Disclaimer: This fic take place after the events depicted in volume 38 of
the Ranma manga but also draws ideas from the anime. The characters of the
Ranma 1/2 universe are the creation ofthe talented Rumiko Takahashi and are
owned by her and Shogagukan, Kitty and Viz Communications.
AN: This story can technically be considered a sidestory to my main Ranma fanfic, "The Splitting." The problem is that this fic assumes events that haven't actually happened in the main fic yet, but exist only in outline! So the characters will most definitely seem OOC and it would be best to consider this an AU. I also wrote this a long time ago so the writing might seem a little clunky at times. Sorry about that.
POV: Shampoo - First Person
***********************************************
FIGHTING FOR LOVE
By Vincent "Funvince" Nguyen
***********************************************
-Part I-
I listlessly mopped the table with my rag deep in depression. Even after all that had happened I couldn't accept that ai- no, Ranma had chosen Akane over me.
Normally, I would have taken one of great-grandmother's potions and done something rash with it. But then something would have happened to reverse the effects like it always did. Besides, I no longer had tribal law as an excuse to do any means necessary to insure its compliance.
That was another thing I still found unbelievable. That of all people, Akane, that uncoordinated tomboy who shouldn't have been able to defeat me on my worst day but did. With Ranma's training no less! I think it was only after she won was when I could truly see and accept with clear eyes that Ranma didn't love me and that he never did.
Tears immediately sprang to my eyes. Whether of sorrow or relief I couldn't tell anymore. I angrily wiped them away. Part of me was relieved that a choice had finally been made while another wished that things could have stayed the same. I had spent a year chasing after a man who didn't want me. What was I supposed to do now?
"Shampoo?" I felt a hand on my shoulder and I knew it was Mousse. Another sign that things had changed was that I didn't smack him into the wall like I usually did. It was strange how restrained he had been acting the past few months.
"Yes, Mousse?" I asked. Mousse looked even more nervous than usual and when he composed himself to look at me I noticed that he was wearing his glasses this time.
"Shampoo, would you do me the honor of going out with me?"
I sighed with annoyance. I didn't have time for this! "Silly Mousse! Why Shampoo want go out with stupid duck-boy?" The rejection rolled off my tongue automatically. I had said this or variations of this so many times that the words had lost all meaning.
Mousse's shoulders slumped and he turned to go but then, suddenly, he straightened up and said, "Not this time, Shampoo. I must insist you at least consider going out with me. I'm sorry to demand this of you but please listen to me."
"What Mousse mean? Shampoo already say no!" I was definitely shocked by this new development and a small part of me was envious at such perfect Japanese like it always was. In anger, I pulled back my hand to slap him but before it could connect Mousse grabbed me by the wrist and froze me with the expression on his face.
Mousse said sounding extremely frustrated, "Shampoo, I think you're as tired of this as I am. I have thought long and hard about this. You have rejected me for over a decade and I want to know why. I know I seem like a weak, blind fool to you but you have never bothered to try to learn more about me! We have been friends since childhood and I have always been there for you. All I ask in return is one date. Is that so much to ask?"
Perhaps it was the sadness in his voice or the surprise I felt that Mousse would do something like this. Whatever it was I decided to consider what he said. It was true that he had always been there for me when I needed it. Whenever I had been sad as a child he would try to cheer me up and I would let him comfort me until he inevitably did something stupid that would cause me to throw him out the window. Most importantly of all, he kept me from going too far.
For the past few months, he had acted like the childhood friend I remembered. He hadn't glomped onto me or told me he loved me every ten minutes. And after I had been rejected by Ranma, he had allowed me to grieve while silently supporting me.
"All right." Mousse's head snapped up at my response. "Shampoo go on date then Mousse leave alone, yes?" I was letting him know that I only considered this as a favor to a friend so he shouldn't get any ideas. I expected him to protest but he merely nodded and said, "I will meet you in front of the Nekohaten at eight then."
He walked to the entrance then stopped with his hand on the doorframe. Without turning around, he said, "This may not mean anything to you, Shampoo, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'll try my best to make it an enjoyable experience for you."
I watched him leave with a heavy heart. I tried to suppress it but his words brought to the surface feelings of sadness and guilt that were somehow deeper and more real than anything Ranma had ever done to me.
~*~
I looked at myself critically in the mirror and sighed in frustration. This was the sixth dress I had tried on because I was worried about what kind of impression I would make on Mousse. Exactly why I cared what Mousse thought brought up too many awkward questions I preferred not to think about.
The truth was that I was really nervous about my upcoming date with Mousse though as an Amazon I would never admit it. I had never gone on a real date with him before. We had gone on outings before when I had nothing better to do, but I had always been obsessed with coming up with ways of capturing Ranma's heart to really notice anything was happening. I was ashamed to find that all I could remember of those times were making fun of his ideas of good dates when I knew perfectly well that was all he could afford on what was he was paid at the Nekohaten.
It wasn't honorable to take advantage of him like that and I resolved to speak to great-grandmother about it later. In secret, of course. It wouldn't do for Mousse to find out and relapse into his former behavior, convinced that I loved him. It had been flattering at first but had long since become annoying.
