Ranma .05 :Vol 2, Part 5
My Love Shall Never Waver
*** Warning: The following work of fiction contains elements of bad jokes that may offend the more sensitive members of society. As a precaution, Horde O' Hentai Productions, Legal Division requires the placement of this label to warn the public of situations involving humor of questionable taste. Thank you. ***
Oh; by the way...there are also scenes of explicit sex as well...but really now, no one should have a problem with them, should they?
Credits/Blame For This:
Produced by: Horde O' Hentai Productions, Literature Division
Darren Demaine: Chairman of the Horde, President for Life
(Chance of Parole in 20 years)
Lee (Grey Wolf): Pun Minister, Guy We Rub For Luck
Rob (Barbarian): P.U. Officer, Breath Weapon Specialist
Craig (Dr. Ruminahui): Minister of Foreign Affairs
(Until we caught him at it)
Written by: Darren Demaine
(Someone the Phantom Quest Co. owes money to;
Producer of: The Cooking Hour with Urd, Akane, and C-ko;
Costume Designer for when the AMP goes back to school
a.k.a. Sailor Moebius)
Story Assistance: Lee (Grey Wolf)
All rights to this work are owned by: Takahashi Rumiko-no-megamisama (She owns the rights, I own the lefts.)
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In the back room of the Nekohanten, Shampoo was placing bandages on Mousse's face. Both were sitting on empty wooden crates, and Shampoo had a first-aid kit in her lap. Deftly, and the with the expertise of long practice, she tended to his wounds. As she worked, she spent her time criticizing and nagging the boy before her.
"Silly Mousse; if fight Ranma, should expect get beaten up. Ranma too much man for you."
Staring glumly ahead, Mousse was already in a foul mood. Not only had he failed to defeat his greatest rival for the heart of his beloved, but his beloved really didn't seem to care.
"But Shampoo," he whined, "don't you see-"
"Better then you," she interjected, giggling.
Mousse winced. "Enough with the sight gags."
Shampoo dabbed a bruise on his face. "Mousse should know now that Ranma only man for Shampoo's heart. All Mousse do is keep proving Ranma better fighter." She left off attentions on her patient and placed her clasped hands to her cheek. A soft sigh escaped her as her eyes focused on a far-off sight.
"You saw how Ranma willing fight for Shampoo; how Ranma train to master new, difficult technique; how he suffer much to gain Shampoo's love. All school see how valiant and how noble Ranma be as he beat Mousse's face in; how proud Ranma look as he deliver final, humiliating blow. And after battle, how...how..."
"-How much like a girl he screamed as Akane beat him up," Mousse finished. Shampoo paused; then gave a small sigh and nodded. "Only because Akane hit him with water first," she turned back to her patient and resumed to look after his injuries.
"Shampoo no know why Ranma put up with such violent girl...After all, Shampoo never do anything to hurt one Shampoo loves." Saying so, she slapped an alcohol pad into an open cut on Mousse's face.
"It could be because men would gladly suffer much for the women they love," Mousse began, seeing a chance. "Just as Ranma accepts the painful love of Tendo Akane, so too I joyfully endure all the pains you place before me." Suddenly clasping the hands before him, Mousse leaned close and spoke from deep in his soul.
"All the years of bitter humiliation and suffering...the non-existence joys...the constant lows...all done for you! If you just gazed at me, I would gladly take the slings and arrow of outrageous fortune, or take arms against a sea of troubles! I would bear the whips and scorns of time! All these things I would suffer through only in the hopes that you recognize the feelings I hold for you!"
"Mousse, Shampoo never know you feel that way," came his reply. Strange; it seemed it seemed to be coming from off to one side. Still holding her hands with one of his, he used the other to put his glasses on and look over. Shampoo was standing a few feet away and looking at him disinterestedly. Blinking, he turned and leaned close to the person who's hands he was actually holding. After a moment, the face entered focus and he saw that he'd just proclaimed his love to her great-grandmother.
He felt sick.
Cologne looked down at the violently twitching boy as Shampoo placed the first-aid kit away. "Now that your wounds have been looked after, it's time for you to get back to work. There's something wrong with the plumbing, so I want you to use the manhole in the alley and fix the problem down in the sewer."
"But...I don't know anything about how to repair a sewer system," Mousse protested, getting himself back under control. "You'll just have to call in the city workers."
"Not a chance," Cologne replied. "They'd all want a free lunch in return. But don't worry young Mousse; I've got something that can help you." Saying that, she flicked an object in his direction.
He caught it and looked at it closely; his eyes made the 'squeechy' blinking noise. Then he pulled his glasses down and looked again. It didn't change; it still was a roll of duck tape.
"How the hell am I suppose to fix a busted water main with a roll of duck tape?!" He yelled as he leapt to his feet.
Cologne looked up at him, suddenly seeming very mysterious and powerful. "You do not have faith in the powers of the duck tape, do you boy?"
Unnerved by the old woman's forceful comment, Mousse took a step back.
"Do not underestimate the power of what I have given you boy...for in your hands, you hold the key to all the universe."
"Im-impossible," Mousse stuttered, taking another step back. "It's j-just duck tape."
"Just?! Duck tape it is boy," Cologne continued, eyes narrowed, body straight, speaking with the wisdom of the ages. "But it is much more then that...for you see: duck tape is much like the Force. There is both a light side and a dark side. Both enfold you in their grasp, and both serve to hold the universe together."
Mousse looked amazed; with reverence, he stared at the roll in his hand. "I-I-I never...imagined it could be thus..."
"Of course not," Cologne continued. "'May the Force be with you,' sounds a whole lot better then, 'may you be covered in duck tape.' Now get to work."
* * *
"Grand-daughter, when you're finished, could you come into the back for a moment?"
"Hai, Hibachan!" Shampoo replied. The evening rush had begun, and the women were busy dealing with the public; at the moment Shampoo was occupied taking an order. The customer, a man in his mid-thirties, gave an emotionally drained response to her question. Seeing this, Shampoo took another look at the guy. "Something wrong?"
The guy sniffed once, and began to talk in a broken, halting voice. "No. Maybe. Well, yes. You see, I'm a wage slave for the Mishima company, and I'm working on the design for the Poison 2 up-grade attack chopper. All was going great until I went drinking after work with a few buddies. I met this great girl there and we talked all night."
"That problem?" Shampoo asked, cocking her head.
"Well, it turns out this girl works for the Rival Ninja Corporation. Everyone knows that the R.N.C. steals whatever they can get their hands on. I know I shouldn't have, but I think I told her secrets about the project I'm working on. If the boss finds out, I-I'm going to be fired!"
The sad story caused Shampoo to sniffle. "Aw...that too bad." A moment later, the Chinese girl smiled brightly. "But you know what they say: 'loose lips, pink slips!'" Leaving him there, she bounced happily into the back of the restaurant.
In the back, Cologne was busy preparing the dishes. "Shampoo, I'm afraid I just remembered that the Ramen Vendor's Association is holding a meeting tonight. So I'm going to have to leave the restaurant in your hands."
Shampoo proudly clenched a fist, "No trouble, Hibachan. Shampoo keep Nekohanten purring along smoothly."
Pogoing over to another section of the room, Cologne got some final things in order. "I have no doubt of that, grand-daughter. I just wonder if that lazy, no-good Mousse is going to be around to help you."
"Shampoo can count on me," came a voice.
Both women looked down. Pinned to the floor beneath Cologne's staff was the grungy, battered form of Mousse; half wrapped up in duck tape, and looking like something that had just crawled out of the sewers. Which of course, he had.
Shampoo shook her head. "Ai-yah. Mousse no even repair sewer without getting trouble."
