Shampoo There comes a time in every person’s life when they should sit back, look at what they have done and then she, or he, must ask herself, or himself, ‘what in the hell have I been doing with my life?’ Right about now is my time. I have sat here, staring at my reflection in this mirror in front of me, in the dark, for at least the last three hours asking myself that. When I look back, I wonder when it all went wrong. Sometimes I think it was when I met Mousse. Other times I think it was when I encountered Ranma for the first time. Then there are times that I think being born as I was at all, an Amazon and heir to the leadership of my tribe, was the problem. What? Did you expect me to be babbling on in Shampoo- ese, as Akane calls it? Sorry to disappoint you, but that’s just my Japanese. I can think quite normally, thank you. Actually, if it wasn’t for working at the Nekohanten, having to chase after Ranma, and having to fend off Mousse’s advances I probably would have gone and taken a class somewhere. However, I simply don’t have the time. Anyway, enough idle chatter. I’m sure you’re wondering why I am sitting here, in the dark, staring at my reflection. Good question. I guess, with everything that has happened recently, I’m just feeling a little reflective at the moment. Oh, you know about Akane and me already. Okay, well that makes it a little easier. It funny, isn’t it. I came to Japan, bound by honor, Amazon law, and my own pride to kill Ranma’s female half. Then I run into his male half, get defeated and fall in love. For much of the time since then I’ve been chasing after him, trying nearly everything I can think of to win his heart. Then what happens? I fall in love with his fiancée. It makes you wonder whether destiny dragged me all this way to meet her, or was it simply chance. Either way, it’s been a wild ride. What happened after we got revealed? Hmmm, well, that was two weeks ago. It was one rough day, that one. Actually, it has been rough in general. When Akane woke me up that morning, I felt like my life had just come to an end. No one has ever seen my Great grandmother that angry before, not even me. Believe me when I say, seeing her, probably the greatest Amazon warrior alive, in that state was enough to shatter my nerve. “Come... at... once.” She said, with a shaky tone that told me that she was barely holding herself back. For me, there wasn’t even the consideration of trying to explain so I obeyed. We headed home in silence and once there she sent me immediately to my room. Actually, I was surprised she didn’t explode at me on the spot, but Great grandmother is never one to deal with a serious situation in an emotional state. It must have been about two hours later when she finally called me back out to talk. The restaurant was closed and Mousse was nowhere to be found (she probably sent him away). When she turned to me, I knew she had at least calmed, but the look in her eyes still makes icicles in my blood. “When I found you missing this morning I naturally assumed you were off visiting son-in-law, and perhaps even were making a little progress. I know that was a bit of wishful thinking, but... I did not expect to find you bedded with his supposed fiancée.” Great grandmother’s voice raised at the end, and she started pacing the room. I remained silent. Under the circumstances, speaking up when not allowed would only dig my grave that much deeper. Finally after a moment she stopped and looked at me. “How long has this been happening?” “Few month,” I answered, yet found my voice rather weak. “A few months... I wish to hear it all: how, why, when, everything.” So I told her everything I knew. She never spoke a word through the whole tale, and her expression never broke. It was very unnerving. When I finished she turned away from me to think. The minutes passed in silence as I continued to wait. It wasn’t long before I started to wonder if she was doing this on purpose, just to make me scared. Well, if she was it was working. In all the time I was together with Akane I hadn’t let myself think much about punishment. The village law was actually blank on the point of same sex relationships, mostly tolerating them in silence, perhaps because they were simply too rare an occurrence that ruling on them one way or another was unnecessary. However, that didn’t mean I was off the hook. “You’ve really gotten yourself in deep this time, haven’t you?” She said, giving me a sideways glance, but I remained silent. “You involved yourself with an outsider female, and a weak one at that. This practically destroys your chances of regaining face in the village. Failing to kill the outsider, failing to acquire your husband, and now giving yourself to that Tendo girl!” Great grandmother almost snapped out the last, apparently not even willing to refer to Akane by name anymore. “Do you realize the full consequences this will have, for not only you but our whole family? Well, do you?” She demand, and I could only nod my head meekly, still unwilling to open my mouth. “Good, then you will understand when I say you must end this relationship immediately, and you are not to see Akane again.” The simply way she said this conveyed none of the trauma it caused. Of course, it was the obvious thing, but I felt like she had just asked me to cut off my own arm. No, sorry, she didn’t ask me at all. This was an order. “I am being exceedingly lenient child. As is, this can go without mention back at the village, plus fortunately son-in-law provides an ideal escape for this situation your punishment would be far worse.” “It not that... way... with Ranma.” I said, but was shaken when she looked back over her shoulder at me with that same cold stare for speaking out of turn. “That