Characters do not belong to me.

10

"Take care of her son-in-law, I am going to try and learn more about this incense and if there is anything that can be done. Try to get through to her, if you can. It may be our only chance to save her."

Shampoo sat at the table as Ranma cleared away the empty bowls. He sat across from her and reached for her hand. She didn't move it from his grasp, but didn't return the pressure either.

"Shampoo, where are you? You know I chose you in the end, right? You are the fiance I choose. I thought you would be happy."

Shampoo wasn't looking at him. She knew that these were words she had often desired to hear, but now that she was hearing them, they meant nothing to her. The emptiness hurt.

"What if we go out somewhere? You always wanted to go out on a date. How about we go?"

Shampoo looked up at him. Again she knew it was something she had wanted before. "Where Airen want to go?"

"How about a theme park?"

Shampoo nodded her head. Ranma jumped out of his seat, and pulled Shampoo out of hers in his excitement. Maybe this might stir something in her.

They made it to the amusement park without being recognized. "What do you want to ride first?"

"Airen pick."

"Do you like roller coasters?"

"Yes."

"Okay, let's try that first." He grabbed her hand and led her to the roller coaster. They went to the back of the coster. Shampoo showed little emotion on the ride.

"Did you enjoy that ride?"

"It was fun." Her voice was dead-pan in response.

"What about games? Do you want to try some of the games?"

"If Airen want."

Ranma's senses alerted him to trouble. "Watch out Shampoo." he stated just before they were attacked.

"Saotome you cad!"

"Ranma, prepare to die!"

"Ranma honey, what are you doing with such a lowly peasant?

"Ran-chan, what is the meaning of that video?"

Mousse, Ryoga, Kodachi, and Ukyo all converged on Ranma at the theme park.

"Shampoo!" Ranma called out, as he defended against Mousse and Ryoga.

"Shampoo fine, concentrate."

"Ranma, how dare you hurt Akane like that!" Ryoga cried out as he used his Bakusai Tenketsu on the cement below, breaking it into tiny pieces.

"Like what? What did I do now?"

"Ran-chan, was that video for real?" Ukyo asked, as she struck out against Shampoo.

Shampoo defended herself against both Kodachi and Ukyo, easily.

"What video?"

"The video you sent out stating that you are choosing Shampoo as your fiance."

"There's a video of that?" Of course he recorded it.

"So it's true. How could you do that to Akane?" Rygo cried out as he lashed out again.

"You cannot have my lovely Shampoo." Mousse attacked too, luckily for Ranma their two attacks collided with one another and they knocked each other out.

Shampoo quickly took care of Kodachi and disarmed Ukyo.

"Ucchan…" Ranma walked up to her. "Yes, that video is real. Shampoo and I were taken and while we were being held the guy showed us footage of our lives. He told me he was hired to help me make a decision, and I did make my decision. I came to realize that you are and will always be my childhood friend. Can you honestly tell me that you feel differently?"

Ranma defeated her with that one question. All the fight left her and she collapsed to her knees. Ranma walked over to her. "Ucchan, friendship is the only thing I feel toward you, and I hope this doesn't change our friendship." Ukyo cried, and Ranma hugged her.

"I knew this day was going to come at some point, I just hoped it was further out than this. I'm just not ready to close that chapter. But I understand Ran-chan. I feel friendship towards you as well. But Shampoo? I thought surely it would be Akane."

"Yes, Shampoo." He rose from Ukyo and reached for Shampoo. "I realized that she is a better match for me."

Ranma pulled Shampoo away from the others and toward the park's exit. "Why did you help back there?"

"Shampoo help Airen."

"Even though you don't love me right now?"

"Shampoo trust that Airen and great-grandmother learn truth and restore Shampoo. Shampoo no want do something Shampoo regret later. Shampoo know Shampoo love Airen, even if Shampoo no feel love, so Shampoo help Airen."

"Thank you for believing in me. I will restore your feelings. Let's get you back to the restaurant."