Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, I do not claim any rights to any of the characters or concepts created or owned by Viz Video or Rumiko Takahashi. This is just the work of one fan to the others. The only characters or concepts that I claim are the ones I created or introduced. That said, I bring you:
Ranma ½: When you are lost in a sea of grief, look for a light to guide you home.
Chapter 14: Breaking down preconceptions.
Ranma-chan stretched a little groggily. Waking up wasn't easy, the sun on her back was warm and relaxing. As she shifted a little she realized that what she had curled up on was soft and warm, and very comforting.
Ranma shook her head as she tried to clear the fog from it. She knew this feeling very well. It was how she always felt after an incident with the Neko-Ken. That made her wonder just what, or who, she might be laying on. She slowly looked down, and stiffened for a moment as she realized that she was sprawled across Shampoo. She slowly lowered her head back down and rested it once more on the former Amazon's chest as she listened to the slow, steady beat of her roommate's heart, and felt the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. Ranma-chan let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding them stiffened again as Shampoo gently ran her fingers sleepily through the coppery mass of Ranma-chan's hair.
Ranma-chan lifted her head a little and met the smiling gaze of Shampoo, and froze for a moment before she smiled sheepishly and let Shampoo gently stroke her hair as she laid her head back down. It also made it easier to hide her face, which she was sure was as red as her hair at the moment.
Xian Pu wasn't sure how long they had been asleep, she didn't figure it was all that long, since the sun was still up even if it was much lower in the sky than it had been when she had been turned into a cat bed. Still, as she had been roused by Ranma-chan as she had moved she had made sure not to move too much. Best not to spook her if the cat was still on the prowl.
When she had looked into Ranma-chan's eyes, and seen the cute little redhead blush brightly, she had been sure that the Cat had gone back to where it waited until it was called out once more. For now, she would just let Ranma-chan collect herself before they went home. The fact that she was still being laid on while her fingers slipped through coppery hair was not lost on the former Amazon either.
It seemed that things might have really changed.
It was about half an hour later when Ranma slowly slid off of Xian Pu and sat on the ground with her back to the former Amazon. After a minute, Ranma-chan cleared her throat as she fussed with her pigtail. "I… guess I had an incident?" She said without looking at Xian Pu.
Xian Pu sat up and tucked her feet underneath herself as she spoke gently. "You did, Ranma. But you are fine now."
Ranma-chan nodded as she seemed to pull in on herself a little. "I… didn't hurt you…. Did I?" She asked in a soft, uncertain voice
"Not at all. I was just used as a cushion for a bit, until you woke up just now." Xian Pu said as she watched Ranma-chan.
Ranma-chan nodded as she tucked her knees up under her chin. "I'm glad I didn't hurt you, Shampoo…"
Xian Pu felt a throbbing in her chest and acted on an impulse as she shifted a little to rise up on her knees as she gently pulled Ranma back into her embrace. She wrapped her arms around the diminutive redhead and held her. When Ranma-chan tensed up, she didn't react, just continued to hold her until Ranma-chan let out a little sigh and relaxed slowly back into her arms and body.
Ranma-chan let out a little sigh and closed her eyes. "I guess we aren't going to pretend that we don't do this anymore, then?"
Xian Pu smiled and rested her head on top of Ranma-chan's as she shifted her arms a little and pulled Ranma-chan in closer. "That depends on you, Ranma. Right now, I'm just offering comfort and support to a very close and dear friend." Xian Pu paused a moment before she continued. "Just like when you climb into bed with me at night." Xian Pu paused again as Ranma blushed and shifted a little in embarrassment.
"Is… it okay if we admit it? That… We do this kind of stuff?" Ranma-chan said nervously. "Won't everything.. change?"
Xian Pu hugged Ranma-chan tighter. "That would depend on you, Ranma. Things don't have to change… Not if you really don't want them to. Take your time and figure out what you want, okay? In the meantime… I'm not going to pretend anymore. I'm going to keep doing what I have been doing because I care about you. And… not like I used to. I used to be such a horrible person. I'm not going to be like that anymore, Ranma. I want to be near you… Because that is what I want. Not because people tell me I have to, or some stupid idea that I need to possess you. Because I care, and I feel better when you are nearby." Xian Pu paused for a moment, then hugged Ranma-chan tighter again. "And you are very comfortable to sleep next to."
Ranma-chan blushed even brighter then laughed and sighed and relaxed back into Xian Pu. "Okay… okay. I will think about… everything, okay Shampoo?" She paused and chewed at her lip. "And… I… want to keep doing these things with you…. Even if sometimes it makes things more…. Confusing…"
Xian Pu giggled and nuzzled the back of Ranma-chan's head. "When have things not been confusing between us? I think it would be more abnormal if things weren't a confusing mess."
Ranma-chan nodded and sighed. "We should head back home…. I do wish I knew what caused this to happen.."
Xian Pu let go of Ranma-chan and stood up before she offered a hand to the short redhead. "We will just have to try to make sure it doesn't happen again. For now… let's just head home and relax for a bit, okay?"