is even more fortunate.” She said after a moment. “Go to your room and stay there. The restaurant will remained closed for the day.” I nodded and started to leave, but she quickly added something. “Remember, you are not to see Akane. If you feel you can disobey me then remember Mousse and what will happen should he find out about this.” The implications of that were all too plain to me. “You no tell him!” “I have no intention of doing so. The last thing I need is for a war between you two over her. Now go.” Being stuck in your room all day gives you nothing but time to think. Mostly I laid on my bed mulling over the idea of never being with Akane again. Should I have learned that day that Ranma had secretly eloped with Kodachi it would have hurt less. However, Great grandmother was right in every regard. I was sitting on shaky ground back at the village. Returning once in failure got me this curse, and even that was minor since Great grandmother had protected me from some of the harsher possible punishments. It would disgrace myself even further to carry on a relationship with an outsider female when legally speaking I’m obligated to marry Ranma. That didn’t even consider the fact I was effectively taking myself out of the genepool by staying with Akane, although technically speaking there is nothing legally wrong with that. And of course, if Mousse found out... he was certain to do something. It would seem I had no other option. The one other thing that dominated my thoughts was my relationship to Ranma. Despite my relationship with Akane, I had kept up the motions of trying to get Ranma. Well, at least that is what I said. In fact there still was quite a bit of desire there, and I was truthful when I said it wasn’t the same as with Akane. I will admit that since being with Akane I have entertained the idea of being with Ranma as a woman, but it was Ranma the man that I loved. Resolving that relationship had been kept on hold, and I still didn’t know what to do. I didn’t get much sleep that night. By all appearances the next day was as typical as any that had come before it. Mousse, as was usual, decided to wake me up personally and was knocking on my door. As was usual, I had already been up for ten minutes, so I told him to get lost and stop bothering me. As I expected, he immediately decided that he should come in and try to explain himself, which of course lead to him being promptly thrown back out in the hallway. You’d think he’d learn, but he never does. We opened the Nekohanten, served the morning customers, and generally conducted business as if all was normal. Of course, it was far from a normal day, at least for me. I swear I must have looked at the clock ten thousand times that day. I expected to see Akane, or at the very least Ranma, but neither came. That was troubling. When night finally fell and I had still neither seen or heard from them I could barely contain the urge to just run out and check what was happening. Every time the phone rang I snatched it before anyone else, but they never called. Even once the restaurant was locked up and I was sitting in my room I wanted Akane to come to my window. She didn’t though. “Where was she?” I asked myself more times than I cared to count. “Why hasn’t she come? Why haven’t I heard something, anything?” No answers were forth coming that night, nor was much sleep for me. I considered sneaking out, but Great grandmother was on guard for such an action. The last thing I wanted was to spend the night in a cage as a cat for disobeying orders. I must have finally dozed off. I awoke to one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced, Mousse leaning over me and shaking me awake. I was far too sleepy to be thinking clearly, and jumped to the conclusion he had been sleeping with me. Needless to say he got a good slap. Fortunately for him I was wrong. He had merely come as usual to wake me, just this time I wasn’t awake to tell him to go away. That incident alone was enough to convince me that I needed to find out what was happening. After giving Mousse a long lecture on how if I found him in my room again without my permission I’d introduce his face to his colon, which promptly went in one ear and out the other no doubt, I went to Great grandmother. I didn’t even get the chance to make an argument. “No,” she said just as I began to speak. “You no even-” “You’re going to ask to see her, and the answer is no. I forbid it.” “But-” “No,” she repeated, and looked up from her work at me. However, she wasn’t angry. In fact, she seemed almost sympathetic. “This is for your own good child. Please, do not attempt to fight me on this.” Her tone made it clear to me that if I did not obey the consequences would be severe. I’m not too sure how I would have acted had it been left at that, but Great grandmother wasn’t quite finished. “In any case, there is still the matter of son-in-law. The present situation is very problematic. Don’t get any fool ideas.” She warned, noticing the excited look that had crept onto my face. “You may see him, but if I find you with her, or you are delayed without good reason...” She didn’t need to elaborate. I knew and nodded in acceptance. Great grandmother was bending a lot for this, for me, more than I ever expected. Perhaps a day of thought had made her come to accept my actions, at least a little. Few know this, I believe I only told Akane a week or so before this, but the whole thing with Ranma hit me fairly hard. I always led an isolated existence, apart from the other villagers. I’m not sure really whether I choose that life or not, or why, but in any case it left a great void in my heart. I never realized it until being defeated by Ranma’s male half just how much I wanted a