Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Duckie Dearest ❯ Sparring Family ( Chapter 2 )

Duckie Dearest - Part 2

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Ranma stared in horror at the female Mousse. "I'm so sorry," he said.

"What for?" she returned. "It's better than being a duck -- and you forget that where I come from, women are better than men."

"Still -- I'm sorry. I just gave you another curse."

"It's no problem." Mouse shrugged. "I should go talk to Cologne now. She'll be interested in the fact, I think."

"You go do that"

Mousse turned back. "I won't be attacking you any more. Now that I have what I want, there's no need to pretend an infatuation with Shampoo any more."

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"What did you mean by that, anyway?" Ranma asked as they sparred.

"By what?"

"That you got what you want."

"A man who is also a woman has higher standing among my people than a man who is always a man. I now count as one of the warriors of the tribe."

They fought on.

"It's going to be interesting calling you brother or sister," Mousse said after a while, during a pause.

"What?" Ranma said.

"You're open." A quick blow later, he explained: "Grandmother Cologne has made me family, and Shampoo's half-sibling. Since you are married to her that make me your half-sibling. Odd."

"I'm not married to Shampoo!"

"You are. Notice, however, that we don't object to your interest in Akane. Shampoo does because she doesn't want competition. However, our laws say that it's perfectly acceptable for an outsider husband to have a wife of his own people as well as an Amazon wife. And since you've beaten Shampoo as a girl, as a girl you have higher standing than she and can choose to stay here. All we ask is that you father her children, and if she has any males, you can keep them when she leaves."

"I see." Ranma seemed bitter. "So this whole 'airen' thing is a fake." He looked ready to storm over to the Cat Cafe and pick a serious fight.

"She loves you," Mousse said. "Never doubt that. But Amazon love is not the same as Japanese love. It's something you'll have to deal with."

Ranma stopped attacking suddenly and simply blocked blows until Mousse stopped as well. "So why're you telling me all this?"

"Aren't you happy? I've essentially simplified your fiancée problem."

"Yeah, but why are you suddenly so supportive of Shampoo?"

"Like I said: I was never in love with her. Besides, she's family now." Mousse bowed formally. "I will see you later, Honored Brother. Good luck with the rest of your day."