On Fri, 13 Mar 1998, Coutuva wrote:

Well, I did it... the (too) long-awaited next episode of the "Mysteries" Series.
Thanx for being so patient, and I hope you like it.  

we'll see.

BTW, I should point out that this is a 'different' episode, and it has a few
*wicked* curves in it.

okay....

**Note:  This story was actually written a while ago, but then
rewritten just recently, which has left some of the event
references dated.**

ah.

	The news of Kikyo's pregnancy had hit her in exactly the
place that hurt most.  Its impact had been so incredible that it
shattered all of the barriers that she had erected to keep herself
from admitting the truth.
	Lin Shan Pu, Champion Warrior of the Northern Amazons,
finally knew why her life had felt so empty, and why she tried so
hard to find someone to love her.
        She wanted desperately to have a family... in particular,
a baby of her own.

ouch.

        She had realized with Kikyo's proud announcement that the
one thing that she desired most, the one thing that had fueled her
relentless pursuit of Ranma Saotome, and the one thing that she
felt would make her truly happy was slipping further and further
away.
        Long ago, she had given up on the idea of ever carrying her
Ailen's child, consigning the thought to the realm of unfulfilled
fantasy.  That, however, didn't stop it from resurfacing when she
met Hitomi.  Now, she found herself increasingly jealous of
Kikyo's gesture, feeling cheated and ignored yet again.

Understandably so.  Being "best buddy" really doesn't cut it...

        Deep down in her pride, she was unable to get past the
thought that *she* should be the one carrying this baby, not Kikyo.
To Shampoo, it simply made more sense.  She was a Champion Warrior;
Kikyo was just a woman.  She had known Ailen far longer than
Kikyo had known Hitomi, meaning she had a better idea what Hitomi
would likely want the child raised like, and she was also much
better looking.  On those points, Shampoo couldn't understand
why someone who wanted a strong, healthy child would pick Kikyo
over her.

Because Hitomi was compelled by Mu Lin to do so.  Well, that, and Kikyo 
was there first.
	Shampoo still hasn't quite grasped that Hitomi mostly isn't 
Ranma, huh?

	Slumping on the couch, Shampoo sighed again, lowering her
purple-maned head sadly.  Briefly, her thoughts drifted back to
Mousse, and how despite his many attempts, he had not been able
to get her pregnant.  She knew the situation had nothing to do
with her, as she had gone and had herself tested, worried that
her 'physical' life had done some harm.

Oh, so we're gonna make Mousse to blame, huh?

	Her face darkened as she recalled how, in the beginning,
she had resigned herself to her fate, and tried to accept her

The love potion helped.  Don't forget the love potion.

inept but persistant suitor as her husband.  She had consoled
herself then that he could at least father her children, but,
as per usual, he proved to be a disappointment.  In accordance
with the laws of her tribe, she no longer considered herself
married to him, as he had shown himself unfit in every area that
mattered.

You could at least have had the grace to *tell* him.

	Abruptly, she found herself wishing she had never met
Ailen.  Sadly, she noted that perhaps she would have had a real
husband and several strong children by now, instead of having
wasted her life chasing a man that didn't want her.

Well, given Mousse's habit of trying to kill any other man who's 
supposedly attracted to you, I'm not so sure.  (Hey, I feel sorry for 
the guy in this particular situation, but he does have major faults.)

	"Shampoo... *is* stupid.  Stupid, stupid girl."  she said
aloud softly.

hmm....

	"I went and laid down for a while... I have a headache
today, and it won't go away.  That's why I changed to a cat, but
it didn't help."  the purple-maned one sighed, holding her forehead
for effect.  "By the way, thank you for getting my dress,
Hitomi-san."

Liar!  Hitomi is surrounded by women who constantly lie to her!

	"Nee, Kiko-chan... feeling tired?"  Hitomi asked, her eyes
concerned.  She worried about her lover steadily these days, as she
knew their child was Kikyo's first baby, and there were greater than
normal risks attached to first pregnancies.

Especially as this child is the result of yet another lie...

	"You should lay down... in my village, a new mother is
excluded from any and all responsibility while she is with child,

including taking responsibility for her lies?

especially when it is her first."  Shampoo noted, glancing at
Hitomi for backup.
	"Hai, Kikyo... you probably should.  Lin-san, could you
make sure she gets there?  I would, but I'm held prisoner by my
own feet."  she smirked, wiggling her cotton-stuffed toes.

heh.

	"Hai-hai!  Come along, Kikyo-san.  I will help you to
bed.  Even a short nap might help you feel better."  Shampoo
offered, rising and stepping toward her.

a dirt nap, perhaps?

        "You rest now.  We will be okay without you."  she added,
closing the door behind her.

heh.

	Kikyo frowned in response.  For some reason, depite having
entrusted the Amazon with her life to a degree, hearing that
remark actually made her feel jealous.  For a moment, she actually
considered getting back out of bed, but stopped herself as she
realized that she was being silly.  She knew that if there was
anyone she could trust, it was Hitomi.

Yep.  Hitomi shouldn't trust you, though.

        She had decided that all she had to do was convince Hitomi
that she was a better choice for having a baby with than Kikyo,

eeediot!  How about "as good as"?

	Drawing a deep breath to steel herself, she closed her
eyes and prepared.  She knew that once she started, there would be
no turning back, and if she failed, there would be nothing left
for her except to salvage what she could of her honor.

too late.

        She had thought long and hard about her choice, weighing
her friendship with Kikyo against missing what she felt was her
last chance to have her life's dream at least somewhat realized.
For Shampoo, despite the eventual cost, there wasn't really even
a choice.  War always has it's casualties, she reasoned, and

its

little attractive, and she was also aware that Kikyo knew that.
The problem was that the Amazon also had a latent sensuality
about her that was hard to ignore, and right at the moment
she was having an especially hard time trying.

It's the evil leftover brain shortcircuit Mu Lin left behind.

	Shampoo, meanwhile, smiled inwardly, quite pleased that
what she had guessed about Hitomi was indeed true.  She was just
like Ailen.

Unable to make up her mind.

	"You have sisters?  You've never told me about them
before."  Hitomi blinked, waving her hands in the air.

"Actually, you've actively avoided telling me important details about the  
past, but then again I have this brain shortcircuit that prevents me from 
following up on obvious clues, so I've never called you on it."

        Shampoo nodded and stepped away, more than happy with 
her results.  Now that she knew her charms still worked as she 
had expected them to, tomorrow was going to be a big day.

Shame on you, Shampoo.  Shoulda just told her, "I want a baby too..."

Looking forward to more.  You write well, but ooh, the characters make me 
so *mad*!

SKJAM!