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

-5-

Meanwhile outside, Ranma was passing Ucchan's when he heard someone calling for him. He turned, expecting to see Shampoo chasing after him, but was disappointed to see Ukyo hurrying toward him. Taking a moment, he collected himself, I AM disappointed that it wasn't Shampoo chasing me.

Shaking the thought away, he glanced up at Ukyo. "What are you doing out so late?"

"I should ask you the same? I was taking the trash out and saw you walking by. Did you just get back?"

"Sorta." He replied, unsure how best to answer her.

Ukyo noticed that he seemed distracted. "Everything okay Ran-chan?"

"Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind."

"Want to talk about it?"

He considered her question. "It's just all this fiancee business. I've come to realize the way I've been handling everything up till now hasn't been fair to you all. Instead of dealing, I've been avoiding it which has inadvertently strung you all along. By not wanting to hurt anyone, I realized I'm hurting everyone."

"The path to hell is paved with good intentions."

"What?"

"It's a saying. So what are you going to do?"

"Well, I have to make a decision, but I want to be fair to everyone, but I don't know how to do that."

"Speaking as your friend, the best thing would be to figure out which one you love, who is the one you would be the most devastated over if they weren't in your life."

"How do I decide who that is?"

Ukyo's eye twitched at that. "If you don't know how you feel, then that would be your first step. Think about each girl and consider your feelings toward her. If after that you are uncertain, maybe go on a date with each one... separately," she added, realizing her audience, "and consider who you get along with best, who makes your pulse quicken, who do you have the best time with."

"That's pretty good advice, thanks."

Pretty basic stuff. Ukyo looked up at her fiance. She could see he was lost in thought, planning something in that stunted brain of his. At least he is finally DOING something about this predicament, but where will he land? "Ranna…?" Ukyo began.

Ranma looked down at her, waiting for her to finish her thought.

"Uh, shouldn't you be getting back?" I'm such a coward.

"Yeah, you're probably right. Thanks for the talk. Good night." He turned and left.

Ukyo stayed in the street staring after him and cursing her own cowardice.

At the Tendo house, he found all the lights out. Everyone must be asleep already. Letting himself in, he made his way to the room he shared with his father, as quietly as he could. Inside the room, his father was in his panda form, asleep on his futon, snoring loudly.

How am I supposed to think when that's going on? Grabbing a change of clothes and his sleeping bag, he headed back out of the house toward the dojo in the back. Once there, he settled himself down for the night, as he got comfortable he realized he had forgotten his new clothes at the Nekohanten. Guess I'll have to go back for them. He smiled at the thought. Now to get down to business. He considered Ukyo's words and began thinking of the girls individually.

His thoughts drifted and scenarios played out, as the martial artist contemplated himself right to sleep. He dreamt of the girls and his decision seemed to plague his dreams, turning pleasant times stressful, but one recurring face would settle him back down, before the cycle repeated.

Morning finally came, the sun disturbing Ranma's rest. Reflexively, he reached out for Shampoo, but found he was alone. A pit grew in his stomach and he sat up looking at his surroundings before he remembered the events of last night. Right, I'm back at the Tendo's. Stretching, he packed up his gear and went toward the house.

He didn't get far before he heard his father bellowing, "Boy!"

"Heya Pop."

"Don't 'heya' me, like you didn't just vanish for the last few days."

"I didn't vanish, I went on a training trip."

"Without me?" The last word was enunciated with his indignation.

"Yes Pop. It was a different kind of training."

"Let's see how effective it was."

Ranma shrugged his shoulders, put down his bag and met his father by the koi pond.

In the house, Nabiki and Soun made their way down the stairs to find that the scent of breakfast was wafting around the living room.

"Seems like Ranma came home." Nabiki commented.

The shouts of the two men could be heard from well inside the house.

"Yes." Soun agreed, sitting down at the table, a cup of tea in his hand.

Akane came down last, the outside noise already alerting her to Ranma's return.

Back over at the pond, Genma was losing ground, but that was a usual case as Ranma's speed had long surpassed Genma's ability.

"Don't look now boy, but Akane just came down in her towel." Genma said, hoping to provide a momentary distraction.

It backfired. Ranma's lack of interest ended up surprising Genma and a kick later, he found himself surfacing from the pond, a victim of his own sneaky tactic.

