Chapter 1: The Beginning

“Wait up, Ranma!” said Akane.

It was a beautiful morning. The sky was beautiful, the clouds were fluffy, and the sun was gorgeous. The scenery looked great as Ranma and Akane ran to school late again.

“Kasumi forgot to wake us up again,” said Ranma.

“Hey! Don’t blame my sister! You were stubborn to get out of bed. We all told you it was time to get up!” said Akane.

Suddenly, in front of them was Shampoo. She had her delivery box in her hand as she waited for them. Ranma saw her and snorted.

“Just great! Well, I’m not going to stop for her,” said Ranma.

Shampoo smiled and turned to them as they met up to her. She waved at them. “Good mor…” said Shampoo.

Before she could finish, Ranma jumped over her and ignored her as Akane waved to her as she past. The wind made her hair sway as her eyes built up some tears.

“He didn’t say a word,” thought Shampoo. “He’s still mad.”

She could remember the day when Ranma had a talk with her. It was a year ago after she helped trash Ranma and Akane’s wedding. She was very happy about it and felt she did a good deed. As she went to make a deliver food to someone, she hummed an old Chinese song. Suddenly, she saw Ranma walking towards her. She placed her delivery box down and ran to him. She was about to glomp on him until she saw his glare. She stopped in front of him.

“Ranma! You okay? Shampoo so happy to see you,” said Shampoo.

“No, I’m not okay,” replied Ranma. “I need to talk to you.”

“Of course, Airen, what is it?” She said with concerned look.

“Shampoo, how could you ruin my wedding. I felt so embarrassed and I was so angry with you, Ukyo, and the others,” said Ranma. “You had no right!”

“Shampoo do it for our love,” replied Shampoo as she walked closer to him.

“What love? I have no love for you! I used to say you were almost a good friend, and I did have a little crush on you at one point, but I love Akane. I still do.”

Shampoo looked at Ranma. He was probably playing with her or giving her a test of devotion. She knew Ranma loved her. Why else did he come to the Cat Café to get a meal. She placed his hand on his cheek until he slapped it off. Shampoo looked at him with disbelief. Her beloved husband had hit her hand.

“Ranma?” Asked Shampoo.

“Shampoo, I never want to see you again! Don’t talk to me, don’t hug me, and don’t you dare hurt my family and especially Akane! If I see you, I’ll ignore you like you were just a wall!” Said Ranma.

Shampoo couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her husband was abandoning her. She couldn’t hold back her tears. She was loosing the man she loved and would always love. She turned, picked up her delivery basket, and left.

The memory haunted her everyday. She missed him dearly. She wanted him to forgive her and love her, but he wouldn’t. She took her delivery box and walked home.

“Ranma, you should forgive Shampoo. She was probably willing to just be friends,” said Akane.

“I can’t. If I do, she’ll think I love her and do what she did to us last year.” Said Ranma.

“You forgave everyone except her. Even I forgave her,” said Akane.

“Well, I only forgave Ukyo because she married Konastu and wanted me to be the godfather of their up coming child.” Said Ranma

.

“I’m kind of happy we’re not married. You’re a coldhearted jerk!” said Akane throwing her breifcase at Ranma.

“You uncute tomboy!”

Akane turned around to him and stuck her tongue out. When that happened, Akane bumped into a girl. She had long pink hair with one bun on top of her head and purple eyes. She wore an uniform like Akane with blue ribbons. She was very pretty.

“Perfume! Sorry I hit you,” said Akane.

“Is okay, Akane,” said Perfume smiling at Akane.

Ranma approached Perfume as Akane drifted away from them. They glared at each other. There was silence as students surrounded them. Ranma gave a smirk as Perfume narrowed his eyes.

“Will you forgive my sister?” Asked Perfume.

“You know what I’ll say, Perfume, so let’s get this duel over with,” said Ranma as touched his ponytail and stood there in fighting stance.

Perfume gave her own smirk as she took out her sensu fans. They were long and sharp. Perfume ran toward him with great speed. “This is for Shampoo!” she exclaimed as she ran towards Ranma. She delivered a kick as Ranma dodged it. He dodged all of her punches and kicks making her very angry. He smiled as Perfume kept going.

“She’s very persistent. No wonder Shampoo and Perfume are twin sisters. They act so much the same,” thought Ranma.

Suddenly, Perfume took her fan and ripped Ranma’s shirt as she jumped backwards. “You left yourself open, Ranma. Give up! Shampoo loves you very much and is being eaten away as you no see her no more.”

