First and foremost I do not own Ranma 1/2 or any of its characters.

After reading and failing to find a fanfic with all the components I was looking for, I decided to just write my own.

I hope you all enjoy!

3/26/21 I've done some minor updates and slight changes to the story.

8/1/21 Just correcting some typos.

-1-

The quiet summer morning in Nerima was interrupted by the raised voices just blocks away from the Nekohanten. "But Shampoo, my love…" the voice was cut off, as the speaker was sent flying by a chúi wielding amazon.

"Stupid Mousse, it too too early in morning for such nonsense." Shampoo shook her head in disapproval. Why won't he understand that I do not love him? His constant proclamations do not help his case, either. As Shampoo made her way closer to the restaurant, she saw someone walking down the cross street. Ranma! Her demeanor immediately brightened at the sight of the young man. As she ran closer, she saw that he had a red mark, in the shape of a hand, on his cheek. Angry girl hit him again. Shampoo realized. Ranma hadn't seen her yet, and when she was finally in range, she called out to him. "Airen!"

There was a look of annoyance that crossed his face before falling to a neutral expression, but the initial reaction did not go unnoticed by Shampoo. She immediately stopped in her race toward her love, as a heart-wrenching realization came crashing over her. He thinks of me the way I think of Mousse! Tears immediately flooded her eyes, shocking Ranma in the process. Before he had time to react, she turned and fled. Running full-throttle, she had to get away from Ranma, the Nekohanten, and the chaotic sounds of the city. Once there was quiet, she collapsed on her tired legs and cried, using a tree to lean against. How could I not have realized his feelings? How stupid have I been, that I didn't notice the similarities before? What am I to do now? The last question left her feeling empty. It was then, she felt strong arms wrap themselves around her. She was lifted up, and before she could muster the strength to struggle, she heard his voice calling out to her.

"Shampoo, what's wrong? Why did you run away like that?" It was Ranma's gentle voice; it was Ranma's arms that currently held her close.

Airen! Her mind cried out to her initially, before she remembered the annoyed look on his face; the reason she was out here in the first place. Shaking her head, she tried to wriggle out of his arms. With her legs back on the ground, she tried to push Ranma away from her. His surprised expression did not go unnoticed.

"Hey Shampoo, what's wrong?" he repeated, his arms still wrapped around her.

Fighting back her anguish, she responded. "Airen hate Shampoo. Feel same way Shampoo feel about Mousse."

The blanket statement shocked him, but he did not refute the claim; he did not make a sound at all. Shampoo pulled away from him. Before she could walk away he found his voice.

"That's not true. I don't hate you."

They both stood still. Minutes ticked by, as Ranma struggled to put his feelings into words. Shampoo stayed facing away from him, she couldn't bear to see what his eyes might be revealing.

"Look...I mean... you see...It's like this…" Ranma attempted.

She just stood there, each false start felt like another dagger in her heart.

"Tell Shampoo truth." Her words were little more than a whisper.

Ranma took a deep breath and tried to find the right words. "I'm not comfortable with any of this. With feelings, with fiancees, none of it. I didn't ask for any of it!"

Silence followed his outburst.

"But, that doesn't answer you, does it…?" Growling out his frustration, he finally came up with an answer. "It's not you. I don't like the tricks and the manipulations that you tend to use, but I don't really know you as a person, so I cannot say that I hate you."

Annoyance racing through her, she turned to him at that point. "Shampoo forced to use those to try and spend time with Airen. Ranma spend all time with angry girl, and when Shampoo try and ask for date, Airen say no, avoid Shampoo, or wriggle way out of it. Shampoo no know another way to get Airen's attention."

Ranma considered the truth in her words, but didn't have a counter to offer her.

When he didn't respond, an idea came to her. "Shampoo want make proposition."

He eyed her suspiciously. "What kind of proposition?"

"Airen come with Shampoo for weekend, get to know, and if no like at end, Shampoo leave Japan with great-grandmother and Mousse."

He narrowed his eyes, as if this was a trap. "Let me get this straight, you're offering that you and I leave, go away for the weekend, to get to know each other, and if at the end of the weekend I don't like you, you'll leave? Just like that?"

Nodding in affirmation, she quickly added, "But Airen have to give honest answer."

"Why do we have to leave?"

"Too many interruptions if stay. Pig boy, Mousse, angry girl, spatula girl, crazy siblings…" Shampoo began naming the possibilities before he cut her off.

"I understand, but where would we go?"

Her eyes lit up, and she began frantically searching her pockets. Pulling out a voucher, she showed it to him.

This voucher can be used at any of the affiliated hotels and can be redeemed for a three day two night stay, along with a dinner voucher for the in-house restaurant…. He stopped reading.

"Where did you get that?"

"Shampoo win. Ranma go with?"

He stopped and considered this… and considered it... and for good measure, considered it some more.

She tried to be patient, but he seemed to be really analyzing the pros and cons about the possible outcomes.

"Okay." He finally agreed.

He said yes! This is my one and last chance!

"But I have to go back to pack."

Desperately, she clutched his arm, stopping him from leaving. "No, we can no go back. If found out, we no be able to go. Someone try stop us."

Ranma stopped and realized the truth of her statement. "But…"

She cut off his argument. "Shampoo take care. Buy what we need. But we go, now."

He was taken aback by her eagerness, and just nodded his ascent. "Wait, we can't just disappear without leaving word. Everyone will worry."

Understanding his sentiment, she pulled out a pen and paper and offered it to Ranma. He considered what to write, and went with: gone for the weekend to train. With the letter in hand, he asked, "How do we deliver it?"

Shampoo took the letter and climbed a tree. Pulling out an arrow she tied the letter to it, then lifted a bow. Filling both with her chi, she aimed for her target. Releasing the arrow it flew through the sky and landed right by the door of the Tendo house leading to the koi pond. Climbing back down she met him at the base of the tree. "Letter delivered."

"How did you do that?"

"Ancient technique." With that said, she grabbed his hand and they began their journey.