******************* Ranma 1/2 Mousse's Flip Side! The Contrary Jewel Strikes Again! by Ken (Toshiro Seiji) Cross kcross@bgnet.bgsu.edu ******************* Tis a bright, and sunny day in the Nerima district of Tokyo town. Down at the Tendo Anything Goes Martial Arts Training Hall, everything is progressing normally. Ranma, busy having his morning spar with his father, leaps out of the koi pond where he was just deposited. His father, standing on a nearby rock, starts to laugh heartily at his son. "Ranma, my boy! You are getting sloppy! Not to mention very predictable!" says Genma. He continues to laugh hard, his eyes closed. With them closed he doesn't notice Ranma-chan rush to his side and roundhouse him into the aforementioned pond. "Ha! Who's gettin' sloppy old man?!" Ranma-chan says. He looks over to the Tendo house and sees the eldest daughter, Kasumi, setting the table for breakfast. She thinks. Walking towards the house, her mind on the impending breakfast meal awaiting him, she is suddenly rocketed towards the stratoshphere by Genma-Panda who's holding up the sign he used to launch Ranma into space. It says, *It is you who's getting sloppy, whelp!* Ranma-Chan's descent is, as usual, very fast. Her father hit her straight up. At the height of her ascent she arcs slightly over, positioning her right above the Tendo's roof. Her flight is ended as she lands THROUGH the Tendo roof and lands in a heap in Akane's room. Unfortunately for Ranma, Akane is still in her room. She happens to be dressing at the moment, and is wearing only her panties, in the process of putting on her bra. She turns from her mirror and looks at the twitching heap known as Ranma Saotome. Her first reaction would be to beat her to a pulp and send her back into planetary orbit. But she does something else. She rushes to Ranma's side, and starts to twist him out of his peculiar position. "Ranma! Are you all right?!" She, asks concerned. Ranma thinks. Then he realizes that Akane is concerned for him instead of furious. His disposition instantly brightens. Ranma groans for effect then says, "Yeah Akane, I'm fine. Could you help me out of this?" she asks her. "Sure Ranma, I'll help you out!" She replies to him. And she does. Bending his knees and arms so that they are in a human like position. She even goes as far as brushing Ranma's shirt off. Wiping the dust away. She looks up at him. He's smiling. "Thanks Aka . . ." Ranma starts to say. He never finishes as he flies through the window, courtesy of a patented Akane Tendo- Ranma Punch!(tm) He soon disappears off of the property and veers off for an unknown destination. "Really! Barging in my room like that! While I'm dressing no less!" Akane says as she puts on her school uniform. "The nerve of that pervert! He really IS as bad as Happosai!" ****** Ranma-chan once again reenter's Earth's atmosphere and lands in a garbage dumpster outside of a familiar Ramen restaurant. She gets out of it holding her head. "Ohhh! What a kawaiikune otemba! It wasn't my fault that I landed in her room!" Ranma-chan complains. She walks toward the Nekohanten and starts to open up the door. "What'd she hafta go an do that for!" Opening the door the rest of the way Ranma-chan finds herself in a deathgrip of a hug. "Ugh! Shampoo! Get offa me! I need some hot water!" "Okay Ranma! Shampoo get water for you!" The Amazonian warrior/waitress answers. Calling out to Mousse she says. "Mousse! Get Ranma hot water!" Mousse was sweeping up the floor of the restuarant. He abruptly stops and looks at Shampoo. This look is diffrent from his typical loving look. Actually it wasn't a 'loving' look at all. This was an icy stare! He looks her up and down in disgust then curls his lips in a sneer saying. "Get it yourself! I am not your slave!" Shampoo is, to put it mildly, shocked to her core. Never once had Mousse ever looked at her with such disgust, or spoken to her with utter contemptment. She releases her grip on Ranma and turns toward Mousse. Her expression goes from shock to anger. "What you say Mousse? Shampoo no think she hear clearly!" She says, her fist balled in rage. "I said get it yourself Shampoo! I do not follow your orders like some lapdog!" Mousse says with the same tone of voice. "You have two legs. As far as I remember, they work very well too! So you are quite capable of getting the water yourself! Go get it!" He continues to stare Shampoo in the eyes. Ranma-chan, standing in the doorway, can't believe what she just heard. She thinks. She continues to watch the scene unfolding before her. Shampoo angrily heads for the kitchen and fills a tea kettle of hot water. Then she makes a pail of cold water to splash on that disrespectful Mousse. Shampoo thinks. She shuts off the cold water and goes back out into the hall with the water. Handing the tea kettle to Ranma she readies the pail of cold water and tosses it at Mousse. Litlle did she know that Mousse wasn't there. He was already behind her. "Shampoo . . . I had no idea that you wanted to mop the floor!" Mousse says sarcastically. He whips out a mop, shoving it into her midsection pushing her back a few steps. "Here you go! I hope you have wonderful time!" Mousse turns his back to Shampoo and starts to walk away. "Aiya! Mousse! Shampoo kill you!" Shampoo screams at him. Using the mop as a weapon, she swings it at his back, hoping to strike him across it. Mousse however surprises her by kicking backwards, going through the mop and striking her in the stomach, sending her flying past a now steaming wet Ranma-kun and through the doorway into the garbage pile. Ranma's gaze follows Shampoo as she makes contact with the wall and garbage bags. Then he looks towards Mousse, who glasses are now resting on his head. Mousse's gaze is also fixated on the now unconscious Shampoo. Ranma looks closely at his eye's which are shining in the sunlight. Instead of being black like they usually are, they now have a slight red tinge to them. His gaze at Shampoo is almost enough to give Ranma a chill down his spine. Ranma thinks. A little later at Furinkan High School, Ranma is quietly having lunch with Akane and Ukyou underneath a tree. For once, neither Kunou nor Ryouga have come to bother Ranma. He's eating his lunch in peace, his mind still wondering about the spectacle that he saw earlier that morning. He's not saying one word to either Akane or Ukyou. That has the two fiancee's worrying. "Ranchan is something wrong?" Ukyou asks him. "Yeah Ranma. You've been awfully quiet today." Akane says. "Is something on your mind?" Ranma looks towards the both of them. He turns his head back to his lunch. At first he doesn't say anything, then he says "Today after my daily visit to low-level orbit, I landed outside the Nekohanten." Ranma doesn't notice Akane tense up at the mention of Shampoo's place of business. He continues, "When I went inside Shampoo, was all over me as usual. And after I asked for some hot water to change back into a guy, she asked Mousse to get it for me." "What's wrong with that?" Akane says. "She always has Mousse doing stuff for her. That's nothing new." Ukyou nods in agreement. "That's not what's so weird! Mousse gave Shampoo an icy cold stare and refused to get it. Telling her to get it for herself!" Ranma says. "That Jackass! Is he still alive? Should we go and visit his grave?" Ukyou says. "No." Ranma starts. "Mousse is very much alive! In fact when Shampoo tried to throw some water on him, she missed because by the time the water was out of the pail, he was already behind her!" He finishes. Akane and Ukyou's mouths hit the ground in shock. Once they regain their composure they say, "Nani?! Are you serious!" Ranma nods his head and then says, "Yeah. He then shoved a mop into her hand and said that he hoped she had a fun time mopping up the floor. She of course tried to beat him sensless with the mop, but Mousse kicked _through_ the mop and knocked Shampoo outside into the wall! She was out like a light instantly!" Ukyou and Akane can't believe what they just heard, but Ranma tells them that it was all true. He also tell them of how Mousse glared at Shampoo and had the redish tint to his eyes. "I think he's wearing the reversal jewel that Shampoo was wearing that one time! It's the only explanation for the way he's actin' to her." Ranma says. "But Ranchan . . . how could he have gotten it on him? It's not like he would put it on himself ya know!" Ukyou says. "I know. I haven't one clue how he got it on him. All I know is that Shampoo has never been beaten so quickly, except for when I beat her that first time in her village." Ranma says. "Somehow Mousse's martail arts have been focused very sharply. He's a really dangerous guy now! As if he wasn't dangerous enough." After a few moments of silence, Nabiki comes over and starts to gossip with them. "Hey you guys, did you hear that Shampoo got royally trashed by someone this morning? I heard that she was unconscious for at least an hour and a half!" She says. "I wonder who could've possibly done that to her." "It was Mousse, Nabiki." Ranma says. "I was there when it happened. He did it with one kick too!" Nabiki is also caught in her own mild facefault at the mention of Mousse's actions. "Now way Saotome! You've got to be kidding me! There's no way he could do that to her on his _best_ day!" Ranma only nods his head. Nabiki's calculating mind is already processing some way to make some money off of this knowledge. For once she's stumped on a way to make some money off of Mousse. It's something that she's never done before. She thinks. "So Ranma . . . are you going to avenge Shampoo? She is your fiancee after all!" Nabiki says to him. "Shut up Nabiki! I never _asked _ for her to be my fiancee!" Ranma protests. "Still, I wonder if that she'll try and chase Mousse around now that he beat her." ********* Back in the Nekohanten. Shampoo is busily making orders for her customers. Her mind is elsewhere though. She's thinking about Mousse's behavior to her and how he beat her so easily. As she brings an order to a man in a booth, she remembers waking up and no one was in the restaurant with her. Shortly after Ranma had carried her up to her room. Mousse left the restaurant, his whereabouts unknown. She thinks. Her hand instinctively goes to her stomach where Mousse kicked her. There's now a light bruise there. A sharp feeling of pain courses through her when