[fic][Ranma][Shampoo’s Chance Spirit of the law]

Disclaimer:  Ranma 1/2 and its characters are the creation and property of Takahashi-sama and various other entities.  I’m just borrowing them without permission.  I promise to put them all back when I’m done... except possibly for Shampoo:)

Shampoo’s Chance:  Spirit of the Law

Chapter 1

By:  Kaleb

       *CHRING*  Those who lived between the Cat Cafe and the Tendo Dojo had long ago come to dread that particular sound which sent them instinctively diving for cover.  Shampoo paid them no mind as she zipped down the street, humming a pleasant ditty that was quite in contrast to the panicked screams of those scrambling to avoid what the locals referred to in terrified whispers as “The Bicycle of Death.”  Even the motorists went out of there way to avoid the purple haired cyclist; for those who dared to challenge the bike’s right of way, confident that it would yield to their superior size, had discovered themselves the ones totaled in the resulting collision, and the bike miraculously unscathed. 

      Shampoo smirked at the rabbles panic.  However unnecessary it was, it helped heighten the thrill that made biking so enjoyable.  In truth, she was the cyclist who posed the least inherent danger to these cowardly commoners (indirect danger, from panicking pedestrians and vehicles, was another matter entirely).  Her bike and her were like one organism in perfect harmony.  It’s every movement was a perfect reflection of her will.  No one would be hit, unless, that is, she intended to hit them.  Speaking of which, she had reached the Tendo Dojo.  And on the other side of the wall she could hear the angry yells of Akane as she demolished defenseless bricks.

      Smirking even more, Shampoo carefully aimed her bike toward her target and sped straight toward the thick brick wall at what appeared to be a suicidal speed.  But Shampoo did not splatter against the wall.  Instead, in apparent disregard for physics, the wall exploded before the exuberant amazons charge.  Akane heard the wall give way behind her, but she knew that meant it was to late to do anything but flinch and extend her pinkies/index fingers. 

      All she felt was something brush quickly through her hair... and then nothing?!  It took a moment for Akane to realize she hadn’t been hit.  “Wha...?”

      “Hehe.  Akane should seen face.  Shampoo make flinch good!”  gloated the Amazon, hands on the handlebars that she’d turned to the side at the last moment. 

      “Why you little...” growled Akane as she advanced angrily toward Shampoo, then let out an EEP!  as the Amazon popped a wheelie that came within a hair width of taking off her nose. 

      “Shampoo gottcha’gin.  Akane never learn it seem,” laughed the Amazon as she teased her hyperventilating rival.   

      “I’m going to kill that bike!”  screamed Akane as she attempted to introduce Shampoo’s bike to her mallet (her anger level having just reached the critical mass needed to summon it).  All she hit was air of course, the veins popping up all over her head had given Shampoo plenty of advance warning.  And now Akane had taken the first serious swing, which made her fair game;  if anyone asked it could be excused as self defense.  Or rather bike defense.

      Shampoo’s flip sent the back wheel of the bike thudding into the back of Akane’s skull and knocked her flat on her face.  To add insult (and more injury) to injury, Shampoo landed the bike on top of her fallen foe.  “Akane should no threaten bike, even bike fight better than Akane.  Way to go bike!  You teach violent girl lesson good,” crooned Shampoo as she patted the handlebar with mock affection. 

      Whistling a little victory tune, Shampoo started to walk over to the house, then stopped as she felt someone staring daggers at her back.  “D-don’t... think... I’m... beat... yet...” snarled Akane as she rose slowly to her feet.

      “Hmmm.  Shampoo give you credit.  Akane tougher and dumber than me think.  When you learn no can beat Shampoo?”  Akane knew Shampoo was right, but there was no way in hell she was going to hear, or accept, it from that bitch. Her fingers curled up into a trembling fist.  All she asked for was one clean hit.  She’d gladly get the crap beat out of her if she could just deck that arrogant Amazon’s smirking face.  With a desperate battle cry Akane launched herself at Shampoo. 

      “Akane?” said Shampoo, slightly concerned, as she evaded blow after blow.  “Shampoo thinking you taking way to serious.” 

      Taking serious.  It was all some game to them, wasn’t it?  They never took her seriously.  With each blow that Shampoo casually dodged, Akane could feel her anger building.  She hated it when they toyed with her, just to remind her how inferior she was.  Damn it, she used to be the Martial Arts Queen of Nerima.  Now she was just a joke.  She’d show them.   

      “Hmmm.  You _is_ serious, neh?  Akane have warrior spirit, but waste to much time what with breaking bricks...” suddenly Shampoo slipped past Akane’s fist and the two girls were face to face, “Against moving target need aim where going to be, not where is.”

      Shampoo’s words hit Akane full force and momentarily stopped her as she blinked in surprise.  So that was her mistake.  She could break all the bricks she wanted and it wouldn’t do her a wit of good against agile opponents like Shampoo and Ranma.  Her problem was none of her opponents had ever required her to improve her aim.  Her dad had became useless for practice years ago because he couldn’t fight her for real.  Kuno’s delusions kept him from lowering himself to dodging;  that was for cowardly lesser mortals who weren’t invincible and didn’t have a flawless opening strike that would vanquish any foe. The mob of boys at school had just been chaff far below her level And there had been no way in hell that anyone could miss the dojo destroyer. 

      But why was Shampoo... “I’m so pathetic that your taking pity on me, is that it?” thought Akane angrily.  “Your feeling sorry enough for weak little Akane that’ll you’ll stoop to giving her advice, neh?  I’ll show you.  “Aim where going to be”, right?”  Akane stepped back and launched a double fisted attack at both sides of Shampoo’s head.  She didn’t care that’d it’d leave her wide open.  All she wanted to do was for once hit that arrogant bitch.           

