On Fri, 3 May 1996, White Wolf <ranma@tendo-dojo.ranma.net> wrote:
Plain text posts ONLY.
Sigh... I must have the weirdest E-mail processor. After trying to
attach a file and failing a million times, I guess I had to use plain text. The
problem with my e-mail processor is it cannot send more than 32k of plain text
without messing up. I'll just have to post it in two parts. Sorry for the
inconvience.
Here we go again:
This fanfic is inspired by the story "Any Color you Like" as well as the
recent Shampoo-bashing. By the way, this story is in no way discriminating
against anyone. All this anti-Shampoo war actually helped me to determine her
personality. There's no bias against any of the character here (at least I
tried not to).
This is only first draft. Stuff I put in () are things I don't know how
to spell yet (e.g., name of Shampoo's weapon). I sort of have a tentative title
but I don't really want to use it. If you have an idea for the title please let
me know. Please, any comment will be appreciated. Even if it is just you like
the story or you don't like it. Those comments really help and let me know that
someone out there is actually reading the story. If my interpretation of the
characters is totally wrong, please let me know that also.
Standard copyrights and stuff apply as always. Ranma 1/2 and it related
characters are trademarked or copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi, Kitty film, etc,
etc,.
Tentatively titled "Shampoo vs. Akane" by Don Wang
Note: <> are thought. Shampoo thinks in fluent Chinese. I know the title is
not original, but I can't think of anything else right now. Please. Any idea
for this would help!
Shampoo's had a rough day. Cologne had given her extra chores to do
around the Nekohanten. She's been working even since she got up, and now she
finally got a small brake. As Shampoo casually stalked around the corner of the
street, she thought, <Ranma and Akane would be here soon.>
"Come back here, Ranma!" shouted Akane as she chased Ranma down the
street. Actually, their day has been going rather well. Ranma only insulted
Akane a few times in school today and even complimented her cooking. They got
into their usual fights and exchange of insults, but it was really one of those
rare days when Akane and Ranma get along together well. Of course, it just
wouldn't be normal for them to get through a day without some chasing, wouldn't
it? Akane was chasing Ranma for some minor insult but wasn't really making any
serious efforts to catch him. Just as Ranma was rounding the corner, Shampoo
leapt from her hiding place and shouted, "AI-YA! Ranma!"
Ranma, as always, can't get Shampoo off him. "Um.. Shampoo... get off
me!" he said. <Ranma and I for once actually got along pretty well, and now
Shampoo ruined it!> thought Akane. Of course, the normal thing for her to do
was elbowing Ranma and prying Shampoo off him. "Don't you ever get tired of
this, Ranma?" asked Akane. Turning to Shampoo, she continued, "Shampoo, just
leave us along! We have enough problems without your interference!"
Normally Shampoo would just shrug and probably go home. However, today
she was in a really bad mood. <Akane always ruin my moments with Ranma,>
thought Shampoo, <That does it. I got to give her a warning.> Shampoo pulled
out her (weapon) and hurled it at Akane. However, what Shampoo thought to be a
warning attack turned out not to be much of a warning after all. Akane, being
much slower and weaker than Shampoo, wasn't able to dodge and was knocked into a
wall.
<Weakling,> thought Shampoo, <I didn't even throw it that hard. I don't
understand why Ranma even put up with such a lousy weakling as Akane.>
Ranma, however, was rather concerned. He knew just how much better
Shampoo was than Akane. He quickly rushed to Akane's side and asked, "Akane,
are you all right?"
"Oh... sure, you jerk! Why shouldn't I be!" answered Akane, trying to
hide her pain.
Akane didn't do a good job trying hide her injury. "You sure, Akane?"
continued Ranma as he hold her to check, "You don't look so well."
Akane was embarrassed by Ranma holding her and tried to punch her.
However, still weak from the attack and couldn't summon enough power to punch
hard. Ranma saw this and was furious, <Oh my gosh! Akane's hurt so bad that
she cannot get enough strength to punch me? She may be uncute and violent, but
she's still my fianc�e! I can't just let this happen to her!
