1

Please C&C through private to Adrian Wong at
<7ahw@qlink.queensu.ca>
or on the FFML if it is to me or
<usagiyojimbo@geocities.com>
Rabbit
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V I L L A G E    T A L E

A Ranma ½ fanfic by Adrian Wong and Rabbit

All relevent characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi and some
others that I don't know of.


Japanese dialoges in ""
Chinese dialogues in  [ ]
Thoughts in < >
Illusory sounds / /


Prelude:

New beginnings and Old Ends


     It was night.

     Seated within an oriental-looking restaurant was an
extremely beautiful young girl with free-flowing violet hair
that spilled all the way down to her thighs.  Half leaning
on a table from her seat, she stared at the boy eating
ravenously across the table form her with a tender smile on
her face.

     Ranma want more?  Shampoo made extra just in case."
Shampoo asked.

     With his stomach full and his mind finally coming back
to focus, Ranma looked somewhat guilty as he rubbed the back
of his had bashfully.  Thanks but no thanks, Shampoo.  I'm
quite full already . . . The sound coming from his stomach
cut him off as he blushed.

     Shampoo shook her head with a smile, purple tresses
waving beside her face.  Ranma . . . always act like child.
If want food just say! She went up to the boiling pot to
obtain another bowl of steaming noodle.

     Ranma stared at her beautiful figure from behind, it's
shape enhanced by the modest but well-fitted Chinese cloths
that she wore.  The female portion of  Ranma's class had
often put down  Shampoo's scandalous choice out outfit
(behind her back) . . . when they all wore clothes a
thousand times more revealing than the traditional Chinese
wardrobe .  From an objective point of view, it was really
Shampoo's gorgeous curves, instead of her clothes, that was
giving her the sex appeal that boys love and girls envy.  As
Shampoo tossed her hair back to avoid it dipping into the
noodles, Ranma was rewarded with the sight of the violet
strands flowing down her back in a rich fountain.   He began
wondering how on earth he would have managed to resist such
beauty in the past.

      Despite what the others may think, Shampoo is
extremely perceptive and intelligent.  Sure, her gestures
suggest playfulness, but this playfulness is a personal
charm on her part, thus has nothing to do with her being any
less intelligent.

     For example, she is the only fiancee of Ranma who
Nabiki hadn't managed to con money out of yet (manga
perspective).  With her pointing out to the other fiancee's
that they don't really need to pay Nabiki for a date with
Ranma (manga 17), the little mercenary had suffered one of
the very few failed dealings that she ever had.   Shampoo
was definitely not one to be underestimated when it came to
the brain department.

     Playful, smart and occasionally crafty, Shampoo was
exactly a human version of a feline: a quality that used to
send irrational chills up Ranma's spine in the past.

     Somehow, his fear of cats had begun to drop somewhat
after the fateful events of this day: events that led him
too finally come to appreciate the other side of the cat
girl.  She may not be perfect, but like a warm kitten
cuddling against one's skin, she knew how to be pleasantly
attentive when she really wants to.

     And now was the time that Ranma needs the most
attentiveness from somebody . . . anybody to himself from
drowning in his misery.

     Just then, Shampoo walked back with two bowls of
noodles.  "Watching Ranma eat make Shampoo hungry again,"
she explained with a giggle, "If stay with Ranma too long,
Shampoo's figure be in trouble."

     Setting down Ranma's bowl in front of him, she began
eating her own.  She stopped as she realized that Ranma
wasn't eating his.

     "What matter?"she asked.

     Ranma simply stared at her.  "You know, Shampoo, if you
used to act as moderate back then as you do now, maybe . ..
maybe I would have chose differently . . ."

     Shampoo stared  back at him, then began laughing much
to Ranma's surprise.

     "Wha . . . Shampoo?"

     "Ranma, Ranma . . ." Shampoo's body shook as she
laughed, making her even more tantalizing than before.  "You
still no get it after all time?! You foolish man!"

     "What?"  Ranma asked as he frowned boyishly.

     "Shampoo the way she was cause she idolized Ranma!
Ranma seemed strong, flawless . . . perfect.  There plenty
good warriors in China, but many of them . . . not good
looking.   It not everyday she gets to meet boy who look cut
and fight well same time.  That why Shampoo chased Ranma
with such . . . vigor ever since first saw Ranma's boy form.
Seemed other girls same view as Shampoo, and panicked.
Shampoo too eager to impress Ranma, scared you off instead."
She laughed.   "Now Shampoo had seen that  even Ranma  not
all almighty. . ." Realizing what she was about to said,
she trailed off in mid-sentence.