companion. Not one like Mousse, he’s so annoying most the time I just can’t feel comfortable. No, what I needed was someone more reserved, and with a different outlook on life. With Ranma I thought I had found it. Of course, it came as quite the blow to find he was a she, or at least I was lead to believe that. Worst still, the she was someone I hated, or at least I believed that for a short time. I felt like a total fool, embarrassed beyond measure, and to me it seemed that red-haired girl was laughing at me. That feeling was fleeting though, and soon gave way to despair as an open wound was torn in my heart. I left with full intentions of never coming back. In fact, I’ll be honest and say I considered many times ending my life. What was the point of an existence in eternal loneliness? I had lost my will to live. Ending up at the village was practically a miracle. I wasn’t yet ready to do the deed myself I suppose, so I would let the village law do it for me. I didn’t even bother defending my actions or myself, and was simply ready to accept my fate. Great grandmother saved me, not only from the law, but also from that pit of despair I was in. She drove me all the way back to the top. She gave me a cause to fight for, a hope of victory, and even her own guidance and assistance. Basically, she rebuilt my shattered spirit. I think that was perhaps why I was getting off so easy. Great grandmother doesn’t want to see me fall. That was why she was here more than anything else. The laws, the village, and even our own family are secondary to her. If the others must bend somewhat, then she’s willing to give me that space. Of course, even that had limits that I was leery of testing. A few hours passed before I got my chance to leave. Ranma and Akane were at school, so I waited till lunchtime then sought them out. I found them in field, engaged in a quarrel over something. Ranma had somehow ended up in his female form. Besides that they both appeared to be well enough, which was a great relief to me. For a brief time I forgot about all the recent troubles, and just felt like rushing over and grabbing Akane up in a hug. I was about to do just that when that fool Kuno made an appearance. He appeared so suddenly, and quickly that he managed to grab up both Ranma and Akane in an embrace before either they or I noticed him. “Oh, all the angels of heaven doth weep at the tragedy!” He cried out. No, I mean literally. He was crying up a water works worthy of Akane’s father. “To think of the injustice that, that foul fiend of forsaken flesh Saotome could drive my two loves to seek solace with one-and-another. Oh, how could the fates be so cruel?!” “Let go of me you...” Ranma began to protest, but suddenly looked at in Kuno in utter shock. “Now just a darn minute. You don’t think I... Me and Akane did nothing, got it?!” “You are brave to take Saotome’s mistreatment in silence pig-tailed one, yet I know it to be true.” Kuno said, with another outburst of tears. Both Ranma and Akane turned away in disgust, but the clown went on. “I can no longer leave this matter be! The heavens doth cry out for vengeance!” He yelled out to the sky in a mad fever, suddenly dropping his two ‘loves’ and drawing that wooden stick of his. “Saotome can send forth all his minions of hell and the abyss, but I shall lay them all low and bring him to his knees. I vow it now, this devil cloaked in human flesh shall be slain, and I shall free all who he has enslaved.” “Oh god, KUNO-” Ranma began to say, but once again she and Akane were grabbed up in a hug. “But of course, how could I leave two timid flowers in Saotome’s power whilst I travel into battle. Fear not Akane Tendo, pig-tailed girl, I, Tatewaki Kuno, shall first set your wayward hearts back on the path by allowing you both to date with me!” This was about all I could take. So, to end Akane’s, Ranma’s and my own misery I clonked the buffoon on the head. It took a second for the hit to register, but it had the desired effect. He fell promptly silent and onto his face, releasing his two victims. Both turned to me, Akane with mixed relief and concern, and Ranma with a mildly embarrassed look. Seeing Akane up close and well after two days of worry was enough to trigger a bit of giddiness in me. “You no date with both,” I said to Kuno’s unconscious form, then grabbed up both girls in a hug of my own. “Shampoo date with both!” I was joking around of course. It helped relieve some of the tension usually, especially now. However, I think Ranma took it literally. Akane caught on and returned my embrace, and before I think either of us knew what was happening we were locked together in a kiss. I can’t convey to you the feeling that goes through me when I’m together with Akane. It’s like a warmth that is so consuming and so comforting you never want to leave it. It is what I have always wanted in a relationship, someone I can care for and who truly cares for me, that companion I talked about earlier. Unfortunately, under the circumstances I was forced to cut the kiss disappointingly short. Akane of course noticed the shift. “What’s wrong? Look, if it’s about yesterday, it was so hectic, and I didn’t know what I should do, and-” “No, is no that.” I answered solemnly, preparing myself for what I would have to say. “Well, if you’re worrying about being found out, don’t. Nabiki already blabbed.” Akane said and looked off at the school angrily. “You think she could keep her mouth shut for once.” “They did offer her quite a bit.” Ranma pointed out, and Akane turned to glare at her. Sometime during our kiss Ranma must have slipped away and was now sitting by a tree. “Yeah, well she didn’t have to say she knew anything! Nobody would have known anything had happened if she hadn’t