Shampoo set the grocery basket on the counter then headed into the dining room. She hadn’t slept well the night before…or any night since her fight with Mousse. She was tired. And sad. The restaurant just wasn’t the same without his presence. She hoped he was okay. He’d been very badly hurt. If she’d left him as a duck, he very likely would have died.
          "Where are you Mousse," she asked in a whisper. What if he had gotten splashed and turned back? The luck of the cursed was, by definition, bad. "Don’t be dead Mousse."
          "Shampoo?"
          "Yes great-grandmother?"
          "We’re going to open in a few minutes."
          "Yes great-grandmother."
          Suddenly Cologne was behind her, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I am an Amazon elder. I would not allow an Amazon male to die. He is alive child."
          With tear-filled eyes, she turned to look at her. "I hope so. He no deserve to die."
          "No, he doesn’t."

          "Ouch. That hurts Akane Tendo."
          "I know. Just call me Akane."
          "Ouch. That hurts too."
          "I know. I’m sorry." She rubbed the ointment onto his cuts and bruises as he flexed and unflexed his muscles. "But we have to make sure we get inside the cut."
          "Ouch. I understand that."
          "Mousse," she set the ointment down with a sigh. "I’m sorry if I’m hurting you."
          He reached over to squeeze her hand. "I know. I’m just mad at myself. I should have at least defended myself. I thought she would stop. I’m…"
          "Do people always hurt the people that love them?" Her eyes were cloudy with impending tears.
          "He doesn’t mean to hurt you. He’d unthinking. He reacts to things then thinks them through."
          "I’m always the last thing on his mind. Shampoo, Ukyou, everybody else comes first."
          "That’s not true," Mousse slowly sat up, glad that Dr. Tofu had corrected the pain in his spine. "He is always thinking of you."
          "Hey, how’s the sicky?" Ranma poked his head into the room. "I’m going on a training trip for a few days. Bye."
          "What?" Akane stood up. "What?"
          "I’m…" Ranma stopped. Her blue aura was flickering as she tried to decide between sad and angry. "I have to Akane."
          "Why?"
          "…." He mumbled.
          "What was that?"
          "…."
          "What?"
          "He said Ukyou is missing." Mousse answered, annoyance at Ranma’s cowardice obvious in his voice.
          "Missing?" Concern for Ukyou kept her aura uncertain. "What do you mean missing?"
          "Hershopisclosedandshe’sgone."
          "So she’s missing maybe on purpose?"
          "But it’s my fault."
          "Maybe she left for a few days to come to terms with things and give us some time?" Akane’s voice was dangerously calm. Nabiki calm.
          "But what if it isn’t the case?"
          "Are you everyone’s savior Ranma? Do you need to be the hero that much? I care about Ukyou too, but she’s a grown girl who has been surviving on her own for several years now. She’s a martial artist."
          "I know that."
          "Go then. Go after her. Follow. Your. Heart." Akane bit out the words.
          "Akane…" He walked into the room and forced her to look at him. "She may be hurting."
          "Do you think if you leave she’ll be the only one? Go. I don’t care. I have something to tell my father."
          "No."
          "Choose then. I know you don’t want her to be hurt. Neither do I. But your choice is going to hurt people. You have to face that. I’m sorry Ranma. People get hurt. You can’t save them all."
          "She’s my friend Akane. I can’t turn my back on her."
          "She didn’t come to you for help Ranma. She probably just needs some time alone. I promise you that if she isn’t back in a couple of days we’ll look for her. Together." Akane’s eyes pleaded with him.
          "All right Akane. You’re right." His blue eyes were sad.
          "I’m sorry Ranma." She brushed past him as she left the room. He closed his eyes as the soft scent of her washed over him.
          "Ranma Saotome, you are far more noble than I expected."
          "’Scuse me?"
          "She loves you very much." Mousse shrugged on his white robe. "I’m not sure why, but she does. She is very fragile right now, unsure of you. Do not go back on your word."

