Chapter 3:

There is Still Hope

Suddenly, it started to rain as Ran-chan ran while holding tightly to Shampoo motionless body. She knew she was still alive because of her heartbeat next to her chest. It was a faint heartbeat, but nevertheless, Ranma still had hope.

“Hang in there, Shampoo!” thought the redhead as she began to go down a block. “Don’t you dare die on me.”

Meanwhile, at Cat Café, Perfume came out the kitchen with a bowl of yummy chow mien as Ryoga, from a booth, watched her come his way. She was so proud of it. Cooking and fighting was the two things she did best.

“Here is food, airen,” said Perfume as she placed the bowl in front of him.

“Thanks,” replied the fanged boy.

He took the food and started to eat. The pink haired girl sat watching eagerly to see his reaction. She always wanted to see his reaction for anything she did for him. It made it more special that way.

As he ate the last noodle, he slurped it with a smile. He liked Perfume’s cooking. It was the best thing he has ever eaten. He didn’t want to make sound like a big so Perfume wouldn’t get any ideas.

“So? How was chow mien?” Asked Perfume leaning towards him.

“Uh, Very tasty,” said Ryoga waiting for her response.

“Of, course it be! Perfume want husband to be happy of wife’s duty,” replied the amazon as she took the bowl back to the kitchen.

“I guess when we marry, you’ll be ready, huh… oops!” said the fanged boy covering his mouth.

Perfume turned around and gleamed with happiness. She knew her hard work would pay off. He finally saw her as his fiancée now. She looked at him with her purple eyes filled with affection. She smiled and hugged him dearly.

“No! No! I didn’t mean it that way!” said Ryoga trying to release from her.

“You know you do, airen. Perfume kiss husband now,” said Perfume moving closer to Ryoga now.

“Oh, no!” said Ryoga while showing his fangs.

Suddenly, the door opened wide. The two looked and saw Ran-chan holding unto the near death Shampoo. Perfume released Ryoga and slowly stood. She looked in terror and she covered her mouth with her hands.

“Great- grandmother!” called Perfume as she ran to Shampoo.

She looked at her body slowly as Ryoga still remained where he was except standing now. She couldn’t believe her twin sister was at this state. The pink haired girl touched her sister face gently as tears started to form in her eyes.

“Old Bat! Where are you?” Asked Ryoga.

“Right here, son-in-law,” replied the old woman slamming her walking stick on his head.

“Great- grandmother, look…” said Perfume looking back at her.

Cologne raised her glance to Perfume, Ran-chan, and Shampoo. Her eyes widened as she looked closely at Shampoo.

“Place her in her room. Perfume, bandage her up,” said Cologne.

“Yes, great-grandmother,” replied the amazon wipe her tears away.

Perfume led Ran-chan to Shampoo’s bedroom as he held tightly on to Shampoo. It was a very nice looking room. It was filled with beautiful items she got from China. Her bed had a beautiful Chinese blanket with a cute little Ranma doll she made herself. Perfume grabbed the doll and hid it before the red head would see. Ran-chan placed her stomach first on the bed, so she wouldn’t place pressure on her wound.

“What happen to her, Ranma?” Asked the lost boy as he came in. “Were you that mad at her?”

“Shut up! Just shut up, Ryoga!” said Ran-chan with anger.

“You two leave! Stop arguing! My sister is hurt bad and all you do is argue! Now leave as I bandage and change her,” said Perfume tending Shampoo.

The two martial artists nodded and left. They made their way back to the restaurant as they saw Cologne place the phone down.

“I called Mousse and Kumiko. They shall be here soon to check on Shampoo. Now, son-in…I mean Ranma, what happened,” said Cologne moving toward him.

“Well, Akane and I got a fight today about this guy named Iruka Fuji, whose a traveling dork who challenged me earlier. Well, anyway, I said some things and I upset her, so she ran out followed by that guy. I went after her and suddenly, she was being held hostage by ninjas. Shampoo arrived before I fought one of the ninjas. She acted stupid and took over my fight! Plus She just had to see if I was all right when…” said the pigtailed girl.

She fell to the ground, on her knees, shaken up. She usually never really gotten upset, but she didn’t want to see anyone dear to her really hurt. She might have been ignoring Shampoo and was forever angry with her; deep down she was hurting along with her. She did mean something to her, just not the way she wanted.

“Ranma…” said Ryoga looking on with Cologne.

“Ninjas, huh? Do you know who they were?” Asked Perfume as she walked in with a kettle.

“Um, I think they call themselves the “Godai Clan”,” said Ran-chan.

The two amazons looked at each other confounded as Ran-chan poured the hot kettle on herself.

“Godai! That sounds familiar… Isn’t it some kind of cheese?” Asked Ryoga walking to Perfume.

“No, son-in-law,” replied the old woman,” they are more than that!”