Ranma-chan nodded and took Shampoo's hand and let the taller woman help her to her feet. Ranma-chan hesitated for a moment, then just held onto Shampoo's hand without looking directly at the former Amazon as they started to walk back home.
Xian Pu glanced aside at Ranma-chan as they walked with a contemplative look on her face. She had been glad that Ranma had been too distracted to notice the condition of her clothes, since she was sure that would have upset Ranma-chan. And, she thought to herself, it really did seem like things had changed, at least somewhat. It felt like they had reached some sort of tipping point, standing on a precipice that could change everything for them going forward. Sadly, it kind of made her wonder what was going to go wrong next. Things seemed to be going almost too well, if you discounted the Neko-Ken incident.
Xian Pu also could not help but think about the request that Ranma had made of her. It wasn't anything she would have ever guessed, but she could kind of understand it. After all, it could be seen as a practical consideration. Ranma had been spending a lot more time as a girl, by choice after all.
At the same time, she had to wonder if part of it might stem from curiosity. And there was a distinct possibility that she might be responsible for it, as well.
Xian Pu chuckled and held onto Ranma-chan's hand a little tighter.
It wasn't like she didn't have to take care of herself, anyhow. No problem with showing Ranma-chan, after all.
And it wasn't like she hadn't fantasized about it, either.
Ranma-chan looked aside at Shampoo, and a shiver ran down her spine. She had seen that look on the former Amazon's face many times before. It usually led to a declaration of 'You I love' and a particularly fierce glomping.
When the pair entered the apartment, they finally released each other before Xian Pu pushed Ranma-chan towards the bathroom. "Go take a shower, while I change and start to cook."
"What about you?" Ranma asked as she stood at the door to the bathroom, her shirt off already as she looked over her shoulder at Shampoo.
Xian Pu smiled and waved. "Go ahead, we can take a bath later " She watched Ranma-chan walk into the bathroom, and the last thing she saw before the door closed completely was a flash of a very firm butt.
Xian Pu shook her head to clear it before she hurried into her room to change, and to dispose of the clothes that Neko-Ranma had shredded. She listened to the sound of the shower for a minute, then finished dressing before she walked back out to the kitchen with a purposeful stride.
She had best start on supper, before she was too distracted by the thought of Ranma, regardless of form, naked in that other room.
When Ranma walked into the kitchen, he had returned to his birth form again. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head as he looked at Shampoo and then moved to help her finish setting the table while she finished the curry.
"Thanks again, Shampoo. I appreciate you coming to look for me… I know it couldn't have been easy, since things… Hadn't worked well in the past and all…. So… Sorry 'bout that…" Ranma said without looking at Shampoo.
Xian Pu bumped her hip against Ranma's when she walked past him. "It's fine, Ranma. You don't have to worry about it, okay? I knew what I was getting into, and as you saw, nothing happened. You just used me as a cushion in the sun for a bit. So, nothing to worry about, okay? Now, it WOULD help if you made sure you kept your phone on you when you went out for your run." Xian Pu said with a smile as Ranma looked at her, then away again.
"Oh… I did leave it here, didn't I?" Ranma said with a little laugh as he walked over to pick up his phone, then stopped as he looked at the screen for a minute. He walked over with a troubled look on his face as he put the phone on the table next to him.
"Something wrong, Ranma?" Xian Pu asked as she dished up servings for each of them and placed them in their usual spots.
"I don't know… Hinata sent me a message that she needs to talk to us. I mean me… I mean, Ranko and me…" Ranma said in a troubled voice.
"That… I don't know. What are we going to do? You can't be both at the same time… I mean…Do…. We tell her, then? Or just make up an excuse?" Xian Pu said in a worried tone of voice.
Ranma chewed on his lip, then sighed and shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I will just have to go and talk to her, see what she needs, and hopefully she will be satisfied with what I tell her."
"I will come with you tomorrow, then." Xian Pu said with a smile.
"But… why?" Ranma asked.
"Because I figured you could use some help, is all. And I have wanted to meet this boss of yours. She sounds like a very admirable woman." Xian Pu said with a smile. "And as a former Amazon, I want to meet as many formidable women as I can."
Ranma laughed softly as he shook his head, then chewed on his lip again. "Hey Shampoo? About my… request…" he trailed off and blushed a little.
"Yes? What about it, Ranma?" Xian Pu asked as she impulsively reached across the table to rest her hand on his.
"Can… we wait for another night? I'm… a bit distracted tonight…" Ranma said as he let her keep her hand on his as he reached up and fidgeted with his pigtail with the other
"Of course, Ranma. Anytime you want, I will help you." Xian Pu said with a smile, as she made sure not to let even a trace of disappointment show
Ranma nodded thankfully, and focused his attention on his meal. The pair of them ate in relative silence, a companionable quiet that they had found comforting in its own way. After supper, they cleaned up together and settled on the couch together by unspoken agreement. The pair didn't look at each other as they started to watch their latest movie. Xian Pu glanced at Ranma before she smiled a small, mischievous smile and pulled a light blanket over herself before she settled in against Ranma's side. After a little while, Ranma placed his arm behind Xian Pu, and the former Amazon settled in closer with a small smile on her face. She rested her head on his shoulder as she turned slightly into him. When he slept, hesitantly let his arm slide down so that Xian Pu was nestled comfortably against him, she smiled a secret little smile and sighed in contentment.