she touches it. Her hand retracts from the bruise and her thoughts go back to Mousse. Shampoo thinks to herself. But Shampoo's face softens and looks very crestfallen, like she'd lost her best friend. She remembers how Mousse quickly came to her rescue on Togenkyo Island. The Bird-man that captured her and was about to attack her when Mousse interrupted. ****** "Hmph! Once again I've hit the jackpot!" Mousse says. "So! Your strong man has come for you!" Says the Bird-man. "I won't let you have Shampoo! She's my bride!" "Stop your silly joking!" Shampoo shouted. "Shampoo no marry you!" "Do not fear Shampoo!" Mousse replies. "Once I defeat him, you'll be my bride." Mousse brings out his set of three-pronged claws. After a few minutes of fighting between Mousse and the Bird-man, Shampoo says "Either way Shampoo no care who win!" She turns her gaze away but then turns back towards Mousse watching him, from below, in concern. Mousse blocks a downward strike from the Bird-man and breaks his sword with his claws. The Bird-man flies up and yells, "Feather Blizzard!" Mousse is temporarily blinded by the feathers and is caught in a rope, sent by the Bird-man. "Mousse! What you doing!" yelled Shampoo. "Hah! I have you now!" The Bird-man says to Mousse. "Mousse! Shampoo help you!" Shampoo throws a dart at the rope binding Mousse. It hits the mark and is released. The Bird-Man is enraged. "I've had enough of your interference woman!" He throws feathers all around Shampoo. They stick into the wood behind her, leaving no room for her to move. "Shampoo!" Mousse yells in concern for his love. "Now for you! Yaah!" The Bird-Man throws many feathers at Mousse. Instead of going around Mousse they go INTO Mousse, puncturing skin and making his muscles immobile. "AAAAHHH!!!" Screams Mousse in pain. "Now woman . . ." The Bird-man addresses Shampoo. " . . . will you be mine?" "STOP!" The Bird-Man and Shampoo's gaze turn towards the voice. It was from the supposedly paralyzed Mousse, who was now inching closer to the Bird-man. "Don't you put your filthy hands on her!" Mousse says. "Mousse!" Says Shampoo in surprise. "How can you be moving!" says the Bird-man. "Those feathers are like acupuncture needles!" He throws more feathers into Mousse's body. Mousse yells out in pain, but keeps moving towards him. "Are you human?! Don't you feel pain?!" He says in shock. Mousse, in a herculean effort, ejects the feathers from his body and launches a right cross at the Bird-man's jaw which connects very solidly, knocking him out instantly! He stands and looks at Shampoo and says, "Shampoo, I did it . . ." Then he passes out and falls off the perch that he was on. "Mousse!" Shampoo yells and jumps up high to catch him. She lands, cradling him in her arms. She strokes his hair softly and caresses his face. "Shampoo's my bride . . ." Mousse says before going unconscious. "Stupid . . ." Shampoo says softly. "You no have to do that Mousse." ****** Shampoo comes out of her reverie when she hears someone enter the door. She goes out cheerily and says, "Welcome to . . ." She stops when she looks into the face of Mousse. Her expression hardens and she turns saying. "Where you been, Mousse? Shampoo have to handle restaurant by herself." Mousse snarls and says, "I don't see where that is ANY of your concern! I was busy . . . that's all you need to know." He goes and starts to walk up the stairs to his room. Shampoo comes over and stops him. "What do you want?!" Shampoo jumps at the malice in his tone. Soon she regains her composure and says, "Mousse . . . ." She says, then she softens her voice. "Mousse . . . Did Shampoo do something to Mousse? If I did then, Shampoo is sorry." Mousse turns around and looks at Shampoo hard. "Shampoo . . . you have done nothing to me." Mousse says. Shampoo's face starts to brighten, then Mousse continues. "You've done nothing but continue breathing! I hate you Shampoo! Never bother me again!" With that Mousse turns back around and heads to his room. Shampoo stands right where Mousse left her. Her mind replay the whole conversation over and over. *I Hate You Shampoo!* *You've done nothing, but continue to breathe!* *I Hate You Shampoo!* *Never bother me again!* *Never! HATE!! Never bother me! HATE YOU!! Never bother me again! I HATE YOU SHAMPOO!!!!* Shampoo quietly walked downstairs to a booth and sits down, not talking to anyone. Even the customers who were ready to order were being ignored. Shampoo was lost in her own little world, separate from everyone else. Her mind still on the conversation that she and Mousse just had. Eventually everyone left the Nekohanten since they were being ignored. Hours pass until it's after time for Ranma and the others to be out of school. Ranma, Akane and Ukyou walk to the Nekohanten to check on Shampoo. They enter the restaurant and are struck by the fact that the place is empty, except for Shampoo, who's still sitting in the booth she was in. Her gaze is glosssy and she's looks as if she's staring right through Ranma and the others. They walk over to her and are surprised that she makes not one move to glomp onto Ranma. When they wave a hand in front of her, her gaze doesn't waver. She's still lost in her world. Dazed at the fact that Mousse hates her guts. Mousse, who's always saying that he loves her. Mousse, who's always by her side when she's in trouble or even if she's not in trouble. Mousse, whom she kicks around, screams at, beats up everyday. Mousse, whom she . . . whom she . . . "Wow." Says Akane. "She's really out of it! She's not even trying to glomp onto Ranma like she always does." Akane's face becomes knitted with concern. "Now I'm worried!" "You got that right sugar! She's one lost space cadet now!" Ukyou says, waving another hand in front of Shampoo's face. This time they get a reaction. Shampoo's eyes start to shimmer like tears are about to come out of her eyes. She finally notices that she's not alone and looks up at Ranma, Akane and Ukyou. She still doesn't move one inch, but stays in her seat looking at them. Then she manages to say "Mousse . . . hates . . . me." Then she runs out of the restaurant. Ranma immediately runs off after her. "Mousse hates her?" Ukyou and Akane say to each other in surprise. ****** Shampoo runs down the street, running aimlessly, not caring where she's going to. Ranma chases after her calling her name and asking her to stop. Shampoo keeps on running though, soon Ranma begins to overtake her and stops her himself. She struggles weakly with him, trying to get out of his grasp. "Shampoo stop!" Ranma says to her. "Tell me why does Mousse hate you? What did he say?" Shampoo is sniffling. She'd been crying all the time that she was running away from Ranma. Her cheeks were still wet with tears as she started to tell Ranma what Mousse said to her. "I ask Mousse if Shampoo do anything to make him mad, and told him that if Shampoo did then she sorry." Shampoo says. "He say that Shampoo no do nothing except for breathing. Then he say he hate Shampoo and never want to be bothered by her again!" Shampoo's tears start to fall again, making her look like a weak, but cute kitten crying softly. Ranma is shocked that even _with_ the reversal jewel, that he would say something so harsh to Shampoo. The jewel is supposed to turn love to hatred if worn upside down and is usually augmented by the strength of the feelings. He thinks. He pulls Shampoo into a hug and comforts her. "Shampoo I'm sorry that this is happening to you" He says. Shampoo cries into his chest. "But what Mousse is saying is..." Ranma catches himself before going on. He thinks. ". . . what Mousse is saying is not true. He still loves you deep down inside! You just have to show him that you feel something for him too! He'll come around." Shampoo sniffs a couple of times, then looks up at Ranma. She smiles slightly and says, "Airen, you won't be mad at me for chasing after Mousse? I don't love him . . . it's . . . it's just that he's the only good friend I have." Shampoo says. Shampoo thinks. "NO!" Ranma says excitedly. Not wanting to sound too excited about Shampoo's desicion he says, "No Shampoo! Not at all! In fact I'll help you if you want!" He looks at Shampoo then adds, "Akane and Ukyou will even help out!" Shampoo looks skeptical at first, then says. "Really? Violent Girl and Spatula Girl help Shampoo?" Ranma smiles and says, "They'll be delighted!" ****** "We'd be delighted!" Ukyou and Akane say to Shampoo. The four of them are standing in Ucchan's restaurant. Ukyou went there after a while and Akane followed, figuring that Ranma would eventually show up. When he entered Ucchan's with his arm around Shampoo, she was a little bit angry, but after Ranma told them that Shampoo wanted their help in getting Mousse back to normal, her attitude changed instantly. "I would be glad to help you Shampoo! It would be my pleasure!" Akane says. She thinks. "Mine too sugar! We'll have Mousse eating out of your hands again before you know it!" Ukyou says from behind her grille. Ukyou thinks. Ukyou and Akane both smile and think to themselves "Akane. Spatula . . . I mean Ukyou. Thank you! You no know what this mean to Shampoo!" Shampoo says happily. "It's okay sugar, we both know what it feels like to be upset by one you love!" Ukyou says. She looks at Ranma, sadly at first, then she brightens up and looks to Akane saying, "Right Akane?" "Uh . . . yeah! Right Ukyou!" Akane says. She too looks at Ranma a bit sad at first. Then she shakes it off and speaks again. "You no understand! Shampoo not love Mousse! Shampoo just . . . she just want Mousse back to normal again. That all." Shampoo protests. She once again starts to debate with herself about her true feelings for the blind fool named Mousse. She comes out of it when she realizes that Akane asked her a question. "What you say Akane?" Shampoo asks. "I said, what do you want to do for him?" Akane says. "Do you want to make him a dinner? Take him out on a date or what?" "Shampoo not know." Shampoo replies. "First Shampoo thinks that she better get Mousse to talk to her again first." Shampoo thinks about how Mousse told her not to bother him again. She can imagine herself trying to go to Mousse and he would flat out ignore her. She tells the other two girls what Mousse says about leaving him alone. "He no talk to Shampoo easily, that for sure." She says. "Hmm. Maybe one of you girls