Copyright Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is the property of Rumiko Takahashi and SHOGAKUKAN media, and is distributed in the the united stated by Viz Media. This a work of fan media and is made with no intent for monetary purposes, simply for the enjoyment of the writer and readers.
"Get back here you old fool! Get back here, I said!" Hollering in that rather rich voice, bouncing along after a panda. Who quickly ambled from stone to stone, rarely even wobbling as he went.
When I got right down to it, this is actually kind of fun. Sure, I've somehow wound up occupying the body of an anime character, of all things. Sure, I picked up his curse and turn into a girl. And damn if jumping around with this chest wasn't uncomfortable.
It hurts!
It hurts a lot!
Despite the manga or the anime, all the flopping flesh was very uncomfortable in this high speed chase. Definitely going to invest in a lot of very good sports bras when I get the chance.
Anyway, with an arm securely holding the bouncy bits in place, best I could manage at least, I kept chasing Genma's retreating form. This was still fun. Even the greatest martial arts masters couldn't pull this kind of junk off in my world. Making leaps of dozens of feet in a bound. Then quickly just taking another soon as the muscles coiled in my legs.
I could probably jump somewhere in a foot and half, with muscles fully coiled and every bit of energy I could use, in my old body. Maybe I could get a bit better than a yard on the horizontal with a good run. I don't really know, I never measured. I do know I suck at basketball, and if I did track and field I'd just embarrass myself.
Jumping across boulders, that certainly can't be good for your feet unless you're using extreme caution. One slip and you're in trouble.
With Ranma's body though, I was making these jumps easy foot to foot and barely losing momentum on the exchange. Maybe it was just the rules in this world were different, because several martial artists that I remember from the anime could perform such feats. It was still fun and rather amazing.
My eyes kept sight of the panda, who was fleeing as if Death was on his heels. Nah, just a shrieking banshee. Who was trying very hard to avoid laughing as she got caught up in the motions. Okay, contrary to my old habits, keeping this body in shape was going to be easy. If I could do this kind of stuff with ease, exercise was going to be an interesting game. Not a chore.
For now though, I gave myself a mental slap. Need to focus. Where, oh where is Ryoga? I don't really have a clue how long the stay with the Guide would be. Could've been days, could be we wound up leaving in the morning. Still, I was after the panda, so I was on the right track.
On an added thought, it was weird how the hip ratio seems to stay about the same for both bodies. Despite the loss in height and weight, I think I'm about the same size either form. Good thing too. Losing the pants had been a necessity. Losing the boxers, that would be bad. Don't really want to go flashing naughty bits at people it I can help it.
Would probably kill the directionally challenged rival I was seeking.
{Ah ha! There you are. Alright 'P-chan' you don't know it, but you owe me for caring enough. Selfish though it may be.}
We had run a circuit of the valley and them up onto the lower surrounding hills. The panda made contact with a human being, and just bounced the poor fellow off without even slowing. An unfortunate boy in faded black clothing, short sleeves and dark pants. Poor kid stumbled and this would normally be where I smashed into his head, using his skull as a springboard.
Then he'd go into tumble down into the valley, and then hello Mr. Bacon. With control that still shocked me, I tucked my legs and rolled. The leap turned into a series of somersaults and landed lightly before the boy. Grabbing his shirt and with surprising ease tossed him further back to a safer part of the cliff face.
He squawked a bit as he slammed face first into a rock, even I had to wince at the impact. Then sank quietly down to the ground. Grinning a bit I just stood there and watched. Slowly, he pulled himself back up and turned around. Wits returning and sporting an angry red across his face, pointed at me and shouted.
"What was that for?!"
His blink was both comical and adorable, I couldn't help but laugh as he stared. His eyes swept the length of my body, admittedly short, toes to hair and he blushed. Spinning around he began to stammer softly.
"I mean … that hurt … why?"
"You should stay away from that valley, it's cursed. Fall into one of the pools down there and you'll turn into something other than what you are. The furry truck that just ran you over, the panda? He's my old man."
The boy slowly turned back to face me, blinking slowly. Trying to put sense to the words, I'd imagine. His mouth worked slowly as the information seemed to be running through his brain. I got the scene of gears slowly crunching as the daft suggestion of transformative, water delivered curses was a thing.
"Panda .. curse … wha?"
Between the complete defiance of reality, and his eyes taking in the fact my legs were completely bare, his brain began to check out and force a reboot. I had to cover my mouth and bite the inside of my cheek. His expressions were hilarious. Yet, it would be rude to laugh, out loud anyway.
If I was going to be on this ride for the long haul, damn straight I was going to get every moment of amusement possible out of it. I always enjoyed the comedy, even if it was repetitive. Now I had to make sure I could enjoy it, not from front row seat, but being the central character on the stage.
The boy gulped and finally locked his neck, staring hard into my eyes. Seems somewhere in his brain it started to click. Or perhaps he thought it was too stupid to be a joke, so maybe I was telling the truth.
"That was .. your father? How many pools are there down there?"
Tilting my head a bit, I slide a finger over my lip and shrugged, "I dunno, lots. Might be well over a hundred. I think me and the panda got lucky. All things considered."
The boy's jaw worked slowly as he pointed to me. Curse, panda. Oh, this was so much fun. I could almost read his thoughts in real time. Shame I didn't have telepathy or something, would've made this much funnier.
"What … do you turn … in ...to?" He finally got out with a very hesitant pause in his words. As if the words were suddenly a frightening possibility. I could begin to see some kind of recognition slowly beginning to creep onto his face. As if something in his memory were revealing itself slowly to his gaze.
"Me? Oh, you're lookin at it." I kept my arm holding my chest, didn't want to break Ryoga if I could help it, yet anyway. I looked to either side of me, mostly studying my legs. "It's a bit short, but I think this body has some very nice curves. Very pretty skin too, I really like the way my legs are shaped too. Could do a lot worse for body."
That seemed to fry another fuse in his brain. His eyes began to widened and he was slowly beginning to try and piece together the clues.
{Damn Ryoga, how dense are you? Come on, I can't look THAT different can I?}
Finally, it came out as half a question, half an accusation. "Ra...n...ma?"
I almost snorted a laugh, force out every bit of the hiragana why don't you? Instead, I turned up my head and grinned, pointing his direction. "Bingo, hiya Ryoga. Long time no see. Surprised you managed to find this place, and not long after I got here either. It's been what, two years?"
Learning my name seemed to have gotten him the bit of information he needed. Latching onto something quickly familiar, he pointed an accusing finger at my nose and his anger barreled forward.
"You ran out on our fight, you coward! Do you have any idea how hard it was to find this place? I've been all over Asia hunting you down."
Since it seemed difficult to keep the natural impulses in check, my eyes rolled and I snorted. "Gee, nice to see you too, Ryoga. Two years and not even a 'hello' or 'Hey Ranma, you bastard!' Nothing?"
His jaw snapped shut and he became very quiet. Oh well, let him be off balance then. I have no problem running Ranma's mouth, a bit.
