themselves around me. My first reaction was a shriek, loud and piercing, then a sharp hiss as I reverted to feline instincts. My own arms flew back, hands catching the unwelcome groper by the sides of the head. My muscles tensed, my back arched, and whoever it was flew over me and landed with a crunching thud on his back on the table, which shattered under him. Now I had a chance to study my dazed attacker. Young...about Shampoo's age...tall for a Chinese...beautiful long black hair...not bad looking, really, if one discounted those claw marks (wonder where *they* came from?). But why did he call *me* Shampoo...and why did he attack me? "You *stupid* Mousse!", Shampoo spluttered in anger. "You attack guest in house, make dishonor on us. What for you do that?!" The boy Shampoo called Mousse looked puzzled. "But Shampoo, all I wanted was to tell you how beautiful you look..." My own anger came out. "And you were going to do this by grabbing *me* from behind? You got a strange way of showing affection, whoever you are. And I hope those claw scratches *sting*!", I hissed. "But then...you're not...?" Mousse stuttered. "Idiot! Put your glasses on!", Cologne commanded. The Chinese boy pulled a pair of very thick glasses from his traditional robes and slipped them on. They didn't do a thing for him. He peered up at me from his nest of table fragments. "*You're* not Shampoo!", he accused as I came into focus. "Who are you?" I was still very unhappy about getting glomped from behind by this stranger. I sneered at him. "Oh, *bright* boy! Did you figure out I'm not Shampoo all by yourself, or did you have help somewhere?! That's how you treat Shampoo, by grabbing at her from behind? And you didn't have to squeeze me that *hard*!" "Huh! Mousse think he and Shampoo couple! Stupid Mousse, I tell him many many time Ranma only one for Shampoo, but he no listen, not ever!", and with that Shampoo threw Mousse out of the house. Literally. She was still fuming when she came back in. "Stupid Mousse!", she repeated. "He so stuck on me it not even funny anymore! Her just so...so...I no have word in Japanese...he there all time, never let Shampoo breathe, seem like..." Ah, he was obsessive. "And he even knows where you live, and breaks in? Shouldn't you get the police after him, or file a complaint, or something?" Shampoo and Cologne both looked slightly embarrassed. Uh oh, was I showing myself as a fool of a westerner who doesn't know any better? "Actually...Mousse works here. We're all from the same village in China, so it seemed proper to offer him a job here...sometimes I wonder what I was thinking that day...must be getting soft in my old age," Cologne explained. Oh joy. I'd have to work with a confirmed groper. "You forget about Mousse for now. You get dressed and we go shopping today!" Shampoo directed. "But what about the table? I wrecked it, I should pay for it..." I began to offer. The gravely voice of Shampoo's great-grandmother interrupted. "Don't worry about that, girl, we're used to furniture being broken here. Besides, it's Mousse's fault, I'll just take it out of his pay. You go on out, get to know the city...Shampoo's delivered enough ramen to know it well." "You go get dressed now, okay? You much too tall to borrow Shampoo's clothes, so we need to find you whole new wardrobe! It going to be lots of fun! I go get ready, too!" Shampoo enthused, and with that, she went off to ready herself. I glanced at Cologne, who shrugged and smiled. "She's full of life, that great-granddaughter of mine. Helps keep me young...that and trying to keep up with her and her friends. You'll get used to it. Be off with you now, go have fun. You'll be working hard before you know it..." I bowed and left the kitchen, finding my way back to the room I shared with the Amazon. She turned as I entered. It didn't trouble her the least that she was quite naked as she selected something to wear. If it didn't bother her, it didn't bother me, and I dropped my robe and searched my own clothes for something suitable. I felt Shampoo's eyes on me, and my tail flicked by itself. I heard a restrained giggle from behind. "Something funny?" I asked. Shampoo giggled again. "It your tail! It move like snake!" I sighed. Humans seem to have this strange fascination for our tails. "You have no idea how annoying these things are. They get in the way, they've got a mind of their own...and you can't use them for anything! I mean, when we were designed, you'd think the idiot engineers would've given us something like prehensile tails, but no! And as for clothes...well, look at this!" I held up a pair of jeans for Shampoo to see the