<<<This file includes all work done on my silly attempt at a good Ranma fic... as you will probably see it's rather ridiculous...>>>

**Insert standard disclaimer here**

Okay- here's the deal- I've only seen the first two Ranma 1/2 TV shows, and a few of the OAV's. Therefore I don't have much first hand knowledge about Ranma 1/2. Yet, I have done extensive research on the net and feel I have a grasp on the characters if not the storyline. So- just take this as a little tribute to all the great fan fics out there that have inspired me, and don't expect it to follow the series at all. Unlike with most fan fics- I'm going to write ALL of this before I release any part of it (I hate waiting for chapters! Plus- I often find that I become unsatisfied with early chapters as my writing continues... this'll make it better for everyone!). So, be kind or cruel as you please and enjoy!

BTW- any language used other than "Japanese" (haha, like I know any Japanese :P) will be italicized for clarification.

I, Amazon

Prologue: Language Barriers

By: J.D. Freeman

Cologne and Shampoo were on a mission. Sent by the other Amazon Elders at her own request, Cologne was to find an ancient scroll containing one of the most powerful chi techniques possessed by the Amazon nation, the Dragon Basking Mirror Strike. It had been lost to the tribe for centuries somewhere in India. Legend told of a disrespectful young Amazon warrior who had stolen the scroll and ran away with her lover to the hills of India, never to be seen again. It was quite a romantic story, if not entirely true or approved of in discussion. Desiring to strengthen her family's standing in the Amazon village and perhaps impart a new skill upon her great grand daughter and herself, Cologne had dug into the stories and found bits and pieces of the truth. Now certain that she could recover the scroll, Cologne set off towards India. Originally Shampoo was to stay behind, but she changed her mind after having nearly lost a challenge to what should have been an easy opponent. She had lately been losing interest in martial arts, for no reason she could fathom, and desperately needed to regain her love of the art. She had thought that perhaps a training mission could help.

While traveling across a more barren roadway in the deep wilds of southern China, Cologne and Shampoo had decided to make camp near a stream in order to wash up and get much needed rest. Cologne had immediately disrobed and jumped into the water, her petite wrinkled form full of energy and life. Shampoo had been left to pitch the tent and start a cooking fire. She grumbled as she heard the carefree splashes of her great grandmother only a few yards away. Soon Shampoo had some ramen noodles cooking over the fire. Several minutes later Cologne returned from her bath, indicating that she would watch the food so that Shampoo could take a turn. Shampoo took off her heavy Chinese style jacket as she made her way to the stream. She sighed as she finally felt the tension leave her shoulders. Shampoo pulled her lush purple hair out of her face with a leather strip and rubbed some of the tiredness out of her eyes. She was just about to unbutton her red silk shirt when she heard fighting sounds back in the camp.

Genma sat in the bushes, the smell of food making his mouth water. Ranma wasn't much better off. Neither of them had eaten in days, and had very little qualms about stealing. Scratching his nose Genma watched as the purple haired girl left the camp and was replaced with an old crone. Certain he could snatch the food from her easily, Genma rushed out of the bushes. Ranma would have demanded that Genma leave the old woman alone as he was disgusted at harming the innocent, but his stomach had other ideas. By this time Genma was right upon the woman, reaching for the ramen noodles and other assorted traveling foods set out on a makeshift log by the old woman. The moment he came within range of her staff he found himself propelled into a nearby tree. Ranma soon ran out from within the bushes only to be confronted by a dazzlingly beautiful woman with purple hair and a very large metallic ball on a pole held in each hand. She welded the weapons as if they were weightless fans, lunging at Ranma and pushing him back into the brush. Ranma realized he was being outmaneuvered, so he quickly rushed the woman. Managing to get past her weapons, Ranma gave her a hard punch in the abdomen, causing her to gasp in pain. Quickly recovering she pressed Ranma once again, gaining the advantage and a few blows. Genma had by now recovered and was eyeing the old crone warily. He knew she was far beyond his skill, so he used the only other tactic left to him. Getting on his hands and knees he begged for his life.

Shampoo heard the older man yelling something, but she didn't know Japanese and was busy pummeling the other intruder, so she ignored him. Ranma was at this point a bit bruised and extremely frustrated. He jumped on Shampoo and tackled her. He hated hitting girls, and wanted to do whatever he could to avoid it. By this time Shampoo was extremely agitated. She really didn't want to be defeated by this horrible man. The thought of that sent revulsion through her, and she used her knee in a very tender spot. Just as Ranma rolled away clutching his anatomy, Cologne told Shampoo to end the fight immediately. Looking over at her great grandmother, she was shocked to see Cologne serving tea to the older man and talking politely with him in some foreign language. The man also barked something, probably at the boy. Shampoo stood with some difficulty and made her way to Cologne's side. The boy was still rolling around clutching himself. Shampoo sneered at his weakness.

The four travelers now sat at the fire, all wary of each other. After introductions, Cologne started some small talk, pulling Genma deeper into her trap every minute.

"So, you wish me to believe that you were forced to attack us by demons? Do these so called demons enjoy stealing from old women and little girls?" Cologne stared down the nervous man. His lie was obviously not being bought. He had hoped that the two women were just ignorant superstitious country people. This woman was going to be hard to fool.

"Oh, well, perhaps they were just hungry?" Genma regretted saying that the moment it left his mouth.

"Soatome-san, you have done us a great misdeed and dishonored yourself and your family in the process. I would suggest seppuku as a means to resolve this situation, but leaving your son without a father would be cruel on my part." Genma was about to nod eagerly, then gulped as he realized Cologne would have been willing to force him into suicide.

"Oh, yes my son needs a father ever so much! Since I'm his only family in the whole world," Genma started to tear up, the picture of sorrowful father, as Ranma sputtered out some of the tea he had been offered by Cologne.

"However, you do need to make amends, Saotome-san. I have noticed the strange way in which your son fights. What is the style?" Cologne leaned forward, her black eyes glinting in the firelight.

"Ah, the best martial art there is! Anything Goes School! I have trained him all of his life to be the best," Genma struck his fist in his palm, tears forming in his eyes, "Someday he will surpass even me!"

Ranma snorted, secure in the knowledge that he already had. Genma gave him a dirty look, and then turned back to Cologne.

"As I was saying, Anything Goes School of Martial Arts is the best there is. No fighter who studies only the art of a single weapon could beat one of us!" Genma was so busy bragging that he didn't notice the triumphant twinkle in Cologne's eyes.

