DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ranma 1/2. Nor do I own any other recognized series/characters that may appear in this story. Characters and series elements are copyright of their respective owners.
A/N: This chapter brings in yet more crossover fun as Ryouga has a run in with not only crossover characters, but a relative! Yes, I know, I'm twisted :P Also, I fully admit to selfishly inserting a small scene with one of my all time favorite Ranma 1/2 minor characters complete with another tip of the hat to the seiyuu. Just cause I can. ^_^ Finally, some of the reviews mentioned some missed punctuation in the fic. Thanks to everyone who pointed this out. I've gone back and hopefully fixed all the mistakes. Keep those reviews coming for it's your criticism that helps the story turn out better. Enjoy!
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As the cast and crew of Ranma 1/2 were busy on Stage #1, countless other areas of the studio were being unintentionally visited by a very agitated, very dejected, very lost Ryouga. Ryouga had been down every alleyway, on every lot and outside every stage of the studio. Luckilly for him, he'd miraculously managed to at least remain on the grounds. The only thing that kept him from opening every last stage door were unfamiliar cast and crew (not to mention props) outside. Clear indications that he'd arrived at the wrong set and needn't bother checking inside. Ryouga was about to call security and have them escort him back, something his pride almost always kept him from doing, when he noticed something. For the first time in hours, he saw someone familiar. It wasn't the Ranma 1/2 set, but the figure he saw caused him to bound forward with enthusiasm. Slowing down just mere feet behind them he came to a stop. Ryouga sported a cheeky grin and tapped the person in front of him on the shoulder.
"Working hard as usual little bro? I guess a squirt like you doesn't have his own trailer yet huh." Ryouga smirked as the 10 year old boy swerved around and gave him a look of surprise. "What are you doing here, big brother? Wait don't tell me. You got lost again. Typical." The boy mirrored Ryouga's smirk as he finished his reply, no longer surprised but instead a mix of joy, annoyance and cockiness. Ryouga's smirk faded away as his features were more in favor of showing a disgruntled frown. "That anyway to talk to me? Feh, I'm not lost. I simply decided to go for a stroll on my break, that's all."
Ryouga saw the boy's smirk accompanied by a raised eyebrow which had a 'sure, sure you did' look to it and his frown deepened. As he continued his reply, Ryouga reached out a hand to take a prop the boy was holding and change the subject in effort to preserve his dignity. "What's this, a Ouija Board?" The boy promptly snatched back the prop and shot back at him. "You know it isn't. Now give it here!"
"Feh, you can have it. I'm not sure what's worse. The weird board or that wimpy looking green robe they've got you prancing around in. I don't know why you let them cast you as a hocus pocus conjuring wimp... I taught you martial arts so that you could land a combat role. Not this magical mumbo jumbo.." Ryouga smiled inside. He may not have shown it, but he really was proud of his brother for following him in his acting career choice. Child actors were in high demand, and no one had been more supportive of his little brother than Ryouga when he had decided to take advantage of the opportunity.
"Shut up! I'll have you know I've already been offered a contract for another series!" the boy retorted, quite agitated. "And it's a combat role so get off my back, Ryouga!" Ryouga smirked and noogied the kid's head.
"Didn't think you had it in you, squirt. Good job." The young boy smiled and was about to voice his dislike for the name 'squirt' when the director could be heard calling various cast and crew to report to their stations. "Syaoran Li! You're needed on the set, kid. Move it!" Ryouga gave the kid a high five and nudged his head toward the direction of the door to Stage #5. "Go get em. I'll see you at home." With that, Ryouga turned and headed off, just as lost as he was before arriving.
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Nabiki meanwhile was back to pacing around the studio. She had at least an hour to kill before her next scene and although Ranma's words from earlier stayed with her, the lack of Ukyo left her less than convinced.
"Sorry I'm late!" A call came from the main stage door as a cheerful Ukyo came sprinting in. "Where have you been, Ukyo? I thought Ryouga was the only cast member I'd have to reschedule scenes for!"
