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

-4-

In the morning, Shampoo once again found herself held in Ranma's sleeping embrace. She basked in the moment. When he woke up, he didn't immediately pull away. She smiled into his chest and nuzzled a little closer, testing his reaction. Not knowing she was awake, he didn't protest the closeness. Minutes ticked by as they lay there, enjoying the comfort of each other, before Ranma had to get up to use the restroom. Shampoo "woke" as he left the bed, and informed him that they still had their reservation if he wanted to train.

"Yeah, let's do that. I don't know when the next time I'll be able to train with you will be and pops doesn't always offer much of a challenge...unless he cheats or plays dirty." The last was said in a mumbled tone.

With that, the two changed their clothes and headed down. They routine repeated itself from the previous days, however this time, they had a larger crowd watching them spar. After they finished their workout, they went back to their room to shower and pack. Shampoo showered first, changed, and began packing up their things. As she stowed the last piece of clothing, she looked out the window and saw a gathering of people. She studied the scene for a moment and realized a wedding was being hosted there. Mesmerized by the spectacle, she watched the ceremony taking place. Completely absorbed, she didn't hear Ranma talking to her. It wasn't until he approached her and looked out the window over her shoulder that she realized he was out of the bathroom.

"Someone's gettin' hitched." He stayed there with her, both staring from the window, until the ceremony ended and the bride and groom left in a limousine parked nearby.

Shampoo turned away from him at that point. This is it, this is the last day of our weekend. Now all that's left is Ranma's decision. Anxious energy coursed through her, but she didn't have an outlet for it.

"Shampoo?" Ranma asked, concern coating his words.

"Shampoo nervous. Today last day…" she trailed off, but Ranma realized what she was getting at.

"That's right…" he paused.

The silence continued, Shampoo waiting for his decision and Ranma deciding how best to put his feelings into words.

"This weekend did not go as I expected. In fact it made me realize quite a few things. Things I probably should have known before, but…" he trailed off again.

Shampoo was torn, wanting to both prolong the moment and end it immediately so she could finally know where he stood.

"That movie from our first night here, really put into perspective how unfair I've been, and I reflected on what you said to me in the woods too, and you were right. I didn't give you any opportunity to spend time with me, or for me to get to know you. I shouldn't have done that, but I was trying to avoid the situation, because I didn't want any of it. Again, it wasn't fair to you or the others…"

Her back was still facing him, her eyes firmly shut. Please Ranma, just tell me. Shampoo was listening to every word and knowing he considered her previous statements was nice, but it wasn't what she wanted to hear in this moment.

"I've decided…"

Shampoo stiffened at this.

"That I'm going to stop running away from my predicament and make a decision. It's not right for me to lead you all on, keeping you all invested when I can only have one. Shampoo, I took you for granted and used your offerings of help when it suited me. The same to the old ghoul. I owe you both, and I'm sorry I didn't realize it before now. I've been selfish with you in the past, and I'm going to have to be so again. First though, I have to say, even though this weekend opened my eyes a bit, I don't know how I feel, yet. I do know that I enjoyed this weekend with you, and I don't want you to go back to China, but I also have a favor to ask of you…"

Shampoo finally turned to face him. Tears swam in her eyes. He wants me to stay!

Ranma took in her expression and closed the distance between them. She just looks so... One hand wrapped around her and the other lifted her chin.

Closing her eyes, she waited for him to make his next move.

Without a second thought, he bent his head toward her, and their lips met.

She was surprised at first, that he finally went through with it, as history proved that he usually failed to follow through, but after the initial hesitation, she responded, heating up the kiss, and wrapping her arms around him.

Time passed before they finally broke apart for air, but Shampoo stayed in his arms.

If this is a dream, please don't wake me. She held onto the moment as long as she could.

Finally Ranma pulled back. "Shampoo… I meant what I said. I don't know how I feel now about all of this and I need to ask you something and I know it's selfish of me, but I need to ask you anyway."

"What Airen need to ask?"

Ranma turned his head, ashamed of what he was going to say. "I need to ask you to give me time to figure out which, out of my three fiancees,to choose." He turned back to face her. "I haven't been fair to any of you and I've decided that it's time for me to make a choice, but the only way for me to do it fairly is to spend time with each of you and then select the best match."

Shampoo listened without interruption, but when he seemed to be finished she asked. "Airen want Shampoo to let date other girls?"