Looking disgusted, Mousse worked his way to a standing position and tried to remove the layers of tape. "Hey, it's not my fault Kodachi lets her pet alligator out for walks in the sewers." He looked over at the ghoul. "You're right about one thing though: duck tape really does hold the universe together. 'Gator jaws too."
"Enough talk Mousse. One of the customers is complaining that we don't use fresh enough food for his tastes. I want you to go out and prove to him that the Nekohanten uses only the freshest."
"OK, OK; I'll deal with it. What does he want anyway?"
Shampoo dumped a bucket of water on him. "Roast duck," she replied, then punted him into the eating area.
"So then I'll see you later grand-daughter."
"Hibachan no work too hard at meeting."
"Don't worry, where we do our work, everyone knows our name."
* * *
Much later, after the customers had left and the place was shut down, a soft, pleasant darkness enfolded the restaurant. Shampoo dialed a number on the phone and waited while it rang.
"Moshi moshi, Tendo Dojo," came the reply on the other end.
"Nihao Kasumi, this Shampoo."
"Ah, Shampoo-chan; I didn't get a chance to thank you for the nice ramen you gave us last week."
"Kasumi talk about ramen laced with hyperactive spice only Shampoo have cure for?"
"Yes, Ranma wasn't home at the time, so Saotome-ojisama ate it all up. He's really benefiting from the exercise; why, he's lost ten pounds already! Can you send the cure in about a week?"
"Hai! Is Ranma there?"
"Yes," Kasumi replied. "Hold on for a moment..." In the background, there was the sound of someone yelling 'kawaikune,' followed by a loud whump. A few seconds later, Kasumi came back on the line.
"Oh, I'm sorry Shampoo, it seems he just left."
"Where he go?" Shampoo asked.
"Up mostly."
Shampoo's smile fell, and she quickly said good-bye to Kasumi. Placing the phone down, she wandered up to her room and pulled her futon out. Despite the fact that the day had been a busy one, Shampoo didn't bother to get undressed. She just lay down and stared at the ceiling, her hands behind her head; she didn't feel like sleep at the moment. Normally, she was a happy, bubbling person so full of life; however, there were times, such as now, when she just suffered from a dark spell of melancholy. And she knew why her thoughts were so bleak today; once again, Ranma was ignoring her.
After all the hard work she'd put into it, Ranma had still gone home with Akane. True, he'd been unconscious at the time, with a kendo sword firmly planted in his head by Akane, but that didn't really matter to Shampoo. Just because Ranma lived at the Tendo's, Akane had his homework, and she'd dragged his beaten carcass home was no reason for him to continue to play hard to get.
She flipped over on to her stomach. Speaking of the Tendo girl...although it had happened some weeks ago, Shampoo couldn't help but remember what she and Akane had done together. Not that such an incident bothered her; after all, she was willing to do much for her darling Ranma...Shampoo grinning...she was VERY willing to do much for her darling Ranma. Or better yet, TO her darling Ranma.
The grin slipped and she sighed as her thoughts returned to the problem that bugged her. It wasn't what she'd done in the contest that bothered her, it was the fact she'd lost that was the really grating part. Being beaten by an outsider was bad enough, but this really wasn't something that she could give Akane the 'kiss of death' for; explaining it to the amazon council could get a little dicey.
Drumming her fingers on the futon, she wondered exactly how Akane could possibly have defeated her. Of course, such a contest wasn't something Shampoo really had all that much training in. It was unlikely that Akane would have much either, Shampoo felt; after all, Ranma didn't seem the masochistic type.
With that thought, a mental image formed in Shampoo's mind. It involved Akane carrying a whip and kendo sword, and dressed in a rather revealing black leather outfit. She was also laughing like Kodachi, and had Ranma tied up, mummy-style, and looking like he wanted to be anywhere else. [production note: if you've seen the Aeka sound file from Tenchi Muyou, you know what I'm talking about.]
While she nodded to the truth of the vision, eventually her mind returned to the issue at hand. The fact she'd lost meant Akane really was better then her at something. It was hard to imagine, but Shampoo had to admit that the Tendo girl could use this one advantage of her's to gain the upper hand in their fight over Ranma. Although there wasn't much chance of Ranma falling for Akane's feminine charms <assuming she possessed any>, Shampoo amended, it would be a serious problem if he did. And Akane seemed just the type of girl who would use any means possible to keep her paws in Shampoo's man.
Nodding to herself, Shampoo decided that something had to be done to eliminate the advantage Akane seemed to possess. Something that would either even the playing field, or give Shampoo the decided advantage. Several plans presented themselves, but none of the usual ones appealed to her. For this, she reasoned, what was required would have to be outrageous. A moment later, her mind focused on a scheme. Rolling up to her knees, she thought over her plan for a moment, then nodded again. It was a drastic decision, but Shampoo decided that in a situation of this magnitude, half measures just wouldn't suffice.
Getting to her feet, she hurried out of her room, determined to carry out her plan.
* * *
Lying on his futon, Mousse shivered as the cold wind blew through the attic of the Nekohanten. Pulling his straw blanket a little closer, he silently cursed the old ghoul. For some reason she'd never bothered to insulated the attic, so Mousse got to experience the whole of the weather: from the blazing heat of summer, to the bone-chilling winters. Sure, it was better then when he'd been forced to sleep in the alley, and he'd picked up some tips from Sasuke on how to stay warm in an unheated room, but he still hated it. Why couldn't the old bat allow him to sleep in one of the empty rooms? And why couldn't Shampoo have at least stood up for him? She'd been the one who originally had him sleeping in the alley.
It was rough, but he'd willing accepted it in the hopes that it was a test the two had devised to see just how determined he was to win Shampoo's love. After all, no matter how hard they trained Ranma, Shampoo and the troll put him through worse hell; he'd never heard of Shampoo locking Ranma in a cage in the basement for six days straight. Through it all he'd never complained, worked hard to prove himself, and never weakened in his love for Shampoo. Even after she'd only freed him so he could do the laundry. He'd continue to do anything she asked of him; nothing could weaken his devotion to his beloved.
He just hoped that someday she'd notice.
A small creak caught his attention. Turning his head in the darkness, he looked over at the trapdoor that led to the Nekohanten proper. Silhouetted in the light from below, he saw the slim figure of Shampoo rise from the stairs. Eyes wide, Mousse stared; never, ever, had Shampoo even bothered to come up here. Seeing her thus, his heart began to pound painfully in his chest.
"Mousse..." Shampoo said quietly, almost seductively.
Taking a gulp, Mousse sat up, "Y-yes, Shampoo?" She turned to face him, the light from below highlighting her lovely form. In the darkness of the attic, her body seemed to glow with an inner light.
"Mousse...Shampoo need you..."
Enticingly crawling into the attic on all fours, Shampoo slowly moved from the light into the shadows; her eyes glowing as she faded into the darkness. Mousse's hands clenched the straw blanket tightly, his body began trembling. Watching her edge towards him, his muscles wouldn't respond, he couldn't breathe. Throat tight, he finally forced himself to speak.
"Sh-Sh-Shampoo...d-do you mean..."
Reaching arms-length, she sat up and looked at him. Very quietly, she whispered, "Of course...who else but Mousse could Shampoo rely on..." With a sigh of moving cloth, she raised her arm towards him.
His jaw slack, Mousse could not rely. Seemingly by its own accord, his arm gently rose and reached for her's...trembling, his fingers intertwined with her's...and encountered a piece of paper.
"Sh-Shampoo...wh-what is-"
"Shopping list," Shampoo said as she passed the paper into his fingers. "Shampoo need Mousse to go get supplies. No one else around to rely on."
With an empty howl, a chill arctic wind blew through the attic; when it finished, a frozen snowman sat before the Chinese girl.
