COS28-31
“A Change of Scene”
By June “KaraOhki” Geraci
1998
Ranma 1/2 created by Rumiko Takahashi, and borrowed
by me. This work is for entertainment purposes only, and
not intended for commercial use.
Chapter 28
Kaori opened her eyes to see Akane folding up the sleeping bag.
"It 's early, Akane. Why are you leaving?"
“I promised to meet Ranma at the gym. Our students are coming this morning."
“How are they doing?"
Akane giggled.
"So-so. I think they're afraid of us. Did you know that they've started to call Ranma ‘Sensei’ ?"
Kaori chuckled, and closed her eyes.
"Have fun. I'm going back to sleep."
Akane opened her door and found Kodachi's note, which she opened and quickly read. She brought it with her to the gym, and was alarmed at the look of fury on Ranma's face when he read Kodachi's words:
"Leave my darling Ranma alone, or I will punish you."
Ranma got to his feet, and Akane quickly stood and grabbed his arms.
"Ranma, please don't overreact to this. I found Kodachi's note amusing. It sounds as if she's been reading Sailor Moon, too."
"Well I don 't find it funny, Akane. I've had it with her. I'm going to give that girl a piece of my mind."
Ranma searched for Kodachi all over campus, but couldn't find her. He was frustrated, and worried about Akane, and decided to take another step to protect her. Before leaving for work, he packed a small bag, and brought it with him.
*****
Ryoga wandered the streets of Ube. He was rather proud of himself for having found it. He hadn't seen Akane since the night she'd found him in the dojo. If Ranma had given her permission to see other men, now was his chance to tell her that he loved her. Ryoga wondered where the college was, and how he would find the right dormitory. He was so busy fantasizing about holding Akane in his arms that he didn't notice the storm coming on until it struck, and soon P-chan wandered the streets, the snow getting deeper.
Akane left work, and stopped at the library for some books. She was on her way back to her dormitory when she heard a squeal, and turned to see P-chan running through the snow.
“P-chan! How on earth did you get to Ube?"
Akane picked the pig up, kissed his nose, and carried him across campus. She hid him in her tote bag, and sneaked him into the dormitory.
Akane was studying, P-chan in her lap, when there was a knock on the door, and she got up to answer it. Girl-type Ranma stood there, holding his bag.
"Ranma, what on earth?"
"I’m staying here, Akane. If you refuse to leave, then I want to be here in case Kodachi tries anything."
Akane folded her arms over her chest, and glared at Ranma.
"I don't need protecting, Ranma! We've been through this."
P-chan put in his own comment by growling at Ranma, who whirled in amazement .
"What's that pig doing here?"
"I found him on my way home."
Akane was about to start yelling again, but she restrained herself, and instead sat down, looking thoughtful.
"You're really serious about staying, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then stay for tonight. I'm not going to let Kodachi make me fight with you. But Ranma, tomorrow you go back to your dormitory, where you belong."
"If you'd listened to me and moved in with Mishi, this wouldn't be necessary."
"I know that, love, but I don't want to give Kodachi the satisfaction of seeing me run.”
P-chan froze, staring at Akane. What had she just called Ranma? He sat there in shock as Akane took out her pajamas and bathrobe, and went to the door.
"I'm going to shower and change, Ranma. Why don 't you change while I'm gone?”
"Akane ?"
"Yes ? "
"Mishi said her offer still stands. Won't you at least think about it?"
P-chan watched the door close behind Akane, and reluctantly turned to face Ranma, who looked less than friendly.
"Ryoga, you are not going to sleep with my fiancee tonight, or ever again. You've taken advantage of her ignorance long enough."
Ranma didn't expect a reply from Ryoga - pigs can't talk.
Chapter 29
Akane stepped into the shower and closed her eyes, letting the hot water soothe her tension. She was rinsing the shampoo out of her hair when the sound of the door opening made her turn to see Kodachi entering the room, ribbon in hand.
Kodachi whipped the ribbon at Akane's face, and she tried to dodge, but the narrow confines of the shower stall wouldn't let her move far. Akane felt the ribbon slice her, and glanced down quickly to see blood dripping down her breast. She cried out in rage, and started forward.