     Ranma's face dimmed up visibly.  "Even you think I'm
pathetic now . . ."

     "NO!" Shampoo cut him off, shocked that Ranma would
even suggest such a thing.  "Shampoo no will think Ranma
pathetic for breaking down at wedding!  If anyone pathetic,
it be evil Kuno and cowardly Tendos that betrayed Ranma!"

     Ranma's shoulders slumped.  "We shouldn't be angry with
them, it isn't like they had a choice.  Our world will not
permit them to be tainted by someone like me-"

     Shampoo grabbed Ranma's hands as she stared intensely
into his eyes.  "Listen to Shampoo: Ranma may no be perfect,
but you man with good heart, always trying to help when
others in trouble.  You NO will taint nobody: people should
feel lucky for knowing Ranma!"

     Ranma smiled back sadly at Shampoo, "You don't have to
lie to me, even if you meant well.  Even you have admitted
that I failed to  live up to your image of me . . . like how
I've failed to lived up to the Tendo's . . . and Mom's."

     "That's NOT what Shampoo meant.  Shampoo said Ranma not
all almighty cause she now see Ranma as someone who could be
crushed, could have tears in eyes after being hurt . .
.Ranma could be one who need other's help, instead of always
other way around."

     Ranma looked confused.  "Wha?"

     Shampoo smiled tenderly at him.  "That means Ranma
human, just like us all.  It makes Shampoo see Ranma as
person instead of symbol . . . makes Shampoo feel closer so
that she no have to go fanatic in tempting Ranma."

     Ranma sighed, and finally began eating his noodles
again. Shampoo, you're the only one who will ever want to
feel close to me again."

     Shampoo smiled playfully.  Shampoo not sure.  After
arrive at Village, cute boy like Ranma will probably be dog
piled by girls!  Besides . . .her smile turned tender
again, Ranma's now wounded man, Shampoo no can give bear
hug to Ranma till you healed up inside."

     Ranma smiled gratefully at Shampoo, grateful that he
had a friend like her to rely on at a time like this . . .

     . . . at a time when all that he had was cruelly
crushed under the prejudice of his world.

*         *         *         *         *         *
*         *         *         *         *         *
     Western music was permeating the inside of the
cathedral.

     Colored paper and ribbons, launched by a sea of guests,
were flying around in the air.

     The second wedding between     Ranma and Akane was to
take place within minutes.

     Inside the backroom of the chapel, Genma and Soun were
fussing over the tuxedo what the groom was wearing.

     "The bow tie needs to be straightened up like this . .
."

     "And the shoulder pads for the blazer needs to be
adjusted like that . . ."

      "And the belt really shouldn't be so high up . . ."

     The groom, meanwhile, has a slightly troubled look on
his otherwise smiling face.  Genma noticed this and asked.

     "What's the matter, boy?"

       "It's Shampoo and Cologne." Ranma said.  We
shouldn't have excluded them from the guest list, not after
all that we've been through together."

     "What are you talking about, boy?!  Those Chinese
Amazons had utterly destroyed the first wedding!  We can't
risk them showing up to ruin this one."

     "Dad, it was a COMBINED effort that destroyed the last
wedding!  Kuno and Happosai were the main causes of trouble
that last time, and Kuno is invited.  And besides, Cologne
didn't do anything to disrupt our wedding , while Shampoo's
Nuki-men were only flash bombs.  Also, Shampoo didn't know
that wedding was of my free will the last time.  Now that
she does, I am sure that she won't . . ."

      "Son-in-law.." Soun cut him off with a close-eyed
smile on his face.  "Kuno, despite all his unpleasantness,
is still the heir to the Kuno School of Kendo, his presence
can brighten up this wedding.  And thankfully, the Master
hadn't insisted on coming.  Things are going smoothly right
now, and we have no reason to invite those two."

     "But still, Cologne has taught me all those techniques.
It would be kind of an insult not to invite her.  Besides,
Shampoo is my . . ."

     'Your old girlfriend." Ryoga, who was now the best
man at Akane's request, said with a bored expression as he
leaned against the wall.  Even since he had finally admitted
his love for Akari, his hatred for Ranma had dropped
considerably . . . up to the point that he no longer wishes
to actually kill him.  "I'm SURE Akane would have loved to
have her come."

