Ukyo Married

Mu Tzu was in his room looking up the law that Cologne had mentioned, in the book of laws that he had borrowed from her. Sure enough, there it was. It roughly translated to “Engagement by Assumption,” the gist of it was, that if a man was injured in his pursuit of the woman he wanted and he was rejected. Then if another woman, who fancied him, decided to take him into her home and nurse him and the two made love. Then she had a right to claim him by public proclamation. The sex was the key, if the male did so willingly, and then it showed that he wasn’t opposed to the match. Therefore, the couple was considered to be pretty much married, until it was finalized, by at least a token effort towards Marriage by Defeat. So by Mu Tzu seeking Kentaro’s help by going to Ukyo’s that night, her helping to nurse him, eventually making love to him and finally speaking on his behalf and saying he was under her protection; she ultimately claimed him away from Shampoo.

Mu Tzu almost had to laugh and was quite sure the Ukyo would find it funny, that according to the laws of a small tribe in China, they were pretty much married. Mu Tzu wondered sometimes if the laws were as ‘screwy’ as she had proclaimed them to be. They made little sense when analyzed.

Both sexes in his tribe were trained in martial arts until they were fourteen. At which time the, girls were given the option of continuing training to become warriors or to stop and seek other professions, such as farmer, like his mother.

The training for the boys ceased all together, unless they sought an independent teacher, like Mu Tzu had, to further their training. After the boy’s training was complete, then they were instructed in the domestic arts of cooking, gardening, cleaning and sewing. Then they were placed with a family for a year, to learn from the husband of young children how to care for their own some day.

Then there was the intense sex education that the boys had to go undergo at that tender age. It was unclear what instructions the girl received. Mu Tzu still blushed when he thought about it; the Amazons were very thorough in their education of the young. Not only were the young men subjected to very graphic descriptions of how to pleasure a woman, but masked volunteers were brought into the classroom to visually demonstrate how to apply their learning. Not that the boys were allow to participate or touch the models. The boy’s virginities were prized almost as much as the girl’s. It was arranged this way, so when a man won his choice of wife, then he would be secure in the knowledge that she was untouched and she would have an unsullied, but skilled husband. Although causal sex wasn’t actually forbidden, it was usually only done with the newly widowed or divorced. This would often lead to remarriage.

Then there was the marriage by defeat law itself to consider. If the women were so much better trained in martial arts then the men, then why make it a combat situation if the one of the sexes had an advantage over the other? Did the women not want to get married? Not that cheating didn’t go on. Quite often, if a woman liked a man who was challenging them, they would take a dive and let them win; Mu Tzu’s Mother had. Or the two witnesses were bribed into saying that he won, so that their marriage could go forward.

Mu Tzu wondered if Japanese system, where you won a woman by charm and personality and bound her to you by giving her a ring that had to be accepted, wasn’t better. It’d seemed stupid at first when he’d heard of it, but now he had to wonder which system was stupider. He pulled out the prepaid cell phone that Kentaro had given him before he left, so that neither woman could listen in on his private conversations and called Ukyo. He dreaded to have to tell her about the revelation over the phone, but had been tip toeing around a volatile Shampoo. He’d made a point of not hanging out with Ukyo lately, for fear of angering her. When Ukyo came on the phone, he quickly explained the situation and was surprised when she started laughing.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“Well Sugar, I’m not even divorced yet and have two fiancées. I’m turning into Ranma” she said with amusement.

“You don’t mind?” he asked hesitantly.

“Why should I mind? It’s only enforceable in China and even then, only in one village. Besides, we could use this to our advantage” Ukyo pointed out.

“You can abolish it by publically declaring, before Shampoo and Cologne, that you renounce me” he explained.

“And throw you to the she-wolves? No thanks. We’ll just have to make it a long, long engagement Sugar. Is there anything I have to do to keep up the pretense?” she inquired.

“Spend time with me to make sure that other women don’t get the impression that I’m still wife hunting” he explained.

“Yeah, like I can. You seem to be avoiding me” Ukyo said, somewhat peeved.

“Sorry, I know that I promised to visit. But things have been kind of tense with Shampoo lately because of the engagement thing and I don’t want to anger her any further. We could do a Thursday thing if you want?” he suggested. They had gotten into the habit of having dinner and a movie night every Thursday while they lived together. They took turns making dinner and the one not making dinner, got to choose the movie. It was usually quite fun.

“You got it Sugar, I feel like making tacos again; you feel like a little Mexican?” she asked.