But for the last few months, Mousse had downplayed his affections to a more tolerable level and the least I could do was be polite to him for the night. I saw it was fifteen minutes to eight and decided to stop stalling and finish getting ready. I finally decided to wear my white Chinese outfit. I remembered how I had worn this when Ranma had gone to save Akane from Kirin. I smiled for one of my favorite memories, which I now looked upon with amusement, was that of Mousse being so distraught with worry for me that he had accidentally picked up the Seven Lucky God martial artist I had defeated and ran off leaving me behind. Poor, silly Mousse.
My smile faded and I quickly got dressed. Rushing to get outside, I stopped in my tracks at the sight of the figure in the doorway. I almost didn't recognize Mousse as he stepped out of the shadows until I saw the brilliant glare of his glasses. It was just a tuxedo he was wearing but it made him seem taller.
"Nihao, Mousse," I said quickly trying to hide my blush.
Mousse didn't bother. He whispered, "You're beautiful. But then again, you always are to me." He lifted a hand as if to touch my face but then dropped it back to his side. I felt a brief stab of disappointment then quickly brushed it aside.
I looked at his hands and had to stifle a giggle. Mousse was unconsciously trying to stuff his hands into his sleeves like he always did when he got defensive.
"Silly Mousse. You no wear robe," I said trying not to laugh.
"What?" Mousse protested. "I was just trying to give you your present."
Startled, I looked down to see Mousse holding out a dozen red roses and a box of candy. I numbly accepted them while at the same time I extended my senses to see how he could hide anything in such a tight fitting suit.
I barely noticed when I automatically accepted the arm he offered me and it wasn't until we were a few blocks down that a tapping sound broke me out of my thoughts. I turned to Mousse and saw that he was walking along with a cane and I realized the flowers and candy I had been holding had vanished.
"What Mousse doing?" I asked curiously.
He answered stiffly. "I want this night to go well and that can't happen if I end up walking into a wall." His face was tense and I knew how difficult it was for him to admit that he had a seeing problem no matter how obvious it was to everyone else. Poor Mousse. He was trying so hard to make me happy. I said softly, "Shampoo help you, Mousse."
I took his arm to help lead him and felt it tighten in nervousness. I was unsurprised this time to see the cane he was holding was gone. I had never really paid attention when he did that but when I did I admired the skill and efficiency in which he practiced his art.
"How Mousse do trick?" I asked and was cheered to hear him chuckle. He replied, "I'm sorry Shampoo but I can't tell you. It's a Chinese Hidden Weapons Masters' trade secret. You must think it strange for someone like me to practice such a deadly art but it's what I live for. Before, I was just the blind kid everyone either pitied or made fun of. It was when I met my Master, who believed in me when no one else would, that my life changed. It was the greatest day of my life when I proved I was as competent as any Amazon male in the village in fighting."
The excitement and pride in his voice surprised me. I often forgot that he was just as much a martial artist as I was, but hearing him talk about his art showed me a side to him that I never noticed. I realized that there was much about Mousse that I didn't know and I found for one of the few times in my life that I wanted to learn more. Maybe he wasn't as weak as I always thought.
We finally stopped in front of a restaurant with a title I couldn't read but recognized as foreign and expensive. I looked at Mousse in askance but he just gently pulled me inside.
We were seated at a table and I looked around the beautiful room. I tried to put on my expression of haughtiness to show I wasn't impressed but looking at Mousse's hopeful face I dropped the mask of pretense. "Mousse, this is wonderful. How you pay all this?"
Mousse gave me a weak grin. "Let's just say I am in debt to Tendo Nabiki."
I gasped at the sacrifice Mousse had made for me by going to the blood sucking leech for help. I desperately tried to suppress the feeling that Mousse's action evoked in me. Normally, it would have been easy for me to ignore any good thoughts that I had about Mousse. I've had so much practice over the past year but lately it'd become harder to do so without any distractions around. Because of this I couldn't help feeling touched.
I was debating with myself whether or not I should thank Mousse and deal with the embarrassing consequences it might possibly bring when our waiter came up and handed us our menus.
Opening it, I was shocked at the prices. Feeling a little guilty, I quickly picked something tasty but affordable. I looked over at Mousse to see how he was faring and I noticed with amusement that he was reading his menu upside down.
I sighed then grabbed his menu from him. I couldn't understand how he could fight so well with his handicap yet have problems doing everything else.
Mousse was currently wiping his glasses and I smiled. "No worry. Shampoo help Mousse order." I scanned the choices then got a wicked idea. "Mousse want eat duck, yes?"
"Shampoo!"
I struggled not to laugh as Mousse blanched. An Amazon warrior remains serious at all times, I told myself severely to no avail.
After I had calmed down, I realized the ice was broken. Over dinner, we talked about our lives and how exciting living in Nerima had made them. Mousse had a warehouse of funny stories and anecdotes and after I caught my breath after one of them I realized I had never felt so comfortable with someone before. I was astonished to find that Mousse and I could be civil with each other. I found that I liked it. It was an uncomfortable feeling because there was no way I could treat Mousse so shabbily after this. But I didn't want to anymore. As long as Mousse behaved himself of course.
I heard music playing in the background and I felt a hand on my shoulder. Mousse asked, "Would you like to dance? Uh, that is, if you want to. You don't have to but I thought it'd be fun..."