"So, you would say all fighters should learn your technique?" Cologne gently asked.

"Of course! If they plan on actually defeating anyone they need a well rounded regimen!" By this time Genma was stuffing noodles and bits of dried fruit and meat down his throat at an alarming rate.

"Then it is decided. Thank you for offering to train my great granddaughter, Shampoo, while I continue on my journey. I'm sure she will enjoy learning your style of martial arts," Cologne looked smugly at Genma, the answer to her present predicament worked out.

"My pleas... HUH?" Genma sputtered, his eyes reaching an enormous size. Ranma giggled slightly, impressed at how Cologne had outmaneuvered Genma.

"Well, of course she is very self reliant, and hard working. I'm sure she'll be no trouble at all. I'm glad you offered, you see I'm going on a dangerous journey very soon and wouldn't want my precious granddaughter to get hurt," Cologne put on her best smile and nodded to impress the point that Shampoo was very important to her, "Well perhaps we should get some rest now, and you young people can get back on your training trip in the morning. Oh, how cranky old bones can be!"

"But... but..." Genma sat speechless, stunned at being outmaneuvered by such an old woman. He grew silent as he plotted how best to hightail it out of the area once the old woman was asleep.

"Have some more tea dears?"

"Oh, yes thank you!" Genma nodded eagerly, amazed at how well the old woman made the stuff.

Shampoo scowled at the two men sitting across the fire from her and her great grandmother. The younger one, Ranma, fiddled nervously with his hands, every once in a while wincing apologetically at Shampoo. Shampoo could tell by Cologne's body language that the older man, Genma, was being rather rude, which wasn't something Cologne would normally have dealt with. She must have a very good reason, Shampoo decided. Only a few moments ago, however, he had been nothing but a common thief. Wishing she knew Japanese, Shampoo listened for anything familiar in the conversation. Her interest peaked when she heard her name, and she began to realize that Cologne must have just pulled a nasty little trick on the strange man when he began to sputter at something Cologne had said. Shampoo's mouth quirked slightly at that. She had already judged Genma, and decided him to be most worthy of whatever punishment her great grandmother dealt him.

She then noticed Cologne mixing an extra herb in with the new batch of tea. No doubt she would make sure the intruders would think twice before trying to steal food again. Shampoo wondered whether it would make them ill or simply uncomfortable. Who knew when it came to Cologne? After the two men had had their fill of her food, they staggered to their respective blankets, much more tired looking than they had been before.

Cologne jumped up onto the log Shampoo had been sitting on all night and patted her hand while cooing softly. Shampoo became worried. Cologne was not one to be very open with her affections, and this was as loving as she had ever been. She was planning something, and Shampoo was most likely not going to like it.

"Shampoo, I have some mixed news. I know you wish to come with me to India to find the scroll. I have thought long and hard, and I just cannot allow you to do that," Cologne silenced Shampoo's protests with a wave of her hand, "I want you to learn more and become stronger before you must face the demons that will be on my path. Though that fool Saotome is not a good man, he is a good lesson. Take all the knowledge you can from him."

"What are you saying? What do you mean? Why should I have anything to do with him? I should just return to the village to train if you find me so unworthy," Shampoo let a slight amount of bitterness enter her voice as she crossed her arms in defiance.

"What more can you learn there? You've already passed almost all of the other warriors. That boy was a match for you. If you hadn't used that dirty trick he might very well be your husband now. Think on that," Cologne looked straight into Shampoo's eyes, "Don't take no for an answer. You need to train, and train hard, if you ever wish to become an Elder of the Amazons. I know you can take care of yourself, and I will see you again soon, child. Just remember what is at stake here. I must go, it's best if I'm not here when they wake up."

Cologne hopped off of the log, picked up her backpack, and perched atop her cane. She was soon gone amid the darkness.

Ranma's head was pounding, the sun a blazing ball of pain tearing into his skull. Slowly sitting up on his sleeping blankets, he realized that Genma had not woken him up yet. He was sure the old man had been planning on ditching the crazy ladies during the night. Perhaps he had over eaten. Getting to his feet, Ranma found his father slumbering peacefully only a few feet away, and the smell of something delicious on the wind. Turning to the Chinese woman's camp he found the same purple haired girl he had fought yesterday stirring a pot of some kind of soup.

"Hi, I'm Ranma... are you Shampoo?" Ranma nervously placed a hand behind his head and laughed slightly; still afraid of her after the kick she had given him the night before.

"I guess he's introducing himself, you'd think he would have realized last night when I never spoke a word of Japanese that I don't know the stupid language," Shampoo thought aloud in Chinese.

Shampoo was in a bad mood at being left behind with two such dishonorable men, especially with the fact that she couldn't understand a thing they said.

"Um, well I guess you don't know any Japanese... so, is uh, Cologne-san here?" Ranma motioned with his hands indication someone who used a cane, trying to help Shampoo understand him.

"Oh, the stupid foreign boy wants to talk to my great grandmother. Well, she left last night and now you're stuck with me for a long time," Shampoo used her first two fingers to make a walking motion and then pointed in a general direction, hoping Ranma would get her meaning.

"So she took a walk, huh? Well at least there's something to eat," Ranma sauntered up to the small camp and sat across from Shampoo, expecting to be served some of the soup.

Shampoo placed the soup ladle in his hands, thinking he was finally coming around to realize his roll as a man, and thus her inferior. Ranma stared at it as if it had just turned into a gerbil and peed in his hand. Shampoo crossed her arms, looking at the soup and afraid the boy would let it burn.

"Haven't you seen a stupid ladle before? You use it to stir the soup," Shampoo made stirring gestures, "Ug, give it back you idiot! Our food is going to burn!"

Shampoo grabbed the spoon from him and growled, stirring the soup frantically. She was not going to be a servant to these inferior men. Wishing she knew Japanese, and cursing herself for agreeing to this, Shampoo finished up with the soup. Serving herself, Shampoo grabbed a handful of nuts from her backpack and sat back against one of the few trees that dared grow in such a desolate place. Not having a spoon, Shampoo gulped the soup down straight from the bowl, relishing the seaweed she had carefully packed away for just such a dreary day. Popping a nut into her mouth every so often, Shampoo started to feel slightly better. Noticing Ranma using the ladle and slurping soup straight from the pot, she cringed in disgust. He could have asked for a bowl at least. Not that she had one or would understand Japanese, but it was just common decency.

By this time Genma had risen from his slumber, startled at the fact that he had slept all night. His head pounded, and his mouth watered at the smell of the soup. Noticing Ranma hogging it, he growled and rambled his way over to his son.