“Ayaii! Godai clan is top- agent to the Prince of Rum, place north of amazon tribe,” said Perfume showing anger.

“Why are you angry?” Said the pig tail boy.

“The prince there took a liking to Shampoo and Perfume,” said Cologne sitting down.

“He try to marry Perfume, but he no can handle Perfume. She too strong,” said the pink haired girl smiling and holding unto Ryoga’s arm.

“I now understand what he wanted Shampoo, but what does he want Akane and Iruka for,” said Ranma.

“Well, I’ll find out soon enough,” replied the lost boy as he left out. “I got to save my Akane!”

Perfume was concerned for Akane. They were basically friends and gotten along great. Next to her sister, Akane, Kumiko, and Ukyo were her best friends. Still, Ryoga was in love with her, so she had to fight for what was hers while rescuing the shorthaired tomboy and the handsome traveling martial artist.

“I come, too,” said the amazon about to run out.

“Perfume, don’t…. You are strong, yes, even stronger than your sister, but you are not ready to face the Prince and his men. Go get your husband and bring him back,” said Cologne getting up.

The old amazon stood high on her walking stick and looked at Ranma. He was shaking his head and he started to think to himself. She knew very well who he was thinking about. Perfume looked at them and went on her way to find Ryoga.

“Don’t worry, Ranma, you will Akane back and you’ll move on,” said Cologne.

“I know, but I hope Shampoo will be all right. Her health and safety is all that I care about right now,” Said Ranma.

Cologne looked at him in amazement. Was he really so concerned for her great-granddaughter that he totally forgot about his woman? Maybe he actually cared for her. They haven’t talked for a whole year. Maybe the time they were separated was for a good cause. Sometimes caring for someone could turn to love. Shampoo still had a chance to win Ranma’s heart. Maybe not a very big chance, but still it was there.

“Is there anyway we can help her?” Asked the martial artist.

“Well… there is one way I think. Come with me,” said Cologne walking away.

Ranma started to follow her to Shampoo’s room again. Shampoo laid on the bed motionless as like in a deep sleep. She was in a short Chinese dress and her hair was taken down. She held the Ranma doll in her hands. Ranma looked at the doll and many questions filled his head. Ranma sat in a chair as the old woman took Shampoo’s hand. She started to concentrate, as they both start to glow like a bright star.

“W-What are you doing, old ghoul?!” said Ranma jumping to his feet.

“I am giving her the ‘Healing of Life’ pressure points,” replied Cologne.

“The ‘Healing of Life’? What’s that?” asked Ranma with curiosity.

“The ‘Healing of Life’ pressure points can cure the body from deep cuts, illnesses, and certain diseases. It’s a very useful technique,” replied Cologne.

Ranma looked at the lavender hair amazon on the bed. She looked almost brand new. She even looked better than she used to. Her body was soft and with a pinkish color. She looked real cute when she was asleep. But there was something wrong.

“Why isn’t she awake?” Asked Ranma.

“Hmm, let me see,” replied Cologne as she leaned toward Shampoo.

Cologne took her fingers and pressed the sides of the fallen Amazon’s head. She started to close her eyes and concentrate. Ranma watched as he could feel their auras change rapidly. Suddenly, Cologne opened her eyes and sighed. She turned to Ranma and shook her head.

“She isn’t coming out…” said the woman.

“What!” said Ranma in disbelief.

“Her spirit is between reality and the illusion world. The illusion world seems to be what she wants. You could call it her own dream.”

“So, what’s her illusion about?”

“Well, why don’t you go bring her back. You’re the only one who can influence her to come back, Ranma.”

“Of course I will!”

“Well, then, you must lay with her on the bed.”

The martial artist looked at the old woman like she was crazy. He knew he didn’t hate Shampoo, but he know if he held her in an embrace, he would feel as if he was betraying Akane. No matter, he needed to see her open her eyes, smile, and even say “Wo a Ni”.

“Fine, but don’t try anything, old ghoul,” said Ranma leaning toward Shampoo.

He looked at he once more as he gave a gulp. He slowly laid beside Shampoo looking at her face. She looked so peaceful. Her lips were nice and plump. Her skin felt so soft as he took a hold of her.

“Wow, she smells good…and she’s so soft…” thought the pigtailed boy.

“Getting a little too comfortable there with my great-granddaughter, huh?” Said Cologne with a chuckle.

“Shut up!” yelled Ranma with anger.

“Okay, Ranma, close your eyes and I’ll direct you to Shampoo in her mind,” said the amazon. “When you’re there, be casual and don’t tell anyone your name unless necessary. Be careful, this might be a dream, but if you mess up, you might get both of you locked inside forever.”

Ranma placed his head on top of Shampoo’s and closed his eyes. Cologne pressed a pressure point under Ranma and Shampoo’s ear as he was thinking.

“Don’t worry, Shampoo. I’ll get you back alive… I promise,” thought Ranma.

To be continued….