* * *
While Mousse was off getting the other needed ingredients, Shampoo was busy cooking up what she had on the premises. She couldn't believe how much her spirits were lifted by just doing this. As she was mixing the stuff together, she hummed a cooking tune that was popular with the women of her tribe.
"Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble." She interrupted her music to giggle; why hadn't she thought about this earlier?
She'd always wanted to do this, but for some reason events kept interfering. No more. Things would definitely change between her and Ranma after this potion took effect.
Shampoo acknowledged that Ranma might not take the results too well at first; but she had no doubts that after it was all over, he'd come around to Shampoo's viewpoint. The Chinese girl grinned evily; she couldn't wait to see the look on Akane's face after she told the Tendo girl exactly what had been in the potion.
The pot bubbled and spat. Very gently, Shampoo waved her hand over the mixture, wafting its scent to her nose. It wouldn't be good to get too much of a whiff from this concoction; that could cause a serious problem! Just from the smell, all seemed in order. Just let it simmer for awhile, then add a few more ingredients and all would be ready for an event that Shampoo would remember fondly for the rest of her days.
The telephone rang; happily, Shampoo hopped over and answered it. "Nihao!! Nekohanten Restaurant; we cat's meow!"
"Hello there, granddaughter."
"Hibachan!! Meeting go fine?" Shampoo clasped a hand over her other ear; there seemed to be a loud commotion on the other end, and it was difficult to hear.
"It was quite productive. The ideas flowed like the sake...I mean the water. The reason I called is to tell you that I probably won't be home tonight."
"Ohh, Hibachan find friend?" Shampoo purred.
"Alas not," came her reply. "It's just that after the bar tossed us out, we found another place where we could continue our...discussions."
In the background noise, two voices could be heard above and beyond the other hubbub. One was definitely a kid's tortured voice shouting, "Okasan!! Stop that!! You're embarrassing me!!" The other was the hopeless wailing of some guy who sounded utterly desperate. "WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING IN MY ROOM?!"
"Sound like fun," Shampoo shouted to be heard.
"It sure is," her great-grandmother replied. "I'm having a great time teaching some snake man the secrets of ninjitsu. See you tomorrow."
"Bye-bye Hibachan," Shampoo said, then placed the phone down. The pot on the stove bubbled, and she looked over at it.
"Ai-yah!! Shampoo almost forget critical element!! Potion need it for full effect." Saying so, she headed off for the basement store room. "Now where ingredient? If Shampoo remember, it below passion spice and next to pun dulse..."
* * *
Opening the door, Mousse staggered into the Nekohanten, carrying a large box. "Shampoo!! I've got your stuff!" Not seeing her anywhere, he shrugged and dropped the crate next to the stove with a grateful whomph. For the umpteenth time since he picked it up at the herb shop, he looked over what he'd been sent to get and shook his head.
"What does she need with these ingredients anyway? It sure looks like a weird recipe: eye of newt, and toe of frog; wool of bat, and tongue of dog; adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting; lizard's leg, and owlet's wing." He looked away, tears in his eyes.
"It must be another concoction for Saotome! How she pours her heart into making dishes for him! If only she'd be willing to cook such delightful things for me; the man who truly loves her!!"
Sniffling at his own tragedy, his gaze returned to the potion that was simmering on the stove. Seeing it, his mind's eye conjured up an image of Shampoo feeding this to the hated Saotome. Steamed, he thought for a moment about pouring it down the drain. That would really tick Shampoo off, but it would tell her without a doubt that he didn't like her seeing other men. Then he got another idea, one that would prove himself to her. For a long moment, he stared at the pot; torn in an internal fight. To actually eat the food Shampoo was making would no doubt annoy her, and she'd probably beat him up, but what else could he do to prove his devotion to her? To show her that he could appreciate her cooking better then that ingrate Ranma.
Looking at the mixture, he saw a bunch of chunky items fight their way to the surface, wobble there for a second, then succumb and sink back down. So many solid chunks that he couldn't decide if he wanted to eat it with a fork or a spoon. Making up his mind, he decided to just chug the whole mixture and deal with Shampoo's anger on a full stomach.
"I do this for love!" he shouted as he grabbed the pot.
Then he let it go, shaking his hands quickly. "Ow!! Hot!!" Pulling out a set of oven mitts, he tried again.
Lifting it high, he put his lips to the rim, and with great gulps emptied the cauldron. Slowly but surely, the mixture traveled down his throat and slid into his stomach. Finally finished, he put the pot back down and wiped his lips. Whoa...whatever it was Shampoo had cooked, it sure tasted weird. His stomach started to lurch and his eyesight went blurry (even more then normal). He felt...different somehow.
"Ai-yah!!" There came a crash from one side; Mousse looked over and shook his head to try and clear his vision. He saw Shampoo standing in the doorway, a shattered jar at her feet, and a look of pure horror on her face as she stared at him.
"M-Mousse...Mousse no eat stuff in cauldron, did he?"
Standing up as straight as possible, which was not very considering what his insides where currently trying to do, Mousse nodded. "I did it all for love of you, my dear Shampoo!!" He shouted, waiting for her to pound the daylights out of him as she always did.
Only this time, she didn't. Shampoo's eyes nervously flashed left and right. "Ah...maybe Mousse should sit down," she suggested. Looking like a cat caught in the headlights of a tank, she backed away, slowly.
Again, Mousse felt unusual, as if something inside him was swirling around uneasily. His blurry gaze centered on Shampoo; for some reason, she was the only thing that he could get into focus. Feeling the need to tell her the reasons why he would risk her wrath, he started towards her. As Mousse advanced, she retreated, looking nervously uneasy. Staggering forward, he finally cornered her and grabbed her by her shoulders.
"Shampoo, please listen to me! I want you to know that I ate this in order to prove that I love you!"
Shampoo was nervously chewing on her lip, gazing at him with a frightful stare. She didn't try to respond, just weakly attempted to break free from his grip.
His insides continually swirling, Mousse spoke rapidly, trying to get his message across before the potion took what ever effect it was going to have on him. "I cherish you, Shampoo! I love you! I care for you, I delight in your cooking as no one else could! Why, Ranma could never appreciate the meal you just cooked as I can!"
At that, Shampoo looked directly at Mousse. "Huh? Shampoo no make potion for Ranma."
For a long moment, the two stared at each other. Finally, Mousse muttered, "What did you say?"
"Potion no for Ranma," Shampoo continued. "Shampoo make for Akane."
"Akane?" Mousse asked, losing grasp on both reality and part of his stomach. "What exactly were you making."
"Hemlock mix with nightshade."
A long moment passed, then Mousse whispered, "Poison?"
"Hai," Shampoo responded. "Shampoo eliminate Akane advantage by eliminating Akane." She looked over at the drained cauldron. "Shampoo so looking forward to getting rid of Akane. But Mousse ruin plan. Baka."
No doubt Mousse would have brought up some point regarding that comment, but instead, he brought up what he'd just ate.
* * *
Later, Mousse lay on Shampoo's futon in her room. Shaking her head, Shampoo placed a wet cloth on his forehead. After much time, Mousse had finally stopped bringing the potion back up. Once that was over, he'd then gone on to experiencing the dubious delights dry-heaving delivered.
"Mousse no baka...why Mousse eat potion?"
"[groan] So you would notice [moan] me..." Taking hold of one of her hands, he held on to it tightly. "And it seems [whine] as if my goal came true. Here you are, [dry-heave] administering compassion to me..."
"It only because Shampoo tired of hearing Mousse's wailing after she throw him in alley." She checked his temperature, "Besides, bad for business if body found by restaurant. Others may think it something Mousse ate."