should talk to him first." Ranma suggests. "Akane, he knows you a little better than Ukyou. Maybe you could do it" "Okay." Akane says. "I'll do it tomorrow after school." "Great!" Ranma exclaims. He looks at the clock on the wall. It's almost time for Kasumi to put dinner on the table. "We'd better get home Akane. It's almost time for dinner" Ranma says. "You're right Ranma. Let's go." Akane turns to Shampoo and puts a friendly arm on her shoulder. Smiling she says. "Don't worry Shampoo. Mousse'll be back to normal in no time. Perhaps you should go home and try at least one more time." Shampoo looks sincerely into Akane's eyes and stops regarding her as a rival for the affections of Ranma, starting to see her for what she really is. A true friend. She hugs Akane lightly and says her thanks to her. Saying the same to Ranma and Ukyou, she leaves the restaurant and heads home, feeling better than she ever has before. ****** Back in the Nekohanten Shampoo enters the doorway and looks around. Not a soul is in the restaurant it would seem. Upstairs Shampoo can hear movements being made, so she knows that Mousse is home. Sighing she heads upstairs to confront him. She knocks on his door and says, "Mousse? Can Shampoo come in?" She doesn't hear anything for a few moments. Then Mousse says that she may enter. Shampoo opens the door and survey's his room. Mousse had been practicing and is sweating all over his exposed chest and face. His robes are on his makeshift bed. Mousse is wearing nothing but his black silk pants and his slippers. He stands tall, his glasses off and stares at Shampoo. Shampoo in turn stares at him. Her gaze goes all over his well developed upper body. Shampoo's thought halt for a second. Shampoo finally talks to Mousse. "Mousse . . . are you okay? You always so angry with Shampoo now. Shampoo worried!" Mousse growls in disgust and turns away from Shampoo saying, "There is nothing wrong with me Shampoo. And your concern for me is what it has always been. Falsified! I was just to stupid to realize it before!" He whirls around and stares Shampoo down. "Now get out! The very sight of you upsets me!" Shampoo is startled by Mousse's statements for the second time in one day. She takes a step closer to him and says, "Mousse that not true! Shampoo do care for you! You Shampoo's best friend!" She says. Taking another step closer, she puts a hand on his shoulder. "Please Mousse . . . don't be mad at Shampoo! Shampoo need you." She says softly. Mousse brushes her hand off of him and steps away from her. "Bah! All those times that I said 'I love you Shampoo! I'd do anything for you Shampoo!, I would die for you Shampoo!' all you did was yell at me and beat me up!" Mousse turns his back and holds up a shaking fist. "I was such a fool! To waste all of my time on you when there were many other fish in the sea. Ukyou, for one. She's cute, maybe I should chase after her for once!" Shampoo rushes over and puts both of her hands on Mousse pleading with him. "Mousse no! Ukyou not care for you! Shampoo is the one who . . . who . . ." Shampoo's internal struggle with herself rages on, making her stop herself from completing her sentence. Mousse whirls on her again and says, "I thought I told you to get out Shampoo! I'm not going to say it again! Get out now or I'll throw you out myself!" Mousse looks her dead in the eyes, and Shampoo knows that he would make good on his threats. She turns around and starts to leave. She turns around again and says, "Mousse . . . Shampoo'll make you love her again! Just you watch!" Shampoo runs out of the room and leaves the restaurant again. This time she heads for the Tendo dojo. Back in Mousse's room. "Shampoo . . . I'm sorry." Mousse says. "These dark red contact work perfectly! I can sense the conflict in her voice when she was speaking to me." Mousse raises his fist into the air and shakes it violently, then he shouts out into the sky. "Shampoo! I will make you say you love me!! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!" Mousse falls out of the open window he was standing in front of. He lands in the back alley of the Nekohanten in a heap, moaning and groaning in pain. Shampoo awakens to the bright sunlight the next morning. Her eyes close tightly from the blaring sunlight. She holds a hand over her eyes to block the sunlight. Yawning loudly she gets up from her place on the floor. She had slept all night thinking about Mousse. Not that she hasn't done this before mind you, but this time it was diffrent. You see, Shampoo received the shock of her life yesterday. Mousse, the young man who's been totally and completely in love with her since childhood, treated her like she was the lowest life form on the planet. He was rude, abraisive and just downright cold! He even knocked her out without trying very hard! That was especially hard for her to take, since she's supposed to be the best warrior in the village. She was so upset by him last night that she left the Nekohanten and spent the night at the Tendo Dojo. Akane, the girl who's engaged to her own fiancee' by village law, said that she could sleep with her. Shampoo rolled up the spare futon and went to take a bath. After her bath she quickly dressed and came down to eat breakfast. Kasumi had cooked her usual spectacular culinary delight. Ranma and Akane didn't even get into a fight this morning. They were too busy caught up in thinking about Mousse and his recent behavior towards their guest. "So Shampoo, what are you going to do about Mousse?" Asks Akane. "Shampoo not know. I no know where start." Shampoo answers. Soun Tendo, who was calmly reading the paper, puts it down and speaks. "What's this? Mousse is giving you trouble Shampoo?" "Yes. Shampoo no know what gotten into Mousse." Shampoo says. "He act so mean all of sudden." "I see." says Soun. "Well now, I guess all you can do now is confront Mousse and ask him what's wrong." "Shampoo already do that." She replies. "Mousse still throw Shampoo out and say he don't want to see Shampoo again." Her voice grows noticably sad as she utters those words. Akane sees a window of opportunity and dives for it. "Shampoo, why don't you go out on a date with Mousse. You know . . . to show him that you do care about him a little." She suggests. "You . . .do care about him right?" Shampoo's eyes flash with anger. "Violent Tomboy girl just try and take Shampoo's mind off husband! It no work! I love Ranma . . . I just . . . I . ." Shampoo's anger flies out of her. "I do care about Mousse." She says softly. "Well then if you care about him, you can go out with him right?" Akane says. "I'm only trying to help you Shampoo." She thinks. "Akane's right Shampoo." Ranma adds. "The only way to show your feelings for Mousse without saying you love him, is going out with him. It's only a date! Not a marriage ceremony." "Hmph. If it's that easy Saotome, then why don't you take Akane out on a date?" Nabiki says. Akane's eyes shift to Ranma, as does everyone elses except Shampoo's. Ranma starts to sweat after feeling a little of the heat being put on him. He tugs at his collar, letting out some of the steam. He starts to speak after being under the spotlight for so long. And as usual, he sticks his foot in his mouth as soon as he opens it. "I told you all, that I don't want to be seen out on a date with such a violent, uncute tomboy like Akane! No way! No ho- ooofff!!" As per ususal, Akane's quick temper flares and knocks Ranma into the koi pond in the backyard. From underneath he can be heard mumbling, "Kawaiikune!" Shampoo didn't even pay attention to what had just transpired. She's too deep in thought about Mousse and herself on a date, TOGETHER. She thinks. ********* Mousse's Flip Side! The Contrary Jewel Strikes Again! Part 2 "Do you love me?" by Ken (Toshiro Seiji) Cross ********* After breakfast, Shampoo thanks the Tendo's for their hospitality and heads for the Nekohanten as Ranma and Akane head for school together. She arrives and finds a note on the door. It reads: Shampoo, If you return, as I know you will, I am out buying supplies. I will be back soon. Mousse. Shampoo crumbles the letter and heads inside. Sure enough, Mousse isn't around, so she takes this chance to search her Great Gandmother's Room for the contrary jewel. She searches for at least ten minutes and finds the box that the jewel was in. It's still in there! "Aiya! Jewel still in box!" Shampoo says out loud. "Well then maybe you'll believe me now when I say I don't want you bothering me!" says a voice. Shampoo grabs her heart and whirls around. Mousse stands in the doorway, his glasses nowhere to be seen. His eyes are still giving that 'don't mess with me, lest you want to meet death' look. And yes, they are still dark red. "Mousse! You no scare Shampoo like that!" Mousse chuckles. "Well then, why don't you be more aware of your surroundings!" he snaps. Turning around and leaving the doorway he shouts over his back, "Come down and help me prepare the restaurant." Shampoo just stands there, thinking about what could possibly be wrong with Mousse. She was wrong about the contrary jewel. Now she had no other options left. She was determined to get to the root of this problem and solve it. She wanted things just like they were before. Mousse saying that he loved her and her beating him into the ground and chasing after Ranma. At that moment she just realized how wrong that is. Her blind mistreatment of Mousse, her longtime best friend, has been exactly what she's been getting in return from Mousse of late. She smiles and heads out the door. She planned on solving this problem right now! Boy was she in for a surprise! Shampoo walks down the stairs and sees Mousse wiping tables. She goes over to him and taps him on the shoulder. He snarls and says, "What do you want?" "Shampoo knows why you act this way Mousse!" She says confidently. Mousse turns and looks at her smirking. "Oh you do, do you?" "Yes. You only act this way because Shampoo has ignored you and beat you up when you say you love her." She says to him. "Shampoo sorry, and promise to not do again." Mousse looks at her for a few moments. Then he starts to laugh. Loudly. "You haven't learned anything Shampoo!" Mousse says through his laughs. "That isn't why I'm acting this way to you. The reason I'm acting this way to you is because _I_HATE_YOU_!" Shampoo stiffens visibly. She looks at Mousse in