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

-8-

The morning went by peacefully and Ranma left the household to meet up with Ukyo. Akane hadn't come down from her room before he left, so he couldn't judge how she was doing. They had agreed to meet at the amusement park entrance the previous day, and that was where he found her when he arrived. She was sitting at a bench, but rose when she saw him. He stood stunned for a moment. She's in girl's clothes...

Ukyo was wearing a pink skirt and purplish-colored top with lavender borders, her spatula still strapped to her back.

"You look nice." Ranma commented, and immediately regretted it, as Ukyo smacked him in her distress at the compliment, denying it all the while.

When she finally settled down, they made their way into the park.

"What do you want to do first?" he asked her.

"Want to ride the roller coaster?"

The date continued on, but Ranma soon grew weary as anytime he said something nice or complementary, Ukyo would get embarrassed and end up hitting him. As they finished another ride, Ranma asked, "Do you want to try some of the games?"

Before she could respond a man's voice was screaming out at them.

"Ranma, prepare to die!" Ryoga jumped down toward the couple, his umbrella positioned downward, like a sword, to cut Ranma down.

Both Ukyo and Ranma avoided the blow.

"How could you do that to Akane? I was hoping it wasn't true, but here I find you!" Ryoga cried out.

"How do you even know about it?"

"Akane was distraught all last night and told me about the entire conversation. You don't deserve her."

Before Ranma could respond, another cry sounded from behind them.

"Saotome you cad!" Mousse had appeared. He lifted his arms and chains sprang forth, trying to encircle him.

Reacting quickly, Ranma dodged the attack, but both Ukyo and Rygo were caught. Cries of indignation broke out and the three began bickering amongst themselves about him, but at the same time forgetting about him too.

Shrugging, he left them to their antics and headed toward the exit. He heard a bicycle bell sound and turned, hoping to see Shampoo, and was rewarded as she came into view. He waved her down, and she stopped before him.

"Airen! Shampoo thought you had a date today?" She held back her jealousy at the question.

"I was supposed to, but it was just crashed by both Rygoa and Mousse. All three of them were bickering when I left. Let's get out of here, before they realize that I'm gone. I'm not in the mood to deal with their nonsense."

"Aiyaa,Shampoo was looking for Mousse, afraid he'd do something like that. Mousse broke the cage and got loose."

Ranma motioned for her to stand on the back of the bike, and allow him to operate it. Straddling the back tire, she held onto Ranma for support and he began to pedal. They didn't make it far, before Akane stepped in their path, forcing Ranma to come to a sudden halt.

The new arrival stared daggers at the two. "I thought you said your date was with Ukyo and here you are with Shampoo. You two-timing, pervert!" She cried, and with her trusty mallet, she sent the bicycle, Ranma, and Shampoo flying.

They sailed for a while, but as they were reaching the apex, Shampoo lost her grip and began slipping away.

"Ranma!" she cried out.

He repositioned his grip on the bike with one hand and reached out for Shampoo with the other. Grabbing her, he pulled her in close, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him, as he repositioned him and by proxy Shampoo on the bicycle. Maneuvering will be a little tight with Shampoo between me and the handlebars, but I think I can make it work. He quickly looked down to spot their landing. It looks like we're going to land in the park.

"Shampoo, hold on, I don't think we're going to have an easy landing." Ranma began peddling. They landed on a vacant slide and Ranma's peddling sent them downward. At the end of the slide, Ranma jumped the bike past the sand, to the sidewalk. They landed and drifted a little away before coming to a stop.

Ranma pulled back to look at Shampoo. "Are you alright."

She lifted her head from his shoulder, she had been holding onto him so tightly. "Shampoo alright."

"I'm sorry you got dragged into that."

Shampoo wasn't sure what to say. I know Akane has a temper, but she didn't even give him a chance to defend himself before attacking him. "Angry girl always so rash?"

"Some days are worse than others. You said you had the day off today, right?"

Shampoo nodded, surprised that he remembered.

"Since you're off and my plans were ruined, do you want to go see a movie or something?"

She smiled broadly and nodded her head. "Movie sounds good."

Having had enough of the bike, they dismounted, and Ranma walked it toward the theatre, and parked it in the bicycle parking area. Shampoo grabbed her key and secured the bike in place.

"Anything you want to see?" Ranma asked as he scanned the options.

"Airen pick."

Ranma nodded; they approached the sales box and he ordered two tickets. They went to the concession stand and ordered popcorn and drinks. In the screening room, they took their seats and waited for their movie to start. About a quarter into the action movie, the popcorn tub was empty, so Ranma placed it on the empty seat next to him. Shampoo leaned into him, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to his chest. She sat with her head resting on his shoulder for the rest of the movie.

"Did you like it?" Ranma asked as the credits began to roll.

"Sad that family died," she commented.

"It was, but that was the point. If his family wasn't murdered, then he wouldn't have been seeking revenge."

"That is true."

"Are you hungry? Do you want to get lunch?"

As Ranma had eaten most of the popcorn, Shampoo agreed.

Not far from the theatre, was a burger place, and they settled on that, and further discussed the nuances of the film as they ate. After the meal, Ranma walked Shampoo back home.

Cologne met them in front of the restaurant. "Ah son-in-law, what good timing."

