This is a story that picked at the back of my mind until I finally put it to paper, so to speak.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma 1/2 or any other things I may use.

It was a normal day in Nerima, if you consider such things as a randomly flying kendoist or gender-swapping martial artists normal. But for Nerima, such things were, unfortunately, normal. But our story revolves around the struggle of a girl to catch the attention of her man. Which girl, you might ask?

Why Shampoo of course!

~Tendo Dojo~

"Boy, it's time to WAKE UP!" Saotome Genma yelled before drop kicking his son Ranma out the window. He landed with a resounding splash in the small koi pond conveniently located just outside. The now redhead glared up at her father, wishing him many painful and humiliating deaths.

"Oyaji! How many times do you have to do this!" Genma laughed at Ranma's question and jumped down to the edge of the pond to taunt him.

"M'boy, a martial artist has got to be ready at all times!" Ranma glared one more time at him before jumping over his head and kicking him into the pond. Genma rose from the pond with a growl and whipped up a sign, "How dare you!"

"That's what ya get for underestimating me Oyaji!" Ranma rubbed the side of her nose confidently. She was about to say more, but Kasumi chose that moment to announce her presence to the both of them.

"Ranma-kun, Saotome-san, breakfast is ready!" Ranma grinned widely at the mention of food and bounced over to the table and waited patiently. Her father grumbled under his breath and lumbered over to sit next to his daughter. Slowly the rest of the Tendo family trickled in and breakfast began.

Once breakfast was finished, Ranma noticed Akane slipping into the kitchen. Paling at the thought of her home-cooked meals, she quickly decided that then was a good time to leave for school. Splashing herself with warm water, he then took to the rooftops to avoid getting splashed by the old woman who somehow always managed to get him.

Ranma arrived in class and put his head down to take a small catnap. He was later awoken violently by Akane attempting to turn his head to paste with a bento. "You forgot your bento, Ranma."

Ranma chuckled uneasily and shook his head, "Sorry Akane, I'll take it now," 'If only so I can chuck it out later and say I ate it'. Akane gave him a look of suspicion, but eventually decided nothing of it and took her seat. 'Whew, almost thought she was onto me there' thought Ranma.

When the lunch bell rang, Ranma sat up and stretched, yawning as he did so. He grabbed the deadly bento and headed out to his usual spot in a tree outside, pausing to dump the contents of the bento in a trash bin. He got to the tree and was about to hop up into its branches when his stomach chose that moment to make itself heard. He winced and looked around, sighing slightly.

"Geez, I try not to hurt Akane's feelings, and what to I get for it? An empty stomach, that's what. Maybe it's not worth it anymore. Not like I'm going to tell her that, don't want a free ticket on Air Akane."

He hopped up into the tree and nearly fell back out again in shock. Sitting where he usually did was Shampoo, who looked nearly as startled as he did.

"Uh, hello Shampoo."

"Nihao Airen."

An uncomfortable silence stretched between the two for quite a while before Ranma spoke up again. "Umm, what were you doing up here Shampoo? Don't you have work to do at the Nekohaten?"

"Shampoo on lunch break, thought Airen want some ramen." It was then that Ranma noticed the delivery box leaning against the trunk.

"Really? Thanks so much Shampoo, I thought I was going to starve!" He took the offered bowl and chopsticks and was about to dig in, then paused. "You didn't spike this with anything did you? Any instant-love potions or the like?" Shampoo shook her head, slightly hurt that Ranma would think that of her.

"Okay then! Itadakimasu!" Ranma tore into the ramen with reckless abandon, though he made sure not to waste a single drop. When he was finished he sat back against the tree trunk, forgetting that Shampoo was leaning against it too. "Man, that hit the spot." He turned to look at Shampoo and suddenly noticed how close they were. He backpedaled right off the branch and hit the ground hard.

"Airen!" Shampoo jumped down next to Ranma, worried, "You okay?" Ranma sat up rubbing his head slightly and nodded to her. "Good! You go on date with Shampoo then?" He nodded, and then realized what he just did. "Aiya! This too too good! Shampoo go get ready now! Airen pick Shampoo up at 8!" Shampoo then ran off, squealing to herself.

Ranma blinked at the spot she had just vacated and uttered a single word.

"Shit."