necessary modification. There in the back a notch was cut out of the material, deep enough for my tail to fit comfortably, and a strip of cloth tipped with Velcro to act as a closure. "I have to have all my skirts and pants modified like this. Its a real nuisance. And anything long and slinky? Forget it! Still haven't figured out how to get my tail through something like that..." "No cheongsams for you, then?" Shampoo smirked. I growled and looked for something to throw at her. I used a suitable pillow, but she found one of her own and charged me. I dived for my own pillow, and we engaged each other in a strenuous pillow fight, giggling and laughing at the silliness. After we recovered, we finished getting dressed and went out to shop. Beautiful downtown Nerima! Well, so to speak. After seeing a bit of the town, I came to the conclusion that its largely a residential district...no great landmarks, no famous buildings, no beautiful and ancient temples. But there was some good shops...we stopped into some food shops first, since Shampoo had to place a few orders for the cafe. I found some Western cereal, which puzzled my friend. "What you need that for? You not like good Chinese breakfast?" I tried to explain. "Shampoo, the breakfast was wonderful...but everything here is strange and new to me. What would you do if you suddenly found yourself in America?" "Shampoo think she adjust..." "Yes, so you would, just as I will here. But for now, this stuff will give me an emotional...something to cling to, something to make things seem a bit more normal for me while I adjust." Shampoo shrugged and said no more on the subject. I could tell she didn't understand, really, but was willing to let the matter drop. After a stop in a bank to change some money it was off to the various clothing shops in the area. Shampoo insisted I needed proper clothing...kimonos for festivals ("Even I have some...I show you later") and traditional Chinese clothing. Of course, I ran into the usual problem with my tail. Extra tailoring was required, and it was a real effort to explain that, yes, this tail *is* real, and no, its *not* attached by just string and sticky glue. By then we were both hungry, and it was lunch-time anyway, so we stopped at a likely place to eat. After a bit of dithering between us, I picked up the tab. But over food, I brought up something that puzzled me. "Shampoo...this is the school season here, isn't it? (nod) And you're of school age...forgive me for asking, but why aren't you at school?" The Chinese girl sighed. "That great-grandmother doing. She no think what they teach in school worth knowing. 'Shampoo, 3000 year of Amazon history all you need to know...you not need modern foolishness.' That what she say to me, but Shampoo not mind learning modern foolishness, or being with others own age...but she great-grandmother, very wise, so she know best...I guess." "Shampoo, I can't teach you the way a proper instructor could, but maybe I could tell you a little about that 'modern foolishness'. And perhaps if you teach me a little Chinese, I can teach you a little bit of English. After all, its a big world out there, and its ever-changing. Despite what your great- grandmother may say, you should know something about it," I offered. "Okay! Shampoo look forward to it! And maybe together we learn better Japanese! But now your turn tell Shampoo something. You tell me about tail this morning, and you say you and your sisters designed. What you mean by that?" I sighed and looked around. The cafe was busy, and we *were* attracting a lot of stares (after all, we made quite a striking pair...), but other than varying curious and lustful gazes, no one intruded on us. And Shampoo *had* offered me the hospitality of her home... "Shampoo, we...my sisters and I...we aren't human, not really. We're a genetic construct, created from a blend of human and feline material...I don't know just how it was done, how they made the material compatible with each other. There were laws against that sort of genetic engineering, of course, but those who paid and funded us...individuals and private corporations...well, they had so much money they could get around any law. Some of them wanted custom made, soft playthings...others wanted...well, I won't say what *they* wanted...but what came out of the whole business was us. And we weren't the pliant, malleable creatures they had in mind. Once we grew up enough to have some understanding of who and what we were, and what was planned for us...well, those labs were keeping us a secret, you see, but a couple of the technicians showed us how to use the internet, and