SmileForKrisi@aol.com
Do The Honors;
Here There Be Faith
By Kristina V.
Clutching her passport to her bosom, the young, lavender-headed woman trotted up the ramp
that lead to the entrance of the boat. Though rather small, the tiny 'ship' held over 50
occupants, housing them, the captain, and his crew, not to mention her. The sails, pearly white
to their clean masts, were at the moment bunched and tied to the planks they were attached to,
but were itching to let loose as they flapped in the wind. The paint of the boat was in good
condition despite the chips that now floated in the water from the wood's age. The color still
showed its pride. Unlike her.
Paying no attention to the fact that her passport was not needed, and that she was let
right aboard with her sum payment of yen, X'ian Pu, or rather, Shampoo, made her way to the bow
of the ship, her small tote back slung over her shoulder, carrying her only belongings, which
were very few. Leaning on the thick railing that reached to her shoulders, she rested her chin
on her crossed arms and looked out at the dock, which was in turn crowded with people waving
goodbye to their loved ones boarding the boat as well. Her face pinching in disgust, Shampoo
crossed the way to the other side of the bow, to look out in the opposite direction. This view
was much more pleasing to her. Those people seemed all too happy to her, as if they wanted her
to leave. She reasoned that she was just paranoid, since those people hadn't any idea who she
was. The dock of China, though her former home, reminded her of her past, one that she'd relish
to forget. It reminded her of her pain, where her teenage years had began. Now, a woman of
twenty, Shampoo looked to making her future. The calm ocean that rested in her newfound view
symbolized just that. New beginnings. Another opportunity to set things straight in her life.
Sighing, Shampoo continued to stare out at the ocean, the setting sun resting its glowing
head on the blue shoulder of water. The waves that lapped at the water itself shimmered in the
rays of light, the color emanating from the sun's body as a whole. The shades of the sky grew
from its original color of yellow, then deepened into hues of pink, purple, and then the dark
navy of night. The stars twinkled in the distance, seemingly holding promises bestowed upon her,
vowing to fulfill her hopes and dreams.
*If only that were possible.*
The sun had long since disappeared beneath the ocean, and the boat was well into its
route. Shampoo cursed herself for idling above deck, for there were very few still about it.
She knew that now it was near to impossible to find a suitable bunk, now that almost everyone
was settled. She doubted greatly that she would even be able to get a bed at all.
Hitching her pack over her shoulder, the young woman made her way below deck, the
un-welcomed, dank smell meeting her senses. The large room, the only room, in fact, was brimming
with people. The bunk beds were, as she had suspected, all filled, some occupying more than they
were meant to hold. Those unfortunate enough to not have a bed had camped onto the floor,
potato sacks and cheaply made blankets spread about to cushion the hard planks of wood beneath
them, their backpacks acting as makeshift pillows.
Sighing, Shampoo stepped cautiously around the slumbering people, her eyes slowly
adjusting to the darkness that had filled the room. Eyeing a small, blank spot in the corner,
which was conveniently lit by an overhanging torch-lamp, Shampoo quickened her pace towards it. Settling onto the ground, she rested her back against the wall of the small ship, squirming to get comfortable.
"A wee bit harsh, ain't it lass?" A hushed comment entered Shampoo's ears, her head
snapping up to admonish the voice. A woman, sitting adjacent to her a few feet away, smiled
warmly, her round cheeks rosy by the dim lighting. She was small and rounded, but had an air of
comfort about her that would soften the most threatening of beasts. Shampoo smiled in return and
nodded, adoring the woman's accent. Though she was speaking Japanese fairly well, the woman
still held strong to her Irish accent and slang.
"You don't seem to belong on this rickety old boat, lass. Were are you headed?"
Another slight smile donned Shampoo's face as she forced back a giggle. "I headed to
Nerima, Japan. You?"
The woman chuckled at Shampoo's broken speech. "Oh, nowhere in particular, though I am
meeting my son who had gone to Japan for a scholarship. You see, me family and I don't have much
money to live on, so we sent little Johnny out there. Now I be the last one to go to Japan to
meet him. Me family are already there a'waitin' for me. Tell me, lass, what is you're purpose
for heading to Japan?"
Shampoo's smile faded as her gaze turned to her hands, her fingers twisting together.
Sighing, her eyes returned to the lady. "Shampoo need make amends with child-times friend..."
