Ranma ½ and it's characters are the creation and property of Rumiko
Takahashi-sama and various other entities, none of whom happen to be
me. I'm simply using them without permission, but I promise to put
them all back when I'm done, except possibly for Shampoo;)
My other works can be found at http://www.angelfire.com/anime5/ficaleb
Feedback may be sent to caleb_david@angelfire.com
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Shampoo's Chance: Spirit of the Law
By: Kaleb
Chapter 11
Who's ya Sensei Showdown: Sudden Death Overtime
"Shampoo, this fight isn't worth risking your life over! Don't
provoke him further!" pleaded Akane as Shampoo stumbled back from her
one-sided exchange with Neko-Ranma, one hand trying to dam the red
stream oozing from her side.
Shampoo was sorely tempted to listen to Akane. She'd never been
more terrified in her life. Only once before had she felt Death so
close by, but that time it'd been in an implacable impersonal form that
almost seemed a savior from suffering, not this horrific beast who'd
without a second thought bring her a dog's death in this unhallowed
foreign land. Damn it! She wasn't ready to die yet. Sure, Ranma may
have rejected her, but she wasn't going to descend into a depressed
death wish like some pathetic angsty teen.
No, now was not the time to despair. Looking up, Shampoo
focused her frustration instead on her anger, glaring hatefully at her
hissing rival. "Shampoo can't stop now. Rather die than let Ranma
take this too from me!"
"Huh, what do you mean 'this too'…?" asked Nabiki.
This fight was supposed to be hers. Her revenge where she'd
give that arrogant asshole who'd shamed her his comeuppance. Shampoo
had always taken pride and power in being the first maiden and warrior
amongst her people. Those two pillars were all she had, but they'd
been enough to support her standing supremely self confident all alone;
what need did number one have of others anyway? Then along came Ranma.
Bit by bit he'd desecrated her maiden image, finally sullying it beyond
repair. Even worse though was the ensuing loss to her self image; that
supreme self confidence which had sustained her through so many lonely
nights had been shattered. Still, even if she wasn't much of a maiden,
she was still a warrior; maybe she didn't have love, but she had power!
Shampoo had been looking forward to rubbing Ranma's face in the fact
that he'd never deserved to be engaged to her anyway. But even that
little dream she'd been nursing was crumbling. Why didn't any of her
plans regarding Ranma work out? Why was this damnable foreign boy
always able to surprise and knock her off balance?!
Tensing herself as Ranma prepared to pounce, Shampoo was caught
completely off guard when Ranma pulled down his eyelid and stuck out
his tongue at her. Taking advantage of her surprise, he leapt over the
wall. For a moment the frazzled amazon just stared in disbelief,
before shaking her fist in outrage, "Tricky bastard better run!
Shampoo hunt coward boy down to ends of earth! You no get away that
easy!"
"Wait, he was faking the Neko-ken?" said a confused Nabiki.
"No, not the way he managed to tear up her arms and side
without even touching her, that was definitely the Neko-ken," realized
Akane. "As Shampoo said, she wasn't pushing him hard enough to make
him snap, so he had to consciously choose to push himself over the
edge. Since the stimulus wasn't as overwhelming as usual, I think
Ranma partially accessed the Neko-ken while staying conscious of
himself!"
"Hmmm, it might have only lasted while Shampoo was threatening
him," speculated Nabiki, "but that was at least enough for him to pull
off the ol Saotome Secret Technique. I'm not sure if he's going to be
able to outrun Shampoo though; she managed to bandage herself and pull
out that bike of hers real fast."
Bike in tow, Shampoo made straight for the wall Ranma had
disappeared over. However, before she could charge through it like it
wasn't even there, someone on the other side beat her to it. The
amazon cried out in surprise as the wall exploded inward toward her.
With Shampoo battered by the debris and coughing on the raised up dust
(which conveniently doubled as a smokescreen), Ranma had no trouble
grabbing her two arms and nearly yanking them out of their sockets as
he delivered a swift knee to her gut. "Like I'd really be dumb enough
to charge right inta the counter ya had ready. _You_ on the other
hand…"
"Walked right into Ranma's trap," finished Akane. "Maybe he
can't win with a KO, but he can always grapple and put her into a
submission pin."
"Risky, getting in that close with her," warned Nabiki. "But
he's got to risk it; he doesn't have the stamina left to fight much
longer. And… Oh God!" winced Nabiki. "That's gotta hurt."
Ranma yanking her into his knee had bowed Shampoo's head.
Proudly thrusting it back upward, she struck him on the chin, snapping
his neck back. She also repaid his knee strike with one to his crotch.
Nabiki's remark however was in reference to Shampoo's follow through,
wherein she bit Ranma's exposed throat. Only his twisting it at the
last moment saved his jugular from being torn apart by Shampoo's savage
teeth. He may have been keeping her pressure point hitting hands under
control, but they were far from the only weapons at Shampoo's disposal.
Thrashing back and forth like a wild animal (her teeth still
savaging Ranma's neck) Shampoo felt Ranma's grip on her wrists slacken
slightly. It was enough. Slipping her hands free, Shampoo placed her
hands atop Ranma's. Rolling backward, she let go and sent Ranma
sailing through the air. That he was reaching the limits of his
endurance was evidenced by his failing to land on his feet, instead
tumbling gracelessly across the yard.
"Care try that again?" teased Shampoo coyly as she licked the
blood from her lips, then wiped away the remainder. "First thing
amazon maiden trained is how stop man who try force self on her. On
other hand, Ranma Anything Go style quite weak with wrestling. Not
surprise consider who originating school. Was good try, but you no
will get best of Shampoo that way."
"She's got a point. I just can't see Happosai having much luck
trying to pin someone," snickered Nabiki at the ridiculous mental
image. "I don't think the little creep can encircle a lady's wrist,
let alone a whole body."