disbelief. "Mousse . . . Mousse you no hate Shampoo. You love Shampoo!" She sounds very desperate. This is a last ditch effort. If this doesn't work she doesn't have anything else to use on him. "Shampoo want to take Mousse to date." Mousse stops laughing and looks at her seriously. He walks up to her and takes hold of her shoulders. "Shampoo . . . oh you don't how overjoyed . ." He pauses. Shampoo's eyes brighten with hope. Mousse continues. ". . I _would've_ been had it been the old me you asked. But . . . alas it's not the old me and I wouldn't go on a date with you now if my life depended on it!" Shampoo's eyes start to water. Mousse let's go of her shoulders and walks back to the table he was washing. "Besides . . . I already have a date tonight." Shampoo can't believe what she has just heard. Mousse has asked another girl . . . ANOTHER GIRL, not her, out on a date! The tears in her eyes flow out slowly, and her heart sinks into her stomach. She swallows the knot in her throat and says, shakily, "Who . . . is she?" Mousse seems upset with that question. "Not that it's any of your business but, she's a martial artist. And she can cook very well! I had breakfast with her this morning, and her name is . . ." Mousse turns around and finds no one there. He finishes what he was saying " . . . Takaya Naoshi." ******** Shampoo runs down the street, tears flowing freely from her eyes. She can't control her racking sobs as she heads for an all too familiar destination. Her thoughts fly back to last night in Mousse's room ___________ "All those times that I said 'I love you Shampoo! I'd do anything for you Shampoo!, I would die for you Shampoo!' all you did was yell at me and beat me up!" Mousse turns his back and holds up a shaking fist. "I was such a fool! To waste all of my time on you when there were many other fish in the sea. Ukyou, for one. She's cute, maybe I should chase after her for once!" Shampoo rushes over and puts both of her hands on Mousse pleading with him. "Mousse no! Ukyou not care for you! Shampoo is the one who . . . who . ." Shampoo's internal struggle with herself rages on, making her stop herself from completing her sentence. ___________ Shampoo's eyes burn with hatred. She picks up her pace as she heads for Furinkan High School. Her eyes are still crying tears. She takes out her Bonbori, preparing for battle. "Ukyou try and take Ranma from me, now she try and take Mousse! Shampoo kill her for that! She can't have him . . . not Mousse! Not . . . Mousse!" She says. She tears through the gate and makes her way to the door. ******** Ranma, Akane, and Ukyou are walking in the hall together. They had just come out of Hinako-sensei's class. Ranma as usual had been 'disciplined' for sleeping in class. Akane as usual was mad at him for sleeping and getting disiplined. Ukyou was laughing at Akane's latest insult of Ranma . . something to the effect of 'Muscleheaded Hentai Jerk'. The two heard a familiar banging sound as they rounded the corner. Shampoo bursts out of the other side of a wall and immediately attacks Ukyou. Ukyou dodges out of the way and unstraps her combat spatula. "Shampoo! What the hell are you doing?" Ukyou says. "You trick Shampoo! You make Shampoo think that you her friend, but you still backstabber Spatula Girl!" Shampoo yells. Ranma and Akane notice her tear stained face is still glistening from aforementioned tears. They realize that something must've happened when she went back to the Nekohanten. "What are you talking about Shampoo! I said I would help you get Mousse back! So stop attacking me!" Yells Ukyou as she dodges another strike from Shampoo. "You lie! You no have him! I no let you!" Shampoo starts to break down and stops attacking. She crumbles to the floor, crying. "You no take Mousse from me." ******** A little while later at Ucchan's . . . . ******** "So he's going on a date already?" Akane says. "I'm very surprised that he would ask another girl out besides yourself. This must really be serious." Ranma decides to see if what he suspected was true. "Shampoo, does Mousse have that contrary jewel on him?" He asks. Shampoo, who's still fighting back tears, sniffs and says, "No. Shampoo already think of that, but jewel still in box." Shampoo slumps down a bit and puts her head in her hands. "Shampoo no know what to do!" Everyone is surprised by the way Shampoo is acting about all of this. Normally she would shrug any kind of feelings for Mousse of like they weren't there, but this time it must just be too strong. Ukyou puts an okonomiyaki w/ a heart on it, and places a consoling hand on Shampoo shoulder. "Shampoo . . . tell the truth . . . you love Mousse don't you?" She says. Shampoo starts to cry a little bit more. The internal struggle that she was having with herself yesterday begins anew. Her stubborness is quickly losing to her newfound rational side. She looks up from her hands at the others and says, "Yes . . . Yes, Shampoo do love Mousse." Her stubborness still manages some small victory though, "But only as friend. Shampoo still want Ranma for husband, it's just . . . just . . ." She trails off. "You can't live without him?" Akane finishes for her. Shampoo looks at Akane for a second then looks down at the okonomiyaki and nods her head. "Okay Shampoo, if you love him and only want to be his friend then you're going to do what the rest of us would do . . . ." Shampoo looks at Akane. "You're gonna go and spy on him!" Shampoo looks skeptical for a second but then smiles a little and agrees totally. "Shampoo need . . . Akane and Ukyou help." "Why of course we'll help you Shampoo!" They chime in. They both think at the same time. They don't realize it right away but they had been chuckling madly for the past minute or so. It was more than enough to make Ranma VERY nervous. He thinks. ********* Much later at the Nekohanten . . . ********* Mousse is getting ready for his date with Naoshi. He's dressed in a nice black chinese martial arts shirt. The sleeves are long but stop at his wrists. The cuffs are white. He's wearing his normal black pants, and slippers. On the counter are a beautiful bouqet of flowers. Mousse is combing his silk like black hair, when Shampoo and Akane come in. Mousse looks at Shampoo with the same contempt, but smiles briefly at Akane. "Hello Tendo Akane. It is nice to see you again." He goes back to combing his hair, not even bothering to speak to Shampoo. "Hello Mousse." Akane says. She looks at Shampoo, who looks a little bit hurt that Mousse didn't say a word to her. She turns back to Mousse. "Uh . . Aren't you going to say hello to Shampoo?" Mousse continues combing, "Hmph! Why should I?" Mousse says. "I'll tell you why not! 1. She left me to run the restaurant all day! 2. She never did the same for me whenever _I_ said hello! and 3. Well let's just say that she isn't my favorite person right now!" He turns and looks sternly at Shampoo, "In fact I hate her more than I _used_ to hate Saotome!" Shampoo stiffens again but refuses to cry in front of him. Akane is shocked to say the least! "Wha . . . what do you mean 'used' to hate Ranma?" She says to him. "Well come on Akane . . . now that I have _NO_ interest in Shampoo, I have no reason to hate Ranma anymore." He walks over to the counter and picks up the flowers. He straightens his shirt and says, "Well how do I look?" He was asking Akane, but Shampoo answers instead. "Mousse look very handsome!" Shampoo says. "Shampoo hope you dress up for her someday." Mousse smiles. "You know what? If that were anyone else Shampoo, I would have believed it! But since it was you who said it . . . I don't." He starts to walk out the door, when Akane interrupts. "So Mousse . . . where ya going on this date, hmm?" She says, trying not to sound too obvious. "Well, we're gonna go to the movies and probably take a boat ride in the park. It'll be nice to _set_ the mood if you know what I mean" Mousse smirks and says, "I'll see you later Akane!" He then walks off down the street headed for the movie theater. When he's a sufficient distance away, a tear goes down his cheek. "I'm sorry Shampoo . . . it's for your own good that I do this." He says to himself. He keeps walking down the street. ********** In the Nekohanten . . . ********** Shampoo had just started to cry again. After that performance from Mousse, Akane almost wanted to cry too. "Shampoo . . . I can't believe what just happened here." Akane says, "Mousse is so cold!" Shampoo just sniffles and says, "Shampoo deserve it. Shampoo treat Mousse same way when he normal." She cries a few more tears and says, "I no think I deserve Mousse, but . . . . I . . . . I love him! And I . . . I . . ." She doesn't finish. Akane just puts a hand on her shoulder, and pulled her out of the door. ********** At the movies . . . ********** Mousse arrives at the movie theater. He looks around for his date when she walks up to him. Takaya Naoshi is . . . . a babe! She has long black hair, that is in a ponytail. Her figure is very shapely from her martial arts training. Her face is smiling, two dimples on each cheek. Her eyes, are a jade green making her look extremely exquisite. Her dress is a black suede blouse, and white mini-skirt. She's wearing heels and that make her as tall as Mousse. Mousse smiles back at her and hands her the flowers. Across the street hiding behind a tree is Shampoo, Ukyou and Akane. They look on as Naoshi kisses Mousse's cheek and takes his hand leading him into the movie theater. The trio rush across and buy tickets for the same movie. As the movie starts, Ukyou, Akane, and Shampoo sit in three rows behind Mousse and Naoshi. Mousse is just looking ahead and Naoshi is looking at him. She asks him to take off his glasses so she can see his eyes. He does so and she comments on his eyes. Shampoo is straining to hear what she's saying but can't make it out. Mousse just nods at her and continues to watch the movie. The movie is the latest Sentai Movie: Choryoku Sentai OhRanger: Ultimate Battle! The Super Fantastic Amazing Fight!! Naoshi seems to be very interested in the movie. Mousse just sits in his seat not making a move on her. Naoshi notices his quietness and says something to him. Mousse shakes his head, in disagreement. Naoshi says, something else and lays her head on his shoulder. Shampoo is becoming increasingly jealous, and frustrated because she can't hear what is going on. After a