Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma ½

Cure Lost, Love Found:

A Tale of Ranma

Ranma and his dad were running to the Nekohanten. It was in their sites and Ranma was so happy, but there was something slowing him down. He was going to get cured, but the price was so high. He was going to lose a year of his life. Was his curse worth a year with Akane? Sure, it wasn't all peaches and cream but sometimes the fights were the most fun. Some would call Ranma a masochist, but he enjoyed getting Akane mad at him sometimes. He loved the way she looked when she was angry. Of course Ranma had to admit that she was really cute when she smiled. It was a rare treat, but he was going to miss it none the less.

It wasn't like Akane was the only thing Ranma was going to miss. Kasumi was the first mother figure that he ever had. She was always there for him when he had fights with Akane. She always made food for him and she seemed to really understand Ranma's situation. Ranma always thought of Kasumi as a sister, even though he wasn't married into the family yet. Yet? Did he just think that? Ranma had admitted to himself that he cared very much for Akane, but he had yet to tell anyone else. But he was trying not to think about her.

Ranma was also going to miss Nabiki. Sure, she conned more money out of him then he could count, but he would miss her. He was always able to find out any information he needed and she gave him a few breaks here and there. All in all, she just messed around with him, like siblings tend to do. That was another thing Ranma was going to miss. As crazy his life was in Nermia, it was a constant, something he didn't have growing up. He would miss it more then anything. The more Ranma thought, the slower he ran.

"Come on boy! We're almost there!" Ranma looked at his father. He had to continue. He had to become a full man, for the honor of his family. His family, his mother, someone else he was going to forget. Was it really worth it? All of the sudden Ranma was splashed with water by a little old lady. Oh yeah it was worth it. Besides, he was going to remember everything.

At the same time, Cologne and Shampoo were planing their move and poor Mousse was in a cage on the floor, grumbling (or whatever ducks do in place of grumbling).

(AN: All dialogue with ~ in place of quotation marks is supposed to be Chinese and since Chinese is her native language, Shampoo will be speaking properly.)

~Great Grandmother, do you know this woman?~

~I cannot say that I do, but son-in-law did say it was the name the woman asked to be called. It could be a fake name so no one knows her true identity.~

~Why would someone do something like this though, do you think she was cursed.~

~No, if she was then when she cured herself she wouldn't have remembered. That is a moot point though. We have to make a plan on what to do with son-in-law.~

~What do you mean?~

~Shampoo, when he gets cured, he isn't going to remember you and you will know him as a girl with a curse. We need to prevent him from coming back here.~

~How do you think we're going to do that?~

~Well, firstly, you're going to get cured first. Then Mousse then Ranma's father. After you're cured I will pull you aside and tell you everything, by the time Ranma is cured I should have I will have told you my plan for keeping him.~

~What is your plan?~ Shampoo though she heard a cage door opening but she ignored it.

~I will tell you after you get cured and not a minute sooner.~ Both Shampoo and Cologne turned towards the counter when they heard a kettle fall to the ground.

~You don't have a plan yet, do you?~

~Mousse! How did you get out of your cage? And how dare you speak to a village elder that way!~ Mousse turned to Shampoo.

~Shampoo, you must see it. You know that Ranma loves Akane not you. Can't you just let them be happy? Get the cure and forget about Saotome.~

~Mousse, you're only saying that because you want to go out with me.~

~It's beyond that Shampoo. I consider Akane a friend and I want her to be happy.~

~Mousse, this is none of your concern. Shampoo and I can handle the situation how we want to. And if son-in-law really wanted her, he wouldn't leave her.~

~He intends to come back! That's what they were doing today. They were gathering his memories so when he comes back everything can go back to normal.~ Shampoo knew that Mousse was right, but she loved Ranma so much.

The three people inside looked towards the door when Ranma's father entered with a soaking wet Ranma-chan behind him. Mousse turned to Shampoo, before heading to get some hot water for Ranma.

~Think about it Shampoo.~ Shampoo looked towards Mousse and then at Ranma. Ranma did look a little sad, but he could be sad because he knew he wasn't going to remember Shampoo. There was only one way to find out. Shampoo ran towards Ranma-chan and put her arms around his neck.

"Ranma miss Shampoo after he get cured, yes?" She felt some of the hot water that Mousse poured on Ranma.

"Um, sure I'll miss you Shampoo. Maybe, you'll come and try to kill me sometime, ok?" Ranma was laughing. Shampoo felt the tears build in her eyes.

"Shampoo no try and kill Ranma." Shampoo walked toward her great grandmother.

~We're going with your plan.~ Cologne smiled.

"We should get going. Mousse, get the bags. Come along son-in-law, our ride is on the roof." Cologne took Ranma and his father to the roof. Shampoo sat at the counter and Mousse collected the bags. They didn't speak. Shampoo just let the tears fall from her eyes silently. Mousse noticed this but decided not to say anything. Cologne yelled something from the roof. Mousse figured it was something about him being slow so he picked up the last bag. As he was heading outside he said, almost in a whisper:

~You know it's wrong.~ And then left. A few seconds after he was gone Shampoo replied:

~I know.~ She wiped a tear from her cheek and went up to the roof.

AN: I know, I know, another short chapter. In this chapter you might have noticed a little bit of growth with certain characters. I want you to all know that I absolutely adore Mousse. I love writing for him, but I've been told that I write him a little bit out of character because I like him so much. If that's the case then I'm sorry but that's just the way things are. Also, I gave Shampoo depth and that's always fun. You have to put in your mind that everyone who is involved with this "un-cursing" is going to be a little upset. I also wanted to mention the reason that I took so long in getting this fic out. I recently started a website and it has been taking up a little bit more of my time then it should. I want to give you guys the link but it's a new website and it had nothing on it really so I think I'll hold off until I can get a little bit more on the site. Thanks for reading. Here's hoping that the next chapter comes out soon. The next chapter will take place in the cave above Jensukyo. It'll be the chapter where everything comes down to the wire and I promise you that it's going to be a cliffhanger. Well, I'm done ranting, next chapter to come…eventually. Thanks for reading and please review.