"Who cares as long as I got enough grasp to pinch tit?" asked
the Anything Goes Master as he jumped up into Nabiki's bosom and gave
her a good groping.
"ACK! Kill it! Kill it!" screamed Nabiki as she ripped the
old lecher off her chest. Immediately dropping him as if he were some
disgusting vermin, the middle Tendo sister proceeded to stomp him
underneath her Birkenstocks. "You are so dead old man! DIE! DIE DIE
DIE!"
"Before I finishing Ranma off," said Shampoo as she attacked
her exhausted rival, "want apologize for calling coward. Gave good
fight, much better than Shampoo expecting. In honor that, I make kill
clean."
"Getting ahead of yourself, aren't you?" said Ranma cockily as
he dodged Shampoo. "This fight ain't over yet, and there's something
you should know; Ranma Saotome doesn't lose! MOKO TOKOBISHI!" Shampoo
had no chance to dodge Ranma's point blank ki blast that sent her
flying across the yard.
"Ugh… Ego is it? Why I no surprised?" snorted Shampoo as she
unsteadily rose from the tract her body had dug. "No get Shampoo with
same trick twice."
"Oh? How you gonna manage that? Looks like you're starting to
get worn out yourself. There's no hiding it, you really felt that last
blast, and I got plenty more where it came from. You don't have the
stamina left to dodge them all," predicted Ranma confidently. "MOKO
TOKOBISHI!"
"Such stupid attack, make Ranma far to cocky," tsked Shampoo as
she sidestepped the blast, then recklessly charged him.
"Cocky?! I'm not the one rushing headlong into a ki blast.
MOKO TOKOBISHI!" extending his hand Ranma sent another blast of his
overblown ego at the amazon. But she'd already made her move. Moving
so fast she almost seemed to disappear, Shampoo leapt over the ki blast
and prepared to strike Ranma from the air.
"HA! Now you can't dodge!" laughed Ranma triumphantly as he
aimed his other hand at the amazon. Quickly rotating the bottom hand
that fired the first shot one hundred and eighty degrees, Ranma brought
the two together and poured everything he had into one final blast.
"MAXIMUM STRENGTH MOKO TOKOBISHI!"
Shampoo gazed condescendingly at the huge ball of energy
hurtling her way. Before it collided with her, Shampoo closed her eyes
and placed her palm right in front of its path. *KA-BOOM!* Ranma was
blinded and knocked off balance by the back blast, leaving him in no
condition to fend off Shampoo's jump kick which struck him across the
jaw, torquing his face and neck violently to the side.
"She countered Ranma's chi attack?" said Nabiki as she rubbed
at her eyes.
"Yep. All emotional chi attacks have a specific counter,"
explained Happosai as he crawled out from underneath Nabiki's feet.
"Right. The Shishihokaden didn't touch those who were
emotionally empty," remembered Akane.
"And all take for counter dumb Ranma move is projecting more
confidence than one who firing," declared Shampoo arrogantly as she
pressed her advantage. Ranma was to slow to deflect her attack, only
managing to directly block it with his upper arm. Extending the
knuckle of her index finger, Shampoo drove it home full force. Just as
he was going to counter, Ranma felt his deltoid seize up, making him
realize too late the danger of letting any of Shampoo's attacks land,
even on seemingly unvital points.
With Ranma momentarily unable to raise his arm, Shampoo's eyes
glazed over as she moved in for the kill. One hand was brought round
to Ranma's back, the other struck to the side of Ranma's sternum with a
full force palm strike. Grinning evilly, like a child with his foot
raised over an about to be squashed bug, Shampoo applied more pressure.
Ranma gasped as three of his ribs popped out of joint. Using her back
hand to maintain pressure, Shampoo aimed her new weapons for Ranma's
heart and lungs (the two lobes on the left side).
Without stopping to think, Ranma shoved desperately against the
side of his ribcage. The sensation of his rib tips scraping the inner
surface of his sternum made him cry out in pain, but at least it threw
off Shampoo's aim. His deltoid recovering, Ranma smacked Shampoo in
the face with a backfist. As the amazon stumbled back, a panting Ranma
clutched at his chest, trying to get his nearly impaled heart to slow
down. He marveled that it could be going at such a break neck pace
when the rest of his body seemed to be moving with such a literally
agonizing slowness, as if the cold sweat he'd broke out in was freezing
his joints. Surely Shampoo would be upon him any moment to finish what
she'd started.
But the amazon's attack was held in abeyance. She just stared
at Ranma in shock. In an attempt to distract her from attacking while
he recovered, Ranma came up with an incredibly idiotic idea; using his
verbal skills. "What the hell was that Shampoo?! That attack was
designed to kill, wasn't it."
Hearing Ranma's accusation, Shampoo seemed to regain her
bearings. "… Ranma one who say no holds barred. Should not challenge
amazon if not ready for anything. Many amazon attacks instant kills.
S-shampoo not responsible for what happen in heat of battle."
"Bull crap. A true martial artist is always in control, able
to pull his attacks and only using lethal force when needed. It's a
martial artists responsibility to protect life, not take it. And I saw
that sadistic expression; you were enjoying crushing my life in your
hands!"
"I-it Ranma fault! Ki attack force me look at as insignificant
insect! Why think us Amazon's ban them?! They unbalance too much!"
No matter what she did Ranma kept frustrating her. What was wrong with
her? Why hadn't she won yet?! She was Shampoo, the strongest and most
beautiful warrior of her people, heir to the matriarch. This battle
should have been over quickly, yet there before her was Ranma, still
standing and insulting her; a living testament to all her inadequacies.
Shampoo's frustration mounted at this extended duel, and Ranma's
accusations only served to compound them. "And Ranma moral code only
apply to his martial art. Amazon style have different purpose.
Shampoo be within rights if wishing avenge insult you bring upon her,
family, and tribe!"
"Aha. I thought so," said Ranma darkly. "Finally figured out
what this is really about. This never was about training at all, was
it? This is about revenge."
