Chapter 26

Ranma was sitting in the backyard, in front of the koi pond. The koi in the pond always eased his mind and cleared it when he had to come up with some new ideas. However, it did not help him with his current problem. In front of him, was a pad with both Kodachi's and Shampoo's name on it. Under their names was a list of things that he liked about them. There were a lot on the pad that he liked about each of them. Still, he could not choose one over the other.

If he was being really honest with himself, he was attracted to both teens. Shampoo's warrior spirit and fierce love for her Amazon people was interesting. Her bubbly attitude was amusing. She was much more adult than she showed to everyone and she was worldly, mostly China but who was paying attention. Kodachi was regal and had an air of privilege but she didn't lord it over him like she did others. She was easily amused and coy in her mannerism. She was very flirtatious around him but he did not mind it as much as before. It was something that had come to expect and come to like.

He sighed in frustration. He was supposed to be concentrating on his style, not on relationships. Still, Shampoo and Kodachi had become very important to him and he did not wish to hurt either one of them. What was he going to do?

"That's a pretty good idea Ranma." A voice said, startling the pig-tail boy. He looked to see a smiling Kasumi. She giggled in amusement as Ranma gave her a look.

"Are you sure that you don't train in the arts? You're much sneakier than your sister." Ranma said.

"It's a trade secret. So, I notice that you are thinking about your girlfriends. Are you having some issues?" Kasumi asked. Ranma was hesitant but of all the people in the household, he trusted Kasumi the most. He sighed and looked at the pond.

"It isn't a secret that I am social inept. I wasn't taught how to associate with people because of who my vision was. I'm trying to change that and I feel that I've done a pretty good job at it. Relationships however, are pretty confusing. I don't think that it is a mental thing. I think that it relies on emotions. I really like Shampoo and I could see myself with her. I really like Kodachi and I could see myself with her. I'm just confused on what I should do. I can't keep dating both girls. It isn't fair to either of them." Ranma explained. Kasumi listened to everything that he said and could understand what he was talking about. Ranma liked both girls equally and didn't want to choose because it would hurt the other.

Kasumi thought for a while and faced Ranma.

"I think that the direct approach is the best advice I can tell you. You need to get them both in a room and you tell them your feelings. You explain it clear and get your point across. I think that if you lay everything out, then all of you can come to a decision." Kasumi said.

"Do you really believe that could work? We are talking about a Kuno and Shampoo. They are actually stable at the moment." Ranma said.

"They are a little more understanding than you think Ranma. If they were as unstable as you said, they would have torn the town apart by now." Kasumi said. Ranma had to admit that did make a lot sense. That's when something came to Ranma's mind.

"You know, I never understood why you don't have a boyfriend of your own. Nabiki, I understand, Akane, the guy who has be her boyfriend will have to have mush for brains, and then there's you. You can cook, you can take care of a home, you're funny, you're good at medicine, and I can say a lot of things. I just don't see why you aren't attached." Ranma explained.

"That's… kind of personal Ranma. I don't want to sound rude but it isn't any of your business." Kasumi said.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry." Ranma said.

"It's okay. I'm actually kind of happy that someone thinks about me. So, I hope that I've helped you Ranma." Kasumi said. She stood up and walked back into the house. Ranma felt like a total loser for bringing that up. He was just really curious as to why she wasn't engaged or anything. Even he admitted to himself that if he was a little older, he would make a pass to court her. Ranma sighed and made a mental note to properly apologize. Right now, he had to handle his current relationship problems.

XXX

Shampoo and Kodachi were seated in an empty café. Some of the workers were cleaning the tables while they were waiting for Ranma. The two females were contacted by their interest for a talk. They were curious about what he could want to talk about with them. Neither of them pushed Ranma to make a choice and neither of them attacked the other. Yeah, there might have been a few scrimmages between the two that did not make local news but nothing major. What could Ranma want to talk with them about?

Ranma finally entered the café and he took a seat across from the girls. They saw that he was kind of nervous but they watched as he steeled himself and faced them.

"Okay, I'm just going to come out and say what I have to say. I… am attracted to the both of you. I like having fun with each of you and I like spending time with you. I know that I'm not much of the relationship type thanks to my up-bringing but I like to think that this is how relationships are supposed to be. However, I think that I'm not being fair to either of you. I want to make a choice but I don't wish to hurt either of you. I think that it would be best that we stop what we are doing and just be friends." Ranma said with honesty and sincerely.

Both girls looked at Ranma for a while before facing each other. They turned away from the boy and talked among themselves. Ranma could hear them whisper and was a little worried that they were about to attack him. After some agonizing minutes, the two girls turned to face him.

"Yeah, that's not going to work for us." Kodachi said.

"I agree. We've come up with another plan." Shampoo said.

"Say what?" Ranma looked at them with confusion.