"I seem to remember I waited for you, three days was it? How long did it even take … "
I was cut off mid jab as his finger thrust almost into my nose..
"Four! When I got there on the fourth day, you'd run off. If I wasn't for that stupid note I found, then I probably never would have found this place. Do you have any idea how big China is? No, how big this whole continent is? You thought you'd just sneak off with your Dad and go into hiding from me?"
{Okay, this does get annoying quickly. How can one human being have a head denser than cement? Seriously. Of course, this is Ranma's universe ...}
"Oh excuse me, Pops showed up and demanded I grab my things and we go. Was all I could do to write you a letter of apology."
Granted it was 'apology' in typical Ranma fashion, as I recall it from memory. Probably a 'sorry buddy, got to go. Going off to China, some place called Jusenkyo for training. You know I'd be the one to win anyway, can't wait any longer for you. Train hard in the meantime, so I can kick your butt when I get back to Japan, Ranma.'
"How long am I supposed to wait for a duel anyway? You wasted my whole weekend, you know? Anyway, forget about that for a minute. Ah!" Jamming my finger at him before he could retort with his wounded pride. "How about a 'thank you' for keeping you from picking up a curse too, huh?
"The spring I fell in is way over there." I point off in the distance, roughly where I recalled it. "Doubt you'll have the same luck as at least staying human. Aint careful, you fall down there who knows what might turn into. A pig, a cat, a duck, a monkey?"
I hope I could avoid all that, although dealing with Shampoo was going to be a challenge. Oh well, I'd deal with that head scratcher when we got to it. Which, sadly won't be terribly long from now, if I've got the time line right.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I have a panda to catch to and skin. I'll save you a piece, make you a jacket out of his hide or something." Turning I was about to depart, when he cut in. I paused and turned my head back to glance at him as he began to stammer.
"Wait! Where do you think you're going? We still have a fight to finish! And umm … well I'm not letting you out of my sight till we do. Besides, if I'm with you guys, err … maybe you could, help me get back to Japan?" He went from growling over our unsettled 'fight,' well his unsettled fight I didn't give two farts and a whistle if we ever settled that. Then he was soon nervous again, and jamming his fingers together.
That I was a typical Ryoga behavior when he was nervous. He would pick a fight with Ranma, but then he'd need Ranma's help getting to and from school. Now, this put me in a quandary. He was a headache, but he was also kind of amusing. At the same time, if I kept him in sight, I could keep him from picking up a curse.
For all his bluster and the danger of his temper though, Ryoga was also the one rival in all of the manga who could consistently challenge Ranma. Their feud had pushed both of them to improve continually to try for a leg up on one another. His curse had been a serious part of his anger though. I'm pretty sure I could nurture the current him to being the wall I needed to keep testing myself against without that particular sword hanging over my head.
Then there was problem of 'later' what about when he met Akane? I don't know if I should feel jealous or not. I wasn't even sure how I felt about the whole to be fiancee situation in the first place. He was sort of Ranma's friend, and those 'good buddy' feelings came up to the sight of him.
Taking a slow breath, I let it out with a sigh. Well, I didn't stop the curses on myself and the moron, but I kept Ryoga from his, I hope for good. Keeping an eye on him would be better than letting him roam off into trouble.
"Alright, fine. But we're not fighting here. Curses, remember?" That stifled his protests. "And I guess we're still friends … are friends, right?" My eyes bored into him. Suddenly making him all nervous again. I guess his anger wasn't strong enough to look past my pretty face. Not surprising , I suppose, given his life is now not a 'living hell.' Good. I'd just as soon have a kind of friend I could have fun with, then someone trying to kill me.
"Just keep up, we'll get back to the valley floor fast enough." Turning my back to him, I adjusted my top and cinched it closed. Arm crossing my chest, again, ugh wonder if I get some bras from Shampoo's village? Have to cross that bridge when I came to it.
Then I was quick to start the rock jumping race again. Genma was long gone from my field of vision by now, no big deal. He'd loop back around to the Guide's hut and wait. Could count on some things to be predictable, and it was always a good thing.
Ryoga hollered after me but could keep pace without a problem. His ability to get lost seemed to be more for situational convenience than anything. The boy had a talent for finding places he needed, or wished to find when he had clear head. Least, he never seemed to have a problem finding the bathtub when it suited him.
When I took a moment to study the scenery I had to admit, it was lovely. A bit too rugged for my tastes. I was a spoiled child of modernity; high-speed internet, smartphone, and a different fast-food place on every block. This part of China was still beautiful. Almost exotic and unspoiled by human hands, at least by grip of the 'future.'
Occasionally I shot glances back over my shoulder, and sure enough he was keeping pace. As I thought, he easily maintained pace with me. Getting used to the super powered martial artists was going to take time. The thought of techniques I could learn, or develop on my own from my admittedly vast knowledge base of other anime and games sent an evil little chuckle up my spine. Supposing on what might work and might not.
In this world the limits were not easily foreseeable. I mean dragons, phoenixes, ghosts and otherwise were real creatures here. Cologne had moved to Japan and hauled a huge trunk full of magical trinkets with her. The sky seemed to be the limit.
Hmm, Shampoo and Cologne, what was I going to do about those two? While running across China with death looming over me, then fleeing in terror from a cat-cursed girl was not appealing, Cologne was also vital to Ranma's long term development. I could probably try to duplicate some of the training for the techniques that were iconic parts of the arsenal for myself and Ryoga, but having a wise mentor … who wasn't a fool like Genma, could be beneficial.
I just sighed and let it go, too much to ponder for now. I also discovered that letting my mind ramble off was not a safe thing to do. My foot hit a slick patch of moss and and suddenly my traction went away. I slipped on next rock that was to be my landing pad and suddenly things were looking poorly.
"Crap!"
"Ranma, you idiot, watch where you're going!"
Oh thank you Newton for your laws of universal mechanics, they're very useful most of the time. However, right now there were going to do me any good. My momentum kept me sliding along and almost sent me horizontal. Yeah, I was going to have to take the time to start to practicing for real in this body. I'd taken its natural instinct for granted and let my brain go out for lunch 'to think.'
Ryoga dove suddenly while I had the good sense at least tuck my arms to the sides of her my head. I'd just as soon not take two knocks to the noggin in one day. I was surprised really, the fanged one managed to get right under me. He should really try out for baseball. Then to my shame my elbow met his gut and drove the wind from his lungs.
"Owff … " He burbled in pain as I tried to collect my wits again. Quickly shooting up and slapping my forehead.
"Ah geez, Ryoga I'm sorry, are you okay?"
There came a highly forced wheeze I believe was something to the effect of "Never better." With a shaky thumbs up to try and emphasis his point. Which looked both comical and sad at the same time. I wonder which he was trying to look tough for; not wanting to look weak in front of his rival, or to play tough for a cute girl.
