Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nabiki's POV

Ugh. Fall was so cold. She was freezing her butt off. At least it's not winter yet. It's my own fault for not thinking to wear a jacket. Kasumi normally would have reminded me. Still need to figure out what's going on with Her, Ranma, and Ukyo. Maybe I'll get Konatsu to tell me, that one's too honest for their own good... Not that i'm complaining...

Nabiki was on her way home from school.

She was just turning a street corner when she heard a bell ring and saw something quickly speeding towards her.

Is that a bike?

Oh. It's her.

Nabiki jumped out of the way at the last second.

That reflex training from when we were little still pays off sometimes.

Shampoo parked her bike.

"Ah ni hao Nabiki. My most humble of apologies, I did not see you there." Shampoo said.

"Right Shampoo, You just happen to nearly hit people whenever you go looking for them. I take this is your way of letting me know you guys are back in town then?"

"Yes, my Great Grandmother would like to set a meeting with you today, If that is at all possible."

"Alright. I'll be there later."

Hopefully Cologne wanted information she had. That way she could trade for knowledge of how their mission went .

"Why wait? I may transport you on my bike if that is to your liking." Shampoo had a genuine smile on her face.

Huh, she sure is more chipper than normal . I wonder what's up with that .

"Alright, that works I geuss."

Nabiki climbed on the back of the bike.

"Hold on to me very tightly!" Shampoo exclaimed. Nabiki strengthened her grip and Shampoo sped off.

The wind was whistling in their ears.

"You seem... Oddly happy right now. Anything I should know?" Nabiki shouted.

Shampoo smirked and chuckled a bit. "Oh yes I am doing well. we all ran into Ryoga while on the hunt, and Mouse followed him by accident. I have not had to deal with him in quite a bit as a result. He has dropped off the radar as the saying goes."

Ah yeah that sounded like duck boy. He'll be fine he's durable enough. Nabiki would question what Ryoga was doing in China, but well... It was Ryoga Hibiki. Hopefully Ryoga hadn't gotten Mouse too lost. He was one of her better paying customers after all .

Though how anyone could develop a crush on Shampoo was beyond her. Sure the girl was attractive. But Nabiki didn't go for that kind of thing. Sure being attractive was nice and all but what she was really in the market for was intelligence.

"Nabiki, what has my dearest Ranma been doing while I have been away?"

"Sorry Shampoo, that info is for Your granny's ears. Information is- Eep." they hit a bump in the road.

At least Nabiki thought it was a bump. At these speeds, knowing Shampoo i t might have been a person. On the bright side, she hadn't taken any "shortcuts" yet.

"Highly valuable, yes, yes." Shampoo finished her sentence for her. "Honestly, you have no shame, Mercenary girl." She jabbed.

"So says the girl who regularly breaks down my house."

"All is fair in love and war!"

"Tell that to Cologne next time you need her to pay your tab."

"Touché."

Shampoo promptly used a leaning wooden board on the side of the road as a ramp to jump over a building. Nabiki swallowed back vomit.

And there's the short c ut. I should have known better than to take a ride from Shampoo. You could have just walked there Nabiki but noooooo.

"We shall arrive soon!" Shampoo announced. Sure enough The Nekohanten had come into view. Nabiki braced herself.

Shampoo slammed on the brakes at the last possible moment and skidded to a stop. Nabiki immediately jumped off.

Sweet ground. Sweet glorious ground . Thank the Kami that's over with

Nabiki resisted the urge to bend down and kiss the dirt.

"That was not so bad hmm?" Shampoo said.

Nabiki shook her head. "Don't quit your day job."

"Why would I do that? This job is most enjoyable. It is much better than waitressing; There are too many perverts when I wait on tables."

Ah right, she's   still picking up some of the slang of the language.

Interesting information to know even someone as... Public... as Shampoo had their limits however.

Nabiki waved her off.

