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-- Attached file included as plaintext by Ecartis --
-- File: Shampoo3.txt

Shampoo's Chance:  Spirit of the Law
Disclaimer:  See prologue

Chapter 3


      "There, there," consoled Nodoka as she lightly held the sniffling 
Amazon.  "You said your people judge on a case by case basis, right?  
I'm sure you could persuade them to be more lenient with you.  You've 
tried your best to honor your law.  It's not your fault that Ranma will be 
marrying Akane; it's only natural for him to give more weight to a 
promise made by his family than to some alien law, for promises and 
family honor are as binding as law to us Japanese.  I understand that 
your bound by honor to continue pursuing Ranma until he makes his 
choice clear, but surely you and your tribe can understand that Akane's 
claim has greater sanctioning of tradition.  Ranma's duty is first to his 
native Japanese tradition, in which arranged marriages have a long 
precedent."

      Shampoo couldn't resist taking a shot at this edifice of tradition.  
"Ranma feeling matter any?  Shampoo think he should marry for love, 
not obligation.  But if that way you judge, fine.  Ranma then need be 
marrying Ukyo, since Ranma Dad already what take and use up dowry, 
while Ranma not yet received Dojo.  Certainly "tradition sanction" 
engagement which dowry already taken for than one that not. neh?"    

      "... OHOHO!  Did I say obligation was the sole deciding factor?  
After all, it takes a strong man to choose love over tradition, right?" 
laughed Mrs. Saotome nervously.  Then, as she drew her katana, her 
face became deadly serious.  "GGENMAA!"

        Grabbing Nodoka before she could go on the warpath, Shampoo 
blurted out, "Panda thief not here right now!" hoping that it wasn't a lie.  
"Beside, Shampoo need tell reason came.  I willing let go claim to 
Ranma if he help fulfill spirit of the law so tribe on me go easy."  That 
got Mrs. Saotome's attention.  

      "Ranma... Ranma love Akane, not me," this time Shampoo didn't 
need to feign her sadness.  "So... no get in way.  But no can afford go 
home empty handed again.  Already broke law once for save Ranma 
life.  Tribe be extra harsh if I completely fail again."

      "Broke a law... to save Ranma's life?  Sounds likes there's quite a 
story there.   Here, lets move to the hot tub for it.  I need to relax.  On 
my sons' wedding day, I realized his life was complicated, but I'm only 
starting to realize just how," sighed Nodoka as she and the amazon 
settled into the steaming bath.  

      Shampoo, sensing Mrs. Saotome was preoccupied, decided to just 
enjoy the bliss of the moment instead of fret it away going over what 
she'd say next.  Nodoka felt slightly envious at how quickly the 
amazon's sadness melted away with a pleasured sigh.  In general, 
civilized adults, who spend so much neurotic time in the past and 
future, envy youths and tribal people their effortless ease of being in the 
now.  

      Following the amazon's example, Mrs. Saotome tried to relax and 
gather her wits.  Here was a chance to help Ranma out and bring some 
order to the chaos which had rent in pieces the first wedding attempt.  
Hopefully, if she played it right, there'd be a win-win situation for 
everyone.  They'd just have to pay Ukyo back for whatever the dowry 
had been.  Somehow.  Family finances were one of the last things 
Nodoka wanted to think about right now, especially with college 
expenses for Ranma looming.  Perhaps Ukyo's honor would be satisfied 
with the dowry thief committing seppuku, thought Mrs. Saotome 
darkly.  On the other hand, pandas were rare animals these days.  How 
much would a zoo pay for one healthy adult male?  ...but now was not 
the time to be thinking about that.  She had to focus on the situation at 
hand.  After taking a moment to really relax, Nodoka prompted 
Shampoo to continue; "You mentioned something about another law?"           

      "Colliery of first law.  If outsider female defeats, must kill her.  But 
no could bring self to kill Ranma.  Loved to much, even though he trick 
me and say true form girl," Shampoo couldn't quite keep a hint of 
bitterness from creeping into her tone.  "Even though must then face 
great shame and punishment before tribe."

      "Ranma pretended he was really a girl?"  said a concerned Mrs. 
Saotome.  "But if he was a real man then you wouldn't have had to kill 
him.  There has to be something I'm missing here."

      "Um... well... Ranma worried I might kill Akane," explained 
Shampoo uncomfortably, "'cause she in way of us getting married."

      "Would you have?"  Shampoo gulped like a deer caught in the 
headlights of Nodoka's point blank question.  As Mrs. Satome stared 
intently at her, Shampoo wished she'd never tried to score some extra 
points by bringing this up.  

      "No! ... well, maybe, back then might have... not sure..." whispered 
Shampoo as she looked down at the ripples her fidgeting fingers were 
sending through the water.  Then she turned desperately toward Mrs. 
Saotome.  "But no do something like that now!  Would just make 
Ranma hate Shampoo, maybe even kill."  Shampoo shuddered, 
remembering that final, terrible battle against Saffron.  Once again she 
found her self fascinated by the ripples playing upon the bath's surface.  
"And... and Akane good person.  No would wish kill anyway.  Want 
think back then only showing serious so Akane back off or Ranma 
marry to protect her... but I might have... if he no dash wedding 
prospects by showing really same girl I need kill."

      "Oh, how manly!  I never should have doubted you, Ranma!  
Standing up for your engagement and protecting your fianc�, even at 
the risk of your own life."

      Shampoo found the courage to look back up at Mrs. Saotome as she 
hastily added, "Yeah, yeah.  But I unable to kill.  Thought I could, but 
couldn't bring self to hurt her.  So maybe no been able to kill her 
either... k-kinda respected her strength...  And what about Ranma 
mom?!  Hear you kill son if he no manly!"  As soon as the accusation 
had left her mouth, Shampoo wished she'd for once kept her 
impulsiveness in check.  Bowing, Shampoo quickly apologized, "Sorry!  
No meant that way it sound.  Is family business, not mine.  Amazons 
too are harsh in making family strong."