Turning around to face Shampoo, Ranma scolded her, "Shampoo, why did you
do that!"
Shampoo answered, "Shampoo sorry, but also Akane's own fault. She
weak."
"Shampoo, you got to stop doing this!" shouted Ranma, "Gosh, Akane's
violent, but you're 10 times more dangerous! At least when she hits people it
doesn't hurt them!"
"Ranma," questioned Shampoo, "You mean you love weak Akane more than
Shampoo?"
Ranma hesitated at that question. <It is so hard to say this,> he
thought, <especially when Akane is around!> He decided to evade the question,
"Shampoo, I don't like you going around and almost killing people like that, you
understand? Even if it is that kawaiikune tomboy, you can't go around doing
this! If you don't learn, I won't like you anymore!"
With that, Ranma sprinted off with Akane to take her to somewhere that
she can get some rest. Although Ranma didn't actually answer Shampoo's
question, what he did say left Shampoo in shock.
<Why doesn't Ranma like me?> she thought, <That Akane isn't even nice to
him. But he always defends for her. Ranma would never do this for me. Why
Akane? Why? I'm much better than she is. I'm prettier, cuter, and stronger!
Even though he didn't say it, I'm sure he would have answered yes. Why does
Ranma choose her over me?>
Shampoo, depressed, slowly ride her bicycle back to the Nekohanten. On
her way home, she was stopped by a vendor calling, "Hey, Miss. You seem to be
trouble by love. I guaranteed that I'll solve you problem. How about it, only
100 yens!"
<Why not,> thought Shampoo, <Maybe this person knows something.>
Shampoo paid the 100 yens and told the vendor the whole story between
her and Ranma and Akane. "So," asked the vendor, "You're saying that you're
better than this Akane girl in just about every way, but your boyfriend Ranma
still likes her over you?"
"You understand!" said Shampoo, "Akane can't cook, I can. She is
violent, I'm not. I'm more pretty than she. Yet Ranma no understand! You know
why Ranma likes Akane?"
"Hmmm." muttered the vendor, deep in thought, "Okay, so you're basically
saying that you're better than this Akane girl in just about anything yet this
guy name Ranma still likes her?"
"Yes, yes!" nodded Shampoo, "Do you know? Do you know?"
"I think this can only mean," answered the vendor, "That Ranma must like
Akane for who she is. According what you say, they fight all the time, right?"
"Yes!" said Shampoo, "They fight everyday!"
"Then," concluded the vendor, "It is probably just love. They fight,
but they don't brake up, right?"
"That's true," agreed Shampoo.
"See, it is love, miss. Even though you may be more talented
physically, they're in love and therefore you can't get this Ranma. Also it
could be that Ranma doesn't like your personality and therefore chose Akane over
you."
Shampoo was shocked. She had always convinced herself that the only
reason why Ranma hasn't broke up with Akane was because Akane had put some kind
of spell on Ranma. Certainly she didn't want to believe otherwise. Now,
abruptly, this vendor just simply told her that Ranma likes Akane. The truth
was too much for Shampoo. Shampoo stormed out of the vendor's shop and ran
home as fast as her bike can. "It is not true!" she shouted, "Ranma only likes
Shampoo, not Akane!"
(Later that evening, in Shampoo's room)
Shampoo eventually recovered from her brief outburst of emotion. <That
man's probably right,> she thought as she recalled the times Ranma defended for
Akane, <Ranma never treat me as nice as Akane. Ranma was really worried when
Akane lost her memory. Ranma will never do that for me. Still, I'll never give
up. Certainly Ranma don't hate me, but for some reason I do not understand he
likes Akane more. I envy you, Akane. If I was her, I would certainly have
married Ranma by now. Stupid and stubborn girl , that Akane. Good thing she is
stupid, though. If she is smart, Ranma might have already marry her!>
(Next day at Nekohanten)
"Shampoo, go sort my stuff in the back room," ordered Cologne.