      So she was quite disappointed when her two fists landed beside Shampoo’s face.  “Wha... No fair!  Y-you... were supposed to... try and dodge,” sputtered an incredulous Akane at the unmoved Amazon.

      “Foooled you!”  announced Shampoo as she tapped Akane on the forehead with just enough force to knock the overextended girl off balance.  Akane windmilled her arms in a desperate attempt to right herself, but gravity and inertia won out and sent her crashing down into the dirt once again. As the dust cleared she was greeted by the sight of Shampoo trying (rather unsuccessfully) to hold back her giggles.

      Akane still had a dumbfounded expression on her face, but then to Shampoo’s surprise, her lip half curled up into a smirk.  “Heh.  Okay.  That was a good one Shampoo, but cheap.  HIYAAH!” 

      Shampoo noted that Akane was trying to track her movements.  At first her blows were uneven and awkward, as she tried to adjust to the different mindset that anticipatory attacks required, but with each passing moment they became more rapid and confident.  Soon Akane was grinning as she unleashed a torrent of fists and feet against Shampoo, who actually had to put some effort into her dodging.  This time Akane’s defense wasn’t full of holes big enough for Shampoo to ram her bike through either.

      Finally a split second arrived where Akane realized she knew where Shampoo was going to be.  “I’ve got you!” yelled Akane in triumph as she unleashed a full force roundhouse.

      “Heh.  Not bad,” huffed Shampoo, a single sweat drop appearing on her forehead.  It was almost frightening how quickly Akane had improved during this short match.  “Akane actually make Shampoo need block.”  Panting from exhaustion, Akane stared in disappointment at the low block which had countered her roundhouse.  Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little bit of triumph.  Wiping the sweat from her brow,  she looked back up at Shampoo, cautiously smiled, and started to open her mouth, but before she could speak Shampoo grabbed her ankle and gave her an evil grin.  “But Akane no get too cocky,” with a flick of her wrist, Shampoo sent Akane spinning through the air.  “You still no where near be hitting Shampoo.”  Akane’s sense of triumph and start of a good mood died right there in the dirt.  Her skill was still nothing next to that jerks!  

      “Oh.  Hello Shampoo-chan.  You came over here to play with Akane?”  asked Kasumi as she came out of the house.           

      “Nihao Kasumi!  Shampoo actually here for see Mom-in-law.  She here?”

      “Mom-in... oh.  She’s in the laundry room right now.”

      “Thanks,” said Shampoo as she started to unload the take out cart from the back of her bike.  Reaching inside she pulled out a sweet bun and offered it to Kasumi.  “Here.  Right before me leave Great Grandma finish batch, so Shampoo bring some over.” 

      “Thank you Shampoo-chan,” said Kasumi as she took a bite.  “Mmmhhh.  These are really fresh.  Give your Great Grandmother my compliments.  Was there something else I saw in there?”  

      “Hehe.  That surprise for Mom-in-law.  Hey Akane!  You wanting sweet bun?” Shampoo asked as she offered one to Akane, who was busy trying to brush all the dust off her gi.

      “Hell no!” snapped Akane as she slapped Shampoo’s hand away.  “Knowing you, it’s probably poisoned or something!” 

      “Suit self,” shrugged Shampoo as she stuffed the bun in her own mouth.  “Mmmhhhmmhh.  Is too to good,” enthused Shampoo over her shoulder as she walked briskly away from Akane.  The Amazon started to head toward the house, but then stopped and cocked her ear toward her bike.  “What that?  You no want me leave out here with nasty mean violent girl?”  Shampoo nodded her head several times and then replied, “True, true, she what threatening for to kill you.  There, there, Shampoo no let violent girl touch you,” assured Shampoo as she patted the handlebars.  “Kasumi, can Shampoo take bike in house?”

      “Certainly,” replied Kasumi with a smile.  Then she leaned over toward the bike.  “Don’t worry Mr. Bike, you can stay on the dining room deck.  I’ll be right across the hall in the kitchen, keeping an eye on you.” 

      “Not you too Oneechan!” protested Akane.  “I’d expect this type of childish stupidity from Shampoo, but from you...”

      “Hush Akane, I can’t hear Mr. Bike.  What was that?  Oh.  No, it’s my pleasure to make sure your safe.  Yes, she does have a short temper..

      “Oneechan!!”

      “But she’s really a good girl.  I hope you’ll forgive her, you two could get along well.  Maybe you’ll let her ride you some day, neh?”  Shampoo suddenly went bug eyed.  “Oh my, did I say something wrong?” 

      “U-uh.  No,” replied Shampoo nervously as she tried to figure out if there was anything hiding behind Kasumi’s innocent smile.  Was this girl just a naive homemaker, or something much more devious?  Shampoo hastily decided she was reading way to much into this.      

      “Honestly, treating that stupid bike like a guest,” muttered Akane as Shampoo quickly wheeled her bike into the Tendo residence.  “I can’t believe you’d team up against your own sister like that.”

      “Shampoo’s changed, hasn’t she?” commented Kasumi as she watched the Amazon disappear inside the house. 

      “Hmph.  She’s still the same old childish, arrogant bitch she’s always been,” huffed Akane as she headed toward the house.  Tire stains were such a pain to get out.  Best to get her gi in the wash rig...  Akane stopped, deciding that was the last place she wanted to be right now.  Grumbling, she turned around and started looking for more concrete blocks to smash.

End of Chapter 1

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