Akane I look about my room and all I can see are the faces of those that are hurt. Poor Kasumi can't stop repeating, "oh my." Dad, well he's having his usual fountain of tears, but this time I know it is not going to be as easy to calm him down. Even Mr. Saotome is shaking his head and sighing in disbelieve. Can't blame him. Who would believe this? I certainly wouldn't have 3 months ago. The only two people who seem in the least supportive are Ranma and Nabiki. Well, Ranma already knew so this wasn't much of a shock. I'm more surprised by Nabiki. Sure she's calm and collected most the time but this isn't something that one would think she would be prepared for. I watch her as she talks gently to Kasumi, trying to calm her, something very unusual for Nabiki. Did she somehow already know? Maybe, she always did keep her eyes and ears open and she's probably the best observer I know. Oh, what's it matter? Even with Nabiki's and Ranma's help I'm in real trouble now. Well, if you haven't guessed by now I'll spell it out for you. I'm Akane Tendo, probably now formerly of the Tendo training hall. My whole family and the house guests (or should I call them extended family?) are gathered in my room, supposedly to discuss the situation I've gotten myself into. I already know that there isn't likely to be any rational discussion for awhile so why don't I tell you what I've done. You're never going to believe this but I have... No, wait. I think I should tell you the whole story, starting three months ago. Let's see, well, it started on the day Ranma left. Where to you ask? Oh, who knows. He's always on some stupid quest for a cure, or a new technique, and this was one of them. He had told me the details but it has been three months and I was barely listening at the time so I can't remember. Wait, don't get me wrong. I want him to find a cure. I do, honest, but he has tried so many times and failed that I don't bother worrying myself with details anymore than I have to. Back to the point. Ranma, his father, Mousse and even kind old Ryoga were gathered outside the entrance to our home for a short term fair well. Dad was again in tears, this time of joy, Kasumi had her usual glowing smile on and Nabiki was calculating something in her head, no doubt some new money making scheme dependant on the absence of one or more of the afore mentioned men. Me? I had the usual disinterested scowl on my face. No, that wasn't an act. I didn't care a lick. They were all going to be back in a week anyway so why everyone was making such a big deal of it was beyond me. What made it worse was that it was a long shot, that much I do remember, and I already suspected, that like all the other times, there wasn't a cure. Also at the little get together was Master Happosai, or should I call him Master pervert Happosai, who was begging Ranma not to go and forever leave him without his beautiful Ranma-chan. Cologne was there as well, telling the boys once more how futile this whole effort was which of course they didn't listen to. More importantly, the two people in this world who have a nasty tendency of being on rare occasions allies and on most other occasions my worse enemies were gathered there as well, Shampoo and Ukyo. Can you guess what they were doing? Well first off they both tried to hug Ranma. Having bumped heads they were now in the process of trying to tear the other's face off. A perfectly normal day. The men, after a brief scuffle between Ranma and Mousse over Shampoo's affections, finally headed on their way. "Good riddance," I thought. "At least I won't have to listen to that stupid jerk for a week," I thought. Well, actually, I thought I thought it. In actuality I said it out loud. Of course Dad was immediately on my case. "Akane, how could you? He's your fiancee and he's traveling off to find a cure, all for your future happiness together." "Yeah right Dad. He's doing this for his own stupid ego and nothing else." Ukyo took that moment to end her fight and step into the conversation. "Well, if you really don't want him Akane, you can always call off the engagement-" "And leave Ranma to real wife Shampoo." "What do you mean `real wife'? I'm going to Ranma honey's bride, not you!" "Ranma no want be with man-woman like you! He want be with beautiful girl like Shampoo." "Man-woman?!! I'm a hundred times the woman you are! At least I don't go around trying to enchant him every chance I get." "Enchantment just let husband see truth of being in love with Shampoo faster." "Then you must be using defective ingredients because there's no way my Ranma is in love with you!" "Your Ranma?! Is Shampoo's Ranma!!" "Oh please," I finally let out. Shampoo turned her attention from Ukyo and looked at me with a challenging glare. It's about now that I noticed that we were all alone. Apparently everyone else had felt it wise to leave before the fireworks began. "So, Akane think Ranma is hers?" "Who said I'd want a jerk like him?" "Then would no mind challenge for right to Ranma." I'm usually quite defiant, especially when it comes to challenges, but today a little voice in my head said back off, it's not worth