Chapter4:

I forgive you

Minutes Later, Ranma opened his eyes. He looked at his surroundings and was amazed at where he was.

“I’m in the amazon village?” Asked the martial artist.

He started to walk around looking at the homes. As he walked, many girls looked at him in a seductive way. Ranma gulped and went on his way. He, then, saw two familiar amazons as he squinted his eyes to see them in the distance. “Ran- Ran? Lin- Lin?”

The two amazons turned to him. They looked older and much cuter than he last saw them. They both wore a light blue long dress while holding flowers in their hands.

“Who are you? You should speak Chinese in this village” said Lin- Lin.

“Yes, is custom except for two men… Ayaii! Sister, we be late for big sister Shampoo’s wedding!” said Ran- Ran.

They started to smile as they ran to a building. Ranma was bewildered! Was it true that Shampoo’s getting married in this world? If so, with who? Many questions were popping into his head.

“Shampoo’s getting married? Let’s see who the ‘lucky’ guy is,” He followed the two amazons into the building.

Ranma ran inside the building to see beautiful decorations and many guests. The room was decorated with many types of flowers like lilies, jasmines, and lovely orchid. It looked so pure and holy inside. The cake was high and gorgeous. The icing looked like real, elegent laces and roses. At the top of the cake, there was a bride that looked like Shampoo and the groom, which looked very familiar.

The pigtail boy looked at the guests. They all looked around in their twenties and very familiar. There was one girl with long brown hair wearing a nice dark blue dress as she held hands with a dark haired man wearing a ninja suit. Beside them sat a short raven-haired girl wearing a yellow dress holding a baby.

“Oh, you have such a beautiful baby boy, Akane,” cooed the brown haired girl.

“Thanks, Ukyo. His name’s Ken…Iruka loved that name so well, that’s his name,” said Akane.

“Too bad Iruka couldn’t be here,” said the black haired boy.

“Well, it’s alright! He had to take care of the dojo, and besides, you know he doesn’t get along with you know who,” replied Akane with a chuckle. “But he sends his love to Shampoo.”

Ranma looked at them. They were his friends! He looked at Akane. She looked cuter than she’s ever been. It was strange though that the baby looked nothing like him. He was very curious.

“Um, hello. I’m … Shin from Tokyo. I’m a friend of Shampoo… wow, what a handsome baby you have,” said Ranma looking directly at the baby.

“Oh! Thank you… This is Ukyo and Konastu Kounji,” said the tomboy with a smile. “And I’m Mrs. Iruka Fuji.”

Ranma felt his heart break. Akane was married to that traveling ox! He knew this was an illusion. Even though this was a dream he still had questions. Where was he? Who did he marry? Hopefully not to Kodachi! Suddenly, Cologne came in wearing a nice beige dress as she walked into the middle of the room.

“Guests, it is time to start the wedding,” said the woman with a smile on her face.

The pigtail boy took a seat next to Akane and the Kounjis. An amazon walked to a harp with grace. She sat beside it and started to play a beautiful melody. As the music continued, bride’s maids and groomsmen slowly walked down the isle.

“We would have been in this, but we’ve miss too many rehearsals,” said Konastu.

“Still, Shampoo insisted we place our son in it,” replied Ukyo.

“S-son? You have a son, too?” Asked the martial artist happily.

“Yeah… His name is Choji,” replied the okonamiyaki chief with a smile. “He’s a good boy and is becoming a great ninja like his father.”

Konastu smiled and gave his wife a loving kiss.

A man and woman took Ranma’s attention as they walked slowly down the aisle. The woman had long black hair with a lily behind her ear. She wore a long blue satin dress with matching long gloves. She looked very pretty and dainty as she held hands with a handsome man. He was tall with long black hair. He wore a black and white tuxedo with a nice red rose placed in his front pocket. They smiled at each other and went to their places in the wedding.

“Oh, they are such a cute couple!” said Ukyo.

“That’s Mousse and Kumiko. They’ve been married for two years,” said the ninja man.

“Yeah, a few months after Iruka and I. We thought those two would never tell each other how they truly felt,” replied the raven-haired girl as she rocked her baby.

Down the aisle, a woman and man came down. The man was tall and very handsome. He had short black hair with a yellow / black bandana and brown eyes. He wore the same tux that Mousse wore. The woman had lovely, long pink hair and maroon eyes. She wore a long purple dress with thin straps and also wore matching gloves. She smiled and took hold of the man. The black haired man gulped and gave a nervous smile to their respective place.

“That was Mr. and Mrs. Ryoga Hibiki. They’re the best man and matron of honor. Ryoga used to have a crush on Akane over there,” said Ukyo. “He found out that Perfume truly loved him and almost died for him…Soon enough he found out he loved her too, and they both got married.”

“Yes, their wedding was here. It was as glorious as this one. My, those amazons are great designers,” replied the ninja.