of said anything!” “What are you yelling at me for?!” Ranma yelled out in retaliation. “Because you’re getting a huge laugh out of this, aren’t you?!” Ranma crossed her arms and looked away. “What, can’t take being called the pervert Akane?” Had I not being holding Akane a fight would have broken out right there. Instead she only sneered at Ranma in anger for a moment then walked off to the side with me to talk. “How’d things go?” I sighed, not yet quite prepared for what had to come. “Not so well. You? Why Kuno think Ranma and you...” I said to temporarily divert away from the issue. “Nabiki was at least vague in what she revealed. Kuno must have got his wires crossed. Doesn’t matter though. Half the school figured it out and they told the other half. Everyone with a brain knows it’s you.” That complicated matters greatly. How was this to be kept a secret from Mousse now? Sighing again I asked, “and your father?” “He freaked. He went into this huge lecture that lasted all night, balling his eyes out through most of it. He was going to switch the engagement to Nabiki, but instead got this stupid idea that since I... like girls, Ranma and I would be perfect together. Of course, you know, I think he always was afraid of that. That’s how I got stuck with this stupid engagement thing in the first place.” Akane growled out in frustration, then looked at me seriously. “He didn’t say it outright, but I don’t think he wants me seeing you anymore.” Akane said then starting pacing, much like Great grandmother had done. “I can’t believe how everybody is acting. I keep getting these weird looks from everyone, and I’m positive they’re talking about us when I’m not around. I can’t believe Nabiki did that! She didn’t have to tell anyone. No one would have suspected anything if she hadn’t started going on about why we didn’t go to school that day. She could have made up some story, but noooo. She had to started saying it was private family business. Hah! Private my eye!” Akane finally stopped her pacing and let out another frustrated growl, then seemed to calm. “It’ll work out. People just have to... get used to it, that’s all. You didn’t say what happened with you.” Akane looked up at me, and the concern that immediately jumped onto her face informed me that I had already partially given it away in my own looks. “Great grandmother mad. She say no can see you anymore.” “That’s not fair!” Akane protested loudly as if it would make a difference. “What gives her the right to butt into your life.” “She is leader of village, leader of Shampoo’s family, Akane. That give her right.” I said, and I meant it. “Besides, she right.” “WHAT?!” Akane yelled out in shock. “If Shampoo see you, Shampoo be in trouble in village. Dishonor self. Dishonor Great grandmother. Dishonor family. Dishonor whole village. They no going to like that. Shampoo already in trouble. This only cause more.” “Then stay here! You don’t need to go back.” “Shampoo’s whole life in village. Shampoo to be leader of tribe. Can no just cast aside duty to village and to family. And, even if did stay, what about Mousse?” “What about him?” “He sure find out.” Akane scoffed at that. “Who cares? So he finds out, big deal. Everyone else and his brother knows already.” I shook my head. She just didn’t understand. “You remember when Mousse first come here?” I asked and she nodded. “You remember how Mousse attack Ranma?” She nodded again, but still didn’t seem to put the pieces together. “Mousse do that all the time. He no let any man near Shampoo that way. What you think happen when he find out about you?” Finally Akane began to understand, but she remained defiant. “But, I’m not a man.” She retorted, but seemed to immediately drop that counter argument and switched to another. “I’m not afraid of him.” “You should be. Even Shampoo cautious of Mousse. Only reason not very worried for Ranma is he good enough beat Mousse. You is not. Shampoo no know how he react to this. He might try kill you.” Akane didn’t back down from her defiance, but she didn’t respond. I think she realized the danger she was now in. “We can no see each other. Shampoo no like this, but must be. You must tell friends at school Nabiki is wrong. If not, Mousse may believe. Right now, Shampoo think he think it just joke, or stupid rumor.” “This is not fair.” Akane mumbled and I could only nod in agreement. It certainly wasn’t fair, but this world seldom is. Time was getting short, and Great grandmother was expecting me back so I hugged Akane for what I thought would be the last time and said my goodbye. We’d see each other again, but it would not be as it was. The rest of the day was general depressing. I very quickly became aware of the unwanted attention Akane was receiving, as now a lot of it was directed at me. I shrugged it off though. What did I care about what they thought? If they crossed me, they’d regret it. Still, it did hurt for some reason. Once back at the Nekohanten Mousse immediately went into his usual tirade on how Ranma is all wrong for me and I should marry him instead. Yeah, like I’d really trust his opinion on these matters. I could meet someone totally new on the street and he’d launch into nearly the same arguments: They didn’t care for me the way he did. They couldn’t possibly love me the way he did. And, they didn’t know me, or I know them they way we knew each other. That really makes me what to laugh sometimes. Other times it makes me want to cry. If he cared for me so damned much why didn’t he give one thought to how I felt? And as for knowing each other, another joke. He barely knows me at all. If he did he wouldn’t be trying this lovesick puppy routine. I really can’t stand it. How can I respect someone that is so bloody pathetic? Oh