Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Bitter Heartbreak ❯ Learning the Truth ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma 1/2. Everyone should know that.

A/N: This will be my second try at a fanfic. And of course, it will be Ranma/Shampoo. So if you don't like this pairing I advise you to go back now.

Bitter Heartbreak

Ranma wandered through the streets in Nerima guided by the moonlight. He's been wandering around for nearly an hour now. Once he walked past the dojo for the fourth time that night, he shook his head and sighed.

"Why'd Akane get so mad anyway? I didn't do nuthin' wrong………. Stupid tomboy…….." Ranma mumbled to himself. "And now I can't even stay inside just `cause I said sumthin' she didn't like hearing." Ranma sighed again and started walking in a random direction.

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Flashback

"I can't believe you just said that!" an infuriated seventeen year old Akane said.

"Well, if you don't believe what you just heard listen again! You're an uncute, built like a brick, flat chested, macho violent gorilla of a tomboy!" retorted an annoyed seventeen year old Ranma.

Akane felt her anger go ablaze.

`How dare he insult my femininity!' Akane thought furiously.

"RANMA YOU JERK!! IF-" Akane was cut off by Ranma. It seemed like now that he said what he wanted, he didn't want to stop.

"I can't stand you anymore! All you ever do NOW is abuse me! And I shouldn't have to take that! I always have to rescue you or help you with sumthin' and this is all I ever get in return!! Well, I'm SICK OF IT!!!!"

"I don't care if you're sick of it Ranma! You deserve it for acting like a-"

"A what Akane? A pervert?! A two timer?! Well listen to me….." Ranma inched his face closer to Akane. " I AM NOT A PERVERT OR A PERSON WHO LIKES LEADING PEOPLE ON!!!! EVEN AFTER ALL THIS TIME YOU STILL THINK OF ME LIKE THAT??!! WELL ANSWER THIS AKANE: WHAT ABOUT YOURSELF HUH?! WHAT ABOUT YOURSELF?"

Akane didn't like how Ranma was yelling at her at all. He was the bad guy, not her.

"What do you mean `what about yourself'? I don't lead anyone on or act like a pervert."

"Yes you DO!! You do lead people on. So if you think I'm bad, look in the mirror!!"

That set Akane's aura into overload. She punted him into the sky while saying………

"Don't come back tonight Ranma! You aren't welcome!!"

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End Flashback

Ranma rubbed his cheek where a red spot glowed bright. He started mumbling about stupid tomboys until he felt his stomach growl.

"Well that's just wonderful. I'm hungry and I don't have a place to ea-…….mmm…… that smells so gooood." Ranma practically drooled. He ended up right in front of the Neko Hanten with his mouth drooling like a waterfall. And that's when he started to think about his options.

`Okay……... if I go there I will definitely get something to eat……..But on the other hand, Shampoo will be there and she might try- *stomach growl* ` Ranma put a hand onto his stomach to make the sound go away……….. It didn't though. It just grew louder and louder.

It seemed like someone heard his stomach growl because a shadowy figure reached for the handle and opened the door. ` I can't wait until I can just be myself and hide away from the world for a while………' the figure thought.

Ranma couldn't really see who it was because whoever it was, was taking something out and putting it into the trash can.` Maybe whoever that is didn't notice me……..' So, Ranma strolled over to the figure that was turning back to the Neko Hanten. He touched the figure's shoulder only to have his hand grabbed and have him thrown into the garbage.

"This just isn't my day….." Ranma groaned. It seemed like the figure wasn't done with him, but when Ranma spoke, the figure suddenly stopped. And in a whisper he could hear his name being called.

"Ranma?"

`What the hell is he doing here?! I don't want to do this tonight!…. It hurts…..'

Ranma could tell whose voice that was in an instant.

"Shampoo? Is that you?" Ranma inquired. And just then, the figure walked up to Ranma and kneeled by him. Since she was in the moonlight now, Ranma could easily tell who it was. And that person was looking him in the eyes. Shampoo smiled a fake bright smile and got back up. Then she reached out a hand to help him up.

Ranma conceded and took the given hand. Once he got back up he dropped his hand, hissed and felt his head start to throb. Ranma put a hand to his head and felt a large bump in the back. It seemed like Shampoo noticed too because she took his hand in hers again and lead him inside.

