This was the fanfic formerly known as Long Journey I think, I've finally
returned to work on it... making slight changes throughout and adding about two
chapters that weren't posted before.
  Chapter 8/9? is halfway finished but it won't make any sense yet because
it was written as chapter 7 before I altered the timeline.  There are still
a few things rubbing me the wrong way in general, but I want to see if any
of those things are noticable to you folks too.
  I'm a slow writer in case you haven't noticed.  I was working on a couple
other stories and I finally came back to this one.  I am going somewhere
with this story, it might not be what you think.  The more I write it seems
the more I have to add things in order to get where I'm going.  It's like
path that grows
longer and longer... I only hope the journey is worth it.
  There might still be some errors due to the type of changes I've made, if
you see one then feel free to point it out.


Ranma 1/2 Fan fiction: Paths Not Taken (still a working title)

Chapter 1: Defeat

[The scene opens far above Nerima.  The view zooms down through the clouds
across familiar places and past the Tendo Dojo, Dr. Tofu's clinic, Ucchan's
restaurant, and the Nekohanten.  Everything is quiet except for the sound of
fighting growing louder until we find the fighting ring set up behind Furinkan
High.  There's a pretty good crowd watching the fight, mostly from the school]

 Nabiki:  Damn.  If it wasn't for the money I charged for admission I might
actually take a loss on this fight.

Ranma:  Still trying to take bets?

Nabiki:  No, I've taken plenty just none of them on Mousse.  I'm giving twenty
to one and I still can't find anybody.

Ranma:  That's because they've all seen this fight a dozen times, and he's lost
every time.  (glancing at the ring and wincing) Jeez!  That looked painful.

Akane:  I can't believe you two, this is serious!

Ranma:  So am I, that had to hurt.  Shampoo's really laying into him.

Ukyou:  (sitting down next to Ranma) I'm with Ran-chan.  Why'd he agree to the
fight if he wasn't going to fight?

Akane:  (getting up a bit annoyed) I can't watch this anymore.

[Akane walks past the ring where Mousse is busy fending off a flurry of blows
from Shampoo.  Ranma's about to follow but Ukyou quickly glomps onto his arm.
Akane's about to leave but she can't take her attention off the fight.  Ranma
removes Ukyou but turns his attention to the fight.]

Mousse:  (slicing Shampoo's bonbori in half) Won't you give up yet Shampoo?  You
were never as good unarmed.

Shampoo:  (knocking Mousse's sword out of the ring, which conveniently imbeds
itself between Ranma and Ukyou) And you never as good as Shampoo!  Mousse give
up first.

Mousse:  (dodging a blow to the head) I would do anything for you Shampoo.  I'd
grant your every wish, but I won't give up.

[His comments only enrage Shampoo further.]

Shampoo:  (dropping back into a combat stance) Then when Shampoo win, Mousse
leave Shampoo alone.  Never look at Shampoo again!

Mousse:  (tensing)...our last fight then.

[Sensing an opening, Shampoo jumps at Mousse.  Shaken from his thoughts he draws
a bo from one of his sleeves which he raises to block Shampoo's jump kick, but
she breaks through the staff and knocks Mousse across the ring.]

Shampoo:  Hmph.  (pulling a sword out from behind her) Mousse not only one with
hidden weapons.

Mousse:  (whipping out a pair of Sai) I'll remember that.

[They continue fighting with Shampoo scoring on Mousse occasionally.  Both are
breathing heavily but Mousse's outfit is shredded and starting to turn red.
Mousse doesn't attack, but finally succeeds in knocking the sword away, landing
it between Ranma's legs.]

Mousse:  (thinking) Dammit Shampoo, just one time give up.  Is winning that
important to you?  Do you really hate me this much?

Shampoo:  (thinking in Chinese, translated) Dammit Mousse, attack!  We've been
fighting over eight years and you still don't attack.  I hate that... I.. I hate
you for that... I HATE you!

[The crowd has grown since the fight started.  Cologne has finally shown up and
taken a spot next to Akane, who has become increasingly worried about the
situation.]

Cologne:  I see Mousse is still standing.  He's usually back in the Nekohanten
bandaging himself up by now.  I came to see what was taking so long.

Akane:  Looks like you might be losing your busboy.

Cologne:  (yawning) I wouldn't worry too much about Mousse, she not going to
kill him... not today anyway.

Akane:  That's right, you weren't around for that part.  This is going to be
their last fight.

