Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ New Memories ❯ Ch. 4 ( Chapter 4 )

dislaimer: I don't own Ranma 1/2.

New Memories

The next morning in Nerima wasn't exactly the greatest for Ranma. He was woken up roughly by a foot kicking his face from his dead sleeper father. Ryouga came back late last night (even though Ranma would have preferred him coming really earlier). Mousse finally showed up and tried attacking Ranma (he was in America from Shampoo's kick). Kuno attacked him at school for his vile nature. And to top it all off, he still remembered what happened to him yesterday. Yes, today really didn't seem like his day.

Presently Ranma was stepping on an unconcious Kuno for being such a pest. No one should mess with a ticked off Ranma. Just then Shampoo appeared, and when she saw Ranma she casted her eyes towards the ground. Ranma did the same thing. Ranma silently walked off to get in the school as did Shampoo. Just then a two girls started talking to her. Ranma listened into the conversation.

Girl #1: Hey Shampoo. How would you like to do a play? I bet you would be really good at the part.

Shampoo: What do you mean?

Girl #2: What we mean is that you should take the leading role of the play this year. After all, you do have the looks and personality to do the part.

Shampoo (head bowed low): I don't exactly do plays and I'm pretty sure I won't be good at it.

The two girls faltered a bit, but still tried.

Girl #1 and #2: We're confident that you'll do a good job. You aren't exactly the shy type.

Ranma (thinking): Ain't that the truth. Well except for that ah, k-kiss.

Shampoo looked at the two girls and then talked to them confidently.

Shampoo: Maybe I could do the part, but which play is it?

Both: It's Romeo and Juliet!

Ranma facefaulted. Shampoo sweatdropped.

Shampoo: But isn't that the story about two people who can't see each other except in secret?

Both: Yeah, what's your point?

Shampoo: Well my point is……….. Hey, don't you have to kiss a boy?

Girl #2: Yes…….

Shampoo: Who exactly do you have to kiss?

Both girls looked at each other and sweatdropped.

Both (thinking): Great! Now she definitely won't do the part.

Girl #1: Kuno

Ranma chose that time to pick himself up from the floor. He looked queezy at the thought of Kuno kissing Shampoo. He looked over to Shampoo. She looked worse. She even had a small green tint to her face.

Shampoo: No.

The two girls sagged their shoulders in defeat. They departed soon after. Ranma looked back at Shampoo. She looked disgusted. Ranma quickly looked in another direction when Shampoo looked at him. She also quickly moved her eyes to the floor. They didn't want to see each other blushing. Then they started walking towards the school. Shampoo stopped suddenly. Ranma looked back at her.

Shampoo (thinking): I don't really feel like going to school today. I guess I'll just go take a walk or something.

Shampoo turned towards the entrance of school and ran off. Ranma watched in confusion.

Ranma (thinking): Where in the world is she going……. Ah well. Since she's gone I bet it will be easier for me to try to find out what happened to her.. But where to start. Hmm…… I guess I'll talk to the Old Ghoul.

Ranma looked at the school and hoped that Akane wouldn't notice that he was gone. Or worse, that both Shampoo and he were gone. He sighed.

Ranma: Like that's gonna happen soon. She's gonna be real ticked at me. Ah well, I did say that I'd try to help find Shampoo's memory.

Ranma jumped on a tree and then on the school's roof. He looked for the direction for the Cat Café. He saw it and then jumped off the roof until he got to another on. He did that until he landed near the Cat Café.

Ranma (thinking): Now maybe I'll get some answers.

Without another thought Ranma went into the Cat Café. Cologne heard the bell ring and was about to welcome a customer, but decided against it on the count of the look on Ranma's face.

Cologne: Well hello, son-in-law. What brings you here when you're supposed to be at school?

Ranma: Come off it Old Ghoul! What the heck happened to Shampoo?

Cologne: What do you mean son-in-law? There's nothing wrong with Shampoo. If you mean she's different then I guess you're right. I'm sure that you already know that she's speaking better Japanese?

Ranma: Yea yea, I know already, but that's not what I mean. What I mean is (deep breath) WHY THE HECK DOES SHE THINK OF ME AS A FRIEND INSTEAD OF HER AIREN??

Cologne stared long and hard at Ranma. Then she shrugged her shoulders and walked away.

Ranma (thinking): I know that you know something old ghoul!

To say the least, Ranma was ticked off. He jumped over her and landed on the counter.

Ranma: Listen old ghoul! Shampoo doesn't even remember that she used to like me. Doesn't that bother you? After all you (long pause) you have to try to get me to come with you to China. Well tell me. What happened?

Cologne put on a thoughtful face.

Cologne (thinking): Maybe I shouldn't tell him, but I'm pretty sure that he knows that I at least know something.. Hmm.. If I do tell him, I'm pretty sure my great-granddaughter will not want to have her memory back. That blush on her face was different. I wonder what that was about? Heh heh, I bet I could get an answer out of son-in-law.

Ranma watched the old ghoul as her face turned from one of concentration to one of slyness. Ranma didn't really like the look he gave her next.

