Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2

Author's Notes: Well, this is the next chapter guys, I hope you like this one…

And oh, I would also like to express my regards to the following people that reviewed.

The Eromancer – Yes, I must agree with you that Shampoo do love Ranma. However, I haven't seen the manga since there are no mangas of Ranma ½ being sold here in our country. The retribution stuff is quite serious in Shampoo's POV but, well just read this next chapter to find out.

Jovianwolfgirl – Hey thanks for the support! I hope you will also like the next chapter. There is no lime in here, mainly about Ranma's outlook and the like.

Sargon Dorsai – I must agree with you that I need a proofreader and there are a lot of grammatical errors but there is one big problem, I can't find a proofreader! Well, basically I am the only one our neighborhood who likes reading. Others don't look that way, sad to say. Anyway, thank you very much for commenting that the story isn't bad. It's a big relief on my part. The only thing that I could promise you for now is that I will do my best in correcting myself.

oOo

Chapter 2

Wild Horse

By: Enigmatic Ice

oOo

I jumped from roof after roof at the fastest pace that I could muster… I have to know what this means. I want answers. Why? What does her letter mean? There are so many things that I want to know, and there is only one person that could answer them for me… The old ghoul…

At last, after four hours of traveling by the bullet train, I'm back, back here in Nerima. I am a little worried, to say the least, since I fear that something odd will happen to me again once I'm back. But, there are more important matters to think about right now, Shampoo… Fixing my duffel bag, I walked toward my destination, the Nekohanten.

The restaurant seems to be doing better since I left. It expanded and now has many patrons. There are now at least five waitresses who worked for the old ghoul. Last time, Cologne has to resort in blackmail only to get me help the restaurant. This place sure has changed.

However, I wouldn't be surprised of what happened. Although the old ghoul looked like some old prune, she really could cook up a tasty meal. I dare say that she could be the best cook in town, no offense to Kasumi. And Shampoo learned from the best, she really is the best cook from the four girls (who are all my fiancées at the time by the way) that competed in the cooking competition back then. But at that time, I wouldn't dare say that she is because she might take it differently. But thinking back, if not for my pride, I wouldn't say anything too because if I say something that will favor one of the fiancées, chaos will surely ensue. Surely, the others will make a huge racket if they ever heard my decision, not to mention Akane, Kuno, Ryoga, Pops and Mr. T will be ganging up on me if I ever made it home.

What I am doing!? I scold myself for staring at the building. There are more important matters to attend to at the moment. I have no time in reminiscing! I entered Nekohanten deciding to look for the old ghoul first. If what the letter says is true, then Shampoo is definitely not in here. As I walked towards the counter, I found the waitresses odd because they looked at me as I pass, but I decided to just shrug it off since they are not my purpose of coming in here.

I was surprised to see that the old ghoul is not the one present in the counter. Instead, some girl named Lao is there, it says so in her name tag. I purposely went towards her, wanting to ask the whereabouts of the old prune. I even start to wonder why does this girl suddenly went red in the face as I near her. Hmm, maybe she has a fever.

"Where is the old ghoul?"

"Ummm… Excuse me sir but who are you looking for exactly?"

"Uhh… I'm sorry"

Jeez. I've got to remind myself again that not all people know how I address the old prune. I can see why she's so confused. Scratching my head, I put on a nice smile on my face and asked again.

"What I meant to say is that I am looking for Cologne. Could you tell her that Ranma is looking for her?"

The girl looked surprised. Maybe she didn't expect me to ask about the old ghoul's whereabouts. Heck, I even surprise myself on asking someone politely. Not being in Nerima for sometime sure changed me.

But the Lao chick just smiled afterwards saying that the old ghoul's in her room at the back and to my surprise, she said that the old ghoul is feeling out of the weather. The old ghoul… sick? That's news to me…

Slowly, I approached the old ghoul's room, feeling something weird stir in my stomach. I guess that I am nervous seeing the old ghoul again. I knocked on her door, and when I heard a small voice said come in, I gripped the cold steel door knob. With a last sigh, I fully opened the door…

"Good afternoon Ranma".