"What? No, I…"
"You're getting revenge for my refusal to marry you. The
request for training, the humiliation you subjected me too, it was all
to set me up. You wanted _me_ to challenge you. Then you could claim
it was my fault, allowing you to kill me with a clean conscious. I'm
on to your little game now," spat Ranma.
Everyone stared at Shampoo with looks ranging from disgust to
disbelief. "T-that what you think of me?" trembled Shampoo with rage.
"Y-you really think that what I wanting?! …I HATE YOU!" Ranma barely
managed to avoid Shampoo's lunge at him. As she locked her baleful
stare upon him, Ranma was surprised to see her dirty face was tear
streaked. "That what Ranma expect, maybe THAT WHAT RANMA GET!"
screamed Shampoo as she unleashed her most ferocious assault yet.
"God, he's _such_ an idiot," Nabiki said in disbelief. "If she
didn't want to kill him before, she does now. Akane…"
"Yeah, this is getting out of hand… but I don't think either
would forgive us if we stopped them, _if_ we even could…" worried Akane
as she helplessly watched Shampoo tear into her fiance.
Only her being to angry to precisely hit his pressure points
saved Ranma, for the moment. But he could tell that he wasn't going to
last much longer. Next time she knocked him down, he doubted he'd be
able to get back up. "Shampoo…"
"SHUT UP! Just shut up and staying down, forever for all
Shampoo care!"
"Now that there getting worn out, Shampoo's edge in skill is
starting to stand out," opined Nabiki as she watched Shampoo
relentlessly continue her assault.
"Serves that ingrate right," said Happosai as he nodded his
head. "Shows what happens to those who don't respect their elders."
"Huh? What do you mean Master Happosai?" asked Akane.
"Ranma's a slacker," huffed Happosai. "He doesn't value
consistent formal training under a master. He surpassed Genma long
ago, and his pride has kept him from acknowledging and submitting to a
superior teacher who could further refine his technique."
"And that would be you?" said Nabiki dubiously, "Can't say that
I blame him."
"See?! You kids have no respect for your elders these days,
except Shampoo," said Happosai proudly. "She hasn't let civilization
corrupt her. I've seen her training with Cologne early most morning
out behind the Cat Café. It's submitting to that type of regular
training from a superior martial artist which has given her a more
consistent and refined technique than Ranma."
"True," admitted Akane worriedly as she watched Ranma's failure
to even slow down, let alone hit, the amazon with any of his attacks.
"But Ranma has more "street" experience. Not that it excuses the holes
in his training, but you learn things from real combat against a
variety of opponents that you can't pick up in formal training."
Damn. He'd sorely underestimated her. Now that his strength
was giving out, Ranma was realizing just how skilled Shampoo was. No
normal attack would make it through that tight defense of hers, and she
was instantly all over the slightest hole in his. He'd never seen such
sharply honed reflexes; almost automatic in their reactions to his
slightest…!
"Now Shampoo ending this!" screamed the amazon as she aimed her
final attack at an opening.
"Ranma!" Yelled Akane as Shampoo descended on him in a flurry
of movement. Screw their warrior's honor. Akane took off toward the
two combatants, hoping she wouldn't be too late to stop Shampoo from
tearing Ranma to pieces. But it was Shampoo's, not Ranma's, body which
came flying through the air, raising a cloud of dust as it landed next
to a surprised Akane.
Looking momentarily shaken, Shampoo quickly recovered and
charged back at Ranma, with similar results; an intense exchange of
attacks which sent her crashing back down into the dirt. But this time
she wasn't able to get up as quick. "H-how…?"
"Give it up Shampoo," panted Ranma. "No matter how many times
you try, it'll end up the same way, and I'd rather not hit you again.
I'm sor…"
"Don't Ranma dare patronize me! It just fluke!" screamed
Shampoo as she hurled herself at Ranma again. But he deflected all her
attacks and then knocked her back down with his counter combo. This
time she didn't get back up, just shaking on the ground with impotent
rage. "What the hell going on! Shampoo striking at all weak points in
defense! Ranma should be one… should be the one… No way stupid boy
reading my moves?!"
"No, I don't need too, since I'm the one controlling them."
"Like hell!"
"You said it yourself: you "striking at all weak points". If I
deliberately show an opening in my defense, you'll strike at it,
letting me control your attacks. As soon as I realized your offense
was perfect I knew there was a slim chance to beat it. Anything
perfect is extremely vulnerable; it's to rigid, without any slack or
play. You've trained so much at hitting weak points as soon as they
open up that it's become an automatic instinct!"
"No way…" whispered Shampoo. "No fucking way!" the amazon
screamed as she desperately launched herself at Ranma. Catching
herself as she began to strike at an opening, the awkward hesitation
proved just as disastrous, for it gave _Ranma_ an opening big enough to
ram an entire donkey kick through.
"You… still conscious?" panted a surprised Ranma as Shampoo
struggled to rise.
"This… this no over yet," gasped Shampoo. Her knee's buckling,
she went down on one of them and settled for trying to regain some
strength from there.
"Quit being so stubborn Shampoo! "You can't expect to
immediately discard something so ingrained that it's become an
instinct." And you can't try and completely control yourself
consciously in combat; it's far to fast for that. It'll take time to
retrain you. So just give it up already. You won't last another
round. There's no shame in that; you tried your best and gave me one
hell of a fight."
"Since when Ranma ever give up?! But okay for Shampoo just cuz
she girl, is that it?! This not happening!" denied the amazon as she
clutched at her head in despair. "Ranma no could come up with such
counter and pulling off on first try! And even if did, Shampoo be able
read counter which Ranma planning after puppetry openings!"
"Yeah, you're good enough that you probably would pick up on
any counters planned to go with a feinted opening," admitted Ranma.