"Damn, I'm sorry, I was spacing out." Fortunately, he was indeed made of something that seemed to be other than human flesh. A few pained breaths and he was soon breathing almost normally. My extended hand was slapped away.
"I'm fine, Ranma. Take more than that hurt me."
My lips twitched, the barbed insult right on the tip of my tongue. I quickly clamped my cheek and used the bit of pain to control the impulse. Fighting it down and viciously beating it to death with the spiked cudgel of my willpower. Pissing him off would just get us in a fight, and this was certainly the last place to be having a battle.
"'S'cuse me for me for concerned then." Giving a soft snort as I turned to begin heading off once more. A hand suddenly clamped down on my shoulder and held it tight. His fingers didn't dig in, like they surely could have, but I found myself unable to fight out of that group without putting up a struggle.
"Ranma." He said in a tight voice, trying to keep ...something from leaking into his tone. I don't know if he was actually containing his anger, or he certainly couldn't be worried about me? Not the horrible Ranma Saotome who'd made a fool of him every day at lunch for a school year?
"What? It's getting late, Ryoga, and I'm getting hungry. Haven't had lunch yet." Fingers drumming on my ribs, while I didn't look at him. A blush crept up on my cheeks and I didn't want him seeing it. More the fact his strength, what I could gauge of it from the power in that arm, was more tremendous that I have him credit for.
Knowing a thing logically, and having the truth of that thing were two very different levels of experience I was quickly learning in my short time occupying this body. Sure he was stupid strong, likely the most powerful of the regular cast outside of one ancient pervert. Still, feeling that power chorded in his muscles was something else altogether.
He gave a cough and while his voice quavered a bit, he kept his nervous tone buried under whatever mix of emotions he was feeling. "Ranma, are you sure you're okay? It's not like you space out like that. Don't get me wrong, I don't really care, but are you sure this curse isn't playing with your head or something?
"When I beat the stuffing out of you and prove who's the better man, I'm not going to let some stupid excuse like your curse was distracting you or something keep me from getting my victory. I want you at your best Ranma, so I can prove I'm just better."
{Well, isn't that stupid .. but sweet … and stupid. If only you knew pork bun, if only you knew.}
A soft cough and I shrugged, "I dunno, maybe I'm just in shock or something and it hasn't hit me yet. I'll pay attention, okay? Now let's get moving before Pops eats everything edible in sight, then steals everything else that isn't nailed down."
{Don't worry, 'buddy' I've learned my lesson. I'm just going to have to ponder the consequences of the future as I'm able. Can't space out while I'm around here at least.}
When he was satisfied that I was alert to my surroundings, he tried to takes the lead. All I could do was roll my eyes as Ryoga pointed himself toward a sharp perpendicular to the direction we needed to go to start heading down into the valley.
A soft cough made him pause, looking at me curiously. "Ryoga, we need to go that way." Pointing to a natural depression in the surrounding mountains that showed a comparatively safe path we could use to descend. He just covered with a laugh and rubbed the back of his head.
"I … I knew that, I was just testing you, to make sure you're paying attention. So umm ...lead on."
"Good recovery there." I admitted with a smirk,elbowing him in the ribs as I passed. Okay, little fumble aside, we might just be able to be friends yet. Tense friendship maybe, but still better than nothing.
The Guide's hut wasn't difficult to find once we got back to the main path that lead into the valley proper . Genma-Panda was rooting around in our bags, pulling out whatever consumables he could find. While our host was heating a kettle.
"Oh, young Mister Guest, you come back. We been waiting some time now. I been waiting to explain to honorable Mister Father about tragic Jusenkyo curses, and nature of them. You be wanting this hot water here soon."
The panda was setting down what little bit of rice and other provisions we had for food, and for the first time produced one of his trademark signs. Scribbling down quickly in kanji and the kana for his words.
~What kept you boy? I'm hungry.~
Then the sign quickly flipped over and having not even seen him write on the back.
~Who's that? He looks kind of familiar.~
That's it, even though I know what's coming, I ten yen for every time I see something that I'm just not yet prepared for. There's getting into the logic of a setting and going with the flow of while you're reading something or watching it on television, and then there's just seeing crap before your own eyes that you are truly seeing.
{How does he do that? And the hell did he figure it out so fast?}
I don't know if I would ever be able to actually force the truth out of the old man. So, all I could so was just watch a moment and be confounded. Seemed Ryoga was in shock as well. Perhaps more for the fact a panda was communicating to him in whole sentences, that the fact of how he was communicating.
~Well?~
Shaking my head I grunted, "I kept this guy here from splashing down into the valley, from over there." Pointing to the approximate peak I figured we were near at the time. "Seems a panda had just run him over and he lost his balance."
The bear seemed to actual sweat a bit, which was almost comical as I'm fairly certain bears are not a species with sweat glands. That Genma could actually looked expressively uncomfortable was funny to watch.
~Really?~
"Yup, so I managed to keep him on level ground, and since there's no civilization around here I showed him down here. And would you believe it, he's Ryoga Hibiki, you remember my old pal Ryoga, right?"
The boy was continuing to just stare, while the furry body of my father stared back. I gave the boy a gentle elbow into his side. He looked at me dumbly for a moment before blinking and coughing. Remembering his manners suddenly.
"Umm, hi Mister … Saotome?" Still couldn't believe it? Not that I blamed him on that matter. It was still horribly surreal. I'm surprised I wasn't in alarmed shock myself, even though I knew it was coming.
~Er .. hi .. Ryoga … ~
The sign spun about again, without the marker ever having been seen to move. That was a trick I really wanted to learn.
~So umm...got any food?~
The conversation was suddenly interrupted by the gentle whistle of the tea kettle which the Guide had been tending quite dutifully, paying us little heed as he got the water hot enough. The panda took a hot soak, and we didn't even see the transition. It was like someone had cut the line of film in a movie and grafted on completely new images. The eye simply couldn't notice anything more than the switch had happened.
"Oww, that's hot! … Hey, I'm human again! I'm cured!" The man bounced up and began to dance, hooting with a laugh. "And here you were worried, boy. Learn to trust your father once in awhile. What's being temporarily stuck as … "
"Ah, sorry to be saying Mister Guest, but this not real cure. For example, hot water turn honorable son back into boy."
The kettle splashed over my head and I winced a bit, skin turning a slightly angry shade of red but there were no deep injuries from it, thankfully enough. Ryoga just went wide eyed and pointed, again unable to formulate words.
If he didn't believe me before, well he had the proof standing in front of him now. The short, well curved girl who'd almost planted her foot into his face, was now standing before him carrying the same face as his middle school nemesis. Perhaps taller and more filled out since then, but it had been two years after all, yet he knew me immediately.
"But soon as come in contact with cold water again, you turn back to girl and panda. Is very tragic, sirs. And you say new Mister Guest almost fall from up there?" He glanced over to where I had been and moved his gaze down to the pools in that area.
