The Mystic Hot Spring Resort
Ranma ½ is not mine and belongs to the respective copyright holders. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Chapter 4: Suspicions
"Shampoo, you believe me?" Ranma asked in her normal volume.
"Sshh… Not so loud…" Shampoo whispered.
"Okay…" Ranma whispered back.
"Why Ranma know Jusenkyou?" Shampoo asked in a low whisper.
"Huh? I thought you had forgotten?" Ranma whispered back.
"Me no forget what is real. Jusenkyou not far from home village. But can't remember ever going." Shampoo explained.
"So you do believe me?" Ranma asked.
"Ranma know Jusenkyou. Me can't remember why we friends. We supposed to kill women who beat us but Ranma is friend. Can't remember why. Is suspicious." Shampoo explained.
Ranma just felt relieved that somebody believed her. Ranma started breathing a little easier. "I've tried to find the clerk and have him explain but I can't find him." Ranma whispered.
"We look in morning. Get away from Akane and others." Shampoo whispered back.
"It's a plan." Ranma whispered and put her hand out. Shampoo grabbed Ranma's hand and they shook.
"Well, shall we go back to bed?" Ranma asked in her normal tone.
"Yes." Shampoo answered as she rose from the water. Ranma turned away as Shampoo walked off and grabbed a towel. After wrapping the towel around her body, Shampoo threw a towel to Ranma. Grabbing the towel, Ranma stood and got out of the spring and wrapped the towel around her body. After a few moments, Ranma removed the towel and put her shirt and male underwear back on. Shampoo had already put her pajamas back on and the two placed the towels away to be cleaned in the morning and then headed back to the girls room.
Returning to their beds, Ranma found it easy to finally fall asleep. "Ranma, time to get up." Akane's voice said far too early in the morning for Ranma's tastes.
"Sleep… Need more…" Ranma managed to let out.
"It's breakfast time and after that the clerk is gonna show us around." Akane explained. Ranma nearly jumped out of bed after hearing this. Ranma quickly raced to her bag. "Where are my clothes?" Ranma asked as she began searching through her bag for a change of clothes.
"Ranma, why are you so anxious?" Akane asked.
Ranma finally slowed down. Taking a look around, Ranma noticed that Akane was the only other person in the room. "Say, where's everybody else? They already eatin'?" Ranma asked.
"Yes, Ranma. I've been trying to get you up for awhile now." Akane explained. Ranma noticed that Akane was already dressed, in a very cute pink dress. Ranma recognized it as the dress that Akane wore after he defeated Kuno during one of their earliest fights. Ranma finally found a nice blue shirt and pants. Ranma instantly put them on. "Ranma, that's disgusting. You're gonna put those on over what you slept in last night?" Akane said.
"It's fine." Ranma responded as she moved to exit the room.
Ranma stood outside the girls room and looked around but couldn't see anybody. Quickly running to the dining area, Ranma found Ryouga and Mousse waiting. "Hey, where's Shampoo?" Ranma asked.
"No idea." Ryouga answered.
"Dammit." Ranma cursed.
"Ranma, wait up!" Akane's voice called.
"Akane, I can't find the other girls." Ranma explained.
"Well, the boys aren't gonna know." Akane said.
"Ain't they goin' to see the sights?" Ranma asked.
"Nah, we don't really feel up to it." Ryouga said as he stretched his arms out.
Ranma grabbed Akane's arm and raced away from the guys. "Ranma?" Ryouga could be heard saying in confusion over Ranma's sudden disappearance.
"I ain't hungry. So where the hell are they?" Ranma asked.
"Follow me." Akane said as she grabbed Ranma's arm and began to walk. As they walked past the women's bath entrances, Ranma wondered where they were going.
"Ranma? Akane?" Shampoo called out.
Shampoo came running down the hallway and approached Ranma and Akane. "Ah, still time before tour is ready so Akane should take bath." Shampoo said.
"Huh?" Akane asked.
"Me and Ranma come get when tour is ready. Other girls already in bath. Go, go." Shampoo insisted.
"But…" Akane said.
"It's fine, Akane. Shampoo's here. What could happen?" Ranma confidently proclaimed.
"Alright." Akane said as she departed to enter the women's bath.
"So, where is the clerk?" Ranma asked.
"He come this way soon." Shampoo answered.
As if on cue the clerk emerged from behind a corner. Ranma and Shampoo approached him. "Okay, start talkin'." Ranma said.
"What?" The clerk said astounded.
"What wrong with memories? Why no remember Jusenkyou?" Shampoo asked.
"I… I… Someone will come and call you away…" The clerk stammered.
"The girls are in the bath and waiting for us to come get them. Who exactly is gonna protect you?" Ranma asked.
"Us…" A familiar voice called out.
Ranma and Shampoo turned around and saw Ryouga and Mousse standing there.
To Be Continued…
