Shampoo's Chance: Spirit of the Law
Chapter 1
*CHRING* Those who lived between the Cat Cafe and the Tendo
Dojo had long ago come to dread that particular sound which sent them
instinctively diving for cover. Shampoo paid them no mind as she
zipped down the street while humming a pleasant ditty that was quite in
contrast to the panicked screams of those scrambling to avoid what the
locals referred to in terrified whispers as "The Bicycle of Death." Even
the motorists went out of there way to avoid the purple haired cyclist,
for those who dared to challenge the bike's right of way, confident that
it would yield to their superior size, had discovered themselves the ones
totaled in the resulting collision, and the bike miraculously unscathed.
Shampoo smirked at the rabbles panic. However unnecessary it
was, it helped heighten the thrill that made biking so enjoyable. In
truth, she was the cyclist who posed the least inherent danger to these
cowardly commoners (indirect danger from panicking pedestrians and
vehicles was another matter). Her bike and her were like one entity in
perfect harmony. It's every movement was a perfect reflection of her
will. No one would be hit, unless, that is, she intended to hit them.
Speaking of which, she had reached the Tendo Dojo. And on the other
side of the wall she could hear the angry yells of Akane as she
demolished defenseless bricks.
Smirking even more, Shampoo carefully aimed her bike toward her
target and sped straight toward the thick brick wall at what appeared to
be a suicidal speed. But Shampoo did not splatter against the wall.
Instead, in apparent disregard to physics, the wall exploded before the
exuberant amazons charge. Akane heard the wall give way behind her,
but she knew that meant it was to late to do anything but flinch and
extend her pinkies/index fingers.
All she felt was something brush quickly through her hair... and then
nothing?! It took a moment for Akane to realize she hadn't been hit.
"Wha...?"
"Hehe. Akane should seen face. Shampoo make flinch good!"
gloated the Amazon, hands on the handlebars that she'd turned to the
side at the last moment.
"Why you little..." growled Akane as she advanced angrily toward
Shampoo, then let out an EEP! as the Amazon popped a wheelie that
came within a hair width of taking off her nose.
"Shampoo gottcha'gin. Akane never learn it seem," laughed the
Amazon as she teased her hyperventilating rival.
"I'm going to kill that bike!" screamed Akane as she attempted to
introduce Shampoo's bike to her mallet (her anger level having just
reached the critical mass needed to summon it). All she hit was air of
course, the veins popping up all over her head had given Shampoo
plenty of advance warning. And now Akane had taken the first serious
swing, which made her fair game; if anyone asked it could be excused
as self defense. Or rather bike defense.
As Shampoo flipped over Akane the back wheel of the bike collided
with the back of Akane's skull, knocking her flat on her face. To add
insult (and more injury) to injury, Shampoo landed the bike on top of
her fallen foe. "Akane should no threaten bike, even bike fight better
than Akane. Way to go bike! You teach violent girl lesson good,"
crooned Shampoo as she patted the handlebar with mock affection.
Whistling a little victory tune, Shampoo started to walk over to the
house, then stopped as she felt someone staring daggers at her back.
"D-don't... think... I'm... beat... yet..." snarled Akane as she rose slowly
to her feet.
"Hmmm. Shampoo give you credit, Akane tougher and dumber
than me think. When you learn no can beat Shampoo?" Akane knew
Shampoo was right, but there was no way she was going to hear, or
accept, it from that bitch. Her fingers curled up into a trembling fist.
All she asked for was one clean hit. She'd gladly get the crap beat out
of her if she could just deck that arrogant Amazon's smirking face.
With a desperate battle cry Akane launched herself at Shampoo.
"Akane?" said Shampoo, slightly concerned, as she evaded blow
after blow. "Shampoo thinking you taking way to serious."
Taking serious. It was all some game to them, wasn't it? They
never took her seriously. With each blow that Shampoo casually
dodged, Akane could feel her anger building. She hated it when they
toyed with her, just to remind her how inferior she was. Damn it, she
used to be the Martial Arts Queen of Nerima. Now she was just a joke.
She'd show them.
"Hmmm. You _is_ serious, neh? Akane have warrior spirit, but
waste to much time what with breaking bricks..." suddenly Shampoo
slipped past Akane's fist and the two girls were face to face, "Against
moving target need aim where going to be, not where is."