sure, maybe I can pity him at times, but I certainly could never love him. I really do wish that he’d just go back to China, get on with his life, and leave me alone. I can’t even remember a time I’ve had any peace anymore. Sure, I’d like to have some friends around here, anywhere really, but this definitely isn’t what I had in mind. He’s such a constant, annoying presence in my life. I always had to worry about how he’d react to everything, whether he’d go nuts or not, and frankly I’m long since sick of it. When I first met Ranma and he defeated me, that is one of the first things that went through my mind, “how will Mousse take this?” You know what, right then I decided I really didn’t want to care anymore. I wanted a chance at someone for once, and I didn’t give one damn what he thought. I thought, maybe this once he’d come to realize he’d never have me and leave. And, if he didn’t, Ranma seemed strong enough to fend him off. Well, things didn’t exactly turn out as I had hoped. He never did get the point, and now I had to worry about Akane who couldn’t defend herself from him. I was thinking all this while he was babbling on, and I came within one second of knocking him through the nearest wall. I didn’t though. It wouldn’t do any good anyway. Nothing would do any good at all. He’d always come back, always. So, I just ignored him and went about my work. Days crept by, leaving me with much to consider. Would I just let things go back to the way they were? That was a very unpalatable concept. I had finally found the love I’d wanted and to just leave it was unthinkable. Yet, if I didn’t I’d be a great deal of trouble with the village and Akane would be at severe risk. Then there was Ranma. What was I to do about him? I think I still loved him, but having him engaged to Akane, the other person I loved, complicated everything. I was nearly certain that Akane still loved him as well. It seemed so wrong to steal him away from her, but if I didn’t I’d have nothing. This was hell. Things didn’t stay in neutral for long though. About a week after Akane and I being discovered, a particularly interesting order was phoned in. Well, actually the order was damned ordinary, the typical 2 deluxe ramens, but the orderee was the interesting bit. I rode out on my bike to the address phoned in suspecting nothing. When I knocked on the door I was in for a bit of a surprise, Ukyo answered. Under the circumstances my instincts set me immediately on the defensive. My first conclusion was that Ukyo had laid a trap for me, but nothing happened. Ukyo merely smiled and invited me inside to talk. I was cautious, but she gave me her word that nothing would happen, so I complied. She lead me to the common room and we both sat at the table. “What you do here Ukyo?” I asked immediately. “It’s a friend’s house. I wanted to talk with you, and I figured you wouldn’t come if you knew. Besides, it’s bad business for a restaurant to order out to another restaurant. Makes the customers wonder.” Ukyo replied with a joking smile, but I didn’t return it. “Gees, lighten up sugar. I’m trying to help you.” “Help Shampoo, how?” “If I guess correctly, those rumors around school aren’t just rumors. Oh, Akane may deny them, and so may you, but I think there’s something to them.” This was getting a little interesting, but I wasn’t about to admit anything just yet. “You is grasping at straw Ukyo.” “Maybe, but hear me out anyway. Let’s just suppose for the moment I’m right, and you and Akane... have been seeing each other. Now, I’m thinking that recent events indicate that your little secret got out, if of course there is a secret. But, let’s just say for the moment there is, and it has gotten out, it would seem that has complicated matters.” “Get to point already. Shampoo have work do.” Ukyo waved off my impatience. “Fine, fine, then I’ll be blunt. I think you two need some place secret to meet. I’m offering you my place for said meetings.” That was unexpected to say the least. “Is you mad?!” I exclaimed, hiding none of my shock. “Hey, I got an extra room, nice and private. You two could do whatever you want in peace.” “Hah! You think Shampoo stupid or something?! You up to something. Maybe you want get Akane and Shampoo out of way so can have Ranma all to self.” Ukyo frowned for a moment at my accusations then returned to that annoying smile of hers. “Honestly, yes, that’s exactly what I want. Come on Shampoo, do you somehow expect to have him and Akane? Talk about being greedy.” That deflated me rather quickly. “In this instance our interests are the same. I want Ranma, and that’s a lot easier with you and Akane out of the picture. I can go about this in much cruder ways, but I much prefer it this way. I already talked to Akane about this, and she seemed somewhat agreeable. I believe she meant to leave the choice to you. So, what do you say?” I didn’t like this one little bit. Ukyo had an advantage here and that irritated me. However, it was an appealing offer. It solved part of the problem of meeting with Akane. Just as I considered this I shook it off. “Even if true, would be no good. Great grandmother keep close eye on Shampoo. She notice if missing.” Ukyo frowned in thought. “Give me some time. Maybe I can think of something. Would you be interested?” I stood up and prepared to leave. “You solve problem, then we talk, not before.” It was the best answer I could think of. It didn’t admit anything, yet kept the option open. Ukyo nodded, accepted it for what it was and I left. The next day I headed off to the school for my usual attempt at getting Ranma on a date. Sometimes he can be a world class insensitive jerk. All I ask for is for him to give me a decent chance, but noooo, he has to fight me on everything. Then