`Now I won't be able to go to sleep tonight………… I'll be thinking of Ranma………and Akane……together……….again. ` Shampoo thought bitterly.

Once inside, Shampoo turned on the lights and dropped Ranma's hand. Ranma felt his eyes burn a little because of the sudden light change. Then his eyes looked around the room. "Hey Shampoo, it doesn't seem like the Old Ghoul or Mousse is here. "

Shampoo nodded and left Ranma alone a few seconds to get something. And a few seconds later she was back with a wrap. Shampoo pointed to a chair.

"Ranma. Sit down." Her voice was quiet, but it was also stern. Ranma eyed the wrap in her hand and sat down.

"Hey Shampoo? This isn't some sort of weird ancient Chinese thing that's gonna make me love you right? " Ranma joked.

Shampoo didn't think of it as a joke though. She put her eyes downcast and shook her head no.

`Of course……..That's all he thinks about when he's with me……..But I ……. I deserve it………………..'

Then she walked right behind Ranma and tied the wrap around his head. Once she was finished, she backed away. Ranma put a hand up to his bandaged bump and turned around.

"Hey thanks." Again all he got for an answer was a nod. Then……….his stomach growled. Shampoo's head snapped to attention at that. And then she smiled and walked away into the kitchen. She called over her shoulder. Inwardly, Shampoo cursed at herself for pretending about her lack of knowledge of Japanese.

"What want?"

Ranma thought about this for a while. "Anything I guess… And uh, thanks again Shampoo."

A few minutes later of cooking for Shampoo and drooling for Ranma resulted in Ranma smelling the fresh batch of ramen and a loud stomach growl coming from his stomach. Shampoo eyed Ranma from the corner of her eye before turning to him with another fake smile on her face and a bowl of ramen.

Ranma's eyes turned starry when he saw the ramen bowl. Once Shampoo set it down and walked back to the kitchen to get more bowls of ramen for him, Ranma attacked it like a starving wolf.

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5 Minutes Later

Ranma just about finished his fourteenth bowl of ramen before sighing contently. Shampoo smirked at that when she put the bowl away. Then she sat down next to him.

"What doing here Aire- *shake head* um, Ranma?" Inquired Shampoo.' I can't call him that anymore!' She thought. Ranma raised an eyebrow at the sudden change of names, but decided not to say anything.

"I sorta got kicked out of the dojo `cause that uncute tomboy got mad." Ranma huffed out. Shampoo started to think about this.

`Where is he going to stay then? I would let him stay with me, but I doubt I'll be able to stop myself with my emotions with him here……………. Plus, he would probably be afraid to stay with me………alone. ` Shampoo sighed inwardly.

"Ranma can stay here for night. Shampoo promise not do anything. "

`Damn it Ranma!! Why the hell are you doing this to me?'

Ranma eyed Shampoo wearily. `I don't think I'll last for the night if I'm alone with her………but I have nowhere to go…………………. I can always just lay around and not fall asleep………. I'll just stay here for the night…….'

Shampoo saw the weary look on Ranma's face before sighing. "Shampoo not do anything, but if Ranma not stay here then Shampoo ask for Ranma to leave."

`I don't want to keep my act up right now. It's too damn tiring.` Shampoo thought tiredly. `I don't care if he stays here right now. I just want to go in the den and relax……..…… Well, hate myself.'

"A-alright Shampoo. I'll stay here, but you promised not to do anything tonight." Ranma finally said. Shampoo shook her head before sighing.

"Shampoo too tired tonight Ranma. I ………..Different right now…………… Ranma no tell great-grandmother or anyone else if act like……….. Shampoo stopped for a moment. 'Err. What to say?' She thought. "……. Self?"

"What do ya mean by that? Sure I won't tell if whatever you want to be is a secret…… It's a secret?"

Shampoo sighed but ignored him and walked down the hall. Ranma followed. When shampoo lifted up a rug to reveal a door, Ranma twitched. She pulled at the door until it opened. She went in. Then she motioned for Ranma to follow. Ranma looked around the door for anything that might be suspicious.

`Get a hold of yourself Ranma. She promised that she wouldn't do anything tonight.' Ranma thought cautiously.

Ranma slowly followed Shampoo in the dark until Shampoo suddenly stopped. He knocked into her and fell back. Shampoo almost fell down, but caught herself and held onto a railing.