          "C’mon sugar. We’ve got to get back to Nerima."
          "It’s not my fault that you’re lost."
          "This time."
          "I’m not the one who ran out without any thought to where I was going."
          Ukyou’s look was disbelieving. "Oh yeah?"
          "Yes. I fully intended to go to the Tendo’s dojo. I walked out knowing exactly where I was going."
          "Just not how to get there."
          He smiled with her. "Exactly." Suddenly his whole body stiffened. "Don’t move."
          "What?"
          He reached up and unhooked several bandannas. He sent them flying then leapt forward to grab Ukyou. He bounded up into the trees, holding tightly to her.
          "What’s going on here Sugar?" Her voice was tinged with annoyance until she looked down. Below, where she had been mere seconds before, was a very large, cut up, and very recently dead snake. "Oh."
          "Are you alright?" He started to pull away from her, only to be pulled tighter into her embrace.
          "Thank you Ryouga. You saved my life." She wrapped her arms tightly around him, marveling at how strong he seemed. *Stop it* she chided herself. *You love Ranma.*
          Ryouga pressed on hand against his nose to stop any bleeding. Ukyou’s body pressed tightly to his was having a powerful effect. He gave her one last squeeze then disentangled himself. "I’m glad you’re okay. Shall we keep going?"
          She nodded. "Sure." She watched him hop out of the tree and clear the snake out of her way. She followed him down and fell in step beside him *So is that what Akane feels like being rescued all the time? Upset that she didn’t see the threat, relieved because she was scared and maybe a little…excited?* Ukyou looked thoughtfully at Ryouga.

          Nabiki relaxed against the rock wall of the Kunou hotsprings. She tried to disguise her pleasure at the longing looks Kunou was giving her, but she had a sneaky suspicion she wasn’t doing a very good job.
          "May I say again that, unlike Shakespeare’s love who was achingly human, you are nothing short of a goddess Nabiki Tendo."
          "You can call me Nabiki."
          "Then you have decided to date with me?" His eyes pinned her, dark and smoldering.
          "Y…yes." * I can’t believe this,* Nabiki thought to herself. *Why am I behaving like a lovestruck fool?*
          He moved beside her and brushed her hair away from her face. "You’ve given my heart wings Nabiki-chan."
          *Oh yeah. Because I am.* The business acumen was still razor sharp, the mercenary spirit still strong. But along with them, suddenly she noticed a pounding heart. *I’ve never loved anyone outside the family.*
          "You look beautiful."
          She looked up, shocked that he’d uttered an unadorned sentence. "Thank you. I got it when we were stuck on Toma’s floating island."
          "I’m afraid I don’t know what do to or say next," he looked embarrassed. "No on has ever said yes before."
          "Don’t look here. No on has ever asked before." She bit her lip. *Why did I say that? Great Nabiki. Woman of mystery is what you’re going for, not needy woman to pity.*
          "We’ve waited for each other then. The fates smile upon us. Come. I will walk you home."
          She took his extended hand and let him help her to her feet. "Kunou…"
          "It shall be our secret love Nabiki Tendo. Until you wish it spoken."
          "I’m not ashamed."
          "No. But you have a business reputation to maintain. I understand about reputation. So long as you spend time with me, I am content."
          "Kunou, before this goes any further, may I ask something of you?"
          "Of course. I have no secrets."
          "What about Akane and the pig-tailed girl? Two days ago you would…did pay good money to buy pictures of them, yet now it’s as if they don’t exist."
          "I saw you in starlight and you outshone them all. Perhaps seeing you in a new perspective allowed me to realize what had been hiding all along. That I care for you, not despise you. And I could no longer pretend. I will not be accused of second guessing love." He stopped at the door to the changing room. "Go on. It’s time I got you home."