It seemed like things had changed, in fact.
After the movie, Xian Pu reluctantly extracted herself from Ranma's side, and noticed the slight flush to Ranma's cheeks, and as cute as it was she figured that it would probably be for the best to not tease him any more. "I will go ahead and take a bath, okay? Why don't you relax for just a bit. I won't be long… Unless you want to wash my back?" She asked in spite of herself, and smiled as Ranma turned even redder and shook his head.
"N..Not tonight, okay?" Ranma said without looking at Xian Pu.
Xian Pu smiled and nodded as she grabbed her change of clothes and slipped into the bathroom, and made sure that the door had closed before she started to undress.
Ranma laid his head back and blew out a breath as he tried to relax, and not worry too much about what tomorrow might bring. He could understand that Shampoo had been trying to distract him, and not tease him. It was odd, but back in the day… He would have been sure that she had meant all of her little comments completely. There would have been no doubt that she would have tried to seduce him, regardless of what might be happening. Heck, being distracted and off balance around her would almost guarantee that she would try something.
It still left him perplexed just how much Shampoo seemed to have changed in the couple of years that they had been apart.
He sighed and looked at the door to the bathroom, and then took another deep breath and relaxed as he waited for his turn in the bath. He was sure that she would not keep him waiting too long, she had become a woman of her word, after all.
When Xian Pu exited the bath, Ranma and her exchanged a quick little look before Ranma slipped into the bath and Xian Pu made her way to her room. After she laid down, she closed her eyes and relaxed as she listened to the sounds of the apartment. She wasn't surprised at all when she heard the door to her room open slowly and close just as softly. Without opening her eyes, she lifted the covers and scooted back in the bed just a bit before a small figure with still slightly damp hair slipped under the covers with her without a word exchanged between either of them. With a contented little smile, Xian Pu wrapped her arms around Ranma-chan and snuggled the smaller woman, as Ranma-chan sighed and settled in with her hands resting on top of the taller former Amazon's.
Xian Pu gently nuzzled the back of Ranma-chan's neck in a gentle, affectionate manner. When Ranma-chan didn't pull away, Xian Pu smiled. As much as she wanted to push the envelope a bit, now was not the time. She would never take advantage of Ranma like she had in the past. It would be a betrayal of everything that they shared now, it would break the trust that she knew she didn't yet deserve, but had to come to cherish so very much.
With that thought in her mind, she let herself slip off to sleep. It was a good thing that she didn't work tomorrow, she would have called in regardless if she had been scheduled, that was for sure. She couldn't shake the worry that lingered at the back of her head, and really wished she had thought to check the weather for tomorrow.
She was sure that the universe was not going to be accommodating.
Ranma-chan woke in the morning alone in bed, without the warmth that had enveloped her all night at her back. There was still a trace of Shampoo's warmth in the covers, and the pillow next to her head so she hadn't been gone long. The smell of food cooking pulled the young redhead from the comfort of the covers and out into the main room. Ranma-chan smiled softly as she watched Shampoo at work in the kitchen. The former Amazon moved with such grace as she did even the most mundane of things, it was like watching a master dance. It made her heart skip a beat and ache in a strange way, unusual but not unpleasant.
It was a feeling that she thought she could get used to.
After she realized she might have been staring for a bit too long, Ranma-chan shook her head and moved to set the table. She shared a look with Shampoo before they both looked away. Once their meal was finished and cleaned up, a sudden crack of thunder heralded a sudden rainstorm.
As usual, it the universe wanted to rain on their parade
The pair of them shared a look, as Ranma-chan shook her head. "It figures, doesn't it? I was planning on showing up as a guy…" Ranma-chan said with a shake of her head.
"I'd offer to use the soap but…." Xian Pu said sheepishly.
"But, you don't have a lot, and it would be a big problem if your curse activated…. Also, since I work in both of my forms…." Ranma-chan said with a sigh.
"Well, we have umbrellas, we can always try. And if nothing else, we will bring a thermos with us of hot water." Xian Pu said helpfully.
Ranma-chan smiled and nodded. "We can at least try. ". Ranma-chan said as she grabbed a change of clothes that would be okay in both forms, but was picked out for her birth form. She stopped before she walked into the bathroom and looked over her shoulder at Xian Pu. "Thanks, Shampoo."
Xian Pu blushed and stammered a bit. "Is no problem, Shampoo is very, very glad to be helping." She stammered out, then blushed and covered her face as she realized what she had done. Her embarrassment only grew when Ranma-chan laughed.
"Thanks, Shampoo. I needed that." She said, then as the door closed behind her she said shyly. "I appreciate the joke… but… I kinda like how you talk now…"
Xian Pu blushed even more before she took a few cleansing breaths and went to get her own change of clothes. She had to look her best, since this would be the first time she met Hinata herself. There was also the fact she could not shake this sense of pending dread. Perhaps it had been because things had been going too well as of late?
No matter what, she would do her best.