“No way! I never give up. You should know that by now,” said Ranma.

“Very well!” Perfume ran towards him once again.

“Those two are at it again,” said a student.

“Well, if Ranma would just forgive Shampoo and talk to her as a friend, Perfume wouldn’t fight as much. She’s a really nice girl,” replied another girl.

“But there is one thing that it’ll always stop her from fighting,” Akane commented.

Suddenly, Ryoga appeared with Ukyo as they approached the school. “Hey, I’m getting better at finding the school,” Ryoga remarked.

“No way! You couldn’t even get out my restaurant, jack ass!” replied Ukyo.

Suddenly, Perfume jumped into the air and landed in Ryoga’s arms. “Airen!” said Perfume as she hugged Ryoga by the neck.

“Uh, Perfume!” said Ryoga.

“Ryoga,” said Akane with a sigh.

“I guess it’s a draw, huh, Perfume?” Asked Ranma.

“For now! Perfume so happy to see Airen!” said Perfume as she hugged him tightly.

“I tell you, Perfume, you’re fiancé needs help with finding places,” said Ukyo walking into the school.

“Perfume, you’re squeezing me,” replied Ryoga as his face started turning blue.

“Hey, Ryoga,” said Akane.

“A-Akane, g-good morning,” said Ryoga with a dazed look. He looked at Akane as she pried Perfume off of him. She looked lovely in his eyes. Her beautiful complexion with her short raven hair made her one of the most popular girls in the school. Ryoga felt so privileged to be around her and actually be called “one of Akane’s best friends”. Inside, he loved her with all his heart… well almost.

Perfume looked at Ryoga looking into Akane’s eyes. Akane started to blush as both Ranma and Perfume glared at the two.

“Well, what we waiting for! Let’s go inside!” said Perfume with a snort.

“Hey!’ said a voice. It was a girl. She had long black hair that she wore with two bows on each side of her head. She wore the girl’s uniform as she held her briefcase. Overall, she was a very cute girl.

“Hey, Kumiko,” said Ranma.

“It’s good to see you, Ranma, Akane, Perfume, Ryoga,” said Kumiko. “What did I miss?”

“You know. The usual; Perfume and Ranma fighting until Ryoga came with Ukyo,” replied Akane.

“Oh, she decided to come to school even though she’s pregnant?” asked Kumiko.

“Yeah, she said she still has 3 months until the baby arrives,” Ryoga answered.

“Where’s Mousse?” Asked Perfume.

“Oh, he’s at the shrine getting the charms ready for the after school fanclub of his,” said Kumiko being annoyed.

“Perfume guess you no like them,” Perfume commented.

“Nope, especially when I’m trying to find it in my heart to tell him how I feel. I tried last week, but his stupid fanclub always there flirting with him!” said Kumiko punching her briefcase. She threw it in the air and kicked it to hit Ryoga’s face. It gave him a red mark on his face as Perfume peeled it off.

“Oops, sorry, Ryoga,” said Kumiko bowing.

“It’s okay,” replied Ryoga.

“Well, let’s get inside before the bell rings,” said Ranma.

In class, Ranma was sleeping while class was going on.

“Okay, what is the answer for number 4…um Ranma Saotome?” asked the teacher.

Ranma woke up lazily. He opened his mouth wide and gave a big yawn. As he wiped his eye, he saw everyone looking at him. “What?”

“Well, Ranma Soatome, what is the answer?” Asked the teacher.

“Uh, the Russians?” Ranma asked hopefully.

“So, the Russians discovered America. My, my, Soatome, I think you should stay awake or your future will be very slim,” said the teachers.

“Y-yes, sir,” said Ranma sheepishly.

Perfume grinned as Akane, Kumiko, and Ukyo giggled at him.

Meanwhile, Shampoo was on her break at Cat Café. She decided to go see a friend. She walked up to Kumiko’s shrine and saw Mousse with his back facing her as he swept the steps. “Hello, Mousse…” said Shampoo.

Mousse froze for a moment and then went back to sweeping. “Hello, Shampoo…What would a person like you be here for?”

“Shampoo was hoping Mousse would like to talk with her for while,” said Shampoo.

Mousse stopped and turned to her finally. He looked at Shampoo up and down. It was a long time since they really saw each other. He gave a weak smile and nodded. “Come in, I’ll make some tea,” said Mousse.