Shampoo's words hit Akane full force and momentarily stopped her
as she blinked in surprise. So that was her mistake. She could break all
the bricks she wanted and it wouldn't do her a wit of good against agile
opponents like Shampoo and Ranma. Her problem was none of her
opponents had ever required her to improve her aim. Her dad had
became useless for practice years ago because he couldn't fight her for
real. The mob of boys at school had just been chaff far below her level.
Kuno was so deluded in his invincibility that he saw no reason to lower
himself to dodging. And there had been no way in hell that someone
could miss the dojo destroyer.
But why was Shampoo... "I'm so pathetic that your taking pity on
me, is that it?" thought Akane angrily. "Your feeling sorry enough for
weak little Akane that'll you'll stoop to giving her advice, neh? I'll
show you. "Aim where going to be", right?" Akane stepped back and
launched a double fisted attack at both sides of Shampoo's head. She
didn't care that'd it'd leave her wide open. All she wanted to do was
for once hit that arrogant bitch.
So she was quite disappointed when her two fists landed beside
Shampoo's face. "Wha... No fair! Y-you... were supposed to... try and
dodge," sputtered an incredulous Akane at the unmoved Amazon.
"Foooled you!" announced Shampoo as she tapped Akane on the
forehead with just enough force to knock the overextended girl off
balance. Akane windmilled her arms in a desperate attempt to right
herself, but gravity and inertia won out and sent her crashing down into
the dirt once again. As the dust cleared she was greeted by the sight of
Shampoo trying (rather unsuccessfully) to hold back her giggles.
Akane still had a dumbfounded expression on her face, but then to
Shampoo's surprise her lip half curled up into a smirk. "Heh. Okay.
That was a good one Shampoo, but cheap. HIYAAH!"
Shampoo noted that Akane was trying to track her movements. At
first her blows were uneven and awkward, as she tried to adjust to the
different mindset that anticipatory attacks required, but with each
passing moment they became more rapid and confident. Soon Akane
was grinning as she unleashed a torrent of fists and feet against
Shampoo, who actually had to put some effort into her dodging. This
time Akane's defense wasn't full of holes big enough for Shampoo to
ram her bike through either.
Finally a split second arrived where Akane realized she knew where
Shampoo was going to be. "I've got you!" yelled Akane in triumph as
she unleashed a full force roundhouse.
"Heh. Not bad," huffed Shampoo, a single sweat drop appearing on
her forehead. It was almost frightening how quickly Akane had
improved during this short match. "Akane actually make Shampoo
need block." Panting from exhaustion, Akane stared in disappointment
at the low block which had countered her roundhouse. Still, she
couldn't help but feel a little bit of triumph. Wiping the sweat from her
brow, she looked back up at Shampoo, cautiously smiled, and started
to open her mouth, but before she could speak Shampoo grabbed her
ankle and gave her an evil grin. "But Akane no get too cocky," with a
flick of her wrist, Shampoo sent Akane spinning through the air. "You
still no where near be hitting Shampoo." Akane's sense of triumph and
start of a good mood died right there in the dirt. Her skill was still
nothing next to that jerks!
"Oh. Hello Shampoo-chan. You came over here to play with
Akane?" asked Kasumi as she came out of the house.
"Hello Kasumi! Shampoo actually here for see mom-in-law. She
here?"
"Mom-in... oh. She's in the laundry room right now."
"Thanks," said Shampoo as she started to unload the take out cart
from the back of her bike. Reaching inside she pulled out a sweet bun
and offered it to Kasumi. "Here. Right before me leave great grandma
finish batch, so Shampoo bring some over."
"Thank you Shampoo-chan," said Kasumi as she took a bite.
"Mmmhhh. These are really fresh. Give your great grandmother my
compliments. Was there something else I saw in there?"
"Hehe. That surprise for Mom-in-law. Hey Akane! You wanting
sweet bun?" Shampoo asked as she offered one to Akane, who was
busy trying to brush all the dust off her gi.
"Hell no!" snapped Akane as she slapped Shampoo's hand away.
"Knowing you, it's probably poisoned or something!"