"Leave me out of your perverse fantasies!" Akane shouted from the house, throwing a teapot at Ranma, after hearing Genma's ruse.

The projectile collided with the back of Ranma's head and he too took a dive in the pond.

Welcome home, indeed. Ranma mused, fuming at the antics of the morning. "What didja do that for!" she cried out.

Kasumi interrupted them by announcing breakfast was ready.

Ranma hurried out of the water, as Genma already had a head start back toward the house. They arrived at the same time, and Ranma had to prepare herself for the daily war over sustenance with her father. Genma tried some other distractions, but they all failed to divert Ranma's attention from her meal. Unfortunately for Genma, the only moment offered was when Ranma glared at Akane for the teapot, but by that time, her food was already gone.

"Thanks for the food." Ranma rose from the table first.

"Where are you going?" Genma called after her.

"I need to put my things away before we leave for school and change back to a guy."

Genma seemed confused at his initial statement. After we received the note, I checked for his gear, but it was left here, but he did have his sleeping bag when I found him earlier. What was the boy up to?

School went by with the usual antics, but after school ended Ranma and Akane found themselves joined by Ukyo on their way home.

"So Ranma honey, did you figure out what you are going to do?"

What's he going to do about what? Akane thought.

"I was considering it last night, and I think I've started putting together a plan."

What are these two talking about?

"Your advice really helped, thanks Ucchan."

Extremely embarrassed, Ukyo tried to dismiss his thanks. The red in her cheeks expressing her joy at his praise.

Akane finally had enough of being ignored. "What are you two talking about?"

Akane's statement surprised Ukyo. "You haven't discussed it with her yet?"

"Well… everyone was asleep when I got home and then we had school…" Ranma trailed off as Akane had reached her breaking point.

"If you two are going to act like I'm not here, then I'll just leave you to IT!" For Akane, this meant sending them both packing via a mallet swing. "The nerve of those two," she grumbled once she was alone. Her anger didn't last long as another agitation presented itself almost immediately after. "Akane!" Her name was cried just before a small impact collided into her chest. The old man rubbed his face against the soft area, before Akane, crying out in indignation, punched him on the top of his head.

Happosai looked up at her with tears in his eyes. "How can you treat an old man in such a cruel manner?"

"You can't play that game with me, you pervert!" With that said, she kicked the old man and sent him flying in the opposite direction of her other victims.

Ranma and Ukyo luckily sailed toward Ucchan's. After they landed, they covered the remaining distance to the restaurant to finish their conversation. Once inside, Ranma sat at the stool by her grill as Ukyo began chopping her ingredients. She didn't have a lot of time after school to prepare everything before she opened up.

"So what was the plan that you started to put together?" Ukyo picked back up where they left off.

"Well… I was thinking that if you didn't have any plans on Thursday, we could go out. School ends on Wednesday so we should have some free time."

Growing embarrassed, Ukyo's entire face turned red. "Like...like...on a date?"

"Yeah, like you were saying yesterday, I need to understand how I feel about you girls, not just as friends but as a romantic partner."

Ukyo, as per her usual state of behavior when embarrassed, began smacking Ranma, while uttering nonsense.

He moved out of her range. "Is that a yes?"

Still not being in control of herself to respond, Ranma moved toward the door. "I'll see you Thursday." He left the young chef to finish her preparations.

Not too far away, he could see the Nekohanten. Since I'm in the area, maybe I should get those clothes I left behind. The smells wafting toward him, further encouraged his decision to stop by.

"Nih-... " Shampoo trailed off in surprise at the newest arrival. The restaurant was already packed with customers.

"Hope this isn't a bad time." Ranma said, but the expression of joy on Shampoo's face told him she didn't mind his interruption.

"Airen! Take seat." She escorted him to a stool by the counter and gave him a menu. "Shampoo be right back."

She hurried off to wait on one of her tables. Ranma watched her work for a few minutes before turning his attention to his menu. Might as well get a bite, while I'm here. When Shampoo took his order and delivered it to Cologne, the elderly woman called Shampoo to the back for a moment.

"I think he came to visit with you, after he eats you go ahead and take a break so you two can talk privately."

"Thank you great-grandmother." Shampoo hurried back to the floor freshly invigorated with the prospect of spending time with Ranma. He's really keeping his promise.