"What, have you no manners? I should get soup first since I am your master and father! Hand over that spoon!" Genma made a rush to grab the utensil.

"Hey, pops! Watch it! You're gonna knock the soup over! I get first dibs, I was up earlier!" Ranma shoved his father back and began snarfing up large strips of seaweed and noodles in the ladle.

At this point Shampoo was getting very angry. Having just finished her breakfast she was not in the mood to witness a scuffle, or to have her cooking pot broken by the two slobs.

"You stop this at once, you ungrateful men! Learn your place!" Shampoo stood up and grabbed the ladle from Ranma. She then took the soup pot and upended it's contents on both the men, who were too shocked to do much other than stare, "Now, no more food for the rest of day! Pack your things; I'm ready to leave. Damn, they can't understand me. Next village we find I'm buying a Japanese dictionary..."

The two men had no idea what had just been said to them, but they gathered that Shampoo was not altogether very happy with their behavior. She walked off to the nearby stream to clean off the pot, leaving the two men to their own devices. As soon as she was slightly out of sight, Genma grabbed Ranma and pulled him over to their supplies.

"Quick, grab your things! We're getting out of here fast! I don't need some moody woman ruining our training journey!" Genma pushed at Ranma, who was at that moment picking the noodles off of his shoulders and eating them.

"That isn't fair, pops! We promised that old lady we would," Ranma rolled up his blanket and stared at his father, "Anyway, you have to admit that that was some soup. If we keep her around, maybe we can eat like that more often."

"Yeah if she doesn't dump it on our heads first," Genma was soon picking bits of food off of his shoulders as well, "No, son, as much as it pains me to say it, food isn't worth dealing with that kind of temper."

Shampoo soon came back up to the two men, clean pot in hand and a slight scowl on her otherwise pretty face. Genma jumped about a foot off the ground when he saw her, hoping they would have had more time to pack and leave.

"Oh, ah, hello Miss... um... so I guess you'll be training with us?" Genma stuttered out.

"She doesn't speak Japanese dad," Ranma snickered

"Oh, just great. I've got a son who won't listen to me and now a student who can't! Why me?"

"Are you ignorant men ready to go? I have already packed my things. Humph, why do I keep thinking you understand simple Chinese? You obviously don't have the capability to learn such a complex language," Shampoo snickered slightly at the put down, then gathered her pack and shouldered it.

Genma and Ranma were amazed that such a slight woman could lift the enormous pack, complete with iron pots and a tent, not to mention clothes and food supplies. There was only a slight look of discomfort at first and then Shampoo straightened as if she wore something as light as a scarf around her shoulders.

"Dang! That must weight over a hundred pounds, pops!" Ranma stared in wonder at Shampoo, who just looked at him questioningly.

"Well, maybe we can use a third member in out troop!" Genma then tried to hand his much smaller pack to Shampoo, who growled at him in anger at even suggesting she carry his things.

"Hey, don't make her mad, she might hog all the food."

"Good thinking! Then perhaps you would like the honor of carrying your master's things?" Genma didn't give Ranma a chance to decline the "honor"; he just threw the straps over his son's shoulders and lumbered down the road, expecting his students to follow.

Ranma grumbled, then placed his pack in front of his body, so that the two packs balanced out on both sides of him, and headed off behind Genma. Shampoo soon followed, finding herself becoming more and more curious about the pair of strange men.

>>>Continued<<<

Contact: j_delight@hotmail.com

Web Site: http://www.oocities.org/jana_sama/index.html

Date: April 24, 2001

Please feel free to send me all C&C you may have. I always listen, and reply. ^.^

**Insert standard disclaimer here**

BTW- any language used other than "Japanese" will be italicized for clarification and panda signs are put in [boxes].

I, Amazon

Chapter One: Shampoo 1/2?

By: J.D. Freeman

A flash of purple was all Ranma saw right before being slammed into the side of a building. Trying not to injure Shampoo Ranma regained his footing and shoulder slammed the Amazon into a nearby fruit stand. Strangely, none of the bystanders seemed to notice a certain older man stuffing whatever he could swipe into his backpack. All eyes were on the two fighters as they performed amazing feats of strength, all of which were aimed at clobbering each other. Ranma dodged one of Shampoo's weapons, which he now knew were called bon borri. The giant metal sphere missed him entirely and broke open a chicken coop, adding to the already chaotic mess surrounding the combatants. Genma, who had filled his pack to the brim with fruits and vegetables, crept out of the fray and towards the open road. Ranma, noticing his father had left already, gave Shampoo a roundhouse kick that sent her sprawling. Jumping up to the roof, he raced away from the small market. Shampoo followed close behind, shouting threats in Chinese and waving her bon borri madly. After several minutes of this, they made it to the edge of the village and continued the chase on the ground. Passing Genma, they made their way to a small clump of forest on the large grassy fields of the small rural community they had just left. Entering the forest, they slowed and started giggling. Shampoo sat down on a bed of leaves and took her backpack off, soon followed by Ranma.

"So what did ya get?" Ranma scratched the side of his face and smiled.

"Um... Shampoo get much... noodle," Reaching into her pack, Shampoo pulled out a few boxes of ramen noodles and dug further into her pack, "And... soap... Shampoo think this dried beef... what you find?"

Ranma dumped the contents of his pack on the forest floor and rifled through them.

"Um, I got some chocolate... some ginger, or at least some kind of root thing... some apples... hmmmmm... I really don't see how you pick up so much when we do that! I almost never get anything good!" Ranma cried out in frustration, then bit into an apple, only to yell again when he found out it was an extremely sour kind.

"Oh, poor Ranma! Is because Shampoo fast. Um... what word... dexterous," Shampoo quickly grabbed a bar of chocolate and bit into it, glad Ranma had found something worth eating, "Is not Ranma's fault male body bulky. Is why women better."

"Ha! Sure, whatever Shampoo! When will you realize that men are a lot cooler than girls ever could be?" Ranma stuck his tongue out at her, which she pinched before he could get it back in his mouth.

"Ranma take back insult, or Shampoo break off tongue!" Shampoo giggled a little, then was assaulted by Ranma's hands as he tickled her stomach, "Hiya!"

They rolled around a bit in mock battle, still high from the endorphins brought about by a good haul. Soon Genma trudged up to the two and sank to his knees in front of the two, opening his pack to reveal a much larger supply of food and items.