I stared at the old ghoul. That Lao girl surely said it right when she described her to me. The old ghoul really looked out of the weather. Cologne looked dull and grey, with a somber expression on her face by the windowsill. Suddenly I missed her cackling laugh. I never thought that I would see the day when the old ghoul would look miserable. She gave me that impression since I've met her. She always made me feel that everything will be fine in the end, but this time it's different. Wait a minute; did she just call me Ranma? There must really be something wrong in here, she always call me 'son in law'

"I came here for explanations old ghoul"

"I see, so Shampoo didn't explain anything to you after all. I wonder why".

I could feel the sadness emanating from Cologne's voice. What does she mean? I need answers and I need it NOW.

Cologne seems to notice my silence. It's hard to tell. However it looks like she noticed because she made me took a seat on one of the wooden chairs inside her room. I thought that the explanations might take a while so I just followed her instructions.

"So, tell me what's happening. Spill it out", I said coolly, trying to be patient but at the same time, demanding, my eyes bore straight into hers. With a final sigh Cologne started to explain.

"First of all Ranma, did you know the reason why Shampoo has a cursed form?"

"Not exactly" I answered; my patience is starting to waver. I don't want to hear this now; there are other more pressing matters for me to know.

"Well Ranma, the reason behind my great granddaughter's cursed form is because of you."

"WHAT?!"

"Yes Ranma, it is because of you that Shampoo has a cursed form. It happened because she did not uphold our ancient laws. She went back to China after giving you the kiss of marriage however, because she didn't know of your cursed form back then, she also gave you the kiss of death. Thus, she received the punishment of a battle with me on the hot springs of Jusenkyo. The rest of the story, you already know".

To tell you the truth, I was shocked by this revelation. So, the reason Shampoo can become a cat is because of me! I can't believe it! My guilty conscience started to wash over me as the truth of the old ghoul's words seep in.

Then, it came to me. Why didn't Shampoo hate me for it? Surely, she has the right to hate me. But, instead of hating me, she loved me… What have I done to deserve her? Thankfully, the old ghoul brought me out of my reverie saying something that I would be wounded for, for life.

"Because of our laws Ranma, you are Shampoo's husband, although none of the true meaning of husband and wife happens between the two of you, I kept my silence thinking that you need time to adjust seeing that you are from another country and that you are an alien to our laws."

Cologne paused after that. She looked at me disappointedly then looked outside the window. I sat there quietly, not daring to speak a word until she finishes her story. I could ask questions later anyway. Cologne then looked at me hastily, as if she hates me to the very core of my being.

"But, it did not end there, you have many fiancées and we have to be patient with you. However, when the time that you have succeeded in eliminating all of the girls betrothed to you by your brainless father, you still didn't accept the fact that my great granddaughter is your wife."

My brows furrowed at what she said. How in the world would I know what she's saying! They didn't even bother to explain to me that much… oh! That's right, thinking about it, they did tell me, I just never took it seriously. So, silently, I continued to listen at the old ghoul's words. But this time, my patience is nearing its limit.

"Because of what you did, Shampoo was pressured by the other elders of our village. They are demanding to uphold our laws and traditions. In other words Ranma, they want you and my great granddaughter to be together… But, it seems that she has changed. Shampoo begins to understand your culture and upbringing and, although she loves to be your wife, she also considered your feeling for this matter, to know what you think, to decide for yourself and not to be manipulated by others."

I could barely breathe. Does the old woman just say what I thought she just said? Despite all that Shampoo did before, she wants me to make up my own mind! What the!? But, sighing, I just accepted the old ghoul's words realizing that she's correct in most parts. Well, I wouldn't say that Shampoo considered what will I prefer when she put that red string on my pinky finger did she? Oh wait, I would prefer it but maybe because i am under the red string's spell! Oh! I raked my head in total frustration. I don't know! My mind is going to explode right now just thinking about it!

Seeing that I'm finally alert to listen to her words, Cologne just continued with her story. I think I saw some pity in her eyes. I guess, well, I guess I just looked too bothered with her words, and I know for a fact that it clearly shows in my face.

"Hmmm… Continuing with my story, the other elders of our village gave her an ultimatum, saying that if Shampoo didn't go back home to China with you at the twelfth moon, both of you will receive punishment. I couldn't tell them a lie because other elders knew other ways to spy on us, leaving no room for falsehoods."