Ranma: Hey old ghoul. What's the look for?

Cologne: Son-in-law, as you know Shampoo is acting very different towards you right?

Ranma nodded his head vigorously.

Cologne: Well, I'm not going to tell you any more.

Ranma facefaulted. Then he got up and yelled at the old ghoul.

Ranma: What do you mean that's all I'm going to tell you? You didn't tell me anything!

Cologne: Fine then. If you want me to tell you something about Shampoo, then you have to tell me something. Deal?

Ranma looked over Cologne carefully.

Ranma (thinking): I know that she knows at least something. (Sigh) I guess I'm going to have to tell her something she wants to know then.

Ranma: Deal. Now tell me what you want to know.

Cologne: Fine then. Tell me what happened to the two of you while you were training. Shampoo turned beat red when I joked around with her.

Cologne stopped to observe Ranma. He looked really nervous and not to mention that he was as red as his shirt. Cologne smirked.

Cologne: So, son-in-law, what exactly did the two of you do?

Ranma (nervous): W-what do you mean old ghoul? Heh heh. Nothing happened.

Cologne: You're lying. If you don't tell the truth I guess I just won't tell you what I know then. Good da-

Ranma (thinking): Sheesh! What's with this question anyway?!

Ranma: Wait! Okay, okay I'll tell you. I…I…umm…I…

BONK.

Cologne: I don't have all day son-in-law. Tell me already.

Ranma rubbed his head from the floor. He slowly got up turning even redder.

Ranma (thinking): Damn! Why do I have to tell the old ghoul anyway? Hell, who cares! I'm acting like Ryouga would. After all, it was only a k-kiss.

Ranma shook off the thought.

Ranma: Fine. I'll tell you.. You see, um well, I was sorta knocked unconscious for a while and Shampoo was checking to see if I was okay. Anyway, well I sorta woke up, so I um, moved my head forward. So then I sorta kissed her.

By the time he finished talking, he looked as red as his shirt. Cologne smirked at how he looked.

Ranma: Anyway…….. Now you have to tell me about what happened to Shampoo.

Cologne: Very well then. You see I only saw Shampoo act like this when she started going to your school. She's acting very differently, but I think that this is just another side of her that none of you knew.

Cologne (thinking): I'm sorry son-in-law, but I don't want you to know anything………..just yet……

Ranma: That does make sense because no one here ever really got to know her. Heck, the only way that I knew of her was because she tried getting me to marry her…….. Was she always this way in China?

Cologne: Yes and no. You see that is why Mousse is so addicted to her. But then she had to fight, so she had to give up all her soft feelings. She had to be the best as my heir. So I'm thinking that she was very lonely..

Ranma (thinking): I never thought of it that way before. Hmm…….

Ranma: Anyway that's not what I meant. Her mind seems to be altered.

Cologne: How?

Cologne (thinking): Now I'M acting like an idiot!

Ranma: You see, she told me that we became friends after she found out I was a guy…….… But that's not what happened.

Cologne (thinking): How did that happen? How could her mind be altered like that? She didn't use a mind-altering potion.

Cologne (sincerely): I'm sorry son-in-law, but I don't have the faintest clue as to why she ever thought that.

Ranma looked crestfallen. He really thought he could find the answers from her.

Ranma (crestfallen): Okay old ghoul. (Sigh) I gotta go.

Cologne: Wait son-in-law. Where is my great-granddaughter?

Ranma: I-I don't know. She left the school grounds before she even walked in class. Maybe I'll go look for her….. Uh, bye.

Ranma ran off. Cologne watched him go.

Cologne: At least I know he cares for her a little…….. What did happen to you Shampoo?

And so, Cologne hopped on her staff over to the magic books and started searching.

***********************************************

Park

Meanwhile, Shampoo was walking along the park's pathway. She was lost in thought. She put her hands to her head.

Shampoo (thinking): This is so boring. Maybe I'll just try practicing.

Shampoo looked around. She saw the entrance to woods. She smiled and went in. The trees covered most of the sun and the flowers on the trees and bushes were beautiful. She walked along the dirt path. Squirrels and birds were in the trees. Shampoo looked and walked around until she saw a part with tons of boulders and a stream.

Shampoo: As long as I don't get wet, I'm fine.

Shampoo walked to the place with boulders and a stream. When she looked in the water, she could clearly see her reflection. She then walked over to the boulders and started practicing. She got out her bonbori. Then she started to fight an imaginary opponent. Her movements were graceful, but had movements of her power with it.

After she warmed up, Shampoo used her bonbori for full force hits. It quickly wore her out, so she used her speed. She never stopped, even when her arms burned and felt like lead.

Ranma was looking for Shampoo in the park. He already checked almost everywhere in Nerima, but still didn't find her. Just then, he felt someone's chi at full blaze. Ranma looked to see where it came from and followed as to where he felt it getting closer. Ranma walked into the woods, but didn't stop to look at the scenery. He stopped dead in his tracks when he heard a battle cry. When he saw who it was, he watched her intently.