"Suit self," shrugged Shampoo as she stuffed the bun in her own
mouth. "Mmmhhhmmhh. Is too to good," enthused Shampoo over her
shoulder as she walked briskly away from Akane. The Amazon started
to head toward the house, but then stopped and cocked her ear toward
her bike. "What that? You no want me leave out here with nasty mean
violent girl?" Shampoo nodded her head several times and then
replied, "True, true, she what threatening for to kill you. There, there,
Shampoo no let violent girl touch you," assured Shampoo as she patted
the handlebars. "Kasumi, can Shampoo take bike in house?"
"Certainly," replied Kasumi with a smile. Then she leaned over
toward the bike. "Don't worry bike-san, you can stay on the dining
room deck. I'll be right across the hall in the kitchen, keeping an eye
on you."
"Not you too onechan!" protested Akane. "I'd expect this type of
childish stupidity from Shampoo, but from you..."
"Hush Akane, I can't hear bike-san. What was that? Oh. No, it's
my pleasure to make sure your safe. Yes, she does have a short
temper..
"Onechan!!"
"But she's really a good girl. I hope you'll forgive her, you two
could get along well. Maybe you'll let her ride you some day, neh?"
Shampoo suddenly went bug eyed. "Oh my, did I say something
wrong?"
"U-uh. No," replied Shampoo nervously as she tried to figure out if
there was anything hiding behind Kasumi's innocent smile. Was this
girl just a naive homemaker, or something much more devious?
Shampoo hastily decided she was reading far to much into this.
"Honestly, treating that bike like a guest," muttered Akane as
Shampoo quickly wheeled her bike into the Tendo residence. "I can't
believe you'd team up against your own sister like that."
"Shampoo's changed, hasn't she?" commented Kasumi as she
watched the Amazon disappear inside the house.
"Hmph. She's still the same ol childish, arrogant bitch she's always
been," huffed Akane as she headed toward the house. Tire stains were
such a pain get out. Best to get her gi in the wash rig... Akane stopped,
deciding that was the last place she wanted to be right now. Grumbling,
she turned around and started looking for more concrete blocks to
smash.
Chapter 1
*CHRING* Those who lived between the Cat Cafe and the Tendo
Dojo had long ago come to dread that particular sound which sent them
instinctively diving for cover. Shampoo paid them no mind as she
zipped down the street while humming a pleasant ditty that was quite in
contrast to the panicked screams of those scrambling to avoid what the
locals referred to in terrified whispers as "The Bicycle of Death." Even
the motorists went out of there way to avoid the purple haired cyclist,
for those who dared to challenge the bike's right of way, confident that
it would yield to their superior size, had discovered themselves the ones
totaled in the resulting collision, and the bike miraculously unscathed.
Shampoo smirked at the rabbles panic. However unnecessary it
was, it helped heighten the thrill that made biking so enjoyable. In
truth, she was the cyclist who posed the least inherent danger to these
cowardly commoners (indirect danger from panicking pedestrians and
vehicles was another matter). Her bike and her were like one entity in
perfect harmony. It's every movement was a perfect reflection of her
will. No one would be hit, unless, that is, she intended to hit them.
Speaking of which, she had reached the Tendo Dojo. And on the other
side of the wall she could hear the angry yells of Akane as she
demolished defenseless bricks.
Smirking even more, Shampoo carefully aimed her bike toward her
target and sped straight toward the thick brick wall at what appeared to
be a suicidal speed. But Shampoo did not splatter against the wall.
Instead, in apparent disregard to physics, the wall exploded before the
exuberant amazons charge. Akane heard the wall give way behind her,
but she knew that meant it was to late to do anything but flinch and
extend her pinkies/index fingers.
All she felt was something brush quickly through her hair... and then
nothing?! It took a moment for Akane to realize she hadn't been hit.
"Wha...?"
"Hehe. Akane should seen face. Shampoo make flinch good!"
gloated the Amazon, hands on the handlebars that she'd turned to the
side at the last moment.
"Why you little..." growled Akane as she advanced angrily toward
Shampoo, then let out an EEP! as the Amazon popped a wheelie that
came within a hair width of taking off her nose.