"Yes, great-grandmother." answered Shampoo.
Shampoo went to the back room in Nekohanten and sorted various
miscellaneous items her great-grandmother had. She picked up a little broach
and it triggered some memories. <This is the reversal broach,> she thought, <I
was so close from getting Ranma that time, and Akane had to interfere. I knew
Ranma was only doing it for his pride now, but still, it felt very good.. Maybe
I should use this again? No, Ranma's not going to fall for the same thing
again.>
Then she also remembered what happen when Akane put in on the right way.
<That's right! What if Akane put it on the right way again! She was so
affectionate while she had it on the right way,> thought Shampoo, <And Ranma.
Ranma was totally mesmerized by Akane that time. He completely ignored me! He
was supposed to say he loved me, not to fall in love with Akane! I guess Ranma
does like Akane more. Good thing Akane only acts like that once in a long
while. Most of the time, that Akane is just a uncute tomboy.>
With a sigh, Shampoo put down the broach and continued to sort other
items. Most of the items she was familiar. In fact, she tried a lot of
Cologne's magical items to try to get Ranma, but none of them ever worked. She
continued to sort the miscellaneous junks and artifacts until something caught
her attention. <What's this? I've never seen this before!> she thought as she
picked up a little ordinary looking stick. "Let's see," she murmured to
herself, "Legendary Amazon artifact. Use stick and hit other person in a
certain way and switch body with that person."
She put it down. <Why would I ever need this?> she thought, then
abruptly she got an idea, <I know! I'll switch with Akane! That means I'll be
in the same house as Ranma everyday!>
Normally, Shampoo would have put her plan into action right away.
However, after all the failures she had before, Shampoo decided that this time
she will plan her action more carefully. She went to her room to think about
this some more.
<Now let's see,> she thought, <Ai-ya! I can't speak Japanese as well as
Akane! Ranma will find out I'm not her right away! Also, Akane would still be
able to come back and tell Ranma the truth! Somehow, I got to make sure that
Ranma doesn't suspect anything. This means that I must act like her!>
For the next 2 weeks, Shampoo went to take a crash course on the
Japanese language. During her free time, she carefully spied on Akane so that
she would know how she should act. After two weeks, Shampoo's Japanese is now
passable. Now she's ready for part 2 of her plan.
<I must somehow get close to Akane,> she thought, <Probably best to
challenge her in a duel, but I must make sure Ranma doesn't know about this.>
(Later that night, at Akane's room)
Akane was just sitting her room, doing nothing in particular, when she
noticed a knock in her windows. <That Ranma,> she thought, <Doesn't he ever
give up!> Akane opened was about to hit the intruder when she noticed that it
was not Ranma, but Shampoo.
Akane quickly got into a fighting stance, "Okay, Shampoo," she
challenged, "You want to fight again?"
Shampoo, however, doesn't want to fight Akane, not yet. "Akane, you're
lucky last time Ranma was there to help you," taunted Shampoo, "Do you dare to
fight me tomorrow?"
"Of course!" Akane quickly answered, "Anytime, Shampoo."
"Then," concluded Shampoo, "Tomorrow at Nekohanten at 3 p.m.. Oh, don't
ask for Ranma's help this time, okay? Just you and me!"
With that, Shampoo disappeared into the darkness. If Akane wasn't so
furious at Shampoo's words, she would have notice how much Shampoo's Japanese
improved. However, Akane's too furious to think rationally. <Shampoo, I'll
defeat you tomorrow,> she thought, <Who needs that jerk's help anyway!>
(Next day, at Nekohanten)
"So you didn't run away after all, Akane," said Shampoo, "Let's settle
this once and for all!"
"Shut up and fight me!" shouted Akane as she lunged at Shampoo.
(Meanwhile, back in the Tendo's home)
"Kasumi," asked Ranma, "Have you seem Akane today? I can't seem to find
her anywhere."
"Akane said she is going to Nekohanten to settle some business with
Shampoo." replied Kasumi, "I think she left about 10 minutes ago."