"But I don't think that far ahead. I'm not even planning those
openings ahead of time, let alone the counters that follow your
predetermined attack. That's why you can't read me; it's all spur of
the moment improvisation," Ranma couldn't help but let a slight note of
pride into his voice.
"T-that impossible! To pulling that off…"
"Guess I'd have to be a genius, eh?" laughed Ranma, his ego
getting the better of him. "To be honest, I didn't think I'd be able
to pull it off. I knew how I'd start, a deliberate opening to control
your attack, and I knew it'd end with you getting knocked out of
striking range, but as for all the details in between, I just made
those up as I went, and somehow it all slipped into place. HAHAHAHA!
That it worked out so well just goes to show what a genius I am!
That's what separates us Shampoo. You're technique is excellent, maybe
even better than mine, but you're only copying what you were taught,
whereas I'm able to create something new from scratch," boasted Ranma.
"RAAAAUGGGGGHHHH!" With a final desperate war cry, Shampoo
gathered up all her remaining strength and charged her smug rival.
Setting himself to meet her charge, Ranma sadly shook his head.
"Her pride won't allow her to let go until the bitter end, will
it?" sighed Nabiki.
"That's the way of a true warrior," said Happosai. "They both
know that."
"Still, I'd rather not watch," said Akane sadly. "Poor
Shampoo… she was so close, but to get so thoroughly beaten at the end…"
*KA-THUD* "Ranma?!"
Now it was Ranma's turn to painfully groan in disbelief, "H-
how?"
"Memory manipulation!" realized Nabiki, "When she was clutching
her head earlier…"
"She must have been dampening those neurons controlling her
automatic attack response!" Akane finished.
"First time I trying that on self," panted Shampoo, "Guess it
worked. What now sensei? You all out of tricks."
"So it's sensei now? No quotation marks?" smirked Ranma as he
struggled back onto his feet by a sheer act of will. He knew now that
he was at the end of his strength and running on pure will power; it
was only a matter of time before he'd collapse from exhaustion.
Somehow, he was going to have to win before that.
"Even if he lose, suppose stupid boy proved self worthy,"
admitted Shampoo with grudging respect as she lifted her tired head up
to look at Ranma. She couldn't help but smile a little. "heh, think I
be looking forward to future lessons. Ranma have something worth
learning after all."
"Ya bet I do!" boasted Ranma as he lifted his gaze to meet
Shampoo's now clear eyes. "And you can bet this battle ain't over yet
either. Just cuz you got around my counter doesn't mean you've won.
Bring it on!" challenged Ranma as he shakingly shifted into a fighting
stance and motioned Shampoo on with his index finger. [I can't stand
up much longer, but Shampoo will want to score the finishing strike
herself, which gives me one last shot].
"*tsk* Ranma never know when beat," smirked Shampoo as she
mirrored Ranma's stance. "But guess that how he winning so much.
Either way, this match soon over. Here I coming!"
"This is it! Go get him Shampoo!" Cheered Nabiki as she
eagerly watched Shampoo go on the offense against Ranma, who barely was
managing to stay one step ahead of her attacks.
"Yep, it's all going to come down who can score the next clean
hit," observed Happosai. "They're both at the limit of their
endurance."
"Come one Ranma, you can do it! Can't you start launching a
real offense at least?!" ordered Akane. [Wait, that pattern Ranma's
making…!]
"That fool!" exclaimed Happosai. "Does he really think that
will save him this time?!"
"FINAL ATTACK:" announced both Shampoo and Ranma
simultaneously.
"HIRYU SHOTEN HAKEN!"
"FIST OF FREEZING FORCE!"
Shampoo smirked. Ranma had made a grave error gambling that
she wouldn't recognize one of her clans secret techniques. So much for
creativity; falling back on the technique that had won him so many
battles before! But her smirk was wiped off her face as Ranma stepped
in toward her. That wasn't how the technique was supposed to finish!
Already committed to her final strike (a sledgehammer sucker punch that
slammed into her rival's second charka/gut), Shampoo could only look on
in dismay as everything seemed to go into slow motion and the
signature spiral uppercut of the Hiryu Shoten Ha homed unerringly
toward her chin. [oh f-!*]
The spinning uppercut sent Shampoo's unconscious body spinning
through the air. Ranma held his triumphant pose, the main reason most
likely his being frozen inside a shimmering block of ice rather than
trying to look cool (though he certainly was at the moment). After
Shampoo's body crashed back down to earth, and for the first time since
the battle had begun, a peaceful still silence descended over the war
torn Tendo yard.
To be continued…
In Chapter 12
Who's ya Sensei: Epilogue
Damn. I misled again. Can't believe I didn't think there was
going to be enough material for a chapter here. Didn't even really
wrap things up. But the visual images at the end just soo felt like a
chapter break point. Gotta go with what the story wants to do rather
than what I had planned. Interesting also that the battle didn't play
out entirely as I had scripted it in my head. So it looks like this
section of the story, that I'd originally thought would be one chapter
is going to turn out to be four.
I am going to continue working on this story, it's my favorite
thing I've ever or am writing, but it may be a while before it's
updated again. Right now I'm looking into writing for faniac magazine,
probably depending on if they actually get off the ground and are able
to pay writers. There's a Trigun fic I'm working on in case they do,
though until then I'm spending a lot of my writing time on a nonfiction
metaphysics book for real mainstream publication.
*sigh* Sadly, talent goes where money is. That's life. So if
you want to help raise the quality of fanfic, go over to faniac.com and
subscribe. Or don't. Ideally, faniac will get enough subscribers to
start paying writers, and I can convince them to start publishing
Shampoo's Chance as a serial story. Or faniac might go under and I'll
resume working on Shampoo's Chance in my spare writing time when my
mind needs a break from philosophy, but my output won't be as much in
that case, because I won't have any deadline sticks or monetary
carrots. Anyway, just thought I'd level with you on how things look.
Thanks to all of you who've read this far! I hope you've enjoyed the
trip!