“No I feel like a tall Chinaman” he joked.

“You kill me, see you then Sugar” Ukyo said and rang off.

Kentaro

Kentaro was in his lawyer’s office, signing the final divorce documents. Divorce in Japan, like marriage, was a matter registration. However Kentaro had opted to go through lawyers, incase Ukyo attempted to refuse any of the settlements that he intended to make on her.

“Sign here, your wife already has signed it, then it’s a matter of delivering it to the office tomorrow and then you’re officially divorced” his lawyer explained. With a heavy heart, Kentaro signed away all of his rights to claim the woman he loved as being his wife. “Are you sure about the amount? I mean the spousal support payments are going to be pretty hefty as it is. What’s she going to need another forty five million yen for? She’s only sixteen” his lawyer inquired.

“For whatever she chooses to do with it. We can certainly afford it and it will make her life a whole lot easier. Make sure that it’s delivered to her immediately, courier it overnight” Kentaro said and left the office to meet up with his friend.

He used his own key to get into the other boy’s house, as he normally lived online when not minding his store and hated to be dragged away from his computer. “Mu Sheh, I’m here” called Kentaro.

The Chinese boy turned around and smiled at his friend. The reason why Kentaro had recognized Mu Tzu as being related to his best friend was because the two boys were virtually identical. The only difference between them, was Mu Sheh was a little shorter, wore his hair only to his shoulders and lacked Mu Tzu's muscular definition as he led a much more sedentary lifestyle. “Hey Kentaro, I’m beating a Russian guy on World of Warcraft. Want to plug the babble fish into your ear and have a go at him?” he asked.

“No, not feeling up to it, it’s not everyday a guy gets divorced” he replied. He was surprised when Mu Sheh turned off his computer and turned to face him.

He took a sip of his ever present cream soda, “do you want to talk about it?” he asked softly, noticing how upset his friend looked.

“Not much to say, she got what she wanted. She’s going to continue to live in Nerima while I get to hang out with the likes of you” Kentaro said somewhat sarcastically.

“Umm” Mu Sheh said, not sure how to respond to that. He sensed there was something Kentaro wasn’t telling him “And my cousin, how does he fit into all this?” he asked.

“They’re sleeping together” Kentaro admitted.

Mu Sheh almost spit out his drink in shock. “I’m sorry; do you mean MY cousin Mu Tzu? Big, tall shy guy with long black hair and blue eyes; who Japanese people call Mousse out of mispronunciation of his Chinese name. THAT Mu Tzu?” he said faintly.

“Yes, that’s the one” confirmed Kentaro.

Mu Sheh goggled at him “Wow, I never knew that he had it in him. I thought that he was too obsessed with his ‘darling Shampoo’ to even look at another girl” he said in awe.

“Well he’s looking at another girl; my wife” Kentaro said.

“That bother you?” Mu Sheh asked.

“For some reason no, I trust him to be good to her and like him a lot” Kentaro replied

“Well, he is an honourable guy. Better him then half of the scumbags around” Mu Sheh concurred.

“How come you don’t belong to his tribe?” Kentaro asked curious.

“Simple my mother was born here and met my father when she was visiting relatives in his village. He explained the marriage by defeat law, she said ‘fuck that’ and they were married in a courthouse. Mu Tzu’s father was my father’s brother and he remained in the village and married an Amazon female. Leaving Mu Tzu to be brainwashed into believing he’s scum compared to women and his life should be spent serving them. I’ve tried to teach him differently, but there’s no changing the habit of a life time; especially since he’s so bent on marrying that tool, Shampoo the Amazon way”

“You don’t approve of her?” Kentaro asked.

“I’ve never met her in person, but what I’ve learned from inquires I’ve made in the past I don’t like. She sounds selfish and spoiled, with a violent temper” Mu Sheh replied

“She’s like that” Kentaro concurred and told him about how she beat his cousin.

Mu Sheh sat up in horror “so it’s even worse then I thought. A guy like Mu Tzu would probably just let her beat him as much as she wanted. That’s what he was he taught to do, to please the woman he loves. Especially since he was conditioned to try harder then other males, because he believes he’s inferior to them because of his vision problems. He probably wouldn’t protest if she beat him to death. It’s too bad; Mu Tzu’s really smart and could really go places in life if someone just gave a shit about him” Mu Sheh observed. This caused Kentaro to ponder.

