Guys! I´m finally back! Those horrible exams almost kill my nerves. And for a reason i don´t have a clue, I was out of ideas for the story. But i could finish this chapter finally! Maybe the chapter-a-day may change to chapter-every-two-days but even so, that would make me the fastest updater in this section, ain´t it? Enough of my problems, let´s comment the story.
Someone said that Shampoo shouldn´t be so concerned about being kicked of the Amazon if she had to pass a trial to be back. Well, i´ll tell you what the trial is. I don´t think you´ll like to run through 500 meters of flames and after that, swim a mile in freezing glacier water, all that NAKED! Now you understand why she´s so sad about it? It´s extreme. Now, i´ll be glad if you please SHOOT IDEAS:) On with the story now! And don´t forget the usual: I don´t own anything, blah bla blah and REVIEW blah blah blah... (And goes on...)
Chapter 13: The Flame of the Battle
Ranma was nervous. Even after all that training, he was shaking in his boots. This was a different battle than all of the ones he was in. And the reason was simple. The opponent didn't care if she had to kill Ranma and also it was Shampoo's "friend".
That changed a few things and Ranma had to lose the last five minutes of lunch to get his katana for the fight after class. Almost everyone in the class was surprised by the sword except the sensei that didn't see it. Akane had a look of envy that she was an almost exact copy of Hulk.
"Shampoo think that is bad idea to show it to entire school body. Maybe Ranma should cover it with something to hide appearances" She said when he came back with the weapon in hand. He looked at it.
"Yes, maybe you're right about that one." He agreed. Both went to the outside and took a quick trip to the gym so Ranma could change into his cursed form. "Now things start to get interesting." She said as they arrived and she was looking at Nabiki who was collecting as many bets as possible.
"Shampoo thinks that maybe Money girl is too ambitious for own good." She added and Ranma nodded because she was thinking around the same lines.
"So, meddling girl finally appears." Bambou announced as she jumped to the middle of the "arena". Shampoo walked back to the grass and sat awaiting the fight.
"Yes, Bambou. I've come to make you a deal too." Ranma shot back
"Oh, and that is?" She had a tone of amusement and awe of this
"If I win, you'll leave Shampoo alone. And if I lose, well, if I lose I'll pay Shampoo's debt." She announced and Shampoo gasped loudly
"NO!" She shouted and got to her feet. The red-haired looked at her with her brows wrinkled.
"Stand back, Shampoo. This is personal now." She added and Shampoo reluctantly sat down with a sad face. Ranma turned to her opponent "What do you say?" She asked again
"Mhh, nice deal. But Bambou can't let Shampoo alone. But the other part is interesting, meddling girl say you pay Shampoo's debt?" Ranma nodded "Mh, meddling girl know what debt it is?" She nodded again. "All right. Bambou agree with deal." Ranma smiled to his insides and got into stance with the katana in hand. Bambou withdrew her sword and got into stance too.
"Meddling girl will fall to the "Dance of Death"!" She announced and Ranma's smirk grew bigger but it was almost unnoticeable.
"Bambou, you'll be surprised." Ranma replied and ran to Bambou right away. With the sword high over her head she leaped and landed a blow that was not intended to make damage, just a powerful way of getting close range. Ranma smirked when Bambou blocked the sword with a furious face. In that exact moment the fight changed.
Whoever didn't have a trained eye would miss the whole battle for sure. The way Ranma and Bambou moved was incredibly fast. Blocking, parrying and striking in a blur but not getting out of the "Dance of Death" pattern. Ranma still had a peak of speed, thing that was helping her win the fight.
And the secret of the Full Body Amaguriken was still an ace in her hand. She jumped back form the "Dance" and recovered some of her non-lost breath. It was a deceiving tactic that she had used before; the more characteristic was when she tricked the whole Amazon village in the fight that caused Shampoo to follow her through an entire country. Fight that made her reach this point in the long run.
"What wrong? Already lost breath?" Bambou smirked and Ranma smiled still in his act. "Meddling girl not big deal if can last only that when fighting get interesting." She added
"Just…wait…" Ranma replied analyzing the battle so far. She never could think too much when Bambou was over her again. She lifted her katana and blocked the attack. So this is her true power? It isn't that much after all… She thought blocking and not responding Maybe she is still holding down? A parry If that is so, what do I do to make her go all out? A wave of attacks form both parts But if she isn't holding back and I use the Full Body Amaguriken…Then things will get ugly This time she was so immersed in her thoughts that couldn't block the strike that made a cut in her left arm, but it wasn't that deep, although, blood started to spill out.
"Yaa!" She screamed in pain. She closed her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again and ducking to avoid the next attack that was going to leave her headless. She furrowed her brows and replied with a flurry of blows from her own. Two cuts were made. One in the right leg and one in the right arm.
"AIYAA!" Bambou screeched. The Adrenaline-induced battle fire was consuming both of them very quickly, it was a thing that powered you up at least to the double of your capacities but it left you double tired. At first, the battle was calm and a simple "blade discussion" now it was more like a "blade cock-fight".
"Enough!" Ranma announced placing the blade to a side before entering a different stance "Full Body Amaguriken!" She shouted and ran immediately to Bambou, blade behind and held. "AAAHHHHHHH!" She shouted running
"This is it!" Shampoo gasped in the middle of the crowd as she watched Ranma move blurringly fast towards her old "friend". Ranma reached Bambou less than a second later and the fight was over. It was too much speed for Bambou to take as she was quickly left with all the openings anyone could want. A forceful strike left her unarmed.