Although he was feeling better now, Mousse still kept lying on his back. He so rarely had any opportunity to have Shampoo even spare a glance at him, that to have his immortal beloved administer care was far beyond anything his often crushed hopes had ever imagined.
For herself, Shampoo couldn't really explain why she was bothering to take care of the boy. After all, Mousse had eaten the potion himself; nothing about that simple fact could be considered her fault. And it wasn't as if she'd ever be concerned over his health before. She'd beaten him, humiliated him, thrashed, pounded, tormented, and smited him before and it had never bothered her. True, this was the first time she'd poisoned him, but hey, it was bound to have happened eventually.
"Ah, Shampoo," he said, determined to take advantage of this situation. "You're so beautiful. For you, I would gladly do anything. I would...would...swim across the ocean-"
"Ducks fly better then swim," she commented.
"Climb the highest mountain-"
She snorted; "Big deal. Shampoo know Mousse have climbing gear somewhere in robes."
"Gladly would I die for you-"
"Some potion left if Mousse serious."
"I would walk across blazing coals for you!" He continued, still trying to impress her.
"Mousse already do that. Remember test of skills when thirteen?"
The Chinese boy thought back, "That's right," he finally commented. "It was the yearly testing for the people of our village. I remember how proud you were when you beat out all the others in the competition. I also remember that I entered the firewalking contest to show you that I was the man for you! Oh how hard I trained for that!" For a moment, Mousse looked back through time, remembering with pride how he'd suffered for the ability to walk across the blazing coals. The training had been arduous, demanding, and painful; purposely giving yourself a hotfoot with four matches at once was never an easy thing to do.
"How Mousse place?" Shampoo asked, taking his wet cloth away.
"What?" Mousse responded. "Don't you remember, I declared I did the event all for you! I told you that your mere presence would be enough to spur me on to victory! You can't have forgotten that!"
She shrugged. "Shampoo remember Mousse give some speech to tree before contest. Shampoo leave after that."
Looking depressed, yet determined to press on, Mousse continued. "Well Shampoo, as you know, firewalking is a tough sport. However, I can honestly say that for your sake of winning your love, I experienced: 'de thrill of victory...and de agony of de feet!'"
For a moment Shampoo blinked, then hit him. Hard. "That horrible! If Mousse want make Shampoo laugh, practice fighting styles!" Nonetheless, a rouge grin appeared on her face as she kept pounding him into the futon. It was a rather bittersweet grin, one tinged with a bit of sorrow.
Barely able to make out the expression on her face, Mousse paused, then worked himself to his knees despite her punches. After a moment, she stopped hitting him and the smile dropped from her face. Mousse slowly reached an arm over, paused, then placed one of his hands on her's. He waited for Shampoo to really beat him up as she'd done multiple times before; however, this time she just shifted uneasily. Surprised and somewhat pleased that he hadn't yet suffered excessive bodily harm, Mousse started to speak.
"Mousse..." she said softly, cutting him off, "let it go..."
Still keeping his eyes on what he thought were her's, he shook his head. "No. I never will let you go." He kept his voice soft, but his words forceful. "You're all I've ever wanted in my life. Only three words you say will ever stop me...'I love you.' Until I hear them from you, I'll keep trying." He squeezed her hand gently; "I'll just keep trying harder and harder. No matter what you do or who stands in my way."
For a long moment, the two stared at each other. Mousse just couldn't believe his luck, and Shampoo just couldn't believe she hadn't felt the desire to thrash him yet. Not seeing her internal conflict, Mousse just thought she looked beautiful. Placing his other hand against her shoulder, he gulped once, then parted his lips and moved his head in towards her. Shampoo just stared, her eyes wide and shaking. Mousse came closer and closer...her eyes fluttered shut and her heart pounded...
"No!" she shouted forcefully, suddenly stiff-arming his approach and turning her body away. "Shampoo no do this! It wrong! Please understand...Mousse understand...Shampoo just not want it!!"
She turned back to face him, feeling the need to explain, only to be staring at an empty space. Looking up, she saw the new Mousse-shaped hole in the ceiling.
"Hmm..." she muttered, "have to remember that move."
* * *
Several rooftops away Mousse had finally landed, on his head. Sitting there in a pose of upside-down contemplation, he considered what had just happened.
The fact that Shampoo had hit him wasn't what he was thinking about. If he bothered himself that things like that, he'd never have time to consider anything else. What occupied his thoughts was the fact that for the first time he could ever remember, his love had almost opened up to him!
Such a thing he had never experienced before. To have Shampoo almost display her true, pure inner nature to him was unbelievable. It could only mean one thing: she was starting to weaken to his advances.
Falling over on his side, he laughed out loud. "Ah, Shampoo!" he shouted. "I knew that one day, all my hard work would pay off and you would see the true love I hold for you! And it took only a short thirteen years!"
But now was not the time to weaken his drive to her heart. Having Shampoo almost show her inner self to him, Mousse was determined to push on ahead and suffer through any indignity to make her open herself up to him completely.
"You will duck the issue no longer, my love!" he shouted as he leapt off the roof and ran for the restaurant.
Back in the Nekohanten, Shampoo was sitting at one of the tables, staring off at nothing. She was feeling uneasy, and had made herself a cup of tea to try and steady her nerves. Only the lights of the kitchen were on, leaving the public region in long, dark shadows.
Looking into the darkness, she tried to focus her thoughts on just what had happened. It had all seemed so strange, like nothing she'd ever felt before. For the first time she could remember, Mousse had approached her and she hadn't wanted to pound him.
Slowly lifting the tea to her lips, she considered the possibilities. One; the depression she'd been feeling over Ranma's continued evasion was even worse then she'd thought, so she wasn't getting the pleasure she normally felt over beating Mousse up, or two...
Her face promptly froze in the position you might have expected if a large roach had suddenly used her tea for a quick swim.
...she was starting to warm up to him.
Putting her cup down, she placed her head in her hands. After a moment, she checked her cup. She didn't see a roach, so it had to be the other option.
Leaning back in her chair, she wondered just what she could be seeing in him. Sure, Mousse was cute, in a sort of pathetically abused puppy dog way, but could she actually be willing to...to-
She shook her head, her long locks flowing behind her; it was all Ranma's fault. If he didn't play so hard to get and just surrendered to the inevitable, she wouldn't be feeling this way. She made up her mind, after she gave Mousse the pounding he deserved, she'd make sure and give Ranma one as well.
After a moment of contemplation, she realized why Akane was so violent; just the thought of hitting Ranma was surprisingly therapeutic.
Striding with purpose, Mousse stomped up to the restaurant and kicked the door open.
"Shampoo!" he shouted, his voice booming through the common area. The long-haired girl jumped in surprise and turned to face him. Before she could speak a word, he marched up and embraced her tightly.
"Shampoo! Please listen to me! I love you! You're the most beautiful woman in the whole world to me! I understand your feelings and thrill to embrace your wonderful soul!"
Apparently his brash action had been successful, for she'd been rendered momentarily speechless. After a pause, she shook her head and freed herself from his arms. Expecting the hit, Mousse braced himself, but instead she grabbed his glasses and settled them on his nose. After blinking a few times, the blur faded and he saw that the girl in front of him had long, brown hair, and a sizable spatula over her shoulder.
He blinked. "Ukyou? What are you doing in the Nekohanten?"
She grasped his shoulder and turned him around. Forcing his head forwards, she made him to look at something. He squinted, and eventually made it out to be a banner-sign.
It read 'Ucchan.'
"Now, Mousse," Ukyou began sweetly, "while I really enjoy being told I'm beautiful..."
