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:)

Chapter 3

By:  Kaleb

      “There, there,” consoled Nodoka as she lightly held the sniffling Amazon.  “You said your people judge on a case by case basis, right?  I’m sure you could persuade them to be more lenient with you.  You’ve tried your best to honor your law.  It’s not your fault that Ranma will be marrying Akane; it’s only natural for him to give more weight to a promise made by his family than to some alien law, for promises and family honor are as binding as law to us Japanese.  I understand that your bound by honor to continue pursuing Ranma until he makes his choice clear, but surely you and your tribe can understand that Akane’s claim has greater sanctioning of tradition.  Ranma’s duty is first to his native Japanese tradition, in which arranged marriages have a long precedent.”

      Shampoo couldn’t resist taking a shot at this edifice of tradition.  “Ranma feeling matter any?  Shampoo think he should marry for love, not obligation.  But if that way you judge, fine.  Ranma then need be marrying Ukyo, since Ranma Dad already what take and use up dowry, while Ranma not yet received Dojo.  Certainly “tradition sanction” engagement which dowry already taken for than one that not. neh?”   

      “... OHOHO!  Did I say obligation was the sole deciding factor?  After all, it takes a strong man to choose love over tradition, right?” laughed Mrs. Saotome nervously.  Then, as she drew her katana, her face became deadly serious.  “GGENMAA!”

        Grabbing Nodoka before she could go on the warpath, Shampoo blurted out, “Panda thief not here right now!” hoping that it wasn’t a lie.  “Beside, Shampoo need tell reason came.  I willing let go claim to Ranma if he help fulfill spirit of the law so tribe on me go easy.”  That got Mrs. Saotome’s attention. 

      “Ranma... Ranma love Akane, not me,” this time Shampoo didn’t need to feign her sadness.  “So... no get in way.  But no can afford go home empty handed again.  Already broke law once for save Ranma life.  Tribe be extra harsh if I completely fail again.”

      “Broke a law... to save Ranma’s life?  Sounds likes there’s quite a story there.   Here, lets move to the hot tub for it.  I need to relax.  On my sons’ wedding day, I realized his life was complicated, but I’m only starting to realize just how,” sighed Nodoka as she and the amazon settled into the steaming bath. 

      Shampoo, sensing Mrs. Saotome was preoccupied, decided to just enjoy the bliss of the moment instead of fret it away going over what she’d say next.  Nodoka felt slightly envious at how quickly the amazon’s sadness melted away with a pleasured sigh.  In general, civilized adults, who spend so much neurotic time in the past and future, envy youths and tribal people their effortless ease of being in the now. 

      Following the amazon’s example, Mrs. Saotome tried to relax and gather her wits.  Here was a chance to help Ranma out and bring some order to the chaos which had rent in pieces the first wedding attempt.  Hopefully, if she played it right, there’d be a win-win situation for everyone.  They’d just have to pay Ukyo back for whatever the dowry had been.  Somehow.  Family finances were one of the last things Nodoka wanted to think about right now, especially with college expenses for Ranma looming.  Perhaps Ukyo’s honor would be satisfied with the dowry thief committing seppuku, thought Mrs. Saotome darkly.  On the other hand, pandas were rare animals these days.  How much would a zoo pay for one healthy adult male?  ...but now was not the time to be thinking about that.  She had to focus on the situation at hand.  After taking a moment to really relax, Nodoka prompted Shampoo to continue; “You mentioned something about another law?”          
      “Colliery of first law.  If outsider female defeats, must kill her.  But no could bring self to kill Ranma.  Loved to much, even though he trick me and say true form girl,” Shampoo couldn’t quite keep a hint of bitterness from creeping into her tone.  “Even though must then face great shame and punishment before tribe.”

      “Ranma pretended he was really a girl?”  said a concerned Mrs. Saotome.  “But if he was a real man then you wouldn’t have had to kill him.  There has to be something I’m missing here.”

      “Um... well... Ranma worried I might kill Akane,” explained Shampoo uncomfortably, “’cause she in way of us getting married.”

      “Would you have?”  Shampoo gulped like a deer caught in the headlights of Nodoka’s point blank question.  As Mrs. Satome stared intently at her, Shampoo wished she’d never tried to score some extra points by bringing this up. 

      “No! ... well, maybe, back then might have... not sure...” whispered Shampoo as she looked down at the ripples her fidgeting fingers were sending through the water.  Then she turned desperately toward Mrs. Saotome.  “But no do something like that now!  Would just make Ranma hate Shampoo, maybe even kill.”  Shampoo shuddered, remembering that final, terrible battle against Saffron.  Once again she found her self fascinated by the ripples playing upon the bath’s surface.  “And... and Akane good person.  No would wish kill anyway.  Want think back then only showing serious so Akane back off or Ranma marry to protect her... but I might have... if he no dash wedding prospects by showing really same girl I need kill.”

      “Oh, how manly!  I never should have doubted you, Ranma!  Standing up for your engagement and protecting your fiancé, even at the risk of your own life.”

      Shampoo found the courage to look back up at Mrs. Saotome as she hastily added, “Yeah, yeah.  But I unable to kill.  Thought I could, but couldn’t bring self to hurt her.  So maybe no been able to kill her either... k-kinda respected her strength...  And what about Ranma mom?!  Hear you kill son if he no manly!”  As soon as the accusation had left her mouth, Shampoo wished she’d for once kept her impulsiveness in check.  Bowing, Shampoo quickly apologized, “Sorry!  No meant that way it sound.  Is family business, not mine.  Amazons too are harsh in making family strong.”