it. "Ah, no thanks." "Hmph. Always knew Akane was coward." "COWARD?!!!!" "Then accept challenge?" Despite what she said, an insult that made me want to rip her head off, I knew I was over my head. I'm good, very good, awesome by most people's standards, but around here I barely make par and Shampoo is easily an eagle. All I could do was shake my head in controlled anger. "Hmph. Guess Akane is coward when can no hide behind Ranma." "Why you-" Ukyo stepped in between us. "Okay you two, enough already. We can reconstruct each other's faces on more appropriate occasions." Shampoo smiled smugly then turned and left. It took a lot of effort on Ukyo's part to restrain me from tackling Shampoo. "Come on Akane, give it a rest." "She's not going to get away with that." "What do you plan to do? Get into a fight with her? You know very well that you can't win. Besides, even if you do, then she's obligated by her stupid Amazon law to kill you. Do you want that?" I reluctantly shook my head. "No. I just want some way to get back at her for once, just once!" Ukyo finally released me and began to lead me off. "Don't we all. Come on." We walked over to her restaurant and soon she was cooking me up one of her okonomiyakis. I already guessed that she had some plan in mind and that I was to be pawn, but I didn't care. If whatever Ukyo had in mind would let me wipe that smug smile off Shampoo's face I would gladly do it. "So, you want a way to get back at her. Well, I have a few ideas." "Start talking." "Alright, we need a way to get at her that she can't use as an excuse to take revenge. Hmmm." "Stop stalling Ukyo, I know you got something up your sleeve already." "Okay, okay. The way I see it you need her to back down from a challenge." "How the hell am I supposed to do that?" "That I haven't quite worked out. It needs to be something that she honestly believes you'll do but she won't." Ukyo tossed the finished okonomiyaki to a plate in front of me. "I haven't thought of anything but maybe you can. If she backs out you can hold it over her head and there isn't a thing she can do about it." Ukyo's plan stuck in my mind. The whole day I riffled through all the various things I could challenge Shampoo to. Martial arts, cooking, arm wrestling, tea ceremony, all no good. Not only would she accept the challenge she'd easily beat me. No, it had to be something totally outrageous, something that she'd never expect or be prepared for. The problem was, anything that fit the bill I was equally unprepared for. Then it came to me. I didn't really need to be prepared for it. Like Ukyo said, all I needed to do was make Shampoo think I could and would do it and make her back out. Okay, but it would have to be the most outrageous thing I could think of. Only one thing fit the bill. I chuckled to myself when I thought about it. "There's no way she'd accept that challenge," I thought. I made up my mind to challenge her the next day. I had to make it look good, very good. For once, I was going to get Shampoo. The next day, there I was, standing in front of the Nekohanten. A sign hung on the door. "Closed temporarily" it read. I briefly wondered what was up but then I turned my mind back to the task at hand. I knocked and waited. Shampoo soon answered the door and looked at me with a scowl. "What you want Akane Tendo?" "Oh, just to chat." "Hmph." Shampoo turned and gestured for me to follow. I entered the restaurant and looked about curiously. "So, why's the restaurant closed?" "Since Ranma gone for while Great-grandmother decide return China and get more supplies." "I can just imagine what kind of supplies," I mumbled. Shampoo closed the restaurant door and turned to confront me. "What want?" I smiled. "Oh, are you going to regret asking that," I thought. I looked at her confidently and readied myself. "Shampoo, I've got a challenge for you." Of course she wasn't in the least worried, yet. She smiled smugly, as usual, and nodded. "What is challenge?" "Simple, the challenge is to see who is the better..." I let myself pause for just a second to get up the necessary tone of voice then dropped it on her like a ton of bricks. "love maker." It took a few seconds for my words to finally hit her fully and the result was immediate. Her smug look vanished to be replaced with confusion and shock. "You... you mean-" "I mean, which one is the better in bed." I finished with a confident smile that must have really surprised her. She turned away, clearly trying to hide her surprise. I had her and I knew it. She was uninhibited to be sure but this was beyond even her limits. Finally, after a few more seconds she let off a laugh. "Is very funny joke." "No joke Shampoo, I'm serious." That slowly turned her laugh nervous then finally stopped it. "Yeah, choke on that one you..." I thought in triumph. I was almost ready to celebrate but then it was my turn to be surprised. Shampoo turned, head bowed, then looked up at me defiantly. "If is serious then Shampoo... accept challenge." "WHAT?!!!" I nearly burst out saying, but managed to contain it to just a thought. "She's testing me, that's it. Well, no way am I going to show