Characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi with the exception of The Decisions Maker.
16
They both woke to find themselves still inside the crater they made. Shampoo woke first, and was kneeling beside Ranma when he came to.
"We sure made mess." Shampoo looked at their surroundings.
"Yeah, we did. How are you feeling Shampoo."
"Sore from sleeping in hole, but okay. How Airen sleep?"
"About the same. We should probably spend some time in the hot tub later."
They made their way inside and went straight to the kitchen, both starving after their battle. Raiding the fridge they were able to stave off most of their hunger until something could be cooked later.
"Airen want shower and change, Shampoo start breakfast."
Ranma wrapped his arms around Shampoo before heading out. He quickly showered and changed his clothes. His old set was worse for wear, torn up from the battle yesterday. Thinking of yesterday had a smile forming across his face. That was some fight; it was better than what he showed me. Making his way back to the kitchen, he could smell the food.
Shampoo had made omelets. They ate quickly, then Shampoo excused herself to shower and change. When she was done, she found Ranma exploring the cabin. He called her over. "We never did explore this place. It doesn't look that big from the outside, but there's even an entertainment room." After they finished exploring their lodgings, they took a walk around the property.
"How long Airen wish to stay?"
"I don't know, I thought this time away would give us time to get to know each other better, before we head back to all the disruptions. I know when I go back, I'll have to see my dad. He's not going to be very happy with the way things turned out."
Shampoo squeezed his hand in support. He smiled over at her.
"Are you okay with everything that happened? We didn't really discuss anything. It's been a bit of a whirlwind."
"Things not happen as Shampoo dreamed, but Airen choose Shampoo, Shampoo happy with that. Airen fought very hard for Shampoo."
He laughed as he thought back to their battle. "You didn't make it easy for me."
"Airen want fight, Shampoo give Airen fight."
"Yes, you did."
They stayed outdoors the rest of the afternoon, and as the sun began to set they made their way back inside to grab towels for the hot spring. Shampoo entered first.
"Airen notice that fridge refills and laundry and mending is getting done?"
"I thought you were doing those things?"
"No, Shampoo no do. There someone here."
"Have you seen anyone?"
"No, but house can't do things itself."
"I wouldn't put it past this house to be able to maintain itself, after everything that we've seen here. I haven't been able to find the room he kept me in. The one that had the projector."
"Airen want to find room again? Shampoo never want be there."
Ranma immediately went to her side and pulled her into his arms. "Not that I want to find it, but that I haven't. This place is not normal."
"Sometime Shampoo think this dream. That none happened. Shampoo scared to wake."
He kissed the top of her head. "You don't need to worry, it did happen, and we are going to be together from now on."
"What Airen want to do?"
"What do you mean?"
"After we go back. Airen finish school? We go travel? Stay in Nerima or go to China?"
"I don't like school, never wanted to go in the first place, and that school is insane. I think we should go back to Nerima for a little bit, at least. I have some things to deal with with my father and I want to check on Ukyo and Akane."
Shampoo stiffened in his arms at the mention of the other finacess.
"Don't worry. I just want to make sure that they are okay after everything. Ukyo was always my friend and Mr. Tendo is my father's oldest friend. I don't want to break ties with them completely.
"Airen, no regret choice?"
"No, I don't regret my choice. I'm happy with you Shampoo, and none of the other two would have been able to go all out with me like that. I told you, I want a partner. You are my partner. I want to continue to train with you and grow stronger. I originally thought about traveling more to learn other techniques, and that might still be nice. But first stop we have to do is go to China and visit those cursed springs."
Shampoo nodded her agreement. "Airen want family?"
"Not right away, but maybe later. What do you want?"
"Shampoo happy to travel with Airen and continue training, but want to go back to Joketsuzoku later. Great-grandmother want Shampoo take over matriarch one day. Is okay?"
"I think we can make that work. Saotomoe school doesn't have a location, and now that I'm not taking over the Tendo dojo we can end up at the Joketsuzoku."
Shampoo glowed with happiness. They continued their conversation late into the night, before retiring to their bed.