"Ooo, very lucky young master, many bad pool in that part of valley. Me think if you fall from there, you probably land in 'Spring of Drown Piglet' very tragic story of little black piglet, what drown in spring twelve hundred year ago. Whoever fall in spring take body of black piglet. Very unfortunate you fall in that spring."
Ryoga's lips drew into a tight line and he turned a very ghostly shade of pale. The spirit seemed about to leave his body when he processed this information. I just went over to the old man, pulling out a fresh shirt and pants. These clothes really needed to dry. The Guide politely showed me where his normal drying line was and gave me free use.
"So many visitor today, not see so many people in many months. Least one sir get lucky so far, I suggest honorable Sir please not leave space around hut. No want tempt fate by going on walk. Too too many spring in Jusenkyo. Some not so bad, some very frightening. Mister Guests come inside, I prepare famous Cantonese stir fry rice and vegetable for you. I sorry to say, I have no fresh meat in home.
"Need go shopping soon, but I share what I have. Tomorrow I show you to nearby village. Wise womans there can maybe help with curses, and let honorable sirs buy fresh supply."
His work done, the man moved inside his hut. We trailed along behind him. Genma looking to the Guide with a dubious, not yet fallen expression. Not sure yet if he believed the truth of that claim. Ryoga moved in robotic fashion, poor man had suffered too many shocks in too short a period of time. When my workout clothing hung up to dry I just shrugged and followed along.
Lunch sounded wonderful about now, my stomach gurgled in agreement. And at least we were having vegetables and not sweet and sour pork. Count your small blessings as they arrive. At least it demonstrated, so far, some measure of fate could be altered.
Now just hope the repercussions weren't disastrous. Running around the village of Joketsuzoku with Ryoga was going to be a wild card. I could not anticipate how it would play out.
It's times like this I really miss the easy convenience of modern life. I was spoiled from home, where groceries stores were abundant, and there was a fast food place on almost every street corner. The countryside is still beautiful, but it's very hard to appreciate those surroundings when an empty void has moved into your stomach. We'd been trekking for about two days now, and run out of food this morning.
The Guide, for a man of fairly rotund build, seemed to eat like a bird. How he could be that portly and consume as little as he did, compared to the three martial artists he was leading anyway, defied my understanding. He was also in remarkably good shape. Not surprising I suppose, since he didn't have a vehicle so he had to walk everywhere. He also didn't require many breaks to rest, keeping easy pace with the three of us. Man had some stamina indeed.
I was also envying the man right now. Somewhere in my combination of martial arts, being a teenager, and being child to Genma Saotome combined to have my stomach rumbling in anger. The old man and Ryoga were in no better shape.
For about an hour now it had been our walking anthem. One stomach would growl, then the other two could join in time. To make matters all the more fun it had rained earlier in the day. I was introduced to my first experience of 'water magnetitis.' Wasn't a heavy shower, just a quick misting. Leaving one girl and her panda father behind as the sun returned light the heavens.
Least it stilled Genma's complaining, and I was trying to bite mine off. Wouldn't serve any purpose. I had been trying to ponder what to do about a certain Chinese native of the female persuasion and her lawn gnome of a grandmother. Would anyone have guessed how hard it is to think when your body is convinced it's apparently starving?
No thoughts beyond 'food' were coming to mind when Ryoga gave a sharp hiss at me.
"Are we sure this guy knows where he's going? I thought he said this village was close?"
The boy was no less hungry than I was, and his face was strained with the suffering. Trying to put his mind to anything other than his belly. I was too uncomfortable right now to even bother cracking a grin at the stupid idea of Ryoga worried about someone getting us lost.
"He seems like he's been around here for a long time, Ryoga. Maybe by 'close' he means that in a relative term for him."
His frown softened just a little, but whatever he had been about to offer on retort was cut off by the Guide finally clearing a hill and pointing down to a stretch of plain beyond.
"Here sirs, Joketsuzoku, village of brave warrior womans. They has long history of training in the martial arts, and much learning of magic things. Perhaps they can help you sirs, where humble Guide cannot."
It was quite a sight to take in. The high wall surrounding one of the flatter spaces in the area, with several rows of buildings located beyond. The exterior had many farm houses and plots of land which were actively growing crops of some variety or another. Was a throw back straight to centuries past. Was also beautiful architecture and brilliant colors on the gates and some of the finer homes.
Wish I was more concerned with anything but my body's complaints for food. Also wish I had a camera and more time to explore the place. Every ounce of control had to be exerted and prepared. Another critical moment was upon me. I wasn't prepared and I didn't know how I wanted to handle this.
We simply followed the Guide down into the village proper. Our minds on asking someone for lunch more than anything. I was prepared to work for a meal, I'm sure Ryoga wouldn't complain about some manual labor either. Genma? Oh, I was going to have keep an eye on that panda, speaking of which … oh no.
The clash of weapons and grunts of exertion interrupted my musings of the whereabouts of my father. Still surprised I was just accepting all this for what it was so quickly, no time for that though. The moment was upon me. I had to really quit zoning out.
"Ah, very lucky today sirs, womans is having tournament to determine village champion for the year. To win is very big honor."
"Ryoga help me keep Pops out of … Ryoga?"
{Gah, damnit! Et tu P-chan! Is the stupid just a natural affliction here, or a Fate induced plot device? … And I could've talked to Ryoga before hand, I'm guilty too! GAH!}
They had picked up the scent of food and found the Champion's table with ease. One fanged boy and panda were quickly stuffing their faces with everything they could grab. Quite a spread on the table, I do admit. Looked like the best fruits and crops from the latest harvest. My mouth watered at the scent of fresh steam pork buns and whatever else was there. This was horrible torture, the siren song of food.
{No! I'm getting chased all over China then back to Japan.}
"Guys, I don't think that's a buffet, quit stuffing your faces and let's go find someone we can ask for … "
I had completely tuned the fight out. Shampoo had handled the woman in easy fashion, as was foretold in the pages of the manga. The new village champion had risen. All I could do was watch as a chui came flying out of the air and smashed the bench my two blockheaded companions were occupying. There was no groan I could express that would be satisfactory for the loss of control in this situation.
I'm fairly certain the girl had intended to miss, but kudos to Pops and Ryoga all the same for dodging the unseen attack without fumbling. They hadn't even dropped food in mouth or hand as they positioned around that heavy mace. Fingers pressed into my temple as I sighed and tried to ward of the tension headache that wanted to begin storming through my brain.
My eyes turned to take in Shampoo, now for the first time. I joined the other two in staring, and in my case my jaw fell open. Alright, she had been 'cute' in the manga, one might even say sexy, but it did not do the sight before my eyes justice. Her hair was black, not lavender, kind of sad I noted in my head. The purple or bluish color was always so .. exotic and quintessentially Shampoo.
I could, without reservation, call this sight before me one of the most beautiful women I had ever had the personal honor of beholding. A lovely face that was complimented by wonderful curves that her clothing hugged just so. Screw Ranma, if I could get that to chase me all over the world, I don't think I'd mind so much.