I took mercy on him and put a finger to his lips to silence him. When he went rigid with shock that I would touch him for reason than to bash him, I led him out to the dance floor. We began to slow dance a bit awkwardly at first but then with more confidence. I began to feel giddy but safer than I ever had. It was ridiculous to feel safe with a man I could easily wipe the floor with. I knew that I was just reacting to the moment. There was no way I could having feelings for Mousse! But it was so nice being with a man who was willing to go on a date with me without magic potions or bribes forcing him to do so.
I had the sudden urge to know the truth and I couldn't bear to put it aside any longer. I struggled to put the concepts I wanted to say into coherent Japanese. I had deliberately avoided learning the language because I had refused to believe I would be here very long, but that pride had brought more trouble than anything else. Finally, I gave up and switched languages.
//"Mu Tzu?"// I said in Mandarin.
Mousse looked shocked as he said, "Shampoo! The old gh- uh, Elder Cologne said to always speak Japanese when out in public!"
I hesitated then pressed on. //"This is important so please listen to me. I have to know, Mu Tzu. You have been chasing me since we first met but why? After everything I've done to try to get rid of you, why?"//
Mousse was silent for a long time and I waited with a pounding heart until he spoke. //"Xian Phu, where do I start? When I first started out, it was because you were the first person who didn't join in when others were taunting me. You stopped them instead and I thought you were a goddess. Even when you always booted me out of your sight whenever I foolishly tried to get too close I knew in my heart that you didn't hate me. Most men lust or love you because of your body but I can't do that."//
Mousse tapped his glasses with his fingers then continued, //"I love who you are on the inside. You are one of the most intelligent women I know and I see how much it hurts you when people think you're not because of the way you talk or how you dress and act when you're simply being true to who you are."//
He brushed my hair with his fingers and I felt a tightness in my chest at his understanding. He said, //"I love you for your cleverness though I don't like how you use it sometimes. But I know that despite appearances sometimes you have a kind heart. Remember how all of us had to fight that Phoenix that was stuck on that idiot Kuno's head? You had a chance to be rid of Akane but you had the courage to save her. I don't think I was ever more proud of you. I have long ago accepted that you are not perfect but that knowledge has only made my love for you grow stronger."//
Mousse brought my hands together and covered them with his own while looking me in the eyes. //"I will always be there for you no matter what happens or who you end up with as long as you want me to."// His voice softened. //"Your happiness has always been the most important thing in my life. That was one of the reasons I asked you out for this date. One was to make a lifelong dream come true. Another was to tell you that I have decided that if you truly want me out of your life I will do it. I can't be selfish anymore."//
The sincerity in his voice shocked me to the very core and I was speechless. I should have been overjoyed to finally be rid of the blind fool and should have rushed home to help him pack but yet I felt hollow. I had sometimes dreamed of Mousse leaving but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't truly imagine my life without him. Who would be there to exasperate me? To cheer me up when I was down? To talk to me when there was no one else?
I realized I was crying when the tears running down my face dropped onto my hands. Still holding Mousse's hands, I could feel him tense up and I knew he was waiting for me to break his heart. I removed the glasses from his face and stared into his beautiful green eyes. I said simply, //"Please stay, Mu Tzu. I don't want you to go."//
Mousse's eyes were filled with wonder and amazement. Visibly, he tried to restrain himself but then he burst out excitedly, "Shampoo! Does this mean..."
I silenced him with a smile. Silly Mousse. He always overreacted to everything and while it was annoying it was also oddly endearing how easily he could reveal his feelings. Mousse was stilling waiting for an answer. I said truthfully, "Shampoo not know. Sorry."
Before he could respond, I grabbed him by the shoulders and said with intense concentration, "Shampoo want Mousse know something. Mousse important too. Not forget, okay?"
The look of gratitude on Mousse's face erased all doubts about my choice for him to stay. I felt strangely happy and I realized that it had been a long time since I helped somebody simply because I wanted to. I liked the feeling.
~*~
We left the restaurant to go walk in the park. We walked in silence for a while and I tried to sort out my feelings about Mousse. I had always ignored them considering them irrelevant compared to my feelings about Ranma. But Ranma was no longer an excuse.
I caught my breath. Was I considering Mousse simply because I no longer had a chance at Ranma? I couldn't do that to Mousse. He was my friend. Could he be something more though? I had loved Ranma immensely but that love had slowly faded when I realized that it would never be returned. Unrequited love was hard to keep yet... Mousse had pursued me for over a decade and there was no indication his love had faded.
I followed Mousse's gaze out to the starry sky and marveled how comfortable I felt with the man I had believed that I had simply tolerated for so many years. I remembered how in the rare instances when we acted normal around each other, Mousse would always manage to make me feel special in a way Ranma never had. I treasured those times yet rewarded the one who gave them to me by booting him through the roof.
A sob escaped me. I tried to stop myself but all the grief I had bottled inside me was too much for me to bear and to my horror I broke down. I felt a pair of arms hug me hesitantly as if afraid I would hit him. That made me cry even harder. I hung onto him like a lifeline and cried, "...Ranma..."