Mu Tzu

Mu Tzu was surprised to see Ukyo come in the Neko Hanten as he wasn’t suppose to see her until later that night, he asked Cologne if he could take a five minute break and she concurred. He gestured for Ukyo to come to his room.

“Ukyo are you okay?” he asked, noticing her eyes were swollen from crying.

“I’m officially divorced and Ken sent me this” she said, holding out a cheque. Mousse’s eyes got wide at the amount “What should I do, should I take it?” she asked hesitantly.

Mousse thought about it, “If he’s as rich as you say he is, then he obviously wants you to have this. You could always invest it in secure bonds and make it grow, until you really need the money for your education or something like that” he suggested.

“I guess you’re right. Thanks Mu Tzu”, she said, giving him a hug and starting downstairs.

Their passage was blocked by Cologne “Kuonji-san, I see that you have come discuss what compensation you shall accept from Shampoo, for keeping your fiancée awake for nights on end and allowing him little sleep. What do you choose?” Cologne said respectfully with a bow.

Ukyo glared at Mu Tzu while he cringed; this was news to her! Mu Tzu hadn’t told her about the situation because he didn’t want to incite the wrath of Shampoo, for fear that she would take it out on Ukyo. “What compensation should I accept for causing harm to my fiancée, when she swore on her honour as a warrior, that she wouldn’t indeed? I think that she shall have to deliver all of today’s orders wearing only her underwear, while riding her bicycle” Ukyo said feeling mean.

Cologne and Mu Tzu goggled at her “are you sure that’s what you want?” Cologne asked slowly.

“Yes, they don’t have to be sexy undies, just as long they are a bra and panties that look like they are that and not a bikini. I don’t care” Ukyo announced, crossing her arms over her chest and looking as serious as possible.

“Very well” Cologne said and descended the stairs.

“You should be careful, Shampoo’s dangerous” Mu Tzu whispered to her.

“I can handle myself Sugar” she assured him, just as Shampoo’s voice thundered throughout the restaurant “cross dressing chef want what!”

Later that Night

Mu Tzu was stricken by the sight of a blushing Shampoo peddling her bicycle down the street wearing only a pair of shoes, purple bikini panties and a matching bra. She had several deliveries to do and she was stopping traffic wherever she went. That and there were the wolf whistles and crude comments that people kept making, which she only half understood. She glared at him when she went by him; murder in her eyes. He couldn’t help laughing.

He let himself into Ukyo’s apartment and inhaled with appreciation, the smell of Mexican food. “Smells good” he commented, accepting a hug from the chef.

“What did you get to watch?” she asked, glad to see him.

“Star Wars Episode One” he replied.

“Otaku (geek)” she replied. “How many times have you watched each episode?

“About ten times” he replied with a blush.

They ate and laughed like old friends and then did the dishes together. Ukyo dimmed the lights and they put the movie on. Mu Tzu didn’t think anything of it when she curled against him; he just draped an arm around her. She sighed slightly when he stroked her shoulder, he pulled her closer and she put her head on his shoulder. He shifted slightly and brought his lips gently against hers in a ghost of a kiss. She leaned forward and captured his lips with her own, slipping her hands under his hair to stroke his back. They kissed unhurriedly, waiting to see how far the other wanted to take this. Her fingers started deftly undoing the ties at the back on his robe and undid his belt. He congratulated himself on having the foresight to leave all of his weapons at home, save for a few knives, for fear that Ukyo might injure herself while trying to remove his clothes. He helped her lift it over his head. Ukyo hesitated for a second when he started undoing the ties on her shirt, then helped him remove it; he was surprised to find she wasn’t wearing a bra. She placed his hand on a breast, silently pleading with him to love her. Mu Tzu teased the proffered bounty with his fingers and lips, then slid his hand down her taunt belly to rub her clit through her leggings and panties, causing Ukyo to moan, until the dampness soaked through the fabric. With trembling hands she helped him skin them off of her and then she turned her attention to the drawstring on his pants. She undid it and helped him push them off until both were naked. He eased a finger inside her, she was slick and ready. With another silent plea from her, he pushed her onto her back and crawled forward between her legs to position himself against her humid passage. He leaned forward to kiss her while he drove himself inside her with one firm shove. She gasped inside his mouth. His strokes were long and deep as the kisses they shared while they made love at an unhurried pace. Both treasured the intimacy, as much as the act itself while they moved in time together. She panted against his neck and would sometimes deposit kisses on his shoulders and collarbone, like she was bestowing treasures upon him. He would stop and hold himself deeply and firmly inside her while she came, to allow her no distractions from the intensity of her orgasms, and then would start to move again. They only sped up while he was nearing his own completion and he was rewarded when they reached it together, she clung to him while he shot deep inside her hot channel. Rearranging themselves; she pulled down the quilt that she kept on back of the couch and covered them both. They fell asleep curled up like puppies, enjoying their combined body warmth and cherishing the closeness of the other. Neither one noticed the pink cat who watched them through the window the entire time. Her eyes were narrowed in anger.