he goes and complains when I’m forced to use more drastic measures to get some attention from him. I wish he’d get it through that thick head of his that I have no choice, and that if he was a little more co-operative I wouldn’t have to go to these extremes. As it is Great grandmother is already taking considerable criticism for lack of results. Why the hell did I ever fall for such a stubborn idiot? Oh well, I suppose that very same stubbornness combined with his other qualities is what makes me love him. I just wish once that he’d open up a little, or at the very least tell me how he really feels. It’s always been a bit of a guessing game with him. Sometimes he’s resistant to the point that I’m sure he wants nothing to do with me. Then at other times he practically jumps at the chance to be with me. Lately in particular I’ve been getting some real mixed messages from him. Sometimes I could almost swear he resents me, while at other times I think he’s trying to come on to me. Of course, I can never be sure because of that defensive attitude of his. I asked Akane about that once. Unfortunately she could explain Ranma no better than I, although she was being defensive on the matter as well. In any case, that day was much like the others. I came, intercepted him as he was leaving, and got the usual indeterminate welcome. Also as usual I didn’t let it get to me. It would be bad enough if one of my village sisters saw me pining over this man like this, but to show any emotional distress over him... I’d never live that down. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, well, Ranma turned me down yet again. That wasn’t unexpected. Being pulled aside by Ukyo was. She wanted a moment of my time, she said. She took me to one of the gym’s equipment rooms where we could talk privately. Akane was there when we arrived. She looked very eager, so I guessed that Ukyo had come up with something. “Alright Shampoo, I think I solved your problem. All we have to do is set up something as a cover for you being away from the Nekohanten, and I think I have the perfect idea. How’s this sound? I set up a little weekly poker game at my house and invite Ranma. As long as he can get free eats I’m sure he’ll go along with that. Akane can cover herself by saying she’s going along to keep an eye on Ranma. Nothing unusual about that. You can be there to try to get together with Ranma. Also nothing unusual about that. Now, before you say the poker game is unusual, I’ve done it a couple other times, even with Akane and Ranma, just not you. We can also make it semi-legit and actually have a game for most the night.” At this point Akane cut in. “I think I can get some people around school to come too. If we do it right they won’t suspect anything and if Cologne or Mousse ask around all they’ll hear is that it was actually a poker game. With Ranma and Ukyo there to cover for us we wouldn’t have to worry. Well?” I was certainly an interesting proposal, and it could work. “Do Ranma-” “He’s being a bit annoying, but I think we can get him to go along with it.” Akane responded. There wasn’t much to think about. Mousse might get annoyed at me being with Ranma, but he wouldn’t suspect anything between me and Akane, and would likely even stay clear of Ranma since Ukyo and Akane would be there. Great grandmother would probably be a little wary, but as long as the cover story had some substance to it and we didn’t push it she should go along with it. The only real problem I had with the plan is that Ukyo had come up with it. We’d have to admit to the relationship and she might just gain something out of it. That didn’t matter to me much at that point though. Being separated from Akane as long as I had without the option of getting back together was getting agonizing. Now that the option was open once again, the feeling it filled me with practically forced my answer. “Okay.” So it was. The day came and I set out for Ukyo’s under the guise of having heard about this game and intending to crash it. For safety sake I only mentioned that Ranma would be there. I’m not really sure, but I think Great grandmother was suspicious of something, but maybe I was just being paranoid. In any case she allowed me to go. Mousse didn’t suspect a thing more that what the cover story implied. He gave me his usual rant on how I should forget about Ranma and all that, and as usual I ignored him. I arrived at Ucchan’s and the game was already in progress. Someone appeared to have gotten one of Ranma’s male friends to join in to make it that much more believable. For his sake, Ukyo and I got into a fight over my crashing a private party, until Ranma supposedly settled that matter by asking Ukyo to let me stay. We played for most the night. Ranma’s friend finally went broke... well rather he lost all his chips since no money was actually involved, and he left for home. By that time we were all fairly involved in the game so we continued on. Apparently Ranma had been working on his poker face, or maybe he was just distracted by what this was really about. In the end though he got eliminated as well. He watched us play for a time, but then dosed off on a sleeping bag Ukyo had provided. It was around 5am when Akane got eliminated, leaving it between me and Ukyo, but we decided to end it there. I would have gone on actually. It was fun. Besides, I was winning, but I hadn’t come here for that. So, Ukyo showed us to the room and left us alone as promised. It wasn’t much of a room. It looked like Ukyo was using it for storage mostly from the boxes scattered about. The futon was an old one, but adequate I suppose. In all it wasn’t exactly what you’d consider romantic. I don’t think we cared. Oh, we didn’t start off right away. Being