Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ New Memories ❯ Ch. 2 ( Chapter 2 )

New Memories

The next day for Ranma seemed… eventful. Ranma woke up at the smell of food with his father. They eyed each other and ran down the stairs in a flash. Akane, who just finished dressing knocked into the two and all three of them were, sent tumbling down. Genma didn't really notice the pain and just ran to get some of Kasumi's cooking. The same went for Ranma, but Akane just stayed on the ground for a second until she got up to yell at Ranma for being a jerk. She then stomped into the dining room where her extended family was.

Akane: Ranma! I can't believe you just knocked me down the stairs and then just run here without saying sorry.

Ranma, who was stuffing his face, just ignored Akane. So Akane told him to listen by dumping cold water on him, who was now a she?

Ranma-chan: Hey! That was cold! Waddya do that for Akane?

Akane: If you must know, Ranma, you knocked me down without apologizing!

Ranma-chan: Hey what about Pop? It wasn't all my fault ya know. And plus you should have been watching where you were goin'… Hey Kasumi, can you hand me the hot water please?

Kasumi: Of course Ranma.

Kasumi handed Ranma the water. When she/he changed back Akane was getting really ticked, but instead of hitting Ranma she decided to wait because if she hit him now they would both be late. She knew this because her father and Ranma's father would tell her to.

Nabiki: Okay since everyone's under control I think we should go to school. Oh yah, I also heard that there's going to be a new student coming today.

Ranma: Oh? You know who though Nabiki? And why did you tell us anyway?

Nabiki: For your information, I don't know who it's going to be. And to answer your second question, Principal Kuno's been screaming yesterday about it and he seemed really nervous too.

Akane: Yeah whatever. We need to go to school or we'll be late!

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30 minutes earlier At the Cat Café

Shampoo was looking at her reflection in the mirror. She seemed very depressed over something.

Shampoo (thinking): I can't believe that I'm actually going to do this. I know I should be happy, but it feels really weird. I guess this is the last time I'll be like this. I'm gonna be a new Shampoo soon.

She looked at the bottle of shampoo next to her hand. She smiled a bit. Then she took the shampoo and once again looked over at herself.

Shampoo: *I guess this is goodbye…*

The next thing she did was pour the shampoo in her hair, scrubbed her scalp making pressure points, wash it with water, and then blow dry her hair in less than six seconds. When she finished, she grew dizzy and passed out. When Cologne came in when she heard a thud, she knew that Shampoo was gone and that she would be up and about in a few seconds. Cologne hopped over to Shampoo's room and gave her not so revealing Chinese clothes. She left the room short after.

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Presently

Ranma and Akane were running to school side by side… or close to that anyway because Ranma was running in the fence. They came into the schoolyard, and soon heard the bell ring. They looked at each other and then dashed off.

When they ran into the room, the first thing they saw was a glare from the sensei for being late. Ranma thought that they would have to hold buckets of water out in the hall, but the sensei didn't even look at him. Ranma sighed a sigh of relief.

Ranma (thinking): A good thing I'm not busted… but what's got sensei like this? Maybe it's `cause of the new kid.

Ranma looked around the classroom looking for the new kid, but all he saw were familiar faces.

Ranma (thinking): I guess the new kid didn't show up yet.

That being said… or thought, the new kid walked in the door holding her head. Ranma dropped his jaw at who it was who walked in the door.

Ranma: S-S-Shampoo! What are you doing here?

Shampoo, who was talking to the sensei, looked at him and smiled a small smile. Some of the guys in the room looked at Ranma, then to Shampoo and then said " oh man!! Ranma why do you get all the girls?" Ranma still wasn't paying attention to them because he was focusing his attention to Shampoo.

Ranma (thinking): She looks different… She isn't wearing her usual Chinese clothes…I mean she's still wearing Chinese clothes, but wow! These are really different.

Indeed Shampoo was wearing different clothes. She had on a pair of blue pants, that was half way covered up with a shirt like clothing both in front and behind her, that was cut on her sleeves and that was a little baggy. It had special designs on it that was purple and a dark pink. Under that shirt, she had on a regular blue tee shirt on. On her first shirt clothing, it was like a cover up vest that had no zipper, had a dragon across her chest on stomach circling it's tail behind her.

