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

-3-

As they neared the entrance to the restaurant, they found a long line wrapping around the corner. Ranma's stomach growled in protest at the expected wait time. However, Shampoo walked straight to the worker managing the line and after a few short words, they were escorted back to their table, which was located toward the back, giving them privacy from the other patrons. The swiftness of being seated surprised Ranma, he waited until the host walked away before he questioned the occurrence.

"Shampoo call earlier and make reservation." She explained. "Know Airen very hungry, and no want to wait."

Ranma nodded his thanks. They looked over the menus provided, which were smaller than the normal menus. This was not surprising as it was a complimentary meal, they probably offered a smaller selection. Looking through the menu, they both quickly decided on their dishes. The waiter came, took their menus and orders before leaving them again. Silence surrounded them and the air was full of nervous energy. Shampoo thought to rectify the situation. "Ranma tell Shampoo of growing up with panda man." This should be a topic that will keep Ranma talking. And it was, Ranma began telling her many tales of the stupid things Genma did to Ranma, like deciding to train him in the Nekoken or pawning Happosai onto him as his new master. As well as the situations that Genma roped Ranma into, like the countless fiancees debacle by trading his hand in marriage for a single meal to one family and to Ukyo's father for an okonomiyaki cart after having already promised him to the Tendo family. Shampoo listened tentatively, which encouraged Ranma to continue his tales.

The food was brought while Ranma was still talking and the waiter silently dropped off the dishes. Shampoo had ordered a salmon plate with a quinoa salad and roasted vegetables, while Ranma had a grilled chicken dish with mashed potatoes and green beans. Ranma began shoveling his food immediately, before realizing his father wasn't there, and he didn't need to scarf down his food. Shampoo was eyeing him quizzically, and he explained. "My old man will constantly eat off my plate first, before eating his, so I have to eat fast, or else I may go hungry." There was some heat in his words.

Realizing that Ranma had talked about himself almost the entire time, he asked Shampoo about her childhood and what it was like growing up with the amazon tribe. He listened, fascinated to her upbringing and how different it was from his own. He grew even more annoyed at the blind martial artist when she told him how Mousse had changed from being one of her only friends to her unwanted admirer and how his constant pursuit further isolated her from her peers.

Shampoo turned toward Ranma. "Airen, what is your dream?"

"My dream?" he repeated.

Shampoo nodded her head.

"To be the best martial artist."

Shampoo nodded. "Shampoo happy to help in small way."

He looked at her puzzled.

"Airen's best attacks learn from great-grandmother and great-grandmother no be here if not for Shampoo."

He stopped and considered that statement. The Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken, he did learn from the old ghoul and Shampoo was there trying to encourage and help him. The Hiryū Shōten Ha was taught by Cologne as well, and she gave him the hint about not being able to master the Shishi Hōkōdan, which led to his Mōko Takabisha.

Ranma sat pensive for some time, working out the truth of her statement.

Finally he nodded to himself, then asked, "What about you? What's your dream?"

A light rose crept into her cheeks, further accentuating her beauty. "Shampoo want travel world, learn different martial art, become strong warrior for the Joketsuzoku, and raise family with Airen, teach children be strong warriors too."

After they finished their meals, Ranma picking off Shampoo's plate, the waiter came by and handed them a dessert menu, stating he would be back to check on them in a moment.

Shampoo looked at her bottomless-pit of a date and asked, "Which dessert Airen want? Parfait?" Ranma's eyes lit up and Shampoo closed the menu.

When the waiter returned, Shampoo ordered the dessert. It wasn't long before the waiter dropped it off with two spoons.

Ranma immediately began to dig in, but noticed Shampoo wasn't partaking. "You're not going to eat any?"

"Shampoo get for Airen. Know Airen like sweets."

Ranma seemed momentarily abashed at the statement. Grabbing his spoon, he dipped it into the dessert and offered a small bite to Shampoo. She hesitantly leaned forward, allowing him to feed it to her. Once the dessert was polished off, they made their way back to their room; however, this time, it was Ranma who automatically reached out for Shampoo's hand. Smiling at herself, she leaned her head against his arm. Back inside, Shampoo made her way to a shopping bag, and rifled through it. She pulled out two bundles and handed one to Ranma. It was a set of green pajamas with a toothbrush on top, which he took before heading to the bathroom. Shutting the door, he changed clothes. When he exited, she had already changed into her lavender night dress. Ranma hesitated by the bed, unsure of what he should do.

"Airen sleep with Shampoo."

He looked questioningly at her.

"Happen before."

He immediately remembered the instance Shampoo was referring to. She had snuck into his futon at the Tendo house and Akane and let him have it because of it.

Almost as if she could read his thoughts, she responded, "No angry girl here to punish Airen... We sleep only, promise." Shampoo added the last bit as he seemed too hesitant.

With her assurance, he climbed into the bed and sat beside her. "Let's see if there's anything worth watching." He grabbed the remote he had abandoned earlier, and began channel surfing. Finding a movie just starting, he decided to let it play out. The early action sequences kept him engaged, but as the plot further developed, he realized this movie resembled his love life verbatim. The main character had been coerced into obtaining multiple fiancees, then being forced to choose between them, all while facing many adversaries that were somehow connected to the possible fiances one way or another. The similarities further drew Ranma into the story. He watched all the way to the end, before realizing Shampoo had fallen asleep. Shutting off the television, he laid down next to her, a line from the movie repeating in his mind. "Expressing your feelings is not cowardly, but running from them is." This one statement left him feeling guilty, as running from his own obligation had become second nature. "Not dealing with it isn't making it go away. It's just making it all more complicated, and it's not fair to you guys. I realize that now." He stated while looking at the slumbering Shampoo.