"Well any how, Great Grandmother should be waiting inside. We hath not opened back up just yet. Come, I will unlock the front door for thee."

"Right, lead the way Kitty Girl."

Shampoo glared at her as they walked in and and she smirked.

Cologne was waiting on a table. She saw them enter and waved Nabiki over.

"Ah Miss Tendo. I see My Granddaughter managed to find you. I hope without getting run over."

Nabiki shrugged.

"I'm decent at dodging."

She heard Shampoo giggle as she walked up the stairs to her room. It's like she's trying to cause chaos. I admire the effort.

Cologne coughed. "Right then, Down to Business. I'd like to trade some information with you regarding my Son in Law."

"Information on Ranma huh? What kind of information are we talking about here?"

"What has he been up to, and his whereabouts. We already know he's not at your father's dojo."

Hmm... So she want to know where Ranma is...Could be risky for Kasumi If I tell her about "Natsuma"...

"What's in it for me? You gonna tell me how your mission went?"

Cologne frowned. "So you know about that, do you... Nosy girl. Well, I suppose that's a fair trade if I find your answer satisfactory.

"We got a deal then?"

"Agreed. The mission was a success. Happosai is dead. It wasn't easy but we managed to pull it off. We asked young Mr. Hibiki to spread the ashes across the world to ensure there's no way he can resurrect. We may have also accidentally left Mr. Part Timer behind with him."

Good riddance to Happosai; she would not miss him in the slightest. And since you answered first I can withhold any real information. Big slip up on your end old crone.

"That's a relief. Ranma's been acting oddly lately. More... Reserved I geuss you would say. I'm afraid you just missed him, he just left on a training trip. He said he'll be gone a while."

Cologne scowled.

"You know girlie, I asked where Son in law is. It sounds to me like you don't know."

Nabiki smirked. "I told you what I knew. It's not my fault Saotome is out of town."

"It seems you're in violation of our agreement."

Cologne's battle Aura flared to life. Nabiki stepped back instinctively. Then suddenly Cologne cackled mischievously and her Aura dropped.

"Although... It seems I'm down an employee. How'd you like to work off your debt... I'm thinking... A month, should be long enough for Son in Law to return..." Cologne said.

"Sorry I'm Kinda busy with-" Cologne interrupted her. "Oh if you don't like that I can give you a jusenkyo curse instead... How'd you like to be a rat . I hear cats love to chase them."

Damit. This is what I get for being a halfway good person for once.

"Fine alright, alright, I'll work for you.

Damned crone

Cologne smiled. "I knew you'd see things my way. since my granddaughter is going to be here for a while longer it seems i've decided to enter her into your school. She starts tomorrow. I'll fill her in and she can give you your work schedule tomorrow."

Shampoo at Furinkan huh? That'll be interesting. Hopefully her and Akane don't end up destroying their class room . This is gonna cut into my Business activities big time.

Whatever Ranma and Kasumi are up to, they owe me big for this.

Shampoo's POV

Great Grandmother wanted her to attend Japanese schooling?

Well that was a most unpleasant surprise. Then again it would give her ample oportuninty to spy on Akane and Ukyo. Spying on the two h ad been expecialy hard after the Wedding Fiasco. Akane was holding a grudge against her for once and Ukyo had banned her from Uchann's.

In truth she had suggested hunting down Happosai as a penance for having taken a part in ruining Ranma and Akane's wedding. If not for the laws of the amazons she likley would have given up the chase by now.

It would explain the test Great Grandmother had given her the other day. It had been a fairly easy test in her opinion.

She could gain some entertainment out of this if nothing else.

Chapter Text

Shampoo's POV

Shampoo was biking to the Tendo compound. Her grandmother had asked her to have Nabiki gudie her to her classes.

She did not get the big deal. Japanese school layouts did not seem that complex from what she knew.

Shampoo rammed her bike through the wall of the Tendo Kitchen.

