Ranma and gang belong to Rumiko Takahashi, with the exception of The Decision Master.

15

"Shampoo too happy now, but why Airen choose Shampoo?"

Ranma pulled Shampoo into his arms and laid beside her. "There are a lot of reasons that I chose you."

"Like?" she snuggled closer to him.

"That's one. You're very affectionate, you're beautiful, powerful, and strong. You always showed that you wanted to be with me, you were always serious about the fiancee matter, even when I wasn't. I saw our fight for your hand and it was pretty impressive. Shampoo you are a true partner to me in my quest to become stronger. Cologne even said that we might become the strongest couple of the Joketsuzoku. Doesn't that sound like a fun challenge?"

"Airen saw the challenge fight?"

"Yes, I did, why didn't you ever tell me that Cologne taught you Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken and all the other techniques?"

"Airen no talk to Shampoo before."

Ranma felt a pang of guilt. "Well no more of that. So when do you want to have that challenge? I need to rechallenge you now that you are my true fiancee."

"Airen no need to challenge, but Shampoo know Airen want to. We fight tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow it is, you may need to come up with a new strategy as you won't be able to take me by surprise anymore."

"Shampoo already have an idea."

"Good, but in the meantime." Ranma rose up to his elbow, so he could look down on his partner.

She looked so beautiful in his arms, he bent his head down and took her lips. His hands slowly unwrapped her from the towel she wore. He pulled back long enough to take in the sight of her. "We have a few hours till tomorrow."

Ranma awoke in the morning and reached out for Shampoo. When his hand found only the empty bed he sat up in a panic. "Shampoo?"

She walked in immediately carrying a tray of food. There were sausages, sliced ham, scrambled eggs, bacon, a plate of toast, and a bowl of cut fruit. "Airen up already?"

His mouth immediately began to water from the smell and Shampoo sat on the bed beside him. Without hesitation he began putting food on one of the empty plates on her tray.

"Shampoo figure Airen be hungry after last night. There's plenty of food."

He handed her the first plate he filled and began filling the other one. Shampoo watched as Ranma was scarfing his down, as if he hadn't eaten in a week. "Thank you for the food." As soon as he finished eating, he grabbed Shampoo and pulled her back into bed with him. "I woke up lonely without you."

Shampoo could feel her heart swell at his words. "Shampoo stay with Airen from now on." She kissed his cheek.

"Good." His head rested on her chest. He could hear her heart racing from the contact. "Let's lay down a little longer and then we'll get to the challenge."

"Sure Airen want to wait? Said challenge lasted all day?"

"That was when you caught me by surprise."

"Airen sure Shampoo no have more surprises."

That caused him to raise his head. "Okay, let's see what you got." Ranma rose from the bed and in twenty minutes he was dressed and ready. He met Shampoo outside. She had found clothing that matched the two piece outfits she wore at the Nekohanten, this one in crimson red. "Where did you find the clothes?"

"Inside house, in dresser. Some for Airen too." She stood across from him expectantly.

"Shampoo, I Ranma Saotome, heir to Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts, challenge you for your hand in marriage as custom by your village laws. Do you accept my challenge?"

The brightest smile crossed her face, as she joyfully responded. "Shampoo accept, Airen's challenge." She picked up her chúi from the ground and matched Ranma's pace.

He was brimming with excitement, ever since he saw their fight on the screens, he had wanted to fight her all out like that. They circled closer and Shampoo baited him to attack, but he resisted.

Finally, he was close enough and she struck upward.

The Hiryū Shōten Ha, but how did she… she used my excitement for the fight. Ranma was launched upward in a tornado. She came up too. He could see her jumping from the debris in the air. He could already see her chi glowing around her, and blasted his Mōko Takabisha, expecting her to shoot through it like the vision before.

Shampoo refrained from jumping through, instead she went around and while he was looking elsewhere she threw one of her chúi at him. It hit him in the side and sent him downward. She followed close behind and Ranma reached out to her, but she deflected. As they got closer to the ground, he could see her chi intensifying and he knew she was up to something. He wasn't going to give her the chance. Punching out they exchanged blows, she was matching him strike for strike with the Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken. Ranma deflected one of her strikes, she went with the momentum and used it to strike the ground beneath Ranma.

Bakusai tenketsu?! Her attack sent Ranma into the air again.

She's still full of surprises. From the ground, Shampoo released some traps that sent large boulders sailing right toward Ranma. He easily dodged or broke the boulders so they were not a threat, but Shampoo was using them as a distraction. As he was preoccupied, she chased up after him and was able to sneak behind him. With a quick series of kicks she attacked his side and connected.

Ranma struck out, hoping that she would have to siphon some of her chi back, but she didn't. To help her along the way, he blasted her with a large Mōko Takabisha blast. She couldn't avoid it, and so using her Doragon no Sukēru, she went through it. This was exactly what Ranma was waiting for, he blasted her again. The two consecutive blasts, forced her to have to push more chi into her shield, but Ranma didn't give her the opportunity. He went on the offensive and she had to use all her energy to deflect him. He knew if he gave her a moment to recollect her chi, she would be revitalized. This was proving to be a battle he was thoroughly enjoying.

The hours passed as they continued with their exchange. Until finally exhausted, they crashed to the ground.

"Shampoo… you… good?" Ranma asked in between breaths.

"Shampoo… done… Airen… win."

"That was fun."

They lay in a crater created by their battle, side by side. Ranma reached out for her hand. They were both bloody and dirty. The battle lasted the entire day.

"Shampoo happy Airen still surprised." Exhausted, she fell asleep.

"Shampoo?" He saw she was asleep, and soon followed her into the abyss of sleep.