Ukyou walked onto campus in a deep depression. Ever since Ryouga had walked out the night before, she’d been angry at him and herself.
          "Ah, the beauteous Ukyou. The noble heart of Tatewaki Kunou, Blue Thunder of Furinkan high, doth beat louder with glowing pride today. I have let it be known that you have been given the honor to date with me and, though many a sad damsel cries, my love is only for thee."
          "Shut up Kunou." She walked past him, not even glancing up.
          "Nay! Let us rejoice in the blessed union of our two souls and go forth so that all may see our joy."
          "No."
          He touched her arm and she finally turned to look at him. He seemed sad and, if the rumors she’d heard were correct, he was in a lot of pain. Maybe crossing Nabiki wasn’t such a good idea. "I beseech you, good Ukyou. Nabiki Tendo does come and I must be brave. Your shining light will cast a pall on her disapproval."
          Ukyou looked to the gates where Ranma and Nabiki had just come into view. Even Ranma’s normal robust image seemed frayed at the edges. "all right. I guess I got us into this. And maybe you’re the one to break this spell Akane has over his so he’ll realize he loves me."
          "Hey Ucchan! Sorry to hear about you and Ryouga. I thought you two were great together." He smiled his typical Ranma smile - the one that set her heart racing - and looked at Kunou. "You could do better than him though."
          *Why isn’t my heart racing?* Ukyou hated being confused. Her sense of purpose and determination got her through life. Her whole self-esteem and self-image were based on Ranma. If he didn’t set her heart racing…
          "Good morning Ukyou, Kunou-baby." Nabiki’s voice was cold and Ukyou again wondered if she was doing the wrong thing. "By the way Ukyou, thanks for kicking Ryouga-kun out last night. We’ve enjoyed the opportunity to get to know each other better."
          At the mention of Ryouga’s name, her heart started up. The intense, sudden longing to see him warred with her shock. Oh no! Was she actually falling for him? And worse yet, now he thought she hated him and was dating Nabiki. *SHIT.*
          "Nabiki Tendo, you look well." Kunou’s body twitched slightly as he stared at the mercenary girl.
          Ukyou snapped out of her reverie as Kunou began to shake uncontrollably. "What’s wrong Kunou?"
          "Miss me Kunou-baby?" Nabiki smiled, trying to hide her confusion. The potion was only supposed to affect him when he was around someone he found desirable…*NO! He can’t!* Her mind was moving fast, putting two and two together. *Oh, no. He’s got a thing for Ukyou.*
          Ranma just watched in wonder as Ukyou, somewhat dazed, led Kunou, seriously messed up, toward the school.
          "I can’t believe it Nabiki! You’ve just saved my life!"
          "Shut up Ranma. Akane’s right. You are completely insensitive. Can’t you see that Kunou - my Kunou - has a thing for her?"
          She ran off as Ranma facefaulted. How does she run a business being so stupid? Akane and I are free! Kunou’s in love with Nabiki.