"I'D RATHER HEAR IT FROM SOMEONE OTHER THEN YOU!" she shouted, punctuating the comment with an orbital whap from her kick-ass spatula.
Shampoo was pouring herself another cup of tea when a soft knock came from the door. Surprised that anyone would be here at this late hour, she went over and unlocked it. Sliding the panel aside slightly, she looked out.
"We closed-" she began.
"Is this the Nekohanten?" Mousse asked, leaning close.
She blinked. "Of course, Mousse."
"Oh...then what are you doing here Kasumi?"
Shampoo dropped a bonbori on his head. While Mousse stood there groaning in pain, she said "Mousse really need new prescription."
Mousse muttered, "Tofu-sensei gave me a new one recently, but I really think over-the-counter medication is best when I overexert myself training-"
She hit him with the other bonbori. "Shampoo mean glasses, not pain pills!"
After Shampoo put her maces away, Mousse ruffled in his robes for a moment, then held a package out before her. Looking at his hands, she saw he had brought her a sizable, candy-covered heart.
"Chocolate, Mousse?"
"Yes, and it is but a small token of my affection, Shampoo!" he replied. "The chocolate is sweet, but not as sweet as the mere sight of your lovely and distinctive lavender locks."
"Mousse..." she began, sounding slightly weary. "Why you talk to shipment of eggplant?"
He blinked, then looked from one purple coloured blur to the other.
A moment later he flew out of the Nekohanten and crashed into the garbage bags that lay opposite the entrance. Getting to his feet, he tried to rush back to his love when she threw something at him; unable to dodge, he took the package in the glasses and went hard to the ground. Bringing his hand up, he wiped the remains of his chocolate gift from his face.
"I'm not licked yet, Shampoo!" he shouted. "I have not yet begun to love you!"
A table quickly followed the path of the chocolate.
* * *
Shampoo closed and locked the restaurant door, then piled some tables up in front of it. Satisfied, she returned to her room and flopped down on the futon. Head pillowed in her arms, she wondered how things could possibly have gotten this bad. She'd never felt this rotten before, wondering whether Ranma would make the right choice.
For a moment, she considered the possibility that she'd be as old as Hibachan and still chasing after Ranma, who would still be unable to make up his mind. Wasting the best years of her life in pursuit of someone who might, just might, not become her's was getting her down.
Was it worth it? For all her pure, innocent, and welcome displays of affection, Ranma continued to be mean to those other girls by stringing them along. She wasn't sure whether she could take much more of this.
Hanging from the rafters, Mousse looked down at the exquisite form of his love. Luckily for him, there were enough Mousse-shaped holes in the building that getting back inside wasn't too hard.
Her heard her sigh depressingly, and his heart went out to her. He had to comfort her in her time of need! Releasing his metal claws from the rafters, he fell down towards her, his arms extending to hug her as he landed.
"My darling, Sham-[pluff]!" he shouted out before he took a bonbori in the mouth. Having idly batted him from the air, Shampoo tossed him into a wall. "Mousse need to work on ninjitsu," she told the battered boy as she rolled to her knees.
Also getting to his knees, Mousse shuffled over to her and looked closely at her. "Shampoo, please don't cry," he said. She seemed startled for a moment, then turned her head away sharply.
"Shampoo no cry, silly Mousse. Why Mousse think Shampoo sad?"
"Because you didn't follow up your advantage and finish me off," he replied. "That can only mean you have something on your mind."
"It no concern of Mousse," she said stiffly.
"It is my concern; I love you...there isn't anything in this world that I wouldn't do for you. And when you're depressed, it makes me sad. Darling..." he uttered, slowly reaching his hand out and turning her chin back towards him. "Anything I can do, anything at all, I'll do to help you."
For long moments, all Shampoo could do was stare back at the boy before her. He really was concerned about her, she realized. He was here, offering to help her...when Ranma wasn't around, Mousse was always there for her; whether she wanted him or not. But this time...it could just be...she did want him here...to help her...
His heart thumping and throat tight, Mousse continued to gently hold her chin. Taking a shuddering breath to steady his nerves, he closed his eyes and leaned forwards.
Shampoo withdrew a bit as his lips brushed her's, then paused, looking uncertain and confused. After a moment, she slowly leaned back towards him, meeting his kiss with her own timid one.
Feeling her kiss back, Mousse was shocked into motionlessness. She hadn't hit him! Never had he even dared to fantasize about this; he couldn't see how it could possibly get any better. Then he realized something: she'd kissed him.
She'd kissed him. It did get better.
Shampoo's free hand came to rest against his chest; slowly she raised it up his robes and curved it behind his neck, holding his head against hers. Releasing her chin, Mousse reached under her arm, and pulled her body against his in a wonderfully soft embrace. Shampoo removed her lips from his, and looked at the boy holding her. For long moments, the two stared at each other, both surprised with what was actually happening. Finally, Shampoo smiled slightly and nodded. She used her free hand to take his glasses off and casually tossed them over her shoulder. Both were too busy to pay any attention to the sound of breaking glass.
Gently brushing her lavender locks behind her shoulder, Mousse ran his hand over her cheekbones, and traced the face before him. Using his fingers, he sought to memorize the features he had trouble seeing. Shampoo ran her soft lips over his knuckles, then leaned in and dusted his cheek with kisses.
Mousse arched his head back and took in a shuddering breath. Holding her in his arms as he'd only dreamed about, he felt her hands slide down his robes. Slowly, he pulled one of his own hands around from her back. Running it over her flank, he caressed her body as much as he dared. Jaw trembling, he cautiously raised one hand up her front until he gently enveloped one of her breasts. Feeling this, Shampoo paused, then placed one of her own hands over his, and applied pressure.
Mousse gasped as his palm was pressed against one of her soft mounds. Through her top, he gently squeezed and heard Shampoo sigh. Her breath hot against his cheek, Shampoo leaned against him as he touched her.
"Oh Shampoo..." Mousse groaned. "I've only dreamt about this...Y-you know that I love you...I love you like no one else can..."
Shampoo lazily wrapped her arms about his neck. Taking her time, she slid her cheek over his until she could kiss his lips again. His one hand still gently working on her breast, Mousse kissed her back, his soul reaching new heights as she moaned in return.
After a long exchange of sweet kisses, the two began to act. Pulling back slightly, Shampoo moved her hands down and worked the ties on his white robe. With a flourish, she yanked it open; Mousse blushed slightly as several weapons and other household items clattered to the floor from his open robe. Sheepishly he brushed them aside, then doffed the rest of his top.
Before he could do anything else, Shampoo molded herself to his naked chest. Gently running over his bare form, her hands roamed his body and made him shudder uncontrollably. Gently, he gathered her up in his arms and leaned forwards. Reverently placing her back against the futon, Mousse lay down with her. Again and again, their lips met; holding each other close, Shampoo pressed her body against him as his hands caressed her.
Breaking for breath, Shampoo looked up at him with shaking eyes. "Mousse...Mousse no know what this mean to Shampoo..."
Tears in his eyes over her belief in him, Mousse returned to kissing her. Shampoo reached to her neck and began to undo her top; eyes closed and busy exploring her mouth, Mousse didn't notice. Arching her back, she slid her shirt off and leaned back to wrap him in her arms again. Gently placing her hands on his head, Shampoo slowly moved his lips down her face.
Reaching her neck, Mousse halted when he realized she wasn't wearing her shirt. After a moment, he yielded to her gentle pressure, and continued down her body. Trembling, Mousse slowly kissed his way up her breasts. Shampoo groaned softly as his tongue pressed into her nipple. Sliding his hand across her warm skin, Mousse covered her other breast as his mouth continued to delight in her.