"Okay, cut it out, we have a few minutes before they send a search party out here to figure out what happened to you two. Let's split up the stuff and grab the rest of our gear," Genma began stuffing fruits and vegetables of all type and size into Shampoo and Ranma's backpacks. Gathering themselves up, the two headed towards a nearby oak. Ranma helped Shampoo up into the crook of the tree where she pulled out several bags and a few other items which she threw at Ranma. Bounding out of the tree and grabbing some of the supplies she made her way back to where Genma was divvying up the stolen goods. Soon all the members of the party were packed and ready to go. Genma leading the way with Shampoo right behind and Ranma a close third the group made their way out of the small forest and continued on to find the training grounds that seemed to litter China.

Shampoo lay awake next to the campfire, thinking back on the past two years. She did miss her great grandmother, but knew she was most likely back safely in the Amazon village by now. Having lived so close to the two Japanese men for the duration of those years, Shampoo had truly learned to love the art once again, so it was worth missing her family a little. At first it had been terrible, not understanding anything they said and feeling entirely alone. They would often try to leave her behind in some village somewhere, and sneak off. She had always followed out of duty to her family. Then, after a few months in their company and many broken Japanese dictionaries, Shampoo had begun to understand them, and speak a slight bit of the strange language herself. Soon Genma had accepted her fully as his student, and abandoning her now would have been unthinkable. Ranma had become her friend, but only after she had allowed herself to enjoy sparring with him. Now she called Genma uncle and stole from marketplaces without much thought to the ethics of such actions. Sometimes, however, like tonight, she felt real despair at what she was becoming. She had slowly grown to feel like a part of the family, and what a family that was. Some of the deplorable things they did just to survive would have curled the old Shampoo's lip. When it was quiet, and the others were asleep, Shampoo would sit up and look at the stars. She would wonder how things were in her village, and what her great grandmother had found on her journey. She would also wonder if her great grandmother would approve of her now, now that she had sunk to the level of thieves and outsider men.

Shampoo turned on her side and drifted off into her dreams, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

"What Uncle mean is wonderful training ground? Is Jusenkyo! Cursed springs turn you into something bad! Can no go there!" Shampoo stamped her foot, leaving a small crater, and ran after the two forms that were continuing on without her.

"C'mon Shampoo, it's just a myth! We should be able to get in some great training before you go back home... I mean, you do want to train with us some more, right?" Ranma looked back over his shoulder at the approaching figure of Shampoo.

"Yes, Shampoo wants to train with Ranma, but not Jusenkyo. Is no myth! Shampoo seen man turn into dog, is true Ranma!" Shampoo grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes pleadingly, "Bad things happen always, cursed springs change one and there is no cure! Must listen!"

"I know you believe that, but Shampoo, it's just a little training mission! C'mon, the faster we get there the sooner I can kick your butt!" Ranma teased, but Shampoo just crossed her arms and stomped on ahead, "What's gotten into her anyways?"

Genma jumped up onto the bamboo pole, much to the annoyance of Shampoo who had been hoping the two foolish men would listen to her in the end. When Ranma followed, Shampoo became nervous.

"C'mon Shampoo, we can all spar up here! It's great for your balance!" Ranma called from atop the pole.

"If Shampoo is too scared of getting cursed to spar with us, then we should just leave her alone. She is just a girl!" Genma chose that moment to strike.

Ranma kicked out at Genma, then twisted in mid air to stand once more on one of the bamboo poles. Genma regrouped and hopped from one bamboo pole to the next, heading straight for Ranma. Jumping up into the air, Ranma took his father by surprise and sent him hurtling straight for Shampoo.

Shampoo could only stare at Genma's form as he plummeted straight at her. She felt as if she were stuck in glue, her legs wouldn't respond and she began to panic.

"Hey, Pops! What's the rush?" Ranma tried to keep up with a giant panda, whose legs were a blur.

"Oh, my! A panda!!! Call the zoo!" "Help, help! We'll all be eaten!" "Where is it going anyway?" several observers backed away from the large animal, and were quite shocked when a maroon haired boy jumped out from nowhere and tackled the beast.

"Uncle, slow down for Shampoo! Boy body is clumsy!" the boy jumped off of the panda and rearranged his clothes. His hair was braided down his back, reaching all the way to his waist and he wore blue Chinese pants with a black top whose tails in the front and back reached almost to the ground. His body was bulky, but not overly so.

"[I'm cold and hungry]turn sign[so hurry up!]" the panda used a large wooden sign with kanji scrawled across it to communicate with his two students.

"Aw, pops, fine! C'mon Shampoo let's go," Ranma grabbed the other boy's hand and dashed off, the panda not far behind.

"Kasumi, Nabiki, Akane! Wonderful news!" Soun Tendo sat in front of a low Japanese-style table holding a well-worn postcard with a panda chewing bamboo on the front, and crying fountains, "Where are those girls?"

After several moments of gathering together his family, Soun began to explain what was causing him so much joy.

"My good friend Genma is returning from China with his son Ranma! They have been on a training trip for the past ten years, and now they are finally coming home! Oh, what a wonderful day! And one of you will get to marry his son Ranma!"

The three girls' eyes widened, and Akane slammed her fist into the table.

"Daddy, what do you mean, marry?!" Akane fumed; angered that he would make such an important decision for her.

"Hey, maybe he's cute. Is he daddy?" Nabiki put on her best smile, and tried to hide her annoyance at such an arrangement.

"Oh, I don't really know. I've never seen him before," Soun was a bit shocked when Akane broke the table in half.

Kasumi ran to the door the moment the four Tendos heard a loud knock, followed by her sisters and then Soun. Opening it, she nearly fainted at seeing a giant panda holding a sign with kanji on it.

"[It's good to be back!] turn sign [Could I perhaps have some hot water?]" Genma panda growfed happily at seeing his friend Soun, who was at this point wide eyed, and protecting his daughters from the literate panda.

Ranma stepped out in front of the panda and bowed to Soun, somewhat calming the Tendos.

"Are you R-r-ranma?" Soun was shaking with shock at seeing the giant panda.

"Yes, Ranma Saotome. This is my father, Genma, and my friend Shampoo," Ranma motioned to the panda, and then the maroon haired boy who had been unnoticed up until that point.

"G-g-genma? Is that really you old friend?"

"[Yup. Long story, I could use some hot water.]" Genma had a slightly peeved look on his face, at least about as peeved as a panda can seem.

The Tendos and their three guests sat around the dining room table, which looked out over the garden and koi pond. Nabiki was prodding the panda and smirking. Kasumi had gone to get a pot of water boiling, leaving Akane and Soun to try and stop Nabiki from enraging the panda. Ranma had at this point become rather agitated, and Shampoo just stared at his surroundings.