soon afterwards, little hints about our existence were dropped to the media." I smiled slyly. "And oh my, did we make the news! All sorts of congressional hearings, debates about what to do with us...there were those, too many, that saw us as the product of evil, or evil itself. The labs got shut down, of course. One of those that made political points cursing us became president of the country...well, that's why I left. That's why a lot of my sisters are leaving, too, trying to find places that'll accept us, even a little..." "So you no have place to go? If you no can find other place, maybe Amazon village take you in. Is very hard for outsider be accepted, but you be judged for what you do, not what you look like. How many are there?" Shampoo asked. I shook my head. "Please understand, Shampoo, but I can't tell you that. We're very protective of each other, and while I certainly trust you, there might be others with less kind intent." Shampoo followed my gaze as I looked over the other restaurant patrons. Some turned away guiltily, caught in their curious prying, but all were Japanese...all but one man, in the far corner. Tall, European, perhaps, by the cut of his tailored suit...expensive tastes. Very meticulous, too, with hair and beard carefully groomed. A man of wealth, perhaps, but not paying attention to the odd spectacle of a purple-haired Chinese girl and a cat-girl chatting away. And yet..there was something about him...something... "You know him?" Shampoo asked. I shook my head. No, I didn't know him, and as far as I was concerned, it could stay that way. For some reason, he gave me the creeps. I tried to dispel the mood. "So, Shampoo, when do I get to meet your airen? What's he like?" It worked. Shampoo sighed happily. "He so wonderful! He strong and handsome, he very skilled martial artist, make great warrior...and he like to eat, too, eat a lot! But he stubborn...too stubborn for own good." Interesting. "Stubborn in what way?" "He no seem to understand he *Shampoo's* airen. Shampoo know he like me, but stupid father make stupid deal with other family, to join them together. So he have too-too violent girl after him, too. She say she no like him, but she fooling only herself." "But...Shampoo...you told me you and he were married, in your letters." I was puzzled. I suppose I could have misunderstood some of the meanings, but still...I asked for clarification, and got the story about how she and her airen met, and who the rival family was...but I also got the impression there was something being left out...something important. Well, not my business, really... We chatted for a bit more over food before leaving and making our way back home with our purchases. Back at the Cafe, I shed my old clothes and slipped into something more suitable for exercising, and I went through my form, throwing in a series of kicks as well, while Shampoo and her great-grandmother got things ready for the after-school rush. Once I finished my workout, got in a quick shower, and changed into one of my new outfits, I made my way into the Cafe itself to see if I could lend a hand in the kitchen. But Cologne made it quite clear that she didn't need a "clumsy-handed kitten fresh off the plane messing things up in her kitchen". Well, okay...her choice...and she did say she'd put me to work in a couple of days. Why rush things? I found myself a corner and watched the customers filter in. Most were students, high school, a few college types, and some businessmen...salarymen...in for a late lunch. Soon I had to give up my corner, and was wondering just *why* the old mummy turned down my offer of help. I ventured into the kitchen again, watching Cologne at work. For such an old bat, she could certainly move...the cleaver she was using on some vegetables flying up and down at speed, and she was hopping back and forth on her stick between the various pans and woks as confidently as Long John Silver. The old woman paused, turned, and pointed out a young man who was just coming into the Cafe. I looked. Black hair, done up in a pigtail...Chinese- looking clothes, unlike the uniforms of the other students...Cologne whispered to me, "Son-in-Law", and it was confirmed by Shampoo bouncing in for her waitressing duties, pointing out the boy in question with "That airen!", and whispered a suggestion in my ear. It seemed innocent enough, so I agreed. I slipped up quietly behind the boy, and purred. I certainly didn't expect the reaction I got, for my pigtailed target instantly stiffened and shuddered. He seemed terrified. I, surprised by this unlooked for reaction, stumbled back, right into Shampoo who was