Her breathing deep and quick, Shampoo rocked slightly as Mousse worked on her. She moaned and whimpered as he touched her, it better then she had imagined it could be. Her hands rubbed his hard shoulders and the top of his back as he worked on procuring moans of longing from her. His lips returned to her's for another passionate session, and Shampoo pressed herself against his taunt body, driving their chests together tightly.
Mousse held her tightly, his hands running through her long hair, then returning to kneed her back. Curving over her body, his hand returned to her chest and resumed molding her breast. He could feel her nipple, hard against his palm. After a long time of enjoying his actions, she grabbed his hand. Easing it off her breast, she pushed it down her smooth tummy. With her help, his hand slid in under the waistband of her pants.
Shocked, Mousse gave up tonguing her to stare at her with disbelief. Smiling at him, Shampoo used her free arm to encircle his neck and hold him against her snugly. Still holding his hand, she slowly guided it beneath her panties. An unbelieving look on his face, Mousse embraced her back and began to explore.
Guiding him, Shampoo gently led his fingers down. Finding it hard to breathe, Mousse followed her suggestions and touched her warm center. The girl gasped suddenly, then closed her eyes and held on to him more tightly; continuing her motions, she eased his hand ever downwards. Sweating furiously, Mousse's finger parted her soft petals; as Shampoo began to tremble in his arms, he probed inside her.
A soft whimper cooed from her mouth as a finger slipped inside. Her legs clenching slightly at the intrusion, he had to push through her snugness. Amazed at what he was experiencing, Mousse circled his digit, rubbing, trying to open her up to him. A warm wetness coating his fingers, Mousse worked on her insides, delighted as she moaned in response. Kissing her passionately, he pressed his palm against her clitoris as his fingers slipped inside. Pulling back, he spread wetness over her hot skin. With a soft whimper, Shampoo grabbed his hand and returned his palm to her button. Rocking her hips, she ground against him as the tightness inside her increased.
Gulping deeply, Mousse could feel her reaction as she clenched herself tightly to him. Her breasts squished to his firm chest, he felt her heart race as he probed her. His finger slid around with her honey, and he pressed his finger tight as he reinserted it inside her. The inside of his knuckle pressing her sex, he reached deeply; finding her insides warm, and her reaction to him hot. His own body had been aroused by her actions, but she was all he concerned himself with.
With a sound that Mousse had never before heard from her, Shampoo clenched his hand tightly and squashed herself against him. A warm sensation gushed all over her as she shuddered with emotion. Shampoo rocked in emotional response, and Mousse could only hold her as she moaned. Her breath hot against his cheek, her gasps burned against him as she twitched sharply. Slowly, her gasps lessened as the rapture faded. The tightness of her body loosened, and she slowly went slack in his arms.
After recovering her breath, Shampoo smiled up at the boy holding her. Mousse smiled back; helping her had been more than he'd ever dared to dream. Flinging her damp hair away from her face, she slid her hand out of her pants, and ran it over his chest. Slowly, her hand worked downwards. Fingers dancing around the waistband of his pants, she glanced up at him. "Shampoo," he breathed, disbelieving, "you aren't thinking-" Shampoo didn't answer, and Mousse couldn't continue because she reached in and clenched him tightly at that moment. Using her free hand to loosen the band of his pants, she slipped his jeans down and got them off his legs; both ignored the army of small objects that fell from his trousers. Easing his shorts off, Shampoo took a good look at the rigid manhood before her. Smiling at him, she tightened her grip, procuring a moan from him. Rolling Mousse onto his flank, Shampoo ran her eyes over his strong form. Her free hand caressed the upper parts o!
f his legs and pelvis as she kept his member captive. Enveloping him with both hands, she ran her nails gently over him, then suddenly grasped tightly.
As unintelligible moans echoed from Mousse's mouth, Shampoo began to stroke him. Running its length through her fingers, she caressed the hard member, studying its shape and thickness. She pulled the skin tight on the down stroke, her fingers clenched securely. For long moments, she continued this, then Mousse's hands, clenching at air, finally wound themselves into her long hair. Without knowing, Mousse gently pushed her in towards his body. Getting closer, she moved around somewhat, then pressed his mast between her breasts and arched herself. Letting go of him, she held her breasts together and rocked her body. Tightly grasped between her ample mounds for several strokes, Mousse groaned as the pressure inside him roared. Shampoo felt a drop of moisture drip from his penis onto her breast. Looking up at him, she saw he was grinning moronically at his luck this night.
Still breathing hard, Shampoo wasn't quite ready to let him go. She pouted cutely at his stupid smile, then grinned. Softly, Shampoo blew a breath of air over his stomach and chest. Mousse shivered as the cold air bit into his sweaty body.
Giving him a sly, narrow-eyed grin, she gave him a few more playful runs between her chest, then let him loose. He moaned in longing, his hand slipping down her body as she molded herself back to him. Their mouths met again and Shampoo went at him aggressively; struggling to keep up, Mousse stroked her bare back, then gently squeezed her buttocks.
Bridging her body, Shampoo pawed for the waistband of her pants. Once shoved below her hips, she kicked them off and again pressed close against him. Feeling her soft, bare legs against him, Mousse gathered himself and quickly eased down her body to stare at her remaining piece of clothing. After a moment to collect himself, Mousse fumbled for her panties. As he pulled them down her legs, his palm caressed the sweet calves they traveled. After rounding her feet, he ran his hands back up and lay them on her hips, twisting her so she lay on her back.
Taking a deep breath, Shampoo edged her legs apart and eased Mousse's head down to her body; a soft sigh escaped her as he touched her moist center. Lightly kissing, he nuzzled her and brought a hand down to spread her soft lips. The gentle pressure he exerted was multiplied inside her body as she soaked up his attentions. For long moments, he caressed her body, arousing her and finding her soft and wet. Shampoo breathed heavily as he licked her sex and tasted her honey. Feeling hot and excited, she reached down his body, searching. Running over his firm muscles, she edged him up until her fingers brushed over his member, hard and erect.
Lying down, Mousse let himself press full length against her. The wonderfully tight press of their bodies excited both of them. Kissing her passionately, Mousse began to grind his hips against her slowly. Feeling his hard member rubbing against her abdomen, Shampoo eased her lips away from him and grinned up at him with a narrow-eyed, mischievous grin.
"Mousse...Mousse no done yet...Shampoo need more..."
Hearing this, Mousse's jaw trembled and he stared at her for a moment. Then taking her up in his arms, Mousse rose to a kneeling position. Holding his love tightly, he brought her up with him. Molding herself to his chest, Shampoo took a deep breath, then eased her legs apart and rested them outside his. For long moments, she held there as Mousse softly kissed her face and groaned. Slowly, she began to descend the shaking body that held her tightly.
One arm around his neck, Shampoo's other hand reached down his body and fumbled for his engorged member. Chest heaving, Mousse pulled her downwards with a slow and continuous pressure. Her nipples hard against his chest, she edged down and guided his penis to her wet entry. Working her way down, the tip of his firm manhood separated her folds, then gradually disappeared between her legs. She took a deep, wavering breath as he slid inside; Mousse's face held an unbelieving expression as he entered her warm interior. His access pressed her insides wide and caused an uncomfortable pressure, but Shampoo kept descending. Mousse felt her press against him on all sides of him and moaned with her. Feeling resistance, Shampoo slowed to collect herself. When she paused in her descent, Mousse suddenly tightened his embrace and leaned forwards. Shampoo was thrust down his manhood sharply; she cried out as he tore her interior wall and she took his whole member inside.