"And what is the punishment?"

Cologne looked down at my question, my hands felt clammy and sweaty at the same time. It felt like forever just waiting to know her answer.

"Considering the length of time they have given to both of you, I think that other than death, a thousand whippings will suffice for the crime. That particular law is one of the most important laws of our village after all."

My blood turned cold at the old ghoul's answer. I know that the Amazon tribe is eccentric in many ways but, what just Cologne said, its cruelty… I accept the fact that they regard highly of their laws, experiencing it first hand when Shampoo hunted me down even though we are already in Japan, but, I have never thought that the Amazon's punishments, even towards their own people, are just too… barbaric.

"As you can see Ranma, the twelfth moon has already past, just yesterday actually."

The old ghoul's next words make me look up to her immediately. My eyes shining with hope. Maybe, just maybe, the Amazon tribe isn't that vicious after all.

"But, my great granddaughter did something to make both of you safe. Very witty if I do say so myself, it freed both of you from both the law and the punishment in the process" the old ghoul grimly chuckled at that time.

I should be feeling elated at the time. Shampoo and I will not receive punishment and we could continue our daily lives! But, the old ghoul's voice, it made me think that whatever Shampoo did is not good.

Cologne shook her head and began to stare at the widow once again. Her eyes looked distant and old.

"She never did want to force anything on you Ranma. She even decided against my plan to kidnap you and then go back to China. She wants you to decide for your own, but, she said to me that you looked unwilling to be with her, I could even deduce that you hated even the sight of her."

I sat there, frozen. She's right. Her deduction skills are quite impressive. I really did try to hide from her sight whenever I see her back then. I would hide if I ever got a chance, but if I don't I always resolve to being mean with her. But, it's different now… I just wish that the old ghoul realizes that. But, something is bugging me, what exactly did Shampoo do?

Thankfully, the old ghoul answered my unspoken question. My expression must have given it away again. Before Cologne spoke, I could swear that I saw a hidden smile in her lips.

"You see Ranma, the elders will only consider the two of you to be together as husband and wife if both of you shared yourselves physically." Seeing the confused expression on my face, she elaborates it further. "In other words, an intercourse between husband and wife…"

I gasped. So, the old ghoul already knows what have happened between the two of us… but wait, didn't she told me before she left all about retribution? I think she said that it's for the tribe at that time. Did Shampoo lied to me after all?

"But as you can see Ranma, the two of you are not together right now. Shampoo already knew that if the tribe received that particular report, harsher punishment will be given to both of you." Seeing Ranma's placid expression, Cologne sighed yet again before continuing. "Yet, my great granddaughter wants to you to make the decision for yourself. I think that it is safe to assume she didn't feel that your answer is in her favor that is why she made another important decision that will change her life."

I held my breath in both anticipation and revelation. My eyes are wide open, my knuckles are turning white from my grip and my ears are very sensitive, wanting to know everything there is to know. My body is tensed and shaking in suspense.

"My great granddaughter, she disowned her tribe… She is no longer an Amazon".

I just stayed silent. I guess that information is very hard to digest. Shampoo quitting as an Amazon? It is very hard to believe. I felt cold, both inside and out. I decided to rest my back on the chair, wanting to relax. There is only one question in my mind right now; I know how important being an Amazon is for Shampoo. But…

"Why?" I whispered.

Only then did the elder woman look at me again in the eyes. As if, wanting to know something. Seemingly satisfied with what she saw, she answered me straight in the face…

"Because Ranma, our laws will not apply to both of you if Shampoo will not be an Amazon…"

Author's Notes:

Well guys! There you have it! The second chapter is now up at last! I know that there is still something to question about the retribution stuff on Shampoo's part, but the problem is, Ranma doesn't notice it… yet! Haha something very different will happen in the next chapter, so please do wait for it.

Big spoiler hint: At first, there was silence, eerie and deafening as our eyes clashed with one another. Just the thought of her here, finally standing before me, felt like a dream, it made me feel rather dizzy.

So, what am I talking about? Just find out for yourselves in the next chapter!

Please read and review!