while things die down and the movie continues. Shampoo doesn't pay any attention, but keeps her eyes focused on Mousse. About thirty minutes later, Naoshi lifts her head from Mousse's shoulder and looks up at him. Mousse turns his head and looks back at her. She says something else to him. He also adds something to the conversation. She nods her head and turns her body around to face Mousse. Mousse shifts his body slowly and they start to move closer to each other. This is almost more than Shampoo can stand, but Akane and Ukyou hold her in place. "Shampoo! You can't do anything here!" Akane says. "Yeah! If you make your move now then there'll be a lot of unwanted trouble!" Ukyou adds. While they had diverted Shampoo's attention, Mousse and Naoshi have returned to their positions. Naoshi's head on his shoulder. Mousse then puts his arm around her. Shampoo looks visibly upset. The movie ends soon after and the trio make their way out so they won't be seen by Mousse. Mousse and Naoshi come out of the movie theater, hand in hand. They are headed for the park and Akane, Ukyou, and Shampoo follow. ********** In the park ********** Naoshi and Mousse are in a boat together. The boat is just floating along with the current of the river. Naoshi is admiring the flowers that Mousse gave her. Shampoo and the others are sitll on the shore, but now they are equipped with spy equipment. Shampoo wears headphones and is holding up a microphone in the direction of the boat. Ukyou and Akane are also wearing headphones. Ukyou's monitoring the systems. Where they got this stuff from is a complete mystery. "Mousse I've really enjoyed going out with you tonight." Naoshi says. She's on the other side of the boat. "I have had a good time too." Mousse says. He's kind of distant though. He looks up at the stars, like he's not totally into the conversation. "Mousse what's wrong?" Naoshi asks. "Hm. Oh nothing, I'm just thinking about some things." He replies. "Like what?" Naoshi asks. She smiles a little and says, "An old girlfriend?" Mousse sighs and says, "No . . . It was just someone I . . had . . strong feelings for." He sighs again. "There was one time when I would have killed just to get her to go on a date with me like this. Hell, I would've killed just to get her to pay attention to me!" Naoshi says, "Hmm. Why would she treat such a cutie like you like that. Whoever she was, she wasn't too bright was she!" Shampoo starts to get upset. "She pay for that one!" Shampoo says. "No . . . she was always busy chasing after another guy that she _thought_ she loved!" Mousse says. "You see, there's this incredibly stupid, and outdated law in our village that says if a woman is beaten by a man, you must marry that man." He explains. "She was the best warrior in the village and she was beaten by an outsider, who was a female. Oh, and that's another thing, if you're beaten by a female outsider, you must track that female down and kill that female." "Well isn't that a stupid law! Don't they believe in falling in love in your village!" Naoshi says. "Well, love comes second to strengthening the bloodline. I never believed in it and that's why I'm an outcast. Well that and because I'm a male." Mousse says. He continues on about Ranma's curse and how Shampoo came and found out that he was really a male. "At first I was angry at Ranma, and was mistreated by Shampoo every time I told her I loved her and tried to kill Ranma. But eventually I got over it and decided that I didn't really love Shampoo at all." Mousse sighs again. "Oh . . . you poor guy! Well don't worry . . . I like you!" Naoshi says. She puts her hand on Mousse's hand. "I would love to spend time with you Mousse. Would you like that?" She says hopefully. "I . . . I . . I guess I would like that too." Mousse says. Shampoo hears this and feels her heart break a little. The boat drifts from sight and nothing is her from the mike except for what sounds like kissing. Then Mousse says that it's getting late and they should go. Mousse and Naoshi leave the boat and start walking together. Soon they arrive at Naoshi's home. Shampoo is hiding in the bushes with Akane and Ukyou. They watch as the two converse. Then Shampoo watched in horror as Naoshi reaches up and kisses Mousse on the lips for a few moments. Mousse looked like he was resisting at first then gives in. Shampoo can't bear anymore and runs away towards the Nekohanten. The noise made by Shampoo's abrupt departure shatters the kiss between Mousse and Naoshi. Mousse says his goodbye's and heads for home. Akane and Ukyou look at each other. "He . . . he kissed someone other than Shampoo! If I hadn't seen it I would never have thought it could happen!" Akane says. Ukyou nods her agreement, "I know what you mean Akane. If we don't do something Shampoo's gonna lose him for good!" "Yeah and who knows what would happen then!" Akane says. They think in unison. They decide to call it a night and go home. But tomorrow, they're going to plan on a way to split the romance between Naoshi and Mousse. ********** Back in the Nekohanten ********** Shampoo is sitting at one of the tables and is crying heavily. She's been there for a full ten minutes, and hadn't stopped crying since she left Naoshi's house. The internal struggle inside of herself is a lost battle for the irrational part of her. She now knew what she had to do. Mousse enters the Nekohanten whistling a nice tune. He's got a nice smile on his face and seemingly doesn't notice Shampoo. Shampoo lifts her head to look at him and wipes the tears from her face with her sleeve. She gets up and walks in front of Mousse. He looks down at her and says, "What is it Shampoo?" He's so happy he doesn't speak with his usual spiteful voice. Instead he uses a calm, and even voice. "Mousse . . . Shampoo saw you today on date. You look very happy." Shampoo says to him. "You spied on me!" Mousse says trying to act surprised. "By what right to you have to spy on me Shampoo! Why?" "Because Mousse . . . I am concerned for your happiness!" Shampoo says. "Hah! What a laugh!" Mousse retorts. "If you were concerned about my happiness then you wouldn't have treated me the way you did. But you wanted to chase after that fool Saotome! He doesn't even love you Shampoo! That law of the village is stupid and outdated! This is the 90's sweetie! Get with it!" Mousse says. He is at least a bit curious as to why Shampoo would go through all of this trouble and says. "I bet you just spied on me to make sure that I would have a good time on my date and not interfere with your chasing after Saotome!" Mousse's voice raises a bit. "Well don't worry Shampoo! I could care less what an airheaded, dense, and ice-blooded barbarian Amazon like you does anymore! I should have done this a long time ago! I would appreciate it if you would leave me and Naoshi-chan alone from now on! Don't speak to me! Don't interfere with me life! Just_leave_me_alone!!" Mousse shouts. Shampoo is busy crying again at the hate-filled words uttered by Mousse. She never thought that all of the things she was doing to him had hurt so badly until she felt it herself. And even though she had been recieving this treatment for only one day, she could just begin to imagine how Mousse had felt all of the years she rejected him and beat him up. It felt horrible. The pain she felt in her heart was unbearable, making her cry all the more. She was losing her best friend in the whole world, the man who's always been there for her even when she didn't want it. The man that she . . . loved. And she loved him more than she ever thought she did. But she wasn't going to give up on him, not after she realized just what he does mean to her. "No, Mousse . . . Shampoo never leave you alone." She says. to him through tears. "Why not Shampoo? Why would you continue to torment my life with your presence?!" Mousse says. "Because Mousse . . . I love you!" Shampoo says. She walks up to him and kisses him like she has never kissed any other man in her life. It's filled with such passion that she never knew she had. She holds it for a minute, then breaks it off and steps back. Mousse is stunned, and she takes the glasses off of his face. His eyes are now blue like they used to be. "Sh . . Shampoo. I have waited for a long time for you say that to me." Mousse says softly. Shampoo's eyes brighten with hope, "Mousse?" Mousse looks directly at her. "Do you love Shampoo?" Mousse had expected this question to come along. It was all a part of his plan. But he hadn't counted on things happening the way they did. He looks at her with sincerity and opens his mouth to speak, "Shampoo . . . ." Mousse's Flip Side!! Part 3! Mousse's Dilemma by Toshiro Seiji ************* "Shampoo . . ." Mousse says as he looks at her. "Shampoo . . .I don't love you anymore." He smirks at her and says, "That kiss was wonderful though . . . thank you." Mousse quietly walks on towards the stairs. "Mousse . . . please!" Shampoo says. "Mousse please love me again! If you don't love me then who will I have if Ranma doesn't . . . if he doesn't want to . . ." She trails off not wanting to realize what she was saying. Mousse stops on the first step and says, " . . . If he doesn't want to marry you? Is that what you were going to say?" Shampoo looks away with a pained expression on her face. Slowly her head nods in agreement. She starts to speak, "Shampoo . . . afraid. She chase Ranma for long time and still Ranma stay true to Akane. Shampoo starting to think that . . . he . . . that he no love Shampoo at all." Mousse steps down off of the steps and goes over to Shampoo again. "Shampoo . . . you're starting to see the truth about things. When Cologne returns you should tell her how you feel. It might make you see things even clearer." Mousse moves away from Shampoo towards the stairs again. He stops and looks back at her. Shampoo hasn't moved an inch and it looks as if she'll start to cry again at any minute. Mousse frown and goes up the stairs. His inside were screaming at him for leaving Shampoo. He wanted to go to Shampoo, kiss her again, and tell her that deep down he really does love her. But his iron will and determination, squelches those desires because he knows, that ultimately his plan WILL work out for the best. He goes into his room and lies on his futon, ready to sleep. He hears Shampoo coming up the stairs. He can also hear her slightly muffled cries