"Aye, I see how it goes," the woman answered, removing her tiny glasses and wiping the
lenses on her shirt. "A bit of a scrabble, you two had? A fight, mind ye, never fixes anything,
Little One."
Nodding, Shampoo adjusted her sitting position. "Shampoo see that now."
"So, Shampoo, is it?" the woman chuckled, extending her hand for a hearty handshake.
"My name be Irene. Irene from Ireland. You seem to be of foreign culture, too. Where ye be
from?"
Another sad smile wrought Shampoo's face as she sighed woefully. Irene frowned.
"I'm sorry if that be not a good topic. I apologize for bringing it up, lass."
"No, it all right. Shampoo tell you..."
The night hadn't lasted long between the two chatting women, who had quickly become
friends. Irene, who had listened intently throughout Shampoo's story of her past, and in the end
had comforted her thoroughly. To have been turned away from the one she loved, then had been
turned away from her own tribe, as well. The Irish-woman could barely listen to the younger
girl's sorrow.
"You have my respect, Little One." Shampoo smiled warmly at the older woman, adoration
filling her heart. Throughout the entire night, Irene had referred to her as "Little One," and
Shampoo couldn't think of neither her Japanese or Chinese name to mean as much. This woman had
been more of a mother in one night than Cologne had ever been as her great-grandmother.
"To think, I've been chatting with one of the Indian society!" She chuckled lightly, as
well as Shampoo.
"Not Indian," Shampoo giggled. "Amazon."
"Aye," she agreed, straightening her shall. "And may I say, a certain Amazon has grown
close to me in these past few hours." Irene then reached into her small, crocheted bag, and took
out a slip of wrinkled, yellowed paper and a crude pencil. Jotting down the Japanese address of
her son that she had memorized, she handed it to Shampoo.
"You be sure to write to me, Little One, and tell me how your adventures go. But, for
now, I say I'm a wee bit hungry. Are you not?"
Shampoo nodded encouragingly, leaning forward, her elbows resting on her knees. Irene
once again turned to her pack and pulled out a large brown paper bag, setting it between them.
Staring at it hungrily, Shampoo was beyond grateful that Irene had food!
Sure enough, dawn lit up the sky. Shampoo and Irene had tip-toed through the people
still dwelling rest to get up the deck stairs just in time to witness another spectacular pacific
sunrise. It washed the skies with a lighter attitude than the sunset had the dusk before, and it
seemed to bring hope to Shampoo's waned heart. The hues were maddening, exuberant and breath
taking in all of their glory.
It didn't mean much to Shampoo.
Hearing her newly found friend's heaving sigh, Irene scored a fretful expression and
placed her hands on her overly- rounded hips.
"Child, back home, no matter if they were up an hour before for chores, me children
always respected the gifts the Lord gave us, may they be a wee baby or a sunrise like this one,
now," she scolded, her stern eyes locking hold of Shampoo's. She offered a weak smile in return
and turned back to the view over the shining water.
"Shampoo agree... but Shampoo not think about sunrise at moment..."
Days passed before the migrant dock of Japan came into view of the small ship. The deck
was packed to the brim, even more so than the day of departure. Cheers and tears of joy overrode
the boat's engines as hugs were passed around. Children were placed on shoulders to get a better
view for their parents and to estimate the distance remaining.
Shampoo giggled. She remembered the children of her village. The children on the boat
differed slim to none from her old family, yet those that were on the boat seemed to have a
more... capable future. She didn't know if those children and families were heading to Japan for
a better life, but, if they were, Shampoo was sure that they'd find it.
"There it be, lass," Irene hissed, awe staking its claim in her tone. "Me family be
waitin' for me!" Tears of joy slipped down her rosy cheeks as she searched urgently for her hand
kerchief. Smiling warmly, Shampoo placed her arms around the shorter woman's shoulders and
presented a hug.
"Shampoo know..." This place. It was so important to Irene... yet it lacked
significance to Shampoo. Though she was eager to arrive, it only reminded her of her failed
mission... and her ex-fiancé's newfound happiness. She was sure that their second marriage had
gone through valiantly, for, to her knowledge, every one of Ranma's past fiancé's had left,
unable to withstand his decision.
*I start new,* Shampoo vowed, her gaze steady on the approaching peninsula of a country. *As I intended...*
It took no more than an hour to reach the dock. Not as many people had come to greet
the arriving boat as had come to see to their departure. Floods of people stormed down the ramp,
luggage in hand, thankful to be off that prison of a boat. Shoves and trips were given in their
flurry.