in Ukyo’s place was enough to keep us low key for a while. We talked a little, joked about the poker game and Ranma, and caught up on what had been happening to the other. Akane’s days were about as interesting as mine, although she was far less concerned about her father’s attention. In that way she was lucky. The small talk didn’t last long though. All the tension built up over our brief but tormenting separation suddenly was let out and the inevitable occurred. We slept away what was left of the night, and for that brief time I thought it might all come out alright. The morning came and Ukyo woke us up with a knock on the door. She certainly isn’t a morning person. She looked terrible, like she didn’t get any sleep. Ranma was rather gloomy himself actually. He’s obviously not very comfortable with this, although I don’t think Akane knows that. They’re either having a fight most the time, or he’s acting like he doesn’t really care. Oh, he’s actually rather supportive, at least to Akane, but he’d never admit to any real care about what we do. We stayed long enough to have breakfast then left on our separate ways. I got to the Nekohanten in time for the breakfast rush and was immediately put to work. Besides a few quick inquiries about what happened, which I answered rather honestly, leaving out only the final key bit, Great grandmother didn’t act like she suspected. Perhaps it was just that impression she always gives me as being someone I shouldn’t fool with, but I still got the strangest feeling that she did suspect. That feeling kept my attention most the day. I was so focused on Great grandmother I never even noticed the odd way Mousse was acting. It was nothing obvious or sufficient to catch my interest, but on hindsight he was... brooding I guess would be the best word for it. Around me he never broods, but that day he was. It’s my best guess that something made him suspicious. Unless he could get in and out of Ukyo’s without being noticed by any of us I doubt he actually saw or heard anything. Being as reserved as he was also seemed to indicate this. No, I’d say he might have finally pieced together the clues and figured out what we’d been keeping from him, or maybe he had been spying on me during my visit and noticed something. Had he been listening in during the game he might have heard something we let slip, but still, I can’t believe we wouldn’t notice him and I don’t remember any loose comments the relationship between Akane and I being made. It doesn’t matter I guess. However it happened, he was suspicious, and probably was considering his options. I went to bed in a state of semi-bliss, that would soon be shattered. The next morning I awoke and started the day as usual. The first thing that made me exceedingly uneasy was that Mousse didn’t knock on my door as usual. That was like clockwork to me. He never missed a day, unless he was laid up, and even then he’d try. That day nothing. I waited, waited a bit more, then nervousness got to me and I went to check on him. He was gone. Of course, there was countless possible reasons why he wasn’t there, but only one occurred to me. I barely had time to consider that when I heard the main door crash open and Ranma questioning Great grandmother urgently. “Is Akane here?” He asked, and the implications threw me into a panic. I rushed down the stairs and joined Ranma. The situation was quickly revealed. Akane had left for her morning jog as usual, but she had not returned. Ranma had searched her whole route and found no sign of her. Mousse was also nowhere to be found. Great grandmother had not seen him leave, but he clearly wasn’t there. As soon as Ranma heard that he was running for the door. He had probably come to the same conclusion I had. Mousse had found out somehow and confronted Akane. At the best he kidnapped her. At the worst... she was already dead. Neither of us was willing to accept the worst. I ran after Ranma, not even waiting to gain Great grandmother’s permission, and found him a short distance away. Obviously he hadn’t given much thought to where Mousse would be. In truth at the time I was equally at a loss. The only place he had was at the Nekohanten. There was no time to waste though so we agreed to split up and search. Search where was the question. I looked at various places I thought Mousse just might go. They were all long shots and as expected turned up nothing. Several hours had passed when I was reaching the point of hopelessness. Finally an idea occurred to me. Assuming he had kidnapped Akane he’d need someplace to hold her that was secluded. I’d been looking in town, but out in the countryside there were several caves, a few of which had been used by our enemies for the very purpose of holding someone. Mousse knew of them. It was my only chance. I tried to find Ranma briefly, but he was busy on his own search somewhere. I couldn’t risk wasting time hunting for him so I left a note at the Tendos’ and headed off for the countryside. The trip was horribly slow, but finally I made it. The first place I searched was where Taro had taken Akane months earlier. No signs. The next place I tried was where the Jusenkyo destroyer had kept us. I entered the cave and found the cages inside empty. It was a disappointment, but I didn’t get much of a chance to have the feeling. The cave was rigged with small explosives. I had fallen into a trap. As soon as I realized I ran for the entrance. I didn’t quite make it. I regained consciousness sometime later. I was in another cave, my hands and feet bound in chains, Mousse’s chains. I wasn’t exactly in the best of shape either. Whether it was the explosions themselves, or the resulting cave in, I felt like a car had run over me. In truth I was fortunate. If Mousse had rigged those bombs to kill, I’d be dead, but that didn’t seem to be his intention. I tried to break free but Mousse was at least proficient at binding someone in chains. I even tried the Bakusai Tenketsu, but the chains prevented me from executing the technique properly. I was awake maybe a few minutes when Mousse came in. He wasn’t his usual self. He looked solemn, consigned to what he was doing. I don’t get scared very often, but that look scared me. Being helpless didn’t help matters. <“Where’s Akane?”