Cologne:  (thinking) Hmm... granddaughter, you're as blind as he is sometimes.

[Cologne starts watching the match, keeping the rest of her thoughts to herself.
 Everyone is on the edges of their seats, except the people standing.  Mousse
whips a chain out to grab a fallen sword, while Shampoo charges, grabbing a
fallen sai as she goes.  Mousse draws the sword back in time, but Shampoo uses
the sai to block the blade as her free hand knocks his glasses off.]

Shampoo:  (taking up a new stance in the corner) Give up.  Mousse no match for
Shampoo even with glasses.

Mousse:  (turning to the sound of Shampoo's voice) I'll never give up Shampoo,
sight or no sight.

Shampoo:  Then Shampoo have no choice.

Mousse:  (eyes closed, thinking) Without my glasses I can't make her out.  If I
use the sword to defend I could hurt her... or worse.

[The decision is taken from his hands literally as Shampoo knocks the sword from
his hand.  She rushes him again but stops suddenly.  His eyes are closed but his
foot is frozen inches from her head in mid kick.]

Shampoo:  (thinking) If he didn't stop...

[Shampoo is shaken but her shock quickly turns to anger and she nails Mousse
with a rising roundhouse to the ribs first and then to the head.  She follows up
with open palm blows to the gut and jaw which finally knocks him to the mat.
Shampoo turns away as Mousse falls.  He manages to raise himself from the mat
enough to look at her.]

Mousse:  (with great effort, and in Chinese) Your wish is granted Shampoo, bie
lao.

[And then darkness.]

 part the first.

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enter the second.

Chapter 2: Morning After.

[The darkness fades as the sun raises over Nerima.  Akane is walking with a
bento in her left hand.  Ranma-chan is running along the fence and finally
catches up to her.]

Ranma-chan:  (starts walking on her hands) Don't you think the poor guy's been
though enough Akane?  Do you have to go and poison him too?

Akane:  (a bit annoyed) Kasumi and your mom helped me cook it, and who asked you
to tag along anyway?

Ranma-chan:  (switching to a moon walk) I'm not here because of you or anything,
I'm not about to hang around the house with mom there.  It's even safer with a
violent tomboy like you than it is around her.

Akane:  You sure about that Ranma?

[Back at the Nekohanten Cologne is opening up for the day.  Shampoo is rushing
about madly, trying to get the place in order.  Finishing the last table she
stops to yawn, but gets interrupted mid-yawn by a light staff blow to the head.]

Cologne:  (bounding off toward the kitchen) Get used to it Shampoo, now that
Mousse is gone you'll be doing his workload until I can find a replacement.

Shampoo:  (under her breath) Shampoo no remember having to set tables.

Cologne:  (pausing in the doorway) That's because Mousse set them before you
awoke each morning, and put everything away each night after you slept.

Shampoo:  (looking down) Yes great-grandmother.

[Ranma and Akane arrive at Dr. Tofu's clinic.  An old man with a cane and dark
glasses walks right into Ranma-chan's chest and both are knocked back.  Akane's
mood brightens at this and even lets out a giggle.]

Old man:  I'm terribly sorry miss.  I'm sure it must have been my fault.

Ranma-chan:  (picking herself up) Why don't you watch... (noticing the cane and
glasses) um... no problem.. I wasn't paying attention.

Old man:  Well I best be off.

[Ranma-chan jumps as the old man passes by.  She turns but the old man is no
where to be seen.  Akane looks puzzled.]

Akane:  What is it Ranma?

Ranma-chan:  (a bit pissed) Why that old... he pinched me!

Akane:  (giggling, grabbing Ranma's arm) C'mon Ranma, he's gone now anyway.

[Inside the clinic Dr. Tofu is putting a few things away.  Akane drags in Ranma,
who's still wants to find the old man.  Akane bows to Dr. Tofu, while Ranma
keeps scanning out a window.]

Akane:  Good morning Dr. Tofu.  How's the patient?

Dr. Tofu:  Well if you mean Mousse, he just woke up.  I'll take you to him, you
can decide for yourself.

Akane:  That bad huh?  (grabbing Ranma) C'mon you can worry about that later.

[Dr. Tofu walks upstairs followed by Akane with Ranma in tow.  Akane flashes
back to the end of the fight.  Where Mousse is saying something in Chinese.]

Mousse:  (in Chinese) ...bie lao.