          Akane sat in the bath, very self conscious about her bathing suit.
          Mousse, to his credit, was trying very hard not to notice. "So, shall we begin?"
          "I’m sorry. It’s the only one I’ve got."
          "It’s very nice." He was glad he didn’t have his glasses on. How Ranma could look at her in that and call her uncute was completely beyond his comprehension. The tight yellow one piece laced up the sides and left just enough to the imagination. Unfortunately, his was in overdrive. "Shall we begin?"
          They began working Akane’s leg muscles, both concentrating hard on the easy exercises. "Mousse?"
          He continued guiding her leg through the steps. "Yes Akane?"
          "Does Ranma love Shampoo?"
          "I believe he cares for her, but I know he loves you."
          "Do you think his love is stronger than his guilt?"
          "Are you afraid of losing him to Shampoo?"
          "I’m always afraid. I’ve tried so hard to be more like Shampoo and Ukyou and less like the violent tomboy. I can’t seem to be anything else around him."
          "But that’s who he loves."
          "Right. The girl who mallets him as opposed to the ones who are cute, feminine and cook for him, without poisoning him, that is."
          "I think you underestimate yourself." He moved closer to her and pulled his glasses down so he could see here clearly. "He insults you because he doesn’t know how else to express emotion."
          "He can show it to Ukyou." She slumped down so she was submerged up to her chin. "The party is coming up."
          "Yes."
          "Ranma’s going with Shampoo. To my sister’s party."
          "I don’t think he had much choice."
          "He could have said no." She slapped the water and frowned. "He should have."
          "But he didn’t."
          "No. So, now I don’t have a date for the party." Her long black lashes set off the soft hazel of her eyes as she blinked flirtatiously. "What do you think Mousse? You and me?"
          "The walking wounded?"
          "Wounded but surviving."
          A soft warm breeze carried in through the open window and the scent of lilacs told him Shampoo was spying again. "I would love to escort you Akane. Perhaps it will be the night of our first real kiss."
          Akane, confused, reached for her mallet stopping when Mousse pointed to her bath supplies. She nodded. "With these bath exercises, I’ve grown so close to you. And you look so sexy in your swimming trunks."
          Mousse blushed violently as her eyes swept over him. She wasn’t lying so far. She only hoped Shampoo liked getting a taste of her own medicine.
          "Don’t make me wait Akane." He smiled at her and moved closer. "In case she’s watching," he whispered.
          Akane smiled back and kissed Mousse ever so softly on the cheek. "I’m engaged, you know," she whispered back.
          He hoped they looked like they were kissing to Shampoo. He could feel her angry stare and hope caught fire in his heart. "Good. I love a challenge."

          Shampoo bounced her way across the rooftops of Nerima, headed for the high school. She looked at the clock and sighed. She still had some time before lunch.
          Sitting on the roof of the school, she tried to get the picture of Mousse and Akane out of her mind. He couldn’t be in love with her, could he? He’d loved Shampoo all of his life. She’d liked knowing that no matter what happened, he was always there for her.
          But she had to marry Ranma. Tribal rules insisted. As an Amazon male, his only hope at this point was for her to take many husbands. And even then, he’d still have to best her in battle. But Mousse never would.
          Not that she wanted him to. She loved Ranma.
          But the picture of him being so tender and gentle with Akane, then that kiss!
          Shampoo could see it in her mind and her jealousy embellished it. She closed her eyes, surprised to feel tears run down her cheeks. "I…I love him," she whispered to herself. "I don’t believe it. How can I love such a weak, stupid man?"
          Then something she’d overheard him say, long ago in their village, came back to her.           "I want her to love me and choose me. I don’t want her to have to marry me. I want her to want to marry me."
          She’d laughed with the rest of the village, assuming he’d said it only to give as excuse for not being able to fight her. Now she realized Mousse didn’t think like an Amazon. He thought like a outsider.
          She heard the bell ring in the building below and bounced down to Ranma’s classroom. She stopped in the window, watching him stare sadly at Akane’s empty desk.
          Did she look that sad? Did she make him look that sad? She took the bottle of perfume and the tube of lip gloss her grandmother had given her and stared at them for a few minutes. Both contained spices and herbs to put Ranma under her spell.
          Maybe the husband she chose wouldn’t need to be won by tricks. Besides, she’d come to like Japan. Surely dodging an entire tribe on Amazons wouldn’t be too difficult? She smashed them both against the window sill.
          The sound of breaking glass drew the attention of the entire class. Ukyou glanced at her then looked away and Ranma looked trapped.
          "Husband, you take Shampoo on second date tonight?’
          Ranma sighed. "Sure Shampoo. You just make sure the old ghoul has Akane’s cure by Valentine’s day or you’re both going to regret this."
          She jumped down and started for the café. She’d have to find a way to deal with her great grandmother. She was positive giving up on Ranma was not in Cologne’s plans.