No! I can't be…beaten! She thought as everything began to go black from the several punches and kicks. Only a sword strike was committed, the one needed to be disarmed. She felt her body fall limp towards the floor when a pair of arms grabbed her. That moment on, it was unknown to her.
She awoke suddenly and sat up immediately in a reflex, reflex obtained from years of alert training. She was in normal bedroom according to her beliefs. A bed, a closet and a semi-closed door that directed to a bathroom. Yep, a normal one.
She turned and tried to stand up. Painful stings stroke her in almost every part of her body. She desisted trying to get up and lied down thinking about the fight.
Why? Why did that girl beat me so easily? In just one move she was three or maybe four times faster than what she was before. But what did she shout a moment before? Something with Amaguriken… The Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken? She knows it? In this point, her eyes were big and the ceiling very interesting If she does know it, then…she's a…no way. There's no way in hell she's an Amazon. But that would be the only explanation possible for her to know that technique…
A knock in the door interrupted her thoughts. It opened and a black-haired boy appeared with a tray of food. He had the hair in a pigtail. And a slight frown crowned his eyes.
"You're awake. I'll leave you some food." He announced and left the tray politely besides her on the bed. He left immediately.
Wow. Gorgeous… She had a love-struck face from that moment on. He would be a nice catch. She shook her head I have something more important to think about now. What means that the red-haired girl knows the Amaguriken? It would be an obvious proof that she was an Amazon, and also she said she would pay Xian Pu's debt… And only an Amazon could do that. She ate some food and smiled, it was good.
"Bambou. Why do you still chase my grand-daughter?" Cologne's voice startled her and she bit the spoon in reflex. Bambou looked around and found her matriarch on top of her staff in the middle of the room.
"Honoured elder." She lowered her head in a salute. " I do it because of the fight two years ago. I hope you didn't forget it.>" She explained shortly
" Mind your manners, child. I did not forget it though. But I thought you understood why Xian Pu didn't finish you off. I thought it was clear for all.>" Cologne replied furrowing her brows
" I have the laws as a priority before all. I appreciated our friendship, but I place laws first. That is the reason I pursuit her. And also to know why she ran when finally I was able to challenge her to a rematch.>" She snarled
" You don't know why she left the village?>" She was surprised. Two years of chase and didn't know the reason of why.
" No. I don't have a clue. When she left, I tried following her but for some reason, I completely lost her track and took all this while to get to her.>" She shook her head a bit I don't know what I'm going to do if the reason she left is a good one. Do I forgive her? Or do I challenge her?
" I think she's the only one that can explain you that. I'm no one to tell you. Talking about that…maybe there are two people to tell you.>" She explained raising a brow in consideration I hope the boy can give a hand to Shampoo in the explanation. If not, well, I'll convince him to do it.
" Who's the other?>" Bambou asked a bit impressed " And another thing. Where am I?>" She added lifting a cheek in confusion. She had never seen that place in her life.
" Oh. We are in the Nekohanten. Is a café I bought as a business and a way of having a place to stay while Xian Pu… I can't explain any longer. The rest is Xian Pu's asset>"
" I understand. Then I will have to ask her. Or this person you talk about.>" Bambou replied shortly
" Good. But you should rest a while before you do that.>" Cologne added before leaving through the door on top of her staff.
" I should rest.>" She said to self and lied down back when she finished her food.
A while back, downstairs…
"Ranma, go give her this food." Shampoo ordered him. He nodded and left with the tray. Why can't you simply forget that stupid fight and be my best friend again? Why do you act like this? What I need now is some good company. Besides Ranma, of course. She thought looking bitterly at the table in front of her.
Two minutes later, Ranma was back. He sat besides her and looked her expression.
"What can I do to change that face?" He asked a bit concerned about her. Everything except some…physical things. He answered himself in his mind
"For now, nothing." She replied and curled her lips on a side. He let go an imperceptible sigh of relief. "Want something to eat?" She offered smiling finally. His eyes twinkled at the option.
"Sure!" He replied with a nod also. Both went to the kitchen so they could talk while she prepared the food. "You know, I think the way Bambou's acting is childish. Following the laws…I know is much punished in your village to not follow them but if they say that I have to kill you, I would say something like 'screw 'em, I won't do it', don't you agree?" He said casually
"As weird as it is, Shampoo agree completely. Laws should change." Shampoo nodded and flashed him a smile before turning back to the food.
"So, you aren't agreeing with the Amazon laws…" Cologne said startling the two of them. She had an unreadable expression in her face
"No, just a few." Shampoo replied without looking at her.
"Young ones, Bambou may ask either of you why Shampoo left the village the first time. Well, mostly she'll ask Shampoo first because she doesn't know you were involved, Ranma. Are you going to tell her everything?" Cologne asked seriously
"Yes." Both replied assuringly.
So, What do you think about this chapter? As I said up in the beggining of this chapter, give me some ideas to go on. And another thing could you guys tell me if I write ´Shampoo´s room´ or ´Their room´? i asked that around three or four chapters back and no one replied with an answer.
On another point. I´m glad to be back. I enjoy writing this, but what really cheers me up are your reviews. They really make me happy. So, if you want a JOYFUL writer, just review. Mostly, criticize this. I appreciate when you correct me because is the end of to be a better writer. Thanks for your help :)