A/n: Well, I had another little penname for this fic, but I decided to just own it under my real penname....... Weird, but it's a long story....Enjoy though!
"Nihao, welcome to Nekohanten!"The strong beautiful violet hair Amazon greeted a couple and showed them to a booth near the back of the restaurant. Her satin red Chinese dress stopped at her knees while a white apron covered her from any mess wanting to happen. The Amazon took out a small notebook and pen as she shifted her weight to her right hip. She quickly took down their orders and repeated it making sure she had it right. After that she slightly displayed a bow and delivered the orders to Cologne quickly.
"Aiya! I wonder if airen might visit me today. Hope is all I can do until the time being," muttered the violet hair girl with a frown on her lips.
Shampoo walked over to some tables with a pitcher of sweet tea in her hand and poured it in their glasses with a vivacious smile. She was train to show a proper waitress face even if her days were going bad. Many customers wouldn't feel comfortable to be speaking to a girl with a bad attitude on her shoulders. She kept her own affairs out of her work............well, most of the time.
Suddenly, the door opened as Shampoo's head rose up to greet the new coming customers. She looked over to the door and was ready to say until she saw the figure standing at the entrance.
"Ranma! It you!" chirped Shampoo happily placing the pitcher on a nearby table.
She dashed toward the pigtail boy and gave him one of her usual glomps. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her chest harder with his. He seemed to be overwhelmed with her hug that he lost his balance. Soon enough the two fighters fell to the floor grabbing several customers to stare.
"Hey, Shampoo, cut that out! We're in public!" Ranma pried his violet hair fiancé off his body and rose from the ground.
Shampoo leaped up, but placed her arms around his left arm affectionately. She loved to see her airen ever chance they saw one another. He always brought a simple smile to her face every time they cross paths. Ranma stared down at the girl and gave her a noticeable yet soft cough.
"Oh, yes, Aiya! Shampoo show you to table," simply stated Shampoo dusting her apron.
She showed him to his usual table in the left back of the restaurant. She poured him some tea and skipped softly to the back of the restaurant.
"Great grandmother, Ranma here!" announced Shampoo looking over the counter to see her Elder.
"Oh, so son-in-law finally came to visit alone?" Cologne gave Shampoo the several orders for previous customers.
One by one Shampoo delivered each order to customers. Every moment she would peer over to Ranma as he looked thoughtfully to wall. What was he thinking about? It was unusual to see Ranma at the restaurant without his other fiancé trialing behind him. Did he have something to speak to Shampoo or was it just another day for a free meal?
"Waitress, check please!"
Shampoo looked over to the customer and gave a slight nod. Hopefully he can wait until the customers were gone and she was off duty.
Time passed as the customers slowly decreased until there was only Ranma left. Shampoo swiftly cleaned the tables silently wishing Mousse was back from his trip. The duck boy decided to visit the village for a while and wouldn't come back till two weeks. It was a wonderful event for Shampoo. She had more time to spend with Ranma instead of beating her childhood friend into a pulp.
Shampoo went to the back and delivered the pigtail boy his fourth bowl of ramen. He sniffed it slowly and stared at Shampoo once more.
"It is only ramen; Shampoo no put spells in it," sighed Shampoo watching him eat.
He slurped the delicious noodles through his mouth making the fair Shampoo smile. Ranma then looked at her while gulping down his last noodle. He began to ponder on his thoughts once more as he placed his bowl down. He sensed it was time to bring up why he was there; well, not before he could begin a light conversation.
"So, um Shampoo, how's work and where is Mousse?" Shampoo looked at the pigtail boy with a confused face, but decided to answer his questions.
"Work good with great-grandmother and Mousse is gone to visit village. He no be back until two weeks," spoke Shampoo with a smile.
"Oh, really. No wonder I wasn't attacked when I came here," replied the raven hair boy placing his hands behind his head.
"Yes, is good. Now Ranma may take Shampoo on date without problem, yes?" Ranma looked at her with an arched eyebrow.
"I think it's time that we talk now, Shampoo. I have some things I want to tell you," sighed the pigtail boy sitting up from his chair.
Shampoo took her hands off of her fiancé and placed them in her lap. She gave him her attention with a sweet smile across her face. She didn't know what he might say, but hopefully it would be good news. Too bad she was wrong.
"Shampoo, Akane and I talked last night about some stuff," started off Ranma with tension in his voice.