Normally she would not have done such a thing because she would feel very guilty about doing something like that to Kasumi, however since Kasumi was apparently out of town she wasn't concerned with that.

Mrs. Saotome suppressed a yelp, and Mr Tendo began crying about his broken wall.

Akane was right in front of her. "Hey! I worked hard on that!"

Shampoo looked down. Her bike tire was in a bowl of... Something... Akane must be trying to cook again with Kasumi out of town for college.

She looked back up. The Tendos and Saotomes all looked relieved. With her... With Ranma out of town she geuss there was nobody else to try Akane's disasters. (Was it just her or did the panda look larger?)

"Apologies Angry Girl. Great Grandmother sent me to collect Miss Nabiki."

Akane got a confused look on her face at that.

Nabiki groaned. "Hey Shampoo? Wall hole is going on your tab. Come on then let's go."

Soun stood and used his demon head and shouted at Nabiki "Go where on a school day, young lady?!"

He certainly appears threatening when he does that. I wonder if he ever had the abilities to back it up. It is likely not the case, if Ranma's father's level of skill is any indication.

Nabiki just rolled her eyes. "Daddy, it's fine I'm taking her to school. The old crone is entering her in Furinkan since they're gonna be in Nerima for a while longer. I agreed to help since I owe her a favor or two."

Soun calmed down. "Ah... well... that's fine then. off with you... Get to school."

Shampoo nodded and gestured for Nabiki to climb aboard her bike. Nabiki looked hesitant.

"I'd really rather finish my coffee firs-" A random ink spray came out of the bowl of the thing Akane called food and it made a noise.

Well, that is most disturbing.

Nabiki hopped on the back of her bike quickly "OnsecondthoughtIdrinktoomuchcaffineseeyoualllaterbye." she patted Shampoo's back in a gesture suggesting they hurry away.

I shall take that as a warning sign to get away while able.

She did a wheelie to turn the bike around (nearly dropping Nabiki off in the process) and sped away.

Akane could be heard shouting "Wait, You forgot your lunch I made for you!"

"Pedal faster!" Nabiki told her.

She heard Nabiki sigh in relief as she sped up, though it was barley audible over the whistling of the wind.

This was the fastest she had ridden in recent times due to the fact that they were trying to escape from a biohazard. If not for the ride from the other day

"Sorry about that Shampoo. Akane just doesn't know when to give up. I'm sure you've noticed it by now, given you're rivals and all."

Shampoo scowled. "Me, rivals with her? Do not make me laugh, Akane is merely an obstacle in my path!" She grumbled.

"Ah yes, an obstacle. That's why you go out of your way to fight her whenever you can. Or have you forgotten the arm wrestling incident."

Okay so maybe Akane wasn't the absolute worst rival one such as her could have. Ukyo was more a business rival, it was clear Ranma never saw her as anything other than a friend. Akane on the other hand had gotten further with him than her, much as she hated to admit it. And while most of the wrecking crew hadn't noticed yet she was starting to catch up to the rest of their levels of ability. It was almost admirable

"Okay fine, I admit it... your younger sister... is a... rival." she had to choke it out.

Nabiki cackled evilly "See that wasn't so hard was it kitten?"

Oh she was going to make her regret saying those words.

Shampoo growled and immediately began taking the most chaotically quick route to the school.

Nabiki's POV

They had finally arrived at school. Nabiki shakily stepped off the bike.

Note to self. Don't taunt Shampoo while on her bike. From how she acts you'd think she's the one with the Nekoken. She really couldn't let this become a pattern.

She puked on the ground, and glared at Shampoo as they walked through the gate.

Shampoo just giggled. "I guess you cannot handle those speeds yet. Do not worry, you will get used to them in time, Mercenary Girl."

Oh great she was going to do this everyday wasn't she.

"Halt, Fiend!" Kuno jumped into view.