"Not all other girls, just Akane and Ukyo."

"How long Airen need to decide?"

"I don't know, how long does it take to fall in love?"

"Shampoo love Airen quickly."

Ranma looked deep into her eyes. "Do you love me? Really?"

"Yes, Airen. It not happen immediately after defeat Shampoo, but as Shampoo learn about Airen and type man is, Shampoo love, even bad parts."

"Thank you Shampoo for loving me, and for this weekend. You've made me realize so much." He pulled her into his embrace again. "I'm sorry." He whispered in her ear.

She clung to him. That's not exactly what I wanted to hear, but I am dealing with Ranma and baby steps are required. "That mean Ranma see angry and spatula girl only?"

"No, I'm not going to do what I was before. I'll make sure to spend time with you as well, I promise." He pulled her back so she could see his face. "I promise," he repeated.

"Shampoo trust Airen. Shampoo wait."

After everything I've done in the past to betray it, she still trusts me. "I don't deserve it, but thank you, Shampoo." He leaned down and kissed her again. This one sealing his promise.

As they were not in a rush, they took their time heading back to Nerima, arriving in the early evening.

They paused at a crossroad, where their destinations lay in different directions. Ranma looked down the path toward the Tendo home before turning away from it. "I'll walk you home. I'm not ready to leave you yet."

She held out her hand to him. "Is ok. Ranma come for dinner?"

Reaching for her, he replied. "That sounds nice."

With that they headed toward the Nekohanten.

Please, please, don't let Mousse be there. Shampoo thought over and over as they neared the distance. The door was locked and Shampoo fished out her key. It was dark inside, but Shampoo knew the layout like the back of her hand, so she made her way to the kitchen before turning on any lights.

"No need to turn on all lights and attract attention. Restaurant closed." She explained.

Ranma nodded, guessing who exactly she was referring to.

"Airen want anything specific?"

"Whatever you feel like eating is fine."

Shampoo nodded and checked what the refrigerator had in stock.

Ranma watched her as she pulled out ingredients and cookware and began throwing things together. Rice was cooking, pork slices were placed in a pan, and she was chopping up some vegetables. She moved efficiently about the kitchen getting things together and after a little while Ranma was served a dish of pork and fried rice. Not a fancy dish, having been put together relatively quickly, but it looked tantalizing and smelled delicious.

Shampoo filled two cups with water before setting her plate beside Ranma to eat.

"This is very good." Ranma said after his first bite.

"It nothing, just toss together." Shampoo tried to brush off the compliment, and took a bite herself, pleased with the results. Shampoo glanced over at her companion. "What Airen do now?"

"What do you mean?"

"What Airen's plan?"

"Oh..." he fell silent. "Honestly, I haven't thought too much about how I'm going to go about everything. I just know, things have to change."

Not surprising knowing Ranma, but still a little disappointing.

Ranma noticed her disappointment, and reconsidered his statement. I really don't have a plan… I'll need to figure out how best to move forward. He thought about amending his statement, but wasn't sure what he should say. Luckily he was saved from having to decide as the door opened behind them.

They both quickly turned to see the new arrival, one out of curiosity and the other out of panic. Fortunately, it was Cologne who had entered.

"Ah welcome home Shampoo, and good evening son-in-law. I hope the two of you had a good time."

Ranma looked stunned. How did the old ghoul know?

"Don't look so surprised sonny, Shampoo called me while you two were gone so I wouldn't worry something had happened to her."

Ranma's face froze in terror at the thought that their time away was public knowledge.

"Relax, I didn't see the need to share this information with anyone else. You are free to say whatever you'd like about where you were."

"That's a relief. I didn't see anyone before we left, so I just wrote a note saying I was going away for the weekend to train. I will have to figure something out…" he trailed off as he realized the interrogation he's going to walk into back at the Tendo house.

Ranma grew pensive as he continued to dwell, and Cologne was intensely studying the two of them.

"Something wrong Great-grandmother?" Shampoo asked, snapping the both of them from their thoughts.

"No, I was just studying your auras and chi. They have changed slightly and seem a little more comparable. I wonder… would you two be interested in learning a new partnered technique?"

Ranma perked at the mention of a new technique. "What kind of technique?"

"It's called Inferunokēji or inferno cage. It's an extremely difficult technique to master, and requires two people. It's so difficult that I haven't seen a pair master it since I was a young girl."

