Characters do not belong to me.
8
"Alright. I'll make my choice."
The spotlight shone down on Ranma.
"I'll choose Shampoo."
"Why?"
"Why, what do you mean why? Weren't you pushing me toward Shampoo this entire time?"
"I told you I was not, I am merely showing you your options. So why are you choosing Shampoo?"
"Because you said, I could have a fiance and become stronger if I chose her."
"Don't you want to choose a fiance because of love?"
"I'm not in love, but in that footage you showed, it seems like I do grow to love her. That should be enough. I will have love, I have a strong partner, a teacher, I get everything I say I want, don't I?"
"Then why don't you sound happy?"
"Maybe because of you holding me hostage and forcing me to decide like this."
"Say your choice, Ranma Saotome."
"I told you already; I choose Shampoo as my fiance."
Everything went dark around Ranma. "Hey, you said you'd let us go!" Slowly, everything began to get brighter. He saw something on the ground not far from him. "Shampoo!" He ran over to her. She was laying on the ground. Crouching beside her, he turned her into his arms. Brushing the hair away from her face, he could see she had been crying. Even with the tear streaks, she's beautiful. "What did he do to you?" He held her to him. She was breathing. Scooping her into his arms, he rose to his feet. Blinding light forced Ranma to shut his eyes. When he opened them, they were in the forest again. Without hesitation, Ranma escaped and made his way back to the camp ground, with Shampoo safely protected in his arms.
The camp set up by Cologne and Shampoo had been packed away. Cologne must have gone back to Nerima. Ranma went to his camp site, and found that it was still there. Tucking Shampoo into his sleeping bag, he decided to go on a walk. He replayed everything that had happened to him, including his decision. He wanted to falter on his decision, but seeing everything played out in front of him like that was hard to argue. Things with Akane are never easy. He did have some good points. Ranma kept going in circles, and decided to go back and check on Shampoo.
Back at the campsite, Shampoo was sitting up in the sleeping bag. She heard footsteps approaching, before seeing Ranma walk into the clearing.
He was surprised when she didn't show any expression at seeing him. She always smiles when she sees me. Rushing toward her, he bent down. "Shampoo are you okay? What happened to you?" He pressed his forehead to hers to check her temperature, but it felt normal.
Shampoo looked at Ranma, she recognized him, knew how much she cared about him, but felt strangely detached from him. "Shampoo no know. Something wrong." She put her hand to her chest as if feeling if her heart was still there. "Shampoo feel empty."