          Shampoo sat quietly in a tree outside the Tendo dojo. She had finally decided it was time to face Ranma. The time for the potion was drawing near, but her mind was not on the pot boiling in the Cat café.
          She still hadn’t found Mousse. After searching all of his usual places again, and asking everyone again, she’d finally decided she would have to run the risk of asking the Tendo’s, and possibly risking their wrath at what she’d done to him. She was watching, trying to determine where everyone was. They always assumed her entrances were spur of the moment. Little did they know…
          "Does that hurt?" Akane’s voice drifted up to her. Great. The violent pervert.
          "No." A soft voice replied. "It actually feels pretty good. Could you rub harder?"
          "Sure."
          Shampoo’s interest was piqued. Surely she wasn’t hearing what it sounded like?
          Ranma walked out of the house and headed for the dojo. Shampoo nearly fell out of the tree. Who was Akane talking to? And what was she talking about?
          "You two doin’ that again?"
          "Shut up."
          "You know there are places for that."
          Shampoo swung out of the tree and slunk quietly forward.
          "Akane likes to do it in here."
          *Mousse?* Shampoo’s eyes widened as she recognized his voice. What were he and Akane doing in there?
          In the dojo, Akane placed the cap on the healing ointment and helped Mousse to stand. Ranma gave a half smile. Helping Mousse had brought out a softer side to his fiancée. He hadn’t been malleted in two days.
          "You can practice now. We’re through."
          Shampoo peeked through the door as Mousse was sliding his robe back on, His once perfect body was now covered with bruises and red gashes. But all that was pushed aside by the thought of him without his robe in here, alone with Akane. The conversation she’d overheard played over and over in her head. "Akane, you die!"
          Ranma spun around as Shampoo ran past him, intent on Akane.
          Akane looked up, saw the charge and immediately stepped in front of Mousse.
          Shampoo’s step faltered slightly. Akane glared angrily at her, the blue aura flaring to life. "You will not hurt him again."
          "I no wish to hurt Mousse. You I kill!" She was about to charge forward when Mousse protectively enfolded Akane in his robe. Two long swords extended from his sleeves and crossed in front of them.
          "No Shampoo. I will not fight you for myself, but I will not let you harm her."
          "I thought you…" Shampoo hesitated, unsure of herself.
          "I do love you Shampoo. But Akane means something to me as well. Go back home Shampoo. And know that if anything bad were to happen to Akane, Ranma would not be the only one you would have to face."
          "Shampoo no need you Mousse! Shampoo have husband." She turned and glomped onto Ranma, kissing him harder and longer than she ever had before.
          Ranma’s mind stopped functioning properly, instead caught in a loop. *Mousse cares for Akane, what does that mean? Akane what are you going to think of me, I’m not the one who saved you. Shampoo is kissing me. Mousse cares for…* "Aaaah!" He pushed the Amazon away.
          "Wo ai ne." Shampoo smiled and left the dojo.
          "What the hell do you mean you care for Akane?"
          "She’s my friend."
          "Oh. Well, she’s my fiancée, so I save her. Got it?"
          Mousse smiled. "Yes Ranma."
          "So let her go."
          Mousse retracted his swords, allowing Akane to walk towards Ranma. He had felt the heat of anger radiating off her earlier. This should be fun.
          "Hey Akane, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to kiss her. It wasn’t me. And if Mousse hadn’t stepped in, I was gonna save you."
          "Ranma. You. Jerk." She said the words slowly to achieve maximum impact. He cringed, knowing it had been nice while it lasted.
          He opened his eyes minutes later. She was standing in front of him smiling. *She is so cute.* "Uh, Akane?"
          "You got a postcard from Ukyou today."
          "I did? Great! I can’t wait! I…uh…"
          The mallet sent him flying. One she could take. Two was too much.

          Akane sat on her bed and leaned back against the wall. A postcard similar to the one Ranma had received lay on her chest. She hadn’t mentioned this one to Ranma.

                    My dearest Akane,
                    I hope you don’t think badly of me. I wanted to give you and
                    Ranma privacy. But this poor sense of direction…I love you
                    Akane. I can’t wait until we’re together again.
                    Ryouga