     "That's the problem, my boy." Genma said.  "You know
how . . . delicate Akane's feelings are.  We can't risk
having that Chinese hussy anywhere near this ceremony till
it is over."

     Ranma protested.  "But she's my . . ."

     "Listen to you father, son-in-law." Soun said in a
firmer tone of voice.   Besides, we don't want to have
people associating us with those uncultured Chinese
barbarians: it isn't good for the image of our clan. "

     ". . . friend.." Ranma whispered, his eyes lowered as
the fathers continued to fix him up for the wedding .

     "Stop worrying, Ranma." Ryoga said.  "The most
important thing right now is to make sure that this wedding
can make Akane happy.  You can always make it up to Shampoo
later . . . some way or another. "

     Ranma wasn't so sure about that.  He could still
remember how his other fiancees had reacted towards his long
delayed confessions that Akane was the one for him.

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     "It's true after all . . . you do choose her out of
your own free will."  Framed by the sunset, Ukyou's
beautiful face was decorated with such heart-breaking
weariness that it hurts one to look at it.  A cool breeze
blew by, obscuring her profile with strands of dark hair.

     "I guess I should have known after the first wedding
that I was a fool for thinking that you would ever love me."
She eyes began to tear as she continued.  "It's inevitable,
isn't it?  After all, she is the one that gets to live
together with you; to practice the art together with you; to
go on those adventures with you that I didn't know about
thus can't accompany you . . .to inherit the school of
Anything Goes Martial Arts together with you.  How could you
possibly settle for a mere girl who had nothing to offer you
but a tiny restaurant and distant memories long forgotten?"

     Staring Ranma straight in the eye, determination
settled onto her features, turning her into a tower of
strength.  "But I'll survive, Ranma.  I have been through so
much heartache in the past that this is like nothing to me,
NOTHING.  I too, can put the past behind me.  I shall start
over, and make somebody of myself so that I don't need to
EVER rely on you or anyone else to live a life. You served
only to bring me fleeing happiness but lasting pain . . .
even though you never did mean to.  So long, Ranma.   For
the sake of  getting on with our lives, we shall not meet
again till we can . . . till I can truly put this behind us.
For now, I wish you happiness . . . as an old friend."

     With that, she sprinted up onto a rooftop and into the
sunset without turning back.

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      "Hmhmhmhm . . ." Kodachi, her eerie glamour glistering
under the moonlight,  laughed lightly as she turned away and
stared off into space.  "So, you have decided to choose that
. . . girl over the Black Rose, even after all that we have
been through together."  Twirling around in an elegant
motion, she leaned forward towards Ranma's face, reminding
him of a hissing serpent studying its prey.  "You mind IS
set . . . isn't it?  I can tell . . . even though I didn't
really want to.  Looks like I can't very well force you to
choose otherwise after all.  Guess the old saying is true: a
battle is not always to the strong, nor a race is to the
swift."  She pulled back from him as a taunting but sultry
smiled blossomed on her face.   "Very well then, have it
your way.  Kodachi Kuno WILL NOT  brood over the loss of a
mere man, for she had dozens to chose from.  The Black Rose
WILL survive!!!  Farewell, Ranma, YOU shall miss MY beauty!"

     With that, she bounded over a rooftop and into the
night, leaving a trail of rose petals behind.

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     After going though those two experiences, Ranma
couldn't possibly bring up his courage to confront Shampoo
face to face about his up coming wedding with Akane . . .
especially not after how Mousse had finally realized the
futility of his pursuit and left her to start over in Japan.
So Ranma waited, and waited . . . till several days before
the wedding to send her a letter regarding the wedding.

     A day later, he received the following letter from her:

Ranma:

     Mystery finally unsolved, and the bet over: Shampoo no
can call you Airen now.

     If Ranma still think of Shampoo as friend, please give
invitations to Shampoo and Hiba-chan to wedding: this way,
Shampoo know Ranma still like Shampoo enough to trust her no
disturb wedding.

                                             Shampoo

     He would have done anything to prevent himself from
losing his only remaining friend . . . should it not for the
look he got from Akane, the scolding from his Pop, and the
demon head demonstration of Soun when he had mentioned
Shampoo's request.

     And so, Ranma was left with no choice but to send a
letter to Shampoo, telling her that her request could not be
fulfilled.