Shivering at what she felt, she lay in his arms passively for a moment as Mousse curled up against her and whimpered. For a moment, they both lay there, shuddering and feeling. His heart pounding painfully, Mousse pulled away slightly then thrust his hips up, burying his member back insider her again. Easing her body up and down in his arms, he rode inside her, his mast pushing through her slickness, a wonderful wetness coating him. Each lunge embraced him with a snugness that caused marvelous chills to run over his body. Taking a deep breath, Shampoo got herself back together and leaned forwards, tilting them until they were once again upright. Taking over from him, she began to rise and lower her own body, keeping his figure held tightly to her.
After the first few strokes, Shampoo began to coo with each new acceptance of him. Each fall of her hips set off new desire; the cooing gradually became louder and more wrenching as the sensation rolled over her again and again. Arching, she pressed tightly against him and their mouths met.
Wonderful pressure enveloped Mousse's manhood and stroked the painful tingling that was the center of his attention. While Shampoo's arms held his head close, his arms encircled her and held their wet, sweaty bodies together. Losing himself in her long damp hair, he thrust upwards when she came down, ramming them together. Each pumped the other with the a passion they'd never before experienced.
Her eyes tightly closed, Shampoo kept moving her pelvis. With Mousse held tightly against her, the hard rod inside her was paired with the firm muscles she ground herself against. Both sets served to rub her clitoris as she stroked him. The wonderful feeling that she'd had earlier began to reform inside her; Shampoo smiled as she began to speed up, wanting the release to wash over her.
Holding on with the iron power of his will, Mousse jiggled rapidly in order to drive deeper and deeper. Her soft vagina clasped him with an embrace that strained his control and tested his devotion to her. He was determined not to succumb until she was satisfied. Rapidly she impaled herself on his member and again he struggled to keep himself available for her. He struggled, holding back against the pressure with all his control; a control that failed a second later. Throwing his head back, he groaned as his member opened up and released the flood. His whole body shaking, thought left him as he fired up into the marvelously tight body that held him. Mousse moaned her name as he spasmed and released the pressure, emptying himself into her.
As Mousse's body twitched during his reaction, Shampoo nearly smothered him to her. Grinding against him quickly, she drove the last few needed stroked against his hard abdomen and still proud mast. With a final scream, she willingly gave up her fight and shuddered as the passion exploded her control; joy burned warmly as her body relished in the feeling.
For several moments, she held Mousse's limp body in her arms, both of them gasping and continuing to grind their pelvises tight. Gradually, her motions ceased, and she eased both their drained bodies down to the futon, Mousse pillowed beneath her. For long minutes, they lay cooling in the night air. Shampoo softly ran a hand over his chest as she rested, and any action Mousse might have made was hampered by the fact his mind just couldn't deal with what had just happened.
Finally, she sighed airily and looked up at him. She moved her hand up his chest and lightly stroked his cheek. This managed to pierce the fog that wrapped Mousse's mind; blinking rapidly, he turned to the girl that he loved.
"Oh..." he muttered, and again and again. Ultimately able to think properly, he spoke longingly, "Oh Shampoo...I can't believe this...You must truly care...I'll never forget this moment-"
"What Mousse talk about?" she asked, cocking her head and looking at him with confusion. "Why Mousse remember this?" Mousse gazed back at her, shocked.
"Sh-Shampoo, what do you mean-"
"After all," she continued, giving him a narrow-eyed grin, "Shampoo no done yet."
Mousse's jaw dropped. Shampoo used that opportunity to plant a deep kiss on him and wrap her smooth, muscular legs around one of his.
* * *
The ringing of an alarm-clock punched through the veil of sleep that covered Mousse. Groaning slightly, he pulled out a wrecking ball and dropped it on the buzzing machine. After the infernal noise stopped, he yawned and came fully awake. Something cuddled up to him; shocked, he looked down and saw a sleeping Shampoo nestled in his arms. A soft quilt covered their naked bodies, and Mousse struggled with the unimportant, yet easy to focus on issue of where the blanket had come from. Try as he might, he couldn't remember when they'd gotten the comforter. Actually, most of the night was a blur; all he could really think about was that he'd received a better workout in the past ten hours then he'd ever done in any martial arts training.
But enough about the night remained clear to bring a smile to his face. Finally, Shampoo had seen his love for her! Ranma was a thing of the past, and soon, Shampoo would be his bride. All that he had suffered over the years, the bitter humiliation, the constant tests of degradation, all had finally paid off. No one could take this away from him!
Slowly, the girl sleepily fidgeted and cracked her eyes open. She ran a hand over her face and looked confused for a moment. Then her eyes fell on Mousse's face; she blinked once, and turned away slowly.
"Ohayo, Mousse," she quietly said.
"Shampoo, ohayo," he returned. Gingerly, she stretched like a cat and sat up. The blanket fell from her naked body, but she made no effort to cover herself. Taking some of her long locks in hand, she began to comb her disarrayed hair with her fingers.
"Uh...Mousse?" she asked, sounding concerned. "About night time...Shampoo no know what to say..."
Confused, Mousse looked up at her. "What? There really isn't anything you need to say Shampoo."
"But Mousse...Shampoo ready need to...to..." Smiling, Mousse rolled over on his front and placed his head on his folded arms.
"Shampoo, you don't have a thing to worry about."
She turned and looked at him, hope radiating from her features. "Mousse mean that? Truly?"
He gave a soft sigh, "Last night was unbelievable. I want you to know that everything was better then I could have imagined." She gazed at him for a moment, her eyes softly shaking. Lightly, she hugged him from behind, smiling slightly.
"Arigato Mousse, that mean much to Shampoo." As Mousse smiled in return, Shampoo's eyes developed dreamy look to them. "Ah," she continued, "Last night enlighten Shampoo. Everything now clear. No more this no point fool around with Ranma." Mousse grinned even wider, it just couldn't get better.
"Now," Shampoo continued, still grinning into the air, "It time to get serious." Softly, she began to rub Mousse's shoulders. "After all, how Ranma resist Shampoo now!"
Mousse's grin froze. Solid.
"And Akane! Shampoo no know how you victor before, but Shampoo train hard for new skills! Anytime Akane, we see who ready to keep Ranma warm; body and soul!!" Happily talking, she failed to notice that the shoulders she was rubbing now belonged to a block of ice.
"Sh-Sh-Shampoo," the broken remains of the man beneath her whimpered. "Y-you don't mean-"
Once again she hugged him from behind. "Mousse so good help Shampoo in quest for Ranma's heart!" She patted his head once. "At least you good for something. But now, Shampoo have to go. Thing need planings!"
Getting to her feet, she bounded happily out of the room. A few steps later she stopped upon hearing a sorrowful whine coming from the shattered remains of what once had been Mousse. For some reason she couldn't identify, it made her look back towards him; a look on concern on her face.
Then she shrugged; she'd experienced similar feelings of pity for him before. Just do something else, and it would eventually go away.
Right now, she had plans involving Ranma to make.
* * *
SNAP. SNAP.
Ranma and Akane looked down at their respective chop-sticks. Both sets had broken into multiple pieces in their hands.
Nabiki glanced over and smirked. "Looks like you two are in for some bad luck," she muttered as she returned to her own breakfast.
________________________________
Author's Notes:
Before I get a bunch of mail, I should explain my reasoning behind this part. As you know from my other stories, I've been trying to write touching lemons (where they touch you I'll leave to your own perverted imaginations). I include this in the touching category, but I still have Shampoo reject Mousse in the end, because I'm trying to have this sort of follow the original series. If Shampoo gives up on Ranma, that solves a lot of problems, problems that I don't want solved. Problems that cause pain, suffering, and agony for all those involved. Problems that I consider to be too much fun to give up. Someday they'll get together...but not today, thank you.