following me with a couple glasses of water. They flew up, spilling their contents over us three. I started to shout a warning, but saw something that stopped me utterly. The boy upon whom I snuck up seemed to...blur, or melt...he...his form altered and shifted, becoming softer, rounder...his scent, while still his own, took on feminine overlays, and as he turned toward me, backing away, I could see why. This wasn't a boy at all, it was a girl! And yet, I was *certain* that I had snuck up on a boy. I turned, confused, to ask Shampoo about this, and to apologize falling into her, but the amazon was nowhere to be found. Instead there was just a pile of her clothes, and emerging was a pink-furred cat...but it...it *was* Shampoo...her own scent was too strong...and yet...it *wasn't* Shampoo, but a cat...but... I then did the only sensible thing possible...I fainted. When I woke, I found myself back in my room, laying on my futon. Shampoo and a strange, red-haired girl were at my side, arguing about something...I couldn't follow it, my mind still being fuzzy from its shocks. Then I remember...Shampoo...and a cat? I said the first thing I could think of, even if it wasn't particularly original. "Shampoo...what happened out there...and who is this girl?" "I'm Ranma Saotome...sorry 'bout this...", the girl responded. "But...you *were* a guy...I'm sure of it..." "Well, its kinda hard to explain. Ever hear of a place called Jusenkyo?", the girl asked. I shook my head. She continued, "Its a place of these magical springs...each one has this weird legend and curse on it, and it you fall in one, you turn into whatever last drowned in it. I fell into the Spring of Drowned Girl. Just my luck. When I get splashed with cold water, I turn into a girl. Hot water restores me back to a guy, but only till the next time. And there's been a *lot* of next times." I jumped to an obvious conclusion. "Then Shampoo...did you fall into one of these springs, too?" The amazon nodded. "Spring of Drowned Cat." As she said "cat", I saw Ranma shudder. I had to ask. "You're afraid of cats, aren't you, Ranma? She started. "Wha? Who, me? No! I'm not afraid of nothin!" I purred. "R-r-r-r-r-r-really?" The girl tried to hide behind Shampoo. "All right", she confessed, "maybe I got this problem with cats...comes from this dumb training technique my pop read about someplace...he tied some fish sausage around me and tossed me into a pit of hungry cats. Then he did it again. And then again. No wonder I freak a little when I see a cat." Uh oh. And Shampoo...changes into...a cat. This could mean trouble. And myself...a catgirl...better check on it. "Ummm...Ranma...if cats bother you...well, what about me?" "Huh? Oh, you're okay...I mean, its not like those ears and tail are real, after all." Shampoo giggled as I replied. "Guess again, Red. These attachments of mine...they're very real. I'm a blend of feline and human...and don't ask me about it right now, okay? But now that you know I'm real, what do you think? You think you can cope? Cuz I'm going to be here for a bit..." Ranma frowned in thought for a bit. "Yeah, I guess so. At least I can try. That tail gives me the willies, though." I turned to Shampoo. "I think I'm okay now. Just the shock of it all, you know. Great grandmother probably needs you out there," I said, then added in English, "besides, I have to scope out your fiancee." Both Ranma and Shampoo turned blank expressions on me, and both said as one, "Huh?" I smiled and shook my head. "Nothing important. Be off with you now." Shampoo smiled in her turn, then gave the red head a special smile, one that might have got her arrested in a public place. Ranma gulped nervously as the amazon left the room. "So, Ranma, whats *your* story?", I asked. "What?" "Well, I have Shampoo's story about how you met, and how you became engaged, but you seem uncertain in her presence. So, I suspect there's a bit more to things than Shampoo's told me. How about *your* side of it?" And I got it. Ranma told me everything...his training trip to China, his accident with the springs of Jusenkyo, his meeting with Shampoo in a duel, how she hunted him...