"WHAT!" yelled Ranma. <Not again,> he thought, <Stupid Akane, hasn't
she figure out that she is not as good as Shampoo by now? I got to go help
her!>
(Back to Nekohanten)
Shampoo easily dodged Akane's attacks. Several times, she was tempted
to just kill Akane now. <No,> Shampoo told herself, <It is not that easy.
Killing Akane wouldn't work. Ranma would probably hate me forever. That would
not be good.>
Akane lunged at Shampoo again. Shampoo easily somersaulted over Akane
and finally prepared to make her move. As Shampoo descended from the air, she
considered that maybe she should just erase Akane's memory again. <No, that
wouldn't work either. I tried that already,> thought Shampoo. She pulled the
artifact she found and prepared to use it. Prior to hitting Akane, though,
Shampoo hit herself with enough force to knock herself unconscious. <I hope
this works,> she thought as she drifted into unconsciousness and also hitting
Akane at the same time.
Shampoo's plan worked. Shampoo knew that right away from the fact that
she was still unconscious. Even though she had planned this for 2 weeks, she
still can't believe that it actually worked. Looking at her shorter dark-bluish
hair, she confirmed that she had indeed switch body with Akane. Looking at
Akane, who is now in Shampoo's body, Shampoo can't help but to smile. She knew
exactly why Akane's now unconscious. Shampoo knew she must somehow keep Akane
unconscious long enough. She practiced this several times. Just one little
mistake and Shampoo would have find herself humiliating defeated by Akane.
<Well, it worked,> thought Shampoo, <Now I'll just go back and pretend to be
Akane!>
As Shampoo prepared to go to the Tendo's home, she seemed to hear a
faint cry. She listened again. <No doubt about it,> she thought, <Ranma's
coming. Got to get rid of Akane, fast. Otherwise I'll have a lot trouble
trying to explain how I beat "Shampoo">
Note: From now on, the names refer to the mind actually in them. So, when I
mention Akane it would really be Akane in Shampoo's body, and vice-versa. By
the way, no one else knows this except Akane, Shampoo, and Cologne.
Shampoo decided to put Akane into her room so that she'll be
out-of-sight for a while. After that's done, Shampoo thought, <Now, what should
I do? Ranma's almost here! Um... I'll just pretend I'm unconscious and said
that "Shampoo" knocked me unconscious.>
Shampoo barely made it. She lied on the ground and pretended to be
unconscious just as Ranma arrived. Ranma, seeing that Akane's unconscious, was
worried. "Stupid," he sighed, "I told you not to fight Shampoo! Are you okay,
Akane?"
Shampoo slowly opened her eyes, pretending to recover from
unconsciousness, answered, "Ai-ya! Ranma, you come to save me? I'm so happy!"
Ranma was surprised to see Akane recover this fast and asked, "Yeah...
are you okay, Akane? What is it that you said earlier? Are you sure you're
feeling okay?"
<Oh, no!> thought Shampoo, <That's right, Akane would never say what I
just said!> Shampoo quickly thought of an Akane style response, "Uh... I mean,
who needs your help anyway, jerk!"
Shampoo's acting was good enough, at least, good enough to fool Ranma.
"Hey, look, tomboy," he said, "I told you don't try to something stupid like
this!"
Shampoo quickly reviewed her mental notes. <Okay, now what would Akane
say? She usually would hit back Ranma, but once a while she is nice. Besides,
I'm suppose to be hurt very seriously. I think I should just faint.>
Shampoo pretended to faint and Ranma was worried. "Oh, it is all my
fault," he told himself, "I should have watch her more carefully. Better take
her home now, I guess."
So Ranma picked up Shampoo and sprinted home. Since Ranma thought
Shampoo was unconscious, Ranma held her tightly and cursed himself for being
such an idiot. Meanwhile, Shampoo was ecstatic. <This is so great! I always
wish Ranma would hold me like this! Of course, it would be better if it was my
body, but this is good enough! So that man was right! Ranma does like Akane!