"What do you mean 'stuff'?" asked Shampoo tilting her head.
"Well, I have come to the point of my life that I should be man enough to act on my feelings."
"Yes, I agree, too. So we date now, yes?" Shampoo tugged on him arm once more until he shook her off instantly.
"No, Shampoo, I came here to tell you that I told Akane that I liked her and that I'm telling you to give up on me," spoke Ranma quickly.
Shampoo looked at him with a sad expression, but turned back into her happy one. Ranma must be kidding? How could he like that violent tomboy girl who couldn't cook? All they ever did was fight. How could he even pick her over Shampoo? He must be testing her, testing if she would be loyal to him.
"Oh, Ranma, you is too funny. You no like kitchen destroyer. Shampoo sensed Ranma once liked Shampoo. Am I right?" She looked deep into the boy's eyes.
"Well, there was one time I had feelings for you..........I never told anyone it. But that's long gone. Akane is the girl I want," confessed Ranma closing his eyes.
"Ranma, you can't leave me. If violent girl in way, Shampoo destroy," stated Shampoo sitting up at the end of her seat.
"No! I told this to Ukyo and she said the same thing. All I can say is this: If you even lay a hand on Akane or even hurt her in any way, I'll make you regret it!" threatened the pigtail glaring at Shampoo.
He rose from his seat and began to walk toward the door as Shampoo looked on with a frightening face. She couldn't believe this whole event. She didn't want Ranma liking another life and It took the cake when he threaten her. She shook her head and ran toward him. She wanted things back to order. She didn't like the change.
Unfortunately, Ranma sensed her presence coming near and raised his hand to protest. He didn't like to upset girls and especially girls like Shampoo and Ukyo. He knew he shouldn't have kept pulling them along. It was for the best that he told them now than when things got deeper with Akane and him. Still, he wished things would have been better for all of them.
Shampoo fell to the ground watching Ranma leave Nekohanten. Salty drops of tears crept from her large eyes as they ran down her cheeks leaving a moist trail behind. Her nightmare was coming true and she hated it. All the sacrifice and all the loving affections were for nothing. Her tears appeared to flow more rapidly as she began to howl and moan in pain. She tugged and pulled on her blouse as her weeping became louder. Soon, it caught the ear of Cologne as she hopped out of the kitchen and behind the violet hair girl.
"Granddaughter, what is the matter?" asked Cologne hopping to her great granddaughter's side.
"Great grandmother, Ranma come tell Shampoo that he no love her and he pick Akane instead. He even tell Shampoo to no hurt Akane or else," cried out Shampoo as she buried her face into her hand.
Cologne watched Shampoo continuing to cry as she placed her hand on the young Amazon's head. She had sensed something would happen like this. She could see that Ranma had feelings for the young Tendo girl, but somehow she felt there was a chance for Shampoo. And still even though things were going down hill, Shampoo still had a chance. Cologne knew one last trick they could pull and they had to do it fast.
"Shampoo, dry your eyes. I have something you can do to son-in-law to make him fall for you," stated Cologne looking down at Shampoo.
"Great grandmother......there still chance?" asked Shampoo looking up.
Cologne nodded her head as Shampoo wiped the remainder of her wet tears. She stood up and watched her great grandmother guided her to the back of the restaurant. She hoped great grandmother had the answers. She couldn't live her life without Ranma and she couldn't leave for her village without a husband. Only the gods could save her now.
"Man, I can't believe I made it here!"
Ryoga, the wandering fighter, stood looking onward at the Tendo Dojo. He couldn't believe that he was standing at the place he WANTED to be at. In his heart, the gods must saw it fit now that they shouldn't separate him with the person he loved. He hurried walked up onto the porch and knocked on the door with happiness. The door opened gradually as the sweet Kasumi peered out the door smiling.
"Oh, Ryoga, what a surprise!" greeted Kasumi with her usual welcoming smile.
"Hi, Kasumi, is Akane home?" She gave the raven hair boy a small nod while opening the door for him to enter.
He obeyed the gesture and followed her into the hand. She carefully looked back a couple of time making sure he was still following her. He looked around the house thoroughly while following the eldest Tendo girl to the love of his life. Suddenly they stopped in front of Akane's room.
Ryoga held a small package in his hand. It was wrapped tightly with blue wrapping paper and golden trimmings. He retrieved it in a city he was 'visiting'. While on his long going trip, he decided to find the perfect present for the short hair girl. Nevertheless, all he really wanted was to make it back and tell Akane his true feelings for her.