weakness. You're backing down!" I thought then quickly reset my confident air. "I'm serious, dead serious." The words shot into her like a bullet. She nearly stumbled but then reassembled herself and regained her air of defiance. "Okay then, what is rules?" "Rules?! She's actually got as far as rules!" I thought. This wasn't something I had been prepared to produce. I knew she was on the verge of backing out, I just needed to push a little more. Tilting the contest in my favor wouldn't do. She'd call me a cheater or call the test unfair and rightfully so. No, it had to be fair, but in such a way as to scare her out. "Well, it's simple. First one to cause the other to have..." Now I paused again, this time for my own balance. The word seemed wrong somehow but I couldn't think of a euphemism on such short notice. "...an orgasm wins." Shampoo bowed her head again, absorbing the statement. To be honest I'm not even sure she fully understood me. After all, her Japanese isn't the greatest and... that word... isn't exactly something you encounter everyday in causal conversation, unless of course you have one hell of a weird social life. The longer she debated with herself, the more I thought I had her at last, but much to my dismay she looked up after a minute and nodded in agreement. It took all my will power not to fall over and destroy the illusion of confidence I was trying to project. "How could she have accepted?!! This is nuts! She's going to take this as far as possible huh. Well, I can go anywhere she can." I thought. Shampoo lead the way to her room. It was quite plain actually, a fold away bed, various weapons hanging from the wall, one dresser, a picture of some village (hers probably) and a few pictures of Ranma (naturally). It reminded me of my own room, except mine, I had to admit, was less well kept. No barbells on the floor or cloths dumped in a hamper here. Everything was immaculately stored as if house cleaning was her specialty. "Hmph. Must do it for... him." I thought. Shampoo pulled out the bed and set it up. She must have been working on seeming calm because I couldn't detect a hint of nervousness in her now. "That act doesn't fool me Shampoo. I'll make sure you back out." I thought. The bed finally ready, Shampoo turned to me. "How start?" She asked. I knew a big push would throw her so... "Ah, we'll skip formalities. Undress." Shampoo blinked, but otherwise didn't waver. Her hand went up and unclasped her top and let it fall to the ground. It was a shock I could barely manage to take. There she was, in front of me, half naked (not even wearing a bra), ready to go. I couldn't help but stare for just a second until I realized she expected me to start as well. "There's no way I'm backing out!" I thought defiantly as I began removing my shirt. Shampoo responded by removing the remainder of her clothing. Soon we both stood looking at each other in defiance, totally naked. I broke the look and pushed my clothes off to the side and approached the bed. Shampoo also pushed her clothes to the side and sat down on the bed waiting. I looked down at her, and swallowed nervously, then I steeled myself to go ahead. I intended to make her back out no matter want it would take. "Alright, let's get started." Shampoo nodded. "She's hasn't back out yet?! What's it going to take?!" I thought then sat down next to her. We looked at each other for a long moment, considering how to move on. I couldn't let her think I was just bluffing. I had to take action so I took one of her breasts into my hand. Shampoo mirrored me. It kept going on like that, one of us pushing the boundary and the other following. Before long we had both moved past mere fondling to more intimate contact. I never really realized how far this had gone until it was all over. We had both given into the contest utterly and with no quarter given. It was an experience I'll never forget. How could I? My first time, ever, and I do mean ever, and I'm with another woman. Beyond that, it was with Shampoo. It was a pitched battle, if you can call it that, but somehow I came out on top, both literally and figuratively. I beat her by just a few seconds and when it was over all I could do was roll over and lay there, immobile from exhaustion. We both laid there a long time. My mind was locked, the seriousness of the act I just engaged in not yet sinking in. It must have been at least a half hour later when my brain finally started to have some of its higher functions come on line. I looked at myself and ran my hand through my sweaty hair and knew I was a mess. I sat up and headed for the bathroom to get cleaned up. My brain still only partly functional, I totally forgot where I was when I started my bath. When Shampoo entered I nearly flipped, but my brain quickly sorted itself out and told me I was in her home, not mine. We sat in the bath water for sometime, both silent. Finally Shampoo looked at me angrily. "Shampoo want rematch!" "Hey I won!" "This type challenge no fair with no warning. Want rematch!" "Fine, how about two days from now, same time. I'm free then." "Fine, this time Shampoo be ready." I quickly got up and stomped