Now that I'm her, I'll make sure Ranma stays this way forever!>
(Meanwhile, at Nekohanten)
"Um... where am I?" mumbled Akane as she recovered from unconscious. It
took a moment for her to comprehend what has happened to her. <I... I'm in
Shampoo's body now!> she thought, <Well, should I expect anything less from
Shampoo? No, I guess that. So this time she's going to impostor as me! Well,
Shampoo, you're not going to take Ranma away from me this easily!>
Akane leapt and started to go to the Tendo dojo also. <Let's check on
what Shampoo's doing first,> thought Akane. She quickly got to her house and
saw Ranma and Shampoo in her room. <Nice acting, Shampoo,> she thought, <Let's
see how well you can keep this up!>
Meanwhile, Ranma and Shampoo didn't know Akane was spying on them. By
now, Shampoo had "recovered" from her fainting. Ranma put Shampoo on Akane's
bed and apologized, "Sorry, Akane. I should haven't say that."
Shampoo answered with just the right mix of shyness, "Um... oh... it's
okay, you jerk." grabbing Ranma's hands, Shampoo continued, "I... I'm all right
now. Just... let me hold you like this."
Ranma thought Akane's acting rather strangely, but he didn't give that
much thought. <She's probably just hurt,> he thought, <Well, I'm just glad
Shampoo didn't kill her! Hm... she is actually kind of cute, now that I think
about it.>
Meanwhile, Akane was fuming outside. <That baka!> she thought, <Can't
he tell that that wasn't me! I can't believe he can be so stupid. Well, fine!
Ranma, you just go with Shampoo. See if I care about you!>
(Next day)
Cologne knew about Shampoo's plans all along because she helped Shampoo
in her plan. Obviously, Cologne didn't want to upset Akane so that she'll tell
Ranma the truth. Therefore, Akane's been doing minimal work and sitting in the
Nekohanten when Shampoo came in. "Hi, Akane," she smiled, "How do you like to
be me? Don't you want Ranma back yet?"
"Go ahead and keep your Ranma," she retorted, "I don't like him, anyway.
This is great. I'm not bother by idiots and I have an easy work to do!"
"Sure, sure, Akane," taunted Shampoo, "I must tell you. Ranma's so nice
and gentle. You know, if you're half as good as me, Ranma would have fallen in
love for you by now. Well, now you lost your chance. Ranma's going to be mine!
Very soon we will get married! There's no way Ranma will ever find out about
this!"
Akane apparently had enough of Shampoo and lunged at her. Akane was
surprised to find that Shampoo wasn't able to dodge her attack and was sent
flying back against the wall. <Of course,> Akane realized, <When we switch
bodies, I now have Shampoo's fighting ability, and vice versa! Yes! I finally
beat Shampoo!>
Shampoo was shocked, but then understanding came. "So, Shampoo," asked
Akane, "What are you going to do now? Give a kiss of death to yourself?"
"ARRGHH! I hate being this weak," complained Shampoo, "No matter,
Akane. Ranma's still mine. Well, I do wish I can be as strong as I used to be.
Even though I'm weaker now, it is worth it. You'll never get Ranma away from
me again! Never! You don't have a chance, Akane!"
With that, Shampoo left and went home. Akane slumped back into a chair.
<She's right,> she thought, <She is probably happier than I am. Ranma, you
baka! Can't you even figure out that Akane isn't me!?>
For the next 2 weeks, Akane spied on Shampoo and Ranma. Akane was very
disappointed and dismayed by what she saw. Apparently, Ranma never realize that
Shampoo was Akane. Shampoo was smart, all right, Akane had to admit that. She
was being nice to Ranma, and hit him just often enough so Ranma didn't suspect
anything. While for Akane it was very hard to be nice and smile at Ranma, for
Shampoo that was no problem whatsoever. The only problem, in fact, was that
Shampoo needed to restrain herself from being too open to Ranma so that he
wouldn't suspect her. <That Shampoo, such a good actor,> thought Akane, <She is
almost acting like the real me! The only difference is that she is nicer and
gentler. I know I can be like that also, if only Ranma wasn't such a jerk! Of
course, for Shampoo that's no problem for her to tolerate and be nice to that
jerk! Ranma, this is all your fault! You can't even recognize that your
kawaiikune fiancee is no longer the same person? No way I'll get you out of
this mess!>
(A couple weeks later, at Tendo dojo)
Ranma still haven't gotten any idea what was going on. He realized that
he enjoyed just talking to Akane. Of course, he still doesn't know that Akane
is really now Shampoo. "Well, Ranma," smiled Shampoo, "It is nice talking to
you."