Ukyo smiled slightly embarrassed at the miffed director. Her right foot suddenly shuffling absently behind the left as she lowered her head, a blush on her face. "Sorry boss. I got held up. I'll head off to wardrobe and be ready in two shakes. Promise!" With that, Ukyo bounded off happily leaving a bemused director to simply shake his head and walk off. Nabiki's jaw dropped as she witnessed a cheerful Ukyo skipping around the stage like she'd won the lottery. Not at all the scene she'd played over and over in her mind all morning. *What the?*
Still in shock, Nabiki barely heard the calls from Tatewaki, Kodachi and Sasuke as they came off-set after completing their scene. "Nabiki? You okay?" Nabiki turned to the trio just as Sasuke bowed politely and excused himself to go study the script, Kodachi and Tatewaki still looking at her expectantly awaiting a reply. "I'm fine, just..... shocked." Kodachi looked at her with slight concern. "None of us have another scene for a while. Why don't you join us for tea in our trailer. You can help me keep the king of pranksters here from making a fool of himself again.." she finished off with a cold stare directedly aimed at her husband. Tatewaki, not quite out of the doghouse yet, kept quiet and simply looked at Nabiki, silently urging her to accept. Nabiki sighed, gave the pair a smile and graciously accepted. With that, the three headed off to the Kunos' trailer.
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Akane had spent several moments thinking on her trailer steps. She was tempted to grant herself some alone time inside, but wanted to be able to hear the cast and crew should anyone call her. Pressing a finger thoughtfully to her lips, she sighed.
Akane had been carefully avoiding Ranma since their trial run scene for the director. She wanted to see him, but was so full of questions that she was afraid the sight of him would cause her to be far too flustered. Akane felt her hand drop down to just below her neck, feeling the skin there while in her own little world as she imagined the golden locket there, knowing it was meant for her due to the inscription she'd seen.
"Hello Akane" Akane snapped out of her light trance to see Shampoo shooting her a friendly smile. Thankful to see anyone but Ranma catch her in that trancelike state, she smiled back as Shampoo walked over. "May I join you for a late lunch? I have some time before my next scene and I never did get to thank you." Akane paused at Shampoo's words. "Thank me? What for?" Shampoo grinned, her mood not coming down since her arrrival at work, the previous night still fresh in her mind. "For listening to me yesterday of course. I was very upset and our little talk was much appreciated."
Akane nodded, the memory of their talk of Shampoo's worries coming back to her. Smiling she stood up and opened her trailer door, inviting Shampoo inside. "I'm glad I could help, Shampoo. And you seem to be worlds better today." The pair sat down just inside the door, Akane's concern of wanting to hear if they were called still valid. As the two shared a mini feast of cup ramen and pork buns, Shampoo smiled and told Akane of her second date with Mousse. Akane's eyes widened with delight as she was told the tale, her every thought being happiness for Shampoo. "He kissed me." Shampoo whispered with a smile, pointing softly to her lips to indicate the location of the kiss. Akane blushed. Not because of the kiss specifically, but due to the fact that hearing about it brought back the all too vivid memory of her own recent kiss. Shampoo noticed the blush, but shrugged it off, figuring it was Akane's way of expressing happiness for her.
"Excuse me ladies." A crewman walked up to Akane's trailer, interrupting the girltalk. "Shampoo, the director says to tell you that your next scene's been moved. We can't find Shampoo-neko anywhere. The trainer thinks she's run off." Shampoo let out an exasperated sigh. "Damned cat... Oh well, tell him I'll be in my trailer if he needs me." The crewman nodded and walked off, leaving Shampoo to stand and nod a polite farewell to Akane. "I trust we can keep our talk between us girls?" she asked. "Of course. Take care Shampoo." Akane smiled and picked up her script, desperately trying to get her mind off the kiss as Shampoo found herself unknowingly walking toward Mousse's trailer.
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Ranma was sitting alone in his trailer, thoughtfully running a finger over the gold locket bearing Akane's name as the memory of his lips on hers played through his mind. Letting out a heavy sigh, he looked down at the precious trinket. *Am I ever gonna give this to her...?* Ranma closed his eyes regretfully, cursing himself for not presenting the locket to Akane long ago.
"Ranma, you in there? The director's looking for ya! Something about a screentest." Ranma closed the jewelry box hastilly and shot up out of his seat, quickly tucking the box in his sportsbag. "Damn, I'm late!" Like a red streak of lightning he sped out of his trailer and across the sound stage at record breaking speed, screeching to a halt just outside the screentest room.