      "No, I asked a very personal question.  It's only natural that you felt 
defensive.  My apologies for interrogating you when I've only just 
made your acquaintance.  Your honesty is refreshing and I appreciate it.  
And your right, once I too believed that honor required Ranma to die, 
but I loved him and so let him off with a rather lame demonstration of 
manliness as my excuse.  Perhaps your tribe's values and mine aren't so 
far apart.  We both want our children to be strong and honorable.  So 
you can understand why I'm trying to learn more about the girl who 
want's to have my grandchild, right?"        

      Shampoo blinked in surprise.  She'd underestimated Mrs. Saotome.  
During this conversation her brain must have been cranking away on 
what Shampoo wanted from her son.  Perhaps she was a little slow on 
the uptake, but given enough time she could figure things out.  And if 
the way Mrs. Saotome's eyes gleamed at the mention of a  "grandchild" 
was any indication, she was amenable to the idea.  That was a relief, 
Shampoo had been worried for a moment that she'd  blown it. 

      "That way both parties save face.  Ranma can still marry Akane, 
and you can bring our strong blood back to your tribe, who'll surely go 
easy on you since that's the main purpose behind your law.  Oh, he'll be 
such a cute little grandson!  You'll have to promise to keep in touch and 
visit occasionally!"  squealed  Mrs. Saotome as she clasped Shampoo's 
hand and radiated sparkly joy all over the bathroom at the thought of 
how adorable her grandchild by this beautiful amazon and her oh so 
handsome son would be.  It can be scary how worked up mothers get 
over the prospects of grandchildren, particularly those who missed out 
on raising their own child.  

      "Ok, ok.  I is promise," said Shampoo, slightly intimidated.  "But 
not just that I after.  Also want Ranma for train me in Anything Goes 
Martial Arts.  Could also Ranma teach amazon techniques why we's at 
it."

      "I see.  Your tribe takes in new fighting styles as well as blood.  
This'll be good practice for Ranma.  After all, when he grows up, he'll 
be making his living passing on our families' school of martial arts.  
And your plan will give Ranma a good excuse for practicing his 
manliness too, neh?" said Nodoka with a wink.  Leaning in closer to the 
blushing amazon, Mrs. Saotome whispered conspiratorially.  "You'll 
want to be discreet of course.  I've noticed Akane has a tendency to get 
a bit jealous."  With that understatement, Mrs. Saotome rose from the 
bath in a much better mood than when she'd entered it.  

      She'd helped clear the way for her son's marriage and given him a 
great opportunity to demonstrate his manliness.  Not that it was in doubt 
(even if he was a crossdresser...), but still, it was a little disheartening 
that since she'd moved in she hadn't once observed Ranma going out 
on a date with Akane or even making out with her when they thought no 
one was watching.  But they were probably just being even more 
discreet than her.  Surely Ranma had an interest in girls...  Letting such 
troubling thoughts go, Mrs. Saotome started to comb out Shampoo's 
long hair and preoccupied herself with debating over how she was 
going to style it.  
      
      "Thanks for blessing, Mrs. Saotome," bowed Shampoo as she sat up 
on the edge of the bath.  

      "No need to be so formal now that we know each other.  You can 
call me Auntie Saotome, all the other girls here do.  And thank you for 
being so mature about this.  I'm sure everything will work out fine for 
you.  By the way, I don't think I caught your name...?"

      "Name is..."

      Suddenly an argument from outside reached a level that was clearly 
audible even in the bathroom. 
      "I'm an idiot, am I?  I'll spar with whomever the hell I want to, you 
jerk!"
      "I can't believe I let my self get concerned over a stupid uncute 
tomboy like you!"
      *SMACK* *SLAM* *SPLASH*

      "Ranma back!" squealed Shampoo as she jumped up in excitement, 
heart aflutter.  It'd been over a week since she'd last seen him, and 
would be the first since her new resolution.  This would be her chance 
at a new relationship with him; hopefully they'd be able to get off on 
the right foot this time.  To be honest, Shampoo didn't expect Ranma to 
be as sympathetic and understanding as his mother, but that could also 
be used to her advantage if need be.  Given time, he'd surely forgive 
her past manipulations and start to like her.  It really hurt, the 
realization that he actually seemed to dislike her.  But today she'd make 
a new impression.  Yes, today she'd...  "HEY!  Where Shampoo's 
panties go!"
 
      Despite how rewarding it had been, the wash-bucket was beginning 
to think that sticking around had been a bad idea.  Particularly 
considering Shampoo was now pulling a pair of bonbori from her pile 
of clothes.  Funny, the wash-bucket didn't remember those being there.  
The amazon had her eyes closed, and the wash-bucket felt, too late, her 
aura probing the room.  So much for sneaking out.  Looked like it was 
time for the back up plan, flip the shower knob.  

      As soon as the first bonbori was sent through the air the wash-
bucket leapt for it's target, bouncing off the top of the second bonbori 
on the way.  At the same time the door to the bath slid open...

      "Stupid tomboy, she didn't have to dunk me in the koi pond too..." 
*smack*

      "AIYAHH!  Sorry Ranma, no was aiming for... AIYAHH!  IS  
COLD!

      "AAAAHHHH!  CAT!  CAT!  CCCAAAAATTT!"

      *KSHINK* "RANMA!  Your acting unmanly!  Stop this at once!"

       "MMEOWOROW!" (left untranslated by the censors)  

      So much for getting off on the right foot...  


To be continued...    
Please send C&C to caleb_david@angelfire.com     


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