out. "I'll show her. I won and I'll win again!" At this time, what exactly I was talking about still hadn't really hit me. It took about a day for that to happen. It was shear bliss the next day. I made a point of dropping in on Shampoo with all my friends. Needless to say she wasn't in the greatest of moods. Who could blame her? She'd lost to me. Who cared what the contest was. She'd lost to me. After my visit with Shampoo, I dropped in on Ukyo to gloat. As usual she was serving a multitude of customers. Her cooking was always so good. Why couldn't I do that? Well, it wasn't like I got much encouragement! Ranma was always bashing my cooking and no one ever wants to try it. How could I improve if no one gives me a chance! Sorry, I'm getting side tracked. Where was I? Oh yeah, Ukyo's. Well, anyway, Ukyo immediately polished off her last few orders and rushed over to grill me for information. "I see it's gotten out already." I commented. "Sure has. Shampoo's so mad you can feel her from a block away. What did you do? Did she back out?" "Better, I beat her." "Beat her! Oh, this I got to hear! Come on tell me. Tell me. Tell me right now!" "Well, it was..." It was right then that it hit me right in the face. I couldn't tell her. What would she think?! The magnitude of this was just too much. I couldn't let anyone know, no one. I sat there, silent, desperately trying to keep my composure and think of some sort of escape. "Come on Akane, don't hold out. What happened?" "Ah, well, it's... it's a secret." "Secret?! Come on, something this juicy can't be kept secret!" "Sorry, you'll have to find your own way to get her. This one's mine." "You're a sly one, you know that. Hmph. Well, keep your secret. I'm just glad to see her tearing herself apart." Ukyo smiled and returned to her worked. I sighed in relief. "That was too close," I thought. Even with Ukyo temporarily stalled I couldn't risk staying so I left in a hurry. On the way home my emotions were in turmoil. I couldn't decide what to make of yesterday's little encounter. Sorry, little doesn't describe it. Huge is the right word. Before I could really come to terms with what I had done I remembered the rematch. "Why the hell did I agree to that?!" I said to myself. I couldn't back out now. If I did, Shampoo would say I was a coward again. I could always make out like it never happened. No, that was no good. She's so stubborn she'd never let it drop. Then I thought about how nice it was having this to grind into her. If I won again it'd be twice as nice and there'd be no way she'd challenge me again. Yeah, that would be sweet. For once I'd have her at a disadvantage and she couldn't even talk about it. My determination got the better of me, no doubt about that. The type of contest that I was involved in didn't matter anymore. All I wanted was to win. When the next day came there wasn't a doubt in my mind about what I was doing. I arrived at the Nekohanten prepared to totally humiliate the Chinese girl and I didn't care what it took. Apparently she felt the same way because this time there wasn't the least bit of hesitation from either of us. It retrospect, I think we were both deluding ourselves. The nature of the contest was never mentioned. It was just called "the challenge" or "the contest". However, our delusions sure didn't make us hesitate even during the act. This time it was fierce, even to the very end. By the time we were done I was so exhausted I could barely move. The fact that she won barely even hit me. Again we laid there a long time, this time from massive exhaustion. Shampoo was the first to get up, but I could tell, despite her victory, she wasn't all that pleased. "We is even now but contest is no settled," she finally said. "You want another round? Alright. Wait, I'm tied up all week." "Then next week." "Won't your Great-grandmother be back by then?" "Hmm, yes she will. Your house?" I thought this over. I wanted another chance. After all I couldn't let this contest go to her, not now that I was so close. Then I realized that my house was a bit risky. What if someone heard us (it wasn't exactly the most silent of contests)? "It'd have to be late at night, when no one's there, and not on a school night." "Is no problem. Shampoo can sneak out anytime." "Alright then, my house, next Saturday, one o'clock in the morning. Kasumi is supposed to go see a friend with Dad." "What about others?" "Them, are you kidding. When I'm in charge of the kitchen it's a chore trying to keep them home. Trust me, they'll be gone for sure." It was during the intermission that Cologne and the boys finally returned home, minus Ryoga who was lost as usual. As we all expected, whether we admitted it or not, there was no cure. This made Ranma more cranky than usual and our fights kept my mind preoccupied through most of the interim. Our little contest hadn't slowed down Shampoo in the least. She made it her point to seek out Ranma on every occasion we were together. By the time Saturday rolled around I was rearing to get into the contest. I was going to get back at her that night for sure. As I had predicted, as soon as everyone heard