Shampoo:  (turning back shocked as Mousse's head drops) What?!?  Wake up!
Stupid Mousse, what you talking now?

[Shampoo picks Mousse up from the mat and starts shaking him.  Mousse's head
just wobbles back and forth until Ukyou and Akane pry her off.]

Ukyou:  The fights over Shampoo, he's gonna be out for awhile.

Akane:  Leave him alone, you can talk to him after we take him to Dr. Tofu's.
Cologne is waiting for you.

Shampoo:  (dropping Mousse) Hmph.  Akane right, Shampoo deal with Mousse later.

[The crowd is gone, only a few of the stragglers remain including a group
talking with Nabiki.  Shampoo jumps to Cologne and the two start talking.  Akane
and Ukyou pick up Mousse and a number of objects fall from various holes in
Mousse's outfit.]

Ukyou:  Jeez, he's getting bloodstains on my new sweater.

Akane:  (putting Mousse on her back) I'll carry him, you can carry his stuff.

Ranma:  Hey Akane.  You want me to carry him, you might drop him or something.

Akane:  I can handle Ranma.  Besides, you two aren't exactly on the best of
terms.

Ranma:  Okay, I'll tell Kasumi you're going to be late for dinner.

Akane:  (whipping around, almost letting Mousse slip off) Better tell her to
save something, I'm going to wait till he wakes up.

Ukyou:  (a bit nervous) Uh, Akane.. wanna trade positions?  I mean I'm going to
have to wash this outfit now anyway.

[Akane follows behind picking up various things that fall ever so often and
trying not to drop the pile she's already got.  Ranma watches he trio leave and
waits for Nabiki before heading back home.  Akane's flashback ends as they reach
the recovery room.]

Dr. Tofu:  (opening the door) Mousse?  You have some visitors.

Akane:  I brought you a little something for breakfast.

[Mousse is wearing a blindfold but sits up and turns to the door.  Akane's voice
brightens him a bit, but he still seems depressed.]

Mousse:  Akane, you didn't have to.

Ranma:  (stepping into the room) Don't worry, she didn't cook it or anything.

Mousse:  (quickly losing the cordiality) Ranma.

Akane:  (giving Ranma a quick elbow) Hope you're feeling better, Ukyou would
have come too but she had to open the shop.

Mousse:  (scratching his blindfold) Shampoo's probably opening the Nekohanten
right now.  (sigh) Where do I go from here?

Ranma:  (surprised) She's really going to make you leave?

Mousse:  It's what she wants, at least I can give her that.  I'm not leaving
because of Shampoo or any of our laws.  I'm doing this because it feels right.
I heard your father say once, 'The path of a true martial artist includes being
honest with both yourself and others.  When you break an oath to another, you
break both the oath you swore to them and the oath you swore to yourself as a
martial artist.'

Ranma:  (really surprised) Pop said that?

Mousse:  [shrug]  You're right, maybe I read it off a fortune cookie.  There was
a new batch at the restaurant.

Dr. Tofu:  Well, you're not going anywhere until you finish healing.  You still
have broken ribs and a concussion to deal with.  You're going to be here for
awhile.

Mousse:  Then can I ask a favor of the three of you?

part the second.

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enter the third.

Chapter 3: Common Friends

[Weeks go by and things are pretty uneventful.  The three extends to include
Ukyou and eventually talk of the fight fades away.  The leading theory held that
he never survived the fight against Shampoo, but most people just figured he
went back to China.  It was mostly the latter that hung around the Nekohanten
these days.  Without Mousse to chase them off, the guys of Furinkan High spent
their afternoons in the Nekohanten watching Shampoo.]

 Shampoo:  (a bit rushed) Okay, you ordered one dashi and five waters.
Fifty-six yen.

Guy #1:  (handing Shampoo some coins) Thank you.  Um... I think my friend here
wanted to order something.

Guy #2:  (elbowing Guy #1) Uh, not really just uh..

Guy #3:  (whispering) Order something before they make us leave.

Guy #2:  (whispering back) I'm almost broke, why don't you order something.

Guy #3:  (whispering) I am broke, and I ordered the tea yesterday.  It's your
turn.

Guy #2:  (whispering) Ack!  Next time we bring someone with money.  (turning
back to Shampoo) Yes miss.. I'd like to order uh.. one pot sticker please.

Shampoo:  (rolling her eyes) be right back.

Cologne:  (watching the exchange) We're always full, yet we're not making as
much money these days.  (thinking) Hmm... I guess the girls that came to see
Mousse were bigger spenders than the boys that come to see Shampoo.