Mousse awoke a few hours later, noticed that it was after midnight and dressed in a panic. Wanting to avoid angering Shampoo, he woke up Ukyo. “Ukyo, I’ve got to go” he said gently. She grumbled to be woken up from her warm nest of smooth skin and soft blankets and tried to draw him back underneath the covers.

“Will I see you soon?” she asked in a voice thick with sleep.

“Of course” he said, brushing back her hair and kissing her cheek.

"Mousse why do you let me sleep with you?" she asked.

"Because you're kind to me" he said and then felt like he had just shot himself in the foot when her eyes went wide.

"You don't have to whore yourself just because I'm not mean to you" she said in a tight voice.

"I'm a sixteen year old male. We don't normally tend to refuse beautiful women wanting to have sex with us" he assured her and gave her a hug. "Now go get some sleep" he suggested.

Appeased she said, “okay" wrapped the blanket around herself and stumbled in the direction of her bedroom. He watched her go with a smile and then let himself out. He wasn’t worried about leaving a part of himself behind when he returned to China because Ukyo used the sponge. She told him that she would insert one before he came over, just in case they decided to make love. He knew that she was honourable and if he were to check her garbage, he would find the freshly discarded wrapper from what was keeping them safe. He suffered no illusions that she was madly in love with him, but he also knew that she didn’t use him as a substitute for Kentaro either. He knew that she enjoyed making love to him and that they shared a deep connection. It wasn’t love and it wasn’t just friendship, it was something else entirely.

He let himself into the Neko Hanten, knowing that it was safer to go through the restaurant because it brought him closer to his room. “Mousse have fun with slut?” Shampoo asked from the corner where she’d been hiding. “Or it Mousse that slut” she taunted.

“Don’t call her that” he said in a tight voice.

“Shampoo saw you make yourself filthy with her. Disgusting” Shampoo sneered at him.

“You watched me! You’re the one whose disgusting Shampoo. How dare you follow me!” he hissed at her. “Why did you follow me?”

“Want see if she actually slept stupid duck boy. She did. You Amazon male, should keep for marriage, but no. You corrupt, no one want now” she snarled.

“I was saving myself for you for when we got married. Why hold onto something if no one wants it?” he asked to her.

“You marry me, that ridiculous! You not fit shine Shampoo’s shoes” she said with a giggle. Then she narrowed her eyes at him “cute joke earlier, everyone laugh Shampoo. Get on knees, last beating feel like walk in park compared now” she ordered.

He crossed his arms in front of him “No, I refuse to. I won’t let you as it goes against the oath you took. Remember what you promised Ukyo?” he reminded her.

“You mine, you need punish, I punish. Now get on knees” she ordered again. Mu Tzu studied the love of his life in front of him. Right now all she looked like was an evil, spoiled brat. He looked for even a trace of love or even like for him in her and couldn’t find it. He thought back to how safe and secure he’d felt at Ukyo’s and reached a decision.

“Fuck you Shampoo. I’m leaving. I’m moving back to Ukyo’s and taking her up on her job offer. I’m sick of taking abuse. I’m sick of here. I’m sick of being an Amazon and I’m mainly sick of you!”

“Mousse can’t leave!” she cried.

“I’m going where I’m appreciated and that isn’t here. I hope I never see you again. Have a nice life, bitch. Be sure to give Ranma my best when he dumps your sorry ass just like I am” Mu Tzu said with a sneer and turned to go.

In a blinding rage, Shampoo grabbed the metal pole that she used to pull down the security gate in front and brought it down on the back on his head as hard as she could. It was a good thing the first blow knocked him unconscious so he couldn’t feel rest rain down on his back and shoulders. Shampoo gasped when he lay unmoving and face down in a spreading puddle of blood. “Great-grandmother” she screamed in panic.

Cologne pogoed down the stairs and looked on in horror as Mu Tzu’s white robe started turning a uniform red. She looked at Shampoo and said in as calm a voice as possible “What have you done, Child?”

Shampoo could only shiver and clutch tightly to the bloodstained pole.