Ranma1/2 Fanfic: Too Late by Jeffrey "OneShot" Wong (mjs@ascensionet.com) Note:This is the story format of Too Late. If you read the script version, you'll know how the ending is. The moon shone brightly in the sky above, eminating its radiance onto the Nekohanten below. It casted its light inside through the windows creating a patch of light on the floor of the dark diningroom. Near the front of the room, the voice of a male and female can be heard. It's the voices of Shampoo and Mousse. As we closely listen, we can hear them in the middle of a conversation. "But Shampoo" Mousse said, his voice seemed pleading "Why won't you go out with me?" Shampoo just gives Mousse a cold stare that sends chills through him. She waits a few moments before answering. "Shampoo no like Mousse, that's why."she responded. Her voice was cold like her stare. "Why do you dislike me so much" he answers. He knew the answer. He knew that she only puts up with him out of pity. His vision cursed him. If he didn't need those thick glasses, maybe he would have a chance. But he knew that unless he could see, he'll never have a chance. "Shampoo only like Ranma" Shampoo answers. Even though he knew she was going to say that, Mousse hoped for a brief moment that it'll be his name, not his nemesis. "He defeated Shampoo" she finishes still giving Mousse her cold stare. "But" Mousse answers, lowering his gaze "there must be another way I can win your heart" He looks up at Shampoo, her cold stare still on him and he turns his head away. He loved her so much. He would do anything for her affection, but he knew what it meant when she looked at him that way. "No" she says angrily "there no other way." It was the rule of her tribe to love the one who defeats her in battle if that person was a male. It was also a rule to kill the person who defeats her if that person was a female. Who would've thought that she was defeated by a male and female who were the same person. Mousse sighs, knowing that there was no other way he replies. "Then I shall fight you to prove myself" He then gets into his battle stance with his weapons, concealed under his white flowing robes, ready to fight. Smiling and getting into her battle stance, she says "Mousse will never beat Shampoo" She knew Mousse would never beat her so she had nothing to worry about. "Yes, but I wil try" Mousse answered. He then lunges at Shampoo with a weapon in his hand hoping he could suprise her before she could react. It was a futile attempt, she was ready. She simply jumped over him and faced him while his back was turned. When Mousse turns around to lunge again, hisglasses gets knocked off by a well placed kick from Shampoo. For Mousse, it was over, he knew it and so did Shampoo. Without his glasses, he would be helpless. Shampoo watched as Mousse frantically scurries around the floor on his hands and knees in an attempt to find his thick glasses. It was hopeless. "What's going on down here" Cologne asked, coming down the stairs to find out what all the commotion was that woke her up. "Oh nothing great grand-mother" Shampoo says, turning to look at Cologne as Mousse continues to scurry the floor. "Well. Please keep it down" Cologne answered "I'm trying to rest" "Shampoo sorry great-grandmother" Shampoo answered, a hint of embarrassment in her voice "That's quite alright" Cologne replies as she heads up the stairs back to her bedchambers. After she's gone, Shampoo turns her gaze back upon Mousse, who is still trying to find his glasses to no avail. She gives another sigh and grabs a nearby glass of water that was sitting on top of the counter and splashes him with it, changing him into a duck. "Quack" Mousse says, looking up trying to make out the blurry objects around him. Shampoo grabs Mousse up by the neck. "Mousse sleep in cage tonight" she says. Hearing those words, he tries desperately to get loose of her deathgrip to escape, but she held him fast and tightly. "QUACK" Mousse sceams, hoping against hope to get free. But it was useless. She held him tightly as she walked towards he kitchen where his cage is located to put him in. She put him in and crouches down near it. "Mousse should have learned by now" she says, smiling at Mousse, making him weak in his knees. "Quack. Quack" he answered, looking up through the bars at Shampoo. Her eyes no longer had that cold look to it. Her smile seemed very sincere. He continued to gaze into her eyes in sweet bliss until she stands up and leaves the kitchen without saying a word. Now in the diningroom, Shampoo proceeds to clean up the dining area so she could close up. Mousse never beat Shampoo she thought as she puts the chairs on the table. She then empties the cigarette tray in the trash can. Mousse sweet for trying though. She sighs quietly. Her last thoughts crosses her mind as she closes and locks the door. Mousse never learn. Before she heads upstairs to retire for the night, she remembers that she has to shut the light in the kitchen off and heads for the kitchen. "Goodnight, Mousse" she says sincerely, crouching and looking into his cage. Mousse's and Shampoo's eyes meet for a brief moment before she