Sensei: All right everyone, we have a new student today! Please introduce yourself to everyone.

At that last sentence, he smiled warmly to her. She smiled back.

Shampoo (thinking): Maybe I should start speaking like how my great-grandmother has taught me… Yeah, that's what I'll do. Maybe I've only been practicing for a week, but I'm sure I'll do okay.

Shampoo: Nihao. My name is Xian Pu of the Amazon women for all of you who don't know me. I've learned that the Japanese can't pronounce my name properly, so just call me Shampoo.

Shampoo (thinking): Yes! I didn't mess up on my speech!

At the end of her introduction she took a bow and looked at everyone. Everyone who knew her looked up at her with their eyes taking up half their face. Shampoo tried not to laugh. Ukyo and Akane were the most hilarious though. Their eyes took up their whole face with their jaws dropped on the floor. When everyone got their composture back, they looked up at her almost scared.

Ranma: Shampoo! When did you learn how to speak so well? Is that why you've been avoiding me?

Shampoo looked at Ranma like he was crazy or something. She bit her tongue and hoped her Japanese wouldn't fail her.

Shampoo: What are you talking about Ranma? I haven't been avoiding you. I've just been too busy to come and visit you that's all.

Ranma, Akane, and Ukyo: WHAT??!!!

Shampoo had to strain her hearing because of the loud shouts that were coming to her ears. She looked at them in confusion.

Shampoo: Why are Spatula Girl and Violent Girl screaming? And why are you screaming too Ranma?

Akane: We just heard you say you were too busy to visit Ranma. You're never too busy to see Ranma.

Ranma: She's right Shampoo. You've never been too busy to see me. What's going on? And why do look like you don't understand what I'm saying?

Shampoo who thought Ranma was mocking her Japanese, hit him hard in the stomach. The next thing Shampoo saw was Ranma clutching his stomach on the ground in pain. To say the least, everyone was surprised.

Ukyo: Hey you little hussy! Why'd you do that to Ran-chan? He just asked you a few questions! How could you do that to him…? Maybe you really don't love him like I do!

Shampoo: What are you talking about Spatula Girl? What are you talking about loving Ranma for? And so what if I hit him? He was mocking my Japanese… Hold up! Love Ranma? Why'd you say that? Of course I don't love Ranma… We're just friends.

That caused Ranma to come out of his pain while everyone else looked shocked at Shampoo. Shampoo noticed the quietness and observed the room in worry.

Shampoo: Why does everyone look shocked? Everyone should know that I don't love him…Right?

Ranma looked at Shampoo with hurt for a second and then pushed it away. He grabbed Shampoo by the shoulders.

Ranma: Shampoo are you okay? You just said that you don't love me. Everyone knows you do. Why'd you say that?

Shampoo: What? Ranma are you okay? I'm not in love with you w-we're just friends. And what do you mean everyone knows I'm in love with you? It's not like I chase you or something. I can only do that if I am chasing after my husband…and you're not my husband.

Ranma: What!! You're the one who chased me down from when I was in China! You're the one who said you loved me when I was in guy form from when you found me in Japan! And you're the-

Shampoo: Ranma what are you talking about? I know I chased you all the way to Japan when I thought you were a girl, but you showed me that you were really a boy when I was trying to hurt Akane. That's how I couldn't kill you because you were really a boy. The Kiss of Death was annulled, but since you were in girl form I didn't have to marry you… Ranma? Why are you looking at me like that?

Ranma: Shampoo… did you say that you found out that I was a guy before you could hurt Akane? But how's that possible that you aren't married to me anymore? You said that we were married? And if you don't remember, why do you still call Akane Violent Girl and Ukyo Spatula Girl?

Shampoo looked at Ranma with a worried face at first. But when she heard him tell about the nick names she gave Akane and Ukyo, she laughed.