`Dammit! Where's the switch?' Shampoo thought angrily.

Ranma got up and saw that Shampoo was groping for something. Finally he heard a click. A dim light poured over the room.

Ranma looked amazed at what he saw. Over by the right side of the room was a nice looking couch. There was also another right next to it. Straight across from the couches was a television set. And on the left side was a mini fridge. On the walls was some martial arts equipment. The whole room looked homey and smelled like perfume.

`Shampoo's perfume I guess.' Ranma thought idly.

Shampoo sighed, depressed, before plopping herself on one of the couches stretching herself out. Ranma watched as she just used her arms as a pillow to levitate her head. Once she noticed Ranma staring at her, she smiled downheartedly and turned away from him. Ranma looked at her confused before walking over to the unoccupied couch. He checked it over before sitting down on it.

"Woah……." Ranma said.

Shampoo smiled a little while still looking away from him. "Pretty nice isn't it Ranma? Every time great-grandmother and Mousse are out of town, I hang out here and just be………. Myself." Shampoo lied while positioning herself to look at the ceiling……… `Actually I go here to cry my heart out.'

Ranma blinked once. Twice. `When did she learn how to speak Japanese so well?' Ranma looked at Shampoo and inquired, "Uh Shampoo, when did you start speaking Japanese fluently?"

Shampoo giggled, but didn't look at Ranma. `I started to speak like this because I have all the time in the world now. Especially since I have to stay here watching you and Akane get closer………. While my emotions turn numb and crumble away.' But instead of saying that, she said……" I guess it took quite a while, but it's worth it I guess." Ranma just shook his head.

"But then why the heck would you talk in third person? "

Shampoo had to think about that for a while. `I thought I had a chance that way. Most guys would have gone for that act.' Then she closed her eyes and frowned. "It was easier that way." Before Ranma could inquire any further, Shampoo continued. "Ranma, it was easier because I would have an advantage on some things. If you speak like you're a…………… bimbo,…………. You'll be underestimated. No one will take you seriously, but I guess that gives you an advantage………….. But as I said, that's in some things." Shampoo said sadly, thinking about how it was with Ranma.

Ranma folded his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. `What the hell is this anyway? It's like this Shampoo is from a different dimension………….. If this IS Shampoo, why would she really hide her true self anyway? No……… she's just hiding her real emotions……..I think……… but then……. What are her real emotions? ` Ranma scratched his head in confusion.

Shampoo looked over to Ranma and then to the TV set. She grabbed the remote and started to watch the TV, but her eyes held no emotion whatsoever. Ranma noticed this right away. As Shampoo watched the TV blankly, Ranma finally got up and blocked her view. Shampoo just continued to stare blankly, not even realizing that Ranma was in the way. That is until Ranma grabbed her legs and pushed them off the couch. He sat down.

Shampoo looked at Ranma with her blank eyes. He gave her a leveled stare. `What's with her anyway? I prefer the cheerful one any day instead of this one…………….. What's eating at her?' "Shampoo, what's wrong? I've never seen you like this before." Ranma failed to conceal his worry.

"N-nothing Ranma……" Shampoo stuttered. Ranma looked at her angrily. "You're lying Shampoo….." was all he said to her. Shampoo shut her eyes tightly as her lower lip trembled. `…… No! I can't look at him! I ca- DAMN!' Shampoo cursed. Shampoo finally opened her eyes and looked at Ranma with all the emotion she held: anger, melancholy, self-hatred, unconditional love, and bitterness. Ranma had to step back at what he saw. Shampoo frowned and closed her eyes desperately trying to hide her emotions.

`Damn it! He saw! I'm supposed to act like nothing's wrong……..But now that he saw, he won't believe me. DAMN!' Shampoo screamed at herself.

Ranma couldn't believe it. `W-what happened to her? What's wrong with her? I-I've NEVER seen any emotions like those on her face.` Ranma averted his eyes to the wall with a far off expression on his face. `Could it be because of me?'

Ranma forced himself to look at Shampoo. She was trying desperately to hide her emotions from everyone. `She must be this way because of me…………… *Sigh* I have to do something to make her feel better………. This is so embarrassing…….' Ranma rubbed the back of his neck before making his way towards Shampoo. Once he was right next to her, he encircled his arms around her.