     He hadn't heard from her since, and he didn't dare to
go to the Nekohanten directly..

     Just then, Kasumi came into the room, smiling that
warm, close-eyed smile as always.

     "Father, Akane-chan is ready."

     Soun immediately went after Kasumi for the position of
the Father of the Bride with happy tears sparkling in his
eyes.

     "C'mon."  Ryoga urged Ranma out of the room and into
the hall.  Countless guests are there, ranging from his past
rivals to his acquaintances to Akane's friends, all smiling
approvingly at him.  Even Kuno was smiling . . . even though
the smile doesn't reach his eyes.    At the front row, Genma
is nodding approvingly as Nodoka was gently shedding tears
of happiness.  The atmosphere of joy was so overwhelming
that for a moment, Ranma's guilt toward Shampoo was
completely forgotten.    Ranma and Ryoga took their places
at the front of the altar and waited.

     It was then that he saw through the chapel gates to the
distant figure sitting on a tree outside.  Strands of violet
were flowing across her pale face, partially obscuring a
pair of particularly bright eyes.

     Ranma felt a sharp jab of pain in his heart, for he
knew that those eyes were bright with the effort of trying
to hold in tears.  The last friend that he had remaining . .
. and he wasn't even able to grant her one, simple, harmless
wish.

     God, he loathed himself for always being this passive
when it comes to anything that has to do with his life.  If
he could fight against those that he had been placed
against, why couldn't he fight against those who placed him
to fight on their behalf in the first place?

     <Cause I have honor . . .> he told himself, <and can
never go back on what I have been brought up with.  Besides
. . .>

     At this point, Akane, accompanied by her father, her
sisters, as well as Akari, the bridesmaid, stepped into his
line of vision.

     Wearing a startlingly simple but elegant white grown
that served to make her shapeless built appear slender, the
tomboy was transformed into a Princess.  A piece of large,
half-translucent veil flowed down from above her tiara,
giving her seemingly slender frame an illusory feel.  The
veil was designed in such a way that it trailed behind her,
and Akari was holding up it off the ground for her from
behind.  Kasumi and Nabiki, meanwhile, were tossing flower
petals from beside Akane, making her entrance even more
dramatic and breath taking.   Seeing Ranma, she flashed the
I'm-blessed-with-the-happiness-of being-a-bride smile at
him, forcing him to blush.

     <. . . I do love the kawaiikune tomboy.  Sorry,
Shampoo.  I can't risk throwing away my only goal in life
for you.  I hope you can someday forgive me.>

     Forcing himself to ignore the sight of Shampoo, Ranma
focused his attention on the girl that he had been placed in
a position to love. Waking up to him so that they were now
side by side, she captivated him with a melting smile.  The
promise of love, family, and a dojo to inherit all combined
in one . . . the girl was everything that he could ever have
dreamed of.

     That was definitely the moment of his lifetime.

     At that moment, the priest spoke up.

     "If there be any here present who know of good and just
cause that
these two should not be joined in the bond of Holy
Matrimony, let
them speak now, or forever hold their peace."

     All was silent in the cathedral hall.  Ranma stared
worriedly out the chapel gates: will she interfere?

But the Chinese girl simply lowered her head and wept.
Guilt rushed over Ranma as he silently chided himself for
doubting her.

     The priest casually went on to say, "Do you, Saotome
Ranma, take this woman to be your . . . "

     Suddenly, a vortex of printer sized paper showered down
from the corners of the cathedral supports as the guests
murmured in surprise.  Fearing some unforeseen danger, Ranma
immediately gathered Akane into a protective hug.  Outside,
Shampoo stopped sobbing and blinked.

     The guests began picking up the paper and reading it,
as they did so, their expressions turned incredulous as they
stared back up at the couple.  Akane looked scared as she
cling on closer to Ranma, while Ranma was annoyed yet
chilled by their reactions.  He turned over to look at Soun,
who was going through several interest shades of color as he
read the paper.

     "What's the matter, Father-in-law ?"

     "Ranm . . .Ranma-san . . ."  Soun looked back dumbly at
Ranma.  His eyes seemly came into focus as he saw how Ranma
was holding Akane in his arms.  A scowl came onto his face.
"Get your hands off my daughter."

     Ranma nearly jumped. "What?!"

     "Get your hands off my daughter!" Soun repeated in a
firmer tone this time.