          "Shit." Akane closed her eyes. She’d tried to be so noble. Tried so hard to give everyone something they wanted. She’d honestly believed Ranma loved Ukyou. Never believed he loved her. And she knew Ryouga loved her. It hadn’t been planned. She just wanted everybody to be happy. A sob burst forth as tears started down her cheeks.
          "Akane?"
          She looked up to see Kasumi standing in the doorway, concern marring her usually peaceful countenance. "Is everything okay?"
          She slid the postcard under her pillow then tried to wipe the tears away. "Kasumi, do I disappoint you?"
          "Why no. Why would you ask such a question?"
          "Do you think I could?"
          "Of course not. You always try so hard, how could I be disappointed?" She sat down next to her sister and ran her fingers through her short hair. "I don’t understand why you would ask Akane."
          "It’s nothing Kasumi. I…" She sighed. "What would you do if you had to tell someone something you knew would hurt them?"
          "You have to be honest Akane. Lying or hiding things just makes it more difficult in the end." Kasumi ruffled Akane’s hair. "You’ll do fine."
          "Thanks Kasumi." She watched her sister leave. Tell the truth? What would his reaction be?
          "Hey Akane!" Ranma walked into the room, staying well out of mallet range, until he saw the postcard sticking out from underneath the pillow. "Hey! Is this from Ucchan?" He leapt forward and grabbed it before she could.
          "Ranma! No! Ukyou’s is on…the…desk." She watched his expression change as he read.
          "Pig-boy’s got a lot of guts."
          "He was probably trying to cheer me up. Last he heard, you planned to disgrace me."
          "I still do." Ranma smiled evilly, raising an eyebrow in an attempt a suavity.
          "Soon?" She smiled, but he could see the pain in it.
          "What’s wrong?"
          "I’m just worried about how Ryouga will take the news. To him it’s going to seem like a rather drastic change. He gets so depressed."
          "He’s a big boy Akane. He’ll be okay."
          "I hope so. He’s sort of in the same boat as Ukyou as far as we’re concerned."

          "Did we have to take a boat?" Ryouga glanced nervously at the churning water.
          "I’d save you."
          "I’d rather not have it be necessary. In case you’ve forgotten, P-chan is a very small pig."
          Ukyou laughed. She and Ryouga were actually getting along. She’d almost stopped comparing him to Ranma, or at least almost stopped finding Ranma far superior. Besides, Ryouga had those cute fangs.
          He laughed with her, displaying the dental work she was thinking of. "Water or not, this has been kind of fun. Normally, I wander around by myself alone with my thoughts."
          "Pleasant company?"
          "No. But with you, I’m thinking of different things. And you are pleasant company."
          She blushed, playing the cute fiancée part without thought. Until she realized it was Ryouga. She stood quickly and found herself, unable to balance, caught in his strong arms.
          "Now, how are you supposed to rescue me if you go overboard first?" He smiled at her, captivated by the emotions in her eyes.
          "Ryouga?" She breathed softly as he brought her closer to him.
          *Ukyou?* he thought as she held the sides of his face and kissed the tip of his nose.
          They both pulled back from the brief contact. Nervous? Scared? Excited? "We’re almost to shore." Ukyou’s voice was calm. "I…"
          Ryouga leaned forward and took her hand. "Don’t say anything."
          She nodded and stared out at the water. But she didn’t let him go.

          Days passed quickly. Shampoo spent time before bed each night observing Mousse and Akane doing his healing exercises. Ranma watched them too, trying not to be jealous of the easy friendship they shared.
          Tomorrow, thought Shampoo as she jumped from the tree, the potion would be ready. Great grandmother was ready with a play. Tomorrow Ranma would be hers.
          Tomorrow Akane would be his. The thought was strong on Ranma’s mind. No matter how he tried to deny it, he didn’t believe she was his. Right now, Ryouga had more claim to her. He pushed himself off the wall and walked to where Akane and Mousse were running through a rather complex kata.
          Tomorrow, he would go alone to face Shampoo and Cologne. The old monkey was not to be trusted. Mousse flinched as a healing bone twinged. Akane seemed to sense the pain. He smiled for her sake. They had become friends. Perhaps, for her sake, he would simply go to Dr. Tofu’s for his final check up as planned.
          Tomorrow, Nabiki thought as she walked into the dojo, would be her first official date. Kunou-baby was in for a surprise. She thought of the outfit she had already picked out. "Dinner."
          Tomorrow, they would reach Nerima. Ukyou and Ryouga both stared into the fire thinking of their plans. They would spend the day at Ucchan’s gathering information. Then…they both caught each other’s eyes. Tentative smiles in the firelight, still holding hands.
          Tomorrow Dad and Kasumi and Mr. Saotome will be gone.
          *Tomorrow,* Akane walked into dinner behind Ranma. *By this time tomorrow, I’ll have had sex twice in a week with two different men.* Her brown eyes clouded. *What does that say about me?* She bumped into Ranma who had stopped in front of her.
          He turned around, his blue eyes sparkling with anticipation. *I love him. I don’t care what it means.* Akane smiled at her fiancé and began looking forward to tomorrow.