Footsteps Leading Nowhere CH 6

[tyrsol]

^^^=Flashback / "Japanese" / ' Thought ' / :Chinese: / {English} / [written]
THE NEXT DAY

Destine awoke at dawn and climbed out of bed.  Opening the curtain she turned around to see Mousse still sound asleep.  Shaking her head, she walked into the bathroom and pulled on a swimsuit.  'I think I'll go down to the spring.'

She tied her hair back and looked at herself in the mirror.  Her elflocks were the same length as the rest of her hair but they fell in front of her ears no matter what she did.  Pulling out a pair of scissors she looked at her long hair.  'Nothing but a hassle.' 
TEN MINUTES LATER

Destine looked in the mirror again and finished trimming up her bangs.  On the floor all around her were clippings of her hair.  She had cut it to the base of her skull again except for her elflocks, which she had left long.  'Mousse is going to be shocked.'  She laughed quietly and cleaned up her mess.  Pulling on a pair of shorts she turned off the bathroom light and headed for the kitchen.

Mousse awoke to the sun beating in his eyes.  ':Guess it's time for me to get up:.'  He slipped on his glasses and climbed out of bed.  ':Wonder where Destine went.  I thought she would sleep in today:.'  Walking into the bathroom he flipped on the light.  He turned on the water in the bath and waited for the water to heat up.

'It feels so weird not having all that weight on my head.'  Destine sat on the rock ledge in the spring and sighed.  "I could stay in here forever."

":Destine?  Are you out here:?"  Lipstick pushed a branch out of her way and stood at the edge of the spring.

":I'm over here Lipstick.  Promise you won't scream though:."

":I promise:."  Lipstick walked around the spring and headed for the ledge Destine was sitting on.  ":WHAT DID YOU DO:?!"

":I cut my hair:."  Destine replied in a calm voice.  ":Why:?"

":Mousse is going to faint when he sees this:."

Destine laughed.  ":I know:."

":I like it, it's definitely you:."  Lipstick smiled and remover her sandals.  Sitting on a rock she dipped her feet into the spring.  ":Now I see why you come out here.  This feels nice:."

":Yeah, but I probably should be getting inside soon.  I need to get our stuff ready for tonight.  You and Ryoga coming to Nerima:?"  Destine pushed off from the ledge and swam over to the shallow end.  Stepping out she grabbed her towel off the tree branch and dried off.  She slipped her shorts and shoes on and wrapped the towel around her head.  ":Now I can at least make it to the bathroom without someone screaming:."

Lipstick laughed and slipped her sandals back on.  ":I'll head up with you.  I need to wake Ryoga up still.  I think he was tired.  I hit him on the head three times and all he did was roll over:."

Destine smiled and walked up to the back door.  ":Use cold water if you have to:."

":I know:."  Lipstick grinned and headed off to the room she and Ryoga were staying in.

Shaking her head Destine filled up a glass of water and walked down the hall to her room.  She opened the door just as she finished drinking her water.  "Mousse?  You up yet?"

"I'm in the bathroom getting dressed.  I'll be out in a second."

"Take your time."  Destine sat down on the bed and undid the towel.  Pulling her elf locks behind her ears she wrapped the towel around her hair again and sighed.

"Bathroom's all yours Des-chan."  Mousse stepped out of the bathroom and kissed Destine lightly on the lips.  "I'm going to go and fix breakfast.  Do you have your stuff packed for tonight?"

"I'll get it packed after I shower off and eat breakfast."

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything."  Mousse smiled and walked to the door.  Suddenly with lightning quick speed he whirled around and a small hook shot from his sleeve.  The hook sailed through the air caught the towel on Destine's head, pulling his arm back Mousse smiled as the towel came back with the hook.  "I saw the cuttings in the trash. Let's see this new haircut of yours."

He walked over to Destine and pulled the elflocks back in front of Destine's ears.  ":Cute:.  In fact it suits you Des-chan.  You look very lovely."

"Thanks, I was afraid that you would scream when you saw what I had done."  Destine stood up and walked into the bathroom.  "I'll be out in the kitchen in a few minutes.  I just need to wash up and get dressed for the day.  Will you work with Megumi today?  I need to get a few things done around the house."

"Sure.  How far is she on her lessons?"

"She's learning basic chain techniques.  She'll let you know how far she is."  Smiling Destine poked her head out of the bathroom and winked.  "She's a very fast learner so be careful."

*Nerima*

"Ranma, are you sure you want to let people stay at the dojo?"  Soun looked up from his game of Shogi.  "Why not let them stay with Cologne?"