"Akane?" questioned Ranma, "Why do you... um... smile so much lately? I
thought you're just a tomboy... OUCH!"
Shampoo by now had figure out had to play as Akane very well. "You
jerk!," she replied while elbowing Ranma, "So what if I like to smile! I
thought you would... um... never mind!"
Shampoo's excellent acting had convinced Ranma. "I... I'm sorry, Akane"
he apologized, "Um... you're actually... kind of cute when you smile."
Shampoo decided that now would probably be the best time to make her
move, "Oh... Ranma," she pretended to be very emotional, "Thanks... don't you
know that I... I love you?"
<She said what?> he thought, <If she hasn't been changing so much
lately, I would have swear that she was possessed.> "Oh, Akane, I... I...."
Ranma was dazed and speechless.
"It's true, Ranma," continued Shampoo, easily confessing her love with
no problem at all, "I love you the first day I saw you. I said I hated you but
I always loved you. I love you more than anyone else in this world. I love you
and only you, Ranma."
Everything was still happening too fast for poor Ranma. All he could do
was sitting there, dazed, muttering, "Akane... Akane..."
Meanwhile, Shampoo continued to confess her love to Ranma. "Ranma, I
love you. Don't you ever forget that," concluded Shampoo, "Please, let's get
married right away!"
Normally Ranma would have noticed that inconsistency in Shampoo's
actions, but he was still shock from hearing these words and couldn't think
straight. <Akane loves me?> he thought, <Do I love her? Yes, I do love her.
Akane, thanks for saying that first. Now I know what to do.>
Therefore, Ranma questioned, "Akane, do you really mean it when you said
all these things!"
"Of course!" answered Shampoo, "How many times do I have to say I love
you! Oh, I see, so you don't love me! Well... just... go..."
"Akane, you are right," interrupted Ranma, "Sorry that I've been such a
jerk all along. Thanks, Akane. I now know what to do. Yes, let's get married
right away."
"Ranma..." said Shampoo and she slumped her head on Ranma's shoulders.
<I'm going to get married to Ranma! I can't believe this! Sigh... I never knew
he loved Akane that much. Akane, seems like you lose this time. There is no
way I'll let you get Ranma away from me!>
Unbeknownst to Ranma and Shampoo, Akane saw the whole thing. Although
Akane tried to convince herself that this was all Ranma's fault, she still
cannot just give him up. Everyday, she has been spying on Shampoo and Ranma to
see what was happening. This was too much for her. Shampoo has gone too far
this time! Akane was furious, furious, furious! She ran back to Shampoo's room
in Nekohanten and started to trash random items in Shampoo's room. <Shampoo,
Ranma may be a jerk, but you can't just impostor me and take him away! He is my
fiancee!> thought Akane. Akane has never hated anyone else so much before. She
was the type who usually forget and forgive. <Do I hate Ranma, or Kuno, or
anyone else?> Akane asked herself, <No, not really. Kuno, he's just a nuisance.