gets up and leaves the kitchen to retire upstairs. That brief moment their eyes met, Mousse was in sheer bliss knowing that those eyes he saw was not of pity. He looks out through the window on the other side of the room at the stars in deep thought. Shampoo, I love you. Why must you always be so cruel to me? Why? You know I would do anything for you. Anything.You know I love you yetyou woun't love me. You only pity me. Still, I will forever love you. Still looking out the window, Mousse rests his head on his feathery body for warmth. He then closes his eyes and softly cries himself to sleep. Later into the night, as everyone slept, the trash can that Shampoo put the cigarettes in catches fire and begins to blaze. The fire soon swept through to dining area. The tables, the rug, and the wall were ablaze within moments. "What is it great-grandmother?" Shampoo asks groggily while trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes. She was awaken from her sleep. She was in deep sleep when all of a sudden she was shaken violently. She would've been very upset at that but the concerned look on Cologne's face made Shampoo realize something was wrong. "We must get out fast" Cologne says hastily. She was immediately awaken from her sleep when the smell of smoke permeated from under her door into her bedchamber. It was her quick thinking that told her that she must wake up Shampoo to warn her. "There's a fire downstairs" There was indeed a fire downstairs. The fire has practically engulf the entire dining area and is spreading upstairs. Smoke is already seeping into Shampoo's room from under her door. The whole room would've been filled with smoke if it weren't for Cologne shutting the door upon enterence. "What?" Shampoo, now wide awake says "How do we get out?" She knew the fire was nearby. The smoke in her room was getting thicker and thicker. "We will leave through the window" Cologne says, pointing at the window. The smoke was thick, but Shampoo knew where Cologne was point to even though she can't see it. They both goto the window and jump to safety down below. Upon landing, they both turn around and stand helplessly as the Nekohanten goes up in flames. Looking up, Shampoo and Cologne both saw the room they were in burst into flames. In the distace, firetruck sirens can be heard and it seems to be getting louder and louder. A few minutes pass before the firetruck finally arrives to extinguish the flames. "Are you two alright?" a fireman, walking up to them asks. The other firemen were all getting out the hoses to battle the blaze and keep it under control. "Hai" Shampoo answered, checking herself for any injuries. Other than a little smoke inhalation, she was okay. "We got out just as the fire started" Cologne interjected, also checking herself for injuries. She was okay also. "Is there anybody else in there?" the fireman asked, hoping everyone got out alright. "Mousse!" Shampoo screams his name out loud realizing that he is still in his cage. Cologne turns to Shampoo "Mousse is still in there" she says. Shampoo was running towards the burning building. "I must go in and get him" Shampoo says as she is about to enter. Just as she's about to run in through the door when she was stopped by the fireman grabbing hold of her arm. "Hold it" he says "I can't let you back-" Before the fireman had a chance to finish his sentence, Shampoo kicks him away. Knowing that she's wasting crucial time, she quickly rushes into the burning inferno. The heat from the fire was tortuous on her body, but all that mattered to her was saving Mousse. Shampoo should've never put him into cage she thought as she headed for the kitchen. The entire diningroom was ablaze smoke was hindering her vision. She know she would collapse from the smoke inhalation, but she pressed on. She finally made it to the kitchen. Mousse was hudled in his cage still. He was badly hurt. There were scratches around the bars of his cage. It was the scratches that he made trying to free himself. He was badly burned from being so close to the fire. Shampoo knelt down besides the cage and opened it. She slowly reached in and picked up Mousse, who lay still in her arms. He was very hot to her touch, but didn't bother her. Her mind was elsewhere. Why? she thought to herself. Why? There was no time to think. The ceiling gave a loud shuddering creak. Shampoo looked up and saw that the ceiling in going to cave in any second. Carefully, she held Mousse in her arms and ran for the front door. The ceiling gave way crashing down. Shampoo heard the crash behind her, she didn't even bother to look back as she ran through the front door to safety, right before the hole building collapsed behind her. "Mousse!" she says, praying that he'll live. She knew it was all her fault Mousse is like this. She knew. If she wouldn't have put him in that cage, he would've been okay. But she did. Mousse, still in her arms didn't moved at the sound of her voice. The waitingroom of the hospital was tortuous for Shampoo. Pacing back and forth, she didn't even know if he was alive. What if he isn't alive she thought. How can she live with herself know