Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is a trademark of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video. I have no ownership to these characters, or names.

Ranma 1/2

Changes: Chapter XIV. Nabiki's Heart and Ukyo's Compassion!

Shampoo and Ranma were still in their embrace at Ranma's house. Nabiki had left abruptly after Shampoo asked him to keep holding her. Shampoo had long since stopped crying, after all, to her there was no better cure for her sadness than Ranma's kindness.

"Airen?" Shampoo said.

"Yeah, Shampoo."

"Shampoo scarred. She never been without tribe. She not know what to do."

"It's okay, I'm here for ya. You know I ain't good at talkin, but I'll listen if ya need me to." He stroked her back, trying anything he could think of to comfort her. "Hey, does Drkae know? I'm sure he can be helpful in this situation."

"Shampoo no tell him yet. She no know how he might take it."

"I think he'd help you out. He is your brother." The remained silent for a few moments. "You ready to go yet?"

"You in hurry?"

"Nope."

"Good. Then we stay a bit longer."

XD

Nabiki wasn't in a good mood. She just realized that she cared for Ranma more than she thought she did. It made extremly jealous to see Ranma hold Shampoo like that. She wondered if maybe it was just because he was supposed to be hers. Probably, but she wasn't going to hurt him the same way that Akane did. No, she figured she probably blew her chance a long time ago with all of the blackmailing she did to him. But, then again, he seemed to have forgiven Shampoo, so she had to stand a chance. She wasn't going to push him, if Ranma wanted her, he'd choose her.

She was on her way to see Cologne, if she really was leaving she'd need to sell her building. Nabiki didn't know how much Shampoo would get, but Nabiki would see to it that she got the most that she could. She respected Shampoo's choice, she had given up everything just to be around Ranma. It was something Nabiki would never let herself do, she cared about Ranma, but Shampoo clearly loved him. So, she'd help them, even if it hurt her to do so, it was the right thing to do.

Cologne seemed mildly surprized to see Nabiki Tendo walk into her cafe. Cologne knew she was a shrewd buisness woman, her pocket book had taken several blows when Shampoo was caught and subsequently blackmailed by Nabiki.

"How can I help you, Miss Tendo?" Cologne asked.

"Accually Cologne, I'm here to help both you, and Shampoo."

"Really? I thought you were Ranma's fiancee. You really want to help a rival?"

"I don't see her as a rival, she's won, she's shown Ranma her love in a way I never could. So, now I want to help her in her time of need. I think it's the least I can do to make up for the trouble I caused."

"I see. It would seem that I don't have to worry to much about my great-granddaughter, do I?"

"Nope, you don't, we'll take care of her."

"I thank you, Nabiki Tendo, for easing this old woman's heart."

XD

Even though it meant she didn't make as much money, Ukyo could sometimes enjoy slow days. Of course, with Tsubasa back in town she knew she wouldn't have much peace. She still had a closet full of pink envelopes. It really made her hate the color pink.

"Hey, Ucchan!" Ranma said as he walked in followed by Shampoo.

"Hi Ran-chan, Shampoo. How are you guys?" Ukyo said.

"Not so good, Ucchan."

Ukyo noticed the look of lonliness in Shampoo's eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Shampoo decided to leave her tribe and she need a place to stay."

"You left the amazons?" Ukyo nearly shrieked. Shampoo nodded. "Oh, wow. Are you gonna be okay?"

"Shampoo no know, she never be without tribe before." Shampoo said.

"You think you could use a good lookin waitress like Shampoo? And maybe let her stay here with ya?"

Ukyo looked at Ranma, then back at Shampoo. She really did look like she needed a friend. Ukyo needed a friend too. "Yeah, I've got room for you Shampoo, you can bring your stuff by whenever you're ready."

Shampoo hugged Ukyo. "You mean, Ukyo and Shampoo be friends?"

Ranma smiled when Ukyo nodded.

XD

"Why do you get so angry? Where does it come from? From what I understand, you've always had a temper." Drake said. He and Akane were in the dojo sparring.

"I don't know. I just do." She replied.

"That's not good enough! You need to search yourself and find the answer."