          Sasuke hid in the tree above where Nabiki was eating her lunch. When she was alone, he dropped down in front of her. "I have gathered all the ingredients. They have been slowly boiling for days."
          She handed him a slip of paper. "Dr. Tofu added these. Have it ready before the party. Does Cologne know what you’re up to?
          "I have used Mistress Kodachi’s numerous contacts to obtain these supplies. They look like her regular orders."
          "Fine, just don’t make a mistake. Once she’s back on her feet, controlling Akane’s temper toward Ranma will be impossible. She’ll forget, mallet him and they’ll both be badly hurt. Make sure this cure works Sasuke. Do not let me down."
          "Yes Miss Nabiki." He bowed and backed away.
          "Oh, and Kasumi would like you to drop by the house tonight, if you would."
          "Of course."
          "Sasuke?"
          "Yes Miss Nabiki?"
          "How is Kunou?"
          "Suffering."
          "I see."
          "In more ways than you can imagine, Miss Nabiki."
          And before she could ask him what he meant, he was gone.

          Shampoo knocked on the door of the Tendo home, waiting nervously for a response.
          "Yes?" Akane stood there, holding the door open. Shampoo’s trained eye told her she was also holding it for support."
          "How violent girl today? Is better?"
          "I’m getting much better, thank you." She stepped aside. "Ranma’s not home yet, but you’re welcome to come in and wait."
          "Thank you." Shampoo followed her into the living room, surprised to find both Ryouga and Mousse. A card game was spread out on the table.
          "Hello Shampoo."
          "Hello Mousse, Ryouga."
          Ryouga’s smile was strained. "Another date with Ranma?"
          "Yes." She sat down, feeling uncomfortable.
          Akane sat next to Mousse and took his hand. Ryouga’s eyes widened.
          Akane noticed. "Ryouga-kun? Would you help me for a minute in the kitchen? I think Kasumi left us some cookies."
          Once out of the room, Akane leaned against the kitchen counter and took his hand. "I need you to do something for me. Mousse is trying to show Shampoo that he can survive without her. I’m helping him do that."
          "I see."
          "Ranma and Shampoo don’t. I care about Mousse, he’s a good friend. But you don’t have to worry."
          "I’m not worried," he lied.
          "There are only two men I love and would think of loving, Ryouga-kun. Mousse isn’t one of them."
          "I…" he began, then blushed as what she said became clear to him. "Thank you Akane-san." He leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.
          "So, please pretend for me that there’s maybe something between me and Mousse?"
          "I will. And Akane?"
          "Yes?"
          "I’m so sorry about P-chan. I didn’t mean to deceive you."
          "I know Ryouga. I know."

          Shampoo looked at Mousse as Akane and Ryouga left the room. "Is you okay?"
          "I’m fine, thank you. I’ve healed quite nicely here at the Tendos."
          "You very friendly with violent girl."
          "Akane is very sweet. She’s not violent towards me at all."
          "She must like you."
          "We get along quite well." Mousse pushed his glasses up on top of his head. His turquoise eyes met her violet ones. "We’ve grown close."
          "You love her now, not Shampoo?’
          "Why should you care? You’re in love with Ranma, remember? Isn’t that the reason you fought me? Nearly killed me? Because that dried up old monkey you’re related to didn’t want any distractions while you made the potion to separate Akane and Ranma?"
          "Shampoo fight you to show you she stronger."
          "Why? You knew I could never hurt you. Why fight me?"
          "Great grandmother tribal elder. Shampoo follow her guidance."
          "Blindly."
          "You stupid, blind duck! Shampoo see clearly," she jumped up into her fighting stance.
          "You’re more blind than I’ll ever be. Otherwise you’d see that Ranma doesn’t love you. He never will!"
          "He does!"
          "No Shampoo." Mousse’s voice raised to match her shouting.
          Tears glistened in her eyes. "You lie. Ranma date Shampoo not stupid violent girl. He take her to party. He love her."
          Mousse shook his head, his voice back to normal. "No Shampoo."
          Ranma walked into the room, stopping when he noticed the tension radiating off the two Chinese teenagers facing off against each other. "What’s goin’ on?"
          "Shampoo show you! She prove!" She ran to Ranma, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
          His brain stopped as her lips met his, her soft firm body pressed against him. "Wo ai ne," she whispered between kisses.
          Mousse hung his head. She would never see. His head came up fast as her heard a soft gasp followed by a whispered word, "Ranma?"

