I've decided to continue this series. I don't know how far I will take
it. This part deals mainly with Shampoo and the other fiancees.
Disclaimer: All characters portrayed in this story are the property of
Rumiko Takahashi and co. Please don't sue me.
Ranma and Shampoo
by
Donny Cheng
Part 3
Nodoka worked in the kitchen with Kasumi as she watched Ranma and
Akane go off to school. Ranma and Akane were arguing again. She sighed.
"What's wrong Auntie Saotome? Are you worried about Ranma again?
Everything will turn out fine in the end." Kasumi smiled at her
reasuringly.
"I'm afraid that you will be wrong. I don't think everything will
turn out okay. With that stunt Cologne pulled, Ranma's decision will be
even harder. When he does make a choice it will cause the girls,
especially Shampoo greater anguish."
Kasumi is surprised. "So, I guess you already know who Ranma
will probably eventually choose."
"Though, I've only been reunited with Ranma a short time, I am his
mother. I can see who is closest to his heart at the moment. But with
every passing day, I can see that it is more and more likely that their
relationship might break. I know you do not agree. It is true Ranma is
loyal and does care for Akane, but even that is not enough to stop him
from falling out of love. His other two fiancees constantly give him love
and devotion. If Akane does not do anything now, she may lose Ranma in
the long run."
"Yes, I believe Akane is taking Ranma for granted. Like Ranma,
she is very stubborn and does not show her feelings very well. However,
every effort to push them together has failed. What can we do to help
them?"
"Well, how about I try to get Akane to express her feelings about
Ranma? I could hold a slumber party with Ranma's other fiancees. With
the others expressing their love to Ranma, Akane will be forced to say
something. And if things don't work out, I can still use this opportunity
to get aquainted with my other prospective in-laws."
Kasumi smiled at this. "It just might work. I'll help you set
up for the night."
* * * * *
Shampoo was overjoyed at the thought of a chance to get to know
Ranma's mother better. She quickly accepted the invitation and got ready
for the night, while Cologne talked with Nodoka.
"So, I hear you have stopped construction on your old house."
"Yes, I have. Ranma is already behind others in school. I do not
want him to have to go to another school, so I've decided to stay in
Nerima for awhile."
"Well, I own all of the buildings on this block. I could rent a
house out to you, if you like."
"I don't know. My husband and son both love the dojo, I don't
know if they would be happy to leave it."
"You do not have to answer my proposal right away. You can go
home and reconsider it. Before you leave, I would have you consider the
unfair advantage you are giving Akane by staying at the dojo."
Nodoka was shake by what Cologne has said. Nodoka left the
Neko-haten deep in thought at Cologne's statement. Am I playing favorites
by helping Akane?
* * * * *
Soun, Genma, and Ranma were packed to go on their training trip as
the girls arrived for their slumber party. Nodoka is surprised as she
watched the interaction between Ranma and Shampoo. To the casual
observer, it looked no different from all the other times Shampoo has
glomped onto Ranma. There was a difference however. Ranma didn't try as
hard to free himself from Shampoo as he normally did. Shampoo held on to
Ranma even harder as if she were scared that she would lose him again. It
seemed their fights together this past had left an even greater impact
than was thought of before. Nodoka sighed as Ranma was punted in to LEO
by Akane. That girl has got to learn how to control her temper if she
ever wants to marry Ranma.
* * * * *
Nodoka rubbed her temples, as she heard the girl's relate their
initial and subsequent encounters with Ranma. She had a headache. It
amazed her to no end that Ranma was able to inspire such devotion. Her
son seemed to do the right thing at the right times when it came to
girls. He seemed to do the wrong thing at the wrong time when it came to
boys and Akane. Now that she had gotten aquainted with everybody, it was
time for the object of the party this evening. "Well, now I'd like to ask
each of you what you think of Ranma. How about you start first Kasumi?"
"Ranma is a sweet boy, though he can be a bit mean sometimes,"
said Kasumi as she thought a bit.
Nabiki's turn was next. "Ranma? I think he's like other jocks.
All brawn and no brain." She smirked as she sees outrage on the faces of
Ukyo and Shampoo.
Nodoka didn't know what to make of this. It was obvious Nabiki
said that for just pure shock value. What does she really think of Ranma?
Her thoughts were cut off as Akane began her rant. Oh no! she wanted her
to go after Ukyo or Shampoo.
"He's a pervert. He's an insensitive jerk. Nabiki was right, he
is a stupid jock."
Ukyo and Shampoo immediately heft their weapons and advance
towards Akane. What is it with these girls and violence? Nodoka thought
to herself.
Ukyo looked at Akane with scorn. "You obviously don't know
Ranchan very well. He's a kind, honorable, and loyal man." Shampoo nods
in agreement.