"Because we have more than enough space, and besides, it can't hurt anything."  Ranma dodged out of the way of Akane's kick's and back flipped onto the rocks surrounding the koi pond.  "Why worry?"

"Because!"  Akane jumped into the air and kicked Ranma into the pond.  "What if someone gets severely hurt?  How will you explain it to the medics?  It will come off as we weren't taking care of the place."

"No one will get hurt Akane."  Ranma climbed out of the pond and glared at Akane.  "Why'd you kick me into the pond?!"

"She found an opening my boy.  I'll go heat some water."  Genma moved a piece on the board and walked off to the kitchen.  "Gotcha Tendo."

Akane sat down on the veranda and looked over at the game board.  "He won daddy."

"Not if I can help it."  Soun grabbed the piece and popped it in his mouth.

"Here's the water Ranma my boy."  Setting the kettle of water on the veranda he looked down at the game board.  "WHAT?  That's the third piece this week that's missing.  And how come they're always mine too?"

"Have no idea Saotome.  Akane, I believe there's someone at the door."

"I'll get it."  Ranma grabbed the kettle of hot water and walked to the front door.  "Just a sec!"  He poured the water over his head and opened the door.  "Hey Kasumi, Nabiki!  Where're your husbands?"

"Kuno baby's back at the house.  I thought we'd stop by for a bit."  Nabiki smiled.

"And I came over to see if you guys needed any help for tonight."  Kasumi slipped off her shoes and stepped inside.

"Well, um, I don't know of anything that needs to be done right now.  We'll probably need help tomorrow."

"How's father doing?"

"He's suffering from indigestion."  Akane smiled and walked up next to Ranma.  "Are you guys coming to the get together tomorrow?"

"It would be rude to turn down such a wonderful invitation.  But what to you mean by father has indigestion?"

"He ate another game piece."

"Oh my."

*Yokohama*

Destine sat on the bed and looked at her traveling bag.  "I've got what I need as well as what Megumi needs for two days.  I think Mousse already has his stuff packed."  She picked up her bag and walked to the entry.  Setting it down she smiled to herself and ran a hand through her hair.  "Can't believe Cologne's bringing everyone together.  Wonder what she's planning."

"One never knows with her."  Mousse walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.  "But she can't be planning anything against us."

"I'm more worried about Shampoo.  Already Cologne has Frost in her care, I'm worried that she will take Chaos too."  Destine sighed and leaned back against Mousse.  "You have your stuff ready?"

"Always, oh, and Megumi is wondering if she can take Ryoku along.  I told her to ask you about it."  Mousse smiled and took a step back causing Destine to fall off balance.  ":An opening:."  He leaned forward and kissed her.

"Baka."  Destine slipped out of Mousse's grasp and sat down pretending to be emotionally hurt.  "Taking advantage of my love like that."  She laughed and climbed to her feet.  "What time do you want to leave tonight?"

"I was thinking around 8 or 9 tonight.  That gives us enough time to relax as well as wait for Shampoo and Jay to arrive."  At Destine's confused look Mousse smiled.  "I got a call from them when you were at the spring.  Right as I climbed out of the bath too."

"What time will they be arriving?"

"Jay said that they'd probably show up around six."

"Come on Megumi, let's see how your fighting styles are coming along and then we'll break for lunch!"  Mousse smiled and leaned back against a tree.

"But you've seen my weapon style daddy."  Megumi looked over at her father with a confused look on her face.

"I was talking about your unarmed fighting.  One cannot rely on their weapons alone Megumi.  Just watch your mother sometime.  She will actually remove her robe if she feels her weapons provide too much of an advantage.  Has she been teaching you unarmed combat?"

"Yes, but I don't think I'm any good at it."  Megumi looked down at the ground and scuffed her foot back and forth.

":You are your own worst critic:.  That is what my sensei used to tell me when I was growing up.  You're not as bad as you think you are.  Just try your regular kata workout, just this time without the weapons.  I'll be your backboard."

"Can I spar against you daddy?  I want to see how I could do against you."

"Certainly Megumi.  I will be careful with my attacks so as not to hurt you."  Mousse pushed away from the tree and removed his robe.  "Attack me whenever you are ready."

Megumi ran up and jumped at her father.  Mousse jumped out of the way and caught Megumi by the waist.  "First thing, never start off with a jump attack when unarmed.  Your opponent will be able to block or move out of the way."  He set Megumi on the ground and smiled.

"OK, I'll remember that."  Megumi smiled and began to circle.  'I can't start with a jump attack, what can I do?'

"Do you wish for me to make the first move Megumi?"

Nodding Megumi assumed a defensive position and watched her father's every move.