Shutting his eyes, he let his dreams take over. The movie, having such an impact, merged into his dream and he followed the movie's plot as the main character and the fictional fiancees were played by Akane, Shampoo, and Ukyo.

Shampoo woke first, and was pleasantly surprised to find that Ranma was cuddling with her in his sleep. Not daring to wake him, she stayed completely still enjoying the feeling of his arms wrapped around her. She could feel the moment he woke up, and his own shock at the state of things. His jerky movements told her he was afraid.

"Airen, it okay. Shampoo no mind and angry girl no here. Airen not get hit for what done in sleep."

Ranma relaxed with the realization. He hesitated with his arm still suspended in the air. Should he put it back around Shampoo or pull away? When he decided with the latter, Shampoo rolled out of the bed. "Hotel offer breakfast, we spar and go eat?"

Ranma nodded and followed her out of the bed. Taking turns in the restroom, they readied themselves for their workout. Shampoo had purchased exercise clothes for them to train in. Their practice went similarly to the previous day. However, this time a small crowd had gathered to watch them. When they finished, the crowd dispersed, some leaving money by their towels and water.

"What are we going to do for the rest of the day?" Ranma asked as they ran through their cool down exercises.

"Shampoo hear there is festival going on. Airen wish to go?"

"That sounds fun." He agreed.

In the room, they once again took turns showering and changing, before making their way down to the area set aside for the continental breakfast the hotel provided its guests. They ate their fill, before going back to the room.

Shampoo organized some of her purchases, then headed toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Ranma called out after her.

"Shampoo need get few things. Not be gone long."

Ranma considered his options of being dragged out shopping or staying in the hotel room, and decided to tag along. "I can go with you."

Never one to turn down an opportunity to spend with him, Shampoo nodded her agreement, and the two left.

True to her word, they weren't out long shopping, but Ranma proved to be easily distracted and they ended up pulled in different directions looking at some of the street performers.

They stayed out longer than expected, the afternoon hours falling away, and so they decided to grab a quick bite to eat before heading to the festival. After their late lunch, Shampoo disappeared into the restroom with one of her shopping bags. When she came out to meet Ranma, he saw that she had changed outfits. She was wearing a blue traditional Japanese yukata, with pink cherry blossoms.

"Wow, Shampoo, you look beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen you in something like that before. It looks good on you."

Shampoo's face flushed. "Thank you, Airen. Ranma ready to go."

"Yeah, let's do it."

The two walked to the festival, checking out the different booths and attractions there. Finding some of the game stalls the two took turns winning various prizes, only to give all but one away to children who were wanting them. Shampoo kept only one of the prizes they won, a teddy bear wearing a red shirt, similar to the one Ranma typically wore, holding a heart.

"Something smells good. Stay here and I'll be right back." Ranma left Shampoo on a bench and went to investigate the tantalizing scent. While he was gone, five men approached Shampoo.

"Lookie what we have here boys. What a pretty young thing." The leader said as the men surrounded her.

"What you want? Shampoo here with someone."

"Oh, she's here with someone, hear that."

Shampoo rose from her bench and tried to break away from the men. "Leave Shampoo alone. Shampoo no interested."

"Boys, we've got a feisty one here."

They made to move in and Shampoo backed up. I don't want to make a scene, but it doesn't look like they're going to leave me alone. Shampoo prepared herself to go on the offensive, when she heard a familiar voice.

"Shampoo, you've got to try this!"

Shampoo called out, "Airen!"

The five men turned to look at the newest arrival.

Ranma saw the men, and realized he walked into a situation. "Shampoo, are you alright."

"They no leave Shampoo alone."

"Do we have a problem here guys?" Ranma asked the men.

"No, no problem at all. Why don't you go on and leave again?"

"That's not going to happen. She's with me, now if you will go find your thrills elsewhere we can continue on with our evening."

Shampoo noticed the leader pull out a switchblade from his pocket. "Airen careful!" She cried out just before he lunged at Ranma.

In that moment, there was a blur of movement. The leader lunged at Ranma with his knife drawn, Ranma dodged to the side, and Shampoo attacked the nearest guy. Everything concluded just as fast as it started with Ranma and Shampoo standing over the heap of men. "You guys picked a fight with the wrong people."

The couple walked away. Ranma kept Shampoo close to him after that incident, not that she was opposed to the idea. As the night progressed, they heard that there was going to be a fireworks show, so they headed off to find a good place to watch. On a hill bank, they found other people claiming spots and so they headed in that direction, with Ranma stopping a few times for snacks along the way. It wasn't too long after they were seated that the fireworks began to the oh's and ah's of the crowd. Shampoo shivered from the cold, and Ranma, not having a jacket to offer her, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him, attempting to warm her with his own body heat. She snuggled in, resting her head on his shoulder and the two of them enjoyed the colorful display.

The trip back to the hotel was full of conversation and laughter. The two found that the more time they spent together the easier it was to be in each other's company. Inside their room, the two quickly settled for sleep. This night, Ranma went into the bed without any qualms. He turned the television on, set a timer, and they were both asleep before the program was fifteen minutes in.