Takahashi-sama and various other entities, none of whom happen to be
me. I'm simply using them without permission, but I promise to put
them all back when I'm done, except possibly for Shampoo;)
My other works can be found at http://www.angelfire.com/anime5/ficaleb
Feedback may be sent to caleb_david@angelfire.com
Support quality fanfic; subscribe to http://www.faniac.com
Shampoo's Chance: Spirit of the Law
By: Kaleb
Chapter 11
Who's ya Sensei Showdown: Sudden Death Overtime
"Shampoo, this fight isn't worth risking your life over! Don't
provoke him further!" pleaded Akane as Shampoo stumbled back from her
one-sided exchange with Neko-Ranma, one hand trying to dam the red
stream oozing from her side.
Shampoo was sorely tempted to listen to Akane. She'd never been
more terrified in her life. Only once before had she felt Death so
close by, but that time it'd been in an implacable impersonal form that
almost seemed a savior from suffering, not this horrific beast who'd
without a second thought bring her a dog's death in this unhallowed
foreign land. Damn it! She wasn't ready to die yet. Sure, Ranma may
have rejected her, but she wasn't going to descend into a depressed
death wish like some pathetic angsty teen.
No, now was not the time to despair. Looking up, Shampoo
focused her frustration instead on her anger, glaring hatefully at her
hissing rival. "Shampoo can't stop now. Rather die than let Ranma
take this too from me!"
"Huh, what do you mean 'this too'…?" asked Nabiki.
This fight was supposed to be hers. Her revenge where she'd
give that arrogant asshole who'd shamed her his comeuppance. Shampoo
had always taken pride and power in being the first maiden and warrior
amongst her people. Those two pillars were all she had, but they'd
been enough to support her standing supremely self confident all alone;
what need did number one have of others anyway? Then along came Ranma.
Bit by bit he'd desecrated her maiden image, finally sullying it beyond
repair. Even worse though was the ensuing loss to her self image; that
supreme self confidence which had sustained her through so many lonely
nights had been shattered. Still, even if she wasn't much of a maiden,
she was still a warrior; maybe she didn't have love, but she had power!
Shampoo had been looking forward to rubbing Ranma's face in the fact
that he'd never deserved to be engaged to her anyway. But even that
little dream she'd been nursing was crumbling. Why didn't any of her
plans regarding Ranma work out? Why was this damnable foreign boy
always able to surprise and knock her off balance?!
Tensing herself as Ranma prepared to pounce, Shampoo was caught
completely off guard when Ranma pulled down his eyelid and stuck out
his tongue at her. Taking advantage of her surprise, he leapt over the
wall. For a moment the frazzled amazon just stared in disbelief,
before shaking her fist in outrage, "Tricky bastard better run!
Shampoo hunt coward boy down to ends of earth! You no get away that
easy!"
"Wait, he was faking the Neko-ken?" said a confused Nabiki.
"No, not the way he managed to tear up her arms and side
without even touching her, that was definitely the Neko-ken," realized
Akane. "As Shampoo said, she wasn't pushing him hard enough to make
him snap, so he had to consciously choose to push himself over the
edge. Since the stimulus wasn't as overwhelming as usual, I think
Ranma partially accessed the Neko-ken while staying conscious of
himself!"
"Hmmm, it might have only lasted while Shampoo was threatening
him," speculated Nabiki, "but that was at least enough for him to pull
off the ol Saotome Secret Technique. I'm not sure if he's going to be
able to outrun Shampoo though; she managed to bandage herself and pull
out that bike of hers real fast."
Bike in tow, Shampoo made straight for the wall Ranma had
disappeared over. However, before she could charge through it like it
wasn't even there, someone on the other side beat her to it. The
amazon cried out in surprise as the wall exploded inward toward her.
With Shampoo battered by the debris and coughing on the raised up dust
(which conveniently doubled as a smokescreen), Ranma had no trouble
grabbing her two arms and nearly yanking them out of their sockets as
he delivered a swift knee to her gut. "Like I'd really be dumb enough
to charge right inta the counter ya had ready. _You_ on the other
hand…"
"Walked right into Ranma's trap," finished Akane. "Maybe he
can't win with a KO, but he can always grapple and put her into a
submission pin."
"Risky, getting in that close with her," warned Nabiki. "But
he's got to risk it; he doesn't have the stamina left to fight much
longer. And… Oh God!" winced Nabiki. "That's gotta hurt."
Ranma yanking her into his knee had bowed Shampoo's head.
Proudly thrusting it back upward, she struck him on the chin, snapping
his neck back. She also repaid his knee strike with one to his crotch.
Nabiki's remark however was in reference to Shampoo's follow through,
wherein she bit Ranma's exposed throat. Only his twisting it at the
last moment saved his jugular from being torn apart by Shampoo's savage
teeth. He may have been keeping her pressure point hitting hands under
control, but they were far from the only weapons at Shampoo's disposal.
Thrashing back and forth like a wild animal (her teeth still
savaging Ranma's neck) Shampoo felt Ranma's grip on her wrists slacken
slightly. It was enough. Slipping her hands free, Shampoo placed her
hands atop Ranma's. Rolling backward, she let go and sent Ranma
sailing through the air. That he was reaching the limits of his
endurance was evidenced by his failing to land on his feet, instead
tumbling gracelessly across the yard.
"Care try that again?" teased Shampoo coyly as she licked the
blood from her lips, then wiped away the remainder. "First thing
amazon maiden trained is how stop man who try force self on her. On
other hand, Ranma Anything Go style quite weak with wrestling. Not
surprise consider who originating school. Was good try, but you no
will get best of Shampoo that way."
"She's got a point. I just can't see Happosai having much luck
trying to pin someone," snickered Nabiki at the ridiculous mental
image. "I don't think the little creep can encircle a lady's wrist,
let alone a whole body."