> I demanded, but he didn’t answer. Instead he walked over to me, but kept himself just out of my range. <“Shampoo, why? With Ranma there is at least the law, but-”> <“That is none of your concern! Where’s Akane?!”> Again he ignored my question. <“Shampoo I love you. Don’t you see that? I’ve always been here for you, always. Why would you turn to Akane? Is it that... only women-”> <“No you stupid fool! It has nothing to do with that! Now where’s Akane?!”> <“Then what?”> I was angry and scared at this point. I needed answers, and if he wanted his answers first, then I’d give them to him. <“What?! I’ll tell you what! You are a menace! You claim to care for me, but it’s all a damned lie! All you care about is yourself!”> <“That’s not-”> <“Shut up! You’ve never listen to me. You’ve never understood me. You’ve never cared about what I want. Even as my enemy Akane cared more for me than you ever did. Being married to you would be the end of me.”> I had shouted it all with all my anger behind it, and for once it finally seemed to hit home. Mousse looked broken, almost in tears at my words. He turned away, hanging his head, and mumbled something I couldn’t make out. At the time I really didn’t care. I had to know about Akane. <“Where is Akane?”> Mousse finally perked up at the question, but remained silent for a moment before answered. <“She’s... dead.”> His voice was weak, but I didn’t notice. The words are what hit me. Dead. She was dead. In a single second my life seemed to burn away to nothing. I think I was in tears, but I can’t be sure. I was filled with so much grief and anger that I can’t be too sure what happened next. I remember tearing desperately at my chains in an attempt to get at Mousse, promising him that I’d hunt him to the ends of the Earth and I meant it more than any kiss of death. Finally after a minute or so of failed attempts to break free I gave up, and let my grief consume me. I vaguely remember Mousse saying something, and suddenly a key landed in my lap. I came back to the world long enough to look up at Mousse and hear his last words to me. <“She’s not dead. You can find her in the other chamber. Goodbye Shampoo.”> And with that he left. I was in shock for quite a while. For a short time my life had ended, and suddenly it had all returned to me. I quickly unlocked my bindings then rushed into the other chamber to confirm what he had said. Sure enough she was there, unconscious, but otherwise unharmed. I don’t think I have the words to express the relief I felt. That was earlier today, and I’m back at the Nekohanten now. Akane is resting at home, a little angry with Mousse but otherwise unscathed by the incident. I, however, have much to think about. Mousse had confronted her during her jog and had asked about our relationship. Whether he knew is a little uncertain since Akane got angry with him and revealed everything. A fight ensued and Akane ended up unconscious. I don’t really know whether he left her alive out of indecision, or maybe because he simply couldn’t kill her. He came by and picked up his stuff before I returned and left for a hotel. He obviously didn’t want to face me. That was wise. Perhaps now I could talk to him calmly, but if I had encountered him earlier he would have been dead for sure. According to Great grandmother he’s leaving for China the next chance he gets. Needless to say, that is surprising. I’ll believe it when I see it, but this time I have a feeling it’s true. He has finally given up. I’m not too sure what to think about that. Maybe with this very action he’s trying to prove me wrong. Perhaps he does care. It doesn’t change my feelings for him, but perhaps there is some hope for him. The only other matter is Akane and I. With Mousse out of the way the situation is changed. The option to stay is more viable now. It would mean that I would have to be ‘dead’ in the eyes of the villagers, but I could go on despite losing my Amazon heritage. Still, that’s a good part of my life, and Great grandmother wouldn’t be pleased. Plus, even if I do stay there are no guarantees. My relationship with Akane is still in its infancy. Who’s to say it won’t shatter in a few months? And, what of my family? Do I abandon them? There are many traditions, and rules of the Amazons I bend to their limits and even beyond, but to simply throw aside my obligations to my family is one thing I am not fond of doing. There is so much to consider now before I make any choices. ===== Well, that’s Shampoo’s side of things, but there is still much more to come, as soon as I get around to writing it. Ukyo gets her turn in the spotlight next. This is my attempt at getting Akane and Shampoo together, in my eternal quest to keep Shampoo as far from Mousse as possible. Besides, I kind of like the combo (yes, I’m weird). No, I have no love for Mousse, and I can’t stand the Mousse Shampoo combo. I think it is one of the worst ideas ever to be written. This one is a bit more serious I think than Akane’s, but I think it was necessary. Ukyo however will have a more light hearted look at things. Questions, comments, flames, praise, requests, money offers, jobs, offers of marriage, E-mail me.
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