"So, Ranma, what do you think of my three daughters?" Soun had a little mischievous look on his face.

"Oh, um, well... they all seem nice..."

Soun giggled a little, then struck a stoic pose and tried to act as respectable as possible.

"Here's your hot water, I hope it helps," Kasumi handed the kettle over to Ranma, who immediately poured its contents over Genma panda.

The Tendos gasped collectively as the panda rearranged itself into a middle-aged man with a scarf tied around his head and glasses firmly in place in his nose.

"Genma! My old friend! How did such a terrible curse befall you?" Soun was wide eyed, and Nabiki finally stopped poking Genma, only to turn her attention to Shampoo.

"Soun, my dearest comrade, I have but one word... Jusenkyo!" Genma struck a dramatic pose, causing Ranma to chuckle.

Shampoo had by now grabbed the kettle and was disappointed to find it empty.

"Ranma no leave Shampoo any! Shampoo no want to be stuck as man all day!"

"What were you before, a panda? Is that it?" Nabiki was now inspecting every inch of Shampoo, and squeezing a few delicate areas in the process.

"No, Shampoo is woman!" Shampoo grabbed Nabiki's hands and threw them away, causing Akane to stand up protectively over her older sister.

"Oh, hey, sorry Shampoo, I guess I kinda forgot you needed it too," Ranma looked apologetically at Shampoo.

"Forget? Forget! How Ranma forget Shampoo a girl? You seen enough over year to know!" Shampoo crossed his arms, and stuck his nose in the air.

Kasumi returned with some hot tea, which Shampoo used to change forms (to Kasumi's dismay). Dumping the tea over himself, Shampoo's body shifted. Her braided hair became a deep purple and she grew shorter by almost a foot. She gained all the attributes a woman should have in a split second. Kasumi fainted and Soun began to cry.

"Oh, how horrible! To become a man when you are such a lovely young lady! Genma, you must tell us how this happened!" Soun was now weeping jets of water at his friend's misfortune.

"Well, it all started when we decided to train at Jusenkyo..."

"We? Was uncle's fault! Shampoo warn uncle Jusenkyo bad place, but no listen!"

"Well, anyway, I decided to go to Jusenkyo, sure that it would be the perfect place to hone our skills right before Shampoo returned to her village...

"Ranma and I had jumped up on top of the bamboo poles that were stuck within the pools of Jusenkyo. After exchanging a few blows, I humored Ranma by allowing him to push me off of the poles."

"Yeah, whatever pops! I kicked you down fair and square!"

"AS I WAS SAYING... Eh hem... I accidentally fell towards Shampoo, who had been waiting below as she didn't want a so-called "curse". I sadly allowed her to jump out of my way into one of the pools."

"No! Uncle fall on Shampoo and she get pushed in pool! You lie!"

"Um... well... back to what I was saying," Genma was now sweating bullets, and staring nervously at Shampoo, "So Shampoo fell into the pool of drowned man, and then charged me and threw me into the pool of drowned panda."

"Oh, what you have gone through in the name of martial arts!" Soun was in tears, literally as he had soaked through his clothing, "Genma, I would be proud to have your son marry one of my daughters!"

"Oh, Soun! I had thought this day would never come soon enough! We will finally join our two schools of Anything Goes martial arts!"

Ranma stared wide-eyed at his father.

"Whaddya mean marry? You never told me nothin about this pops!"

"Yeah, what uncle mean marry?"

"Well, you see I made an agreement with Soun that one day our families would be joined," Genma took a dramatic stance, "And now it is time to honor that agreement and decide who will be your fiancée!"

"But- but- but I'm not ready for marriage!"

"Oh, it's never to soon to start producing heirs for the school of Anything Goes martial arts!"

"Well, my daughters, which one of you would like to be Ranma's fiancée?"

"Um, well, he's a bit too young for me..." Kasumi smiled apologetically.

"Hey, I think Akane is just perfect for him. She's just his age and the best martial artist of all three of us," Nabiki patted Akane on the back and sealed her fate.

"What? But I don't..."

"Then it is settled! Ranma is Akane's fiancée!" Soun beamed in happiness.

Shampoo's eye twitched slightly.

"Akane like to spar with Shampoo?" Shampoo had a slight gleam in her eye.

"Yeah, I could use a good fight right about now," Akane led Shampoo out as Ranma argued with his father about getting married to Akane and Kasumi tried to get her father to stop crying.

Shampoo faced Akane as they entered the dojo, sizing up her opponent.

"So, how long have you known Genma and Ranma?"

"Two year. Why Akane want to know?"

"Just curious!" Akane had a slight edge to her voice.

"What Akane think of Ranma?"

"I don't really care, as long as I don't have to marry him! What were they thinking? I want to choose who I marry!"

"Yes, Akane no want marry Ranma, he no good for Akane. Akane find much better man. Now, ready to fight?"

"You bet!"

Akane jumped at Shampoo and threw a punch at her head, only to connect with nothing but air. Looking back she saw that Shampoo was just standing there, her eyes mockingly gleaming. Akane kicked at Shampoo, who grabbed her leg and threw Akane to the floor. Akane jumped back up and threw a punch at Shampoo's abdomen. Shampoo knocked Akane's hand away and kneed Akane in the stomach. Akane gasped in air as Shampoo touched the back of the other girl's head, signaling her the victor.

"Akane is not bad, for outsider girl," Shampoo smoothed her shirt, then smiled at Akane.

Akane just stared at Shampoo for a few moments, then broke out in a grin.

"I'm just glad you're really a girl, I'd hate to be beaten by a guy!" Akane giggled, and Shampoo nodded in agreement.

"Only man who ever beat Shampoo is Ranma, and that training, no count," Shampoo had a slightly pensive look on her face, "Shampoo no ready for marriage, so fight for freedom."

"Huh? Whatcha mean by that?" Akane was reminded of her daily scirmishes at school, and grimaced.

"Amazon law say Shampoo marry man who beat in combat, kill if woman. Is many law in Amazon tribe to keep Amazon strongest of all."

Akane thought about this for a moment, then realized that she was sweaty.

"I'm gonna go take a bath, wanna join me?"

"Yes, Shampoo not have bath in many weeks. No place but stream when training," Shampoo giggled, causing Akane to join in with small peals of laughter.

"Hey, when did you first leave home, anyway?" Akane was soaking up to her neck in the hot bath water, and idly scratching her foot.