"Shampoo gottcha'gin. Akane never learn it seem," laughed the
Amazon as she teased her hyperventilating rival.
"I'm going to kill that bike!" screamed Akane as she attempted to
introduce Shampoo's bike to her mallet (her anger level having just
reached the critical mass needed to summon it). All she hit was air of
course, the veins popping up all over her head had given Shampoo
plenty of advance warning. And now Akane had taken the first serious
swing, which made her fair game; if anyone asked it could be excused
as self defense. Or rather bike defense.
As Shampoo flipped over Akane the back wheel of the bike collided
with the back of Akane's skull, knocking her flat on her face. To add
insult (and more injury) to injury, Shampoo landed the bike on top of
her fallen foe. "Akane should no threaten bike, even bike fight better
than Akane. Way to go bike! You teach violent girl lesson good,"
crooned Shampoo as she patted the handlebar with mock affection.
Whistling a little victory tune, Shampoo started to walk over to the
house, then stopped as she felt someone staring daggers at her back.
"D-don't... think... I'm... beat... yet..." snarled Akane as she rose slowly
to her feet.
"Hmmm. Shampoo give you credit, Akane tougher and dumber
than me think. When you learn no can beat Shampoo?" Akane knew
Shampoo was right, but there was no way she was going to hear, or
accept, it from that bitch. Her fingers curled up into a trembling fist.
All she asked for was one clean hit. She'd gladly get the crap beat out
of her if she could just deck that arrogant Amazon's smirking face.
With a desperate battle cry Akane launched herself at Shampoo.
"Akane?" said Shampoo, slightly concerned, as she evaded blow
after blow. "Shampoo thinking you taking way to serious."
Taking serious. It was all some game to them, wasn't it? They
never took her seriously. With each blow that Shampoo casually
dodged, Akane could feel her anger building. She hated it when they
toyed with her, just to remind her how inferior she was. Damn it, she
used to be the Martial Arts Queen of Nerima. Now she was just a joke.
She'd show them.
"Hmmm. You _is_ serious, neh? Akane have warrior spirit, but
waste to much time what with breaking bricks..." suddenly Shampoo
slipped past Akane's fist and the two girls were face to face, "Against
moving target need aim where going to be, not where is."
Shampoo's words hit Akane full force and momentarily stopped her
as she blinked in surprise. So that was her mistake. She could break all
the bricks she wanted and it wouldn't do her a wit of good against agile
opponents like Shampoo and Ranma. Her problem was none of her
opponents had ever required her to improve her aim. Her dad had
became useless for practice years ago because he couldn't fight her for
real. The mob of boys at school had just been chaff far below her level.
Kuno was so deluded in his invincibility that he saw no reason to lower
himself to dodging. And there had been no way in hell that someone
could miss the dojo destroyer.
But why was Shampoo... "I'm so pathetic that your taking pity on
me, is that it?" thought Akane angrily. "Your feeling sorry enough for
weak little Akane that'll you'll stoop to giving her advice, neh? I'll
show you. "Aim where going to be", right?" Akane stepped back and
launched a double fisted attack at both sides of Shampoo's head. She
didn't care that'd it'd leave her wide open. All she wanted to do was
for once hit that arrogant bitch.
So she was quite disappointed when her two fists landed beside
Shampoo's face. "Wha... No fair! Y-you... were supposed to... try and
dodge," sputtered an incredulous Akane at the unmoved Amazon.
"Foooled you!" announced Shampoo as she tapped Akane on the
forehead with just enough force to knock the overextended girl off
balance. Akane windmilled her arms in a desperate attempt to right
herself, but gravity and inertia won out and sent her crashing down into
the dirt once again. As the dust cleared she was greeted by the sight of
Shampoo trying (rather unsuccessfully) to hold back her giggles.
Akane still had a dumbfounded expression on her face, but then to
Shampoo's surprise her lip half curled up into a smirk. "Heh. Okay.
That was a good one Shampoo, but cheap. HIYAAH!"
Shampoo noted that Akane was trying to track her movements. At
first her blows were uneven and awkward, as she tried to adjust to the
different mindset that anticipatory attacks required, but with each
passing moment they became more rapid and confident. Soon Akane
was grinning as she unleashed a torrent of fists and feet against
Shampoo, who actually had to put some effort into her dodging. This
time Akane's defense wasn't full of holes big enough for Shampoo to
ram her bike through either.
