Ah, yes. The grande return, as one might say. My tastes in anime have become a tad more cultured, stepping away from dubbed anime. Which is why I have chosen to write about Ranma 1/2. Tastefully unaware of the true secrets of the fanfiction world, equipped with only an idea and no true fictional skills, not to mention the lack of a means to further the simplistic plot, I have decided to try my hand at something I've never done-- a romance fanfic. And what better way to start than with an extremely unlikely pair, one that will be unbearably hard to set up and still have them remain in character? Ah, yes.
So, I'll just spill it. Ryouga and Shampoo. My two favorite Ranma 1/2 characters. Unfortunately, I am not as well aversed with Ranma 1/2 as I might hope, but still. And I'll give you fair warning-- there will be inevitable flaws in the logic of the Ranma 1/2 world, such as the laws of the Amazon tribe. Seeing as they've never really explained, I'll put the "fiction" title to good name, and begin making some wonderful smoochy-smooch scenes.

Anywho. This is SonGohan. This is the first fanfic I've attempted in almost a year. Please excuse my low literary talents at this time-- consider this a sort of warm up, if you will. The truth is, the only reason I decided to write again is because a fanfic by Dak caught my eye as I boredly skimmed through the Ranma 1/2 fanfics. A semi-recent addition, it was entitled "Unlikely Couple", and dealt with Ryouga and Shampoo becoming a couple. Now, as I said, these are my two favorite characters. When someone else had the guts to write one, I decided to get back in the saddle, and try my hand at one. After all, the relationship COULD work out. I'll explain more at a later date.

The setting for this fanfic is, of course, in Nerima, Japan, and will likely hold flashbacks, and maybe even a trip, back to China. The time is really any given time in the storyline that doesn't include Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendou being married, but with the regular characters already in play.

I will be using varied names for varied characters, but it should be obvious enough as to who is who, unless you're new to the series by the highly talented Rumiko Takahashi. But it'll eventually come to you-- don't worry.

Ah, and one more note-- the title of this fanfic is supposed to sound like the title of one of the episodes. Gomen ne to those who think it's stupid. With that said, read on.

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The Inevitable Decision! Ryouga And Shampoo An Item?! Cats And Pigs Don't Mix!
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Ryouga Hibiki sighed as he wandered the wet streets of Nerima, his bamboo umbrella set up above his head to prevent any rain from falling atop his head and causing the transformation into "P-chan", the black piglet that results from his Jusenkyou curse.

"Today will be the day," Ryouga thought to himself. "Today I will defeat Ranma Saotome, and claim Akane Tendou! Once I've beaten Ranma, I should have the courage to tell Akane that I am P-chan! And once she sees this, she will become mine! At least.. I hope so.. If she turns me down.." his thoughts trailed off, as he once again entered that helpless state of mind his poor mental psyche was so accustomed to. "If she really does love Ranma.. I don't know if my heart can handle it.."

Not even noticing as he passed the Tendou dojo for what would have to be the fourth time that hour, still on his search for Ranma, Ryouga sighed to himself. "Curse this damned lack of direction.." he murmured gently to himself, as he turned a corner and began walking straight to the Nekohanten.

He blinked, and despite the current drizzle of rain, he smelled the wonderful ramen of Cologne and Shampoo. Unable to resist the urge to enter, as he had not eaten for the past two days, Ryouga sighed and stepped into the Cat Cafe, to purchase a bowl of ramen. At the very least, these were people who knew him, and not complete strangers who didn't trust him because of his lost look and strange attire.

"Hello," Obaba murmured quietly, as she spotted Ryouga walking in. "How have you been? Have you beaten Son-in-law yet?"

"As if that's any of your concern," Ryouga murmured, taking a seat at any given table.

"I'll take that as a no.. Shampoo, take this boy's order- I have business to tend to in the back." Cologne nodded to Shampoo, before hopping off on her rather large staff, to the back room.

"Nihao, lost boy. What you want eat?" Shampoo said, as she stepped up to him.

"I'll take a bowl of chicken flavored ramen.. and please, don't call me lost boy; that really gets on my nerves.." Ryouga murmured gently, looking at the tabletop boredly.

"Alright, pig boy. Chicken ramen, you say? Alright, Shampoo make for you." Shampoo nodded, grinning in that psuedo-blissful style she so often did, before turning and walking off.

A few moments later, Shampoo dropped off Ryouga's bowl of ramen, collected the yen, and went back to the register, waiting for another customer on this especially rainy day.

Ryouga, although happy to have food, ate rather discontentedly, staring at the noodles in his bowl. "Oh.. Akane.. if only I could.. if only.." Ryouga sighed once more, as he began eating once again.

"Why pig boy so unhappy? Is ramen bad? Shampoo make it self," Shampoo questioned, eyeing the boy in the yellow-and-black bandana.

"No, the ramen is fine.. As to why I'm depressed, that's none of your business," Ryouga said, not turning to face her.

"Why pig boy so mean? Shampoo only ask question, after all," she stated. She had by now moved back into the dining part of the Nekohanten, and was on her way to Ryouga's table.

"I'm not mean. I'm just not very willing to talk.. And since when do you care so much, hm?" he blinked, looking up at the Amazon who loved his sworn enemy.

"Shampoo see. Well, Shampoo think you have no reason be unhappy. You sleep with loved one, even if you are pig at time. But in Shampoo's case, Shampoo scare loved one away in cursed form," she sighed to herself, then nodded abruptly, as she saw Ryouga stand up. "Where you go?"

Ryouga shrugged, popping open his umbrella again, pushing his now-empty bowl aside. He stood up, slung his pack back on, then turned to look at Shampoo. "I'm going to go beat Ranma Saotome today, once the rain clears."

Shampoo giggled, shaking her head. "Lost boy no beat Ranma, Ranma too good!" She stood up, and brushed off her cleverly designed Chinese pants. "You no find way there anyway, lost boy."

Ryouga looked down, and closed his eyes, as he twitched dangerously. His trademark fangs could be seen glinting in the light, right over his bottom lip. "Look.. you don't have to rub all that in; I KNOW I have a lousy sense of direction. But I always get there." He nodded to himself, before stepping over to the door, his umbrella still above his head. "Thanks for the ramen, bye." He proceeded to step back out into the rain, heading this time straight for the Tendou dojo.

Shampoo blinked to herself, as Ryouga left. "Lost boy weird. Shampoo no understand him."

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Okay, it's my first chapter, I know it sucks. But I'm at a loss. Don't blame me-- I know it's short, but if I would've thrown in the fight it would've been too long. Don't worry, the actual fight, which by the way will be the next chapter, will be longer than this. I'm hoping every other chapter will be. But that's really for me to decide and noone else, right?

Anywho. Reviews are requested, flames are accepted, praise is frowned upon. I like flames because they point out my flaws. I dislike praise because it gives me an ego which is crushed by the flames.

Ah well. Next chapter will be up soon. Maybe I'll finish this fanfic.