The description further enticed Ranma, especially since no one had been able to master it for so long. "Sounds interesting."

"Why is it so hard to master?" Shampoo asked.

"Because the two individuals have to meld their chi together. It works like this: one partner uses their chi and creates, in essence, a cage around the opponent and the other person strikes down into the cage with their chi creating an inferno. The cage acts as a barrier keeping the chi-fueled flames inside of it. The tighter the cage the deadlier the technique. The hardest part is the melding of the chi. If not done properly it could explode outward.

"Why recommend that one?"

"I would like to see it performed again, and the two of you are almost resonating. I believe you may be able to do it."

Shampoo looked to Ranma, he was already looking at her. His face alight, eager to take on the impossible task. "If Airen want to try, Shampoo will do."

"Alright! When do we begin?"

"Give me a week to get things in order, and we can begin. The beginning process will not be as exciting as your used to, son-in-law, as the first thing we have to do is be able to merge both of your chi's together without them reacting."

"A week?" Ranma visibly deflated.

"This give Airen time to plan, yes?

Ranma grumbled. Finally noticing the lack of death threats against him, Ranma asked, "Where's Mousse?"

Cologne chuckled. "He's out looking for Shampoo. He hasn't been back. It's been nice having the quiet."

All three nodded in agreement at the statement.

"It was good to see you son-in-law, I will let you know if we can begin training any sooner, but I am off to bed. Good night you two."

"Good night great-grandmother."

"Good night."

At Cologne's departure, Ranma looked over at the clock hanging on the wall. It's getting pretty late, I should be getting back soon.

Shampoo followed his gaze. "Airen need to leave?"

Turning back to face her, he felt really torn, but in the end decided he should just bite the bullet and go back. "It is getting pretty late…" he said, but remained in his seat.

Is it because he doesn't want to leave me or that he doesn't want to face the repercussions when he goes home? Shampoo wondered as she watched the struggle occurring inside Ranma. "Airen no have to leave, if no want to…" Shampoo left the statement open for him to interpret however he wanted.

His cheeks reddened slightly causing Shampoo to smile. Finally, he rose from his chair. "Thank you for the weekend, for dinner, and for the offer, but staying would probably only raise more questions."

Shampoo rose too and they walked toward the door. He paused in front of it, turning toward her. His arms twitched, as if he was going to hug her but then changed his mind.

She looked at him quizzically, she could tell he was nervous and unsure what he should do. Ranma is still shy about initiating things. Taking the pressure off of him, she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him. He noticeably relaxed in her embrace before returning it.

"Thank you Airen, for giving Shampoo a chance."

Ranma pulled back slightly.

Shampoo lifted her head to look at him.

He dipped his head down and his lips met hers.

Maybe he's not as shy as I thought. Shampoo happily responded.

They pulled back for just a moment, before Shampoo kissed him again, this one with more heat.

When they finally broke apart, they were breathless and flushed.

Unable to think straight after such a kiss, Ranma decided it would be best not to say anything. He stretched his arm out and reached for the doorknob, fumbling to turn it at first, and pulled it open, all without moving or turning his vision away from Shampoo.

A cold breeze blew through the open door, and they both shuddered, which broke the trance they were under.

Ranma, able to move again, stepped through the threshold and Shampoo stood behind him, leaning against the door.

Outside he turned back to face her, she was still there, propped against the door, the lights of the restaurant on behind her, leaving her in an orange glow while he stood in the darkness outside. Now I understand some of that horrible play we performed parting IS such sweet sorrow.

Turning away from her he began walking home.

Shampoo waited just a few minutes before closing and locking the door. A voice called behind her in Chinese.

"It seems the weekend has done you some good."

Shampoo couldn't help the grin that crossed her face and turned to face her elder. "Overall, It was a wonderful weekend. I'm so glad we did it."

"Why don't you come upstairs and tell me about it."

Shampoo quickly tidied up and rushed up the stairs. She recapped the whole weekend for her grandmother, but expressed concern about what Ranma had asked of her and his plans.

"It is good that he has finally realized what he's been doing and that he's ready to seriously make a decision, but…" the winds of fortune can change away from you, my child.

Shampoo having similar thoughts, finished her sentence, "But he might not choose me. I am nervous about how and what he's going to do, and I did promise to give him the time to figure it out... I'm not going to lie, I'm a little scared."

Cologne hugged her child, hoping to offer her comfort. Maybe the training might help her.