HIDDEN WEAPONS UNITED
By Megan Earley

CHAPTER 2

***Word of warning. In this story I tended to jump from character to character. You will see the story told as if by a council. The two main parts are Destine and Mousse. ^_^ ***

Destine sat at one of the tables and watched Mousse go about his business. ‘So he’s cursed as well. I wonder how many people in this town are cursed?’ She sat back and stretched. ‘I need to finish exploring.’

The bell on the door rang and a young man with a large back pack walked into the restaurant. He had black hair and was wearing a yellow bandanna. Destine smiled. ‘Another wanderer.’

The man sat down at one of the tables and Shampoo walked over to take his order, "Nihao Ryoga. You want ramen?"

Ryoga nodded an said politely, "Just a small bowl today, I don’t feel like eating a whole lot today."

"OK." Shampoo trotted off to the kitchen to carry out the order.

Destine looked over at Ryoga and smiled. "Hello friend. Any news?"

Ryoga jumped and turned around. "Who are you?"

Destine got up and walked over to Ryoga’s table. "I am Destine, I take it you’re Ryoga. Pleased to meet you."

Ryoga shook her hand and smiled. "Care to sit down?" Destine took one of the chairs and sat down. "What brings you here Destine?"

"I’m a wanderer. I came here to find a place to stay for a while." Destine nodded toward the door. "The owners have been kind enough to let me stay here for the night."

Ryoga shook his head. "Heh, careful of Cologne."

"I know."

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Mousse looked out the kitchen door at Destine. ‘Why does she have the robe of one of the hidden weapons expert?’ He turned back to his dish washing. ‘Maybe I’m just imagining it. Maybe she’s just a stage magician.’ He dried the last of the dishes. ‘But I know how to test it out.’ He walked over to the phone and dialed the operator. "Hello? I need the number for the Tendo Dojo......Yeah....thanks." He hung up the phone and slipped the number into his sleeve. ‘I’ll find out tomorrow’

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Destine walked over to the kitchen door and knocked. "Mousse?" She stepped into the kitchen and looked around. ‘Nice place, for a witch doctor.’ All around the room were herbs of various types as well as a chopping block and various other things. "Mousse? Where are you? I was wondering if we could talk for a bit." She heard a noise behind her and whirled around.

"Need something Destine?" Mousse looked at her. He was drying his hands on his apron. "If it can wait, I’m almost done." He turned and headed back to the sink.

Destine walked up to him, "Mind if I help? I need something to do."

"You could start by getting out of my kitchen!" Cologne snapped. She reached for a bucket of water and threw it at Destine.

"CHAIN SHIELD!" Hundreds of chains shot from Destine’s sleeves and formed into a shield. The water hit it and dripped onto the floor. "You don’t need to do that. You could have just asked." Destine turned on her heel walked out of the kitchen leaving Mousse with his jaw wide open.

"Get to work. I’m not paying you to gawk." She turned away. "That girl is nothing but trouble." Cologne muttered as she went back to her work.

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Destine stormed out of the restaurant and sat down on the sidewalk. ‘Stupid woman. I just wanted to help out. It wasn’t like I was going to steal some of her trade secrets.’ She leaned against the wall and sighed. ‘What did I do to her?’

"Destine?" Mousse stepped outside and sat down next to her. "I’m sorry about what she did. She was in the wrong that time." He took off his glasses and polished them. "But how did you do that move? I’m dying to know."

"What chain shield? Simple I’m a student of hidden weapons fighting. That was one of the first moves I learned. My teacher took me in when I was thrown out of all the other dojos. She was deaf. The other places didn’t want someone like me." She lowered her face. "I wasn’t good enough for them." She wiped a tear from her face. "And just because I can’t see without my glasses. Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean I can’t fight." She laughed. "I showed them in the end. They relied on just one sense to fight whereas I rely on three." She leaned back and smiled faintly. "But what about you. How did you learn? Don’t look so shocked. I knew as soon as you were turned into a duck. Your robe gave it away."

"I learned it so I could beat Shampoo and win her hand in marriage. I too cannot see without my glasses. She and I came from the same village. She has rejected me since we were three. But by law if I beat her she has to marry me. You see, I love her."

"Even though she treats you so badly?"

"Yes. I have always loved her." He sighed. "To the point of fighting battles that I could not win just for her sake."

"Um Mousse, is there some other place I could stay? I think Cologne doesn’t want me around."
"No, I called around to all the hotels and they’re booked solid. If you want you could share Shampoo’s room. She’s safe."

Destine smiled. "Thanks, I’ll take your word for it." She stood up. "I guess we should get back inside. Do you need any help with anything?"

"No but thanks for asking." He stood up and walked inside. "My room’s just down the hall if you need anything."