"Shampoo on road since maybe fourteen. Not planned to be gone from village so long," Shampoo gazed wistfully at her hands under the surface of the water.

"Why don't you go home now? I mean, the training mission is over, right? Not that I want you to, but you sound home sick," Akane empathized with Shampoo, having grown up without a mother she knew it was hard to be apart from one for so long.

"How Shampoo explain curse? Other Amazons think Shampoo weak, think Shampoo not good for tribe. What great grandmother think..." Shampoo teared up slightly, before shaking her head to clear it of her sorrows, "Genma and Ranma is Shampoo's only hope for happy life. Real family no accept Shampoo as man. Uncle and Ranma like family, have no where else to go..."

Akane felt bad for Shampoo, but had no idea what to say. She didn't have to think anything up because only seconds later the door opened to reveal a very naked Ranma, who's eyes got slightly wider. Akane was so stunned she couldn't even throw something at him.

"Nihao Ranma. Water is very hot, good soak! Ranma? Akane? What wrong with you?" Shampoo just stared curiously at the frozen look of horror on Akane's face and Ranma's fearful expression.

"Uh, Akane... I didn't know you were in here... Um... ha ha... I think I hear someone yelling at me!" Ranma made a mad dash for the door, just missing being hit with a furiously thrown bar of soap.

"Hentai! Ranma no baka!" Akane was so furious the water around her seemed to boil with her anger.

"What wrong with Akane?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong! That hentai freak just saw me naked! That's what's wrong!"

"Oh, Ranma see Shampoo naked before on training mission. Was accident, he no know you here. He no pervert, just not smart."

"You let him see you naked before?" Akane stared in wide eyed horror at Shampoo.

"Never on purpose, at first Shampoo very mad... So can understand Akane's anger. Then Shampoo no care anymore as Ranma no do harm and is just stupid boy. Curse make Shampoo really no care. Shampoo is half man, so what it matter?"

"Um, but right now you are a girl, Shampoo... It sort of makes it wrong, don't you think?" Akane stared at Shampoo as if she were insane, and Shampoo started to feel a bit embarrased.

"Hmmmm, maybe Akane right... Ranma have airen now, anyway. Shampoo no let Ranma see naked anymore without punish!" Shampoo clenched her fist to push her point.

Akane smiled, trying not to laugh, and got out of the tub.

Shampoo lay on her futon in Akane's room. The two would have to share until Shampoo was able to make enough money to rent somewhere, which she had promised to do soon. She listened to the other girl lightly snore and thought back to when she was a child living with her great grandmother for weeks at a time. Cologne snored almost as much as Akane. There was some familiarity to the sound, and Shampoo fell asleep thinking about her village, and how it would seem frozen in time as the night descended over it, and the crickets would chirp in awe.

>>>Continued<<<

Contact: j_delight@hotmail.com

Web Site: http://www.oocities.org/jana_sama/index.html

Date: April 21, 2001

Please feel free to send all C&C you may have. I always listen, and reply. ^.^

**Insert standard disclaimer here**

I, Amazon

Chapter Two: Woda Airen!?

By: J.D. Freeman

Akane woke with a start as the alarm clock screamed at her. Stretching, she shut off the infernal racket and turned to wake up the Amazon. However, Shampoo's bed was empty, and Akane could hear sounds of battle raging in the dojo's garden. Shaking her head, Akane got ready for school.

"Uncle too slow! Shampoo beat even in male form!" Shampoo stood on top of Genma panda's shoulders, taunting him by jumping whenever Genma tried to get a hold of him.

Ranma chose that moment to throw several punches at the panda's midriff. Working in unison, the two fighters managed to beat on the old man pretty badly.

"Breakfast!" Kasumi sauntered out of the kitchen with several platters of food in her arms. Nabiki followed carrying the tea.

Soon the household was gathered around the table, Genma, Ranma and Shampoo fighting over breakfast as usual. After several moments, Kasumi exclaimed "Oh my!" as a thought occurred to her.

"I'm going to have to go shopping today! We just ran out of tea, and with all our new guests the food won't last much longer."

"Shampoo go with Kasumi," Shampoo was eager to explore Nerima, and decided that it would be polite to accompany his most gracious hostess in order to help her carry the groceries. Living with Genma for two years hadn't entirely destroyed Shampoo's manners.

"Yeah, I'll go too. I wanna see what it's like around here when you aren't chasing after a stupid panda all day," Ranma snickered as Genma tried to scribble out a witty retort on his sign.

"Oh, that would be wonderful. You two are so helpful!" Kasumi gave them both a warm smile, and then began to clear the table.

"Well, I've gotta go to school. See you guys later," Akane grabbed her leather school satchel and headed for the door, followed by a flustered Nabiki. For some reason Shampoo felt like he had very little privacy where the middle Tendo daughter was concerned. Shampoo caught her staring at times when he was in his male form. Shampoo shrugged and went to take a hot bath.

Kasumi smiled as she led a now female Shampoo and a slightly bored Ranma across the peaceful streets of Nerima. Shampoo continuously asked about the places she saw, and got cheerful answers from Kasumi. Soon the group found themselves in a little marketplace where kindly old ladies sold fruit in open-air racks and men cut and cleaned a variety of meats. Kasumi seemed familiar with most of the sellers, and was given special prices by a few. Just as Kasumi finished with her cooking and was prepared to go back home, Ranma and Shampoo tensed.

"Ranma Saotome! Prepare to die!" A brown haired boy jumped down from the roof of a nearby building, wielding a bamboo umbrella and hurling several of his yellow and black bandannas at Ranma, "I have finally found you! I will make you pay for the hell you put me through!"

"Ryouga? Is that you?" Ranma stared in bewilderment and would have been hit by the cascading bandanas had Shampoo not blocked them with her bonborri.

Shaking himself out of his shock induced trance, Ranma threw a punch at the other boy. Blocking with his umbrella, Ryouga smashed a kick into Ranma's side. Ranma grunted in pain, losing focus slightly. Shampoo was getting quite livid at the boy ruining her first peaceful day in quite awhile, so she began hitting him over and over on the head with her bonborri. Ryouga turned after dazing Ranma with a hard punch to the jaw and tried to block Shampoo's attacks. Just as Ranma was about to belt Ryouga, a black and white blur raced from out of an alley and snatched Ranma up. Speeding off, one could almost hear a sonic boom coming from the departing kidnapper as he approached the speed of sound while running from Ryouga.