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Ranma let out a nostalgic sigh as he glanced around the room. He hadn't set foot in it since he landed his title role. Ranma had helped test new cast members before, but this was usually done on-set, so there was no need for him to return to the screentesting area. As he looked around he saw various small groups, usually two or three actors, each group gathered next to a sign bearing a future character's name. Ranma's curiousity got the better of him as noted each sign posted around the room. *The writers don' exactly lemme in on anythin'. No harm in takin' a sneak peek..* he surmized. Satisfied no one was watching, Ranma read each sign one by one. The first read 'Gambling King', then 'Miss Hinako', followed by 'Principal Kuno'. That one made Ranma roll his eyes slightly. He then went on to read two more. The first beared the name 'Pantyhose Taro' while the second had not one, but three names written on it. 'Herb, Lime and Mint'. *Man, those writers sure are gettin' hard up for name ideas...*
Ranma was about to read the last sign when the director caught sight of him and motioned for him to come over. "Ah, there you are, Ranma. You're just in time to help me test one of our final considerations for a new character." He then gestured toward a boy Ranma's age who in turn, boldly stepped forward, hiding nervousness behind his features. "Ranma, meet Takeshi-san. He's auditioning for the role of Shinnosuke. I'd like you to help test him in a fight scene. Takeshi-san, you of course know my star, Ranma Saotome." Ranma nodded to the boy and shot him a welcoming grin."Yo, nice ta meetcha. G'luck man!" Ranma stated as he got into a fighting stance.
The director smiled and spoke some final instructions before calling for the screentest to begin. "Okay kid, remember. You've just gotten into an altercation with Ranma. You're on the offense, but your character's weakened. Still, give it all ya got! Go!" Ranma waited for the actor to make his first attack and easilly countered. What followed was a series of kicks, punches, at least two throws and one very convincing elbow strike to the stomach on Takeshi's part. Luckilly, both boys had been trained in stunt fighting as well as real and Ranma definitely had the experience to back up taking a punch.
Ranma was right in the middle of a roundhouse kick when a call from the director caused him to cease his momentum. "Hold it! Kid, I know I said you're weakened, but you're downplaying the fight a little too much. Your fighting spirit is supposed to be making up for where your physical strength is lacking. Remember, you're defensive and feeling very protective right now. In your eyes, Ranma's hurt Akane's feelings. She's the woman you've fallen for and seeing her hurt angers you into attacking. Now show me more feeling!" Ranma rolled his eyes as he began resuming his attack. *Great... another Ryouga...* he thought as the fight commenced.
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Shampoo was off in her own little world lovingly labeled 'Cloud 9' as she walked around the sound stage in a daydream like state. She'd been so busy thinking about the previous night's events that she failed to notice she was heading in the opposite direction to her trailer, that being her originally intended destination. Only when she saw the screentest room did she realize where she was. There was indeed a trailer in front of her. But it wasn't hers. *The screentest area? But...that would make this trailer... Oh crap!* Shampoo eyed the trailer door nervously, begging it to remain shut as she realized her feet had carried her straight to not her own trailer, but Mousse's.
Mousse, who was inside meditating, had heard soft footsteps outside and stood up to investigate. Shampoo's eyes widened in fear as she saw the doorknob turn. *No, not now. He'll think I'm following him again. Things are just starting to go well, Kami, don't let me screw this up!* Shampoo's eyes darted around the immediate area, desperately searching for a reason to be where she was. Suddenly she spotted Ranma exiting the screentest area. Smiling, she bolted for his location and gave him an almost in character hug, her greatfulness for her best friend's good timing showing through.
"Hi Ranma. I haven't gotten a chance to talk to you today. Helping out with auditions again?" Ranma smiled, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of Shampoo, but happy to see her nonetheless. "Yep, jus' finishing up now, Shampoo. Man, yer happy today. Somethin' good happen? C'mon, neither of us have scenes ta shoot fer another hour. Tell me what's up over a coffee. My treat!" Shampoo nodded in response to the invite and the two friends walked off. Their conversation had not gone unnoticed however. Mousse sighed from his trailer doorway, watching the pair make their exit. Leaning against the doorframe, he spoke aloud to no one in particular. "I guess it would have been too much to hope that she had come to see me..." Mousse stared at the screentest room entrance where Shampoo's figure had stood, closing his eyes as he stubbornly swerved around to face his trailer interior once again, closing the door behind him. *Why should I let that bother me.. It's natural for her to have come to see Saotome. They are best friends. I am a mere colleague. I made ammends with her. I repaid the unkind behaviour from before. We are even now. And I have scenes to rehearse.* Picking up his script again, he buried his nose in it. As he stared at the dialogue, the faint image of him bestowing a kiss upon Shampoo's lips outside her door passed through his mind. A long pause and one very exasperated sigh later, Mousse dropped the script and exited his trailer.