          Ryouga caught Akane’s arm to steady her. She was trembling fiercely as she stared at the sight before her.
          "Ranma?" Her soft question pierced his heart. This whole mess had started with a kiss she wasn’t meant to see and now he’d done it again. He broke away from the Amazon.
          "Akane….I can explain."
          "Don’t bother." Her brown eyes held nothing but betrayal. "Have a nice date you two. Ryouga? Mousse? Could you help me to my room? I suddenly don’t feel very well."

          Ranma ran down the street, Shampoo’s hand in his completely forgotten. In his mind all he could see was Akane’s look of betrayal. "STUPID! STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!" he shouted as he bounded up onto the room of the Cat Café.
          "Ranma? You okay? You let go of Shampoo now?" She spoke softly as she pulled away from him.
          He released her and sat down, staring at the roof. "No. I’m not okay. Ever since the mix up with Ukyou, everything has gone horribly wrong."
          "Wrong?" She sat near him, staying far enough away to keep him from feeling threatened.
          "You would think that my life couldn’t get much more confused, but everything is messed up. I mean Mousse and Akane, Ryouga and Nabiki, Ukyou and Kunou, you and me. What is that?"
          "I realize you no like Shampoo."
          "No, I do like you Shampoo. I just don’t love you. I’m sorry."
          She shrugged. "Shampoo know." She lay back on the roof. "She know long time. She even know maybe Amazon law wrong."
          He looked up at her, surprised evident on his face.
          "Ranma look shocked. I no stupid. Stubborn yes. I no know how to explain to great-grandmother."
          "You don’t love me?"
          Shampoo feel like Ranma. Maybe person love is not best person, but is person I love. Like person you love. He weak, she violent, but heart no care."
          "But do they love us? Ak…she’s furious with me right now. And she seems to like Ryouga and Mousse a lot better than me."
          "Mousse no act like he like Shampoo, but she no can change her heart. She understand that now."
          Ranma hugged her. "I know how you feel."
          She took a deep, shaky breath. "You still take Shampoo to party?"
          "I promised you three dates. I’m a man of honor."
          Cologne stepped back into the café. "You certainly are son-in-law." She pogoed to the kitchen and stared at her many books. What Shampoo had decided would cause problems upon their return to their village. However, things were never boring here in Nerima.

          Akane stood in the center of the dojo and tried to clear her mind. She wasn’t succeeding. All she could see were pictures of Ranma kissing Shampoo or Ukyou. She sat down on the blocks she’d been planning on destroying.
          Ever since the first time she’d seen him stepping out of the bath, she’d been attracted to him. She’d fought it for a while. Just when she was about to give in, every woman in the surrounding area had shown up with a claim as his fiancée. And all of them were cuter, sexier, nicer and better cooks. She had none of the skills he would want in a wife.
          And could she honestly not his him anymore? Could she just let his insults roll off her back? Uncute. Unsexy. She shook her head.
          No, she was right to let him out of the engagement. He was just being nice so she wouldn’t be forced into the same situation with Ryouga. Which would be worse, she wondered. Having a husband who doesn’t love you or a husband you don’t love?
          She stood up, bricks forgotten and headed for her room. She was surprised to see Ranma outside her door. "Hello Ranma."
          "Akane."
          "Did you need something?"
          He still couldn’t quite look at her. The faint bruises still broke his heart. "I…um…about today…"
          "Ranma, I think we should call off the engagement. You can have the dojo. We can share it without being married. You and whoever you decide to marry can live here. Just promise me not to tell anyone about me and Ryouga, okay?" She smiled, eyes tightly closed so no potential tears could escape.
          He stared at her, confused. "But what about our challenge?" *Doesn’t she realize I love her, nobody else? Does she love someone else?*
          "I can’t. Not if our engagement is off. Besides…" she reached over to touch his shoulder and couldn’t. "It’s not much of a challenge if we can’t touch, is it?" She opened her door and slipped into her room.
          Ranma stared at the nameplate in shock. Nabiki was right. She’d moved on. And he had no one to blame but himself.