Shampoo was too wrapped up to notice anyone watching her. She continued her barrage of attacks. Shampoo was trying to keep her strength with her attacks. It would increase her stamina.

Ranma looked in awe at Shampoo. She never seemed to fight like this when she was fighting him or Akane and Ukyo. But then again he didn't see her fight Monlon. He was trying to save Akane from Kirin, although he did see a huge cloud of dust when she told him to go and save Akane.

Ranma (quietly): I didn't think she was this good….. Wow.

Ranma looked at Shampoo again. She looked at ease doing the art. He still couldn't believe her skill.

Ranma (thinking): I bet she's the strongest out of all the girls. She might even be able to fight against Ryouga and win. Who knows?

Ranma was about to move back a bit, but he snapped a twig. He sweatdropped. Shampoo heard the snap and stopped her training. She threw one of her bonbori at Ranma's head. It almost struck its intended target, but Ranma leaped out of the way. He landed in a near by tree. Once he landed he jumped down next to Shampoo, who was about to attack.

Ranma: Hey, whaddya do that for? I didn't-

Ranma got hit in the stomach and fell over. Shampoo looked at her stalker. Ranma looked right back at her.

Shampoo: Aiya! Ranma I didn't see you. Sorry.

Ranma: Ow, jeez you didn't have to hit me.

Shampoo: It's not my fault you were stalking me!

Ranma jumped up from the ground. Then he landed right next to her and raised his fist in front of his face. He also took a step forward.

Ranma (angrily): I wasn't tryin' to stalk you, ya know! I was just trying to find you.

Shampoo rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. Then she sat down on a nearby boulder.

Shampoo: Really? And why is that?

Ranma faltered a bit. He sat on the ground and thought about it. Shampoo looked at him amused……… Then she threw her other bonbori at his head. That time it hit its target.

Ranma: What was that for?

Shampoo: I think you should know why you were trying to find me. You don't just forget.

Ranma: Fine. I don't remember, but I guess I want to (scowl then sigh) apologize.

Shampoo: Why are you apologizing?

Ranma: `Cuz I kissed you. That's why.

Ranma then looked at Shampoo. She stayed quiet for a while before replying.

Shampoo: But I thought I kissed you.

Ranma: No you didn't!

Shampoo (getting up): Yes I did!

Ranma: Nuh-uh.

Shampoo: Ah-huh.

Ranma: No

Shampoo: Yes

Ranma: No

Shampoo (smirking): No

Ranma: Yes you did! Wait. What?

Shampoo laughed at his stupidity. He was just so naïve.

Ranma: What are you laughing about?

Shampoo abruptly stopped. She looked at him.

Shampoo: No reason Ranma. Just forget about it……. Hey do you remember why we were fighting?

Ranma: (chuckle) Nope. Can't say that I do.

He grinned at her and winked. She caught on really quickly.

Shampoo: Neither do I. You want to forget about it and get an ice cream?

At the word ice cream, Ranma started to drool. Shampoo giggled.

Shampoo: I guess that's a yes. Let's go.

Ranma: O-okay.

They walked in a comfortable silence for a while. Shampoo thought it was a nice thing for both of them to apologize without really apologizing to each other. Then Ranma thought of something.

Ranma: Hey Shampoo. What were you doing in the woods practicing? I've never seen you train like that before.

Shampoo: It was just to relieve my stress, but ice cream with you would be even better.

Ranma: Really?

Shampoo: Mmm-hmm.

After that Ranma smiled a bit. The two of them didn't speak to each other the whole time because of the comfortable silence they were in. When they saw the ice cream store, Ranma suddenly looked for cold water. An old woman was cleaning her part of the road, so he jumped in the way and turned to a girl. When Ranma-chan walked back to the ice cream shop, Shampoo stood there waiting for him who was now her.

Shampoo: Let me guess. You would be too embarrassed to be seen here as a guy.

Ranma-chan: Right.

Shampoo shrugged her shoulders. They walked inside got their orders and started talking.

Shampoo: So Ranma, why weren't you in school either?

Shampoo waited until Ranma-chan was finished with her fourth chocolate shake.

Ranma-chan: I had to ask the old ghoul some (blush) questions. That's all.

Shampoo: Oh.

The two of them talked about more interesting things until Akane showed up. Ranma-chan was surprised.

Akane: What the heck are you doing here Ranma? And with Shampoo?

Ranma-chan: We were-

Shampoo cut her off.

Shampoo: We were just having some ice cream. Want to join us?

Akane looked at her wide-eyed. Then she sat down right beside Shampoo still not believing what she just said.

Akane (thinking): I really don't believe this. I got to thank whoever made Shampoo like this.

So now with three in the party, they talked about all the things about the whole week. Included were gossip, weather, and martial arts. Everyone at the ice cream store thought of the three of them as good friends by the way they talked and laughed together..

To be continued…

Author's Ramblings: Oh man. I'm too much of a sap. How sad. So you better expect more err, whatever soon. Holidays kept me off this fic. I could have uploaded this chapter and the next earlier, but…………holidays. So hope you enjoyed this chapter.