through his door. At hearing those sounds come out of Shampoo, his heart nearly breaks into a million pieces. "I'm sorry . . . my love. This is for the best." He whispers before he drifts off to slumberland. ******* Shampoo goes to her room and cries on her bed, not bothering to change into her silk nightgown. As she cries she tries to recall all of the mean things that she had ever done to Mousse, but finds it too difficult to remember even what she did to him last week. Her mind had gotten so adjusted to her constant abuse of Mousse that it had not even acknowledged they ever happened. Then she thinks about all of the times that Mousse has, despite her constant abuse, continued to be there for her and say that he loved her no matter what happened. And she can remember every single time that he did. Then she realized that she would no longer care if Ranma didn't want to love her, or to marry her. She just wanted Mousse to say that he'd always be there for her, that he would never leave her . . . . to say that he loved her. And she now knew that she wanted that to come out of his lips more than anything in the world. And if he would say that to her just once more . . . she would give herself completely to him and no other man . . . ever. Her Great-Grandmother's laws be damned! She knew she loved him more than anyone in the world. Shampoo spent the rest of the night thinking about Mousse until she fell to sleep many hours later. ******* The next morning Shampoo awoke very sad, sad because she had waited so long to realize that Mousse really was the one that she loved, that it looked like it was too late. She told herself that today was the day to settle things with Ranma and his other fiance's. She slowly gets out of bed and realizes that she slept in her clothes. She starts to take off all of her clothes when she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She couldn't possibly see why Mousse wouldn't love her. In fact she felt that her body was the reason Mousse was in love with her in the first place. The way other men look at her, she figured that having a luscious body was the only way to get a man. She used her body as her main weapon to get Ranma. That and the occasional passion spiced Ramen and Thought inducing Mushroom. But lately she had been thinking that maybe . . . maybe having a great body wasn't the real way to a man's heart. Maybe it was sincerety, and compassion for that other person that would win a man's love. And yesterday was the first time that she'd been truthful with herself about her feelings. She didn't really love Ranma . . . she loved her Great-Grandmother, and wanted to obey her. Inside Shampoo knew that she'd never done or had something that was purely for herself. She'd never been the least bit selfish. Shampoo swore to herself that Mousse's love would be the first . . . The first thing that would be hers and hers alone! Which also meant that if that Naoshi girl tried to take Mousse away . . . . she'd have to learn the error of her poor judgement! Later after her refreshing bath, Shampoo sat at her dresser and looked at herself in the mirror. Suddenly she realized that she'd been wearing her hair the same way for many years, yet she had a jewelry box filled with ornament and ribbons. She decided that she wanted to change her hairstyle, but didn't know what she wanted it to look like. Her train of thought was broken by a sudden knock at the door. "Come in." Shampoo says. Then door opens and reveals, "Mousse . . ." Mousse comes in and closes the door. "Good Morning Shampoo . . . I just came to tell you that I was on my way out. I'll be back in a half hour." Mousse opens the door again and starts to go out. "Mousse you wait." Shampoo says. That was another thing that annoyed her. She hadn't ever really mastered the Japanese language and the way she came across like a bimbo really irked her. "Shampoo . . . Shampoo need your help with something." She's only wearing a towel around her body, but doesn't at all feel shy about covering herself up in front of him. "Mousse . . . Shampoo want to change hairstyle . . . but no know what to wear like." Mousse comes over and says, "Well Shampoo . . . what did you want me to do about that?" Shampoo looks up at him with sincerety and says, "Would you help Shampoo style hair?" Mousse looks at her and notices that there's something diffrent about Shampoo. In one night he feels that Shampoo has completely changed and is finally treating him with just a little bit of respect. *She's serious . . . and why does she feel so different today? Oh well . . . what could it hurt to help her style her hair.* He picks up a hairbrush from her dresser and says, "Okay . . . I'll help you." Shampoo smiles and turns around to face the mirror and allow Mousse to brush her hair. Mousse starts with long gentle strokes through her hair. Time seems to get slower as Shampoo closes her eyes and loses herself in Mousse's gentle touch. It feels like pure heaven to her, for no one besides herself has ever brushed her hair. And Mousse is using a softer, sweeter touch than she ever had. Her heart starts to beat faster and faster. Mousse can't believe what is happening to him. Never had he ever thought that Shampoo would allow him to brush her hair. And never had he thought that it would ever feel this good. His heart also starts to beat faster as he gently strokes Shampoo's hair. He soon finishes with some regret and places the brush back on the dresser. Grabbing a hair ribbon from her dresser, he strokes through Shampoo's silky purple hair. Mousse can't recall ever getting close enough to Shampoo to stroke through her hair. *It's so soft . . . I've never felt hair such as Shampoo's. And she's so quiet, almost serene. I wonder . . . I wonder if what she said last night is really true?* He gathers up her hair and ties the hair ribbon into a ponytail on top of her head. Tying the ribbon into a bow, Mousse steps back. If he could see a bit clearer, he'd think Shampoo was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen in his life. Shampoo reluctantly comes out of her trance-like state and opens her eyes, seeing her hair in a lovely ponytail, tied carefully with a pretty white bow. Other than the hair ribbon and ponytail her hair remains the same. She stands up and turns to face Mousse. Her towel nearly unwraps itself but she deftly grabs it and ties it back into place. "How Shampoo look?" She says smiling. Mousse wishes that he actually could see better. All he sees in a blurry outline of Shampoo's face, with no definite outlines. He curses his genetic code for giving him poor eyesight. If he could just see Shampoo crystal clear, he'd probably die. "I can't see all that great but, I think you look lovely." From his sleeves he produces a rose and gives it to Shampoo. Shampoo's heart stops as Mousse hands her the flower. She places it on the dresser and looks sincerely at Mousse. "Thank you, Mouse." Shampoo steps closer to Mousse and reaches up to touch his glasses. "You should not wear glasses so much, Shampoo think you more handsome that way." She takes them off with her left hand and rests them on the top of his head. As she looks into his eyes, she starts to get lost in the blueness of them, almost finding herself returning to her trance-like state. Slowly she brings herself closer to Mousse and reaches her right hand up to caress Mousse's face. His skin feels so cool and soft to the touch that Shampoo gasps slightly. Shampoo can't take it anymore and moves her face up to Mousse to kiss him passionately. Mousse couldn't believe that his vision actually started to clear a bit as Shampoo touched his cheek. And her soft touch on his face was driving him crazy. His heart felt as it it would explode from his excitement. As Shampoo started to move closer to kiss him, he panicked. This hadn't been a part of his plan and he felt danger as his iron will started to lose strength. To kiss Shampoo at a moment like this would've turned him into a blathering idiot. And that just wouldn't do right now. He steps away from Shampoo and puts the glasses back over his eyes. "I . . . I . uh . . I have to go." Mousse says and quickly steps out of the room. Shampoo becomes very disappointed as Mousse leaves the room. She so much wanted to kiss him. *It felt so right! I could feel that he really did love me. It's not too late! I can still make Mousse love me again.* Shampoo closes her door and removes her towel to get dressed. She puts on one of her short mini-skirt chinese outfits. Admiring herself in the mirror, she looks at the rose that Mousse had given her. She picks it up and smells it, taking in the airy fragerance. ******** Across town . . . . Mousse quietly walks around town as he thinks about Shampoo's sudden change in behavior. *It's working! It's actually working! One of my plans isn't going to blow up in my face! Finally Shampoo's starting to really love me!* he thinks. A smile creeps onto his face. *All that money I paid for those red colored contacts worked. I'll have to see about getting the clear one's too.* Unknown to Mousse he was being followed. As he rounds the corner, he finally senses that he's being dogged and runs around another corner to catch whoever would foolishly follow him. As the person rounds the corner Mousse grabs them from behind. His first surprise was that the person cried out in a female voice. His second surprise was that his hand had found it's way to something really soft. Not knowing what it was at first he squeezes a bit, producing a moan from the female. Then Mousse's third surprise was a sharp pain across his cheek and the resulting words, "PERVERT!!" Mousse quickly gets over his surprise and look at the person who struck him receiving his fourth surprise. "Naoshi! What're you doing here!" Naoshi gets over her anger at Mousse's freshness but keeps a scowl on her face. "I saw you walking around so I wanted to surprise you, baka! I never wanted you to surprise me by caressing my breast!!" Mousse becomes frantic after hearing that from Naoshi. "I'm sorry Naoshi-san. I didn't mean to fondle you . . . . I thought that you were stalking me." Naoshi loses the scowl and goes over to Mousse to touch his face. "That's okay Mousse, it didn't feel that bad y'know!" She smirks at him. Mousse blushes a bit. Naoshi touches the cheek she slapped. "Are you okay? Did I slap you too hard?" Mousse chuckles and says, "Yeah I'm fine. Nothing you do could POSSIBLY compare to what Shampoo's put me through. So what's up?" Naoshi starts to walk out of the alley and Mousse follows. "Well I was wondering if you wanted to go out again. I had so much fun with you last night, and I think you felt the same way. So what do you think?" Mousse thinks it over. *My plan with Shampoo isn't totally finished yet, and I can pick up a few pointer as to how women work, so why not?