about the kitchen arrangements they all headed for the hills. Jerks! Anyway, that's not really that important. What do I care? I mean, it's not like I really want to do stupid womanly things. I'm a martial artist, not some dumb house wife. Okay, okay, I know I'm ranting but I just gets to me sometimes. Back to the story. I sat in my room waiting anxiously. Every minute was an eternity. To pass the time I started to clean up, placing my clothing in the hamper, putting away my exercise equipment, even going so far as to arrange the sheets on the bed neatly. I was just doing it to take my mind off what was coming. It wasn't like I was trying to make the room presentable for Shampoo or anything. Finally I finished everything I could think of, and ended up just sitting there waiting. "Where the hell is she?! I want to get this over with already!!!" I said to myself. Two minutes to one and I was nearly ready to scream. I composed myself and took several, deep, calming breaths. Finally a knock came from the window. "Finally!" I opened the window to find Shampoo hanging from the roof much the same way Ranma does. It was an irritating display. She obviously wanted to frazzle me but I wasn't about to let her. She flipped inside and looked about my room. After the brief examination she turned to the bed and then looked at me. "Is you ready?" "I'm always ready!" She nodded and we began the process of undressing. This challenge started much like the last. We hadn't gotten very far but I already didn't like the way it was going. She had turned the last round into this type of match. I had to upset her strategy, do something she'd never expect, so I kissed her. It wasn't much of a kiss, just a small peck on the cheek, but it had the desired effect. You see, up till now kissing hadn't been involved. I guess we both unspokenly considered it taboo. However, unspoken rules were made to be broken. Shampoo was really thrown off balance, leaving herself wide open. I got her into a good position and readied myself for the attack. I never got the chance. Shampoo recovered and countered with a quick kiss of her own. I was a little shocked but I wasn't about to be outdone so I kissed her back, this time directly on the lips. Before I could withdraw Shampoo wrapped her arms around me and returned the kiss. It turned into a battle after that. Who could keep this up the longest? The real contest was forgotten as we fought to gain advantage in the kiss. I don't know really why what happened, happened. Maybe it was the lack of oxygen or maybe something deeper but I suddenly realized that instead of the fierce, defiant kiss that had begun this little struggle we were now engaged in a passionate kiss that I longed to let continue. Only the necessity to take in air finally forced us apart and the magnitude of what just happened hit us both. Sex was one thing, this was light-years farther. Neither of us could muster the courage to look the other in the eye. We sat there a long time, considering our actions. Finally, Shampoo broke the silence. "Shampoo is no feeling very good. Maybe do later." "Ah, yeah, sure. Call it a tie for now." Shampoo quickly put her cloths back on and hurried out the window and into the night. All I could do was sit in my bed and ponder. That night, my dreams were haunted by Shampoo's image. The following days were very touchy for me. I still didn't know what to make of our last encounter, or at least I wasn't ready to accept it. Whenever anyone mentioned Shampoo I nearly started shaking. I didn't dare go to see her. What would I say? What would everyone think if they found out? I didn't know. A week must have past. I was not really in any condition to notice. Dad and Kasumi got home and with them the others. I had almost put it out of my mind until Shampoo came up the street on her bike and stopped in front of me. Nervousness instantly overtook me. I found myself totally stunned, unable to move or even talk. Shampoo wasn't much better from what it seemed. She just looked at me with a show of complete uncertainty. It took me several minutes to finally get off a word. "Shampoo." She could only nod in response. "So, ah, what are you doing?" She blinked several times, unable to speak. "Delivery?" I finally asked. "Yes." Her eyes turned from me. I didn't know what else to say. Small talk just wasn't my thing. We stood silently for another few minutes until she readied herself to go. Before she could get started, however, she stopped and looked at me again, this time with her usual show of arrogance. "We have still no found who is better." For my part I couldn't believe that she was still interested in that stupid contest. It riled me and my nervousness vanished quickly to be replaced by anger. "You have got to be kidding!!" "Then you concede?" "Like hell!" She smiled deviously. "Then we continue challenge?" "Where and when?!" "Nekohanten, tonight, eleven o'clock." "What about-" "No worry. Mousse take loooong trip this morning and Great-grandmother not be home all night." "Okay then, fine. Tonight." She nodded and biked off. I watched her go, shaking with anger. Then, I calmed, and nearly