Girl-type Ranma was unbuttoning his shirt when he heard Akane's cry, and ran toward the door. P-chan was going in the same direction, and Ranma tripped over him, regained his balance, and ran out of the room, leaving P-chan scratching helplessly on the closed door.
Kodachi was pleased with her success in injuring Akane, and laughed. She swung the ribbon again, but Akane caught it and jerked it sharply, causing Kodachi to be pulled toward her. As Ranma entered the shower room, Akane wound up and socked Kodachi in the jaw, sending her sliding on her rear end across the wet floor. She finally stopped her slide at Ranma's feet, and he stepped over her and ran toward Akane.
Kodachi rubbed her jaw, looked up, and gasped when she saw girl-type
Ranma.
"Pig-tailed girl What are you doing here?”
Ranma didn't even hear her. He grabbed Akane and pushed her back into the shower to rinse away the blood. He was relieved to see that the cut on her breast appeared to be minor, and embraced her, ignoring the fact that he had stepped under the shower with her, and that the hot water was reversing the effect of his curse.
Kodachi watched, stunned, as she saw the one person she hated more than Akane, the pig-tailed girl, transform into Ranma. She screamed once, and fainted.
Ranma was too busy looking at his fiancee to pay attention. Akane was standing there in his arms, blushing more brightly than he'd ever seen in the past, but returning his look without turning away, or trying to free herself from his embrace.
Akane was vaguely aware of Kodachi’s scream, and seeing her collapse, but she was more interested in what was happening in front of her. Ranma was gazing at her in a way he never had before, and a thin stream of blood was coming from his nose.
Despite the predicament they were in, Akane giggled. She’d always wondered if she could have that kind of an effect on her fiancé, and seeing that she could delighted her. Then she heard voices in the hallway, and froze.
Ranma abruptly released Akane, stepped back, and handed her a towel, which she quickly wrapped around herself. Akane turned the shower to cold, and waved Ranma toward the stall.
"Hurry, Ranma, before someone comes in!" Ranma had barely enough time to change himself female again before several young women ran in. Kodachi was just coming to, and she began screaming hysterically, pointing at Ranma.
"It's a monster, a monster!"
"Calm dawn, Kodachi, that's just Akane's cousin!"
“No, no, I saw her! She's a man, not a woman!"
Looking at Ranma's soaked clothing clinging to his body, the girls shook their heads.
"That's a girl, Kodachi, not a guy. What's wrong with you?"
Kodachi continued to blubber, and soon the dorm mother came in. She looked at Kodachi on the floor crying, and then turned to Akane, whose towel was stained with the blood dripping from her breast. Then she noticed Ranma’s nosebleed.
"What happened here, Miss Tendo, and who is that with you?”
"Kodachi attacked me, ma'am. This is my cousin, Ranko. She’s visiting me.”
"And I’m to understand that Kodachi hit you, too?”
Ranma looked mystified.
“Excuse me?”
The dorm mother turned Ranma to the nearest mirror, and pointed.
“Your nose is bleeding.”
Akane suppressed another giggle when she saw how red Ranma turned, but before she could say anything, the dorm mother spoke.
“Miss Tendo, I suggest you take your cousin back to your room, and take care of each other. I’ll see to Miss Kuno."
*****
P-chan started to squeal when he saw the blood, and Akane quickly shushed him.
"Don't, P-chan. You're not supposed to be here."
P-chan quieted, and watched with concern as Ranma bandaged Akane, especially noting the way she was blushing. He then jumped when Ranma picked him up, and opened the door.
"We’ll wait outside while you dress, Akane. "
"Leave P-chan here, Ranma. Someone might see him."
"He's coming with me, Akane."
Ranma had came back in and was changing out of his wet clothes when there was a knock on the door.
"Miss Tendo, please open the door."
Ranma finished dressing, and opened the door. P-chan scooted under the
bed.
The dorm mother opened the closet door, and peered inside.
"What are you looking for?”
"Miss Kuno kept saying you had a man here. I put it down to her hysterics, but she insisted that I come look. Why did she attack you?"