[The door slides opens as Ranma enters.  Shampoo immediately jumps at Ranma,
throwing the pot sticker she was carrying directly into the mouth of the guy who
ordered it.]

Guy #2:  Umurphafurph.

Guy #4:  Jeez, you're not even going to share?

Guy #5:  Aw no, it's Saotome.  He gets all the luck.

Guy #2:  Uwah, uaph urfs.

Guy #1:  Don't talk with your mouth full... greedy pig.

Guy #2:  Uwaph?!?

Guy #1:  Yeah, you AND Saotome.

 [It's been at least a week since Shampoo had been able to see Ranma.  With her
increased workload, the only way she could was if Ranma came to eat and lately
he'd been going to Ukyou's.]

 Shampoo:  Oh Ranma, you finally here.

Ranma:  Yeah, Ucchan's was closed for some reason.

Shampoo:  (hiding her annoyance) Shampoo get for you special meal, then Ranma
come back for more.

Ranma:  Just don't put anything weird in it okay?

[Akane and Nabiki enter and quickly find Ranma still trying to pry Shampoo off.]

Nabiki:  I told you he'd be here.  Oops, I see some folks that owe me money.
I'll be right back Akane, don't hurt him too bad.

Ranma:  (slipping away from Shampoo) Akane, glad you made it.

Akane:  Well I see you had something better to do then meet me for lunch.

Ranma:  Hey, it's not my fault.  Ucchan's was closed.

Akane:  We both agreed to meet for lunch to talk about our *mutual* friend.

Ranma:  We're both here aren't we?

Akane:  (through clenched teeth) You know what I mean Ranma.

Shampoo:  (a bit confused) Shampoo not understand, but not nice girl can stay
too.  Shampoo fix special lunch.

Akane:  (waiting for Shampoo to leave) Are you crazy Ranma?  You know we
promised Mousse not to let anyone else know about him.

Ranma:  Well what about Nabiki?

Akane:  I ran into her after Ucchan's.  What's your excuse?  The Nekohanten of
all places.  Geez Ranma, always thinking with your stomach.

Ranma:  Hey, I just come here to let Shampoo jump me.

Akane:  WHAT?!?

Ranma:  I'm kidding.  Calm down Akane, let's just eat and we can talk after.

Akane:  Humph.  Fine with me.

Nabiki:  (walking back to the pair) What a bunch of deadbeats.  So I see you're
still in one piece, Ranma.  I don't know about you two but I'm starving.

[Akane decided to let the matter drop.  If she had to keep information to
herself, she decided she'd go over it again before talking with Ranma.]

[Scene shifts to Ucchan's a few hours earlier.  Ukyou checked her package before
locking the front of her restaurant.  It might have seemed strange since it was
almost time for the lunch crowd, but one of the things Ukyou liked best about
owning her own restaurant was the fact she could open and close it whenever she
needed to.]

Ukyou:  (thinking) Oh well, it's not like I need the extra money or anything.
Folks'll just have to do without okonomiyaki today.  Friends come before
business.

[Her walk to Dr. Tofu's was uneventful, it was only a short hop away from her
place.  Before going in, Ukyou did a quick check to make sure she wasn't
followed by any stray left turn signs.  She wasn't, Dr. Tofu noticed her enter
and waved her while treating an elderly patient.  Ukyou proceeded straight to
Mousse's room away from the rest of the clinic, and locked the door behind her.]

Ukyou:  Hey Mousse, you awake in there?

Mousse:  (still blindfolded) Hello Ukyou, I was just relaxing.

Ukyou:  (sniffing) What is that smell?

Mousse:  Akane brought me breakfast, I think it might be hiding under the bed.

Ukyou:  (smiling) Good thing I brought you lunch then.

Mousse:  You didn't have to.  It smells good though, I never ate much
okonomiyaki at the Nekohanten.  Shampoo could never stand the stuff.

Ukyou:  (setting up a picnic type lunch on the table.) Well don't worry about
that.  How long do you plan on wearing that blindfold?

Mousse:  (sitting down at the table) I don't know, but I don't feel like seeing
a world without her in it yet.

Ukyou:  (shaking her head) How can you be so devoted to someone that doesn't
love you?

Mousse:  (calmly) How can you?