Shampoo followed and looked around. The shrine was huge. It was like no other shrine she’s seen. In the back, it had a little pond with a garden and some bushes. It looked very nice. As she walked into the shrine, she remembered that the rule there was to take off their shoes and wear their wooden shoes. As she took them off, she was reminiscing about the good old times when Mousse would always follow her even if he was blind half of the time.

“Shampoo, you CAN come in,” said Mousse.

“Oh, yes! Sorry, was thinking about the past,” said Shampoo.

They sat at a table as Mousse brought out cookies and tea. There was silence until Mousse broke it. “So how is everything with the restaurant?” Asked Mousse.

“Fine, but it’s a little time consuming now without your help. I mean, Perfume works really well, but she’s always going to see Ryoga. Even great-grandmother say she wish you were here,” said Shampoo.

“Hmmm, so finally, the old monkey finally gave me my respect,” said Mousse with a chuckle.

“Well, yes. She no know why you left,” replied Shampoo.

“You know very well, Shampoo, don’t you?” Asked Mousse sipping his tea.

Shampoo remembered very well. She remembers an incident happened between them two weeks after Ranma told Shampoo to leave him and his family alone. She was very devastated. She didn’t sleep, eat, or train well. She was miserable. She would cry almost every night just to get things off of her chest and to go to sleep. Mousse watched how she changed. His love for her wouldn’t take it anymore. One night at the Cat Café, Mousse talked to Shampoo as she cleaned the tables. “Shampoo, you need to forget Ranma,” said Mousse. “He was nothing but trouble.”

“You don’t know anything…” said Shampoo as she continued to clean up.

“Ranma never loved you. He only had you around to make Akane jealous once and a while. I would never do that to you.” Said Mousse.

“No…he wouldn’t do that, Mousse. He love me too too much,” replied Shampoo.

“Shampoo, he doesn’t. If her did then why did he tell you to leave him alone. Ranma is a heartless, selfish man who doesn’t appreciate you. He’s a fool. I, on the other hand, love you, Shampoo. I would never hurt you. I would do everything in my life to make you happy.”

“Shut up!” said Shampoo hitting the table hard. “You just shut up!”

“Shampoo…?” said a voice.

It was Perfume coming into the restaurant. She held a big pack as she walked toward Shampoo.

“Perfume, what are you doing here?” Asked Mousse.

“Perfume come from village to help sister,” replied Perfume.

“Mousse, how dare you say Ranma don’t love Shampoo. He is confused and Shampoo will let him be that way for awhile. Mousse, if you do anything for me, why don’t you just leave me alone! Shampoo hate you!” said Shampoo as she ran up the stairs.

“Shampoo…” said Mousse.

He was about to follow her until Perfume placed her hand in front of him. She looked at him with a pleading face, but she shook her head. “Don’t. Shampoo feel bad now. It be good if Mousse avoid Shampoo for awhile,” said Perfume.

“Perfume, I love her so. Why can’t she understand that,” Mousse was about to break into tears.

“Shampoo probably know, but she no want you. She is in love with Ranma. She probably will for rest of life. Shampoo sticks by to everything she believes in. Don’t worry, Perfume calm her down, but Perfume suggest you work somewhere else,” said Perfume fixing her hair.

“I guess I must.” Replied Mousse with a sigh as he left the restaurant. “Good-bye, Shampoo…”

It’s been along time. Now, in present, she looked at Mousse with guilt. She was so cruel to him. She was blinded by her love for Ranma that she didn’t care about Mousse’s feeling toward her. She cursed herself for being so selfish.

“Shampoo so sorry for being so rude to you in past, Mousse,” said Shampoo looking down.

“It’s alright, Shampoo. I forgave you along time ago. I loved you, but now we’re friends, right?” Replied Mousse drinking his tea.

“Right!” replied Shampoo drinking hers. She was so glad to come. It was good to see him and especially see someone in a friendly way. He seemed fine and she was happy for him. It was such luck for him to get a job with Kumiko so quick.

After school, Ranma, Akane, and Perfume were walking home. “Ranma, you idiot, this is the third time this week you got caught,” said Akane.

“What a moron,” said Perfume.

“Hey! I couldn’t help it! Besides I need it for tonight. Pops got me working really hard in training tonight,” replied Ranma.

“Martial artist, are you?” said a voice.

A boy appeared. He had short brown hair with goggles and green hair. He wore a dark blue shirt, baggy jeans, and a jacket tied to his waist. He was as tall as Ranma and handsome.

“Who are you?” Asked Ranma.

“I’m Iruka Fuji,” replied Iruka. “I am a traveling martial artist looking for a challenge and you’re my next victim.”

To be continued…