“Also, they have a daughter named Champagne. She’s so cute!” said Akane with a big smile. “Oh, and there’s the little darling now.”

Ranma looked down the aisle. There was a little girl with pink hair in a bun and brown eyes. She wore a cute white dress as she threw flowers on the floor. She smiled with delight as she showed her fangs.

“She has her mother’s beauty and her father’s fangs,” said the pigtail boy as he smiled.

“They are expecting another child,” said the tomboy looking at her child.

“Oh, here comes our Chijo!” said Ukyo happily.

Suddenly a boy came down the aisle. He had black hair and big blue eyes. He wore a white tuxedo with a small lily in his pocket. He held a pillow in his arms as two rings laid on it.

“This is something…the wedding looks wonderful,” commented Ranma sarcastically.

“This is how Shampoo wanted it,” replied the okonamiyaki chef.

“Of course she wanted it this way, it’s her dream,” thought Ranma. “And I bet I know who the groom is now.”

As he looked up to the altar, Ranma’s older self stood there with a smile. He looked taller and much more handsome. He stood beside Ryoga as he fixed the pigtail boy’s bow tie. He wore a stunning white tuxedo with a white rose in his pocket. He smiled to his future sister-in-law, Perfume, and looked up the aisle.

“I knew it, I must stop this! That selfish cat girl!” thought the martial artist.

Suddenly, everyone rose as Shampoo made her appearance. She was gorgeous! Her hair was down with big, beautiful white flowers in place of her usual buns. Her dress was white and long with lovely laces as it showed her cleavage. She wore short puffy sleeves with matching gloves and bouquet of lilies. She made her way down to the aisle as she smile at everyone. She looked to her side and smiled at Genma as he led her to the altar.

“That was nice of Uncle Saotome to lead Shampoo to the altar,” said Ukyo.

“Yeah, Shampoo’s father died between the times Ranma and Shampoo weren’t talking long ago… He was a good man,” replied Akane sighing.

Ranma froze looking blankly at Shampoo into his older self’s eyes. He’s never seen Shampoo so beautiful before. She looked so happy. His mind was going blank as the preacher began the ceremony.

“Dearly beloved, we are gather her today to bring Ranma Saotome and Shampoo into holy matrimony…” said the preacher.

Ranma sat there looking at Shampoo. She looked so calm and mature. She also looked like an angel. He didn’t know what to do now. As the service went on, Ranma had to think of a decision.

“Should I ruin this for her? She looks so happy,” thought Ranma. “I mean, in reality, She knows I love Akane, but here, she can finally have me. But… Perfume and Mousse would be very upset. If she wasn’t here, the rest of them miss her dearly.”

“If anyone who would object to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace…” said the preacher.

Suddenly, Ranma jumped from where he was to a few feet behind Shampoo.

“I do!” said the martial artist.

Everyone looked at him as he stood in a fighting stance.

“Shin!” The chef, ninja, and tomboy shouted in unison

“No, I’m not really Shin. I am the REAL Saotome,” said Ranma.

“Ranma?” Said Shampoo.

Ranma’s older self pointed at him as Mousse and Ryoga ran toward him. Ryoga took his bandanas and shot them at him while Mousse started throwing daggers at him. Ranma barely dodged them with ease, leaving himself open. Mousse released his chains from his sleeves as he grabbed Ranma fiercely. His chains wrapped around his body very nearly decreasing his breathing habit. Shampoo wanted to help him as the older Ranma took a hold of her.

“Shampoo…please… this is your dream. You can stop this,” Ranma choked out between half breaths..

“Don’t listen to him, Shampoo. We belong together. I’m your guy. He’s trying to bring you back to harsh reality. Nothing can stop us. We’ll live together, start a dojo and a family. Shampoo, I love you,” said the older Ranma taking her hand. “You’re the girl of MY dreams.”

“But he is YOUR dream, not real. His emotions are that way only because you want it that way. It’s your illusion,” said Ranma with a small voice.

Mousse held him tighter as Perfume walked to her sister.

“Make a decision, sister. No matter what decision you make I’ll be right by your side in both worlds,” replied the pink hair amazon in Chinese. “But, look, even if Ranma from the real world didn’t love you, it seems he cares because he came to rescue you.”

Shampoo looked at her loving sister picking up her daughter. She realized now what she must do as she turned to the older Ranma.

“Release him, darling,” said Shampoo with a stern look.

Older Ranma nodded his head as Mousse released Ranma. He hit the ground and grasped for air as Shampoo walked to the older Ranma.

“Shampoo… The girl of my dreams,” said Ranma’s older self as he held her.

The purple-haired amazon gave her “groom” a passionate kiss as everyone awed. Ranma looked at the ground in defeat. He knew now she would never come back with him. As she released her kissed, Shampoo had tears in her eyes.