Ranma, well, I say I hate him, but I don't. Now, though, I'm going to get you
for this, Shampoo!>
For the first time in her life, Akane felt what was like to really hate
someone. She calmed herself down and began to plot her revenge. Somehow, she
had to get back to herself again. To say the least, she cannot let Shampoo
marry Ranma! Akane gazed absent-mindedly in Shampoo's room until some old
manuscript caught her attention. "Let's see," she said out loud as she read it,
"It is in Chinese, but there's a Japanese translation next to it. Hm...
legendary Amazon technique. Let me see, there's Hiryu Shoten Ha, Kachu Tenshin
Amaguriken, (Ryoga's technique that blows up rocks). Hmm... they're all
interesting, but I don't think they'll do me much good. Wait! What is this!
(The technique Shampoo used to erase Akane's memory)? I know I heard this
somewhere before!"
Akane thought about it for a moment. <Now I remember! It was that
technique Shampoo used to erase my memory!> That thought made Akane very, very
furious. <I hate her! I've never hated anyone else so much! That's it! I'm
tired of being just a nice girl! Besides, I'm Shampoo now. I can afford to be
evil and nasty! Anyway, I HATE SHAMPOO! She is going to pay for this! I got
it. I'll just use her own methods on herself. Shampoo, you gone too far this
time. You're going to regret the day you even think about trying to impostor
me!>
(Next day)
"Okay, Shampoo, what do you want?" asked Nabiki.
Akane silently smiled to herself. <If anyone would know Shampoo and
Ranma's plan, it would be Nabiki. With this money I stole from the Nekohanten
it should be enough to pay her off. Nabiki, your craze for money for once
actually help!>
"I heard about it, Nabiki. Tell me, when are they going to get
married." asked Akane.
"Sorry, I can't tell you that," said Nabiki, "How can I betray my sister
so that you can ruin their wedding? Sorry, I care for my sister also, Shampoo."
Akane knew better than to try to convince Nabiki. Silently, she pulled
out 10000 yen and tossed them to Nabiki, "Don't give me that, Nabiki! You think
I don't know you? Now tell me, what are their plans?"
Nabiki looked at the money and answered, "Well, I guess I'm not exactly
betraying them. Ranma and Akane are going to get married three days from now."
<That fast?> thought Akane. "Okay, Nabiki," said Akane, "Can you get
Akane along just for a few moments so I can... um... talk to her. I'll pay you
any amount you ask."
"Sorry, Shampoo," replied Nabiki, getting the wrong idea, "I love money,
all right. But no amount of money you can pay will let me help you on that.
You just want to kill Akane, don't you? I won't betray my sister's life on
money. Just this once I can't take your money."
Akane pulled out another 50000 yen. "Not even this much?" she asked.
Nabiki was tempted to take the money, but still she refused. "Give it
up, Shampoo," she replied at last, "Anything else would be okay, but I simply
can't let you kill Akane. If Ranma ever find out, I'm dead meat. Personally, I
would tend to want to stay alive so that I can have a use for the money I'm
getting."
Akane still doesn't give up, "Okay, what about this. Suppose I don't
kill Akane? Will you do it then? I'll still give you the 50000 yen."
Nabiki was intrigued by that proposal, "You are not lying, are you?
Well, if you're not going to try to kill my sister, I guess that'll be all
right." she asked.
"I promise you, Nabiki. I give you my word." promised Akane.
"Okay, then Shampoo, it is a deal!" Nabiki took the 50000 yen and shook
Akane's hands, "Okay, please sign here on the dotted line stating that whatever
you did to Akane it is not my fault. After that, fill out these papers stating
that I'm not hold responsible for anything that happen, okay?"
"Okay, Nabiki," obeyed Akane as she signed the papers, "Now. Tomorrow,
just get Akane alone for a few minutes. That's all I need."
(Next day)
"Hey Ranma," called Nabiki, "I'm taking Akane to a store to see what to
get for the wedding. We'll be back soon, okay?"
"Right," answered Ranma, "Be back soon, Akane. I love you."
"I love you too, Ranma," waved Shampoo as Nabiki dragged her out.
<This should be enough,> thought Nabiki, <Whatever happens to Akane is
not my responsibility. After all, Shampoo did sign those papers.>
Halfway to the store, Nabiki said, "Akane, I forgot something at home.
I'll go back and get it. Just go ahead without me."