Mousse smiled slightly and began to move closer to Megumi. 'I'm going to have to slow my moves down.  I don't want to hurt her.'  He spun and made a light kick for Megumi's shoulder.

Blocking with her forearm, Megumi kicked Mousse's shin and jumped back.  She ran back up to him and ducking low she swept her foot across Mousse's ankles and knocked him down.  Stepping back she looked over towards the back door to see Destine looking out the window.  'Mommy's coming.'

Grinning Mousse jumped back to his feet and looked over at his daughter.  "You've got first point.  Want to go again?"

Megumi nodded and resumed a defensive position.

Again Mousse circled around and this time threw a light punch to Megumi's arm.  The punch hit Megumi who winced slightly but moved in to attack.

"Mousse! Megumi! Lunch!"  Destine stood at the back door and shouted over to them.

"Just a second Des-chan!"  Mousse turned to face Destine.  "We'll be up in a bi…" His words were cut off as Megumi jumped up and kicked him in the face.  Falling backward Mousse laughed slightly.  He landed lightly and looked up to see Megumi smiling down at him.

"An opening Daddy."  Megumi smiled and ran up to the house.

Climbing to his feet he dusted himself off and picked up his robe.  Slipping it on he turned around to see Destine standing in front of him.

"She can kick huh?"  Destine pulled out a napkin from her pocket and dabbed at the blood on Mousse’s lip.

"Harder than I thought too.  You were right Des-chan, she does take advantage of her situation.  You called out and I took my attention off of her for a second and the next thing I knew, I was being kicked in the face."  Mousse rubbed the spot where Megumi had kicked him and looked at his wife.  "Kicks just like you do.  Slightly to the left with the inside of the foot."

"Of course, I am the one who taught her that move.  Let's go up to the house."  Destine took Mousse's hand and led him back to the house.

LATER THAT EVENING

"ALL ABOARD!"

Destine picked up her bag and stepped onto the train.  Finding three rows of empty seats she pointed to them and smiled.  "We can sit here I guess.  Megumi, do you want to sit by the window?"

Nodding Megumi climbed into the seat nearest the window and set a small box on her lap.  From inside the box came a small squeak.

"Megumi, you're going to have to keep Ryoku quiet if you want her to stay with you.  Otherwise the conductor will take her away and put her in the back room."

Megumi opened the box and stroked Ryoku's neck. “You be quite now.”  She signed.

Mousse sat down next to Destine and leaned back against the chair.  "What do you think will happen at the party Des-chan?"

"One can never tell."  Pulling out her sketchbook Destine flipped to a fresh page and began to draw.  "Why don't you get some sleep?"

“That’s not a bad idea, that way one of us will be fully awake when we get to Nerima.”  Sighing Mousse set his glasses on his lap and fell asleep.

“Daddy tired?”  Closing the lid on Ryoku’s box Megumi pointed to her father.

Destine picked up Mousse’s glasses and slipped them into her sleeve.  “He’s had a rough past few days Megumi.  Why don’t you get some sleep as well?  We won’t get there until around midnight.”

“OK.”  Setting the box down Megumi curled up in a ball and pulled her arms into her sleeves.  Closing her eyes she sighed.

“:Sleep well my daughter:.”  Destine pulled a pen from her sleeve and started going over the pencil lines on her sketches.

*Nerima*

“Ranma, do you have those beds ready?  Destine and her family should be arriving any minute now.”  Akane poked her head into the dojo and looked around. “Ranma?”

“Could I get some help here?  Nice kitty.”

“Nice kitty?”  Akane stepped into the dojo to see Ranma backed up against the wall and a small white kitten staring at him.  Next to him stood Yamato with a concerned look on his face.  “Seriously Ranma, you should have taken Destine up on that offer to cure you.”

“Does he still have that cat problem?”  Destine removed her shoes and stepped into the dojo.  “I thought that he would have gotten over it by now.”  She bowed and walked over to Akane.  “Good to see you again.”

“Could someone get this cat away from me?!”  Ranma glared over at Destine and Akane.

Megumi walked into the dojo and picked up the kitten.  Setting it down outside she turned to her mother.  “What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s got agoraphobia. That means he’s afraid of cats.”  Destine smiled.  “Akane, Ranma, this is my daughter Megumi.”

“Well hi there Megumi, did you have a nice trip over here?”  Akane bent down so she was at Megumi’s eye level.

“She can’t talk Akane.  But she told me that she did enjoy her trip.”

Standing up Akane looked from Megumi to Destine.  “Then she’s deaf?”