Waiting behind to avoid, according to Irene, misbehavior, Shampoo and her Irish friend
waited anxiously behind the mob. Shampoo held her elder's bag respectfully, happy to help the
older woman. She was, of course, sad to be losing her 'boat' friend, yet she was also ecstatic
that the kindly old woman had found her family in this foreign place.
Finally setting foot on the hard wooden dock-way, Irene squealed with happiness as four
people rushed forward, drowning her with hugs and kisses. Shampoo stepped back, giggling at the
four, redheaded strangers, tears once again presented by them as well as Irene. Oddly enough,
Shampoo felt drawn to the reclaimed family members, knowing that she longed for what they had,
be it mother to son or daughter to mother or husband to wife. All she knew was that she wanted
it dearly.
The commotion calming down, Irene turned to Shampoo and took her bag from the younger's
hands. Offering a smile, she gestured to her round of family members.
"Shampoo, I'd like to introduce you," she began, pointing to a small girl about the age
of seven. "This is Cora, me daughter." She then pointed to two tall men in their mid fifties.
"They be my husband James and me brother Neil." Lastly, she took the arm of a younger man,
bearings in his twenties and much taller than Shampoo. Irene grinned proudly, the laugh lines
around her eyes crinkling with happiness. "And this be the one I told you about, Lass. Me son,
Adam." He held out his hand, which Shampoo graciously took, accepting his form of greeting.
Afterwards, they bowed to each other, and Shampoo refaced his mother. Reaching into her nap-bag,
Shampoo pulled out a picture, wrinkled and yellowed with age. Stepping beside her so she, and
her nosy little daughter as well, could see, Shampoo pointed herself out, then gestured to the
others.
"These my family..." she whispered, pointing to each one. "Father, great-grandmother,
and Mu-Tsu." A sigh of remembrance escaped Irene's lips.
"That be the one, eh?" she asked lightly, leaning forward to get a better look at him.
Shampoo nodded, a smile entering her expression. Placing the picture in Irene's hand, she
winked.
"You keep so you remember Shampoo," she stated, her eyes forcing back any tears.
Irene nodded, a grin replenishing her own expression.
"And you remember to write, won't ye, lass?" Shampoo nodded.
"Shampoo will, Mama Irene." Irene smiled widely at the name she was given, a few tears
of hers shed, as well as Shampoo.
"Good-bye, Little One."
"Ja ne, Mama Irene."
Dusk was settling in Japan as Shampoo made her way through the town that her boat had
docked in. After a few more hugs and cries, she and Irene's family finally went separate ways.
Many looks back were cast to each other, but distance soon grew between them, and Shampoo was
once again alone. This time, though, she knew that she had at least one friend to fall back on.
Nerima plastered itself in her mind as she continued on. She counted each one of the
streetlights as they flickered on, the stars above catching her eye as well. They winked back
at her as she named each one with a vow. However many there were, Shampoo knew that she had more
to make amends for.
School let out early that day, due to exams. Furinkan High students all raced to get
home, mind the two who walked side by side towards a certain dojo.
"You made us late today, you know that?" Ranma scolded, chuckling at his companion's
pout. Akane smiled back, poking him in the side.
"If you hadn't married me, then there wouldn't be that problem every day at school," she
taunted back, recollecting at the challenges by Kuno that happened day after day. "Guess he
won't accept it..."
"Bah," Ranma chuckled. "He's as pigheaded as ever."
"You're one to talk..."
The Tendo dojo, coming into view, stopped Akane short. Her pace was halted as she gazed
at the front door, a hand rising to her chin. Ranma looked from her to the dojo, then back
again, understanding her feeling.
"Feel as if..."
"... Something's amiss? Yeah," Akane finished for him. Shrugging, she continued
forward, catching up to Ranma's side. "Think it's daddy?"
As they stepped inside through the back door, the couple collapsed at the sight, each
twitching violently.
"It's not daddy..."
"Shampoo..." Ranma began, leaning his forehead on his palm. He and Akane had regained
stature and had joined the Amazon at the small table, kneeling across from her. Kasumi had
brought in some tea and jumped at the sight, but also recollected herself in time to save the
platter. Now, Shampoo sipped meekly at her cup, avoiding eye contact with either of them. The
last thing she had wanted was for them to be angry that she had come back.
Ranma continued, lifting his head. "Why... are you... I mean... why'd you... uh..."