that it was her fault. No. He will survive. She banished those morbid thoughts from her mind. Mousse will survive she assures herself. As she continues to pace the waitingroom, a doctor walks up to Shampoo. Shampoo looks up at him with hopeful eyes. "I sorry to say this" he begins "but your friend is in very serious condition and will most likely not live through the night." He then pauses for a second. "Would you like to go see him?" Shampoo only nods. The doctor in turn motions for her to follow him as he heads down the hall towards Mousse's room, located in the intensive care section of the hospital. When the both reach the enterence to his room, the doctor motions for Shampoo to enter. She enters. Mousse was in a lot worse condition than she thought. More than half his body was bandaged up and the half that wasn't had tubes stuck to it. In the corner, an electrocardiogram machine was making slow but steady beeps of Mousse's heart. The room was slient except for machine and Mousse's steady breaths. Shampoo slowly walks towards his bed as the doctor watches from the doorway for a brief moment before leaving, closing the door slowly behind him. Shampoo sits on a chair that was near his bed and looks at the unconscience figure before her. She carefully takes Mousse's hands into hers. The sight was too much for her. Putting his hand to her cheek, she begins to cry. "Please don't cry, Shampoo" a voice said softly. So soft that she barely heard it. Lifting her head, she saw Mousse before her staring at her. For a brief moment she was shocked to see Mousse awake, but it subsided and she was able to talk. "Shampoo so sorry" she says, tears still flowing from her eyes. She knew that she was crying, but it didn't matter to her, as long as Mousse was alright. "It's okay" he say "I'm fine" His voice was so soft that it was barely louder than a whisper. For him, every word was a struggle for him to say. Hard as it may seem, he never showed any signs. He loved Shampoo too much to make her worry. "Shampoo never meant for this to happen" she replies softly, wiping the tears from her eyes. She really meant whatshe said. She never wanted this to happen to him. She looked into his eyes again, remorsefully and sincerly at the same time. "I know" he says. He knew she was sorry. He saw it in her eyes. She would always look at him with pity, but not this time. It was filled with sorrow and yet sincerity He knew she really meant it. "Please forgive Shampoo. Shampoo very sorry" she answered. She knew what she was saying. She meant every word of it. "I know" Mousse says weakly, still hiding the pain it takes to speak. The pain didn't matter to him anyway. Not as long as he was with the one he loved. "Shampoo don't want to lose you" she siad lovingly, not hearing Mousse's reply. Mousse looks up at her in shock. Was what she said true Mousse thought. Does she really mean it? Does she really not want to lose me? He looks deeply into her eyes. "Shampoo promise never to be mean" she continues "Please get better" She smiles loveingly at Mousse. "I'm glad to hear that" he replies, seeing her smile. It was not a forced smile. It was a smile of love. A smile she never gave him. "Don't worry, I will" he continues "Besides, I would never leave you" the was a slight pause. The only noise that can be heard in the room was that of the machine. "I love you" he finishes. Shampoo smiles and was about to say something when she was interrupted by a knock at the door. She and Mousse look at the door to see the doctor who led Shampoo in enter. He motions to her. She hestitates and then turns to look at Mousse. He smiles at her and nods. Shampoo nods back, gets up from her chair, and walks up to the doctor. Mousse watches weakly as the doctor said something to Shampoo and then they both leave, but not before she walks up to him a tells him that she'll be back. Turning his head and looking up at the ceiling, he stares for a brief moment ion deep thought and then closes his eyes to get some rest. "How is he?" Cologne said to Shampoo. She just got to the hospital and was waiting for her. She would've been there but she had to do something first. "Mousse is fine" she replies happily "He be alright" "I'm so glad" Cologne said relieved. Those burns she saw on Mousse when Shampoo came out of the Nekohanten with him in her arms seemed very serious. "Shampoo glad too" Shampoo answered, smiling at Cologne. "I came to tell you that the Tendos said it was alright to stay at their place for now since we have no place to live" Cologne said. She had gone to the Tendo's home to ask for a place to stay while Shampoo took poor Mousse to the hospital. It was easy for her to persuade Soun into helping but Ranma and Akane were very reluctant. "No" Shampoo answered sternly "Shampoo stay with Mousse tonight" That answer came as a surprise to Cologne. She did not expect it. "What about Ranma?" Cologne asks, hoping. She figured that now that Mousse is okay, Shampoo can go after Ranma since this was the perfect chance. Of course Ranma knew that's what would happen, that's why he was reluctant to help. "Shampoo rather stay with Mousse" she