Ranma looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

"I received the things I needed from China a lot faster than I anticipated and have been studying the scrolls. I believe we can begin training. Whenever you're ready that is."

Ranma's face lit up in excitement. "Let's start right now."

Cologne chuckled at his eagerness. "Let's hope you can maintain that attitude. We can train a few nights a week."

"Or everyday until we master it." Ranma countered.

Cologne chucked again. "Have it your way."

The three walked to the back of the restaurant.

"As I was explaining before, this is a difficult technique not specifically in how it's performed, but because the two involved have to be as one. We will start by trying to meld your chi's together. However, before we begin, a little demonstration of what we don't want. Ranma gather some chi in your hand, just a little, and hold it out."

He did as instructed.

Cologne gathered her own small quantity of chi in her hand before touching her palm to Ranma's. Even before their hands met there was a loud crackling noise and an even louder pop as the two were pushed back several feet. Both Ranma and Cologne skidded from the force.

"You see how reactive chi is, and that was only using a small portion, this technique is impossible unless you can match your chi's and meld them together. Now, you two try the same thing. Remember, just gather a small portion in your hands."

They did, but this time the reaction was much more subtle, more like a static shock between the two.

"This is why I wanted to try this technique. You two have become much more compatible."

Ranma and Shampoo exchanged excited glances.

"How do we reach the necessary level of compatibility?"

"There are multiple recommendations that may result in perfect compatibility, but as we are dealing with feelings and personalities, the best way to achieve it is specific to the people involved, and will vary from pair to pair. We will have to try a few to see what works best for you."

Ranma nodded in agreement. "What are we going to try first?"

"Sit down across from each other."

They both sat, with their legs tucked underneath them.

"Close your eyes and try to sense the chi of the other."

They closed their eyes and concentrated on the other person.

Time flew by as Cologne watched them sensing the subtle changes in their chi. They are close, but will still require some time. She could see that there were moments they would be completely aligned, before someone would fluctuate.

"Keep yourselves calm, don't let it frustrate you, you both are actually doing exceptionally well. You're weeks ahead of where I thought you would be and have synced multiple times already. We just have to make that connection stable. Can you feel when you are aligned?"

"Yes," they answered in unison.

"What does it feel like?"

"Familiar, warm, and like there's a missing part of me." Ranma tried to explain.

"It feels like I'm becoming whole, like I found a missing part of myself," Shampoo responded, slipping back into her native language.

"What did she say?" Ranma asked, and Cologne translated.

Ranma nodded in agreement to Shampoo's interpretation.

How very interesting. Cologne continued to observe. The moments of alignment began to lengthen to a couple of seconds.

Cologne was going to stop them, but before she could, Ranma's stomach growled.

"Yes, I was going to say it's getting late."

In fact they had sat there so long the sun had already set.

"We've been sitting out here for that long?"

"Yes, it seems like time has slipped away from us."

"Ranma want to stay for dinner?"

"Sure."

The three walked inside, just as Mousse entered from the front entrance. The two males made eye contact, and Mousse was immediately enraged at seeing Ranma with Shampoo.

"Saotome, you enemy of women!"

Cologne, a blue of movement, rushed to the opposite side of the building and with lightning quick movements pressed several points on Mousse's back.

"Not in my restaurant you don't."

Unable to move, Mousse stood frozen. "What did you do to me?"

"Just hit a few pressure points that will keep you immobile for a while, I was inspired by your friend, and he was being disruptive."

Shampoo walked forward, and hope sprang in Mousse's eyes, before she dumped a glass of cold water on him.

Still paralyzed, he quaked at them.

At this point, Ranma stepped forward, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket, he tied it around Mousse's bill, effectively silencing his protests. "We need to have a little man-to-man talk. We'll be right back." Ranma picked the duck up and walked outside.

"You and I are overdue for a chat. I know you don't like me and I can't blame you for that. Before I always felt a little bad for you, but Shampoo has informed me about your past friendship and my sympathy has ended. She told me how your one-sided affection caused her to become isolated within her own tribe, how, no matter how many times she said no, you kept trying to force your feelings on her. I can't respect a man who would force himself on a woman, physically or emotionally. You had your chance with her long before I entered the picture, and by your own actions, have driven her away. Do yourself a favor and listen to what she is telling you. I've come to realize Shampoo is honest and doesn't mince words, if you have a legitimate conversation with her and calmly express yourself, she will give you the truth on where she stands, though I think everyone who has met you two knows where that is, but maybe that closure will help you. However, as it stands right now, Shampoo is my fiancee, and I do not appreciate you upsetting her at every turn.

Mousse had listened quietly, but once the word "fiancee" was said, he grew agitated and was struggling to make noise against his gag.

Ranma continued nonplussed, "I think I know what you are trying to say, and not that it is any of your business, but I am making steps to annul two of the other engagements. I mean to conclude the fiancee debacle soon, however the interruptions slow things down." He shot the duck a hard look. "I hope you take to heart some of what I said, and I do hope you learn something from the experience. That's all I wanted to say, so grumble if you want me to take you back inside, or if you want to stay out here stay silent.

Not wanting to accept any help from Ranma, Mousse stayed quiet.

"Have it your way." Ranma knelt down and removed his handkerchief from Mousse's bill and went back inside.