Akane looked at Ranma, blushing.
"Kodachi wants to take my fiancé away from me, ma'am. She's been this way ever since she met him. Is she all right?"
"A couple of girls took her down to the infirmary. I’ll check up on her later. Before I go, though, you'd better explain the pig."
“Excuse me?"
"I saw him, Miss Tendo. You have a pig under the bed, and he has to go.”
"But he followed me from home, ma'am. Can't he stay until tomorrow? I can send him back to Daddy on the train."
"I’m sorry, but I can 't allow it. "
"Then I’ll find somewhere else to spend the night.”
Akane packed a few things, and was about to leave the building with Ranma when she heard her name called.
"Miss Tendo, I just spoke to the infirmary. They had to sedate Miss Kuno. She kept babbling something about women turning into men. Does she often suffer from delusions?"
Akane tried not to let her desire to laugh aloud show.
"Not that I know of, ma'am. "
"Maybe she hit her head when she fell. "
"I don't know, ma'am. I had soap in my eyes. Good night.”
*****
Akane rang Mishi's doorbell, and she opened it, looking rather tired.
"Akane? I was about to go to bed."
"I’m sorry, Mishi. We had to leave the dorm. It's only temporary, I promise."
Mishi opened the door wider, and Akane entered, Ranma behind her. Mishi looked at the strange girl curiously, and let her in.
"Who is this?”
“Um, well, this will take some explaining, Mishi. Can my friend use your shower?”
Mishi just shook her head in confusion, and waved Ranma toward the bathroom.
"And the pig, Akane?"
"This is my pet, P-chan. I don't know how he got here from home, but I have to send him back there."
While Ranma showered, Akane told Mishi of Kodachi's attack on her, omitting Ranma's transformation. He would have to help her explain his curse. When Ranma entered the room, Mishi stared at him.
“Wait a minute, what happened to the girl who went into the bathroom? And how did you get in here, Ranma?”
“You let me in, Mishi. I’m, um, I was the girl with the red hair.”
Mishi’s eyes widened, and Ranma was grateful that she was already sitting down, because it looked like she was going to pass out. Akane ran for a glass of water, and they joined her at the table.
Taking turns, Ranma and Akane explained Ranma's curse to her. She thought the entire story was incredible, and wouldn’t have believed a word had she not seen it for herself.
"Is there no cure, Ranma?"
"I don't know if one is available anymore, Mishi. What I need is to bathe in the Spring of Drowned Man, or get water from it somehow. The last time we went to China, the source of the springs caused all of them to overflow into each other. Maybe it's been fixed since, but if so I haven't heard about it."
Mishi opened her mouth to ask another question, but stopped when she saw the worried expression on Ranma’s face as he looked at Akane, and turned back to Mishi to interrupt her.
"Mishi, do you have a first aid kit?"
Mishi brought it to Ranma, who took Akane's hand, led her into the bedroom, and closed the door. P-chan ran to the door, and scratched at it until Mishi picked him up and sat down at the kitchen table, sighing, and talking to herself.
"I wonder why I always pick the weirdest friends."
Ranma sat Akane on the bed, sat beside her, and opened the first aid kit.
He started to unbutton Akane's blouse, and she put up a hand to stop him.
"What are you doing, Ranma?"
Ranma pointed down to a spot of blood on Akane’s blouse.
"The cut is bleeding again, Akane. It must be worse than I thought. I'd better change the bandage."
"I didn't even notice it. It doesn't hurt."
Akane looked down again and blushed. Ranma was seeing more of her tonight than she was used to revealing. Ranma could see her embarrassment, and tried to finish what he was doing as quickly as possible. He found it amusing that Akane buttoned her blouse as quickly as she could once the bandage had been replaced, but didn’t tease her about it. Why was she embarrassed now, when she had nothing on at all in the shower room?
"Are you okay, Akane? Kodachi didn't do any other damage, did she?"
"I’m fine, Ranma, truly. Don't worry."
Ranma looked relieved, and pulled Akane into his arms, holding her tight.
"I’m glad I was with you tonight, even if you did end up doing all the fighting by yourself."