She was babbling what was incoherent to me, but then I'm sure anything I could have said in Japanese, or my own native English would've been barbarian speak to her. That is, assuming I could have strung together three words to make a half coherent thought.
'Hee … you pretty … '
I don't know if I could've been that articulate. I can see what Mousse was chasing after so vigorously. I don't blame the blind fool.
The Guide, per his duty was translating, and I was having to remind myself to snap back into the world around me. This was becoming a very bad habit.
"...why you eating my prize? She say."
More angry words and her second mace was pointed right at Ryoga's head. "I new champion for village, in fighting tournament what come once a year, and you strangers dare come uninvited and unannounced and desecrate the place of honor everyone in whole village work hard to prepare in celebration of Champion victory.
"How dare you stain my honor?"
Ryoga had a horrified look in his face and was suddenly at a horrid impasse. He was famished, but he also had a very real problem hitting girls. Well all girls except me, but those were special circumstances. However, he seemed to be having an internal war with himself.
Oh he wouldn't? If he fought and beat Shampoo, then she'd turn her affections onto him. This idea did not set well with me for no shortage of reasons. While it might be amusing to not have her hunting my head, and it would reduce the fiancee burden immediately. It would also put Mousse on his case, not mine. How would Cologne react to it? Would she ignore me entirely in favor of training him exclusively?
And now that I've seen Shampoo with my own eyes, well I don't know if it would be so bad to have the girl's affection. That is, weighed on the scale of her more manipulative actions, did her sweet nature and beauty outweigh the headaches it would bring? Damn, now I'm really in a rock and a hard place situation.
I was caught off guard when the panda slapped me in the back and pushed me forward. Producing a sign from behind his back.
~What if Ranma beats you in combat? Won't matter then, will it?~
"Hey! Don't go dragging me in your mess, old man. I aint the one who treated her victory feast like it was a free serve snack bar!"
I had to wheel around as the other weapon she bore pointed under my nose and she growled at me.
"Little girl, what you is to this panda and stupid looking bandanna boy?"
"Hey! I'm not stupid!" Poor Ryoga, least he was completely ignored in this situation, but yeah I think we were all guilty of some level of dumb at the moment.
That snapped retort was both ignored and not translated, the girl just kept her attention on me. Well, now I had her attention, I guess it was just time to face the music. A light went off in my head and that repressed part of my brain, where I'm actually a full on pervert, voiced a very devious idea. In my stress, hunger, and trying to keep the situation going where I wanted it, I agreed.
"Hey, could someone get me some hot tea, please? My throat is so dry." The Guide blinked and spoke my wish allowed. Shampoo growled and narrowed her eyes a bit, but she mumbling something back and one of the villagers darted off into a house.
"I'm Ranma Saotome, and those are my friends." Pointing to the currently ignored balls of idiot that had put me in this situation. "They wounded your honor, fine, if I beat you then no harm, no foul, right?"
As the Guide spoke my words allowed, her brow ticked higher and I wasn't sure if she either felt smug, annoyed, or some combination thereof. She definitely had that look in her eyes like I was a punk kid who'd just challenged a professional boxer to a title match or something. Certainly looked as though she were just going to humor me, then teach me a horrible lesson for my stupid pride.
"Pops, save me some hot water, and some food." I growled to the panda, my eyes boring into his own so he got the message. I was up to pinch hit for his stupidity, damn straight I was going get my share. I really needed the hot water though. Otherwise, my evil plans were foiled.
{Okay Ranma … let's hope this goes well.}
The woman playing referee just shrugged and motioned us to take our positions on the log they had been using a 'ring.' I flexed my muscles a bit, bring some warmth into them. The anticipation seems to be working, I could a good flow of adrenaline beginning to circulate in my system. My body was alert and tuned to the threat. Even my hunger was momentarily stifled so all energy could be put to concentrating on defeating the threat before me. Good.
The ref's hand fell and we were on our way, one round, no time limit, victory only be ring out. I quickly discovered that, until I really got to practicing, I am not in fact as good as Ranma Saotome. The body had all the training and reflexes, and I could call upon the memories and experience. Yet, I could not do so with the kind of confident battle mind a well honed warrior would possess.
Not to say I was going to get my ass kicked, mind you, but this was one a recreation of the embarrassment that Shampoo would have suffered. Her moves were sharp and quick. I could see them coming, study her movements and pick up the direction she was attacking. This was actually very good practice for the future.
Learning how to mix the innate and sharpened powers of Ranma's training with my own mind to be a more complete fighter. I found my reflexes were up to the task of ducking under or weaving about her movements. All well and good, but this was no open ground. I'd run out of log real fast if I let her press me too hard.
Time to make a move and go for broke. I had given up territory for the experience of seeing that I could actually do what I set out to. Confident that even in my actual, unpracticed state of using Ranma's body that I was still superior to Shampoo, I made my move. She'd gotten a very confident posture seeing me give ground and not fight back. Her attacks were much more energetic and offensive. Now I was right to the edge of the fighting log, a push and I'd be off and I guess left to her choice of punishment for insulting her status as Champion.
My intuition screamed it was time to counter. She made a hard swing for my head, committing for a one blow victory. She caught air, and I shudder to think it was 'just' caught air. A short fraction delay and my skull would be sporting a new dent. For a moment she was open as I slid forward in a low position.
My leading foot hooked behind Shampoo's own ankle and pulled. The girl gave a yelp as her balance was thrown off. While I swapped my weight into a forward movement and shouldered her open torso. That swept her vertical base away entirely and she tumbled off the log. The whole crowd either went silent or gasped. Shocked their champion had been defeated by an outsider.
I let the ref raise my hand and proclaim my victory. Then quickly bounced my way to Pops, who was pouring a kettle of steaming water over his head. Quickly I snapped it up from his grip. He growled in annoyance, but I wasn't going to take the argument. Didn't have much precious time to waste with him.
Shampoo had regained her feet, and I could see the angered look in her eyes. I knew what she was going to do.
{Ha, oh we'll be kissing alright, won't be any death for me though, thanks.}
As she was closed the distance, I quickly dumped the remains of the water on my head. Shampoo recoiled a bit at their very odd behavior. Her eyes went from anger to shock, joined by the entire village, for the second time in the span of a minute. Wide eyed, she looked up to me, and began to pat my chest.
She rattled off more Chinese, and I could already guess the meaning even before the Guide began to interpret.
"Hey, you is no girl, you is man? She ask."
"Yup, one hundred percent boy. Except for this curse, you see, I'm not really a girl. I'm a guy."
She looked to the Guide, exchanging words with him. He didn't bother to translate, must've been asking him directly if what I was saying was true. I got the impression from the tone she either knew the man, or knew enough about him that could be trusted with the information he imparted.
Her look was confused, then moved to pondering. Studying my features in detail. Despite a soft sheen of sweat from her two round fights, whatever soaps she used on her skin and hair, they were divine. This was a girl who took pride in being a warrior, but also in presenting herself proudly as a woman.