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Destine lay awake listening to the breeze outside. ‘Why am I here? Am I really supposed to be here or did I just get lost?’ She rolled over and stretched like a cat. ‘Oh well, may as well enjoy a good night’s sleep while I can.’ She curled up on her side and fell fast asleep.

Cologne looked in on the room and sneered. ‘Trouble, nothing but trouble.’ She closed the door and headed to Mousse’s room.

Mousse was sitting up on his bed reading. Cologne knocked on the door and let herself in. "What has she been telling you?"

Mousse looked up and yawned. "Just her past. She’s like me in many aspects. Don’t worry she didn’t steal anything. She just wanted to help out."

Mousse yawned again and took off his glasses. "Good night." He turned off the light by his bed and rolled over.

Cologne shut the door and went to her room. "That girl might ruin my plans. I must not let her get away with much."

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Destine awoke the next morning to see Shampoo standing over her. "You awake? Here, have morning tea." She handed Destine a cup of steaming tea. She sipped it and set it down be the bed.

"Shampoo, have you seen my glasses?"

"Yes I put on night stand so they not get stepped on." She handed them to Destine who slipped them on. "You just like Mousse, always need glasses."

"Yeah, so?" Destine stretched and climbed out of bed. "I’ve needed these glasses since I was eight. Though to trick people sometimes and when I perform, I wear contacs." She picked the tea up and drank the rest of it. "It’s good whatever it is."

"Great-grandmother and I make to help you wake up. Mousse lazy and not get up. We need help to get ready for work. You clean tables?"

Destine slipped her robe on and brushed her hair. "Yeah. I’ll be down in just a second." She slipped into her shoes and followed behind Shampoo.

"So what you do after today?"

"In don’t know yet. I hope to get some money to buy food and a place to stay."

"You get paid today for work. Great-grandma say so."

Destine’s eyes narrowed, "Why the sudden change of heart? Yesterday she hated me."

"She no hate Destine. She not know you."

"Oh." Destine let the conversation end there. ‘Something’s going to happen today.’

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The morning rush proved to be a hefty task for Destine. She was running form table to table clearing the dishes and getting them ready for the next customer. Around 10:00 the crowds thinned out. Still she had not see any sign of Mousse. She sat down at one of the tables she had just cleaned and rubbed her wrists. ‘I should have been more careful on that last run. I should have been able to sense that overturned chair. But no, I had to go and trip over it.’ She leaned back and closed her eyes. ‘At least it’s just for today.’

From upstairs came a loud squawk. Destine jumped up from the chair and rushed to see what happened. She burst into Mousse’s room to see Cologne and Shampoo standing over a duck.

"You’re late. I needed you down there at six. You’re lucky that Destine was there. Otherwise we would have lost money." She turned and left the room.

Mousse shook his feathers and waddled to the bathroom. Destine walked up to Shampoo. "What happened?"

"Mousse no get up so Great-grandmother get him up with water." She tried to stifle a giggle. "She very angry."

"How do you think Mousse feels? Waking up like that? Waking up to a cold shower would not be my idea of fun. It should only be used during training."

"I know." She giggled again.

Mousse stepped out of the bathroom wearing a plain white robe and black pants. "So you think that’s funny Shampoo? Well just go a head and laugh." He stormed out of the room and down the stairs.

"Uh oh. Temper flare up for stupid duck boy. Not good."

"What do you mean not good?" Destine looked Shampoo square in the eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Temper unstable at best. When he get mad he attack. I worry how get him back. He only friend."

Destine placed a hand on Shampoo’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, I’ll go talk to him." She formed a false smile. ‘Why do I always get stuck with the unstable ones?’ She walked out of the room and down the stairs back to the restaurant. She walked up to Cologne and in her nicest voice asked where Mousse had gone.

"He left without saying anything, all he left behind was this." She held up a sheet of paper with some numbers scrawled on it. "It’s the phone number for the Tendo Dojo. I think he might be going there."

"Thanks. I’ll be back soon....and hopefully with Mousse."

"Take your time. I’ve decided to close early today."

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Mousse walked down the street kicking at a pebble. ‘Even Destine smirked at what happened. Am I merely around for other people’s pleasure? Shampoo just stood there and laughed. At least Destine had a reason to smirk. She had to fill in for me today.’ He replayed the scene in his mind and saw once again the shock of transforming and the evil grin on Cologne’s face. He heard Destine running up the stairs and bursting into the room as if someone were being attacked. He heard Shampoo laughing and Destine’s voice scorning her. ‘I think that Destine girl likes me.’ Mousse laughed at the thought. ‘She probably already has a boyfriend. Besides why would she want a stupid clod like me?’

His thoughts were interrupted by shouting. He turned around to see Kuno and Ranma facing off. ‘What idiots. Who would want to go after Akane anyway?’ He was about to walk off when a small pebble hit him square on the back of the head. He drew a dagger and whirled to confront his assailant.