Akane pulled Ranma's face down to hers and kissed him, then got up and started toward the door.
“We’d better go back into the kitchen, love. Mishi still looked awfully confused.”
Mishi was still holding P-chan when the pair came back in, and sat down at the table.
"Are you all right, Akane?"
"I’ll be okay, Mishi. It’s just a little cut."
"That’s good, Akane. Ranma, I was thinking, isn’t there a medical cure for your problem? I don't really believe in curses."
Ranma winced, and looked down.
"I’d look into one, but I'm afraid I'd wind up being the subject of some sort of research project. I don't want to be looked at like a freak. As it is, some people think I'm a pervert."
Akane cried out in protest, and he smiled at her.
"Not you, Akane. At least I hope not. "
Akane's eyes opened wide in surprise, and she turned to her friend.
"Mishi, would you excuse us for a minute?"
"Sure, Akane. "
Mishi retreated to the bedroom, and closed the door.
"Ranma, what's the problem?"
"I need to know, Akane. Does my curse still bother you?"
Akane's look softened, and she reached across the table to hold her fiancé’s hand.
"It bothered me a lot when I first met you, Ranma, but it doesn't now. I used to think you were your curse, but I learned to separate you from it. No matter what you look like on the outside, I know who the person inside is, and that's who I love."
Akane got up, and sat down in Ranma's lap, nestling against him.
"I wish there was a way to rid ourselves of your girl side, Ranma, because I prefer you this way, but even if you never get cured, I’ll love you just the same."
Ranma didn't reply, but he held her tighter, resting his cheek against her hair. They sat there quietly until Mishi returned, holding blankets and a pillow.
"I'll take the couch, Akane. You and Ranma can have the bedroom. "
Akane sat up straight, and it was difficult for Mishi to determine who was redder - her or Ranma. Akane opened her mouth to speak, but Ranma was quicker.
"That's okay, Mishi. Akane and I don't,,,we haven't..."
It was Mishi's turn to blush.
“I’m sorry. Me and my big mouth. Since you're getting married soon, I assumed...here, Ranma, you take these. Akane, I’ll get the extra futon out, and you can share my room."
"I’ll be there in a minute, Mishi."
Akane helped Ranma unfold the couch. She still hadn't spoken to him, and he finally put down the blankets, and embraced her.
"I can’t blame Mishi for jumping to conclusions, Akane. She probably doesn't know too many engaged couples who haven't slept together. The sooner we find a place, the happier I’ll be.”
Ranma walked Akane to the bedroom door, and kissed her good night. Akane looked around for P-chan.
"Have you seen P-chan, Ranma?"
"I think he followed Mishi into the bedroom. "
Akane peeked into the bedroom, and saw Mishi curled up in her futon, with P-chan cuddled up to her.
"That's odd, Ranma. P-chan never slept with anyone other than me at home."
"Are you jealous, Akane?"
"Not really. After all, I won't want P-chan sleeping with us."
Ranma bit back what he really wanted to say, and contented himself with a milder reply.
"That's true, Akane. Three's a crowd. "
Chapter 30
In Nerima, Shampoo had also been having an eventful week. Mousse found out about her visit to Ube, and of Ranma's upcoming marriage, and was even more convinced that Shampoo was now his. Despite her repeated rejections, he persisted in his attentions, which only made her more annoyed at him.
The day after her trip to Ube, Shampoo received a small bouquet of flowers. The card on the bouquet read only "To Shampoo, From S". Shampoo looked at the card, perplexed, and slipped it into her pocket. She put the flowers in water, and left them in her bedroom.
When another bouquet even prettier than the first was delivered the next day, Mousse got upset.
"Who is sending you flowers, Shampoo?"
"Shampoo does not know, Mousse."
Mousse glared at her, certain there was something Shampoo was not telling him. He made it a point to be near the door the next day when the delivery of flowers arrived, as he'd expected. Mousse grabbed the card before Shampoo could, and read it.
"S ? Who is S?"
"Shampoo told you, Mousse. I don't know."
Mousse suddenly stiffened.
"Saotome. It must be Saotome. But why would he send you flowers'"
Despite Shampoo's protests that the flowers could not be from Ranma, Mousse continued to believe that they were from him.