She had all those 'soft' feminine qualities that were subtle and unique to the aura of a woman, but let us not forget the fact she could casually install doors in any offending wall that dared bar her path. Still, how could Ranma pass this up? The boy whose life I was now living must really have been repressed.
She arrived to a decision at last, it had seemed like ages. "Ran-ma?" She sounded out my name with a rather quizzical glance. Hands continuing to paw against me .
"Err, yup." Giving her a nod. She smiled in return, oh hell, this was just nuclear grade unfair. I'm afraid I was powerless before her charms. Can't say that's ever happened to me before. Of course, I've had plenty of attractive friends, but none who were this level of just … wow.
She sounded out her name for me, putting a hand on her chest in turn.
"Nice to meet you, Shampoo?"
That seemed to satisfy her enough, and finally, god this was sheer torture waiting for what I knew was coming. Well i was damn well hoping, so I'm thinking with the wrong brain, sue me!
"Wo de airen." Then her hands seized my cheeks and she pulled me full into a kiss. At last! I went a bit weak in the knees and tuned out the world again. While everyone just stared. Ryoga fainted.
{Okay didn't start today thinking this would happen, but not bad for improvisation. Mmm, Ryoga can have Akane. I think.}
I might regret those thoughts later, but for now, who cared. Shampoo was ten different levels of hot and I was too hungry right now to care about much. Probably a bit too aroused too.
The girl finally parted for breath, both of our cheeks were flush. She promptly latched onto my arm and all but dragged me over to the table where the food remained. Pops had continued to greedily stuff his face, and it was only now people began to notice the panda was missing.
As the shock wore off they all took in the celebration of a new village champion, and a new village champion bride-groom. I didn't really care for the party. I was just hungry and caught up in perverted thoughts. Genma just resumed stuffing his mouth. Ryoga looked at me as if I had grown a second head, but it didn't stop him from eating. While Shampoo kept latched onto my arm.
The lunchtime meal was amazing, the villagers had out done themselves. It was also customary to 'share' the bounty with everyone to show the Champion was gracious for the honor of being well respected. I had no complaints there, these people had put a lot of time and effort into making this a special banquette. I had to bean Genma a few times to keep him from stuffing his bag with leftovers, but when his stomach was satisfied it wasn't hard to get him to cooperate. Mostly by the threat of Shampoo's heavy maces.
After much reverie and celebration with the conclusion of the tournament, the afternoon slipped into dusk before I had realised how fast the time passed. The Guide chuckled a bit as Shampoo began to speak to him with some insistence.
"She say, she wish to take you home and let you meet her honorable great-grandmother. They put you and companions up for the night. Is least they can do for new village Champion, and they be honored to have you grace their home."
The man chuckled as he also slapped me on the back, "Congratulations to you, hope you has too too good time tonight." I got the distinct impression what his less than subtle joke meant. Although, I did my best to look clueless. Thanked him for his time, and he was soon on his way to discuss purchasing provisions for his home while there was still daylight.
My now self proclaimed fiancee pulled me along and I didn't bother resisting. I didn't want to fight her anyway. We had a language impasse. I understood not a word of Chinese, and she did not seem to have picked up any Japanese yet. So, we needed a translator, Cologne would have to be it.
The prospect of more food and a comfortable spot to sleep on, even if it was the floor, quickly brought Genma in line. He didn't seem to care about the clingy amazon, yet at least. No one had mentioned to him what was going on. Why spoil the surprise now? Let him be ignorant a bit longer. Ryoga having nowhere else to go, and no one else he knew just tailed us as well.
I was troubled though, now the plot was off the rails and I had no idea how to predict what would happen going forward. Not that I was going to complain. I was prepared to try and deflect the girl chasing me if I could, but upon review no way on this earth I was going to give Ryoga a chance at catching this fish. Selfish? Sure. I also don't care.
We were greeted by Shampoo's great-grandmother Cologne, the family matriarch and one of the elders of the village. Now she wasn't a carbon copy of the concept I was familiar with, but she wasn't terribly far off either. Where I expected a shriveled gnome that barely knee height to even my girl-form, she was actually about waist height to Shampoo. So taller than I expected, but everything else was about dead on.
Flowing white hair that was longer than she was, unlike my expectation though, there was a long braid at the end. Which she used to fold her hair over and pin securely to her scalp. That kept it from dragging the ground and getting in her way. Her robes were a faded green, long sleeved past her wrists and dropped below her knees, and she was wearing a matching color of pants. Her staff was stouter to support her weight, but she balanced on the thing with all the ease of laying down. Looking any of us right in the eye without so much as a wobble in her perch.
The old woman had introduced herself politely and explained things once we'd gotten past the hellos and where-to-fors. The amazon girl remained clasped to my arm, beaming as if she'd just won her heart's most prized possession. I wasn't sure what the proper reaction should be. Where Ranma would have tried to push her off, no reason came to my mind to complain. Of course, I might've been enjoying the soft flesh she was squeezing against my arm a bit too much to be objective.
We sat down quietly to some tea and snacks. Dinner would be a bit delayed with the addition of three extra people to the table. I'm fairly sure our 'victory' lunch could tide us over for a bit longer. The pleasantries, however, died not long after the truth of what Shampoo's kiss meant were put forward by Cologne.
"What do you mean 'married?'" Gemna roared across the table. I just sighed, rubbing my temples to keep a headache from coming on. He was taking this well as expected, so much for good manners. It was all down to Cologne's patience that she didn't turn him into a piece of human origami.
"Precisely what it sounds like. Ranma openly accepted the challenge with Shampoo, and defeated her in fair combat. Since she decided to give the 'Kiss of Marriage', the two are formally engaged to be married by our laws. That's all there is to it. They will get married and I hope bless me with some strong grandchildren to carry on our family line."
Genma slammed his fist on the table and growled, "Nonsense, we're from Japan, not China. So your law means jack all to me, besides Ranma already has a fiancee."
Before I could blurt out any inquiry to that little bit of supposed to be unknown information, Cologne simply kept going. "I don't know if you've realized Mister Saotome but you aren't in Japan right now. You're in our village. We have more than three thousand years of history to consider here, I'm sorry but you'll just have to break the engagement."
"Boy, say something here. This involves you directly. Tell this old hag you're not going to give in to her whims."
His head promptly slammed into the table when her staff smacked him face first into the wood. Was a very sturdy table to stand up to that rock-hard skull of his and not so much as crack. The old woman gave an annoyed sigh as she glared the sometimes panda down.
Then turned her head over to me and offered a smile, "Come now Son-in-law, certainly it's not all bad, is it? You'll make me proud and accept my granddaughter's proposal?
"And besides, don't you have a perfectly good other son here who can take up the engagement in Ranma's stead?"
Ryoga, who had to this point been trying to look as small as possible and just occupy himself with the tea and snacks we had been served, was brought into the conversation. He almost spit out the mouthful he had been in the process of swallowing. Instead of spraying it all over Cologne, he decided on the proper course and choked.