“What’s wrong, my love?” Said her ‘Groom’.

“This is the first and last time I’ll have Ranma in my arms as my own lover. You’re the closest thing of having Ranma, but now I set you free,” said Shampoo.

And with that, the whole wedding started to disappear one by one.

“Oh well… You know I’ll always be with you, Shampoo…” said Ranma’s older self as he caressed her in a deep embrace.

“Yes, and in my dream’s you’ll be…” replied Shampoo. “Wo a Ni…”

With that, the older Ranma disappeared leaving Ranma and Shampoo in the dark. Shampoo fell to her knees, as she became younger like she use to be and wore her Chinese shirt and capris. Ranma slowly walked to her and helped her up slowly.

“What made you change your mind?” Asked Ranma.

“Shampoo know Ranma hate her so. She knows very well of it! No matter who she is and what she do, Ranma think of Akane before Shampoo. In this world, Shampoo can have Ranma look at her the way Shampoo like him to, hold her the way she want, and say things Shampoo want hear so dearly. But… Shampoo knows he no real Ranma. The Ranma Shampoo grew to love,” said the amazon.

The pigtail boy began to soften as the tears streamed from her eyes. He knew he treated Shampoo with unkindness for sometime now and even when they were talking. He couldn’t help it. He was in love with Akane, but Shampoo kept coming along and messing it up. She was so annoying, but now he knew. The law wasn’t the reason why she stayed to marry him. She truly loved him, and he was being such a jerk to her about it this whole time.

“Shampoo…. I want to tell you something,” said the martial artist scratching his head.

Shampoo stood up and looked at him the most pleading eyes. He forgot what he was going to say, so he said what came to his head.

“You know, Shampoo, if you didn’t get in my fight, we wouldn’t be in this mess. I could have taken him,” said Ranma as he turned away from her.

“Yeah, Shampoo know…” replied the amazon with a heavy sigh.

“But at least I know I have an angel on my side,” said the martial artist.

“Huh?” A startled Shampoo looked up.

Ranma turned to her and smiled. She couldn’t believe he was smiling. He was smiling, but why?

“Angel?” Asked Shampoo in confusion.

“Oh! Do you want me to call you the ‘Girl of my dreams’?” said Ranma teasing her.

“Oh, you!” said the Chinese Amazon with a little anger.

Shampoo didn’t need him to tease her now. She looked away from him as he just laugh.

“I forgive you…” said the pigtail boy.

“What! You do?” Asked the purple haired girl.

“Yes.”

“For everything?”

“For everything… but we’re just friends now, we’re not engaged.”

The amazon was so happy. He forgave her. He finally forgave her for everything. It felt as if her heart was nearly healed. She ran to him an embrace him in a hug. Not her usual glomps, but a tender hug.

Ranma stood there looking at her in amazement. She was so happy just to be his friend. It was something he actually thought she would be upset with, but he understood. He knows that as long as she could talk, see, and even feel him it was second only to getting married.

“Let’s go home…” said Shampoo.

In the real world, Ranma and Shampoo started to open their eyes.

“They’re waking!” said a voice.

As they look, they saw Ryoga, Perfume, Mousse, Kumiko, Ukyo, and Konastu, and Cologne hovering over them.

“Rise and shine, sugahs,” said Ukyo.

“Sister!” said Perfume with happiness.

Perfume bent over and hugged Shampoo. She loved her sister so much. They were always together except when Shampoo was on pursuit of Ranma for both to killing and marriage. Perfume always placed Shampoo’s happiness first before her own. Without Shampoo and Ryoga in her life, she’d rather die than be without them.

“I’m glad you’re all right, you two,” said Kumiko smiling.

“Yeah, you were giving us a scare for a minute there,” replied Mousse.

Ranma jumped out of the bed to beside Ryoga.

“It looked like you were having a good time in that bed with Shampoo, you pervert,” said Ryoga poking Ranma in the stomach.

“What the hell you talking about! It was part of Cologne’s technique to get in Shampoo’s illusion,” replied the martial artist annoyed.

“Um, Ranma, pressure point technique didn’t need you to be beside her. All you need to do is have thought of person,” said Perfume.

“Old ghoul!” said Ranma furiously.

Suddenly, Shampoo started to giggle as everyone joined in.

“It’s not funny!” said Ranma folding his arms.

“Oh, Ranma, don’t worry. It harmless joke. Now, let’s get ready to go save Akane and Iruka!” said the purple haired girl.

“Ukyo and I will stay here. We don’t know when the babies going to come,” said Konastu.

“Good lucky, sugahs,” replied Ukyo.

“Tomorrow, we meet here to think up a plan,” replied Cologne.

Everyone nodded as Shampoo looked up at Ranma. She knew nothing would go wrong from now on…maybe.

To be continued…