"Who cares as long as I got enough grasp to pinch tit?" asked
the Anything Goes Master as he jumped up into Nabiki's bosom and gave
her a good groping.
"ACK! Kill it! Kill it!" screamed Nabiki as she ripped the
old lecher off her chest. Immediately dropping him as if he were some
disgusting vermin, the middle Tendo sister proceeded to stomp him
underneath her Birkenstocks. "You are so dead old man! DIE! DIE DIE
DIE!"
"Before I finishing Ranma off," said Shampoo as she attacked
her exhausted rival, "want apologize for calling coward. Gave good
fight, much better than Shampoo expecting. In honor that, I make kill
clean."
"Getting ahead of yourself, aren't you?" said Ranma cockily as
he dodged Shampoo. "This fight ain't over yet, and there's something
you should know; Ranma Saotome doesn't lose! MOKO TOKOBISHI!" Shampoo
had no chance to dodge Ranma's point blank ki blast that sent her
flying across the yard.
"Ugh… Ego is it? Why I no surprised?" snorted Shampoo as she
unsteadily rose from the tract her body had dug. "No get Shampoo with
same trick twice."
"Oh? How you gonna manage that? Looks like you're starting to
get worn out yourself. There's no hiding it, you really felt that last
blast, and I got plenty more where it came from. You don't have the
stamina left to dodge them all," predicted Ranma confidently. "MOKO
TOKOBISHI!"
"Such stupid attack, make Ranma far to cocky," tsked Shampoo as
she sidestepped the blast, then recklessly charged him.
"Cocky?! I'm not the one rushing headlong into a ki blast.
MOKO TOKOBISHI!" extending his hand Ranma sent another blast of his
overblown ego at the amazon. But she'd already made her move. Moving
so fast she almost seemed to disappear, Shampoo leapt over the ki blast
and prepared to strike Ranma from the air.
"HA! Now you can't dodge!" laughed Ranma triumphantly as he
aimed his other hand at the amazon. Quickly rotating the bottom hand
that fired the first shot one hundred and eighty degrees, Ranma brought
the two together and poured everything he had into one final blast.
"MAXIMUM STRENGTH MOKO TOKOBISHI!"
Shampoo gazed condescendingly at the huge ball of energy
hurtling her way. Before it collided with her, Shampoo closed her eyes
and placed her palm right in front of its path. *KA-BOOM!* Ranma was
blinded and knocked off balance by the back blast, leaving him in no
condition to fend off Shampoo's jump kick which struck him across the
jaw, torquing his face and neck violently to the side.
"She countered Ranma's chi attack?" said Nabiki as she rubbed
at her eyes.
"Yep. All emotional chi attacks have a specific counter,"
explained Happosai as he crawled out from underneath Nabiki's feet.
"Right. The Shishihokaden didn't touch those who were
emotionally empty," remembered Akane.
"And all take for counter dumb Ranma move is projecting more
confidence than one who firing," declared Shampoo arrogantly as she
pressed her advantage. Ranma was to slow to deflect her attack, only
managing to directly block it with his upper arm. Extending the
knuckle of her index finger, Shampoo drove it home full force. Just as
he was going to counter, Ranma felt his deltoid seize up, making him
realize too late the danger of letting any of Shampoo's attacks land,
even on seemingly unvital points.
With Ranma momentarily unable to raise his arm, Shampoo's eyes
glazed over as she moved in for the kill. One hand was brought round
to Ranma's back, the other struck to the side of Ranma's sternum with a
full force palm strike. Grinning evilly, like a child with his foot
raised over an about to be squashed bug, Shampoo applied more pressure.
Ranma gasped as three of his ribs popped out of joint. Using her back
hand to maintain pressure, Shampoo aimed her new weapons for Ranma's
heart and lungs (the two lobes on the left side).
Without stopping to think, Ranma shoved desperately against the
side of his ribcage. The sensation of his rib tips scraping the inner
surface of his sternum made him cry out in pain, but at least it threw
off Shampoo's aim. His deltoid recovering, Ranma smacked Shampoo in
the face with a backfist. As the amazon stumbled back, a panting Ranma
clutched at his chest, trying to get his nearly impaled heart to slow
down. He marveled that it could be going at such a break neck pace
when the rest of his body seemed to be moving with such a literally
agonizing slowness, as if the cold sweat he'd broke out in was freezing
his joints. Surely Shampoo would be upon him any moment to finish what
she'd started.
But the amazon's attack was held in abeyance. She just stared
at Ranma in shock. In an attempt to distract her from attacking while
he recovered, Ranma came up with an incredibly idiotic idea; using his
verbal skills. "What the hell was that Shampoo?! That attack was
designed to kill, wasn't it."
Hearing Ranma's accusation, Shampoo seemed to regain her
bearings. "… Ranma one who say no holds barred. Should not challenge
amazon if not ready for anything. Many amazon attacks instant kills.
S-shampoo not responsible for what happen in heat of battle."
"Bull crap. A true martial artist is always in control, able
to pull his attacks and only using lethal force when needed. It's a
martial artists responsibility to protect life, not take it. And I saw
that sadistic expression; you were enjoying crushing my life in your
hands!"
"I-it Ranma fault! Ki attack force me look at as insignificant
insect! Why think us Amazon's ban them?! They unbalance too much!"
No matter what she did Ranma kept frustrating her. What was wrong with
her? Why hadn't she won yet?! She was Shampoo, the strongest and most
beautiful warrior of her people, heir to the matriarch. This battle
should have been over quickly, yet there before her was Ranma, still
standing and insulting her; a living testament to all her inadequacies.
Shampoo's frustration mounted at this extended duel, and Ranma's
accusations only served to compound them. "And Ranma moral code only
apply to his martial art. Amazon style have different purpose.
Shampoo be within rights if wishing avenge insult you bring upon her,
family, and tribe!"
"Aha. I thought so," said Ranma darkly. "Finally figured out
what this is really about. This never was about training at all, was
it? This is about revenge."