"Why Shampoo come back?" she finished for him, her gaze stationed on her tea. Akane had
been staring at her unmercifully, her arms crossed sternly. Apparently, she hadn't forgotten
Shampoo's past.
She sighed. "Make amends..." Ranma and Akane's eyes widened at her statement, heads
growing dizzy with relief.
"You mean you're done with the whole 'marry me' thing?" Akane wondered out loud. Shampoo
nodded vigorously, her head snapping up.
"Shampoo not here for fight! Really!" she assured them. The two sighed, their shoulders
being lifted with the great weight of nervousness.
Shampoo smiled slightly, her eyes drooping.
"Now know that was problem. Shampoo wish past could change, but not possible." She
placed a hand on each of the other's from across the table. "Shampoo need friends now..."
*Needs friends now?* Akane taunted in her mind. She dismissed her notion and smiled
warmly in return.
"Looking for anyone in particular?"
Shampoo jumped at Ranma's statement. He smiled, knowing that he had hit bottom, for the
Amazon had withdrew her hands quickly, now clasping them at her chest. She kept her gaze on her
entwined fingers, unable to acknowledge Ranma. She couldn't let him know that he was right.
Sensing the awkwardness, Akane broke the silence. "He is still in Japan, Shampoo. Just
not... here..." Her own gaze softened as she had remembered the Chinese man in question, and his
departure. After Shampoo had left, so had he... but with a woman on his arm.
Forcing her hands to cease their quivering, she let them drop to her lap, still unable to
meet gazes with either of them. "Shampoo have great favor to ask..."
Akane grinned kindly. "Need a place to spend the night?"
The night, though comfortingly familiar, was overriding its keep. Though she was once
again in a place where she felt at home (though she never was), Shampoo felt both awkward and as
if she were intruding. It wasn't her place to be at the Tendo's. She didn't belong, as she
never had.
Leaving the warmth of the spare futon Kasumi had brought out for her in the spare room,
Shampoo slid the window open and crept out, jumping to the roof. She smiled to herself,
remembering the days when she'd perch herself on that very roof, by day, waiting for Ranma after
his school let out, at night, waiting for him to fall asleep so she could crawl in beside him.
Her face fell as she realized how much havoc she had brought to her ex-fiancé. Whenever she had
been around him, Akane had rampaged after him with her mallet. But that, Shampoo realized,
didn't affect Ranma's heart. Though Shampoo never physically or intentionally hurt him (it was
Cologne, she believed...), she had always believed that he'd leave the woman who did, namely
Akane, and would come to her. At their foiled marriage, she had remembered thinking that she
must have knocked a few screws loose in Ranma's head. Now, she realized those screws had always
been loose.
Shampoo jumped as a soft thud sounded behind her, but she soon settled, knowing her
visitor. Sitting down where the two walls of the rook met, she looked out at Nerima, waiting for
him to sit beside her.
"Sit, Ranma, or go away," she murmured, her gaze unwavering. Ranma sat obediently beside
her, letting her remark drift away into the night air. Resting his elbows on his knees, he
glanced at his newfound friend beside him, then followed her eyes out onto the slow-paced road.
The streetlights were lit brightly, yet every store was shut and closed for the night as far as
his eyes could see.
Breaking the silence, Ranma heaved a sigh. "What're you doing up here, Shampoo?"
Turning her gaze to the sky, a small smile crossed her lips. "Reminiscing..."
"Oh?"
"Hai..." she answered, slowly turning her gaze to meet his. "Ranma, why you forgive
Shampoo so easily? Shampoo wreck first marriage, and terrorize before that..."
Ranma smiled warmly. "Because it was your law to do so... what made the Amazons let you
forget about your mission?" Seeing her expression fall so quickly caused Ranma to regret how he
started the conversation. Shaking her head, Shampoo looked to her feet, biting her lip before
she answered.
"They not know... Shampoo haven't returned to village yet..."
Ranma frowned. "Then what did you do for so long in China?" he asked, his eyes locked on
her profile. Her shoulders seemed to sag lower at every sentence.
"Waiting for return of springs..." Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed his shudder
as he remembered her curse. She smiled, forcing back a giggle. "Not worry, Shampoo careful
around water..."
"Well..." Ranma continued, unable to forget about his 'phobia.' "What do you think
they'll do if they find out I'm married?"
Burying her head in her arms, which rested on her knees, Shampoo hid the tear that
trailed a path down her cheek.