Mousse's face gained an expression of hurt but he didn't say anything. I finally calmed down and wiped my eyes. //"I've been such a fool. For over a year I've been chasing a man who had made it perfectly clear that he didn't love me. I've always known it. How could I not when I had to resort to cheap magic potions to try to win his affection? I told myself I was just following tribal law to uphold my honor but where was the honor in the way I behaved? I'm ashamed of how I treated you when I knew you completely understood what I was going through and only wanted to help. You're my best friend and I've never thanked you for that."//
Mousse just held me silently and I was grateful. But after a few minutes a bit of pent-up anger bubbled to the surface. I backed away from Mousse and said, //"Why didn't you ever try to beat me in combat? That was your right as an Amazon male."//
Mousse grabbed me by the shoulders and stared into my eyes. "For a long time I thought it was because I couldn't bear to hurt you, but that was only part of the reason. I didn't want to force you to be my wife. I wanted to win you fairly of your own free will. I've been waiting for that day but I knew you weren't ready when you sabotaged my fight with Ranma back when I first came to Japan."
I looked down and Mousse lifted up my chin. "I'm not mad at you. I never could be for long. I don't know if I could beat you and I never had the urge to try. I never knew if you wanted me to try or not. I just wanted to get closer to you."
"Mousse! Why you no ask then?" I asked.
Mousse smiled at me. "I guess I was afraid of your reaction. But let's change the subject to something more cheerful. It is our date you know." His voice softened. "I hate to see you upset."
With that, he scooped me up in his arms and before I could protest, jumped up toward the branch of a nearby tree. To my surprise, he overcompensated and we flew over the branch. Mousse instantly shot a chain out of his sleeve and then used our momentum to swing us high into the air and then in a dizzying move flipped us onto the branch.
I tried to catch my breath and ignore how fast my pulse was racing. I turned to Mousse and smacked him on the head. "Why you do stupid thing?"
Mousse rubbed his head and grinned at me. "I'm sorry to shock you like that but don't you feel better now?"
I was about to make a caustic retort when I realized he was right. I actually felt exhilarated and while I didn't want to experience that again I had to admit it was fun. Mousse was looking thoughtfully at the chain wrapped around the branch. "I didn't mean to jump so high. I just forgot that I'm lighter without my robes. I can only fit half of what I normally carry around in this suit."
An image of the amount of weapons Mousse usually had hidden on him appeared in my mind and for some reason I found this extremely funny. Mousse looked in confusion as I laughed but he looked pleased nevertheless.
He really had a great smile. All my troubles seemed to fade away whenever I looked at it though I had never admitted it to myself. I wondered why I never noticed how handsome he was. Sure, he was annoying at times but he was also the most caring individual I had ever known. In a way, it was somewhat my fault he acted the way he did to desperately gain my favor toward him. I would never tell him such a thing of course!
I glanced thoughtfully at him out of the corner of my eye and realized Mousse was a strong man in his own way. While I had many suitors back in the village no one had ever been more persistent than him. Partly because he was one of the few males I cared to associate with. And he had been the best friend I could ever ask for when he wasn't in one of his wooing stages.
Sweet, blind Mousse who could somehow always see more clearly than me. Who would put his life on the line for a woman he never been able to actually see but who he loved with all his being. I had always shrugged off Mousse's claims that he would die for me but after he fought off the Bird-man at Togenkyo I could no longer do so. I started treating him nicer then because I knew that despite his faults he was a kind and honorable man.
Why couldn't I give him a chance? Would it really be so bad? Even if a relationship with him didn't work out I knew he would still be there. I asked myself if I was actually considering this. Since I was little I had wanted to be a great Amazon warrior and I wasn't sure how Mousse would fit into those plans. Yet, though I wanted to be great I also wanted to be happy. Could I possibly be happy with Mousse? There was only one way to find out.
Yielding to the urge within me I grabbed Mousse and kissed him passionately. He floundered around like a fish out of water for a few moments, but then wrapped his arms around me and returned the kiss with such force it seemed like he was trying to make up for years of lost time and I couldn't say I really minded.
I finally broke off the kiss and said, //"Mu Tzu, you have my permission to fight for my hand in marriage whenever you wish."// I gave him a mischievous grin. //"Don't make me wait too long!"//
I knew it was bold jumping from one date to practically making a marriage proposal, but I had always been the type to jump into a pool without bothering to check if it was the deep end first. Besides, just because I said Mousse could *try* to beat me didn't mean he had a chance in hell of doing so. It was the sentiment that mattered.
I could see the joy on Mousse's face permeate into his body. Mousse opened his mouth as if to say something then he fainted. Expecting this to happen, I quickly jumped off the branch and caught his body before it could hit the ground.
"Silly Mousse," I whispered smiling as I landed on my feet. I knew Mousse had too hard a head to actually be hurt by the fall, but as I thought earlier it was nice to do something nice for him for once. And maybe more often in the future.
With that thought, I headed in the direction of home. I decided that it hadn't been such a bad night after all.
~*~
*Author's Notes*
First of all, I am such a sap! GAAHH!!! Anyway, I have always liked the idea of Mousse and Shampoo getting together. Some people may think that Mousse is too pathetic and obsessive or Shampoo too cruel and manipulative to have a decent relationship but I think these are exaggerated stereotypes. Some of you may disagree and that's fine though it makes me wonder why you're reading a fic that's clearly stated to be Mousse/Shampoo.
As I was saying, while I am an optimist about these two kids I was realistic enough to know that they would never get together with things as they currently were in the anime or manga. Both characters had to grow up and think of others besides themselves first. This story is the result of that idea.
I apologize if this story doesn't have the zanyness that is the norm for the Ranmaverse, but I just wanted to see if it was possible for Mousse and Shampoo to develop a relationship somewhat like normal people. And yes, I admit that the characters are somewhat OOC. Sue me. No, scratch that!