Ranma felt Shampoo jump when he put his arms around her waist. Ranma held onto her and sat down on the couch. Once he felt Shampoo struggle, Ranma tightened his grip on Shampoo's waist. A few moments later, Shampoo stopped struggling. Ranma sighed gratefully. `She could hurt me unintentionally that way.' He reasoned, thinking of how she could just uppercut his jaw. He sweat dropped just thinking about it. `And the truth is…..that would really hurt…..'

Shampoo had her head to Ranma's chest. She could feel his heart beating. Her mind was in a tornado.

`W-what's he doing? He's holding me…….. He never does that……………. It feels nice, but why would he be doing this?'

`What the hell? I can't believe I just did this…………. She is warm though………... I-I better talk to her.' Ranma thought mildly embarrassed.

"Shampoo…….." Ranma whispered in her ear, " Shampoo what's wrong with you? Tell me please……."

`I think I'm in another world, no universe.' Shampoo thought. She was cut off when she heard Ranma speaking to her softly. After he finished, Shampoo hid her face in Ranma's chest.

Ranma started to blush when Shampoo pressed herself onto his chest. ` This feels……….. Different…. Not bad though……' Ranma thought.

`I can't tell him! I just can't tell him that I'm jealous……… I just can't.' Shampoo gripped onto Ranma's red shirt as she closed her eyes tightly. Once Ranma felt pressure on his shirt, he held onto Shampoo closer. Shampoo didn't protest this time. Instead, she leaned into his embrace for comfort.

`Wh-what is this feeling? She's so warm and I feel like I want to protect her from anything that wants to hurt her………. It's just like with Akane…………………' Ranma closed his eyes just thinking about Akane. Then he suddenly snapped his eyes open looking petrified. `Oh my god! Do I have feelings for them both? Shoot!!…………Now I know I gotta get out of here!………………..But what about Shampoo? I just can't leave her here alone when she's like this…………..' Ranma looked at Shampoo and started to blush again. He gulped. `Okay. It's official that I like Shampoo now…………..I gotta go….'

Shampoo slowly opened her eyes and held Ranma closer to her when she felt him shifting. She didn't look up at him for fear that she would see him looking disgustedly at her. Shampoo's vision suddenly went blurry.

`I can't let him see me like this. It's bad enough that he saw me with all my emotions, but now to see him see me crying? I can't let that happen. He's probably already embarrassed at me for showing my……………….. Weakness.' Shampoo held Ranma tightly as she thought about all this before releasing her grip completely. Then she pushed herself away from him.

Ranma almost screamed when Shampoo pushed away from him. `Dammit! I know I shouldn't be mad just because she pushed me away from her. I was gonna tell her that I needed to go anyway. But……………Damn! She was warm!' Ranma whined at that last part.

Shampoo avoided her eyes from Ranma as she spoke. She didn't want Ranma to see that she was about to cry. " I-I think that you should go Ranma. I'm sorry that I said that you could stay, but……………….. I can't let you………………………….. Besides... What will A-Akane and the others think if they saw you here?" Shampoo dared to look at Ranma at that. She was just trying to lighten the thick emotional sadness she felt.

Ranma could see the tears in Shampoo's eyes, but he just nodded because he knew that he wasn't wanted when she was going to cry………… Ranma walked up the stairs to get to the first floor again with Shampoo lagging behind in the shadows. Once they got to the door in silence, Ranma spun around and embraced Shampoo again before turning and running away.

Shampoo closed and locked the doors to the Neko Hanten, shaking, before her legs buckled beneath her. She fell onto her knees and buried her face in her hands as she cried.

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Elsewhere, Ranma was running on roofs thinking. `Why the hell did I do THAT? Why did I hug her?' Ranma groaned when he thought about it. `Oh yeah! It's because I like her AND Akane…………………..Wonderful….' Ranma looked up to the sky.

"Why can't my life just be simple just for once?" Ranma said angrily stopping at the park. Ranma sighed again. " I guess this is where I sleep tonight…….."And with that, Ranma went up a tree and slept grumbling about something like, "I wish I didn't open my big mouth……….."

To be continued ………….

A/N: I really was thinking about making this a one shot………. But I guess I don't like making things so short. You like it? You hate it? If so…..*Gets on a flame suit with goggles*…Dudes I'm ready….