Amazonian Switcheroo

Part 8

Shampoo sat at a campfire, preparing a simple meal he had caught himself. He ruminated on past events.

It happened not too long ago. After he had finally healed from his injuries, he searched for a fairly nearby forest and started training. He knew that he couldn't beat Ranma, not at his current skill level, so he had to bulk up a bit.

And then he heard her. It was but a voice, barely even a whisper. He was confused at first, and initially thought it to be a spirit or a spy. As the days passed, he became increasingnly more disturbed, until she had revealed herself.

When he closed his eyes, he could see her more easily. His former self, the stupid bimbo girl who caused this mess. She was the part of him that still loved Ranma, and didn't want to see the bastard come to harm. It seemed that she was released after all the beatings he had taken.

Fortunately, it was easy to ignore her. But, that didn't make her any less irritating.

"Why do you hate him so?" She asked of him.

"Because, it's his fault that I'm like this. It's his fault my mind is split in two, and my body is a perversion. It is HIS fault I lost my life, my status, everything!" He drew a sword and stabbed into the ground, where he had absently written 'Ranma'. "And so, he must die!"

"It's not his fault! WE chased him, We made the perfume spill! Don't....Don't hurt him, please!"

Shampoo glared coldly. "Stay out of this. One day, I will get rid of YOU too, and then I can move on, make a new life for myself!"

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The crew members of the small fishing boat smiled lecherously. The reason they were smiling in this fashion was because of the five girls of varying degrees of beauty currently acting as passengers.

There were two reasons why they allowed them on the ship: 1) they paid extremely well, and simply so they could accompany the ship to Japan, where it was headed anyway; 2) they were, as previously mentioned, quite good looking (Though a few were a little on the psychotic side).

Of course, one of them, who was lightly muscled and had medium length, golden-yellowish hair, had wanted to help out with manual labour, and who were they to refuse some help?

The twins were kinda creepy, in a weird way, and most everyone stayed far away from them.

The rather shy one, with long, dark indigo hair, made sure that everyone was well accomodated and even helped with any injuries or whatnot.

The gloomy one, with droopy eyes and short black hair, just shunned everyone, and stayed in the more...shadowed areas of the ship.

The girls reacted with varying emotions as they realised they were getting closer to their destination.

Shampoo awaited them.

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Mousse was getting worried. Shampoo wasn't home, and now he was stuck doing EVERYTHING. Why did HE have to suffer, simply because the Old Mummy was too stubborn to hire any other staff!?

He just knew this was Ranma's fault, somehow.

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Speaking of Ranma, she had suddenly sneezed. She wiped her nose, getting worried that she was coming down with something. That was all she needed, to get sick during the last two months of her existence.

She was currently in her current natural form, and brushed a strand of lavender hair out of her eyes. She looked down at Akane, for they had both stayed the night at Ukyo's. She just knew this would cause more problems for her girlfriend, but the tomboy was adamant.

"I can't leave you alone, Ranma! I can FEEL your depression, I can't just leave you when you need me most! No, I'll stick with you for as long as possible."

Ranma smiled. The tomboy had gotten increasingly possessive and concerned with her well-being. But, this just meant the depth of Akane's feelings.

That tomboy truly loved her, didn't she?

Akane woke up, and dazedly looked at the cursed-former boy. "Sleep well?"

Ranma nodded. "I....I was comfortable. And you?"

Akane laid a hand on the former-boy's cheek, smiling warmly. "I always sleep well, with you by my side." She leaned upwards, gently kissing her beloved on the lips.

Ranma blushed, smiling shyly. "Well, we have get ready soon. We have to prepare for....well, you know."

Akane giggled. "Aw, you're getting all shy on me. Come on, you need this party, if only to enjoy yourself and forget your troubles. Besides, I'll be there, and Ukyo and Konatsu will be there too, so nothing will happen."

The former-boy frowned sadly. "Something always happens, when I'm around."

Akane looked at the lavender-haired girl in concern, and embraced her tightly. "It's going to be okay, Ranma. I will make sure of it. Trust me."

Ranma closed her eyes, placing a hand on the tomboy's arm. "I do. It's everyone else I don't trust."

Akane sniggered, and lightly kissed the former-boy on the neck, who moaned in pleasure.

Of course, they didn't progress much further, they weren't quite ready yet. They stayed like that for a while, enjoying each other's company.

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Ryoga looked around in total shock. He was in Nerima. After months of searching, he had finally found it. He broke out into a smile, crying happily. He had found the place he was looking for. Now, he could find Ranma, and free Akane from that pervert's clutches.

Passerby stared at the strange boy crying and smiling in the middle of the street. Of course, most of them have become familiar with the weirdo, and one could tell which knew and which didn't. Thos ewho knew about him made more distance from him than those who didn't.

Of course, Ryoga didn't really notice any of this. He was just so happy to be back.

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Akane, Ranma (in her cursed form) and Ukyo were heading towards the Tendo dojo. They had gotten some supplies for the party, and now it had come down to the most important, and possibly the most difficult, part.

They were going to invite their families. After all, this party was to celebrate Ranma's life, and it wouldn't do to not invite those crucial to that life, no matter how much of a nusiance they were.

Akane held onto Ranma's hand. They were both apprehensive about doing this, but it was too late for second thoughts. They had to do this, they believed, or else there'd be no point.

(Sure, they may be making a mountain out of a molehill, but would YOU tell them that?)

Ukyo's muscles tensed, ready to handle any problems. Exactly what those problems might be is unclear, but it is best to not come unprepared.

They opened the door, and went inside, with Akane calling out "I'm home!".

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Of course, as it so often happens with people associated with Ranma, word ahd spread about the festivities.

Ryoga frowned. Rumour had it that Akane and ranma had gotten closer, and now they holding a party to celebrate the upcoming wedding.

Ryoga growled. He would not hear of it. He would save Akane from that....bastard, if it killed him.

Shampoo frowned. He didn't know why Ranma was holding a party, and he didn't care. All he cared about was that he knew where Ranma would be, and that he would not be on his guard.

And so, the time has come for revenge to be exacted.

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Well, I finally updated, after so long. Yes, I'm not dead. I was just stopped by computer problems and writer's block.

So, yeah, Ryoga may not have been gone for months, but it is how it had appeared to HIM. And that's what matters.

So yeah, I supplied some descriptions for SHampoo's 'friends'. Hopefully you can tell who is who without me supplying their names.

Well, look forward to next time! I hope you enjoyed it, and please comment!