There's one more chapter to this story and it will be from Mousse's point of view. Watch out for it. Ja ne!
AN: This story can technically be considered a sidestory to my main Ranma fanfic, "The Splitting." The problem is that this fic assumes events that haven't actually happened in the main fic yet, but exist only in outline! So the characters will most definitely seem OOC and it would be best to consider this an AU. I also wrote this a long time ago so the writing might seem a little clunky at times. Sorry about that.
POV: Shampoo - First Person
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FIGHTING FOR LOVE
By Vincent "Funvince" Nguyen
***********************************************
-Part I-
I listlessly mopped the table with my rag deep in depression. Even after all that had happened I couldn't accept that ai- no, Ranma had chosen Akane over me.
Normally, I would have taken one of great-grandmother's potions and done something rash with it. But then something would have happened to reverse the effects like it always did. Besides, I no longer had tribal law as an excuse to do any means necessary to insure its compliance.
That was another thing I still found unbelievable. That of all people, Akane, that uncoordinated tomboy who shouldn't have been able to defeat me on my worst day but did. With Ranma's training no less! I think it was only after she won was when I could truly see and accept with clear eyes that Ranma didn't love me and that he never did.
Tears immediately sprang to my eyes. Whether of sorrow or relief I couldn't tell anymore. I angrily wiped them away. Part of me was relieved that a choice had finally been made while another wished that things could have stayed the same. I had spent a year chasing after a man who didn't want me. What was I supposed to do now?
"Shampoo?" I felt a hand on my shoulder and I knew it was Mousse. Another sign that things had changed was that I didn't smack him into the wall like I usually did. It was strange how restrained he had been acting the past few months.
"Yes, Mousse?" I asked. Mousse looked even more nervous than usual and when he composed himself to look at me I noticed that he was wearing his glasses this time.
"Shampoo, would you do me the honor of going out with me?"
I sighed with annoyance. I didn't have time for this! "Silly Mousse! Why Shampoo want go out with stupid duck-boy?" The rejection rolled off my tongue automatically. I had said this or variations of this so many times that the words had lost all meaning.
Mousse's shoulders slumped and he turned to go but then, suddenly, he straightened up and said, "Not this time, Shampoo. I must insist you at least consider going out with me. I'm sorry to demand this of you but please listen to me."
"What Mousse mean? Shampoo already say no!" I was definitely shocked by this new development and a small part of me was envious at such perfect Japanese like it always was. In anger, I pulled back my hand to slap him but before it could connect Mousse grabbed me by the wrist and froze me with the expression on his face.
Mousse said sounding extremely frustrated, "Shampoo, I think you're as tired of this as I am. I have thought long and hard about this. You have rejected me for over a decade and I want to know why. I know I seem like a weak, blind fool to you but you have never bothered to try to learn more about me! We have been friends since childhood and I have always been there for you. All I ask in return is one date. Is that so much to ask?"
Perhaps it was the sadness in his voice or the surprise I felt that Mousse would do something like this. Whatever it was I decided to consider what he said. It was true that he had always been there for me when I needed it. Whenever I had been sad as a child he would try to cheer me up and I would let him comfort me until he inevitably did something stupid that would cause me to throw him out the window. Most importantly of all, he kept me from going too far.
For the past few months, he had acted like the childhood friend I remembered. He hadn't glomped onto me or told me he loved me every ten minutes. And after I had been rejected by Ranma, he had allowed me to grieve while silently supporting me.
"All right." Mousse's head snapped up at my response. "Shampoo go on date then Mousse leave alone, yes?" I was letting him know that I only considered this as a favor to a friend so he shouldn't get any ideas. I expected him to protest but he merely nodded and said, "I will meet you in front of the Nekohaten at eight then."
He walked to the entrance then stopped with his hand on the doorframe. Without turning around, he said, "This may not mean anything to you, Shampoo, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'll try my best to make it an enjoyable experience for you."
I watched him leave with a heavy heart. I tried to suppress it but his words brought to the surface feelings of sadness and guilt that were somehow deeper and more real than anything Ranma had ever done to me.
~*~
I looked at myself critically in the mirror and sighed in frustration. This was the sixth dress I had tried on because I was worried about what kind of impression I would make on Mousse. Exactly why I cared what Mousse thought brought up too many awkward questions I preferred not to think about.
The truth was that I was really nervous about my upcoming date with Mousse though as an Amazon I would never admit it. I had never gone on a real date with him before. We had gone on outings before when I had nothing better to do, but I had always been obsessed with coming up with ways of capturing Ranma's heart to really notice anything was happening. I was ashamed to find that all I could remember of those times were making fun of his ideas of good dates when I knew perfectly well that was all he could afford on what was he was paid at the Nekohaten.
It wasn't honorable to take advantage of him like that and I resolved to speak to great-grandmother about it later. In secret, of course. It wouldn't do for Mousse to find out and relapse into his former behavior, convinced that I loved him. It had been flattering at first but had long since become annoying.
But for the last few months, Mousse had downplayed his affections to a more tolerable level and the least I could do was be polite to him for the night. I saw it was fifteen minutes to eight and decided to stop stalling and finish getting ready. I finally decided to wear my white Chinese outfit. I remembered how I had worn this when Ranma had gone to save Akane from Kirin. I smiled for one of my favorite memories, which I now looked upon with amusement, was that of Mousse being so distraught with worry for me that he had accidentally picked up the Seven Lucky God martial artist I had defeated and ran off leaving me behind. Poor, silly Mousse.