     Akane was shocked and angry at the same time.  "Daddy!
What are your talking about?!  Hey!!"

     By then, Soun had already dragged her away from Ranma
and behind himself.  Akane winced at the amount of force
that her father had used.    Seeing that, Ranma's anger
fired up.

     "Are you crazy?!  Me and Akane are about to be
married!"

     "Not anymore."  Soun replied stiffly and turned towards
the priest.  "Father, I ask of you stop the ceremony right
now."

     The priest looked slightly troubled, but did as he was
told.

     "WHAT?!"  Ranma and Akane exclaimed in union.  Just
then, Nabiki walked over with a bored expression, and tugged
on Akane's arm.

     "C'mon, sis, the fun is over.  Change back, go home."

     Meanwhile, Kasumi walked up to the front of the altar.
Facing the guests, she spoke up with a polite smile on her
face.  "On behalf of the Tendo Clan, we apologize for the
inconveniences that this misunderstanding had caused all of
us.  But there is no wedding for today.  For now, I hope you
all go home in peace."  With that, she bowed, and all the
guests, having read the papers, immediately took the hint
and piled out of the chapel.  Meanwhile Akari whispered
something in Ryoga's ears, and his eyes quadrupled in size
as he turned toward Ranma.

     Ranma was stricken and angry at the same time.  "Can
somebody PLEASE tell me what the hell is going on?!"

     Nabiki gave him a sideways smile and tossed one of
those pieces of paper at him.

     Ranma took a look at the paper and paled as the words
on it assaulted his mind like daggers.

     He could vaguely hear Akane's gasp as he turned away
from the paper and turned to his parents.  Genma had his
head down, while Nodoka had a look of disbelief on her face
as she stared at him in horror.

     "All this time . . . and you never did tell me about it
. . ."  she said in a shaky voice.

     "Well, it isn't exactly what you'll admit to others . .
." Genma mumbled with his head down.

     "WELL AT LEAST YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME BEFORE WE HAD
RANMA!!  HE DOESN'T DESERVE TO GO THROUGH THIS!!!!  Is it
not bad enough that you are . . . but to taint my son as
well . . . "  Nodoka took out her bundle from nowhere and
unsheathed her katana to his horror.  "And to think that
I've suffered for ten years for a selfish, worthless, lying
piece of garbage like you . . ."

     "Now, No-chan, I'm sure that we could come up with . .
."

     "DIE!!!!!"

     With that, Nodoka chased Genma out of the now almost
empty cathedral as Ranma stared after them dumbly.
Meanwhile, Ryoga and Akari took the distraction and silently
sneaked away as well.  Standing outside the cathedral, Kuno
blowed a whistle, and a dozen ninjas dropped down from
whatever dimensions that they were previously hiding in and
kneeled before him.

     "Master Kuno!  We did as you told!" they reported.

     Kuno smiled a smile that could rival Nabiki's in
deviousness.  As a samurai (wannabe), he knew all too well
how one must know an opponent well in order to defeat him.
So ever since their first confrontation, he had been sending
out people to "check up" on Saotome's weaknesses, so to
speak.  The quest had been futile at first: all that his
resources could have given him were that Saotome was somehow
able to impersonate his pigtailed goddess: typical of one as
perverse as him, Kuno told himself.  When the investigation
had taking a turn to explore his past, however, something
shocking was revealed.

     Kuno, despite his actions, still believed that he was
an honorable person, and had hoped that Saotome would have
been smart enough to back off instead of driving him to
reveal his secret shame.   After all, during their
confrontations, he had always taunted Ranma about his lowly
birth, hoping he was smart enough to get the hint.

     But he wasn't, and the Blue Thunder just can't tolerate
the thought of such a lowly creature tainting his precious
huntress.  Actions must be carried out.

     And he didn't regret it one bit.

     "You've all served me beautifully, loyal servants.  The
cowardly Saotome's shame has finally been revealed.  "  Kuno
said.  "After this day, the beauteous Akane shall be mine
and mine alone."  Idly looking through the cathedral gates,
he saw his beautiful huntress went through a complete
breakdown.   He was secretly enjoying the sight: it served
her right for rejecting one as magnificent as himself for
that lowly creature.  But Kuno believed that in the end,
Akane's "nobility" would overcome her strong-headedness,
thus wasn't particularly worried about her decision this
time.

     "For now I shall depart: after all, the fair lady does
need time to heal from Saotome's dark influences."