Hacking a few times and slapping his own chest with a fist until he could breath again. "I'm not that idiot's brother! We're not related at all! He's a coward who walked out on a man to man fight, and I'm just hanging around until I settle the score!"
He was rewarded with her cackle and a grin. "Sorry, sorry, my mistake. So a rival then, hmm? I wonder which of you is better?"
"I am!" He snapped quickly.
"Err, I dunno, he's all kinds of monster strong, but it's been a couple years since we last … played together as kids. We haven't had an all out fight."
Ryoga growled and adopted a grin. "You know I'm better Ranma, just admit don't we settle this right now?"
The old woman's laughter broke up the argument again. She sipped her tea and just shook her head. Glancing between the two of us like we were a pair of arguing brothers or something.
"Ah, to be young and have a friendship with a strong rival. Someone who can keep pushing you to get better, and boys being boys. But come now children, no horseplay in the house. Besides, it's late, and dinner is almost done. You can go outside and play tomorrow."
Ryoga frowned but gave up the battle, for now. With how easily the old woman had cleaned Genma's clock he probably was thinking better of testing her patience, in her own home. A wise move indeed. I just grinned and shrugged.
"Now, son-in-law, to the matter at hand. It's not so bad, being engaged to Shampoo, is it now?" She was going to keep prodding till she got an answer it seemed. Ranma's usual, nervous habits rose up and I let it have freedom. Fingers reached behind my head and playing with the ponytail there.
"Well, I mean … she's very beautiful. Very, very beautiful." Glancing to her and getting nothing but a deep smile in turn. How does a girl fall for someone that fast? I mean I can understand an instant crush, but 'love?' Ah well, who cares, I haven't had the pleasure of a girl's company in a romantic capacity in years. Could do a lot worse for myself.
What about Akane?
I don't know. She's cute and has some endearing qualities. Taking that level of pounding and misunderstanding to bring those qualities out? I don't know if I was up for that challenge or not. Whatever, I'll worry about her and Ukyo when we get there.
"But, married? I'm only sixteen. Couldn't we, you know, give dating a shot and all that first? I've never really had a girlfriend before."
The woman chuckled to herself, "Oh don't be shy, Sonny boy. If you'll acknowledge the engagement before any other foolishness your father brings up, then the details are no matter to me. When and where you two live and get married is up to you."
"Oh … well then, umm, okay." I turned my head and looked into Shampoo's eyes. She gazed back adoringly, I know it's sappy but I could so drown in those eyes and die happy right now.
"Shampoo, I formally acknowledge our engagement. I hope you won't be offended if I ask you for time to learn about you and we can get comfortable with one another. Umm, don't know the Chinese word for it, but will you be my girlfriend first, and we can get married when we're ready?"
Cologne laughed between translating for my as yet not understanding girlfriend and made comments about my very 'bland' attempt at being romantic, but called it 'cute' anyway.
Shampoo listened and her smile widened, I was afraid she might get mad at me for not saying we should get hitched first thing in the morning, but the idea of a formal courtship seemed to be enough for the time being.
"Airen! Wo ai ni!" Her arms went around my ribs and squeeze them with enough pressure I could feel my chest groan in protest. Okay, yeah she was dangerous strong herself. Her chest crushing into my arm though, well let's just say very nice.
Genma came back around from his nap and growled, "What are you saying boy?! You can't just go getting engaged to this girl. You've got a fiancee waiting for you in Japan!"
He launched himself across the table and grabbed me shirt suddenly. I was suddenly being crushed by the amazon around my ribs, and my brain rattled around by the bald fool shaking me like he was trying to make a smoothly.
Before I could introduce my fist to his head, Shampoo's did it for me. She rattled off something that sounded vaguely insulting before Cologne said something back. Suddenly, the girl became quite demure and almost teleported to my father's side. She then helped Genma sit back up.
My brow arched as she dusted off his gi and straightened his top. Adjusted his glasses and refilled his tea. That girl's mode switch could be scary fast. Really going to have to be careful how I approach her.
"My granddaughter would like to apologize to her father-in-law, she doesn't mean disrespect, but she also wishes you not to offend her. Is she not of worth to you? The girl is an excellent fighter, likely the best in the whole village of her generation. She is fully trained to cook, keep house, and otherwise be a model bride."
Sporting a red mark on his cheek where her punch had impacted, Genma blinked and I could almost see the gears in his head turning. If one thing I could count on, the man was selfish and impulsive. He likely had no desire for a repeat pounding. To say nothing of having the pretty girl fawning on him suddenly turned his mood around.
He adjusted his glasses and fell into what I suppose he considered a 'wise and considerate' form of behavior. His voice became deep and he tried to sound like he was being contemplative. I could be mean and ruin the effect by just pointing somewhere random and shouting 'look money!.' But for now I held my peace.
"Well, the boy's happiness is of paramount importance to me…"
{Uh huh, second only to your stomach, greed, and whatever stupid scheme you cook up next.} To my credit, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"But, he's to be engaged to one of the daughter's of an old friend of mine. It's very important to him, for he has no son to inherit his dojo and carry on his family legacy. This is a matter of our family honor, and the future of both branches of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts."
Cologne chuckled a little and nodded.
"Ah, I see, it's a matter of property in addition to honor. Well, I can understand your position then. Ranma stands to inherit a piece of real estate with, I would assume, a none too small value to it? However, I haven't even mentioned the fact of Shampoo's dowry yet, have I?"
Genma ever a man to take a short term gain over long term investment, suddenly had to fight his interest. Schooling his expression and not doing a very good job of it.
"Dowry? Err … how much would be talking? Out of curiosity mind you, I haven't yet agreed to any of this."
The old woman gave him a level gaze, oh she had hooked the fish already and poor Pops didn't even know it yet. Though, no doubt he'd try to cheat Shampoo and her great-grandmother out of every sliver of valuable stuff he could wring from them. Then run off with me and I'd have another angered fiancee on my tail, and probably wanting my head.
"Well, contrary to how humble our village may look, Mister Saotome, we have long been acquiring riches and wealth for the services we provide to China. In ancient days we would train the concubines of the Emperor in martial arts, to better protect his palace. Some of our finest warriors have actually been brides to the Emperor or his sons. We exchange our learning with scholars from across Asia, and provide services expected of martial artists. To rid people of ghosts, demons, and other problems.
"My family is quite wealthy, we simply choose to display in more subtle ways. Shampoo will be granted a very handsome dowry to begin her new life. When she is finally married." The woman spoke that with finality.
It seemed to be enough, Genma snapped his focus back to attention and I could see the money signs behind his eyes. I was hopeful Cologne could see him for what he was. As I recall, my father's former master Happosai robbed the village long ago in the distant past, when both he and Cologne were young. Hopefully, she'd be prepared to prevent such a thing happening to her again.
