I do not own Ranma 1/2 or any of its characters

-2-

The sun high above, early afternoon settled in as the two finally walked into the lobby. Shampoo went straight to the counter and began talking with the clerk, while Ranma took in their surroundings. The lobby was huge with shopping areas just inside the door. A clothing store to the right, and a convenience center to the left of the doors. To the very back was the restaurant. A large chandelier was in the center of the lobby, with light reflected off the crystals dangling from the metal work. Ranma let out a low whistle before joining Shampoo at the help desk.

"Will that be a problem for the two of you?" The clerk was asking Shampoo.

"No problem." Shampoo said.

"Wonderful. We are booked up and wouldn't have been able to offer you anything else." She smiled brightly at the couple.

Ranma looked inquisitive, but was ignored by both women. The clerk handed over the keys and a voucher to Shampoo. You will be staying in room 414, on the fourth floor. I've included the dinner voucher, but the restaurant does have a dress-code policy. More information is in this brochure here." She handed the item over. "I do hope you two have a pleasant stay, and if there is anything you need at all, please feel free to press 0 on your phone to speak with anyone at the counter. Enjoy your stay!"

Shampoo thanked the lady and they made their way to the elevator. Once inside, Ranma asked. "What did she mean, will that be a problem?"

"There only one bed in room. They no have room with two beds open." Shampoo responded nonchalantly.

Ranma gulped, loudly. Shampoo hid her smile.

They walked into the room, and sure enough, there was one queen-sized bed in the middle of the room. There was a bathroom to the left as soon as they entered the room, a small closet, a writing desk and chair in the corner, the bed, and a television on a dresser.

Shampoo watched Ranma as he took in the room. She could tell he was nervous, as he was playing with his fingers. He didn't know what to do with himself. This won't do. "Ranma want go train?"

He perked up at that. "Train?"

"Yes, lady said there was area we could spare."

Ranma nodded, and Shampoo led him out of the room. Hopefully this will calm him down.

It was a large grassy area that the residents could reserve for different occasions. Luckily there wasn't any one using it, and Shampoo claimed the spot for today and earlier time-slots for the next two days as well.

They began easy with simple exercises to warm up their bodies, before moving up the intensity. At the end the two were blurs of movement in their sparring. Time ticked by as the two stayed out in the sun. After their last bout, they both needed to take some time and catch their breaths. "I forget, how good you are, Shampoo."

Her cheeks reddened at the compliment. "Airen is too too good. Shampoo have to push self hard to keep up." A smile spread across her face, as she saw the bolstering affect her words had on him. To cool down the two began doing some katas.

This is a perfect opportunity. "Airen show Shampoo favorite katas?"

Ranma smiled at her, and demonstrated a few. She followed along, and tried to do them herself. Ranma stood back, impressed at how quickly she was able to pick up on the movements, even the more subtle aspects of the kata. He did them again with her, and made minor corrections to her form, and the two did them in sync with one another.

"Can you show me some of your favorites?" Ranma asked, but his voice was muffled as if he was embarrassed to ask.

A smile immediately brightened her face, and she nodded. She began demonstrating some of her favorites, and Ranma memorized the movements before replicating them, as she had done earlier. They followed the same pattern as before until they were doing them flawlessly. They smiled at each other, and Shampoo knew that was the perfect thing to break the ice with him. Before either could say a word, Ranma's stomach growl interrupted the moment. Shampoo laughed, and Ranma chuckled nervously. "We go back, shower, and eat, yes?"

"That sounds good."

Shampoo reached for his hand again, and guided him back to the hotel. Ranma hesitated just inside the room, looking suspiciously between the shower and his companion.

"Ranma go first, unless want Shampoo to join?" she asked seductively.

He blushed furiously and mumbled out a negative.

She smiled at him. "Airen too too shy." Handing him a towel, she shooed him into the bathroom, before he could attempt and fail at arguing the point.

Once he was inside, she slipped out of the room, and headed downstairs.

Ranma stood on the other side of the door, unsure of everything so far. "This is not what I was expecting it to be, but so far it's... nice." He turned to look at the shower. "Western style shower, huh." Turning the knob, the water spurted from the shower head, he messed with the knob until he found a temperature he liked.

Afterwards, he stood in the bathroom, clad in just his towel, deciding what he should do. Before he came to a decision, there was a knock on the door. He cracked it open and clothes were being pushed through. He grabbed the hanger securing his privacy again. Shampoo had found clothes resembling the chinese style he preferred, but these were a nicer material. The long-sleeved dark blue top matched the color of his eyes, and the black pants fit perfectly, which surprised him. There was a black coat along too, but he was too warm from the shower to wear it now.

He exited the shower and found Shampoo watching him. "You like?"

"These are perfect. They're nice without being uncomfortable."

Smiling, she responded. "Shampoo thought Airen would like." She was surprised by the crimson invading his cheeks.

When he didn't say anything more, Shampoo gathered a towel, and her clothes and went into the bathroom.

Ranma sat on the bed, flipping through channels when he heard the door open. Shampoo walked out, and he was immediately frozen. She was wearing a Chinese styled red dress, decorated with purple designs, and looked absolutely stunning.

She saw his reaction and his wide eyes, but his lack of words left her feeling a little self-conscious. When she turned to look back at a mirror, she heard his voice.

"You look gorgeous."

She blushed furiously. "Airen very handsome too."

Silence followed, as both leveled out their nerves.

Shampoo reached her hand out to him, and asked. "We go?"

Ranma turned the television off and reached out to take her hand, and they left the room.