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

-6-

Outside of the Nekohanten, Ranma made his way back to the Tendo household. Luckily, when he arrived at the house, Happosai was running around with Akane chasing after him, causing a ruckus. With the distraction, Ranma was easily able to sneak inside and deposit his bag without anyone noticing. When he came back down the stairs the commotion was over and there was a fresh Happosai-sized hole in the ceiling.

"When did you sneak in, boy?" Genma cried.

"Just now," he replied coolly.

"We need to talk."

"'Bout what?"

"Just come with me." Genma walked away, expecting his son to follow after.

Ranma debated for a moment before following after.

Akane watched the two with suspicious eyes. What was all that about?

Genma walked a few blocks in silence then turned to face his son. "Where were you this past weekend?"

Ranma sighed. "I already told you, I was training."

"Where? And don't tell me you were camping somewhere, because you didn't take your gear. I know because I checked for it."

Ranma was surprised by his diligence. The old man is usually too lazy to even scratch his own butt, let alone investigate something like that. "I didn't need the gear. It was a different kind of training."

"You still didn't answer where you were."

"Out of town."

"Boy!… what did you do?" His tone was serious, but had a touch of worry.

"Nothing that should worry you."

"I don't believe you. Something has changed."

"You're right. Something has changed. I've come to a realization and I'm trying to take steps to fix some things…"

"Just remember the predicament we're in. We are guests at the Tendo residence. We have promises to fulfill."

To the Tendo's, to Ukyo, and to Shampoo. I would say it's too bad Pop's didn't have more children, but I wouldn't wish that man on another being. Ranma decided to stay quiet. Expressing his thoughts about the other fiancees would only cause a fight to break out. Without another word the two headed back toward their current residence.

Akane was outside, dressed in her gi, breaking bricks. As Ranma approached, she looked up to glare at him. "What do you want?"

"Can we talk?"

"Oh, now you want to talk to me? What is Ukyo too busy for you right now? What about Shampoo or even Kodachi? I'm sure they'd love to hear from you." The venom in her voice was evident.

I'm not in the mood for a fight. "Fine, we'll talk later." He turned and left.

Akane was momentarily stunned. I didn't expect him to just leave without a fight.

Ranma walked toward the house, but the homey feel he used to get was gone. Now, it just seemed constraining. Changing directions, he left. He didn't make it far before he heard his name being called. Looking back he saw Kodachi headed right for him. Damn Akane, saying her name out loud must have summoned her. He tried to run, but a bouquet of black roses was tossed at him, and before he could get away they exploded in a black powder that surrounded him.

"How do you like my new bouquet? It's just stunning, isn't it."

The black powder was one of Kodachi's infamous paralyzing powders, and Ranma was trapped.

"Ranma darling, I heard that you had vanished over the weekend, and so I wanted to stop by, see my darling Ranma and remind you of what is waiting for you." She walked up to him while she spoke, running her hands up his chest, entwining them behind his neck, and puckered up to kiss him.

Ranma wanted to grimace, to wriggle away, to do anything to get away from her.

Luckily, he heard footsteps from behind.

Someone to save me! He hoped.

"Ranma, you jerk!" The familiar voice cried out to him. "If you want to make a scene, do it somewhere private!" With a mighty mallet swing, Ranma was sent sailing into the distance.

Kodachi turned on Akane, and the two bickered as Ranma flew further and further from view.

Ranma's trajectory sent him several blocks away, where Shampoo had just finished a delivery. She looked up and saw Ranma's downward descent. If left on his own, he would crash against (and likely) through the concrete wall. Not wanting to see him injured, Shampoo jumped up to intercept him.

"Airen! What happened?"

He tried to respond, but was still feeling the effects of the paralysis.

What happened to him? He's not responding, but his eyes are open. At that point Shampoo heard a voice above calling out, "Ranma darling where are you? We haven't finished our little interlude?"

Quickly, Shampoo hid his body in some bushes. Not a moment later, she saw Kodachi jumping rooftop to rooftop looking below for her prey. Her laugh could be heard long after she was out of view.

That's what happened to him. Shampoo realized. Poor Airen, too popular for his own good. After the danger passed, Shampoo uncovered Ranma and apologized for having to hide him in the first place. Propping his body on her bicycle, she pushed it and him back to the restaurant. Once there, she got Ranma upstairs and laid him on her bed to recover.

"Shampoo what took you so long?" Cologne inquired, once Shampoo was back on the floor.

Shampoo quickly relayed the events and Ranma's current location to the elderly woman.

"We'll make something for him later."

Shampoo nodded and went back to waiting tables.

Upstairs, Ranma laid there and with nothing but time, reflected back on his original problem of how he felt about his fiancees. However, it was difficult to concentrate on the other two as he laid in Shampoo's bed, her scent surrounding him, tantalizing his imagination. What is wrong with me? I need to concentrate. He tried to focus his attention back toward the other girls.

Why does Akane always have to think the worst? Always jumping to conclusions and accusing me at every turn? The more he let his thoughts drift in that direction, the angrier he was becoming. He didn't realize how much time had passed, but heard approaching footsteps.

The door opened, but Ranma was unable to look over and see who had opened it. He was stuck waiting for them to reveal themselves. The door closed again, footsteps were getting closer to the bed. Finally, purple hair was coming into view.

Shampoo is back! Her presence freeing him from his spiraling thoughts.

She leaned over him and propped his body into somewhat of a sitting position, before taking a seat next to him on the bed. "Great-grandmother says this should help." Shampoo picked up a bowl from her nightstand.

From his position he could see steam rising from it, and assumed there was soup inside.

Shampoo lifted a spoon to her lips and blew on it before slipping the contents into his mouth. She could see him struggling to swallow. Once he got it down, she prepared another small dose and the steps repeated.

With each swallow, Ranma was feeling the effects of the paralysis lighten.

Shampoo watched his fingers twitch as he fought for control, while she continued to feed him. When the bowl was empty, he was able to curl and relax his fingers.

"Should wear off soon." Shampoo laid Ranma's body back down, making sure he was comfortable, then laid down beside him, her head resting on his chest. She heard his heartbeat quicken at the contact and smiled.

Finally, Ranma regained control of his arm. With that newfound control, he used his arm to pull Shampoo even closer to him.

She sighed, contentment settling over her.

Without meaning to, they fell asleep.