lost it as the reality of the situation set in. "What in world have I gotten myself into?!" I thought, but there was nothing to be done about it. I had accepted a challenge and my honor forced me to go through with it. The day rushed past much too quickly for my liking. Ranma was off somewhere, Dad and Mr. Saotome were playing Go, Kasumi was housekeeping, and Nabiki was also out of the house. When night came and I started to sneak out I was half hoping I'd get caught. No such luck. The walk over to the Nekohanten was equally uneventful. All this gave me lots of time to think and panic. When I did finally arrive and knocked on the door I was nearly shaking. "I can't go through with it," I thought but the opening of the door caused that thought to be thrown aside. I quickly composed myself and looked at Shampoo. I could swear she seemed scared for a second but then all I could see was her usual arrogance. Up in her room is when it all finally happened. I found myself staring at her as she undressed. "God, she's beautiful," I caught myself thinking then I saw her looking at me. I quickly averted my eyes and returned to the removal of my own cloths. I didn't get far, however, because I felt her eyes still on me. I looked up and saw her gaze locked on me. She must have noticed me looking at her because she turned away and finished off. I fought my own urge to stare and finished as well. Then we turned our eyes back to each other. I could feel a knot in my stomach and the heat of my body rise. Shampoo looked down and walked over and sat next to me on the bed. She turned her eyes back to me, and I knew right then that she was just as messed up as me. I could see her determination melt away and be replaced by uncertainty. My own determination was long since gone but something else had replaced it. It wasn't uncertainty, it was... I don't know... a need I guess, a need to hold her, to be close to her. When she shook her head and started to get up I acted, gently taking a hold of her chin, turning her to look at me and bringing her in close. She resisted for just a second then relaxed. It was then that need overtook me and I kissed her. Again she hesitated, stiffening, but that lasted only a brief moment as she finally let herself go. It was our last kiss all over again, this time with only the passion. That night was far different from our last ones. The fierceness was completely gone, only pure emotion remained. Who won? To be honest, I haven't a clue and I couldn't care less. We were both so exhausted we must have fallen asleep after the act. When I awoke I found Shampoo in my arms. It was the strangest feeling, at least at the time, to just wanted to stay there and hold her. However, reality had to rear its ugly head when I looked at her clock and realized I'd slept most of the night away. Needless to say, I was a bit panicked. If I was found missing... Well, I didn't know exactly what would happen but I'd be facing some hard to answer questions for sure. I shook away the last bit of my sleepiness and quickly started putting my clothes on. Despite my efforts to be quiet, which admittedly weren't that good, Shampoo woke up. "Akane?" "Don't worry. Just go back to sleep. I got to go. It's nearly morning." I finished putting my blouse on then turned to her. "We'll talk later Shampoo-chan." I leaned over and kissed her. She smiled contentedly and drifted back to sleep. It was only on the way home that I let myself think about it. We'd taken such a huge step, a step in a direction I'd never even dreamed my life would take. Sure, I was engaged to a guy who changed to a girl but this... How would my family react? How would Ranma react? And what about Cologne and Mousse? I didn't know too much about Amazon law but I couldn't image it taking this into account, and even if it did I didn't think it would condone it. Then I thought, "hey, this is supposed to be a new age. Can't we have this relationship without everyone getting in the way." Then hard cold reality came back to dampen my spirits. My Dad was a person from the old ways and so was Cologne. I couldn't imagine either of them accepting this. For now, this had to remain a secret. It was on my way home from school two days later that things got even more complicated. I was walking alone, having just punted Ranma into orbit, and debating what I should do. Two days had passed with neither of us seeing the other. I found it hard. I wanted to see her, badly, yet the risk was incredible. Letting this relationship end was an option, but I found the thought of that to be very unpleasant. For some reason I wanted the relationship to continue but how could it? Suddenly something tugged me into an alley. I was caught totally off guard. Before I could even gather my wits I found someone kissing me. For just a brief second I thought it was Mikado or some other jerk who's always after me, but the sight of purple hair clued me into the real culprit. I couldn't help but give into the kiss and it was so pleasant. Any consideration of ending this relation was blasted away. Finally the kiss ended with Shampoo's arms wrapped around my neck and mine