"What? No, I…"
"You're getting revenge for my refusal to marry you. The
request for training, the humiliation you subjected me too, it was all
to set me up. You wanted _me_ to challenge you. Then you could claim
it was my fault, allowing you to kill me with a clean conscious. I'm
on to your little game now," spat Ranma.
Everyone stared at Shampoo with looks ranging from disgust to
disbelief. "T-that what you think of me?" trembled Shampoo with rage.
"Y-you really think that what I wanting?! …I HATE YOU!" Ranma barely
managed to avoid Shampoo's lunge at him. As she locked her baleful
stare upon him, Ranma was surprised to see her dirty face was tear
streaked. "That what Ranma expect, maybe THAT WHAT RANMA GET!"
screamed Shampoo as she unleashed her most ferocious assault yet.
"God, he's _such_ an idiot," Nabiki said in disbelief. "If she
didn't want to kill him before, she does now. Akane…"
"Yeah, this is getting out of hand… but I don't think either
would forgive us if we stopped them, _if_ we even could…" worried Akane
as she helplessly watched Shampoo tear into her fiance.
Only her being to angry to precisely hit his pressure points
saved Ranma, for the moment. But he could tell that he wasn't going to
last much longer. Next time she knocked him down, he doubted he'd be
able to get back up. "Shampoo…"
"SHUT UP! Just shut up and staying down, forever for all
Shampoo care!"
"Now that there getting worn out, Shampoo's edge in skill is
starting to stand out," opined Nabiki as she watched Shampoo
relentlessly continue her assault.
"Serves that ingrate right," said Happosai as he nodded his
head. "Shows what happens to those who don't respect their elders."
"Huh? What do you mean Master Happosai?" asked Akane.
"Ranma's a slacker," huffed Happosai. "He doesn't value
consistent formal training under a master. He surpassed Genma long
ago, and his pride has kept him from acknowledging and submitting to a
superior teacher who could further refine his technique."
"And that would be you?" said Nabiki dubiously, "Can't say that
I blame him."
"See?! You kids have no respect for your elders these days,
except Shampoo," said Happosai proudly. "She hasn't let civilization
corrupt her. I've seen her training with Cologne early most morning
out behind the Cat Café. It's submitting to that type of regular
training from a superior martial artist which has given her a more
consistent and refined technique than Ranma."
"True," admitted Akane worriedly as she watched Ranma's failure
to even slow down, let alone hit, the amazon with any of his attacks.
"But Ranma has more "street" experience. Not that it excuses the holes
in his training, but you learn things from real combat against a
variety of opponents that you can't pick up in formal training."
Damn. He'd sorely underestimated her. Now that his strength
was giving out, Ranma was realizing just how skilled Shampoo was. No
normal attack would make it through that tight defense of hers, and she
was instantly all over the slightest hole in his. He'd never seen such
sharply honed reflexes; almost automatic in their reactions to his
slightest…!
"Now Shampoo ending this!" screamed the amazon as she aimed her
final attack at an opening.
"Ranma!" Yelled Akane as Shampoo descended on him in a flurry
of movement. Screw their warrior's honor. Akane took off toward the
two combatants, hoping she wouldn't be too late to stop Shampoo from
tearing Ranma to pieces. But it was Shampoo's, not Ranma's, body which
came flying through the air, raising a cloud of dust as it landed next
to a surprised Akane.
Looking momentarily shaken, Shampoo quickly recovered and
charged back at Ranma, with similar results; an intense exchange of
attacks which sent her crashing back down into the dirt. But this time
she wasn't able to get up as quick. "H-how…?"
"Give it up Shampoo," panted Ranma. "No matter how many times
you try, it'll end up the same way, and I'd rather not hit you again.
I'm sor…"
"Don't Ranma dare patronize me! It just fluke!" screamed
Shampoo as she hurled herself at Ranma again. But he deflected all her
attacks and then knocked her back down with his counter combo. This
time she didn't get back up, just shaking on the ground with impotent
rage. "What the hell going on! Shampoo striking at all weak points in
defense! Ranma should be one… should be the one… No way stupid boy
reading my moves?!"
"No, I don't need too, since I'm the one controlling them."
"Like hell!"
"You said it yourself: you "striking at all weak points". If I
deliberately show an opening in my defense, you'll strike at it,
letting me control your attacks. As soon as I realized your offense
was perfect I knew there was a slim chance to beat it. Anything
perfect is extremely vulnerable; it's to rigid, without any slack or
play. You've trained so much at hitting weak points as soon as they
open up that it's become an automatic instinct!"
"No way…" whispered Shampoo. "No fucking way!" the amazon
screamed as she desperately launched herself at Ranma. Catching
herself as she began to strike at an opening, the awkward hesitation
proved just as disastrous, for it gave _Ranma_ an opening big enough to
ram an entire donkey kick through.
"You… still conscious?" panted a surprised Ranma as Shampoo
struggled to rise.
"This… this no over yet," gasped Shampoo. Her knee's buckling,
she went down on one of them and settled for trying to regain some
strength from there.
"Quit being so stubborn Shampoo! "You can't expect to
immediately discard something so ingrained that it's become an
instinct." And you can't try and completely control yourself
consciously in combat; it's far to fast for that. It'll take time to
retrain you. So just give it up already. You won't last another
round. There's no shame in that; you tried your best and gave me one
hell of a fight."
"Since when Ranma ever give up?! But okay for Shampoo just cuz
she girl, is that it?! This not happening!" denied the amazon as she
clutched at her head in despair. "Ranma no could come up with such
counter and pulling off on first try! And even if did, Shampoo be able
read counter which Ranma planning after puppetry openings!"
"Yeah, you're good enough that you probably would pick up on
any counters planned to go with a feinted opening," admitted Ranma.