My smile faded and I quickly got dressed. Rushing to get outside, I stopped in my tracks at the sight of the figure in the doorway. I almost didn't recognize Mousse as he stepped out of the shadows until I saw the brilliant glare of his glasses. It was just a tuxedo he was wearing but it made him seem taller.
"Nihao, Mousse," I said quickly trying to hide my blush.
Mousse didn't bother. He whispered, "You're beautiful. But then again, you always are to me." He lifted a hand as if to touch my face but then dropped it back to his side. I felt a brief stab of disappointment then quickly brushed it aside.
I looked at his hands and had to stifle a giggle. Mousse was unconsciously trying to stuff his hands into his sleeves like he always did when he got defensive.
"Silly Mousse. You no wear robe," I said trying not to laugh.
"What?" Mousse protested. "I was just trying to give you your present."
Startled, I looked down to see Mousse holding out a dozen red roses and a box of candy. I numbly accepted them while at the same time I extended my senses to see how he could hide anything in such a tight fitting suit.
I barely noticed when I automatically accepted the arm he offered me and it wasn't until we were a few blocks down that a tapping sound broke me out of my thoughts. I turned to Mousse and saw that he was walking along with a cane and I realized the flowers and candy I had been holding had vanished.
"What Mousse doing?" I asked curiously.
He answered stiffly. "I want this night to go well and that can't happen if I end up walking into a wall." His face was tense and I knew how difficult it was for him to admit that he had a seeing problem no matter how obvious it was to everyone else. Poor Mousse. He was trying so hard to make me happy. I said softly, "Shampoo help you, Mousse."
I took his arm to help lead him and felt it tighten in nervousness. I was unsurprised this time to see the cane he was holding was gone. I had never really paid attention when he did that but when I did I admired the skill and efficiency in which he practiced his art.
"How Mousse do trick?" I asked and was cheered to hear him chuckle. He replied, "I'm sorry Shampoo but I can't tell you. It's a Chinese Hidden Weapons Masters' trade secret. You must think it strange for someone like me to practice such a deadly art but it's what I live for. Before, I was just the blind kid everyone either pitied or made fun of. It was when I met my Master, who believed in me when no one else would, that my life changed. It was the greatest day of my life when I proved I was as competent as any Amazon male in the village in fighting."
The excitement and pride in his voice surprised me. I often forgot that he was just as much a martial artist as I was, but hearing him talk about his art showed me a side to him that I never noticed. I realized that there was much about Mousse that I didn't know and I found for one of the few times in my life that I wanted to learn more. Maybe he wasn't as weak as I always thought.
We finally stopped in front of a restaurant with a title I couldn't read but recognized as foreign and expensive. I looked at Mousse in askance but he just gently pulled me inside.
We were seated at a table and I looked around the beautiful room. I tried to put on my expression of haughtiness to show I wasn't impressed but looking at Mousse's hopeful face I dropped the mask of pretense. "Mousse, this is wonderful. How you pay all this?"
Mousse gave me a weak grin. "Let's just say I am in debt to Tendo Nabiki."
I gasped at the sacrifice Mousse had made for me by going to the blood sucking leech for help. I desperately tried to suppress the feeling that Mousse's action evoked in me. Normally, it would have been easy for me to ignore any good thoughts that I had about Mousse. I've had so much practice over the past year but lately it'd become harder to do so without any distractions around. Because of this I couldn't help feeling touched.
I was debating with myself whether or not I should thank Mousse and deal with the embarrassing consequences it might possibly bring when our waiter came up and handed us our menus.
Opening it, I was shocked at the prices. Feeling a little guilty, I quickly picked something tasty but affordable. I looked over at Mousse to see how he was faring and I noticed with amusement that he was reading his menu upside down.
I sighed then grabbed his menu from him. I couldn't understand how he could fight so well with his handicap yet have problems doing everything else.
Mousse was currently wiping his glasses and I smiled. "No worry. Shampoo help Mousse order." I scanned the choices then got a wicked idea. "Mousse want eat duck, yes?"
"Shampoo!"
I struggled not to laugh as Mousse blanched. An Amazon warrior remains serious at all times, I told myself severely to no avail.
After I had calmed down, I realized the ice was broken. Over dinner, we talked about our lives and how exciting living in Nerima had made them. Mousse had a warehouse of funny stories and anecdotes and after I caught my breath after one of them I realized I had never felt so comfortable with someone before. I was astonished to find that Mousse and I could be civil with each other. I found that I liked it. It was an uncomfortable feeling because there was no way I could treat Mousse so shabbily after this. But I didn't want to anymore. As long as Mousse behaved himself of course.
I heard music playing in the background and I felt a hand on my shoulder. Mousse asked, "Would you like to dance? Uh, that is, if you want to. You don't have to but I thought it'd be fun..."
I took mercy on him and put a finger to his lips to silence him. When he went rigid with shock that I would touch him for reason than to bash him, I led him out to the dance floor. We began to slow dance a bit awkwardly at first but then with more confidence. I began to feel giddy but safer than I ever had. It was ridiculous to feel safe with a man I could easily wipe the floor with. I knew that I was just reacting to the moment. There was no way I could having feelings for Mousse! But it was so nice being with a man who was willing to go on a date with me without magic potions or bribes forcing him to do so.