Finally a split second arrived where Akane realized she knew where
Shampoo was going to be. "I've got you!" yelled Akane in triumph as
she unleashed a full force roundhouse.
"Heh. Not bad," huffed Shampoo, a single sweat drop appearing on
her forehead. It was almost frightening how quickly Akane had
improved during this short match. "Akane actually make Shampoo
need block." Panting from exhaustion, Akane stared in disappointment
at the low block which had countered her roundhouse. Still, she
couldn't help but feel a little bit of triumph. Wiping the sweat from her
brow, she looked back up at Shampoo, cautiously smiled, and started
to open her mouth, but before she could speak Shampoo grabbed her
ankle and gave her an evil grin. "But Akane no get too cocky," with a
flick of her wrist, Shampoo sent Akane spinning through the air. "You
still no where near be hitting Shampoo." Akane's sense of triumph and
start of a good mood died right there in the dirt. Her skill was still
nothing next to that jerks!
"Oh. Hello Shampoo-chan. You came over here to play with
Akane?" asked Kasumi as she came out of the house.
"Hello Kasumi! Shampoo actually here for see mom-in-law. She
here?"
"Mom-in... oh. She's in the laundry room right now."
"Thanks," said Shampoo as she started to unload the take out cart
from the back of her bike. Reaching inside she pulled out a sweet bun
and offered it to Kasumi. "Here. Right before me leave great grandma
finish batch, so Shampoo bring some over."
"Thank you Shampoo-chan," said Kasumi as she took a bite.
"Mmmhhh. These are really fresh. Give your great grandmother my
compliments. Was there something else I saw in there?"
"Hehe. That surprise for Mom-in-law. Hey Akane! You wanting
sweet bun?" Shampoo asked as she offered one to Akane, who was
busy trying to brush all the dust off her gi.
"Hell no!" snapped Akane as she slapped Shampoo's hand away.
"Knowing you, it's probably poisoned or something!"
"Suit self," shrugged Shampoo as she stuffed the bun in her own
mouth. "Mmmhhhmmhh. Is too to good," enthused Shampoo over her
shoulder as she walked briskly away from Akane. The Amazon started
to head toward the house, but then stopped and cocked her ear toward
her bike. "What that? You no want me leave out here with nasty mean
violent girl?" Shampoo nodded her head several times and then
replied, "True, true, she what threatening for to kill you. There, there,
Shampoo no let violent girl touch you," assured Shampoo as she patted
the handlebars. "Kasumi, can Shampoo take bike in house?"
"Certainly," replied Kasumi with a smile. Then she leaned over
toward the bike. "Don't worry bike-san, you can stay on the dining
room deck. I'll be right across the hall in the kitchen, keeping an eye
on you."
"Not you too onechan!" protested Akane. "I'd expect this type of
childish stupidity from Shampoo, but from you..."
"Hush Akane, I can't hear bike-san. What was that? Oh. No, it's
my pleasure to make sure your safe. Yes, she does have a short
temper..
"Onechan!!"
"But she's really a good girl. I hope you'll forgive her, you two
could get along well. Maybe you'll let her ride you some day, neh?"
Shampoo suddenly went bug eyed. "Oh my, did I say something
wrong?"
"U-uh. No," replied Shampoo nervously as she tried to figure out if
there was anything hiding behind Kasumi's innocent smile. Was this
girl just a naive homemaker, or something much more devious?
Shampoo hastily decided she was reading far to much into this.
"Honestly, treating that bike like a guest," muttered Akane as
Shampoo quickly wheeled her bike into the Tendo residence. "I can't
believe you'd team up against your own sister like that."
"Shampoo's changed, hasn't she?" commented Kasumi as she
watched the Amazon disappear inside the house.
"Hmph. She's still the same ol childish, arrogant bitch she's always
been," huffed Akane as she headed toward the house. Tire stains were
such a pain get out. Best to get her gi in the wash rig... Akane stopped,
deciding that was the last place she wanted to be right now. Grumbling,
she turned around and started looking for more concrete blocks to
smash.