Decisions Have to be Made

by Ah-naw-sue

After Shampoo nearly traps Ranma with the red string of fate, Akane worries about the next time when she might be too late to stop it. For her sister's sake, Nabiki reaches out to someone to help Ranma finally make a decision.

11. Chapter 11

Characters do not belong to me.

11

On their way back, they ran into Akane. "So what trick did she use on you this time?" she accused.

"No trick. Airen chose himself." Shampoo couldn't feel love, but she didn't seem to be having any trouble with anger.

Ranma stood in front of Shampoo. "She's right. I was given all the facts and I made a decision. She didn't trick me. Actually, she's the one that came out worse for wear in this exchange, because of me."

"So you chose her because you messed up?"

"No, I chose her before I realized what she suffered because of me."

"But what about…" she trailed off.

"Us?" he asked. "I came to realize that there are a lot of hurdles for us to overcome if we really wanted this relationship. And we both seemed to be only halfway in at any given time. I didn't think it was fair to either one of us. Then I got to see our history play out, and honestly Akane, it hurt. It hurts to see just how little you think of me, how little you can trust in me and have faith in me. I saw you disregard my claims time and time again. Every time you saw me in a precarious predicament, you assumed I had a hand in it; every time you see a girl crying around me, you assume she's crying because of me. It's not right! I don't think I did anything to deserve that kind of treatment, but that's how you react every time. That's not how I want my future to be." Ranma had tears in his eyes, tears that were reflected in Akane's.

"Ranma. It doesn't have to be like that."

"Can you so easily change your reactions?"

As if it were scripted, Shampoo moved to stand beside Ranma, and as he turned to face her, she kissed him.

Akane immediately saw red. "Ranma, you jerk!" She made to slap him, but Shampoo caught her arm.

"Airen no more belong to angry girl to hit."

Both Ranma and Akane looked at Shampoo in shock. Akane ran off, and Ranma brought his hand to his lips.

"Shampoo…"

"Shampoo thought fastest way to prove Airen's point to angry girl. Angry girl clearly see Shampoo kiss Airen, but still try to hit Ranma."

"Yeah, you're right." Ranma looked from the direction Akane ran off back toward Shampoo.

His action now would cement his decision.

Shampoo watched and waited, she could feel the weight of this moment as well.

Ranma reached his hand out to her. "Let's see if Cologne has found anything out."