Huh. Wonder what Kuno wants. He's been more antsy lately with Ranma gone. That reminds me, I'm running out of photos of femmy Ranma to sell him. I'll have to figure out a financial substitute soon. Something tells me he won't go for photos of "Natsuma".

He pointed his bokken at Shampoo. She pointed at herself questioningly and looked over to Nabiki. She just shrugged.

"Yes you, purple haired foul temptress!" Kuno shouted.

"What is it that thou want with me?" Shampoo asked.

Kuno raised his sword to the sky. "You are a lover of the foul sorcerer Ranma Saotome are you not?!" He shouted.

Oh this'll be good. So much for being on time though.

Shampoo looked confused. "I... I'm not sure I am understanding you correctly... what was it that you said about my Air-... about Ranma?"

Cut herself off before calling Ranma her airen huh? Nabiki would have to make a note of that.

"Kuno-baby we really need to get to class."

Kuno Ignored Nabiki and pointed his bokken towards Shampoo again. "You will not fool me with your deceitful ways! The Blue Thunder of Furinkan High School shall not let you pass! never I say!"

Then he charged. Shampoo entered a fighting stance and appeared to be about to leap over him when the sky quickly darkened and it began to rain. Shampoo who was caught off gaurd immediately transformed into a cat.

Nabiki sighed as Kuno looked around in confusion.

"So, a ninja are you? Come face me coward, traitor to women! How dare you use a cat"

Shampoo growled and Nabiki grabbed by the scruff of her neck just before she could launch herself at him.

We're really gonna be late now.

She attempted to walk past Kuno with Shampoo in one hand and the current cat's clothes in the other, but Kuno got in her way.

"Nabiki Tendo, allow me to take this innocent kitten into my care!"

Shampoo hissed.

Gotta think of a plan here...

"Sorry Kuno-baby... This is... My pet cat. Yeah my pet cat."

Shampoo yowled, presumably in protest.

She would smack her forehead if her arms weren't full.

Kuno leaned back seemingly surprised. "I must say Nabiki Tendo, That you of all people being in posesion of a pet is somewhat alarming. Are you feeling alright? As your fellow student it is my duty to ask."

She didn't even know how to respond to that. Nabiki looked down at the cat in her arms. She realized she'd been petting Shampoo without thinking about it. Shampoo seems to enjoy it... geuss I can't blam her. Wow her fur is kinda soft actually... focus Nabiki focus.

She looked back up at Kuno.

"Uh yeah I got a cat because... They're predators ya know?"

Kuno nodded along thoughtfully. "Hmm Yes. A predator would make a fitting pet for a Mercenary such as yourself. May I ask what her name is?"

"Her name is..." Come on, Think of something original... "K-Chan." Ah so there was proof she was related to Akane.

"A most fitting name. You are certain you do not wish for my assistance with this feline?"

"Very sure Kuno . I have to get to class. Ta ta."

"Understood. I shall remain here and hunt down that Wrench of Saotome’s. I shall find her in plenty of time to greet the graceful Akane Tendo!”

"Right, you do that."

Man, Kuno is such an idiot. I doubt he'd even recognize "Natsuma" as his beloved Pigtailed Girl if he saw "her".

Now then, where's the nearest bathroom...

Shampoo's POV

mmm.

Shampoo purred.

Head scratches were nice... Great Grandmother didn't give them to her, Ranma was afraid of her cat form sadly(His foolish Father would pay for that one day), and she would never ask Mouse even if her life depended on it. That meant aside from the random stranger every now and then she didn't get them often. Nabiki was good at it too. She had sometimes recieved them from her father but he had gone back home to China for a while.

She was interrupted from her ruminations when   Nabiki Dumped hot water over her head out of a bucket. They appeared to be in a bathroom stall.

After Shampoo got her bearings, Nabiki handed her the clothes she had dropped when she transformed.

"Not that I don't appreciate a fellow member of the fairer sex, but you should probably put some clothes on." Nabiki said

Well that comment came to Shampoo as a  surprise, considering Nabiki's sister was as repressed as queer people came. And there was just no way Kasumi could be queer. She'd eat pervert girl's cooking if she was wrong.