around her back. "Shampoo miss you," she said seductively. "I missed you too, but don't you think this is a little risky?" Shampoo looked around then back at me and shrugged. The risk didn't matter to her. Just like me she wanted the relationship to continue and nothing was about to stop her. Well, if the Amazon could do it, so could I. Shampoo ran her hand down my chest. Her touch immediately sparked feelings of desire in me and my body quickly informed me that waiting wasn't an option. "Come on. I think I know someplace we can go." Shampoo nodded and followed me. In truth I didn't have a clue where to go but I was desperate. Finally we ended up in front of Dr. Tofu's clinic. I remembered that Kasumi had planned a visit and sure enough, we found the clinic empty. I barely had time to lock the door and enter the examination room before Shampoo was all over me. The desire couldn't wait a second longer. That was one of the more crazy stunts we pulled. What if Dr. Tofu had come back and caught us? Well, he probably would have kept it to himself being a doctor, but I don't even want to think about the embarrassment that would have resulted. At the time the risk just seemed to add to the excitement of the moment. After it was done all I could do was relax in contentment. "Ranma doesn't know what he's missing!" I caught myself thinking, yet the thought didn't anger me. It was strange to realize just how much my feelings for Shampoo had changed. Apparently Shampoo had been pondering the same thing because she turned to hold me with a slight bit of nervousness. "Akane, does you like Shampoo?" I responded without a second of thought. "Of course." "Really like Shampoo?" That took a second to consider. Yes, I liked her. I liked her a lot... No, that's wasn't even right. "Shampoo, I think... I think I love you." She smiled happily in response. "Oh Shampoo so happy! Wo ai ni." She hugged me fiercely. In love, who would have thought. Our encounters continued for many weeks in secret. Both of us were consummate actors so no one could tell that we were any different, at least in public. We had a number of ways of communicating that sounded totally innocent, including the euphemism of "the contest" to refer to what we were doing, but victory in said contest was long since forgotten. Being together posed a slight problem but that was soon solved. Me and Shampoo had come up with a little strategy to avert suspicion. Shampoo and I would get into some bogus fight over something (it is surprisingly easy to come up with excuses) and take the fight on the road. After we ditched any onlookers, particularly Ranma, we'd go somewhere. It also wasn't all just sexual anymore. Many times we'd just go off and have some fun together. Of course, after a while it became difficult to find places that were private. It became necessary to risk meeting at night at either my or her house. Fortunately, a little testing on our parts soon showed that a little noise wouldn't get us discovered. I guess with all the craziness around here everyone has learned to sleep through it. One other problem presented itself one night. While we were at my house, we both fell asleep and awoke the next morning to Kasumi knocking on the door. I nearly went mad with panic but Shampoo had a quick and easy solution with the use of a little water. All Kasumi found was a slightly messed up bed and me wearing a blanket. I decided then that some sort of alarm clock was in order. After that things went fine, at least for another couple weeks. I don't know what tipped Ranma off. We'd taken so many precautions. It had been a regular day, well, with the exception of P-chan finally showing his cute little snout back at the house. When I went to bed with him everything seemed normal enough. Ranma wasn't acting funny in the least. Okay, so he was chasing P-chan again but that always happens. Shampoo had sneaked over for a brief little chat that night. We talked for a short time then kissed each other and said our goodbyes until tomorrow. Ranma had long since given up trying to sneak into my room so I can't see how he could have found out. P-chan seemed a little startled, but other than that everything went normally. It was the next morning when Ranma showed his first signs of knowing something. He was unusually quiet through breakfast and didn't say a thing on the way to school. I at first found this pleasant. After all, it was nice to not be in an argument for once, but then I started to get uneasy. The uneasiness continued to grow until lunch time came around and Ranma sought me out by the soccer field. I was alone at the time and when Ranma sat down to look at me I could feel that something was about to happen. Despite this, I kept up my usual act and looked as calm as ever, slowly drinking a can of juice I had. "So, Akane, I've been noticing that you've been having a lot of fights with Shampoo lately." "Yeah, we got a little feud going on at the moment." "Feud huh. What kind of feud?" "The usual. She wants to prove herself to be the better wife or some such nonsense. I can't see why she'd want some bozo like you." Usually I'd get a rise