*her*...down several times...the whole story. Including the complicated affair concerning one Akane Tendo. "I dunno *how* I feel about Shampoo. I mean, I like her, sure...but I don't wanna marry her. I don't wanna marry Akane, either...not like this...I want to be able to choose, and I'm only sixteen, anyway! We all are! I can't make a choice about getting married yet...its just too important." The girl...boy...whatever...looked at me intensely. She shuddered. "No...don't tell me...you aren't another fiancee, are you?" I blinked in surprise. This seemed to be the day for them. "Fiancee? No, I don't think so. And what do you mean, *another* one? You've got Shampoo and this Akane..." The girl sighed. "Well..there's also Ucchan...I mean, Ukyo. Then there's Kodachi...", and she shivered as she mentioned the latter name. "If you're going to be staying here, I guess you'll be getting to know all of them. Say, could you get me some hot water?" Oh yes, hot water triggered the reversal of the curse. I got up, carefully, and finding myself steady on my feet, got the requested water, and watched intensely as the girl poured it over herself, and...changed...back into that black haired boy. I shook my head in amazement. He caught my expression. "Yeah, takes a bit of getting used to, I guess. Takes a bit to get used to *having* it happen...Anyway, I gotta get going. Why don't you stop by the Tendo's sometime, meet everyone..." "I might do that...give me a chance to size up Shampoo's competition. Should I bring Shampoo with me? She knows the way, after all..." The boy looked nervous again. "Ummm...maybe better not. I mean, sometimes Akane and Shampoo get along fine, but other times..." I nodded. "I get the picture. But how do I visit without Shampoo coming with me?" Ranma thought about it a little, scratching his head. "I dunno. Maybe I'll ask Kasumi or Nabiki..." "Mmm? Who are they? More fiancees?" He laughed. "Nahh...they're Akane's sisters...although I guess I *could* have been engaged to any of them...the deal our fathers made was for me to get married to one of them...it just happened that it was Akane..." "Okay, I'll make a visit when I can," I promised as he left. I heard a commotion out in the dining room...I guess the boy couldn't avoid another affectionate snuggle from Shampoo. Well, things certainly were more involved than I had thought when I arrived in Nerima. Did I say peace and quiet? Didn't seem the town and the phrase went together very well. And this business with multiple fiancees...yes, I certainly did need to check up on the competition...after all, Shampoo's offered me her hospitality and her friendship, and I liked her greatly ever since I met her at the airport...I'm gonna see to it that its her and Ranma wearing the wedding clothes, and not some other fiancee...but how to do that? Yes, it must be thought on... Interlude Nicholas Blair rested in his hotel room. Being a man of exquisite taste, he selected the most expensive available, but then, his account was unlimited, thanks to his Master. Not that his Master was kind or generous...he demanded results, and woe to those who fail. As Nicholas had unfortunate first hand knowledge. He prepared to make his report to his Master, sprinkling a glittering powder in a small circle around himself, placing a gem of strange design and cut at prescribed lengths along the circle. The powder began to shimmy and dance as he lay the last gem in its place, and his Dark Master was suddenly in the unholy circle with him. Humility did not come naturally to Nicholas, but in the face of his Master's power, he bowed. "Master, I believe I have found what we have been looking for. There is a district in this city, called Nerima, that is rich in the forces we need. And with the Heart of Darkness now recovered..." The Master spoke in a deceptively soft and silky voice. "That's as well...for you, Nicholas. Have you found a prospective vessel for the ceremony?" "No, Master. This city hosts many likely candidates, but we need to find one that can most easily be molded to our designs, that can be coaxed into darkness. I shall keep looking." "See that you do. I trust it is not necessary to tell you that your own future depends on your success here. You have failed too many times in the past, Nicholas, and this is the final chance I shall provide you. Do not fail this time." With that ominous warning, the Master disappeared, and the nimbus of power surrounding Blair faded. Nicholas muttered to himself, "I shall *not* fail this time, Master...and this time, your dominion shall be established on Earth!" End of Interlude ------------------- End of Chapter 2. Next chapter, Trella meets the Tendo family...will the fur fly? And any nice comments and suggestions may be sent to me via ocelot@akron.infi.net -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- If you wish to check out my other works, Please check out my Fanfics at: http://angcobra.webjump.com/fanfics.html or it's mirror site at: http://millennium.fortunecity.com/firemansam/457/fanfics.html All related chapters of this series can be found there along with my other works.