*****
P-chan woke early, and he slipped out of Mishi's arms and crept off the futon. Akane hadn't closed the door firmly, and he was able to get out of the bedroom. P-chan jumped onto the couch, waking Ranma.
"Ryoga? "
"Kwee!”
Ranma glanced at the clock, and realized it was very early.
"Do you want to change back before Akane or Mishi wake up?"
P-chan nodded, and Ranma started a shower for him, and gave him something to wear. When Ryoga emerged from the bathroom toweling his hair, Ranma noticed a large bruise on his cheekbone.
"Did I give you that bruise when I stepped on you, Ryoga? I'm sorry."
Ryoga looked down, and struggled with his words.
"That's okay, Ranma. It was an accident. Did I hear right? You and Akane are really getting married?"
"Yes, we are."
Ryoga sighed, and looked out the window.
"I should have expected that it would happen one day. It's obvious that Akane really loves you, Ranma, but you don't deserve her. You'd better be sure to make her happy, or you’ll answer to me."
Ranma flushed. He'd spent so many years perfecting his tough-guy image that admitting how he felt about Akane to anyone other than her was very difficult for him. He felt, however, that Ryoga needed to be assured of his feelings for Akane.
"Ryoga, I do love Akane. I’ll take good care of her."
Ryoga looked relieved, and started toward the door.
"I’d better go before she wakes up."
"Where ? "
"I don't know. I lost my things last night when I got caught in the storm."
"Let me help you. "
The two left the apartment together, and started down the street.
"Do you recall anything you saw last night, Ryoga?"
"I passed a building with a white clock tower. "
"That's campus administration, There's a police box nearby. Maybe someone turned in your knapsack."
Ranma walked Ryoga to the police box, and he inquired about the missing knapsack and umbrella. The officer looked amused, and produced them, also holding up Ryoga's clothing.
"You wouldn’t know who belongs to these, would you?"
Ryoga reddened.
"They're mine, sir. "
"I won't even ask what happened to you. The tricks students play on each other get ridiculous sometimes."
Ryoga put his pack on his back, and started walking away.
"Good bye, Ranma. Tell Akane P-chan needed to go for a walk. "
*****
Akane was rather upset with Ranma when he told her that P-chan was gone.
"I’m sorry, sweetheart. He scratched at the door, and I followed him out, but he ran away from me."
"That's because he doesn’t like you, Ranma. I hope he’ll be all right."
"Don't worry about him, Akane. P-chan will probably find his own way home eventually."
*****
Kodachi left the infirmary before anyone was awake, and went back to her room. Her roommate, Toshi, was surprised to see her.
"Are you all right, Kodachi?"
"There's nothing at all wrong with me. But I don't intend to stay here. I'm going to transfer to another school."
Toshi managed to hide her delight, and instead pretended to be concerned.
"But where will you go, Kodachi? I don't understand."
"I’ll transfer to my brother's college. But this isn't over. I am a Kuno, and my family’s honor is involved here. Akane Tendo and her fiancé have made me look foolish, and they will pay."
Kodachi pulled her suitcases out of the closet, and started packing. Toshi shrugged her shoulders, and got ready for the day's classes. She was looking forward to some peace and quiet.
Chapter 31
Ranma walked Akane to campus, and they separated for class. Akane was about to walk into her first class when Toshi stopped her.
"Akane, did you hear about Kodachi?"
"Hear what?”
"She's going to transfer to another college. She was already packing, but it's going to take a day or two to get the transfer approved, so she has to stay until that happens."
After the initial shock, Akane began to laugh.
"That's wonderful news, Toshi. Ranma will be thrilled when I tell him. Thanks."
Akane turned to enter the classroom, but Toshi took her arm.
"Akane, if I were you I’d stay wherever you are until Kodachi is out of the dormitory. She's been muttering something about revenge."
"I’m not afraid of her, Toshi."
"That doesn't surprise me, Akane, but we'd all be a lot happier if there weren't any more scenes in the dorm like that one last night.”
"Okay, Toshi. Just let me know when she's gone."