She should probably stop calling Akane that actually. It had been meant to tease her but it seemed to have only made things worse.

Shampoo shook her head, and pulled on the last item of clothing.

She could think about these things at a later time, She and Nabiki were already late enough to their classes as it was.

She looked up at Nabiki who seemed worried about something.

"So how much do I need to pay you to pretend you didn't hear that?" Nabiki asked

Shampoo laughed. "Oh, Don't worry. I am what is called pansexual myself, which I realized due to Ranma; Therefore you have nothing to worry about. I understand the need to keep this thing quiet. Especially given the family you have been born into is a most traditional one."

"So says the girl in an arranged marriage because of traditional laws." Nabiki jabbed.

"You have played me well, Miss Tendo."

"I try Kitten. Thanks for understanding, I guess."

Nabiki pulled open Shampoo's bag and pulled out a piece of paper.

"Let's see where you're supposed to be right now... Huh... That's my class. I'll give you credit, you tested higher than I thought you would! Akane and Ranma are in the grade below me. I'm sure Akane will be just Thrilled bout' that!"

Shampoo nodded in understanding.

She would make an effort to not lord this over the kitchen destroyer too much.

As they exited the bathroom Nabiki gestured for Shampoo to follow her.

"Come on, I know a shortcut. If we hurry we might be able to make it before the teacher makes us hold buckets."

Kuno's POV :)

Tatewaki Kuno was most displeased.

First the beautiful Pig-Tailed girl went missing (No doubt whisked away by the wicked Ranma Saotome.) Then, another of the sorcerer's lovers forced their way onto the hallowed grounds of Furkurian High. it was simply unacceptable. And to top it all off, due to him hunting the purple haired ninja, He had failed to greet Akane Tendo this morning for the first time in months.

Surely this day couldn't get any worse...

The teacher of the class rang a bell on their desk to get the attention of the students ( Something he was told was implemented because someone kept disrupting this class. If he ever found the fiend they would be in a world of pain.)

"Alright students. Before we start today's class I  have an Announcement. We have a new student joining our class today. She's from China I'm told. Be sure to offer her a warm welcome."

A new student? Why was I not informed of this momentous occasion?! A new student deserves to be properly welcomed with poetry!

Just then, Nabiki Tendo entered the classroom.

"Sorry we're late." she said, and casually walked into the room straight to her desk.

Then Saotome's lover walked in behind her.

Kuno immediately rose out of his seat.

"YOU! Explain thy presence now!"

He heard Nabiki Tendo facepalm. Whatever for, he had no idea.

"This is the right classroom, yes? I'm a new student."

She was attempting to deceive him!

"Thou shall not fool me! Our new student is from China! Have at thee!

Kuno was then immediately knocked out.

Nabiki's POV (after school, Outside the Nekohaten)

She was starting to get used to Shampoo's bike riding. She hadn't had to swallow down vomit this time and she was only a bit nauseous. Maybe there Is something to her shortcuts!

Her celebration was short-lived. Shampoo patted her on the back in sympathy as they walked inside and she nearly threw up.

Dammit.

Cologne greeted them. "Ah you're here, finally. Back in my day school was only around an hour!"

They gave educations in her day?

"So," Cologne asked "How did things go?"

Nabiki shrugged.

"Things at the high school went fairly well, Great Grandmother... there was one student who was… most odd; But he was easy enough to deal with." Shampoo said.

She says he's easy to deal with now. She'll likely be the third member of the daily Kuno assault club. It's such a shame he doesn't seem to have taken an interest in her, I could make a killing off that.

"Good, Glad to hear it." Cologne said. "Shampoo, You head upstairs, we're not opening today. You stay here Tendo, I have employment paperwork for you to fill out."

Shampoo nodded and left the room.

Paperwork eh? Not a bad first day.