Kasumi knocked on the door gently and stated "Akane, Ryoga is here to visit you."
Within seconds, Akane opened the door looking at Ryoga with her usual smile for him. She was so glad to see him. Ryoga was such a good friend in her even when she used him to get Ranma jealous. She walked from her room and stood there as he just gave him a genuine nervous smile. Kasumi thought it was a good time to leave and departed from the two.
"Hello, Ryoga, it's really good to see you" started Akane brushing the side of her skirt.
"Oh.....hi, Akane, I...uh.......brought you a gift from Toyota!" Ryoga hurriedly displayed the gift in his to Akane as she smile brightly to him.
"Oh, Ryoga, you shouldn't have!" stated the tomboy while walking down the hall.
The two teens made their way through the house to the back of the porch. Akane looked at the present. Her eyes burned with curiosity while observing the shape of the small box. She decided to see what's in it, so she carefully cut and tore the wrapping of the gift. Soon the box was bare, still leaving her the question of what was inside. She slowly opened the small and seeing the small object inside. She gasped quietly as she pulled out a beautiful charm bracelet. It consisted of a mallet, ribbon, heart, ice skate, and piglet. She awed at the beauty making Ryoga smile.
"I didn't really know what to get you, but I knew you didn't have a bracelet. I hope you like it," stated Ryoga with a shy smile on her face.
"Oh, Ryoga, It's so beautiful. I can't believe you would give me such a beautiful gift. I'm so happy." Akane smiled sweetly toward the lost boy making him more nervous than he was before.
"Of course, Akane, I want to give you the best of everything."
"What do you mean by that, Ryoga?"
It was time to tell her. He has always wanted to tell him how much he held her in his heart. He never had the strength to even say one word of it to her, but now he did. He stood in front of the younger martial artist and placed his hands on her shoulders lightly. He wore a serious expression on his face while Akane just stood with a concern appearance.
"Akane, for a long time now, I have been by your side until I...... get lost from the dojo. You would help me when Ranma was picking on me and I would defend your honor whenever he was insulting you. I always felt this connection between us, and I could not ignore it. Akane...........I am i-in love with you," confessed Ryoga watching her face every moment.
Akane froze as his words played over and over in her ears. She couldn't believe his confession. It hit her mind and heart hard. Surprise was an understatement of what she was feeling. She never thought that the sweet lost bandana wearing boy was in love with her. She looked into his eyes slowly and saw the flame of affection in it. It was true then. She slump her shoulders down and gave a small sigh. If she didn't fix the problem now, it would get worse.
"Ryoga, I'm sorry, but Ranma and I are.........well, even though we still fight, and we will probably never stop, He and I have revealed to one another our true feelings," admitted Akane placing her small hand on his hands.
Ryoga lowered his gaze at her and slowly pulled his hands to his side. He knew in his heart that Akane loved Ranma. Still, in the back of his head, he felt a small glow of hope for himself. He didn't understand why Ranma. The pigtail boy did nothing more than insult her and caused her great pain. He would always push her to the side and visit his other fiancés. Ryoga, on the other hand, always had Akane in his heart. He would sacrifice everything in his life for just the feeling to be returned.
"Ryoga...." whispered Akane a small step towards him. His body tensed up, making her stop her movement to continue to look at him.
"No, it's fine, Akane, don't worry about me......."
He simply waved at her with a small fake smile and turned from her. He made him way threw the home and opened the door when he saw Ranma reaching for the doorknob.
"Oh, Ryoga, hey, what's up, man?" greeted the pigtail boy with a small hand wave.
Ryoga stood frozen while looking back at him. At this point, he wanted to hate Ranma. He wanted more than anything was to hurt him or even kill him, but it wouldn't be possible. If he did, Akane's heart would break into two and he didn't want that to happen. He loved her too much to cause her pain.
"Whatever, Ranma, you win," stated Ryoga pushing him hard into the door as he walked out.
Ranma looked at him as he walked down the street. Akane ran to Ranma's side and her eyes told the story. Ranma hated to see people upset and he knew Ryoga didn't need any more depressing news. Hopefully, things will get better for him and for Shampoo. They weren't bad people; they were just two fools in love with the wrong people.
A/n: I hoped you liked it. Give me your opinion about it. Review!!!