Ryouga turned, only to find Ranma gone. Turning back to Shampoo, who was still steadily banging Ryouga on the head with her bonborri, Ryouga was sure she had distracted him just long enough for the cowardly boy to escape. Fury began to rage inside of him and he began pummeling Shampoo right back. Shampoo could find very few openings in Ryouga's attack, and was soon feeling dizzy from having her body treated in such a way. She crumpled into a beaten pile, and only after Ryouga regained a certain level of control did he realize what he had just done.

"Oh, no! Are you okay, Miss? I'm really sorry; I didn't mean to do this... It's just sometimes I get carried away!" Ryouga lifted Shampoo's prone form into his arms, and looked down into her face. Kasumi ran to Shampoo as fast as she could, fear in her eyes.

Shampoo used the last bit of her strength to stare at Ryouga, lift her head up to his and sorrowfully kiss him.

"Wo ai ni."

"Hey, what's the idea old man? I've got to get back there! Shampoo is all alone with that maniac!" Ranma was held tightly by the panda, who impressively held up a sign while still holding onto the extremely angry Ranma.

"[I have a bad premonition about this whole situation.]turn sign[I had to act on my instincts and save my son!]"

"You coward! Lemme go! I gotta go help Shampoo!" Using all of his strength, Ranma managed to push out of Genma's arms. Not waiting for the panda to regroup, Ranma jumped up onto the roof of a nearby building and headed off in the direction of the market.

Ryouga was in shock, having never been kissed before, especially not by someone who he had just pummeled into the dirt. Kasumi was calm now and trying to see if Shampoo was badly injured. Ranma jumped down in front of Ryouga, having seen what he had done to Shampoo and wanting to beat the boy to within an inch of his life several times over.

"Ranma! Help me get Shampoo to Doctor Tofu's!" the desperation in Kasumi's voice made up Ranma's mind. He kicked dirt at Ryouga in frustration, then grabbed Shampoo and jumped up onto the rooftops of Nerima, heading towards Doctor Tofu's clinic.

"Well, Shampoo, it looks like you'll be fine in a while. I want you to rest for at least two days before you do any training, and spend one of them in bed," Tofu beamed at Shampoo.

"Were Shampoo's airen?" Shampoo looked around a bit, then focused on Ranma.

"Huh? What's an airen?"

"Is Shampoo's rightful husband. Boy who beat me now Shampoo's airen and must marry Shampoo," Shampoo looked saddened slightly by this, but tried to hide it. Gaining an airen was supposed to be a good thing, a happy moment for an Amazon... she just wished it were someone else... Shampoo snapped at that thought before it could really surface and bravely faced what was now apparently her future.

"Not Ryouga?!"

"Yes, Shampoo must marry airen Ryouga or dishonor fall on family," Shampoo's eyes pleaded with Ranma to understand, "Is Amazon law."

"I'm gonna wring that loser's neck for this! What a jerk!"

"You would do for Shampoo?" Shampoo's eyes sparkled in happiness, "Ranma would challenge airen Ryouga?"

"Yeah, why not? He beat you up!"

"So, Ranma want Shampoo for himself? Oh, Shampoo did no think Ranma felt this way!" Shampoo's eyes glimmered with the beginnings of love.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Ranma... no want Shampoo? Then why say you challenge airen Ryouga?"

Ranma was utterly confused now, and was given a slight reprieve as Kasumi entered the clinic.

"Why Kasumi!" Dr. Tofu's glasses clouded over and he started giggling wildly, "What are you doing here?"

Dr. Tofu started dancing with Betty-chan, a medical skeleton he kept in his clinic. Humming, he began to bend odd pieces of metal and asking Kasumi very strange questions. Ranma took this opportunity to grab Shampoo and sneak out of the office.

Ryouga started wandering the streets of Nerima, entirely oblivious to his surroundings as he thought about the kiss and what she had said afterwards. Wo ai ni... That was Chinese, he was pretty sure. Ryouga wanted to think that maybe she liked him, but it was more likely some form of exotic death threat. Best just to forget about her... Who could want someone like him...

Ryouga walked on despondently, not noticing the dojo to his right or the pounding of feet running to meet him.

"Ryouga! You better have a good explanation for beating up Shampoo!" Ranma lunged at Ryouga with a flying kick, shaking the lost boy out of his depression.

"Ranma Saotome! You will pay for what you have put me through!" Ryouga pummeled Ranma with punches, but hardly noticed when Ranma ducked beneath them and side kicked him in the back.

Ryouga fell with an oomph, only to be grabbed by Ranma and turned to face him.

"Now Shampoo has some crazy idea that you have to marry her! Stupid Amazon laws! I should pound you down to nothing for this!" Ranma was about to give Ryouga's nose a bit of unlicensed plastic surgery with his fist when Kasumi interrupted.

"Please, stop this, both of you," the disappointment in her tone made both boys feel extremely guilty, "I've been talking to Shampoo, and she wants to see Ryouga. It's very important to her Ranma; if you are truly her friend you will stop this long enough for Shampoo to have a chance to explain this. Maybe Ryouga can also tell us why he felt he had to interrupt our nice peaceful day to fight with you," Kasumi smiled slightly, but it was evident that she was about as angry with Ryouga as she could be with anyone.

Leading the two boys inside, she sighed. Didn't anyone have the common decency to just work out their problems before hitting each other?

"Airen Ryouga?" a slightly nervous sounding voice came from inside the living room, "Shampoo in here."

Ryouga was led into the room by Kasumi, and found the girl, Shampoo, lying on a cot. She was bandaged in places, and looked tired.

"You know why you here, airen?"

"Um, to get revenge on Ranma?"

"Shampoo mean why Shampoo ask you to talk."

"Because you want me to formally apologize? I will, of course. It was between me and the wretched Ranma Saotome, not you. I..."

"No! Is not it! You now Shampoo's airen."

"Um... what's that?"

"Mean you must marry Shampoo now you beat me in combat. Amazon law, very bad if not marry me, airen."

Ryouga pinched himself, he was sure this was a dream. How often did a beautiful exotic woman tell you that you had to marry her? Then he swallowed, and suddenly felt very parched.

"Would you like some tea, Ryouga?" Kasumi took his silent awe as a yes and left for the kitchen.

"You aren't joking? This is for real, Shampoo?"

"Shampoo no joke about this. Is very real... Does airen not want Shampoo?" if Ryouga had not been so busy dealing with his shock, he might have noticed the hopeful tone in her voice as she asked this.