"Shampoo become sacrifice to rid tribe of failure..." she answered quietly, her voice
muffled by the fabric of her sleeved arms. Forcing herself to keep her face hid, she wept,
knowing that if she did look up, all she'd see in her past-love's face would be pity. She
couldn't bare it.
Alas, her face lifted, and her eyes met with Ranma's. Yet he felt no pity towards her.
He merely placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You're the strongest person I know, the only one I consider capable of knocking me to
the ground, by more means than strength. You've got heart, and I believe that you'll make it
through. You know I won't let any friends of mine face death alone, right?"
A smile crept to Shampoo's lips as she stared adoringly at her accompaniment. Now, all
she felt for him was friendship, yet that bond, to her, would never be broken.
"Hai."
Arms crossed and face stern, Akane waited by Ranma's window. She had felt a chill from
her reason, and had decided to check on her husband. Though their parents had urged them to do
so, the two had decided to not sleep in the same room until they were out of school for two
reasons: 1) peeping toms, such as Nabiki, who could easily bribe them, and 2) they weren't about
to give the elders the satisfaction of grandchildren, yet. Though she had yearnings from her
room to fall asleep beside her love every night, she held back, knowing that Ranma fully,
overwhelmingly agreed with their plan.
Finally, Ranma jumped to the windowsill, peering back to make sure Shampoo reached her
own safely. Giving her a short wave, he stepped inside, only to fall aback by his 'welcomer.'
He gasped loudly, a large sweat-drop forming on his forehead. Akane only smirked.
"What have you been doing besides sleep, little man?" she asked, her knuckles white from
where they clutched her elbows. Ranma relaxed, knowing that she had to understand.
"A little conference took place, nothing much," he retorted, a smirk joining his own
expression. He forced back a laugh as her eyes closed, her eyebrows twitching with anger. Eager
to save himself from the wrath that was Akane, he fought for words.
"Sh-She had a problem about death..." he answered again, more reassuringly. He sighed in
relief as her expression fell to concern, and her arms dropped to her sides, now unable to
conceal any hidden weapons... mostly mallets...
"Death? Who died?" Akane wondered out loud, her hands clutching the fabric of her
pajamas. Ranma shook his head.
"Shampoo."
Glancing one last time at the night sky, Shampoo crawled inside, welcoming the warmth of
her guest room. Grabbing the thin blanket from where it was half-heartedly strewn on her futon,
she draped it across her shoulders and returned to the window, kneeling in front of it. Resting
her elbows on the sill, she continued her gazing from where she left off, admiring the silence,
save the wind's whistle. It reminded her greatly of her village in China, not to mention China
itself. She remembered the calm nights where she sat by a small fire in front of her hut-like
residence, laying on her back to watch the stars. Though her younger cousins and village
children always joined her, they kept quiet in the presence of their elder and watched the dark,
endless sky themselves. But, of course, in the end, the group would play a silent game of tag
before Shampoo would send them home to their mothers and warm beds.
Although Shampoo giggled from the memory, she knew that she wouldn't return, for the sake
of her life. She'd wait for them to come to her, even knowing that her punishment would be
greater for having not returned honorably. What more damage could they do unto her? The law was
death, and the outcome would be the same.
*They could make it a more torturous death... make Shampoo suffer...* she pondered, her
heart sinking. Her conscience screamed back at her, reminding her of her cowardice. She'd be
granted no honor, she was sure.
Snapping out of her reverie, Shampoo's eyes focused on a line of figures strolling down
the road about a mile ahead. Squinting to get a better view, she gasped, her head lowering so
her eyes were only in eyeshot. There were approximately seven women, and, when the Amazon
counted once again, her guess was sure. Each donned a black mask, which reflected in the
moonlight to prove their existence. Shampoo shivered, recognizing the masks as a symbol of hunt.
They were after her, she knew.
Jumping to her feet, Shampoo grabbed her small pack and made her way out the door and
down the hall. Bursting into the bedroom that was Ranma and Genma's, she let her eyes adjust,
making sure to keep quiet. She noticed by the window two forms sitting, and then recognized the
pigtail. Hopping over to the two, she peered into their faces.
"Ranma, Akane, where he live now?" she hissed, nervously glancing back and forth from the
window. Ranma and Akane exchanged worried glances, obviously stunned by their guest's urgent
tone.
"I believe he went to Hiroshima... why?" Akane questioned, touching her shoulder.
Shampoo pulled back, rising to her feet.