[Ukyou's eyes flare for a moment instinctively, but then she calms down and
realizes his point.  It wasn't the first time they'd talk since the fight.
Ukyou made it a point to keep Mousse company while he was recovering.  Bringing
him dinner and an occasional breakfast, ever since she waited with Akane that
first night.]

Ukyou:  (sighing) I know, but he might love me someday and if not we'll always
be friends.

Mousse:  But marry him?

Ukyou:  Nerima's really lacking in the nice guy department, there's no one else
around here I'd want to marry.

Mousse:  Gee thanks.

Ukyou:  (leaning in and smiling coyly) Is that a proposal?

Mousse:  (smiling) I don't know, you feel up to a fight?

[She was glad to see him smile.  Ever since that fist night he awoke screaming
Shampoo's name, Ukyou was afraid he wouldn't be able to recover.]

Ukyou:  (sitting back in her chair) Why can't there be more nice guys be like
you.  Then I could just go whack one over the head and drag him back to my cave.

Mousse:  Actually, I'd have to whack you over the head.

Ukyou:  (shaking her head) You're hopeless.

part the third.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

enter the fourth.

Chapter 4: Dead Duck

[Shampoo returns and the three start eating.  Eventually Shampoo joins them,
pulling up a seat next to Ranma.  Cologne bounces into the kitchen to prepare
for the dinner rush.  The Nekohanten is empty except for the four.  The
conversation eventually turns to Mousse.  Ranma and Akane feign ignorance about
everything after the match.  Ranma almost lets it slip a few times but Akane
quickly kicks him under the table before anything important gets said, but even
though Shampoo begins to suspect they know more than they're letting on.]

Nabiki:  I barely broke even on that fight.

Akane:  How can you be concerned with something like that, you saw what he
looked like after that fight.

Shampoo:  Mousse should never fight Shampoo, Mousse always too weak.  Get hurt
easy.

Ranma:  Were you really going to hold him to that promise?

Akane:  (thinking to herself) How can she just sit there and be so cold.

[Mousse's words kept ringing through Akane's head.  It was all see could do to
keep from letting it slip.  Mousse made her, Ranma, and Dr. Tofu swear that they
would tell no one he was still in town.  "Except for you three, I'm dead to the
world.  Dead to the Nekohanten, dead to Shampoo."]

Shampoo:  (thinking about it for a second) Is law, but still.. Mousse hard
worker to replace, but him gone anyway so not matter.  When Mousse not show up
for work, make more trouble for Shampoo.

Mousse's voice in Akane's head:  Except for you three, I'm dead to the world.

Akane:  You gave him some hard blows, you could have been a little easier on
him.

[The comment stabbed at Shampoo, but she didn't let it show.]

Shampoo:  (getting angry) Shampoo stopped hitting Mousse, more than Mousse
deserve!  Mousse only trouble.

Mousse's voice:  (fading softly) Dead to the Nekohanten...

Akane:  (getting just as angry) What?!? He didn't deserve that!  Not the fight
or the way you treated him.  He loved you.

Shampoo:  (regaining her composure) Mousse weak!  Weak get what they deserve!

Mousse's voice:  (fading into nothing) ..dead to Shampoo.

Akane:  It's bad enough you insulted him before, now you're going to insult him
after he's dea.. um.. (looking down) now that he.. he's not here.

[Nabiki raises an eyebrow at this.  Ranma just stares wide eyed at Akane, jaw
slack and giant beads of sweat forming.  Shampoo stands perfectly motionless,
keeping her thoughts hidden except for the outline of a tear.]

Ranma:  (tugging gently at Akane) Akane...

Shampoo:  (nearly screaming) If Akane so concerned about stupid duck boy, Akane
fight Shampoo in his place.

Ranma:  (tugging a bit harder) Akane...

Akane:  (still pissed, but recovering) Fine, but if I win you stop trying to
marry Ranma.

Shampoo:  (calming but beginning to cry) Is our law.  If Akane risk same, winner
becomes rightful bride of Ranma.

Ranma:  (tugging hard with clenched teeth) Akane...

Akane:  (turning to Ranma) WHAT?!?

Ranma:  (falling off his chair) Uh.. nothing.

Akane:  (turning back to Shampoo) Same time then.  We'll settle this stupid
mess.

Shampoo:  Shampoo never lose.

[Akane grabs Ranma by the pony-tail and drags him out of the Nekohanten.  Nabiki
just shrugs and heads out after them, leaving a couple thousand yen on the table
behind her to cover their lunch.]

part the fourth.

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