This story takes place after volume 38 of the manga.  It draws ideas from
both the manga and the anime.  This is also a prequel to my story Ranma and
Shampoo.  However, both do not have to be read to understand what is
happening.

Disclaimer:  The characters portrayed in this story are the property of
Rumiko Takahashi and co.  Please don't sue me.

C&C welcomed.  Flames not.

Sleepless in Nerima

by

Donny Cheng

	The night sky over Nerima was almost pitch black with clouds covering up
most of the sky.  Most of the population was inside sleeping snug in their
beds, not wanting to be outside on such a cold night.  In short, it was a
perfect night for the figure, clad in a dark cloak, that huddled on the
roof of a particular dojo.  The figure waited quietly until all of the
occupents within were all asleep.

			* * * * *

	Shampoo breathed a sigh of relief as she removed the hood of her cloak. 
Nobody had discovered her entrance.  She slipt stealthily through the dojo
to her destination.  Shampoo chided herself as she neared the door of
Ranma's room.  The amount of times she had crept about the dojo had given
her intimate knowledge of every nook and cranny.  She needn't worry about
someone hearing her come in.  She could have come in blind folded and she
still would not have made a single sound.

	Slowly, she opened the door and went in.  Ever since Ranma's parents had
gotten back together, Ranma slept by himself in the dojo.  It made for much
easier access.  He was sleeping soundly when she neared him.  She smiled at
that.  Her husband's detection skills were highly over-rated.  It was true
that his sense of danger was legendary.  However, it did him no good when
the one aproaching was one that he considered at least a friend.  Also, he
tended to sleep like a log.

	Shampoo sighed as she looked adoringly upon Ranma's sleeping face.  So
peaceful.  She quickly removed the rest of her cloak.  Then as quietly as
she could, she cuddled up to Ranma and tried to get some sleep before dawn
would arise.  Her last thoughts as sleep claimed her was of the first time
she had done this.

			* * * * *

**flashback**

	Shampoo tossed and turned in her bed as she tried desperately to go to
sleep.  No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't.  This was the
second day in a row that she couldn't sleep.  The events that happened a
couple of days ago still haunted her.  What if Ranma hadn't got there in
time?  What would she have done if she had to spend the rest of her life
with the Ghost Cat for a mate?  What would she have done if she never saw
Ranma ever again?  All these questions kept going over and over in her
mind.  It had been a close one that night.  The thought of losing Ranma had
been stuck in her mind ever since that incident.  Shampoo flung the
blankets away from her in anger.  There was only one way for her to truly
get some peace of mind.  That was to be with Ranma.

			* * * * *

	Ranma awoke all of a sudden as he felt someone jump him.  "Wha--!"

	Shampoo quickly clamped her hands over Ranma's mouth and whispered to him
to be quiet.  "Airen, Shampoo couldn't sleep.  Always remember the night
the Ghost Cat take Shampoo.  Please let Shampoo sleep beside Ranma. 
Promise to be quiet."  With that said, she slowly let go of Ranma's mouth.

	Ranma looked at Shampoo appraisingly.  She looked like hell.  There were
bags under her eyes and her hair was all over the place.  "Alright.  But no
funny stuff.  You got that, Shampoo?"  Ranma could never find it in his
heart to say no to a girl in desperate need of help.  Besides, it would
cause too much noise to make Shampoo leave his room.  He shuddered as he
thought of what would happen if Akane found him with Shampoo.

	Shampoo smiled thankfully at him and slid into bed beside him, careful not
to disturb the panda, Ranma called a father.  Somehow, knowing that Ranma
was beside her and not getting away, she was able to immediately go to
sleep.

	Ranma smiled as he looked at Shampoo's smiling, sleeping face.  He guessed
that maybe it wasn't all that bad that he let her sleep beside him
afterall.

**end flashback**

			* * * * *

	It ended up becoming a weekly routine for Shampoo to sleep beside Ranma. 
It was the only way for her to be with him without him trying to push her
away and the only way that she could be sure he would not leave her for at
least one more night.

	Shampoo arose quietly, so as not to wake Ranma up.  The sun was about to
come up.  She would have to leave for the Nekohanten before Kasumi got up
to make breakfast.  She forced herself to not look back as she left the
dojo.  It would only make it harder for her to leave if she saw her airen's
face again.

	Ranma slowly opened one eye and then the other.  Shampoo had left.  Ranma
cursed himself for his weakness.  He should never had let this come as far
as it had.  This time he spent with Shampoo had made him realise, now more
than ever, that he truly did not want to hurt her.  Every morning he would
pretend to be asleep when Shampoo finally woke up.  He would feel her
frantically hold onto him, as if assuring herself that he was still there. 
Ranma desperately hoped that when the time came for him to choose a bride,
everything will have worked out.

	He was in a foul mood and he needed to vent some of his pent up
frustrations.  After getting dressed as quickly as he could, he went to his
parents' room.  He knocked on the door as loudly as he could.  "Hey, pop! 
Wake up!  Let's start sparring early today."

			* * * * *
The End.