*****
Ranma was as happy as Akane expected him to be at the news of Kodachi's decision to leave Sanna College, although he looked rather serious when she told him of Kodachi 's intention to avenge herself on them.
"I don't like the sound of that, Akane. Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you at Mishi's until Kodachi is gone?"
"No, Ranma. Mishi likes her privacy, and I feel bad enough that I'm imposing on her.”
*****
Mishi had given Akane a key to the apartment, and she let herself in after work. Mishi was out, and Akane put her things away and walked into the living room to listen to some music. Ranma was coming to pick up his belongings, and to take her out for the evening. Mishi's drawing board was set up in one corner, and she had it covered. Akane had been there often enough to know that Mishi didn't usually cover her board, and she wondered why. After a minute, her curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to peek. Mishi had drawn several views of a young woman in various kimonos, all very lovely. Akane did a double take, and looked more closely. The longer she looked, the more convinced she became that she was the subject of the drawings. Akane was so busy examining the sketches that she didn't hear Mishi come home until she spoke.
"What do you think of my designs, Akane?"
Akane jumped, and looked embarrassed.
"They're lovely, Mishi. I think you're going to be very successful."
Mishi took Akane by the shoulders, and turned her back to the board.
"Look again, Akane. You must know that's you."
"I thought it might be. Why are you using me for a model?”
"What you're looking at are my ideas for a wedding present, Akane. If you’ll allow me to, I'd like to make your wedding kimono."
Akane gasped, and Mishi continued.
"There's only one thing I need from you, Akane. "
"Yes? "
"Your kimono would also be my class project, so I’d need to borrow it for a few days after it's finished. I want to turn it in to my professor so that she can grade my work on it."
Akane hugged Mishi, tears in her eyes.
"I can't thank you enough, Mishi. Of course you can borrow it. After all, you’re making it. You don't need to ask."
The doorbell rang then, and when Mishi opened it to find Ranma there, Akane quickly covered the board before he could see the sketches, and put on her coat. Ranma retrieved his belongings, and they began the walk to his dormitory.
Ranma left Akane in the lobby, and ran upstairs to put his things in his room. He ran downstairs even faster, waving an envelope at his fiancee.
"Akane, it's from the Student Housing Office!"
Akane looked over Ranma's shoulder as he opened the envelope, and began to read. An apartment had become available, and the office had set up an appointment for them to see it the following morning.
*****
Ranma took Akane to dinner, and found Shiro asleep when he returned to the dormitory after dropping her off at Mishi's. Not wanting to disturb his roommate, Ranma undressed in the dark, trying to be as quiet as possible, wondering why Shiro was in bed so early.
When Ranma opened his eyes in the morning, Shiro was gone. Ranma wondered where he'd gone, but was too busy thinking about the apartment he and Akane were going to see to give the matter any further thought.
*****
Shampoo set the tables at the Nekohanten, and went into the back to get the window cleaner. When she returned, there was a knock at the door. Shampoo had been expecting that she'd get another flower delivery, and was glad that Cologne and Mousse were out at the market.
Shampoo opened the door, expecting the same delivery man she'd had all week, and was surprised to see a familiar-looking young man holding a bouquet of flowers. For a second she couldn't place him, and then she realized that she'd met him at Sanna College. Shampoo tried, but couldn't remember his name.
"Hello, Shampoo."
Shampoo hesitated, and then smiled, because she'd remembered the name. It began with S.
"Hello Shiro."
"These are for you. I hope you like them." Shampoo took the flowers, and opened the door wider so that Shiro could come in.
"Thank you. Flowers very pretty. The ones you sent pretty too. Why you send them?"
"You looked so sad when I left you the other day. I would like to see you smile instead."
Shampoo didn't smile, but stood there looking from the flowers to Shiro. She couldn't believe that he'd come all the way from Ube to see her, and that he'd been sending her flowers all week long. She looked at the clock, and realized that Cologne and Mousse would be back soon.
"Wait here, Shiro."
Shampoo got her coat, led Shiro out of the Nekohanten, and locked the door behind them. She started down the street with Shiro, who waited for her to talk. When Shampoo continued to be silent, Shiro wondered what she was thinking.