“No she can hear just fine.  She just can’t talk.  That’s why she’s learning hidden weapons and uses sign language.”  Destine smiled as Ryoku ran into the room and jumped onto Megumi’s shoulder.  “And this is her pet Ryoku.”

“Where’s Mousse?  And the others?”  Akane looked past Destine to the door of the dojo.  “Is it just you and Megumi?”

“No we’re all here.”  Mousse stepped into the dojo and grinned.  “Lipstick is outside dragging Ryoga out of the koi pond.  I guess you are going to have to call him D-chan now.” He laughed and walked up next to Destine.  “Shampoo and Jay are here too.”

“What do you mean call him D-chan?  And that reminds me Destine, did you ever find P-chan?”

“Your little P-chan is Ryoga.  Mousse was making a joke about that.  I cured Ryoga but on his way to come and visit me he fell into the pool of the drowned dog.”  Lipstick walked in with a very unhappy looking black dog trotting beside her.

“Ryoga was P-chan?!”  Akane turned bright red and suddenly her battle aura began to flare.  “He saw me NAKED?!”

“Akane.”  Ranma stood up and placed his hands on Akane’s shoulders.  “He didn’t mean any harm.”

Sighing Akane looked over at a figure standing by the door.  “Who are you?”

Akira bowed but remained where she was.  “I am Akira Hibiki, younger sister of Ryoga and Destine.”

“Um, Destine, how many Hibikis are there?”  Akane walked over to Akira and led her inside.

“Three I think.  I’m not the one to ask about that.  Remember I spent 18 years of my life not knowing who I really was.  Ask Akira she would know the most.”

“Looks like everyone’s here.  Wait, where’s Ukyo?”  Cologne hopped into the dojo and stood in the center of the group.

“Sorry I’m late!  I had to close up for the night.”  Ukyo smiled and removed her shoes.

“Mom,” Yamato tugged at Akane’s dress. “Are these your friends?”

“Yes, I grew up with Ukyo, Shampoo, Mousse and Ryoga.  About ten years ago I met Destine.  This is the first time I’ve met Lipstick, Jay and Akira though.”

“We have two more coming over but they won’t be here until tomorrow.”  Cologne hopped over to Shampoo and gave her a hug.  “How are you enjoying America granddaughter?”

“It’s fun!  There are so many strange things over there.  People drive on the other side of the street, they talk funny sometimes, and well, I just can’t describe it to you.”  Shampoo smiled and turned to Jay.  “Mind if we stay with my great-grandmother tonight?”

“I have no problem with staying with Cologne.  Where’s Frost?”

“She’s back at the café.  She had to finish up some chores.”  Cologne smiled.  “Destine, may I speak with you?”

Raising her eyebrows Destine shrugged and followed after Cologne.  “What do you need Elder Cologne?”

“Come now child, you don’t have to call me elder anymore.  I was wondering if after a few years you and Mousse would come to Nerima and take over the Cat Café.  I’m getting to old to run the business and train a child at the same time.”

“I’d have to take it up with Mousse, but when the time comes, I guess I can only say maybe.  I run a shop in Yokohama and Mousse owns a breakfast café.  We’re busy almost every day.”  Destine rubbed her eyes and yawned.  “Sorry, I didn’t sleep on the train like the rest of those guys.”

“Quite all right.  Megumi should be getting to bed as well.  That child should not stay up this late.  She needs her rest to continue growing.  I will see you in the morning then.”  Smiling Cologne jumped over the wall surrounding the house and disappeared from sight.

“Destine?”  Mousse walked up behind Destine and rested his hands on her shoulders. “:You need to get some sleep dear.  Everyone’s going to head for bed now.  We’re going to meet up at the Cat Café tomorrow afternoon:.”

Smiling Destine took Mousse’s hand and walked back to the dojo.  Removing her robe she unfastened her stationary weapons (The weapons who’s holders are attached to her arms and legs) and set them on the ground next to the futon.  “Megumi, time for you to go to bed.”

Nodding Megumi took off her robe and lay down on the small futon next to the large one set up for Destine and Mousse.  “Good night Mommy.  Good night Daddy.”  She closed her eyes and laughed slightly as Ryoku crawled onto her pillow.

“Are you and Ryoga going to stay here or go with Shampoo and Jay?”  Destine sat down on the futon and took out her contacs.

“:We’re going to stay here:.”  Lipstick braided her hair into two separate braids and lay down on her futon.  Ryoga, still in dog form, curled up at her feet.

Destine lay down on her futon and closed her eyes.  She could hear Mousse setting his weapons on the floor and curling up next to her.  With a contented sigh she fell asleep.