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Lunch hour had come and gone and a food deprived Ryouga was fast starting to hear his stomach voice its' complaints. Grumbling, he looked around in an attempt to get his bearings. *I may not know what set I'm near, but I can at least find me some food..* he thought.
Suddenly he saw something that made his lips curl into a wry smile, his eyes lighting up as food suddenly was the last thing on his mind. In front of Ryouga stood a figure with her back to him. She was an attractive girl his age with a slender figure and short blackish blue hair. Ryouga walked confidently up to her and embraced her from behind. "I'd know that sexy sillouette anywhere. Sorry for leaving ya unannounced like that, beautiful. Didn't mean to be gone so long. What say we make up for lost time."
The girl swerved around, still in Ryouga's arms and blushed horribly, a puzzled look on her face as she stared back at the strange and very forward man holding her. Ryouga immediately released his hold and jumped back a foot, freezing up shortly after. "Erk! You..you're not my Akane." Still blushing faintly, but recovering, the girl let out a soft cough and answered the flustered Ryouga. "I'm afraid not, sir. My name is Ami. Ami Mizuno" The girl then went into a bow and Ryouga began to recover from his innitial shock, choosing instead to just plain blush in horrific embarrassment at his actions. Looking around nervously, he asked the innevidable. "Uh, I.. I'm sorry about.....er, where am I?" Ryouga caught sight of a sign that read 'Stage 2'. The girl was just about to answer him when a loud racket cut her off but good. "MRREOOWWWWRRR!!!!!"
The pair each jumped out of the way as two cats came bounding through and right between them. Bouncing off of various props and knocking over small set pieces, the two animals proceeded to get into a genuine catfight, claws flying everywhere as screeches and hisses hit the ears of everyone in the area. Ryouga recognized one of the frenzied animals just as Ami reached out and grabbed the other. "Shampoo-neko!?" he stated dumbfounded. "Luna! Stop this at once!" scolded Ami as she held the second cat tight in her arms. Shampoo-neko meanwhile strutted around like the victor in a fighting match just as a white cat peeked around from behind one of the fallen props. Shampoo-neko promptly padded over and rubbed up against the third cat as the one called Luna squirmed in Ami's tight grasp. Ryouga rolled his eyes and picked up the suddenly disgruntled Shampoo-neko as Ami stared down the white cat. "Artemis. It figures."
Ryouga kept a firm hold on the struggling Shampoo-neko and looked down at the perturbed feline. "Looks like we both struck out huh.." He shot an embarrassed and appologetic look back at Ami as he looked at the remaining two cats. "Wait, I know this set. Aren't those cats supposed to talk?" Ami shook her head with a sigh. "A simple CGI trick. Everyone knows cats can't talk." Ryouga chuckled lightly, hiding his embarrasment best he could. "Hehe, yeah....right. HEY!!!" Shampoo-neko wriggled free and bolted out of Ryouga's grip and off like a shot. Ryouga chased after the cat, determined not to let it out of his sight. "Come back here you annoying furball!" Miraculously, Ryouga kept up with the racing feline, only mere feet behind her with every step. He sprinted after her past set after set, over props, under costume wracks and through set pieces. As he ran, Ryouga began to lose hope that he'd ever find his way back. And now he was responsible for the loss of one of the animals. *Damn! Bad enough I got lost. That infernal cat's leading me on a wild goose chase around the whole lot! How will I ever get back to.. HUH!??*
Ryouga stopped cold as Shampoo-neko lept into the arms of her trainer. He then blinked in disbelief as he found himself mere yards away from his trailer. He'd made it back to the set without even realizing it. Smiling a coy smile in attempt to make it look like he'd made his way back on purpose, he leaned over and whispered to the now purring cat. "Next time you feel like going on a romantic fling, leave me out of it..." His frustration once again subsiding to allow hunger to take over, he collapsed on his trailer steps and began scarfing down his yesterday's lunch.
Thus ends Chapter 9. Chapter 10 coming soon so stay tuned!
**UPDATE!!**
Due to the busy holiday season, I won't be able to post more chapters until January. I simply don't have the time. Sorry everyone! Check back in the new year and I promise I will get back to the fic! Happy Holidays!