Just as Cologne arranged, Shampoo took her break, and the two went out the back of the restaurant.

"Shampoo is too too happy Airen visit so soon." She hugged him in her excitement.

A million corny lines flew through Ranma's mind. What's wrong with me? He thought before settling on, "I was in the neighborhood and realized I had forgotten my things yesterday."

Shampoo looked crestfallen.

So Ranma quickly amended, "and I wanted to see you, of course."

She was only slightly mollified.

"It's true Shampoo, I really did."

The addition didn't seem to be helping and she began pulling away from him. Not wanting to end the contact just yet, Ranma had one last admission.

"I was reaching for you in my sleep. When I woke and couldn't find you, I panicked, at first."

The truth of his morning had the desired effect. She went back into his arms and hugged him tightly.

"Shampoo too, woke lonely without Airen."

Her admission sent his stomach into knots, but he was happy to hear it. The two stayed wrapped together for a moment, before Ranma began, "Shampoo…" He hesitated.

She pulled away from him, knowing from his tone, he had something to say that she wasn't going to like.

"After I left here last night, I ran into Ukyo and explained my resolution to finally resolve the fiancee matter. She offered me some advice and after considering it, what I think I'm going to do, is go on a date or two with both Akane and Ukyo to see how I feel about them, as we just had a whole weekend together, and after that analyze how I feel and make my decision."

Shampoo listened to his explanation without interruption, her face stoic, but Ranma knew she was uncomfortable with his declaration.

"I have to be fair to all involved parties." He tried to explain.

"Shampoo understands. Just hurt to see Airen with other girls."

"I don't want to hurt you." The conviction in his voice was strong. "I'm trying to find a way that's fair."

Shampoo nodded her head, but her heart still ached. Tears swam in her eyes, but she refused to shed them, though their presence was noticed.

"Shampoo…" he pulled her back into his arms.

"When is first date?" She asked, trying to keep her voice even.

"I'm seeing Ukyo on Thursday."

Shampoo nodded against his chest. "Airen asked for patience, Shampoo will give it. Shampoo trusts Ranma."

Her words filled him with...a foreign feeling. He would have to reflect on it later.

"Thank you, you don't know how much your faith and trust means to me." Without thinking about it, Ranma leaned down and found her lips with his.

She returned the kiss with all the love she held for him. Ranma please realize you love me too.

Every kiss they shared awakened more inside Ranma, and each one further influenced his resolve to make a decision.

"I have to leave soon, I still haven't spoken to Akane about any of this."

The mention of Akane caused Shampoo to stiffen; she knew if there was a threat to her future with Ranma, it was Akane. She watched his face closely for any tell, but he just seemed reluctant to leave.

"Shampoo should go back. Break over. Airen's clothes are by the door. Shampoo washed them already." She made to walk past him, but he grabbed her hand to stop her.

He didn't have any words to say to comfort her, he knew he was being selfish, but he didn't want to leave her feeling sad. Pulling her back into his arms, he hoped he could transfer the turmoil of his own emotions to her. I just need her to understand.

She let him pull her onto his arms. Even with how complicated things have become, I'm happy that he is more affectionate. I know he's in a tough predicament, and being the man he is, he's doing the best he can. "Shampoo knows Ranma is trying to act with honor. Airen is a good man. Great-grandmother needs Shampoo now."

She pulled away again, and walked toward the door.

On impulse, Ranma asked, "When's your next day off?"

"Thursday."

It was Ranma's turn to look crestfallen.

"But Shampoo have Sunday off too."

"Will...will you spend it with me?"

She turned back to him. Her smile further brightened her beautiful face. "Yes!"

"Great." Why is my heart racing? "I'll see you on Sunday."

She nodded. They made their way back into the restaurant, Shampoo stopping to grab a bag, just inside the door. "Shampoo was going to deliver these to Airen after work." She explained as she handed the bag over.

"Thank you, for going to the trouble of washing it all." Why is leaving her getting so difficult?

Calls from the dining room pulled Shampoo away, as she had to get back to the waiting customers.

She looked back at him, and he could see the love in her eyes. He walked out the door.

When Cologne next had Shampoo within ear shot, she said, "We need to tailor your training a little bit."

Shampoo looked at the woman with uncertainty, but trusted that Cologne had a plan.