"But I don't think that far ahead. I'm not even planning those
openings ahead of time, let alone the counters that follow your
predetermined attack. That's why you can't read me; it's all spur of
the moment improvisation," Ranma couldn't help but let a slight note of
pride into his voice.
"T-that impossible! To pulling that off…"
"Guess I'd have to be a genius, eh?" laughed Ranma, his ego
getting the better of him. "To be honest, I didn't think I'd be able
to pull it off. I knew how I'd start, a deliberate opening to control
your attack, and I knew it'd end with you getting knocked out of
striking range, but as for all the details in between, I just made
those up as I went, and somehow it all slipped into place. HAHAHAHA!
That it worked out so well just goes to show what a genius I am!
That's what separates us Shampoo. You're technique is excellent, maybe
even better than mine, but you're only copying what you were taught,
whereas I'm able to create something new from scratch," boasted Ranma.
"RAAAAUGGGGGHHHH!" With a final desperate war cry, Shampoo
gathered up all her remaining strength and charged her smug rival.
Setting himself to meet her charge, Ranma sadly shook his head.
"Her pride won't allow her to let go until the bitter end, will
it?" sighed Nabiki.
"That's the way of a true warrior," said Happosai. "They both
know that."
"Still, I'd rather not watch," said Akane sadly. "Poor
Shampoo… she was so close, but to get so thoroughly beaten at the end…"
*KA-THUD* "Ranma?!"
Now it was Ranma's turn to painfully groan in disbelief, "H-
how?"
"Memory manipulation!" realized Nabiki, "When she was clutching
her head earlier…"
"She must have been dampening those neurons controlling her
automatic attack response!" Akane finished.
"First time I trying that on self," panted Shampoo, "Guess it
worked. What now sensei? You all out of tricks."
"So it's sensei now? No quotation marks?" smirked Ranma as he
struggled back onto his feet by a sheer act of will. He knew now that
he was at the end of his strength and running on pure will power; it
was only a matter of time before he'd collapse from exhaustion.
Somehow, he was going to have to win before that.
"Even if he lose, suppose stupid boy proved self worthy,"
admitted Shampoo with grudging respect as she lifted her tired head up
to look at Ranma. She couldn't help but smile a little. "heh, think I
be looking forward to future lessons. Ranma have something worth
learning after all."
"Ya bet I do!" boasted Ranma as he lifted his gaze to meet
Shampoo's now clear eyes. "And you can bet this battle ain't over yet
either. Just cuz you got around my counter doesn't mean you've won.
Bring it on!" challenged Ranma as he shakingly shifted into a fighting
stance and motioned Shampoo on with his index finger. [I can't stand
up much longer, but Shampoo will want to score the finishing strike
herself, which gives me one last shot].
"*tsk* Ranma never know when beat," smirked Shampoo as she
mirrored Ranma's stance. "But guess that how he winning so much.
Either way, this match soon over. Here I coming!"
"This is it! Go get him Shampoo!" Cheered Nabiki as she
eagerly watched Shampoo go on the offense against Ranma, who barely was
managing to stay one step ahead of her attacks.
"Yep, it's all going to come down who can score the next clean
hit," observed Happosai. "They're both at the limit of their
endurance."
"Come one Ranma, you can do it! Can't you start launching a
real offense at least?!" ordered Akane. [Wait, that pattern Ranma's
making…!]
"That fool!" exclaimed Happosai. "Does he really think that
will save him this time?!"
"FINAL ATTACK:" announced both Shampoo and Ranma
simultaneously.
"HIRYU SHOTEN HAKEN!"
"FIST OF FREEZING FORCE!"
Shampoo smirked. Ranma had made a grave error gambling that
she wouldn't recognize one of her clans secret techniques. So much for
creativity; falling back on the technique that had won him so many
battles before! But her smirk was wiped off her face as Ranma stepped
in toward her. That wasn't how the technique was supposed to finish!
Already committed to her final strike (a sledgehammer sucker punch that
slammed into her rival's second charka/gut), Shampoo could only look on
in dismay as everything seemed to go into slow motion and the
signature spiral uppercut of the Hiryu Shoten Ha homed unerringly
toward her chin. [oh f-!*]
The spinning uppercut sent Shampoo's unconscious body spinning
through the air. Ranma held his triumphant pose, the main reason most
likely his being frozen inside a shimmering block of ice rather than
trying to look cool (though he certainly was at the moment). After
Shampoo's body crashed back down to earth, and for the first time since
the battle had begun, a peaceful still silence descended over the war
torn Tendo yard.
To be continued…
In Chapter 12
Who's ya Sensei: Epilogue
Damn. I misled again. Can't believe I didn't think there was
going to be enough material for a chapter here. Didn't even really
wrap things up. But the visual images at the end just soo felt like a
chapter break point. Gotta go with what the story wants to do rather
than what I had planned. Interesting also that the battle didn't play
out entirely as I had scripted it in my head. So it looks like this
section of the story, that I'd originally thought would be one chapter
is going to turn out to be four.
I am going to continue working on this story, it's my favorite
thing I've ever or am writing, but it may be a while before it's
updated again. Right now I'm looking into writing for faniac magazine,
probably depending on if they actually get off the ground and are able
to pay writers. There's a Trigun fic I'm working on in case they do,
though until then I'm spending a lot of my writing time on a nonfiction
metaphysics book for real mainstream publication.
*sigh* Sadly, talent goes where money is. That's life. So if
you want to help raise the quality of fanfic, go over to faniac.com and
subscribe. Or don't. Ideally, faniac will get enough subscribers to
start paying writers, and I can convince them to start publishing
Shampoo's Chance as a serial story. Or faniac might go under and I'll
resume working on Shampoo's Chance in my spare writing time when my
mind needs a break from philosophy, but my output won't be as much in
that case, because I won't have any deadline sticks or monetary
carrots. Anyway, just thought I'd level with you on how things look.
Thanks to all of you who've read this far! I hope you've enjoyed the
trip!