* Mousse's warning bells are blaring loudly, but he doesn't pay any attention to it. "Sure . . . we can go out tonight. I'll take you to dinner this time and maybe a stroll in the park?" Naoshi smiles at him and says, "Yes! I think that it would be great!" She goes on her tiptoes and kisses Mousse on his cheek. "Ja ne Mousse-chan! I'll see you tonight at my place!" She goes running off leaving Mousse feeling his cheek. *Yes . . . life is finally looking up!* Mousse says. He starts to walk back to the Nekohanten. ********* Shampoo on the other hand is in the kitchen cooking, when Cologne comes in. "Welcome back Great Grandmother! How trip back to Amazon Village?" Colonge hops into the kitchen on her staff and stands/balances next to Shampoo. She notices that Shampoo's hair is now in a ponytail and is tied by a white ribbon in a bow. She ignores this for the moment and says, "Fruitful . . . the council has stepped up the training regement in the village, making all of the girls into better fighters. The only problem is there aren't enough worthy male fighters to continue the bloodline. Speaking of which, have you managed to convince Ranma to marry you yet?" Shampoo stiffens at the question. She knew that it was only a matter of time until Cologne asked but that didn't make her feel any better about what she's about to say. "Great-Grandmother . . . . Ranma is no getting hint, and . . . Shampoo no think that she care if he do get hint." Cologne appears to be surprised by her statement and is about to ask what she means when Shampoo continues. "Shampoo no think she love Ranma anymore . . . don't want him as husband. He always treat Shampoo like dirt, and no pay attention to Shampoo." Shampoo looks up from her cooking and stares dreamily at the ceiling. Images of Mousse kneeling and kissing her hand enter her head. "Shampoo want to be treated like Queen. Shampoo want someone to respect her and not fear her." She sighs as the images of Mousse fade. "Shampoo want love." Cologne can't believe what she'd just heard. The laws of the Amazon Villiage of Joketsuzoku state that a female amazon must marry whichever male bests her in combat. What Shampoo is saying is DEFINATELY not what the law is all about. Sure every woman wanted to be loved, even Amazons, but that took second place to strengthening the bloodline of the village. "Shampoo . . . you will be treated as a queen! When you return to the village you shall take over as head for you are the best warrior. And as for love and respect, you need neither from any MAN, for you are better than any man. You will receive enough respect from your Amazonian peers when you become Queen of the village! Now stop all this nonsense of not wanting Ranma as your husband . . . that is unless you have perhaps found an even better man?" Shampoo sees this as a window of opportunity and says, "Yes great grandmother! A . . . *sigh* great man!" She looks at Colonge and asks, "How does one end a current engagement to a man?" Cologne was even more surprised at Shampoo's reaction to her question. She suspected that something was up here but would check it out later. "All one need do is announce that the engagement is over to the man in question. But Shampoo what . . ." Cologne was cut off by Shampoo's speedy exit from the restaurant. "What has gotten into that girl? And where is Mousse?" To answer her question Mousse enters the door to the Nekohanten. "Mousse come over here." Mousse makes his way to the counter. "Have you noticed anything strange with Shampoo?" Mousse snarls at the mention of Shampoo's name, trying to keep up appearances. "I could really care less what is wrong with Shampoo! While you were gone I've realized that Shampoo is not the one for me. In fact I despise her! And she won't stop bothering me, it's really getting on my nerves. Do me a favor and tell her to stay away from me. Before she gets what happened to her two days ago happens again!!" Mousse storms off upstairs to his room. Cologne is even more confused about what Mousse has just said to her. It also amazed her that he seemed to be moving around a LOT better than usual. "What is going on here! I must know what Mousse meant about two days ago, and as to why Shampoo wants to end her engagement to Ranma!" Cologne quickly hops out of the restaurant and heads for the Tendo Dojo. As she leaves, the first two customers come into the restaurant. "Umm excuse me? Is anyone here? Hello!" The two hear nothing put sizzling water as Shampoo's ramen starts to boil over. ****** At the Tendo Dojo . . . . Shampoo stands before the door of the Tendo Dojo. Usually she wouldn't be hesitating on how she would come in. She would jump over the fence and knock down any wall that produced sound out of it. But this time is different. Shampoo wants to let the Tendos know that she's here for business and not for . . . what she's usually here for. Calmly Shampoo raises her hand and knocks on the door. In a few moments the door is opened by Kasumi Tendo. "Hello . . . what may I do." Kasumi stops when she realizes who's at the door. "Oh my! Shampoo . . . uhm hello! If you're looking for Ranma . . . he's in the dojo with Akane." Shampoo walks in and says, "Thank you." Then walks with an even pace towards the dojo. Kasumi stares with a surpised expression on her face as she goes by. "My goodness! Shampoo hasn't caused any property damage yet! It's amazing!" Kasumi then comes out of her surprised state and puts on her happy face and walks back into the house. ******* "Yaah!" "Ha!" "Heeyah!" Shouts a female voice. "Dammit Ranma! Fight back!" shouts the female voice again. "But Akane . . . I don't want to hurt you." a male voice says. "Shut up and fight me!" the female says. At this time Shampoo walks through the door. "Ni . . hao?" She says to them. Akane and Ranma are busy sparring and don't pay her any attention at first. Then Ranma turns his head and sees Shampoo. "Hi Shampoo . . . what're you." Ranma is abruptly cut off by Akane's fist in his jaw. Akane smirks to herself and says, "Yes! I finally hit you! Hah hah!" She taunts to Ranma and smirks even more over her victory. Ranma however is not amused by this. He turns his head towards the still smirking Akane and feeds her an incredibly serious gaze. The gaze turns into a menacing stare towards Akane. He doesn't say one word to her he just stares at her. He doesn't even feel the fist in his jaw any longer, but continues to stare at Akane. Akane flinches when Ranma fixes her with his cold stare. *What . . . why is he looking at me like that? It a . . It almost scares me!* Akane thinks. She immediately withdraws her hand from Ranma's jaw and finally notices Shampoo. "Shampoo! What brings you here?" Akane says. Her mind clicks in and realizes that Shampoo is using a man made door, instead of a bonbori made door. *She . .she's not causing any property damage! What's up here! This must be serious!* She thinks. Shampoo walks into the dojo and approaches Ranma. Akane tenses up as always and puts her hand behind her back, preparing to bring the Hammer of Justice forth from it's hidden dimensional pocket. Ranma's cold stare at Akane leaves as Shampoo approaches him. He notices the chinese girls new hair-do and says, "Nice hair Shamp . . ." He's cut off again. But this time it was a small slap from Shampoo that did it. Not a fist from Akane. "Wha . . . Wha'd ja do that for?!!" Ranma says shocked. Shampoo calmly places her hands in front of her and says, "We no longer engaged Ranma . . . Shampoo . . . I . . realize that Shamp . . . I love another." Ranma can't belive what he's just heard and continues to stare at the amazonian before him. Akane herself is in shock over what just happened. Her grip on the Hammer of Justice wavers and she finally speaks. "Shampoo . . . are you serious? You're not going to be chasing after Ranma anymore?" Inside Akane was on her knees, begging for the story to be true. Ranma just stares at Shampoo in surprise, his hand still resting on the cheek that Shampoo slapped. Shampoo faintly smiles at the two of them, "Yes. Shampoo no longer want Ranma as husband. Want another." She turns around planning to leave. Ranma interjects and says, "Wait Shampoo! Who are you leaving me for?! Are you sure you want to do this?!" Akane's anger starts to rise up again, her hand automatically regripping the Hammer of Justice. *Why that idiot! He wants Shampoo to stay attached to him! And to think that I . . . that he might've . . . Ooh! That jerk!* She thinks. Ranma, oblivious to Akane's growing jealousy, says "It's Mousse isn't it." Shampoo's head turns back to them both. "Mousse has finally captured Shampoo's heart . . . but Shamp . . . I hope that he do still love . . . Shamp . . m . .m . . Shampoo!" *Arrgh! I'm gonna go crazy if I don't start talking right! Maybe I should go to school* she thinks to herself. Ranma walks forward and puts a hand on Shampoo's shoulder. "I hope that he does too Shampoo . . . I wish you happiness." he says to her. Shampoo nods and leaves. Ranma turns around to face a enormous blue aura. Akane is nowhere visible in it. "A . . Akane?" "RANMA . . . NO . . . BAKA!!!!!!" As Shampoo walks away from the dojo, she turns around as she hears an explosion, and a human sized object flying out of the yard. ******** Later on that night . . . Mousse is getting dressed for his date with Naoshi when a knock comes from his door. "Who is it?" Says Mousse. Shampoo clears her throat and rubs her hands nervously. Her hair still in the style that Mousse put it in this morning. "Mousse it . . . it's Shampoo. May Sha . . . May I come in?" she says softly. Mousse's heart lept. Shampoo normally stays away from his room unless it's to pound on him for messing with Ranma. Lately his little 'act' would not allow Shampoo easy access but he decides to put the act away for now and let her in. "Yes you may enter." Shampoo opens the door and takes in the site before her. Mousse in a White suit, wearing a black top underneath. He's now tying a black tie with white duck patterns in it. Her normal mental blocks against Mousse being the SLIGHTEST bit attractive fly out the window and she goes with what her heart. "Mousse . . . Mousse look so handsome. May Shampoo help you tie tie?" Mousse looks at her strangely, taking a moment to try and understand what she meant. *Tie tie? What in the . . . OH! She wants to tie my tie! She should've just said so!