"Um, um... I like you... I think... um, shouldn't we spend some time together? Isn't that how these things work?" Ryouga scratched his head in confusion. He was way out of his league with this.

"Oh, I just know that Ryouga is gonna be trouble for Shampoo... I need her to explain this law stuff to me better," Ranma sat on the dojo roof, Shampoo having asked him not to interfere.

"I wonder what good old Ryouga will think of Shampoo's curse? He'll probably be a real jerk about it. That would be really bad for Shampoo... It's hard I bet," Ranma stopped to think a bit longer, "I dunno what I'd do if I turned into a girl every time someone splashed me with cold water. Probably go insane."

Ranma groaned as he thought about what a mess Ryouga would end up causing in his life.

"Oh, Shampoo! I'm so happy for you! If only Ranma would take you as a good example and take Akane out on a date!" Soun was now smiling while crying huge rivers of joy. Kasumi served tea to those gathered around the table, including Shampoo who had insisted she be allowed out of the bed at least once in a while during the day.

"Well, I always knew Shampoo was smarter than Ranma when it came to love!" Genma struck a dramatic pose, "If only her vast ability would be passed to my son as easily as martial arts!"

"Cut it out! I'm not gonna marry Ranma! It's stupid!" Akane pounded on the table, almost knocking over everyone's tea.

Nabiki walked in from the kitchen, a glass of cold water in her hand, and tripped.

Shampoo slowly shifted forms, turning into a man. Looking for the form of his airen in order to gauge Ryouga's reaction to his transformation, she met the eyes of a small black piglet.

"Airen Ryouga?" Shampoo said in bafflement, "How you get curse too?"

Ryouga squealed in embarrassment, and then noticed that his fiancée had changed also. Instead of the petite purple haired girl and her high-pitched voice, a tall maroon haired man with a deep singsong voice sat beside him. The fact that fate had brought them both together in such a way trickled into Ryouga's thoughts.

'We're destined to be together... I mean, if she can deal with me being a pig sometimes, I guess I can get used to her being a guy...’ little hearts seemed to form in Ryouga's eyes as he thought back to the pretty girl who was his fiancée.

Warm water splashed across both Shampoo and Ryouga. Ryouga became extremely embarrassed when he realized his clothes were still lying on the floor.

"Hey, how did you get a Jusenkyo curse, anyway? I mean, when did you go to China?" Nabiki was carefully studying Ryouga, who had quickly redressed after being caught in the buff. Kasumi still stood with the warm kettle in hand, eyeing Nabiki curiously.

"Well, I was after that jerk Ranma. He skipped out on my challenge, so I had to follow him to China so that I wouldn't lose my honor. But, I have the worst sense of direction... So it was hard to find him. When I finally spotted him next to a bunch of springs, I got lost once again. Before I knew it some giant panda with..." Ryouga's eyes grew very large, and he stared at Shampoo, "With a man running after it, knocked me into the pool of drowned pig."

Staring down at his hands, Ryouga continued, "Then Ranma found me. He sold me to the Jusenkyo guide for food, and I would be dead now if the guide hadn't tried washing me with hot water first," Ryouga tensed up as he remembered the disgusting feeling of being rubbed with soap in his pig form by the guide.

"Ranma put me through hell, and I've come for my revenge!"

"Well, it isn't Ranma's fault you had to go and follow him to China, you know," Nabiki stared cooly at Ryouga as the boy's face contorted in anger.

"Is Ryouga duty to gain back honor. As Amazon, Shampoo understand this... But Ranma no tell Shampoo this before. Is Ryouga sure all Ranma's fault?" Shampoo felt ill. She remembered running after Genma in his panda form, and her in her boy form. She also remembered a strange splash, but her mind had been so fuzzy with anger that she had not noticed anyone else on the trail.

"All right, enough of this. Something tells me there's a great deal to discuss... But perhaps now is not the wisest time for this," Genma sat in a stiff crouch, but his eyes slightly betrayed his nervousness at the preceding revelations.

"I think Saotome-san is correct. Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes. We shouldn't be so negative right before we eat. It isn't good for digestion," Kasumi smiled wanly at the family surrounding her, and left for the kitchen.

Shampoo stood and plopped back into her cot, a bit angered at having to look so weak in front of new acquaintances, especially her airen. After his revelation, Shampoo had become increasingly guilty for what she had most likely done to him. Lying on her back, she slowly let herself relax and heal.

Ranma was walking along on top of a fence, not paying much attention to where he was heading. Jumping off of the fence, he found himself in front of a candy store. Looking at the display, he spotted a small heart shaped box, full to the brim with chocolates of all kinds. Reaching into his pocket, he counted out how much money he had. Just enough for one.

After buying it, he wondered what he should do with it.

"Eat it now or save it for later... Hmmmmm..."

Next to the Tendo dojo, a lone figure pondered what he had just heard. Shampoo was in a loveless forced marriage with some brutish Japanese man who couldn't tell up from down. There was only one way to save her. The small animal scampered away, plotting his next move.

>>>Continued<<<

Contact: j_delight@hotmail.com

Web Site: http://www.oocities.org/jana_sama/index.html

Date: April 24, 2001

Please feel free to send me all C&C you may have. I always listen, and reply. ^.^

<<<Preview of next Chapter! (I may continue this, may not- it's all up to how much I like this thing)>>>

I, Amazon

Chapter Three: Duel at School

By: J.D. Freeman

Ranma slept soundly on his bedding in the room he shared with Genma, unaware that his father was busily rummaging through Ranma's pack. Almost yelling with excitement, Genma held up a flashy red heart shaped box full of chocolates.

'This must be for Akane! Finally, my son has taken the first step in uniting the two schools of Anything Goes martial arts! I'm so proud!' Genma thought as he clenched his hand into a fist, 'Soun and I must help him! What does a boy know about dating?'

Genma accidentally laughed loudly in victory, causing Ranma to wake up and punt him out the open window into the koi pond below, grabbing the box of chocolates before they fell to the ground.

"Stupid old man tryin' to steal my candy! I better eat 'em soon before he tries at 'em again."

Shampoo yawned as she stretched in her small futon. Akane was still lightly snoring nearby, and the sun was just peeking over the horizon. Standing up, Shampoo made her way to the bathroom, ignoring the small aches and pains that shot through her body.

<<<Written by J.D. Freeman>>>

<<<Based on Ranma 1/2, created by Rumiko Takahashi>>>

<<<No money or profit of any kind is being made off of these sad excuses for writing. I do not own anything related to Ranma 1/2 and do not claim such ownership.>>>