"Shampoo have no time... you find out sooner or later..." Pausing, the Amazon bent down
and wrapped her arms around Akane's shoulders, lightly hugging her. Rising to her feet once
again, she waved.
"Thanks for be Shampoo's friend, Violent Girl," she murmured, bowing. Akane smiled.
"Anytime, Chinese Bimbo."
With a last giggle and a salute, Shampoo turned on her heel and flew down the stairs,
exiting through the back. Glancing one last time in the direction of the approaching Amazons,
Shampoo started off quickly in the opposite direction, being sure to keep in the shadows.
Back in Ranma's room, Genma rolled over and continued to snore, while the other two kept
on worried expressions.
"What was that all about?" Ranma questioned, recollecting the past incident. Akane shook
her head slowly, turning to gaze out the window, eager to wave one last time at her newfound
friend. Shock rising in her throat, she gasped, pointing out the window. Ranma followed her
gaze, and gasped as well.
"That's why!"
Dawn was a ways away, but Shampoo kept on, constantly glancing nervously behind her back.
She sighed, her legs still pumping as she ran. Now, she was not only a coward, yet she was
paranoid as well. No doubt the tribes-women had stopped at the Tendo dojo, seeing how they knew
she frequently resided there.
Screeching to a halt, Shampoo leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees, her breath
shallow and raspy. In such a hurry, the Amazon had forgotten to read her bearings, knowing that
without them, her running would be as useless as the Lost, Pig-Boy's wondering. Wiping her
sweaty brow, she took a glance around, heaving an exasperated sigh at the sight. She was
directly in front of the Neko Hanten, the next, sure-fire spot the hunting Amazons would be
searching.
Throwing another look over her shoulder, Shampoo decided that she had time, and entered
through the rickety door. She smiled, the floor creaking beneath her weight. Such memories. It
had been months since she had left Nerima and her cafe, yet she never knew how very much she
missed it. She had taken joy in both cooking and serving, her waitress days flooding her mind.
Continuing on her tour into the kitchen, Shampoo was surprised to see that some of her
utensils were left behind. In the corner, hanging on a small peg, was her frilly apron, which
blew slightly in the draft coming through the still open window. A grin crossed her lips as she
fingered the material. Her kitchen, her apron, her equipment; all were special to her, yet none
could get her mind to stray. She found herself contentedly thinking about him. The one she had
left behind.
"Shampoo, you have returned." The Amazon whirled around, a gasp coursing her throat as
her eyes adjusted to the newcomer. Her shoulders fell as she realized who had visited the cafe
as well.
"Great-Grandmother," she murmured, bowing to her elder. Cologne wobbled on her cane as
she mentally cursed her age, as it was getting to her. Shampoo kept her gaze to the floor,
unable to face the shame her own family held for her.
"How you know Shampoo return?" she continued, her voice stern, although her emotions
inside were reeling. Cologne frowned at how feeble her great-granddaughter had become.
"You looking for him, aren't you?" she answered quietly. Shampoo nodded, ashamed.
Cologne sighed. "I know how hard it was knowing how you failed, Shampoo. So, to cease
your questions that you indeed hold back, I am not with the hunters."
Shampoo smiled slightly, tears of happiness and relief slipping down her cheeks.
"Failing no matter, Great-Grandmother. Losing Ranma what mattered."
"Although," Cologne continued, her voice eerily calm as she overrode Shampoo's remark.
"I believe that what is best for both you and the Amazon tribe is for you to show honor and
except your fate."
Her head snapping up, Shampoo wiped furiously at her eyes, anger welling in the pit of
her stomach. Although she knew that Cologne had every right to feel how she did, and even though
she knew that it was the law also making her own relative say such things, Shampoo was appalled.
Hadn't Cologne only wanted for Shampoo to succeed? To help strengthen the tribe with worthy
offspring? And here she was telling her that the honorable, right thing to do was surrender to
death.
"I will not," Shampoo answered solemnly. Cologne shook her head, forcing back tears of
her own.
"Very well. I will stay here and wait for the hunters. You can go, Shampoo, and with my
blessing."
Smiling widely, Shampoo surged forward and threw her arms around her elder, hugging her
tightly. Stepping back and bowing more respectfully, she turned tail and left in a hurry,
leaving Cologne to her thoughts.
She sighed in return. "I wish you luck, my child."
(
geocities.com/tokyo/towers/Towers) (
geocities.com/tokyo/towers) (
geocities.com/tokyo)