Ranma's girl form came out to the battlefield, dragging along his father, who was currently in his cursed form. Cologne and Shampoo were already there, looking confident, although Shampoo's face seemed to fall a bit when Ranma approached, and Cologne briefly whispered something to her. Wondering what she had said, Ranma went to stand opposite the duo. When he stopped, he was instantly drenched in boiling hot water. Rather than arguing with Cologne, who seemed to have thrown the kettle, he welcomed the change, enjoying his uncursed state. If Cologne was surprised at Ranma not reacting, she didn't show it. Instead she hopped a few paces to Ranma

"You understand the terms, Ranma?" Asked Cologne, a twinkle in her eye. "If you beat my Shampoo in a fair fight, and accept the consequences of it, I will try to cure you of the Neko-curse."

Waving his hand irately, Ranma said "Yea yea old ghoul. But..." Ranma focussed a glare at Cologne "What's up with the kiss of death thing? I've been trying to figure out why Shampoo isn't trying ta kill me anymore. Is that the 'consequences' you always be sure to mention?"

"I assure you, the no women of this tribe, especially Shampoo, are, or will be, after you're life. I will explain the full thing after your fight." Cologne assured him. Although I can't guarantee the men. Especially Mousse

"Hmm..." Ranma said uneasily. Something about this didn't seem right. The old ghoul didn't seem to be pulling any tricks, but the 'later' and the 'consequences' part unnerved him. On the other hand, anything's better then havin some crazy Amazon after my life, right? And I'll be free of the Neko-curse! Nodding, he took up a stance. A week was a long time in intense training terms, and he hadn't expected any hot water. Although it was a welcome change from his curse, it did mean his training week had been wasted. Shampoo could have easily learnt something in the week.

Cologne saw her future son-in-law's uneasy nod, and smiled. The child was wary, she'd give him that. But he had fallen into her trap, even if he had hesitated beforehand. Although it would be a waste of time if Ranma lost, she doubted that would happen. Despite giving Shampoo intensive training, she was quite sure Ranma would win. She hopped back, nodding in approval, and let Shampoo fight.

Shampoo wasted no time in rushing forwards, chui in hands. She took a test swing at Ranma, who showed off by using one hand to leap over it, and her, to land on the other side. Shampoo turned around, and unleashed a barrage of swings and jabs. Shampoo and Ranma blurred as they swiftly moved around, Ranma dodging every attack Shampoo threw.

Cologne watched as Shampoo let out another barrage. She watched closely as Ranma moved with ease around the blows, yet did not attack. She had thought at first that Ranma was just watching closely for any tricks, or analysing Shampoo's strategy, but he didn't seem to be doing either. He was just dodging, never attacking, although blocking when his speed occasionally failed. Apart from that, his hands were still. As Shampoo got more serious and started speeding up, she became more worried about Ranma. He had had plenty of time to do whatever he may have been trying to do, but he just would not attack. His chi was red like lava, but calm. He was not charging any attacks up, or using chi whatsoever. His pool of chi, or at least his potential pool, was enormous, yet it seemed to be unused, albeit when he was in Neko. She made a mental note to teach Ranma to use chi attacks

Shampoo was angry by now, and used chi to speed up her attacks as she had practised with Cologne. Ranma suddenly found himself under enormous pressure to dodge, and raised his arms up to block and protect. Shampoo smiled as Ranma got hit on the with one of her chui. She thought Ranma was taunting her by not responding, as if Shampoo was an unworthy opponent. She pressed her attack, and hit again, this time on the leg. She pressed Ranma, hoping he would counter-attack. She smiled as Ranma furrowed his eyes and took a step back. She did likewise, allowing him to get into a ready stance.

Unsure what he was going to do now, she again swung her chui as a test. He grabbed it, much to her surprise, and flung it into the air. She leapt up and caught it, the metal weapon weighing heavily in her tired hands. But, determined not to show weakness, she ploughed on, launching herself into a flurry of blows, this time exchanging them with Ranma instead of it being one-sided. Ranma threw up his leg unexpectedly, and managed to throw both her chui into the air in one kick. Temporarily shocked, Shampoo dully wondered how he had managed to do that just as he had the first time they had fought. Except Shampoo felt this battle was more important than any of her previous ones. She snapped back just as a chui was coming down. She caught it, looking at Ranma smugly before the second one came crashing down onto her leg. She crumpled, and fell unconscious. Ranma ran to her, worried if she was ok. It's strange, how quickly I've come to accept her. A week ago, if this had happened, I would have ran with Pops, or rather Pops would've ran with me, but it's the same concept. Now I'm worried if she's ok. Admittedly, she's not trying to kill me though, and she doesn't seem bad..

Shampoo woke up quickly, and took a moment to think, pretending she was still unconscious while slitting her eyes open to see Ranma hovering uncertainly over her. She had been hit by her own chui, but Ranma had been the one to kick it. So, it could still be counted as Ranma's victory! She opened her eyes properly, and got up shakily. Ranma backed away a bit, and Shampoo was briefly irritated he kept on backing off. But she waved it off as a problem that could be solved later. There was something more important right now...

She threw her arms around Ranma, and hung off him. He took a step to steady himself as Shampoo wrapped her legs around his waist, leaving her arms free. as Ranma started to try to act, she put her hands on either side of his face and turned it towards her, and kissed him straight on the lips.

1,138 words

I've reached 10 chapters! Thanks for all of your support, and I'm loving doing this. I wanted to finished this chapter on the kiss, so I did. 10th chapter is a big hurdle for me, so I'm glad I'm finally here. I've got quite a few followers now, and I'm loving the attention this fanfic is getting :)

I decided to incorporate chi early on because Cologne's blood relation should be able to use it. She's going to be a lot more powerful in this than she was in the anime/manga, because I just felt she is underrated for an Amazonian, especially one who was winning the tournament!

Thanks again for all your support, and I will be updating within the week. More reviews please, I love hearing what you have to say! Every comment, criticism or not, is welcome. ~ Tha master