"While I rather keep you to myself, I have to admit that it is kind of fun sharing you. It wasn't uncommon in history that Japanese clans had multiple wives. I wouldn't be surprised if some still did it today. What I'm getting at is, I really like you. You have looked at me with interest and have gotten to know the true me. I'm not about to give that up. If I must share you with this Chinese furball, then I would." Kodachi said.

"The crazy rich girl is right. I like you too and I'm not about to stop seeing you. It isn't uncommon for tribal sisters to have the same man and we almost get along. I don't mind sharing." Shampoo explained. Ranma still looked at the two with blinking eyes. The two just chuckled and stood. They both kissed Ranma's cheeks at the same time, widening Ranma's eyes. Shampoo went to get ready for work while Kodachi went home. Ranma was still pretty stunned and sat there for a while. The other workers giggled at him. After a while, he stood and made his way home. He had to think heavily about this.

XXX

Akane huffs in frustration as she looked through Genma's stuff. This was the fifth time that she has searched the pack, looking for any information of a contact number for Ranma's mother. It seemed like the fat panda was being more cautious with his things. She let out a frustrating sigh. Her day was not the best of days. She had learned that Ranma was dating both Kodachi and Shampoo. Apparently, neither girl was willing to let go of him and decided to share him with one another. It angered her that the pervert would be so shameless to date two girls at once. It gave her more fuel to get that information.

As she was about to check another area of the room, a cough caught her attention. She turned to see Nabiki in the doorway. By the look on her face, she was not happy to see her.

"So, what are you doing?" Nabiki asked.

"I'm… cleaning up… uncle Genma's things." Akane said.

"You're doing a bang up job at that." Nabiki mocked. Akane narrowed her eyes but quickly changed her features.

"Yeah, I'll do better next time." Akane said.

"Yeah, you should do everything a lot better. If you want to find things to use against Ranma, next time clean up better during your first attempt." Nabiki said. This time, Akane did not hide her frown.

"You've got something to say Nabiki?" Akane asked with a tone.

"Well, since, you asked, I'm getting tired of you trying to get even with Ranma. I think that you are being very childish and mean. Yes, in the beginning, he was a jerk and wanted nothing to with us. However, he has grown to become a well-liked and useful tenant in this compound. It is because of him, that we have people using the dojo and a sense of happiness has entered the dojo since mom died. Let's not forget, thanks to him, we are actually better financially." Nabiki said.

"What a surprise, that's all you care about." Akane mocked.

"What do you think I did with that money Akane? Where do you think your bricks came from? Where do you think the money came from to pay off father's tabs? Where do you think Kasumi get the money for groceries? You might think that I care about nothing but money but I care about keeping a roof under our heads. What have you done to help the family Akane?" Nabiki asked calmly. Akane wanted to say something to Nabiki but she couldn't. Everything Nabiki had told her was true and she hadn't done much.

"Why don't you just tell me what you want?" Akane asked curtly.

"I want you to stop whatever you're planning. It isn't going to end badly and you are not going to like the results when it blows up in your face." Nabiki said.

"Fine, whatever." Akane said with disinterest.

"I'm being serious Akane!" Nabiki shouted, surprising Akane. "Enough with your jealousy and you bruised ego, just stop acting like some spoiled brat! Leave Ranma alone and get on with your own life!" Nabiki spun on her heels and walked away from the room. Akane growled at the words that were said to her by her sister. She forgot all about searching for information and went to blow off some steam.

XXX

Nabiki was doing the books with a smile on her face. She was just so happy about how good things were getting. They had just gotten two more students to join the dojo. That brought the total of students to five. Happosai was an excellent teacher and was using some of Ranma's teaching methods instead of his own. That was mostly because they were not going to go on panty raids with the old man. Ranma helped at times and they students were getting better under their care. The compound was in the black and she barely had to do any scams to help. She still did it though because that was just how she was.

She leaned back and thought about earlier. At dinner, her father had made a comment to her about treating Akane like a child. She figured that Akane must have gone crying to him about what she said to him. Soun kept talking and talking about Akane this and Akane that. It finally became too much for her and for the first time ever, Nabiki snapped. She turned on her father and shouted at him for treating Akane like she's the victim. She told him that if he was actually 'father' to them, things would be different. She even went as far to say that her mother would be ashamed of him. That's when she realized what she said and excused herself for dinner. The reason for her leaving was because the look of shock and hurt that was on Soun's face.

Kasumi came up later and the two talked about what was said. She cheered her up and Nabiki checked the books. She yawned and stood up to go to the bathroom. As she made her way to the bathroom, she saw Akane. Her little sister gave her a dirty look before turning her nose up at her. Nabiki didn't really care what Akane thought. She only hoped that Akane would listen to her. Somehow, she didn't think so.

XXXXX

Authors' Notes: I just have this to say to several reviewers. I, myself, am not a big fan of bash fics. I do read them if they are done pretty well. I believe that I'm doing a good job bashing Akane. My feelings of Akane are just as I write them. If you do have an issue with how I do bash her, I don't mind if you tell me. All I ask, is don't be an asshole about it. If you can criticize me in a positive manner, then don't read it.