I had the sudden urge to know the truth and I couldn't bear to put it aside any longer. I struggled to put the concepts I wanted to say into coherent Japanese. I had deliberately avoided learning the language because I had refused to believe I would be here very long, but that pride had brought more trouble than anything else. Finally, I gave up and switched languages.
//"Mu Tzu?"// I said in Mandarin.
Mousse looked shocked as he said, "Shampoo! The old gh- uh, Elder Cologne said to always speak Japanese when out in public!"
I hesitated then pressed on. //"This is important so please listen to me. I have to know, Mu Tzu. You have been chasing me since we first met but why? After everything I've done to try to get rid of you, why?"//
Mousse was silent for a long time and I waited with a pounding heart until he spoke. //"Xian Phu, where do I start? When I first started out, it was because you were the first person who didn't join in when others were taunting me. You stopped them instead and I thought you were a goddess. Even when you always booted me out of your sight whenever I foolishly tried to get too close I knew in my heart that you didn't hate me. Most men lust or love you because of your body but I can't do that."//
Mousse tapped his glasses with his fingers then continued, //"I love who you are on the inside. You are one of the most intelligent women I know and I see how much it hurts you when people think you're not because of the way you talk or how you dress and act when you're simply being true to who you are."//
He brushed my hair with his fingers and I felt a tightness in my chest at his understanding. He said, //"I love you for your cleverness though I don't like how you use it sometimes. But I know that despite appearances sometimes you have a kind heart. Remember how all of us had to fight that Phoenix that was stuck on that idiot Kuno's head? You had a chance to be rid of Akane but you had the courage to save her. I don't think I was ever more proud of you. I have long ago accepted that you are not perfect but that knowledge has only made my love for you grow stronger."//
Mousse brought my hands together and covered them with his own while looking me in the eyes. //"I will always be there for you no matter what happens or who you end up with as long as you want me to."// His voice softened. //"Your happiness has always been the most important thing in my life. That was one of the reasons I asked you out for this date. One was to make a lifelong dream come true. Another was to tell you that I have decided that if you truly want me out of your life I will do it. I can't be selfish anymore."//
The sincerity in his voice shocked me to the very core and I was speechless. I should have been overjoyed to finally be rid of the blind fool and should have rushed home to help him pack but yet I felt hollow. I had sometimes dreamed of Mousse leaving but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't truly imagine my life without him. Who would be there to exasperate me? To cheer me up when I was down? To talk to me when there was no one else?
I realized I was crying when the tears running down my face dropped onto my hands. Still holding Mousse's hands, I could feel him tense up and I knew he was waiting for me to break his heart. I removed the glasses from his face and stared into his beautiful green eyes. I said simply, //"Please stay, Mu Tzu. I don't want you to go."//
Mousse's eyes were filled with wonder and amazement. Visibly, he tried to restrain himself but then he burst out excitedly, "Shampoo! Does this mean..."
I silenced him with a smile. Silly Mousse. He always overreacted to everything and while it was annoying it was also oddly endearing how easily he could reveal his feelings. Mousse was stilling waiting for an answer. I said truthfully, "Shampoo not know. Sorry."
Before he could respond, I grabbed him by the shoulders and said with intense concentration, "Shampoo want Mousse know something. Mousse important too. Not forget, okay?"
The look of gratitude on Mousse's face erased all doubts about my choice for him to stay. I felt strangely happy and I realized that it had been a long time since I helped somebody simply because I wanted to. I liked the feeling.
~*~
We left the restaurant to go walk in the park. We walked in silence for a while and I tried to sort out my feelings about Mousse. I had always ignored them considering them irrelevant compared to my feelings about Ranma. But Ranma was no longer an excuse.
I caught my breath. Was I considering Mousse simply because I no longer had a chance at Ranma? I couldn't do that to Mousse. He was my friend. Could he be something more though? I had loved Ranma immensely but that love had slowly faded when I realized that it would never be returned. Unrequited love was hard to keep yet... Mousse had pursued me for over a decade and there was no indication his love had faded.
I followed Mousse's gaze out to the starry sky and marveled how comfortable I felt with the man I had believed that I had simply tolerated for so many years. I remembered how in the rare instances when we acted normal around each other, Mousse would always manage to make me feel special in a way Ranma never had. I treasured those times yet rewarded the one who gave them to me by booting him through the roof.
A sob escaped me. I tried to stop myself but all the grief I had bottled inside me was too much for me to bear and to my horror I broke down. I felt a pair of arms hug me hesitantly as if afraid I would hit him. That made me cry even harder. I hung onto him like a lifeline and cried, "...Ranma..."
Mousse's face gained an expression of hurt but he didn't say anything. I finally calmed down and wiped my eyes. //"I've been such a fool. For over a year I've been chasing a man who had made it perfectly clear that he didn't love me. I've always known it. How could I not when I had to resort to cheap magic potions to try to win his affection? I told myself I was just following tribal law to uphold my honor but where was the honor in the way I behaved? I'm ashamed of how I treated you when I knew you completely understood what I was going through and only wanted to help. You're my best friend and I've never thanked you for that."//
Mousse just held me silently and I was grateful. But after a few minutes a bit of pent-up anger bubbled to the surface. I backed away from Mousse and said, //"Why didn't you ever try to beat me in combat? That was your right as an Amazon male."//
Mousse grabbed me by the shoulders and stared into my eyes. "For a long time I thought it was because I couldn't bear to hurt you, but that was only part of the reason. I didn't want to force you to be my wife. I wanted to win you fairly of your own free will. I've been waiting for that day but I knew you weren't ready when you sabotaged my fight with Ranma back when I first came to Japan."