answered. She didn't even hesitate. She knew she wanted to stay with Mousse tonight. She was also sure that she'll stay with Mousse every night until he got better. She just gave Cologne a cold stare to let her know that she's serious. "If that's your choice, so be it" Coogne replied with a sigh. She knew there was no way she can convince Shampoo to go along with her. She saw it in her eyes."I'll see you tomorrow" she finishes. She figured that Shampoo was only staying because she felt sorry for Mousse. That's all. Confident that she'll go alone with her tomorrow, Colonge leaves, leaving only Shampoo in the waiting room alone. For a few minutes, Shampoo stared at the door that Cologne exited before turning around and head for Mousse's room. Mousse don't need to fight Shampoo to win her heart she ponders. Shampoo think it's time to admit to really loving Mousse all this time. Mousse will be surprised. Anxious to tell confess to Mousse of her real love for him, Shampoo quickly runs for Mousse's room. Shampoo slowly opens the door to Mousse's room careful not to make a sound. After carefully closing the door, she quietly walks up to Mousse. "Mousse" Shampoo said quietly "Shampoo want to tell you something" Taking in a deep breath and inching up to Mousse's ear, she wispers "Mousse, I love you." There was no response from him. Shampoo carefully nudges at him to wake him up. Still, there was no response. She was too late. Mousse never survived. Outside the hospital, everything was quiet and still. There was one thing that broke that blanket of silence and serenity. It was Shampoo's voice. "Mousse! No!" Ranma 1/2: Too Late: Part 2 The moon was shining high above Japan, radiating its silver-hued light onto the cold ground below. A gentle breeze blew through the town, disturbing the leaves on its trees, creating a gentle rustling noise. The shudder of the the newly built Nekohanten creaked as it gently swung back and forth, the sound it created breaking the silence of night over the peaceful city of Nerima. All the citizens slept soundly, all except one. Inside the Nekohanten, Shampoo was twisting and turning in her bed. She just couldn't sleep, no matter how hard she tried. She opened her eyes slowly, the light from the moon that came in through the window causing her eyes to hurt. Slowly, Shampoo opened them, letting her pupils dialate and adjust to the silver light. It took her a few moments before she was able to open her eyes all the way. She then sat upright in her bed, sweat running down her forehead, falling onto the sheets of her bed. Reaching over to the desk that laid nearby, Shampoo took out a piece of cloth and wipes the sweat away with it. Throwing the cloth away, into the garbage can located next to the desk, she got out of her bed, letting the sheets fall to her feet, its rustling breaking the silence of her bedchamber. She then walks over to the open window, causing the legsleeve of her purple pajamas to gently rustle against the ground with every step. A cool breeze blew in through the opening, causing Shampoo's beautiful mane of purple hair to flutter about, some falling over her delicate face. Gently moving the hair away with a slender hand, she looked up at the sky where she saw the stars shining high above. Within moments, Shampoo abruptly turned her gaze away, unable to continue. Looking up at the stars always brought back memories of her true love, Mousse, her beloved Mousse who would've died for Shampoo if it meant saving her life. Mousse's love was true and everlasting for the her, even though she treated him inconsiderately most of the time. Mousse proved it, his forgiveness showed Shampoo of just how much he loved her. Shampoo turned her gaze back out at the stars, now deep in thought. "Mousse" Shampoo said softly, her beautiful rustling gently against the incoming wind as she spoke. Shampoo's face saddened as she remembered having seen Mousse dying in her arms. It was right after the fire, a fire that she cause by accident. She remembered running back in into the burning building after remembering that she left Mousse locked up in his cage. It was all her fault. She should have never had put Mousse in the cage in the first place. All he was trying to do was prove his love to her, an annoyance to her. "Mousse" Shampoo said again, her gaze still on the stars. Another cool breeze blew through the window, causing her pajamas to flutter about. But that didn't bother her, her thoughts were still of Mousse. She turned her gaze from the stars and looked at the partially melted cage, the cage that she kept Mousse in whenever she didn't want him bothering her. She stared at it for a second before she headed back towards her bed, the silence of the night broken by the sound of the legsleeves of her pajamas as it glided along the cold floor. She then sat on the bed, her feet still on the floor and her gaze still on the cage. After a brief moment, she turned her gaze away, no longer able to hold back the feelings of her lost love. "Mousse" she said softly, placing her face in her hands "I miss you." Shampoo, no longer able to stay in control, began to cry.