"Kind, honorable, and loyal? Hah! If he had any of those
qualities, would he chase after others so many times? Remember when
Tsubasa first came or when Shampoo used the reversal jewel or countless
other times."
Nodoka looked at Akane with apprehension. The girl had to get rid
of her preconceived notion of Ranma's personality. She had heard from
Ranma how Akane came to believe him to be a pervert.
Shampoo scoffed at Akane. "Akane should know by now that Ranma's
pride come before everything. Ranma is no pervert. When Ranma chase
other 'girl types', Ranma no touch them. Not even touch Shampoo." The
last sentence Shampoo said quietly, but not before everyone can hear. All
is silent, even Akane, as they think to themselves.
Akane recovered as she continued, "You know what? All of
those qualities can be found in Mousse too. Why don't you leave Ranma
alone and give someone who is obviously in love with you a chance?"
Ukyo also looked at Shampoo, "Yeah! I mean you treat him like
dirt yet he still stays with you. Talk about loyalty." She and Akane
looked at her in askance.
Shampoo smiled sadly at them. "Akane and Ukyo want to know why?
Let Shampoo ask question. Konatsu and Tsubasa love Ukyo. Why Ukyo no
give chance? Kirin, Toma, Shinnosuke, Ryoga, and many men love Akane.
Why Akane no give chance? It true Shampoo feel affection for Mousse, but
that because Mousse be with Shampoo since three years old. Shampoo not
lead Mousse on by being nice, like Ukyo and Akane do with other boys.
Shampoo want to spare Mousse's feelings, so Shampoo treat Mousse very
badly at every possible moment. Shampoo no deserve to settle for second
best choice. Mousse no deserve to be second best choice. Mousse deserve
a girl who make Mousse first choice."
Everyone is dumbfounded by what Shampoo has said. "Wait a
minute! Why did you say Ryoga? He's not in love with--" Akane stopped
as she sees everyone stare at her incredulously. Akane is thinking. It
was true had treated Kirin, Toma, and Shinnosuke nicely. She also
sometimes used Ryoga to get at Ranma. Had she led them on?
Ukyo was also thinking. Though to others it looked like she
treated Konatsu badly, she knew Konatsu thought she treated him very well.
Had she led him on by allowing him to think that way?
Akane countered Shampoo with another thought, "Well, don't you
think Ranma should get a choice too? Why do you always trick him to go on
dates and use love potions on him?"
Shampoo fought back her tears as she answered Akane's question.
"If Ranma choose now, Ranma will not choose Shampoo. Shampoo scared to
lose Ranma. Ranma is Shampoo's life. Will tell Akane something now, if
Ranma not choose Shampoo, Shampoo will still not leave. Shampoo will stay
with Ranma until day die."
Ukyo gave Shampoo a hard look. Ukyo's face softened as she looked
at Akane. "If Ranchan does not choose me, I too will not leave. I will
also stay with him till the day I die. I love him too much."
Akane reluctantly agrees, "That goes for me too. I will
probably follow after him if he leaves me, that jerk." For the first
time today, she admits her feelings.
Nodoka, Kasumi, and Nabiki are shocked beyond belief as they
heard this vow between the girls. My son is a lucky man, Nodoka thinks to
herself.
* * * * *
Nodoka decided it was time the party drew to a close and got
everyone ready for bed. Nodoka sat with Nabiki, amazingly enough, sipping
tea as everyone else slept. It looked like Nabiki did care for the
welfare of her sister after all. Nodoka silently thought about what
Cologne had said earlier and each of the fiancees. The more she thought
about it, the more she had to agree with Cologne. Each girl deserved a
fair chance with Ranma. She doubted each of them realised how similar
they all were. They all grew up without a mother figure. They were all
tomboyish in personality when Ranma was not around. They were interested
in the martial arts and Ranma, of course. They fact that they probably
would have been best of friends if not for her, saddened her.
Nabiki looked at her with an experience eye, "You've made a
decision haven't you?"
It was a statement more than a question. "Yes, I have. I decided
to accept Cologne's offer and move out of the dojo. I like each girl too
much to allow any of them an advantage."
"I don't really see it as an advantage. I mean, Akane is not as
good as the other girls at anything feminine, so she needs something to
keep up with them." Nabiki knew how lame this sounded, even to her.
"You and I both know, Ranma does not care for these things. If he
did, he would have chosen someone like Kasumi and dumped Akane a long time
ago. Akane did have the advantage of seeing Ranma everyday. I've also
decided to break all the engagements. Who ever wants to marry my son will
have to woo him. This experience could help Akane to open up more. It is
said, separation makes the heart grow fonder."
Nabiki laughed at the idea of a girl wooing a boy. Her face
turned thoughtful as she thought of Akane. "Let's hope you are right,
Auntie Saotome."
* * * * *
to be continued...
C&C welcomed. Flames not.