I looked down and Mousse lifted up my chin. "I'm not mad at you. I never could be for long. I don't know if I could beat you and I never had the urge to try. I never knew if you wanted me to try or not. I just wanted to get closer to you."
"Mousse! Why you no ask then?" I asked.
Mousse smiled at me. "I guess I was afraid of your reaction. But let's change the subject to something more cheerful. It is our date you know." His voice softened. "I hate to see you upset."
With that, he scooped me up in his arms and before I could protest, jumped up toward the branch of a nearby tree. To my surprise, he overcompensated and we flew over the branch. Mousse instantly shot a chain out of his sleeve and then used our momentum to swing us high into the air and then in a dizzying move flipped us onto the branch.
I tried to catch my breath and ignore how fast my pulse was racing. I turned to Mousse and smacked him on the head. "Why you do stupid thing?"
Mousse rubbed his head and grinned at me. "I'm sorry to shock you like that but don't you feel better now?"
I was about to make a caustic retort when I realized he was right. I actually felt exhilarated and while I didn't want to experience that again I had to admit it was fun. Mousse was looking thoughtfully at the chain wrapped around the branch. "I didn't mean to jump so high. I just forgot that I'm lighter without my robes. I can only fit half of what I normally carry around in this suit."
An image of the amount of weapons Mousse usually had hidden on him appeared in my mind and for some reason I found this extremely funny. Mousse looked in confusion as I laughed but he looked pleased nevertheless.
He really had a great smile. All my troubles seemed to fade away whenever I looked at it though I had never admitted it to myself. I wondered why I never noticed how handsome he was. Sure, he was annoying at times but he was also the most caring individual I had ever known. In a way, it was somewhat my fault he acted the way he did to desperately gain my favor toward him. I would never tell him such a thing of course!
I glanced thoughtfully at him out of the corner of my eye and realized Mousse was a strong man in his own way. While I had many suitors back in the village no one had ever been more persistent than him. Partly because he was one of the few males I cared to associate with. And he had been the best friend I could ever ask for when he wasn't in one of his wooing stages.
Sweet, blind Mousse who could somehow always see more clearly than me. Who would put his life on the line for a woman he never been able to actually see but who he loved with all his being. I had always shrugged off Mousse's claims that he would die for me but after he fought off the Bird-man at Togenkyo I could no longer do so. I started treating him nicer then because I knew that despite his faults he was a kind and honorable man.
Why couldn't I give him a chance? Would it really be so bad? Even if a relationship with him didn't work out I knew he would still be there. I asked myself if I was actually considering this. Since I was little I had wanted to be a great Amazon warrior and I wasn't sure how Mousse would fit into those plans. Yet, though I wanted to be great I also wanted to be happy. Could I possibly be happy with Mousse? There was only one way to find out.
Yielding to the urge within me I grabbed Mousse and kissed him passionately. He floundered around like a fish out of water for a few moments, but then wrapped his arms around me and returned the kiss with such force it seemed like he was trying to make up for years of lost time and I couldn't say I really minded.
I finally broke off the kiss and said, //"Mu Tzu, you have my permission to fight for my hand in marriage whenever you wish."// I gave him a mischievous grin. //"Don't make me wait too long!"//
I knew it was bold jumping from one date to practically making a marriage proposal, but I had always been the type to jump into a pool without bothering to check if it was the deep end first. Besides, just because I said Mousse could *try* to beat me didn't mean he had a chance in hell of doing so. It was the sentiment that mattered.
I could see the joy on Mousse's face permeate into his body. Mousse opened his mouth as if to say something then he fainted. Expecting this to happen, I quickly jumped off the branch and caught his body before it could hit the ground.
"Silly Mousse," I whispered smiling as I landed on my feet. I knew Mousse had too hard a head to actually be hurt by the fall, but as I thought earlier it was nice to do something nice for him for once. And maybe more often in the future.
With that thought, I headed in the direction of home. I decided that it hadn't been such a bad night after all.
~*~
*Author's Notes*
First of all, I am such a sap! GAAHH!!! Anyway, I have always liked the idea of Mousse and Shampoo getting together. Some people may think that Mousse is too pathetic and obsessive or Shampoo too cruel and manipulative to have a decent relationship but I think these are exaggerated stereotypes. Some of you may disagree and that's fine though it makes me wonder why you're reading a fic that's clearly stated to be Mousse/Shampoo.
As I was saying, while I am an optimist about these two kids I was realistic enough to know that they would never get together with things as they currently were in the anime or manga. Both characters had to grow up and think of others besides themselves first. This story is the result of that idea.
I apologize if this story doesn't have the zanyness that is the norm for the Ranmaverse, but I just wanted to see if it was possible for Mousse and Shampoo to develop a relationship somewhat like normal people. And yes, I admit that the characters are somewhat OOC. Sue me. No, scratch that!
There's one more chapter to this story and it will be from Mousse's point of view. Watch out for it. Ja ne!