* Mousse thinks. He turns his attention back to the mirror, his 'act' still shining through. "If you really wish to do so." he says a little harshly. Shampoo sighs at the harsh tone but nevertheless moves in front of Mousse and starts to tie his tie. "Where Mousse . . . Where are you going tonight? On another date with Naoshi-girl?" Mousse looks down at Shampoo's delicate motions in tying his tie. He notices that she's being extra soft with her motions and not jerking like she would whenever he asked her to do it. *Maybe she really is changing! Oh Kami-oh! Please let it be!* He looks up at her and finds that her eyes are completely on him. "Uh . . yes. Yes I am. And I don't want you to follow me! Leave Naoshi-chan and I alone!" Shampoo takes her eyes off of Mousse and looks to her hands in shame. "Sham . . . I sorry Mousse. Shampoo no do that again." She finishes tying the tie and straightens it out, putting it inside of his jacket. Then she brushes the dust off of his suit jacket then looks at him. Looking into his deep blue eyes she becomes lost. Then shaking it off she says, "Mousse why . . . is. Is Naoshi girl nice? Do you really like her lot?" Mousse was NOT prepared for this question, so without a game plan to go with he answers honestly. "I uh . . . yeah. Yeah I do like her. Why?" He says. Shampoo reaches a hand up to his face and caresses it. "It just that . . Shampoo want chance. Want chance to show . . ." She moves closer to him. " . . . . Mousse . . ." She starts to stand on her tiptoes. " that Shampoo . . . really love him." After finishing her words Shampoo kisses him passionately on the lips. With the way he had been acting lately, she expected Mousse to not return her kiss and push her away. But Mousse embraces her softly, pulling her closer to him. And he kisses her back with all of his being. Shampoo sighs and opens her eyes slightly, and finds that Mousse's eyes are closed with hers. She too closes her eyes and enjoys the best kiss she has ever recieved in her life. Until . . . "Shampoo! Get away from him!" a familiar voice sounds. Shampoo jumps and looks in the direction the voice came from finding her Great Grandmother there in front of her. "O-baba!* (Honorable Grandmother.) "Child, what did you think you were doing with that . . . that reject!" She says angrily. Shampoo cringes before Colonge then stands up proudly. "Shampoo in love with Mousse! Mousse love Shampoo!" "Stop talking such nonsense! Mousse is a reject from the village! He's not good enough for you! Let him chase his Japanese tramp and you can continue your pursuit of Ranma! It's not too late to get your engagement back!" Cologne says. Shampoo's eyes bulge but then they calm down. She isn't all that surprised that her Great Grandmother knows about Ranma. "Shampoo no stop. Shampoo can no stop heart! Shampoo love Mousse!" Cologne starts to get irratated. Mousse steps away from Shampoo and heads for the door. As he passes Cologne whispers something to him. Mousse's head drops. Then raises as he continues upon his way. Shampoo comes over and asks Cologne. "What you say to Mousse?!" Cologne calmly says, "I have informed Mousse that his place in this establishment is terminated. As of now, he no longer lives here! It is for the best, Ranma is your husband. Not . . . . THAT!" Shampoo starts to become visibly angry, tears forming in her eyes. "Ranma no want Shampoo! He love Akane . . . and no one else! Shampoo no care for Ranma anymore! But Mousse love Shampoo! And Sham . . . and I want Mousse! Shampoo find Mousse . . . and marry him!" With that she dashes out of Mousse's window hoping to find him. ********** At Naoshi's . . . . Mousse stands in front of the door to Naoshi's house. His mind is not totally on the date as he remembers the kiss he shared with Shampoo. *It was so heavenly to kiss my love! But now . . . but now I'm forever banished from the Nekohanten . . . I can't go there anymore.* He starts to look upset. *Baka! You should never have kissed her in the first place! Now your plan IS blowing up in your face.* He doesn't notice the door before him opening. Naoshi steps out in front of Mousse, wearing a tight black one piece dress. Her long black hair is down, framing her face. She looks at Mousse with a worried expression on her face. "Mousse? Are you okay?" Mousse angered expression fades as Naoshi speaks his name. Looking up from the ground he gazes into her face. "Naoshi . . . Gomen. My mind was elsewhere." Naoshi becomes concerned and puts one hand on his. "Is there something wrong? Do you want to talk about it?" Mousse shakes his head and says, "No . . . let's just go and have a good time tonight." Naoshi happily smiles at him. "'kay! Let's go!" She says cheerily. The two of them leave for the only restaurant BESIDES the Nekohanten that Mousse knows . . . . Ucchan's Okonomiyaki-ya. ********* At Ucchan's . . . . Ukyou flips four Okonomiyaki Specials with her usual speed and superior skill. One of her customers calls out, "Hey Ukyou! Over here!" Ukyou looks up and smiles, throwing a plate at the customers table, then using her other hand to flip toss on of the specials on the grill to the plate. Amazingly the plate and the Okonomiyaki land at the same time, perfectly in front of the awaiting customer. "There ya go Sugar! One special!" The crowd around her applauds loudly, cheering her display of skill. Ukyou just bows from behind the counter, giving her thanks to the cheering patrons. Then two others walk in . . . faces that she's seen but not as patrons . . . Naoshi and Mousse. *Mousse! He's out with that other girl again! I wonder where Shampoo is. No matter! I've got to do everything I can to get him back together with Shampoo!* Ukyo thinks to herself. Serving the last two specials she heads from behind the grill and goes over to Mouse and Naoshi's table. She quickly switches into a bimboesque mode. "Oh Mousse-chan! I'm so happy to see you!" She jumps into Mousse's lap wrapping her arms around him and nuzzling his neck. "Wha . . . What are you doing Ukyo! Get off of me!" Mousse says. He tries to pry Ukyo off of him but she won't budge. Naoshi looks slightly upset as she asks Mousse, "Who is this girl Mousse?" Mousse continues to try and pry Ukyo off as he answers her. "She's . . . . ugh . . . an acquaintence . . . of mine . . . ack . . . and the proprietor of this restuarant . . . agh . . . . Kuonji . . . UKYOU!" With that he forcibly shoves Ukyo onto her butt on the ground. She's up in a second and says, "Oh Mousse-chan! What are you doing with that other girl there! You should be dating me and only me!" Mousse looks at her VERY bewildered. "But we're not dating Ukyou! We barely speak to each other as it is!" Ukyou giggles and says, "Baka! How can you say that! We do . . ." She whispers a few choice sayings in his ear, which make him blush fiercely. He stands up putting his hands on the table angrily. "Ukyo! We never did those things!" Taking Naoshi's hand he takes them out of the restaurant saying, "I'm really surprised at you Ukyou!" A few minutes after they leave, Shampoo comes through the door. "Spat . . . Ukyou you . . . have you seen Mousse?" Ukyou walks over and says, "Yeah. He and that Naoshi chick just left. I shook him up a bit, so Naoshi ought to be a little miffed at him now." Shampoo says her thanks and races out of the restaurant. ********** In the park . . . . Mousse and Naoshi stroll along in the park. Mousse tries to put everything that happened at Ucchan's behind him. And pays attention to Naoshi. "I'm sorry about what happened back there . . . Ukyo's not really like that. I have no idea what's gotten into her!" Naoshi just smiles and says, "That's okay Mousse . . . I honestly can say that I don't blame her for doing that." Mousse looks confused and says, "Why? It was totally out of character for her!" Naoshi stops walking and puts a hand on his face, taking off his glasses and gazing into his deep blue eyes. "Because . . . any girl would be attracted to someone as incredibly handsome as you . . . Mousse-chan." Mousse blushes in front of her and takes hold of the hand on his face. "Thank you Naoshi-chan. I think you're very pretty." Out of his sleeves comes one white rose, the opposite of what he gave to Shampoo that morning. Naoshi takes it and sniffs it, loving the wonderful fragerance in her nose. She smiles and says, "Mousse . . . thank you so much." She steps closer to him and says, "Mousse do you like me?" Mousse looks at her seriously and answers her. "Yes . . . I do like you Naoshi-chan." And with those last words out of her mouth . . . Naoshi kisses him full on the lips. Mousse is taken by surprise and doesn't know how to react, but liking the feel of Naoshi's lips on his makes him pull her closer in an embrace. He slowly starts to kiss her back. Unseen to them both is Shampoo, who had just arrived to where they are. She was about to say something when Naoshi kissed him. Becoming angry Shampoo prepared to kill Naoshi quickly and effeciently, but stopped as she watched Mousse respond and pull her into it. "Mousse . . . . no." She says sadly. Tears well up in her eyes. Shampoo runs off before Mousse and Naoshi finish heading for no particular direction. Naoshi pulls away from the kiss with a wide smile on her face. "Mousse that was wonderful! Thank you . . . I think that . . . I think that I am in love with you!" Mousse freezes in place. He knew that something was wrong here. He felt in his heart that he was in love with Shampoo. He always had been, but now . . . now there was a growing affection for the young woman standing before him. And he couldn't really decide who he wanted more . . . . His train of thought is broken as Naoshi speaks again. "Mousse . . . I want you to be my boyfriend." she says. At this Mousse tenses up even more . . . a dilemma had presented itself . . . and from here on . . . it could only get worse! To be continued . . .!