*         *         *         *         *         *

     Outside of the cathedral, Shampoo's heart was
shattering as the wedding went on inside.  Cologne had told
her to spare herself some pain and just forget about Ranma
for good, since he obviously didn't care for her even as a
friend now.  She said that the sight of the wedding will
serve to do nothing but to hurt her further.

     And her Hiba-chan was so right . . . as usual.

     Not only did Ranma not return her love, he didn't feel
incline to spare her some sign of friendship either.

     Not when it comes to choosing between her friendship
and Akane's love.

     As she stared at the happiness radiating from the
bride, who was dressed in so many layers of drapes and veils
that she looked like a moving mass of whipped cream, Shampoo
couldn't help but felt bitter.  She had put in so much of
her own emotions in making Ranma hers.  Even after his
rejection, she had  been graceful enough to offer herself to
continue being his friends.

     Could that woman in the wedding dress have done the
same should she be in Shampoo's shoes?

     But then again, had it not been for the shock that
Mousse had given her, she wouldn't have wanted to stay as
the friend of the man who had dumped her either.

     Even now, the memory had hurt . . . badly.

############################################################
############

     Packing up with automatic motions that were unnerving,
Mousse had kept a neutral expression as Shampoo stared at
him with detached interest from the door.

     [So you're finally going back to the village after all.
Glad to see that you have finally accepted the fact that I
don't love you and never will.  Auntie (Mousse's Mom) will
be happy to see you, considering how long you have left
her.]

     [I'm not going back, Shampoo.]  Mousse stated simply as
he tossed the last of his weapons into the luggage.

     [What?]

     Mousse closed up his luggage with a slam and spoke up
with an even voice.  [I said, I'm not going back.]

     Shampoo was a bit taken back.  [But . . . where are you
going then?]

     Mousse stood up and walked past Shampoo and out of his
room.  [To some other part of Japan, where I'm sure that I
won't ever have to see you again.]

     Shampoo was silent.  She knew that she could seem to be
rather uncaring toward Mousse, but that was only because of
the fact that he was obsessed with making her his girl.  If
she didn't say firm enough, she really might be trapped in a
one-sided relationship.

     But still, she didn't intend for it to come to such a
bitter ending.

     [Mousse . . . I  . . .]

     [Save your breath, Shampoo.]  Mousse snapped.  [Time
after time I've tried my damned best to show you that I'm
the one who really do love you . . .]

     [And I've always known.]  Shampoo said.

     Mousse looked as cold as ice.  [And STILL you refused
me.  Goodbye, heartless girl: we'll not meet again.]

      Before Mousse could have walked out the door, a staff
blocked his path, forcing him to stop.

     [Mousse, I know you are upset that Shampoo doesn't love
you back . . .]  Cologne said in a calm voice.  [But would
you rather have her string you along and give you false
hopes?]

     Mousse looked even angrier than before.  [Out of my
way, old woman.  What do you know about love?  What do know
about the torments that I had been through because of my
love for her?!  You don't know how I am feeling now: you're
so old that you can't possibly know.]

     [Believe it or not, I was young once . . . and I had
loved.  I know it is hard for you to overcome your
bitterness, but think about it this way: Shampoo had never
asked of you to love her.  She only wanted a friend in you,
and you forced yourself upon her.]

     [Hiba-chan, please, don't say that to him . . .]
Shampoo said worriedly as she saw Mousse tensed up.

     Cologne ignored her.  [And now, you hold her
responsible for your suffering.  Is this hatred of your even
justified?  You are, of course, free to leave if you want.
But I am hoping that you won't come to hate my great-
granddaughter: she deserves better than that.]

     Mousse's eyes were flashing fire as he crunched his
fists so hard that his knuckles turned white.  With a look
of defiance on his face, he stiffly walked past Cologne.  [I
don't need this.]

     With that, he was out the door and out of Shampoo's
life for good.  Shampoo stared after him with disbelief
while Cologne looked tired and disappointed.

############################################################
############

     That experience had given her a painful lesson: people
who are important to you, who you thought will be by your
side forever, will turn away from you if you don't know how
to handle your relationship with them properly.   Real
friends are hard to find in this world, and Shampoo would be
damned if she would lose Ranma too.

     And now, he was testing her endurance, forcing her into
the realm of bitterness . . .

     Before Shampoo's thoughts could have gone any further,
a strange happening in the present had managed to distract
her.