      “No, I asked a very personal question.  It’s only natural that you felt defensive.  My apologies for interrogating you when I’ve only just made your acquaintance.  Your honesty is refreshing and I appreciate it.  And your right, once I too believed that honor required Ranma to die, but I loved him and so let him off with a rather lame demonstration of manliness as my excuse.  Perhaps your tribe’s values and mine aren’t so far apart.  We both want our children to be strong and honorable.  So you can understand why I’m trying to learn more about the girl who want’s to have my grandchild, right?”       

      Shampoo blinked in surprise.  She’d underestimated Mrs. Saotome.  During this conversation her brain must have been cranking away on what Shampoo wanted from her son.  Perhaps she was a little slow on the uptake, but given enough time she could figure things out.  And if the way Mrs. Saotome’s eyes gleamed at the mention of a  “grandchild” was any indication, she was amenable to the idea.  That was a relief, Shampoo had been worried for a moment that she’d  blown it.

      “That way both parties save face.  Ranma can still marry Akane, and you can bring our strong blood back to your tribe, who’ll surely go easy on you since that’s the main purpose behind your law.  Oh, he’ll be such a cute little grandson!  You’ll have to promise to keep in touch and visit occasionally!”  squealed  Mrs. Saotome as she clasped Shampoo’s hand and radiated sparkly joy all over the bathroom at the thought of how adorable her grandchild by this beautiful amazon and her oh so handsome son would be.  It can be scary how worked up mothers get over the prospects of grandchildren, particularly those who missed out on raising their own child. 

      “Ok, ok.  I is promise,” said Shampoo, slightly intimidated.  “But not just that I after.  Also want Ranma for train me in Anything Goes Martial Arts.  Could also Ranma teach amazon techniques why we’s at it.”

      “I see.  Your tribe takes in new fighting styles as well as blood.  This’ll be good practice for Ranma.  After all, when he grows up, he’ll be making his living passing on our families’ school of martial arts.  And your plan will give Ranma a good excuse for practicing his manliness too, neh?” said Nodoka with a wink.  Leaning in closer to the blushing amazon, Mrs. Saotome whispered conspiratorially.  “You’ll want to be discreet of course.  I’ve noticed Akane has a tendency to get a bit jealous.”  With that understatement, Mrs. Saotome rose from the bath in a much better mood than when she’d entered it. 

      She’d helped clear the way for her son’s marriage and given him a great opportunity to demonstrate his manliness.  Not that it was in doubt (even if he was a crossdresser...), but still, it was a little disheartening that since she’d moved in she hadn’t once observed Ranma going out on a date with Akane or even making out with her when they thought no one was watching.  But they were probably just being even more discreet than her.  Surely Ranma had an interest in girls...  Letting such troubling thoughts go, Mrs. Saotome started to comb out Shampoo’s long hair and preoccupied herself with debating over how she was going to style it. 

            “Thanks for blessing, Mrs. Saotome,” bowed Shampoo as she sat up on the edge of the bath. 

      “No need to be so formal now that we know each other.  You can call me Auntie Saotome, all the other girls here do.  And thank you for being so mature about this.  I’m sure everything will work out fine for you.  By the way, I don’t think I caught your name...?”

      “Name is...”

      Suddenly an argument from outside reached a level that was clearly audible even in the bathroom.

      “I’m an idiot, am I?  I’ll spar with whomever the hell I want to, you jerk!”      “I can’t believe I let my self get concerned over a stupid uncute tomboy like you!”

      *SMACK* *SLAM* *SPLASH*

      “Ranma back!” squealed Shampoo as she jumped up in excitement, heart aflutter.  It’d been over a week since she’d last seen him, and would be the first since her new resolution.  This would be her chance at a new relationship with him; hopefully they’d be able to get off on the right foot this time.  To be honest, Shampoo didn’t expect Ranma to be as sympathetic and understanding as his mother, but that could also be used to her advantage if need be.  Given time, he’d surely forgive her past manipulations and start to like her.  It really hurt, the realization that he actually seemed to dislike her.  But today she’d make a new impression.  Yes, today she’d...  “HEY!  Where Shampoo’s panties go!”

      Despite how rewarding it had been, the wash-bucket was beginning to think that sticking around had been a bad idea.  Particularly considering Shampoo was now pulling a pair of bonbori from her pile of clothes.  Funny, the wash-bucket didn’t remember those being there.  The amazon had her eyes closed, and the wash-bucket felt, too late, her aura probing the room.  So much for sneaking out.  Looked like it was time for the back up plan, flip the shower knob. 

      As soon as the first bonbori was sent through the air the wash-bucket leapt for it’s target, bouncing off the top of the second bonbori on the way.  At the same time the door to the bath slid open...

      “Stupid tomboy, she didn’t have to dunk me in the koi pond too...” *smack*

      “AIYAHH!  Sorry Ranma, no was aiming for... AIYAHH!  IS  COLD!

      “AAAAHHHH!  CAT!  CAT!  CCCAAAAATTT!”
      *KSHINK* “RANMA!  You’re acting unmanly!  Stop this at once!”

       “MMEOWOROW!” (left untranslated by the censors) 

      So much for getting off on the right foot... 

To be continued...   

Please send C&C to caleb_david@angelfire.com