I do not own Ranma or any of its characters
-12-
Cologne examined the cat and hurriedly heated water with her chi that Shampoo kept in her room. Once she was back in her human form, Cologne was better able to assess the damage. Grabbing one of their homemade first-aid kits, she grabbed a suture needle and sutures. Disinfecting everything, she went to work. With practiced hands, Cologne stitched up the wound, grabbed a salve and applied it generously before wrapping it up. When she was done, she covered Shampoo with her blanket before letting Ranma back in.
She went to the bedside and collapsed, grasping for Shampoo's hand.
"She'll be fine, but what happened?"
"We were attacked! By someone with a Jusenkyo curse."
"I feared something would happen."
Ranma never took her eyes off of Shampoo. "What do you mean?"
"Right after you two left, I received a phone call from the Jusenkyo guide. He told me that someone attacked him and stole the guest book."
"He was looking for someone, but didn't say who. He turned into a bull, but not a regular bull, it had wings and an eel for a tail."
"How are you okay?"
"It's because of Shampoo. She gave me time to recover and initiated the Inferunokēji."
"You two used that technique on the creature?" Cologne was even more impressed with her students.
"Yes, but it wasn't enough. After that I used three consecutive Shishi Hōkōdan attacks to finally subdue it."
"I'm going to make something that will help replenish the blood she lost, when she awakens please feed it to her."
Ranma nodded her head.
Cologne pointed to the kettle. "There's also some hot water left over if you want to change back."
Ranma just nodded again.
Cologne left them.
With one hand she reached out for the kettle and dumped it over her head, the other held firmly to Shampoo's hand.
He stayed there for what felt like an eternity before Shampoo stirred.
She opened her eyes and a weak smile spread across her face as she saw Ranma before her.
"I'm glad you're awake. I've been so worried about you."
Shampoo lifted a hand to Ranma's cheek. "Airen." Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Cologne made you something, do you think you can eat?"
"Shampoo try."
Ranma helped adjust Shampoo to a more propped up position, being careful of her injury. He sat at the edge of the bed and picked up the bowl, the contents were still hot. So, as Shampoo had done for him, he blew on a spoonful before feeding it to her.
They continued on until the contents were nearly completed. "No more. I need to rest. Will you lay with me?"
"I don't want to hurt you or aggravate your injury."
"Shampoo will rest better."
He smiled down at her. "How can I argue with that?"
Carefully, he laid next to her, then slipped his arm underneath her head and scooted close to her.
She closed her eyes. "Wo ai ni, Ranma." Then she was asleep.
Ranma stared at the ceiling. I love you too, but I'm not free to say that yet. With a heavy heart, Ranma too fell asleep.