"How am I supposed to do that while we're fighting?"

"It's as good a time as any. So search, let your subconcious mind focus on our match while you find an answer."

"Um, okay, I'll try."

"You know that your anger is usually unfounded, don't you?"

"Huh?"

"Ranma's teasing is just that, teasing. He never did it to hurt you. You know better than that."

"Yeah, but it hurts."

"Why?"

"Because it does, okay."

"Hey, you said you wanted my help, that means you have to be completely honest with me. So, why does it hurt?"

"Because I love him."

"And, you know that he loves you."

"Does he?"

"Of course he does. But you also know it's too late for the two of you."

"Why? We can still make it work."

"No, you can't. I see it in his eyes, he loves you but he'll never let himself be with you."

"But why won't he?"

"I wouldn't know. I don't know everything that has happened. That answer you'll have to get from him yourself."

"I'm scared though. I'm afraid of what he might say."

"After the way you've treated him, you should be lucky he even considers you a friend."

Akane gasped. "A friend? No, that can't be it! I can't have lost him all the way back then."

"What? Back then, what happened?"

"When we first met, he was a girl, and I hated boys. the first thing I said to Ranma was, 'Hi, I'm Akane, do you want to be friends?' She looked so lonley. Then we sparred and Ranma won, and i said that I was just glad she wasn't a boy."

"So then you started treating him the way I've seen once you found out?"

"Yes. I, I took back my invitation of friendship because I thought he was a freak and a pervert."

"Then it makes sense. Growing up on the road like he did, all of his friends were out of his life as fast as they'd appeared. Then he finds that he'll be staying in Nerima for awhile, and you offer him friendship, something he would've desperatly needed." Akane started crying. "You gave him hope, you were kind, and then as soon as you found out about his curse you treated him horribly. I'm amazed he even tried. It must have been because he saw how kind you could be, and he wanted you to treat him like that again." Drake sighed and put his arms around Akane again. "I'd say you owe him a huge appology, Akane." Akane nodded while the tears just streamed down her face. "But, Akane, that still doesn't explain your anger."

"Oh Drake, I don't mean to interupt this precious moment, but we need to talk." Nabiki said. Drake looked over and saw that Cologne was with her.

"Okay, what's this all about?" Drake asked.

"Well Drakus, Shampoo has gone and done something rather rash, and she's going to need your support." Cologne said.

Drake stood and walked over to them, Akane followed, curious as to what was going on. "Okay, so what'd she do?"

"She left the tribe Drake." Nabiki said.

Drake started laughing. "You'd better not even think of blaming me for this one Cologne."

"Not just you, Drakus. I blame Ranma as well." Cologne said.

"Let me guess, she realized that Ranma wasn't ever going to want to live in the village, but the wonderful amazon law says that he has to. So, by leaving the village, the kiss of marrage is null in void, and she's free to live with him where ever they want."

"Well, you're smarter than I gave you credit for." Nabiki said.

"Gee, thanks." Drake said. "Don't worry Cologne, I'll look out for her as much as I can. I know you've just got to be dying though, loosing your heir and all."

Cologne glared. But deep down, even she admired the free spirits of both Drakus and Ranma. Two men that proved that her ways were outdated. "I would ask for a favor though."

"And what might that be?" Drake asked.

"Well, I am both yours and Shampoo's great-grandmother, so do send me an invitation should either of you get married." Drake face-faulted as Cologne walked out of their lives, cakcling as evily as she could.

End Chapter 14

Innortal: Oaky. Didn't Hinako only show up in the anime durring the OAV, or did I miss something there?

Wonderbee31: I thought so too. Oh, the anger breaking takes time. Lol, you're just a massive fan of threesomes, ain't ya?

ss4-link: Thank you on both counts.

nonengel: : Stops and takes a bow : Thank you. It's been a thought of mine for a very long time that Shampoo couldn't have home and Ranma, but maybe thats just me. My personal belief is that she truly does love him, and would give up the tribe if it meant she could have Ranma.

Urazz: Interesting thought, and very possible. Thanks for the review.

dana-san: Ahh, but guesses are fun, lol.