"Are you all right, Shampoo?"
After he asked the question, Shiro was sorry he had. There were shadows under Shampoo's eyes, and she looked behind her, as if afraid of something.
"Wait please, Shiro.”
They quickly left the Nekohanten behind, and Shampoo led Shiro to the park. They took the path leading around the lake, and Shampoo finally began speaking.
"No, Shampoo not all right. Great-grandmother and Mousse want to know
where flowers come from. They think "S" is for Saotome."
Shiro hadn't considered that possibility, and apologized to Shampoo. He then began to draw her out with questions.
Shampoo hadn't intended to confide in Shiro, who was little more than a stranger, but she found herself telling him all about the pressure she was under to accept Mousse as a husband, and her unwillingness to do so. Shiro listened to her talk, and then ventured another question.
"Have you ever considered living apart from your grandmother, Shampoo?"
Shampoo looked down and kicked at the pebbles on the path.
"No, Shiro. Shampoo only thought of leaving her if married to Ranma. "
She paused and looked up, pain in her expression.
"Ranma happy?"
"Yes, he is. He and Akane are looking for an apartment. "
Shampoo winced, and Shiro stopped walking.
"I'm sorry, Shampoo. I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Is okay, Shiro. Shampoo will be all right. Amazon women very strong. "
They walked a little further, found a bench to sit on, and continued to talk. Shiro told Shampoo about his family, and his plans to continue the tradition of growing flowers than his great-grandfather had started. Shampoo told Shiro of her home in China, and her years in Japan. They completely lost track of time, and eventually Shampoo jumped up, looking at the sun.
"Must get back! Time to start cooking."
"Wait, I’ll walk you. "
Shiro walked Shampoo to the Nekohanten. It was a quiet walk, because Shampoo was deep in thought, and Shiro walked beside her, watching the different expressions that crossed her face.
Shampoo couldn't understand why she had told Shiro so much about herself. She was not accustomed to confiding in strangers, especially men, but she felt very comfortable talking to him. When they arrived at the restaurant Shiro wanted to go in with her, but Shampoo told him not to.
"Mousse would not like to see me with you, Shiro."
"I don't understand, Shampoo. He doesn't own you. "
"No, but Mousse think he does."
It was too late, however, because Mousse opened the door and came outside, followed by Cologne.
"Who are you, and why are you talking to Shampoo?”
Shiro was angry, and didn't let the fact that Mousse towered over him intimidate him.
"My name is Shiro Hayasuka, and it's none of your business who I talk to!"
Cologne got between them, and shoved Mousse back inside.
"Mousse, go into the kitchen. Young man, come inside. "
Shiro obediently followed Cologne inside the Nekohanten and sat down with Shampoo beside him.
"I don't know you. How did you meet my great-granddaughter? "
"At Sanna College, ma'am. I'm Ranma's roommate. "
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see Shampoo. I was worried about her."
Cologne raised her eyebrows and looked at her granddaughter, but couldn’t read her reaction to the statement.
"Shampoo is just fine. She doesn't need help from you. I want you to go back to Ube, and forget about Shampoo. We have our own ways and traditions, and you are not part of them.”
"Isn't it up to Shampoo to make that decision, ma'am? With all due respect, she is a grown woman, and should determine her own life."
Cologne rose, and Shiro sensed a power in her, one that could be dangerous.
"Go. You are not welcome here. "
Shiro's eyes met Shampoo's, and she nodded. He got up, and walked to the door. Shampoo also rose, and began to follow.
"Where are you going, Shampoo?"
"To say good bye. Is only polite."
Shampoo followed Shiro outside, and smiled at him sadly.
"Am sorry, Shiro. Grandmother very old-fashioned."
"Does that mean you're going to listen to her?"
"No. Then would have to marry Mousse. Shampoo would like to be Shiro's friend. Will find a way to see you again."
"Only a friend, Shampoo?" Shampoo looked at her feet.
"For now. Is all right with you?"
She looked up shyly, and Shiro smiled--she was too adorable to say no to.
"All right, Shampoo. Now get inside before you get in trouble."