Shampoo didn't suspect Nabiki and shrugged, "Okay, Nabiki. Be back
soon!"
Nabiki ran home and left Shampoo alone. Shampoo was going to continue
to go the store when she saw Akane. "So, Shampoo," said Akane, "I see Ranma's
just crazy with you. Today, let's settle this once and for all!"
Shampoo wasn't afraid. She got into a fighting stance also. <She
wouldn't dare to kill me,> she thought, <I was her. If killing Akane would have
solved my problems, then I would have done that a long time ago.> "Akane," she
warned before fighting, "Just let me tell you one thing. If you kill me you'll
never be able to get yourself back. And, Ranma will never like you again!"
<Shampoo, you'll be in for a surprise,> thought Akane, <It won't be as
simple as killing you. It's pay back time for what you did!>
(Meanwhile, back at the Tendo home)
Nabiki walked back to her home and pretended as if nothing happened.
However, Ranma was suspicious. "Nabiki," he asked, "I thought you were suppose
to go to the store with Akane?"
"Oh, yeah," replied Nabiki, "Akane... um... she had some business she
had to settle first with someone else."
Ranma was puzzled. <Nabiki's hiding something,> he thought. Knowing
Nabiki, he decided that the fastest way to give her money. Ranma pulled out his
wallet and give Nabiki 5000 yen. "Okay, Nabiki," he demanded, "Now tell me why
Akane's not with you."
"Shampoo stopped her on our way to the store. I had to run home first
but I think Akane can handle her. Shampoo say she had some business to resolve
with Akane." answered Nabiki.
<Shampoo, you wouldn't dare!> he thought, <That this again!>
"Where are they, Nabiki?"
"About halfway from here to the store. You might be..." Nabiki
stopped, realizing Ranma's already gone. <It is not my fault,> she thought, <It
can't be. Hm... I already made 65000 yen. This must be one of my more
profitable weeks.>
(Back to the fight)
Akane enjoyed beating up Shampoo so effortlessly. With their fighting
ability reversed, Akane is now much better than Shampoo. Shampoo, badly beaten
and bruised, still wasn't concerned. Akane punched her another time and Shampoo
can't get up anymore. She is defeated, and losing conscious, but she wasn't in
the least bit concerned. "I dare you, Akane," challenged Shampoo just before
she lost her consciousness, "Kill me, and Ranma will hate you for the rest of
your life."
Akane watched as Shampoo slipped into unconsciousness. <I guess Ranma
does care about me. This could explain why Shampoo hasn't try to kill me for a
while.> thought Akane, <Anyway, right now the most important thing is to at
least stop her. Maybe Shampoo still carries that thing that caused me and her
to switch with her.>
Akane quickly searched Shampoo and found what she was looking for.
<This is it!> she thought as she read the instruction (with Japanese
translation, of course), <I can finally get myself back!>
However, Akane hesitated in that decision. <Wait one second,> she
thought, <If I get myself back, I'll have to marry Ranma. Not that I don't like
him or anything. I could continue to play Shampoo's role. I knew I can do it.
But... it is not right! I can't just let Shampoo develop our relationship for
us! If I'm going to marry Ranma, it is going to be my decision and my will. I
don't want to pick up where Shampoo left off. It is my relationship, not hers!>
Since switching back wouldn't work, Akane decided that she must at least
stop Shampoo. <You deserved this, Shampoo,> thought Akane as she approached the
unconscious Shampoo, <You erased my memory of Ranma once. This time, I won't
erase just your memory of Ranma. I'll take all your memory. All of it. How
dare you try to impostor me and marry Ranma!>
********************************************************************************
"RANMA NO BAKA!" Akane Tendo from November Rain, the March song from 1991 song
calendar, and plus another hundred sources in Ranma 1/2 anime/manga/fanficition
"Gave me your best shot... if you're prepared for the void!" - Magus from Chrono
Trigger
Don Wang <dwang@sprynet.com>
RPG, strategy game, and Ranma 1/2 fan.