out of Ranma, but today that insult didn't even faze him. "I see. No big deal then?" "Nope. Why? Are you worried about me or something?" Nothing again. By now we'd usually be near exchanging blows, well me giving and him taking, but he wasn't in the least frazzled. I really started to worry but I didn't let it show as I took a long sip of juice. "Actually, I sort of was wondering why you were calling her `Shampoo-chan'." I nearly yelled out "HUH?!!" but instead choked on the juice. After a short coughing spurt I came up with a response. "Oh, that, ah, we're just trying to annoy each other. You know, call the other stupid names to make her angry." I lifted my drink back to my lips. He was sitting there, not really looking at me, then, still looking off in the distance, he said, "hmm, and I suppose kissing is part of your little strategy as well?" I dropped the drink. "How the hell did you find out?!" "I have my sources." He looked insufferably smug. I wanted to hit him. "Sources?! What sources?!" "Don't worry, he's sworn to secrecy. Now, you want to tell me what the hell is going on?" I was caught and there was no way out of it but to give him the whole story. He was amazingly calm through most of it and when I finished all he could do was shake his head. "Akane, I know you hate boys, but this?" "I don't hate boys like that!" "But you like girls?" "Ah, I'm not sure." "But you like Shampoo?" "Yes. Okay, I guess maybe I do like girls, but I got nothing against boys!" "Man, your dad is going to flip!" "Don't you dare tell him Ranma!" "Akane, you can't keep this a secret forever. Sooner or later he's going to find out and then what?" "I... I don't know." I hadn't been thinking about that much. Actually, I was avoiding the subject. Ranma was right, Dad would flip. The problem was I couldn't think of a single way out of this besides ending my relationship with Shampoo. The funny thing was, I couldn't bare the thought of doing that. Apparently Ranma saw the situation I had gotten myself into and offered a supporting hand. "Look, Akane, no matter what you decide or what happens I'll be there for you." That statement was both shocking, coming from Ranma, and comforting. Maybe I should have done something then but I didn't. Things continued as they were, in secrecy. Actually, things didn't seem to change at all. You'd think that with Ranma knowing, me and Shampoo could let the fights over him stop. Funny thing was, we couldn't. Sure, they didn't come to blows anymore but she still seemed to hold something for him in her heart and I guess I can admit it now that I still hold a similar feeling for him too. Well, that brings us back to about now. I bet you have guessed what happened but let me say it anyway. We got caught, and what a way to get caught. You see, Shampoo was over last night and we had our usual pleasant night together. I could have sworn I set the alarm but apparently I didn't and naturally we both overslept. This time, however, I didn't awake to knocking. I awoke to the sight of Cologne and Dad looking in. Cologne looked ready to explode. Dad's jaw was dropped as far as was humanly possible (I personally suspect that if it could go farther it would be through the floor and into the house foundation by now). Shampoo's words upon waking up and noticing our little audience about sums up our feelings. "Hiyiyiyiyiyiyiyah." Now I sit here, less than an hour later, waiting for the inevitable explosion of accusations to fly. I don't even want to imagine the grilling that Shampoo is going through. Cologne was so livid she nearly dragged Shampoo out of the house before she could get dressed. I hope Shampoo is okay. If something happens to her I... I don't know what I'll do. I'd love nothing more right now then to get up and run off to help her but I've got my own troubles to deal with. ===== Well, that's Akane's side of things, but definitely not the end of this tale. Many others have things to say, first off being Shampoo. This story continues on with her. 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). I wrote this long ago after an extensive night of reading every fanfic I could find on the topic (mostly lemons). If you see similarity, yes, I probably did steal them, assuming they were put out before this. Particularily "I thought you were rivals" by J. Rabbit Sia and in turn it's basis "Ranma .05" by D Demaine are very strong influences, and any similarities in all likely were originally conceived in those fics. Of course, none quite cut it in my view. None of them took it quite far enough I think. I decided it was time to see what really could be made of this thing. This was originally planned to be a lemon, but plot and character took over so I decided to keep the actual sex out of it. I have no plans of adding said scenes. Fics like Ranma .05 do a much better job than I can at such things. However, should I be pressed I suppose I could make some side stories, but the main story itself stays clean... well, semi-clean. Questions, comments, flames, praise, requests, money offers, jobs, offers of marriage, E-mail me.
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