"Well, I wouldn't want to break up a new love before it has a chance to be tested. And Tendo's daughters are all still young yet. I'll be sure to go talk to him, I'm sure he'll understand. Besides, we should let Ranma and Shampoo find out if they're compatible or not."
Now what was he plotting? There was no pile of jewelry or the like sitting right in front him. Unlike with the Kuonjis and their food cart having been the upfront temptation for Genma. I find it very hard to believe he would try to play the long game, to see who would make a better offer for his retirement. The man rarely displayed much in the way of strategic thinking, and I doubt he really had the patience for it.
His long term goals just got swept up in the here and now and it was one of the things that caused us so many problems in the long run. There was also no doubt he was going to try and haul me back to Japan anyway. For now, all I could do as keep an eye out and take it as it came.
I hated being reactive and not proactive, but right now there was no help for it. I'd been lucky … ish, so far. I'd count my positives higher than my negatives at least. Not like I was going to roll with the Tendo engagement anyway. That isn't to say the thought of trying it was bad, I just didn't know how to feel about it at all.
I never had any personal issues with the Akane romance. But I was the one living it now, and I didn't like the thought of walking to someone else's tune if I could help it. Besides, Shampoo … enough said.
The matter seemed settled for now, the two gave a soft shake of hands. A temporary truce on the issue. While Shampoo darted to the kitchen in answer to a call and helped her father pass out dinner for we, their guests.
True to my expectations soon as it was dark Shampoo had said something I couldn't understand. She said it with firm conviction though. My bag and my body were hauled into her bedroom and almost thrown across her bed. I was promptly tackled and hugged again.
Alright, I know this may look bad on my end, but I really don't see much point in complaining. Contrary to what I might have assumed, at no point did she try to get downright touchy feely. She was quite aggressive in her desire for contact, but she was by no means a man eater.
Which was good, she was beautiful but I'd really prefer some time to get to actually know her. I still have my moral standards, damnit. I returned her hug as she slid across my lap. We shared words that went completely past one another, and shared a laugh at how silly it all was.
When I didn't push for anything more intimate, she never gave me a cross look or did anything to try and coax me into getting more 'familiar' with her. This put a warm feeling in my stomach and was relaxing in its own way.
Communication was going to be our first real challenge. I don't want things getting awkward before they can even begin to get into the happy times of dating. She seemed to either be sharing those thoughts, or was comfortable in divining them from me. She was grabby clingy, but I could deal with that.
When she yawned though, my body took on a full blush. Not because she was any kind of sensual in that act. It was because she stood up and began to strip, without reservation or hint of modesty. Girl was comfortable in her flesh, no doubts. And she had no qualms about me seeing any and all of it.
For my part, being someone with ingrained manners I swiftly turned around. Okay, maybe I had some shyness to me. Bite me! I'm not used to a girl I've just met stripping down like we'd been house mates for five years. It was one thing if your sister was walking around in her underwear, not that you'd want to see that but point stands. It's something else entirely when it's a girl you don't even really know yet.
Her eyes watched me, and she giggled a bit. I don't know what she said. It sounded more teasing than anything, but with a very playful jibe to it. I could've left the room there, but something kept my in place. More sounds of cloth, this time what passed for her nightshirt, I guess. Barely covered that wonderful bottom of hers.
She slid into bed, and then rolled onto her back, feet pushing me out to the floor. She pointed to me, her discarded clothes, then the bed. I got the idea even if I continued to fail in following her words. With my body still in a blush I turned my back to her again. Letting my shirt and pants go to the floor. Left me still half dressed in boxers and white tank top.
A few cooling breaths and I turned back to find her with the covers pulled back. She patted the spot beside her and gave me an expectant look. Alright, maybe a little fast but I could adjust very quickly. I didn't complain or stall, even as I was still quite pink I'm sure. Sliding into the bed beside her and got comfortable and with more ease than I suspected I drifted off.
Don't know how much time passed, but I was slowly roused to the feeling of a hand slapping my cheek. Words began to filter through my brain and kept trying to bring me around. Whatever this annoyance was, it tickled my rage nerve rather than my alarm. So I reflexively launched out my fist in the general direction I thought it would be.
There came a solid contact and something hit the floor with a grunt. I then promptly rolled over and curled into the wonderful source of warmth beside me. It has a delightful, soft scent and gave a cute little hum as I pressed closer. Although, sadly my warm pillow was soon muttering.
I was woken when I caught a sudden shriek of "Aiyah!" There was a loud crash and more groaning. My brain slapped to alert at the possibility of an attack. More than once Pops had pulled midnight 'training' exercises by starting me off with a sneak attack. Wouldn't be something that stopped for a long time I'm sure.
I caught sight of Shampoo sitting up in the bed, blanket held close to her body and pointing across the room. She snarled off what sounded to be a vicious series of Chinese curses at whatever had roused her anger.
There on the floor, having crashed through a set of shelves containing several of Shampoo's various belongings was my old man. Her chui was buried in his gut from where she'd hit him dead center mass. Girl had lethal aim.
He was dressed with his travel pack in hand, mine laying nearby. Ah, so he meant to sneak out in the middle of the night. Typical Genma. I could see a conspicuous lack of Ryoga. So that's how it was?
The Lost Boy, gave a loud sneeze from another room and could be heard to shout. "Now where am I? Ranma, this isn't funny! Why am I in the pantry!"
I could only sigh, rubbing on my temples. I was having such wonderful dreams too. I don't remember a damn thing about them, but I know they were good. On very sleepy legs I wobbled my way over and collected the pitiful excuse for a father and hauled him to Shampoo's window.
"The first night I've had to sleep in a bed in months, and you can't let me enjoy it! Save it for in the morning, you moron!" Throwing him out into the night. It wasn't a very good pitch, but then I wasn't concerned for distance. His pack went flying out after into the gloom. When I heard him cry in pain, I knew I had at least hit my mark.
From somewhere else in the house Ryoga could be heard to fuss again, only to mutter something about 'I was looking for the bathroom.' Then footsteps and silence. Those two immediate issues settled, no one else seemed to be coming to bring news or trouble. Good.
Shampoo grabbed my hand and snatched me back into the bed, muttering another string of much softer curses and took a few minutes to calm down. Resigning myself to my oh so horrible fate, I did my duty and wrapped my arms around her. She grinned and settled down, and blessedly resumed sleeping without any further interruptions that night.
A/N: So here is the second chapter, and it got a lot longer than I intended. Once I got started writing it, just kind of ran away from me. I've actually trimmed about 1500 words off the end and started the next chapter from them. This is rather stream of consciousness writing, I'm just pouring out the ideas as they come to me without actually plotting out the chapters. Hopefully, it remains fun to read. And yes, I guess it's become a Ranma x Shampoo pairing. Just see how it rolls, as I want to try and avoid just repeating other stories I've read where I can help it.
Hopefully you're enjoying reading it anyway. The third chapter will be coming along soon as well, since I've already got bits of it started, and I want to add to them.
Till next time,
Dorin