I've received a series of e-mail regarding my last part of this series; for the first time surprisingly negative. It seems as if a significant number of people feel that Vol 2, Part 4 had a problem with it. These people consider that I didn't do as good of a job as in other installments. They think that Ranma and Akane were too experienced with each other, and that the reason they got together was rather shaky.
Re-reading it, I agree they might have a valid point. It's just possible that I had them too comfortable with what they were about to do with each other. All I can say is: I'M SO SORRY! FORGIVE ME! I'M ONLY INHUMAN! That was the 7th lemon I'd written, so even if Ranma and Akane shouldn't have been relaxed with each other, my writing style was. Because of your input, I've reworked this chapter about eight times in order to hopefully deal with the problem.
(If you people were annoyed with that episode, I wonder what you'd do to me if you ever found out about some of the ideas I've rejected myself?)
First of all, credit where credit is due: the duck/duct tape/Force joke is not something that I thought up myself. I wish I did; however, that honour must go to fan Sarah Plummer who sent that joke as part of a letter to me. Whether it's an old joke or not, that's the first time I heard it. In recognition, I hereby declare Sarah Plummer to be an honourary member of the Horde O' Hentai.
Yes, as an honourary member, you are entitled to the following benefits: 1) free abuse,
2) the loathing of your friends and family, 3) the ability to have strangers run in fear from your very presence. Honourary membership are only given to those people who I feel have contributed something to the Horde that makes us a better/sicker group. In practical terms, that means people who send me ideas that are truly sick, demented, or cause me to say, "That person is twisted! I like it!!" Not every idea I borrow is demented enough, but for the few, the rewards are great. ^-^
Trying to get Shampoo together with Mousse, whom she (supposedly) hates, has really proven to be a trial. For the longest time, I just had no idea what to do with this part. The plot of this story was eventually formed both with help from Lee and letters I received from fans. I got a few letters suggesting that Shampoo should cook a love potion for Ranma and have either herself or Mousse eat it accidentally; I thought about it and decided it could work. Then I got about ten more letters suggesting the same action. At that point I thought, "Too many people have that same idea. There must be some way to play with their minds and use it against them!"
The contest with Akane that Shampoo keeps referring to occurred in Vol 1, Part 2; "Being a Good Wife."
The 'de thrill of victory...and de agony of de feet' joke I thought up myself and actually first used in a Teenagers From Outer Space campaign I'm in. For those who noticed, yes, there are quotes from 'Hamlet' and 'Macbeth' in this work. (See Ms. Gilbert, I was paying attention during English class.) While I acknowledge that Kuno is more likely to spew lines the Bard wrote, he quotes irrelevant Shakespeare; this stuff made sense.
The part where Shampoo imagines Akane as a domamatrix is exemplified best by the Aeka video from the Tenchi Sound Files. If you've seen it, you can't mistake it. If you haven't, let's just say that after seeing it, you'll never think of Princess Aeka quite the same way again.
One of the letters I received asked me to explain a few of my in-jokes. I must apologize for this, as some of my gags do require a certain amount of extra knowledge or experience with anime. If you don't get some of my jokes, please E-mail me and I'll either mail the answers to you, or explain them here. I do eventually read all my mail, although it may take me some time. As it stands, here's the answers for that person:
The 'Alphonse' joke in Vol 2, Part 2, is from Patlabour: the Mobile Police. In that series, the character Noa names every pet she's ever had, 'Alphonse.' By Movie 1, she'd given the name to a mecha, a dog, a cat, and I think a bird (but don't quote me on that one).
In Vol 2, Part 1, the reason I had Nabiki inspect Ranma as she would a horse is because Ranma means Wild Horse. (Ran=wild/untamed, ma=horse) Names in Japanese usually mean something, a fact that is lost when the story is translated. Fortunately, the Ranma cast seems to have relatively normal meanings, not the multi-leveled gags that Takahashi-no-gamisama just loves. For example, in Masion Ikkoku, the character Roppongi Akemi (the shameless red-head who lives in room 6) has a multiple meaning. Roppongi can mean 'six times' or 'six minutes' (referring to her room number), it also is the name of an 'entertainment' district in Tokyo (referring to her personality).
The following are translations of the Ranma cast that I have done myself. They aren't literal translations, but they do convey the general meanings. NOTE: know that in Japanese, words can be pronounced the same way, but mean two totally different things.
Saotome: Rapidly Becoming a Woman (really strange when you consider that Saotome is a normal Japanese clan name, except that it's spelled with different characters, so it has a different meaning. Saotome is also an old way of saying girl.)
Genma: Dream/Illusionary Horse
Ranma: Wild Horse
Tendo: Path to the sky/heaven (refers I think, to the number of times Ranma gets knocked airborne by this family. Another normal clan name if spelled differently.)
Soun: Rapidly Cloudy (refers to his emotional state)
Kasumi: Mist / Dimness of Sight
Nabiki: Bend or Wave / You submit to her, you obey her (I'm not joking)
Akane: Red, Crimson, Scarlet, Mad Red, See red with anger (loose translation)
Hibiki: Echoing Explosion
Ryoga: Good Fang (don't ask, but have to admit, fangs are cute.)
Kuno: Nine Abilities / Competent
Tatewaki: Sword by his side
Kodachi: Short Sword
Ukyou: To the right of the Capital(??? Other then the fact she's supposed to speak with a Kyoto dialect, I have no idea why she's named that)
Akari: Light, Brighten, Enlightenment
Shampoo, Mousse, Cologne: Three guesses, and the first two don't count. (Making fun of Chinese names.)
The other names I either didn't have to look up, or didn't bother. If you're interested, the names and translations are somewhere on the net, ask someone who knows.
With this, Vol 2 of Ranma .05 comes to a conclusion. What do I do now, now that most of the major characters have had sex? Why, make them suffer because of it, what else? ^-^ As it stands, I'm ending the series after Vol 3, which should consist of 3 parts. While I've enjoyed writing these, and hope you've enjoyed reading them, I'm running out of what I consider to be acceptable ideas for this series, and I'll end it myself before I let it descend into the realm of no-plot lemons. Besides, I'm getting bored with these, and I think it negatively affects my writing. I'm still going to be doing Ranma 1/100th, and hopefully another series as well.
I would also like to thank Taleswapper for the favorable review he gave this series when he included it in his 'Best Ranma Fan-Fics of 1995.' I have the honour(?) of having written the only lemon series to make that list, but that position was won based on the strength of the non-lemon parts of the story. That was what I'd hoped for when I began this series; people to recognize that well thought out plots really do make a difference between just a story, and one worth repeated readings.
Anyway; comments, lectures, notes, money, flames, praises, jokes, money, criticisms, blatant flattery to my glorious self, and anything you have to send my way would be appreciated. (Did I mention money?) I can be reached at [greywolf@ffarm.ampr.ab.ca].
In my defense, your Honour, I would like to say that the following people have been instrumental in my corruption:
James Stone: Apparently, someone who read his works once gave James the title 'King of the Lemon Fan-fics.' Well, James has willing relinquished that title to me. James, all I can say is thank you...and does any money come with the title?
The BAKA (Banzai Anime Klub of Alberta) gang: For conducting small, but necessary brain surgery on me.
Lee (Grey Wolf): As he requested, I will now abuse him. [ahem] HURRY UP AND WRITE YOUR OWN STORIES, DAMN IT!!
Craig (Dr. Ruminahui): As the only member of the Horde with any common sense left. (But we're working on it.)
Rob (Barbarian): For being there when I needed him the least. (Like when I'm trying to get any sleep, doing other work, on a date, etc.)
Takahashi Rumiko-no-megamisama: What sort of life experiences have you had if you can write these things?
You, the reader: For willingly putting up with me. You obviously don't know me as well as my friends do.