3 hours later

So. Much. Paperwork...

"Alright, just one thing left." Cologne said.

Thank the Kami.

Cologne placed a paper in front of her "This here is how much you're agreeing to be paid. It's only minimum wage, so don't get too exited."

Wait what?

"You're paying me?" She quickly read over the paper and signed it before Cologne changed her mind.

"Miss Tendo, I'm a foreign national running a restaurant in Japan. I'd be a fool not to pay you."

Well I geuss that fills the financial gap I'll have from missing out on sales of Ranma photos.

"Fair point. Honestly you guys have been after Ranma so long I sometimes forget you're not from Japan at this point." Nabiki said.

She stood and prepared to leave, but Cologne stopped her.

"Child, look outside. It's far too late for you to head home now. Just use our phone to let your family know you'll be staying the night. I'd offer you mouse's room but it's a mess, so I'm afraid you're going to have to share with my Great Granddaughter."

Nabiki nodded. "If you insist, Boss."

Cologne handed her the phone on her office desk and left the room. Nabiki dialed the number to the Tendo compound.

"Hello, This is Saotome Nodoka speaking. May I ask who I have the pleasure of talking to?"

"Hey Mrs. Saotome. This is Nabiki, can you let Daddy know I won't be home tonight? Ran a little later than expected so Cologne told me to spend the night at the Nekohaten."

"Oh, Nabiki! Yes I'll be sure to let your father know. It may be for the best you're not here..."

"Akane's trying to cook dinner isn't she."

Just on que she heard the panda scream in terror. He wouldn't have to worry about who was cooking if he had listened to Kasumi when she told him not to eat all the bamboo at once. Too bad for him.

Nodoka audibly cringed. "She's... Pasoinate... That's a good trait in a wife..."

Man Mrs. Saotome had Issues.

"Right, well best of luck with that."

Nodoka yawned. "Excuse me. Have a good night Nabiki." Then she hung up.

Shampoo's POV

Darn it! She fell off the track again!

She got a lot of enjoyment out of most of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System games, but in the game "Super Mario Kart" the last few tracks were... Very much a cause of frustration to her.

She heard her door creak and turned her head. Nabiki had entered her room.

"You are still here?" She asked she would have figured Nabiki would have left by now.

"Yep. Your granny gave me a lot of paperwork to fill out. She told me to spend the night since it was getting late. You mind if I crash in here?"

Hmm. Nabiki was going to sleep in her room? Well... It is not as though she has any other options to speak of.

"Yes, that is fine." She confirmed

"Thanks." Nabiki sat down. "You know I've gotta say, when you're not trying to kill my sister or breaking down walls in my house you're not half bad."

It was only in Nerima was that sentience not abnormal.

"Thank thee. Thou are also not entirely heartless when you are not trying to make money."

"Kitten, I'm always trying to make money."

"I do not call thou mercenary girl for no reason."

The two girls both chuckled a bit.

Nabiki noticed her game console "A SNES eh? Not bad K-chan, not bad. Got a second controler?"

"Yes I do. Have thou ever played Super Mario Kart before?"

Nabiki smirked. "Oh you're on!"

Cologne's POV, a few hours later.

She was just heading to rest when she heard a noise coming out of her great granddaughter's room.

She opened the door a crack to check what it was.

"Shampoo, are you-" She cut herself off.

The TV was running one of Shampoo's games.

Shampoo and Nabiki had fallen asleep on top of each other.

She snuck into the room quietly, shut off the TV, draped a blanket over the girls, and shut off the light.

It was good to see her great granddaughter make a friend for a change.

She was looking forward to having the Tendo girl around. Cologne had long acepted her granddaughter's chances of winning over Ranma were slim to none. May as well get something out of this trip.

Training Nabiki would take time, as would getting the girl to realize not everything was about money. The girl was smart though, she'd be able to handle it

Cologne chuckled as she headed to bed herself.