To his shock and amazement Desitne was standing right in front of him. "I’ve been shouting at you for the past few blocks. Weren’t you listening?"

Mousse smiled. "No. I was lost in thought Des-cha..Destine. Thank you for filling in for me today. I hadn’t had a good nights sleep in ages."

"No problem, but where are you headed to?" Destine fell into step beside him.

‘She’s actually worried about me. This is a first.’ He smiled. "I was off to the Tendo Dojo. I wanted to get some sparring practice done. Care to join me? We can check out each other’s techniques." He blushed at how stupid that must have sounded.

To his surprise he felt Destine’s hand on his shoulder. "I’d love to. I haven’t practiced against one who knew the hidden techniques for a long time." She smiled and skipped in front of him. "Finally, one who might be able to guess my attacks."

"Well let’s get going then. We’ve got two more blocks before we get to the dojo. It’s right up there." He pointed to a house. "I’ll race you. Ready go!"

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They arrived at the dojo out of breath but laughing. Destine looked up to see a giant panda standing in their path. It held up a sign and pointed to Destine. "New friend Mousse? Maybe fiancee?"

"No, this is Destine. She is a fighter like me. She knows the techniques. We came here to spar, not to fight. By the way, I’d go check on you’re son Genma. He’s gotten into another fight with Kuno."

Mousse blushed at the thought of Destine being his fiancee. ‘What am I thinking? She is just a friend. But she’s the only one to be nice to me for a long time.’ He looked up to see Gemma and Destine both starring at him. "Heh heh, um shall we get going Destine?" He lead her to the back of the house. There was a small house off the back of the main one. "There’s the dojo. I’m going to ask permission to use it for a few hours." He ran off into the main house and in a few minutes returned with a key. He unlocked the door and invited Destine inside. "What rule style should we use?"

"How about regular weapons no tricks to warm up. That one’s always interesting." She removed her robe and arranged her shirt. "Always wear something underneath." Destine leaned back as if to do a flip. Her lower back popped and she stood back up. "I don’t know how you can do that job day in and day out." She drew out a small dagger and a sword. She placed the dagger behind her in a small sheath around her waist. The sword she set down next to her. "You have seen my weapons now show me yours."

Mousse smiled. He pulled out a quarter staff and a long knife. He removed his robe and set it aside. He buckled the knife to his side and set the staff in front of him. "These are my weapons. First to lose both weapons shall be the loser. Are you ready?"

Destine picked up her sword and looked at it. "I believe that I have the unfair advantage." She put the sword away and drew out a Bo staff. "I will use this instead. Is that all right?"

"Fine with us." Destine and Mousse turned to see a curtain drop. Sitting on cushions around the room were the Tendo and Saotome family. Destine looked at Mousse then back at the gathered audience.

"Why are they here?"

"I don’t know. I think Genma might have told them I was to spar with a new partner."

Destine sighed. "Well let’s get this fight over with. Would someone be the referee?"

A tall female brunette stood up. "I will be the ref. My name is Kasumi Tendo."

Destine bowed and turned to face Mousse. Kasumi raised her hand and let it fall. Mousse lunged forward using the staff to vault himself in the air. He came flying at Destine with a nasty side kick. Destine did a back flip and landed on Mousse’s shoulders. She took her staff and rapped his shin. He jumped back knocking her off balance. Destine landed on her feet with out making a sound. She spun the staff and lunged at Mousse. He swung his staff in an effort to strike a blow that would force Destine to drop her staff. She ducked and blocked the move.

‘He’s good. Much better than the other people I’ve fought.’ Destine nimbly stepped out of range and proceeded to attack from a distance. She brought her staff down on his wrists causing him to drop his staff. He immediately drew out the knife and with one swing cut Destine’s staff in two. She stumbled back and looked down at her hands which were throbbing in pain. There was blood running from both her hands and bruises where the wood had snapped and the ends had entered her hands. "Nice hit." She adjusted her grip and was just about to attack when Mousse performed a perfect round house kick that sent her reeling. She dropped the stave pieces and landed on the floor. She started to get up but noticed that her glasses had fallen off during the fall. She closed her eyes and drew her dagger. She drew in upon herself and toned out every noise except for the noises Mousse was making. She gave a loud cry and rushed at Mousse.

Mousse had not expected the attack and so was unable to block. Destine put him in a headlock and held her dagger against his throat. "Drop your weapon." Mousse grudgingly did as he was told. The same moment the knife hit the floor Destine collapsed.

"Des-chan! What happened? Are you all right?" Mousse bent down and helped her sit up.

Destine looked around and, closing her eyes, asked for someone to get her glasses. "I don’t think I’ll fight again today." She smiled at Mousse and passed out.

END CHAPTER 2