Shampoo: Ranma I can't believe you don't remember! I call Akane and Ukyo that because of when I first saw them. I remembered that Akane was really violent towards you, so I called her Violent Girl. You should know why I call Ukyo Spatula Girl… It's because she always has a spatula strapped to her back. I only do that as nicknames for them.

Ranma's jaw dropped. His eyes went wide and for a split second you could see pain evidently on his face. He hid it so well too.

Ranma: Shampoo… so you mean that we are only friends? That's all you wanted from me? But what about the things you said last week? You said that you'd help me whenever I needed it even if I didn't need or want it. Don't you remember Shampoo? It was when you tried to fix up my wounds.

Shampoo looked at him with some kind of emotion he couldn't place. It had only lasted a second, but it sort of seemed like the old Shampoo. Ranma was about to say something, but Shampoo cut him off.

Shampoo: I do remember that I said that Ranma, but I don't understand what that has to do with anything. All I said was that I would help you no matter what you do or say.

Ranma: but don't you remember what you said before that? I mean I think it was a little over…………………… friendship.

Shampoo thought about it a little bit. Then out of nowhere she got a little dizzy and a headache just like this morning after she got up from bed. Shampoo shrugged it off, but then got it back when she tried thinking of what happened. She decided that she just wouldn't think about it anymore.

Shampoo: I am sorry Ranma, but I can't say that I remember what happened except that I said I'd help you.

The whole class finally got out of their shock. What they saw was Ranma and Shampoo staring at each other as if they could find the answers to their questions if they looked at each other long enough, but before Ranma could find any answers from Shampoo, she broke off the eye contact.

Ranma (thinking): I can't believe this is happening to me. What happened to Shampoo? I could tell that she felt pain a little earlier when I asked if she could remember anything. It was like she didn't want to remember anything, but she tried to anyway just to see if she could remember. Maybe I should like this, but I don't. Maybe I'll get used to it in a few days… afterall she did say that we were friends instead of a couple for once. (sigh) Damn! Why is Shampoo acting like this! I can't believe she would just forget about me like this! She doesn't remember anything about loving me and she keeps on saying that we were friends when I told her that I was really a guy! She doesn't remember that she used to give me any free meals I bet, and that she used to go around her bicycle and run me over with it when she's trying to say hi! I bet she doesn't remember that she used to give me breath-taking hugs, literally, either! This sucks….! But why does this annoy me so much? I just don't understand. (groans in frustration) But I am going to make an oath to find out what happened to her no matter what… but why do I want to find out? I should be happy that she won't be asking her to come to China with her… but I'm not… Damn! This is so frustrating! This is going to be a long day.)

The sensei, which was looking over his desk to look for something, looked up when Shampoo walked to him.

Shampoo: Sensei, where do I sit?

Sensei: Hmm? Oh yes a seat… Let's see… Since you seem to know Ranma, you can sit behind him, so you will be near the window also. Is that okay?

Shampoo looked nervously near Ranma's direction.

Shampoo (thinking): He was acting so strangely, but if he does try to do something I at least know I can defend myself.

Shampoo: Yes sensei.

Shampoo walked over to Ranma, who was very lost in thought. She sat down behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. He immediately stiffened and then relaxed. He turned to face her.

Ranma (thinking): She looks worried about me. I guess I would be to if a guy or girl asked me questions that I knew nothing about, but instead of backing off to ease her own mind she's trying to sooth mine.

Ranma looked at Shampoo. Indeed she was worried about him, but it was not the usual loving kind for a lover. It was one that a friend would give that Ranma hasn't seen since when Ukyo and himself were kids. When Ranma relaxed, Shampoo smiled. Ranma smiled back.

Ranma (thinking): Maybe this won't be so bad after all.

Akane and Ukyo looked at the exchange and then both grew blue with energy. When the bell rang they both got up and hit him with a bookbag and a spatula. He flew out the window that was opened and soon looked like a star in the sky. Shampoo looked at the retreating girls with a huge amount of anger. She quickly shrugged it of with worry.

Shampoo (thinking): What was that about?

To be continued…

Important Author's Note: Okay that was the second chapter. For those who read the story, Thank You! And happy holidays!